Schlumberger Announces First Quarter 2003 Results

     
BW20030422002187  20030423T060109Z UTC


( BW)(SCHLUMBERGER-LD.)(SCL) Schlumberger Announces First Quarter 2003
Results

    Business Editors
    UK REGULATORY NEWS

    NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 23, 2003--

Schlumberger Limited (NYSE: SLB) reported today first quarter 2003
operating revenue of $3.34 billion and net income of $149 million.

Earnings from continuing operations were $0.26 per share. This
compares to $0.28 per share last year, a 7% decrease.

Oilfield Services revenue of $1.98 billion decreased 1% versus the
fourth quarter of 2002, but increased 4% compared to the first quarter
of last year. Pretax operating income was $315 million, increases of
14% sequentially and 3% year-on-year.

WesternGeco revenue of $307 million decreased 8% versus the fourth
quarter of 2002, and 20% compared to the first quarter of last year.
Pretax operating income broke even compared to $6 million in the
fourth quarter of last year, and $47 million in the first quarter of
last year.

SchlumbergerSema revenue of $793 million decreased 2% sequentially,
but was up 12% year-on-year. Pretax operating income was $15 million,
a decrease of 55% sequentially, and an increase of $14 million
year-on-year.

Chairman and CEO Andrew Gould commented: "The first-quarter results
confirmed the directions outlined earlier this year with improvements
in performance in a number of key areas. Oilfield Services in North
America saw an upturn in natural gas drilling in response to record
low levels of gas in storage, while strong activity in Mexico, Russia
and parts of the Middle East largely offset the continuing weakness in
Venezuela and Nigeria.

Elsewhere, the WesternGeco restructuring that halted unprofitable
activities and implemented cost reduction measures allowed operations
to break even on sharply lower revenues, while Q technology generated
significant client interest that will strengthen marine activity in
the coming months.

Considerable progress was made in the definition of the
SchlumbergerSema Energy IT services, and the contracts won during the
quarter clearly illustrate the opportunities that are available.
Overall, results at SchlumbergerSema met expectations in what is
typically the slowest quarter of the year for IT services.

Looking forward, outside North America activity levels will remain
uncertain until the global economic environment improves the outlook
for energy demand."

             Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited)

                        (Stated in thousands except per share amounts)
                                                         Three Months 
                                                ----------------------
For Periods Ended March 31                         2003        2002
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue
   Operating                                    $3,343,344 $3,256,198
   Interest and other income(1)                     29,658     33,837
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 3,373,002  3,290,035
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses
   Cost of goods sold and services(2)            2,650,073  2,561,594
   Research & engineering                          162,362    159,658
   Marketing                                        94,562     95,585
   General                                         159,231    160,631
   Interest                                         92,863     82,253
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 3,159,091  3,059,721
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing operations before taxes
 and minority interest                             213,911    230,314
   Taxes on income                                  68,998     63,972
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing operations before
 minority interest                                 144,913    166,342
   Minority interest(2)                              4,249     (6,494)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from Continuing Operations                  149,162    159,848
Income from Discontinued Operations                      -     12,624
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income                                      $  149,162 $  172,472
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share:
   Income from Continuing Operations            $     0.26 $     0.28
   Income from Discontinued Operations                   -       0.02
                                                ---------- ----------
   Net Income                                   $     0.26 $     0.30
                                                ========== ==========

Average shares outstanding                         582,209    576,306
Average shares outstanding
 assuming dilution                                 583,981    581,104

Depreciation and amortization
 included in expenses(3)                        $  386,512 $  361,250
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1) Includes interest income of $14 million (2002 - $18 million).
2) The first quarter of 2002 includes a $29 million charge (pretax $30
    million and minority interest credit of $1 million) related to the
    financial/economic crisis in Argentina ($0.05 per share).
3) Including multiclient seismic data costs.

