Big Blue: Schlumberger 2016 Q2 Comments and more

by Matt Johnson

Last week we covered Halliburton’s (HAL: $43.21) Q2 results and we’ll follow up this week with a similar look into Schlumberger’s (SLB: $81.16) second quarter.

Primary visions database is hyper-focused on frac data, so its important to note that while our comments are about their entire Q2 results our data features SLB’s U.S. pressure pumping activities.

The Good – SLB approved dividends of .50c per share and maintains a positive outlook that we’re at the bottom of a downward cycle. SLB is the worlds largest oilfield service provider, however they are the second most prolific pressure pumper in the U.S. when analyzing active spreads and total frac jobs. CapEx is expected to stay unchanged at $2.2b. SLB has been aggressive in keeping its margins stable vs. the competition and continues to renegotiate long-term contracts that aren’t financially viable. Asking never hurts.

WATER VOLUME – SLB was #3 in water usage in 2013, #2 in 2014 and 2015, and so far remains in the #2 spot in 2016.

PROPPANT MASS – SLB was #4 in proppant mass in 2013, #3 in 2014 and #4 in 2015. 2016 is a bit muddy right now, no pun intended, as HAL maintains the #1 spot, yet 2nd through 5th place are tight. We’re paying close attention to this as our clients are hungry for proppant data.

TOTAL NUMBER OF FRAC JOBS – In 2015, SLB firmly held 3rd position with over 1,300 frac jobs. So far in 2016 they have moved up a spot to #2. See this chart below that highlights SLBs total frac jobs in the last five quarters.

The Bad – SLB suffered Year over Year declines in revenue and net income as the demand for pressure pumping activities contracted. They suffered impairments of almost $2b and restructuring charges totaling $646mm.

The Ugly – SLB continued to reduce their workforce by 16,000 people through the first half of 2016 which is a total reduction of 40% since 2014. SLB is on pace to have its lowest year of revenues in the last six years.

The two charts below highlight SLB’s frac jobs and spreads, which are great activity metrics.

Note: The Q2 2016 data is incomplete as there is a lag in the data of ~100 days

Note: There is a lag in the data of about ~100 days. We continue to capture new data every single day (Running Frac Spreads = blue) and compliment the data lag with our custom forecasting algorithm (Forecast = orange). If you click on the chart you will better be able to see the chart labels.

Interested in learning more about the Primary Vision Frac Spread Count or what a frac spread is? More information here.

Completing the merger with strategic partner Cameron

SLB merged with a powerful ally in oil and gas equipment manufacturing last year in Cameron. The realization of this sale was completed in the second quarter of 2016. Cameron “is a leading provider of flow equipment products, systems and services” to oil and gas and will help move SLB into the next generation of completion and production services. Cameron already had a strategic alliance with SLB and looks to strengthen that bond to SLBs core business as the companies integrate with one another through the rest of 2016.

Baker Hughes (BHI: $44.07) results are expected this Thursday and will be featured in our next blog.

sources
Reuters “Schlumberger posts unadjusted Q2 loss, cut another 8K jobs”
Carl Surran of Seeking Alpha “Schlumberger posts unadjusted Q2 loss, cut another 8K jobs”
Zacks.com from Nasdaq “Schlumberger (SLB) Q2 Earnings Fall Y/Y on Weak Activity”
Liam Denning of Bloomberg “For Oil’s Future, See Schlumberger”

Disclaimer
The data presented above has a margin of error of 5-8% as a result of E&P and/or service company errors or incorrect data filings. Neither the information, nor any opinion contained in this site constitutes a solicitation or offer by Primary Vision or its affiliates to buy or sell any securities, futures, options or other financial instruments or provide any investment advice or service.