Basic Energy Services Inc. (fka BASXQ)

[eastunder]

Basic Energy Services Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results

Thursday , October 25, 2012 19:00ET

FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Basic Energy Services, Inc. (NYSE: BAS) ("Basic") today announced its financial and operating results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2012.

THIRD QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
Third quarter 2012 revenue decreased 6%, to $340.4 million from $361.5 million in the second quarter of 2012, and declined 2% from the $346.0 million reported in the third quarter of 2011.

On an as-reported basis, third quarter 2012 net income was $6.5 million, or $0.16 per diluted share. Third quarter 2012 net income before special items was $8.3 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, and excluded approximately $1.8 million ($3.0 million pre-tax), or $0.05 per diluted share, of relocation costs, including severance and retention benefits, associated with the relocation of Basic's corporate headquarters to Fort Worth, Texas.

In the second quarter of 2012, Basic reported net income of $14.7 million, or $0.36 per diluted share. Second quarter 2012 net income before special items was $16.0 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, and excluded approximately $635,000 ($1.0 million pre-tax), or $0.02 per diluted share, of relocation costs, including severance and retention benefits, associated with the relocation of Basic's corporate headquarters to Fort Worth, Texas. The results also excluded $1.8 million ($2.9 million pre-tax), or $0.04 per diluted share, of prior years' state sales and use taxes associated with an audit that is currently being resolved, and a $1.1 million ($1.9 million on a pre-tax basis), or $0.03 per diluted share, refund on Texas margin taxes related to 2008.

In the third quarter of 2011, Basic reported net income of $26.6 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, which included a $631,000 tax adjustment related to the first quarter's early extinguishment of its $225 million 11.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2014 ("2014 Notes"). Excluding the impact related to that adjustment, net income in the third quarter of 2011 was $27.2 million, or $0.66 per diluted share.

Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of 2012 declined 11% to $77.2 million, or 23% of revenue, from $87.1 million, or 24% of revenue, in the second quarter of 2012. In the third quarter of 2011, Basic generated Adjusted EBITDA of $98.8 million, or 29% of revenue. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, relocation costs, loss on tax audits, loss on early extinguishment of debt, and the net gain or loss from the disposal of assets. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, which are not measures determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), are defined and reconciled in note 2 under the accompanying financial tables.

Ken Huseman, Basic's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Our third quarter results held up well considering the challenging environment we have been operating under for the past several months. Steadily weakening demand combined with increased competition have combined to cap if not reduce utilization and pricing in most of our geographic markets and business segments.

"Our Completion and Remedial segment experienced continued fierce competition in the stimulation market which accounted for virtually all of the reduction in the segment revenue and the 120 basis point sequential decline in the segment margin. Reductions in sand and guar costs accounted for about a third of the revenue decline but margins suffered due to historically high levels of discounting in stimulation services. On the other hand, the other major sub-segments of Rental and Fishing services, Cementing and Coil Tubing maintained their revenue streams flat with the second quarter and supported the relatively strong sequential segment margins. We anticipate continued competitive pressures across all services in this segment until the active rig count moves higher.

"Utilization and pricing came under pressure in our Fluid Services segment driving the 370 basis point reduction in the segment margin. Drilling activity declined through the quarter in the Permian Basin and the Eagle Ford markets just as new entrants were trying to gain a foothold in those markets. Since this segment is driven primarily by frac activity, we expect competitive pressures to continue over the near term.

"Well Servicing operations produced solid results in the third quarter due to our customers continuing to spend on maintaining production. Utilization and pricing in oily markets remained stable driving segment margins higher by 310 basis points. As we move into the fourth quarter, we anticipate that our well servicing utilization will be reduced by typical seasonal factors including holidays, weather and fewer daylight hours."

"Our drilling rig utilization trailed off slightly at the end of the quarter after operating at 90% utilization in July and August. We incurred delays between wells on several of our rigs that were on a well to well basis. We also used one of our rigs on an internal project in our fluid services segment, which negatively impacted utilization. While we expect to maintain utilization above 80% over the near term, we anticipate increased competition in the shallow rig market will drive day rates 5% to 10% lower on contract renewals.

"Many of our customers have spent their 2012 budgets or have started to scale back their spending waiting for the current economic and political uncertainties to dissipate. Preliminary feedback from our customers indicates capital spending in 2013 will likely be similar to this year, although it's uncertain when that spending will be initiated. As stated previously, we expect the seasonal slowdown in the( )fourth quarter to be more pronounced than normal but also see that weakness extending into the first quarter of 2013. We now anticipate that our fourth quarter revenue will decline from five to seven percent sequentially along with a 200 basis points deterioration in our segment profit margin.

"We remain focused on maintaining our market share, carefully deploying our capital spending and controlling costs in the current operating environment. With the completion of our bond offering in October, we have ample liquidity to take advantage of any fallout this competitive market may create for acquisition opportunities. We expect to close on at least one transaction before the end of the year.

