From Oilfields to Hydrogen: Baker Hughes’ Big Pivot

A $13.6B deal for Chart Industries signals Baker Hughes’ bold move into hydrogen infrastructure

16 Oct 2025

Baker Hughes is deepening its commitment to clean energy with a $13.6 billion agreement to acquire Chart Industries, a U.S. manufacturer specializing in cryogenic and liquefied gas systems. The deal, announced in late July, positions the Houston-based company to expand its reach across hydrogen infrastructure and further its shift from traditional oilfield services toward broader energy technologies.

Chart Industries brings expertise in cryogenic storage, liquefaction, and containment systems, technologies critical to hydrogen production and transport. By integrating those capabilities, Baker Hughes strengthens its role in the fast-growing hydrogen value chain, a sector increasingly viewed as central to industrial decarbonization efforts.

Industry analysts describe the acquisition as both a strategic and defensive move. The merger consolidates essential manufacturing and engineering assets, allowing Baker Hughes to accelerate low-carbon infrastructure deployment while reducing exposure to commodity price swings. “This deal isn’t just about buying assets,” one consultant said. “It’s about securing the technical foundations needed to scale cleaner energy systems.”

The transaction also reflects a broader realignment in the clean-energy market. As federal funding for regional hydrogen hubs faces political and logistical scrutiny, energy companies are refocusing on infrastructure such as pipelines, storage terminals, and liquefaction plants that can provide steady returns and long-term resilience. For Baker Hughes, the acquisition offers immediate access to established global supply chains and production capacity.

Still, significant hurdles remain. Integrating two complex industrial operations will take time, and hydrogen demand, though growing, has yet to mature at scale. The deal requires regulatory approval and is expected to close by mid-2026.

If completed, the acquisition would mark a turning point for Baker Hughes, underscoring its evolution from an oilfield equipment supplier into a diversified energy technology firm. It also suggests that hydrogen’s next chapter may depend as much on infrastructure builders as on producers themselves, a dynamic likely to shape the sector in the years ahead.