CORE LABORATORIES N V
S-3, 2000-05-01
OIL & GAS FIELD SERVICES, NEC
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<PAGE>   1

      As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 1, 2000

                                                 Registration No. 333-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                               ------------------
                                    FORM S-3
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                               ------------------
                             CORE LABORATORIES N.V.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
                  THE NETHERLANDS                                     NOT APPLICABLE
          (State or other jurisdiction of                            (I.R.S. Employer
          incorporation or organization)                            Identification No.)

                  HERENGRACHT 424                                     JOHN D. DENSON
                 1017 BZ AMSTERDAM                                  5295 HOLLISTER ROAD
                  THE NETHERLANDS                                  HOUSTON, TEXAS 77040
                 (31-20) 420-3191                                     (713) 329-7404
         (Address, including zip code, and           (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone
     telephone number, including area code, of      number, including area code, of agent for service)
     registrant's principal executive offices)

                                              Copies to:

                   T. MARK KELLY                                     MICHAEL W. CONLON
              VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P.                            FULBRIGHT & JAWORSKI L.L.P.
               2300 FIRST CITY TOWER                                   CHEVRON TOWER
                    1001 FANNIN                                  1301 MCKINNEY, SUITE 5100
             HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002-6760                             HOUSTON, TEXAS 77010
                  (713) 758-2222                                      (713) 651-5151
</TABLE>

     APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time
to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

    If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box.  [ ]

    If any of the securities registered on this Form are being offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box.  [ ]

    If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering.  [ ]

    If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  [ ]

    If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.  [ ]

                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      PROPOSED            PROPOSED
                                                                       MAXIMUM             MAXIMUM
           TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF               AMOUNT TO BE       OFFERING PRICE         AGGREGATE           AMOUNT OF
        SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED             REGISTERED(1)       PER SHARE(2)      OFFERING PRICE(2)   REGISTRATION FEE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Common shares...............................      5,341,736            $28.875          $154,242,627           $40,721
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(1) Includes 696,748 shares issuable upon exercise of an over-allotment option
    granted by Core Laboratories N.V. to the Underwriters.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee, and
    calculated as of April 28, 2000, pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the
    Securities Act of 1933.
                               ------------------
     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING
PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2

      The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We
      may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with
      the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is
      not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to
      buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not
      permitted.

                    SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY 1, 2000

                                4,644,988 Shares

                                [CORE LAB LOGO]

                             CORE LABORATORIES N.V.

                                 Common Shares
                               ------------------

     The selling shareholders are selling 4,644,988 common shares. We will not
receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the common shares sold by the
selling shareholders.

     Our common shares are listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange
under the symbol "CLB." On April 28, 2000, the last reported sales price for our
common shares was $28.375 per share.

     The underwriters have an option to purchase a maximum of 696,748 additional
common shares from us to cover over-allotments of shares.

     INVESTING IN OUR COMMON SHARES INVOLVES RISKS. SEE "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE
6.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  UNDERWRITING
                                                       PRICE TO   DISCOUNTS AND   PROCEEDS TO SELLING
                                                        PUBLIC     COMMISSIONS       SHAREHOLDERS
                                                       --------   -------------   -------------------
<S>                                                    <C>        <C>             <C>
Per share............................................  $             $                 $
Total(1).............................................  $             $                 $
</TABLE>

- ---------------

(1) If the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full, the total
    price to the public, underwriting discounts and commissions, proceeds to the
    selling shareholders, and proceeds to us would be $          , $          ,
    $          , and $          , respectively. See "Underwriting."

     Delivery of the common shares will be made on or about             , 2000.

     Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this
prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.

                              Joint Lead Managers

CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON                                  SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
                               ------------------

DEUTSCHE BANC ALEX. BROWN
               CIBC WORLD MARKETS
                               DAIN RAUSCHER WESSELS
                                            MORGAN KEEGAN & COMPANY, INC.

               The date of this prospectus is             , 2000.
<PAGE>   3

                                     [LOGO]

                               ------------------

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<S>                                       <C>
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY......................    1
RISK FACTORS............................    6
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING
  FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS............    8
USE OF PROCEEDS.........................    9
DIVIDEND POLICY.........................    9
CAPITALIZATION..........................   10
PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS......   11
UNDERWRITING............................   12
NOTICE TO CANADIAN RESIDENTS............   14
LEGAL MATTERS...........................   15
EXPERTS.................................   15
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION.....   15
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY
  REFERENCE.............................   15
</TABLE>

                               ------------------

     YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT OR TO
WHICH WE HAVE REFERRED YOU. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH
INFORMATION THAT IS DIFFERENT. THIS DOCUMENT MAY ONLY BE USED WHERE IT IS LEGAL
TO SELL THESE SECURITIES. THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT MAY ONLY BE ACCURATE
ON THE DATE OF THIS DOCUMENT.
<PAGE>   4

                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

     You should read the following summary together with the more detailed
information regarding our company and the common shares being sold in this
offering and our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing
elsewhere in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. In
this prospectus, "we," "us" and "our" each refers to Core Laboratories N.V. and,
unless otherwise stated, our subsidiaries.

                             CORE LABORATORIES N.V.

OUR BUSINESS

     We were established in 1936 and are one of the world's leading providers of
proprietary and patented reservoir description, production enhancement and
reservoir management services to the oil and gas industry. These services are
directed toward enabling our clients to improve reservoir performance and
increase oil and gas recovery from their producing fields. Our customers include
major, national and independent oil and gas producers. They employ our
technologies to increase daily production of oil and gas and to maximize the
ultimate recovery from their fields. Our technologies are designed to increase
our customers' cash flow thereby increasing their return on investments.

     We believe we are the most technologically advanced, uniquely focused
reservoir optimization company in the oilfield services sector. Our reservoir
optimization technologies are closely interrelated and are organized into three
complementary segments.

     - Reservoir Description: Encompasses the characterization of petroleum
       reservoir rock, fluid and gas samples. We provide analytical and field
       services to characterize properties of crude oil and petroleum products
       to the oil and gas industry.

     - Production Enhancement: Includes services and products relating to
       reservoir well completions, perforations, stimulations and production. We
       provide integrated services to evaluate the effectiveness of well
       completions and to develop solutions aimed at increasing the
       effectiveness of enhanced oil recovery projects.

     - Reservoir Management: Combines and integrates information from reservoir
       description and production enhancement services to increase production
       and improve recovery of oil and gas from our clients' reservoirs.

     We offer our services worldwide through our global network of offices, and
we manufacture products primarily in three facilities for distribution on a
global basis. We have over 70 offices in more than 50 countries and have
approximately 3,500 employees. Services accounted for approximately 81% of our
revenues for the year ended December 31, 1999, with the balance being generated
from product sales.

  RESERVOIR DESCRIPTION

     Most commercial oil and gas fields consist of porous and permeable
reservoir rocks that contain natural gas, crude oil and water. Due to the
density differences of the fluids, natural gas typically caps the field and
overlies an oil layer, which overlies the water. We provide services that
characterize the porous reservoir rock and all three reservoir fluids.

     We analyze samples of reservoir rocks for their porosity, which determines
reservoir storage capacity, and for their permeability, which defines the
ability of the fluids to flow through the rock. These measurements are used to
determine how much oil and gas is present in a reservoir and the rates at which
the oil and gas can be produced. We also use our proprietary technologies to
correlate the reservoir description data to wireline logs and seismic data.
These data sets are also used to determine the different acoustic velocities of
reservoir rocks containing natural gas, crude oil and water. These velocity
measurements are used in conjunction with our in-reservoir seismic monitoring
services.

