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FIELD ENGINEERING

You will operate in one of the world’s most extreme, pressurized environments. You will use the
very latest technologies and be faced with making multimillion-dollar decisions

RESEARCH, ENGINEERING, MANUFACTURING AND SUSTAINING


Your creativity, ingenuity and innovation will help develop in-house technologies capable of
performing reliably and flawlessly in the most testing of conditions

PETROTECHNICAL
You can help us shape the future of energy. You will work hand in hand with our clients to provide
the technical expertise that can really make a difference

MAINTENANCE AND RELIABILITY ENGINEERING


You will play a crucial role by maintaining our cutting-edge technology, enabling us to deliver
impeccable reliability and service quality every time

PLUS MANY MORE UNPARALLELED OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE

www.slb.com/careers
4 MEASURING THE WORLD
Just what is it that Schlumberger does and what
32 SCHLUMBERGER PEOPLE
Ivan Khlestov
kind of people is the company looking to recruit
into a rapidly changing and developing industry.

33 KINGS OF THE WILD FRONTIER

6 SCHLUMBERGER PEOPLE
With the Schlumberger workforce being drawn
In 1929, Conrad and Marcel Schlumberger
avoided potential bankruptcy when they received
contracts from an unexpected market –
from more than 160 countries, the company is the Soviet Union.
truly global. Schlumberger Life profiles just a
few of its 85,000 employees to give a flavor of
the company’s multinational workforce.
34 GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP
Schlumberger is taking action on six key global
challenges: climate change, the environment,
SCHLUMBERGER LIFE

Published by:
Schlumberger Ltd
42, rue Saint Dominique
8 IT’S A CARBON THING
As both a business venture and an internal
driving safety, malaria, HIV/AIDS and science
education.
75007 Paris company initiative, Schlumberger is seeking
France
innovative ways to limit atmospheric CO2 levels.
Executive editor: Jamie Pollard
Editor: Annika Joelsson 38 UNDER PRESSURE
With vast experience of subsurface technologies,
10
Design & editorial: Phil Bushell Design & Publishing,
London; philbushell@blueyonder.co.uk
Copy editor: Ruth MacKenzie SCHLUMBERGER PEOPLE Schlumberger is bringing its expertise to bear on
Contributors: Eric Ayache, Richard Boak,
Miriam Archer the management of arguably the most precious
Martin Draeger, Johana Dunlop, Henry Edmundson, of all natural resources – water.
Lina El Hares, Lori Gauvreau, Fathi Ghorbel,

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David Handwerger, Catherine MacGregor,
Jennifer MacLeod, Jane Marshall, Dominique Pajot,
THE FUTURE OF OIL & GAS
40
Mark Smith, Mary Louise Stott

Special thanks to Richard Bancel, Ariane Labadens, La Recherche, a leading French popular science EXPLORING THE THICK ICE
Xun Li, Yilmaz Luy, Mark Sorheim, Steve Whittaker
and everyone else who contributed to the magazine and technology magazine, published a special Dr David Handwerger, a senior geophysicist with
oil and gas supplement illustrating the pivotal Schlumberger, was part of a research team which
Images: courtesy of Schlumberger. Other images:
NASA/The Visible Earth (p4); www.stockyard.com role Schlumberger plays in the industry. spent six weeks studying the Antarctic cryosphere.
(p22) www.niallcotton.com (p23); Comstock/
Fotosearch (p44); cepolina.com (obc); Additional
illustrations: David Richeson & Mike Taylor

Comments and suggestions: joelssona@slb.com

An asterisk (*) in the publication denotes a mark of


Schlumberger
22 RIG LIFE
The vast majority of Schlumberger people will
44 CROSSING CONTINENTS
An experiment in cross-continental collaboration
spend at least some of their time living and sees French and US engineering students working
© 2008 Services Techniques Schlumberger
working at a wellsite. ‘Rig Life’ gives a pictorial closely but communicating only by telephone,
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may
be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
flavor of what to expect! e-mail, video conference and the Internet.
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise

25 46
without the prior written permission of the publisher

SCHLUMBERGER PEOPLE SCHLUMBERGER PEOPLE


Xun Li Paul Wyman

26 DIARY OF MY ADVENTURES
Schlumberger people get to visit parts of the
47 THE LAST WORD
Catherine MacGregor, vice-president of personnel,
world that are well off the beaten tourist routes. gives her personal perspective of what
Eric Ayache takes us on his own personal Schlumberger has to offer and what new recruits
journey. can expect.

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Since the early years of the 20th century


we have been measuring the world – providing
precise analysis and detailed interpretation of
the subsurface of our planet. We supply our
clients with the advanced technologies and
expertise required to identify, develop and
manage hydrocarbons effectively.
In recent years we have started to extend
our oilfield techniques into other areas: we are
one of the companies pioneering the deep
underground storage of carbon dioxide to
help reduce global warming and climate change;
and we are aiding countries, communities
and companies worldwide in the evaluation of
underground water supplies, as well as helping
them develop sustainable policies for the
management of what will become increasingly
precious water resources.
We are constantly looking for people with
vision to join us and help carry our business
forward. The work is academically rigorous,
intellectually demanding and can be physically
tough, but the rewards we offer reflect fully the
commitment we require.
If this kind of global challenge is what you
are seeking in your career, why not come and talk
to us about living the Schlumberger LIFE!

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There’s not really any


such thing as a typical
Schlumberger person.
Certainly they all have
that certain something,
but irrespective of gender,
race, religion or culture,
ALL are given an equal
opportunity to help shape
the company’s future . . .
only performance
determines progress.

CECILIA PRIETO
Nationality: Bolivian
Age: 32
Degree: Mechanical Engineering
University: Massachusetts Institute
of Technology
Languages: Spanish, English,
French and Swedish
Recruited: 1999, but also spent
three internships at Schlumberger
during 1996 and 1998
Current post: Project Manager in
“What makes working with Schlumberger so interesting Sugar Land, Texas
is that no project is ever the same. We’re always pushing Unwinding route: Biking, running,
the envelope and have to become experts in many skills swimming, hiking, camping …
anything outdoors
in many different areas. Schlumberger hires its engineers
Favourite iPod track: Believe or not
from the best universities in the world, so project design I don’t have an iPod!
teams typically consist of people from many different
countries, with completely different backgrounds and
a variety of perspectives. This is what makes it so much
fun to work here . . . and it definitely never gets boring!”

Schlumberger is a great place to start your career. Business leaders from some of the world’s
most dynamic companies have at some stage of their careers been Schlumberger people:
Jean Cahuzac CEO Acergy Thierry Pilenko CEO Technip
Chad Deaton CEO Baker Hughes Olivier Piou CEO Axalto
Peter Goode CEO Vetco International Julio M Quintana CEO TESCO Corporation
Thierry Morin Chairman and CEO Valeo Mario Ruscev President FormFactor Inc
David Mullen CEO Ocean Rig
Robert Peebler CEO Input/Output . . . and many more!

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WAIL MOUSA
Nationality: Saudi
Age: 31
Degree: PhD Electrical Engineering;
MSc Electrical Engineering &
Mathematical Sciences
University: King Fahd University
of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM)
and Leeds University
Languages: English and Arabic
Recruited: 2003
Current post: Research Scientist,
Schlumberger Dhahran Carbonate
Research Center, Saudi Arabia
Unwinding route: Cooking and
barbecuing with family and friends
Favourite iPod track: Classical
and traditional Arabic songs

“I’m a firm believer in the saying, ‘If there’s a will, there’s a way’.
This ethos, along with my enthusiasm, time management skills, ability
to focus and work hard allow me to manage my Schlumberger career
with being an adjunct professor at KFUPM and Chairman of the World
Petroleum Council Youth Committee. The classes I teach are directly
related to my research interests. This keeps me up to date with
advances in the subject and helps me identify talented students
who could be my future colleagues in Schlumberger.”

UZMA BABAR
Nationality: Pakistani
Age: 31
Degree: Mechanical Engineering
University: Ghulam Ishaq Khan
Institute of Engineering Sciences &
Technology (GIKI)
Languages: Urdu and English
Recruited: 1999
Current post: Training, Development
& Staffing Manager, Middle East &
Asia for Data & Consulting Services
Unwinding route: Raising awareness
about the opportunities for women
“I joined as a field engineer right after I graduated. in engineering.
I got married to Babar, who also works for Favourite iPod track: Can’t Take My
Schlumberger. After completing my training we Eyes Off You by Andy Williams
were transferred to Norway when my son, Hamza,
was two only months old. Soon after the birth of my
daughter, Zoya, we transferred to Indonesia and
we’re now in Dubai. Far from limiting my career
perspectives, I feel that being a woman from an
emerging country has actually been an advantage.“
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CO2 emissions are recognized as one of the main cause of global


warming. Finding effective ways to reduce greenhouse gases is seen
as increasingly urgent if we are to avoid catastrophic climate change.
Schlumberger is playing its part.

promising solution for It is estimated that CCS could large scale, long term CO2 storage
the overall reduction of reduce CO2 emissions by over 50% solutions.
global CO2 emissions is the emerging by 2050. And it owes much to the In 2005, Schlumberger Carbon
technology of carbon capture methodologies and technologies Services was established to focus
and storage (CCS). This involves used in oil and gas exploration on this vital area. The company is
capturing CO2 in bulk from sources and production. As a result, involved in every major pilot project
such as power stations, and storing Schlumberger is able to make around the world in the geological
it deep underground in geological a major contribution to locating, storage part of the full CO2 capture,
formations. selecting, monitoring, and managing transport and storage chain: from

