| 1912 |
Conrad Schlumberger conceived the revolutionary idea of using electrical measurements to map subsurface rock bodies |
| 1919 |
Marcel Schlumberger began working with his brother Conrad |
| 1920 |
Opened first office at 30, rue Fabert in Paris |
| 1923 |
Began conducting geophysical surveys in Romania, Serbia, Canada, Union of South Africa, Belgian Congo, and USA |
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Mapped the first oil-productive salt dome by electric prospecting in Romania |
| 1926 |
Formed Société de Prospection Electrique, the precursor of Schlumberger |
| 1927 |
Recorded the first electrical resistivity well log in Pechelbronn, France |
| 1929 |
Expanded subsurface surveying into Venezuela, India, and the Soviet Union |
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Logged first well in the USA (Kern County, California) |
| 1930 |
Introduced continuous-recording hand recorder, enabling plotting of continuous log of information |
| 1931 |
Introduced Spontaneous Potential (SP) log |
| 1934 |
Founded Schlumberger Well Surveying Corporation (now Schlumberger Well Services) |
| 1935 |
Developed the single-galvanometer automatic recorder for logging in the field |
| 1936 |
Introduced the Sample Taker tool |
| 1940 |
Moved company headquarters to Houston |
| 1941 |
Introduced the SP Dipmeter tool for finding the angle of formation dip in the borehole |
| 1947 |
Recorded first induction log to help distinguish oil- from water-bearing rock layers when the borehole contains fluid that does not conduct electricity |
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Introduced the Resistivity Dipmeter tool |
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Began producing nine-galvanometer R9 recorder for simultaneously displaying multiple logging curves |
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Deployed first offshore rig |
| 1948 |
Inaugurated Schlumberger-Doll Research in Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA |
| 1949 |
Introduced Microlog tool for measuring mudcake thickness and resistivity near the borehole |
| 1950 |
Introduced Laterolog system for focusing currents into thin rock layers beyond the borehole |
| 1951 |
Introduced Microlaterolog tool for measuring resistivity near the borehole |
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Began experiments with microneutron device to measure formation porosity by sensing the amount of hydrogen present |
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Undertook research on density logging |
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Started work on attenuation of gamma rays, leading to a technique for quantifying formation porosity |
| 1952 |
Gathered first computer-ready data in the field |
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Introduced Continuous Resistivity Dipmeter tool |
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Bought 50% of Forex drilling rig company |
| 1954 |
Introduced Microlog-caliper for recording borehole diameter |
| 1955 |
Began work on "slowing down time" technique to measure formation hydrogen concentration by detecting energy reduction of source neutrons |
| 1956 |
Formed Schlumberger Limited in Curaçao as holding company for all Schlumberger businesses |
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Acquired Johnston Testers (USA testing and production company) |
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Completed first induction-electrical log |
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Patented method for determining hydraulic characteristics of formation traversed by a borehole |
| 1957 |
Completed first density log, enabling realization of bulk density measurement using gamma ray attenuation |
| 1960 |
Formed Dowell Schlumberger (50% Schlumberger, 50% Dow Chemical), specializing in pumping services for the oil industry |
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Began work on the Sidewall Neutron Porosity tool with high-pressure helium-3 detectors using epithermal neutrons to measure formation porosity |
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Created prototype of TDT Thermal Decay Time tool for measuring formation saturation through casing using neutron population decay |
| 1961 |
Acquired Solatron (UK) electrical instrumentation company |
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Completed first digitized dipmeter logs by computer—the first successful computer processing of logs from tape |
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Founded Société d'Instrumentation Schlumberger to coordinate expansion into electronics and measurement systems |
| 1962 |
Acquired Vector Cable cable operations and Daystrom measurement instruments |
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Introduced Formation Density tool |
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Listed Schlumberger Limited on the New York Stock Exchange |
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Commercialized the compensated density log, followed by the pad-type neutron log acquired by the Sidewall Neutron Porosity tool |
| 1964 |
Created Neptune drilling company (50% Forex, 50% Languedocienne) |
| 1965 |
Processed digitized log tape in a truck |
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Founded engineering center in Clamart, France |
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Began development of CNL Compensated Neutron Log tool, a two-detector neutron tool for through-casing porosity measurement |
| 1966 |
Developed small minitron and constructed 1 11/16-in TDT tool for through-tubing production logging |
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Achieved first Schlumberger-Doll Research patent in sonic logging |
| 1968 |
