Schlumberger Announces Second-Quarter 2019 Results

- Business Wire

Schlumberger Limited (NYSE: SLB) today reported results for the second quarter of 2019.

Schlumberger Chairman and CEO Paal Kibsgaard commented, "Second-quarter revenue of $8.3 billion increased 5% sequentially, driven by our international business that grew 8% and showed continued signs of a broad upturn in E&P investment and activity. International rig counts increased 6% sequentially and 5% year-over-year. In contrast, North America land revenue grew 1% sequentially while North America offshore revenue increased 10%.

"During the first half of 2019, excluding Cameron, international revenue increased 8% year-over-year while North America land revenue declined 12% year-over-year. These results reflect the normalization in global E&P spend that we were anticipating as international investment increases in response to the accelerating decline in the mature production base, and North America land investment decreases due to E&P operator cash flow constraints. Double-digit year-over-year growth during the first half of 2019 was posted in the Mexico & Central America, Latin America North, Sub-Sahara Africa, and Far East Asia & Australia GeoMarkets while high, single-digit growth was seen in the United Kingdom & Continental Europe, Eastern Middle East, and South & East Asia GeoMarkets. Our results, therefore, continue to match our expectations of high, single-digit growth across our international business in 2019.

"During the second quarter, sequential international growth was led by the Europe/CIS/Africa area, where revenue increased sequentially by 11% driven by activity that strengthened beyond the seasonal recovery in the Russia & Central Asia and United Kingdom & Continental Europe GeoMarkets. Sequential international growth was also driven by a 19% improvement in the Far East Asia & Australia GeoMarket and a 12% increase in the Latin America area while revenue in the Middle East region grew 3%.

"In North America land, despite the impact of the spring breakup in Canada, OneStim^® activity was higher, which was offset by weak hydraulic fracturing pricing and a general decrease in drilling activity. Offshore North America revenue increased from stronger exploration-led activity driven mainly by WesternGeco^® multiclient seismic license sales.

"By business segment, sequential growth in the second quarter was led by a 7% increase in revenue in Reservoir Characterization followed by a 6% increase in Production on higher international activity that exceeded the strength of the seasonal rebounds following winter in the Northern Hemisphere. The higher international activity benefited Wireline, WesternGeco, Well Services, Completions, Schlumberger Production Management (SPM), and Artificial Lift Solutions. Cameron revenue increased 5% sequentially from higher OneSubsea^® and Surface Systems activity, primarily in the international markets. Drilling revenue increased 1% sequentially as international growth was partially offset by weakness in activity in North America land.

"From a macro perspective, we expect oil market sentiments to remain balanced. The oil demand forecast for 2019 has been reduced slightly on trade war fears and current global geopolitical tensions, but we do not anticipate a change in the structural demand outlook for the mid-term. On the supply side, we continue to see US shale oil as the only near- to medium-term source of global production growth, albeit at a slowing growth rate, as E&P operators continue to transition from an emphasis on growth to a focus on cash and returns, with consequent restraining effects on investment levels. These effects, combined with the decision by OPEC and Russia to extend production cuts through the first quarter of 2020, are likely to keep oil prices range bound around present levels. Although the markets are well supplied from production added by projects that were sanctioned before 2015, this added supply will begin to fall in 2020 and create risk for the future as the decline rates in many mature production basins become an increasingly significant challenge. In addition, while the number of new projects we expect to receive final investment decision (FID) approval in 2019 is likely to increase again for the fourth consecutive year, their size and number account for supply additions far below the required global annual production replacement rates. We therefore maintain our view that international E&P investment will grow 7% to 8% in 2019, further supported by the increase in international rig count. In contrast, spending in North America land is tracking our expectations of a 10% decline this year.

"The increasing international market investment and a reduction in North America land capex represent a positive market shift for Schlumberger and the welcome return of a very familiar opportunity set. With our unmatched global strength, our modernized execution platform, and our expanded technology portfolio now ready for broad digital implementation, we are well positioned to generate superior earnings growth, margin expansion, and free cash flow in the emerging international upcycle."

Other Events

Schlumberger announced today that its Board of Directors has appointed Olivier Le Peuch as its Chief Executive Officer, and member of the Schlumberger Board, effective August 1, 2019. Mr. Le Peuch succeeds Paal Kibsgaard, who will retire as Chief Executive Officer effective that same date. Also effective August 1, Mr. Kibsgaard will step down as Chairman of the Board and retire as a member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Kibsgaard will retire after more than 22 years of service to the Company, including eight years as CEO and four years as Chairman. Effective the same date, Mark G. Papa, a current non-independent director, will become non-executive Chairman of the Board. Peter Currie will continue to serve as the Board's Lead Independent Director.

