10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

________________

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)
Q	ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
	For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012
	OR
¨	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
	For the transition period from__ ________ ____ ____to _ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___

Commission File Number 001-14273

CORE LABORATORIES N.V.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

The Netherlands	Not Applicable
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Herengracht 424
1017 BZ Amsterdam
The Netherlands	Not Applicable
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (31-20) 420-3191

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Shares, EUR 0.02 Par Value Per Share	New York Stock Exchange; NYSE Euronext Amsterdam

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes Q  No ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ¨  No Q

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes Q

No ¨

    Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes Q  No ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. Q

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer Q	Accelerated filer ¨	Non-accelerated filer ¨	Smaller reporting company ¨
		(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ¨  No Q

As of June 30, 2012, the number of common shares outstanding was 47,366,753. At that date, the aggregate market value of common shares held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $5,362,838,340.

As of February 14, 2013, the number of common shares outstanding was 46,226,001.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The information required by Part III of this Report, to the extent not set forth herein, is incorporated herein by reference from the registrant's definitive proxy statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in 2013, which definitive proxy statement shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this Report relates.

This document (excluding exhibits) contains 70 pages.

The table of contents is set forth on the following page. The exhibit index begins on page 31.

CORE LABORATORIES N.V.

FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
PART I
Item 1.	Business	1
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	6
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	11
Item 2.	Properties	11
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	12
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	12
PART II
Item 5.	Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	13
Item 6.	Selected Financial Data	15
Item 7.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation	16
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	28
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	29
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	29
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	29
Item 9B.	Other Information	30
PART III
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	30
Item 11.	Executive Compensation	30
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	30
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence	30
Item 14.	Principal Accountant Fees and Services	30
PART IV
Item 15.	Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules	31

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PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

General

Core Laboratories N.V. is a Netherlands limited liability company. We were established in 1936 and are one of the world's leading providers of proprietary and patented reservoir description, production enhancement and reservoir management services to the oil and gas industry. These services and products are directed toward enabling our clients to improve reservoir performance and increase oil and gas recovery from their producing fields. We have over 70 offices in more than 50 countries and have approximately 5,000 employees.

References to "Core Lab", the "Company", "we", "our", and similar phrases are used throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K (this "Form 10-K") and relate collectively to Core Laboratories N.V. and its consolidated affiliates.

Business Strategy

Our business strategy is to provide advanced technologies that improve reservoir performance by (i) continuing the development of proprietary technologies through client-driven research and development, (ii) expanding the services and products offered throughout our global network of offices and (iii) acquiring complementary technologies that add key technologies or market presence and enhance existing services and products.

Development of New Technologies, Services and Products

We conduct research and development to meet the needs of our clients who are continually seeking new services and technologies to lower their costs of finding, developing and producing oil and gas. While the aggregate number of wells being drilled per year has fluctuated relative to market conditions, oil and gas producers have, on a proportional basis, increased expenditures on technology services to improve their understanding of the reservoir and increase production of oil and gas from their producing fields. We intend to continue concentrating our efforts on services and technologies that improve reservoir performance and increase oil and gas recovery.

International Expansion of Services and Products

Another component of our business strategy is to broaden the spectrum of services and products offered to our clients on a global basis. We intend to continue using our worldwide network of offices to offer many of our services and products that have been developed internally or obtained through acquisitions. This allows us to enhance our revenue through efficient utilization of our worldwide network.

Acquisitions

We continually review potential acquisitions to add key services and technologies, enhance market presence or complement existing businesses.

More information relating to our acquisitions is included in Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K ("Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements").

Operations

We derive our revenue from services and product sales to clients primarily in the oil and gas industry.

Our reservoir optimization services and technologies are interrelated and are organized into three complementary segments. Disclosure relating to the operations and financial information of these business segments is included in Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

• Reservoir Description: Encompasses the characterization of petroleum reservoir rock, fluid and gas samples. We provide analytical and field services to characterize properties of crude oil and petroleum products to the oil and gas industry.

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• Production Enhancement: Includes products and services relating to reservoir well completions, perforations, stimulations and production. We provide integrated services to evaluate the effectiveness of well completions and to develop solutions aimed at increasing the effectiveness of enhanced oil recovery projects.

• Reservoir Management: Combines and integrates information from reservoir description and production enhancement services to increase production and improve recovery of oil and gas from our clients' reservoirs.

We offer our services worldwide through our global network of offices. Services accounted for approximately 71%, 69% and 72% of our revenue from operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

We manufacture products primarily in four facilities for distribution on a global basis. Product sales accounted for approximately 29%, 31% and 28% of our revenue from operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Our product sales backlog at December 31, 2012 was approximately $33.4 million compared to $25.9 million at December 31, 2011. Sources of raw materials for our products are readily available and we expect that our current sales backlog at December 31, 2012 will be completed in 2013.

Reservoir Description

Commercial oil and gas fields consist of porous and permeable reservoir rocks that contain natural gas, crude oil and water. Due to the density differences of the fluids, natural gas typically caps the field and overlies an oil layer, which overlies the water. We provide services that characterize the porous reservoir rock and all three reservoir fluids. Services relating to these fluids include determining quality and measuring quantity of the fluids and their derived products. This includes determining the value of different crude oil and natural gases by analyzing the individual components of complex hydrocarbons. These data sets are used by oil companies to determine the most efficient method by which to recover, process and refine these hydrocarbons to produce the maximum value added to crude oil and natural gas.

We analyze samples of reservoir rocks for their porosity, which determines reservoir storage capacity, and for their permeability, which defines the ability of the fluids to flow through the rock. These measurements are used to determine how much oil and gas are present in a reservoir and the rates at which the oil and gas can be produced. We also use our proprietary services and technologies to correlate the reservoir description data to wireline logs and seismic data by determining the different acoustic velocities of reservoir rocks containing water, oil and natural gas. These measurements are used in conjunction with our reservoir management services to develop programs to produce more oil and gas from the reservoir.

Production Enhancement

We produce data to describe a reservoir system that is used to enhance oil and natural gas production so that it may exceed the average oilfield recovery factor, which is approximately 40%. Two production enhancement methods commonly used are (i) hydraulic fracturing of the reservoir rock to improve flow and (ii) flooding a reservoir with water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen or hydrocarbon gases to force more oil and gas to the wellbore. Many oilfields today are hydraulically fractured and flooded to maximize oil and gas recovery. Although Core Laboratories is not a hydraulic fracturing company, we do provide chemicals that are used to analyze such processes for reservoir diagnostic purposes. Our services and technologies play a key role in the success of both methods.

The hydraulic fracturing of a producing formation is achieved by pumping a proppant material in a gel slurry into the reservoir zone at extremely high pressures. This forces fractures to open in the rock and "props" or holds the fractures open so that reservoir fluids can flow to the production wellbore. Our data on rock type and strength are critical for determining the proper design of the hydraulic fracturing job. In addition, our testing indicates whether the gel slurry is compatible with the reservoir fluids so that damage does not occur to the porous rock network. Our proprietary and patented ZERO WASH^® tracer technology is used to determine that the proppant material was properly placed in the fracture to ensure effective flow and increased recovery.

SPECTRACHEM^® is another proprietary and patented technology developed for optimizing hydraulic fracture performance. SPECTRACHEM^® is used to aid operators in determining the efficiency of the fracture fluids used. SPECTRACHEM^® tracers allow operators to evaluate the quantity of fracture fluid that returns to the wellbore during the clean-up period after a hydraulic fracturing event. This technology also allows our clients to evaluate load recovery, gas breakthrough, fluid leak-off and breaker efficiency, all of which are important factors for optimizing oil and/or natural gas production after the formation is hydraulically fractured.

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Core's patented and proprietary SPECTRACHEM^® fracture diagnostic service continued to evolve with the introduction of the SpectraChem^® Plus+ service in early 2009. The new SpectraChem^® Plus+ service is effective in determining the effectiveness and efficiency of the hydraulic fracture stimulation of long multistage horizontal wells in oil- and gas-shale plays throughout North America. SpectraChem^® Plus+ data sets are used to determine how each frac stage, which may number up to 30 per well, is flowing. Frac stages with ineffective flows may warrant further stimulation or remedial actions.

We conduct dynamic flow tests of the reservoir fluids through the reservoir rock, at actual reservoir pressure and temperature, to realistically simulate the actual flooding of a producing zone. We use patented technologies, such as our Saturation Monitoring by the Attenuation of X-rays (SMAX™), to help design the enhanced recovery project. After a field flood is initiated, we are often involved in monitoring the progress of the flood to ensure the maximum amount of incremental production is being achieved through the use of our SpectraFlood^TM technology, which we developed to optimize sweep efficiency during field floods.

Our unique completion monitoring system, Completion Profiler™, helps to determine flow rates from reservoir zones after they have been hydraulically fractured. This provides our clients with a baseline of early production information and can be compared to subsequent production logs later in the life of the well to see if and where hydrocarbon production varies.

Our PACKSCAN^® patented technology is used as a tool to evaluate gravel pack effectiveness in an unconsolidated reservoir. PACKSCAN^® measures the density changes in the area around the tool and is designed to observe the changes within the wellbore to verify the completeness of the gravel pack protection of the wellbore without any additional rig time.

In addition to our many patented reservoir analysis technologies, we have established ourselves as a global leader in the manufacture and distribution of high-performance perforating products. Our unique understanding of complex reservoirs supports our ability to supply perforating systems engineered to maximize well productivity by reducing, eliminating and overcoming formation damage caused during the completion of oil and gas wells. Our "systems" approach to the perforating of an oil or gas well has resulted in numerous patented products. Our HERO^® (High Efficiency Reservoir Optimization), SuperHERO™ and recently introduced SuperHERO Plus+™ perforating systems have quickly become industry leaders in enhancing reservoir performance. The SuperHERO™ and SuperHERO Plus+™ perforating systems complement our successful HERO^® line and are designed to optimize wellbore completions and stimulation programs in oil- and gas-shale reservoirs. Evolved from our HERO^® charges, the SuperHERO™ and the SuperHERO Plus+™ charges use a proprietary and patented design of powdered metal liners and explosives technology that results in a deeper and cleaner perforating tunnel into the oil- and gas-shale reservoir. This allows greater flow of hydrocarbons to the wellbore and helps to maximize hydrocarbon recovery from the reservoir. Moreover, the deeper, near debris-free perforations enable lower fracture initiation pressures, reducing the amount of pressure-pumping horsepower required and its associated cost. SuperHERO™ and SuperHERO

Plus+™ charges can eliminate the ineffective perforations that would otherwise limit daily oil and natural gas production and hinder the optimal fracture stimulation programs needed for prolific production from the Bakken, Eagle Ford, Marcellus, Niobrara and similar oil- and gas-shale formations. Our manufacturing operations in the United States and Canada continue to meet the global demand for our perforating systems through facility expansion in addition to gains in efficiency and productivity.

Our Horizontal Time-Delayed Ballistics Actuated Sequential Transfer (HTD-Blast^TM) perforating system is a technology useful for the effective and efficient perforation of extended-reach horizontal completions in the Bakken, Eagle Ford, and other shale formations. The HTD-Blast^TM perforating system can be deployed via coiled tubing and it currently enables up to 10 perforating events, beginning at the farthest reaches, or toe regions, of extended-reach horizontal wells or up to 27 perforating events in vertical wellbores. The toe region is the most difficult section of an extended-reach well to effectively perforate and fracture stimulate. The HTD-Blast^TM system significantly improves the potential for production from those sections. A proprietary, time-delayed detonating sequence allows the operator to position and perforate each of the discrete zones being completed in the toe-end of the wellbore. This efficiency, coupled with Core's effective SuperHERO Plus+™ perforating charges, results in superior perforations at a greatly reduced operating cost. Superior perforations then allow effective fracture stimulation programs that can maximize production from extended horizontal wells.

We have experienced technical services personnel to support clients through our global network of offices for the everyday use of our perforating systems and the rapid introduction of new products. Our personnel are capable of providing client training and on-site services in the completion of oil and gas wells. Our patented X-SPAN™ and GTX-SPAN™ casing patches are supported by our technical services personnel. These systems are capable of performing in high pressure oil and gas environments and are used to seal non-productive reservoir zones from the producing wellbore.

Reservoir Management

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Reservoir description and production enhancement information, when applied across an entire oilfield, is used to maximize daily production and the ultimate total recovery from the reservoir. We are involved in numerous large-scale reservoir management projects, applying proprietary and state-of-the-art techniques from the earliest phases of a field development program until the last economic barrel of oil is recovered. These projects are of increasing importance to oil companies as the incremental barrel is often the lowest cost and most profitable barrel in the reservoir. Producing incremental barrels increases our clients' cash flows which we believe will result in additional capital expenditures by our clients, and ultimately further opportunities for us. We also develop and provide industry consortium studies to provide critical reservoir information to a broad spectrum of clients in a cost effective manner such as our multi-client regional reservoir optimization projects for both North America and international studies, especially studies pertaining to unconventional reservoirs such as our ongoing global shale study that examines the shale potential in Central and Southern Europe, North Africa, India, China and Australia among other regionsand a joint industry project evaluating the petrophysical, geochemical and production characteristics of the Eagle Ford shale in South Texas. Additional studies being performed are our long running deep water Gulf of Mexico studies, a worldwide characterization of tight-gas sands, with special emphasis in the Middle East region, deepwater studies off the coasts of West Africa and Brazil and a study on the petroleum potential of offshore Vietnam and a global gas shale study.

We sell and maintain permanent real time reservoir monitoring equipment that is installed in the reservoir for our oil and gas company clients which eliminates the need for down-hole electronic components providing increased reliability and high temperature capability in extreme operating environments.

Marketing and Sales

We market and sell our services and products through a combination of sales representatives, technical seminars, trade shows and print advertising. Direct sales and marketing are carried out by our sales force, technical experts and operating managers, as well as by sales representatives and distributors in various markets where we do not have offices. Our Business Development group manages a Large Account Management Program to better serve our largest and most active clients by meeting with key personnel within their organizations to ensure the quality of our services and products are meeting their expectations and we are addressing any issues or needs in a timely manner.

Research and Development

The market for our services and products is characterized by changing technology and frequent product introduction. As a result, our success is dependent upon our ability to develop or acquire new services and products on a cost-effective basis and to introduce them into the marketplace in a timely manner. Many of our acquisitions have allowed us to obtain the benefits of the acquired company's research and development projects without the significant costs that would have been incurred if we had attempted to develop the services and products ourselves. We incur costs as part of internal research and development and these costs are charged to expense as incurred. We intend to continue committing financial resources and effort to the development and acquisition of new services and products. Over the years, we have made a number of technological advances, including the development of key technologies utilized in our operations. Substantially all of the new technologies have resulted from requests and guidance from our clients, particularly major oil companies.

Patents and Trademarks

We believe our patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights are an important factor in maintaining our technological advantage, although no one patent is considered essential to our success. Typically, we will seek to protect our intellectual technology in all jurisdictions where we believe the cost of such protection is warranted. While we have patented some of our key technologies, we do not patent all of our proprietary technology even where regarded as patentable. In addition to patents, in many instances we protect our trade secrets through confidentiality agreements with our employees and our clients.

International Operations

We operate facilities in more than 50 countries. Our non-U.S. operations accounted for approximately 49%, 49% and 50% of our revenue from operations during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Not included in the foregoing percentages are significant levels of our revenue recorded in the U.S. that are sourced from projects on foreign oilfields.

While we are subject to fluctuations and changes in currency exchange rates relating to our international operations, we attempt to limit our exposure to foreign currency fluctuations by limiting the amount in which our foreign contracts are

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denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar to an amount generally equal to the expenses expected to be incurred in such foreign currency. However, the ultimate decision as to the proportion of the foreign currency component within a contract usually resides with our clients. Consequently, we are not always able to eliminate our foreign currency exposure. We have not historically engaged in and are not currently engaged in any significant hedging or currency trading transactions designed to compensate for adverse currency fluctuations. The following graphs summarize our reported revenue by geographic region (in contrast to the location of the reservoirs) for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010:

Geographic Breakdown of Revenue

Environmental Regulation

We are subject to stringent governmental laws and regulations, both in the United States and other countries, pertaining to protection of the environment and the manner in which chemicals and gases used in our analytical and manufacturing processes are handled and generated wastes are disposed. Consistent with our quality assurance and control principles, we have established proactive environmental policies for the management of these chemicals and gases as well as the handling and recycling or disposal of wastes resulting from our operations. Compliance with these laws and regulations, whether at the federal, provincial, regional, state or local levels, may require the acquisition of permits to conduct regulated activities, capital expenditures to limit or prevent emissions and discharges, and stringent practices to handle and dispose of certain wastes. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, the imposition of remedial obligations, and even the issuance of injunctive relief. The trend in environmental regulation has been to place more restrictions and limitations on activities that may adversely affect the environment and thus any changes in environmental laws and regulations that result in more stringent and costly waste handling, storage, transport, disposal or cleanup requirements could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial position. For instance, the adoption of laws or implementation of regulations that have the effect of lowering the demand for carbon-based fuels could have a material adverse effect on our business. These laws or regulations could be adopted to address concerns about emissions of so-called "greenhouse gases" such as carbon dioxide and methane that some feel may result in global climate change or perceived threats to drinking water from hydraulic fracturing activities. Moreover, we depend on the demand for our services and products primarily from oil and natural gas exploration and production companies. Thus, any changes in environmental laws and regulations that result in more stringent and costly well drilling, construction, completion, development or production activities could impose additional and significant costs on, or delay or decrease the operational activity of those operators who are our customers, which also could have a material adverse effect on our business. For example, in the aftermath of the April 30, 2010 fire and explosion aboard the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig and resulting oil spill from the Macondo well operated by a third party in ultra-deep water in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, there have been a series of regulatory initiatives developed and implemented by the U.S. Department of the Interior or its administering bureaus relating to offshore operational safety, permitting and certification standards that have had and may continue to have a significant impact on the pace of exploration and production activities by our customers in the Gulf of Mexico and that, in turn, may adversely affect the demand for our products and services to those offshore operators.

Our analytical and manufacturing processes involve the handling and use of numerous chemicals and gases as well as the generation of wastes. Spills or releases of these chemicals, gases, and wastes at our facilities or, whether by us or prior owners or operators, at offsite locations where we transport them for recycling or disposal could subject us to environmental liability, which may be strict, joint and several, as is applicable in the United States under such laws as the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act and the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, for the costs of cleaning up chemicals and wastes released into the environment and for damages to natural resources, and it is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims against industry participants for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by such spills or releases. As a result of such actions, we could be required to remove previously disposed wastes (including wastes disposed of or released by prior owners or operators), remediate environmental contamination (including contaminated groundwater), and undertake measures to prevent future contamination. We may not be able to recover some or any of these remedial or corrective costs from insurance. While we believe that we are in substantial

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compliance with current applicable environmental laws and regulations and that continued compliance with existing requirements will not have a material adverse impact on us, we cannot give any assurance as to the amount or timing of future expenditures for environmental compliance or remediation, and actual future expenditures may be different from the amounts we currently anticipate.

Our operations are also subject to stringent governmental laws and regulations, including the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, as amended ("OSHA"), and comparable state laws in the United States, whose purpose is to protect the health and safety of workers. In the United States, the OSHA hazard communication standard and applicable community right-to-know regulations require that information is maintained concerning hazardous materials used or produced in our operations and that this information is provided to employees, state and local government authorities, and citizens. We believe that we are in substantial compliance with all applicable laws and regulations relating to worker health and safety.

Competition

The businesses in which we engage are competitive. Some of our competitors are divisions or subsidiaries of companies that are larger and have greater financial and other resources than we have. While no one company competes with us in all of our product and service lines, we face competition in these lines, primarily from independent regional companies and internal divisions of major integrated oil and gas companies. We compete in different product and service lines to various degrees on the basis of price, technical performance, availability, quality and technical support. Our ability to compete successfully depends on elements both within and outside of our control, including successful and timely development of new services and products, performance and quality, client service, pricing, industry trends and general economic trends.

Reliance on the Oil and Gas Industry

Our business and operations are substantially dependent upon the condition of the global oil and gas industry. Future downturns in the oil and gas industry, or in the oilfield services business, may have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The oil and gas industry is highly cyclical and has been subject to significant economic downturns at various times as a result of numerous factors affecting the supply of and demand for oil and natural gas, including the level of capital expenditures of the oil and gas industry; the level of drilling activity; the level of production activity; market prices of oil and gas; economic conditions existing in the world; interest rates and the cost of capital; environmental regulations; tax policies; political requirements of national governments; coordination by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries ("OPEC"); cost of producing oil and natural gas; and technological advances.

Employees

As of December 31, 2012, we had approximately 5,000 employees. We do not have any material collective bargaining agreements and consider relations with our employees to be good.

Web Site Access to Our Periodic SEC Reports

Our primary internet address is http://www.corelab.com. We file or furnish Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). These reports are available free of charge through our web site as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed or furnished electronically with the SEC. We may from time to time provide important disclosures to investors by posting them in the investor relations section of our web site, as allowed by SEC rules.

Materials we file with the SEC may be read and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an internet website at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding our company that we file electronically with the SEC.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

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Our forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable but that may not prove to be accurate. All of our forward-looking information is, therefore, subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expected. All known, material risks and uncertainties are discussed below.

Future downturns in the oil and gas industry, or in the oilfield services business, may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

The oil and gas industry is highly cyclical and demand for the majority of our oilfield services and products is substantially dependent on the level of expenditures by the oil and gas industry for the exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas reserves, which are sensitive to oil and natural gas prices and generally dependent on the industry's view of future oil and gas prices. There are numerous factors affecting the supply of and demand for our services and products, which are summarized as:

▪ general and economic business conditions;

▪ market prices of oil and gas and expectations about future prices;

▪ cost of producing and the ability to deliver oil and natural gas;

▪ the level of drilling and production activity;

▪ mergers, consolidations and downsizing among our clients;

▪ coordination by OPEC;

▪ the impact of commodity prices on the expenditure levels of our clients;

▪ financial condition of our client base and their ability to fund capital expenditures;

▪ the physical effects of adverse weather;

▪ the adoption of legal requirements or taxation that lowers the demand for petroleum-based fuels;

▪ civil unrest or political uncertainty in oil producing or consuming countries;

▪ level of consumption of oil, gas and petrochemicals by consumers;

▪ changes in existing laws, regulations, or other governmental actions;

▪ the business opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to and pursued by us;

▪ availability of services and materials for our clients to grow their capital expenditures; and

▪ availability of materials and equipment from key suppliers.

The oil and gas industry has historically experienced periodic downturns, which have been characterized by diminished demand for our oilfield services and products and downward pressure on the prices we charge. A significant downturn in the oil and gas industry could result in a reduction in demand for oilfield services and could adversely affect our operating results.

We depend on the results of our international operations, which expose us to risks inherent in doing business abroad.

We conduct our business in over 50 countries; business outside of the United States accounted for approximately 49%, 49% and 50% of our revenue during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. Not included in the foregoing percentages are significant levels of our revenues recorded in the U.S. that are sourced from projects on foreign oilfields. Our operations, and those of our clients, are subject to the various laws and regulations of those respective countries as well as various risks peculiar to each country, which may include, but are not limited to:

▪ global economic conditions;

▪ political actions and requirements of national governments including trade restrictions, embargoes, seizure, detention, nationalization and expropriations of assets;

▪ interpretation of tax statutes and requirements of taxing authorities worldwide, routine examination by taxing authorities and assessment of additional taxes, penalties and/or interest;

▪ civil unrest;

▪ acts of terrorism;

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▪ fluctuations and changes in currency exchange rates (see section below);

▪ the impact of inflation;

▪ difficulty in repatriating foreign currency received in excess of the local currency requirements; and

▪ current conditions in oil producing countries such as Venezuela, Nigeria, Libya, Iran and Iraq considering their potential impact on the world markets.

Historically, economic downturn and political events have resulted in lower demand for our services and products in certain markets. The continuing instability in the Middle East and North Africa and the potential for activity from terrorist groups that the U.S. government has cautioned against have further heightened our exposure to international risks. The global economy is highly influenced by public confidence in the geopolitical environment and the situation in the Middle East and North Africa continues to be highly fluid; therefore, we expect to experience heightened international risks.

Our results of operations may be significantly affected by foreign currency exchange rate risk.

We are exposed to risks due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. By the nature of our business, we derive a substantial amount of our revenue from our international operations, subjecting us to risks relating to fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

Our results of operations may be adversely affected because our efforts to comply with U.S. laws such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the "FCPA") could restrict our ability to do business in foreign markets relative to our competitors who are not subject to U.S. law.

We operate in many parts of the world that have experienced governmental corruption to some degree and, in certain circumstances, strict compliance with anti-bribery laws may conflict with local customs and practices. We may be subject to competitive disadvantages to the extent that our competitors are able to secure business, licenses or other preferential treatment by making payments to government officials and others in positions of influence or through other methods that U.S. law and regulations prohibit us from using.

Because we are registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, we are subject to the regulations imposed by the FCPA, which generally prohibits us and our intermediaries from making improper payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business. In particular, we may be held liable for actions taken by our strategic or local partners even though our partners are not subject to the FCPA. Any such violations could result in substantial civil and/or criminal penalties and might adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, our ability to continue to work in these parts of the world discussed above could be adversely affected if we were found to have violated certain U.S. laws, including the FCPA.

If we are not able to develop or acquire new products or our products become technologically obsolete, our results of operations may be adversely affected.

The market for our services and products is characterized by changing technology and product introduction. As a result, our success is dependent upon our ability to develop or acquire new services and products on a cost-effective basis and to introduce them into the marketplace in a timely manner. While we intend to continue committing substantial financial resources and effort to the development of new services and products, we may not be able to successfully differentiate our services and products from those of our competitors. Our clients may not consider our proposed services and products to be of value to them; or if the proposed services and products are of a competitive nature, our clients may not view them as superior to our competitors' services and products. In addition, we may not be able to adapt to evolving markets and technologies, develop new products, or achieve and maintain technological advantages.

If we are unable to continue developing competitive products in a timely manner in response to changes in technology, our businesses and operating results may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, continuing development of new products inherently carries the risk of inventory obsolescence with respect to our older products.

If we are unable to obtain patents, licenses and other intellectual property rights covering our services and products, our operating results may be adversely affected.

Our success depends, in part, on our ability to obtain patents, licenses and other intellectual property rights covering our services and products. To that end, we have obtained certain patents and intend to continue to seek patents on some of our

8

inventions, services and products. While we have patented some of our key technologies, we do not patent all of our proprietary technology, even when regarded as patentable. The process of seeking patent protection can be long and expensive. There can be no assurance that patents will be issued from currently pending or future applications or that, if patents are issued, they will be of sufficient scope or strength to provide meaningful protection or any commercial advantage to us. In addition, effective copyright and trade secret protection may be unavailable or limited in certain countries. Litigation, which could demand significant financial and management resources, may be necessary to enforce our patents or other intellectual property rights. Also, there can be no assurance that we can obtain licenses or other rights to necessary intellectual property on acceptable terms.

There are risks relating to our acquisition strategy. If we are unable to successfully integrate and manage businesses that we have acquired and any businesses acquired in the future, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

One of our key business strategies is to acquire technologies, operations and assets that are complementary to our existing businesses. There are financial, operational and legal risks inherent in any acquisition strategy, including:

▪ increased financial leverage;

▪ ability to obtain additional financing;

▪ increased interest expense; and

▪ difficulties involved in combining disparate company cultures and facilities.

The success of any completed acquisition will depend on our ability to integrate effectively the acquired business into our existing operations. The process of integrating acquired businesses may involve unforeseen difficulties and may require a disproportionate amount of our managerial and financial resources. In addition, possible future acquisitions may be larger and for purchase prices significantly higher than those paid for earlier acquisitions. No assurance can be given that we will be able to continue to identify additional suitable acquisition opportunities, negotiate acceptable terms, obtain financing for acquisitions on acceptable terms or successfully acquire identified targets. Our failure to achieve consolidation savings, to incorporate the acquired businesses and assets into our existing operations successfully or to minimize any unforeseen operational difficulties could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operation.

We are subject to a variety of environmental and worker, health and safety laws and regulations, which may result in increased costs and significant liability to our business.

We are subject to a variety of stringent governmental laws and regulations both in the United States and abroad relating to protection of the environment, worker health and safety and the use and storage of chemicals and gases used in our analytical and manufacturing processes and the discharge and disposal of wastes generated by those processes. Certain of these laws and regulations may impose joint and several, strict liability for environmental liabilities, such as the remediation of historical contamination or recent spills, and failure to comply with such laws and regulations could result in the assessment of damages, fines and penalties, the imposition of remedial or corrective action obligations or the suspension or cessation of some or all of our operations. These stringent laws and regulations could require us to acquire permits or other authorizations to conduct regulated activities, install and maintain costly equipment and pollution control technologies, impose specific health and safety standards addressing work protection, or to incur costs or liabilities to mitigate or remediate pollution conditions caused by our operations or attributable to former owners or operators. If we fail to control the use, or adequately restrict the emission or discharge, of hazardous substances or wastes, we could be subject to future material liabilities including remedial obligations. In addition, public interest in the protection of the environment has increased dramatically in recent years with governmental authorities imposing more stringent and restrictive requirements. We anticipate that the trend of more expansive and stricter environmental laws and regulations will continue, the occurrence of which may require us to increase our capital expenditures or could result in increased operating expenses.

For example, in the United States, the federal Congress has, from time to time, considered legislation that could be introduced and adopted in the current session of Congress, in which event such adopted laws or any implementing regulations could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. This legislation could include or arise from the following:

▪ Climate Change. Congress has from time to time considered legislation to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (“GHGs”), primarily through the establishment of a cap-and-trade plan for GHGs, but no such legislation has been adopted by Congress. It is not possible at this time to predict whether or when Congress may introduce and adopt climate change legislation or whether such legislation may require a cap-and-trade plan for GHGs or impose a carbon

9

tax on the emission of GHGs. In addition, based on determinations made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) in December 2009 that emissions of GHGs present a danger to public health and the environment, the EPA adopted regulations that restrict emissions of GHGs under existing provisions of the federal Clean Air Act, including one that requires a reduction in emissions of GHGs from motor vehicles and another that requires certain construction and operating permit reviews for GHG emissions from certain large stationary sources. Also, the EPA adopted rules requiring the monitoring and reporting of GHGs from certain sources, including, among others, onshore and offshore oil and natural gas production facilities, and almost one-half of the states already have taken legal measures to reduce emissions of GHGs, primarily through the planned development of GHG emission inventories and/or regional GHG cap-and-trade programs. Adoption and implementation of laws and regulations limiting emissions of GHGs from our equipment or operations could require us to incur costs to comply with such requirements and also could adversely affect demand for the production of oil and natural gas by our customers and thus reduce demand for the services we provide to the oil and natural gas industry.

▪ Hydraulic Fracturing. From time to time, legislation has been introduced before Congress to provide for federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing under the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended ("SDWA") and to require disclosure of the chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process, which disclosed information could be proprietary in nature. At the state level, a growing number of states have adopted and other states are considering legal requirements that could impose more stringent permitting, disclosure, and/or well construction requirements on hydraulic fracturing activities. Moreover, the EPA has asserted federal regulatory authority under the SDWA over hydraulic fracturing involving diesel fuel. While it is not possible at this time to predict whether or when Congress may introduce and adopt legislation restricting hydraulic fracturing activities under the SDWA or other regulatory mechanisms, if new or more stringent federal, state, or local legal restrictions relating to the hydraulic fracturing process are adopted in areas where our oil and natural gas exploration and production customers operate, those customers could incur significant added costs to comply with such requirements and experience delays or curtailment in the pursuit of exploration, development or production activities, which could reduce demand for our services and products. Although Core Laboratories is not a hydraulic fracturing company, it does supply and utilize chemicals during such processes for reservoir diagnostic purposes. In addition, certain governmental reviews are either underway or being proposed that focus on environmental aspects of hydraulic fracturing practices. The EPA is conducting a study of the potential environmental effects of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water and groundwater, with a first progress report outlining work currently underway by the agency released on December 21, 2012 and a final draft report drawing conclusions about the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources expected to be available for public comment and peer review by 2014. The EPA has also announced plans to develop effluent limitations for the treatment and discharge of wastewater resulting from hydraulic fracturing activities by 2014. The White House Council on Environmental Quality is coordinating an administration-wide review of hydraulic fracturing practices. Other governmental agencies, including the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of the Interior, are evaluating various other aspects of hydraulic fracturing. These ongoing or proposed studies, depending on their degree of pursuit and any meaningful results obtained, could spur initiatives to further regulate hydraulic fracturing under the federal SDWA or other regulatory mechanisms, which events could delay or curtail production of oil and natural gas by our exploration and production customers and thus reduce demand for our business.

We may be unable to attract and retain skilled and technically knowledgeable employees, which could adversely affect our business.

Our success depends upon attracting and retaining highly skilled professionals and other technical personnel. A number of our employees are highly skilled engineers, geologists and highly trained technicians, and our failure to continue to attract and retain such individuals could adversely affect our ability to compete in the oilfield services industry. We may confront significant and potentially adverse competition for these skilled and technically knowledgeable personnel, particularly during periods of increased demand for oil and gas. Additionally, at times there may be a shortage of skilled and technical personnel available in the market, potentially compounding the difficulty of attracting and retaining these employees. As a result, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be materially adversely affected.

We require a significant amount of cash to service our indebtedness, and our ability to generate cash may depend on factors beyond our control.

Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness, and to fund planned capital expenditures depends, in part, on our ability to generate cash in the future. This ability is, to a certain extent, subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control.

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No assurance can be given that we will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to service and repay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. If we are unable to satisfy our debt obligations, we may have to undertake alternative financing plans, such as refinancing or restructuring our indebtedness, selling assets, reducing or delaying capital investments or seeking to raise additional capital. We cannot assure that any refinancing or debt restructuring would be possible or, if possible, would be completed on favorable or acceptable terms, that any assets could be sold or that, if sold, the timing of the sales and the amount of proceeds realized from those sales would be favorable to us or that additional financing could be obtained on acceptable terms. Disruptions in the capital and credit markets could adversely affect our ability to refinance our indebtedness, including our ability to borrow under our existing revolving credit facility ("Credit Facility"). Banks that are party to our existing Credit Facility may not be able to meet their funding commitments to us if they experience shortages of capital and liquidity or if they experience excessive volumes of borrowing requests from us and other borrowers within a short period of time.

Because we are a Netherlands company, it may be difficult for you to sue our supervisory directors or us and it may not be possible to obtain or enforce judgments against us.

Although we are a Netherlands company, our assets are located in a variety of countries. In addition, not all members of our supervisory board of directors are residents of the same countries as other supervisory directors. As a result, it may not be possible for you to effect service of process within certain countries upon our supervisory directors, or to enforce against our supervisory directors or use judgments of courts of certain countries predicated upon civil liabilities under a country's federal securities laws. Because there is no treaty between certain countries and The Netherlands providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments, some countries' judgments are not automatically enforceable in The Netherlands or in the United States, where the principal market for our shares is located. In addition, there is doubt as to whether a court in one country would impose civil liability on us or on the members of our supervisory board of directors in an original action brought against us or our supervisory directors in a court of competent jurisdiction in another country and predicated solely upon the federal securities laws of that other country.

Our operations are subject to the risk of cyber attacks that could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations and consolidated financial condition.

Our information technology systems are subject to possible breaches and other threats that could cause us harm. If our systems for protecting against cyber security risks prove not to be sufficient, we could be adversely affected by loss or damage of intellectual property, proprietary information, or customer data; interruption of business operations; or additional costs to prevent, respond to, or mitigate cyber security attacks. These risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated results of operations, and consolidated financial condition.

New regulations related to conflict-free minerals may result in our incurring additional expenses and could limit the supply and increase the cost of certain metals used in our manufacturing processes.

In August 2012, the SEC issued their final rule to implement Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act regarding mandatory disclosure and reporting requirements by public companies of their use of “conflict minerals” (tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold) originating in the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjoining countries. We will be required to conduct specified due diligence activities for the 2013 calendar year, and provide our first report in May 2014. We anticipate that fulfilling our compliance obligations with the rules may be both time consuming and potentially costly. The new rule could also affect sourcing at competitive prices and availability in sufficient quantities of certain of these conflict minerals used in the manufacture of the Company's products or in the provision of the Company's services. The number of suppliers who provide conflict-free minerals may be limited, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's ability to purchase these products in the future. The costs of compliance, including those related to supply chain research, unexpected consequences to the Company's reputation, the limited number of suppliers, and possible changes in the sourcing of these minerals, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

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Currently, we have over 70 offices (totaling approximately 2.9 million square feet of space) in more than 50 countries. In these locations, we lease approximately 2.0 million square feet and own approximately 0.9 million square feet. We serve our worldwide clients through six Advanced Technology Centers ("ATCs") that are located in Aberdeen, Scotland; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Calgary, Canada; Houston, Texas; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The ATCs provide support for our more than 50 regional specialty centers located throughout the global energy producing provinces. In addition, we have significant manufacturing facilities located in Godley, Texas, and Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, which are included in our Production Enhancement business segment. Our facilities are adequate for our current operations. However, expansion into new facilities or the replacement or modification of existing facilities may be required to accommodate future growth.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

See Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

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PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Price Range of Common Shares

Our common shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") and the NYSE Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange ("Euronext Amsterdam") under the symbol "CLB". The range of high and low sales prices per share of the common shares as reported by the NYSE and Euronext Amsterdam are set in the following table for the periods indicated.

	NYSE		Euronext Amsterdam (1)
	High	Low	High	Low
	In U.S. Dollars		In Euros
2012
Fourth Quarter	$123.51	$94.72	€93.00	€73.00
Third Quarter	$133.19	$104.31	€98.00	€88.00
Second Quarter	$143.21	$110.86	€111.95	€91.50
First Quarter	$133.85	$104.81	n/a	n/a
2011
Fourth Quarter	$120.33	$82.74	n/a	n/a
Third Quarter	$118.50	$87.75	n/a	n/a
Second Quarter	$112.10	$88.94	n/a	n/a
First Quarter	$104.40	$82.95	n/a	n/a
(1) Our common shares were admitted for trading on the Euronext Amsterdam on May 16, 2012

On February 14, 2013, the closing price, as quoted by the NYSE, was $134.00 per share and there were 46,226,001common shares issued and outstanding held by approximately 176 record holders and approximately 51,648 beneficial holders. These amounts exclude shares held by us as treasury shares.

