SLB wants the Cameron name, simple as that. All of this hype pre-merger about "synergies" was basically the nice way of SLB telling Cam emloyees they were about to get cut.
The "rig of the future", "pore to process", all hype. I can see SLB sticking with the pressure controls business, but even that is faltering behind other companies (google BOP customer satisfaction index). The purchase was a great way to diversify in a down market without really diversifying, if that makes any sense. It gives investors a chubby, after all, that's all we're trying to please.
We all know Cameron, at least on the drilling side, makes bottom tier garbage. You'd be hard pressed during the boom to find a contractor going to Cameron to outfit their entire rig with Cameron equipment.
Anyways, it was a good way to diversify the portfolio with a cheap product that has a little brand recognition and provide a lift raft for the bleeding out of SLB employees.
If SLB was REALLY looking at getting into the drilling market during the downturn they would have gone after partnerships with GE or tried to get a heavy stake in NOV.