Baker Hughes and Akastor ASA have announced an agreement to create a joint venture company (Company) that will bring together Baker Hughes' Subsea Drilling Systems (SDS) business with Akastor's wholly owned subsidiary, MHWirth AS (MHWirth). The Company will deliver a global full-service offshore drilling equipment offering that will provide customers with a broad portfolio of products and services. The transaction will result in a leading equipment provider with integrated delivery capabilities, financial strength, and flexibility to address a full range of customer priorities. The Company will be owned 50-50 by Baker Hughes and Akastor, and following the closing of the transaction, the Company's operations will be managed from current offices in Houston, Texas, and Kristiansand, Norway. Merrill A. "Pete" Miller will serve as chairman and chief executive officer.