Helix Reports Third Quarter 2010 Results

HOUSTON, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. (NYSE: HLX) reported net income of $26.2 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2010 compared with net income of $3.9 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, for the same period in 2009, and a net loss of $85.6 million, or $(0.82) per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2010.  The net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $77.3 million, or $(0.74) per diluted share, compared with net income of $157.6 million, or $1.48 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

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Owen Kratz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Helix, stated, "Our third quarter operating results reflected a sharp increase in revenues, which led to a marked improvement in bottom line results. High vessel utilization, combined with the deployment of the Helix Producer I ('HP I') for Macondo spill containment, more than offset losses incurred on first-time jobs performed by our two newest vessels, the Caesar and the Normand Clough. Furthermore, as we noted in our recent press release, we commenced production in our Phoenix field last week. This marks a major milestone for Helix: a journey that began with the acquisition of the Typhoon field in 2006 after destruction of the infrastructure caused by Hurricane Rita and our subsequent construction of the HP I. It is also worth noting that we generated a fair amount of free cash flow during the quarter as our total liquidity increased to nearly $700 million at September 30, 2010."

Second quarter 2010 results included the following items on a pre-tax basis:

• Non-cash impairment charges of $159.9 million reflecting a reduction in carrying values of oil and gas properties following reductions of reserve estimates primarily associated with reassessment of certain fields' economics.

The net impact of the impairments in the second quarter, after income taxes, was $1.00 per diluted share.

Third quarter 2009 results included the following items on a pre-tax basis:

• A $17.9 million gain from sale of 23.2 million shares of Cal Dive common stock.
• A $10.4 million charge associated with a weather derivative contract entered into in July 2009 to mitigate against possible losses during the 2009 hurricane season.  

The net impact of these items in the third quarter of 2009, after income taxes, was $0.07 per diluted share.

Contracting Services  

• Subsea Construction and Robotics revenues increased in the third quarter of 2010 compared to the second quarter of 2010 attributable to the Caesar being in service for a full quarter on its first pipelay contract, and full utilization of the Express on contract with BP. Overall our utilization rate for our owned and chartered vessels increased to 97% in the third quarter of 2010 from 74% in the second quarter of 2010. Further, Robotics utilization improved to 68% in the third quarter of 2010 from 61% in the second quarter of 2010. Finally, intercompany revenue eliminations associated with internal vessel utilization continued to decrease in the third quarter of 2010 as we have substantially completed our own oil and gas development projects.
• Well Operations revenues in the third quarter of 2010 were comparable to the second quarter of 2010 despite lower overall utilization (83% compared to 98%). The Q4000 was on contract to BP for Macondo oil spill containment efforts the entire third quarter. The Well Enhancer, our newest North Sea vessel, underwent a capital upgrade to install coiled tubing capabilities and was out of service for 61 days in the third quarter. The upgrade was completed in October 2010 and the vessel has returned to work. Further, our Asia/Pacific region commenced its first field abandonment contract in China in the third quarter of 2010 with our chartered vessel, the Normand Clough.
• Gross profit margins for our Contracting Services business were 18% in the third quarter of 2010 compared to 25% in the second quarter of 2010. Gross profit margins in the third quarter were negatively impacted by vessel and project start up issues on the Caesar, as well as the longer than expected duration of our field abandonment contract offshore China utilizing the Normand Clough.

Production Facilities

• The HP I, our dynamically positioned floating production unit, was also on contract to BP to assist in the oil spill containment efforts in the Gulf of Mexico for the entire third quarter of 2010. The HP I completed its contract with BP and mobilized back to our Phoenix field in October. Production from the Phoenix field commenced on October 19, 2010.

Oil and Gas

• Oil and Gas revenues decreased in the third quarter of 2010 compared to the second quarter of 2010 due to lower production. Production in the third quarter of 2010 totaled 10.4 Bcfe compared to 11.9 Bcfe in the second quarter of 2010.  
• The average prices realized for natural gas, including the effect of settled natural gas hedge contracts, totaled $6.13 per thousand cubic feet of gas (Mcf) in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $6.10 per Mcf in the second quarter of 2010. For oil, including the effects of settled hedge contracts, we realized $73.63 per barrel in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $72.59 per barrel in the second quarter of 2010.  
• Our October oil and gas production rate averaged 125 million cubic feet of natural gas equivalent per day (MMcfe/d) through October 26, 2010 compared, to an average of 113 MMcfe/d in the third quarter of 2010 and an average of 131 MMcfe/d in the second quarter of 2010.
• Our third quarter 2010 oil and gas results included a $9.4 million charge associated with a weather derivative contract entered into in July 2010 to mitigate possible losses during the 2010 hurricane season. The derivative contract was purchased in lieu of traditional windstorm insurance coverage. The third quarter charge of $9.4 million was $6.4 million higher than if the cost of the weather derivative contract was charged to expense evenly over a twelve month period similar to a traditional insurance premium.
• At September 30, 2010, we have oil and gas hedge contracts in place for approximately 6.1 Bcf of natural gas and 938 thousand barrels of oil representing essentially all of our forecasted production for the remainder of 2010. We also have entered into oil and gas hedge contracts for 2011 totaling 22.3 Bcfe (2.4 million barrels of oil and 8.1 Bcf of gas).

