SCHLUMBERGER TO OPEN TESTING/TRAINING FACILITY IN CAMERON

(CAMERON)  Schlumberger (pronounced Slumber-jay) Oilfield Services announced today plans to construct a comprehensive testing and training drilling facility in Cameron.  Schlumberger will use the 13,000 square foot facility and drilling test rig to train Schlumberger professional engineering personnel worldwide and to test state-of-the-art equipment and service delivery methodology.

According to Allen Harrison, manager of Special Projects with Schlumberger, Cameron has been chosen as an ideal home for the drilling facility because it is centrally located near major universities and connected by major highways to most of the state’s metropolitan centers.  Harrison said the geology at the site just outside Cameron is perfect for training and testing as there are no deep aquifers and no commercial oil or gas deposits.

Schlumberger is designing the facility to fit into the neighboring rural environment and will be located on CR 143 off Farm Road 2269 about 4 miles northwest of Cameron.  During off hours, the facility will be lit primarily with downward-focused sodium security lights.  To minimize noise and eliminate diesel exhaust fumes, the company will be using a utility grid powered all-electric drilling rig for training and testing.

Testing operations will take place from 3,000 to 8,000 feet underground.  Licensed and regulated commercial disposal companies will dispose offsite all drilling byproducts, primarily limestone and sandstone drilling cuttings.

To familiarize clients with the company’s latest drilling tools and services, Schlumberger plans to periodically host its worldwide clients at the new facility, the home base for several permanent employees. 

Economic Development/Chamber Director Earline Cloudt said Cameron welcomes companies like Schlumberger.  (Audio)

Media Relations Manager for the company, Susan Ganz told KMIL News that construction is expected to begin sometime in early June.  Ganz would not elaborate on the initial construction costs, and said depending on the type of training and testing that is conducted at the facility, the Cameron site would employ between 5 and 15 permanent employees.  Ganz also said in addition to testing and training, the Cameron facility will offer the opportunity for Schlumberger clients to see the company’s latest technology.

Schlumberger Oilfield Services, the largest oilfield services company in the world, is the leading supplier of technology services and solutions to the international petroleum industry.  With operations in more than 100 countries, Schlumberger Oilfield Services is one of two business segments of Schlumberger, Limited, a global technology services company spanning the oil and gas, telecommunications, utilities, finance and public sector markets.  Schlumberger revenue was $13.5 billion in 2002.

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