Schlumberger Announces Second-Quarter 2005 Results

Income from continuing operations, including charges and credits, was $0.78 per share-diluted, versus $0.87 in the previous quarter and $0.43 in the second quarter of last year. Net income, including discontinued operations, was $482 million or $0.80 per share-diluted, compared to $0.86 in the previous quarter, and $0.59 in the second quarter of last year.

Oilfield Services revenue of $3.04 billion increased 10% sequentially and 20% compared to the same quarter of last year. Pretax business segment operating income of $674 million increased 21% sequentially and 48% year-on-year.

WesternGeco revenue of $383 million increased 1% sequentially and 31% year-on-year. Pretax business segment operating income of $58 million decreased 9% sequentially but increased three-fold year-on-year.

Schlumberger Chairman and CEO Andrew Gould commented, "Second-quarter results showed sharp improvements across all geographical areas and technologies, both year-on-year and sequentially, as customer spending plans accelerated worldwide.

In Russia, the cooperation and confidence established during the initial period of our minority holding of PetroAlliance has confirmed our belief that the company will play a major role in our continued expansion. We are therefore very pleased to announce the acquisition of a further 25% equity stake.

With growing demand for Q technology across the world, WesternGeco has announced the conversion of a sixth seismic vessel to the new standard. The vessel will enter service in the second quarter of 2006. The previously announced fifth Q vessel is already in service.

While the supply response has begun, it has not yet reached a level, or been underway long enough, to make a meaningful improvement in production capacity. The coming quarters will see further increases in activity."

Other Events:

Schlumberger acquired an additional 25% equity stake in PetroAlliance Services Company Limited, bringing total ownership to 51%. Schlumberger initially acquired 26% of PetroAlliance Services, Russia's largest independent oilfield services company, in the second quarter of 2004. The acquisition price of the additional stake was determined by a performance-based formula and was paid one-third in cash and two-thirds in Schlumberger stock. The acquisition of the remaining 49% of the company will be completed in 2006, subject to performance requirements, regulatory approval, and other customary provisions.

As part of the 15 million-share buy-back program, Schlumberger repurchased 2.77 million shares during the quarter for a total amount of $189 million. Since the beginning of the program Schlumberger has repurchased 8.9 million shares for a total amount of $583 million.

Oilfield Services

Second quarter revenue of $3.0 billion was 10% higher sequentially and increased 20% year-on-year. Pretax operating income of $674 million increased 21% sequentially and 48% year-on-year.

Sequential revenue increases were recorded across all Areas with the highest contributions from the US Land, US Gulf Coast, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, North Sea, and Venezuela GeoMarkets. All technology segments experienced higher revenue levels, with particularly strong demand for Integrated Project Management (IPM), Well Services, and Well Completions & Productivity products and services.

Year-on-year growth was posted in all Areas but driven mainly by the US Land, Russia, the Gulf, Nigeria, Mexico, and Venezuela GeoMarkets. All technology segments recorded double-digit increases.

Pretax operating income recorded strong sequential and year-on-year growth, principally due to a continued increase in exploration and production activity levels worldwide, resulting in higher operating leverage across all Areas.

During the quarter Schlumberger introduced FiberFRAC* technology, a service which has proven critical for producers in tight-gas reservoirs by improving production rates through better proppant distribution and fracture geometry. In a recent application in the Pinedale Anticline in Southwestern Wyoming, Shell Exploration & Production Company successfully utilized FiberFRAC technology throughout a 20-stage fracturing stimulation treatment of a multi-layered well in a deep, high-temperature tight sandstone play.

Additionally, recognizing the importance of exploiting unconventional reserves, Chevron, Total, and Schlumberger have entered a joint alliance to develop thermal simulation technology for improving recovery in heavy-oil reservoirs. The alliance will build upon the research of the Intersect project, which is envisioned as the long-term evolution of the Schlumberger ECLIPSE* reservoir simulator.