See Part III, "Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters" for discussion of equity compensation plans.

Dividend Policy

In July 2008, Core Laboratories announced the initiation of a cash dividend program. Cash dividends of $0.28 and $0.25 per share were paid each quarter of 2012 and 2011, respectively. The declaration and payment of future dividends will be at the discretion of the Supervisory Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other things, future earnings, general financial condition, liquidity, capital requirements, and general business conditions.

Because we are a holding company that conducts substantially all of our operations through subsidiaries, our ability to pay cash dividends on the common shares is also dependent upon the ability of our subsidiaries to pay cash dividends or otherwise distribute or advance funds to us and on the terms and conditions of our existing and future credit arrangements. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources" included in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

Performance Graph

The following performance graph compares the performance of our common shares to the Standard & Poor's 500 Index and the Standard & Poor's Oil & Gas Equipment and Services Index (which has been selected as our peer group) for the period beginning December 31, 2007 and ending December 31, 2012. The graph assumes that the value of the investment in our common shares and each index was $100 at December 31, 2007 and that all dividends were reinvested. The stockholder return

13

set forth below is not necessarily indicative of future performance. The following graph and related information shall not be deemed "soliciting material" or to be "filed" with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") except to the extent that Core Laboratories specifically incorporates it by reference into such filing.

Share Repurchases in the Fourth Quarter of 2012

The following table provides information about our purchases of equity securities that are registered by us pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act during the three months ended December 31, 2012:

Period	Total Number Of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid Per Share	Total Number Of Shares Purchased As Part Of A Publicly Announced Program	Maximum Number Of Shares That May Be Purchased Under The Program (4)
October 31, 2012 (1)	547,746	$102.44	547,746	3,462,162
November 30, 2012 (2)	138,215	$100.38	138,215	3,324,672
December 31, 2012 (3)	208,212	$107.56	208,212	3,239,785
Total	894,173	$103.32	894,173

(1) 5,285 shares valued at $0.6 million, or $120.63 per share, surrendered to us by participants in a stock-based compensation plan to settle any personal tax liabilities which may result from the award.

(2) 220 shares valued at $21.8 thousand, or $98.87 per share, surrendered to us by participants in a stock-based compensation plan to settle any personal tax liabilities which may result from the award.

(3) 38,212 shares valued at $4.1 million, or $108.07 per share, surrendered to us by participants in a stock-based compensation plan to settle any personal tax liabilities which may result from the award.

(4) During the quarter 143,210 treasury shares were distributed relating to stock-based awards and stock options.

In connection with our initial public offering in September 1995, our shareholders authorized our Management Board to repurchase up to 10% of our issued share capital, the maximum allowed under Dutch law at the time, for a period of 18 months. This authorization was renewed at subsequent annual or special shareholder meetings. At our annual shareholders' meeting on May 16, 2012, our shareholders authorized an extension until November 16, 2013 to purchase up to 10% of our issued share capital which may be used for any legal purpose. The repurchase of shares in the open market is at the discretion of management pursuant to this shareholder authorization.

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From the activation of the share repurchase program through December 31, 2012, we have repurchased 34,704,191 shares for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $963.8 million, or an average price of $27.77 per share. At December 31, 2012, we held 1,550,173 shares in treasury and have the authority to repurchase 3,239,785 additional shares under our stock repurchase program as described in the preceding paragraph.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected consolidated financial information contained below is derived from our Consolidated Financial Statements and should be read in conjunction with "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our audited Consolidated Financial Statements each of which is included in this Form 10-K.

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010			2009			2008 (3)
	(in thousands, except per share and other data)
Financial Statement Data:
Revenue	$	981,080		$	907,648		$	794,653		$	695,539		$	780,836
Net income attributable to Core Laboratories N.V.	216,071			184,684			144,917			113,604			131,166
Working capital	156,397			143,353			69,967			284,129			139,955
Total assets	636,516			610,873			650,241			658,166			521,535
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, including current maturities	234,073			225,419			147,543			209,112			194,568
Total equity	187,913			181,655			292,340			281,758			188,285
Earnings Per Share Information:
Net income attributable to Core Laboratories N.V.:
Basic	$	4.58		$	3.99		$	3.23		$	2.47		$	2.85
Diluted	$	4.54		$	3.82		$	3.00		$	2.43		$	2.74
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	47,211			46,286			44,830			45,939			46,017
Diluted	47,553			48,393			48,241			46,657			47,887
Cash dividends declared per share	$	1.12		$	1.00		$	0.89		$	0.575		$	0.60
Other Data:
Current ratio (1)	2.1:1			2.0:1			1.2:1			3.7:1			2.5:1
Debt to capitalization ratio (2)	53		%	52		%	27		%	34		%	52		%

________________

(1) Current ratio is calculated as follows: current assets divided by current liabilities.

(2) Debt to capitalization ratio is calculated as follows: debt divided by the sum of cash, debt and equity.

(3) Results have been revised upon adoption of FASB Accounting Standards Codification 470-20.

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION

Core Laboratories N.V. is a Netherlands limited liability company. We were established in 1936 and are one of the world's leading providers of proprietary and patented reservoir description, production enhancement and reservoir management services and products to the oil and gas industry, primarily through customer relationships with many of the world's major, national and independent oil companies.

Our business units have been aggregated into three complementary segments:

• Reservoir Description: Encompasses the characterization of petroleum reservoir rock, fluid and gas samples. We provide analytical and field services to characterize properties of crude oil and petroleum products to the oil and gas industry.

• Production Enhancement: Includes services and products relating to reservoir well completions, perforations, stimulations and production. We provide integrated services to evaluate the effectiveness of well completions and to develop solutions aimed at increasing the effectiveness of enhanced oil recovery projects.

• Reservoir Management: Combines and integrates information from reservoir description and production enhancement services to increase production and improve recovery of oil and gas from our clients' reservoirs.

General Overview

We provide services and design and produce products which enable our clients to evaluate reservoir performance and increase oil and gas recovery from new and existing fields. These services and products are generally in higher demand when our clients are investing capital in their field development programs that are designed to increase productivity from existing fields or when exploring for new fields. Our clients' investment in capital expenditure programs tends to correlate over the longer term to oil and natural gas commodity prices. During periods of higher, stable prices, our clients generally invest more in capital expenditures and, during periods of lower or volatile commodity prices, they tend to invest less. Consequently, the level of capital expenditures by our clients impacts the demand for our services and products.

Natural gas prices have continued their decline since 2010 as a result of the increased production rates and total reserves in-place in the unconventional resource plays in North America. The increased well productivity has come as a result of, among other things, improved completion technologies used in many of the unconventional resource plays in North America. Pricing for natural gas weakened during this time period as a result of the oversupply of natural gas created within North America and was compounded by the continued weak demand for natural gas. The outlook continues to suggest that natural gas will remain in an oversupplied condition that will temper any recovery in North American oilfield activity in the near-term.

Crude oil prices remained flat in 2012 at $94.05 per barrel compared to an average price in 2011 of $94.87 per barrel after rising from $79.39 per barrel in 2010.

The following table summarizes the average worldwide, U.S., and Non-North American rig counts for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, as well as the annual average spot price of a barrel of West Texas Intermediate crude, Europe Brent crude and an MMBtu of natural gas:

	2012		2011		2010
Baker Hughes Worldwide Average Rig Count (1)	3,518		3,465		2,985
Baker Hughes U.S. Average Rig Count (1)	1,919		1,875		1,541
Average Crude Oil Price per Barrel WTI (2)	$	94.05	$	94.87	$	79.39
Average Crude Oil Price per Barrel Brent (3)	$	111.63	$	111.26	$	79.61
Average Natural Gas Price per MMBtu (4)	$	2.75	$	4.00	$	4.37

(1) Twelve month average rig count as reported by Baker Hughes Incorporated - Worldwide Rig Count.

(2) Average daily West Texas Intermediate crude spot price.

(3) Average daily Europe Brent crude spot price.

(4) Obtained from U.S. Department of Energy Natural Gas Weekly Update daily average of the Henry Hub spot price for the years December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010.

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Beginning in the third quarter of 2012, certain operators in North America reduced activity levels in response to lower commodity prices which had begun to impact their project economics. While the average U.S. rig count reported by Baker Hughes increased in 2012 over the average rig count in 2011, by the end of 2012 the active rigs working were less than the 2011 average rig count. This decrease in activity led to virtually no growth in North American oilfield services. Outside of the U.S., the rig count at the end of 2012 was slightly down versus the end of 2011, although activity in certain parts of the world such as West Africa, East Africa and the Asia Pacific region continued to exhibit some strength.

As a result of slow global economic growth from 2009 through 2012, in conjunction with flat-to-down commodity prices, our clients did not materially increase activity levels. In spite of this, our revenue increased more than 8% over 2011, with operating income increasing by more than 18%.

Results of Operations

Results of operations as a percentage of applicable revenue are as follows (dollars in thousands):

	2012					2011					2010					2012/ 2011		2011/ 2010
Revenue:																% Change
Services (1)	$	693,895		70.7	%	$	621,752		68.5	%	$	568,220		71.5	%	11.6	%	9.4	%
Product Sales (1)	287,185			29.3	%	285,896			31.5	%	226,433			28.5	%	0.5	%	26.3	%
TOTAL REVENUE	981,080			100.0	%	907,648			100.0	%	794,653			100.0	%	8.1	%	14.2	%
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Cost of services* (1) (2)	413,086			59.5	%	395,303			63.6	%	356,563			62.8	%	4.5	%	10.9	%
Cost of product sales* (1) (2)	208,733			72.7	%	198,066			69.3	%	157,227			69.4	%	5.4	%	26.0	%
Total cost of services and product sales	621,819			63.4	%	593,369			65.4	%	513,790			64.7	%	4.8	%	15.5	%
General and administrative expenses (2)	43,185			4.4	%	41,141			4.5	%	33,029			4.2	%	5.0	%	24.6	%
Depreciation and amortization	22,917			2.3	%	23,303			2.6	%	23,113			2.9	%	(1.7	)%	0.8	%
Other (income) expense, net	(4,121		)	(0.4	)%	(919		)	(0.1	)%	(2,205		)	(0.3	)%	NM		NM
OPERATING INCOME	297,280			30.3	%	250,754			27.6	%	226,926			28.6	%	18.6	%	10.5	%
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	—			—	%	1,012			0.1	%	1,939			0.2	%	(100.0	)%	(47.8	)%
Interest expense	8,820			0.9	%	10,900			1.2	%	15,839			2.0	%	(19.1	)%	(31.2	)%
Income before income tax expense	288,460			29.4	%	238,842			26.3	%	209,148			26.3	%	20.8	%	14.2	%
Income tax expense	71,848			7.3	%	54,198			6.0	%	63,747			8.0	%	32.6	%	(15.0	)%
Net income	216,612			22.1	%	184,644			20.3	%	145,401			18.3	%	17.3	%	27.0	%
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	541			0.1	%	(40		)	—	%	484			0.1	%	NM		NM
Net income attributable to Core Laboratories N.V.	$	216,071		22.0	%	$	184,684		20.3	%	$	144,917		18.2	%	17.0	%	27.4	%
*Percentage based on applicable revenue rather than total revenue.
"NM" means not meaningful.
(1) Revision adjustments were made between Services Revenue and Product Sales Revenue and between Cost of Services and Cost of Product Sales in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for 2010 which did not affect total revenues, operating income, or net income for either period.
(2) Excludes depreciation

Operating Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2012 Compared to the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010

We evaluate our operating results by analyzing revenue, operating income and net income margin (defined as net income divided by total revenue). Since we have a relatively fixed cost structure, increases in revenue generally translate into higher operating income results as well as net income margin percentages. Results for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 are summarized in the following chart:

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Services Revenue

Services revenue increased to $693.9 million for 2012 from $621.8 million for 2011 and $568.2 million for 2010. The increase in services revenue from 2011 to 2012 was primarily due to our continued focus on worldwide crude-oil related and large natural gas plays for liquefaction projects, especially those related to the development of deepwater fields offshore West and East Africa, eastern South America, the eastern Mediterranean, and the Gulf of Mexico. The increase in services revenue from 2010 to 2011 was primarily due to increases in reservoir rock and reservoir fluids phase-behavior studies. Our large scale core analyses and reservoir fluid projects continue to provide meaningful revenue streams in the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and off the coasts of Africa.

Product Sales Revenue

Product sales revenue increased to $287.2 million for 2012, from $285.9 million for 2011 and $226.4 million for 2010. The increase in revenue from 2011 to 2012 was due to greater market penetration of our patented and proprietary field flood and fracture diagnostics technologies despite the decline in drilling activity in North America. The increase in revenue from 2010 to 2011 was driven by increased demand for our specialized completion and recompletion technology products utilized in high-end multi-stage well completion and stimulation programs in areas such as the oil- and natural gas-shale plays in North America and in the major, giant, and super-giant fields in southern Iraq.

Cost of Services, excluding depreciation

Cost of services increased to $413.1 million for 2012 from $395.3 million for 2011 and $356.6 million for 2010. As a percentage of services revenue, cost of services decreased to 59.5% in 2012 from 63.6% in 2011 and 62.8% in 2010. The margin improvement is a result of higher sales, including a better mix of projects aimed at more complex reservoirs, over the fixed cost structure.

Cost of Product Sales, excluding depreciation

Cost of product sales increased to $208.7 million for 2012 from $198.1 million for 2011 and $157.2 million for 2010. As a percentage of product sales revenue, cost of sales increased to 72.7% for 2012 compared to 69.3% for 2011 and 69.4% for 2010. The cost of raw materials, especially specialty steel, increased substantially in the second half of 2011 which increased our cost of product sales in 2012 as these raw materials were converted to finished goods and sold. The decrease in cost of sales as a percentage of product sales revenue in 2011, as compared to 2010, was primarily due to the growing demand for our new technologies which led to an overall increase in sales, which improved absorption of our fixed cost structure.

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General and Administrative Expense

General and administrative expenses include corporate management and centralized administrative services that benefit our operations. General and administrative expenses were $43.2 million for 2012, which represents 4.4% of revenue, a slight decrease compared to 4.5% of revenue in 2011. General and administrative expenses as a percent of revenue were 4.2% in 2010.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

Depreciation and amortization expense of $22.9 million decreased by $0.4 million in 2012 compared to 2011, after increasing by $0.2 million in 2011 compared to 2010.

Other Income, Net

The components of other income, net, were as follows (in thousands):

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010
Gain on sale of assets	$	(201	)	$	(487	)	$	(176	)
Equity in income of affiliates	(646		)	(274		)	(376		)
Loss on foreign exchange	142			1,800			1,032
Interest income	(319		)	(138		)	(249		)
Rent and royalty income	(1,033		)	(1,716		)	(1,550		)
Gain on insurance recovery	(4,490		)	(1,014		)	—
Legal entity realignment costs	1,860			711			—
NYSE Euronext Amsterdam listing costs	923			—			—
Other (gain) loss	(357		)	199			(886		)
Total other income, net	$	(4,121	)	$	(919	)	(2,205		)

During 2012, we incurred legal, accounting and other fees in connection with the realignment of certain of our legal entities into a more cost effective structure and the listing of our shares on the Euronext Amsterdam.

As a result of a supply disruption in 2011 from a key vendor that provided certain high performance specialty steel tubulars used with the Company's perforating systems, we filed a claim under our business interruption insurance policy which was fully settled during 2012 for $4.4 million.

As a result of reaching a settlement on a property damage claim we filed in 2010, we recorded an insurance recovery gain of $1.0 million in 2011.

Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt

In 2006, Core Laboratories LP, an entity 100% indirectly owned by Core Laboratories N.V., issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Exchangeable Notes (the "Exchangeable Notes") which were fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Core Laboratories N.V. and matured on October 31, 2011. During 2011, 156,301 Exchangeable Notes were extinguished resulting in a loss of $1.0 million. During 2010, 82,251 Exchangeable Notes were extinguished resulting in a loss of $1.9 million.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased by $2.1 million in 2012 compared to 2011. Our Exchangeable Notes were fully repaid during the fourth quarter of 2011 and have been replaced by our $150 million Senior Notes (the "Senior Notes") which carry a lower interest expense. In 2011, we entered into a $100 million interest rate hedge that resulted in a loss of $1.3 million which was recorded to interest expense.

Income Tax Expense

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Income tax expense increased $17.7 million in 2012 compared to 2011 due primarily to the reversal in 2011 of $10.4 million in tax liabilities provided over the period 2007-2010 as a result of concluded audits of prior year returns, differences between recently filed tax returns and the estimates included in our tax provisions and an increase in taxable income in 2012. Income tax expense decreased $9.5 million in 2011 compared to 2010 primarily due to the aforementioned benefit in 2011 of concluded audits. The effective tax rate was 24.9% for 2012, 22.7% for 2011 and 30.5% for 2010. The lower tax rate for 2011 was due primarily to the reversal of the tax liabilities noted above and was partially offset by changes in our estimate of unrecognized tax benefits in certain jurisdictions.

Segment Analysis

The following charts and tables summarize the operating results for our three complementary business segments.

Segment Revenue

		For the Years Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands)		2012		% Change		2011		% Change		2010
Reservoir Description		$	495,529	5.5	%	$	469,775	10.3	%	$	425,829
Production Enhancement		403,792		8.7	%	371,449		18.3	%	313,956
Reservoir Management		81,759		23.1	%	66,424		21.1	%	54,868
	Total Revenue	$	981,080	8.1	%	$	907,648	14.2	%	$	794,653

Segment Operating Income

	For the Years Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands)	2012			% Change		2011		% Change		2010
Reservoir Description	$	144,502		24.3	%	$	116,244	9.5	%	$	106,179
Production Enhancement	128,602			14.2	%	112,576		11.2	%	101,241
Reservoir Management	26,428			20.7	%	21,887		10.8	%	19,759
Corporate and other (1)	(2,252		)	NM (2)		47		NM (2)		(253		)
Operating Income	$	297,280		18.6	%	$	250,754	10.5	%	$	226,926
(1)  “Corporate and other" represents those items that are not directly relating to a particular segment.
(2)  "NM" means not meaningful.

Segment Operating Income Margins (1)

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	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010
	Margin		Margin		Margin
Reservoir Description	29.2	%	24.7	%	24.9	%
Production Enhancement	31.8	%	30.3	%	32.2	%
Reservoir Management	32.3	%	33.0	%	36.0	%
Total Company	30.3	%	27.6	%	28.6	%
(1)  Calculated by dividing "Operating Income" by "Revenue."

Reservoir Description

Revenue for our Reservoir Description segment increased by 5.5% in 2012 compared to 2011, after increasing 10.3% in 2011 compared to 2010. During 2012, this segment's operations, which focus on international crude-oil related products, continued to benefit from large-scale core analyses and reservoir fluids characterization studies in the Asia-Pacific areas, offshore West and East Africa, the eastern Mediterranean region and the Middle East, including Iraq, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. During 2011, this segment's increased revenue was primarily due to the continued expansion of worldwide development projects particularly in West Africa, Asia Pacific, and the North Sea, as well as the North American oil- and gas-shale and liquid-rich plays in the Bakken, Eagle Ford, Marcellus, Muskwa and other active fields.

Operating income and operating margin both increased in 2012 from 2011. These increases are a result of higher sales, including a better mix of projects aimed at more complex reservoirs, over the fixed cost structure. This segment emphasizes technologically demanding services on internationally-based development and production-related crude oil projects over the more cyclical exploration-related projects. Operating income increased in 2011 compared to 2010 while operating margin fell slightly as a result of increased revenue driven by increased activity, offset by higher costs in certain operating areas due to charges in the second quarter of 2011 for restructuring and other personnel costs.

Production Enhancement

Revenue for our Production Enhancement segment increased by $32.3 million, or 8.7% in 2012 compared to 2011, primarily due to demand for our stimulation diagnostic services both for fracture diagnostics in North America and field flood diagnostics internationally. Revenue for our Production Enhancement segment increased 18.3% in 2011 compared to 2010, primarily due to an increased market share of our perforating charges and gun systems particularly in the North American markets relating to horizontal well developments of oil- and gas-shale reservoirs and for high margin completion and recompletion technologies used in the reworking of major, giant, and super-giant fields.

Operating income for this segment increased to $128.6 million in 2012 from $112.6 million in 2011, an increase of 14.2%. The increase in operating income in 2012 was primarily driven by increased demand for the Company's proprietary and patented hydraulic fracture and field flood diagnostic technologies such as SpectraChem^® Plus, ZERO WASH^® and SpectraFlood™ tracers in North America and internationally. Operating income for this segment increased to $112.6 million in 2011 from $101.2 million in 2010, an increase of 11.2%. The increase in operating income in 2011 was primarily driven by increased revenue from services related to our proprietary and patented diagnostic technologies, such as SpectraChem^® Plus, SpectraScan^®, ZERO WASH^®, and our HERO^® line of perforating charges and gun systems and our HTD Blast™ perforating system which is used for the perforation of extended-reach horizontal wells in unconventional reservoirs.

Reservoir Management

Revenue for our Reservoir Management segment increased 23.1% to $81.8 million in 2012 from $66.4 million in 2011 and $54.9 million in 2010. The increase in revenue in 2012 was due to ongoing interest in several of our existing multi-client reservoir studies such as the Duvernay Shale Project in Canada and the Tight Oil Reservoirs of the Midland Basin study as well as our new industry project to evaluate the potential of the Pearsall shale, which underlies the shallow portions of the Eagle Ford in South Texas. The increase in revenue in 2011 was due to studies initiated in 2011 including the Avalon Shale Study and the Midland Basin Project.

Operating income for this segment increased to $26.4 million in 2012 compared to $21.9 million in 2011 and $19.8 million in 2010. The increase in operating income in 2012 as compared to 2011 was primarily a result of additional participants in our joint industry projects, including the Utica, Duvernay, and Mississippi Lime studies, and in the Marcellus, Niobrara, Wolfcamp and Eagle Ford plays. The increase in operating income in 2011 from 2010 was primarily related to increased interest in our

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consortium projects such as the Global Gas Shale Project, the Marcellus Shale Evaluation study and the Eagle Ford Shale study along with the continued participation in our North American Gas Shale Study and our new Worldwide Oil and Natural Gas Shale Reservoir Study.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

We have historically financed our activities through cash on hand, cash flows from operations, bank credit facilities, equity financing and the issuance of debt. Cash flows from operating activities provides the primary source of funds to finance operating needs, capital expenditures and our dividend and share repurchase programs. If necessary, we supplement this cash flow with borrowings under bank credit facilities to finance some capital expenditures and business acquisitions. As we are a Netherlands holding company, we conduct substantially all of our operations through subsidiaries. Our cash availability is largely dependent upon the ability of our subsidiaries to pay cash dividends or otherwise distribute or advance funds to us.

We utilize the non-GAAP financial measure of free cash flow to evaluate our cash flows and results of operations. Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities (which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure) less cash paid for capital expenditures. Management believes that free cash flow provides useful information to investors regarding the cash that was available in the period that was in excess of our needs to fund our capital expenditures and operating activities. Free cash flow is not a measure of operating performance under GAAP, and should not be considered in isolation nor construed as an alternative to operating profit, net income (loss) or cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities, each as determined in accordance with GAAP. Free cash flow does not represent residual cash available for distribution because we may have other non-discretionary expenditures that are not deducted from the measure. Moreover, since free cash flow is not a measure determined in accordance with GAAP and thus is susceptible to varying interpretations and calculations, free cash flow, as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. The following table reconciles this non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):

	For the Years Ended December 31,
Free Cash Flow Calculation	2012			2011			2010
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	237,202		$	204,126		$	205,832
Less: cash paid for capital expenditures	(31,151		)	(29,927		)	(27,569		)
Free cash flow	$	206,051		$	174,199		$	178,263

The increase in free cash flow in 2012 compared to 2011 was primarily due to the increase in cash from operations.

The decrease in free cash flow in 2011 compared to 2010 was primarily due to an increase in inventory in preparation for an anticipated shortage of steel required for our products at the end of 2011 and to stock three new warehouses opened in 2011. Working capital was $156.4 million and $143.4 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010
Cash provided by/(used in):
Operating activities	$	237,202		$	204,126		$	205,832
Investing activities	(34,004		)	(52,018		)	(38,737		)
Financing activities	(213,304		)	(256,656		)	(214,260		)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	$	(10,106	)	$	(104,548	)	$	(47,165	)

The increase in cash flow from operating activities in 2012 compared to 2011 was primarily attributable to increased net income. The decrease in cash flow from operating activities in 2011 compared to 2010 was primarily the result of an increase in

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inventory in preparation for an anticipated shortage of steel required for our products at the end of 2011 and to stock three new warehouses opened in 2011, partially off set by an increase in net income.

Cash flow used in investing activities decreased $18.0 million in 2012 over 2011. Cash flow used in investing activities increased $13.3 million in 2011 over 2010. The primary reason is the $18.8 million spent for an acquisition in 2011.

Cash flow used in financing activities in 2012 decreased $43.4 million compared to 2011. Cash flow used in financing activities in 2011 increased $42.4 million compared to 2010. During 2012, we spent $175.7 million to repurchase our common shares and $52.9 million to pay dividends, while in 2011, we spent $219.4 million to settle our warrants, $156.4 million to extinguish our Exchangeable Notes, $61.8 million to repurchase our common shares, and $46.0 million to pay dividends. During 2010, we spent $82.3 million to extinguish our Exchangeable Notes, $92.5 million to repurchase our common shares and $39.8 million to pay dividends.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, we repurchased 1,581,069 shares of our common stock for an aggregate amount of $175.7 million, or an average price of $111.15 per share. The repurchase of shares in the open market is at the discretion of management pursuant to shareholder authorization. We regard these treasury shares as a temporary investment which may be used to fund restricted shares that vest, stock options that are exercised or to finance future acquisitions. Under Dutch law and subject to certain Dutch statutory provisions and shareholder approval, we can hold a maximum of 50% of our issued shares in treasury. We currently have shareholder approval to hold 10% of our issued share capital in treasury. On May 16, 2012 at our annual shareholders meeting, our shareholders authorized the extension of our share repurchase program until November 19, 2013 to purchase up to 10% of our issued share capital which may be used for any legal purpose. We believe this share repurchase program has been beneficial to our shareholders. Our share price has increased from $4.03 per share in 2002, when we began to repurchase shares, to $109.31 per share on December 31, 2012, an increase of over 2,612%.

Credit Facility and Available Future Liquidity

In 2011, we issued two series of Senior Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $150 million in a private placement transaction. Series A consists of $75 million in aggregate principal amount of notes that bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.01% and are due in full on September 30, 2021. Series B consists of $75 million in aggregate principal amount of notes that bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.11% and are due in full on September 30, 2023. Interest on each series of the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on March 30 and September 30.

We maintain a revolving Credit Facility with an aggregate borrowing capacity of $300 million at December 31, 2012. The Credit Facility provides an option to increase the commitment under the Credit Facility to $350 million, if certain conditions are met. The Credit Facility bears interest at variable rates from LIBOR plus 1.5% to a maximum of LIBOR plus 2.25%. Any outstanding balance under the Credit Facility is due on September 28, 2016 when the Credit Facility matures. Interest payment terms are variable depending upon the specific type of borrowing under this facility. Our available capacity at any point in time is reduced by borrowings outstanding at the time and outstanding letters of credit which totaled $17.0 million at December 31, 2012, resulting in an available borrowing capacity under the Credit Facility of $199.0 million. In addition to those items under the Credit Facility, we had $22.9 million of outstanding letters of credit and performance guarantees and bonds from other sources at December 31, 2012.

The terms of the Credit Facility and our Senior Notes require us to meet certain covenants, including, but not limited to, certain minimum equity and cash flow ratios. We believe that we are in compliance with all such covenants contained in our credit agreements. Certain of our material, wholly-owned subsidiaries are guarantors or co-borrowers under the Credit Facility and Senior Notes.

In addition to our repayment commitments under our Credit Facility and our Senior Notes, we have capital lease obligations relating to the purchase of equipment, and non-cancellable operating lease arrangements under which we lease property including land, buildings, office equipment and vehicles.

The following table summarizes our future contractual obligations under these arrangements (in thousands):

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	Total		Less than 1 year		1-3 Years		3-5 Years		More than 5 Years
Contractual Obligations:
Debt (1)	$	234,000	$	—	$	—	$	84,000	$	150,000
Capital leases	73		40		33		—		—
Operating leases	51,169		13,548		16,367		8,424		12,830
Pension (2)	1,583		1,583		—		—		—
Total contractual obligations	$	286,825	$	15,171	$	16,400	$	92,424	$	162,830
(1) Not included in the above balances are anticipated cash payments for interest of $6.1 million a year for 2013-2021 and cash payments for interest of $3.1 million a year for 2022-2023 for a total of $61.1 million.
(2) Our Dutch pension plan requires annual employer contributions. Amounts payable in the future will be based on future workforce factors which cannot be projected beyond one year.

We have no significant purchase commitments or similar obligations outstanding at December 31, 2012. Not included in the table above are uncertain tax positions of $10.3 million that we have accrued for at December 31, 2012, as the amounts and timing of payment, if any, are uncertain. See Footnote 9 Income Taxes in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further detail of this amount.

At December 31, 2012, we had tax net operating loss carry-forwards in various tax jurisdictions of approximately $24.7 million. Although we cannot be certain that these operating loss carry-forwards will be utilized, we anticipate that we will have sufficient taxable income in future years to allow us to fully utilize the carry-forwards that are not subject to a valuation allowance as of December 31, 2012. If unused, those carry-forwards which are subject to expiration may expire during the years 2012 through 2021. During 2012, $15 thousand of operating loss carry-forwards which carried a full valuation allowance expired unused.

We expect our investment in capital expenditures to be approximately $32 million in 2013 which will be used to fund our growth through the purchase of instrumentation, tools and equipment along with expenditures to replace obsolete or worn-out instrumentation, tools and equipment, to consolidate certain facilities to gain operational efficiencies, and to increase our presence where requested by our clients. In addition, we plan to continue to (i) repurchase our common shares on the open market through our share repurchase program, (ii) pay a dividend and/or (iii) acquire complementary technologies. Our ability to continue these initiatives depends on, among other things, market conditions and our ability to generate free cash flow.

Our ability to maintain and increase our operating income and cash flows is largely dependent upon continued investing activities. We are a Netherlands holding company and substantially all of our operations are conducted through subsidiaries. Consequently, our cash flow depends upon the ability of our subsidiaries to pay cash dividends or otherwise distribute or advance funds to us. We believe our future cash flows from operating activities, supplemented by our borrowing capacity under existing facilities and our ability to issue additional equity should be sufficient to meet our contractual obligations, capital expenditures, working capital needs, dividend payments, debt requirements and to finance future acquisitions.

Outlook

We continue our efforts to expand our market presence by opening or expanding facilities in strategic areas and realizing synergies within our business lines. We believe our market presence provides us a unique opportunity to service clients who have global operations in addition to the national oil companies.

We have established internal earnings targets that are based on market conditions existing at the time our targets were established. Based on recent developments, we believe that the current level of activities, workflows, and operating margins within the North America region will remain similar to that experienced in 2012, but we believe activity outside North America, particularly those relating to oil development projects, will grow moderately into 2013.

We expect to meet ongoing working capital needs, capital expenditure requirements and funding of our dividend and share repurchase programs from a combination of cash on hand, cash flow from operating activities and available borrowings under our Credit Facility.

Critical Accounting Estimates

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Our financial statements are prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. ("U.S. GAAP"). The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis and determine the adequacy of our estimates based on our historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. By nature, these judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. We consider an accounting estimate to be critical if it is highly subjective and if changes in the estimate under different assumptions would result in a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations. The following transaction types require significant judgment and, therefore, are considered critical accounting policies as of December 31, 2012.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We evaluate whether client receivables are collectible. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our clients and monitor collections and payments in order to maintain a provision for estimated uncollectible accounts based on our historical collection experience and our current aging of client receivables outstanding in addition to clients' representations and our understanding of the economic environment in which our clients operate. Based on our review, we establish or adjust allowances for specific clients and the accounts receivable as a whole. Our allowance for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2012 was $3.5 million compared to $3.8 million at December 31, 2011.

Income Taxes

Our income tax expense includes income taxes of The Netherlands, the U.S. and other foreign countries as well as local, state and provincial income taxes. We recognize deferred tax assets or liabilities for the differences between the financial statement carrying amount and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the asset is recovered or the liability is settled. We estimate the likelihood of the recoverability of our deferred tax assets (particularly, net operating loss carry-forwards). Any valuation allowance recorded is based on estimates and assumptions of taxable income into the future and a determination is made of the magnitude of deferred tax assets which are more likely than not to be realized. Valuation allowances of our net deferred tax assets aggregated to $7.2 million and $9.3 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. If these estimates and related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record additional valuation allowances against our deferred tax assets and our effective tax rate may increase which could result in a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. We have not provided for deferred taxes on the unremitted earnings of certain subsidiaries that we consider to be permanently reinvested. Should we make a distribution of the unremitted earnings of these subsidiaries, we may be required to record additional taxes.We record a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in our tax return. We also recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

Long-Lived Assets, Intangibles and Goodwill

Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized while maintenance and repair costs are charged to expense as incurred. They are depreciated using the straight-line method based on their individual estimated useful lives, except for leasehold improvements, which are depreciated over the remaining lease term, if shorter. We estimate the useful lives and salvage values of our assets based on historical data of similar assets. When long-lived assets are sold or retired, the remaining costs and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in income. These capitalized long-lived assets could become impaired if our operating plans or business environment changes.

Intangible assets, including patents, trademarks, and trade names, are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Intangibles with determinable lives are amortized using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful life of the intangible. Intangibles with indeterminable lives, which consist primarily of corporate trade names, are not amortized, but are tested for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment is possible.

We review our long-lived assets, including definite-lived intangible assets, for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that their net book value may not be recovered over their remaining service lives. Indicators of possible impairment may include significant declines in activity levels in regions where specific assets or groups of assets are located, extended periods of idle use, declining revenue or cash flow or overall changes in general market conditions.

Whenever possible impairment is indicated, we compare the carrying value of the assets to the sum of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected from use, plus salvage value, less the costs of the subsequent disposition of the assets.

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If impairment is still indicated, we compare the fair value of the assets to the carrying amount, and recognize an impairment loss for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value. We did not record any impairment charges relating to our long-lived assets held for use during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

We record goodwill as the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in acquisitions accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. We test goodwill for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate a possible impairment.

We evaluated our goodwill for impairment by comparing the fair value of each of our reporting units, which are our reportable segments, to their net carrying value as of the balance sheet date, after excluding inter-company transactions and allocating corporate assets to the reporting units. We estimated the fair value of each reporting unit using a discounted future cash flow analysis. Estimated future cash flows were based on the company's best estimate of future performance. Our impairment analysis is quantitative; however, it includes subjective estimates based on assumptions regarding future growth rates, interest rates and operating expenses. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value determined, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the implied fair value of the goodwill of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. Any subsequent impairment loss could result in a material adverse effect upon our financial position and results of operations. We did not record impairment charges relating to our goodwill or our indefinite-lived intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

We have never identified nor recorded any impairments relating to the goodwill of our current continuing operations.

Obsolete Inventory

We forecast client demand, considering changes in technology which could result in obsolescence. Our valuation reserve for obsolete inventory is based on historical regional sales trends, and various other assumptions and judgments including future demand for this inventory. Our industry is subject to technological change and new product development that could result in obsolete inventory. Our valuation reserve for obsolete inventory at December 31, 2012 was $3.3 million compared to $2.9 million at December 31, 2011. If we overestimate demand for inventory, it could result in a material adverse effect upon our financial position and results of operations.

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits

We maintain a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan for substantially all of our Dutch employees hired before 2007. We utilize an actuary to assist in determining the value of the projected benefit obligation. This valuation requires various estimates and assumptions concerning mortality, future pay increases and discount rate used to value our obligations. We recognize net periodic benefit cost based upon these estimates. As required by current accounting standards, we recognize net periodic pension costs associated with this plan in income from current operations and recognize the unfunded status of the plan, if any, as a long-term liability. In addition, we recognize as a component of other comprehensive income, the gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic pension cost. See Note 10 Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans. Furthermore, we sponsor several defined contribution plans for the benefit of our employees. We expense these contributions in the period the contribution is made.

Stock-Based Compensation

We have two stock-based compensation plans, as described in further detail in Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. We evaluate the probability that certain of our stock-based plans will meet targets established within the respective agreements and result in the vesting of such awards. In addition, we derive an estimated forfeiture rate that is used in calculating the expense for these awards. For new awards issued and awards modified, repurchased or canceled, the compensation expense is equal to the fair value of the award at the date of the grant and is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for those awards earned over the requisite service period of the award. The fair value is determined by calculating the discounted value of the shares over the vesting period and applying an estimated forfeiture rate.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Other than normal operating leases, we do not have any off-balance sheet financing arrangements such as securitization agreements, liquidity trust vehicles, synthetic leases or special purpose entities. As such, we are not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such financing arrangements.

Forward-Looking Statements

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This Form 10-K and the documents incorporated in this Form 10-K by reference contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These "forward-looking statements" are based on an analysis of currently available competitive, financial and economic data and our operating plans. They are inherently uncertain and investors should recognize that events and actual results could turn out to be significantly different from our expectations. By way of illustration, when used in this document, words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "project", "will", "should", "could", "may", "predict" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. You are cautioned that actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of us or our management, are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us and the industry in which we operate, including, among other things:

• our ability to continue to develop or acquire new and useful technology;

• the realization of anticipated synergies from acquired businesses and future acquisitions;

• our dependence on one industry, oil and gas, and the impact of commodity prices on the expenditure levels of our clients;

• competition in the markets we serve;

• the risks and uncertainties attendant to adverse industry, political, economic and financial market conditions, including stock prices, government regulations, interest rates and credit availability;

• unsettled political conditions, war, civil unrest, currency controls and governmental actions in the numerous countries in which we operate;

• changes in the price of oil and natural gas;

• integration of acquired businesses; and

• the effects of industry consolidation.

Our businesses depend, to a large degree, on the level of spending by oil and gas companies for exploration, development and production activities. Therefore, a sustained increase or decrease in the price of natural gas or oil, which could have a material impact on exploration, development and production activities, could also materially affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

The above description of risks and uncertainties is by no means all-inclusive, but is designed to highlight what we believe are important factors to consider. For a more detailed description of risk factors, please see "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in this Form 10-K and our reports and registration statements filed from time to time with the SEC.

