10-QPeriod: Q2 FY2007

SLB LIMITED/NV Quarterly Report for Q2 Ended Jun 30, 2007

Filed July 25, 2007For Securities:SLB

Summary

Schlumberger Limited (SLB) reported strong financial performance for the second quarter and first six months of 2007, demonstrating significant year-over-year growth in revenue and income. The company's Oilfield Services segment continued its robust expansion, driven by increased activity and demand for advanced technologies across various geographic regions, particularly in North America, Latin America, and the Middle East & Asia. WesternGeco also showed improved revenue and income compared to the prior year, benefiting from strong Multiclient sales and higher Marine and Data Processing revenues. Profitability was enhanced by a favorable mix of higher-margin services and technologies, alongside operational efficiencies. While the company experienced an increase in operating expenses, including stock-based compensation, the overall growth in revenue and income, coupled with a lower effective tax rate, contributed to a significant increase in net income and earnings per share. Schlumberger's financial position remains strong, supported by substantial cash flow from operations, which was utilized for capital expenditures, dividends, and share repurchases.

Key Highlights

  • 1Revenue for the second quarter of 2007 increased by 20% to $5.64 billion compared to $4.69 billion in the prior year's quarter. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, revenue rose by 24% to $11.10 billion from $8.93 billion.
  • 2Net income for the second quarter surged by 47% to $1.26 billion ($1.02 per diluted share) from $857 million ($0.69 per diluted share) in the same period of 2006. For the six months, net income increased by 55% to $2.44 billion ($1.98 per diluted share) from $1.58 billion ($1.28 per diluted share).
  • 3The Oilfield Services segment reported a 21% year-over-year revenue increase for the second quarter to $4.97 billion and a 33% increase in pretax operating income to $1.51 billion, driven by strong demand in North America, Latin America, and Europe/CIS/West Africa.
  • 4WesternGeco revenue grew 18% year-over-year in the second quarter to $665 million, with pretax operating income up 28% to $216 million, supported by strong Multiclient sales and increased Marine and Data Processing revenues.
  • 5The effective tax rate decreased to 22.3% for the second quarter of 2007 from 24.4% in the prior year, primarily due to a more favorable geographic mix of earnings.
  • 6Cash flow from operations for the first six months of 2007 was $2.49 billion, enabling significant investments in fixed assets ($1.29 billion) and distributions to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.
  • 7Schlumberger completed the conversion of $396 million of its 1.5% Series A Convertible Debentures into approximately 11 million shares of common stock during the second quarter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Revenue growth in the second quarter of 2007 was primarily driven by strong performance in the Oilfield Services segment, with increased activity and demand for advanced technologies across key geographic regions. WesternGeco also contributed with higher Multiclient sales and improved Marine and Data Processing revenues.

Profitability saw a significant improvement, with net income increasing by 47% in the second quarter and 55% for the first six months of 2007 compared to the same periods in 2006. This was supported by revenue growth, a favorable technology and geographic mix, operational efficiencies, and a lower effective tax rate.

In April 2006, Schlumberger acquired the remaining 30% minority interest in WesternGeco for $2.4 billion. This acquisition eliminated minority interest expenses in subsequent periods and allowed for full consolidation of WesternGeco's results, contributing to overall revenue and income growth. The cash flow statement shows the significant cash outflow for this acquisition in the first six months of 2006.

Schlumberger generated strong cash flow from operations ($2.49 billion for the first six months of 2007). This cash was utilized for significant capital expenditures ($1.29 billion) to support business growth, dividend payments ($354 million), and share repurchases ($505 million), while also managing its debt obligations.