Key Stats
Founded: 1926 in Paris, France
Headquarters: Houston, Texas (with offices in Paris, London, and The Hague)
CEO: Olivier Le Peuch (since August 2019)
Employees: Approximately 110,000
NYSE Ticker Symbol: SLB
Schlumberger Limited operates as the world’s largest oilfield services company. The company provides technology solutions for reservoir characterization, drilling, production, and processing to the global energy industry. It trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the SLB ticker.
The company operates through four divisions: Digital and Integration, Reservoir Performance, Well Construction, and Production Systems. Schlumberger maintains operations in more than 100 countries with employees representing nearly 200 nationalities.
Schlumberger generated $36.3 billion in revenue in 2024. The company focuses on three growth engines: its core oilfield business, digital solutions, and new energy ventures including carbon capture and geothermal technologies.
Schlumberger Limited History
Schlumberger Limited traces its origins to an innovative idea about subsurface mapping. Brothers Conrad and Marcel Schlumberger theorized that electrical measurements could reveal underground geological structures. Conrad recorded the first map of equipotential curves in 1912 using basic equipment in France.
The brothers opened their first office at 30 rue Fabert in Paris in 1920. They spent several years conducting geophysical surveys across Romania, Serbia, Canada, South Africa, and the United States before formally incorporating their business.
1926
Société de Prospection Électrique founded in Paris by Conrad and Marcel Schlumberger. The company sold electrical measurement mapping services.
1927
Recorded the first electrical resistivity well log in Merkwiller-Pechelbronn, France. This technique revolutionized subsurface exploration.
1934
Schlumberger Well Surveying Corporation established in Houston, Texas. This marked the beginning of significant North American operations.
1940
Company headquarters relocated to Houston due to World War II in Europe.
1956
Schlumberger Limited incorporated as a holding company for all Schlumberger businesses. Acquired Johnston Testers.
1962
Listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Also acquired Vector Cable and Daystrom measurement instruments.
1998
Acquired Camco International, a major US completion products company, expanding production capabilities.
2010
Completed merger with Smith International in a transaction creating a comprehensive drilling services platform.
2016
Completed merger with Cameron International Corporation, adding wellhead equipment and flow control technology.
2019
Olivier Le Peuch appointed CEO. Company formed Sensia joint venture with Rockwell Automation for industrial automation solutions.
Schlumberger Limited Co-founders
Conrad Schlumberger (1878-1936)
French geophysicist and professor who pioneered electrical prospecting methods. He conducted the first equipotential mapping experiment in 1912 and developed fundamental well logging techniques.
Marcel Schlumberger (1884-1953)
French engineer and inventor who worked alongside his brother Conrad. He helped develop and commercialize electrical prospecting technology and expanded company operations across multiple continents.
Schlumberger Limited Competitors
Schlumberger Limited competes with major oilfield services companies globally. The industry includes specialists in drilling, completion, production, and digital solutions. Companies like Halliburton and Baker Hughes serve as primary competitors in multiple market segments.
| Company | Headquarters | Primary Services |
|---|---|---|
| Halliburton | Houston, TX / Dubai, UAE | Drilling, completion, production services |
| Baker Hughes | Houston, Texas | Oilfield services, equipment, digital solutions |
| Weatherford International | Houston, Texas | Drilling, evaluation, completion, production |
| National Oilwell Varco | Houston, Texas | Drilling equipment, rig components |
| TechnipFMC | Houston, TX / London, UK | Subsea, surface, offshore technologies |
| Saipem | Milan, Italy | Drilling, engineering, construction |
| Transocean | Steinhausen, Switzerland | Offshore contract drilling |
| China Oilfield Services | Beijing, China | Drilling, well services, marine support |
| Petrofac | London, United Kingdom | Engineering, procurement, construction |
| Fluor Corporation | Irving, Texas | Engineering, construction, project management |
Schlumberger Limited Acquisitions
Schlumberger Limited has grown through strategic acquisitions spanning nearly a century. The company has pursued deals that expand its technology portfolio and geographic reach. Major transactions have transformed it from an electrical prospecting firm into a comprehensive energy technology provider.
The 2010 merger with Smith International created a drilling powerhouse. Smith brought drill bits, drilling services, and the M-I SWACO drilling fluids business into Schlumberger’s portfolio. The transaction valued Smith at approximately $11 billion and positioned Schlumberger as the dominant drilling services provider worldwide.
Cameron International Corporation joined Schlumberger in 2016 through a merger valued at roughly $14.8 billion. Cameron added wellhead equipment, surface systems, flow control technology, and subsea production capabilities. This deal created the OneSubsea joint venture that delivers integrated subsea solutions to offshore operators.
Earlier acquisitions built the foundation for expansion. The company acquired Camco International in 1998 for completion products. WesternGeco formed in 2000 as a joint venture with Baker Hughes for seismic services. Geoservices came aboard in 2010, adding mud logging and production surveillance capabilities. More recently, Schlumberger announced plans to acquire ChampionX in 2024 to strengthen its production chemicals and artificial lift offerings.
The acquisition strategy extends beyond traditional oilfield services. Schlumberger has invested in new energy ventures including carbon capture technology and geothermal solutions. The company established Celsius Energy for geothermal and partnered to create Genvia for hydrogen technology, reflecting its commitment to energy transition opportunities.
Schlumberger Limited Revenue
Schlumberger Limited generated $36.3 billion in revenue during fiscal year 2024. The company recovered strongly from the 2020 industry downturn when revenue dropped to $23.6 billion. International markets contribute approximately three-quarters of total revenue.
Schlumberger Limited Annual Revenue (in Billions USD)
Schlumberger Limited Marketcap
Schlumberger Limited maintains a market capitalization of approximately $63 billion as of January 2026. The company ranks among the largest oilfield services providers by market value globally. Market cap fluctuates with oil prices and industry activity levels.
Schlumberger Limited Market Capitalization (in Billions USD)
FAQs
When was Schlumberger Limited founded?
Schlumberger was founded in 1926 in Paris, France, by brothers Conrad and Marcel Schlumberger. They established Société de Prospection Électrique to commercialize their electrical prospecting technology.
Who is the CEO of Schlumberger Limited?
Olivier Le Peuch serves as chief executive officer of Schlumberger Limited. He assumed the CEO position in August 2019 after previously serving as the company’s chief operating officer.
What is Schlumberger Limited market capitalization?
Schlumberger Limited has a market capitalization of approximately $63 billion as of January 2026. The company trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol SLB.
Where is Schlumberger Limited headquarters located?
Schlumberger maintains principal executive offices in Houston, Paris, London, and The Hague. The company is incorporated in Curaçao and operates globally across more than 100 countries.
What companies has Schlumberger Limited acquired?
Schlumberger has completed major acquisitions including Smith International in 2010 and Cameron International in 2016. Other notable purchases include Camco International, Geoservices, and numerous technology companies.