Basic Energy Services Reports Third Quarter 2017 Results

FORT WORTH, Texas, Nov. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Basic Energy Services, Inc. (NYSE: BAS) ("Basic" or the "Company") today announced its financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017.

Basic emerged from its Chapter 11 bankruptcy pursuant to a prepackaged plan of reorganization on December 23, 2016.  Upon emergence from the Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the Company adopted fresh start accounting, which resulted in Basic becoming a new entity for accounting and financial reporting purposes upon emergence.  As such, the application of fresh start accounting was reflected in Basic's balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 and all fresh start accounting adjustments were included in its consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016.  Due to these adjustments, the financial statements as of September 30, 2017 are not comparable with information provided for periods prior to December 31, 2016.

THIRD QUARTER 2017 HIGHLIGHTS

Third quarter 2017 revenue increased 9.5% to $233.5 million from $213.3 million in the second quarter of 2017, as the drilling rig count and completion activity levels continued to increase.  However, third quarter was negatively impacted by an estimated loss of $3.0 million in revenue related to Hurricane Harvey. In the third quarter of 2016, Basic generated $141.6 million in revenue.

For the third quarter of 2017, Basic reported a net loss of $13.8 million, or a loss of $0.53 per basic and diluted share, which compares to a net loss of $23.9 million, or a loss of $0.92 per basic and diluted share for the second quarter of 2017, and a net loss of $92.1 million, or a loss of $2.16 per basic and diluted share in the third quarter of 2016.

Excluding the impact of these special items listed above, Basic reported a net loss of $6.1 million, or a loss of $0.24 per basic and diluted share in the third quarter of 2017. Excluding special items, the Company reported a net loss of $14.7 million, or a loss of $0.57 per basic and diluted share, in the second quarter of 2017.

Roe Patterson, Basic's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are very pleased with our third quarter results as we delivered a better than anticipated increase in revenue driven by a continued recovery in all of our oil-related business segments, especially in the completion and remedial services segment. While the 9.5% increase in revenue was ahead of our expectations, we suffered weather interruptions of $6.6 million during the third quarter, of which Hurricane Harvey represented approximately $3 million.

"Though we continue to see some rate traction on our production-oriented services, and more on the completion side of the business, most markets remain highly competitive. Our customers are taking advantage of more stable oil prices and have maintained steady drilling, completion and well maintenance activities. From an adjusted earnings standpoint, the third quarter delivered sequentially greater monthly results despite the impact of severe weather during the quarter.  Increased activity and improved pricing allowed us to deliver an adjusted EBITDA of $26.5 million in the third quarter, which was significantly higher than the $12 million of adjusted EBITDA we posted in the second quarter. The adjusted EBITDA run-rate as we exited the quarter in September was the highest we experienced for the quarter.

"This improved performance was led by our pressure pumping, coiled tubing, and other completion and remedial product lines, with all of our frac horsepower operating by the end of the quarter. The remaining half of the 74,000 HHP we purchased in the second quarter was placed in service in late August.  We also activated our two newest large diameter coil units that were delivered in early July and deployed in the field in early August. In addition to introducing this new equipment, we saw improvements in revenue and margin as we continued to transition our frac fleets to work where we provide all sourcing and logistics to our customers. A few remaining frac programs existed in the first and second quarters in which customers self-sourced most inputs. Our fleets perform best when we can manage all logistics and maximize efficiencies at the field level so we have reoriented this work accordingly. This shift provides our customers with superior service, reduces the potential for downtime and improves our financial performance. On the production services side, we are experiencing some modest increase in activity in both our well servicing and water logistics businesses as well as increased utilization and revenue per rig and truck hour.

"Based on current and near-term projected oil prices, we expect the fourth quarter of 2017 to be very similar to the third quarter in terms of pricing traction and utilization across all lines of business. Preliminary feedback from our customers indicates that they currently plan to maintain steady activity levels during the holidays.  As a result, the typical seasonal slowdown during the fourth quarter should be offset somewhat by strong demand for our services. Weather interruptions can always alter these future results.