  PRODUCTION ENHANCEMENT

     The data we produce to describe a reservoir system is used to enhance oil
and gas production so that it will exceed the 40% average oilfield recovery
factor. Many oilfields today are hydraulically fractured and

                                        1
<PAGE>   5

flooded to maximize oil and gas recovery. We conduct dynamic flow tests of the
reservoir fluids through the reservoir rock, at actual reservoir pressure and
temperature, to realistically simulate the actual flooding of a producing zone.
We use patented technologies, such as our Saturation Monitoring by the
Attenuation of X-rays (SMAX(TM)), to help design enhanced recovery projects.
After a field flood is initiated, we are often involved in monitoring the
progress of the flood to ensure the maximum amount of incremental production.

     We are also an industry leader in high-performance perforating and
completion systems engineered to maximize well productivity by reducing,
eliminating or overcoming formation damage during the completion of oil and gas
wells. Among the numerous technologies we offer is our new Excape(TM) Completion
Process. Excape(TM) is a unique, patented completion system we developed in
cooperation with Marathon Oil Company and BJ Services Company. Excape(TM) allows
multiple reservoir zones to be sequentially perforated and individually
stimulated, thus reducing completion time and rig cost.

  RESERVOIR MANAGEMENT

     Reservoir description and production enhancement information, when applied
across an entire oilfield, is used to maximize daily production and the ultimate
total recovery from the reservoir. We are involved in numerous large-scale
reservoir management projects, applying proprietary and state-of-the-art
technologies from the earliest phases of a field development program until the
last economic barrel of oil is recovered. These projects are of increasing
importance to oil companies as the incremental barrel is often the lowest cost
and most profitable barrel in the reservoir. We believe that increased cash
flows from incremental production will result in increased capital expenditures,
ultimately leading to future opportunities for us.

     We recently developed our Reservoir Information Browser(TM) (RIB(TM)) that
allows oil companies to collect, store, integrate and access well or entire
field data sets via their worldwide internal intranets. Our clients access
RIB(TM) for ongoing updates to be used in reservoir management.

OUR STRATEGY

     Our business strategy is to continue to provide advanced technologies that
improve reservoir performance by (i) continuing the development of proprietary
technologies through client-driven research and development, (ii) expanding the
services and products offered throughout our global network of offices and (iii)
acquiring complementary businesses that add key technologies or market presence
and enhance existing products and services.

  DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES, SERVICES AND PRODUCTS

     We conduct research and development to meet the needs of our customers, who
are continually seeking new technologies to lower their costs of finding,
developing and producing oil and gas. While the aggregate number of oil and gas
wells being drilled per year has remained relatively constant in recent years,
oil and gas producers have increased expenditures on high-technology services
which improve their understanding of the reservoir. They are also spending more
on advanced technologies to increase production of oil and gas from their
producing fields. We intend to continue concentrating our efforts on
technologies that enhance development and production efficiencies. We believe
our patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights are an important
factor in maintaining our technological advantage, although no one patent is
considered essential to our success.

  INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION OF SERVICES AND PRODUCTS

     Another component of our business strategy is to broaden the spectrum of
services and products offered to our clients on a global basis. We plan to use
our worldwide network of offices to offer many of our services and products that
have been developed internally or obtained through acquisitions. This allows us
to enhance our revenues through efficient and effective utilization of our
global network. Our non-U.S. operations accounted for approximately 58% of our
revenues during the year ended December 31, 1999.

                                        2
<PAGE>   6

  ACQUISITIONS

     We continually review potential acquisitions to add key technologies,
enhance market presence or complement existing businesses. Our recent
acquisitions reflect our desire to broaden the services offered to our clients
in the field of reservoir optimization. Over the past 12 months, we completed
the following three significant acquisitions:

     - TomoSeis: In January 2000, we acquired TomoSeis Corporation. TomoSeis
       provides highly detailed reservoir imaging technologies that are the
       critical component for successful 4D seismic and reservoir monitoring
       programs. Proprietary and patented energy-source and seismic-receiver
       hardware, specialized imaging technology and internally developed data
       processing capabilities make TomoSeis the industry-leading provider of
       in-reservoir seismic services;

     - Reservoirs: In August 1999, we acquired Reservoirs, Inc. Reservoirs
       provides reservoir description services to the oil and gas industry and
       is a recognized leader in the geology and petrophysics of deepwater
       reservoirs; and

     - CTC: In July 1999, we acquired Coherence Technology Company, Inc. CTC
       provides specialized seismic data processing and interpretation services
       and is licensed by BP Amoco to provide its patented Coherence Cube(TM)
       seismic data processing technology to the oil and gas industry.

  RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

     On April 28, we reported our results for the first quarter of 2000.
Revenues totaled $68.5 million as compared to $67.2 million for the first
quarter of 1999. Earnings for the first quarter of 2000 totaled $0.10 per fully
diluted share, as compared to a loss of $0.22 per fully diluted share for the
first quarter of 1999. Earnings for the first quarter of 2000, excluding
goodwill amortization and non-recurring charges, net of tax, totaled $0.13 per
fully diluted share, as compared to $0.04 per fully diluted share for the first
quarter of 1999.

     In April 2000, we signed a memorandum of intent to acquire Production
Enhancement Corporation ("PENCOR"), which provides fluid phase behavior services
used to characterize crude oils, natural gases, and other reservoir fluids.
Clients use PENCOR's services to enhance daily production and ultimate field
recovery values, especially in high pressure reservoirs and deep water projects.
                               ------------------

     Our principal executive offices are located at Herengracht 424, 1017 BZ
Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Our telephone number is (31-20) 420-3191.

                                        3
<PAGE>   7

                                  THE OFFERING

<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>
Common shares offered by the selling
  shareholders.......................   4,644,988 shares
Common shares to be outstanding after
  this offering......................   30,580,341 shares
Use of proceeds......................   We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the
                                        common shares sold by the selling shareholders. If the
                                        over-allotment option is exercised in full, we will
                                        receive net proceeds of approximately $     . We will
                                        use any net proceeds from the exercise of the
                                        over-allotment option for general working capital
                                        purposes.
New York Stock Exchange symbol.......   CLB
</TABLE>

     The number of common shares to be outstanding immediately following this
offering is based on the number of common shares outstanding as of April 28,
2000, and does not include:

     - 696,748 common shares subject to purchase from us upon the exercise by
       the underwriters of their over-allotment option. If the over-allotment
       option is exercised in full, 31,277,089 common shares will be outstanding
       after this offering; and

     - 3,040,771 common shares reserved, as of April 28, 2000, for the exercise
       of outstanding options granted pursuant to our stock option plans.

