from what i've heard CLB is an assembly line shop. They run things efficiently and in standardized ways; however, they do not develop methods or handle customized analyses. My thinking was that if CLB is losing staff that were responsible for making their operation work, then they might be hurt more than service companies that are more broadly diversified.
As for the stock option aspect, as far as i've seen, everyone does that and i know that some exploration and production companies give far more generous discounted stock and 401k matching plans than some of the service companies, as well as having better salaries. I know many people who have moved to O&G companies from service companies in the past 2 yrs and very few that have gone the other direction (& i think those were in 2009).
