A multinational energy-technology and oilfield-services company formerly known as Schlumberger. SLB is a global technology company driving energy innovation for a balanced planet.
Last updated October 13, 2026
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Overview
SLB, formerly known as Schlumberger, is a multinational energy-technology company that supplies equipment, software, technical services, consulting, and project support to the petroleum industry. Its capabilities cover much of the upstream oil and gas value chain, including seismic interpretation, formation evaluation, wireline logging, drilling and well placement, well testing, cementing, stimulation, completions, artificial lift, production optimization, flow assurance, reservoir management, and digital oilfield systems. The company also participates in selected adjacent fields, including groundwater services, carbon capture and storage, geothermal energy, hydrogen, and other technologies associated with industrial decarbonization. The business began in Paris in 1926 as the Electric Prospecting Company, founded by Alsatian brothers Conrad and Marcel Schlumberger. Their early innovation was the use of electrical measurements to characterize subsurface formations. In 1927, the company recorded what is generally regarded as the first electrical resistivity well log at Merkwiller-Pechelbronn in France. This established a technical foundation for the modern well-logging industry and helped differentiate Schlumberger from companies focused only on physical drilling equipment. The company expanded internationally during the twentieth century. It established a North American presence in the late 1920s, created Schlumberger Well Surveying Corporation in Houston in 1934, and invested heavily in research, including the Schlumberger-Doll Research Center. Acquisitions and joint ventures later broadened its activities into drilling, drilling fluids, seismic services, software, reservoir analysis, production technologies, and offshore systems. Important transactions included the creation of Dowell Schlumberger, the development of Forex and Sedco Forex drilling businesses, the acquisition of GeoQuest, the purchase of Smith International, and the acquisition of Cameron International. SLB is a technology-intensive supplier rather than a conventional oil producer. Its customers include national oil companies, international oil companies, independent producers, drilling contractors, and other industrial users of subsurface and well-construction technologies. The company has historically operated across both land and offshore environments, with a particularly strong position in well logging, drilling services, reservoir evaluation, completions, production systems, and digital applications. Its international structure has included operations and legal entities across multiple jurisdictions; the company is incorporated as SLB N.V. in Curaçao and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SLB. The company adopted the SLB brand in 2022 as part of a broader repositioning around energy technology and a lower-carbon future. The rebrand did not represent an immediate withdrawal from oil and gas, which remained the core commercial market. Alongside its traditional portfolio, SLB has promoted digital production systems, carbon capture and storage, geothermal technologies, hydrogen-related projects, and other energy-transition applications. In 2022 it announced the planned OneSubsea joint venture with Aker Solutions and Subsea7, and in 2024 it announced an agreement to acquire ChampionX. The ChampionX transaction was reported as closing in 2025. SLB remains one of the world's largest oilfield-services companies and a major global supplier of specialized subsurface and production technology.
History
SLB traces its origins to 1926, when Conrad and Marcel Schlumberger founded the Electric Prospecting Company in Paris. The brothers had developed methods for using electrical measurements to investigate underground formations and had already conducted geophysical surveys in several countries. In 1927, their company obtained an electrical resistivity well log at Merkwiller-Pechelbronn in France, an event commonly treated as the beginning of commercial electrical well logging. The company entered the United States market in 1929 by logging a well in Kern County, California, and formed Schlumberger Well Surveying Corporation in Houston in 1934. Research became a central part of the business. The Schlumberger-Doll Research Center opened in Connecticut in 1948 and supported the development of logging instruments, reservoir-evaluation methods, and other petroleum technologies. During the following decades, the company diversified beyond logging. Dowell Schlumberger was established in 1960 for pumping and well-service activities. Schlumberger became listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1962. It entered drilling through investments in Forex and related businesses, later creating Forex Neptune and eventually combining drilling operations with SEDCO to form Sedco Forex. The company also pursued businesses outside its traditional oilfield niche. Its acquisition of Daystrom brought