Former Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Halliburton
Search every verified David M.b.a. interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. In a November 2014 CNBC interview, Halliburton CEO Dave Lesar discussed the company's proposed acquisition of Baker Hughes. Lesar described the deal as a long-term strategy, stating the combined company would be "a fantastic company with great people, great technology, and a great US company that's going to make a lot of jobs." He said feedback from customers, particularly national oil companies, had been "unanimous" and positive, and that he had received inquiries from private equity and other companies interested in potential assets that might be divested. Lesar also said Halliburton was "laser focused on returns to shareholders" and would use divestiture proceeds for share buybacks. Lesar also addressed the impact of lower oil prices on the industry. He said volatility was harmful, but that the industry could adapt if prices "settle into a range and stay there for a while." He noted that Halliburton was hiring 21,000 people that year and that the combination with Baker Hughes would expand career opportunities. Lesar added that the U.S. unconventional oil and gas sector was providing energy independence, creating jobs, and developing technology, which he described as "fantastic for the US in the long run."
“We're not doing this transaction for next quarter, next year, but for the next 10 and 20 years. We've created a fantastic company, great people, great technology, and a great US company that's going to make a lot of jobs.”
“It was not oil price driven. It was the right time to put these companies together. I believe stronger is better. We'll be a bigger company, we'll have more product lines, we'll have more technology, we've got about 140,000 employees. So I don't care what the market throws at us, we're going to be in good shape.”
“I've always said a fairway for the oil and gas operators, especially the unconventional players in the US, is between $80 and $100. What really hurts the industry is the volatility. Our industry is a great adaptable industry. If prices will go somewhere and sit for a while, our customers, the service companies, and eve...”
“We are laser focused on returns to shareholders. We are laser focused on getting that money back to them, and we are not backing off. You will see money coming back, and you'll continue to see buybacks.”
November 18, 2014, interview with Halliburton CEO Dave Lesar on CNBC to discuss the Baker deal.
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