                  Condensed Balance Sheet (Unaudited)

                                                 (Stated in thousands)
Assets                                  Mar. 31, 2003   Dec. 31, 2002
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Assets
   Cash and short-term investments        $ 1,470,273     $ 1,736,016
   Other current assets                     5,634,867       5,449,424
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            7,105,140       7,185,440
Fixed income investments, held to 
 maturity                                     380,000         407,500
Fixed assets                                4,523,859       4,663,756
Multiclient seismic data                    1,020,473       1,018,483
Goodwill                                    4,304,346       4,229,993
Other assets                                1,910,062       1,930,023
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          $19,243,880     $19,435,195
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Liabilities
   Accounts payable and accrued 
    liabilities                           $ 4,374,340     $ 4,580,762
   Estimated liability for taxes on income    619,811         625,058
   Bank loans and current portion of 
    long-term debt                          1,022,714       1,135,533
   Dividend payable                           109,825         109,565
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            6,126,690       6,450,918
Long-term debt                              6,145,557       6,028,549
Postretirement benefits                       565,349         544,456
Other liabilities                             243,186         251,607
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           13,080,782      13,275,530
Minority interest                             554,886         553,527
Stockholders' Equity                        5,608,212       5,606,138
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          $19,243,880     $19,435,195
----------------------------------------------------------------------

                         Net Debt (Unaudited)

Net Debt represents gross debt less cash, short-term investments
and fixed income investments, held to maturity. Details of the Net
Debt follows:

                                                  (Stated in millions)
First Quarter                                                    2003
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Debt, beginning of period                                 $(5,021)
   Net income                                                     149
   Depreciation and amortization                                  387
   Change in working capital                                     (490)
   Capital expenditures                                          (274)
   Dividends paid                                                (109)
   Employee stock option plan                                       3
   Other                                                          116
   Translation effect on net debt                                 (79)
                                                              --------
Net Debt, end of period                                       $(5,318)
                                                              ========



                                                  (Stated in millions)
Components of Net Debt                   Mar. 31, 2003  Dec. 31, 2002
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash & short-term investments               $ 1,470        $ 1,736
Fixed income investments, held to 
 maturity                                       380            408
Bank loans and current portion of 
 long-term debt                              (1,023)        (1,136)
Long-term debt                               (6,145)        (6,029)
                                            --------       --------
                                            $(5,318)       $(5,021)
                                            ========       ========


                           Business Review
   
(Stated in millions)                                 First Quarter
                                               -----------------------
                                                2003     2002(2) % chg
                                               -----------------------
Oilfield Services
-----------------
Operating Revenue                              $1,977   $1,903      4%
Pretax Operating Income(1)                     $  315   $  307      3%

WesternGeco
-----------
Operating Revenue                              $  307   $  385   (20)%
Pretax Operating Income(1)                     $    -   $   47      -%

SchlumbergerSema
----------------
Operating Revenue                              $  793   $  706     12%
Pretax Operating Income(1)                     $   15   $    1      -%

Other(3)
--------
Operating Revenue                              $  342   $  320      7%
Pretax Operating Income(1)                     $    3   $   (3)     -%

1) Pretax operating income represents income before taxes and minority
    interest, excluding interest income, interest expense and
    amortization of intangibles.
2) The first quarter of 2002 excludes an aggregate $30 million charge
    related to the financial/economic crisis in Argentina.
3) Principally comprises the Cards, Terminals, Meters North America
    and NPTest activities.

Oilfield Services
(Excluding WesternGeco)

First quarter Oilfield Services revenue of $1.98 billion decreased 1%
sequentially, but increased 4% year-on-year. This contrasted with M-I
rig count growth of 12% sequentially and 11% year-on-year.

Pretax operating income of $315 million rose 14% sequentially and 3%
year-on-year. Savings from restructuring programs initiated in Europe
and Africa the previous quarter and the recovery following the storms
in the Gulf of Mexico, coupled with exceptional growth in Drilling &
Measurements contributed to the sequential increase.

North America

Revenue in North America increased 8% sequentially and 6% year-on-year
to $595 million. M-I rig count growth of 22% sequentially and 19%
year-on-year did not substantially impact onshore revenue growth due
to the natural lag effect and 'trough' pricing, particularly in
pressure pumping. Offshore, Wireline and Drilling & Measurements
achieved double-digit sequential increases in Gulf of Mexico revenues
versus a reduced rig count. Pretax operating income of $73 million
showed a healthy 30% sequential growth, but decreased 9% year-on-year.
The sequential improvement was primarily related to the colder than
usual winter weather, which propelled the high seasonal upswing in
Canada, where rig count rose 68% sequentially and 18% year-on-year,
coupled with improved offshore performance.

