CALGARY, July 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – CE Franklin Ltd. (NASDAQ: CFK; TSX: CFT) (“CE Franklin“) announced today that the previously-announced plan of arrangement
involving a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Oilwell Varco, Inc.,
NOV Distribution Services ULC (“NDS“), was approved by more than 98% of the votes cast by shareholders of
CE Franklin. The arrangement was also approved today by the Court of
Queen’s Bench of Alberta. The arrangement will result in NDS acquiring
all of the issued and outstanding common shares of CE Franklin for cash
consideration of CAD$12.75 per share. It is expected that the
arrangement will be completed on or about July 18, 2012.

About CE Franklin

For more than 75 years, CE Franklin has been a leading supplier of
products and services to the energy industry. CE Franklin distributes
pipe, valves, flanges, fittings, production equipment, tubular products
and other general oilfield supplies to oil and gas producers in Canada
as well as to the oil sands, refining, heavy oil, petrochemical,
forestry and mining industries. These products are distributed through
its 39 branches, which are situated in towns and cities serving
particular oil and gas fields of the western Canadian sedimentary
basin.

About NOV

National Oilwell Varco is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture
and sale of equipment and components used in oil and gas drilling and
production operations, the provision of oilfield services, and supply
chain integration services to the upstream oil and gas industry.

Forward-looking Statements: The information in this news release may contain “forward-looking
statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of
1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; within the
meaning of Canadian securities law and other applicable securities
legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical facts,
that address activities, events, outcomes and other matters that CE
Franklin plans, expects, intends, assumes, believes, budgets, predicts,
forecasts, projects, estimates or anticipates (and other similar
expressions) will, should or may occur in the future are
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based
on management’s current belief, based on currently available
information, as to the outcome and timing of future events. When
considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the
risk factors and other cautionary statements and refer to the Form 20-F
or our annual information form for further detail.

SOURCE CE Franklin Ltd.