2. Summary of Accounting Policies

The Consolidated Financial Statements of Schlumberger have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Schlumberger, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and other subsidiaries over which it exercises a controlling financial interest. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year items have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, Schlumberger evaluates its estimates, including those related to collectibility of accounts receivable; recoverability of goodwill, intangible assets and investments in affiliates; income taxes; multiclient seismic data; contingencies and actuarial assumptions for employee benefit plans. Schlumberger bases its estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Revenue Recognition

Schlumberger recognizes revenue based upon purchase orders, contracts or other persuasive evidence of an arrangement with the customer that include fixed or determinable prices provided that collectibility is reasonably assured. Revenue is recognized for services when they are rendered. Revenue is recognized for products upon delivery, when the customer assumes the risks and rewards of ownership.

Revenue from seismic contract services performed on a dayrate basis is recognized as the service is performed. Revenue from other services, including pre-funded multiclient surveys, is recognized as the seismic data is acquired and/or processed on a proportionate basis as work is performed. This method requires revenue to be recognized based upon quantifiable measures of progress, such as square kilometers acquired. Multiclient data surveys are licensed or sold to customers on a non-transferable basis. Revenue from sales of completed multiclient data surveys is recognized upon obtaining a signed licensing agreement and providing customers with access to such data.

Revenue is occasionally generated from contractual arrangements that include multiple deliverables. Revenue from these arrangements is recognized as each item is delivered based on their relative fair value and when the delivered items have stand-alone value to the customer.

Revenue derived from the sale of licenses of Schlumberger software may include installation, maintenance, consulting and training services. If services are not essential to the functionality of the software, the revenue for each element of the contract is recognized separately based on its respective vendor specific objective evidence of fair value when all of the following conditions are met: a signed contract is obtained, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectibility is probable.

Translation of Non-United States Currencies

The functional currency of Schlumberger is primarily the US dollar. Assets and liabilities recorded in functional currencies other than US dollars are translated at period end exchange rates. The resulting adjustments are charged or credited directly to the Equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Revenue and expenses are translated at the weighted-average exchange rates for the period. Realized and unrealized transaction gains and losses are included in income in the period in which they occur. Transaction losses of $37 million, $25 million and $27 million, net of hedging activities, were recognized in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Short-term and Fixed Income Investments

The Consolidated Balance Sheet reflects the Schlumberger investment portfolio separated between current and long term, based on maturity. Both Short-term investments and Fixed Income Investments, held to maturity are comprised primarily of money market funds, eurodollar time deposits, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, euro notes and Eurobonds, and are substantially denominated in US dollars. Under normal circumstances it is the intent of Schlumberger to hold the investments until maturity, with the exception of investments that are considered trading (December 31, 2012 – $194 million; December 31, 2011 – $190 million). Short-term investments that are designated as trading are stated at fair value, which is estimated using quoted market prices for those or similar investments. All other investments are stated at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market. The unrealized gains/losses on investments designated as trading were not significant at both December 31, 2012 and 2011.

For purposes of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, Schlumberger does not consider Short-term investments to be cash equivalents.

Fixed Income Investments, held to maturity at December 31, 2012 of $245 million mature as follows: $172 million in 2014, $51 million in 2015 and $5 million in 2016 and $17 million in 2017.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at average cost or at market, whichever is lower. Costs included in Inventories consist of materials, direct labor and manufacturing overhead.

Investments in Affiliated Companies

Investments in companies in which Schlumberger does not have a controlling financial interest, but over which it has significant influence are accounted for using the equity method. Schlumberger’s share of the after-tax earnings of equity method investees is included in Interest and other income. Investments in privately held companies in which Schlumberger does not have the ability to exercise significant influence are accounted for using the cost method. Investments in publicly traded companies in which Schlumberger does not have significant influence are accounted for as available-for-sale marketable securities. These marketable securities are reported at fair value, based on quoted market prices, with unrealized gains and losses reported as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss. The fair value and cost basis of these marketable securities was $222 million and $81 million, respectively at December 31, 2012. Schlumberger did not have any investments in marketable securities at December 31, 2011.

Equity and cost method investments as well as investments in publicly traded companies are classified as Investments in Affiliated Companies in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Fixed Assets and Depreciation

Fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation, which is provided for by charges to income over the estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method. Fixed assets include the manufacturing cost of oilfield technical equipment manufactured or assembled by subsidiaries of Schlumberger. Expenditures for replacements and improvements are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expenses as incurred. Upon sale or other disposition, the applicable amounts of asset cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the balance sheet and the net amount, less proceeds from disposal, is charged or credited to income.

Multiclient Seismic Data

The multiclient library consists of completed and in-process seismic surveys that are licensed on a nonexclusive basis. Multiclient surveys are primarily generated utilizing Schlumberger resources. Schlumberger capitalizes costs directly incurred in acquiring and processing the multiclient seismic data. Such costs are charged to Cost of revenue based on the percentage of the total costs to the estimated total revenue that Schlumberger expects to receive from the sales of such data. However, under no circumstance will an individual survey carry a net book value greater than a 4-year, straight-line amortized value.

The carrying value of the multiclient library is reviewed for impairment annually as well as when an event or change in circumstance indicating impairment may have occurred. Adjustments to the carrying value are recorded when it is determined that estimated future cash flows, which involves significant judgment on the part of Schlumberger, would not be sufficient to recover the carrying value of the surveys. Significant adverse changes in Schlumberger’s estimated future cash flows could result in impairment charges in a future period.