All forward-looking statements in this Form 10-K are based on information available to us on the date of this Form 10-K. We do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements that we may make in this Form 10-K or other documents, reports, filings or press releases, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04 which relates to fair value measurement (FASB ASC Topic 820), which amends current guidance to achieve common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The amendments generally represent clarification of FASB ASC Topic 820, but also include instances where a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or disclosing information about fair value measurements has changed. This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. We adopted this pronouncement for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2012. This pronouncement did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05 which provides new guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income (FASB ASC Topic 220) in financial statements. Entities are required to present total comprehensive income either in a single, continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate, but consecutive, statements. Under the single-statement approach, entities must include the components of net income, a total for net income, the components of other comprehensive income and a total for comprehensive income. Under the two-statement approach, entities must report an income statement and, immediately following, a statement of other comprehensive income. Under either method, entities must display adjustments for items reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in both net income and other comprehensive

27

income. The provisions for this pronouncement are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. We adopted this pronouncement for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2012. This pronouncement did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08 which relates to testing goodwill for impairment (FASB ASC Topic 350), which amends current guidance to simplify how entities test goodwill for impairment. The amendments permit an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in Topic 350. Under this amendment, an entity is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. This pronouncement is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. We adopted this pronouncement for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2012. This pronouncement did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU 2012-02 which relates to testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment (FASB ASC Topic 350), which amends current guidance to simplify how entities test non-goodwill indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. The amendments permit an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step impairment test described in Topic 350. Under this amendment, an entity is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. This pronouncement is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012 with early adoption permitted. We adopted this pronouncement for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2012. This pronouncement did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk, which is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market prices and rates. We do not intend to enter into derivative financial instruments for hedging or speculative purposes. We do not believe that our exposure to market risks, which are primarily related to interest rate changes, is material.

Interest Rate Risk

From time to time, we are exposed to interest rate risk on our Credit Facility debt, which carries a variable interest rate. At December 31, 2012, we had an outstanding balance of $84.0 million.

We maintain certain debt instruments at a fixed rate whose fair value will fluctuate based on changes in interest rates and market perception of our credit risk. The fair value of our debt at December 31, 2012 and 2011 approximated the book value.

Foreign Currency Risk

We operate in a number of international areas which exposes us to foreign currency exchange rate risk. We do not currently hold or issue forward exchange contracts or other derivative instruments for hedging or speculative purposes (a foreign exchange contract is an agreement to exchange different currencies at a given date and at a specified rate). Foreign exchange gains and losses are the result of fluctuations in the U.S. dollar ("USD") against foreign currencies and are included in other (income) expense in the statements of operations. We recognized foreign exchange losses in countries where the USD weakened against the local currency and we had net monetary liabilities denominated in the local currency, as well as in countries where the USD strengthened against the local currency and we had net monetary assets denominated in the local currency. We recognized foreign exchange gains in countries where the USD strengthened against the local currency and we had net monetary liabilities denominated in the local currency, as well as in countries where the USD weakened against the local currency and we had net monetary assets denominated in the local currency. Foreign exchange gains and losses are summarized in the following table (in thousands):

28

		For the Years Ended December 31,
(Gains) losses by currency		2012			2011			2010
	Argentine Peso	$	147		$	113		$	17
	Australian Dollar	30			81			(135		)
	Angolan Kwanza	41			257			(58		)
	British Pound	(41		)	163			390
	Canadian Dollar	(415		)	423			(711		)
	Euro	(62		)	257			1,788
	Malaysian Ringgit	70			187			(157		)
	Nigerian Naira	11			164			98
	Venezuelan Bolivar	7			(108		)	(267		)
	Other currencies, net	354			263			67
Total (gain) loss		$	142		$	1,800		1,032

Credit Risk

Our financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. Substantially all cash and cash equivalents are on deposit at commercial banks or investment firms. Our trade receivables are with a variety of domestic, international and national oil and gas companies. Management considers this credit risk to be limited due to the creditworthiness and financial resources of these financial institutions and companies.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

For the financial statements and supplementary data required by this Item 8, see Part IV "Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules."

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING ANDFINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, under the supervision of and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2012 at the reasonable assurance level.

Our management does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud. Further, the design of disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.

Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

29

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Our management, under the supervision of and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth in Internal Control − Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment using these criteria, our management determined that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2012.

The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our system of internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, during our fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2012 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III

The information required by Part III (Items 10 through 14) is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement to be filed in connection with our 2013 annual meeting of shareholders pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act. We expect to file our definitive proxy statement with the SEC within 120 days after the close of the year ended December 31, 2012.

30

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a) Financial Statements

1. The following reports, financial statements and schedules are filed herewith on the pages indicated:

	Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm-PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP	F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011	F-2
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010	F-3
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010	F-4
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010	F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010	F-7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	F-9

2. Financial Statement Schedule

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Account

(b) Exhibits

The exhibits listed in the accompanying "Index to Exhibits" are incorporated by reference to the filing indicated or are filed herewith.

31

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the SecuritiesExchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signedon its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

			CORE LABORATORIES N.V.
			By its sole managing director, Core Laboratories International B.V.
Date:	February 15, 2013	By:	/s/ JACOBUS SCHOUTEN
			Jacobus Schouten
			Managing Director of Core Laboratories International B.V.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, thisreport has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of theRegistrant and in the capacities indicated, on the 15th day of February, 2013.

Signature	Title
/s/ DAVID M. DEMSHUR	President, Chief Executive Officer,
David M. Demshur	Chairman and Supervisory Director
/s/ RICHARD L. BERGMARK	Executive Vice President,
Richard L. Bergmark	Chief Financial Officer and
	Supervisory Director
/s/ C. BRIG MILLER	Vice President Finance, Treasurer and
C. Brig Miller	Chief Accounting Officer
/s/ JOSEPH R. PERNA	Supervisory Director
Joseph R. Perna
/s/ JAN WILLEM SODDERLAND	Supervisory Director
Jan Willem Sodderland
/s/ RENE R. JOYCE	Supervisory Director
Rene R. Joyce
/s/ MICHAEL C. KEARNEY	Supervisory Director
Michael C. Kearney
/s/ D. JOHN OGREN	Supervisory Director
D. John Ogren
/s/ MARGARET ANN VAN KEMPEN	Supervisory Director
Margaret Ann van Kempen

32

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Supervisory Directors and Shareholders of Core Laboratories N.V.:

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(1) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Core Laboratories N.V. (a Netherlands corporation) and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements and the financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Houston, Texas

February 13, 2013

F-1

CORE LABORATORIES N.V.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

December 31, 2012 and 2011

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

	2012			2011
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	19,226		$	29,332
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,516 and $3,762 at 2012 and 2011, respectively	184,774			170,805
Inventories	49,265			53,214
Prepaid expenses	14,959			14,020
Income tax receivable	17,943			7,148
Other current assets	10,740			12,029
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS	296,907			286,548
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net	125,418			115,295
INTANGIBLES, net	8,721			8,221
GOODWILL	163,337			162,787
DEFERRED TAX ASSETS, net	13,224			13,662
OTHER ASSETS	28,909			24,360
TOTAL ASSETS	$	636,516		$	610,873
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	$	55,168		$	57,639
Accrued payroll and related costs	34,919			34,028
Taxes other than payroll and income	11,787			8,566
Unearned revenues	13,868			19,154
Income taxes payable	9,542			6,527
Other accrued expenses	15,226			17,281
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES	140,510			143,195
LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS	234,033			223,075
DEFERRED COMPENSATION	28,112			24,117
DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES, net	6,777			5,531
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES	39,171			33,300
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	—			—
EQUITY:
Preference shares, EUR 0.02 par value; 6,000,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding	—			—
Common shares, EUR 0.02 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized, 47,899,584 issued and 46,349,411 outstanding at 2012 and 49,037,806 issued and 47,629,472 outstanding at 2011	1,233			1,262
Additional paid-in capital	—			2,126
Retained earnings	361,255			283,660
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(8,413		)	(1,739		)
Treasury shares (at cost), 1,550,173 at 2012 and 1,408,334 at 2011	(171,845		)	(107,406		)
Total Core Laboratories N.V. shareholders' equity	182,230			177,903
Non-controlling interest	5,683			3,752
TOTAL EQUITY	187,913			181,655
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$	636,516		$	610,873

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-2

CORE LABORATORIES N.V.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

(In thousands, except per share data)

	2012			2011			2010
REVENUE:
Services	$	693,895		$	621,752		$	568,220
Product sales	287,185			285,896			226,433
Total Revenue	981,080			907,648			794,653
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Cost of services, exclusive of depreciation shown below	413,086			395,303			356,563
Cost of product sales, exclusive of depreciation shown below	208,733			198,066			157,227
General and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation shown below	43,185			41,141			33,029
Depreciation	21,762			22,126			21,820
Amortization	1,155			1,177			1,293
Other (income) expense, net	(4,121		)	(919		)	(2,205		)
OPERATING INCOME	297,280			250,754			226,926
Loss on exchange of Senior Exchangeable Notes	—			1,012			1,939
Interest expense	8,820			10,900			15,839
Income before income tax expense	288,460			238,842			209,148
Income tax expense	71,848			54,198			63,747
Net income	216,612			184,644			145,401
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	541			(40		)	484
Net income attributable to Core Laboratories N.V.	$	216,071		$	184,684		$	144,917
EARNINGS PER SHARE INFORMATION:
Basic earnings per share attributable to Core Laboratories N.V.	$	4.58		$	3.99		$	3.23
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Core Laboratories N.V.	$	4.54		$	3.82		$	3.00
Cash dividends per share	$	1.12		$	1.00		$	0.89
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Basic	47,211			46,286			44,830
Diluted	47,553			48,393			48,241

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-3

CORE LABORATORIES N.V.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

(In thousands)

	2012			2011			2010
Net income	$	216,612		$	184,644		$	145,401
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans
Adjustment of unrecognized pension actuarial gain (loss)	(8,956		)	5,591			(17		)
Prior service cost
Amortization to net income of transition asset	(87		)	(87		)	(87		)
Amortization to net income of prior service cost	159			159			159
Amortization to net income of net loss	—			326			378
Income taxes on pension and other postretirement benefit plans	2,210			(1,521		)	(104		)
Comprehensive income	209,938			189,112			145,730
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	541			(40		)	484
Comprehensive income attributable to Core Laboratories N.V.	$	209,397		$	189,152		$	145,246

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-4

CORE LABORATORIES N.V.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

(In thousands, except share data)

												Accumulated
	CommonShares					Additional						Other			Treasury Stock					Non-
	Number of		Par			Paid-In			Retained			Comprehensive			Number of					Controlling			Total
	Shares		Value			Capital			Earnings			Income (Loss)			Shares		Amount			Interest			Equity
BALANCE, December 31, 2009	51,039,912		$	1,316		$	61,833		$	469,454		$	(6,536	)	5,066,504		$	(246,699	)	$	2,390		$	281,758
Stock options exercised, net of capital taxes	—		—			(1,537		)	—			—			(46,230	)	1,883			—			346
Stock-based compensation, net of awards issued	—		—			1,424			(575		)	—			(186,198	)	7,668			—			8,517
Tax benefit of stock-based awards issued	—		—			967			—			—			—		—			—			967
Repurchases of common shares	—		—			—			—			—			1,493,017		(92,487		)	—			(92,487		)
Dividends paid	—		—			—			(39,791		)	—			—		—			—			(39,791		)
Cancellation of treasury shares	(1,300,000	)	(33		)	(33,744		)	(17,733		)	—			(1,300,000	)	51,510			—			—
Equity component of short-term debt	—		—			(8,864		)	—			—			—		—			—			(8,864		)
Exchange of senior exchangeable notes	—		—			(19,965		)	(19,281		)	—			(808,367	)	35,435			—			(3,811		)
Non-controlling interest contributions	—		—			—			—			—			—		—			156			156
Non-controlling interest dividend	—		—			—			—			—			—		—			(181		)	(181		)
Other comprehensive income	—		—			—			—			329			—		—			—			329
Net income	—		—			—			144,917			—			—		—			484			145,401
BALANCE, December 31, 2010	49,739,912		$	1,283		$	114		$	536,991		$	(6,207	)	4,218,726		$	(242,690	)	$	2,849		$	292,340

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-5

CORE LABORATORIES N.V.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Continued)

For the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

(In thousands, except share data)

												Accumulated
	CommonShares					Additional						Other			Treasury Stock					Non-
	Number of		Par			Paid-In			Retained			Comprehensive			Number of					Controlling			Total
	Shares		Value			Capital			Earnings			Income (Loss)			Shares		Amount			Interest			Equity
BALANCE, December 31, 2010	49,739,912		$	1,283		$	114		$	536,991		$	(6,207	)	4,218,726		$	(242,690	)	$	2,849		$	292,340
Stock options exercised, net of capital taxes	—		—			(1,672		)	—			—			(42,400	)	1,969			—			297
Stock-based compensation, net of awards issued	—		—			9,588			(1,992		)	—			(177,271	)	9,569			—			17,165
Tax benefit of stock-based awards issued	—		—			2,559			—			—			—		—			—			2,559
Repurchases of common shares	—		—			—			—			—			669,649		(61,825		)	—			(61,825		)
Dividends paid	—		—			—			(46,027		)	—			—		—			—			(46,027		)
Cancellation of treasury shares	(702,106	)	(21		)	—			(40,894		)	—			(702,106	)	40,915			—			—
Equity component of short-term debt	—		—			8,864			—			—			—		—			—			8,864
Exchange of senior exchangeable notes	—		—			(13,603		)	(90,192		)	—			(1,851,869	)	101,473			—			(2,322		)
Settlement of Warrants	—		—			(3,724		)	(258,910		)	—			(706,395	)	43,183			—			(219,451		)
Non-controlling interest contributions	—		—			—			—			—			—		—			1,194			1,194
Non-controlling interest dividend	—		—			—			—			—			—		—			(251		)	(251		)
Other comprehensive income	—		—			—			—			4,468			—		—			—			4,468
Net income (loss)	—		—			—			184,684			—			—		—			(40		)	184,644
BALANCE, December 31, 2011	49,037,806		$	1,262		$	2,126		$	283,660		$	(1,739	)	1,408,334		$	(107,406	)	$	3,752		$	181,655
Stock options exercised, net of capital taxes	—		—			(60		)	—			—			(1,042	)	65			—			5
Stock-based compensation, net of awards issued	—		—			276			(6,530		)	—			(299,964	)	24,635			—			18,381
Tax benefit of stock-based awards issued	—		—			5,226			—			—			—		—			—			5,226
Repurchases of common shares	—		—			—			—			—			1,581,069		(175,732		)	—			(175,732		)
Dividends paid	—		—			—			(52,950		)	—			—		—			—			(52,950		)
Cancellation of treasury shares	(1,138,224	)	(29		)	(7,568		)	(78,996		)	—			(1,138,224	)	86,593			—			—
Purchase of non-controlling interest	—		—			—			—			—			—		—			(110		)	(110		)
Non-controlling interest contribution	—		—			—			—			—			—		—			1,800			1,800
Non-controlling interest dividend	—		—			—			—			—			—		—			(300		)	(300		)
Other	2		—			—			—			—			—		—			—			—
Other comprehensive income	—		—			—			—			(6,674		)	—		—			—			(6,674		)
Net income (loss)	—		—			—			216,071			—			—		—			541			216,612
BALANCE, December 31, 2012	47,899,584		$	1,233		$	—		$	361,255		$	(8,413	)	1,550,173		$	(171,845	)	$	5,683		$	187,913

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-6

CORE LABORATORIES N.V.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

(In thousands)

	2012			2011			2010
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	216,612		$	184,644		$	145,401
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in earnings of affiliates	(646		)	(274		)	(376		)
Stock-based compensation	18,381			17,165			8,517
Depreciation and amortization	22,917			23,303			23,113
Non-cash interest expense	479			5,956			15,087
Loss on exchange of Senior Exchangeable Notes	—			1,012			1,939
Realization of pension obligation	(53		)	303			137
(Increase) decrease in value of life insurance policies	(1,636		)	285			(1,950		)
Deferred income taxes	3,605			(6,549		)	(10,135		)
Other non-cash items	962			(695		)	1,911
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(16,664		)	(12,082		)	(22,412		)
Inventories	3,224			(16,033		)	(2,438		)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(12,904		)	(1,228		)	21,455
Other assets	426			680			(102		)
Accounts payable	(3,672		)	11,969			11,701
Accrued expenses	4,871			(13,754		)	13,701
Other long-term liabilities	1,300			9,424			283
Net cash provided by operating activities	237,202			204,126			205,832
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	(31,151		)	(29,927		)	(27,569		)
Patents and other intangibles	(1,648		)	(220		)	(233		)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(556		)	(18,821		)	(9,000		)
Cash in escrow	2,188			(2,179		)	—
Investment in non-consolidated affiliates	(322		)	—			—
Proceeds from sale of assets	667			900			669
Proceeds from insurance recovery	101			1,300			—
Premiums on life insurance	(3,283		)	(3,071		)	(2,604		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(34,004		)	(52,018		)	(38,737		)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayment of debt borrowings	(112,346		)	(348,564		)	(82,251		)
Proceeds from debt borrowings	121,000			417,426			—
Stock options exercised	5			297			346
Excess tax benefits from stock-based payments	5,226			2,559			967
Debt financing costs	(7		)	(2,014		)	(1,019		)
Settlement of warrants	—			(219,451		)	—
Non-controlling interest - contributions	1,800			1,194			156
Non-controlling interest - dividend	(300		)	(251		)	(181		)
Dividends paid	(52,950		)	(46,027		)	(39,791		)
Repurchase of common shares	(175,732		)	(61,825		)	(92,487		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(213,304		)	(256,656		)	(214,260		)
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(10,106		)	(104,548		)	(47,165		)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year	29,332			133,880			181,045
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year	$	19,226		$	29,332		$	133,880

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-7

CORE LABORATORIES N.V.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)

For the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

(In thousands)

	2012		2011		2010
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash payments for interest	$	7,352	$	2,308	$	566
Cash payments for income taxes	$	85,660	$	74,724	$	57,259
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Financed capital expenditures	$	3,910	$	1,273	$	—

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-8

CORE LABORATORIES N.V.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2012

1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Core Laboratories N.V. ("Core Laboratories", "we", "our" or "us") is a Netherlands limited liability company. We were established in 1936 and are one of the world's leading providers of proprietary and patented reservoir description, production enhancement and reservoir management services to the oil and gas industry. These services are directed toward enabling our clients to improve reservoir performance and increase oil and gas recovery from their producing fields. We have over 70 offices in more than 50 countries and have approximately 5,000 employees.

Our business units have been aggregated into three complementary segments which provide services and products for improving reservoir performance and increasing oil and gas recovery from new and existing fields: (1) Reservoir Description, (2) Production Enhancement and (3) Reservoir Management. For a description of product types and services offered by these business segments, see Note 15 Segment Reporting.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. ("U.S. GAAP" or "GAAP"), and include the accounts of Core Laboratories and its subsidiaries for which we have a controlling voting interest and/or a controlling financial interest. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The equity method of accounting is used to record our interest in investments in which we have less than a majority interest and do not exercise significant control. We use the cost method to record certain other investments in which we own less than 20% of the outstanding equity and do not exercise significant control. We record non-controllinginterest associated with consolidated subsidiaries that are less than 100% owned.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis and utilize our historical experience, as well as various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable in a given circumstance, in order to make these estimates. Actual results could differ from our estimates, as assumptions and conditions change.

The following accounts, among others, require us to use critical estimates and assumptions:

▪ allowance for doubtful accounts;

▪ inventory reserves;

▪ depreciation and amortization;

▪ long-lived assets, intangibles and goodwill;

▪ income taxes;

▪ pensions and other postretirement benefits; and

▪ stock-based compensation.

Accounting policies relating to these accounts and the nature of these estimates are further discussed under the applicable caption. For each of these critical estimates it is at least reasonably possible that changes in these estimates will occur in the short term which may impact our financial position or results of operations.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

F-9

Cash and cash equivalents include all short-term, highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less. These items are carried at cost, which approximates market value.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Our financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk relate primarily to cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. All cash and cash equivalents are on deposit at commercial banks or investment firms with significant financial resources. Our trade receivables are with a variety of domestic, international and national oil and gas companies. We had no clients who provided more than 10% of our revenue for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. We consider our credit risk related to trade accounts receivable to be limited due to the creditworthiness and financial resources of our clients. We evaluate our estimate of the allowance for doubtful accounts on an on-going basis throughout the year.

Accounts Receivable

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at their invoiced amounts and do not bear interest. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our clients and monitor collections and payments in order to maintain a provision for estimated uncollectible accounts based on our historical collection experience and our current aging of client receivables outstanding, in addition to client's representations and our understanding of the economic environment in which our clients operate. Based on our review we establish or adjust allowances for specific clients and the accounts receivable as a whole, and recognize expense. When an account is determined to be uncollectible, we charge the receivable to our allowance for doubtful accounts. Our allowance for doubtful accounts totaled $3.5 million and $3.8 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The net carrying value of accounts receivable is considered to be representative of its respective fair value.

Inventories

Inventories consist of manufactured goods, materials and supplies used for sales or services to clients. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or estimated net realizable value. Inventory costs are recorded at standard cost which approximates the first-in, first-out method.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets are comprised primarily of current deferred tax assets, prepaid insurance, value added taxes and prepaid rents.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized while maintenance and repair costs are charged to expense as incurred. They are depreciated using the straight-line method based on their individual estimated useful lives, except for leasehold improvements, which are depreciated over the remaining lease term, if shorter. We estimate the useful lives and salvage values of our assets based on historical data as follows:

Buildings and leasehold improvements	3 - 40 years
Machinery and equipment	3 - 10 years

When long-lived assets are sold or retired, the remaining costs and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in income. These capitalized long-lived assets could become impaired if our operating plans or business environment changes.

We review our long-lived assets, including definite-lived intangible assets, for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that their net book value may not be recovered over their remaining service lives. Indicators of possible impairment may include significant declines in activity levels in regions where specific assets or groups of assets are located, extended periods of idle use, declining revenue or cash flow or overall changes in general market conditions.

Whenever possible impairment is indicated, we compare the carrying value of the assets to the sum of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected from use, plus salvage value, less the costs of the subsequent disposition of the assets.

F-10

If impairment is still indicated, we compare the fair value of the assets to the carrying amount, and recognize an impairment loss for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value. We did not record any impairment charges relating to our long-lived assets held for use during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 or 2010.

Intangibles and Goodwill

Intangible assets, including patents, trademarks, and trade names, are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Intangibles with determinable lives are amortized using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful life of the intangible. Intangibles with indeterminable lives, which consist primarily of corporate trade names, are not amortized, but are tested for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment is possible.

We record goodwill as the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in acquisitions accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. We test goodwill for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate possible impairment.

We evaluated our goodwill for impairment by comparing the fair value of each of our reporting units, which are our reportable segments, to their net carrying value as of the balance sheet date, after excluding inter-company transactions and allocating corporate assets to the reporting units. We estimated the fair value of each reporting unit using a discounted future cash flow analysis. Estimated future cash flows were based on the Company's best estimate of future performance. Our impairment analysis is quantitative; however, it includes subjective estimates based on assumptions regarding future growth rates, interest rates and operating expenses. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value determined, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the implied fair value of the goodwill of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. Any subsequent impairment loss could result in a material adverse effect upon our financial position and results of operations. We did not record impairment charges relating to our goodwill or our indefinite-lived intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

We have never identified nor recorded any impairments relating to the goodwill of our current continuing operations.

Other Assets

Cash surrender value of life insurance relates to postretirement benefit plans. See Note 10 Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans. Investments include our investments in unconsolidated affiliates accounted for under the equity method. The operations of these entities are in-line with those of our core businesses. These entities are not considered special purpose entities nor do we have special off-balance sheet arrangements through these entities. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the life of the respective debt instruments.

Other assets consisted of the following (in thousands):

	2012		2011
Cash surrender value of life insurance	$	21,736	$	17,663
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	1,851		969
Debt issuance costs	2,125		2,597
Other	3,197		3,131
Total other assets	$	28,909	$	24,360

Accounts Payable

Trade accounts payable are recorded at their invoiced amounts and do not bear interest. The carrying value of accounts payable is considered to be representative of its respective fair value.

Income Taxes

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the asset is recovered or the liability is settled. We include interest and penalties from tax judgments in income tax expense.

F-11

We record a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in our tax return. We also recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. See Note 9 Income Taxes.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and other charges or credits to equity that are not the result of transactions with owners. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, other comprehensive income related to prior service costs and an unrecognized net actuarial gain and loss from a pension plan. See Note 10 Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue when we determine that the following criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (iii) the fee is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured.

Services Revenue: We provide a variety of services to clients in the oil and gas industry. Where services are provided related to the testing and analysis of rock and fluids, we recognize revenue upon the provision of the test results or analysis to the client. For our design, field engineering and completion diagnostic services, we recognize revenue upon the delivery of those services at the well site. In the case of our consortium studies, revenue is recognized when the reservoir model solution is presented to our clients. We conduct testing and provide analysis services in support of our consortium studies recognizing revenue as the testing and analysis results are made available to our consortium members.

Product Sales Revenue: We manufacture equipment that we sell to our clients in the oil and gas well industry. Revenue is recognized when title to that equipment passes to the client, which is typically when the product is shipped to the client or picked up by the client at our facilities, as set out in the contract.

All advance client payments are classified as unearned revenue until services are performed or product title is transferred. All known or anticipated losses on contracts are provided for currently.

Foreign Currencies

Our functional currency is the U.S. Dollar ("USD"). All inter-company financing, transactions and cash flows of our subsidiaries are transacted in USD. Our foreign entities remeasure monetary assets and liabilities to USD at year-end exchange rates, while non-monetary items are measured at historical rates. Revenue and expenses are remeasured at the applicable month-end rate, except for depreciation, amortization and certain components of cost of sales, which are measured at historical rates. For the year ended December 31, 2012, we incurred a net remeasurement loss of approximately $0.1 million primarily due to the strengthening of the USD against the Euro, the British Pound, and the Canadian Dollar, while in the year ended December 31, 2011, we incurred a net remeasurement loss of approximately $1.8 million, and a net remeasurement loss of approximately $1.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2010. These amounts were included in Other (Income) Expense, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits

We maintain a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan for substantially all of our Dutch employees ("Dutch Plan") who were hired prior to 2007 based on years of service and final pay or career average pay, depending on when the employee began participating. As required by current accounting standards, we recognize net periodic pension costs associated with this plan in income from current operations and recognize the unfunded status of the plan, if any, as a long-term liability. In addition, we recognize as a component of other comprehensive income, the gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic pension cost. The projection of benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets requires the use of assumptions and estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. See Note 10 Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans. Furthermore, we sponsor several defined contribution plans for the benefit of our employees. We expense these contributions in the period the contribution is made.

Non-controlling Interests

We maintain non-controlling interests in several investment ventures and disclose such interests clearly as a portion of equity separate from the parent's equity. The amount of consolidated net income attributable to these non-controlling interests must

F-12

also be clearly presented on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, when a subsidiary is deconsolidated, any retained non-controlling equity investment in the former subsidiary will be initially measured at fair value and recorded as a gain or loss.

Stock-Based Compensation

We have two stock-based compensation plans, as described in further detail in Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. For new awards issued and awards modified, repurchased or canceled, the compensation expense is equal to the fair value of the award at the date of the grant and is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for those awards earned over the requisite service period of the award.

Earnings Per Share

We compute basic earnings per common share by dividing net income attributable to Core Laboratories N.V. by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common and potential common share include additional shares in the weighted average share calculations associated with the incremental effect of dilutive employee stock options, restricted stock awards and contingently issuable shares, as determined using the treasury stock method. The following table summarizes the calculation of weighted average common shares outstanding used in the computation of diluted earnings per share (in thousands):

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2012	2011	2010
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding	47,211	46,286	44,830
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options	12	19	57
Performance shares	129	75	40
Restricted stock	201	255	585
Senior exchangeable notes	—	857	1,700
Warrants	—	901	1,029
Weighted average diluted common and potential   common shares outstanding	47,553	48,393	48,241

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications were made to prior year amounts in order to conform to the current year's presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on reported net income for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

3. ACQUISITIONS

In 2011, we acquired a business providing additional manufacturing capacity for our Canadian operations for $18.8 million in cash. We have accounted for this acquisition by allocating the purchase price to the net assets acquired based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition, resulting in an increase to goodwill of $8.6 million and an increase of $0.5 million in intangible assets. In 2012, a post-closing adjustment was recorded that increased the purchase price and goodwill by $0.6 million. The acquisition was recorded in the Production Enhancement business segment.

In 2010, we acquired fracture diagnostics assets for $9.0 million in cash. The acquisition was recorded in the Production Enhancement business segment and resulted in an increase of $5.6 million in goodwill and an increase of $3.2 million in intangible assets.

The acquisition of these entities did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Balance Sheet or Consolidated Statements of Operations.

4. INVENTORIES

Inventories consisted of the following at December 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

F-13

	2012		2011
Finished goods	$	38,572	$	32,604
Parts and materials	8,818		18,004
Work in progress	1,875		2,606
Total inventories	$	49,265	$	53,214

We include freight costs incurred for shipping inventory to our clients in the Cost of product sales caption in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

5. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

The components of property, plant and equipment were as follows at December 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

	2012			2011
Land	$	6,791		$	6,800
Building and leasehold improvements	91,593			81,628
Machinery and equipment	213,095			196,254
Total property, plant and equipment	311,479			284,682
Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization	(186,061		)	(169,387		)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	125,418		$	115,295

6. INTANGIBLES

The components of intangibles as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows (in thousands):

		2012				2011
	Original life in years	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization
Acquired trade secrets	2-20	$	1,518	$	992	$	1,781	$	1,127
Acquired patents and trademarks	4-10	4,435		1,807		3,862		2,510
Agreements not to compete	3-5	3,286		1,975		4,578		2,625
Acquired trade names	20	544		183		662		292
Acquired trade names	Indefinite	3,895		—		3,892		—
Total intangibles		$	13,678	$	4,957	$	14,775	$	6,554

Our estimated amortization expense relating to these intangibles for the next five years is summarized in the following table (in thousands):

2013	$	1,132
2014	$	1,210
2015	$	560
2016	$	538
2017	$	538

F-14

7. GOODWILL

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for each reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were as follows (in thousands):

	Reservoir Description		Production Enhancement		ReservoirManagement		Total
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	80,932	$	70,440	$	2,845	$	154,217
Goodwill acquired during the year	—		8,570		—		8,570
Balance at December 31, 2011	80,932		79,010		2,845		162,787
Goodwill acquired during the year	—		550		—		550
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	80,932	$	79,560	$	2,845	$	163,337

8. DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS

Debt at December 31, 2012 and 2011 is summarized in the following table (in thousands):

	December 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
Senior Notes	150,000		150,000
Credit Facility	84,000		73,000
Capital lease obligations	73		132
Other indebtedness	—		2,287
Total debt	234,073		225,419
Less - current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	40		2,344
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net	$	234,033	$	223,075

In 2011, we issued two series of senior notes with an aggregate principal amount of $150 million ("Senior Notes") in a private placement transaction. Series A consists of $75 million in aggregate principal amount of notes that bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.01% and are due in full on September 30, 2021. Series B consists of $75 million in aggregate principal amount of notes that bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.11% and are due in full on September 30, 2023. Interest on each series of the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on March 30 and September 30.

We maintain a revolving credit facility (the "Credit Facility") with an aggregate borrowing capacity of $300 million at December 31, 2012. The Credit Facility provides an option to increase the commitment under the Credit Facility to $350 million, if certain conditions are met. The Credit Facility bears interest at variable rates from LIBOR plus 1.50% to a maximum of LIBOR plus 2.25%. Any outstanding balance under the Credit Facility is due September 28, 2016 when the Credit Facility matures. Interest payment terms are variable depending upon the specific type of borrowing under this facility. Our available capacity at any point in time is reduced by borrowings outstanding at the time and outstanding letters of credit which totaled $17.0 million at December 31, 2012, resulting in an available borrowing capacity under the Credit Facility of $199.0 million. In addition to those items under the Credit Facility, we had $22.9 million of outstanding letters of credit and performance guarantees and bonds from other sources at December 31, 2012.

The terms of the Credit Facility and Senior Notes require us to meet certain covenants, including, but not limited to, certain minimum equity and cash flow ratios. We believe that we are in compliance with all such covenants contained in our credit agreements. Certain of our material, wholly-owned subsidiaries are guarantors or co-borrowers under the Credit Facility and Senior Notes.

The estimated fair value of total debt at December 31, 2012 and 2011 approximated the book value of total debt. The fair value was estimated using Level 2 inputs by calculating the sum of the discounted future interest and principal payments through the date of maturity.

F-15

9. INCOME TAXES

The components of income before income tax expense for 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows (in thousands):

	2012		2011		2010
United States	$	135,992	$	115,413	$	86,985
Other countries	152,468		123,429		122,163
Income before income tax expense	$	288,460	$	238,842	$	209,148

The components of income tax expense for 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows (in thousands):

	2012			2011			2010
Current:
United States	$	42,934		$	43,632		$	38,704
Other countries	20,965			11,515			30,357
State and provincial	4,344			5,600			4,821
	68,243			60,747			73,882
Deferred:
United States	963			(8,905		)	(9,699		)
Other countries	2,677			2,892			100
State and provincial	(35		)	(536		)	(536		)
Total deferred	3,605			(6,549		)	(10,135		)
Income tax expense	$	71,848		$	54,198		$	63,747

The differences in income tax expense computed using The Netherlands statutory income tax rate of 25%, 25% and 25.5% in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and our income tax expense as reported in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows (in thousands):

	2012			2011			2010
Tax at The Netherlands income tax rate	$	72,115		$	59,711		$	53,333
International earnings taxed at rates other than The Netherlands statutory rate	(864		)	(241		)	3,698
Non-deductible expenses	917			2,691			2,524
Change in valuation allowance	(2,099		)	(1,279		)	75
State and provincial taxes	2,895			3,166			2,597
Adjustments of prior year taxes	1,038			(17,229		)	(389		)
Adjustments of income tax reserves	(4,374		)	7,050			4,093
Other	2,220			329			(2,184		)
Income tax expense	$	71,848		$	54,198		$	63,747

Included in Adjustments of prior year taxes in 2011 is the reversal of $10.4 million in tax liabilities provided over the period 2007-2010 as a result of recently concluded audits of prior year returns. The remainder reflects adjustments between the tax accrual for prior year taxes and the tax liability reported in the filed tax returns.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities result from various temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amount and their tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 are summarized as follows (in thousands):

F-16

	2012			2011
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carry-forwards	$	5,866		$	7,143
Tax credit carry-forwards	3,123			5,483
Reserves	13,497			9,804
Unrealized benefit plan loss	586			1,200
Other	5,419			9,857
	28,491			33,487
Valuation allowance	(7,243		)	(9,342		)
Net deferred tax asset	21,248			24,145
Deferred tax liabilities:
Intangibles	(1,751		)	(2,174		)
Property, plant and equipment	(5,540		)	(3,203		)
Other	(3,624		)	(4,830		)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(10,915		)	(10,207		)
Net deferred income taxes	$	10,333		$	13,938
	2012			2011
Current deferred tax assets	$	8,024		$	10,483
Current deferred tax liabilities	(4,138		)	(4,676		)
Long-term deferred tax assets	13,224			13,662
Long-term deferred tax liabilities	(6,777		)	(5,531		)
Total deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$	10,333		$	13,938

At December 31, 2012, we had tax net operating loss carry-forwards in various tax jurisdictions of approximately $24.7 million. Although we cannot be certain that these operating loss carry-forwards will be utilized, we anticipate that we will have sufficient taxable income in future years to allow us to fully utilize the carry-forwards that are not subject to a valuation allowance as of December 31, 2012. If unused, those carry-forwards which are subject to expiration may expire during the years 2013 through 2022. At December 31, 2012, we maintained a valuation allowance of $5.5 million on our net operating loss carry-forwards. During 2012, $15 thousand of operating loss carry-forwards which carried a full valuation allowance expired unused.

Our senior exchangeable notes ("Exchangeable Notes") fully matured and were settled in 2011 which resulted in a reversal of the related deferred tax liability of $13.9 million that was established for the difference between the book and tax basis of the Exchangeable Notes.

We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various states and foreign jurisdictions. We are currently undergoing multiple examinations in various jurisdictions, and the years 1999 through 2010 remain open for examination in various tax jurisdictions in which we operate.

During 2012, adjustments were made to estimates for uncertain tax positions in certain tax jurisdictions based upon changes in facts and circumstances, resulting in a reduction to the unrecognized tax benefits. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):

	2012			2011			2010
Unrecognized tax benefits at January 1,	$	14,027		$	9,986		$	8,324
Tax positions, current period	1,845			1,512			1,149
Tax positions, prior period	(3,293		)	4,959			2,181
Settlements with taxing authorities	—			—			(555		)
Lapse of applicable statute of limitations	(2,260		)	(2,430		)	(1,113		)
Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31,	$	10,319		$	14,027		$	9,986

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Changes in our estimate of unrecognized tax benefits would affect our effective tax rate.

Our policy is to record accrued interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions, net of any tax effect, as part of total tax expense for the period. The corresponding liability is carried along with the tax exposure as a non-current payable in Other Long-term Liabilities. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, we had approximately $1.5 million, $3.0 million and $2.9 million, respectively, accrued for the payment of interest and penalties.

During 2012, we recognized tax benefits of $5.2 million relating to tax deductions in excess of book expense for stock-based compensation awards. These tax benefits are recorded to Additional Paid-in Capital to the extent deductions reduce current taxable income as we are able to realize the tax benefits.

10. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

Defined Benefit Plan

We provide a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all of our Dutch employees ("Dutch Plan") who were hired prior to 2007 based on years of service and final pay or career average pay, depending on when the employee began participating. The benefits earned by the employees are immediately vested. We fund the future obligations of the Dutch Plan by purchasing insurance contracts from a large multi-national insurance company. The insurance contracts are purchased annually and re-new after five years at which time they are replaced with new contracts that are adjusted to include changes in the benefit obligation for the current year and redemption of the expired contracts. We make annual premium payments to the insurance company based on each employee's age and current salary, and the contractual growth rate. We determine the fair value of these plan assets with the assistance of an actuary using observable inputs (Level 2), which approximates the contract value of the investments.

