Clifford Chance advises ADNOC Drilling on partnership with SLB in their land drilling operations in Kuwait and Oman

19 June 2025

Milena Robotham (She/Her), Katrin Schallenberg, Edward Page, Alistair Woodland, Jordan Knowles, Mhairi Cruickshank, Rizwan Butt, Noor Al Kooheji, Sean Wood, Tess Forge, Paul Harrington, Mehran Azzam, Alistair Green, Francesco Pasquarelli, Valia Aravantinou Zafeiri, Octave (Henri Pascal) Schyns, Helga Gudmundsdottir, Camille Gautier
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, London, Singapore, Brussels, Paris

Clifford Chance advises ADNOC Drilling on partnership with SLB in their land drilling operations in Kuwait and Oman

International law firm Clifford Chance has advised ADNOC Drilling Company PJSC on its landmark agreement to acquire a 70% stake in a newly created regional joint venture which will hold SLB’s Middle East onshore drilling rig business in Kuwait and Oman. The transaction supports ADNOC Drilling's ambitious regional growth plans through a disciplined entry into regional markets.

The transaction involves 8 rigs and associated infrastructure, which will be integrated into a newly formed entity jointly owned by ADNOC Drilling (70%) and SLB (30%) once regulatory approvals are obtained. The deal will significantly enhance ADNOC Drilling’s operational presence in the region, supporting its strategic, disciplined and value-driven expansion in regional markets.

Clifford Chance provided end-to-end cross-border legal support on the transaction, advising on M&A structuring and regulatory issues, as well as on transitional and operational matters.

Daud Khan, Partner at Clifford Chance (Abu Dhabi), commented:

“It was a privilege to support ADNOC Drilling on this strategic joint venture and investment. This deal is a milestone for the regional energy sector and reinforces ADNOC Drilling’s commitment to delivering best-in-class operations across the GCC. Our team was proud to help structure and negotiate a transaction of this scale and complexity.”

The Clifford Chance cross-border team was led by partner Daud Khan (Abu Dhabi), with support from partners Milena Robotham (Brussels), Katrin Schallenberg (Paris), Edward Page (London) and Alistair Woodland (London), with a core team including senior associates Jordan Knowles (Abu Dhabi), Mhairi Cruickshank (Dubai), Rizwan Butt (Dubai), Noor AlKooheji (Abu Dhabi), Sean Wood (London), Tess Forge (Counsel, Singapore) and Paul Harrington (London), as well as associates Mehran Azzam (Abu Dhabi), Alistair Green (London), Francesco Pasquarelli (Brussels), Valia Aravantinou Zafeiri (Brussels), Octave Schyns (Brussels), Helga Gudmundsdottir (Brussels), and Camille Gautier (Paris).