Introduced TTR tape recorder to replace R9U galvanometer recorder |
| 1969 |
Incorporated experimental lithology into Litho-Density tool for direct measurement of formation lithology |
| 1970 |
Introduced SARABAND service, the first computerized reservoir analysis |
| 1971 |
Acquired Flopetrol (testing production of oil wells) and remaining 50% of Forex; created Forex Neptune Drilling Company |
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Introduced first logging system that combined gamma ray, SP, induction, Spherically Focused Resistivity, sonic, and caliper logs |
| 1972 |
Introduced DLL Dual Laterolog tool for simultaneous measurement of shallow region invaded by borehole fluids and the deep undamaged formation |
| 1977 |
Introduced CSU Cyber Service Unit for wellsite instrumentation |
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Acquired The Analysts (directional drilling and mud logging services) |
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Commercialized the EPT Electromagnetic Propagation Tool, which uses travel time and attenuation of microwave-frequency electromagnetic waves to determine the amount of water in rock pores |
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Developed the CNTG four-detector neutron porosity tool |
| 1978 |
Developed the SDT tool, the first-generation digital sonic tool for uphole processing of compressional and shear sound speeds in formations |
| 1979 |
Made first observation of propagating slow wave with applications such as eliminating unwanted signals |
| 1980 |
Completed first measurement-while-drilling (MWD) job in the Gulf of Mexico |
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Began researching extremely high values (higher than 106) of low-frequency dielectric constants in rocks |
| 1981 |
Acquired Applicon and Balteau |
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Implemented first international data links with e-mail |
| 1982 |
Developed Crystal graphical log interpretation workstation, which ultimately became the basis for GeoFrame software |
| 1983 |
Implemented first commercial user of ARPANet (Palo Alto lab) for multiple international links and the first internal secure gateway between divisions |
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Opened Cambridge Research Center in England |
| 1984 |
Acquired SEDCO drilling rig company and 50% of Dowell of North America |
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Founded Anadrill by combining the drilling segment of Dowell and The Analysts |
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Developed ultrasonic CET Cement Evaluation Tool for adding azimuthal information to cement bond analysis |
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Began nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) petrophysics research |
| 1985 |
Formed Sedco Forex Drilling Company |
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Introduced Formation MicroScanner tool |
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Acquired Merlin and 50% of GECO |
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Deployed Schlumberger Information Network (SINet), the world's second largest internal corporate network and the first commercial ARPANet-based intranet |
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Introduced first VSAT terminal |
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Field tested borehole linear accelerator (LINAC) as a density tool |
| 1986 |
Merged Flopetrol with Wireline group to create Schlumberger Wireline & Testing |
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Introduced Phasor induction tool to improve detection of thin beds |
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Prototyped CMR Combinable Magnetic Resonance tool |
| 1987 |
Acquired Neptune (North America), Bosco and Cori (Italy), and Allmess (Germany) |
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Registered slb.com as an Internet domain name |
| 1988 |
Acquired remaining 50% of GECO |
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Introduced first logging-while-drilling (LWD) tool |
| 1989 |
Introduced MAXIS 500 logging unit |
| 1991 |
Acquired PRAKLA-SEISMOS |
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Used geosteering for the first time to plan the drilling path in horizontal wells |
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Introduced the MDT Modular Formation Dynamics Tester and the FMI Formation MicroImager tool |
| 1992 |
Acquired GeoQuest Systems, Inc. |
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Converted SINet to TCP/IP and www capability |
| 1993 |
Created GeoQuest product line by merging Schlumberger Data Services, Finder Graphics, and GeoQuest Systems, Inc. |
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Launched IDEAL concept (Integrated Drilling Evaluation and Logging System) and ran first compressional sonic logs while drilling |
| 1994 |
Introduced Oil Partnering Network in the North Sea sector |
| 1995 |
Introduced Platform Express technology, SIMPLER advanced land rig concept, ARC5 LWD tools, and MAXIS Express logging unit |
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Acquired Intera Technologies Corp. petroleum division, AEG meter, and ECLIPSE reservoir study team and reservoir technologies |
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Launched Integrated Project Management (IPM) as an independent service and engineering group |
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Created Omnes joint venture between Schlumberger and Cable & Wireless plc. |
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Commercialized CMR Combinable Magnetic Resonance tool |
| 1996 |
Conceived real-time reservoir management for improving hydrocarbons recovery and providing high-end IT solutions to industry |
