Allen & Overy (A&O) and Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom have taken the lead roles on a $1.7bn (£1.12bn) deal for oil and gas technology titan Schlumberger to acquire a 46% interest in Russia’s Eurasia Drilling Company (EDC).

As part of the agreement, EDC’s principal shareholders will take the company private, delisting the company from the London Stock Exchange before Schlumberger acquires its minority equity interest.