                                        4
<PAGE>   8

                      SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

     The following selected historical consolidated financial data should be
read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" and our consolidated financial statements,
both of which are included in the documents incorporated by reference in this
prospectus.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                      ---------------------------------------------------
                                                       1995       1996       1997       1998       1999
                                                      -------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                                                             (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                   <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues:
  Services..........................................  $75,679   $104,718   $217,673   $261,970   $246,936
  Sales.............................................   13,473     10,047     17,735     36,580     56,722
                                                      -------   --------   --------   --------   --------
  Total revenues....................................   89,152    114,765    235,408    298,550    303,658
Operating expenses:
  Costs of services.................................   63,917     87,594    172,719    207,667    198,425
  Cost of sales.....................................    9,995      6,532     14,984     26,147     47,029
  General and administrative expenses...............    2,719      3,559      5,974      8,447     12,301
  Depreciation and amortization.....................    3,118      4,695     10,041     14,930     14,659
  Goodwill amortization.............................       74        172      1,498      2,933      4,024
  Transaction costs associated with merger..........       --        355         --         --         --
  Write-offs and other charges(1)...................       --         --         --         --     10,670
  Restructuring charges(2)..........................       --         --         --         --      7,036
  Other (income) expense, net.......................      973       (595)    (1,139)     1,078     (3,308)
                                                      -------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Income from continuing operations before interest
  expense and income tax............................    8,356     12,453     31,331     37,348     12,822
Interest expense....................................    3,102      1,554      6,552      6,339      7,796
                                                      -------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Income from continuing operations before income
  tax...............................................    5,254     10,899     24,779     31,009      5,026
Income tax..........................................    1,979      4,507      8,992      9,337      1,659
                                                      -------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Income from continuing operations...................  $ 3,275   $  6,392   $ 15,787   $ 21,672   $  3,367
                                                      =======   ========   ========   ========   ========
PER SHARE DATA:
Income from continuing operations per common share:
  Basic.............................................  $  0.18   $   0.29   $   0.65   $   0.78   $   0.11
  Diluted...........................................     0.18       0.29       0.64       0.76       0.11
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
  Basic.............................................   18,042     22,070     24,141     27,635     29,851
  Diluted...........................................   18,148     22,267     24,822     28,428     30,567
OTHER DATA:
  Diluted earnings per share from continuing
    operations excluding goodwill amortization......  $  0.18   $   0.29   $   0.70   $   0.86   $   0.24
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                      --------------------------------------------------
                                                       1995      1996       1997       1998       1999
                                                      -------   -------   --------   --------   --------
                                                                        (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                   <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital.....................................  $18,519   $17,883   $ 51,272   $ 61,473   $ 93,324
Total assets........................................   82,530    93,827    253,972    353,962    361,133
Long-term debt, including current maturities........   20,247    17,354     74,660     87,793     83,328
Shareholders' equity................................   40,947    48,616    115,487    199,109    208,944
</TABLE>

- ---------------------------

(1) In the first quarter of 1999, we recorded write-offs and other charges
    totaling $10.7 million. This amount included $4.4 million of asset
    write-offs, $2.6 million related to facility closures and personnel
    reductions, and $3.7 million associated with the termination of the proposed
    acquisition of GeoScience Corporation.

(2) In the fourth quarter of 1999, we recorded a $7.0 million charge to cover
    the cost of exiting redundant facilities and restructuring certain of our
    operations. We are combining personnel and equipment from eight facilities
    into one Houston facility. We also reorganized our operations in Canada and
    Mexico, consolidated certain service lines and are further centralizing our
    operations in Latin America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. No
    operations are being discontinued.

                                        5
<PAGE>   9

                                  RISK FACTORS

     An investment in our common shares involves a high degree of risk. You
should carefully consider the following factors in addition to the other
information presented or incorporated by reference in this prospectus before
buying common shares in the offering.

     FUTURE DOWNTURNS IN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY, OR IN THE OIL FIELD SERVICES
BUSINESS, MAY HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION OR
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

     The oil and gas industry is cyclical and has been subject to significant
economic downturns at various times as a result of numerous factors affecting
the supply of and demand for oil and natural gas, which include:

     - the level of capital expenditures of the oil and gas industry;

     - the level of drilling activity;

     - the level of production activity;

     - market prices of oil and gas;

     - mergers, consolidations and downsizing among our clients;

     - worldwide economic conditions;

     - interest rates and the cost of capital;

     - environmental regulation;

     - tax policies;

     - political requirements of national governments;

     - coordination by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC);

     - cost of producing oil and natural gas; and

     - technological advances.

     IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO DEVELOP OR ACQUIRE NEW PRODUCTS OR OUR PRODUCTS
BECOME TECHNOLOGICALLY OBSOLETE, OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS MAY BE ADVERSELY
AFFECTED.

     The market for our products and services is characterized by changing
technology and frequent product introduction. As a result, our success is
dependent upon our ability to develop or acquire new products and services on a
cost-effective basis and to introduce them into the marketplace in a timely
manner. While we intend to continue committing substantial financial resources
and effort to the development of new products and services, we may not be able
to successfully differentiate our products and services from those of our
competitors. The market may not consider our proposed products and services to
be superior to our competitors' products and services. In addition, we may not
be able to adapt to evolving markets and technologies, develop new products, or
achieve and maintain technological advantages.

     If we are unable to continue developing competitive products in a timely
manner in response to changes in technology, our businesses and operating
results may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, continuing
development of new products inherently carries the risk of inventory
obsolescence with respect to our older products.

     IF WE ARE UNABLE TO OBTAIN PATENTS, LICENSES AND OTHER INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY RIGHTS COVERING OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, OUR OPERATING RESULTS MAY BE
ADVERSELY AFFECTED.

     Our success depends in part on our ability to obtain patents, licenses and
other intellectual property rights covering our products and services. To that
end, we have obtained certain patents and intend to continue to seek patents on
some of our inventions and services. While we have patented some of our key
technologies, we do not patent all of our proprietary technology, even when
regarded as patentable. The process of seeking patent protection can be long and
expensive. There can be no assurance that patents will be issued from currently
pending or future applications or that, if patents are issued, they will be of
                                        6
<PAGE>   10

sufficient scope or strength to provide meaningful protection or any commercial
advantage to us. In addition, effective copyright and trade secret protection
may be unavailable or limited in certain countries. Litigation, which could
demand financial and management resources, may be necessary to enforce our
patents or other intellectual property rights. Also, there can be no assurance
that we can obtain licenses or other rights to necessary intellectual property
on acceptable terms.

     WE DEPEND ON THE RESULTS OF OUR INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS, WHICH EXPOSES US
TO RISKS INHERENT IN DOING BUSINESS ABROAD.

     We operate facilities in more than 50 countries around the world. Our
non-U.S. operations accounted for approximately 58% of our revenues during the
year ended December 31, 1999. In addition, some of our revenues in the U.S. are
generated by projects located outside the U.S. Our business is subject to
various risks beyond our control, including:

     - the instability of foreign economies and governments;

     - currency fluctuations;

     - potential income tax liabilities in multiple jurisdictions; and

     - changes in laws and policies affecting trade and investment.

     Any of these factors might cause our facilities in some countries to become
unprofitable, possibly resulting in the closing of these facilities. We attempt
to limit our exposure to foreign currency fluctuations by limiting the amount by
which our foreign contracts are denominated in a currency other than U.S.
dollars to an amount generally equal to expenses expected to be incurred in such
foreign currency. We have not historically engaged in and do not currently
intend to engage in any significant hedging or currency trading transactions
designed to compensate for adverse currency fluctuations.

     THERE ARE RISKS RELATED TO OUR ACQUISITION STRATEGY. IF WE ARE UNABLE TO
SUCCESSFULLY INTEGRATE AND MANAGE BUSINESSES THAT WE HAVE ACQUIRED AND ANY
BUSINESSES ACQUIRED IN THE FUTURE, OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED.

     One of our key business strategies is to acquire technologies, operations
and assets that are complementary to our existing businesses. There are
financial, operational and legal risks inherent in any acquisition strategy,
including:

     - increased financial leverage;

     - increased interest expense; and

     - difficulties involved in combining disparate company cultures and
       facilities.