The following table summarizes the change in the projected benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

	2012			2011
Projected Benefit Obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	34,304		$	30,888
Service cost	1,127			1,352
Interest cost	1,684			1,743
Benefits paid	(910		)	(676		)
Administrative expenses	(181		)	(185		)
Actuarial loss, net	10,009			2,021
Unrealized (gain) loss on foreign exchange	843			(839		)
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	$	46,876		$	34,304
Fair Value of Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	34,590		$	26,022
Increase in plan asset value	2,267			8,157
Employer contributions	1,619			1,919
Benefits paid	(910		)	(676		)
Administrative expenses	(181		)	(185		)
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign exchange	708			(647		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	38,093		$	34,590
Over (under)-funded status of the plan at end of the year	$	(8,783	)	$	286
Accumulated Benefit Obligation	$	39,276		$	28,998

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The following actuarial assumptions were used to determine the actuarial present value of our projected benefit obligation at December 31, 2012 and 2011:

	2012	2011
Weighted average assumed discount rate	3.60%	5.00%
Weighted average rate of compensation increase	3.00%	3.00%

The discount rate used to determine our projected benefit obligation at December 31, 2012 was decreased from 5.00% to 3.60%, consistent with a general decrease in interest rates in Europe for AAA-rated long-term Euro government bonds.

Amounts recognized for the Dutch Plan in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 consist of (in thousands):

	2012			2011
Other assets	$	—		$	286
Deferred tax asset	268			1,200
Other long-term liabilities	8,783			—
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(8,413		)	(1,739		)

Amounts recognized, net of tax, in Accumulated other comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 consist of (in thousands):

	2012			2011
Prior service cost	$	(616	)	$	(734	)
Transition asset	195			259
Unrecognized net actuarial loss and foreign exchange	(7,992		)	(1,264		)
Total Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(8,413	)	$	(1,739	)

Unrecognized amounts currently recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive loss that are expected to be recognized as components of next year's net pension benefit cost are $0.2 million of prior service cost, $0.1 million for the amortization of the transition asset and $0.5 million of unrecognized net actuarial loss.

The components of net periodic pension cost under this plan for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 included (in thousands):

	2012			2011
Service cost	$	1,127		$	1,352
Interest cost	1,684			1,743
Expected return on plan assets	(1,214		)	(752		)
Unrecognized pension asset, net	(87		)	(87		)
Prior service cost	159			159
Unrecognized net actuarial loss	—			326
Net periodic pension cost	$	1,669		$	2,741

This net periodic pension cost was calculated using the following assumptions:

	2012	2011
Weighted average assumed discount rate	5.00%	5.40%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	3.40%	5.40%
Weighted average rate of compensation increase	3.00%	3.00%

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Plan assets at December 31, 2012 and 2011 consisted of insurance contracts with returns equal to the contractual rate, which are comparable with governmental debt securities. Our expected long-term rate of return assumptions are based on the weighted-average contractual rates for each contract. Dutch law dictates the minimum requirements for pension funding. Our goal is to meet these minimum funding requirements, while our insurance carrier invests to minimize risks associated with future benefit payments.

Our 2013 minimum funding requirements are expected to be approximately $1.6 million. Our estimate of future annual contributions is based on current funding requirements, and we believe these contributions will be sufficient to fund the plan. Expected benefit payments under this plan for the next five years are as follows (in thousands):

2013	$	1,066
2014	$	1,164
2015	$	1,182
2016	$	1,301
2017	$	1,504
Succeeding five years	$	8,720

Defined Contribution Plans

We maintain five defined contribution plans (the "Defined Contribution Plans") for the benefit of eligible employees in Canada, The Netherlands, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom and the United States. In accordance with the terms of each plan, we and our participating employees contribute up to specified limits and under certain plans, we may make discretionary contributions in accordance with the Defined Contribution Plans. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, we expensed approximately $6.2 million, $5.7 million and $4.6 million, respectively, for our contributions and our additional discretionary contributions to the Defined Contribution Plans.

Deferred Compensation Arrangements

We have entered into deferred compensation contracts for certain key employees and an outside director. The benefits under these contracts are fully vested and benefits are paid when the participants attain 65 years of age. The charge to expense for these deferred compensation contracts in 2012, 2011 and 2010 was approximately $1.3 million, $1.3 million and $1.2 million, respectively. Life insurance policies with cash surrender values have been purchased for the purpose of funding the deferred compensation contracts.

We have adopted a non-qualified deferred compensation plan that allows certain highly compensated employees to defer a portion of their salary, commission and bonus, as well as the amount of any reductions in their deferrals under the deferred compensation plan for employees in the United States (the "Deferred Compensation Plan"), due to certain limitations imposed by the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Internal Revenue Code"). The Deferred Compensation Plan also provides for employer contributions to be made on behalf of participants equal in amount to certain forfeitures of, and/or reductions in, employer contributions that participants could have received under the 401(k) Plan in the absence of certain limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. Employer contributions to the Deferred Compensation Plan vest ratably over a period of five years. Contributions to the plan are invested in equity and other investment fund assets within life insurance policies, and carried on the balance sheet at fair value. A participant's plan benefits include the participant's deferrals, the vested portion of the employer's contributions, and deemed investment gains and losses on such amounts. The benefits under these contracts are fully vested and payment of benefits generally commences as of the last day of the month following the termination of services except that the payment of benefits for select executives generally commences on the first working day following a six month waiting period following the date of termination. Employer contributions to the Deferred Compensation Plan were $0.3 million, $0.3 million and $0.2 million of the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Vesting in all employer contributions is accelerated upon the death of the participant or a change in control. Employer contributions under the plans are forfeited upon a participant's termination of employment to the extent they are not vested at that time.

The Company's only financial assets and liabilities which involve fair value measures relate to certain aspects of the Company's benefit plans. On a recurring basis, we use the market approach to value certain assets and liabilities at fair value at

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quoted prices in an active market (Level 1) and certain assets and liabilities using significant other observable inputs (Level 2) with the assistance of a third party specialist. We do not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). Gains and losses related to the fair value changes in the deferred compensation assets and liabilities are recorded in General and Administrative Expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The following table summarizes the fair value balances (in thousands):

			Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2012
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Deferred compensation trust assets (1)	$	12,654	—		$	12,654	—
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plan	$	18,579	$	2,667	$	15,912	—

			Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2011
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Deferred compensation trust assets (1)	$	9,934	$	—	$	9,934	$	—
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plan	$	15,141	$	3,086	$	12,055	$	—
(1) Trust assets consist of the cash surrender value of life insurance policies and are intended to fund the deferred compensation agreements.

11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We have been and may from time to time be named as a defendant in legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business. These include, but are not limited to, employment-related claims and contractual disputes or claims for personal injury or property damage which occur in connection with the provision of our services and products. Management does not currently believe that any of our pending claims or disputes will have a material effect on our future results of operations, financial position or cash flow.

In 1998, we entered into employment agreements with our three senior executive officers that provide for severance benefits. The present value of the long-term liability recorded for the benefits due upon severing the employment of these employees is approximately $7.1 million at December 31, 2012.

We do not maintain any off-balance sheet debt or other similar financing arrangements nor have we formed any special purpose entities for the purpose of maintaining off-balance sheet debt.

Scheduled minimum rental commitments under non-cancellable operating leases at December 31, 2012, consist of the following (in thousands):

2013	$	13,548
2014	9,544
2015	6,823
2016	4,806
2017	3,618
Thereafter	12,830
Total commitments	$	51,169

Operating lease commitments relate primarily to rental of equipment and office space. Rental expense for operating leases, including amounts for short-term leases with nominal future rental commitments, was approximately $21.6 million, $20.9 million and $18.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

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12. EQUITY

Treasury Shares

In connection with our initial public offering in September 1995, our shareholders authorized our Management Board to repurchase up to 10% of our issued share capital, the maximum allowed under Dutch law at the time, for a period of 18 months. This authorization was renewed at subsequent annual or special shareholder meetings. At our annual shareholders' meeting on May 16, 2012, our shareholders authorized an extension to repurchase up to 10% of our issued share capital through November 19, 2013 which may be used for any legal purpose. The repurchase of shares in the open market is at the discretion of management pursuant to this shareholder authorization. From the activation of the share repurchase program on October 29, 2002 through December 31, 2012, we have repurchased 34,704,191 shares for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $963.8 million, or an average price of $27.77 per share and have canceled 28,675,824 shares with an historical cost of $552.8 million. At December 31, 2012, we held 1,550,173 shares in treasury and with the authority to repurchase 3,239,785 additional shares under our stock repurchase program. The past cancellation of shares had also been approved by shareholders at prior shareholder meetings. Subsequent to year end, we have repurchased 128,710 shares at a total cost of approximately $15.8 million.

At the annual meeting of shareholders on May 16, 2012, the shareholders approved the cancellation of 1,138,224 shares of our common stock then held as treasury shares. These treasury shares were canceled on September 2, 2012, after the expiration of the waiting period required under Dutch law. In accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 505-30-30-8, we charge the excess of the cost of the treasury stock over its par value to additional paid-in capital. If additional paid-in-capital is not sufficient for this charge, the remainder is charged directly to Retained Earnings.

Dividend Policy

In February, May, August and November 2012, we paid quarterly dividends of $0.28 per share of common stock. The total dividends paid in 2012 were $53.0 million. On January 11, 2013, we declared a quarterly dividend of $0.32 per share of common stock payable February 22, 2013 to shareholders of record on January 22, 2013.

13. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

We have granted stock options and restricted stock awards under two stock incentive plans: the 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan") and the 2006 Non-employee Director Stock Incentive Plan (the "Director Plan "). Awards under the following two compensation programs have been granted pursuant to the Plan: (1) the Performance Share Award Program ("PSAP") and (2) the Restricted Share Award Program ("RSAP").

Since the inception of the Plan in 1995 until 2001, we awarded stock options as the primary form of equity compensation. In 2001, we reassessed the form of award and elected to begin the use of restricted share grants which we believe are a stronger motivational tool for our employees. Restricted share awards provide some value to an employee during periods of stock market volatility, whereas stock options may have limited perceived value and may not be as effective in retaining and motivating employees when the current value of our stock is less than the option price. Currently, our long-term equity incentive compensation is exclusively in the form of restricted shares and performance restricted shares as no stock options were granted during 2012.

We issue shares from either treasury stock or authorized shares upon the exercise of options or lapsing of vesting restrictions on restricted stock. In 2012, we issued 1,042 shares and 299,964 shares out of treasury stock relating to the exercise of stock options and the vesting of restricted stock, respectively. We do not use cash to settle equity instruments issued under stock-based compensation awards.

2007 Long-term Incentive Plan

On April 2, 2007, the 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan was amended, restated and renamed as the 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The primary changes effected by the 2007 amendment and restatement was to (a) extend the period during which awards may be granted under the Plan to February 13, 2017, (b) require all stock options awarded under the Plan to have an exercise price per share that is at least equal to the fair market value of a common share as of the date of grant of the option (subject to adjustment under certain circumstances, such as upon a reorganization, stock split, recapitalization, or other change in our capital structure), (c) provide that stock appreciation rights may be granted under the Plan, (d) prohibit the repricing of stock

F-22

options awarded under the Plan, (e) provide that no amendment to the Plan that would require shareholder approval pursuant to the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"), the NYSE Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange ("Euronext Amsterdam") or any exchange on which we are listed will be effective prior to approval of our shareholders, and (f) expand the performance goals enumerated under the Plan upon which restricted share awards may be based. The amendment and restatement of the Plan does not increase the number of common shares subject to the Plan. The Plan provides for a maximum of 10,800,000 common shares to be granted to eligible employees. At December 31, 2012, approximately 530,700 shares were available for the grant of new awards under the Plan. Specifically, we encourage share ownership by awarding various long-term equity incentive awards under the Plan, consisting of the PSAP and RSAP. We believe that widespread common share ownership by key employees is an important means of encouraging superior performance and employee retention. Additionally, our equity-based compensation programs encourage performance and retention by providing additional incentives for executives to further our growth, development and financial success over a longer time horizon by personally benefiting through the ownership of our common shares and/or rights.

Performance Share Award Program

On April 1, 2010, certain executives were awarded rights to receive an aggregate of 90,000 common shares if our calculated return on invested capital ("ROIC"), as defined in the PSAP, is in the top decile of the Bloomberg Comp Group at the end of the performance period, which ended on December 31, 2012. This arrangement was recorded as an equity award that required us to recognize compensation expense totaling $5.5 million over the performance period that began on April 1, 2010, of which $1.8 million, $2.1 million and $1.6 million was been recognized in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. At December 31, 2012, Core Lab had the highest ROIC compared to the Bloomberg Comp Group. The Compensation Committee of our Board of Supervisory Directors verified that the performance target criteria had been met and 85,200 shares vested (4,800 shares were forfeited prior to the end of the performance period due to the retirement of one of the participants). We issued these common shares on December 31, 2012 and, simultaneously, the participants surrendered 28,829 common shares to settle any personal tax liabilities which may result from the award, as permitted by the agreement. We recorded these surrendered shares as treasury stock with an aggregate cost of $3.2 million, at $109.31 per share. We have recognized a tax benefit from the vesting of the PSAP of $1.4 million in 2012.

On April 1, 2011, certain executives were awarded rights to receive an aggregate of 86,207 common shares if our calculated ROIC, as defined in the PSAP, is in the top decile of the Bloomberg Comp Group at the end of the three year performance period, which ends on December 31, 2013. Unless there is a change in control as defined in the PSAP, none of these awards will vest if the specified performance target is not met as of the last day of the performance period. This arrangement is recorded as an equity award that requires us to recognize compensation expense totaling $8.0 million over the performance period that began on April 1, 2011, of which $2.7 million and $2.4 million has been recognized in 2012 and 2011, respectively. The unrecognized compensation expense is expected to be recognized over an estimated amortization period of 12 months.

On February 17, 2012, certain executives were awarded rights to receive an aggregate of 79,009 common shares if our calculated ROIC, as defined in the PSAP, is in the top decile of the Bloomberg Comp Group at the end of the performance period, which ends on December 31, 2014. Unless there is a change in control as defined in the PSAP, none of these awards will vest if the specified performance target is not met as of the last day of the performance period. This arrangement is recorded as an equity award that requires us to recognize compensation expense totaling $9.4 million over the performance period that began on January 1, 2012, of which $3.1 million has been recognized in 2012. The unrecognized compensation expense is expected to be recognized over an estimated amortization period of 24 months.

Restricted Share Award Program

In 2004, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Supervisory Directors approved the RSAP to attract and retain the best employees, and to better align employee interests with those of our shareholders. Under this arrangement we awarded grants totaling 105,774 shares, 95,760 shares, and 142,070 shares in 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. Each of these grants has a vesting period of principally six years and vests ratably on an annual basis. There are no performance accelerators for early vesting for these awards. Awards under the RSAP are classified as equity awards and recorded at the grant-date fair value with the compensation expense recognized over the expected life of the award. As of December 31, 2012, there was $30.4 million of unrecognized total stock-based compensation relating to non-vested RSAP awards. The unrecognized compensation expense is expected to be recognized over an estimated weighted-average amortization period of 51 months. The grant-date fair value of shares granted was $12.2 million, $10.6 million and $12.3 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively and we have recognized compensation expense of $9.9 million, $12.4 million and $6.1 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The total grant-date fair value, which is the intrinsic value of the shares, vested was $10.3 million, $8.4 million and $7.0 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. We have recognized a tax benefit from the vesting of the RSAP of $3.9 million, $2.6 million and $1.0 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

F-23

2006 Non-employee Director Stock Incentive Plan

The Director Plan provides common shares for grant to our eligible Supervisory Directors. The maximum number of shares available for award under this plan is 1,400,000 common shares. As of December 31, 2012 approximately 572,205 shares were available for issuance under the Director Plan. On June 28, 2006, the 1995 Non-employee Director Stock Option Plan was amended, restated and renamed as the 2006 Non-employee Director Stock Incentive Plan. The primary change effected by the 2006 amendment was to eliminate the automatic, formula grant of stock options under the prior plan and to replace that formula approach with the discretionary right of the Supervisory Board to grant stock options, restricted shares, or any combination thereof. Only non-employee Supervisory Directors are eligible for these equity-based awards under the Director Plan.

Performance Share Award Program

On July 15, 2009, we awarded rights relating to an aggregate of 13,884 PSAP shares under the Director Plan to our non-employee Supervisory Directors for which the performance period began on July 15, 2009 and ended on July 15, 2012. The performance target for this award was based on a calculated ROE, as defined in the agreement, with full vesting occurring if our ROE equaled or exceeded the returns earned by members of the S&P 500 Oil & Gas Equipment & Services index, with 50% of the shares vesting if our return was at or above the 50^th percentile of the members' return and 100% of the shares vesting if our return was at or above the 75^th percentile of the members' return. On July 15, 2012, at the end of the performance period, it was determined that the vesting criteria had been met and all shares vested in full at that time. This arrangement was recorded as an equity award that required us to recognize compensation expense totaling $0.6 million over the performance period that began on July 15, 2009, of which $0.1 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million was recognized in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

On April 1, 2010, we awarded rights relating to an aggregate of 9,180 PSAP shares under the Director Plan to our non-employee Supervisory Directors for which the performance period began on January 1, 2010 and ended on December 31, 2012. The performance target for this award was based on a calculated ROIC, as defined in the agreement, with full vesting occurring if our ROIC was in the top decile of the Bloomberg Peer Group at the end of the performance period. At December 31, 2012, at the end of the performance period it was determined that the vesting criteria had been met and all shares vested at that time. This arrangement was recorded as an equity award that required us to recognize compensation expense totaling $0.6 million over the performance period that began on April 1, 2010, of which, $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million was recognized in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Restricted Share Award Program

In 2011, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Supervisory Directors approved the RSAP to compensate our non-employee Supervisory Directors. Prior to 2011, the non-employee Supervisory Directors were awarded shares under the PSAP plan. Under this arrangement we awarded grants totaling 7,987 shares and 10,283 shares in 2012 and 2011, respectively. Each of these grants has a vesting period of 3 years. There are no performance accelerators for early vesting for these awards. Awards under the RSAP are classified as equity awards and recorded at the grant-date fair value with compensation expense recognized over the expected life of the award. As of December 31, 2012, there was $1.2 million of unrecognized total stock-based compensation relating to non-vested RSAP awards. The unrecognized compensation expense is expected to be recognized over an estimated weighted-average amortization period of 23 months. The grant-date fair value of shares granted was $1.0 million and $1.0 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively, and we have recognized compensation expense of $0.6 million and $0.2 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Non-vested restricted share awards outstanding under both the 2007 Long-term Incentive Plan and the 2006 Non-employee Director Stock Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2012 and changes during the year were as follows:

	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at December 31, 2011	774,549		$	69.03
Granted	192,770		117.53
Vested	(299,994	)	56.60
Forfeited	(33,015	)	71.66
Non-vested at December 31, 2012	634,310		$	89.42

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StockOptions

The following table presents the change in outstanding stock options under the Plan and the Director Plan for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. All options outstanding at December 31, 2012 are fully vested.

	Shares		Range of Exercise Prices	Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Life	Average Intrinsic Value - Per Share
Balance as of December 31, 2011	13,042		$ 4.42 - 12.50	$	6.77	1.7	$	107.18
Options granted	—		—	—
Options exercised	(1,042	)	4.75	4.75
Options forfeited	—		—	—
Balance as of December 31, 2012	12,000		$ 4.42 - 12.50	$	6.95	0.8	$	102.36

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2012, 2011 and 2010 were $0.1 million, $4.0 million and $2.7 million, respectively.

For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, stock-based compensation expense recognized in the income statement is as follows (in thousands):

	2012		2011		2010
Cost of product sales and services	$	8,835	$	10,960	$	5,138
General and administrative	9,546		6,205		3,379
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	18,381	$	17,165	$	8,517

14. OTHER INCOME, NET

The components of other (income) expense, net, are as follows (in thousands):

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010
Gain on sale of assets	$	(201	)	$	(487	)	$	(176	)
Equity in income of affiliates	(646		)	(274		)	(376		)
Loss on foreign exchange	142			1,800			1,032
Interest income	(319		)	(138		)	(249		)
Rent and royalty income	(1,033		)	(1,716		)	(1,550		)
Gain on insurance recovery	(4,490		)	(1,014		)	—
Legal entity realignment costs	1,860			711			—
NYSE Euronext Amsterdam listing costs	923			—			—
Other (gain) loss	(357		)	199			(886		)
Total other income, net	$	(4,121	)	$	(919	)	(2,205		)

During 2012, we incurred legal, accounting and other fees in connection with the realignment of certain of our legal entities into a more cost effective structure and the listing of our shares on the Euronext Amsterdam.

As a result of a supply disruption in 2011 from a key vendor that provided certain high performance specialty steel tubulars used with the Company's perforating systems, we filed a claim under our business interruption insurance policy which was fully settled during 2012 for $4.4 million.

As a result of reaching a settlement on a property damage claim we filed in 2010, we recorded an insurance recovery gain of $1.0 million in 2011.

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Foreign Currency Risk

We operate in a number of international areas which exposes us to foreign currency exchange rate risk. We do not currently hold or issue forward exchange contracts or other derivative instruments for hedging or speculative purposes (a foreign exchange contract is an agreement to exchange different currencies at a given date and at a specified rate). Foreign exchange gains and losses are the result of fluctuations in the USD against foreign currencies and are included in other (income) expense in the statements of operations. We recognized foreign exchange losses in countries where the USD weakened against the local currency and we had net monetary liabilities denominated in the local currency; as well as countries where the USD strengthened against the local currency and we had net monetary assets denominated in the local currency. We recognized foreign exchange gains in countries where the USD strengthened against the local currency and we had net monetary liabilities denominated in the local currency and in countries where the USD weakened against the local currency and we had net monetary assets denominated in the local currency. Foreign exchange gains and losses are summarized in the following table (in thousands):

		For the Years Ended December 31,
(Gains) losses by currency		2012			2011			2010
	Argentine Peso	$	147		$	113		$	17
	Australian Dollar	30			81			(135		)
	Angolan Kwanza	41			257			(58		)
	British Pound	(41		)	163			390
	Canadian Dollar	(415		)	423			(711		)
	Euro	(62		)	257			1,788
	Malaysian Ringgit	70			187			(157		)
	Nigerian Naira	11			164			98
	Venezuelan Bolivar	7			(108		)	(267		)
	Other currencies, net	354			263			67
Total loss		$	142		$	1,800		1,032

15. SEGMENT REPORTING

We operate our business in three reportable segments: (1) Reservoir Description, (2) Production Enhancement and (3) Reservoir Management. These business segments provide different services and products and utilize different technologies.

• Reservoir Description: Encompasses the characterization of petroleum reservoir rock, fluid and gas samples. We provide analytical and field services to characterize properties of crude oil and petroleum products to the oil and gas industry.

• Production Enhancement: Includes services and products relating to reservoir well completions, perforations, stimulations and production. We provide integrated services to evaluate the effectiveness of well completions and to develop solutions aimed at increasing the effectiveness of enhanced oil recovery projects.

• Reservoir Management: Combines and integrates information from reservoir description and production enhancement services to increase production and improve recovery of oil and gas from our clients' reservoirs.

Results for these business segments are presented below. We use the same accounting policies to prepare our business segment results as are used to prepare our Consolidated Financial Statements. All interest and other non-operating income (expense) is attributable to Corporate & Other area and is not allocated to specific business segments. Summarized financial information concerning our segments is shown in the following table (in thousands):

F-26

	Reservoir Description		Production Enhancement		Reservoir Management		Corporate & Other (1)			Consolidated
December 31, 2012
Revenue from unaffiliated clients	$	495,529	$	403,792	$	81,759	$	—		$	981,080
Inter-segment revenue	2,484		2,757		1,492		(6,733		)	—
Segment income (loss)	144,502		128,602		26,428		(2,252		)	297,280
Total assets	293,974		242,254		34,532		65,756			636,516
Capital expenditures	16,987		7,423		920		5,821			31,151
Depreciation and amortization	14,094		6,139		731		1,953			22,917
December 31, 2011
Revenue from unaffiliated clients	$	469,775	$	371,449	$	66,424	$	—		$	907,648
Inter-segment revenue	1,515		1,947		1,686		(5,148		)	—
Segment income (loss)	116,244		112,576		21,887		47			250,754
Total assets	270,270		221,599		26,070		92,934			610,873
Capital expenditures	15,320		8,700		1,318		4,589			29,927
Depreciation and amortization	14,073		6,449		666		2,115			23,303

December 31, 2010
Revenue from unaffiliated clients	$	425,829	$	313,956	$	54,868	$	—		$	794,653
Inter-segment revenue	1,817		1,681		1,625		(5,123		)	—
Segment income (loss)	106,179		101,241		19,759		(253		)	226,926
Total assets	267,621		196,802		24,313		161,505			650,241
Capital expenditures	20,495		5,066		591		1,417			27,569
Depreciation and amortization	13,988		6,442		713		1,970			23,113
(1)"Corporate and other" represents those items that are not directly relating to a particular segment and eliminations.

We are a Netherlands company and we derive our revenue from services and product sales to clients primarily in the oil and gas industry. No single client accounted for 10% or more of revenue in any of the periods presented. The following is a summary of our U.S. and non-U.S. operations for December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION	United States		Canada		Other Countries (1) (2)		Consolidated
December 31, 2012
Revenue	$	505,200	$	101,387	$	374,493	$	981,080
Total fixed assets	66,092		17,263		42,063		125,418
December 31, 2011
Revenue	$	470,600	$	85,287	$	351,761	$	907,648
Total fixed assets	53,566		20,113		41,616		115,295
December 31, 2010
Revenue	$	406,823	$	72,296	$	315,534	$	794,653
Total fixed assets	50,160		14,396		39,667		104,223
(1) Revenue earned in other countries, including The Netherlands, was not individually greater than 10% of our consolidated revenue in 2012, 2011 or 2010.
(2) Fixed assets in other countries, including The Netherlands, were not individually greater than 10% of our consolidated fixed assets in 2012, 2011 or 2010.

Revenue is attributed to the country in which the revenue is earned.

Summarized external revenue by services and product sales type is shown in the following table (in thousands):

F-27

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010
Reservoir Description Services	$	472,426	$	443,050	$	403,443
Production Enhancement Services	161,679		129,400		122,046
Reservoir Management Services	59,790		49,302		42,731
Total Revenue - Services	$	693,895	$	621,752	$	568,220
Reservoir Description Product sales	$	23,103	$	26,725	$	22,386
Production Enhancement Product sales	242,113		242,049		191,910
Reservoir Management Product sales	21,969		17,122		12,137
Total Revenue - Product sales	$	287,185	$	285,896	$	226,433
Total Revenue	$	981,080	$	907,648	$	794,653

16. UNAUDITED SELECTED QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Summarized below is our unaudited quarterly financial data for the quarters ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands, except per share data).

	Quarter ended 2012
	December 31		September 30		June 30		March 31
Services and product sales revenue	$	254,455	$	245,428	$	247,006	$	234,191
Cost of services and product sales	160,958		155,341		156,380		149,140
Other operating expenses	17,629		14,707		18,500		11,145
Operating income	75,868		75,380		72,126		73,906
Interest expense and loss on exchange of Notes	2,292		2,160		2,178		2,190
Income before income tax expense	73,576		73,220		69,948		71,716
Income tax expense	18,394		18,671		16,997		17,786
Net income	55,182		54,549		52,951		53,930
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	381		146		35		(21		)
Net income attributable to Core Laboratories N.V.	$	54,801	$	54,403	$	52,916	$	53,951
Per share information:
Basic earnings per share	$	1.18	$	1.15	$	1.11	$	1.13
Diluted earnings per share (1)	$	1.17	$	1.14	$	1.11	$	1.13
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	46,541		47,232		47,473		47,606
Diluted	46,857		47,528		47,791		47,945

F-28

	Quarter ended 2011
	December 31		September 30		June 30			March 31
Services and product sales revenue	$	243,786	$	231,344	$	225,785		$	206,733
Cost of services and product sales	154,034		150,312		152,273			136,750
Other operating expenses	16,864		17,468		15,709			13,484
Operating income	72,888		63,564		57,803			56,499
Interest expense	2,358		3,856		2,709			2,989
Income before income tax expense	70,530		59,708		55,094			53,510
Income tax expense	17,371		14,599		14,710			7,518
Net income	53,159		45,109		40,384			45,992
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	83		242		(67		)	(298		)
Net income attributable to Core Laboratories N.V.	$	53,076	$	44,867	$	40,451		$	46,290
Per share information:
Basic earnings per share	$	1.12	$	0.96	$	0.88		$	1.02
Diluted earnings per share (1)	$	1.11	$	0.93	$	0.83		$	0.94
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	47,343		46,606		45,945			45,225
Diluted	47,677		48,030		48,662			49,141

(1) The sum of the individual quarterly diluted earnings per share amounts may not agree with the year-to-date diluted earnings per share amounts as each quarterly computation is based on the weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding during that period.

F-29

CORE LABORATORIES N.V.

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Account

(In thousands)

		Balance at Beginning of Period		Additions Charged to/ Recovered from Expense		Write-offs			Other (1)			Balance at End of Period
Year ended December 31, 2012
Reserve for doubtful accounts		$	3,762	$	508	$	(845	)	$	91		$	3,516
Year ended December 31, 2011
Reserve for doubtful accounts		$	3,396	$	254	$	(281	)	$	393		$	3,762
Year ended December 31, 2010
Reserve for doubtful accounts		$	3,202	$	1,444	$	(928	)	$	(322	)	$	3,396
(1)	Comprised primarily of differences due to changes in exchange rate.

33

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.	Exhibit Title	Incorporated by Reference from the Following Documents
3.1	Articles of Association of the Company, as amended on May 16, 2012 (including English translation)	Filed Herewith
4.1	Form of certificate representing Common Shares	Form 10-K, March 31, 1999 (File No. 001-14273)
4.2	Purchase Agreement, dated October 31, 2006, among Core Laboratories LP, Core Laboratories N.V., Lehman Brothers Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC	Form 8-K, November 6, 2006 (File No. 001-14273)
4.3	Indenture, dated November 6, 2006, among Core Laboratories LP, as Issuer, Core Laboratories N.V., as guarantor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, including the form of 0.25% Senior Exchangeable Notes due 2011	Form 8-K, November 6, 2006 (File No. 001-14273)
4.4	Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2006, among Core Laboratories LP, Core Laboratories N.V., Lehman Brothers Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC	Form 8-K, November 6, 2006 (File No. 001-14273)
10.1	Core Laboratories N.V. 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended and restated effective as of May 29, 1997)	Proxy Statement dated April 28, 1997 for Annual Meeting of Shareholders (File No. 000-26710)
10.2	First Amendment to Core Laboratories N.V. 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended and restated effective as of May 29, 1997)	Form 10-K, March 15, 2001 (File No. 001-14273)
10.3	Amendment to Core Laboratories N.V. 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended and restated effective as of May 29, 1997)	Form 10-Q, May 15, 2003 (File No. 001-14273)
10.4	Form of Indemnification Agreement to be entered into by the Company and certain of its directors and officers	Form F-1, September 20, 1995 (File No. 000-26710)
10.5	Core Laboratories Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan effective as of January 1, 19981	Form 10-K, March 31, 1998 (File No. 000-26710)
10.6	Amendment to Core Laboratories Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan filed January 1, 1998, effective July 29, 19991	Form 10-Q, August 16, 1999 (File No. 001-14273)
10.7	Core Laboratories Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan for Monty L. Davis effective January 1, 19991	Form 10-Q, August 16, 1999 (File No. 001-14273)
10.8	Amendment to Core Laboratories Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan1	Form 10-Q, May 15, 2003 (File No. 001-14273)
10.9	Amendment to Core Laboratories Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan dated as of March 5, 20081	Form 10-Q, May 12, 2008 (File No. 001-14273)
10.10	Amendment to Core Laboratories Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan for Monty L. Davis dated as of March 5, 20081	Form 10-Q, May 12, 2008 (File No. 001-14273)

34

10.11	Non-Employee Director Compensation Summary	Form 10-K, February 20, 2008 (File No. 001-14273)
10.12	Core Laboratories N.V. 2006 Nonemployee Director Stock Incentive Plan	Proxy Statement dated May 17, 2006 for Annual Meeting of Shareholders (File No. 001-14273)
10.13	Form of Director Performance Share Award Restricted Share Agreement (ROE Based) 1	Form 10-K, February 20, 2007 (File No. 001-14273)
10.14	Form of Restricted Share Award Program Agreement1	Form 10-K, February 20, 2007 (File No. 001-14273)
10.15	Form of Amendment to Core Laboratories 2008 Non-Employee Director Restricted Performance Share Award Agreement (ROE Based).	Form 10-Q, April 22, 2011 (File No. 001-14273)
10.16	Form of Amendment to Core Laboratories 2009 Non-Employee Director Restricted Performance Share Award Agreement (ROE Based).	Form 10-Q, April 22, 2011 (File No. 001-14273)
10.17	Form of Amendment to Core Laboratories 2010 Non-Employee Director Restricted Performance Share Award Agreement (ROIC Based).	Form 10-Q, April 22, 2011 (File No. 001-14273)
10.18	Form of Core Laboratories 2010 Non-Employee Director Restricted Share Award Program Agreement.	Form 10-Q, April 22, 2011 (File No. 001-14273)
10.19	Form of Core Laboratories 2011 Performance Share Award Program Agreement (ROIC Based).	Form 10-Q, April 22, 2011 (File No. 001-14273)
10.20	Form of Core Laboratories 2011 Non-Employee Director Restricted Share Award Program Agreement.	Form 10-Q, April 22, 2011 (File No. 001-14273)
10.21	Core Laboratories N.V. Board Succession Plan, dated March 2, 2011	Form 8-K, March 7, 2011 (File No. 001-14273
10.22	Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among Core Laboratories N.V., Core Laboratories, Inc., Core Laboratories (U.K.) Limited, Bankers Trust Company, NationsBank, N.A. and the Bank Group, dated as of July 18, 1997	Form S-3, October 31, 1997 (File No. 333-39265)
10.23	Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among Core Laboratories N.V., Core Laboratories LP, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., JP Morgan Securities Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC, dated as of March 24, 2005	Form 10-Q, May 4, 2005 (File No. 001-14273)
10.24	First Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among Core Laboratories N.V., Core Laboratories LP, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., JP Morgan Securities Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC, dated as of December 20, 2005	Form 8-K, December 23, 2005 (File No. 001-14273)
10.25	Second Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among Core Laboratories N.V., Core Laboratories LP, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., JP Morgan Securities Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC, dated as of July 7, 2006	Form 8-K, November 7, 2006 (File No. 001-14273)

35

10.26	Third Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among Core Laboratories N.V., Core Laboratories LP, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., JP Morgan Securities Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC, dated as of November 6, 2006	Form 8-K, November 7, 2006 (File No. 001-14273)
10.27	Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among Core Laboratories N.V., Core Laboratories LP, Bank of America, N.A., and Banc of America Securities LLC, dated as of January 22, 2008	Form 8-K, January 23, 2008 (File No. 001-14273)
10.28	Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2010, among Core Laboratories N.V., Core Laboratories LP and the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent.	Form 8-K, December 20, 2010 (File No. 001-14273)
10.29	Assignment, Assumption and Amendment to Credit Agreement related to the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 28, 2011, among Core Laboratories N.V., Core Laboratories LP, Core Laboratories (U.S.) Interest Holdings, Inc. and the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent.	Form 8-K, September 30, 2011 (File No. 001-14273
10.30	Amendment No. 1 to the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 19, 2011, among Core Laboratories N.V., Core Laboratories LP and the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent.	Form 8-K, April 21, 2011 (File No. 001-14273)
10.31	Form of Restated Employment Agreement between Core Laboratories N.V. and David M. Demshur dated as of December 31, 20071	Form 10-Q, May 12, 2008 (File No. 001-14273)
10.32	Amendment to Restated Employment Agreement dated December 31, 2007, between Core Laboratories N.V. and David M. Demshur1	Form 10-K, February 22, 2011 (File No. 001-14273)
10.33	Form of Restated Employment Agreement between Core Laboratories N.V. and Richard L. Bergmark dated as of December 31, 20071	Form 10-Q, May 12, 2008 (File No. 001-14273)
10.34	Amendment to Restated Employment Agreement dated December 31, 2007, between Core Laboratories N.V. and Richard L. Bergmark1	Form 10-K, February 22, 2011 (File No. 001-14273)
10.35	Form of Restated Employment Agreement between Core Laboratories N.V. and Monty L. Davis dated as of December 31, 20071	Form 10-Q, May 12, 2008 (File No. 001-14273)
10.36	Amendment to Restated Employment Agreement dated December 31, 2007, between Core Laboratories N.V. and Monty L. Davis1	Form 10-K, February 22, 2011 (File No. 001-14273)
10.37	Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2011.	Form 8-K, September 30, 2011 (File No. 001-14273
21.1	Significant Subsidiaries of the Registrant	Filed Herewith
23.1	Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP	Filed Herewith

36

31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	Filed Herewith
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	Filed Herewith
32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	Furnished Herewith
32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	Furnished Herewith
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document	Filed Herewith
101.SCH	XBRL Schema Document	Filed Herewith
101.CAL	XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document	Filed Herewith
101.LAB	XBRL Label Linkbase Document	Filed Herewith
101.PRE	XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document	Filed Herewith
101.DEF	XBRL Definition Linkbased Document	Filed Herewith
1 Management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements.

37

Exhibit 21.1

Significant Subsidiaries of the Registrant at December 31, 2012

Name	Legal Seat	Ownership %
Core Laboratories Australia PTY LTD	Perth, Australia	100%
Core Laboratories Canada Ltd.	Alberta, Canada	100%
Core Laboratories International B.V.	Amsterdam, The Netherlands	100%
Core Laboratories LP	Delaware, United States	100%
Core Laboratories Malaysia SDN BHD	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	100%
Core Laboratories Sales N.V.	Willemstad, Curacao	100%
Core Laboratories (U.K.) Limited	London, United Kingdom	100%
Owen Oil Tools LP	Delaware, United States	100%
Core Lab de Mexico S.A. de C.V.	Mexico City, Mexico	100%
Saybolt Belgium N.V.	Antwerp, Belgium	100%
Saybolt LP	Delaware, United States	100%
Saybolt Nederland B.V.	Rotterdam, The Netherlands	100%
Saybolt (Singapore) PTE LTD	Singapore, Singapore	100%
Stim-Lab, Inc.	Oklahoma, United States	100%
ZAO Petroleum Analysts	Moscow, Russian Federation	100%

Pursuant to Item 601(b)(21)(ii) of Regulation S-K, the names of other subsidiaries are omitted because, considered in the aggregate, they would not constitute a significant subsidiary as of the end of the year covered by this report.