Other Expenses

• Selling, general and administrative expenses were 6.8% of revenue in the third quarter of 2010, 8.2% in the second quarter of 2010, and 10.1% in the third quarter of 2009.
• Net interest expense and other decreased to $21.4 million in the third quarter of 2010 from $22.2 million in the second quarter of 2010. Net interest expense increased to $25.5 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared with $20.5 million in the second quarter of 2010. The increase in net interest expense resulted primarily from a reduction of $3.8 million in capitalized interest from the second quarter of 2010 to the third quarter of 2010, which was attributable to the completion of our significant capital projects. Also, we incurred foreign exchange gains related to the appreciation in our non-U.S. dollar functional currencies and foreign exchange currency contracts totaling $4.3 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared to foreign exchange losses of $1.7 million in the second quarter of 2010.

Financial Condition and Liquidity

• Consolidated net debt at September 30, 2010 decreased to $1.03 billion from $1.09 billion at June 30, 2010. We had no borrowings under our revolver. Our total liquidity at September 30, 2010 was approximately $700 million, consisting of cash on hand of $325 million and revolver availability of $374 million. Net debt to book capitalization as of September 30, 2010 was 43%.  (Net debt to book capitalization is a non-GAAP measure.  See reconciliation attached hereto.)
• As of September 30, 2010, we were in compliance with our covenants under our various loan agreements.
• We incurred capital expenditures (including capitalized interest) totaling $31 million in the third quarter of 2010, compared to $37 million in the second quarter of 2010 and $87 million in the third quarter of 2009.  

Footnotes to "Summary of Results":

1. Results of Helix RDS Limited, our former reservoir consulting business, included as discontinued operations for all periods presented in our comparative condensed consolidated statements of operations.
2. Results of Cal Dive, our former Shelf Contracting business, were consolidated through June 10, 2009, at which time our ownership interest dropped below 50%. Our remaining interest was accounted for under the equity method of accounting through September 23, 2009. Subsequent to September 23, 2009, our investment in Cal Dive was accounted for as an available for sale security.
3. Included $9.4 million of expense related to a weather derivative contract and $0.9 million of hurricane-related costs in the third quarter of 2010. Included $10.4 million of expense related to a weather derivative contract and $5.1 million of hurricane-related costs in the third quarter of 2009.
4. Second quarter 2010 oil and gas impairments of $159.9 million related to the reduction of the carrying values of certain oil and gas properties due to reserve revisions.
5. Nine months ended September 30, 2010 included a $17.5 million settlement of litigation related to the termination of a 2007 international construction contract.
6. Non-GAAP measure.  See reconciliation attached hereto.

Footnotes to "Segment Information, Operational and Financial Highlights":

1. Results of Helix RDS Limited, our former reservoir consulting business, were included as discontinued operations for all periods presented in our comparative condensed consolidated statements of operations.
2. Included $9.4 million of expense related to a weather derivative contract and $0.9 million of hurricane-related costs in the third quarter of 2010. Included $10.4 million of expense related to a weather derivative contract and $5.1 million of hurricane-related costs in the third quarter of 2009.  
3. Second quarter 2010 oil and gas impairments of $159.9 million related to reduction of the carrying values of certain oil and gas properties due to reserve revisions.

Conference Call Information

Further details are provided in the presentation for Helix's quarterly conference call to review its third quarter 2010 results (see the "Investor Relations" page of Helix's website, www.HelixESG.com).  The call, scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time on Thursday, October 28, 2010, will be audio webcast live from the "Investor Relations" page of Helix's website. Investors and other interested parties wishing to listen to the call via telephone may join the call by dialing 800 734 8582 (Domestic) or 1 212 231 2905 (International).  The pass code is Tripodo.  A replay will be available from the Audio Archives page on Helix's website until February 24, 2011.

Helix Energy Solutions Group, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is an international offshore energy company that provides development solutions and other key life of field services to the open energy market as well as to our own oil and gas business unit.  That business unit is a prospect generation, exploration, development and production company.  Employing our own key services and methodologies, we seek to lower finding and development costs, relative to industry norms.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Management evaluates Company performance and financial condition using certain non-GAAP metrics, primarily Adjusted EBITDAX, net debt and net debt to book capitalization.  We calculate Adjusted EBITDAX as earnings before net interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization and exploration expense.  Further, we do not include earnings from our interest in Cal Dive in any periods presented in our Adjusted EBITDAX calculation.  Net debt is calculated as the sum of financial debt less cash and equivalents on hand.  Net debt to book capitalization is calculated by dividing net debt by the sum of net debt, convertible preferred stock and shareholders' equity.  These non-GAAP measures are useful to investors and other internal and external users of our financial statements in evaluating our operating performance because they are widely used by investors in our industry to measure a company's operating performance without regard to items which can vary substantially from company to company, and help investors meaningfully compare our results from period to period.  Adjusted EBITDAX should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, but instead is supplemental to, income from operations, net income or other income data prepared in accordance with GAAP.  Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative to our reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP.  Users of this financial information should consider the types of events and transactions which are excluded.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, any projections of financial items; future production volumes, results of exploration, exploitation, development, acquisition and operations expenditures, and prospective reserve levels of property or wells; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statement concerning developments, performance or industry rankings; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.  The forward-looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors including but not limited to the performance of contracts by suppliers, customers and partners; actions by governmental and regulatory authorities; operating hazards and delays; employee management issues; uncertainties inherent in the exploration for and development of oil and gas and in estimating reserves; complexities of global political and economic developments; geologic risks, volatility of oil and gas prices and other risks described from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2009 and any subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which are available free of charge on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.  We assume no obligation and do not intend to update these forward-looking statements except as required by the securities laws.

SOURCE Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.

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