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As a company pioneering CO2 emission reduction


techniques such as carbon capture and storage, it is
important that Schlumberger minimizes its own carbon
footprint. Thanks to a rigorous new environmental audit
process, this is happening. It includes a compliance
audit tool (CAT) that covers environmental management,
waste and resource management, legal compliance,
site history, and spill prevention and control.
“We have been auditing sites for the past ten years,”
says Ian Sealy, manager of environment programs.
“But it took a tremendous amount of groundwork
to get to the point where we had a formal set of key
performance indicators and systems in place across
almost all our locations.” The new audit process was
launched in 2007 and applied in 525 sites by 55 auditors.
The result was an impressive 96% compliance rating.
Canada and Europe, to North Africa, The first stage involves screening “This is a big step forward,” says Sealy.
Australia and Japan. It also offers potential sites. Schlumberger uses The annual audit process is designed to make sure
its expertise to power companies, existing data – as well as a wide that all sites demonstrate continuous improvement in
manufacturers, and other major range of information collected in how they manage their environmental protection
producers of CO2 emissions, as the field and laboratory – to support systems to meet local regulations and the rigorous
well as governments and other this process. Schlumberger internal standards. In cases where local
stakeholders. It’s not just a question of regulations and company standards diverge, sites must
“When it comes to tackling geological suitability. The team opt for the more stringent of the two – which is often
global warming, carbon storage is also takes social, environmental, the Schlumberger standard.
not a magic bullet,” admits David and economic criteria into account: Other steps towards minimizing the company’s
White, president of Schlumberger after all, CO2 may be held in environmental impact even further focus on CO2
Carbon Services, “but it could these underground reservoirs for reduction strategies for specific Schlumberger
provide a significant part of the hundreds of years, and will need business segments. Data collected since 2005 now
answer. That’s why Schlumberger constant monitoring for leakage or allow the company to report its CO2 emissions per
is taking a proactive stance. contamination of the surrounding employee.
We’re playing a leading role in rocks. Schlumberger is continuously improving the quality
international forums, collaborative Once a site is chosen, more and breadth of the environmental data it collects.
research, and organizations detailed subsurface characterization “Initially we needed to focus on understanding where
dedicated to addressing CO2 issues.” is carried out. Schlumberger builds our emissions come from. Only then could we start to
Schlumberger Carbon Services’ high resolution geologic models to identify opportunities to reduce CO2,” says Sealy.
approach is different as it can tap assess reservoir capacity, how easy Environmental plans at Schlumberger also include
into over 80 years of subsurface it is to inject the CO2 and how well projects to improve its waste disposal processes – both
evaluation experience. Schlumberger it will be contained. And it doesn’t reducing the amount of waste that is generated and its
engineers have spent decades in stop there; Schlumberger can environmental impact – and installing better water
the field, characterizing subsurface contribute to the design and treatment systems to improve the quality of the waste
geological structures to assess their construction of the facility, to water that is discharged back into the environment.
suitability for oil and gas production. long-term monitoring and even In addition, the Global Citizenship Library of Case
Similar techniques and technologies decommissioning. Studies is a new initiative through which environmental
are being applied to CCS. With the effects of global best practices are shared. “Each step is important on
“We’re offering a truly multi- warming increasingly apparent, its own,” says Sealy, “but taken together, these
disciplinary approach to an making a practical contribution initiatives will lead to a larger, more visible impact
extremely complex issue, and it’s to a long-term solution is extremely on our environmental footprint.”
highly practical,” explains White. satisfying for everyone involved. ■

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MIRIAM ARCHER

Nationality: British
Age: 25
Degree: Fluid Mechanics
University: Cambridge University
Languages: English and basic Indonesian
Recruited: 2005
Current post: Research Scientist
Unwinding route: Running, running, running!
Favourite iPod track: But I Feel Good by Groove Armada

What job were you recruited to and what you have been doing
since you joined?
“I was hired as a research scientist to work in the Fluids Department at Schlumberger
Cambridge Research. For the first 10 months I helped to develop and test a semi-analytical model
of the flow into a wellbore. After that I went to work in Indonesia as a Drilling & Measurements
field engineer as part of Schlumberger’s Tech&Field program. In this program, engineers and
scientists from the technology centers work in the field for 15-18 months to gain real life
experience. I found this extremely useful and learnt many new skills, including being able to
speak enough Indonesian to be understood both on the rig and on holiday in Bali! I returned from
the field nearly a year ago and have been working in yet another segment of Schlumberger –
Well Testing this time. I am enjoying the current assignment and again I am learning all the time,
which I love to do.”

What made you choose Schlumberger?


“I was interested by the idea of working in such a large multi-national company. I have met
many people from all over the world . . . a fascinating experience!”

How would you describe ‘Schlumberger people’ and are they really
different from people working in other companies?

“The majority of people I’ve met are very enthusiastic about their job and enjoy life outside
of work too. I would say the difference between ‘Schlumberger people’ and those from other
companies is that we get very used to working with people from different countries and
different cultural backgrounds, which makes for a very interesting working environment.”

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ublished monthly by Sophia Publications, La Recherche reports


on a wide range of popular science topics and is a principal source
of scientific information in the French language.
In April 2007 La Recherche featured a special supplement that
examined the technologies used in the exploration and production of
oil and gas. The supplement was prefaced by the following introduction:
‘Science and technology: a duo where, increasingly, all elements
mutually enrich one another. To explore these interactions,
La Recherche offers its readers this new ‘Technological Handbook’.
Backed by a large number of diagrams, it is intended to be a clear
illustration of fields where technology, industry and trade are in a
state of continuous change, stimulated by fundamental developments.
Current events remind us of the importance of the issues. With the
rocketing cost of a barrel of oil, geopolitical uncertainties and
environmental constraints, can the development of leading-edge
technologies in an industry now over a century old change the
situation?’

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TAKING STOCK

Six questions concerning


our energy future
What will the world’s energy landscape look like by 2030? emissions, the IEA nevertheless forecasts a 20%
to 25% increase in world energy consumption
This article provides a few of the answers, with the assistance
by 2030, and the continued dominance of fossil
of Claude Mandil, former Chair of the International Energy fuel energies.
Agency (IEA).
SO, DO WE RUN THE RISK OF NOT HAVING
HOW WILL WORLDWIDE ENERGY NEEDS is for gas. This is because it easy to use, relatively ENOUGH OIL?
CHANGE OVER THE NEXT 25 YEARS? clean and environmental friendly, and an efficient This question refers to the peak oil concept,
According to the International Energy Agency source of fuel for electricity production. which states that from 2030, the world will not
(IEA) reference scenario, if energy policy remains By 2030, overall world energy consumption have sufficient oil to meet demand. Peak oil
unchanged, world demand for primary energy – will have risen by 55% over the current level. means that when half the world's underground
currently 11 billion tonnes of oil equivalent – The proportion of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) oil reserves have been consumed, production will
will increase at a sustained rate of 1.6% per year, will increase markedly, making up to 85% automatically decline along a symmetrical curve.
particularly in countries such as China which of the total, compared with 80% today. This is For proponents of this theory, that turning point
are undergoing rapid development. Oil will a baseline scenario that does not take supply has already arrived as far as underground oil
remain the source of energy most in demand security issues into consideration, depends production in the United States is concerned; and
because its uses are concentrated in the transport heavily on oil from the Middle East and gas from is almost upon us across the rest of the world.
sector, where there is little that can take its the Middle East and Russia, and is clearly quite The IEA does not agree. It advances two
place, and where there is limited scope for appalling in terms of CO2 emissions. But even arguments. First, policy could change everything:
increased fuel efficiency. However, among fossil if the international community makes political adoption of ambitious energy saving policies could
fuel sources, the most rapid growth in demand decisions to significantly reduce demand and reduce demand for energy and, consequently, the

■ Fig 1: By 2030, the world demand for primary energy will be around 17 billion tonnes of oil equivalent. ■ Fig 2: To satisfy this thirst for energy, massive investments will need to be made.
■ Fig 3: At the same time and if nothing is done, CO2 emissions will continue to increase by at least 1.7% a year. Graphics: Bruno Bourgeois. Source: IEA Reference Scenario.

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■ The technicians in this control room manage an entire production process, including drilling, pumping and transportation, for Saudi Aramco, the Saudi Arabian national oil company.

symmetrical curve would no longer exist. Second, demand for hydrocarbons. However, because essentially from combustion of fossil fuels, will
how can we determine the extent of ultimate 60% of gas reserves are not near main transport cause average world temperature to increase by
reserves? The fact that no large deposits are now networks, technologies enabling local operations several degrees and that consequently, there is
being found across the world cannot be used to need to be developed. an increased risk of serious atmospheric
bolster the peak oil concept. What is valid in the disturbances.
United States is not applicable to major monopoly IS THE US $200 BARREL A POSSIBILITY? Therefore, carbon dioxide emissions must be
producer countries which, because they are not It is always dangerous to speculate. With the reduced, by adopting a wide range of possible
in competition, do not feel it is worthwhile recent start up of new petroleum capacities and measures. First, it is essential to manage existing
exploiting any significantly large deposits. slight drop in demand, the IEA is counting on a stock, particularly through development of a
Concerning ultimate reserves, if only reduction in the average import cost of crude oil to carbon emissions trading scheme. At the same
conventional oil outside monopolistic countries its member countries in the short term, although time, emissions must be reduced by improving
is taken into consideration, then the concept of this will be followed by regular increases up to energy efficiency, developing renewable energies,
peak production is relevant. But adding Middle 2030. It is assumed that the price of natural gas and making use of nuclear energy.
Eastern resources, non-conventional oil (heavy will follow the same trend, due to the long term But even in the most optimistic of scenarios,
oil and bitumen, oil shale), oil located at great indexation between gas supply contracts and oil with a maximum level of efficiency for renewable
depths below the sea (more than 2,000 meters) prices, and the competition between these two energies, the IEA remains convinced that oil will
and in the Arctic, and products that can be fuels. But it should be underlined here that new continue to be a major source of energy, because
extracted from gas, coal and biomass, renders geopolitical tensions, or worse, disruption in even with biofuels, oil will still be needed for
this Malthusian vision inapplicable. supply, could reinforce price increases. transport systems. In the very long term, towards
Nor should we forget the expected beneficial 2050, energy could be provided by hydrogen and
effects of technology. Currently, the average GIVEN CLIMATE CHANGE, CAN WE fuel cells, but only if current technological and
recovery of liquid hydrocarbons is just 35%. REASONABLY CONTINUE TO BURN COAL, economic challenges are overcome.
With enhanced recovery, this could increase OIL AND GAS? Current energy consumption trends raise
to 50%, and even 70% in the decades to come. Let us not forget the recent, irrefutable the question of coal based emissions. In 2030,
Finally, it is necessary to take into consideration conclusions of the intergovernmental group coal will probably still be a major energy source
the gas resources that could satisfy the increased of experts on climate change that CO2 emissions, because it is abundant, cheap and widely ➥