38

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Forms S‑8(Nos. 333-73772 and 333-73774) of Core Laboratories N.V. of our report dated February 13, 2013 relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedule and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10‑K.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Houston, Texas

February 13, 2013

39

EX-3.1

CONTINUOUS TEXT of the articles of association of Core Laboratories N.V., with corporate seat in Amsterdam, after partial amendment to the articles of association dated 16 May 2012 before M.D.P. Anker, civil law notary in Amsterdam.

Trade register number: 33261158

This is a translation into English of the original Dutch text. An attempt has been made to be as literal as possible without jeopardizing the overall continuity. Inevitably, differences may occur in translation, and if so the Dutch text will by law govern.

_____________________________________________________________________

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

DEFINITIONS

Article 1.

The terms used in the Articles of Association of this company are defined below:

a. the company: the legal entity to which these Articles of Association appertain;

b. the board of management: the management board of the company;

c. the board of supervisory directors: the board of supervisory directors of the company;

d. rights attached to depositary receipts for shares: the rights which the (Dutch) Civil Code grants to holders of depositary receipts for shares which have been issued with the cooperation of a company;

e. persons entitled to attend meetings: the company's shareholders, usufructuaries and pledgees holding the rights attached to depositary receipts for shares of the company;

f. the general meeting: either the body that comprises the voting shareholders of the company and other persons within the company entitled to vote or the meeting of persons entitled to attend meetings of the shareholders of the company;

g. the meeting of holders of shares of a special class: either the body that comprises the persons holding the voting rights over shares of a special class or the meeting of persons holding the voting rights over shares of a special class;

h. distributable reserves: that part of the company's equity which exceeds the sum of the paid and called-up capital and the reserves which have to be maintained by virtue of the law and/or these Articles of Association;

i. annual accounts: the balance sheet, the profit and loss account and explanatory notes to these documents;

j. subsidiary: a legal entity

(a) in the general meeting of which the company or one or more of its subsidiaries can, whether or not by virtue of an agreement with other persons entitled to vote, exercise on its own or together with others more than half of the voting rights or

(b) of which the company or one or more of its subsidiaries is or are a shareholder and in which it or they can, whether or not by virtue of an agreement with other persons entitled to vote, appoint or dismiss on its own or together with others more than half of the managing or supervisory directors, even if all those entitled to vote do so, as well as other legal entities which the law equates with subsidiaries, all the aforegoing within the meaning of article 2:24a of the (Dutch) Civil Code;

k. group company: a legal entity with which the company is structurally associated into an economic unity.

NAME, CORPORATE SEAT, DURATION

Article 2.

1. The name of the company is: Core Laboratories N.V..

2. It has its corporate seat at Amsterdam.

3. The company shall continue to exist for an indefinite period of time.

OBJECTS

Article 3.

The objects of the company are:

1. the acquisition, possession, administration, sale, exchange, transfer and investment in and disposal of shares, bonds, funds, order documents, evidences of indebtedness and other securities, the borrowing of money and the issuance of documents evidencing indebtedness therefor, as well as the lending of money;

2. the granting of suretyships for the fulfilment of obligations of the company or of third parties;

1

3. The acquisition of:

a. income arising from the disposal or licensing of copyrights, patents, designs, secret processes or formulae, trademarks and similar interests;

b. royalties, including rentals, in respect of or relating to the use of industrial, commercial or scientific equipment as well as in respect of the exploitation of a mine or quarry or any other natural resource and other real properties;

c. consideration for the rendering of technical assistance and scientific analyses and related services;

4. the acquisition, possession, disposal, administration, development, lease, letting, mortgaging or in general the encumbrance of real property and any right to or interest in real property;

5. the trading in, including wholesale, distributive and future trade, the manufacturing, as well as the import and export of raw materials, minerals, metals, organic materials, semi-finished products and finished products of whatever nature and under whatever name;

6. the acting as a holding company;

7. the participation in and the management and joint management of other companies and enterprises; and

8. the performance of everything connected with the foregoing in the widest sense of the word.

SHARE CAPITAL, SHARES, DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS

Article 4.

1. The authorised share capital of the company amounts to four million one hundred twenty thousand euros (EUR 4,120,000.--), divided into two hundred million (200,000,000) ordinary shares and six million (6,000,000) preference shares, each with a nominal value of two eurocents (EUR 0.02).

2. The common shares and the preference shares shall be in registered form only. No share certificates shall be issued.

3. Where in these Articles of Association the terms shares and/or shareholders are used without any further specification, these terms shall refer to the common shares and the preference shares and holders of such shares respectively.

4. The company shall not co-operate with the issuance of depositary receipts in respect of its shares.

5. Each outstanding preference share may be converted by the holder thereof into a common share on such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the board of supervisory directors at the time the preference shares are issued. At conversion, the preference share concerned shall acquire all characteristics of a common share. Conversion shall not take place if and insofar as the number of outstanding common shares would exceed the number of common shares referred to in paragraph 1 of this article.

ISSUES OF SHARES

Article 5.

1. Shares that have not yet been issued shall, up to the amount of the authorized capital, with due observance of the provisions of the (Dutch) Civil Code, be capable of being issued by virtue of a resolution of the board of supervisory directors. The authority or the board of supervisory directors, as referred to in the preceding sentence, shall terminate five years after the date of execution of this deed, unless the general meeting has extended such authority.

2. In case the board of supervisory directors no longer has the authority referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, any resolution to issue shares shall require the prior approval of the board of supervisory directors.

3. Any resolution to issue shares shall stipulate the terms and conditions of issuance.

PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS.

Article 6.

1. Except as provided below, in the event of the issue of new common shares, each holder of common shares shall have a pre-emptive right to subscribe to such shares pro rata to his existing holding of such shares. No pre-emptive rights are attached to shares issued to employees of the company or employees of a group company. Shareholders shall furthermore have no pre-emptive right in respect of shares issued for a non-cash contribution.

The holders of preference shares shall have no pre-emptive rights to subscribe to shares, whereas holders of common shares shall have no pre-emptive rights to subscribe to preference shares.

2. Pre-emptive rights can, with due observance of the relevant provisions of the (Dutch) Civil Code, be restricted or excluded by virtue of a resolution of the board of supervisory directors. The provisions in article 5, paragraph 1, second sentence, and article 5, paragraph 2 shall mutatis mutandis apply.

2

3. The company shall announce the issue of shares to which pre-emptive rights are attached and the period in which that right is capable of being exercised in a written notification to all the shareholders sent to the addresses set forth in the register of shareholders within fourteen days of such a resolution being passed. Pre-emption rights with respect to an issue shall be capable of being exercised only during the four weeks after the day the announcement relating to such issue has been sent out.

4. The provisions in article 5 and in this article shall apply as well to the granting of rights to subscribe for shares (other than rights granted to employees of the company or employees of a group company) within the meaning of Article 2:96A of the (Dutch) Civil Code.

Shareholders, however, shall have no pre-emptive rights for shares which are being issued to a person who exercises a previously acquired right to subscribe for shares.

PAYMENT FOR SHARES

Article 7.

1. The full nominal amount of the shares must be paid in on issue. It may be stipulated though that a part of the nominal amount of the preference shares, not exceeding three quarters thereof, needs only be paid after the company has called it in. If a share is subscribed for at a higher price, the balance of these amounts must be paid in on issue.

2. Payment for a share must be made in cash insofar as no other manner of payment has been agreed on. Payment in foreign currency can be made only with the approval of the company, which approval shall be deemed given upon acceptance of foreign currency by the company.

3. Neither the company, nor any of its subsidiaries shall be allowed to grant security, provide a quotation guarantee, to guarantee in any other way or to bind itself jointly or severally with or for others with a view to the subscription or acquisition of shares or depositary receipts for shares in the company by others.

The company and its subsidiaries may only provide loans, with a view to the subscription for or acquisition by others of shares in the capital of the company or depositary receipts therefor, with due observance of the provisions of Article 2:98c (2-7) of the (Dutch) Civil Code.

ACQUISITION AND TRANSFER BY THE COMPANY OF SHARES IN ITS OWN SHARE CAPITAL

Article 8.

1. Upon any issue of shares the company cannot subscribe for its shares.

2. The company may acquire fully-paid shares in its own capital but only with due observance of the provisions in Article 2:98 of the (Dutch) Civil Code and furthermore with the authorization of the board of management for such acquisition by the general meeting. Such authorization shall be valid for not more than eighteen months. The general meeting must specify in the authorization the number of shares which may be acquired, the manner in which they may be acquired and the limits within which the price must be set.

3. No authorization, as referred to in paragraph 2, shall be required for any acquisition by the company of its own shares for the purpose of transferring the same to employees of the company or of a group company under a scheme applicable to such employees. The provision in article 2:98, paragraph 5 of the (Dutch) Civil Code shall be applicable to any such acquisition.

4. Alienation of shares held by the company in its own capital shall be effected only in pursuance of a resolution of the board of supervisory directors. Upon taking the resolution to alienate such shares, the terms and conditions of such alienation shall also be determined by the board of supervisory directors.

REDUCTION OF THE ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL

Article 9

1. The general meeting shall, upon a proposal thereto by the board of supervisory directors, have power to pass a resolution to reduce the issued share capital either by cancelling shares or by reducing the par value of the shares by means of an amendment to the company's Articles of Association but only with due observance of the provisions in article 2:99 of the (Dutch) Civil Code.

2. A resolution to cancel shares may only relate (i) to shares which the company holds in its own share capital or of which it holds the depositary receipts, (ii) to preference shares which may be cancelled on redemption or (iii) to the balloted preference shares that may be balloted for redemption by the board of management.

3. Partial repayment on shares or exemption from the obligation to pay up shall only be allowed in the event of implementing a resolution to reduce the amount of the shares. Such repayment or exemption shall be allowed pro rata on all shares. The pro rata requirement may be abandoned if all shareholders consent.

4. The notice convening a meeting at which a resolution, as mentioned in this article, is to be passed shall state

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the purpose of the reduction of share capital and the manner of implementation.

SHAREHOLDERS' REGISTER

Article 10.

1. The shares shall be consecutively numbered per class from 1 onwards.

2. The board of management or a transfer agent duly authorized by it for this purpose, shall keep a register at the office of the company containing the data referred to in article 2:85 of the (Dutch) Civil Code. The register may, at the discretion of the board of management, in whole or in part, be kept in more than one copy and at more than one place.

3. If a share, a usufruct or a right of pledge over a share forms part of undivided property to which Title 7 of Book 3 of the (Dutch) Civil Code is applicable, then the persons jointly entitled thereto - whose names, moreover, must be recorded in the register - shall only be capable of being represented vis à vis the company by one person to be appointed by them for that purpose in a written statement.

The personal details of the representative thus appointed shall be entered into the register, and all notifications and notices to the persons jointly entitled to that undivided property shall be capable of being sent to the address, recorded in the register, of the person thus appointed.

TRANSFER OF SHARES AND LIMITED RIGHTS TO SHARES

Article 11.

1. The transfer of shares or the transfer or termination of usufruct on shares, or else the establishment or renunciation of usufruct or a right of pledge on shares takes place with consideration of that defined in article 2:86, or else article 2:86c of the (Dutch) Civil Code.

2. Transfers of shares shall be registered on the records maintained by or on behalf of the company for such purpose upon compliance with such transfer procedures as may be approved by the company or such transfer agent or prescribed by applicable law.

THE RIGHT OF USUFRUCT AND THE RIGHT OF PLEDGE OVER SHARES

Article 12.

1. Each shareholder is entitled to create a right of usufruct or a right of pledge on or over the shares held by him in whole or in part. The shareholder shall have the voting rights for shares over which a right of usufruct or a right of pledge has been established.

2. In deviation from the provision in the last sentence of the previous paragraph, the usufructuary or pledgee shall have the voting rights if this was agreed upon when the limited right was established and the usufructuary or pledgee is a person to whom the shares can freely be transferred in compliance with the provisions in these Articles of Association.

3. If the usufructuary or pledgee is not such a person, he shall only be entitled to have the voting rights where these rights were granted upon creation of the limited right and this has been approved by the board of supervisory directors, which approval may be subject to conditions which shall be stated in the resolution of the board of supervisory directors whereby such granting is approved.

4. If any other person, who is not at the same time a person to whom these Articles of Association allow the shares to be freely transferred, acquires the rights of a pledgee who is entitled to vote, he shall only be entitled to the right to vote if the transfer of the voting right has been approved by the board of supervisory directors.

5. The approval referred to in paragraphs 3 and 4 hereof must be requested by registered letter addressed to the board of supervisory directors.

As promptly as practicable but at least within thirty days after a request for that approval has been received, a meeting of the board of supervisory directors shall be called, to which the request for that approval shall be submitted. If the board of supervisory directors fails to hold the said meeting, then the person who made the request shall himself have authority to call the meeting of the board of supervisory directors subject to due observance of what has been provided thereon in these Articles of Association.

6. Shareholders not entitled to vote and usufructuaries and pledgees entitled to vote shall have the rights attached to depositary receipts for shares.

MANAGEMENT

Article 13.

1. The company shall have a board of management, consisting of one or more members under the supervision of a board of supervisory directors.

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2. The number of managing directors in office shall be fixed by the board of supervisory directors.

3. Natural as well as legal persons can hold the office of managing director.

4. The general meeting shall appoint the managing directors for an unlimited period of time and shall at all times have power to suspend or dismiss any managing director. A resolution to appoint a managing director can only be passed upon recommendation by the board of supervisory directors. Each managing director can at all times also be suspended by the board of supervisory directors. A shareholders' resolution to suspend or dismiss a managing director must be passed by a two thirds majority of the valid votes cast representing more than half of the issued share capital. The provision in article 2:120, paragraph 3, (Dutch) Civil Code shall not be applicable.

5. The appointment of the managing directors may result from a binding nomination, which provides for at least two persons for each vacancy to be filled, made by the board of supervisory directors within three months of such board being invited by means of a registered letter to do so by the board of management. In case no binding nomination has been made within the abovementioned period, the general meeting shall be free in its choice. The general meeting shall also be free in its choice if it deprives any nomination of its binding character in a resolution passed by at least two thirds of the valid votes cast at a meeting where more than half of the issued share capital is present or represented. The provisions in article 2:120, paragraph 3, (Dutch) Civil Code shall not be applicable.

6. If, in the event of suspension of a managing director, after three months no resolution has been passed by the general meeting to dismiss him, the suspension shall terminate.

7. A managing director shall be given the opportunity to account for his actions in the general meeting where his suspension or discharge is discussed and have an adviser assist him therein.

8. The board of supervisory directors shall decide on the remuneration and the further terms and conditions of employment for each of the managing directors.

DUTIES AND POWERS

Article 14.

1. The board of management shall, subject to the limitations contained in these Articles of Association, be in charge of the management of the company.

2. If the board of management consists of more than one board member, the board of management shall appoint one of them chairman. In that case, it may also appoint a vice-chairman.

3. The board of management shall meet whenever its chairman or two other members of that board considers this necessary. Meetings can be held both in The Netherlands and abroad. Notice of its meetings shall be given by the chairman of the board of management - stating the matters to be dealt with - and in the event of his prevention or permanent, absence by one of the other managing directors; the period of notice of the meeting being at least three days. The managing directors shall be entitled to have themselves represented by any other member of the board of management by means of an authorization in writing.

4. The board of management shall have power to pass resolutions outside meetings as well, provided this be done (i) by unanimous vote and further in writing, by telegraph, by telefax or by telex messages or (ii) by telephone by a majority of the members of the board of management then in office and provided that all the managing directors have been consulted on the resolution to be passed and none of them objects against the applicable manner of passing a resolution.

5. The board of management shall pass all resolutions adopted at meetings with an absolute majority of the votes of all the managing directors in office, excluding any suspended managing directors. In the event of an equal division of votes, the chairman of the board of management shall have the deciding vote.

6. The ruling pronounced by the chairman of the board of management concerning the result of a vote, as well as the ruling concerning the contents of a resolution that has been passed, insofar as a vote was taken about a proposal other than in a written form, shall be decisive.

If, however, immediately after a ruling as referred to in the previous sentence is pronounced, its correctness is disputed, a new vote is taken provided that this is required by a majority of votes, or if, in the event of the first vote not being taken by call or not being a written one, one of those present and entitled to vote should wish so. This new vote nullifies the legal consequences of the original vote.

7. The board of management shall require the approval of the general meeting for resolutions concerning a major change in the identity or character of the company or its business, including, in any event:

a. the transfer of the business, or virtually the entire business, to any third party;

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b. the commencement or termination of a long-term co-operation of the company or a subsidiary thereof with another legal entity or partnership, or participation as a general partner with full liability in a limited partnership (commanditaire vennootschap) or general partnership (vennootschap onder firma), if such a co-operation or participation, or the termination thereof, is of far-reaching significance for the company;

c.the acquisition or disposal by the company or a subsidiary thereof of a

participating interest in a company's share capital the value of which amounts to at least one third of the value of the assets according to the balance sheet and explanatory notes included in the company's most recently adopted annual accounts, or, if a consolidated balance sheet has been drawn up by the company, according to the consolidated balance sheet and explanatory notes included in the most recently adopted consolidated annual accounts.

8. Furthermore, the board of management shall need the approval of the board of supervisory directors for such management decisions as the latter board shall have decided upon by means of a resolution passed especially for this purpose of which it has informed the board of management.

9. The absence of the approval required in accordance with paragraphs 7 and 8 of this article and paragraph 3 of article 15 shall not affect the powers of representation of the board of management or of the managing directors.

10. The board of management shall have the obligation to act in pursuance of the directions of the board of supervisory directors regarding the general outlines of the financial, social and economic policies and regarding personnel management within the company.

11. In the event of the prevention or permanent absence of one or more managing directors the remaining managing director(s) shall be in charge of the entire management of the company; in the event of the prevention or permanent absence of all the managing directors or of the sole managing director there must at all times be a person, who has been appointed for that purpose by the board of supervisory directors, to be in that event temporarily in charge of the management of the company.

12. The members of the board of management shall have the obligation to attend the general meetings, unless the general meeting should decide otherwise; in the general meetings their role will be an advisory one.

REPRESENTATION

Article 15.

1. The board of management shall represent the company. The company can also be represented by each managing director acting alone.

The board of management may authorise each employee to represent the company solely within limits to be laid down in such authorization. The board of management shall determine such employee's title.

2. If a managing director has an interest that conflicts with that of the company, the board of management as well as each managing director shall nevertheless be able to represent the company, provided this is done in compliance with the provisions of these Articles of Association.

THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORY DIRECTORS

Article 16.

1. The company shall have a board of supervisory directors consisting of one or more natural persons.

2. The number of supervisory directors in office shall be fixed by the board of supervisory directors.

3. If the board of supervisory directors consists of three, four or five members, then the board of supervisory directors itself may appoint one member of the board of supervisory directors. If the board of supervisory directors consists of six or more members, the board of supervisory directors itself may appoint two members. The board of supervisory directors shall only be entitled to effect any of the appointments as described in the preceding two sentences of this paragraph in case of death, resignation or dismissal of a member of the board of supervisory directors without the general meeting having appointed a successor. Each of the above appointments will lapse as soon as the general meeting has appointed a successing member of the board of supervisory directors in accordance with the following provisions of this paragraph. The board of supervisory directors shall at all times be empowered to suspend or dismiss each member of the board of supervisory directors appointed by it. The general meeting shall appoint all other supervisory directors with due observance of and in the way as provided in article 13, paragraph 5 and shall at all times be empowered to suspend or dismiss any such supervisory director with due observance of the provisions in article 13, paragraph 4. A resolution to appoint a supervisory director can only be passed upon

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recommendation by the board of supervisory directors.

4. The general meeting of shareholders shall determine the remuneration of the supervisory directors. Any reasonable expenses incurred by supervisory directors in this capacity shall be refunded to them. The notes to the annual accounts shall contain full and detailed information on the amount and structure of the remuneration of individual supervisory directors. No personal loans can be granted to the member of the management board unless it is in the normal conduct of the company and the supervisory board has given its approval.

5. It shall be the duty of the board of supervisory directors to exercise supervision over the board of management's conduct of affairs and over the general course of business in the company and the business enterprise connected with it. It shall offer advice to the board of management. In discharging their duties the board of supervisory directors shall have regard for the interests of the company and the business enterprise connected with it.

6. The board of management shall supply all such information regarding the af fairs of the company to any one of the supervisory directors who should require this. The board of supervisory directors shall have power to examine all books, documents and correspondence of the company and to take cognizance of all acts that have taken place; each supervisory director shall have access to all buildings and sites that are being used by the company.

7. The board of supervisory directors shall be entitled to ask the assistants of experts in the exercise of its duties for account of the company. In addition, the board of supervisory directors may appoint advisors to the company, without regard to any age limitation, and may grant to such advisors the title of honorary member of the board of supervisory directors or any other title it may resolve upon. The board of supervisory directors shall appoint a secretary, who needs not be a member of such board, and make arrangements for his substitution in case of his absences at meetings of such board. The secretary shall keep minutes of the proceedings at meetings of the board of supervisory directors. The minutes shall be adopted at the same or in a subsequent meeting and shall be signed by the chairman and the secretary as evidence thereof.

8. If the board of supervisory directors consists of more than one board member, the board of supervisory directors shall appoint one of them chairman. In that case, it may also appoint a vice-chairman. The board of supervisory directors shall furthermore be empowered to appoint one or more of them to be primarily in charge of the day-to-day supervision of the board of management.

Subject to any limitations that may be imposed by applicable law, the board of supervisory directors may delegate any of its powers to committees consisting of such member or members of its body as it thinks fit; any committee as formed shall in the exercise of the power so delegated conform to any regulations that may be imposed on it by the board of supervisory directors. The board of supervisory directors may draw up its own charter, which will regulate the formalities for meetings of the board of supervisory directors to be observed, in addition to the foregoing provisions.

9. The board of supervisory directors shall meet whenever its chairman or two other members of that board considers this necessary. Meetings can be held both in The Netherlands and abroad. Notice of its meetings shall be given by the chairman of the board of supervisory directors - stating the matters to be dealt with - and in the event of his prevention or permanent absence by one of the other supervisory directors; the period of notice of the meeting being at least eight days. The supervisory directors shall be entitled to have themselves represented by any other member of the board of supervisory directors by means of an authorization in writing.

If asked to do so, the board of management shall attend the meetings of the board of supervisory directors; in that event their role shall be an advisory one.

10 The board of supervisory directors shall have power to pass resolutions outside meetings as well, provided this be done (i) by unanimous vote and further in writing, by telegraph, by telefax or by telex messages or (ii) by telephone by a majority of the members of the board of supervisory directors then in office and provided that all the supervisory directors have been consulted on the resolution to be passed and none of them objects against the applicable manner of passing a resolution.

11. The board of supervisory directors shall pass its resolutions adopted at meetings with an absolute majority of the votes of all the supervisory directors in office, excluding any suspended supervisory directors.

In the event of an equal division of votes, the chairman of the board of supervisory directors shall have the

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deciding vote.

12. The ruling pronounced by the chairman of the board of supervisory directors regarding the outcome of a vote as well as the ruling concerning the contents of a resolution passed by the board of supervisory directors, provided that a vote has been held about a proposal not recorded in writing, shall be decisive.

If, however, the correctness of a ruling as referred to in the preceding sentence is challenged immediately after the ruling has been pronounced, then a new vote shall be held, whenever a majority of those present and entitled to vote or, if the original vote was not taken by call or ballot papers, whenever any one of those present and entitled to vote should wish so. This new vote shall nullify the legal consequences of the original vote.

13. All resolutions of the board of supervisory directors, including those passed outside meetings, shall be entered into a register of minutes.

14. When the company wants to establish proof of any resolution of the board of supervisory directors, the signature of one member of that board on the document in which the resolution is contained, shall suffice.

15. A supervisory director may be appointed to the supervisory board for a three-year term. With due observance of the first sentence, each supervisory director shall be eligible for immediate re-appointment. The supervisory board shall draw up a retirement rota in order to avoid, as far as possible, a situation in which re-appointments occur simultaneously. The rota shall be made available and shall, in any event, be put on the company's website.

A member of the supervisory board shall be re-appointed only after careful consideration.

16. If for any reason whatsoever one or more supervisory directors are permanently absent, then the remaining supervisory directors shall, as long as at least one supervisory director is in office, constitute a body capable of acting until the vacancy(ies) has/have been filled.

17. If there is only one supervisory director, he shall have all the powers and obligations that these Articles of Association confer and impose on the board of supervisory directors and its chairman.

18. Supervisory directors will have an advisory vote in the general meetings of shareholders.

INDEMNIFICATION

Article 17.

1. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she, is or was or has agreed to become a supervisory or managing director of the company or is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the company as a supervisory or managing director of another company or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a supervisory or managing director of the company or in any other capacity while serving or having agreed to serve as a supervisory or managing director, shall be indemnified by the company against all expense, liability and loss (including without limitation, attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably and actually incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith.

2. Such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to serve in the capacity which initially entitled such person to indemnity hereunder and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors of his or her last will and testament, and the administrators of his estate.

3. If the damage was caused by seriously culpable conduct (which the parties intend to be functionally the same as “gross negligence or wilful misconduct” standards used in New York state law which, while not superseding the Dutch law governing the relationship between Dutch companies and the directors thereof, reflects the parties' intent as to the principles which, in the absence of clear Dutch law to the contrary, should be used for purposes of this indemnity) on the part of the relevant supervisory director or managing director, no right to indemnification shall exist.

4. The right to indemnification shall include the right to be paid by the company the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition. The payment of such expenses incurred by a current, former or proposed supervisory or managing director in his or her capacity as a supervisory or managing director or proposed supervisory or managing director in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding, shall be made only upon delivery to the company of a written undertaking, by or on behalf of such person seeking indemnification, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined

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that such person seeking indemnification is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article 17 or otherwise.

5. The managing or supervisory director shall not accept any liability towards third parties and not enter into a settlement agreement without the prior written consent of the company. The company and the managing or supervisory director shall use all reasonable efforts, but at the company's sole expense, to cooperate in order to agree on the defense against any action against the managing or supervisory director unless such defense is not, in the opinion of counsel to the person seeking indemnification, likely to be successful.

6. If a written claim received by the company from or on behalf of an indemnified party under this Article 17 is not paid in full by the company within ninety days after such receipt, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the company to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim.

7. The right to indemnification and the advancement and payment of expenses conferred in this Article 17 shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any law (common or statutory), provision of the Articles of Association of the company, bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested supervisory or managing directors or otherwise.

8. The company may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any person who is or was serving as a supervisory or managing director of the company or is or was serving at the request of the company as a supervisory or managing director of another company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the company would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under Dutch law.

9. If this Article 17 or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the company shall nevertheless indemnify each supervisory or managing director of the company and any person who is or was serving at the request of the company as a supervisory or managing director of another company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, as to costs, charges and expenses (including without limitation, attorneys' fees, judgments, penalties or fines, and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) with respect to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative to the full extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Article 17 that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

10. For purposes of this Article 17, reference to the “company” shall include, in addition to the company, any constituent company (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger prior to (or, in the case of an entity specifically designated in a resolution of the board of supervisory directors, after) the adoption hereof and which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had the power and authority to indemnify its supervisory or managing directors of such constituent company and so that any person who is or was a supervisory or managing director of such constituent company, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent company as a supervisory or managing director of another company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article 17 with respect to the resulting or surviving company as he or she would have with respect to such constituent company if its separate existence had continued.

11. An amendment to this article shall not impair the rights of a person who was a supervisory director or managing director after the introduction of this article but before the amendment. The obligations of the company towards such persons shall remain in effect as if the article had not been amended.

GENERAL MEETINGS

Article 18.

1. Not less than one general meeting shall be held each year within six months of the close of the financial year; the purpose of the meeting shall, among other things, be:

a.to discuss the annual accounts and, if required by law, the annual report and the other information referred to in Article 2:392 (Dutch) Civil Code, unless an extension of time has been granted for the preparation of the annual accounts;

b. to discuss whether or not to adopt the annual accounts, unless an extension of time has been granted for the preparation thereof;

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c. to determine the profit appropriation;

d.to decide whether or not to discharge the board of management;

e.to do all other things required by law.

2. Within three months after the board of management first had good reason to believe that the shareholders' equity of the company has decreased to an amount equal to or less than one half of the paid-up and called parts of the share capital, a general meeting shall be acting held for the purpose of discussing any measures that may have to be taken.

Furthermore, general meetings shall be held as often as the majority of the managing directors then in office or the majority of the members of the board of super-visory directors then in office considers it necessary, without prejudice to the provisions in the next para-graph hereof.

3. General meetings can furthermore be convened by the shareholders with due observance of the provisions in article 2:110 of the (Dutch) Civil Code.

4. General meetings shall be held in the place where the company has its corporate seat as contained in these Articles of Association, as well as in Delft, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht or Haarlemmermeer. At a general meeting, held at a different place, valid resolutions shall also be capable of being passed if the entire issued share capital is represented.

5. The notices of general meetings and all announcements relating to shareholders and persons with meeting rights, without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph 3 of this article, must be given by or on behalf of the board of management or the board of super-visory directors. The notices and announcements will be made with due observance of the statutory provisions (including a written notice, a through electronic means of communication transmitted readable and reproducible message or an announcement made public through electronic

means), and in the manner prescribed by any stock exchange at which the shares in the capital of the company have been officially listed pursuant to a request thereto from the company. The notice convening a meeting shall be given within the time limits set thereto by law.

6. The notice convening a general meeting includes the time and place of the meeting and shall state the subjects to be considered and the other information required by law and these articles.

The notice convening the general meeting shall include the registration date and the place and the manner how the registration shall take place.

7. If a proposal to amend the company's Articles of Association is to be dealt with, a copy of that proposal, in which the proposed amendments are stated verbatim, shall be made available for inspection to the persons who are entitled to attend meetings inter alia at the office of the company where it maintains its corporate seat, as from the day of the notice of the meeting until after the close of that meeting, and each of them shall be entitled, upon his request, to obtain a copy thereof, without charge unless such a copy is attached to the notice of the meeting.

8. If the provisions laid down by law or by these Articles of Association in relation to giving notice of meetings, drawing up the agendas for such meetings and making available for inspection those matters which are to be dealt with have not been complied with, then valid resolutions shall nevertheless be capable of being passed, provided that the entire issued share capital be represented at the meeting in question and provided that the resolution be passed unanimously.

9. Persons within meeting rights are those persons who (i) are shareholder or otherwise entitled to meeting rights as per the registration date, provided that (ii) the holder of the registration register has, upon request of the relevant person with meeting rights, notified the company in writing prior to the general

meeting, that the relevant person with meeting rights intends to attend the meeting, regardless of who shall have meeting rights at the time of the general meeting.

The notification shall state the name of the person with meeting rights and the number of shares, for which that person shall be able to attend the meeting. The provision above under (ii) about the notice to the company also applies to the written proxy holder of a person with meeting rights, who has a written proxy.

Article 19.

1. The chairman of the board of supervisory directors shall chair the meeting. If such chairman is not present at any such meeting, the general meeting shall itself decide who is to chair the meeting. The chairman of the meeting may adopt rules and regulations relating to the conduct of such meeting.

2. The chairman shall appoint one of those present to act as secretary whose duty it shall be to draw up the

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minutes of the meeting and the chairman shall, together with the secretary, confirm and adopt the minutes, in proof of which they shall sign these. The minutes shall be entered into a register of minutes. If an official notarial record is made of the matters dealt with at a meeting then minutes need not be drawn up.

3. Each of the persons entitled to attend meetings shall have the right to be represented at a meeting by a proxy duly authorized in writing.

4. The board of management may decide that each person entitled to attend meetings is entitled, in person or by written proxy, through an electronic means of communication, to participate in the general meeting, to take the floor and, to the extent applicable, to exercise voting rights. In order to participate in the general meeting pursuant to the preceding sentence it is necessary that the person entitled to attend meetings can, via the selected electronic means of communication, be identified, directly take cognisance of the matters handled in the meeting and, to the extent applicable, exercise the voting rights.

5. The board of management may attach conditions to the use of the electronic means of communication. These conditions shall be made known in the notice of the meeting.

6. The board of management may decide that votes cast electronically prior to the

general meeting shall be equivalent to votes cast during the meeting. These votes shall be cast no earlier than on the registration date as referred to in this paragraph.

For the purpose of applying this paragraph, persons with voting rights shall be those that have such rights on a date to be set in the notice of a general meeting and are registered as such in a register designated by the board of management, irrespective of who have voting rights on the shares at the time of the general meeting. The registration date may not be set earlier than the day set thereto by law.

Article 20.

1. Each common share and each preference share entitles the holder thereof to cast one (1) vote.

2. At general meetings the company shall not be capable of casting votes for shares in its own share capital which are held by itself or by one of its subsidiaries; nor shall it be capable of doing so for shares in its own share capital of which the company or one of its subsidiaries holds the depositary receipts for shares. Usufructuaries and pledgees of shares held by the company and its subsidiaries are not excluded from the right to vote, provided the right of usufruct or the right of pledge was established over shares before they were held by the company or one of its subsidiaries. The company or one of its subsidia-ries shall not be capable of casting votes for shares over which it has a right of usufruct or a right of pledge.

3. When determining whether a particular proportion of the share capital is represented, or alternatively, whether a majority represents a particular proportion of the share capital, the amount of shares to which no voting rights are attached shall be subtracted from the share capital.

4. Votes on matters of business shall be held verbally, those concerning persons by means of unsigned closed ballot papers, unless in either case the chairman of the meeting should, without objection from any of those present and entitled to vote, decide on or allow any other manner of voting. If the vote concerns an election of persons, a person entitled to attend meetings present at the relative meeting can also demand a vote by a secret ballot.

5. All resolutions of the general meeting shall be passed with a two-thirds majority of the valid votes cast representing more than half of the issued share capital, except - without prejudice to the provisions in article 13, paragraphs 4 and 5 and article 16, paragraph 3:

(i)for the resolutions to be passed upon recommendation by the board of supervisory directors, which resolutions (except as required in (ii) below) may be passed with an absolute majority of the votes cast, without regard to the number of shares represented at the meeting;

ii)for the resolutions to amend the Articles of Association, which resolutions can only be passed with a two-thirds majority of the valid votes cast representing more than half of the issued share capital and further only on the proposal of the board of management, which proposal must be approved by the board of supervisory directors.

6. Blank votes and abstentions shall not be counted as votes cast.

7. If there is an equal division of votes on a proposal about business matters, no decision shall be taken.

8. In the event a vote is taken to elect one of two candidates and there is an equal division of votes, it shall be decided by drawing lots which of these has been elected, under the restriction, however, that if persons from a binding nomination list are to be elected, then the higher ranking nominee is elected.

9. The ruling concerning voting results pronounced by the chairman during the meeting shall be decisive. The

11

same shall also apply to the contents of a resolution passed by the meeting, provided that a vote has been held about a proposal not recorded in writing.

10. If the correctness of a ruling as referred to in the preceding paragraph is challenged, however, immediately after the ruling has been pronounced, then a new vote shall be held whenever a majority of the general meeting should wish so, or, if the original vote was not taken by call or by ballot papers, whenever any one of the person: entitled to vote should wish so.

This new vote shall nullify the legal consequences of the original vote.

11. The board of management shall keep a record of the resolutions that have been passed. This record shall be open to inspection by the persons entitled to attend meetings at the registered office of the company. Upon request, each of them shall receive a copy of or an ex-tract from this record against payment of cost at most.

Article 21.

1. Except if the company has usufructuaries and pledgees entitled to vote, resolutions of shareholders shall alternatively be capable of being passed in writing - which shall include telegraphic, telefax and telex messages - instead of at a general meeting, provided that these are passed with a unanimous vote of all persons who are entitled to vote.

2. The board of management shall enter the resolutions that have been passed in the manner specified in the preceding paragraph of this article, in the register of minutes of the general meetings and shall mention this at the next general meeting.

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SHARES OF A SPECIAL CLASS

Article 22.

1. Meetings of holders of shares of a special class shall be held in all instances, which by virtue of these Articles of Association require a resolution of the meeting of holders of shares of a special class and, furthermore, whenever the board of management and/or the board of supervisory directors considers it necessary or whenever one or more persons holding the voting rights over shares of a special class submit(s) a written request to this effect to the board of management and/or the board of supervisory directors, stating exactly what issues are to be dealt with.

2. Article 18 paragraphs 4 to 8 inclusive, Article 19 paragraphs 2 and 3 and Article 20 paragraphs 1 to 11 inclusive shall mutatis mutandis be applicable to meetings of holders of shares of a special class.

3. If, after a request as mentioned at the end of paragraph 1, the board of management and/or the board of supervisory directors fails to convene a meeting of holders of shares of a special class, in the sense that it be held within four weeks of receipt of that request, the requestors shall themselves be empowered to convene a meeting.

4. A meeting of holders of shares of a special class shall itself decide who is to chair its meetings.

5. The chairman of a meeting of holders of shares of a special class shall decide upon allowing other persons to attend the meeting, apart from those holding the voting rights over the relative shares.

6. Resolutions of a meeting of holders of shares of a special class shall alternatively be capable of being passed in writing - which shall include telegraphic, telefax and telex messages - provided these are passed unanimously by all the persons entitled to vote.

EXAMINATION BY EXPERT

Article 23.

1. The general meeting shall have authority - and if this is required by provision of law it shall have the obligation - to instruct an expert as referred to in Article 2:393 of the (Dutch) Civil Code, whose duty it shall be to examine the annual accounts drawn up by the board of management, to lay a report of their findings before the board of management and to make a statement with regard thereto.

2. If the general meeting fails to instruct the expert as referred to in paragraph 1 of this article, this instruction shall be made by the board of management.

3. The instruction shall be capable of being cancelled at all times by the general meeting and by the person who instructed the expert.

FINANCIAL YEAR, ANNUAL ACCOUNTS

Article 24.

