Middle East disruptions to cut SLB (NYSE: SLB) Q1 EPS by $0.06–$0.09
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
SLB LIMITED reported that geopolitical turmoil in the Middle East is disrupting its operations and weighing on first quarter results. The company has suspended travel in the region, activated crisis response teams, and begun demobilizing operations in several countries in coordination with customers and local authorities.
SLB expects first quarter revenue to be lower than previously anticipated and projects an adverse impact of approximately 6–9 cents on earnings per diluted share due to operational disruptions and additional costs. Management emphasizes the long-term resilience of its global business and its long history of navigating geopolitical crises.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- First quarter earnings and revenue headwind: SLB now expects first quarter revenue to be lower than anticipated and estimates an adverse impact of approximately 6–9 cents on earnings per diluted share from Middle East operational disruptions and related additional costs.
Insights
Middle East disruptions drive a defined Q1 EPS hit.
SLB explains that geopolitical instability in the Middle East has led to suspended travel and partial demobilization of operations in certain countries. These steps prioritize employee safety and respond to customer measures to protect people and facilities, but they also directly constrain near-term activity.
The company now expects first quarter revenue to be lower than planned and quantifies an earnings impact of about 6–9 cents per diluted share. This is a clear negative revision to the quarter’s outlook, driven by incremental costs and reduced operational intensity in an important region.
Management underscores that these issues are near term and cites a 100-year history of managing geopolitical crises. Future disclosures in regular SEC reports may clarify how quickly activity normalizes and whether the Q1 disruption has lingering effects on regional customer spending patterns.
8-K Event Classification
UNITED STATES
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| Item 7.01 | Regulation FD Disclosure. |
On March 11, 2026, SLB issued a press release providing the following update on its Middle East operations and first quarter outlook:
“SLB (NYSE: SLB) continues to closely monitor the unfolding situation in the Middle East and adapt its operations.
“The safety and security of SLB’s employees is the highest priority, and the company has activated local and regional crisis response teams that are meeting daily. Travel to and transit through the region have been suspended, and the company has begun to demobilize operations in a few countries in response to customer actions to safeguard personnel and facilities. These measures will continue as long as necessary until the environment in the region has stabilized. SLB is working closely with local authorities and its customers to monitor the situation and will begin a phased resumption of full activity as conditions allow.
“SLB revenue for the first quarter will be lower than expected, and the company expects to incur additional costs resulting in an impact of approximately 6-9 cents of earnings per diluted share for the first quarter. Given the dynamic nature of the environment, these factors could change, and we will continue to closely monitor developments and their impact.
“Despite these near-term disruptions, SLB remains confident in the underlying resilience of its global business, including the Middle East. The company has dealt with numerous geopolitical crises throughout its 100-year history and has deep experience navigating these challenges while remaining focused on serving its global customer base.”
A copy of this press release is furnished with this Form 8-K as Exhibit 99 and incorporated into this Item 7.01 by reference. In accordance with General Instruction B.2. of Form 8-K, the information will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, nor will it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-looking Statements
This Form 8-K and the press release furnished as Exhibit 99 hereto, as well as other statements we make, contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which include any statements that are not historical facts. Such statements often contain words such as “expect,” “may,” “can,” “believe,” “predict,” “plan,” “potential,” “projected,” “projections,” “precursor,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “expectations,” “estimate,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “ambition,” “goal,” “target,” “scheduled,” “think,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “will,” “see,” “likely,” and other similar words. Forward-looking statements address matters that are, to varying degrees, uncertain, such as statements about our financial and performance targets and other forecasts or expectations regarding, or dependent on, our business outlook; future global economic and geopolitical conditions; future liquidity, including free cash flow; and future results of operations. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, changing global economic and geopolitical conditions; changes in exploration and production spending by our customers, and changes in the level of oil and natural gas exploration and development; the results of operations and financial condition of our customers and suppliers; the inability to achieve our financial and performance targets and other forecasts and expectations; the inability to achieve our net-zero carbon emissions goals or interim emissions reduction goals; general economic, geopolitical, and business conditions in key regions of the world; foreign currency risk; inflation; changes in monetary policy by governments; tariffs; pricing pressure; weather and seasonal factors; unfavorable effects of health pandemics; availability and cost of raw materials; operational modifications, delays, or cancellations; challenges in our supply chain; production declines; the extent of future charges; the inability to recognize efficiencies and other intended benefits from our business strategies and initiatives, such as digital or new energy, as well as our cost reduction strategies; changes in government regulations and regulatory requirements, including those related to offshore oil and gas exploration, radioactive sources, explosives, chemicals, and climate-related initiatives; the inability of
technology to meet new challenges in exploration; the competitiveness of alternative energy sources or product substitutes; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in this Form 8-K and the press release furnished hereto and our most recent Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K filed with or furnished to the SEC.