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TAKING STOCK

available worldwide. Some countries, such as WHAT INVESTMENTS ARE NEEDED FOR
China and South Africa, are so dependent on coal OUR ENERGY FUTURE?
that it is difficult to imagine how they could stop To satisfy the world’s growing and voracious
using it. This points to a need to develop cost demand for energy, massive investments in
effective technologies to capture and store CO2. energy supply infrastructure will need to be
made. According to the IEA reference forecast,
WHAT AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGIES COULD the accumulated investment required from
EASE THE ENERGY PROBLEM? 2005 to 2030 is just over US $20,000 billion in
The technological challenges to be met are 2005 terms! The electricity sector absorbs 56%
enormous. It is necessary to provide the planet of the total investment, rising to approximately
with cost-effective energy, while diversifying two thirds of the total if investments in the
supplies and massively reducing CO2 emissions. supply chain to meet the fuel needs of power
We cannot limit ourselves to a single technology. plants are included.
A wide range of technologies must be developed ■ A Chinese soldier in China’s largest oil handling terminal Investment in the oil sector, three quarters
in Dallan. China needs to invest around US $3,700 billion in
simultaneously: technologies to improve energy, which represents 18% of the world total. of which needs to be committed to the upstream
energy efficiency for buildings and transport, exploration production sector, amounts to more
technologies for renewable energy and nuclear than US $4,000 billion from 2005 to 2030.
energy, and technologies to promote more concerns two main sectors in particular: Upstream investment needs are far more
environmentally friendly use of fossil fuels. photovoltaics and biofuels. The ecobalance of sensitive to declining production rates than
To optimize petroleum production, enhanced the latter must be improved and the move to they are to the growing demand for oil.
recovery technologies need to be developed, second and even third generation products Approximately half of the total worldwide
which requires the combined expertise of carried out as rapidly as possible. energy investment needs to be made in
disciplines including earth sciences (geology According to the IEA, the future also lies in developing countries, because these are the
and geophysics), applied mathematics, physical the greater use of nuclear generated energy, but places where demand and production are
chemistry and biotechnology. Another aspect this demands that public concerns regarding growing fastest. China alone needs to invest
is the treatment of data generated by the waste management be alleviated. Once again, around US $3,700 billion, which represents
exploitation of hydrocarbon deposits. The quantity considerable progress needs to be made in 18% of the world total.
of data on a field acquired during the surveying fundamental and technological research. The question is whether or not this will
through production phases can be counted in The development of all these technologies happen. There is no guarantee that all the
petabytes (1015 bytes). This information needs to means that in sciences as diverse as chemistry, necessary investments will be made. Public
be integrated and acted on in real time to information technology, biology and earth sciences policies, geopolitical factors, unexpected
optimize the exploitation of these deposits. such as geology and geophysics, intensive efforts variations in unit costs and prices, as well as
Regarding renewable energies, technology need to be made to discover new hydrocarbon the development of new technologies, are all
developments to reduce costs are vital. This sources. factors that may influence the opportunities and
incentives to public and private companies to
invest in the various links of the diverse energy
A group of 27 consumer countries supply chains. Here, the investment decisions
taken by major oil and gas production countries
will be decisive, because the volume and cost of
The International Energy Agency (IEA) is a government body imports by consumer countries will increasingly
grouping together 27 countries. It is historically positioned depend on these factors. One can, for example,
in the western camp of energy consumers. It now acts as ask whether the investment made by the gas
a consultant to its member states, helping them define their industry in Russia will be sufficient, even if only
energy policies. Working from the principle that without to maintain the current export levels to European
statistics there cannot be a significant energy policy, countries and to begin exporting to Asia. ■
IEA publishes the yearly World Energy Outlook. Cécile Chamois

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TECHNOLOGIES

Leading-edge technologies in
the petroleum engineer’s toolkit
Modern petroleum exploration and production have been able to make use of innovative
processes developed in other fields and industries: signal processing, modeling of materials,
metrology, chemical kinetics, and so on. Here is a review of some of these technologies, from
exploration to production.

I n a desert-like landscape, a derrick sits over an


oilfield in which the parent rock lies just a few
meters below the sand. It is an image drawn from
structures where temperatures typically exceed
150 degC and pressures can reach 2,500 bars.
And, when a reservoir is located in these
If the oilfield is at sea, a floating platform can be
used for production, storage and unloading.
In the future (and already planned for the
the history of the oil industry. But in today’s particularly difficult conditions, ultra-sensitive Norwegian Barents Sea), production will take
world, the search for hydrocarbons is a complex instruments are needed to take measurements place without any surface structure whatsoever.
activity that resembles an obstacle course. The at the bottom of the reservoir. This is followed All the necessary equipment will be located
work calls for finding oil in increasingly difficult by exploration drilling, sometimes horizontal, on the seabed and the produced hydrocarbons
environments: at great depths of more than to reach the oil, with a high degree of precision. transported to land through underwater
2,000 meters below the sea; buried at depths of There are no standard conditions: no two wells pipelines. ■
over 6,000 meters underground; and in geological are identical. Stéphane Magalhaes

■ RESERVOIR ROCK:
Without 'traps' there would
be no oil reservoirs. These
closed structures, created
by deformation of the rock
strata, allow hydrocarbons
to accumulate. Traps can
be structural – formed by
flexible (folds), or brittle
(faults) deformations of the
rock, or stratigraphical –
formed as a result of the
nature of the rock.

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TECHNOLOGIES

1: RESERVOIR PARAMETERS
■ SEISMIC SURVEYING: Seismic surveys are carried out to detect the presence of a reservoir. Waves sent from the surface into the ground are partially reflected
when they encounter a change in the nature of the rock or an interface between fluids. On its return to the surface, the signal is captured by highly sensitive geophone
receivers. These are used to record a complex series of waves. The first are those closest to the surface, followed by those reflected on the first geological layer, and
so on. Measurements are taken of the time taken for a wave reflected on a geological layer to travel from transmitter to receiver.

■ 3D: By moving the transmitter and receiver many


times, a two dimensional image of the subsurface and
the geological layers can be built up. Hypotheses are
then made concerning the propagation speeds of the
waves through the various layers, permitting the
construction of an image incorporating depth. These
are then used to produce a geological section. For
greater reliability, 3D seismic surveying is used (see
facing image). The acquisition of three dimensional
measurements of the rock parameters increases the
reliability of the analysis. This 3D technology simplifies
the understanding of complex situations at
considerable depths.

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2: EXPLORATION DRILLING

■ METROLOGY: Unfortunately, seismic surveys do not provide anything like complete information. To find out whether there is any oil in a well, exploration drilling must
be carried out. Measurement tools are lowered into the well as it is drilled. The drilling rig takes the form of a mast used to lower the drilling string, at the bottom of
which is a bit. The tools attached directly to the string guide the drilling and enable analysis of the rock layers being drilled through. When it reaches the bottom of the
well, the bit rotates on the surface-controlled drilling string. The energy needed for the measurement instruments and drilling controls is provided by lithium batteries.
Thus measurements known as well logs can be recorded using electric, acoustic, seismic, radioactive or nuclear magnetic resonance instruments.

3: CONSTRUCTION OF A WELL
■ HORIZONTAL DRILLING: Development drilling
begins. The bit cuts through the rock at the
bottom of the well. A mixture of water and clay
(drilling mud) is injected into the well to control
pressure and remove rock cuttings. The well is
then cased with steel pipe, which is cemented
(see image, right) to provide hydraulic isolation
and mechanical integrity. Modern drilling
techniques make it possible to drill at an
angle from a single point and extend this into
a horizontal or U-shaped drilling profile. It is
even possible to drill to a depth of 2,000 meters
and continue horizontally for 10 kilometers from
the drilling point – all with a precision of within
one meter from the target location!

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TECHNOLOGIES

4: BRINGING A SITE INTO PRODUCTION

■ OFFSHORE: The Girassol field, exploited by Total 150 kilometers off the coast of Angola, provides an example of the technologies developed for deep offshore
work: 39 underwater wells, of which 23 were drilled to a depth of 1,400 meters. Positioned by robots, a network of 45 kilometers of flow lines connected to the
wellheads covers the seabed over the 24 square kilometers of the field. When commissioned in 2001, this vessel, with its 200,000 barrel a day production
capacity and two million barrel storage volume, was the largest floating production unit in the world.

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5: OPTIMIZATION
■ ENHANCED RECOVERY: Enhanced recovery
techniques are used to improve well productivity.
One of these involves using special wells to inject
fluids such as CO2 , highly compressed gas extracted
from the oil well, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG),
and water. The fluid compresses the hydrocarbon
extracted by production wells. Another solution is to
change the physical characteristics of the oil using
thermal methods, such as miscible fluid injection,
or chemical methods. The former involve using heat
to reduce the viscosity of the oil, to ease its migration
through porous rock. Chemical methods are used
to reduce the capillary forces that contribute to
retaining the hydrocarbons in the rock.

■ 4D: 4D seismic surveying incorporates the fourth dimension: time. On a production reservoir, 3D seismic surveys are carried out at regular intervals. Comparison of
recordings identifies changes taking place in the deposit during its production period. By linking those data with data acquired during the research phase, the life of
the deposit throughout the exploration cycle can be traced. This provides a better understanding of preferential flow routes, levels of the various fluids, and so forth,
and allows production to be adjusted accordingly. Data processing of recorded seismic waves is extremely complex. Geophysicists use sophisticated software to
combine these data to help them reconstruct the forms and physical properties of the geological layers.

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INTERVIEW

Andrew Gould: “The key question in


the oil industry is the recovery factor.”
Schlumberger is the world’s largest petroleum services A few years ago, you argued for
technological cooperation between
company, with a 2007 revenue of US $23.3 billion and a service companies and petroleum groups
workforce of 84,000 in around 80 countries. As a result of its to meet the challenges facing the sector.
history and size, the group is deeply involved in development Has this cooperation been set up?
Andrew Gould: Only partly. I feel that we have
of petroleum technologies. La Recherche talked to its CEO. yet to achieve an optimum level of cooperation.
Regardless, it is essential that we solve a problem
LA RECHERCHE: Generally speaking, the performance systems available to handle seismic that is specific to the petroleum industry: the
petroleum industry and leading-edge surveying data and carry out modeling and recovery factor. At present, and as a worldwide
technologies are rarely associated. simulation for what represents the core of our average, we extract only between 30% and 35%
What is more, the sector is seen to be old profession – a complete understanding of of the total resources present in reservoirs; the
fashioned and out of date. What do you hydrocarbon reservoirs. remaining two thirds are lost. Improving the
put this down to? In 2007, you invested US $728 million in recovery factor is therefore a crucial issue for
Andrew Gould: Let me make it clear from the research and development. Why? our industry, especially given the current debate
outset that this negative image is far from Andrew Gould: The budget comprised concerning peak oil – the turning point when
universally shared. It is true that in Europe US $633 million for development activities and world production of crude begins its downward
our industry suffers from an image deficit US $95 million for applied research. Our needs slope. But a 1% increase in the recovery factor
because, at the end of the day, it is considered are vast because they cover traditional physical would be equivalent to two and a half years
to be a polluting activity. But we have sciences and chemistry, as well of world consumption! Our goal is to increase
a far better reputation in the United as specific nuclear measurement recovery to 50%. In some reservoirs in Norway,
States. And in emerging countries, technologies, digital modeling, a recovery rate of 60% to 65% has already been
such as India and China, as well in and so on. attained. This success is of considerable interest
the Middle East, the petroleum Your company hired more than to the entire industry, and the reason why we
industry is seen as prestigious and 10,000 employees in 2007. advocate cooperation between companies.
attracts the best graduates. One of Do you find it difficult to find How can you improve the recovery factor?
its strengths is that it is open to the right profiles, especially Andrew Gould: We need to define the space
ideas from the outside world: the for your research and between wells, in the rocks where the oil is
oil industry has been able to adapt development activities? trapped, as precisely as possible. To do that,
technologies from other sectors to Andrew Gould: Last year we an image of the area needs to be created, and
meet its specific needs. Andrew Gould recruited mainly engineers and that requires very powerful measuring and
Having worked for Ernst
To meet the challenges of crude & Young, Andrew Gould scientists. They represent 120 modeling tools. The image obtained from
oil exploration and extraction, the joined Schlumberger in nationalities and we recruited electromagnetic and seismic surveying
1975 in the internal audit
industry has learned to use the most department. He was in over 40 countries. Our historic measurements gives a precise picture of where
innovative technologies. For example, president of several ties with the most prestigious new drilling should take place. These technologies
segments before
did you know that Schlumberger becoming the group’s
universities in the world and are used both for existing and new deposits.
has one of the three most powerful CEO in February 2003. their research centers mean that In the former, the task is to detect unnoticed
Gould holds a degree in
computers in the world? Our goal is economic history from
we have no particular difficulties layers of hydrocarbons; in the latter, it is to
to equip ourselves with the highest Cardiff University. in acquiring the skills we need. optimize exploitation of the deposit.

