Schlumberger to Close Lab in Palo Alto, Move to Texas

Schlumberger Ltd. has announced plans to phase out its technology research laboratory in Palo Alto and re-establish some of its functions at a lab in Texas.

The New York-based oil-field services company has formed Schlumberger Laboratory for Computer Sciences in Austin, Tex., which is expected to begin operations in November, said a company spokesman, S.T. McCormick.

The company also plans to transfer some of its computer science research operations from Schlumberger Doll Research laboratory in Ridgefield, Conn., to the Austin center.

McCormick said he had no information on how many workers would transfer to Texas or whether the company expects to hire or lay off any of its employees as result of the move.