2012 FIRST NINE MONTHS HIGHLIGHTS

Revenues increased 21% to $1.1 billion for the first nine months of 2012 compared to $888.9 million during the comparable period of 2011. Adjusted EBITDA for the first nine months of 2012 rose to $256.6 million, or 24% or revenue, compared to $235.1 million, or 26% of revenue, for the comparable period in 2011. Adjusted EBITDA excludes all one-time items listed above and is reconciled in note 2 under the accompanying financial tables.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012, Basic reported net income of $40.8 million, or $0.98 per diluted share. Excluding the tax and relocation items mentioned above for the second and third quarters, Basic generated net income of $44.0 million, or $1.06 per diluted share. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, Basic reported net income of $24.7 million, or $0.59 per share, which included the tax adjustment noted above, as well as a $28.3 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, after-tax ($49.4 million pre-tax) charge related to the early extinguishment of its 2014 Notes and the termination of its prior revolving credit facility and an after-tax gain of $1.5 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, related to the sale of an office complex. Excluding those items, Basic generated net income of $53.3 million, or $1.28 per diluted share.

Business Segment Results

Completion and Remedial Services

Completion and Remedial Services revenue declined eight percent to $143.3 million in the third quarter of 2012 from $156.6 million in the prior quarter. Revenue declined due to pricing declines from increased competition in our busier oily markets and lower pass-through costs for sand and chemicals. In the third quarter of 2011, this segment generated $157.1 million in revenue. The year-over-year decline in revenue resulted from pricing declines caused by increased competition as a result of competitors' migration of equipment into oily markets.

Segment profit in the third quarter of 2012 declined to $56.4 million compared to $63.5 million in the prior quarter. Segment margin for the 2012 third quarter decreased to of 39% from 41% in the prior quarter, due to lower pricing. During the third quarter of 2011, segment profit was $72.7 million, or 46% of revenue.

As of September 30, 2012, Basic had approximately 277,000 hydraulic horsepower (hhp), the same as at the end of the previous quarter and up from 269,000 hhp as of September 30, 2011.

Fluid Services

Fluid Services revenue in the third quarter of 2012 declined seven percent to $84.4 million compared to $90.6 million in the prior quarter. During the third quarter of 2011, this segment generated $87.4 million in revenue. The weighted average number of fluid services trucks rose one percent to 931 during the third quarter of 2012, increasing by 13 trucks from the weighted average truck count of 918 during the second quarter of 2012. The weighted average number of fluid services trucks was 869 during the third quarter of 2011. Truck hours during the third quarter of 2012 dipped slightly to 551,600 from 552,400 in the second quarter of 2012, and were down two percent compared to 563,900 in the same period in 2011. The average revenue per fluid service truck was $91,000 in the third quarter of 2012, down eight percent from $99,000 in the prior quarter and declining 10% percent compared to $101,000 in the same period in 2011. The sequential decrease in revenue per truck was due to a lower pricing from increased competition in oily markets and lower non-trucking revenues, including frac tank rentals and skim oil sales.

Segment profit in the third quarter of 2012 was $27.0 million, or 32% of revenue, compared to $32.4 million, or 36% of revenue, in the prior quarter and $32.7 million, or 37% of revenue, in the same period in 2011.

Well Servicing

Well Servicing revenue decreased one percent to $97.5 million during the third quarter of 2012 compared to $98.7 million in the prior quarter. In the third quarter of 2011, revenues were $89.7 million. Revenue from the Taylor Rig manufacturing operations was $6.4 million, up from $6.0 million in the second quarter of 2012. At September 30, 2012, the well servicing rig count was 431, the same as at the end of the prior quarter. The weighted average number of well servicing rigs was 431 during the third quarter of 2012, the same as the prior quarter, and up four percent from 415 during the third quarter of 2011. Rig hours declined three percent to 226,400 in the third quarter of 2012, compared to 232,500 in the previous quarter, and were up two percent from 222,100 in the comparable quarter last year.

Rig utilization was 73% in the third quarter of 2012, compared to 75% in the prior quarter and 75% in the third quarter of 2011. Excluding revenues associated with the Taylor Rig manufacturing operations, revenue per well servicing rig hour increased almost one percent to $402 in the third quarter of 2012 from $399 in the previous quarter. The increase in revenue per hour was due to higher proportion of plugging rig hours and an increase in rig hours in our Appalachian region in the third quarter, which both have a higher rate per rig hour. On a year-over-year basis, revenue per well servicing rig hour was up four percent compared to the $386 reported in the third quarter of 2011.

Segment profit in the third quarter of 2012 rose to $29.6 million from $26.9 million in the prior quarter and increased from $27.5 million in the same period in 2011. Segment profit margins increased to 30% in the third quarter of 2012, from 27% in the previous quarter. In the third quarter of 2011, segment margins were 31%. Segment margins rose in the third quarter of 2012, compared to the second quarter, due to stable pricing accompanied with lower maintenance expenses.