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operations to extract crude oils that have a


viscosity that allows natural flow, and solid oils.
The former can be produced using a special
extraction and collection system. For solid oils,
steam is injected to reduce the viscosity of the
oil and, consequently, increase its flow. Again,
major research is vital for development of
reliable tools – including pumps able to
withstand temperatures of 250 degC – and
measurement instruments. We are also
researching the behavior of these crude oils
when their state changes.
Underground storage of CO2 is raising great
hopes in the environmental sector. Is this a
potential future sector for Schlumberger?
Andrew Gould: Absolutely, but only when this
technology is fully developed! This technology
demands a complete understanding of the
subsurface. The major challenge is to ensure
that the reservoirs in which the CO2 is stored
do not leak over time; which, in this case,
means a thousand years. Our understanding
of reservoirs has allowed us to make
considerable progress in this area.
Another direction is the study of reactions
between the CO2 and the storage reservoir rock.
The CO2 in a reservoir is not inert; its reactions
with the molecules in the rock cause changes in
the physical-chemical characteristics of the
reservoir, which, over time, could cause micro-
faults and potentially reduce the integrity of
Very deep offshore operations are part of the presence of water in a well as its presence the reservoir.
the challenge facing the petroleum industry. affects the exploitation of the reserves. Finally, A great deal is expected from
What are the particular constraints companies are being confronted with high nanotechnologies. How will they apply
associated with these new exploration temperature and high pressure deposits that are to the oil sector?
areas? very difficult to exploit. In some cases, gas can Andrew Gould: The use of nanotechnologies for
Andrew Gould: The main difficulty with this reach a temperature of 300 degC at a pressure detection and analysis of fluids will probably be
type of exploitation is not so much the depth of 2,500 bars. So, we need to have tools and introduced into the sector over the next couple
of the water – where the limit is essentially instruments that can withstand these conditions. of years. However, biochemistry is where the
governed by economics – as the reliability of Exploitation of non-conventional crude oils real revolution will take place. Using biochemical
the machinery. During the exploitation phase, (shales and bituminous sands) is also of agents to modify the behavior of a fluid, or trace
operations on the seabed need to be reduced to vital importance to the future of oil. How circulation of fluids through a reservoir . . .
a minimum. For example, pumps must have will they be used? now that is a fascinating subject. But we will
very long service lives. It is also necessary to Andrew Gould: Most deposits of these non- have to wait some time before we reach
have very sensitive surveillance and fluid conventional crude oils are found in Venezuela that point. ■
analysis systems. It is vital to be able to detect and Canada. Schlumberger is involved in Interview by Stéphane Magalhaes

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Schlumberger operates at
wellsites in some of the toughest
environments on the planet: from
the searing heat of Middle Eastern
deserts to the numbing cold of
Siberian taiga; from the steamy
jungles of Brazil to the typhoon
swept shores of the South China
Sea. These extreme conditions and
diverse locations require a wide
range of drilling platforms to make
oil and gas production possible. Rigs
can be mobile or more permanent
structures and are located either
on land, in transition zones such as
swamps, or offshore – in shallow
waters or far out at sea in deep
water. The wellsite location you
are assigned to will impact greatly
on your lifestyle: in remote and
offshore locations, people normally
work in on/off rotation, spending
a few weeks on, a few weeks off.
In more accessible locations, crews
are usually able to go home after
work (although they may still be
on call!).

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Many wellsites are in remote


locations, so getting to work may
involve long, cross-country journeys,
often in some pretty serious forms
of transport. For offshore operations,
trips are usually made by helicopter.
It is important to remember that
these are NOT holiday flights and
that the emphasis is very much
on saftey. Before you can travel
offshore you will need to have
successfully completed a number of
training courses and passed certain
safety qualifications including:
HUET (Helicopter Underwater
Evacuation Training) and a BOSS
(Basic Offshore Sea Survival)
certificate. Once offshore, local
journeys are made by small boat or
using the platform crane. On land,
helicopters are also used extensively
as are rugged 4x4 vehicles and the
famous, blue Schlumberger trucks.
However, some field engineers are
lucky enough to be able to drive to
work in their own cars!

Drilling thousands of meters down


into the Earth is inherently a dirty,
intense and costly business. This,
plus the fact that wells are often
in some of the most remote and
inhospitable places in the world,
means that our engineers have to
be able to adapt to local conditions.
There are no shops at wellsites, so
you have to take everything you are
going to need with you. This should
include essentials such as all your
clothing and toiletries and also
some extras such as your iPod
and supplies of your favorite
chocolate! Rigs are not hotels
and accommodation is usually
pretty cramped, and you will
normally have to share amenities
with your co-workers. Women
engineers are still in a minority
in the oil and gas industry, which
is why Schlumberger pays special
attention to making sure living
conditions are appropriate.
However, you must be ready to
adapt and take the initiative…
and have a good sense of humor!
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Regardless of the job you do with


Schlumberger, all our people are
focused on delivering service
excellence, no matter what the
conditions. We have to be on top
of our game 24/7 as the results of
our work have multi-million dollar
consequences for our clients. To
help you do your job, Schlumberger
utilizes the very latest and greatest
technology. But technology alone
is not enough: the ability to work
as part of a team is essential to
our success. Living and working
at a wellsite means the conditions
are often extreme and the job
is high pressured. But this
environment helps to bring people
together, and the respect and trust
that develops between work
colleagues often means that
friendships created in the field last
a lifetime. Schlumberger people
work hard, make no mistake, but
they know how to play hard too . . .
which all adds up to creating the
Schlumberger way of life!

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XUN LI

Nationality: Chinese
Degree: Mechanical Engineering
University: Tsinghua University, Beijing
Languages: Chinese, English plus a bit of Thai
Recruited: 2001
Current post: Recruiting Manager for China, Japan,
Thailand, Vietnam & Myanmar
Unwinding route: Moviemaking with colleagues
and singing
Favourite iPod track: Secret by Jay Zhou

“I had never thought about working in the petroleum industry until a friend told me about
Schlumberger and I applied. Excited and ready to embark on a new life, I started as a field
engineer at the end of 2001.
Working as a field engineer overseas, I was so busy doing my job that I had little time to think
about how difficult it was. After completing my training in Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia,
I worked for three months as a junior field engineer with Indonesian land crews in south Sumatra.
There I was promoted to Wireline field engineer. In 2002, I was transferred to the Middle East.
Working in Abu Dhabi, I had plenty of opportunity to get familiar with Schlumberger’s hi-tech
services and was promoted to senior field engineer. I moved to work offshore in Qatar in November
2003 as lead engineer for several major offshore clients, and after a great deal of hard work,
became a general field engineer. At the end of 2006, I returned to my native China to embark on yet
another new and challenging start in my career, as field services manager for Wireline in West
China. Then in 2007, in a move that has developed my career in a different direction, I took up the
position of recruiting manager.
The first three years, I had very little spare time! It’s hard for a logging engineer to plan any
activities after work; but we do get to take many short breaks, traveling with friends and exploring
different cultures in many countries. I really enjoy the diversity of this way of life.
If I had the chance to turn back the clock and choose my employer again, Schlumberger would
be my first and only choice.”

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“to some
Hi, I'm Eric Ayache. I've worked for Schlumberger for the past 13 years. The job has taken me
pretty amazing places – many that are really extreme and tough to work in but that have
allowed me to do things that I would never have been able to do in an ordinary job. My life with
Schlumberger has been one continual experience . . . with the job and and my personal life just
being different aspects of the same unfolding story. Here’s a snapshot of some of my adventures.

AFRICA: MY FAVORITE the pilot of the four seater plane Angola, I started to move from
CONTINENT ON EARTH that took me from Congo to Gabon country to country in the region,
I started my Schlumberger life plunged down to fly just 100 meters wherever exploration jobs or other
about thirteen years ago, when above ground level, over surprised needs arose. I could not believe my
I joined Wireline. My first four years elephants and buffaloes in the luck. While based in Cape Town,
were spent in West and Southern savanna! This was to be one of I had the opportunity to spend a
Africa, working in remote areas of many highlights of my time in weekend hunting with the pygmies
Congo, Angola, Gabon and South Africa. After an additional six-hour in Cameroon, climb Pico Bioko
Africa. Having the opportunity to ride in a dugout canoe on a river in Malabo, go horse riding in the
discover these countries, and many winding its way through the jungle, vineyards of Stellenbosch, and go
more while on days off, was an I finally reached the wellsite. Seeing cage diving with the great white
incredible experience. Often it was the local hunters bursting out of the sharks.
difficult to distinguish work from jungle carrying spears and freshly Believe it or not, during these
days off, watching from the deck killed antelopes or boars to sell to first three or four years, I honestly
of a supply boat humpback whales the rig camp, while I was struggling thought I should pay to do this job!
jump out of the water in pairs on a hellish three-day logging job in Not only was the work exciting
during the mating season, a pack pouring rain and ankle deep mud, and challenging, I was constantly
of killer whales hunting down was a great experience! And it was travelling around living a life of
dolphins, or a huge, lone on that job I met a young Wireline adventure; and on top of that,
hammerhead shark circling the rig. pre-school trainee, Catherine I was being paid.
I will never forget when I was Beneton, who has since become my After almost four years on what
sent to Gabon as second engineer wife. Thank you Schlumberger! has since become my favorite
on a remote well deep in the jungle. After two years of remote continent on earth, I had the desire
Discovering that I loved animals, projects and exploration jobs in to discover and work in other ➥

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Well . . . where do I start? ■ Top left: Trekking in the


Denali Mountain Range, Alaska – a very awe-inspiring
experience! ■ Top right: Sunrise over the sand dunes
in the desert at the border between Oman and Saudi
Arabia. ■ Inset above: When I was working in the
Congolese jungle, during my vacations, I volunteered
for an NGO project to protect and study chimpanzees.
I helped teach this baby chimp, whose mother was
killed by poachers, how to fend for herself before we
could release her back into the wild. ■ Far left: Sunrise
or sunset (I can’t remember – it had been a long and
tiring shift!) in the grasslands of Sudan. Despite the
jaw dropping location, I just had to get some rest for
a few hours. ■ Below: Just before landing at the bush
airstrip of Wekweeti in the North West Territories in
Canada, I had flown over herds of caribou migrating
over frozen lakes to their calving grounds in the tundra.
I learnt to fly while working for Schlumberger.