Premium technology offerings in cementing also contributed to the
results, and PowerDrive(*) rotary steerable activity was particularly
strong on deepwater delineation projects due in part to this
technology's capacity for real-time transmission of MWD/LWD
information.

Reflecting the growing demand for Integrated Project Management
services, Schlumberger signed a 20-year performance-based production
management agreement with Dunhill Exploration and Production, LLC to
manage operations and maintenance of fields acquired by Dunhill in the
Gulf of Mexico and US lower 48 states.

Latin America

Revenue of $290 million decreased 17% sequentially and 11%
year-on-year, in contrast to the M-I rig count increase of 1%
sequentially and 4% year-on-year. Overall results were largely
impacted by the ongoing political turmoil in Venezuela, which also
drove the country's rig count down 43% sequentially and 56%
year-on-year. Pretax operating income of $34 million decreased 34%
sequentially and 14% year-on-year.

The declines in Venezuela were partially mitigated by sustained growth
in offshore and onshore activity in Mexico, where the rig count
increased 15% sequentially and 55% year-on-year in response to higher
domestic demand for natural gas and light oil, which is spurring
PEMEX's commitment to develop its national resources. Reflecting this
trend, PEMEX awarded Schlumberger a four-year, $500 million integrated
oilfield services project in partnership with ICA Fluor Daniel; a
two-year $60 million information management solution contract which is
shared with SchlumbergerSema and representative of the future
direction for its Energy IT services offering; and an IndigoPool
project to host multiple service contract data rooms.

Europe/CIS/West Africa

Revenue of $588 million decreased 1% sequentially and increased 6%
year-on-year, outpacing the M-I rig count, which dropped 2%
sequentially and 11% year-on-year. Pretax operating income of $100
million showed a healthy 54% sequential and 2% year-on-year increase
primarily due to generally improved GeoMarket activity, as well as
savings generated from restructuring efforts.

The Russia, West & South Africa and Scandinavia GeoMarkets recorded
the strongest revenue growth both sequentially and year-on-year, with
increased demand for fracturing and completions services especially
strong in Russia.

North Sea activity benefited from premium technology and superior
service quality. In particular, PowerDrive rotary steerable systems
not only doubled operating performance but were available for
short-notice deployment in response to increasing client needs.

Contract wins during the quarter included the renewal of the Shell
Europe and North Sea agreement for Drilling & Measurements and
Wireline, a three-year contract that is valued at approximately $200
million with an option to renew.

Middle East & Asia

Despite the war in Iraq and relative softness across Asia, revenue of
$489 million showed a modest 4% sequential growth, and robust 10%
year-on-year increase, outpacing the M-I rig count, which rose 1%
sequentially and 6% year-on-year. Settlement of revised contract
pricing improved revenue by $9 million. Pretax operating income of
$116 million remained flat sequentially but increased 11%
year-on-year.

Operations in the Saudi Arabia, India and Australia GeoMarkets showed
improved revenue both sequentially and year-on-year. There was high
demand for Well Services, Drilling & Measurements and, particularly,
Wireline technologies, which showed very strong growth across the
entire area. This was partially offset by reduced activity in Brunei,
Malaysia and the Philippines.

New technologies deployed in China during the quarter included the
Q-Borehole system. Run on the Yumen field in an offset vertical
seismic profile application, the results were processed in real time
at the well site and identified the proximity of granite formations
that enabled the client to review and change drilling plans
accordingly.

Highlights

-- Slavneft activated a master services agreement covering well
construction and production enhancement. Schlumberger will be directly
involved in a horizontal and directional drilling program; and will
also provide the full range of reservoir stimulation and production
enhancement services for new and existing wells.

-- The Kuwait Oil Company awarded Schlumberger a five-year contract
for an enterprise-wide integrated solution with secure, single point
portal access.

-- Yukos awarded NExT - a joint venture between Schlumberger, Heriot
Watt, Texas A&M University and the University of Oklahoma - a Skills
Assessment contract to build skills matrices, assessment tools,
perform assessments and prepare a training plan based on identified
skills gaps.

