What Makes SLB One of the Best Stocks to Buy Now in Energy?

When geopolitical shifts reshape investment landscapes, savvy investors look for best stocks to buy now that benefit from structural changes. Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB), a global oil services powerhouse, has become precisely that kind of opportunity. The company’s shares advanced 25% since early 2026, positioning it as a compelling candidate for investors seeking exposure to energy sector recovery with multiple growth drivers.

The catalyst sparking renewed interest extends beyond simple price momentum. Recent political developments in Venezuela have reignited attention on the country’s massive, yet underdeveloped energy reserves. For an oil services provider like SLB, this represents more than just a speculative opportunity—it signals potential long-term revenue expansion. Yet as we’ll explore, Venezuela represents just one dimension of SLB’s investment case.

SLB’s Venezuela Opportunity: A Significant Growth Catalyst

The political landscape shift in Venezuela has created a genuine opportunity window for energy infrastructure players. SLB, like Chevron, maintained operational presence in Venezuela even after the 2007 nationalization of the energy sector, positioning the company to capitalize if market liberalization gains momentum.

Venezuela’s proven reserves—at 303 billion barrels—rank as the world’s largest. However, years of underinvestment devastated operational capacity. In 2014, approximately 80 active drilling rigs dotted Venezuela’s landscape. Today, that number has collapsed to just a handful. This infrastructure deficit is precisely where SLB’s expertise becomes invaluable. The company possesses relationships with major integrated oil producers and commands the technological systems required to revitalize production—should the political environment prove favorable.

The investment case rests on a simple premise: if Venezuela opens its doors to foreign capital and technical expertise, SLB stands positioned to capture significant service contracts. The company has publicly stated readiness to accelerate activities upon receiving regulatory approval. That said, investors should recognize that Venezuela-specific catalysts may have already been partially priced into current valuations.

Beyond Venezuela: Why SLB Offers Diverse Investment Potential

Relying solely on any single geopolitical event presents obvious risks. The encouraging aspect of SLB’s investment profile is that Venezuela constitutes just one element of a broader strategic transformation. The company’s acquisition of ChampionX completed recently, substantially expanding its capabilities in digital solutions and data center services—sectors experiencing robust growth trajectories.

Perhaps most intriguingly, SLB has developed an expanding artificial intelligence toolkit designed for energy producers. Rather than remaining a pure-play traditional oil services provider, the company has evolved into a technology integrator. This pivot includes a long-standing partnership with Nvidia, reflecting SLB’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge computational resources for its energy sector clients.

These ventures may seem unconventional for an oil services company, yet they underscore SLB’s positioning as a catalyst-rich enterprise. The company isn’t simply betting on commodity price recoveries or geopolitical luck—it’s building structural advantages in high-growth technology segments serving the energy transition.

Digital Transformation and AI: SLB’s Modern Growth Engine

What differentiates SLB among comparable best stocks to buy now isn’t just traditional energy fundamentals. The company’s digital footprint represents a competitive moat that extends far beyond petroleum extraction. Data center solutions, AI applications, and computational capabilities are increasingly essential to modern energy operations.

Energy producers worldwide face similar challenges: maximizing production efficiency, minimizing downtime, and optimizing subsurface exploration. SLB’s AI tools directly address these pain points. The Nvidia partnership ensures the company maintains access to frontier computational capabilities, enabling it to stay ahead of technological curves shaping the industry.

This technological positioning suggests that even if Venezuela opportunities face delays or disappointment, SLB possesses alternative revenue drivers capable of supporting business growth. The ChampionX integration is still unfolding, meaning meaningful synergies likely remain to be captured and monetized.

Evaluating SLB as a Top Pick: Opportunities and Risks

A recent pullback—3.30% decline over five days in early February—offers a worthwhile reminder that best stocks to buy now rarely move in straight lines upward. This weakness may represent a tactical opportunity for patient investors, though it equally warrants careful consideration.

SLB unquestionably presents a compelling investment thesis built on multiple pillars: geopolitical catalyst potential in Venezuela, digital business expansion, AI-driven innovation, and strategic acquisitions enhancing competitive positioning. These factors distinguish SLB from simple commodity plays.

However, several risks deserve acknowledgment. Venezuela political developments remain uncertain. Technology investments require sustained execution. Competitive dynamics in data solutions persist. Oil price volatility continues shaping demand for services. Market-crushing returns are never guaranteed, regardless of fundamental attractiveness.

For investors evaluating whether SLB qualifies as a top pick for their portfolios, the analysis hinges on personal risk tolerance, investment timeline, and confidence in the company’s ability to execute on its strategic initiatives. The stock presents genuine opportunity, though investors should approach with eyes open to both potential rewards and meaningful risks inherent in the energy sector.