     The success of any completed acquisition will depend on our ability to
integrate effectively the acquired business into our existing operations. The
process of integrating acquired businesses may involve unforeseen difficulties
and may require a disproportionate amount of our managerial and financial
resources. In addition, possible future acquisitions may be larger and for
purchase prices significantly higher than those paid for recent and pending
acquisitions. No assurance can be given that we will be able to continue to
identify additional suitable acquisition opportunities, negotiate acceptable
terms, obtain financing for acquisitions on acceptable terms or successfully
acquire identified targets. Our failure to achieve consolidation savings, to
incorporate the acquired businesses and assets into our existing operations
successfully or to minimize any unforeseen operational difficulties could have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operation.

     WE ARE SUBJECT TO A VARIETY OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS, WHICH
MAY RESULT IN INCREASED COSTS TO OUR BUSINESS.

     We are subject to a variety of governmental regulations relating to the
use, storage, discharge and disposal of chemicals and gases used in our
analytical and manufacturing processes. Environmental claims or the failure to
comply with present or future environmental laws and regulations could result in
the

                                        7
<PAGE>   11

assessment of damages or imposition of fines against us or the suspension or
cessation of operations. New regulations could require us to acquire costly
equipment or to incur other significant expenses. If we fail to control the use,
or adequately restrict the discharge of, hazardous substances, we could be
subject to future material liabilities. In addition, public interest in the
protection of the environment has increased dramatically in recent years. We
anticipate that the trend of more expansive and stricter environmental laws and
regulations will continue, the occurrence of which may require us to increase
our capital expenditures or could result in increased operating expenses.

     BECAUSE WE ARE A NETHERLANDS COMPANY, IT MAY BE DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO SUE
OUR SUPERVISORY DIRECTORS OR US, AND IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO OBTAIN OR ENFORCE
JUDGMENTS AGAINST US.

     We are a Netherlands company and a substantial portion of our assets are
located outside the United States. In addition, some members of our supervisory
board of directors are residents of countries other than the United States. As a
result, it may not be possible for you to effect service of process within the
United States upon our supervisory directors or to enforce against our
supervisory directors or us, judgments of courts of the United States predicated
upon civil liabilities under the United States federal securities laws. Because
there is no treaty between the United States and The Netherlands providing for
the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments, United States judgments
are not automatically enforceable in The Netherlands. In addition, there is
doubt as to whether a Netherlands court would impose civil liability on us or on
the members of our supervisory board of directors in an original action brought
against us or our supervisory directors in a court of competent jurisdiction in
The Netherlands and predicated solely upon the federal securities laws of the
United States.

                         CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING
                           FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     We believe that some statements contained or incorporated by reference in
this prospectus are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution that
forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may affect our
actual results of operations. Statements in this prospectus that are
forward-looking and that provide other than historical information involve those
risks and uncertainties.

     Also, when we use words like "may," "may not," "believes," "does not
believe," "expects," "does not expect," "anticipates," "does not anticipate,"
"intends," "plan," "estimate," and similar expressions, including the negative
or other variations of these words, we are making forward-looking statements.

     We continue to face many risks and uncertainties (including those set forth
in "Risk Factors") that could cause actual results to differ from those
forward-looking statements, including:

     - our ability to continue to develop or acquire new and useful technology;

     - the realization of anticipated synergies from acquired businesses and
       future acquisitions;

     - our dependence on one industry, oil and gas, and the impact of commodity
       prices on the expenditure levels of our customers;

     - competition in the markets we serve;

     - the risks and uncertainties attendant to adverse industry, political,
       economic and financial market conditions, including stock prices,
       government regulations, interest rates and credit availability;

     - unsettled political conditions, war, civil unrest, currency controls and
       governmental actions in the numerous countries in which we operate;

     - changes in the price of oil and natural gas;

     - integration of acquired businesses; and

     - the effects of industry consolidation.

                                        8
<PAGE>   12

     These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that we believe
are reasonable, but they are open to a wide range of uncertainties and business
risks. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
anticipated are discussed in our periodic filings with the SEC, including our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 (as amended by
Form 10-K/A).

     When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind
the risk factors and other cautionary statements in this document and the
documents we have incorporated by reference. We will not update these forward
looking statements unless the securities laws require us to do so.

                                USE OF PROCEEDS

     We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the common shares sold by
the selling shareholders. If the underwriters' over-allotment option is
exercised in full, we will receive net proceeds (after deducting the
underwriters discount and estimated offering expenses) of approximately $     .
We intend to use any net proceeds from the exercise of the over-allotment option
for general working capital purposes.

                                DIVIDEND POLICY

     We have not paid dividends on our common shares and currently have no plans
to pay dividends on the common shares. We expect that we will retain all
available earnings generated by our operations for the development and growth of
our business. Any future determination as to the payment of dividends will be
made at the discretion of the our supervisory board and will depend upon our
operating results, financial condition, capital requirements, general business
conditions and such other factors as the supervisory board deems relevant.
Because we are a holding company that conducts substantially all of our
operations through subsidiaries, our ability to pay cash dividends on the common
shares is dependent upon the ability of our subsidiaries to pay cash dividends
or otherwise distribute or advance funds to us and on the terms and conditions
of our existing and future credit arrangements. Because we are a Netherlands
company, we may be required to withhold a portion of any dividends paid for
Netherlands tax purposes. The amount of the withholding will depend on
applicable law at the time the dividend is paid.

                                        9
<PAGE>   13

                                 CAPITALIZATION

     The following table sets forth our short-term debt and capitalization as of
December 31, 1999, on a historical basis, assuming that the underwriters'
over-allotment option is not exercised.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               AS OF DECEMBER 31,
                                                                    1999(1)
                                                               ------------------
                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                            <C>
Total short-term debt and current portion of long-term
  debt......................................................        $  1,121
                                                                    ========
Long-term debt, less current portion:
  Borrowings under credit facility(2).......................        $  7,000
  Senior notes..............................................          75,000
  Other long-term debt......................................             207
                                                                    --------
          Total long-term debt..............................        $ 82,207
                                                                    --------
Shareholders' equity:
  Preference shares, Netherlands Guilders 0.03 par value;
     3,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and
     outstanding............................................              --
  Common shares, Netherlands Guilders 0.03 par value;
     100,000,000 shares authorized; 30,179,226 shares issued
     and outstanding........................................             508
  Additional paid-in capital................................         161,859
  Retained earnings.........................................          46,577
                                                                    --------
          Total shareholders' equity........................        $208,944
                                                                    --------
          Total capitalization..............................        $291,151
                                                                    ========
</TABLE>

- ---------------------------

(1) Assuming the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full and
    the net proceeds we receive are used for general corporate purposes, total
    long term debt would be $     , common shares at par value would be $     ,
    additional paid-in capital would be $     , total shareholders' equity would
    be $     , and total capitalization would be $     .

(2) Loans under the credit facility generally bear interest from LIBOR plus
    1.25% to a maximum of LIBOR plus 1.75%. The revolving debt facilities
    require only interest payments until maturity in June 2004.

                                       10
<PAGE>   14

                       PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

     The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of common shares as of March 20, 2000, and as adjusted to give effect
to the sale of the common shares offered by the selling shareholders, by:

     - each person known to us to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of the
       outstanding common shares;

     - each of our supervisory directors;

     - all of the our supervisory directors and executive officers as a group;
       and

     - the selling shareholders.

     Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole voting and dispositive
power over the common shares listed. See "Underwriting."

