(Reuters) – Oilfield services firm SLB’s third-quarter profit rose 13% and beat analysts’ estimates on Friday on steady demand for its equipment and technology in international market and from offshore projects in North America.
However, the company warned of limited spending by international producers in a weak oil price environment.
SLB, which gets 81% of its business from international markets, has been betting on overseas demand in recent quarters to offset weakness in North America.
“This performance was achieved despite an environment where short-cycle activity growth softened, and some international producers exercised cautious spending triggered by lower oil prices and ample global supply, while land activity in the U.S. remained subdued,” Chief Executive Officer Olivier Le Peuch said.
Le Peuch also warned that the rate of upstream spending growth has moderated in the last few months as some customers have “adopted a more cautious approach to their near-term capital expenditures and discretionary spending amid lower commodity prices.”
SLB shares were down 1.4% to $43.37 in premarket trading.
International revenue grew 12% on the year, the lowest increase in a year, helped by increased sales in Middle Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq and Kuwait, as well as North Africa, offseting reduced drilling activity in Mexico and Guyana.
North America revenue rose 3% sequentially due to higher activity in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, partially offset by lower drilling in U.S. land.
Total revenue of $9.16 billion missed estimates of $9.25 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.
Smaller rival Liberty Energy on Wednesday also warned of operator reluctance to accelerate completions activity ahead of the new year, adding they expect a low double-digit percentage reduction in North America activity in the next quarter.
SLB reiterated its expectations to grow full-year adjusted margins on earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization at or above 25%.
Net income attributable to SLB, excluding charges and credits, rose 13% to $1.27 billion in the three months ended Sept. 30.
Excluding charges and credits, SLB reported a profit of 89 cents per share for the quarter, compared with an estimate of 88 cents.
Last quarter, the company said it had started a cost cutting program in some parts of the organization, including adjusting resources due to lower North America activity levels, and centralizing some digital delivery services.
Brazil Energy Insight 
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