During the quarter, Schlumberger repurchased 2.5 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $40.12 per share, for a total purchase price of $101 million.

On April 28, 2019, Saudi Arabia's Industrialization and Energy Services Company (TAQA) announced that Arabian Drilling Company (ADC)—a joint venture between TAQA and Schlumberger—agreed to acquire Schlumberger's Middle East onshore drilling rigs business in Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, and Pakistan for $415 million. Schlumberger and TAQA formed the ADC joint venture in 1964, with Schlumberger owning 49% while TAQA owns 51%. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2019, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

On May 14, 2019, Schlumberger and Wellbore Integrity Solutions (WIS), an affiliate of Rhône Capital, announced that they had entered into an agreement for WIS to acquire the Schlumberger businesses and associated assets of DRILCO, Thomas Tools, and Fishing & Remedial services. The transaction is valued at approximately $400 million and is expected to close by year-end 2019, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

On July 17, 2019, Schlumberger's Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share of outstanding common stock, payable on October 11, 2019 to stockholders of record on September 4, 2019.

Consolidated Revenue by Area

Second-quarter revenue of $8.3 billion increased 5% sequentially with North America revenue of $2.8 billion increasing 2% while international revenue of $5.5 billion increased 8%.

North America

North America areaconsolidated revenue of $2.8 billion was 2% higher sequentially despite the impact of the spring breakup in Canada. In North America land, OneStim revenue was up 3% sequentially as improved hydraulic fracturing fleet utilization on increased market demand was partly offset by continued pricing weakness. North America land drilling revenue decreased in line with rig count reductions while Cameron revenue was marginally down sequentially. Offshore North America revenue increased due to higher exploration activity led by WesternGecomulticlient seismic license sales.

International

Consolidated revenue in the Latin America areaof $1.1 billion increased 12% sequentially from double-digit revenue growth in the Mexico & Central America GeoMarket due to high offshore exploration–led activity for the IOCs and increased Integrated Drilling Services (IDS) onshore activity. In the Latin America North GeoMarket, revenue was driven by higher SPM activity and increased production, mainly in Ecuador. In the Latin America South GeoMarket, revenue was higher due to increased Cameron revenue, primarily from sales of OneSubsea and Surface Systems equipment.

Europe/CIS/Africa area consolidated revenue of $1.9 billion increased 11% sequentially, driven by activity that strengthened beyond the impact of the seasonal recovery in the Northern Hemisphere, leading to double-digit sequential growth in the Russia & Central Asia and United Kingdom & Continental Europe GeoMarkets. This primarily benefited Wireline, Well Services, Drilling & Measurements, IDS, and M-I SWACO. Revenue increased in the Sub-Sahara Africa GeoMarket—particularly in West Africa, Nigeria, Angola, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea—as rig counts climbed, well intervention activity increased, and new integrated drilling projects began. Cameron revenue was higher in the area due to increased OneSubsea and Surface Systems equipment sales, mainly in the United Kingdom & Continental Europe, Norway & Denmark, North Africa, and Russia & Central Asia GeoMarkets.

Consolidated revenue in the Middle East & Asia area of $2.5 billion increased 5% sequentially, led by double-digit sequential revenue growth in the Far East Asia & Australia GeoMarket, particularly in China and Australia. This benefited Drilling & Measurements, Well Services, Wireline, Testing Services, and M-I SWACO. Growth was primarily driven by increased drilling activity offshore Australia and Indonesia as well as by the seasonal recovery in China. In Saudi Arabia, stronger Wireline and Completions activity was partially offset by lower revenue from Well Services, IDS, and land seismic acquisition surveys. In the Eastern Middle East GeoMarket, revenue was flat as higher Cameron activity was offset by lower IDS revenue following project completions in Iraq. Revenue in the South & East Asia GeoMarket decreased sequentially as reduced IDS activity in India and lower Cameron activity were partially offset by higher exploration and drilling work in Myanmar, Malaysia, and Thailand. The increased OneSubsea and Surface Systems equipment sales in the Saudi Arabia & Bahrain, Eastern Middle East, and Far East Asia & Australia GeoMarkets also contributed to the area's growth.

Reservoir Characterization

Reservoir Characterization revenue of $1.6 billion, of which 80% came from the international markets, increased 7% sequentially due to higher activity beyond the seasonal rebounds from winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Growth was driven by higher offshore exploration activity benefiting Wireline and Testing Services in the United Kingdom & Continental Europe, Russia & Central Asia, Saudi Arabia & Bahrain, and Far East Asia & Australia GeoMarkets. The increase in Reservoir Characterization revenue was also driven by higher WesternGeco multiclient seismic license sales in the Mexico Bay of Campeche and the US Gulf of Mexico. Software Integrated Solutions (SIS) revenue was also higher in the Russia & Central Asia and the South & East Asia GeoMarkets.

