Schlumberger has reported first-quarter 2010 revenue of $5.60 billion versus $5.74 billion in the fourth quarter of 2009, and $6.00 billion in the first quarter of 2009.
The company has maintained a strong presence and revenue stream from the Middle Eastern market.
Pretax operating margin fell 136 bps sequentially to 31.0% primarily due to the lower activity and less favorable revenue mix in the Arabian, Gulf, and Qatar geoMarkets as well as the lower Artificial Lift and SIS sales across the Area.
Middel East country highlights
In Saudi Arabia, Schlumberger Drilling & Measurements worked closely with Saudi Aramco to implement a solution to improve drilling performance in the Ghazal field in 2009. Drilling & Measurements successfully introduced the PowerDrive Xceed* rotary steerable system in the highly abrasive sandstone Unayzah reservoir that led to a 78% improvement in rate of penetration and a saving of 28 days in drilling the 8 3/8-in. horizontal section across the Unayzah A/B formations.
Also in Saudi Arabia, Schlumberger Well Services implemented ACTive* integrated coiled-tubing technology together with the high-pressure-jetting AbrasiJET* tool during a stimulation treatment in a horizontal gas well completed open-hole. The technologies deployed enabled the cutting of slots at the target zones while monitoring and optimizing the placement of stimulation fluids and the diversion efficiency using the Distributed Temperature Survey (DTS) service. The post-stimulation well performance met client expectations.
In Qatar, deployment of Well Services MaxCO3* degradable stimulation technology helped Shell International Exploration and Production Company achieve effective uniform stimulation of all zones in a Khuff carbonate formation well without using conventional mechanical diversion techniques. The polymer-free treatment not only reduced rig and operational times by 30%, but also decreased treatment volumes by 50% to shorten cleanup time and reduce flaring.
In Abu Dhabi, UAE, Schlumberger Well Services VDA viscoelastic diverter technology was deployed with ACTive coiled-tubing services to stimulate carbonate formations in a super giant onshore field. The real-time capability of the ACTive system, in conjunction with InterACT*connectivity and collaboration services provided the information needed to identify high permeability zones that were then isolated to divert fluids into the target zones. The treatment was monitored from the customer’s office using the InterACT system to track progress and make decisions in real time. Post-treatment injection of the well increased by 40%.
In Oman, the new Wireline TuffTRAC* perforating tractor was used by Petroleum Development Oman to convey a record of 16 runs of perforating guns in a horizontal gas well. The technology enabled the horizontal well to be perforated more efficiently and helped to deliver gas production of the well at a rate higher than expected. The success also proved the reliability and toughness of the tractor in withstanding multiple runs of perforating gun shock.
Also in Oman, Schlumberger Wireline conducted the first MicroPilot* small-scale enhanced oil recovery (EOR) evaluation for a major operator. This unique and innovative solution using MDT modular formation dynamics tester technology opens up new horizons in reservoir injectivity measurement with direct application in many different EOR flood projects. The technology can provide single-well, single-zone, in-situ measurements of residual oil saturation change in less than 24 hours and has direct application in the understanding of reservoir sweep efficiency.
