EXCLUSIVE Schlumberger faces employee backlash in Russia over draft cooperation, 14 October 2022

Some of oilfield service firm Schlumberger's more than 9,000 Russian employees have begun receiving military draft notices through work, and the company is not authorizing remote employment to escape mobilization, according to people familiar with the matter and internal documents.

Schlumberger's cooperation with authorities by delivering the military call-ups and its refusal to allow Russian staff to work outside the country has caused a backlash, according to the sources. They view the actions as tacit support for the war in Ukraine by Schlumberger. Human rights groups are watching how the company responds to the concerns...

In April, Schlumberger Chief Executive Olivier Le Peuch said the world's top energy services company was closely monitoring developments in Ukraine and at the time was "hopeful for a quick cessation of hostilities." Schlumberger suspended new investments and technology deployment in Russia, but unlike some of its peers and customers, decided to remain.

"The local leadership team is managing an incredibly complex and difficult situation," a Schlumberger spokesperson said this week in an emailed statement, adding managers are obligated "to comply with local laws and regulations, especially when failure to do so could create additional risk for our local employees."

Schlumberger leaves decision-making on Russia employment policies to local managers, the U.S.-based spokesperson said. International sanctions "do not permit U.S. or E.U. persons to provide consultation or instructions on employment practices to Russia," the spokesperson said...