The Norwegian Competition Authority announced in February that it might intervene in Schlumberger’s acquisition of ChampionX. The Authority raised concerns that this global transaction could reduce competition among suppliers of production chemicals used on oil fields in the Norwegian continental shelf — so-called horizontal effects.
Oslo Economics has assisted Schjødt and their client Schlumberger with various advice and analyses related to these potential horizontal effects on competition. This theory of harm has since been set aside by the Competition Authority and is not part of their final decision.
In addition to possible horizontal effects, the Authority also assessed vertical effects in the form of input foreclosure. The final decision includes conditions to ensure that competitors retain access to inputs in well monitoring and directional drilling services in Norway.