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Page 28: ■ Main picture: On a real


high! . . above the vivid blue waters of
Lake O'Hara in the Canadian Rockies
during a vacation; ■ Small inset: Dog-
sledding in Svalbard (an archipelago in
the Arctic Ocean midway between
Norway and the North Pole) during my
one year leave of absence; ■ Big inset:
With some Yemeni friends, in the
Hadramaut, close to the Masila base.
Page 29: ■ 1st inset: In 2005 I got
married – to Catherine Beneton (who
I met at Schlumberger!). Here we are
on our honeymoon standing in front of
K2 in northern Pakistan; ■ 2nd inset:
The pleasures of horseback-riding,
‘Cowboy Eric’ in the Canadian Rockies
■ Far right: My other ‘family’: part of
my Schlumberger team when I was
field service manager at the Masila
base, Yemen.

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parts of the world, particularly the the country from Sana’a to Mukalla, rare species; bird watching along SVALBARD CALLING
remote areas of the Middle Eastern via Marib and the old sabean ruins the little known Rift Valley Lakes Despite all these adventures, and
deserts. Hence my transfer to Abu of Shabwa – a fantastic journey of remote southern Ethiopia . . . a very challenging job as field ➥
Dhabi, where I spent two months through time, following the 4,000
as a land engineer. There, while year old incense trade route.
on week-long exploration loggings From the sea port of Mukalla,
in the beautiful Bu Hasa field, I crossed over to Socotra, a fabulous
I learned everything there is to ‘lost world’ of unique landscapes,
learn about desert driving. But the endemic bird and plant species
infamous Abu Dhabi traffic jams (like the amazing dragon blood
finally took their toll, so I was tree), and a very special people
delighted to be assigned to Masila born from a mixture of Arab, Indian
in Yemen. and African traders who speak a
unique language (Socotri). This is a
place definitely worth a visit while it
AH, YEMEN! remains unspoiled. Field Engineers
The land of the Queen of Sheba, From Yemen, it was an easy
Field Engineers work globally, in some of the most extreme
the ‘Arabia Felix’ of the Romans. jump to cross the Bab El Mendab environments, to provide oil companies with expert advice
The breathtaking and unique to visit other extraordinary on which to base multi-billion dollar production decisions.
scenery in the Hadhramout; the countries like Uganda and Ethiopia. The job is challenging but it is one of the most rewarding
hospitality of the bedus; the Approaching on foot the mountain and respected jobs in the industry. As on-site team leader
architecture of Shibam, Tarim; the gorillas in the Virunga range; you must use a combination of technical and leadership
skills to both manage your crew and deliver high quality
Old Sana’a . . . driving to wellsites kayaking and rafting the Nile white
service to Schlumberger’s customers.
across the moon-like landscapes water rapids below Victoria Lake;
characteristic of the high plateaus paddling around Lake Albert in Required: Bachelor's or Master's degree in engineering
of the Hadhramaut, I felt privileged search of the elusive dinosaur-like or applied science.
and happy. During my two years in shoebill stork, and finding it;
Yemen, I was fortunate to be able trekking in the Bale and Siemen
to get to know my surroundings Mountains of Ethiopia looking for
and my neighbors quite well. I even the Abyssinian wolf, mountain nyala
spent five amazing weeks traversing and gelada baboon – all endemic,

29
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service manager at the Masila base, great opportunities to discover a vivid blue of the Umm Al Quwain scores of sea birds, sea otters and
my thoughts turned more and more country from the inside. Trekking lagoons, was a dream come true! seals, and with an occasional
to Svalbard. I had been there three along the ‘Omani Grand Canyon’ in exciting encounter with a hump
years earlier to participate in a the Jebel Al Akhdar; diving among back whale or killer whale! Our last
dog sledging expedition through the schools of thousands of swirling DUAL CAREER MOVES vacation saw us return to Alaska for
glaciers and sea ice. And now the fishes; sea kayaking through deep After a year in the Sultanate of a few days of camping and trekking
Arctic was calling me, demanding fjords at sunrise, surrounded by Oman, a new kind of adventure in the pristine wildernesses of
that I spend a year there, as a dog dolphins; wandering through long awaited me: embarking on a dual Denali National Park and Katmai
sledging guide! It was an MBA of abandoned Omani villages; tracking career move with the woman I met National Park, where we had close
sorts – a Master’s in the Blizzards the fabled white Arabian oryx in in the Gabonese jungle – remember? and heart stopping experiences with
of the Arctic! The time spent there the Jiddat Al Harasis with an old This adventure took me to join wolves and grizzly bears!
was another highlight of my life. Bedu Harasi. Catherine in Dubai for a few months, Other highlights of our time in
But after ten months, I was ready On days off, I was able to visit where she was working as training, North America included a week dog
to move on again. surrounding countries I had not yet development and staffing manager sledging and camping in the Yukon,
been to: beautiful and varied Iran, for recently hired engineers, in temperatures of 42 degC below;
Tanzania, and the UAE. Flying a before we were both transferred a week of canoeing in the pristine
THE SULTANATE OF OMAN – small Cessna low over the red sand back to Africa, this time to Angola. wilderness of northern British
ANOTHER FANTASTIC COUNTRY dunes of the Sharjah desert and over Highlights of our time there were Columbia, accompanied by moose,
This assignment, once again, was a flocks of pink flamingoes in flight, spending vacations on safari in black bears and eagles; and flying
combination of very hard work and beautifully highlighted against the neighboring Namibia, in a roof in a small private plane above the
tented 4x4 Toyota! I also volunteered huge ice fields of the Canadian
for one month deep in the Congolese Rockies and over migrating caribou
jungle helping anti-poaching units in the Northwest Territories.
protecting chimpanzees.
The time we were able to spend
ERIC AYACHE
together, first in Dubai, then in THE BIGGEST ADVENTURE
Angola, and later in the Netherlands, OF ALL
1995 – 1999: Africa
confirmed that we were made for Our latest and most recent
As a Field Engineer for exploration wells, Eric worked
each other. In summer 2005, we adventure may very well be the
in nine countries.
got married in a small mountain most challenging and enjoyable
village in France, and had a great of all: the arrival of our first baby,
1999 – 2003: The Middle East
honeymoon, at 6,000 meters, little Inès Ayache!
General Field Engineer, Field Service Manager and
trekking the glaciers around the And, for the first time in our
Service Quality Coach for Wireline. He took 2001 off to
famous K2, in the Karakorum Schlumberger career, we are being
be a dog-sledging guide for expeditions below the
mountain range of Northern transferred to our home country.
North Pole.
Pakistan. To Paris, where the world of a
More recently, our Schlumberger product center awaits me, while
2004: Angola
dual career adventure took us to Catherine completes her maternity
Quality, Health, Safety & Environment Manager
North America and the city of leave before coming back to
Calgary in Canada. Catherine Schlumberger in a new position.
2005: The Netherlands
worked for the Wireline sales This will give me time to
Wireline Location Manager
organization there, while I had discover my daughter, Paris and
the immense privilege of managing its surroundings, as well as the
2006 – 2008: North America
the Schlumberger training center new Schlumberger Engineering,
Training Center Manager in Canada
in Airdrie. Manufacturing and Sustaining
For us, this was a completely organization that I am now part of.
2008 – the present: France
different part of the world – one Until we are ready to go back
Wireline Rapid Response Manager at the
where we had never worked or overseas to share new adventures –
Schlumberger Riboud Product Center in Paris. Eric is
lived before – and we have enjoyed this time the three of us – and take
in charge of developing technology to meet needs in
every minute of it. Especially our up challenging new professional
the field for technical solutions where no other viable
weekends skiing or camping in the positions . . .
option exists, and where developed solutions are
Canadian Rocky Mountains, and
limited in application or constrained in time and where
our vacations sea kayaking the
a full development project is impractical. Sounds like
fjords of southern Alaska along
a challenge indeed!
calving tide water glaciers, amid . . . Looking forward to that! ■

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IVAN KHLESTOV

Nationality: Russian
Age: 27
Degree: Geological Engineering
University: Novosibirsk State University
Languages: English, Russian and Ukrainian
Recruited: 1993
Current post: Ukraine Country Manager
Unwinding route: Kayaking in the Altay Mountains with a bunch of Schlumberger mates
Favourite iPod track: Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses

A graduate ‘rock sniffer’, Ivan joined Schlumberger as a Well Services cementer in Siberia.
“For the first few years I knew everyone who worked for Schlumberger in the CIS (the
Commonwealth of Independent States – the alliance of eleven former Soviet republics),”
Ivan says, recalling earlier times in his home region. “Now I’m back in the same kind of
start-up situation here in Ukraine. The difference is that, this time, the responsibility rests
largely on my shoulders . . . and I love it!”
“Getting the operating licenses in place was the toughest hurdle. The government
administrators had very little experience with such things as importing oilfield equipment,
and the regulations were constantly changing. It made things difficult.“
This particular hurdle was cleared in mid 2007, making Schlumberger the only oilfield
services company with an established presence in Ukraine, and with the necessary paperwork
to do business. This was a real head start in the race to gain a hold in a market that is opening
up to foreign investment, and one which is critically aware of the need to modernise.
“My career development plans?” In all honesty I have a very interesting time and job right
now. As for the future, there are so many parameters to consider – my wife, the kids’ school, and
my professional future. So right now, I am in thinking mode!”