-- ChevronTexaco is partnering with Schlumberger for well completion
and productivity activities related to development of five new
strategic ultra high pressure projects in Tahiti - covering subsea
intervention, surface well test, drill stem testing, tubing conveyed
perforating, downhole permanent pressure monitoring and formation
isolation valve.

-- Schlumberger established its new Global Drilling Technology Center
in the UK as the company's base for drilling technology development
programs.

WesternGeco

Revenue of $307 million decreased 8% sequentially and 20%
year-on-year. Pretax operating income broke even for the quarter, but
included a $7 million provision for a contract loss in Mexico. Flat
multiclient sales and declines in other product lines contributed to
the year-on-year revenue results, while sequential results were
impacted by strong land activity in Alaska, Mexico and Africa
GeoMarkets; flat data processing activity; and decreased multiclient
and marine sales.

Including multiclient pre-commitments, total backlog at the end of the
first quarter of 2003 stood at $325 million. The marine seismic
backlog stayed relatively strong in the Asia/Pacific, and the North
Sea firmed up with Q capacity almost fully booked for the 2003 season.
Both the land and data processing backlog remained strong, the former
predominantly in the Middle East.

Pricing across all business segments remained flat for conventional
marine, land and data processing activity. However, Q-Marine continued
to command significant pricing premiums as a result of the added value
obtained from the delivered product. Additionally, the restructuring
effort announced in the fourth quarter of 2002 was completed during
the current quarter with thirteen land crews and three 3D vessels
decommissioned. Expected annualized cost savings are in the order of
$200 million.

During the quarter, Statoil awarded WesternGeco a contract for the
world's first 4D Q-Reservoir(*) survey on the Norne Field; and other
wins included two significant contracts for Q technology in Angola and
Norway.

SchlumbergerSema

Revenue of $793 million in the first quarter decreased 2%
sequentially, but increased 12% year-on-year. The year-on-year
improvement was mainly due to the strengthening of European currencies
again the US dollar and the continuing growth of the UK public sector
favored by the development of e-government projects. The sequential
decrease was principally related to the first quarter seasonal
slowdown in IT services spending, partially offset by the favorable
affect of the strengthening of European currencies against the US
dollar.

Pretax operating income of $15 million decreased $18 million, or 55%,
sequentially mainly due to lower activity resulting from seasonality,
lower daily rates in Western Europe, the depressed IT industry in
France and the decline in telecommunications activity in Eastern
Europe. However, the $14 million year-on-year increase reflected the
significant cost reduction programs carried out in 2002, particularly
in North & South America and Asia, combined with a release of
employee-related provisions of $7 million.

Revenue in the global energy segment increased 15% year-on-year to
$190 million demonstrating the renewed focus that SchlumbergerSema
brings to the market by combining systems integration skills, network
and infrastructure capabilities, and Schlumberger global reach and
sector knowledge. The opportunities generated by this combination
include the recent contract awards by PEMEX, Hafslund and HubCo.

Europe, Middle East and Africa

Revenue of $605 million declined 8% sequentially, but increased 14%
year-on-year. The year-on-year revenue increase came mainly from the
UK, France and the Mediterranean, and reflected the favorable impact
of European currencies appreciating 9% overall against the US dollar;
as well as significant new public sector contracts in the UK. The
sequential revenue decline was mainly due to seasonality, a lackluster
telecommunications environment and a one-time sale related to the
development of a call center for the UK Department of Works & Pension
(DWP) in the fourth quarter of 2002.

Pretax operating income of $13 million decreased 79% sequentially and
63% year-on-year. The sequential decline was mainly attributable to
overcapacity in the IT services industry in France, and consequently,
low daily rates which dropped by more than 15% during the quarter.
Also contributing to the decline was a weak utilization ratio in
Systems Integration projects, which were 2% to 3% lower than optimal,
and the lower activity and profitability in the telecommunications
industry in Germany and the Mediterranean.

North and South America

Revenue of $136 million increased 9% sequentially, but decreased 7%
year-on-year mainly due to the weak IT spending environment, primarily
in the telecommunications industry, as clients revise their budget
outlays downwards and postpone decisions on major contracts.

