Houston - US oil services giant Schlumberger is to cut 9 000 positions in 2015 following the recent collapse in oil prices, around 7.5% of its workforce.
Many of its clients, especially smaller oil companies, are fighting to stay profitable as oil prices have fallen by more than half since the summer.
Larger ones are also affected. ConocoPhillips, the third-largest US oil company, has said it will reduce investments by 20% in 2015.
British company BP has said it will announce job cuts in coming months.
Schlumberger rivals Halliburton and Baker Hughes in November announced a merger to save costs.