Schlumberger Ltd, the world’s largest oilfield services company, said oil and gas spending would increase in 2015 as global oil demand is poised to rise, downplaying fears of an investment slowdown due to weak crude prices. Schlumberger shares were up 7 percent at $97.10 in early morning trading. The company reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit after markets closed on Thursday, helped by strong drilling activity in North America. Oil prices have slid nearly 20 percent since June due to oversupply, signs of weak demand growth and indications that key oil producers, particularly Saudi Arabia, have limited appetite to intervene in prices. The steep fall has sparked fears that oilfield earnings would be hurt with oil and gas customers reigning in spending. “The key to the overall oil market is still that the global oil demand is currently set to […]