1. The financial year of the company shall coincide with the calendar year.

2. The board of management shall close the books of the company as at the last day of every financial year and shall within four months thereafter draw up the annual accounts and the annual report. These

12

documents will be submitted to the board of supervisory directors. The annual accounts shall be signed by all the managing directors and supervisory directors; if any signature is missing, the reason therefore shall be stated in the annual accounts.

The company shall make the annual accounts, the annual report, the auditor's report as well as the other financial accounting documents that the company must make available pursuant to statutory regulations, available within the periods prescribed by the law and in the manner prescribed by the law.

3. The company shall ensure that the annual accounts that have been drawn up, the annual report and the particulars that have to be added by virtue of paragraph 1 of Article 2:392 of the (Dutch) Civil Code are available at its office as from the day of the notice of the general meeting at which they are to be dealt with.

The persons entitled to attend meetings shall have the right to review these documents at the company's office and to obtain copies thereof free of charge.

4. What has been provided in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this article in relation to the annual report and the particulars to be added by virtue of paragraph 1 of Article 2:392 of the (Dutch) Civil Code shall not be applicable if Article 2:396, paragraph 6, first sentence or Article 2:403 of the (Dutch) Civil Code is applicable to the company.

5. The general meeting shall adopt the annual accounts. Adoption of the annual accounts shall not serve to discharge a managing director or a supervisory director.

6. The company shall proceed to publish the documents and data mentioned in this article, if and to the extent and in the manner that this is stipulated in Articles 2:394 and following of the (Dutch) Civil Code.

DISTRIBUTIONS

Article 25.

1. From the profits appearing from the annual accounts as adopted, such an amount shall be reserved by the company as shall be determined by the board of supervisory directors.

The profits remaining thereafter shall be treated in accordance with the provisions of the following paragraphs of this article.

2. From the profits remaining, after application of the provisions in paragraph 1 above, and available for distribution, first a non-cumulative cash dividend calculated on the basis of the aggregate of the par value of the preference shares and any share premium paid thereon, shall be made on the preference shares, less any interim distributions made in accordance with paragraph 5 hereunder. The percentage of such dividend shall be determined by the board of supervisory directors at the time of the first issuance of the relative preference shares. This rate of dividend can be adjusted by unanimous resolution of all persons entitled to vote. Any distribution on the preference shares shall not take place if all holders of the preference shares, unanimously so decide.

3. The profits remaining after the distribution referred to in paragraph 2 above are at the disposal of the general meeting for distribution on the common shares equally and proportionally and/or for reservation.

4. The company can make distributions to its share-holders and other persons entitled to its profits that are capable of being distributed, but only to the ex-tent that its shareholders' equity exceeds the paid-up and called parts of its share capital increased by the reserves that it must maintain by law or under the present Articles of Association.

5. With due observance of the provisions in paragraph 4 of article 2:105 of the (Dutch) Civil Code and in paragraph 4 of this article, the supervisory board may resolve that an interim dividend shall be paid. The supervisory board may resolve to pay interim dividend completely or partly other than in cash.

6. The general meeting may resolve that (interim) dividends shall wholly or partly be paid otherwise than in cash.

7. Unless the general meeting decides on a specific date dividends shall be made payable promptly after they have been declared

8. Dividends that have not been collected within five years after they have become payable, shall be forfeited to the company.

LIQUIDATION AND WINDING UP

Article 26.

1. In the event of the company being liquidated it shall be wound up by the board of management unless the general meeting decides otherwise.

2. The general meeting shall decide on the remuneration of the liquidators and of those who have been charged

13

with the supervision of the winding up.

3. During the winding up, these Articles of Association shall, in as far as possible, remain of full force and effect.

4. Out of the balance of the company's equity, after the expenses of liquidation and the company's debts have been paid, to the holders of preference shares shall be distributed first the amounts paid up on such preference shares. The balance remaining after application of the immediately preceding sentence shall be distributed to the holders of common shares pro rata to the amount of common shares each of such shareholders holds. No distribution upon liquidation shall be made to the company itself for shares which the company holds in its own share capital.

5. After completion of the winding up the books and documents of the liquidated company shall for ten years remain in the custody of a person who shall be capable of being appointed for that purpose by the general meeting in their resolution to liquidate the company. If an appointment as aforesaid has not been made by the general meeting, then the appointment shall be made by the liquidators.

THE UNDERSIGNED

M.D.P. Anker, civil law notary in Amsterdam, hereby declares that the unofficial English translation of the articles of association of Core Laboratories N.V., with corporate seat in Amsterdam, immediately after execution of the abovementioned deed of amendment to the articles of association, read as per the text printed above.

Signed at Amsterdam, on 21 May 2012.

(Signed: M.D.P. Anker)

14

EX-31.1

Certification

Exhibit 31.1

I, David M. Demshur, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Core Laboratories N.V. (the "Registrant");

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The Registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The Registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the Registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	February 15, 2013	By:	/s/ David M. Demshur
			David M. Demshur
			Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Certification

Exhibit 31.2

I, Richard L. Bergmark, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Core Laboratories N.V. (the "Registrant");

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The Registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The Registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the Registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	February 15, 2013	By:	/s/ Richard L. Bergmark
			Richard L. Bergmark
			Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

Certification of

Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, David M. Demshur, Chief Executive Officer of Core Laboratories N.V. (the "Company"), hereby certify that the accompanying Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the "Report").

I further certify that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date:	February 15, 2013	/s/ David M. Demshur
		Name: David M. Demshur
		Title: Chief Executive Officer

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

Certification of

Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Richard L. Bergmark, Chief Financial Officer of Core Laboratories N.V. (the "Company"), hereby certify that the accompanying Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the "Report").

I further certify that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date:	February 15, 2013	/s/ Richard L. Bergmark
		Name: Richard L. Bergmark
		Title: Chief Financial Officer

XML

Description of Business (Details)	Dec. 31, 2012
Number of Countries in which Entity Operates	50
Number of Stores	70
Entity Number of Employees	5,000

XML

Income Taxes Income Tax Contingency (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	$ 1,500,000	$ 3,000,000	$ 2,900,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increases Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions	1,845,000	1,512,000	1,149,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increases Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions	(3,293,000)	4,959,000	2,181,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decreases Resulting from Settlements with Taxing Authorities	0	0	(555,000)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reductions Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations	(2,260,000)	(2,430,000)	(1,113,000)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$ 10,319,000	$ 14,027,000	$ 9,986,000	$ 8,324,000

XML

Goodwill (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Goodwill [Line Items]
GOODWILL	$ 163,337	$ 162,787	$ 154,217
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	550	8,570
Reservoir Description Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
GOODWILL	80,932	80,932	80,932
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0	0
Production Enhancement Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
GOODWILL	79,560	79,010	70,440
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	550	8,570
Reservoir Management Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
GOODWILL	2,845	2,845	2,845
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$ 0	$ 0

XML

Stock-based Compensation Stock Based Compensation Phantom (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Options Plans, by Exercise Price Range, Range 1 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Range 2 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Range 3 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Range 4 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Range 5 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$ 4.42	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 4.42
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$ 12.50	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 12.50

XML

Income Taxes Equity (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation	$ 5,226,000	$ 2,559,000	$ 967,000
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation	$ 5,226,000	$ 2,559,000	$ 967,000

XML

Property Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Land	$ 6,791	$ 6,800
Buildings and Improvements, Gross	91,593	81,628
Machinery and Equipment, Gross	213,095	196,254
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	311,479	284,682
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	(186,061)	(169,387)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	$ (125,418)	$ (115,295)	$ (104,223)

XML

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Abstract]

Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]

Amounts recognized for the Dutch Plan in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 consist of (in thousands):

	2012			2011
Other assets	$	—		$	286
Deferred tax asset	268			1,200
Other long-term liabilities	8,783			—
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(8,413		)	(1,739		)

Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes the fair value balances (in thousands):

			Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2012
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Deferred compensation trust assets (1)	$	12,654	—		$	12,654	—
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plan	$	18,579	$	2,667	$	15,912	—

			Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2011
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Deferred compensation trust assets (1)	$	9,934	$	—	$	9,934	$	—
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plan	$	15,141	$	3,086	$	12,055	$	—
(1) Trust assets consist of the cash surrender value of life insurance policies and are intended to fund the deferred compensation agreements.

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

Amounts recognized, net of tax, in Accumulated other comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 consist of (in thousands):

	2012			2011
Prior service cost	$	(616	)	$	(734	)
Transition asset	195			259
Unrecognized net actuarial loss and foreign exchange	(7,992		)	(1,264		)
Total Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(8,413	)	$	(1,739	)

Schedule of Benefit Obligations in Excess of Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes the change in the projected benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

	2012			2011
Projected Benefit Obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	34,304		$	30,888
Service cost	1,127			1,352
Interest cost	1,684			1,743
Benefits paid	(910		)	(676		)
Administrative expenses	(181		)	(185		)
Actuarial loss, net	10,009			2,021
Unrealized (gain) loss on foreign exchange	843			(839		)
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	$	46,876		$	34,304
Fair Value of Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	34,590		$	26,022
Increase in plan asset value	2,267			8,157
Employer contributions	1,619			1,919
Benefits paid	(910		)	(676		)
Administrative expenses	(181		)	(185		)
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign exchange	708			(647		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	38,093		$	34,590
Over (under)-funded status of the plan at end of the year	$	(8,783	)	$	286
Accumulated Benefit Obligation	$	39,276		$	28,998

Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]

The components of net periodic pension cost under this plan for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 included (in thousands):

	2012			2011
Service cost	$	1,127		$	1,352
Interest cost	1,684			1,743
Expected return on plan assets	(1,214		)	(752		)
Unrecognized pension asset, net	(87		)	(87		)
Prior service cost	159			159
Unrecognized net actuarial loss	—			326
Net periodic pension cost	$	1,669		$	2,741

Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]

The following actuarial assumptions were used to determine the actuarial present value of our projected benefit obligation at December 31, 2012 and 2011:

	2012	2011
Weighted average assumed discount rate	3.60%	5.00%
Weighted average rate of compensation increase	3.00%	3.00%

This net periodic pension cost was calculated using the following assumptions:

	2012	2011
Weighted average assumed discount rate	5.00%	5.40%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	3.40%	5.40%
Weighted average rate of compensation increase	3.00%	3.00%

Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]

Expected benefit payments under this plan for the next five years are as follows (in thousands):

2013	$	1,066
2014	$	1,164
2015	$	1,182
2016	$	1,301
2017	$	1,504
Succeeding five years	$	8,720

XML

Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	$ 254,455,000	$ 245,428,000	$ 247,006,000	$ 234,191,000	$ 243,786,000	$ 231,344,000	$ 225,785,000	$ 206,733,000	$ 981,080,000	$ 907,648,000	$ 794,653,000
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue									0	0	0
Income Before Interest Expense and Taxes	75,868,000	75,380,000	72,126,000	73,906,000	72,888,000	63,564,000	57,803,000	56,499,000	297,280,000	250,754,000	226,926,000
Assets	636,516,000				610,873,000				636,516,000	610,873,000	650,241,000
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment									31,151,000	29,927,000	27,569,000
Depreciation and amortization									22,917,000	23,303,000	23,113,000
Operating Segment Reservoir Description [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, Net									495,529,000	469,775,000	425,829,000
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue									2,484,000	1,515,000	1,817,000
Income Before Interest Expense and Taxes									144,502,000	116,244,000	106,179,000
Assets	293,974,000				270,270,000				293,974,000	270,270,000	267,621,000
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment									16,987,000	15,320,000	20,495,000
Depreciation and amortization									14,094,000	14,073,000	13,988,000
Operating Segment Production Enhancement [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, Net									403,792,000	371,449,000	313,956,000
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue									2,757,000	1,947,000	1,681,000
Income Before Interest Expense and Taxes									128,602,000	112,576,000	101,241,000
Assets	242,254,000				221,599,000				242,254,000	221,599,000	196,802,000
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment									7,423,000	8,700,000	5,066,000
Depreciation and amortization									6,139,000	6,449,000	6,442,000
Operating Segment Reservoir Management [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, Net									81,759,000	66,424,000	54,868,000
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue									1,492,000	1,686,000	1,625,000
Income Before Interest Expense and Taxes									26,428,000	21,887,000	19,759,000
Assets	34,532,000				26,070,000				34,532,000	26,070,000	24,313,000
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment									920,000	1,318,000	591,000
Depreciation and amortization									731,000	666,000	713,000
Operating Segment Corporate And Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, Net									0	0	0
Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue									(6,733,000)	(5,148,000)	(5,123,000)
Income Before Interest Expense and Taxes									(2,252,000)	47,000	(253,000)
Assets	65,756,000				92,934,000				65,756,000	92,934,000	161,505,000
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment									5,821,000	4,589,000	1,417,000
Depreciation and amortization									$ 1,953,000	$ 2,115,000	$ 1,970,000

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Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate	5.00%	5.40%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate	3.60%	5.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	$ 46,876	$ 34,304	$ 30,888
Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost	1,127	1,352
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	1,684	1,743
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid	(910)	(676)
defined benefit plan, Administrative Expenses	(181)	(185)
Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Net (Gains) Losses	10,009	2,021
Defined Benefit Plan, Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes, Benefit Obligation	843	(839)
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Rate of Compensation Increase	3.00%	3.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Return on Assets	3.40%	5.40%
Defined Benefit Plan, Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes, Plan Assets	708	(647)
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	38,093	34,590	26,022
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets	2,267	8,157
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer	1,619	1,919
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan	(8,783)	286
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation	$ 39,276	$ 28,998

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Unaudited Selected Quarterly Results of Operations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenue, Net	$ 254,455	$ 245,428	$ 247,006	$ 234,191	$ 243,786	$ 231,344	$ 225,785	$ 206,733	$ 981,080	$ 907,648	$ 794,653
Cost of Services and Goods Sold	160,958	155,341	156,380	149,140	154,034	150,312	152,273	136,750
Other operating expenses	17,629	14,707	18,500	11,145	16,864	17,468	15,709	13,484
Income Before Interest Expense and Taxes	75,868	75,380	72,126	73,906	72,888	63,564	57,803	56,499	297,280	250,754	226,926
Interest Expense and (Gain) Loss on Extinguishment of Debt	2,292	2,160	2,178	2,190	2,358	3,856	2,709	2,989
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	73,576	73,220	69,948	71,716	70,530	59,708	55,094	53,510	288,460	238,842	209,148
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	18,394	18,671	16,997	17,786	17,371	14,599	14,710	7,518	71,848	54,198	63,747
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	55,182	54,549	52,951	53,930	53,159	45,109	40,384	45,992	216,612	184,644	145,401
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	381	146	35	(21)	83	242	(67)	(298)	541	(40)	484
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ 54,801	$ 54,403	$ 52,916	$ 53,951	$ 53,076	$ 44,867	$ 40,451	$ 46,290	$ 216,071	$ 184,684	$ 144,917
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ 1.18	$ 1.15	$ 1.11	$ 1.13	$ 1.12	$ 0.96	$ 0.88	$ 1.02	$ 4.58	$ 3.99	$ 3.23
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ 1.17	$ 1.14	$ 1.11	$ 1.13	$ 1.11	$ 0.93	$ 0.83	$ 0.94	$ 4.54	$ 3.82	$ 3.00
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	46,541	47,232	47,473	47,606	47,343	46,606	45,945	45,225	47,211	46,286	44,830
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	46,857	47,528	47,791	47,945	47,677	48,030	48,662	49,141	47,553	48,393	48,241

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Other (Income) Expense (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Component of Other Expense, Nonoperating, Name [Domain]
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	$ (4,121)	$ (919)	$ (2,205)
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Assets [Member]
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(201)	(487)	(176)
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments [Member]
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(646)	(274)	(376)
Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member]
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	142	1,800	1,032
Interest Income [Member]
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(319)	(138)	(249)
Rents And Royalties Income Loss [Member]
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(1,033)	(1,716)	(1,550)
gain loss on insurance recovery [Member]
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(4,490)	(1,014)	0
Legal entity realignment [Member]
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	1,860	711	0
RegistrationExpenseEuronext [Member]
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	923	0	0
Other Operating Expense [Member]
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(357)	199	(886)
Gainlossonbusinessinterruptioninsuranc [Member] | gain loss on insurance recovery [Member]
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	4,389
gain loss on fire insurance recovery [Member] | gain loss on insurance recovery [Member]
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)		$ 1,000

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Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule of Other Assets [Table Text Block]

Other assets consisted of the following (in thousands):

	2012		2011
Cash surrender value of life insurance	$	21,736	$	17,663
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	1,851		969
Debt issuance costs	2,125		2,597
Other	3,197		3,131
Total other assets	$	28,909	$	24,360

Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes the calculation of weighted average common shares outstanding used in the computation of diluted earnings per share (in thousands):

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2012	2011	2010
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding	47,211	46,286	44,830
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options	12	19	57
Performance shares	129	75	40
Restricted stock	201	255	585
Senior exchangeable notes	—	857	1,700
Warrants	—	901	1,029
Weighted average diluted common and potential   common shares outstanding	47,553	48,393	48,241

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Income Taxes (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current Fiscal Year End Date									--12-31
Current Federal Tax Expense (Benefit)									$ 42,934	$ 43,632	$ 38,704
Current Foreign Tax Expense (Benefit)									20,965	11,515	30,357
Current State and Local Tax Expense (Benefit)									4,344	5,600	4,821
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									68,243	60,747	73,882
Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									963	(8,905)	(9,699)
Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									2,677	2,892	100
Deferred State and Local Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									(35)	(536)	(536)
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									3,605	(6,549)	(10,135)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ 18,394	$ 18,671	$ 16,997	$ 17,786	$ 17,371	$ 14,599	$ 14,710	$ 7,518	$ 71,848	$ 54,198	$ 63,747

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Significant Accounting Policies Accounts Receivable (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	$ 3,516	$ 3,762

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Segment Reporting Revenue by Product Sales and Services (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Sales Revenue, Services, Net									$ 693,895,000	$ 621,752,000	$ 568,220,000
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net									287,185,000	285,896,000	226,433,000
Revenue, Net	254,455,000	245,428,000	247,006,000	234,191,000	243,786,000	231,344,000	225,785,000	206,733,000	981,080,000	907,648,000	794,653,000
Operating Segment Reservoir Description [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Sales Revenue, Services, Net									472,426,000	443,050,000	403,443,000
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net									23,103,000	26,725,000	22,386,000
Revenue, Net									495,529,000	469,775,000	425,829,000
Operating Segment Production Enhancement [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Sales Revenue, Services, Net									161,679,000	129,400,000	122,046,000
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net									242,113,000	242,049,000	191,910,000
Revenue, Net									403,792,000	371,449,000	313,956,000
Operating Segment Reservoir Management [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Sales Revenue, Services, Net									59,790,000	49,302,000	42,731,000
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net									21,969,000	17,122,000	12,137,000
Revenue, Net									$ 81,759,000	$ 66,424,000	$ 54,868,000

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Segment Reporting (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table Text Block]

Summarized external revenue by services and product sales type is shown in the following table (in thousands):

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010
Reservoir Description Services	$	472,426	$	443,050	$	403,443
Production Enhancement Services	161,679		129,400		122,046
Reservoir Management Services	59,790		49,302		42,731
Total Revenue - Services	$	693,895	$	621,752	$	568,220
Reservoir Description Product sales	$	23,103	$	26,725	$	22,386
Production Enhancement Product sales	242,113		242,049		191,910
Reservoir Management Product sales	21,969		17,122		12,137
Total Revenue - Product sales	$	287,185	$	285,896	$	226,433
Total Revenue	$	981,080	$	907,648	$	794,653

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]

Results for these business segments are presented below. We use the same accounting policies to prepare our b

Schedule of Revenue from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets, by Geographical Areas [Table Text Block]

The following is a summary of our U.S. and non-U.S. operations for December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION	United States		Canada		Other Countries (1) (2)		Consolidated
December 31, 2012
Revenue	$	505,200	$	101,387	$	374,493	$	981,080
Total fixed assets	66,092		17,263		42,063		125,418
December 31, 2011
Revenue	$	470,600	$	85,287	$	351,761	$	907,648
Total fixed assets	53,566		20,113		41,616		115,295
December 31, 2010
Revenue	$	406,823	$	72,296	$	315,534	$	794,653
Total fixed assets	50,160		14,396		39,667		104,223
(1) Revenue earned in other countries, including The Netherlands, was not individually greater than 10% of our consolidated revenue in 2012, 2011 or 2010.
(2) Fixed assets in other countries, including The Netherlands, were not individually greater than 10% of our consolidated fixed assets in 2012, 2011 or 2010.

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Income Taxes Income Before Income Taxes (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Domestic	$ 135,992	$ 115,413	$ 86,985
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Foreign	152,468	123,429	122,163
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	$ 288,460	$ 238,842	$ 209,148

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Stock-based Compensation (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	(1,042)
Treasury Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	(1,042)	(42,400)	(46,230)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	(299,964)	(177,271)	(186,198)

XML

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year	$ 1,600,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year One	1,066,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Two	1,164,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Three	1,182,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Four	1,301,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Five	1,504,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Five Fiscal Years Thereafter	$ 8,720,000

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Intangibles (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Future Amortization Expense, Year One	$ 1,132,000
Future Amortization Expense, Year Two	1,210,000
Future Amortization Expense, Year Three	560,000
Future Amortization Expense, Year Four	538,000
Future Amortization Expense, Year Five	538,000
Accumulated Amortization	4,957,000	6,554,000
Intangible Assets Gross	13,678,000	14,775,000
Trade Secrets [Member]
Accumulated Amortization	992,000	1,127,000
Intangible Assets Gross	1,518,000	1,781,000
Patents [Member]
Accumulated Amortization	1,807,000	2,510,000
Intangible Assets Gross	4,435,000	3,862,000
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Accumulated Amortization	1,975,000	2,625,000
Intangible Assets Gross	3,286,000	4,578,000
trade names finite lived [Member]
Accumulated Amortization	183,000	292,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	20 years
Intangible Assets Gross	544,000	662,000
Trade name infinite lived [Member]
Accumulated Amortization	0	0
Intangible Assets Gross	$ 3,895,000	$ 3,892,000
Minimum [Member] | Trade Secrets [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	2 years
Minimum [Member] | Patents [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	4 years
Minimum [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	3 years
Maximum [Member] | Trade Secrets [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	20 years
Maximum [Member] | Patents [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	10 years
Maximum [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	5 years

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Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. ("U.S. GAAP" or "GAAP"), and include the accounts of Core Laboratories and its subsidiaries for which we have a controlling voting interest and/or a controlling financial interest. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The equity method of accounting is used to record our interest in investments in which we have less than a majority interest and do not exercise significant control. We use the cost method to record certain other investments in which we own less than 20% of the outstanding equity and do not exercise significant control. We record non-controllinginterest associated with consolidated subsidiaries that are less than 100% owned.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis and utilize our historical experience, as well as various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable in a given circumstance, in order to make these estimates. Actual results could differ from our estimates, as assumptions and conditions change.

The following accounts, among others, require us to use critical estimates and assumptions:

▪ allowance for doubtful accounts;

▪ inventory reserves;

▪ depreciation and amortization;

▪ long-lived assets, intangibles and goodwill;

▪ income taxes;

▪ pensions and other postretirement benefits; and

▪ stock-based compensation.

Accounting policies relating to these accounts and the nature of these estimates are further discussed under the applicable caption. For each of these critical estimates it is at least reasonably possible that changes in these estimates will occur in the short term which may impact our financial position or results of operations.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all short-term, highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less. These items are carried at cost, which approximates market value.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Our financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk relate primarily to cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. All cash and cash equivalents are on deposit at commercial banks or investment firms with significant financial resources. Our trade receivables are with a variety of domestic, international and national oil and gas companies. We had no clients who provided more than 10% of our revenue for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. We consider our credit risk related to trade accounts receivable to be limited due to the creditworthiness and financial resources of our clients. We evaluate our estimate of the allowance for doubtful accounts on an on-going basis throughout the year.

Accounts Receivable

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at their invoiced amounts and do not bear interest. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our clients and monitor collections and payments in order to maintain a provision for estimated uncollectible accounts based on our historical collection experience and our current aging of client receivables outstanding, in addition to client's representations and our understanding of the economic environment in which our clients operate. Based on our review we establish or adjust allowances for specific clients and the accounts receivable as a whole, and recognize expense. When an account is determined to be uncollectible, we charge the receivable to our allowance for doubtful accounts. Our allowance for doubtful accounts totaled $3.5 million and $3.8 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The net carrying value of accounts receivable is considered to be representative of its respective fair value.

Inventories

Inventories consist of manufactured goods, materials and supplies used for sales or services to clients. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or estimated net realizable value. Inventory costs are recorded at standard cost which approximates the first-in, first-out method.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets are comprised primarily of current deferred tax assets, prepaid insurance, value added taxes and prepaid rents.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized while maintenance and repair costs are charged to expense as incurred. They are depreciated using the straight-line method based on their individual estimated useful lives, except for leasehold improvements, which are depreciated over the remaining lease term, if shorter. We estimate the useful lives and salvage values of our assets based on historical data as follows:

Buildings and leasehold improvements	3 - 40 years
Machinery and equipment	3 - 10 years

When long-lived assets are sold or retired, the remaining costs and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in income. These capitalized long-lived assets could become impaired if our operating plans or business environment changes.

We review our long-lived assets, including definite-lived intangible assets, for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that their net book value may not be recovered over their remaining service lives. Indicators of possible impairment may include significant declines in activity levels in regions where specific assets or groups of assets are located, extended periods of idle use, declining revenue or cash flow or overall changes in general market conditions.

Whenever possible impairment is indicated, we compare the carrying value of the assets to the sum of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected from use, plus salvage value, less the costs of the subsequent disposition of the assets. If impairment is still indicated, we compare the fair value of the assets to the carrying amount, and recognize an impairment loss for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value. We did not record any impairment charges relating to our long-lived assets held for use during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 or 2010.

Intangibles and Goodwill

Intangible assets, including patents, trademarks, and trade names, are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Intangibles with determinable lives are amortized using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful life of the intangible. Intangibles with indeterminable lives, which consist primarily of corporate trade names, are not amortized, but are tested for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment is possible.

We record goodwill as the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in acquisitions accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. We test goodwill for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate possible impairment.

We evaluated our goodwill for impairment by comparing the fair value of each of our reporting units, which are our reportable segments, to their net carrying value as of the balance sheet date, after excluding inter-company transactions and allocating corporate assets to the reporting units. We estimated the fair value of each reporting unit using a discounted future cash flow analysis. Estimated future cash flows were based on the Company's best estimate of future performance. Our impairment analysis is quantitative; however, it includes subjective estimates based on assumptions regarding future growth rates, interest rates and operating expenses. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value determined, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the implied fair value of the goodwill of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. Any subsequent impairment loss could result in a material adverse effect upon our financial position and results of operations. We did not record impairment charges relating to our goodwill or our indefinite-lived intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

We have never identified nor recorded any impairments relating to the goodwill of our current continuing operations.

Other Assets

Cash surrender value of life insurance relates to postretirement benefit plans. See Note 10 Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans. Investments include our investments in unconsolidated affiliates accounted for under the equity method. The operations of these entities are in-line with those of our core businesses. These entities are not considered special purpose entities nor do we have special off-balance sheet arrangements through these entities. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the life of the respective debt instruments.

Other assets consisted of the following (in thousands):

	2012		2011
Cash surrender value of life insurance	$	21,736	$	17,663
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	1,851		969
Debt issuance costs	2,125		2,597
Other	3,197		3,131
Total other assets	$	28,909	$	24,360

Accounts Payable

Trade accounts payable are recorded at their invoiced amounts and do not bear interest. The carrying value of accounts payable is considered to be representative of its respective fair value.

Income Taxes

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the asset is recovered or the liability is settled. We include interest and penalties from tax judgments in income tax expense.

We record a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in our tax return. We also recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. See Note 9 Income Taxes.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and other charges or credits to equity that are not the result of transactions with owners. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, other comprehensive income related to prior service costs and an unrecognized net actuarial gain and loss from a pension plan. See Note 10 Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue when we determine that the following criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (iii) the fee is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured.

Services Revenue: We provide a variety of services to clients in the oil and gas industry. Where services are provided related to the testing and analysis of rock and fluids, we recognize revenue upon the provision of the test results or analysis to the client. For our design, field engineering and completion diagnostic services, we recognize revenue upon the delivery of those services at the well site. In the case of our consortium studies, revenue is recognized when the reservoir model solution is presented to our clients. We conduct testing and provide analysis services in support of our consortium studies recognizing revenue as the testing and analysis results are made available to our consortium members.

Product Sales Revenue: We manufacture equipment that we sell to our clients in the oil and gas well industry. Revenue is recognized when title to that equipment passes to the client, which is typically when the product is shipped to the client or picked up by the client at our facilities, as set out in the contract.

All advance client payments are classified as unearned revenue until services are performed or product title is transferred. All known or anticipated losses on contracts are provided for currently.

Foreign Currencies

Our functional currency is the U.S. Dollar ("USD"). All inter-company financing, transactions and cash flows of our subsidiaries are transacted in USD. Our foreign entities remeasure monetary assets and liabilities to USD at year-end exchange rates, while non-monetary items are measured at historical rates. Revenue and expenses are remeasured at the applicable month-end rate, except for depreciation, amortization and certain components of cost of sales, which are measured at historical rates. For the year ended December 31, 2012, we incurred a net remeasurement loss of approximately $0.1 million primarily due to the strengthening of the USD against the Euro, the British Pound, and the Canadian Dollar, while in the year ended December 31, 2011, we incurred a net remeasurement loss of approximately $1.8 million, and a net remeasurement loss of approximately $1.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2010. These amounts were included in Other (Income) Expense, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits

We maintain a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan for substantially all of our Dutch employees ("Dutch Plan") who were hired prior to 2007 based on years of service and final pay or career average pay, depending on when the employee began participating. As required by current accounting standards, we recognize net periodic pension costs associated with this plan in income from current operations and recognize the unfunded status of the plan, if any, as a long-term liability. In addition, we recognize as a component of other comprehensive income, the gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic pension cost. The projection of benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets requires the use of assumptions and estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. See Note 10 Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans. Furthermore, we sponsor several defined contribution plans for the benefit of our employees. We expense these contributions in the period the contribution is made.

Non-controlling Interests

We maintain non-controlling interests in several investment ventures and disclose such interests clearly as a portion of equity separate from the parent's equity. The amount of consolidated net income attributable to these non-controlling interests must also be clearly presented on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, when a subsidiary is deconsolidated, any retained non-controlling equity investment in the former subsidiary will be initially measured at fair value and recorded as a gain or loss.

Stock-Based Compensation

We have two stock-based compensation plans, as described in further detail in Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. For new awards issued and awards modified, repurchased or canceled, the compensation expense is equal to the fair value of the award at the date of the grant and is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for those awards earned over the requisite service period of the award.

Earnings Per Share

We compute basic earnings per common share by dividing net income attributable to Core Laboratories N.V. by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common and potential common share include additional shares in the weighted average share calculations associated with the incremental effect of dilutive employee stock options, restricted stock awards and contingently issuable shares, as determined using the treasury stock method. The following table summarizes the calculation of weighted average common shares outstanding used in the computation of diluted earnings per share (in thousands):

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2012	2011	2010
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding	47,211	46,286	44,830
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options	12	19	57
Performance shares	129	75	40
Restricted stock	201	255	585
Senior exchangeable notes	—	857	1,700
Warrants	—	901	1,029
Weighted average diluted common and potential   common shares outstanding	47,553	48,393	48,241

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications were made to prior year amounts in order to conform to the current year's presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on reported net income for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

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Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Defined Contribution Plans (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	$ 6.2	$ 5.7	$ 4.6

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Significant Accounting Policies Foreign Currency (Details) (Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member]
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	$ 142	$ 1,800	$ 1,032

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Intangibles Future Amortization (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Intangibles [Abstract]

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]

Our estimated amortization expense relating to these intangibles for the next five years is summarized in the following table (in thousands):

2013	$	1,132
2014	$	1,210
2015	$	560
2016	$	538
2017	$	538

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Intangibles (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Table Text Block]

The components of intangibles as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows (in thousands):

		2012				2011
	Original life in years	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization
Acquired trade secrets	2-20	$	1,518	$	992	$	1,781	$	1,127
Acquired patents and trademarks	4-10	4,435		1,807		3,862		2,510
Agreements not to compete	3-5	3,286		1,975		4,578		2,625
Acquired trade names	20	544		183		662		292
Acquired trade names	Indefinite	3,895		—		3,892		—
Total intangibles		$	13,678	$	4,957	$	14,775	$	6,554

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Income Taxes Summary of Valuation Allowance (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]
Valuation Allowance, Amount	$ 5.5
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Subject to Expiration	$ 0

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Acquisitions (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Purchase Price		$ 18.8	$ 9.0
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Goodwill Amount	0.6	8.6	5.6
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Amortizable Intangible Assets		$ 0.5	$ 3.2

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Goodwill (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Goodwill [Line Items]

Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for each reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were as follows (in thousands):

	Reservoir Description		Production Enhancement		ReservoirManagement		Total
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	80,932	$	70,440	$	2,845	$	154,217
Goodwill acquired during the year	—		8,570		—		8,570
Balance at December 31, 2011	80,932		79,010		2,845		162,787
Goodwill acquired during the year	—		550		—		550
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	80,932	$	79,560	$	2,845	$	163,337

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Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Debt [Abstract]

Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]

Debt at December 31, 2012 and 2011 is summarized in the following table (in thousands):

	December 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
Senior Notes	150,000		150,000
Credit Facility	84,000		73,000
Capital lease obligations	73		132
Other indebtedness	—		2,287
Total debt	234,073		225,419
Less - current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	40		2,344
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net	$	234,033	$	223,075

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Description of Business

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Description of Business [Abstract]

Business Description and Basis of Presentation [Text Block]

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Core Laboratories N.V. ("Core Laboratories", "we", "our" or "us") is a Netherlands limited liability company. We were established in 1936 and are one of the world's leading providers of proprietary and patented reservoir description, production enhancement and reservoir management services to the oil and gas industry. These services are directed toward enabling our clients to improve reservoir performance and increase oil and gas recovery from their producing fields. We have over 70 offices in more than 50 countries and have approximately 5,000 employees.

