Schlumberger Ltd., one of the world's top oil field services providers, said Friday its third-quarter profit surged 85 percent on strong demand, topping analysts' expectations.

Net income jumped to $999.8 million, or 81 cents per share, from $540.8 million, or 44 cents per share, during the same period last year.

Analysts were expecting third-quarter earnings of 77 cents per share, according to a Thomson Financial poll.

Quarterly revenue gained 34 percent to $4.95 billion from $3.7 billion. Sales in its oilfield services segment climbed 4 percent to $4.3 billion, while WesternGeco revenue increased 17 percent to $659 million.

Consensus estimates pegged sales at $4.94 billion.

"Continuing strength in seismic activity and increased demand for drilling services and well placement technologies were the highlights of the robust performance in the third quarter," Chairman and Chief Executive Andrew Gould said in a statement.

Shares closed Thursday at $62.70 on the NYSE.