North America

Revenue of $907 million increased 5% sequentially and 21% year-on-year. Pretax operating income of $234 million increased 15% sequentially and 94% year-on-year.

Sequentially, the US Land GeoMarket continued to record strong revenue growth, driven mainly by high demand for Well Services technologies that resulted in significant pricing improvements. The Gulf of Mexico also contributed through the introduction of new technology, which led to higher revenue. Canada declined due to the seasonal impact of spring break-up in Western Canada, where active rig count was halved from the prior quarter, partially offset by robust activity offshore Eastern Canada.

The solid year-on-year and sequential pretax income improvements were the result of new technology introductions, particularly by Drilling & Measurements; price increases mainly from Well Services and Wireline; and continued activity growth.

During the quarter key technology solutions were deployed in the Area. In the US Land GeoMarket, the first GVR* geoVISION resistivity imaging log was acquired in the Barnett shale gas play in North Central Texas. A total of 2,500 feet of the horizontal section was drilled and steered using proprietary GVR technology in combination with the PowerDrive X5* rotary steerable system. In this unconventional gas reservoir, identification of natural and drilling-induced fractures is key to the optimization of hydraulic fracturing.

Schlumberger opened a Production Center of Excellence in Oklahoma City to support real-time production services. The center will focus on delivering surveillance, diagnostic, and optimization services for producing wells utilizing wellsite measurements and production data in real-time workflows.

Latin America

Revenue of $554 million increased 18% sequentially and was 30% higher year-on-year. Pretax operating income of $84 million increased 30% sequentially and 34% year-on-year.

Mexico recorded high sequential revenue growth from an increased number of wells being completed on the Burgos project, coupled with a rise in third-party managed services revenue. Activity in the Venezuela/Trinidad & Tobago GeoMarket increased primarily from IPM and Well Services operations.

During the quarter, continued progress was highlighted with the signing of a short-term renewable agreement with PDVSA regarding the PRISA project, resulting in a resumption of activity for the six barges. Discussions continue regarding the settlement of certain outstanding receivables.

The strong operating income increase resulted mainly from strengthening operating margins in Mexico due to improved IPM performance. This was coupled with stronger operating efficiencies in Well Services across all GeoMarkets.

A number of technology solutions were deployed across the Area. In Mexico, Schlumberger provided an innovative heavy-oil test and completion solution for Pemex on the Takin-1 offshore location. An array of new Wireline and Well Completions & Productivity technology services was used in a reentered well in which reservoir parameters previously could not be accurately determined.

Wireline ABC* Analysis Behind Casing technology services were run for Pemex when hole conditions prevented openhole logging and traditional cased-hole logs from clearly identifying gas-bearing sands. ABC logs provided the petrophysical and rock mineralogy information needed to successfully evaluate and assess several intervals for future completion and production.

Europe/CIS/West Africa

Revenue of $825 million increased 10% sequentially and 17% year-on-year. Pretax operating income of $154 million increased 24% sequentially and 31% year-on-year.

The sequential revenue growth resulted mainly from higher levels of activity in Russia, principally due to greater demand for Well Services and Well Completions & Productivity technology services. This was coupled with 20 days of financial consolidation of PetroAlliance following the successful completion of the second stage of acquisition, giving Schlumberger a 51% controlling interest. Also contributing to the revenue improvement was the Caspian GeoMarket with stronger Wireline activity and the North Sea experiencing seasonal activity pick-up.

The robust profitability improvement in pretax operating income was mainly due to the resurgence of activity in the North Sea; improved utilization and pricing in Russia; and reduced overhead costs, resulting in higher operating margins. Also contributing were new technology introductions and the renewal of long-term contracts, particularly for Drilling & Measurements, Well Services and Wireline services.

Several key technologies were introduced across the Area. In Norway, the first remote wireline logging operation was performed for Statoil with control of the operation exercised from the Statfjord Onshore Operation center. A PS Platform* log was run to verify the injected gas volumes and optimize the pressure support of the Statfjord formations.