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                COMMON SHARES OWNED                     COMMON SHARES
                                                 PRIOR TO OFFERING                  OWNED AFTER OFFERING
                                                --------------------                ---------------------
                                                NUMBER OF              NUMBER OF    NUMBER OF
SUPERVISORY DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE                 COMMON                 SHARES        COMMON
OFFICERS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS              SHARES      PERCENT    OFFERED       SHARES     PERCENT
- -----------------------------------             ---------    -------   ---------    ----------   --------
<S>                                             <C>          <C>       <C>          <C>          <C>
Lord, Abbett & Co.(1).........................  2,190,520      7.1%           --    2,190,520      7.1%
Franklin Resource, Inc.(2)....................  1,753,800      5.7            --    1,753,800      5.7

Stephen D. Weinroth**(3)......................    461,500      1.5            --      461,500      1.5
David M. Demshur**............................    339,113      1.1            --      339,113      1.1
Richard L. Bergmark**.........................    207,219      *              --      207,219      *
Joseph R. Perna**.............................    126,744      *              --      126,744      *
John D. Denson**..............................     61,159      *              --       61,159      *
Timothy J. Probert**..........................     35,000      *              --       35,000      *
Bob G. Agnew**................................     34,600      *              --       34,600      *
James A. Read**...............................     34,000      *              --       34,000      *
Monty L. Davis**..............................     21,512      *              --       21,512      *
Randall D. Keys**.............................      1,234      *              --        1,234      *
Jacobus Schouten..............................         --      *              --           --      *
All supervisory directors and executive
  officers as a group**.......................  1,322,081      4.3            --    1,322,081      4.3

SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
First Britannia Mezzanine N.V.(4).............  4,202,534     13.6%    4,202,534           --       --
Robert Andrews(5).............................    718,750      2.3       350,000      368,750      1.2
Estate of Paul J. Cernock.....................     72,454        *        36,227       36,227        *
Estate of Elizabeth M. Cernock................     72,454        *        36,227       36,227        *
Randall S. Miller(6)..........................     52,671        *        20,000       32,671        *
                                                ---------     ----     ---------    ---------      ---
         Total selling shareholders...........  5,118,863              4,644,988      473,875
                                                =========     ====     =========    =========      ===
</TABLE>

- ---------------------------

 *  Does not exceed 1.0%.

 ** Includes the following common shares which may be acquired within 60 days
    through the exercise of stock options: Mr. Weinroth, 64,000; Mr. Demshur,
    108,750; Mr. Bergmark, 112,000; Mr. Perna, 20,000; Mr. Denson, 39,250; Mr.
    Probert, 34,000; Mr. Agnew, 30,000; Mr. Read, 34,000; Mr. Davis, 17,500; and
    Mr. Keys, 718.

(1) As reported on Schedule 13G dated February 2, 2000. The business address of
    Lord, Abbett & Co. is 90 Hudson Street, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302.

(2) As reported on Schedule 13G/A dated January 20, 2000. The business address
    of Franklin is 777 Mariners Island Blvd., San Mateo, California 94404.

(3) Mr. Weinroth, a Managing Director of First Britannia, disclaims beneficial
    ownership of the common shares owned by such company.

(4) The business address of First Britannia is de Ruyterkade 62, Curacao,
    Netherlands Antilles.

(5) Mr. Andrews is Vice President, Marketing for Latin America. The number of
    shares includes 3,750 common shares which may be acquired within 60 days
    through the exercise of stock options.

(6) Mr. Miller is one of our general managers.

                                       11
<PAGE>   15

                                  UNDERWRITING

     Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an underwriting
agreement dated                     , we and the selling shareholders have
agreed to sell to the underwriters named below, for whom Credit Suisse First
Boston Corporation, Salomon Smith Barney Inc., Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown, CIBC
World Markets Corp., Dain Rauscher Incorporated and Morgan Keegan & Company,
Inc. are acting as representatives, the following respective numbers of common
shares:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              NUMBER OF
                                                               SHARES
UNDERWRITER                                                   ---------
<S>                                                           <C>
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation......................
Salomon Smith Barney Inc. ..................................
Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown...................................
CIBC World Markets Corp. ...................................
Dain Rauscher Incorporated..................................
Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc. ..............................
                                                              ---------

          Total.............................................  4,644,988
                                                              =========
</TABLE>

     The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters are obligated to
purchase all of the common shares in the offering if any are purchased, other
than those common shares covered by the over-allotment option described below.
The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults the
purchase commitments of non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the
offering may be terminated.

     We have granted to the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase on a pro
rata basis up to 696,748 additional common shares from us at the public offering
price less the underwriting discounts and commissions. The option may be
exercised only to cover any over-allotments of the common shares.

     The underwriters propose to offer the common shares initially at the public
offering price on the cover page of this prospectus and to selling group members
at that price less a concession of $     per share. The underwriters and selling
group members may allow a discount of $     per share on sales to other
broker/dealers. After the public offering of the common shares, the public
offering price and concession and discount to broker/dealers may be changed by
the representatives.

     The following table summarizes the compensation and estimated expenses we
and the selling shareholders will pay.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        PER SHARE                           TOTAL
                                             -------------------------------   -------------------------------
                                                WITHOUT            WITH           WITHOUT            WITH
                                             OVER-ALLOTMENT   OVER-ALLOTMENT   OVER-ALLOTMENT   OVER-ALLOTMENT
                                             --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------
<S>                                          <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
Underwriting Discounts and Commissions paid
  by selling shareholders(1)...............     $                $                $                $
Expenses paid by the selling
  shareholders(2)..........................     $                $                $                $
Underwriters Discounts and Commissions
  payable by us............................     $     --         $                $     --         $
Expenses payable by us.....................     $     --         $                $     --         $
</TABLE>

- ---------------------------

(1) The selling shareholders will pay the underwriters' discounts and
    commissions allocable to the common shares sold by them in this offering.

(2) First Britannia will pay certain other expenses related to this offering.

     We have agreed that we will not offer, sell, pledge, contract to sell or
otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any of our common shares, or
securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any of our common
shares, or publicly disclose our intention to make any such offer, sale, pledge
or disposition, without the prior written consent of Credit Suisse First Boston
Corporation for a period of
                                       12
<PAGE>   16

90 days after the date of this prospectus, except issuances of common shares
pursuant to the exercise of employee stock plans. Credit Suisse First Boston
Corporation has waived this restriction with respect to the issuance of
approximately 250,000 common shares by us in connection with our proposed
acquisition of PENCOR.

     Our executive officers, supervisory directors and certain selling
shareholders have agreed that they will not offer, sell, contract to sell, or
otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any of our common shares or
securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any of our common
shares, enter into a transaction which would have the same effect, or enter into
any swap, hedge or other arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of
the economic consequences of ownership of our common shares, whether any such
aforementioned transaction is to be settled by delivery of our common shares or
such other securities, in cash or otherwise, or publicly disclose the intention
to make any such offer, sale, or disposition, or to enter into any such
transaction, swap, hedge or other arrangement, without, in each case, the prior
written consent of Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation for a period of 90
days after the date of this prospectus.

     We and the selling shareholders have agreed to indemnify the underwriters
against certain liabilities including liabilities under the Securities Act of
1933, or contribute to payments which the underwriters may be required to make
in that respect.

     Our common shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol "CLB." We will
file an application with the NYSE to list the common shares to be sold in this
offering.

     The representatives may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions,
syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

     - Over-allotment involves syndicate sales in excess of the offering size,
       which creates a syndicate short position.

     - Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security
       so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.

     - Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the common shares in
       the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to
       cover syndicate short positions.

     - Penalty bids permit the representatives to reclaim a selling concession
       from a syndicate member when the common shares originally sold by such
       syndicate member are purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering
       transaction to cover syndicate short positions.

These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids
may cause the price of the common shares to be higher than it would otherwise be
in the absence of these transactions. These transactions may be effected on The
New York Stock Exchange or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at
any time.