Reservoir Characterization pretax operating margin of 20% was 81 basis points (bps) higher sequentially due to the seasonal recovery in higher-margin Wireline activity and stronger WesternGeco multiclient seismic license sales.

Reservoir Characterization performance was supported by multiple software as a service (SaaS) contracts for the DELFI* cognitive E&P environment and the expansion of this environment into other domains. This included contracts for the DrillPlan* coherent well construction planning solution and the introduction of the GAIA* digital subsurface platform, which enables exploration teams to rapidly discover and access basin-scale data and manage their exploration opportunities in the DELFI environment.

In Malaysia, SIS was awarded a SaaS contract by Hibiscus Petroleum for use of the DELFI cognitive E&P environment.

In Pennsylvania, Huntley & Huntley Energy Exploration, LLC awarded Schlumberger a contract for the provision of the DrillPlan solution. Several DrillPlan solution workflows will be integrated into the customer's standard planning processes to improve engineering quality and collaboration with third-party service providers.

Offshore Angola, Wireline used formation-testing-while-tripping (FTWT) technology in an exploration well for Eni and reduced operating costs by $10 million. This is the result of decreasing rig time more than two weeks compared with standard drillstem testing (DST) operations. Combined with the InSitu Fluid Analyzer* real-time downhole fluid analysis system and Saturn* 3D radial probe, FTWT technology helped confirm the presence of oil and estimate the reservoir's productivity index. The customer was able to confirm the reservoir's potential and book additional oil reserves.

Qatar Petroleum awarded Schlumberger a five-year contract for the provision of well testing, DST, and downhole data acquisition using MUZIC* wireless telemetry technology.

Apache Egypt awarded Schlumberger a two-year contract with an optional two-year extension for the provision of formation evaluation services in 11 exploration wells in Western Egypt.

In Brazil, Petrobras signed a two-and-half-year contract with WesternGeco to reimage towed marine streamer and ocean bottom seismic data collected in the Santos, Campos, and Espirito Santo Basins. Advanced imaging technologies, including full waveform inversion, will be used to derive the high-resolution velocity and anisotrophy models needed to characterize these deepwater basins.

Drilling

Drilling revenue of $2.4 billion, of which 75% came from the international markets, increased 1% sequentially. Stronger international activity beyond the seasonal rebounds in the Northern Hemisphere was supported by the international rig count increase of 6%, but growth was offset by reduced shale drilling activity in North America land as the US land rig count declined 5%. International growth was driven by higher activity benefiting M-I SWACO and Drilling & Measurements in the United Kingdom & Continental Europe, Russia & Central Asia, Mexico & Central America, and Far East Asia & Australia GeoMarkets. IDS revenue was lower sequentially as higher onshore IDS activity in the Mexico & Central America GeoMarket was more than offset by reduced project activity in India and the completion of a project in Iraq.

Drilling pretax operating margin of 12% declined 45 bps sequentially as margin improvements for Drilling & Measurements and M-I SWACO in the Europe/CIS/Africa area and the Far East Asia & Australia GeoMarket were more than offset by lower margins from IDS projects in the Middle East region.

Drilling performance benefited from contract awards and the deployment of drilling systems and fluids technologies.

Lundin Norway AS awarded Schlumberger a four-year IDS contract valued at $115 million, with an optional four-year extension, covering operations in the Norwegian North Sea. Contract scope includes production and injection wells in the Solveig Field, infill wells at the Edvard Grieg Field, and well construction services for drilling exploration and appraisal wells on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

QGC Shell Australia awarded Schlumberger a three-year contract for the provision of four drilling rigs for the Surat Basin. Operations began in February 2019.

In the Permian Basin, Drilling & Measurements used PowerDrive Orbit* rotary steerable system for Diamondback Energy, Inc. to increase the rate of penetration (ROP) in a lateral well section by 13% compared with the previous drilling record in the same field. The PowerDrive Orbit system drilled the 13,351-ft lateral in 2.9 days at an average ROP of 189 ft/hr, drilling 5,287 ft in the first 24 hours.

In the Middle East, Schlumberger was awarded a two-year contract for the provision of the RHELIANT* thermally stable, flat-rheology drilling fluid system. The RHELIANT system, which works in a wide range of temperatures, is particularly well adapted to the high-performance, oil-based mud business in certain regions of the Middle East, enabling control of equivalent circulating density and hydraulics as well as improved hole cleaning.