Offshore West Africa, StethoScope*—the new pressure-while-drilling tool from the Scope* family of Drilling & Measurements technologies—was used in conjunction with VISION* geosteering technology to significantly enhance formation evaluation efficiency. The StethoScope service measured pressure in three different sands to determine the depletion regime in a deepwater field in Angola.

Also in Angola, Total E&P began deployment of sandface completions on their Dalia deepwater project. Spread across four years and covering more than 60 wells, the ongoing installation work will utilize a number of Well Completions & Productivity technology services, including the QUANTUM MaX* HPHT gravel-pack system and the FIV* Formation Isolation Valve tool.

Middle East & Asia

Revenue of $731 million was 9% higher sequentially and 15% higher year-on-year. Pretax operating income of $206 million increased 18% sequentially and 28% year-on-year.

Sequentially, each of the 11 GeoMarkets contributed to the revenue improvement, further emphasizing the global progression and depth of the current business cycle. Activity in China strengthened as a result of accelerated adoption of advanced Drilling & Measurements and Wireline technologies. Revenue continued to expand in the Middle East due to increased activity led by Saudi Arabia, benefiting mainly Wireline and Drilling & Measurements operations. Also contributing to the improved revenue was the commencement of new projects in the Gulf and Brunei/Malaysia/Philippines GeoMarkets.

The increase in operating income outpaced activity growth, resulting in a sharp rise in operating margin. This strong performance was due to a mix of steady activity improvement across all the GeoMarkets and significant price increases—principally in Drilling & Measurements, Well Completions & Productivity, and Wireline operations—coupled with the start up of new projects.

During the quarter Schlumberger installed an intelligent completion system for Saudi Aramco in one of their wells that was producing with high water cut. The completions system was run to maximize hydrocarbon recovery using Tubing Retrievable Flow Control-Hydraulic valves to control flow from the main wellbore and two laterals; QUANTUM* MultiPort* production packers to isolate the laterals; and a PressureWatch* permanent monitoring downhole gauge to monitor reservoir pressure. After installation, the well was flow tested successfully using PhaseTester* well testing equipment and put back on production with reduced water production.

PETRONAS Carigali awarded Schlumberger the electric wireline logging (EWL), directional drilling/logging-while-drilling/measurements-while-drilling (DD/LWD/MWD), and Tubing Conveyed Perforation (TCP) contract for all of their West Malaysia operations. The contracts for EWL, DD/LWD/MWD, and TCP are for a period of four years with a two-year extension option. The total contract value is estimated to be $340 million for all the services.

Highlights:

- In the UK, Schlumberger acquired Diamould Ltd., a firm specializing in electrical power and instrumentation, hydraulic and fiber-optic connector solutions used in subsea, downhole, and deepwater applications. Based in the UK, Diamould will become the Schlumberger Center of Excellence for all new developments in the critical area of connector reliability.

- Reinforcing a long-standing working relationship with Microsoft, a strategic initiative was launched to speed the deployment of the next generation of software tools, including Petrel* seismic-to-simulation and Avocet* production solutions to give better and more predictive information to geoscientists and engineers. The joint effort will accelerate the delivery of exploration and production solutions on the Windows® and Microsoft®.NET platforms.

- In Algeria, Sonatrach awarded a $37 million, multi-year cementing contract for work on their Hassi Messaoud field. FlexSTONE*, CemNET*, LiteCRETE*, and other key Well Services technologies will be utilized to address client reservoir optimization requirements.

- BP Angola awarded a multi-year wireline-logging contract for more than 40 deepwater wells in Block 18. Schlumberger also secured cementing, upper and lower completions, and coiled tubing contracts on the same block.