electronic-instrument and consumer-electronics activities, including Heathkit, while Fairchild Camera and Instrument became a Schlumberger subsidiary in 1979. These ventures were later sold, spun off, or otherwise divested. In the energy-services sector, Schlumberger acquired drilling, seismic, software, and reservoir-analysis capabilities. The 1980s and 1990s saw the creation and expansion of Anadrill, WesternGeco, GeoQuest, and other specialized operations. Schlumberger also invested in digital communications and converted internal systems to internet-compatible networking in the early 1990s. In 2001, Schlumberger acquired Sema, an information-technology consultancy, but subsequently divested most of that activity after it failed to produce the expected strategic results. The company continued to strengthen its core portfolio through acquisitions such as Waterloo Hydrogeologic, Techsia, Smith International, Geoservices, Saxon, and Cameron International. The Smith International transaction, completed in 2010, expanded drilling, drilling-fluids, and related equipment capabilities. Cameron, acquired in 2016 after the transaction was announced in 2015, added pressure-control, surface, drilling, subsea, and production equipment. The oil-price downturn beginning in 2014 brought severe pressure to oilfield contractors. Schlumberger announced large workforce reductions in 2015 and again during the COVID-19 crisis in 2020. The company also faced regulatory and environmental controversies, including a United States sanctions case involving Iran and Sudan, radioactive-source incidents, and environmental matters connected with facilities and field operations. In 2018, its WesternGeco business exited seismic data acquisition while retaining data processing and interpretation activities. From 2021 onward, the company increasingly presented itself as an energy-technology provider. SLB New Energy supported projects involving hydrogen, geothermal energy, carbon capture and storage, and industrial decarbonization. In 2022, Schlumberger adopted SLB as its principal brand, signaling a broader technology and energy-transition narrative rather than an immediate abandonment of oil and gas. The OneSubsea joint venture announced that year strengthened its offshore production-systems strategy. SLB completed the acquisition of Gyrodata in 2023 and announced the acquisition of ChampionX in 2024. The ChampionX transaction was reported as closing in 2025. SLB remains a major global supplier of subsurface, drilling, completion, production, offshore, and digital technologies.
- 2024
ChampionX acquisition announced
[5]SLB announces an all-stock agreement to acquire ChampionX.
- 2023
Gyrodata acquisition completed
[5]SLB completes the acquisition of Gyrodata, adding gyroscopic wellbore-positioning technology.
- 2022
Schlumberger rebrands as SLB
[5]The company adopts SLB as its principal brand and highlights energy technology and transition-related activities.
- 2018
WesternGeco exits seismic acquisition
[1]WesternGeco stops seismic data acquisition and retains multiclient processing and interpretation activities.
- 2015
Cameron acquisition announced
[1]Schlumberger announces its planned acquisition of Cameron International.
- 2010
Smith International acquisition completed
[1]Schlumberger completes its all-stock acquisition of Smith International.
- 1992
GeoQuest acquired
[1]The acquisition expands Schlumberger's petroleum software and digital reservoir-management capabilities.
- 1970
SARABAND reservoir-analysis system introduced
[1]The company introduces an early computerized reservoir-analysis system.
- 1962
New York Stock Exchange listing
[1]Schlumberger Limited becomes listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
- 1960
Dowell Schlumberger formed
[1]Schlumberger and Dow Chemical form Dowell Schlumberger for oilfield pumping services.
Products and positioning
A global, technology-led oilfield-services and energy-technology provider combining subsurface expertise, well-construction capabilities, production systems, digital platforms, and selected low-carbon technologies. A global technology company driving energy innovation for a balanced planet.
Subsurface services
Wireline and formation evaluation
SLB provides wireline logging, logging-while-drilling, measurement-while-drilling, formation testing, fluid sampling, and petrophysical interpretation. These services help operators estimate reservoir properties, identify hydrocarbons, characterize rock and fluids, and make decisions about well placement and completion design.
Well construction
Drilling and geosteering
The drilling portfolio includes directional drilling, rotary-steerable systems, drilling measurements, geosteering, wellbore surveying, and drilling optimization. The technologies are used to guide wells through targeted formations while managing trajectory, pressure, stability, and drilling efficiency.
Well services
Well cementing and stimulation
SLB supplies cementing, hydraulic fracturing, acidizing, and other stimulation services. These activities support well integrity, zonal isolation, reservoir connectivity, and the controlled flow of fluids between the wellbore and formation.
