London, UK | – Schlumberger, the world’s leading supplier of technology, integrated project management and information solutions ’s second-quarter earnings fell 30% year-on-year as the downturn in the market continues to take its toll.
The company reported a second-quarter profit of $1.12 billion, or 88 cents a share, down from $1.6 billion, or $1.21 a share, during the like period last year.
According to its second-quarter earnings release, Schlumberger generated $9.01 billion of revenue during the quarter, down 12% from the $10.25 billion reported in the first quarter and 25% from the $12.05 billion reported in the like period last year.
Schlumberger Chairman and CEO Paal Kibsgaard commented, “Schlumberger second-quarter revenue decreased 12% sequentially, driven by the dramatic decline in North American land activity as the rig count dropped by a further 40% and as pricing erosion continued in both North America and the International Areas. North America revenue fell 27% sequentially, while International revenue was 5% lower as customer budget cuts and pricing concessions impacted results for a full quarter.
“Despite the much more challenging market conditions, overall pretax operating margins were maintained at levels well above the previous downturns as we continued to proactively manage costs and resources, carefully navigate the commercial landscape, and further accelerate our transformation program. The success of our efforts can be seen in pretax operating margins of 10.2% in North America and 24.5% internationally while generating $1.5 billion in free cash flow, representing 132% of earnings.
“In the first half of 2015, year-on-year revenue dropped 26% in North America and 14% internationally. In spite of these declines being more severe than those of the 2009 downturn, we delivered first-half decremental margins of 37% in North America and 18% internationally. These results represent a marked improvement over the equivalent figures that were both in excess of 70% for the same period in 2009.
“Among the business segments, Production Group revenue declined 18% sequentially driven by the unprecedented drop in both activity and pricing for pressure pumping services on land in North America. Drilling Group and Reservoir Characterization Group revenues fell by 11% and 5%, respectively, as the declines in development drilling activity and exploration-related services moderated.
“As we enter the second half of the year, our visibility still remains limited. In terms of oil supply, the first signs of flattening North America production have appeared while OPEC marketed supply has been increased once again. Non-NAM, non-OPEC production weakened in the first half of the year driven by falls in Brazil and Mexico, with further softening expected as lower investment levels start to take full effect. The latest supply data together with a strong outlook for global oil demand point to a tightening of the global supply-demand balance even with additional supply from Iran.
“E&P investment in North America is now expected to fall by more than 35% in 2015 driven by lower land activity and increased pricing pressure. We believe that the North American rig count may now be touching the bottom, and that a slow increase in both land drilling and completion activity could occur in the second half of the year.
“In the international market, E&P spending is now expected to drop more than 15%. We do not expect any upward adjustment to existing 2015 budgets but see a continuation of first-half trends with low exploration activity, tight management of development-related spend, and continued pricing pressure.”