"We also continue to experience a healthy level of inquiries regarding equipment and crew availability for all services into 2018. For the completion and remedial segment, most assets and fleets are being booked well into the second quarter of next year. Therefore, we remain optimistic that our activity levels will remain robust in 2018 if oil prices can remain in their current trading ranges."

Adjusted EBITDA increased 121% to $26.5 million, or 11% of revenues, for the third quarter of 2017 compared to $12.0 million, or 6% of revenues, in the second quarter of 2017.  In the third quarter of 2016, Basic generated Adjusted EBITDA of ($4.7) million, or (3)% of revenues.  Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net loss before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"), the net gain or loss from the disposal of assets, retention expense, due diligence on business development activities, and restructuring expense.  EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, which are not measures determined in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), are defined and reconciled in note 2 under the accompanying financial tables.

Business Segment Results

Completion and Remedial Services

Completion and remedial services revenue increased 15% to $123.7 million in the third quarter of 2017 from $107.4 million in the prior quarter.  The sequential increase in revenue was primarily due to higher activity levels as we activated the remaining 37,000 HHP that was purchased in the first quarter of 2017 and two newbuild coil tubing units during the quarter.  Customers also took advantage of stabilized pricing to reduce the inventory of drilled but uncompleted wells outstanding.  In addition, we benefitted from rate increases across all business lines and a seasonal pick-up in rental and fishing revenues. In the third quarter of 2016, this segment generated $49.4 million in revenue.

At September 30, 2017, Basic had approximately 523,000 hydraulic horsepower ("HHP"), up from 518,000 HHP at the end of the previous quarter and 444,000 HHP as of September 30, 2016. This included 413,000 of frac HHP.  The entirety of the previously announced 74,000 frac HHP was fully deployed in mid-August.  Weighted average total HHP for the third quarter of 2017 was 520,000, up from 488,000 in the second quarter of 2017.  Weighted average frac HHP was 394,000 for the third quarter of 2017.

Segment profit in the third quarter of 2017 increased by 50% to $39.2 million compared to $26.2 million in the prior quarter.  Segment margin for the third quarter of 2017 increased 730 basis points to 32% compared to 24% during the previous quarter, driven predominantly by the impact of incremental margins on the higher revenue base, improved customer mix driving better profitability and the increase in hydraulic horsepower in the field. During the third quarter of 2016, segment profit was $9.1 million, or 18% of segment revenue.

Water Logistics

Water Logistics revenue in the third quarter of 2017 increased 3% to $52.3 million compared to $50.7 million in the prior quarter.  Segment revenues grew driven by seasonal improvements and improved pricing, as well as an increase in pipeline utilization and improved disposal utilization.   These improvements were partially offset by weather impacts, including the effects of Hurricane Harvey.

The weighted average number of water logistics trucks increased to 947 during the third quarter of 2017, compared to 943 during the second quarter of 2017 and declined from 962 during the third quarter of 2016. Truck hours were 483,300 in the third quarter, up 2% from 473,500 in the second quarter of 2017. Revenue per truck was $55,300 compared to $53,800 in the second quarter as disposal utilization increased with trucking activity. In the comparable quarter of 2016, average revenue per truck was $49,100.

Segment profit in the third quarter of 2017 increased by 21% to $11.1 million, compared to a profit of $9.2 million in the second quarter of 2017. Margins improved 300 basis points on the incremental impact of higher revenues, offset by weather impacts of approximately 75 basis points related to Hurricane Harvey. Segment profit in the same period in 2016 was $7.9 million, or 17% of segment revenue.

Well Servicing

Well servicing revenues increased 3% to $54.6 million during the third quarter of 2017 compared to $53.1 million in the prior quarter led by stable utilization rates partially offset by weather impact of approximately $1.2 million in the third quarter. Well servicing revenues were $43.2 million in the third quarter of 2016. Net revenues from the Taylor manufacturing operations were $300,000 in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $905,000 in the prior quarter and $380,000 in the third quarter of 2016.

