UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016

or

For the transition period from                     to                     

Commission file number 0-22664

 

Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

(281) 765-7100

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes R     No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).     Yes R    No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     Yes £    No R

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

147,370,198 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, as of April 28, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

---

PATTERSON-UTI ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

---

PART I  — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

The following unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented.

PATTERSON-UTI ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited, in thousands, except share data)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

3

---

PATTERSON-UTI ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

4

---

PATTERSON-UTI ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(unaudited, in thousands)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

5

---

PATTERSON-UTI ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(unaudited, in thousands)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

6

---

PATTERSON-UTI ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited, in thousands)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

7

---

PATTERSON-UTI ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Basis of Consolidation and Presentation

The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Except for wholly-owned subsidiaries, the Company has no controlling financial interests in any entity which would require consolidation.

The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management of the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes the disclosures included either on the face of the financial statements or herein are sufficient to make the information presented not misleading. In the opinion of management, all adjustments which are of a normal recurring nature considered necessary for a fair statement of the information in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been included. The Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015, as presented herein, was derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

The U.S. dollar is the functional currency for all of the Company’s operations except for its Canadian operations, which uses the Canadian dollar as its functional currency. The effects of exchange rate changes are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income, which is a separate component of stockholders’ equity.

During the first quarter of 2016, the Company determined that certain income and expense items should be classified as “other operating (income) expense, net” in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. This caption now includes gains and losses on asset disposals and expenses related to certain legal settlements.  Gains and losses on asset disposals were previously presented on a separate line in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.  Expenses related to legal settlements were previously included in operating costs of the respective operating segment or in selling, general and administrative expense.  For comparative purposes, all such prior period amounts were reclassified to conform to the current quarter presentation, including the Company’s previously disclosed $12.3 million legal settlement that was previously included in selling, general and administrative expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

The Company provides a dual presentation of its net income (loss) per common share in its unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations: Basic net income (loss) per common share (“Basic EPS”) and diluted net income (loss) per common share (“Diluted EPS”).

Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by first allocating earnings between common stockholders and holders of non-vested shares of restricted stock. Basic EPS is then determined by dividing the earnings attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding non-vested shares of restricted stock.

Diluted EPS is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the dilutive effect of potential common shares, including stock options, non-vested shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units. The dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units is determined using the treasury stock method. The dilutive effect of non-vested shares of restricted stock is based on the more dilutive of the treasury stock method or the two-class method, assuming a reallocation of undistributed earnings to common stockholders after considering the dilutive effect of potential common shares other than non-vested shares of restricted stock.

8

---

The following table presents information necessary to calculate net income (loss) per share for the three months March 31, 2016 and 2015 as well as potentially dilutive securities excluded from the weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

 

2. Stock-based Compensation

 

The Company uses share-based payments to compensate employees and non-employee directors.  The Company recognizes the cost of share-based payments under the fair-value-based method.  Share-based awards consist of equity instruments in the form of stock options, restricted stock or restricted stock units and have included service and, in certain cases, performance conditions.  The Company’s share-based awards also included share-settled performance unit awards.  Share-settled performance unit awards are accounted for as equity awards.  The Company issues shares of common stock when vested stock options are exercised, when restricted stock is granted and when restricted stock units and share-settled performance unit awards vest.  

Stock Options — The Company estimates the grant date fair values of stock options using the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model. Volatility assumptions are based on the historic volatility of the Company’s common stock over the most recent period equal to the expected term of the options as of the date the options are granted. The expected term assumptions are based on the Company’s experience with respect to employee stock option activity. Dividend yield assumptions are based on the expected dividends at the time the options are granted. The risk-free interest rate assumptions are determined by reference to United States Treasury yields. Weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the grant date fair values for stock options granted for the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 follow:

 

 

 

9

---

Stock option activity from January 1, 2016 to March 31, 2016 follows:

 

Restricted Stock — For all restricted stock awards to date, shares of common stock were issued when the awards were made. Non-vested shares are subject to forfeiture for failure to fulfill service conditions and, in certain cases, performance conditions. Non-forfeitable dividends are paid on non-vested shares of restricted stock. The Company uses the straight-line method to recognize periodic compensation cost over the vesting period.

Restricted stock activity from January 1, 2016 to March 31, 2016 follows:

 

Restricted Stock Units — For all restricted stock unit awards made to date, shares of common stock are not issued until the units vest.  Restricted stock units are subject to forfeiture for failure to fulfill service conditions.  Non-forfeitable cash dividend equivalents are paid on certain non-vested restricted stock units.  The Company uses the straight-line method to recognize periodic compensation cost over the vesting period.

Restricted stock unit activity from January 1, 2016 to March 31, 2016 follows:

 

 

 

Performance Unit Awards.  The Company has granted stock-settled performance unit awards to certain executive officers (the “Stock-Settled Performance Units”) on an annual basis since 2010.  The Stock-Settled Performance Units provide for the recipients to receive a grant of shares of stock upon the achievement during a specified period of certain performance goals established by the Compensation Committee.  The performance period for the Stock-Settled Performance Units is the three year period commencing on April 1 of the year of grant, except that for the Stock-Settled Performance Units granted in 2013 the performance period has been extended pursuant to its terms, as described below.  