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SCHLUMBERGER HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF SUBSURFACE PROSPECTING SINCE


ITS DEVELOPMENT OVER 80 YEARS AGO. TODAY RUSSIA IS ONE OF THE COMPANY’S
MOST IMPORTANT MARKETS, BUT BACK IN THE 20s AND 30s, IN THE PIONEERING DAYS
OF THE SCHLUMBERGER BROTHERS, CONRAD AND MARCEL , THE SOVIET UNION,
AS IT WAS THEN, WAS ARGUABLY EVEN MORE SIGNIFICANT AS IT HELPED SAVE
THE COMPANY FROM POTENTIAL BANKRUPTCY.

n the 1920s, a chance encounter took place with Sauvage to convince Conrad to order regular at the time, disappeared from view despite
between Conrad Schlumberger and Vahe food parcels from Paris. frantic correspondence from Marcel and Henri.
Melikian, a Soviet student at the Ecole des Mines Activity spread to other Soviet oil provinces, Some 70 years later, after the collapse of the
in Paris. The meeting eventually led to Soviet in particular to the Baku area of Azerbaijan. This Soviet Union, it would be revealed that Melikian
interest in the Schlumberger technique and to province was the first major Russian oil producer had been assassinated during a Stalinist purge in
contracts for its services in the oilfields of from Tsarist times. Oil seepages had been known 1938, aged 35. Raymond Sauvage retired in 1968
Chechnya and Azerbaijan. The resulting work, from antiquity, and the oil industry developed in Ridgefield, Connecticut, where he had worked
which lasted from 1929 to the mid 1930s, rapidly during the latter part of the 19th century, with Henri Doll on log interpretation. An avid
became a lifeline for Schlumberger when the rivalling the Rockefeller monopoly in the US in gardener until he was rendered blind by
stock market crash of 1929 brought most of the terms of size and ambition. The driving force was Parkinson’s disease, he died in 1990, aged 85.
company’s other business to a halt. a branch of the Nobel family, a Swedish clan Today, I count all these men to be heroes,
I was lucky enough to know one of the original which had earlier emigrated to Russia and which and it is because of people like them that
teams of five engineers dispatched to the Soviet is now more commonly associated with the Schlumberger lives on. ■
Union in 1929. They left from Marseille, sailed invention of dynamite and the Nobel Prizes.
across the Mediterranean in appalling weather, Work continued apace with 1,200 wells logged
through the Bosphorus and across the Black Sea in 1931 alone. Baku could also boast one of the
to the Georgian port of Batumi. From there they world’s pre-eminent petroleum institutes, where ■ Above: Schlumberger engineers and the ubiquitous
wireline logging truck . . . 1930s style! ■ Below (top):
traveled by road across the Caucasus to Groznyy. experiments by Vladimir I Kogan on partially
Sauvage and Poirault on their way to the rig site in
My friend, Raymond Sauvage, was the only saturated sand packs provided key data later Grozny; (bottom): Roger Jost on an exploration tour
logging engineer in the group. The others were used by Gus Archie to derive the renowned around Federovska.

there to perform surface measurements. Their Archie equation that allows oil saturation to be
equipment was primitive in the extreme, and the derived from resistivity. In 1935, the combination
living conditions dire. During the first year of Schlumberger measurements and this new
Sauvage logged 100 wells, station by station, understanding of saturation led to some
35,000 stations in all. remarkably sophisticated reservoir monitoring
With Melikian as the local coordinator, the of the Surakhany field, one of Baku’s most
Schlumberger team persevered. In time, logging prolific.
became preferred by the Soviet prospectors to In spite of these remarkable advances,
surface measurements, and just two years later soon thereafter the Soviet contracts began
Schlumberger had 19 teams of logging engineers to peter out, for reasons too mysterious
working in the area. There were occasional visits to fathom at the time. Beset by this news
by Conrad and Marcel Schlumberger and by during a final visit to Moscow in 1936,
Henri Doll to confer with Soviet geophysicists, Conrad collapsed during his return to
bring the crews much needed improvements in Paris and died in Stockholm. He was 58.
their equipment and test out new measurements. Vahe Melikian, the key to the Soviet contracts
But life continued to be hard. It took one meal and ultimately to the survival of Schlumberger

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BALCITIZENSHIP.SCHLUMBERGERLIFE.GLOBALCITIZENSHIP.SCHLUMBERGERLIFE.GLOBALCITIZENSHIP.SCHLUMBERGERLIFE.SCHLUMBERG

At Schlumberger, global citizenship reflects the rich diversity and quality of our workforce. Drawn
from 160 nationalities and working in more than 80 countries, our employees share a willingness
to contribute to the progress and well-being of the people impacted by our activities, including
employees themselves, contractors, clients, shareholders, suppliers, and the members of
the communities in which we live and work. As a business and a community of individuals,
Schlumberger is connected to a number of global challenges. We’ve developed a global
citizenship framework that is focused on six of the key global issues to which we are connected.
We believe that, through thought leadership and our own best practices, we can make a
difference in the areas of: climate change, the environment, driving safety, malaria, HIV/AIDS
and science education.

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FOCUS ON NIGERIA

According to the World Health


Organization, approximately 20%
of the world’s malaria cases occur
in Nigeria, and that the disease is
responsible for 29% of child deaths 40% of the world’s
and 11% of mortality among
pregnant women. population is exposed
As the intermediary between to malaria. The disease
Schlumberger employees, families
and contractors and Nigerian kills over one million
healthcare providers, Dr. Uche
Okorocha holds an important role people a year and is
in combating malaria. “Malaria is endemic in about 100
the number one health concern
in Nigeria,” says Dr. Okorocha. countries . . . many in
“We take it very seriously and form which Schlumberger
our healthcare service around
controlling this level of risk.” operates.
It is through the targeted
Malaria Prevention Program that
Dr. Okorocha supports Schlumberger
in working to safeguard the n 2002, an African-based Schlumberger employee Since the program’s inception in 2003, Schlumberger
company’s employees. “Education
is fundamental in combating the
died of malaria while on vacation at home in Mexico. reports a remarkable reduction in occupational malaria
disease. Before the distribution Investigation into this and previous cases showed that fatalities from four in the preceding two-year period, to
of the Schlumberger curative over the last three years the company had lost at least just one in the past five years. ■
malaria kits, fatalities were among
employees who had returned to their one person a year to the disease.
home countries where detection In an attempt to eradicate malaria fatalities among
and treatment of the disease was
often belated.
the workforce, a Schlumberger task force was set up.
Dr. Okorocha and the The innovative prevention program they designed Malaria prevention checklist
Schlumberger Health, Safety & focuses on awareness raising, mosquito bite prevention,
Environment (HSE) team organize
health days to raise awareness early diagnosis/treatment and 24/7 access to expert help. Indoors
of the threats posed by malaria. Implemented within Schlumberger in 2003, the ■ windows and doors are kept closed
“It is through events like these that ■ doors and windows are fitted with screens and
we can pass on the message and
program has been recognized industry-wide as an regularly checked for holes
facilitate a concentrated forum of effective way of reducing fatalities. The program has ■ air conditioning, where available, is working and
exchange, particularly to young on cold
subsequently been adopted by over 20 other major ■ electric diffusers are plugged in and working,
children and the elderly,” says
Dr. Okorocha. international companies and was honored by the World particularly in bedrooms, at night
In his role as practitioner and Petroleum Congress with a Social Responsibility Award ■ coils are burned on verandas
educator both to local Nigerians ■ accommodation is sprayed regularly with
and newcomers to the country,
in 2005. insecticide
Dr. Okorocha is steadfast. “Malaria “A key program element is a self-help malaria curative ■ chemically treated bed nets are provided, checked
is a global challenge whose regularly for holes, and used correctly
kit,” says Dr. Alex Barbey, global health coordinator at
prevention is based on availability
of resources and the spread of Schlumberger. The kit includes a thermometer,
education. We have achieved a Outdoors
disinfectant wipes, lancets, three diagnostic strips for ■ long sleeve shirts/tops are worn
great deal in Nigeria, but there is
more to do, and by remaining
rapid blood testing, three-day treatment, and 24-hour ■ long trousers/skirts are worn
hotline numbers. There are many documented instances ■ feet and ankles are covered when outside at night
focused and attentive to cutting-
■ insect repellent is applied to any uncovered parts
edge scientific knowledge, I am of the kits being used in cases that previously would
confident we can do more.” of the body
have potentially resulted in fatalities.

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he 2004 Asian tsunami was help in the aftermath of the disaster.


one of the world’s worst natural He looked for ways to help those
disasters. It hit Indonesia, Sri Lanka, affected and gathered support
Thailand and India, and resulted in among his colleagues.
the loss of hundreds of thousands Through their research, they
of lives. learned of the work being done by
The people in the Indian state the Suyam Charitable Trust, whose
of Tamil Nadu suffered more than projects include providing education
most. Akkaraipettai, a traditional to street children in Tamil Nadu’s
fishing village in the region, was the main city, Chennai.
worst affected village in India. In collaboration with Suyam,
No one was spared the loss of an the team decided to support the
immediate family member or a construction of an education
close relative; many of the village’s center in Akkaraipettai. Opened in
children were left without one or temporary accommodation in 2005,
both parents. the center needed a permanent
The disaster moved people home. A plot of land was acquired,
worldwide and prompted pledges of and the contract for construction Schlumberger has a number of initiatives underway across the
more than US $7 billion in aid over of the new building was given to company to enhance environmentally sustainable work practices.
the following weeks. One of the Habitat for Humanity, a not-for- A recent example is an initiative introduced at Schlumberger’s
challenges has been to deal with the profit housing organization. Stonehouse Technology Center (SHTC) in the UK that has led to
longer term impacts and ensure that Schlumberger supported a significant reduction in the amount of packaging used to pack
ongoing aid is used in a way that is the initiative with a donation of drilling tools, which the center assembles and dispatches to the
sustainable and self-supporting. US $82,000 from its Disaster field. Major components for the tools arrive at SHTC in wooden
Raju Eason, a Schlumberger Reconstruction Fund, and a client crates from a supplier in northern England. When the tools are
employee from the Sugar Land charity golf tournament also fully assembled, however, they are too long to fit back into the
Product Center (SPC) in Texas, who contributed to the project. The original crates. This forced SHTC to discard the crates and
was born and raised in the Indian center was officially inaugurated purchase new, longer ones. A project team was established to
state of Kerala, was determined to in September 2007. solve this problem. "The solution was simple,” explains says
What started as a small Kevin Hancock, one of SHTC’s stores clerks. “We asked the
fundraising effort by a group of supplier to replace the existing packaging with a longer crate,
Raju Eason, a employees with a desire to help capable of housing the assembled tool." The center has not only
Schlumberger people affected by the catastrophe reduced wastage considerably but has, in addition, saved the
employee from the has developed into a long-term, company some US $74,000 a year!
Sugar Land Product sustainable project. The center has SHTC’s initiative falls under the umbrella of the Schlumberger
Center (SPC) in Texas, gradually expanded and had 200 Environmental Management Program. The program's first task
pupils at the end of 2007. A second was to establish monitoring systems in most of Schlumberger’s
who was born and
center opened in 2008. field locations. Results showed that the company’s environmental
raised in the Indian In a region where children as impact affects six main areas: fuel, natural gas and electricity
state of Kerala, was young as 12 have traditionally left consumption, CO2 emissions, water consumption, and waste
determined to help school, boys to become fishermen management. "We identified the most significant risks and, since
in the aftermath of the and girls to help at home, the center then, we have been working towards managing and mitigating
disaster. He looked has provided a new focus on the them," says Ian Sealy, environmental programs manager at
for ways to help value of education. Volunteers Schlumberger.
report that the program has helped In 2007, over 95% of Schlumberger’s sites (of which around
those affected and
to eliminate school drop outs and 550 are considered to be environmentally significant) achieved
gathered support that the children have improved compliance with the company’s environmental management
for fundraising grades. Other local schools are standards. "There is still a long road ahead, but we are making
efforts among his now in negotiations for access progress," notes Sealy.
colleagues. to the center. ■

