However, the world's second-largest oilfield services company after Schlumberger Ltd. ( SLB ) believes that despite certain issues in North America - characterized by depressed natural gas fundamentals and cost inflation - the long-term prospects for the business remain robust. HALLIBURTON CO (HAL): Free Stock Analysis Report SCHLUMBERGER LT (SLB): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. However, the company's per share adjusted profits came sharply lower than the third quarter 2011 level of 94 cents (excluding an asset impairment charge) amid sluggish activity in its core North American operations.