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Acquired Oilphase |
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Completed first commercial sonic imaging job |
| 1997 |
Introduced ClearFRAC nonpolymer, damage-free fracturing fluid |
| 1998 |
Acquired Camco International, Inc. |
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Introduced PS PLATFORM fifth-generation production logging tool and HRLA High Resolution Laterolog Array |
| 1999 |
Entered joint venture with Smith International, creating the world's largest drilling fluids company, M-I L.L.C (60% Smith International, 40% Schlumberger) |
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Deployed Houston remote connectivity teleport |
| 2000 |
Combined Geco-Prakla with Western Geophysical to create WesternGeco (70% Schlumberger, 30% Baker Hughes) |
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Launched IndigoPool.com |
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Began conducting Q-Marine surveys |
| 2001 |
Acquired Sema plc. (IT consultancy), Phoenix, and Sensa (fiber optic distributed monitoring) |
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Deployed Macae remote connectivity teleport |
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Formed Schlumberger Information Solutions (SIS) to support real-time reservoir management and E&P business optimization processes |
| 2002 |
Deployed Singapore remote connectivity teleport |
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Introduced proVISION real-time reservoir steering tool for LWD; OrientXact perforating system; SlimXtreme slimhole high-pressure, high-temperature wireline logging platform; and FlexSTONE flexible cementing system |
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Acquired A. Comeau and Associates Limited to enhance capabilities in artificially lifted wells |
| 2003 |
Began conducting Q-Land surveys |
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Launched PowerDrive Xceed fully rotational steerable system; MaxTRAC production services tractor; seismicVISION LWD system; LiteCRETE lightweight, high-performance cementing system; PVT Express pressure-volume-temperature mobile laboratory; and DecisionXpress petrophysical evaluation system |
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Deployed Aberdeen satellite manufacturing facility and second teleport |
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Acquired VoxelVision (high-end PC-based visualization and seismic technology) |
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Acquired stake in PetroAlliance Services Company Limited, a premier Russian oilfield services company |
| 2004 |
Completed divestiture of SchlumbergerSema to Atos Origin |
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Launched the PowerDrive X5 rotary steerable system with integrated measurements, sonicVISION sonic-while-drilling tool, and PowerDrive vorteX rotary steerable system |
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Acquired Decision Team (oil and gas software and consulting services firm) and AOA Geomarine Operations (AGO), a pioneer in CSEM (controlled-source electromagnetic) and MMT (marine magnetotelluric) technologies |
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Opened Russia Technology Hub within campus of Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas; opened second phase of expansion of the Schlumberger Reservoir Completions Center |
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Established industry's first long-term reservoir monitoring program, between Statoil and WesternGeco |
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Awarded world's largest-ever 4D seismic project, shooting over the Marlin field offshore Brazil for Petrobras |
| 2005 |
Launched Scope family of while-drilling technology services: StethoScope formation pressure, TeleScope high-speed telemetry, PeriScope deep directional resistivity, and EcoScope multifunction formation evaluation; each represents a step-change in LWD and MWD technology |
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Introduced FiberFRAC technology to improve production rates in tight-gas reservoirs through better proppant distribution and fracture geometry |
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Commissioned the 27th Operation Support Center (worldwide facilities that enable real-time monitoring, modeling, and remote control of operations) |
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Commercialized Scanner downhole rock and fluid characterization services: Rt Scanner multiarray triaxial induction, Sonic Scanner acoustic, and MR Scanner new-generation NMR tools |
| 2006 |
Acquired the 30% minority interest in WesternGeco held by Baker Hughes |
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Introduced the Quicksilver Probe wireline sampling technology, a method to deliver formation fluid samples quickly with little to no contamination |
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Acquired Ødegaard A/S (Danish firm specializing in advanced surface seismic data inversion software); integrated acquisition into WesternGeco |
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Relocated Schlumberger Limited US corporate headquarters from New York to Houston |
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Acquired Reslink (Norwegian-based supplier of advanced completion solutions) |
| 2007 |
Completed acquisitions of Geosystem (land and marine electromagnetics and seimic imaging) and Tyumenpromgeofizika (geophysical and wireline logging); integrated Geosystem into WesternGeco Electromagnetics |
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Launched Contact family of multistage fracturing and completion services, which have integrated stimulation technologies |