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f the total volume of in materials such as gravel, sand, cannot be replenished, while others
water on Earth only silt, or clay; or in the bedding planes, are constantly being recharged by
around 1% is accessible to us as cracks, and fissures of permeable precipitation and infiltration.
useable, freshwater (around 97% of rocks such as sandstone, limestone Globally, we already utilize
the remainder is saltwater contained and chalk. In both cases, the result groundwater but it is likely to
in the oceans and 2% is freshwater is an underground zone that is become necessary to exploit more
that is locked up as ice in glaciers totally saturated. Groundwater and more of this 'hidden' resource
and the polar ice caps). Most of the occurs almost everywhere on Earth to satisfy the increasing demand.
freshwater we use is taken from – in swampy areas it is very close to Schlumberger’s extensive experience
lakes and rivers (so-called surface the surface, while in arid areas such gained during its oilfield operations
water), but in fact 100 times more as deserts, it can be hundreds of means it already possesses much
water actually lies beneath our feet! meters down. Subsurface areas in of the know-how needed to assess,
This ‘groundwater’ is the result of which groundwater can be usefully characterize and optimize not
precipitation that has permeated extracted are called aquifers. Some only groundwater but also existing
down below the surface and aquifers contain fossil water reserves surface water resources. In the
collected in spaces between particles which, like oil and gas reservoirs, last decade, Schlumberger Water
Services (SWS) has brought
together technologies and expertise
that are specifically relevant to
addressing the overall issue of
'water stress': advanced logging,
and sampling and modeling
techniques are proving vital to
evaluating and managing supplies
of freshwater. SWS is also developing
specific water engineering solutions
such as managed aquifer recharge,
and aquifer storage and retrieval
technologies (see opposite).

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ESOURCEMANAGEMENT.SCHLUMBERGERLIFE.RESOURCEMANAGEMENT.SCHLUMBERGERLIFE.RESOURCEMANAGEMENT.SCHLUMBERGE

DIVER-NETZ: WIRELESS technicians to connect wirelessly


CASE STUDY

GROUNDWATER and download time-varying data


MONITORING NETWORKS from Diver* dataloggers in 23 wells.
Continuous field observations Precise measurements of
provide water supply managers groundwater levels, temperature,
with the baseline information and conductivity are downloaded to
needed to plan for future demands. Diver-Pocket* and later transferred
Schlumberger’s experience in the to Diver-Office*. The result is a
subsurface environment has yielded ten-fold increase in the collection
advanced groundwater monitoring of monthly data points and a 70%
technologies that have been reduction in the cost of collection.
instrumental in delivering
successful water management
strategies around the world. WASTE MANAGEMENT
CASE STUDY

Traditionally, field technicians In 2000, the Government


measured and recorded groundwater of Mauritius in West Africa
information manually at the wellsite. initiated a major scheme to
This process proved costly and improve the sewerage and
physically challenging, and often sanitation system in the southern
produced inaccurate data. As a part of Port Louise, the capital city.
result, water quality may have been A new wastewater treatment plant
compromised and supply shortages was constructed on the coast, with
could have occurred. In response, the treated effluent disposed of via
SWS engineered Diver-NETZ* – a a sea outfall.
wireless field technology designed As an alternative approach,
exclusively to supply continuous Water Management Consultants Ltd,
collection of groundwater now an integral part of SWS, was Boak, also carried out a detailed
parameters (water elevation, commissioned to undertake an survey of the marine environment
temperature and conductivity) environmental impact assessment to establish a baseline against which
in the field. for disposing treated wastewater the impacts of the construction
Diver-NETZ is being adopted using borehole injection. The project and long-term operation of the sea
globally to help manage water included the detailed design of a outfall can be evaluated.
resources efficiently and offer long marine environmental monitoring The marine aspects of the project
term, sustainable use. The city of program; a full qualitative risk were undertaken in association
Guelph, for example, in Canada assessment of potentially significant with the School of Ocean Sciences
adopted Diver-NETZ to ensure environmental impacts; and design at the University of Wales, Bangor,
accurate, reliable groundwater of realistic mitigation measures. and the Department of Marine
monitoring for its 110,000 citizens. A team of experts, led by Project & Environmental Sciences at
The solution enables the city's field Manager and hydrogeologist Richard the University of Mauritius. ■

39
E.OPERATINGONTHEEDGE.SCHLUMBERGERLIFE.OPERATINGONTHEEDGE.SCHLUMBERGERLIFE.OPERATINGONTHEEDGE.SCHLUMBERGERLI

■ Home for the duration of the project was the ANDRILL rig site, which
was on about 8 m of multi-year sea ice, covering about 400 m of water
in the Ross Sea. The drilling rig was wrapped in a nylon encasement
to protect both it and the drillers from the elements . . . the average
temperature ‘outside’ was -10 degC! ■ Above right: And here I am,
inside the nylon encasement, sitting at the logging controls of the rig.
The ANDRILL rig site was approximately 30 miles from McMurdo Station,
the biggest US base in Antarctica and close to the site of the base camp
hut used by Captain Scott on his ill-fated journey to the South Pole in 1911.
■ Inset: Some of our close ‘neighbors’ . . . three Adelie penguins at the
ice edge, around 11 miles north of the rig.

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e’re exploring a whole SENIOR SCHLUMBERGER GEOPHYSICIST


new universe right here
on Earth. A world in white and black. DR DAVID HANDWERGER FEELS AT HOME AT
A place with no defined civilization.
THE ENDS OF THE EARTH. HE SHOULD DO . . .
No trees. No grass. No warmth. But,
despite all that, a world that is full HE SPENT SIX WEEKS THERE AS ONE OF
of life,” says Dr David Handwerger,
TWO LOGGING SCIENTISTS WORKING ON
senior geophysicist for TerraTek,
a Schlumberger company. AN INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECT
In late 2007, Handwerger took
six weeks of personal development
leave to work as one of two porosity rocks for their reservoir and around the Antarctic to
logging scientists for ANDRILL potential while, at ANDRILL, he understand the evolution of
(ANtarctic geological DRILLing), studies very high porosity ‘rocks’ the continent’s cryosphere,”
an international research project as proxies for geologic and climatic Handwerger says. “Each effort
on the world’s most mysterious changes. builds on the last.”
continent. “ANDRILL is the latest One of the motivations for
Handwerger likes to say that, incarnation of a large, multidecade the project, beyond understanding
at TerraTek, he studies very low- scientific effort to core and log in the climatic, tectonic and
paleoceanographic factors that led
to the development of the Antarctic
ice sheets, is to predict how the ice
sheets will respond to anticipated
climate changes, such as global
“storehouse
Antarctica is an enormous
of frozen water.
warming. “Antarctica is an
enormous storehouse of frozen
If those ice sheets melted, sea water,” says Handwerger. “If those
levels would rise dramatically.
” ice sheets melted, sea levels would
rise dramatically: about 70 meters,
compared with about seven ➥

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meters if Greenland melted. Also,


the presence and extent of the ice
sheets is a major driver of ocean
and atmospheric circulation, which
in turn drives climate.”
ANDRILL’s recent exploration Miocene (about 13 million to
phase funded two drilling seasons 20 million years ago), a time when
in the frozen south. In late 2006, many distal records suggest that the Handwerger developed an interest
scientists collected about 1,250 Antarctic ice sheets reached their in all things Antarctic when he was Antarctica once before
meters of core underneath the ice present size and achieved stability. a graduate student at the University – on the ODP drillship JOIDES
shelf to look at a high-resolution “We suggest otherwise,” says of Utah in Salt Lake City. “When I Resolution which Schlumberger
sediment record for the past five Handwerger. was working on my PhD, I used operates – for two months while I
million years. In late 2007, when The data suggest a temperate core-log integration to look at was working on my PhD. But I was
Handwerger participated, the climate in Antarctica’s past, with changes in ocean circulation and never on, or within sight of, land.
project cored and logged 1,134 forests and animals, including its effects on Antarctic ice sheet This time, I got to go to McMurdo
meters of the seafloor sediments dinosaurs. “We think the massive development during the Neogene Station, which is the largest US
underneath the multiyear ice sheet ice sheet that is Antarctica today Period. base in Antarctica, and the drilling
(eight meters of ice, on top of 400 got its start 15 million to 20 million “I sailed on a couple of drilling rig was on the ice about 30 miles
meters of water). years ago, and we’re trying to expeditions in the Southern Ocean offshore.”
This produced a high-resolution answer questions about how stable through the Ocean Drilling Program Handwerger applied for a
record covering mostly the middle it’s been since then.” (ODP). I had even been to position with ANDRILL in 2004.

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UMBERGERLIFE.OPERATINGONTHEEDGE.SCHLUMBERGERLIFE.SCHLUMBERGERLIFE.OPERATINGONTHEEDGE.SCHLUMBERGERLIFE.OPERATI

■ Main picture: The photo I took inside


Captain Scott's Hut at Cape Evans. It is
from this hut in 1911 that Scott’s team
(inset) left for their push to the South Pole
only to be beaten by the Norwegian Raould
Amudsen. Scott and his men all perished
on their return journey only 11 miles from
a food cache. ■ Left: More than a century
later, the Andrill base camp seems very
luxurious by comparison with a fully
equipped office, dining room & kitchen,
showers, laundry, rec-room, and a bunch
of snowmobiles. ■ Below left: Me relaxing
at the rig with Mt Erebus in the distance
at 3 am. (remember, 24 hr daylight during
the Austral summer). It was a sunny and
calm ‘night’ and only -2 degC!