     A prospectus in electronic format will be made available on the websites
maintained by one or more of the underwriters participating in this offering.
The representatives may agree to allocate a number of shares to underwriters for
sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be
allocated by the underwriters that will make internet distributions on the same
basis as other allocations.

                                       13
<PAGE>   17

                          NOTICE TO CANADIAN RESIDENTS

RESALE RESTRICTIONS

     The distribution of the common shares in Canada is being made only on a
private placement basis exempt from the requirement that we and the selling
shareholders prepare and file a prospectus with the securities regulatory
authorities in each province where trades of common shares are effected.
Accordingly, any resale of the common shares in Canada must be made in
accordance with applicable securities laws which will vary depending on the
relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made in accordance
with available statutory exemptions or pursuant to a discretionary exemption
granted by the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authority. Purchasers
are advised to seek legal advice prior to any resale of the common shares.

REPRESENTATIONS OF PURCHASERS

     Each purchaser of common shares in Canada who receives a purchase
confirmation will be deemed to represent to us, the selling shareholders and the
dealer from whom such purchase confirmation is received that (i) such purchaser
is entitled under applicable provincial securities laws to purchase such common
shares without the benefit of a prospectus qualified under such securities laws,
(ii) where required by law, such purchaser is purchasing as principal and not as
agent, and (iii) such purchaser has reviewed the text above under "Resale
Restrictions".

RIGHTS OF ACTION (ONTARIO PURCHASERS)

     The securities being offered are those of a foreign issuer and Ontario
purchasers will not receive the contractual right of action prescribed by
Ontario securities law. As a result, Ontario purchasers must rely on other
remedies that may be available, including common law rights of action for
damages or rescission or rights of action under the civil liability provisions
of the U.S. federal securities laws.

ENFORCEMENT OF LEGAL RIGHTS

     All of the issuer's directors and officers as well as the experts named
herein and the selling shareholders may be located outside of Canada and, as a
result, it may not be possible for Canadian purchasers to effect service of
process within Canada upon the issuer or such persons. All or a substantial
portion of the assets of the issuer and such persons may be located outside of
Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible to satisfy a judgment against
the issuer or such persons in Canada or to enforce a judgement obtained in
Canadian courts against such issuer or persons outside of Canada.

NOTICE TO BRITISH COLUMBIA RESIDENTS

     A purchaser of common shares to whom the Securities Act (British Columbia)
applies is advised that such purchaser is required to file with the British
Columbia Securities Commission a report within ten days of the sale of any
common shares acquired by such purchaser pursuant to this offering. Such report
must be in the form attached to British Columbia Securities Commission Blanket
Order BOR #95/17, a copy of which may be obtained from us. Only one such report
must be filed in respect of common shares acquired on the same date and under
the same prospectus exemption.

TAXATION AND ELIGIBILITY FOR INVESTMENT

     Canadian purchasers of common shares should consult their own legal and tax
advisors with respect to the tax consequences of an investment in the common
shares in their particular circumstances and with respect to the eligibility of
the common shares for investment by the purchaser under relevant Canadian
legislation.

                                       14
<PAGE>   18

                                 LEGAL MATTERS

     The validity of the securities will be passed upon for us by Vinson &
Elkins L.L.P., Houston, Texas, and by Nauta Dutilh, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., Houston, Texas, will serve as counsel to the
underwriters.

                                    EXPERTS

     The financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus and
elsewhere in this registration statement have been audited by Arthur Andersen
LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their report with respect
thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as
experts in accounting and auditing in giving said report.

                      WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The registration statement of which this
prospectus forms a part and these reports, proxy statements and other
information can be inspected and copied at the public reference room maintained
by the SEC at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at
the SEC's regional offices at 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661 and at Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York
10048. Copies of the materials may also be obtained from the SEC at prescribed
rates by writing to the public reference room maintained by the SEC at Room
1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may
obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the
SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

     We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the
Securities Act of 1933 with respect to this offering of common shares. This
prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not
contain all the information set forth in the registration statement and the
attached schedules and exhibits.

     The SEC maintains a World Wide Web site on the Internet at
http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and
other information regarding us. The reports, proxy and information statements
and other information about us can be downloaded from the SEC's website and can
also be inspected and copied at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange,
Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

                    INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

     The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" into this prospectus the
information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important
information to you by referring you to those documents. The information
incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and later
information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede
this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any
future filings made with the SEC under section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until our offering is completed:

     - our annual report on Form 10-K (as amended by Form 10-K/A) for the year
       ended December 31, 1999;

     - our definitive proxy for the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in
       May 2000; and

     - the description of our common shares contained in our registration
       statement on Form 8-A filed pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities
       Exchange Act of 1934.

     You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or calling
our investor relations department at the following address: Core Laboratories
N.V., Herengracht 424, 1017 BZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands, (31-20) 420-3191.

                                       15
<PAGE>   19

                                [CORE LAB LOGO]
<PAGE>   20

                                    PART II
               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

     The following table sets forth the estimated expenses in connection with
the distribution of the securities covered by this registration statement. All
of the expenses will be borne by the selling shareholders except as otherwise
indicated.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                        <C>
Registration fee........................................   $40,721.00
NYSE listing fee........................................            *
NASD Filing Fee.........................................            *
Fees and expenses of legal counsel......................            *
Printing and engraving expenses.........................            *
Miscellaneous...........................................            *
                                                           ----------
          Total.........................................   $        *
                                                           ==========
</TABLE>

- ---------------------------

* To be provided by amendment.

ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

     Certain of our directors and executive officers have entered into an
indemnity agreement with us. The agreements provide, to the fullest extent
permitted by the law of The Netherlands, that we will indemnify the directors
and executive officers against any costs and expenses, judgments, settlements
and fines incurred in connection with any claim involving a director or an
executive officer by reason of his position as director or officer.

     The articles of association provide that we will, to the full extent
permitted by the law of The Netherlands, as amended from time to time,
indemnify, and advance expenses to, each of its now acting and former board
members, officers, employees and agents, whenever any such person is made a
party, or threatened to be made a party, in any action, suit or proceeding by
reason of his service with us. The articles of association also provide that we
may purchase and maintain directors' and officers' liability insurance.

ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.

     The following documents are filed as exhibits to this registration
statement, including those exhibits incorporated herein by reference to a prior
filing by Core Laboratories under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            INCORPORATED BY
  EXHIBIT                                                                 REFERENCE FROM THE
   NUMBER                         DESCRIPTION                             FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS
  -------                         -----------                             -------------------
<C>          <S>                                                     <C>
    *1.1     -- Form of Underwriting Agreement....................
     3.1     -- Articles of Association of Core Laboratories N.V.,
                as amended (including English translation)........   Registration Statement on
                                                                     Form F-1, September 20, 1995.
     4.1     -- Form of certificate representing Common Shares....   Form 10-K/A, March 31, 2000
    *5.1     -- Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. ................
    *5.2     -- Opinion of Nauta Dutilh...........................
</TABLE>

