Is SLB a Top Candidate Among Best Stocks to Buy Now?

The oil services sector has seen notable momentum in early 2026, with SLB climbing over 25% since year-start. Behind this rally lies a compelling thesis centered on Venezuela’s potential economic reopening—but the investment case extends well beyond geopolitics alone. As investors evaluate whether this represents a genuine opportunity, SLB presents multiple dimensions worth examining for those seeking stocks with both near-term catalysts and long-term structural tailwinds.

Venezuela’s Infrastructure Challenge: The Foundation of Opportunity

One of the primary drivers fueling SLB’s recent momentum is the prospect of renewed oil production in Venezuela. The reasoning appears straightforward: with the world’s largest proven oil reserves at 303 billion barrels, Venezuela should theoretically be an oil extraction powerhouse. However, the reality tells a different story.

Decades of underinvestment have left Venezuela’s oil infrastructure in severe disrepair. To illustrate the scale: in 2014, approximately 80 rigs operated in Venezuelan fields. Today, that figure has dwindled to just a handful. This infrastructure decay explains why Venezuela’s output has collapsed despite its reserve wealth. Reversing this decline requires not just capital, but technical expertise and sophisticated equipment—precisely what SLB provides as a global oil services leader.

SLB maintains operational relationships and technical capabilities that Western oil majors require to re-establish production. If Venezuela’s political environment stabilizes and opens to foreign investment, SLB is positioned to be a primary beneficiary. This potential represents the stock’s most visible near-term catalyst, though investors should recognize this scenario remains uncertain.

Beyond Geopolitics: AI and Digital Transformation as Durable Catalysts

While Venezuela captures headlines, SLB’s investment thesis shouldn’t rest solely on geopolitical bets. The company has undergone significant strategic evolution, particularly through its acquisition of ChampionX, which substantially expanded its digital and technology capabilities.

Today, SLB offers a suite of artificial intelligence tools tailored for energy producers—a positioning that distances the company from traditional oil services characterizations. The company maintains a strategic partnership with Nvidia, giving it exposure to the fast-growing data center solutions market. These aren’t peripheral business lines; they represent SLB’s adaptation to industry digitalization and energy transition dynamics.

For investors considering stocks to buy, this diversification matters. It means SLB’s long-term value creation isn’t entirely dependent on oil price direction or Venezuela outcomes. The company is building recurring revenue streams in technology and software—higher-margin businesses that could drive sustained shareholder value.

Evaluating the Timing: When to Buy

The stock experienced a 3.30% pullback over five trading days in early February, despite the broader upward trend. This consolidation may present a window for patient investors seeking better entry points before the next leg of appreciation.

The efficient market hypothesis suggests Venezuela’s positive potential is already partially reflected in the current stock price. However, until actual production increases materialize in Venezuela, and as the company executes on its AI and digital strategy, tactical opportunities may still emerge for disciplined buyers.

The Bottom Line for Growth-Focused Investors

SLB checks several boxes for investors seeking promising stocks to buy: geopolitical exposure with real upside, strategic positioning in energy technology, a partnership with one of the world’s most important AI players, and potential infrastructure-driven growth in a underexploited market. The stock’s 25% year-to-date gain reflects some of this opportunity being recognized, yet structural tailwinds suggest more phases of appreciation may unfold.

For investors building a portfolio of quality opportunities, SLB warrants serious consideration—though as with any investment, understanding both the Venezuela opportunity and the company’s broader digital transformation strategy is essential for making an informed decision.