Goodwill, Other Intangibles and Long-lived Assets

Schlumberger records the excess of purchase price over the fair value of the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired as goodwill. The goodwill relating to each of Schlumberger’s reporting units is tested for impairment annually as well as when an event, or change in circumstances, indicates an impairment may have occurred.

Under generally accepted accounting principles, Schlumberger has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of one of its reporting units is greater than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, Schlumberger determines it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, then there is no need to perform any further testing. However, if Schlumberger concludes otherwise, then it is required to perform the first step of a two-step impairment test by calculating the fair value of the reporting unit and comparing the fair value with the carrying amount of the reporting unit. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, 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.

Schlumberger has the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to performing the first step of the two-step goodwill impairment test.

For purposes of performing the impairment test for goodwill, Schlumberger’s reporting units are its three Groups: Reservoir Characterization, Drilling and Production. Schlumberger elected to perform the qualitative assessment described above for purposes of its annual goodwill impairment test. Based on this assessment, Schlumberger concluded that it was more likely than not that the fair value of each of its reporting units was greater than its carrying amount. Accordingly, no further testing was required.

Long-lived assets, including fixed assets and intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. In reviewing for impairment, the carrying value of such assets is compared to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. If such cash flows are not sufficient to support the asset’s recorded value, an impairment charge is recognized to reduce the carrying value of the long-lived asset to its estimated fair value. The determination of future cash flows as well as the estimated fair value of long-lived assets involve significant estimates on the part of management. If there is a material change in economic conditions or other circumstances influencing the estimate of future cash flows or fair value, Schlumberger could be required to recognize impairment charges in the future.

Intangible assets consist primarily of customer relationships, technology/technical know-how and tradenames acquired in business combinations. Customer relationships are generally amortized over periods ranging from 15 to 28 years, acquired technology/technical know-how are generally amortized over periods ranging from 10 to 18 years and tradenames are generally amortized over periods ranging from 15 to 30 years.

Taxes on Income

Schlumberger computes taxes on income in accordance with the tax rules and regulations of the many taxing authorities where the income is earned. The income tax rates imposed by these taxing authorities vary substantially. Taxable income may differ from pretax income for financial accounting purposes. To the extent that differences are due to revenue or expense items reported in one period for tax purposes and in another period for financial accounting purposes, an appropriate provision for deferred income taxes is made. Any effect of changes in income tax rates or tax laws are included in the provision for income taxes in the period of enactment. When it is more likely than not that a portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized in the future, Schlumberger provides a corresponding valuation allowance against deferred tax assets.

Schlumberger’s tax filings are subject to regular audit by the tax authorities in most of the jurisdictions in which it conducts business. These audits may result in assessments for additional taxes which are resolved with the authorities or, potentially, through the courts. Schlumberger recognizes the impact of a tax position in its financial statements if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. Tax liabilities are recorded based on estimates of additional taxes which will be due upon the conclusion of these audits. Estimates of these tax liabilities are made based upon prior experience and are updated in light of changes in facts and circumstances. However, due to the uncertain and complex application of tax regulations, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of audits may result in liabilities which could be materially different from these estimates. In such an event, Schlumberger will record additional tax expense or tax benefit in the year in which such resolution occurs.

Schlumberger generally does not provide income taxes relating to undistributed earnings, as the earnings either would not be taxable when remitted or are considered to be indefinitely reinvested.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Schlumberger’s assets that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash, short-term investments, fixed income investments held to maturity, receivables from clients and derivative financial instruments. Schlumberger places its cash, short-term investments and fixed income investments held to maturity with financial institutions and corporations, and limits the amount of credit exposure with any one of them. Schlumberger regularly evaluates the creditworthiness of the issuers in which it invests. The receivables from clients are spread over many countries and customers. Schlumberger maintains an allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable based on expected collectibility and performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition. By using derivative financial instruments to hedge exposure to changes in exchange rates and commodity prices, Schlumberger exposes itself to some credit risk. Schlumberger minimizes this credit risk by entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties, limiting the exposure to each counterparty and monitoring the financial condition of its counterparties.

Research & Engineering

All research and engineering expenditures are expensed as incurred.

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share of Schlumberger from continuing operations is calculated by dividing income from continuing operations attributable to Schlumberger by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing income from continuing operations attributable to Schlumberger by the sum of (i) unvested restricted stock units and (ii) the weighted average number of common shares outstanding assuming dilution. The weighted average number of common shares outstanding assuming dilution assumes that all stock options which are in the money are exercised at the beginning of the period and that the proceeds are used by Schlumberger to purchase shares at the average market price for the period.

The following is a reconciliation from basic to diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of Schlumberger for each of the last three years:


(Stated in million except per share amounts)
	Schlumberger Income from Continuing Operations		Weighted Average Shares Outstanding		Earnings Per Share from from Continuing Operations
2012:
Basic	$	5,439		1,330	$	4.09

Assumed exercise of stock options		–		5
Unvested restricted stock		–		4

Diluted	$	5,439		1,339	$	4.06

2011:
Basic	$	4,720		1,349	$	3.50

Assumed exercise of stock options		–		10
Unvested restricted stock		–		2

Diluted	$	4,720		1,361	$	3.47

2010:
Basic	$	4,255		1,250	$	3.40

Assumed conversion of debentures		3		2
Assumed exercise of stock options		–		9
Unvested restricted stock		–		2

Diluted	$	4,258		1,263	$	3.37

Employee stock options to purchase approximately 21.0 million, 14.0 million and 12.5 million shares of common stock at December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, were outstanding but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the option exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common stock, and therefore, the effect on diluted earnings per share would have been anti-dilutive.