WSP buys industrial water consultancy business of Schlumberger

25 July 2016 Consultancy.uk

WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff has picked up Schlumberger’s industrial water consultancy business for an undisclosed sum. The deal sees 250 water resource experts transfer to WSP, and provide the firm with a new footprint in Chili and Peru. Globally the issue of water security is increasingly problematic, with demographic and climate pressures affecting the viability of the basic good.

Schlumberger is a global oil & gas market service provider, providing technology and consultancy services for reservoir characterisation drilling, production, and processing. The company, with a footprint in 85 countries and a global workforce of more than 113,000, has found itself faced with tough choices during the global energy price downturn – which affects its major clients’ business outlooks – suffering decreased profitability as well as seeing it announce a reorganisation effort last year. The company has also begun divesting some of its businesses, with Schlumberger Business Consulting – and around 250 consultants – acquired by Accenture last year

WSP buys industrial water consultancy business of Schlumberger

The divestment at Schlumberger has continued, with a recent announcement declaring that WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff has acquired the company’s industrial water consultancy business for an undisclosed sum. The business is focused on expertise related to water within the exploration, development, management, and environmental protection of water resources – something of increasing importance as the world climate and demographic changes place increased stress on finite water resources.

The acquisition sees WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff pick up the 250-employee business, significantly expanding its capabilities within the water consulting services industry as well as providing it with a footprint in Chile and Peru, and expanding its operational capacity in the US, the UK, Colombia and Mexico.

“The industrial water consultancy team will bring WSP an increased presence in the attractive global water market, more specifically, in the supply, management, control and environmental protection of water,” says Alexandre L’Heureux, the incoming president and Chief Executive Officer of WSP.  “We are strengthening our presence in South America, a region we are targeting in our 2015-2018 strategic plan.”