A growing trend toward longer laterals in North America and use of subsea tiebacks could pave the way to profits for Schlumberger (NSYE: SLB) as the oil and gas industry emerges from the downturn. The oilfield services company is betting on technology such as its "rig of the future" to lead the way, including in the U.S. where drilling activity and rig counts are increasing. Operators are tackling longer horizontal laterals, or "super laterals" as Schlumberger CEO Paal Kibsgaard called them, to increase reservoir contact in an effort to produce more oil and gas. During the company's third-quarter earnings call Oct. 21, Kibsgaard said the company drilled a well with a record lateral length of 18,500 ft for Eclipse Resources Corp. (NYSE: ECR ).