1Q profit of oilfield services firm SLB rises 14% due to strong Middle East, Africa drilling demand offsetting weakness in North America.

Top oilfield services firm SLB reported a 14% rise in first-quarter profit as strong oil and gas drilling demand in the Middle East and Africa helped offset weakness in North America. The company reaffirmed its previous guidance of mid-teens percentage profit growth for the full year and forecast a seasonal rebound in activity in the Northern Hemisphere in the second quarter, along with robust activity internationally.