US firms' Paris offices have dominated the lead roles on the $3.1bn (£1.66bn) merger of Compagnie Generale de Geophysique (CGG) and Veritas DGC, creating the world's largest fossil fuel field surveyor.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom and Linklaters advised Paris-based acquirer CGG, while Vinson & Elkins and Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker advised Houston-based Veritas. Both Veritas and CGG provide services, data and equipment to the oil and gas exploration industry.

Willkie Farr advised CGG on the French side and competition aspects of the acquisition, under a team led by Laurent Faugerolas, with Skadden New York corporate partner Peter Atkins acting as US counsel.