                                      II-1
<PAGE>   21

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            INCORPORATED BY
  EXHIBIT                                                                 REFERENCE FROM THE
   NUMBER                         DESCRIPTION                             FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS
  -------                         -----------                             -------------------
<C>          <S>                                                     <C>
    10.1     -- Core Laboratories N.V. 1995 Long-Term Incentive
                Plan (as amended and restated effective as of May
                29, 1997).........................................   Proxy Statement dated May 2,
                                                                     1997 for Annual Meeting of
                                                                     Shareholders
    10.2     -- Core Laboratories N.V. 1995 Nonemployee Director
                Stock Option Plan (as amended and restated
                effective as of May 29, 1997).....................   Proxy Statement dated May 2,
                                                                     1997 for Annual Meeting of
                                                                     Shareholders
    10.3     -- Form of Registration Rights Agreement to be
                entered into by the Company and certain of its
                shareholders, dated September 15, 1995............   Form 10-Q, November 10, 1995
    10.4     -- Purchase and Sale Agreement between Core Holdings
                B.V. and Western Atlas International, Inc.,
                Western Atlas International Nigeria Ltd., Western
                Atlas de Venezuela, C.A., Western Atlas Canada
                Ltd. and Core Laboratories Australia Pty. Ltd.
                dated as of September 30, 1994....................   Form F-1, September 20, 1995
    10.5     -- Form of Indemnification Agreement to be entered
                into by the Company and certain of its directors
                and officers......................................   Form F-1, September 20, 1995
    10.6     -- Indemnification Agreements, each dated as of
                October 20, 1995, between the Company and each of
                its directors and executive officers..............   Form 10-Q, November 10, 1995
    10.7     -- Stock Purchase Agreement among Core Laboratories
                N.V., Saybolt International B.V. and the
                shareholders of Saybolt International B.V., dated
                as of April 16, 1997..............................   Form 8-K, May 23, 1997
    10.8     -- Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among Core
                Laboratories N.V., Core Laboratories, Inc., Core
                Laboratories (U.K.) Limited, Bankers Trust
                Company, NationsBank, N.A. and the Bank Group,
                dated as of July 18, 1997.........................   Form S-3, November 20, 1997
    10.9     -- Agreement and Plan of Merger among Core
                Laboratories N.V., Owen Oil Tools, Inc., Owen
                Acquisition, Inc., and each of the shareholders of
                Owen Oil Tools, Inc. dated as of
                June 30, 1998.....................................   Form 8-K, July 15, 1998
    10.10    -- Core Laboratories Supplemental Executive
                Retirement Plan effective as of January 1, 1998...   Form 10-K, March 31, 1998
    10.11    -- Form of Employment Agreement between Core
                Laboratories N.V. and David Michael Demshur dated
                as of
                August 18, 1998...................................   Form 10-K, March 31, 1999
    10.12    -- Form of Employment Agreement between Core
                Laboratories N.V. and Richard Lucas Bergmark dated
                as of
                August 18, 1998...................................   Form 10-K, March 31, 1999
    10.13    -- Form of Employment Agreement between Core
                Laboratories N.V. and Monty Lee Davis dated as of
                August 18, 1998...................................   Form 10-K, March 31, 1999
</TABLE>

                                      II-2
<PAGE>   22

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            INCORPORATED BY
  EXHIBIT                                                                 REFERENCE FROM THE
   NUMBER                         DESCRIPTION                             FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS
  -------                         -----------                             -------------------
<C>          <S>                                                     <C>
   *10.24    -- Form of Indemnity Agreement.......................
    10.14    -- Form of Employment Agreement between Core
                Laboratories N.V. and John David Denson dated as
                of August 18, 1998................................   Form 10-K, March 31, 1999
    10.15    -- Acquisition Agreement Among Core Laboratories
                N.V., Core Laboratories International B.V.,
                Saybolt International B.V., A.G.I. Mexicana S.A.
                de C.V. and the Stockholders of A.G.I. Mexicana
                S.A. de C.V. dated as of December 11, 1998........   Form 10-K, March 31, 1999
    10.16    -- Agreement and Plan of Merger among Core
                Laboratories N.V., A.G.I. Acquisition Company, The
                Andrews Group International, Inc. and Robert
                Andrews dated as of December 18, 1998.............   Form 10-K, March 31, 1999
    10.17    -- Core Laboratories Supplemental Executive
                Retirement Plan for John D. Denson effective
                January 1, 1999...................................   Form 10-Q, August 16, 1999
    10.18    -- Core Laboratories Supplemental Executive
                Retirement Plan for Monty L. Davis effective
                January 1, 1999...................................   Form 10-Q, August 16, 1999
    10.19    -- Amendment to Core Laboratories Supplemental
                Executive Retirement Plan filed January 1, 1998,
                effective
                July 29, 1999.....................................   Form 10-Q, August 16, 1999
    10.20    -- Agreement and Plan of Merger among Core
                Laboratories N.V., Core Colorado Acquisition,
                Inc., Coherence Technology Company, Inc. and the
                Stockholders of Coherence Technology Company, Inc.
                dated as of June 9, 1999..........................   Form 10-Q, August 16, 1999
    10.21    -- Agreement and Plan of Merger among Core
                Laboratories N.V., Core Acquisition Subsidiary,
                Inc., Reservoirs, Inc. and the Stockholders of
                Reservoirs, Inc. dated as of July 26, 1999........   Form 10-Q, August 16, 1999
    10.22    -- Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
                among Core Laboratories N.V., Core Laboratories,
                Inc., Core Laboratories (U.K.) Limited, Bankers
                Trust Company, Bank of America, N.A. and the Bank
                Group, dated as of July 22, 1999..................   Form 10-Q, August 16, 1999
    10.23    -- Note and Guarantee Agreement by Core Laboratories,
                Inc. for Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series A, and
                Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series B, dated as of
                July 22, 1999.....................................   Form 10-Q, August 16, 1999
  **23.1     -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP....................
   *23.2     -- Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. ................   Included in Exhibit 5.1.
   *23.3     -- Consent of Nauta Dutilh...........................   Included in Exhibit 5.2.
  **24.1     -- Power of Attorney.................................   Included in signature page.
</TABLE>

- ---------------------------

*  To be filed by amendment.

** Filed herewith.

                                      II-3
<PAGE>   23

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.

     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

          (1) That, for the purposes of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant's annual report
     pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
     of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
     annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
     1934) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement
     shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
     securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
     time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

          (2) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
     of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part
     of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in
     a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
     (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part
     of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

          (3) For purposes of determining any liability under Securities Act of
     1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus
     shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
     securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
     time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereunder.

          (4) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
     Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and
     controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions,
     or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
     Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
     policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore,
     unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
     liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
     or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in
     the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by
     such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
     securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of
     its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to
     a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
     indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
     Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of
     such issue.

                                      II-4
<PAGE>   24

                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, on the 1st day of May,
2000.

                                    CORE LABORATORIES N.V.

                                    By: CORE LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL B.V.,
                                              its Sole Managing Director

                                    By:       /s/ JACOBUS SCHOUTEN
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                                  Jacobus Schouten
                                                 Managing Director

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints David M. Demshur, Richard L. Bergmark and John D.
Denson, or any of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with
full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and
all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and
agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent
or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the 1st day of May, 2000.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                             TITLE
                      ---------                                             -----
<C>                                                      <S>

                /s/ DAVID M. DEMSHUR                     President, Chief Executive Officer and
- -----------------------------------------------------      Supervisory Director (Principal Executive
                  David M. Demshur                         Officer and Authorized Representative in
                                                           the United States)

               /s/ RICHARD L. BERGMARK                   Executive Vice President, Treasurer and
- -----------------------------------------------------      Supervisory Director
                 Richard L. Bergmark

                 /s/ RANDALL D. KEYS                     Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial
- -----------------------------------------------------      and Accounting Officer)
                   Randall D. Keys

                  /s/ BOB G. AGNEW                       Supervisory Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                    Bob G. Agnew

                 /s/ JOSEPH R. PERNA                     Supervisory Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   Joseph R. Perna