Our business units have been aggregated into three complementary segments which provide services and products for improving reservoir performance and increasing oil and gas recovery from new and existing fields: (1) Reservoir Description, (2) Production Enhancement and (3) Reservoir Management. For a description of product types and services offered by these business segments, see Note 15 Segment Reporting

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Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Table Text Block]

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):

	2012			2011			2010
Unrecognized tax benefits at January 1,	$	14,027		$	9,986		$	8,324
Tax positions, current period	1,845			1,512			1,149
Tax positions, prior period	(3,293		)	4,959			2,181
Settlements with taxing authorities	—			—			(555		)
Lapse of applicable statute of limitations	(2,260		)	(2,430		)	(1,113		)
Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31,	$	10,319		$	14,027		$	9,986

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]

Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 are summarized as follows (in thousands):

	2012			2011
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carry-forwards	$	5,866		$	7,143
Tax credit carry-forwards	3,123			5,483
Reserves	13,497			9,804
Unrealized benefit plan loss	586			1,200
Other	5,419			9,857
	28,491			33,487
Valuation allowance	(7,243		)	(9,342		)
Net deferred tax asset	21,248			24,145
Deferred tax liabilities:
Intangibles	(1,751		)	(2,174		)
Property, plant and equipment	(5,540		)	(3,203		)
Other	(3,624		)	(4,830		)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(10,915		)	(10,207		)
Net deferred income taxes	$	10,333		$	13,938
	2012			2011
Current deferred tax assets	$	8,024		$	10,483
Current deferred tax liabilities	(4,138		)	(4,676		)
Long-term deferred tax assets	13,224			13,662
Long-term deferred tax liabilities	(6,777		)	(5,531		)
Total deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$	10,333		$	13,938

Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign [Table Text Block]

The components of income before income tax expense for 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows (in thousands):

	2012		2011		2010
United States	$	135,992	$	115,413	$	86,985
Other countries	152,468		123,429		122,163
Income before income tax expense	$	288,460	$	238,842	$	209,148

Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]

The components of income tax expense for 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows (in thousands):

	2012			2011			2010
Current:
United States	$	42,934		$	43,632		$	38,704
Other countries	20,965			11,515			30,357
State and provincial	4,344			5,600			4,821
	68,243			60,747			73,882
Deferred:
United States	963			(8,905		)	(9,699		)
Other countries	2,677			2,892			100
State and provincial	(35		)	(536		)	(536		)
Total deferred	3,605			(6,549		)	(10,135		)
Income tax expense	$	71,848		$	54,198		$	63,747

Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

The differences in income tax expense computed using The Netherlands statutory income tax rate of 25%, 25% and 25.5% in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and our income tax expense as reported in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows (in thousands):

	2012			2011			2010
Tax at The Netherlands income tax rate	$	72,115		$	59,711		$	53,333
International earnings taxed at rates other than The Netherlands statutory rate	(864		)	(241		)	3,698
Non-deductible expenses	917			2,691			2,524
Change in valuation allowance	(2,099		)	(1,279		)	75
State and provincial taxes	2,895			3,166			2,597
Adjustments of prior year taxes	1,038			(17,229		)	(389		)
Adjustments of income tax reserves	(4,374		)	7,050			4,093
Other	2,220			329			(2,184		)
Income tax expense	$	71,848		$	54,198		$	63,747

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Significant Accounting Policies (Details) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current Fiscal Year End Date									--12-31
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	46,541	47,232	47,473	47,606	47,343	46,606	45,945	45,225	47,211	46,286	44,830
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Stock Options									12	19	57
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Contingently Issuable Shares									129	75	40
Weighted Average Number of Shares, Restricted Stock									201	255	585
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Conversion of Debt Securities									0	857	1,700
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Call Options and Warrants									0	901	1,029
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	46,857	47,528	47,791	47,945	47,677	48,030	48,662	49,141	47,553	48,393	48,241

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Income Taxes Deferred Tax Assets Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 24,700,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Subject to Expiration	0
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards	5,866,000	7,143,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards	3,123,000	5,483,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Reserves	13,497,000	9,804,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Property, Plant and Equipment	(5,540,000)	(3,203,000)
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Postretirement Benefits		1,200,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Other	5,419,000	9,857,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	28,491,000	33,487,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	(7,243,000)	(9,342,000)
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	21,248,000	24,145,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets	(1,751,000)	(2,174,000)
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Financing Arrangements		13,900,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other	(3,624,000)	(4,830,000)
Deferred Tax Liabilities	(10,915,000)	(10,207,000)
Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities), Net	10,333,000	13,938,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current	8,024,000	10,483,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Current	(4,138,000)	(4,676,000)
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent	13,224,000	13,662,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent	(6,777,000)	(5,531,000)
Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Postretirement Benefits	586,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	$ 268,000	$ 1,200,000

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Other (Income) Expense Foreign Currency Gain Loss by Currency (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax	$ 142	$ 1,800	$ 1,032
Argentine Peso [Member]
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax	147	113	17
AustralianDollar [Member]
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax	30	81	(135)
Angolan Kwanza [Member]
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax	41	257	(58)
British Pound [Member]
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax	(41)	163	390
Canadian Dollar [Member]
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax	(415)	423	(711)
Euro [Member]
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax	(62)	257	1,788
Malaysian Ringgit [Member]
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax	70	187	(157)
Nigerian Naira [Member]
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax	11	164	98
Venezuelan Bolivar [Member]
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax	7	(108)	(267)
Other Currencies Net [Member]
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax	$ 354	$ 263	$ 67

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	$ 19,226	$ 29,332
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $XX and $3,396 at 2011 and 2010, respectively	184,774	170,805
Inventories, net	49,265	53,214
Prepaid Expense, Current	14,959	14,020
Income Taxes Receivable, Current	17,943	7,148
Other Assets, Current	10,740	12,029
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS	296,907	286,548
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	125,418	115,295
INTANGIBLES, net	8,721	8,221
GOODWILL	163,337	162,787
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent	13,224	13,662
Other Assets, Noncurrent	28,909	24,360
TOTAL ASSETS	636,516	610,873
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	55,168	57,639
Accrued payroll and related costs	34,919	34,028
Taxes other than payroll and income	11,787	8,566
Unearned revenues	13,868	19,154
Income taxes payable	9,542	6,527
Other accrued expenses	15,226	17,281
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES	140,510	143,195
LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS	234,033	223,075
DEFERRED COMPENSATION	28,112	24,117
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent	(6,777)	(5,531)
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent	39,171	33,300
EQUITY:
Preference shares, EUR 0.02 par value; 6,000,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding	0	0
Common Stock, Value, Issued	1,233	1,262
Additional paid-in capital	0	2,126
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	361,255	283,660
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(8,413)	(1,739)
Treasury shares (at cost), XX at 2011 and 4,218,726 at 2010	(171,845)	(107,406)
Total Core Laboratories N.V. shareholders' equity	182,230	177,903
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	5,683	3,752
TOTAL EQUITY	187,913	181,655
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 636,516	$ 610,873

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Inventories (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Inventory, Finished Goods, Net of Reserves	$ 38,572	$ 32,604
Inventory, Raw Materials and Purchased Parts, Net of Reserves	8,818	18,004
Inventory, Work in Process, Net of Reserves	1,875	2,606
Inventory, Net	$ 49,265	$ 53,214

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Statement of Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Common Stock, Value, Issued at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 281,758,000	$ 1,316,000	$ 61,833,000	$ 469,454,000	$ (6,536,000)	$ (246,699,000)	$ 2,390,000
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding at Dec. 31, 2009		51,039,912				5,066,504
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised	346,000	0	(1,537,000)	0	0	1,883,000	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period						(46,230)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures		0				(186,198)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	8,517,000	0	1,424,000	(575,000)	0	7,668,000	0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation	967,000	0	967,000	0	0	0	0
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	(92,487,000)	0	0	0	0	(92,487,000)	0
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares		0				1,493,017
Dividends	(39,791,000)	0	0	(39,791,000)	0	0	0
Treasury Stock, Retired, Cost Method, Amount	0	(33,000)	(33,744,000)	(17,733,000)	0	51,510,000	0
Treasury Stock, Shares, Retired		(1,300,000)				(1,300,000)
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Equity Component of Convertible Debt	(8,864,000)	0	(8,864,000)	0	0	0	0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities		0				(808,367)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities	(3,811,000)	0	(19,965,000)	(19,281,000)	0	35,435,000	0
Settlement of Warrants	0
Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Equity Issuance or Sale of Parent Equity Interest	156,000	0	0	0	0	0	156,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders	(181,000)	0	0	0	0	0	(181,000)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	329,000	0	0	0	(329,000)	0	0
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	145,401,000	0	0	144,917,000	0	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	145,730,000
Common Stock, Value, Issued Period End at Dec. 31, 2010	292,340,000	1,283,000	114,000	536,991,000	(6,207,000)	(242,690,000)	2,849,000
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Period End at Dec. 31, 2010		49,739,912				4,218,726
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised	297,000	0	(1,672,000)	0	0	1,969,000	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period						(42,400)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures		0				(177,271)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	17,165,000	0	9,588,000	(1,992,000)	0	9,569,000	0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation	2,559,000	0	2,559,000	0	0	0	0
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	(61,825,000)	0	0	0	0	(61,825,000)	0
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares		0				669,649
Dividends	(46,027,000)	0	0	(46,027,000)	0	0	0
Treasury Stock, Retired, Cost Method, Amount	0	(21,000)	0	(40,894,000)	0	40,915,000	0
Treasury Stock, Shares, Retired		(702,106)				(702,106)
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Equity Component of Convertible Debt	8,864,000	0	8,864,000	0	0	0	0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities		0				(1,851,869)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities	(2,322,000)	0	(13,603,000)	(90,192,000)	0	101,473,000	0
Settlement of Warrants	(219,451,000)	0	3,724,000	258,910,000	0	(43,183,000)	0
Settlement of Warrants, Shares		0				(706,395)
Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Equity Issuance or Sale of Parent Equity Interest	1,194,000	0	0	0	0	0	1,194,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders	(251,000)	0	0	0	0	0	(251,000)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	4,468,000	0	0	0	(4,468,000)	0	0
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	184,644,000	0	0	184,684,000	0	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	189,112,000
Common Stock, Value, Issued Period End at Dec. 31, 2011	181,655,000	1,262,000	2,126,000	283,660,000	(1,739,000)	(107,406,000)	3,752,000
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Period End at Dec. 31, 2011	47,629,472	49,037,806				1,408,334
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised	5,000	0	(60,000)	0	0	65,000	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	(1,042)					(1,042)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures		0				(299,964)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	18,381,000	0	276,000	(6,530,000)	0	24,635,000	0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation	5,226,000	0	5,226,000	0	0	0	0
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	(175,732,000)	0	0	0	0	(175,732,000)	0
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares		0				1,581,069
Dividends	(52,950,000)	0	0	(52,950,000)	0	0	0
Treasury Stock, Retired, Cost Method, Amount	0	(29,000)	(7,568,000)	(78,996,000)	0	86,593,000	0
Treasury Stock, Shares, Retired	1,138,224	(1,138,224)				(1,138,224)
Settlement of Warrants	0
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Redemptions or Purchase of Interests	(110,000)	0	0	0	0	0	(110,000)
Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Equity Issuance or Sale of Parent Equity Interest	1,800,000	0	0	0	0	0	1,800,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders	(300,000)	0	0	0	0	0	(300,000)
Stockholders' Equity, Other Shares		2				0
Stockholders' Equity, Other	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	6,674,000	0	0	0	(6,674,000)	0	0
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	216,612,000	0	0	216,071,000	0	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	209,938,000
Common Stock, Value, Issued Period End at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 187,913,000	$ 1,233,000	$ 0	$ 361,255,000	$ (8,413,000)	$ (171,845,000)	$ 5,683,000
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Period End at Dec. 31, 2012	46,349,411	47,899,584				1,550,173

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Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Net Prior Service Cost (Credit)	$ 200,000
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Prior Service Cost (Credit), before Tax	(616,000)	(734,000)
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Transition Assets (Obligations), before Tax	195,000	259,000
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Gains (Losses), before Tax	(7,992,000)	(1,264,000)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(8,413,000)	(1,739,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Net Transition Asset (Obligation)	100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Net Gains (Losses)	$ 500,000

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Stock-based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Stock-based Compensation [Abstract]

Schedule of Nonvested Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]

Non-vested restricted share awards outstanding under both the 2007 Long-term Incentive Plan and the 2006 Non-employee Director Stock Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2012 and changes during the year were as follows:

	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at December 31, 2011	774,549		$	69.03
Granted	192,770		117.53
Vested	(299,994	)	56.60
Forfeited	(33,015	)	71.66
Non-vested at December 31, 2012	634,310		$	89.42

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]

The following table presents the change in outstanding stock options under the Plan and the Director Plan for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. All options outstanding at December 31, 2012 are fully vested.

	Shares		Range of Exercise Prices	Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Life	Average Intrinsic Value - Per Share
Balance as of December 31, 2011	13,042		$ 4.42 - 12.50	$	6.77	1.7	$	107.18
Options granted	—		—	—
Options exercised	(1,042	)	4.75	4.75
Options forfeited	—		—	—
Balance as of December 31, 2012	12,000		$ 4.42 - 12.50	$	6.95	0.8	$	102.36

Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block]

For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, stock-based compensation expense recognized in the income statement is as follows (in thousands):

	2012		2011		2010
Cost of product sales and services	$	8,835	$	10,960	$	5,138
General and administrative	9,546		6,205		3,379
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	18,381	$	17,165	$	8,517

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Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Loss Contingency [Abstract]
Supplemental Unemployment Benefits, Severance Benefits	$ 7,100,000
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	21,600,000	20,900,000	18,400,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due [Abstract]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Current	13,548,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years	9,544,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	6,823,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	4,806,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	3,618,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	12,830,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	$ 51,169,000

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Segment Reporting

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

SEGMENT REPORTING

We operate our business in three reportable segments: (1) Reservoir Description, (2) Production Enhancement and (3) Reservoir Management. These business segments provide different services and products and utilize different technologies.

• Reservoir Description: Encompasses the characterization of petroleum reservoir rock, fluid and gas samples. We provide analytical and field services to characterize properties of crude oil and petroleum products to the oil and gas industry.

• Production Enhancement: Includes services and products relating to reservoir well completions, perforations, stimulations and production. We provide integrated services to evaluate the effectiveness of well completions and to develop solutions aimed at increasing the effectiveness of enhanced oil recovery projects.

• Reservoir Management: Combines and integrates information from reservoir description and production enhancement services to increase production and improve recovery of oil and gas from our clients' reservoirs.

Results for these business segments are presented below. We use the same accounting policies to prepare our business segment results as are used to prepare our Consolidated Financial Statements. All interest and other non-operating income (expense) is attributable to Corporate & Other area and is not allocated to specific business segments. Summarized financial information concerning our segments is shown in the following table (in thousands):

	Reservoir Description		Production Enhancement		Reservoir Management		Corporate & Other (1)			Consolidated
December 31, 2012
Revenue from unaffiliated clients	$	495,529	$	403,792	$	81,759	$	—		$	981,080
Inter-segment revenue	2,484		2,757		1,492		(6,733		)	—
Segment income (loss)	144,502		128,602		26,428		(2,252		)	297,280
Total assets	293,974		242,254		34,532		65,756			636,516
Capital expenditures	16,987		7,423		920		5,821			31,151
Depreciation and amortization	14,094		6,139		731		1,953			22,917
December 31, 2011
Revenue from unaffiliated clients	$	469,775	$	371,449	$	66,424	$	—		$	907,648
Inter-segment revenue	1,515		1,947		1,686		(5,148		)	—
Segment income (loss)	116,244		112,576		21,887		47			250,754
Total assets	270,270		221,599		26,070		92,934			610,873
Capital expenditures	15,320		8,700		1,318		4,589			29,927
Depreciation and amortization	14,073		6,449		666		2,115			23,303

December 31, 2010
Revenue from unaffiliated clients	$	425,829	$	313,956	$	54,868	$	—		$	794,653
Inter-segment revenue	1,817		1,681		1,625		(5,123		)	—
Segment income (loss)	106,179		101,241		19,759		(253		)	226,926
Total assets	267,621		196,802		24,313		161,505			650,241
Capital expenditures	20,495		5,066		591		1,417			27,569
Depreciation and amortization	13,988		6,442		713		1,970			23,113
(1)"Corporate and other" represents those items that are not directly relating to a particular segment and eliminations.

We are a Netherlands company and we derive our revenue from services and product sales to clients primarily in the oil and gas industry. No single client accounted for 10% or more of revenue in any of the periods presented. The following is a summary of our U.S. and non-U.S. operations for December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION	United States		Canada		Other Countries (1) (2)		Consolidated
December 31, 2012
Revenue	$	505,200	$	101,387	$	374,493	$	981,080
Total fixed assets	66,092		17,263		42,063		125,418
December 31, 2011
Revenue	$	470,600	$	85,287	$	351,761	$	907,648
Total fixed assets	53,566		20,113		41,616		115,295
December 31, 2010
Revenue	$	406,823	$	72,296	$	315,534	$	794,653
Total fixed assets	50,160		14,396		39,667		104,223
(1) Revenue earned in other countries, including The Netherlands, was not individually greater than 10% of our consolidated revenue in 2012, 2011 or 2010.
(2) Fixed assets in other countries, including The Netherlands, were not individually greater than 10% of our consolidated fixed assets in 2012, 2011 or 2010.

Revenue is attributed to the country in which the revenue is earned.

Summarized external revenue by services and product sales type is shown in the following table (in thousands):

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010
Reservoir Description Services	$	472,426	$	443,050	$	403,443
Production Enhancement Services	161,679		129,400		122,046
Reservoir Management Services	59,790		49,302		42,731
Total Revenue - Services	$	693,895	$	621,752	$	568,220
Reservoir Description Product sales	$	23,103	$	26,725	$	22,386
Production Enhancement Product sales	242,113		242,049		191,910
Reservoir Management Product sales	21,969		17,122		12,137
Total Revenue - Product sales	$	287,185	$	285,896	$	226,433
Total Revenue	$	981,080	$	907,648	$	794,653

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Other (Income) Expense (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Other (Income) Expense, net [Abstract]

Schedule of Other Operating Cost and Expense, by Component [Table Text Block]

The components of other (income) expense, net, are as follows (in thousands):

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010
Gain on sale of assets	$	(201	)	$	(487	)	$	(176	)
Equity in income of affiliates	(646		)	(274		)	(376		)
Loss on foreign exchange	142			1,800			1,032
Interest income	(319		)	(138		)	(249		)
Rent and royalty income	(1,033		)	(1,716		)	(1,550		)
Gain on insurance recovery	(4,490		)	(1,014		)	—
Legal entity realignment costs	1,860			711			—
NYSE Euronext Amsterdam listing costs	923			—			—
Other (gain) loss	(357		)	199			(886		)
Total other income, net	$	(4,121	)	$	(919	)	(2,205		)

Foreign Currency Gains Losses By Currency [Table Text Block]

. Foreign exchange gains and losses are summarized in the following table (in thousands):

		For the Years Ended December 31,
(Gains) losses by currency		2012			2011			2010
	Argentine Peso	$	147		$	113		$	17
	Australian Dollar	30			81			(135		)
	Angolan Kwanza	41			257			(58		)
	British Pound	(41		)	163			390
	Canadian Dollar	(415		)	423			(711		)
	Euro	(62		)	257			1,788
	Malaysian Ringgit	70			187			(157		)
	Nigerian Naira	11			164			98
	Venezuelan Bolivar	7			(108		)	(267		)
	Other currencies, net	354			263			67
Total loss		$	142		$	1,800		1,032

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Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment, Description

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications were made to prior year amounts in order to conform to the current year's presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on reported net income for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

Accounts payable [Policy Text Block]

Accounts Payable

Trade accounts payable are recorded at their invoiced amounts and do not bear interest. The carrying value of accounts payable is considered to be representative of its respective fair value.

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits

We maintain a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan for substantially all of our Dutch employees ("Dutch Plan") who were hired prior to 2007 based on years of service and final pay or career average pay, depending on when the employee began participating. As required by current accounting standards, we recognize net periodic pension costs associated with this plan in income from current operations and recognize the unfunded status of the plan, if any, as a long-term liability. In addition, we recognize as a component of other comprehensive income, the gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic pension cost. The projection of benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets requires the use of assumptions and estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. See Note 10 Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans. Furthermore, we sponsor several defined contribution plans for the benefit of our employees. We expense these contributions in the period the contribution is made.

NonControlling Interests [Policy Text Block]

Non-controlling Interests

We maintain non-controlling interests in several investment ventures and disclose such interests clearly as a portion of equity separate from the parent's equity. The amount of consolidated net income attributable to these non-controlling interests must also be clearly presented on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, when a subsidiary is deconsolidated, any retained non-controlling equity investment in the former subsidiary will be initially measured at fair value and recorded as a gain or loss.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the asset is recovered or the liability is settled. We include interest and penalties from tax judgments in income tax expense.

We record a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in our tax return. We also recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. See Note 9 Income Taxes.

Comprehensive Income [Policy Text Block]

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and other charges or credits to equity that are not the result of transactions with owners. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, other comprehensive income related to prior service costs and an unrecognized net actuarial gain and loss from a pension plan. See Note 10 Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans.

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventories

Inventories consist of manufactured goods, materials and supplies used for sales or services to clients. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or estimated net realizable value. Inventory costs are recorded at standard cost which approximates the first-in, first-out method.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Policy Text Block]

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets are comprised primarily of current deferred tax assets, prepaid insurance, value added taxes and prepaid rents.

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. ("U.S. GAAP" or "GAAP"), and include the accounts of Core Laboratories and its subsidiaries for which we have a controlling voting interest and/or a controlling financial interest. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The equity method of accounting is used to record our interest in investments in which we have less than a majority interest and do not exercise significant control. We use the cost method to record certain other investments in which we own less than 20% of the outstanding equity and do not exercise significant control. We record non-controllinginterest associated with consolidated subsidiaries that are less than 100% owned.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis and utilize our historical experience, as well as various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable in a given circumstance, in order to make these estimates. Actual results could differ from our estimates, as assumptions and conditions change.

The following accounts, among others, require us to use critical estimates and assumptions:

▪ allowance for doubtful accounts;

▪ inventory reserves;

▪ depreciation and amortization;

▪ long-lived assets, intangibles and goodwill;

▪ income taxes;

▪ pensions and other postretirement benefits; and

▪ stock-based compensation.

Accounting policies relating to these accounts and the nature of these estimates are further discussed under the applicable caption. For each of these critical estimates it is at least reasonably possible that changes in these estimates will occur in the short term which may impact our financial position or results of operations.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all short-term, highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less. These items are carried at cost, which approximates market value.

Concentration of Credit Risk [Policy Text Block]

Concentration of Credit Risk

Our financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk relate primarily to cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. All cash and cash equivalents are on deposit at commercial banks or investment firms with significant financial resources. Our trade receivables are with a variety of domestic, international and national oil and gas companies. We had no clients who provided more than 10% of our revenue for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. We consider our credit risk related to trade accounts receivable to be limited due to the creditworthiness and financial resources of our clients. We evaluate our estimate of the allowance for doubtful accounts on an on-going basis throughout the year.

Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Accounts Receivable

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at their invoiced amounts and do not bear interest. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our clients and monitor collections and payments in order to maintain a provision for estimated uncollectible accounts based on our historical collection experience and our current aging of client receivables outstanding, in addition to client's representations and our understanding of the economic environment in which our clients operate. Based on our review we establish or adjust allowances for specific clients and the accounts receivable as a whole, and recognize expense. When an account is determined to be uncollectible, we charge the receivable to our allowance for doubtful accounts. Our allowance for doubtful accounts totaled $3.5 million and $3.8 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The net carrying value of accounts receivable is considered to be representative of its respective fair value.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized while maintenance and repair costs are charged to expense as incurred. They are depreciated using the straight-line method based on their individual estimated useful lives, except for leasehold improvements, which are depreciated over the remaining lease term, if shorter. We estimate the useful lives and salvage values of our assets based on historical data as follows:

Buildings and leasehold improvements	3 - 40 years
Machinery and equipment	3 - 10 years

When long-lived assets are sold or retired, the remaining costs and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in income. These capitalized long-lived assets could become impaired if our operating plans or business environment changes.

We review our long-lived assets, including definite-lived intangible assets, for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that their net book value may not be recovered over their remaining service lives. Indicators of possible impairment may include significant declines in activity levels in regions where specific assets or groups of assets are located, extended periods of idle use, declining revenue or cash flow or overall changes in general market conditions.

Whenever possible impairment is indicated, we compare the carrying value of the assets to the sum of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected from use, plus salvage value, less the costs of the subsequent disposition of the assets. If impairment is still indicated, we compare the fair value of the assets to the carrying amount, and recognize an impairment loss for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value. We did not record any impairment charges relating to our long-lived assets held for use during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 or 2010.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Intangibles and Goodwill

Intangible assets, including patents, trademarks, and trade names, are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Intangibles with determinable lives are amortized using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful life of the intangible. Intangibles with indeterminable lives, which consist primarily of corporate trade names, are not amortized, but are tested for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment is possible.

We record goodwill as the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in acquisitions accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. We test goodwill for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate possible impairment.

We evaluated our goodwill for impairment by comparing the fair value of each of our reporting units, which are our reportable segments, to their net carrying value as of the balance sheet date, after excluding inter-company transactions and allocating corporate assets to the reporting units. We estimated the fair value of each reporting unit using a discounted future cash flow analysis. Estimated future cash flows were based on the Company's best estimate of future performance. Our impairment analysis is quantitative; however, it includes subjective estimates based on assumptions regarding future growth rates, interest rates and operating expenses. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value determined, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the implied fair value of the goodwill of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. Any subsequent impairment loss could result in a material adverse effect upon our financial position and results of operations. We did not record impairment charges relating to our goodwill or our indefinite-lived intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

We have never identified nor recorded any impairments relating to the goodwill of our current continuing operations.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue when we determine that the following criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (iii) the fee is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured.

Services Revenue: We provide a variety of services to clients in the oil and gas industry. Where services are provided related to the testing and analysis of rock and fluids, we recognize revenue upon the provision of the test results or analysis to the client. For our design, field engineering and completion diagnostic services, we recognize revenue upon the delivery of those services at the well site. In the case of our consortium studies, revenue is recognized when the reservoir model solution is presented to our clients. We conduct testing and provide analysis services in support of our consortium studies recognizing revenue as the testing and analysis results are made available to our consortium members.

Product Sales Revenue: We manufacture equipment that we sell to our clients in the oil and gas well industry. Revenue is recognized when title to that equipment passes to the client, which is typically when the product is shipped to the client or picked up by the client at our facilities, as set out in the contract.

All advance client payments are classified as unearned revenue until services are performed or product title is transferred. All known or anticipated losses on contracts are provided for currently.

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]

Foreign Currencies

Our functional currency is the U.S. Dollar ("USD"). All inter-company financing, transactions and cash flows of our subsidiaries are transacted in USD. Our foreign entities remeasure monetary assets and liabilities to USD at year-end exchange rates, while non-monetary items are measured at historical rates. Revenue and expenses are remeasured at the applicable month-end rate, except for depreciation, amortization and certain components of cost of sales, which are measured at historical rates. For the year ended December 31, 2012, we incurred a net remeasurement loss of approximately $0.1 million primarily due to the strengthening of the USD against the Euro, the British Pound, and the Canadian Dollar, while in the year ended December 31, 2011, we incurred a net remeasurement loss of approximately $1.8 million, and a net remeasurement loss of approximately $1.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2010. These amounts were included in Other (Income) Expense, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Stock-Based Compensation

We have two stock-based compensation plans, as described in further detail in Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. For new awards issued and awards modified, repurchased or canceled, the compensation expense is equal to the fair value of the award at the date of the grant and is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for those awards earned over the requisite service period of the award.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Earnings Per Share

We compute basic earnings per common share by dividing net income attributable to Core Laboratories N.V. by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common and potential common share include additional shares in the weighted average share calculations associated with the incremental effect of dilutive employee stock options, restricted stock awards and contingently issuable shares, as determined using the treasury stock method. The following table summarizes the calculation of weighted average common shares outstanding used in the computation of diluted earnings per share (in thousands):

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2012	2011	2010
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding	47,211	46,286	44,830
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options	12	19	57
Performance shares	129	75	40
Restricted stock	201	255	585
Senior exchangeable notes	—	857	1,700
Warrants	—	901	1,029
Weighted average diluted common and potential   common shares outstanding	47,553	48,393	48,241

Other assets [Policy Text Block]

Other Assets

Cash surrender value of life insurance relates to postretirement benefit plans. See Note 10 Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans. Investments include our investments in unconsolidated affiliates accounted for under the equity method. The operations of these entities are in-line with those of our core businesses. These entities are not considered special purpose entities nor do we have special off-balance sheet arrangements through these entities. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the life of the respective debt instruments.

Other assets consisted of the following (in thousands):

	2012		2011
Cash surrender value of life insurance	$	21,736	$	17,663
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	1,851		969
Debt issuance costs	2,125		2,597
Other	3,197		3,131
Total other assets	$	28,909	$	24,360

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Stock-based Compensation Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Costs (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation	$ 18,381	$ 17,165	$ 8,517
Cost of services and sales, exclusive of depreciation [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation	8,835	10,960	5,138
General and Adminstrative Expense, exclusive of depreciation [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation	$ 9,546	$ 6,205	$ 3,379

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Consolidated Statement of Other Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 216,612	$ 184,644	$ 145,401
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Gain (Loss) Recognized in Net Periodic Benefit Cost, before Tax	(8,956)	5,591	(17)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Transition Obligations (Assets)	(87)	(87)	(87)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)	159	159	159
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	0	326	378
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Tax	2,210	(1,521)	(104)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	209,938	189,112	145,730
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	541	(40)	484
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	$ 209,397	$ 189,152	$ 145,246

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Consolidated Balance Sheets Balance Sheet Parenthetical (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	$ 3,516	$ 3,762
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.02	$ 0.02
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	47,899,584	49,037,806
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	46,349,411	47,629,472
Treasury Stock, Shares	1,550,173	1,408,334
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.02	$ 0.02
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	6,000,000	6,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	0	0
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	0

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Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Abstract]

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

Defined Benefit Plan

We provide a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all of our Dutch employees ("Dutch Plan") who were hired prior to 2007 based on years of service and final pay or career average pay, depending on when the employee began participating. The benefits earned by the employees are immediately vested. We fund the future obligations of the Dutch Plan by purchasing insurance contracts from a large multi-national insurance company. The insurance contracts are purchased annually and re-new after five years at which time they are replaced with new contracts that are adjusted to include changes in the benefit obligation for the current year and redemption of the expired contracts. We make annual premium payments to the insurance company based on each employee's age and current salary, and the contractual growth rate. We determine the fair value of these plan assets with the assistance of an actuary using observable inputs (Level 2), which approximates the contract value of the investments.

The following table summarizes the change in the projected benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

	2012			2011
Projected Benefit Obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	34,304		$	30,888
Service cost	1,127			1,352
Interest cost	1,684			1,743
Benefits paid	(910		)	(676		)
Administrative expenses	(181		)	(185		)
Actuarial loss, net	10,009			2,021
Unrealized (gain) loss on foreign exchange	843			(839		)
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	$	46,876		$	34,304
Fair Value of Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	34,590		$	26,022
Increase in plan asset value	2,267			8,157
Employer contributions	1,619			1,919
Benefits paid	(910		)	(676		)
Administrative expenses	(181		)	(185		)
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign exchange	708			(647		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	38,093		$	34,590
Over (under)-funded status of the plan at end of the year	$	(8,783	)	$	286
Accumulated Benefit Obligation	$	39,276		$	28,998

The following actuarial assumptions were used to determine the actuarial present value of our projected benefit obligation at December 31, 2012 and 2011:

	2012	2011
Weighted average assumed discount rate	3.60%	5.00%
Weighted average rate of compensation increase	3.00%	3.00%

The discount rate used to determine our projected benefit obligation at December 31, 2012 was decreased from 5.00% to 3.60%, consistent with a general decrease in interest rates in Europe for AAA-rated long-term Euro government bonds.

Amounts recognized for the Dutch Plan in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 consist of (in thousands):

	2012			2011
Other assets	$	—		$	286
Deferred tax asset	268			1,200
Other long-term liabilities	8,783			—
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(8,413		)	(1,739		)

Amounts recognized, net of tax, in Accumulated other comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 consist of (in thousands):

	2012			2011
Prior service cost	$	(616	)	$	(734	)
Transition asset	195			259
Unrecognized net actuarial loss and foreign exchange	(7,992		)	(1,264		)
Total Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(8,413	)	$	(1,739	)

Unrecognized amounts currently recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive loss that are expected to be recognized as components of next year's net pension benefit cost are $0.2 million of prior service cost, $0.1 million for the amortization of the transition asset and $0.5 million of unrecognized net actuarial loss.

The components of net periodic pension cost under this plan for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 included (in thousands):

	2012			2011
Service cost	$	1,127		$	1,352
Interest cost	1,684			1,743
Expected return on plan assets	(1,214		)	(752		)
Unrecognized pension asset, net	(87		)	(87		)
Prior service cost	159			159
Unrecognized net actuarial loss	—			326
Net periodic pension cost	$	1,669		$	2,741

This net periodic pension cost was calculated using the following assumptions:

	2012	2011
Weighted average assumed discount rate	5.00%	5.40%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	3.40%	5.40%
Weighted average rate of compensation increase	3.00%	3.00%

Plan assets at December 31, 2012 and 2011 consisted of insurance contracts with returns equal to the contractual rate, which are comparable with governmental debt securities. Our expected long-term rate of return assumptions are based on the weighted-average contractual rates for each contract. Dutch law dictates the minimum requirements for pension funding. Our goal is to meet these minimum funding requirements, while our insurance carrier invests to minimize risks associated with future benefit payments.

Our 2013 minimum funding requirements are expected to be approximately $1.6 million. Our estimate of future annual contributions is based on current funding requirements, and we believe these contributions will be sufficient to fund the plan. Expected benefit payments under this plan for the next five years are as follows (in thousands):

2013	$	1,066
2014	$	1,164
2015	$	1,182
2016	$	1,301
2017	$	1,504
Succeeding five years	$	8,720

Defined Contribution Plans

We maintain five defined contribution plans (the "Defined Contribution Plans") for the benefit of eligible employees in Canada, The Netherlands, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom and the United States. In accordance with the terms of each plan, we and our participating employees contribute up to specified limits and under certain plans, we may make discretionary contributions in accordance with the Defined Contribution Plans. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, we expensed approximately $6.2 million, $5.7 million and $4.6 million, respectively, for our contributions and our additional discretionary contributions to the Defined Contribution Plans.

Deferred Compensation Arrangements

We have entered into deferred compensation contracts for certain key employees and an outside director. The benefits under these contracts are fully vested and benefits are paid when the participants attain 65 years of age. The charge to expense for these deferred compensation contracts in 2012, 2011 and 2010 was approximately $1.3 million, $1.3 million and $1.2 million, respectively. Life insurance policies with cash surrender values have been purchased for the purpose of funding the deferred compensation contracts.

We have adopted a non-qualified deferred compensation plan that allows certain highly compensated employees to defer a portion of their salary, commission and bonus, as well as the amount of any reductions in their deferrals under the deferred compensation plan for employees in the United States (the "Deferred Compensation Plan"), due to certain limitations imposed by the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Internal Revenue Code"). The Deferred Compensation Plan also provides for employer contributions to be made on behalf of participants equal in amount to certain forfeitures of, and/or reductions in, employer contributions that participants could have received under the 401(k) Plan in the absence of certain limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. Employer contributions to the Deferred Compensation Plan vest ratably over a period of five years. Contributions to the plan are invested in equity and other investment fund assets within life insurance policies, and carried on the balance sheet at fair value. A participant's plan benefits include the participant's deferrals, the vested portion of the employer's contributions, and deemed investment gains and losses on such amounts. The benefits under these contracts are fully vested and payment of benefits generally commences as of the last day of the month following the termination of services except that the payment of benefits for select executives generally commences on the first working day following a six month waiting period following the date of termination. Employer contributions to the Deferred Compensation Plan were $0.3 million, $0.3 million and $0.2 million of the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Vesting in all employer contributions is accelerated upon the death of the participant or a change in control. Employer contributions under the plans are forfeited upon a participant's termination of employment to the extent they are not vested at that time.

The Company's only financial assets and liabilities which involve fair value measures relate to certain aspects of the Company's benefit plans. On a recurring basis, we use the market approach to value certain assets and liabilities at fair value at quoted prices in an active market (Level 1) and certain assets and liabilities using significant other observable inputs (Level 2) with the assistance of a third party specialist. We do not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). Gains and losses related to the fair value changes in the deferred compensation assets and liabilities are recorded in General and Administrative Expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The following table summarizes the fair value balances (in thousands):

			Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2012
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Deferred compensation trust assets (1)	$	12,654	—		$	12,654	—
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plan	$	18,579	$	2,667	$	15,912	—

			Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2011
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Deferred compensation trust assets (1)	$	9,934	$	—	$	9,934	$	—
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plan	$	15,141	$	3,086	$	12,055	$	—
(1) Trust assets consist of the cash surrender value of life insurance policies and are intended to fund the deferred compensation agreements.

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DEI Document (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 14, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	CORE LABORATORIES N V
Entity Central Index Key	0001000229
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		46,226,001
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 5,362,838,340

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Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We have been and may from time to time be named as a defendant in legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business. These include, but are not limited to, employment-related claims and contractual disputes or claims for personal injury or property damage which occur in connection with the provision of our services and products. Management does not currently believe that any of our pending claims or disputes will have a material effect on our future results of operations, financial position or cash flow.

In 1998, we entered into employment agreements with our three senior executive officers that provide for severance benefits. The present value of the long-term liability recorded for the benefits due upon severing the employment of these employees is approximately $7.1 million at December 31, 2012.

We do not maintain any off-balance sheet debt or other similar financing arrangements nor have we formed any special purpose entities for the purpose of maintaining off-balance sheet debt.

Scheduled minimum rental commitments under non-cancellable operating leases at December 31, 2012, consist of the following (in thousands):

2013	$	13,548
2014	9,544
2015	6,823
2016	4,806
2017	3,618
Thereafter	12,830
Total commitments	$	51,169

Operating lease commitments relate primarily to rental of equipment and office space. Rental expense for operating leases, including amounts for short-term leases with nominal future rental commitments, was approximately $21.6 million, $20.9 million and $18.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

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Statement of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
REVENUES:
Sales Revenue, Services, Net	$ 693,895	$ 621,752	$ 568,220
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net	287,185	285,896	226,433
Total Revenue	981,080	907,648	794,653
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Cost of services, exclusive of depreciation shown below	413,086	395,303	356,563
Cost of product sales, exclusive of depreciation shown below	208,733	198,066	157,227
General and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation shown below	43,185	41,141	33,029
Depreciation	21,762	22,126	21,820
Amortization	1,155	1,177	1,293
Other (income) expense, net	(4,121)	(919)	(2,205)
Income Before Interest Expense and Taxes	297,280	250,754	226,926
Loss on exchange of Senior Exchangeable Notes	0	1,012	1,939
Interest expense	8,820	10,900	15,839
Income before income tax expense	288,460	238,842	209,148
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	71,848	54,198	63,747
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	216,612	184,644	145,401
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	541	(40)	484
Net income attributable to Core Laboratories N.V.	$ 216,071	$ 184,684	$ 144,917
EARNINGS PER SHARE INFORMATION:
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ 4.58	$ 3.99	$ 3.23
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ 4.54	$ 3.82	$ 3.00
Cash dividends per share	$ 1.12	$ 1.00	$ 0.890
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	47,211	46,286	44,830
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	47,553	48,393	48,241

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Property Plant and Equipment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

The components of property, plant and equipment were as follows at December 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

	2012			2011
Land	$	6,791		$	6,800
Building and leasehold improvements	91,593			81,628
Machinery and equipment	213,095			196,254
Total property, plant and equipment	311,479			284,682
Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization	(186,061		)	(169,387		)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	125,418		$	115,295

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Inventories

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

INVENTORIES [Abstract]

Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]

INVENTORIES

Inventories consisted of the following at December 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

	2012		2011
Finished goods	$	38,572	$	32,604
Parts and materials	8,818		18,004
Work in progress	1,875		2,606
Total inventories	$	49,265	$	53,214

We include freight costs incurred for shipping inventory to our clients in the Cost of product sales caption in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations

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Unaudited Selected Quarterly Results of Operations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Unaudited Selected Quarterly Results of Operations [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]

UNAUDITED SELECTED QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Summarized below is our unaudited quarterly financial data for the quarters ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands, except per share data).

	Quarter ended 2012
	December 31		September 30		June 30		March 31
Services and product sales revenue	$	254,455	$	245,428	$	247,006	$	234,191
Cost of services and product sales	160,958		155,341		156,380		149,140
Other operating expenses	17,629		14,707		18,500		11,145
Operating income	75,868		75,380		72,126		73,906
Interest expense and loss on exchange of Notes	2,292		2,160		2,178		2,190
Income before income tax expense	73,576		73,220		69,948		71,716
Income tax expense	18,394		18,671		16,997		17,786
Net income	55,182		54,549		52,951		53,930
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	381		146		35		(21		)
Net income attributable to Core Laboratories N.V.	$	54,801	$	54,403	$	52,916	$	53,951
Per share information:
Basic earnings per share	$	1.18	$	1.15	$	1.11	$	1.13
Diluted earnings per share (1)	$	1.17	$	1.14	$	1.11	$	1.13
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	46,541		47,232		47,473		47,606
Diluted	46,857		47,528		47,791		47,945

	Quarter ended 2011
	December 31		September 30		June 30			March 31
Services and product sales revenue	$	243,786	$	231,344	$	225,785		$	206,733
Cost of services and product sales	154,034		150,312		152,273			136,750
Other operating expenses	16,864		17,468		15,709			13,484
Operating income	72,888		63,564		57,803			56,499
Interest expense	2,358		3,856		2,709			2,989
Income before income tax expense	70,530		59,708		55,094			53,510
Income tax expense	17,371		14,599		14,710			7,518
Net income	53,159		45,109		40,384			45,992
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	83		242		(67		)	(298		)
Net income attributable to Core Laboratories N.V.	$	53,076	$	44,867	$	40,451		$	46,290
Per share information:
Basic earnings per share	$	1.12	$	0.96	$	0.88		$	1.02
Diluted earnings per share (1)	$	1.11	$	0.93	$	0.83		$	0.94
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	47,343		46,606		45,945			45,225
Diluted	47,677		48,030		48,662			49,141

(1) The sum of the individual quarterly diluted earnings per share amounts may not agree with the year-to-date diluted earnings per share amounts as each quarterly computation is based on the weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding during that period.