At September 30, 2017, the well servicing rig count was 421, the same as the end of the prior quarter and at September 30, 2016. Rig hours were 165,200 in the third quarter of 2017, up 2% compared to 162,300 hours in the second quarter of 2017 and up 21% from 136,600 hours in the comparable quarter of last year. Rig utilization was 55% in the third quarter of 2017, compared to 54% in the prior quarter and up from 45% in the third quarter of 2016.

Excluding revenues associated with the Taylor manufacturing operations, revenue per well servicing rig hour was $329 in the third quarter of 2017, 2% higher compared to $321 in the previous quarter and up 5% from $313 reported in the third quarter of 2016.

Segment profit in the third quarter of 2017 improved slightly to $11.4 million, compared to $11.3 million in the prior quarter and increased 40% from $8.1 million during the same period in 2016. Segment profit margin was 21% in the third quarter of 2017, as well as in the prior quarter. Margins remained consistent as seasonal increases in activity were offset by the weather impact from Hurricane Harvey.  In the third quarter of 2016, segment profit was 19% of segment revenue. Segment profit from the Taylor manufacturing operations was $14,000 in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $89,000 in the previous quarter.

Contract Drilling

Contract drilling revenues increased by 35% to $2.8 million during the third quarter of 2017 from $2.1 million in the prior quarter. During the third quarter of 2016, this segment generated $1.8 million in revenue.  Basic marketed 11 drilling rigs during the third quarter of 2017, down one from 12 in the previous quarter as well as the third quarter of 2016.  Only one rig was active through the entire third quarter. Revenue per drilling day in the third quarter of 2017 was up 33% to $31,000 compared to $23,300 in the previous quarter and up from $20,100 in the third quarter of 2016 on higher contract drilling trucking revenues.

Rig operating days during the third quarter of 2017 increased to 92 compared to 91 in the prior quarter, resulting in rig utilization of 9% during the third quarter of 2017 compared to 8% during the prior quarter.  In the comparable period in 2016, rig operating days were 92, producing a utilization of 8%.

Segment profit in the third quarter of 2017 was $301,000 compared to $254,000 in the prior quarter and $164,000 in the third quarter of 2016.  Segment margin for the third quarter of 2017 was 11% of segment revenues compared to 12% in the prior quarter.  Last year in the comparable period, segment margin was 9%.

G&A Expense

Reported general and administrative ("G&A") expense for the third quarter of 2017 was $39.2 million compared to a reported G&A expense for the second quarter of 2017 of $36.0 million.  Excluding costs associated with business development activity, G&A expense in the third quarter of 2017 was $35.5 million, or 15% of revenue, compared to $35.0 million, or 16% of revenue, in the prior quarter. G&A expense in the third quarter of 2016 was $30.1 million, or 21% of revenue.

Interest Expense

Net interest expense for the third quarter of 2017 was $8.9 million compared to $9.2 million in the second quarter of 2017.  These amounts include interest on Basic's term loan facility and capital leases, as well as approximately $1.9 million of non-cash interest expense related to the accretion of fair value discounts on the Company's debt.  Net interest expense was $24.0 million in the third quarter of 2016.

Tax Benefit

Basic's tax benefit for the third quarter of 2017 was $1.7 million compared to $0 in the second quarter of 2017. The benefit is a result of accelerating the utilization of alternative minimum tax credits.  The third quarter of 2017 represents an effective tax benefit rate of 11%, compared to 0% in the prior quarter. Excluding the valuation allowance related to the temporary impairments of the deferred tax assets of $3.4 million, the operating effective tax benefit of $5.7 million in the third quarter of 2017 translated into an effective tax benefit rate of 48%.

Cash and Total Liquidity

On September 30, 2017, Basic had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $43.1 million, compared to $34.2 million at June 30, 2017 and $34.3 million on September 30, 2016.