               /s/ TIMOTHY J. PROBERT                    Supervisory Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 Timothy J. Probert
</TABLE>

                                      II-5
<PAGE>   25

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                             TITLE
                      ---------                                             -----
<C>                                                      <S>

                  /s/ JAMES A. READ                      Supervisory Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                    James A. Read

                /s/ JACOBUS SCHOUTEN                     Supervisory Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Jacobus Schouten

               /s/ STEPHEN D. WEINROTH                   Supervisory Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 Stephen D. Weinroth
</TABLE>

                                      II-6
<PAGE>   26

                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            INCORPORATED BY
  EXHIBIT                                                                 REFERENCE FROM THE
   NUMBER                         DESCRIPTION                             FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS
  -------                         -----------                             -------------------
<C>          <S>                                                     <C>
    *1.1     -- Form of Underwriting Agreement....................
     3.1     -- Articles of Association of Core Laboratories N.V.,
                as amended (including English translation)........   Registration Statement on
                                                                     Form F-1, September 20, 1995.
     4.1     -- Form of certificate representing Common Shares....   Form 10-K/A, March 31, 2000
    *5.1     -- Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. ................
    *5.2     -- Opinion of Nauta Dutilh...........................
    10.1     -- Core Laboratories N.V. 1995 Long-Term Incentive
                Plan (as amended and restated effective as of May
                29, 1997).........................................   Proxy Statement dated May 2,
                                                                     1997 for Annual Meeting of
                                                                     Shareholders
    10.2     -- Core Laboratories N.V. 1995 Nonemployee Director
                Stock Option Plan (as amended and restated
                effective as of May 29, 1997).....................   Proxy Statement dated May 2,
                                                                     1997 for Annual Meeting of
                                                                     Shareholders
    10.3     -- Form of Registration Rights Agreement to be
                entered into by the Company and certain of its
                shareholders, dated September 15, 1995............   Form 10-Q, November 10, 1995
    10.4     -- Purchase and Sale Agreement between Core Holdings
                B.V. and Western Atlas International, Inc.,
                Western Atlas International Nigeria Ltd., Western
                Atlas de Venezuela, C.A., Western Atlas Canada
                Ltd. and Core Laboratories Australia Pty. Ltd.
                dated as of September 30, 1994....................   Form F-1, September 20, 1995
    10.5     -- Form of Indemnification Agreement to be entered
                into by the Company and certain of its directors
                and officers......................................   Form F-1, September 20, 1995
    10.6     -- Indemnification Agreements, each dated as of
                October 20, 1995, between the Company and each of
                its directors and executive officers..............   Form 10-Q, November 10, 1995
    10.7     -- Stock Purchase Agreement among Core Laboratories
                N.V., Saybolt International B.V. and the
                shareholders of Saybolt International B.V., dated
                as of April 16, 1997..............................   Form 8-K, May 23, 1997
    10.8     -- Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among Core
                Laboratories N.V., Core Laboratories, Inc., Core
                Laboratories (U.K.) Limited, Bankers Trust
                Company, NationsBank, N.A. and the Bank Group,
                dated as of July 18, 1997.........................   Form S-3, November 20, 1997
    10.9     -- Agreement and Plan of Merger among Core
                Laboratories N.V., Owen Oil Tools, Inc., Owen
                Acquisition, Inc., and each of the shareholders of
                Owen Oil Tools, Inc. dated as of
                June 30, 1998.....................................   Form 8-K, July 15, 1998
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   27

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            INCORPORATED BY
  EXHIBIT                                                                 REFERENCE FROM THE
   NUMBER                         DESCRIPTION                             FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS
  -------                         -----------                             -------------------
<C>          <S>                                                     <C>
    10.10    -- Core Laboratories Supplemental Executive
                Retirement Plan effective as of January 1, 1998...   Form 10-K, March 31, 1998
    10.11    -- Form of Employment Agreement between Core
                Laboratories N.V. and David Michael Demshur dated
                as of
                August 18, 1998...................................   Form 10-K, March 31, 1999
    10.12    -- Form of Employment Agreement between Core
                Laboratories N.V. and Richard Lucas Bergmark dated
                as of
                August 18, 1998...................................   Form 10-K, March 31, 1999
    10.13    -- Form of Employment Agreement between Core
                Laboratories N.V. and Monty Lee Davis dated as of
                August 18, 1998...................................   Form 10-K, March 31, 1999
    10.14    -- Form of Employment Agreement between Core
                Laboratories N.V. and John David Denson dated as
                of August 18, 1998................................   Form 10-K, March 31, 1999
    10.15    -- Acquisition Agreement Among Core Laboratories
                N.V., Core Laboratories International B.V.,
                Saybolt International B.V., A.G.I. Mexicana S.A.
                de C.V. and the Stockholders of A.G.I. Mexicana
                S.A. de C.V. dated as of December 11, 1998........   Form 10-K, March 31, 1999
    10.16    -- Agreement and Plan of Merger among Core
                Laboratories N.V., A.G.I. Acquisition Company, The
                Andrews Group International, Inc. and Robert
                Andrews dated as of December 18, 1998.............   Form 10-K, March 31, 1999
    10.17    -- Core Laboratories Supplemental Executive
                Retirement Plan for John D. Denson effective
                January 1, 1999...................................   Form 10-Q, August 16, 1999
    10.18    -- Core Laboratories Supplemental Executive
                Retirement Plan for Monty L. Davis effective
                January 1, 1999...................................   Form 10-Q, August 16, 1999
    10.19    -- Amendment to Core Laboratories Supplemental
                Executive Retirement Plan filed January 1, 1998,
                effective
                July 29, 1999.....................................   Form 10-Q, August 16, 1999
    10.20    -- Agreement and Plan of Merger among Core
                Laboratories N.V., Core Colorado Acquisition,
                Inc., Coherence Technology Company, Inc. and the
                Stockholders of Coherence Technology Company, Inc.
                dated as of June 9, 1999..........................   Form 10-Q, August 16, 1999
    10.21    -- Agreement and Plan of Merger among Core
                Laboratories N.V., Core Acquisition Subsidiary,
                Inc., Reservoirs, Inc. and the Stockholders of
                Reservoirs, Inc. dated as of July 26, 1999........   Form 10-Q, August 16, 1999
    10.22    -- Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
                among Core Laboratories N.V., Core Laboratories,
                Inc., Core Laboratories (U.K.) Limited, Bankers
                Trust Company, Bank of America, N.A. and the Bank
                Group, dated as of July 22, 1999..................   Form 10-Q, August 16, 1999
    10.23    -- Note and Guarantee Agreement by Core Laboratories,
                Inc. for Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series A, and
                Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series B, dated as of
                July 22, 1999.....................................   Form 10-Q, August 16, 1999
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   28

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            INCORPORATED BY
  EXHIBIT                                                                 REFERENCE FROM THE
   NUMBER                         DESCRIPTION                             FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS
  -------                         -----------                             -------------------
<C>          <S>                                                     <C>
   *10.24    -- Form of Indemnity Agreement.......................
  **23.1     -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP....................
   *23.2     -- Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. ................   Included in Exhibit 5.1.
   *23.3     -- Consent of Nauta Dutilh...........................   Included in Exhibit 5.2.
  **24.1     -- Power of Attorney.................................   Included in signature page.
</TABLE>

- ---------------------------

*  To be filed by amendment.

** Filed herewith.

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this registration statement of our report dated March 3, 2000
included in the Core Laboratories N.V. Form 10-K/A for the year ended December
31, 1999 and to all references to our Firm included in this registration
statement.


                                       ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


Houston, Texas

May 1, 2000


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