DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: A subsidiary of General Electric has agreed to purchase a 5 per cent stake in the drilling arm of Abu Dhabi's state oil company for $550 million.The deal announced on Monday with Baker Hughes values the drilling subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil at around $11 billion. ADNOC says that valuation includes some $1 billion in debt.
It also marks the first time Abu Dhabi has sold a stake in its businesses to a foreign interest.
ADNOC Drilling operates over 90 drilling rigs, making it the Mideast's largest drilling company.
Overall, ADNOC produces some 3 million barrels of crude oil and 10.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas a day.
Baker Hughes is headquartered in Houston, while GE is based in Boston.