Overview
Data center modular infrastructure
SLB modular infrastructure accelerates data center time to token and improves reliability through offsite fabrication in controlled environments and digitally-optimized manufacturing.
For hyperscalers, neoclouds, colocators, and enterprises (data center developers), the metric that matters most is time to token—how fast a data center is built and how fast it starts running. AI-driven demand is fueling an unprecedented surge in data center buildout—now one of the largest capital cycles in history. Global data center investment reached USD 770 B in 2025, surpassing oil and gas for the first time, with power demand projected to hit 219 GW by 2030.
However, traditional datacenter methodologies can’t keep pace. They introduce complexity, delay schedules, limit repeatability, and hinder cost control—creating a gap between demand and scalable delivery.
At SLB, our world-wide team of multi-disciplinary engineers take a modular approach to data center infrastructure replacing site-built complexity with standardized but flexible, repeatable systems assembled offsite in controlled environments. By fabricating infrastructure in parallel with onsite construction, developers can compress build timelines, shorten time to revenue, and improve quality and consistency across every unit shipped.
Supported by a global supply network that reduces procurement and logistics risk, manufacturing centers that drive continuous improvement, and digitally-managed delivery, you can feel confident your project will be delivered on time and at scale.
Solutions
Modular systems for every part of the data center
SLB manufactures modular data center infrastructure at scale — engineering, assembling, and qualifying systems offsite at our facilities before shipping them ready to install. This approach moves the complexity of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) integration out of the field and into a controlled manufacturing environment, dramatically reducing onsite labor requirements, improving build quality, and compressing project timelines.
- Server hall infrastructure (SHI)
Modular infrastructure spanning power delivery, networking, and cooling. - Modular Central Utility Building (CUB)
Modular housing for chillers and air and liquid cooling equipment. - Electrical infrastructure (eRooms)
Skidded or containerized rooms housing the medium-voltage (MV) and low-voltage (LV) electrical switchgear. - Onsite delivery, installation and commissioning
SLB field teams are available to manage onsite integration, commissioning, and handover for complete delivery accountability.
40%
Compresses deployment time by up to 40% compared to traditional site-built construction. Parallel offsite assembly reduces the critical path on every project. (industry benchmarks).50%
Reduction in onsite labor requirements. MEP complexity moves to SLB’s manufacturing environment, reducing the onsite labor pool required and mitigating workforce availability risk.3.1M
Square feet of dedicated data center manufacturing capacity at SLB’s Louisiana technology center — the largest of its kind in North America.25%
25% cost reduction of whitespace buildout.
Milestone timeline
SLB’s data center manufacturing capability scaled from a single retrofitted facility to gigawatt-level delivery in three years.
Aug 2023
SLB announces plans to establish 1 million ft² of manufacturing operations for digital infrastructure in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Oct 2023
SLB begins manufacturing operations in Qingdao, China to serve demand in Asia.
Apr 2024
Retrofit of the former GM plant completed; manufacturing operations begin.
May 2024
First modular server hall infrastructure unit completed.
Dec 2025
SLB announces expansion of footprint to 2.1 million ft².
Jun 2026
1 GW of modular infrastructure delivered. SLB announces expansion of footprint to 3.1 million ft².
Design partner for NVIDIA DSX AI factories
In March 2026, SLB became the modular design partner for NVIDIA DSX* AI factories. This approach, where components are manufactured offsite, will drive increased quality and reliability while also reducing costs, labor constraints and lead times. It also enables rapid and flexible scaling, which allows customers to expand data center capacity quickly as demand grows.
See news release
Features
How SLB compresses time to deployment
The time advantage comes from 100 years of experience nurturing five connected capabilities, not any single step.
Frequently asked questions about data center modular infrastructure
How do you modularize data center infrastructure design?
SLB breaks each system — server hall infrastructure, CUBs, and eRooms — into its components, then standardizes these into prefabricated modules so they can be manufactured at scale. Standardization is what makes repeatable, parallel fabrication possible.
What if my data center design does not include modular infrastructure?
SLB has a worldwide network of engineers experienced in modularizing equipment design and manufacturing, drawn from decades in the energy industry, and can modularize an existing design, us an SLB design, or implement NVIDIA's DSX AI factories design on a developer’s behalf. SLB is currently the modular design partner for NVIDIA DSX AI factories, an agreement signed in March 2026.
How much time can a modular infrastructure model save?
SLB's project experience and industry estimates supports deployments up to 40% faster than traditional site-built approaches.
What quality controls are applied to modular components?
SLB applies ISO 9001 quality management processes at our manufacturing facilities. Every piece of equipment received from vendors is inspected and qualified before it enters the modular assembly process. Because assembly takes place in a controlled factory environment — rather than on an active construction site — we can apply consistent quality standards, automate testing, and catch issues before systems ship.
Who installs and commissions the modular infrastructure onsite?
This depends on the project. Some customers manage their own onsite integration teams; others prefer SLB to handle it end to end. SLB offers full onsite installation and commissioning services, which provides a single point of accountability for both offsite manufacturing quality and onsite integration performance.
Related solutions
Complete the build: power for your data center
Modular infrastructure is one part of an integrated data center build. SLB delivers the reliable, low-carbon power that a facility needs for operations.
Geothermal asset development
Grid-resilient, 24/7 baseload power for high-availability environments, developed with the depth of SLB subsurface and reservoir expertise.
Carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS)
Decarbonized power supply, pairing natural gas generation with carbon capture and storage to support continuous power with managed emissions.
Deploy your next data center faster with modular infrastructure
From engineering design to offsite fabrication, onsite commissioning, and digitally-managed operations, SLB compresses time to token at any scale. Backed by global manufacturing and a worldwide network of engineers, SLB helps you build faster and start running sooner.
Discuss your data center project* Other company, product, and service names are the properties of their respective owners.