Pretax operating income of $4 million increased $15 million from a
loss of $11 million sequentially, and $21 million from a loss of $17
million in the same period last year. Despite revenue decreasing
year-on-year, pretax operating income increased mainly due to
extensive cost reduction programs carried out in North America
throughout 2002, and the release of employee-related cost accruals.

Asia

Revenue of $53 million decreased 9% sequentially, but increased 4%
year-on-year mainly due to increased activity on systems integration
projects in Japan. The sequential decline was due to the traditional
seasonality in the IT service industry coupled with the SARS effect
starting to delay projects due to contingency plans and travel
restrictions. The energy segment showed strong growth with
year-on-year activity climbing 16%.

Pretax operating income of $11 million increased $14 million from the
loss of $3 million sequentially, and $7 million from $4 million
year-on-year. The sequential pretax operating income increase was
primarily due to the release of employee-related cost accruals in the
quarter. The year-on-year improvement was mainly due to the benefits
of the cost cutting program implemented last year.

Highlights

-- Hafslund, one of Norway's largest energy providers, signed a
five-year, $10 million contract for SchlumbergerSema to develop and
implement a customer support information and supplier change system.

-- Statoil ASA contracted SchlumbergerSema to provide its
DeXa.Touch(*) IT service desk solution to support operations in
Sweden, Denmark and Norway.

-- KMD selected SchlumbergerSema to provide customer care and billing
solutions for Hovedstadens Natur Gas (HNG) and Naturgas MidtNordt,
which hold two-thirds of the total natural gas market in Denmark.

-- HubCo, Germany's first-ever natural gas trading hub, contracted
SchlumbergerSema to provide its IT framework, including hardware,
software and infrastructure hosting.

-- Kuwait Oil Company contracted SchlumbergerSema to develop an
enterprise-wide, integrated information solution that includes
GeoQuest software and services, an information lifecycle solution, and
business and knowledge management consulting.

-- Dallas County, Texas, awarded a $40 million, five-year contract to
SchlumbergerSema to provide comprehensive IT outsourcing support via
the DeXa(*) Suite of Services.

Other

Revenue for Volume Products of $202 million decreased 22%
sequentially, but improved 1% year-on-year. The year-on-year
improvement was mainly due to a 7% growth in mobilecom cards
principally in North America and Europe, offset by a decline in
parking terminals due to the exceptional Euro currency retrofit
program that extended into early 2002. The sequential decrease
reflected the seasonal drop in mobilecom activity, following
telecommunications operators' traditional Christmas campaigns coupled
with reduced activity in prepaid phone cards.

Revenue for NPTest of $59 million increased 20% sequentially and 3%
year-on-year. The sequential increase reflected improvements in Test
Systems sales, including renewed activity from its customer base and
penetration into new customers in the US and Asia. NPTest book-to-bill
remained above industry averages.

About Schlumberger

Schlumberger is a global oilfield and information services company
with major activity in the energy industry. The company employs 78,000
people of more than 140 nationalities working in 100 countries and
consists of three business segments. Schlumberger Oilfield Services is
the world's premier oilfield services company supplying a wide range
of technology services and solutions to the international oil and gas
industry. SchlumbergerSema is a leading supplier of IT consulting,
systems integration, and network and infrastructure services to the
energy industry, as well as to the public sector, telecommunications
and finance markets. WesternGeco, jointly owned with Baker-Hughes, is
the world's largest surface seismic company. In 2002, Schlumberger
revenue was $13.5 billion. For more information, visit www.slb.com.

(*) Mark of Schlumberger

Supplemental information in the form of a question and answer document
on this earnings release is available on the Schlumberger website at
http://www.slb.com/ir.

   Short Name: Schlumberger Ld.
   Category Code: QRF
   Sequence Number: 00004187
   Time of Receipt (offset from UTC): 20030422T213925+0100

    --30--RLG/ny* DB/ny

    CONTACT: Schlumberger Limited, New York
             Christian Lange, [phone]
             [e-mail]
                    or
             Kamilla Gam Nielsen, [phone]
             [e-mail]

    KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED KINGDOM INTERNATIONAL EUROPE
    INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BANKING ENERGY OIL/GAS EARNINGS
    SOURCE: Schlumberger Ld.

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