Production services
Well completions and artificial lift
Completion systems, downhole equipment, intelligent-well technologies, electric-submersible pumps, gas lift, and related artificial-lift services are used to initiate and sustain production. The portfolio supports both conventional and complex wells, including offshore and high-temperature applications.
Energy software
Digital subsurface and production software
SLB develops software and digital workflows for seismic interpretation, reservoir modeling, drilling, production engineering, asset management, and operational collaboration. Earlier software businesses included GeoQuest and Techlog-related technologies, while current offerings are positioned around integrated digital platforms and data-driven workflows.
Offshore production systems · 2022
OneSubsea systems
OneSubsea provides subsea production systems and offshore technologies for developing underwater oil and gas fields. SLB announced a joint venture involving Aker Solutions and Subsea7 in 2022, combining subsea equipment, engineering, and project capabilities.
Energy transition · 2021
SLB New Energy technologies
SLB New Energy covers selected technologies and projects in carbon capture and storage, geothermal energy, hydrogen, and related decarbonization applications. The business complements, rather than replaces, SLB's large oilfield-services portfolio.
Reservoir Characterization
Well Construction
Completions
Production
Well Intervention
Plug and Abandonment
Integrated Services
Training
Methane Emissions Management
Flaring Reduction
Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Sequestration (CCUS)
Geothermal
Energy Storage
Hydrogen
Lithium
Data Center Modular Infrastructure
Tela agentic-AI assistant catalog
Well-to-Product Integrated Lithium Solutions
Controversies
2015
United States sanctions case involving Iran and Sudan
Schlumberger pleaded guilty to violating United States sanctions through business activities involving Iran and Sudan and agreed to pay a criminal penalty reported by the Department of Justice as $233 million.
2010
North Sea radioactive-source incident
A Scottish court fined Schlumberger Oilfield UK after a radioactive source was lost on the floor of a North Sea drilling rig for several hours.
2010
Deepwater Horizon logging-test controversy
Schlumberger had been contracted to perform wireline logging and a cement-evaluation test on Deepwater Horizon. The test was cancelled and the crew left before the blowout and explosion. Public discussion of the incident focused on the decision to cancel the test and the allocation of responsibility among contractors and the operator.
2009
Pennsylvania hydrochloric-acid spill
Pennsylvania environmental authorities fined Schlumberger Technology Corp. in connection with a hydrochloric-acid spill at a natural-gas well site. Officials reported that groundwater was not contaminated.
2006
Lost radioactive source in Western Australia
A radioactive source transported for Schlumberger was lost after a container fell from a trailer in Western Australia and was later recovered in the outback.
2006
South Carolina PCB remediation agreement
As the owner of a former manufacturing site in Pickens, South Carolina, Schlumberger agreed to pay federal and state agencies for environmental remediation associated with PCB contamination caused by a previous operator.
Marketing campaigns
- 2022SLB brand transition
Global
The company introduced SLB as its public-facing name and used the rebrand to emphasize energy technology, digitalization, and lower-carbon opportunities alongside its established oilfield-services business.
Outcome. The SLB name became the company's principal corporate brand.
- 2021Genvia clean-hydrogen industrial collaboration
France · Europe
SLB New Energy participated in pilot-project agreements with the French state, Genvia, and industrial partners to advance electrolyzer technology and support lower-carbon hydrogen production for industrial sectors.
Outcome. The initiative was intended to accelerate technology scale-up for industrial decarbonization.
Brand decisions
2024
Acquire ChampionXM&ABackground
SLB sought to expand its production and artificial-lift capabilities and deepen its presence in technologies used after wells enter production.
Action taken
SLB announced an all-stock agreement to acquire ChampionX.
Aftermath
The transaction was reported as closing in 2025 and added ChampionX production-focused technologies to SLB.
Announced transaction value. Approximately $7.75 billion announced value (2024 announcement)
2022
Adopt the SLB corporate brandStrategyBackground
The company sought to present itself as a broader energy-technology business while continuing to serve oil and gas customers.
Action taken
Schlumberger introduced SLB as its principal corporate brand and highlighted digital and energy-transition activities.
