Second-Quarter Growth Broad-Based Across All Geographies
Second-quarter sequential revenue growth was broad-based, with international revenue increasing 12% and North America revenue growing 20%. International growth was widespread across all areas with more than 90% of our GeoUnits experiencing revenue growth. Growth was led by Europe/CIS/Africa which experienced 20% sequential growth due to higher Production Systems sales in Europe and Scandinavia, the seasonal drilling activity rebound in the Northern Hemisphere, and offshore activity increases in Sub-Sahara Africa benefitting all Divisions. Latin America sequential revenue growth of 10% was due to higher stimulation activity in Argentina, increased Production Systems sales in Brazil and Mexico, and higher offshore drilling in Guyana. Middle East & Asia revenue increased 7% sequentially due to higher drilling across Asia, particularly in China, Australia, and Indonesia, as well as multidivisional activity increases across the Middle East mainly in Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iraq. In North America, sequential revenue growth of 20% was driven by a significant increase in land and offshore drilling activity and higher exploration data licensing in the US Gulf of Mexico.
Power of the Core—Complemented by Digital
Le Peuch said, “These results demonstrate the power of Schlumberger’s Core, which is performing exceedingly well and benefitting from the effects of improved operating leverage, favorable offshore activity mix, greater technology adoption, and an improving global service pricing environment.”
Sequentially, all Divisions posted double-digit revenue growth—outpacing rig count growth both in North America and internationally. Production Systems led the sequential growth, posting an 18% revenue increase on higher product deliveries and backlog conversion during the quarter, mostly internationally. Well Construction revenue increased 12% sequentially due to higher land and offshore drilling activity both in North America and internationally, in addition to improved pricing. Reservoir Performance revenue grew 10% due to higher intervention, evaluation, and stimulation activity, both on land and offshore along with improved pricing. This solid performance in the Core was complemented by Digital & Integration, which experienced an 11% sequential revenue increase, driven by higher exploration data licensing sales.
Overall, second-quarter pretax segment operating income increased 30% sequentially, and pretax segment operating margin expanded 212 bps to 17.1%—the highest quarterly operating margin level since 2015. All four Divisions expanded their margins sequentially.
Second-quarter cash from operations was $408 million and reflected the build-up of working capital in line with the significant revenue growth. Working capital is expected to improve and, consequently, free cash flow generation will accelerate through the second half of the year, consistent with our historical trends.
A Strengthened Outlook Aligned to Schlumberger’s Strengths
Le Peuch said, “Looking ahead, the second half of the year continues to shape up very well as highlighted in our revised expectations for the full year, encompassing all phases of oil and gas development and all operating environments—from high-volume onshore to deepwater offshore—and firmly establishing digital, decarbonization, and improved pricing as defining characteristics of this upcycle.
“Despite near-term concerns over a global economic slowdown, the combination of energy security, favorable break-even prices, and the urgency to grow oil and gas production capacity is expected to continue to support strong upstream E&P spending growth. Consequently, we are witnessing a decoupling of upstream spending from near-term demand volatility, resulting in resilient global oil and gas activity growth in 2022 and beyond.
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