I was once told that Texas courts side with workers in "right to work" cases, so I would think that if Schlumberger or anyone laid anyone off, it'd have a tough time in front of a judge.
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Yes they are still valid
Great question. I think it's void if they let you go, just my gut feeling. See this (link above): “Prospective-Employer Fear,” which seems to be operative in your life at this time. That is, your “prospective employer” is too afraid to hire you with the risk of a non-compete law suit hanging over your – and its – head. For your prospective employer’s own protection, its Human Resources staff or Hiring Manager no doubt asked whether you had signed a non-compete agreement, and no doubt you wisely told them “Yes,” or perhaps even showed it to them. On that basis, it is your prospective employer’s fear that is actually enforcing your non-compete agreement with your previous employer. I often refer to this as “self-enforcement.”
However, some prospective employers are willing to say to valuable prospective employees in your circumstances, “I believe in you, and I believe what your previous employer is doing is wrong and indefensible, and I will stand up for you and by you, at least until a Judge tells me I cannot.” I particularly love “stand-up” employers, as I love any “stand-up” people, because the world would surely be a better place if it had more “stand up” people, or at least a few more people who were a little less afraid to stand up.