If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize (or the consequences of any such development changes), or should our underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or outcomes may vary materially from those reflected in our forward-looking statements. Statements in this Form 8-K and the press release furnished hereto are made as of the date hereof, and SLB disclaims any intention or obligation to update publicly or revise such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
| (d) | Exhibits |
The exhibit listed below is furnished pursuant to Item 9.01 of this Form 8-K.
| 99 | Press Release. | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). | |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| SLB LIMITED |
| /s/ Dianne Ralston |
| Dianne Ralston |
| Chief Legal Officer and Secretary |
| Date: March 11, 2026 |
Exhibit 99
| News Release |
|
SLB Provides Update on Middle East Operations and First Quarter Outlook
HOUSTON, March 11, 2026 — SLB (NYSE: SLB) continues to closely monitor the unfolding situation in the Middle East and adapt its operations.
The safety and security of SLB’s employees is the highest priority, and the company has activated local and regional crisis response teams that are meeting daily. Travel to and transit through the region have been suspended, and the company has begun to demobilize operations in a few countries in response to customer actions to safeguard personnel and facilities. These measures will continue as long as necessary until the environment in the region has stabilized. SLB is working closely with local authorities and its customers to monitor the situation and will begin a phased resumption of full activity as conditions allow.
SLB revenue for the first quarter will be lower than expected, and the company expects to incur additional costs resulting in an impact of approximately 6-9 cents of earnings per diluted share for the first quarter. Given the dynamic nature of the environment, these factors could change, and we will continue to closely monitor developments and their impact.
Despite these near-term disruptions, SLB remains confident in the underlying resilience of its global business, including the Middle East. The company has dealt with numerous geopolitical crises throughout its 100-year history and has deep experience navigating these challenges while remaining focused on serving its global customer base.
About SLB
SLB (NYSE: SLB) is a global technology company that has driven energy innovation for 100 years. With a global footprint in more than 100 countries and employees representing almost twice as many nationalities, we work each day on innovating oil and gas, delivering digital at scale, decarbonizing industries, and developing and scaling new energy systems that accelerate the energy transition. Find out more at slb.com.
slb.com/newsroom
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Investors
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| Josh Byerly – SVP of Global Communications Moira Duff – Director of External Communications SLB Tel: +1 (713) 375-3407 media@slb.com |
James R. McDonald – SVP of Investor Relations & Industry Affairs Joy V. Domingo – Director of Investor Relations SLB Tel: +1 (713) 375-3535 investor-relations@slb.com |
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-looking Statements
This press release as well as other statements we make, contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which include any statements that are not historical facts. Such statements often contain words such as “expect,” “may,” “can,” “believe,” “predict,” “plan,” “potential,” “projected,” “projections,” “precursor,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “expectations,” “estimate,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “ambition,” “goal,” “target,” “scheduled,” “think,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “will,” “see,” “likely,” and other similar words. Forward-looking statements address matters that are, to varying degrees, uncertain, such as statements about our financial and performance targets and other forecasts or expectations regarding, or dependent on, our business outlook; future global economic and geopolitical conditions; future liquidity, including free cash flow; and future results of operations. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, changing global economic and geopolitical conditions; changes in exploration and production spending by our customers, and changes in the level of oil and natural gas exploration and development; the results of operations and financial condition of our customers and suppliers; the inability to achieve our financial and performance targets and other forecasts and expectations; the inability to achieve our net-zero carbon emissions goals or interim emissions reduction goals; general economic, geopolitical, and business conditions in key regions of the world; foreign currency risk; inflation; changes in monetary policy by governments; tariffs; pricing pressure; weather and seasonal factors; unfavorable effects of health pandemics; availability and cost of raw materials; operational modifications, delays, or cancellations; challenges in our supply chain; production declines; the extent of future charges; the inability to recognize efficiencies and other intended benefits from our business strategies and initiatives, such as digital or new energy, as well as our cost reduction strategies; changes in government regulations and regulatory requirements, including those related to offshore oil and gas exploration, radioactive sources, explosives, chemicals, and climate-related initiatives; the inability of technology to meet new challenges in exploration; the competitiveness of alternative energy sources or product substitutes; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in this press release and our most recent Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K filed with or furnished to the SEC.
If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize (or the consequences of any such development changes), or should our underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or outcomes may vary materially from those reflected in our forward-looking statements. Statements in this press release furnished hereto are made as of the date hereof, and SLB disclaims any intention or obligation to update publicly or revise such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
slb.com/newsroom