WSJ · 23 Oct, 11:35 · Business briefing

SLB Logs Higher Revenue as Business in the Middle East Recovers

Schlumberger, commonly known as SLB, has reported increased revenue driven by a notable recovery in its Middle Eastern operations.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

26%average salary uplift after a professional certificate

2.7xfaster promotion for certified professionals

71%of leaders prefer candidates who upskill continuously

20days to your first credential

The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Schlumberger, commonly known as SLB, has reported increased revenue driven by a notable recovery in its Middle Eastern operations. This financial improvement reflects broader regional stabilisation and renewed demand for energy services in key markets. The results suggest that geopolitical tensions are easing enough to allow for resumed commercial activity and investment in the sector. For industry observers, this signals a potential uptick in project approvals and operational expansions across the Gulf states. The data underscores the resilience of energy service providers when regional stability returns, offering a clear indicator of shifting market dynamics within the global oil and gas landscape during this quarter.

Employer demand for AI in Energy skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

This recovery signals a renewed demand for technical and operational expertise in the Middle East. If you specialise in energy services, engineering, or regional business development, your skills are becoming increasingly valuable. You should focus on understanding local regulatory frameworks and cultural nuances to navigate this market effectively. Consider upskilling in project management or sustainability practices, as companies prioritise efficient, compliant operations. Professionals in data analytics or AI for energy sectors should also pay attention, as digital transformation accelerates alongside physical recovery. Act now by updating your regional knowledge and networking with firms expanding in the Gulf. This is a strategic moment to position yourself for roles that bridge technical execution with regional market insight.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are AI in Energy, Project Management, Engineering and Business And Management — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
to benefit.

These programmes position you for exactly this shift — online, self-paced, and finishing with a verifiable certificate you can share the day you pass.