Chinese acquisition
Hearing we may be sold to either CNPC or Sinopec.
State-controlled CNPC already owns BGP, the largest seismic and subsurface imaging company in the world. Rumors abound regarding its leading Chinese competitor - Sinopec - combining with Western Geco, another seismic imaging company that Schlumberger has already stated it wants to sell (see the Schlumberger board).
Makes a lot of sense as the Chinese try to assemble full-scope exploration and development companies that can become one-stop shops for the resource sovereigns. State-owned banks can provide the capital, and the mainland provides a ready end product market.
In this world, BHGE adds additional products and services that add to the one-stop shopping concept. An acquisition by either of the Chinese energy companies gives them the advantage in positioning for the end game while Flannery gets to chest pump to the Street.
Stay tuned, and brush up on your Mandarin!