“Fourth-quarter cash flow from operations was $878 million and free cash flow was $554 million despite severance payments of $144 million. We are confident in our ability to further improve cash flow generation in 2021, which will allow for debt reduction.
“Regarding the macro outlook, oil prices have risen, buoyed by recent supply-led OPEC+ policy, the ongoing COVID-19 vaccine rollout, and multinational economic stimulus actions—driving optimism for an oil demand recovery throughout 2021. We believe this sets the stage for oil demand to recover to 2019 levels no later than 2023, or earlier as per recent industry analysts’ reports, reinforcing a multiyear cycle recovery as the global economy strengthens. Absent a setback in these macro assumptions, this will translate to meaningful activity increases both in North America and internationally.
“In North America, spending and activity momentum will continue in the first half of 2021 towards maintenance levels, albeit moderated by capital discipline and industry consolidation. Internationally, following the seasonal effects of the first quarter of 2021, and as OPEC+ responds to strengthening oil demand, higher spending is expected from the second quarter of 2021 onwards. Accelerated activity will extend beyond the short-cycle markets and will be broad, including offshore, as witnessed during the fourth quarter.
“The quality of our results in the fourth quarter of 2020 validates the progress of our performance strategy and the reinvention of Schlumberger in this new chapter for the industry. Building from the swift execution and scale of our cost-out program, we exited the year with quarterly margins reset to 2019 levels as the upcycle begins. On the back of our high-graded and restructured business portfolio, we see a clear path to achieve double-digit margins in North America and visible international margin improvement in 2021. Given the depth, diversity, and executional capability of our international business, we are uniquely positioned to benefit as international spending accelerates in the near- and midterm.
“By leveraging our new Basin and Division structure, we are fully set to capitalize on the growth drivers of the future of our industry, particularly as we accelerate our digital growth ambition and lead in the production and recovery market. Finally, to meet our long-term ambition to bring lower carbon and carbon-neutral energy sources and technology to market, we are visibly expanding our New Energy portfolio, to contribute to the transformation of a more resilient, sustainable, and investable energy services industry.”
Other Events
On December 31, 2020, Schlumberger closed the contribution to Liberty Oilfield Services Inc. (Liberty) of OneStim®, Schlumberger’s onshore hydraulic fracturing business in the United States and Canada, including its pressure pumping, pumpdown perforating, and Permian frac sand businesses, in exchange for a 37% equity interest in Liberty.
On January 21, 2021, Schlumberger’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.125 per share of outstanding common stock, payable on April 8, 2021 to stockholders of record on February 17, 2021.
Revenue by Geographical Area
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | (Stated in millions) |
| | |
| | Three Months Ended | | | Change |
| | Dec. 31, 2020 | | | Sept. 30, 2020 | | | Dec. 31, 2019 | | | Sequential | | Year-on-year |
North America | | $ | 1,167 | | | $ | 1,034 | | | $ | 2,339 | | | 13% | | -50% |
Latin America | | | 969 | | | | 828 | | | | 1,142 | | | 17% | | -15% |
Europe/CIS/Africa | | | 1,366 | | | | 1,397 | | | | 2,018 | | | -2% | | -32% |
Middle East & Asia | | | 2,008 | | | | 1,985 | | | | 2,674 | | | 1% | | -25% |
Other | | | 22 | | | | 14 | | | | 55 | | | n/m | | n/m |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 5,532 | | | $ | 5,258 | | | $ | 8,228 | | | 5% | | -33% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
n/m = not meaningful
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
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