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Equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Equity [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

EQUITY

Treasury Shares

In connection with our initial public offering in September 1995, our shareholders authorized our Management Board to repurchase up to 10% of our issued share capital, the maximum allowed under Dutch law at the time, for a period of 18 months. This authorization was renewed at subsequent annual or special shareholder meetings. At our annual shareholders' meeting on May 16, 2012, our shareholders authorized an extension to repurchase up to 10% of our issued share capital through November 19, 2013 which may be used for any legal purpose. The repurchase of shares in the open market is at the discretion of management pursuant to this shareholder authorization. From the activation of the share repurchase program on October 29, 2002 through December 31, 2012, we have repurchased 34,704,191 shares for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $963.8 million, or an average price of $27.77 per share and have canceled 28,675,824 shares with an historical cost of $552.8 million. At December 31, 2012, we held 1,550,173 shares in treasury and with the authority to repurchase 3,239,785 additional shares under our stock repurchase program. The past cancellation of shares had also been approved by shareholders at prior shareholder meetings. Subsequent to year end, we have repurchased 128,710 shares at a total cost of approximately $15.8 million.

At the annual meeting of shareholders on May 16, 2012, the shareholders approved the cancellation of 1,138,224 shares of our common stock then held as treasury shares. These treasury shares were canceled on September 2, 2012, after the expiration of the waiting period required under Dutch law. In accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 505-30-30-8, we charge the excess of the cost of the treasury stock over its par value to additional paid-in capital. If additional paid-in-capital is not sufficient for this charge, the remainder is charged directly to Retained Earnings.

Dividend Policy

In February, May, August and November 2012, we paid quarterly dividends of $0.28 per share of common stock. The total dividends paid in 2012 were $53.0 million. On January 11, 2013, we declared a quarterly dividend of $0.32 per share of common stock payable February 22, 2013 to shareholders of record on January 22, 2013.

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Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Debt [Abstract]

Debt and Capital Leases Disclosures [Text Block]

DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS

Debt at December 31, 2012 and 2011 is summarized in the following table (in thousands):

	December 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
Senior Notes	150,000		150,000
Credit Facility	84,000		73,000
Capital lease obligations	73		132
Other indebtedness	—		2,287
Total debt	234,073		225,419
Less - current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	40		2,344
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net	$	234,033	$	223,075

In 2011, we issued two series of senior notes with an aggregate principal amount of $150 million ("Senior Notes") in a private placement transaction. Series A consists of $75 million in aggregate principal amount of notes that bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.01% and are due in full on September 30, 2021. Series B consists of $75 million in aggregate principal amount of notes that bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.11% and are due in full on September 30, 2023. Interest on each series of the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on March 30 and September 30.

We maintain a revolving credit facility (the "Credit Facility") with an aggregate borrowing capacity of $300 million at December 31, 2012. The Credit Facility provides an option to increase the commitment under the Credit Facility to $350 million, if certain conditions are met. The Credit Facility bears interest at variable rates from LIBOR plus 1.50% to a maximum of LIBOR plus 2.25%. Any outstanding balance under the Credit Facility is due September 28, 2016 when the Credit Facility matures. Interest payment terms are variable depending upon the specific type of borrowing under this facility. Our available capacity at any point in time is reduced by borrowings outstanding at the time and outstanding letters of credit which totaled $17.0 million at December 31, 2012, resulting in an available borrowing capacity under the Credit Facility of $199.0 million. In addition to those items under the Credit Facility, we had $22.9 million of outstanding letters of credit and performance guarantees and bonds from other sources at December 31, 2012.

The terms of the Credit Facility and Senior Notes require us to meet certain covenants, including, but not limited to, certain minimum equity and cash flow ratios. We believe that we are in compliance with all such covenants contained in our credit agreements. Certain of our material, wholly-owned subsidiaries are guarantors or co-borrowers under the Credit Facility and Senior Notes.

The estimated fair value of total debt at December 31, 2012 and 2011 approximated the book value of total debt. The fair value was estimated using Level 2 inputs by calculating the sum of the discounted future interest and principal payments through the date of maturity.

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Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Components of Net Periodic Pension Costs (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost	$ 1,127	$ 1,352
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	1,684	1,743
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets	(1,214)	(752)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Transition Obligations (Assets)	(87)	(87)	(87)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)	159	159	159
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	0	326	378
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	$ 1,669	$ 2,741

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Intangibles

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Intangibles [Abstract]

Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]

INTANGIBLES

The components of intangibles as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows (in thousands):

		2012				2011
	Original life in years	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization
Acquired trade secrets	2-20	$	1,518	$	992	$	1,781	$	1,127
Acquired patents and trademarks	4-10	4,435		1,807		3,862		2,510
Agreements not to compete	3-5	3,286		1,975		4,578		2,625
Acquired trade names	20	544		183		662		292
Acquired trade names	Indefinite	3,895		—		3,892		—
Total intangibles		$	13,678	$	4,957	$	14,775	$	6,554

Our estimated amortization expense relating to these intangibles for the next five years is summarized in the following table (in thousands):

2013	$	1,132
2014	$	1,210
2015	$	560
2016	$	538
2017	$	538

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Goodwill

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Goodwill [Abstract]

Goodwill Disclosure [Text Block]

GOODWILL

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for each reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were as follows (in thousands):

	Reservoir Description		Production Enhancement		ReservoirManagement		Total
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	80,932	$	70,440	$	2,845	$	154,217
Goodwill acquired during the year	—		8,570		—		8,570
Balance at December 31, 2011	80,932		79,010		2,845		162,787
Goodwill acquired during the year	—		550		—		550
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	80,932	$	79,560	$	2,845	$	163,337

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Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

INCOME TAXES

The components of income before income tax expense for 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows (in thousands):

	2012		2011		2010
United States	$	135,992	$	115,413	$	86,985
Other countries	152,468		123,429		122,163
Income before income tax expense	$	288,460	$	238,842	$	209,148

The components of income tax expense for 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows (in thousands):

	2012			2011			2010
Current:
United States	$	42,934		$	43,632		$	38,704
Other countries	20,965			11,515			30,357
State and provincial	4,344			5,600			4,821
	68,243			60,747			73,882
Deferred:
United States	963			(8,905		)	(9,699		)
Other countries	2,677			2,892			100
State and provincial	(35		)	(536		)	(536		)
Total deferred	3,605			(6,549		)	(10,135		)
Income tax expense	$	71,848		$	54,198		$	63,747

The differences in income tax expense computed using The Netherlands statutory income tax rate of 25%, 25% and 25.5% in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and our income tax expense as reported in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows (in thousands):

	2012			2011			2010
Tax at The Netherlands income tax rate	$	72,115		$	59,711		$	53,333
International earnings taxed at rates other than The Netherlands statutory rate	(864		)	(241		)	3,698
Non-deductible expenses	917			2,691			2,524
Change in valuation allowance	(2,099		)	(1,279		)	75
State and provincial taxes	2,895			3,166			2,597
Adjustments of prior year taxes	1,038			(17,229		)	(389		)
Adjustments of income tax reserves	(4,374		)	7,050			4,093
Other	2,220			329			(2,184		)
Income tax expense	$	71,848		$	54,198		$	63,747

Included in Adjustments of prior year taxes in 2011 is the reversal of $10.4 million in tax liabilities provided over the period 2007-2010 as a result of recently concluded audits of prior year returns. The remainder reflects adjustments between the tax accrual for prior year taxes and the tax liability reported in the filed tax returns.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities result from various temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amount and their tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 are summarized as follows (in thousands):

	2012			2011
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carry-forwards	$	5,866		$	7,143
Tax credit carry-forwards	3,123			5,483
Reserves	13,497			9,804
Unrealized benefit plan loss	586			1,200
Other	5,419			9,857
	28,491			33,487
Valuation allowance	(7,243		)	(9,342		)
Net deferred tax asset	21,248			24,145
Deferred tax liabilities:
Intangibles	(1,751		)	(2,174		)
Property, plant and equipment	(5,540		)	(3,203		)
Other	(3,624		)	(4,830		)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(10,915		)	(10,207		)
Net deferred income taxes	$	10,333		$	13,938
	2012			2011
Current deferred tax assets	$	8,024		$	10,483
Current deferred tax liabilities	(4,138		)	(4,676		)
Long-term deferred tax assets	13,224			13,662
Long-term deferred tax liabilities	(6,777		)	(5,531		)
Total deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$	10,333		$	13,938

At December 31, 2012, we had tax net operating loss carry-forwards in various tax jurisdictions of approximately $24.7 million. Although we cannot be certain that these operating loss carry-forwards will be utilized, we anticipate that we will have sufficient taxable income in future years to allow us to fully utilize the carry-forwards that are not subject to a valuation allowance as of December 31, 2012. If unused, those carry-forwards which are subject to expiration may expire during the years 2013 through 2022. At December 31, 2012, we maintained a valuation allowance of $5.5 million on our net operating loss carry-forwards. During 2012, $15 thousand of operating loss carry-forwards which carried a full valuation allowance expired unused.

Our senior exchangeable notes ("Exchangeable Notes") fully matured and were settled in 2011 which resulted in a reversal of the related deferred tax liability of $13.9 million that was established for the difference between the book and tax basis of the Exchangeable Notes.

We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various states and foreign jurisdictions. We are currently undergoing multiple examinations in various jurisdictions, and the years 1999 through 2010 remain open for examination in various tax jurisdictions in which we operate.

During 2012, adjustments were made to estimates for uncertain tax positions in certain tax jurisdictions based upon changes in facts and circumstances, resulting in a reduction to the unrecognized tax benefits. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):

	2012			2011			2010
Unrecognized tax benefits at January 1,	$	14,027		$	9,986		$	8,324
Tax positions, current period	1,845			1,512			1,149
Tax positions, prior period	(3,293		)	4,959			2,181
Settlements with taxing authorities	—			—			(555		)
Lapse of applicable statute of limitations	(2,260		)	(2,430		)	(1,113		)
Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31,	$	10,319		$	14,027		$	9,986

Changes in our estimate of unrecognized tax benefits would affect our effective tax rate.

Our policy is to record accrued interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions, net of any tax effect, as part of total tax expense for the period. The corresponding liability is carried along with the tax exposure as a non-current payable in Other Long-term Liabilities. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, we had approximately $1.5 million, $3.0 million and $2.9 million, respectively, accrued for the payment of interest and penalties.

During 2012, we recognized tax benefits of $5.2 million relating to tax deductions in excess of book expense for stock-based compensation awards. These tax benefits are recorded to Additional Paid-in Capital to the extent deductions reduce current taxable income as we are able to realize the tax benefits.

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Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Fair Value (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 12,654,000	$ 9,934,000
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	18,579,000	15,141,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	2,667,000	3,086,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	12,654,000	9,934,000
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	15,912,000	12,055,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 0	$ 0

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Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			122 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	128,710				34,704,191
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	$ 15,800,000				$ 963,800,000
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share					$ 27.77
Treasury Stock, Shares, Retired		1,138,224			28,675,824
Treasury Stock, Retired, Cost Method, Amount		0	0	0	552,800,000
Treasury Stock, Shares		1,550,173	1,408,334		1,550,173
Treasury shares, Remaining shares authorized to be purchased		3,239,785			3,239,785
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid		$ 0.28
Dividends		$ (52,950,000)	$ (46,027,000)	$ (39,791,000)
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.32

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Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Deferred Compensation Arrangements (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Compensation Expense	$ 1.3	$ 1.3	$ 1.2
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Employer Contribution	$ 0.3	$ 0.3	$ 0.2

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Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]

Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]

Scheduled minimum rental commitments under non-cancellable operating leases at December 31, 2012, consist of the following (in thousands):

2013	$	13,548
2014	9,544
2015	6,823
2016	4,806
2017	3,618
Thereafter	12,830
Total commitments	$	51,169

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Income Taxes Income tax expense, income tax reconciliation (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current Fiscal Year End Date									--12-31
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate									25.00%	25.00%	25.50%
Income Tax Reconciliation, Income Tax Expense (Benefit), at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate									$ 72,115	$ 59,711	$ 53,333
Income Tax Reconciliation, Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential									(864)	(241)	3,698
Income Tax Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense									917	2,691	2,524
Income Tax Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance									(2,099)	(1,279)	75
Income Tax Reconciliation, State and Local Income Taxes									2,895	3,166	2,597
Income Tax Reconciliation, Prior Year Income Taxes									1,038	(17,229)	(389)
Income Tax Reconciliation, Other Adjustments									(4,374)	7,050	4,093
Income Tax Reconciliation, Other Reconciling Items									2,220	329	(2,184)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	18,394	18,671	16,997	17,786	17,371	14,599	14,710	7,518	71,848	54,198	63,747
Income Tax Reconciliation, Tax Settlements										$ 10,400

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Other (Income) Expense

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Other (Income) Expense, net [Abstract]

Other Income and Other Expense Disclosure [Text Block]

OTHER INCOME, NET

The components of other (income) expense, net, are as follows (in thousands):

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010
Gain on sale of assets	$	(201	)	$	(487	)	$	(176	)
Equity in income of affiliates	(646		)	(274		)	(376		)
Loss on foreign exchange	142			1,800			1,032
Interest income	(319		)	(138		)	(249		)
Rent and royalty income	(1,033		)	(1,716		)	(1,550		)
Gain on insurance recovery	(4,490		)	(1,014		)	—
Legal entity realignment costs	1,860			711			—
NYSE Euronext Amsterdam listing costs	923			—			—
Other (gain) loss	(357		)	199			(886		)
Total other income, net	$	(4,121	)	$	(919	)	(2,205		)

During 2012, we incurred legal, accounting and other fees in connection with the realignment of certain of our legal entities into a more cost effective structure and the listing of our shares on the Euronext Amsterdam.

As a result of a supply disruption in 2011 from a key vendor that provided certain high performance specialty steel tubulars used with the Company's perforating systems, we filed a claim under our business interruption insurance policy which was fully settled during 2012 for $4.4 million.

As a result of reaching a settlement on a property damage claim we filed in 2010, we recorded an insurance recovery gain of $1.0 million in 2011.

Foreign Currency Risk

We operate in a number of international areas which exposes us to foreign currency exchange rate risk. We do not currently hold or issue forward exchange contracts or other derivative instruments for hedging or speculative purposes (a foreign exchange contract is an agreement to exchange different currencies at a given date and at a specified rate). Foreign exchange gains and losses are the result of fluctuations in the USD against foreign currencies and are included in other (income) expense in the statements of operations. We recognized foreign exchange losses in countries where the USD weakened against the local currency and we had net monetary liabilities denominated in the local currency; as well as countries where the USD strengthened against the local currency and we had net monetary assets denominated in the local currency. We recognized foreign exchange gains in countries where the USD strengthened against the local currency and we had net monetary liabilities denominated in the local currency and in countries where the USD weakened against the local currency and we had net monetary assets denominated in the local currency. Foreign exchange gains and losses are summarized in the following table (in thousands):

		For the Years Ended December 31,
(Gains) losses by currency		2012			2011			2010
	Argentine Peso	$	147		$	113		$	17
	Australian Dollar	30			81			(135		)
	Angolan Kwanza	41			257			(58		)
	British Pound	(41		)	163			390
	Canadian Dollar	(415		)	423			(711		)
	Euro	(62		)	257			1,788
	Malaysian Ringgit	70			187			(157		)
	Nigerian Naira	11			164			98
	Venezuelan Bolivar	7			(108		)	(267		)
	Other currencies, net	354			263			67
Total loss		$	142		$	1,800		1,032

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Inventories (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

INVENTORIES [Abstract]

Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]

Inventories consisted of the following at December 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

	2012		2011
Finished goods	$	38,572	$	32,604
Parts and materials	8,818		18,004
Work in progress	1,875		2,606
Total inventories	$	49,265	$	53,214

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Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Sep. 28, 2016
Long-term Debt	$ 234,073,000	$ 225,419,000
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	234,033,000	223,075,000
Cash payments for interest	7,352,000	2,308,000	566,000
Loss on exchange of Senior Exchangeable Notes	0	1,012,000	1,939,000
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	300,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	350,000,000
Performance bonds under credit facility	17,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	199,000,000
Performance Bonds	22,900,000
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	150,000,000
Long-term Debt	150,000,000	150,000,000
Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	84,000,000	73,000,000
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	73,000	132,000
Other Debt Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	0	2,287,000
Short-term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	40,000	2,344,000
senior notes series a [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	75,000,000
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Sep. 30, 2021
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	4.01%
Senior Notes Series B [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 75,000,000
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Sep. 30, 2023
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	4.11%
Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.50%
Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.25%

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Significant Accounting Policies Other Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Other Assets, Noncurrent	$ 28,909	$ 24,360

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Statement of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 216,612,000	$ 184,644,000	$ 145,401,000
Adjustments to reconcile income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in earnings of affiliates	(646,000)	(274,000)	(376,000)
Share-based Compensation	18,381,000	17,165,000	8,517,000
Depreciation and amortization	22,917,000	23,303,000	23,113,000
Debt issuance costs amortization and finance charges	479,000	5,956,000	15,087,000
Loss on exchange of Senior Exchangeable Notes	0	1,012,000	1,939,000
Realization of pension obligation	(53,000)	303,000	137,000
(Increase) decrease in value of life insurance policies	(1,636,000)	285,000	(1,950,000)
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	3,605,000	(6,549,000)	(10,135,000)
Other Noncash Income (Expense)	962,000	(695,000)	1,911,000
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(16,664,000)	(12,082,000)	(22,412,000)
Inventories	3,224,000	(16,033,000)	(2,438,000)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(12,904,000)	(1,228,000)	21,455,000
Other assets	426,000	680,000	(102,000)
Accounts payable	(3,672,000)	11,969,000	11,701,000
Accrued expenses	4,871,000	(13,754,000)	13,701,000
Other long-term liabilities	1,300,000	9,424,000	283,000
Net cash provided by operating activities	237,202,000	204,126,000	205,832,000
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	(31,151,000)	(29,927,000)	(27,569,000)
Patents and other intangibles	(1,648,000)	(220,000)	(233,000)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(556,000)	(18,821,000)	(9,000,000)
Cash in escrow	2,188,000	(2,179,000)	0
Payments for (Proceeds from) Investments	(322,000)	0	0
Proceeds from sale of assets	667,000	900,000	669,000
Proceeds from insurance recovery	101,000	1,300,000	0
Premiums on life insurance	(3,283,000)	(3,071,000)	(2,604,000)
Net cash used in investing activities	(34,004,000)	(52,018,000)	(38,737,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayment of debt borrowings	(112,346,000)	(348,564,000)	(82,251,000)
Proceeds from debt borrowings	121,000,000	417,426,000	0
Stock options exercised	5,000	297,000	346,000
Excess tax benefits from stock-based payments	5,226,000	2,559,000	967,000
Debt financing costs	(7,000)	(2,014,000)	(1,019,000)
Settlement of Warrants	0	219,451,000	0
Non-controlling interest - contributions	1,800,000	1,194,000	156,000
Non-controlling interest - dividend	(300,000)	(251,000)	(181,000)
Dividends paid	(52,950,000)	(46,027,000)	(39,791,000)
Repurchase of common shares	(175,732,000)	(61,825,000)	(92,487,000)
Net cash used in financing activities	(213,304,000)	(256,656,000)	(214,260,000)
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(10,106,000)	(104,548,000)	(47,165,000)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	19,226,000	29,332,000	133,880,000
Cash payments for interest	7,352,000	2,308,000	566,000
Cash payments for income taxes	85,660,000	74,724,000	57,259,000
Financed capital expenditures	$ 3,910,000	$ 1,273,000	$ 0

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Acquisitions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Acquisitions [Abstract]

Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]

ACQUISITIONS

In 2011, we acquired a business providing additional manufacturing capacity for our Canadian operations for $18.8 million in cash. We have accounted for this acquisition by allocating the purchase price to the net assets acquired based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition, resulting in an increase to goodwill of $8.6 million and an increase of $0.5 million in intangible assets. In 2012, a post-closing adjustment was recorded that increased the purchase price and goodwill by $0.6 million. The acquisition was recorded in the Production Enhancement business segment.

In 2010, we acquired fracture diagnostics assets for $9.0 million in cash. The acquisition was recorded in the Production Enhancement business segment and resulted in an increase of $5.6 million in goodwill and an increase of $3.2 million in intangible assets.

The acquisition of these entities did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Balance Sheet or Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Other Assets, Noncurrent	$ 28,909	$ 24,360
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	21,248	24,145
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent	39,171	33,300
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(8,413)	(1,739)
Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Other Assets, Noncurrent	0	286
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	268	1,200
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent	8,783	0
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	$ (8,413)	$ (1,739)

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Stock-based Compensation Share Based Compensation by Payment Award (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			122 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number		634,310,000	774,549,000		634,310,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		$ 89.42	$ 69.03		$ 89.42
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period		192,770,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		$ 117.53
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period		(299,994,000)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		$ 56.60
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period		(33,015,000)
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	128,710				34,704,191
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	$ 15,800,000				$ 963,800,000
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share					$ 27.77
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		$ 71.66
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value		100,000	4,000,000	2,700,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number		12,000	13,042		12,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures		0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price		$ 0.00
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period		(1,042)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price		$ 4.75
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period		0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price		$ 0.00
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price		$ 6.95	$ 6.77		$ 6.95
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term		9 months 18 days	1 year 8 months 12 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value		102.36	107.18		102.36
Share-based Compensation		18,381,000	17,165,000	8,517,000
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Options Plans, by Exercise Price Range, Range 1 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit			$ 4.42
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit			$ 12.50
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Range 2 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit		$ 0
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit		$ 0
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Range 3 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit		$ 0
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit		$ 0
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Range 4 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit		$ 0
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit		$ 0
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Range 5 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit		$ 4.42
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit		$ 12.50
Performance Share Award Program 2010 Grant [Member] | Director Stock Award Program [Member] | Performance Share Award Program [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period		9,180
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Director Stock Award Program [Member] | Restricted Share Award Program [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period		7,987	10,283
Share-based Compensation		600,000	200,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition		23 months
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized		1,200,000			1,200,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		$ 1,000,000	$ 1,000,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Director Stock Award Program [Member] | Total Restricted Stock Award [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized		1,400,000			1,400,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant		572,205			572,205
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Employee stock award program [Member] | Restricted Share Award Program [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period		105,774	95,760	142,070
Share-based Compensation		9,900,000	12,400,000	6,100,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition		51 months
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized		30,400,000			30,400,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		$ 12,200,000	$ 10,600,000	$ 12,300,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Intrinsic Value		$ 10,300,000	$ 8,400,000	$ 7,000,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense		3,900,000	2,600,000	1,000,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Employee stock award program [Member] | Total Restricted Stock Award [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized		10,800,000			10,800,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant		530,700			530,700
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Performance Share Awards Program 2009 Grant [Member] | Director Stock Award Program [Member] | Performance Share Award Program [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period		13,884
Share-based Compensation		0	200,000	200,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		$ 600,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Performance Share Award Program 2010 Grant [Member] | Director Stock Award Program [Member] | Performance Share Award Program [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation		0	200,000	200,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		$ 600,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Performance Share Award Program 2010 Grant [Member] | Employee stock award program [Member] | Performance Share Award Program [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period				90,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period		85,200
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period		4,800
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired		28,829
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method		3,200,000
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share		$ 109.31
Share-based Compensation		2,000,000	2,100,000	1,600,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value				$ 5,500,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense		1,400,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Performance Share Award Program 2011 Grant [Member] | Employee stock award program [Member] | Performance Share Award Program [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period			86,207
Share-based Compensation		2,700,000	2,400,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition		12 months
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value			$ 8,000,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Performance Share Award Program 2012 Grant [Member] | Employee stock award program [Member] | Performance Share Award Program [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period			79,009
Share-based Compensation			$ 3,100,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition			24 months
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value			$ 9,400,000

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Property Plant and Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]

Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]

The components of property, plant and equipment were as follows at December 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

	2012			2011
Land	$	6,791		$	6,800
Building and leasehold improvements	91,593			81,628
Machinery and equipment	213,095			196,254
Total property, plant and equipment	311,479			284,682
Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization	(186,061		)	(169,387		)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	125,418		$	115,295

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Segment Reporting Schedule of Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	$ 254,455,000	$ 245,428,000	$ 247,006,000	$ 234,191,000	$ 243,786,000	$ 231,344,000	$ 225,785,000	$ 206,733,000	$ 981,080,000	$ 907,648,000	$ 794,653,000
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	125,418,000				115,295,000				125,418,000	115,295,000	104,223,000
Income Before Interest Expense and Taxes	75,868,000	75,380,000	72,126,000	73,906,000	72,888,000	63,564,000	57,803,000	56,499,000	297,280,000	250,754,000	226,926,000
United States [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue, Net									505,200,000	470,600,000	406,823,000
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	66,092,000				53,566,000				66,092,000	53,566,000	50,160,000
Canada [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue, Net									101,387,000	85,287,000	72,296,000
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	17,263,000				20,113,000				17,263,000	20,113,000	14,396,000
Other Countries [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue, Net									374,493,000	351,761,000	315,534,000
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	$ 42,063,000				$ 41,616,000				$ 42,063,000	$ 41,616,000	$ 39,667,000

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Unaudited Selected Quarterly Results of Operations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Unaudited Selected Quarterly Results of Operations [Abstract]

Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]

Summarized below is our unaudited quarterly financial data for the quarters ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands, except per share data).

	Quarter ended 2012
	December 31		September 30		June 30		March 31
Services and product sales revenue	$	254,455	$	245,428	$	247,006	$	234,191
Cost of services and product sales	160,958		155,341		156,380		149,140
Other operating expenses	17,629		14,707		18,500		11,145
Operating income	75,868		75,380		72,126		73,906
Interest expense and loss on exchange of Notes	2,292		2,160		2,178		2,190
Income before income tax expense	73,576		73,220		69,948		71,716
Income tax expense	18,394		18,671		16,997		17,786
Net income	55,182		54,549		52,951		53,930
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	381		146		35		(21		)
Net income attributable to Core Laboratories N.V.	$	54,801	$	54,403	$	52,916	$	53,951
Per share information:
Basic earnings per share	$	1.18	$	1.15	$	1.11	$	1.13
Diluted earnings per share (1)	$	1.17	$	1.14	$	1.11	$	1.13
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	46,541		47,232		47,473		47,606
Diluted	46,857		47,528		47,791		47,945

	Quarter ended 2011
	December 31		September 30		June 30			March 31
Services and product sales revenue	$	243,786	$	231,344	$	225,785		$	206,733
Cost of services and product sales	154,034		150,312		152,273			136,750
Other operating expenses	16,864		17,468		15,709			13,484
Operating income	72,888		63,564		57,803			56,499
Interest expense	2,358		3,856		2,709			2,989
Income before income tax expense	70,530		59,708		55,094			53,510
Income tax expense	17,371		14,599		14,710			7,518
Net income	53,159		45,109		40,384			45,992
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	83		242		(67		)	(298		)
Net income attributable to Core Laboratories N.V.	$	53,076	$	44,867	$	40,451		$	46,290
Per share information:
Basic earnings per share	$	1.12	$	0.96	$	0.88		$	1.02
Diluted earnings per share (1)	$	1.11	$	0.93	$	0.83		$	0.94
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	47,343		46,606		45,945			45,225
Diluted	47,677		48,030		48,662			49,141

(1) The sum of the individual quarterly diluted earnings per share amounts may not agree with the year-to-date diluted earnings per share amounts as each quarterly computation is based on the weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding during that period.

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Stock-based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Stock-based Compensation [Abstract]

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

We have granted stock options and restricted stock awards under two stock incentive plans: the 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan") and the 2006 Non-employee Director Stock Incentive Plan (the "Director Plan "). Awards under the following two compensation programs have been granted pursuant to the Plan: (1) the Performance Share Award Program ("PSAP") and (2) the Restricted Share Award Program ("RSAP").

Since the inception of the Plan in 1995 until 2001, we awarded stock options as the primary form of equity compensation. In 2001, we reassessed the form of award and elected to begin the use of restricted share grants which we believe are a stronger motivational tool for our employees. Restricted share awards provide some value to an employee during periods of stock market volatility, whereas stock options may have limited perceived value and may not be as effective in retaining and motivating employees when the current value of our stock is less than the option price. Currently, our long-term equity incentive compensation is exclusively in the form of restricted shares and performance restricted shares as no stock options were granted during 2012.

We issue shares from either treasury stock or authorized shares upon the exercise of options or lapsing of vesting restrictions on restricted stock. In 2012, we issued 1,042 shares and 299,964 shares out of treasury stock relating to the exercise of stock options and the vesting of restricted stock, respectively. We do not use cash to settle equity instruments issued under stock-based compensation awards.

2007 Long-term Incentive Plan

On April 2, 2007, the 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan was amended, restated and renamed as the 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The primary changes effected by the 2007 amendment and restatement was to (a) extend the period during which awards may be granted under the Plan to February 13, 2017, (b) require all stock options awarded under the Plan to have an exercise price per share that is at least equal to the fair market value of a common share as of the date of grant of the option (subject to adjustment under certain circumstances, such as upon a reorganization, stock split, recapitalization, or other change in our capital structure), (c) provide that stock appreciation rights may be granted under the Plan, (d) prohibit the repricing of stock options awarded under the Plan, (e) provide that no amendment to the Plan that would require shareholder approval pursuant to the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"), the NYSE Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange ("Euronext Amsterdam") or any exchange on which we are listed will be effective prior to approval of our shareholders, and (f) expand the performance goals enumerated under the Plan upon which restricted share awards may be based. The amendment and restatement of the Plan does not increase the number of common shares subject to the Plan. The Plan provides for a maximum of 10,800,000 common shares to be granted to eligible employees. At December 31, 2012, approximately 530,700 shares were available for the grant of new awards under the Plan. Specifically, we encourage share ownership by awarding various long-term equity incentive awards under the Plan, consisting of the PSAP and RSAP. We believe that widespread common share ownership by key employees is an important means of encouraging superior performance and employee retention. Additionally, our equity-based compensation programs encourage performance and retention by providing additional incentives for executives to further our growth, development and financial success over a longer time horizon by personally benefiting through the ownership of our common shares and/or rights.

Performance Share Award Program

On April 1, 2010, certain executives were awarded rights to receive an aggregate of 90,000 common shares if our calculated return on invested capital ("ROIC"), as defined in the PSAP, is in the top decile of the Bloomberg Comp Group at the end of the performance period, which ended on December 31, 2012. This arrangement was recorded as an equity award that required us to recognize compensation expense totaling $5.5 million over the performance period that began on April 1, 2010, of which $1.8 million, $2.1 million and $1.6 million was been recognized in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. At December 31, 2012, Core Lab had the highest ROIC compared to the Bloomberg Comp Group. The Compensation Committee of our Board of Supervisory Directors verified that the performance target criteria had been met and 85,200 shares vested (4,800 shares were forfeited prior to the end of the performance period due to the retirement of one of the participants). We issued these common shares on December 31, 2012 and, simultaneously, the participants surrendered 28,829 common shares to settle any personal tax liabilities which may result from the award, as permitted by the agreement. We recorded these surrendered shares as treasury stock with an aggregate cost of $3.2 million, at $109.31 per share. We have recognized a tax benefit from the vesting of the PSAP of $1.4 million in 2012.

On April 1, 2011, certain executives were awarded rights to receive an aggregate of 86,207 common shares if our calculated ROIC, as defined in the PSAP, is in the top decile of the Bloomberg Comp Group at the end of the three year performance period, which ends on December 31, 2013. Unless there is a change in control as defined in the PSAP, none of these awards will vest if the specified performance target is not met as of the last day of the performance period. This arrangement is recorded as an equity award that requires us to recognize compensation expense totaling $8.0 million over the performance period that began on April 1, 2011, of which $2.7 million and $2.4 million has been recognized in 2012 and 2011, respectively. The unrecognized compensation expense is expected to be recognized over an estimated amortization period of 12 months.

On February 17, 2012, certain executives were awarded rights to receive an aggregate of 79,009 common shares if our calculated ROIC, as defined in the PSAP, is in the top decile of the Bloomberg Comp Group at the end of the performance period, which ends on December 31, 2014. Unless there is a change in control as defined in the PSAP, none of these awards will vest if the specified performance target is not met as of the last day of the performance period. This arrangement is recorded as an equity award that requires us to recognize compensation expense totaling $9.4 million over the performance period that began on January 1, 2012, of which $3.1 million has been recognized in 2012. The unrecognized compensation expense is expected to be recognized over an estimated amortization period of 24 months.

Restricted Share Award Program

In 2004, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Supervisory Directors approved the RSAP to attract and retain the best employees, and to better align employee interests with those of our shareholders. Under this arrangement we awarded grants totaling 105,774 shares, 95,760 shares, and 142,070 shares in 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. Each of these grants has a vesting period of principally six years and vests ratably on an annual basis. There are no performance accelerators for early vesting for these awards. Awards under the RSAP are classified as equity awards and recorded at the grant-date fair value with the compensation expense recognized over the expected life of the award. As of December 31, 2012, there was $30.4 million of unrecognized total stock-based compensation relating to non-vested RSAP awards. The unrecognized compensation expense is expected to be recognized over an estimated weighted-average amortization period of 51 months. The grant-date fair value of shares granted was $12.2 million, $10.6 million and $12.3 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively and we have recognized compensation expense of $9.9 million, $12.4 million and $6.1 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The total grant-date fair value, which is the intrinsic value of the shares, vested was $10.3 million, $8.4 million and $7.0 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. We have recognized a tax benefit from the vesting of the RSAP of $3.9 million, $2.6 million and $1.0 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

2006 Non-employee Director Stock Incentive Plan

The Director Plan provides common shares for grant to our eligible Supervisory Directors. The maximum number of shares available for award under this plan is 1,400,000 common shares. As of December 31, 2012 approximately 572,205 shares were available for issuance under the Director Plan. On June 28, 2006, the 1995 Non-employee Director Stock Option Plan was amended, restated and renamed as the 2006 Non-employee Director Stock Incentive Plan. The primary change effected by the 2006 amendment was to eliminate the automatic, formula grant of stock options under the prior plan and to replace that formula approach with the discretionary right of the Supervisory Board to grant stock options, restricted shares, or any combination thereof. Only non-employee Supervisory Directors are eligible for these equity-based awards under the Director Plan.

Performance Share Award Program

On July 15, 2009, we awarded rights relating to an aggregate of 13,884 PSAP shares under the Director Plan to our non-employee Supervisory Directors for which the performance period began on July 15, 2009 and ended on July 15, 2012. The performance target for this award was based on a calculated ROE, as defined in the agreement, with full vesting occurring if our ROE equaled or exceeded the returns earned by members of the S&P 500 Oil & Gas Equipment & Services index, with 50% of the shares vesting if our return was at or above the 50^th percentile of the members' return and 100% of the shares vesting if our return was at or above the 75^th percentile of the members' return. On July 15, 2012, at the end of the performance period, it was determined that the vesting criteria had been met and all shares vested in full at that time. This arrangement was recorded as an equity award that required us to recognize compensation expense totaling $0.6 million over the performance period that began on July 15, 2009, of which $0.1 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million was recognized in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

On April 1, 2010, we awarded rights relating to an aggregate of 9,180 PSAP shares under the Director Plan to our non-employee Supervisory Directors for which the performance period began on January 1, 2010 and ended on December 31, 2012. The performance target for this award was based on a calculated ROIC, as defined in the agreement, with full vesting occurring if our ROIC was in the top decile of the Bloomberg Peer Group at the end of the performance period. At December 31, 2012, at the end of the performance period it was determined that the vesting criteria had been met and all shares vested at that time. This arrangement was recorded as an equity award that required us to recognize compensation expense totaling $0.6 million over the performance period that began on April 1, 2010, of which, $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million was recognized in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Restricted Share Award Program

In 2011, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Supervisory Directors approved the RSAP to compensate our non-employee Supervisory Directors. Prior to 2011, the non-employee Supervisory Directors were awarded shares under the PSAP plan. Under this arrangement we awarded grants totaling 7,987 shares and 10,283 shares in 2012 and 2011, respectively. Each of these grants has a vesting period of 3 years. There are no performance accelerators for early vesting for these awards. Awards under the RSAP are classified as equity awards and recorded at the grant-date fair value with compensation expense recognized over the expected life of the award. As of December 31, 2012, there was $1.2 million of unrecognized total stock-based compensation relating to non-vested RSAP awards. The unrecognized compensation expense is expected to be recognized over an estimated weighted-average amortization period of 23 months. The grant-date fair value of shares granted was $1.0 million and $1.0 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively, and we have recognized compensation expense of $0.6 million and $0.2 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Non-vested restricted share awards outstanding under both the 2007 Long-term Incentive Plan and the 2006 Non-employee Director Stock Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2012 and changes during the year were as follows:

	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at December 31, 2011	774,549		$	69.03
Granted	192,770		117.53
Vested	(299,994	)	56.60
Forfeited	(33,015	)	71.66
Non-vested at December 31, 2012	634,310		$	89.42

StockOptions

The following table presents the change in outstanding stock options under the Plan and the Director Plan for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. All options outstanding at December 31, 2012 are fully vested.

	Shares		Range of Exercise Prices	Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Life	Average Intrinsic Value - Per Share
Balance as of December 31, 2011	13,042		$ 4.42 - 12.50	$	6.77	1.7	$	107.18
Options granted	—		—	—
Options exercised	(1,042	)	4.75	4.75
Options forfeited	—		—	—
Balance as of December 31, 2012	12,000		$ 4.42 - 12.50	$	6.95	0.8	$	102.36

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2012, 2011 and 2010 were $0.1 million, $4.0 million and $2.7 million, respectively.

For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, stock-based compensation expense recognized in the income statement is as follows (in thousands):

	2012		2011		2010
Cost of product sales and services	$	8,835	$	10,960	$	5,138
General and administrative	9,546		6,205		3,379
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	18,381	$	17,165	$	8,517