Contract Drilling

Contract Drilling revenue declined three percent sequentially to $15.1 million during the third quarter of 2012 compared to $15.6 million in the second quarter of 2012. During the third quarter of 2011, this segment generated $11.7 million in revenue. Basic operated twelve drilling rigs during the third quarter of 2012, the same number of rigs as in the previous quarter and up from ten rigs in the third quarter of 2011. Revenue per drilling day in the third quarter of 2012 was $15,800, up two percent from $15,500 in the previous quarter and up eight percent from $14,600 in the third quarter of 2011.

Rig operating days during the third quarter of 2012 declined six percent to 957, producing a utilization rate of 87%, compared to 1,007, or 94% utilization, in the prior quarter. The sequential decrease in drilling days was mainly due to delays experienced on several of rigs that operate on a well-to-well basis. Rig operating days were 802, producing a utilization of 87% in the comparable period in 2011.

Segment profit in the third quarter of 2012 was $5.1 million, down from $5.8 million in the prior quarter and up from $3.7 million in the third quarter of 2011. Segment margin of 34% declined sequentially from 37% in the second quarter of 2012 due to lower operating days. Last year in the comparable period, segment margin was 32%.

G&A Expense

General and Administrative ("G&A") expense in the third quarter of 2012 was $44.1 million. Excluding the $3.0 million charge for relocation costs, G&A expense was $41.1 million, or 12% of total revenue. Last quarter's G&A expense was $41.6 million, or 11% of revenue, excluding $1.0 million of relocation costs and $2.9 million in prior years' state and use tax assessment. During the third quarter of 2011, G&A expense was $38.0 million, or 11% of total revenue.

Corporate Headquarters Relocation Cost

The Company announced during the second quarter of 2012 that its corporate headquarters was being relocated to Fort Worth, Texas from Midland, Texas. A transition plan was developed to provide for the move of Basic's corporate headquarters, including relocation benefits for employees who were transferring, and severance and retention benefits for employees who were not continuing with the Company after the move. As a result, Basic recognized charge of $3.0 million in the third quarter and $1.0 million in the second quarter of 2012. It is anticipated that Basic will incur approximately $3.2 million in additional costs through the completion of the relocation process in the fourth quarter, bringing the total relocation cost to $7.2 million.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

Depreciation and amortization expense in the third quarter of 2012 was $48.3 million compared to $45.5 million in the second quarter of 2012. The sequential increase was mainly due to $61 million in capital expenditures during the third quarter.

Recent Events

On October 10, 2012, Basic sold certain assets in the Rocky Mountain region at auction. The sale of these assets did not represent an exit from a geographic market or a service line of the Company. During the third quarter of 2012, these assets generated approximately $600,000 of revenue compared to $3.0 million during the second quarter of 2012, which was included in our Fluid Services segment. Total consideration from the sale was approximately $6.4 million, will result in a gain of approximately $2.7 million. This gain on sale of assets will be recognized in the fourth quarter of 2012.

On October 16, 2012, Basic closed its private offering of $300.0 million of 7.75% Senior Notes due 2022, which bear interest at a rate of 7.75% per annum. The notes were sold to investors in a private placement at 100% of their face amount. Basic used, and may use, a portion of the net proceeds from the offering to fund the tender offer and consent solicitation for its existing 7.125% Senior Notes due 2016 and may use a portion of the net proceeds to redeem any of the 7.125% Senior Notes not purchased in the tender offer. The remainder of the net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes. A pre-tax charge of $7.9 million for the early extinguishment of the 7.125% Senior Notes will be recorded in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Cash and Total Liquidity

Basic had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $104 million at September 30, 2012, the same as at June 30, 2012 and up from $78 million on December 31, 2011. At the end of the third quarter of 2012, total liquidity was $332 million, which included $228 million in availability under Basic's $250 million revolving credit facility. Adjusted for the bond offering that was completed in October, pro forma cash and total liquidity at September 30, 2012 was $166 million and $394 million, respectively.

Share Repurchase Program Update

During the third quarter of 2012, Basic repurchased 661,773 shares at an average cost of $9.64 per share. Since the reinstatement of the share repurchase program on May 23, 2012 through September 30, 2012. Since May 23, 2012, a total of 1,196,788 shares have been repurchased at an average cost of $9.51 per share.

Capital Expenditures

During the first nine months of 2012, total capital expenditures, including capital leases of $47.4 million, were approximately $174.1 million, comprised of $65.9 million for expansion projects, $92.4 million for sustaining and replacement projects and $15.8 million for other projects. Expansion capital spending included $33.8 million for the Completion and Remedial Services segment, $20.7 million for the Fluid Services segment, $6.2 million for the Contract Drilling segment and $5.2 million for the Well Servicing segment. Other capital expenditures were mainly for facilities and IT infrastructure.

We expect that capital expenditures for 2012 will be approximately $200 million.


Continued at:

http://www.knobias.com/story.htm?eid=3.1.de2b7a112eb4c977b9946e0421d3df5f5c631f29e2d2b46a06786361026e04f8