Aftermath
The rebrand strengthened the company's public positioning around energy technology without ending its core fossil-fuel services.
2022
Create the OneSubsea joint ventureM&ABackground
SLB aimed to strengthen its offshore production-systems platform through a combination with Aker Solutions and Subsea7.
Action taken
The parties announced a joint venture combining subsea equipment, engineering, and project capabilities.
Aftermath
The arrangement reinforced SLB's offshore and subsea offering.
2018
Exit seismic data acquisitionStrategyBackground
The seismic-services market faced weak conditions and multiple competitors entered bankruptcy proceedings.
Action taken
WesternGeco exited onshore and offshore seismic data acquisition while retaining multiclient data processing and interpretation.
Aftermath
SLB reduced exposure to capital-intensive seismic acquisition and retained selected higher-value data activities.
2015
Acquire Cameron InternationalM&ABackground
The oilfield downturn encouraged consolidation and created an opportunity to combine service expertise with pressure-control and subsea equipment.
Action taken
Schlumberger announced an all-stock acquisition of Cameron International.
Aftermath
The transaction broadened Schlumberger's equipment, surface, drilling, and subsea portfolio.
Announced transaction value. Approximately $14.8 billion announced value (2015 announcement)
2001
Acquire Sema and later divest most of the IT consultancyM&ABackground
Schlumberger sought to expand into information-technology consulting through the acquisition of Sema.
Action taken
The company acquired Sema and subsequently completed a sale of the consultancy business to Atos Origin after the diversification did not deliver the intended strategic outcome.
Aftermath
Schlumberger returned greater attention to oilfield services and energy technology.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Reported
SLB wins four Gulf Energy Information Excellence Awards[11]
SLB technologies and projects received four awards at the 2026 Gulf Energy Information Excellence Awards, across categories including midstream, exploration technology, health, safety or environmental contribution, and production technology.
- Unconfirmed
SLB launches ExaCT electrical downhole coiled tubing control system[12]
SLB launched the ExaCT electrical downhole coiled tubing control system, an intervention platform that replaces pressure-dependent hydraulic actuation with electrical communication, power delivery and telemetry, enabling real-time control and verification of downhole tools during coiled tubing interventions.
Reported
SLB launches ExaCT electrical downhole coiled tubing control system[13]
SLB launched the ExaCT electrical downhole coiled tubing control system, an intervention platform that replaces pressure-dependent hydraulic actuation with electrical communication, power transmission and telemetry to give operators greater visibility, precision and control in coiled tubing operations.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
SLB launches ExaCT electrical downhole coiled tubing control system[14]
SLB launched the ExaCT electrical downhole coiled tubing control system, an intervention platform that replaces pressure-dependent hydraulic actuation with electrical communication, power delivery and telemetry to provide real-time downhole control. Field deployments reportedly delivered 30–40% faster intervention, 15–20% lower operational costs, about 30% faster offshore cleanout for Aker BP offshore Norway, and about 20% less liquid and nitrogen use.
Reported
Schlumberger announces 21,000 job cuts[15]
Schlumberger announced that it would cut 21,000 jobs, about a quarter of its workforce, and pay more than $1 billion in severance.
Sources16 sources
- 1SLBen.wikipedia.org
- 2SLB official websiteslb.com
- 3SLB leadershipslb.com
- 4United States Department of Justice sanctions resolutionjustice.gov
- 5SLB news and press releasesslb.com
- 6100 Years | SLBslb.com
- 7Who We Are | SLBslb.com
- 8Products & services | SLBslb.com
- 9Schlumberger (Germany)wikidata.org
- 10https://www.slb.com/slb.com
- 11SLB获得四项海湾能源信息卓越奖3blmedia.com
- 12SLB推出ExaCT电动井下连续油管控制系统webwire.com
- 13SLB推出ExaCT电气井下连续油管控制系统cna.com.tw
- 14SLB推出ExaCT电动井下连续油管控制系统oilreviewmiddleeast.com
- 15斯伦贝谢宣布裁员2.1万人finance.sina.com.cn
- 16SLB launches ExaCT platform for electrically controlled well interventionsworldoil.com
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