On September 29, 2017, Basic terminated its existing $75 million credit facility and entered into a new $100 million accounts receivable securitization facility ("ABL").  This ABL is secured by Basic's accounts receivable, with the ability to increase the size by $50 million.

On October 27, 2017, Basic entered into an agreement to increase the aggregate commitments of the new ABL facility by $20 million, to a total of $120 million.

In addition, Basic had restricted cash in the amount of $48 million at September 30, 2017.

The borrowing base of the ABL was $95 million at September 30, 2017.  Borrowings under the ABL were $64 million, including $45 million for the cash collateralization of letters of credit, $15 million for working capital purposes, and $4 million for fees associated with the ABL.

Availability under the ABL at September 30 was $31 million, which was not subject to covenant restrictions.

At September 30, 2017, total liquidity was approximately $74 million, which included the $31 million of availability under Basic's ABL previously discussed.

Capital Expenditures

Total capital expenditures during the third quarter of 2017 were approximately $28.9 million (including capital leases and other financing of $11.8 million), comprised of $1.6 million for expansion projects, $26.6 million for sustaining and replacement projects and $672,000 for other projects.  Expansion capital spending included $1.1 million for the well servicing segment, $461,000 for the completion and remedial services segment, and $68,000 for the water logistics segment.  Other capital expenditures were mainly for facilities and IT infrastructure.

Basic currently anticipates 2017 capital expenditures of $135 million, including $70 million of capital leases and other financings. This includes committed expansion capital expenditures of $45 million in 2017. The expansion capital consists of $43 million for completion and remedial services and $2 million for the well servicing segment.

Conference Call

Further details are provided in the presentation for our quarterly conference call to review third quarter 2017 results, available in the investor relations section of our corporate website, www.basicenergyservices.com. Basic will host a conference call to discuss its third quarter 2017 results on Friday, November 3, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time (8:00 a.m. Central).  To access the call, please dial (412) 902-0003 and ask for the "Basic Energy Services" call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time.  The conference call will also be broadcast live via the Internet and can be accessed through the investor relations section of Basic's corporate website, www.basicenergyservices.com.

A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until November 17, 2017 and may be accessed by calling (201) 612-7415 and using pass code 13670801#.  A webcast archive will be available at www.basicenergyservices.com shortly after the call and will be accessible for approximately 30 days.

About Basic Energy Services

Basic Energy Services provides well site services essential to maintaining production from the oil and gas wells within its operating area.  The Company employs over 4,000 employees in more than 100 service points throughout the major oil and gas producing regions in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, Kansas, California and the Rocky Mountain and Appalachian regions. Additional information on Basic Energy Services is available on the Company's website at www.basicenergyservices.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release includes forward-looking statements and projections, made in reliance on the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Basic has made every reasonable effort to ensure that the information and assumptions on which these statements and projections are based are current, reasonable, and complete.  However, a variety of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections, anticipated results or other expectations expressed in this release, including (i) changes in demand for our services and any related material impact on our pricing and utilizations rates, (ii) Basic's ability to execute, manage and integrate acquisitions successfully, (iii) changes in our expenses, including labor or fuel costs and financing costs, (iv) continued volatility of oil or natural gas prices, and any related changes in expenditures by our customers, and (v) competition within our industry.  Additional important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations are disclosed in Item 1A of Basic's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and subsequent Form 10-Qs filed with the SEC.  While Basic makes these statements and projections in good faith, neither Basic nor its management can guarantee that anticipated future results will be achieved.  Basic assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements made by Basic, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

-Tables to Follow-

The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss to EBITDA, which is the most comparable GAAP performance measure, for each of the periods indicated:

The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss to "Adjusted EBITDA," which means our EBITDA excluding the gain or loss on disposal of assets, retention expense, due diligence on business development activities, and restructuring expense:

SOURCE Basic Energy Services, Inc.