Once he was accepted, he had climates of the planet. for any reason at any time. He hopes
to wait about three years for the The logistics and infrastructure to be selected to return for the next
Antarctic field season to arrive. are also fascinating, he says. “It’s drilling program, currently scheduled
“McMurdo Station is in darkness very different to live in an entirely for 2011, pending the receipt of
four months of the year, so only a self-supporting environment. The new funding.
skeleton crew remains during that communication and transportation “I took advantage of
time. When the summer field infrastructure operates unsupported Schlumberger’s development
season arrives, the population of by the rest of the world.” McMurdo leave policy to do this in 2007, and
McMurdo Station increases by a Station is similar to a military says Handwerger. “I’ve stood in the I hope, in three or four years, that
factor of about six to support all the installation, but for four months hut that Robert Falcon Scott built Schlumberger will be generous and
science that takes place.” of the year, it’s completely isolated in 1911 and looked, half a mile let me do it again. That’s what
In addition to ANDRILL from the rest of the world. It’s away, at a cargo plane landing at personal development leave is for:
scientists and staff, McMurdo resupplied by cargo ships and McMurdo Station. Scott and his the work I did for ANDRILL is
Station plays host to hundreds of planes, but nobody can sail or colleagues didn’t have the related to the modeling we do at
other scientists and support staff. fly in for a large part of the year communication technology we Schlumberger and helped me
“People are conducting seismic because the sea is frozen. have, didn’t have the infrastructure, develop my skills . . .
studies, studying penguins and “It certainly makes you think didn’t have much of anything.
birds, studying sea ice,” said about what it must have been like Yet they paved the way for what’s
Handwerger. “It’s interesting to be for the early explorers, who had there now.” . . . And, frankly, if you have the
there with so many scientists – all nothing but the ship they sailed in After his time on the ice, chance to go to Antarctica, you just
trying to understand the extreme on and a hut they built themselves,” Handwerger says he would go back don’t say no!” ■

43
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One quiet classroom experiment is providing


valuable clues to the future of innovative
product development . . .

t looked just the same as always, who moved to Paris for the year A few days later I returned to ourselves. We have to open up and
the Schlumberger Riboud Product to oversee the course from offices SRPC to visit Physics Metier look outside. In the coming years,
Center (SRPC) in Clamart, France, at SRPC, the student teams had Technology Manager Fadhel Rezgui, more and more engineers will work
when I was up there the other obviously been busy. In the ensuing who is acting as chief advisor to one via the Internet, with people they've
day. The vast glass and granite two hours, they used a real-time of the student teams, which has never seen, on projects of which
reception area was empty but for teleconference system to unveil undertaken to make a money saving they'll own only tiny parts. This is
the occasional scientific looking their progress on some frighteningly Disposable Logging Sensor. the future."
passerby. Little did I know, however, complex looking projects. For "The technical problems aren't Of course, this would mean some
that a change was in the works. example, there was the Permanent the hard part of this design project," pretty big changes for a company
I'd been invited to a presentation Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) said Fadhel. "Pretty quickly it like Schlumberger, wouldn’t it?
of the first ever International Control System for use in downhole became clear that the tricky bit is For the definitive answer, I left
Engineering Design Project Course, tools, and a project entitled Robotic getting everybody to understand Fadhel and walked across campus,
on which students from France's Deployment of a Bi-Stable Reeled the project in the same way. through the glass and granite
best engineering schools are Composite, which looked like a Communicating effectively, in spite reception and into the office of
spending the 2007/08 school year simple roll of tape but seemed to of the fact that you can't see your Yves Morel, longtime European
working with students from Rice promise near miracles. Other teammates or understand innovation manager at SRPC.
University in Houston – by projects were more transparent, everything they say – that's the key. "We're not just talking about big
telephone, e-mail and Internet- like the Scrubster Window Washing Only then can you move a project changes. This represents a massive
based messaging services such as Robot, whose makers claim will forward constructively." transformation!" said Yves. "But it's
Skype, but not in person. Throughout clean tall glass buildings while Rezgui admits that his team a transformation Schlumberger
the school year, the students never avoiding expensive insurance has had some problems getting must embrace."
actually meet. Their challenge? premiums on human window everybody on the same page; Morel now works as recruiting
To overcome this considerable washers. but progress has come, and he's network manager for mid-career
communications obstacle and The one thing that was clear encouraged by the experience. hires, but he remains an
successfully design, prototype, about all six projects, even to a "This is the way our world is going," enthusiastic believer in open
document and demonstrate a non-engineer, was that it would he says, holding up a toy model of innovation and the need to
sophisticated electromechanical be easier for one half of any team the US space shuttle, which is sponsor classroom experiments
product based on a given set of to complete its project, rather roughly the size of the prototype like the International Engineering
specifications. No small feat, than have to work with foreign tool they are planning. Rezgui and Design Project Course. "Working
considering that the teams are teammates on the other side of team have jammed some electronic via networks is not a choice,
separated by two languages and the Atlantic. By mixing the teams goodies into the toy to show what it's an imperative," he says.
seven time zones. and forcing them to work in less their device might look like when "Today's younger generations are
Working under the guidance of than ideal conditions, the course it's done. "We have to learn these born networkers. They can learn
Rice Professor Fathi Ghorbel, who organizers had seriously new work methods. We can't keep from us, obviously. What is less
holds the Schlumberger Chair in handicapped these students' working alone in our holes, obvious is how much we can learn
Mechatronics and Robotics, and potential for success. Or had they? cloistering our ideas among from them." ■

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CHNOLOGYCHALLENGE.SCHLUMBERGERLIFE.TECHNOLOGYCHALLENGE.SCHLUMBERGERLIFE.TECHNOLOGYCHALLENGE.SCHLUMBERGER

■ Page 44: Professor Fathi Ghorbel. ■ This page:


The student teams are based in both Paris and
Houston, with an equal number, plus their advisor,
in each location. In May 2008, students in teams
of six demonstrated their six prototypes and
final projects to Schlumberger management
and faculty at participating universities at the
Schlumberger Riboud Product Center outside
Paris.

Research & Development Engineers


In a technology driven business, research & development
is crucial to maintaining our position as the world’s leading
oilfield services company. We employ the very best people
to create, design and build the most advanced technology
available anywhere in the industry. If you have vision and
imagination, and the necessary expertise, come and talk
to us about how you could help us shape our world.

Required: Master's degree or PhD in engineering


or applied science.

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MBERGERPEOPLE.SCHLUMBERGERLIFE.SCHLUMBERGERPEOPLE.SCHLUMBERGERLIFE.SCHLUMBERGERPEOPLE.SCHLUMBERGERLIFE.SCHLU

PAUL WYMAN

Nationality: American
Age: 29
Degree: Chemical Engineering
University: Pennsylvania State University
Languages: English and a bit of Spanish
Recruited: 2001
Current post: North America Recruiter and
Internships Coordinator
Unwinding route: Mountain biking, snowboarding,
scuba diving, skydiving
Favourite iPod track: Me and My Guitar by Ian Moore

Can you describe what ‘early responsibility’ means at Schlumberger


and give some examples from your own career?
“Early responsibility for me was working with new technologies, new procedures, million dollar
contracts – and all that while living and working in a country far from my own.
The company challenges every engineer to excel in environments very much outside of their
comfort zone . . . and they expect results. Within eight months of joining Schlumberger Drilling &
Measurements, I was the lead engineer on job with a trainee as a 2nd engineer. That was my first
taste of being responsible for a project worth several hundred thousands of dollars in revenue, on a
rig with limited support, managing a fellow co-worker with less experience than myself and having
to finish the job . . . what a rush!
Even though responsibility found me early, I have been tested in many ways by taking on more
and more responsibility as my career progressed. In my current position as a recruiter, I took on the
internship coordinator role in 2006 in addition to duties as a recruiter. This challenged me as I had
to work towards my recruiting objectives while at the same time, managing an ever changing
program with as many as 125 interns.”

How does this compare to the experiences of friends from university?


“Apples and oranges. Most of the engineers I graduated with were placed in training programs that
slowly gave them more and more responsibility whereas with Schlumberger, it was like being
thrown right into the deep end.”

What three words or phrases would you say best defines Schlumberger
and Schlumberger people?
“Schlumberger People are exceptional; Schlumberger Engineers are resourceful . . .
. . . Schlumberger is Technology.”

46
UEOPLE.SCHLUMBERGERLIFE.SCHLUMBERGERPEOPLE.SCHLUMBERGERLIFE.SCHLUMBERGERPEOPLE.SCHLUMBERGERLIFE.SCHLUMBERGE

hope that you have enjoyed this Our diversity is reinforced by another major component of our
edition of Schlumberger Life the way we develop people during culture and again I think this is
and that it has given you a feel for their careers. We use the term influenced by our diversity, giving
what a career in Schlumberger is ‘borderless careers’ because we us a real sense of global respect
like. When I joined the company in impose no boundaries on geography, and responsibility.
1995, I was attracted by the same department, function, or rate of These are the kind of qualities
promise of challenge, variety and progression. My first assignment and opportunities that first attracted
opportunity that you have read was as an engineer working on me to Schlumberger and the great
about in these pages, and 13 years offshore oil platforms. Since then thing is that they are not just
on, I have not been disappointed! I have experienced positions in ‘company visions’ or words in a
Today, I am as excited about my Management, Product Development, brochure; they are tangible in
career as I was on the day I first Marketing and Personnel, and every location where we work and
walked through the door. I am also during this time I have lived on they touch all of the 84,000 people
very proud to work for a company four different continents. When you who make Schlumberger.
where our culture and principles ask anyone from Schlumberger to If you are preparing to embark
are so vibrant and strong. describe their career, they will tell on your own career, I wish you
As I am sure you have seen in you a different and unique story. the best of success. If you are
this magazine, the heart of our I remember that the one concern considering a career with us,
culture is our diversity. We work in I had when I chose this career path, contact our recruiters, and ask
over 80 countries and employ people was related to the overall image them more about life and work
from more than 160 nationalities. of the oil and gas industry, in with Schlumberger. I look forward
Our principles on recruiting, particular, towards the environment. to your future contribution towards
training and development were I would be lying if I said I am not making us who we are.
established more than 40 years ago, still worried about these things
so our diversity spans the entire today; however I now appreciate
organization, at every level. Every that there is a genuine desire in the Best regards
time I attend a meeting or join a industry to raise energy efficiency
team, I know I will meet new people, and reduce the impact on our
from different places and with environment.
different experiences and ideas As a Schlumberger employee
from me. I cannot overstate how I have learned that safety, ethics Catherine MacGregor
rewarding it is to be in this kind of and the environment are all integral Vice-President Personnel
work environment. to the way we do business. This is Schlumberger Limited

47

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