Production

Production revenue of $3.1 billion, of which 54% came from the international markets, increased 6% sequentially driven primarily by higher international activity for Well Services in the Russia & Central Asia, Far East Asia & Australia, and United Kingdom & Continental Europe GeoMarkets. Increased artificial lift sales across the international areas, higher intelligent completions activity in Saudi Arabia, and increased SPM project activity mainly in Ecuador, all contributed to the increase in Production revenue. In North America land, despite the impact of the spring breakup in Canada, Production revenue was up 3% sequentially driven by higher cementing activity and improved OneStim hydraulic fracturing fleet utilization on increased market demand. These effects, however, were partially offset by softer hydraulic fracturing pricing.

Production pretax operating margin of 8% was essentially flat sequentially as the improvement in international margin from higher activity was offset by the effects of pricing pressure in North America land.

Production revenue was strengthened by increasing deployment of new fracturing technologies in North America land that improved completions performance and increased wellsite efficiency through automation. In addition, international contract awards and the deployment of innovative artificial lift and completions technologies helped maximize production in horizontal wells and improve recovery in low-productivity zones.

In South Texas, OneStim deployed WellWatcher Stim* stimulation monitoring service and BroadBand Shield* fracture-geometry control service for Freedom Oil & Gas to avoid parent-child well interference effects. Additionally, Kinetix* reservoir-centric stimulation-to-production software was used for the far field diverter design to optimize the completions schedule. Together, these technologies enabled the operator to improve production targets for the completed wells and on future completions.

In North America land, StimCommander Pumps* automated and intelligent rate and pressure control technology has now been used in all major shale plays, totaling more than 29,000 stages and 51,000 pumping hours. Fully automating the pumps makes rate control more efficient, which minimizes equipment failures and reduces downtime on location. One customer has converted all of its Schlumberger fleets to StimCommander Pumps control, with more than 5,000 stages successfully placed, resulting in reduced downtime for maintenance and improved fuel economy.

In Canada, Artificial Lift Solutions introduced HEAL Systemsâ„¢ technology for Longshore Resources to overcome multiphase slug flow challenges in producing their horizontal wells in the Charlie Lake Field. Three HEAL systems enabled more than 25,000 BOE of incremental production in the first 100 days after installation.

Offshore Thailand, Completions introduced autonomous inflow control devices (AICDs) for KrisEnergy to control water production and increase hydrocarbon recovery in the heavy oil Wassana Field. The AICD design helps reduce the water and gas flow rates while enabling oil to exit the device with a pressure drop similar to a passive ICD. Consequently, low-productivity zones produce more oil than they would with the use of normal screen completions, thereby optimizing oil production.

MODEC Offshore Production Systems (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. awarded Schlumberger a contract for the provision of seawater treatment and produced-water systems for a floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel for use in the Area 1 block offshore Mexico.

Cameron

Cameron revenue of $1.2 billion, of which 57% came from international markets, increased 5% sequentially driven by higher international revenue for OneSubsea, Surface Systems, and Drilling Systems while Valves & Measurement declined due to reduced activity in North America. By geography, international revenue grew 24% sequentially while North America revenue was essentially flat.

Cameron pretax operating margin of 13% increased by 94 bps sequentially as improved profitability in OneSubsea and Surface Systems was partially offset by reduced margin in Drilling Systems.

In the second quarter, Cameron won long-term product and service contracts for subsea equipment, valves, and actuators, as well as the provision of subsea compression and managed pressure drilling (MPD) systems.

Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (Chevron) awarded OneSubsea a 20-year subsea equipment and services master contract for subsea development projects in the Gulf of Mexico. Combining this master contract with a preapproved catalog of standard subsea equipment will enable Chevron to decrease operating costs in its subsea projects. The provision of a OneSubsea custom catalog of equipment will also include innovative technologies that meet Chevron's project requirements, including high-temperature projects or high-pressure projects requiring equipment that can withstand up to 20,000 psi.

Shell Global Solutions awarded Schlumberger a contract for the provision of the OneSubsea wet compression concept to increase gas recovery in the Ormen Lange Field in the Norwegian North Sea. Two subsea compression stations will be installed 120 km from shore at a water depth of 850 m.

In the United States, Stena Drilling purchased a Schlumberger MPD system. The deepwater package solution comprises an integrated riser joint, surface manifolds, a single control system and umbilical, and other associated equipment. Delivery is expected in Q4 2019.

Valves & Measurement was awarded a four-year service contract by one of the largest production sharing agreement companies in Kazakhstan. This flange machining agreement will provide the customer with improved control over processes and costs by keeping multiple services under one vendor.

In Far East Asia, Valves & Measurement worked closely with a major oil and gas company to develop a long-range plan to minimize turnaround risks associated with planned and unplanned shutdowns of an LNG facility. Close collaboration with the customer helped optimize the selection and amount of critical spare equipment needed onsite. This included the provision of ORBIT* rising stem ball valves and LEDEEN* actuators in alignment with the customer's commercial needs.

Financial Tables

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income

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