Enabling Circularity | SLB

Enabling circularity

We align with evolving consumer expectations and regulatory trends, working to position our organization as a responsible steward of resources. At SLB, we have designed our circularity approach in a holistic transformation across several functions in the organization.

Damman facility 104
Circularity is about efficient resource management in a holistic way
Our circular practices aim to minimize waste, maximize the lifespan of products, and prioritize the efficient use of resources throughout the entire lifecycle. By embracing circularity, SLB contributes to reducing environmental footprint, conserving valuable resources, and mitigating the negative impacts associated with traditional linear production and consumption models.
Enabling Circularity infographic
Enabling circularity in SLB

Our path to unlock circularity value is through a 5”R” framework

Enabling circularity in our organization, when utilizing finite materials, is imperative as it allows us to extract maximum value from limited resources at our disposal, mitigating the environmental impact associated with their extraction and disposal. Adopting circularity fosters resilience by reducing dependence on virgin materials. At SLB, we have developed a 5”R” framework: reduce, reuse, refurbish, remanufacture and recycle.

The 5”R” framework: reduce, reuse, refurbish, remanufacture and recycle.
Reduce

Design or redesign an asset, product, or process to consume less and be resource efficient.

In the Well Construction Division, condition-based maintenance using prognostics and health management has resulted in a 25% increase of useful life of the mud motor, a critical component used in well drilling, providing the opportunity to perform more drilling runs.

Reuse

Use or redistribute an asset or product for its original intended purpose or functionality.

The Digital Surface Inspector in the Production Systems Division uses machine learning algorithms to detect defects in valve gate surfaces, increasing the reuse of valve gates and reducing the need for 4,100 new units, thereby preventing more than 122,000 kilograms of scrap waste.

Refurbish

Restore or recondition an asset or product for a new use case, maintaining its original intended functionality or modernizing it to meet current needs.

In Reservoir Performance, the expanded capabilities of the network resulted in the refurbishment of more than 1,400 printed circuit boards to new-like condition, contributing to an estimated 1,600 metric tons reduction of CO2e emissions.

Remanufacture

Repurpose or remanufacture an asset or product to serve a different function than originally intended.

The Repair Network in Technology Lifecycle Management repurposed material from scrapped collars to locally remanufacture parts for different functionalities, avoiding waste. In 2023, they repaired or remanufactured more than 2,800 drilling collars and other components for new uses.

Recycle

Reclaim material at the end of life to reduce landfill waste and the consumption of virgin materials.

The collection and reprocessing of decommissioned tungsten carbide matrix bits allows the material to be reused rather than discarded.

This program on average yields a minimum of six kilograms of avoided CO2e emissions per kilogram of material recycled. In the period spanning 2020 through 2023, this has totaled more than 3,000 avoided metric tons of CO2e emissions.

An SLB operator inspecting equipment used in operations, focusing on optimizing reliability, sustainability, and performance

Technology Lifecycle Management (TLM) Maintenance Network

This function oversees the acquisition, maintenance, and enrichment of technology and equipment used in operations, focusing on optimizing reliability, sustainability, and performance to meet the evolving needs of our customers. In 2023, we structured our efforts to industrialize at scale. The 5”R” framework serves as a starting point to monitor and track improvements in our collective efforts, making circularity not only paramount for sustainability but also for our business impact. Aligning sustainability gains with profitability provides a greater incentive for innovation and expansion. Additionally, we’ve pursued innovation in sustainability challenges by leveraging data insights, machine learning, and video analytics, enhancing efficiency by reducing waste and enabling data-driven decisions for a more significant impact.