completely upgrading our methodology and practices
toward significantly increasing return on investment.
Five years later, we have largely completed the trans-
formation of the organization by creating a unified
global structure in which engineering, manufacturing,
and field support teams work together closely,
spanning REMS centers and technology product lines.
This structure, modeled from the best practices of
leading engineering and manufacturing companies,
covers all aspects of our product development efforts,
including design methodologies, test and qualification
principles, manufacturing techniques, and the capture
and use of data from field operations. We employ prac-
tices that combine the LEAN and Six Sigma principles
that have driven reliability and performance improve-
ments in other high-technology industries, such as auto-
motive and aerospace. The Schlumberger product
development system focuses on advancing performance
in three principal directions: shortening product devel-
opment time, improving product reliability, and reduc-
ing the total cost of ownership for all of our products.
One way of achieving performance gains is a plat-
form engineering approach that enables running the
same measurement sensors on different methods of
conveyance and combining complementary measure-
ments on the same platform. This yields economies of
scale through standardized components that are com-
mon to a number of different tools. For example, the
fundamental Wireline hydraulic tool platform powers
different formation tester configurations as well as
the XL-Rock large-volume sidewall coring service. This
concept has led to the creation of the Enabling
Technology Group (ETG), which is charged with find-
ing and developing new oilfield technologies together
with establishing common technical building blocks
that optimize efficiency and reduce technical risk
during the product development process.
To function as efficiently and effectively as possible
in providing its expert services to all Schlumberger
product development teams, the ETG aligns its aims
not only with product group plans for new technology
but also with the ideas that emanate from the research
organization. With this perspective, ETG can identify
common opportunities to assess which are most likely
to have the greatest impact. This in turn drives
14
Downhole equipment is subject to high temperatures and
pressures as well as mechanical shock. Electrical Technology
Engineer Suriyakan Vongtragool Kleitz examines a circuit
board in Clamart, France, with an acoustic microscope
to identify potential weaknesses following a series of
qualification tests.