- In Algeria, Rosneft-Stroytransgaz Limited, a Russian joint venture between Rosneft and the Gazprom subsidiary, Stroytransgaz, awarded an IPM contract in an area where the client has no operational infrastructure. The project will utilize a range of Schlumberger products and services. Strong Schlumberger service quality on a previous project in the same field lead to this award.

- In the North Sea, CNR International awarded the first worldwide application of a subsea raw seawater injection system. The award marks the first commercial application of the Schlumberger Subsea Monitoring and Control (SMC) system. Scheduled for installation in spring 2006, the system will utilize state-of-the-art fiber optic modems and will be interfaced with all seabed sensors and control devices, including a Framo Subsea Dual Pump Station.

- Kuwait Oil Company selected Schlumberger for their Mauddud Maximum Reservoir Contact drilling project. The work scope includes six wells, of which two are multilaterals, and will use a wide range of Schlumberger VISION geosteering and PowerDrive* drilling services.

WesternGeco

Second quarter revenue of $383 million was 1% higher sequentially but increased 31% compared to the same period of last year. Pretax operating income of $58 million decreased $6 million sequentially but improved $43 million year-on-year.

Sequentially, Marine revenue increased sharply mainly from strong activity in Europe reflecting the start of the North Sea season with three Q-Marine* vessels and one Q-Seabed* crew operating in the region, combined with higher activity in the Gulf of Mexico. The strong Marine activity increase was due to a combination of higher vessel utilization coupled with steady pricing increases and more favorable contractual terms regarding transit and bad weather downtimes.

Land revenue increased marginally with higher activity in the Middle East and South America, partly offset by delayed mobilization of a crew in Algeria. A net addition of three crews during the quarter resulted in a total of 20 land crews. The Q-Land* crew currently deployed in Kuwait continues to deliver excellent performance.

Multiclient sales experienced a seasonal decline following the completion of the Central Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale in the first quarter. This decrease was partially offset by higher sales in Asia, Europe, South America, and West Africa reflecting an improved exploration-spending environment.

The WesternGeco backlog at the end of the second quarter was $595 million. The sequential decline was mainly due to the consumption of some of the backlog of the summer shooting season in the North Sea and Canada.

The sequential decline in pretax operating income was mainly due to lower Multiclient sales. This seasonal deterioration was partially offset by significant improvements in Marine as a result of increased vessel utilization, better pricing, and the conversion of a conventional vessel to Q-Technology* commanding higher prices.

Highlights:

- In response to growing industry demand for Q-Marine, the Western Regent conversion to Q-Technology was completed during the quarter and the vessel was mobilized in June for its third-party contract in the Norwegian Sea. The Western Regent, WesternGeco's fifth Q-Marine vessel, currently has a backlog of third-party contracts into 2006.

- Responding to increased demand for Q-Marine across the world, WesternGeco will convert a sixth vessel to Q-Technology, which is scheduled to enter service in the first half of 2006.

- Total E&P Norge AS, as operator on the PL040/043 Hild field located in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea, awarded a contract for acquisition and processing of a multicomponent survey over the Hild reservoir. The 76-square-kilometer survey will be acquired using the high-capacity Q-Seabed system and will utilize the largest active four-component survey configuration ever deployed. Partners in the license are Petoro and Statoil.

- Chevron Upstream Europe awarded a contract for a Q-Marine 2D seismic survey utilizing an advanced, long-offset, over/under system. The contract is for a 50-day seismic acquisition program in Chevron-operated Exploration Licenses in the Atlantic Margin in UK and Faroese waters. This acquisition technique is aimed at imaging beneath basalt and is enabled by the unique steering and positioning capabilities of Q-Marine.

- Sabah Shell Petroleum Company Limited awarded WesternGeco a Q-Marine contract to conduct a high-resolution survey over its St. Joseph field, offshore Sabah, Malaysia. The survey, which began in June, is the first Q-Marine project awarded in Southeast Asia and is being acquired by the Geco Topaz, towing six 3,000-meter cables with a separation of 30 meters.