Geospace Technologies Corp (GEOS), Schlumberger Limited. (SLB): Your Seismic Investment Primer

Today, the company’s market capitalization is approaching $300 million. Its forward P/E is approximately 16.6, and its one-year share-price target represents about a 10% increase from current levels.

Schlumberger Limited. (NYSE:SLB)
Finally, there’s the big fellow. In addition to being easily the largest member of the oilfield services contingent, Schlumberger Limited. (NYSE:SLB), primarily through its WesterGeco unit, it also is the majordomo of seismology. In addition to its pure size, Schlumberger is set apart from the other members of the seismic group by its range of service offerings and the scope of its operations.

At the conclusion of the first quarter of this year, for instance, the company described its involvement in seismic programs in New Zealand, South Africa, Angola, Russia, and China, to name a few of its locations. For instance, in the South Columbus basin of Trinidad and Tobago, WesternGeco was awarded one of the largest data processing and imaging contracts ever by BP plc (ADR) (NYSE:BP). The award was described as “part of a multiyear, multiproject collaboration between the two companies.” It followed a seismic survey conducted for BP by WesternGeco during two winter seasons.

A key metric at Schlumberger Limited. (NYSE:SLB) involves the now nearly $1.2 billion that the company spends annually on research and development. Clearly, a meaningful portion of that amount is directed toward achieving advancements in the world of seismology.

The article Your Seismic Investment Primer originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by David Smith.

Fool contributor David Smith owns shares of BP plc (ADR) (NYSE:BP). The Motley Fool recommends Dawson Geophysical, Geospace Technologies Corp (NASDAQ:GEOS), and National Oilwell Varco and owns shares of Dawson Geophysical and National Oilwell Varco.

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