HARRISBURG – A new investment by Pennsylvania will help a leading oilfield services company expand its operations in Jefferson County and create more than 50 jobs, Gov. Edward G. Rendell announced Tuesday.
Schlumberger Technologies Corp. is planning to locate a centralized maintenance and remanufacturing operation for its northeast region in an 183,000-square-foot Pine Creek Township facility that once housed a company called Trail King. The new location will help the company improve service for its customers working in the Marcellus Shale industry.
The $5.6 million project will create at least 51 full-time jobs within three years. It will also retain 77 existing employees statewide.
“Schlumberger’s decision means the arrival of dozens of high-paying jobs in Jefferson County and it speaks well of our economic climate,” said Rendell. “The Marcellus Shale presents an opportunity for many businesses and for Pennsylvania’s workers. With this project, we’re offering a nearly $287,000 investment for which we’re getting a project that will bring $5.6 million into Jefferson County, create more than 50 new jobs, and save 77 others. That’s a good return on our investment.
“This is the strategy we’ve used with success all across Pennsylvania, and it has helped us to weather the national recession much better than most other states.”
Rendell said his proposed budget would continue to invest in proven job creation and economic development programs such as opportunity grants, customized job training, infrastructure development, and infrastructure facilities and improvement grants. These programs, he said, have helped keep Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate significantly below the national average.
Schlumberger is the world’s leading oilfield services company supplying technology, information solutions and integrated project management for customers working in the oil and gas industry. Employing approximately 78,000 people representing more than 140 nationalities and working in approximately 80 countries, Schlumberger provides the industry’s widest range of products and services from exploration through production.
“Schlumberger has had a presence in Pennsylvania for more than 50 years and is committed to sustained, rewarding relationships with communities, statewide, where our employees live and work,” said Warren Zemlak, Schlumberger North America vice president of well services. “This project reflects that commitment and we look forward to becoming a productive member of the Jefferson County business community.”
The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, economic development professionals who work directly with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in the state.
The Jefferson County Department of Development worked with the company and the Governor’s Action Team to secure a $286,700 funding offer from the Department of Community and Economic Development for the project. The offer includes a $125,000 opportunity grant, $22,950 in job training assistance, and $102,000 in job creation tax credits.
“Schlumberger is a leader in the oil and gas service arena and we hope to attract additional companies to Jefferson County in this rapidly expanding industry. We believe our central location in the Marcellus Shale play, combined with our excellent workforce, will help Jefferson County grow in the future,” said Craig Coon, Jefferson County’s director of community and economic development.
Since Rendell took office in 2003, GAT has successfully completed 1,228 projects, resulting in commitments to create 131,573 new jobs and retain 308,514 existing positions. The commonwealth has offered more than $2.3 billion in assistance for these projects, which will leverage more than $16.4 billion in additional investment.
For more information on Schlumberger Technologies Corp., visit www.slb.com.