 

10

---

The performance goals for the Stock-Settled Performance Units are tied to the Company’s total shareholder return for the performance period as compared to total shareholder return for a peer group determined by the Compensation Committee.  These goals are considered to be market conditions under the relevant accounting standards and the market conditions were factored into the determination of the fair value of the respective performance units.  Generally, the recipients will receive a target number of shares if the Company’s total shareholder return during the performance period is positive and, when compared to the peer group, is at the 50^th percentile.  If the Company’s total shareholder return during the performance period is positive and, when compared to the peer group, is at the 75^th percentile or higher, then the recipients will receive two times the target number of shares.  If the Company’s total shareholder return during the performance period is positive, and, when compared to the peer group, is at the 25^th percentile, then the recipients will only receive one-half of the target number of shares.  If the Company’s total shareholder return during the performance period is positive and, when compared to the peer group, achievement is between the 25^th and 75^th percentile, then the shares to be received by the recipients will be determined on a pro-rata basis.  For the Stock-Settled Performance Units awarded prior to 2016, there is no payout unless the Company’s total shareholder return is positive and, when compared to the peer group, is at or above the 25^th percentile.  

 

In respect of the 2013 Stock-Settled Performance Units, the performance period ended March 31, 2016, the Company’s total shareholder return for the performance period was negative, the Company’s total shareholder return for the performance period when compared to the peer group was above the 75^th percentile, and there was no payout; provided, however, that pursuant to the terms of those 2013 awards, if, during the two-year period ending March 31, 2018, the Company’s total shareholder return for any 30 consecutive day period equals or exceeds 18 percent on an annualized basis from April 1, 2013 through the last day of such 30 consecutive day period, and the recipient is actively employed by the Company through the last day of the extended performance period, then the Company will issue to the recipient the number of shares equal to the amount the recipient would have been entitled to receive if the Company’s total shareholder return had been positive during the initial three year performance period.

 

For the Stock-Settled Performance Units granted in April 2016, if the Company’s total shareholder return is negative, and, when compared to the peer group is at or above the 25th percentile, then the recipients will receive one-half of the number of shares they would have received if the Company’s total shareholder return had been positive.

The total target number of shares with respect to the Stock-Settled Performance Units for the awards in 2012-2015 is set forth below:

 

 

Because the performance units are stock-settled awards, they are accounted for as equity awards and measured at fair value on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The fair value of the Stock-Settled Performance Units is set forth below (in thousands):

 

 

 

These fair value amounts are charged to expense on a straight-line basis over the performance period. Compensation expense associated with the Stock-Settled Performance Units is shown below (in thousands):

 

 

 

11

---

3. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (in thousands):

 

 

The Company evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable (a “triggering event”).  Based on recent commodity prices, results of operations for the period ended March 31, 2016 and management’s expectations of results of operations in future periods, the Company concluded that no triggering event occurred during the first quarter of 2016 with respect to its contract drilling segment or its pressure pumping segment.  Management’s expectations of results of operations in future periods were based on the assumption that activity levels in both segments will begin to recover by early 2017 in response to improved future oil prices.  

With respect to the long-lived assets in the Company’s oil and natural gas exploration and production segment, the Company assesses the recoverability of long-lived assets each quarter due to revisions in oil and natural gas reserve estimates and expectations about future commodity prices.  The Company’s analysis indicated that the carrying amounts of certain oil and natural gas properties were not recoverable at March 31, 2016.  The Company’s estimates of expected future net cash flows from impaired properties are used in measuring the fair value of such properties.  The Company recorded impairment charges of $2.2 million during the first quarter of 2016 related to its oil and natural gas properties.  

 

 

12

---

4. Business Segments

The Company’s revenues, operating income (losses) and identifiable assets are primarily attributable to three business segments: (i) contract drilling of oil and natural gas wells, (ii) pressure pumping services and (iii) the investment, on a non-operating working interest basis, in oil and natural gas properties. Each of these segments represents a distinct type of business. These segments have separate management teams which report to the Company’s chief operating decision maker. The results of operations in these segments are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker for purposes of determining resource allocation and assessing performance.

The following tables summarize selected financial information relating to the Company’s business segments (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

13

---

5. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill — All of the Company’s goodwill at both March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 related to the contract drilling operating segment.  Goodwill as of March 31, 2016 and changes for the three months then ended are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

There were no impairment losses related to the goodwill in the contract drilling operating segment as of March 31, 2016 or December 31, 2015.

Goodwill is evaluated at least annually as of December 31, or when circumstances require, to determine if the fair value of recorded goodwill has decreased below its carrying value.  For purposes of impairment testing, goodwill is evaluated at the reporting unit level.  The Company’s reporting units for impairment testing have been determined to be its operating segments.  The Company first determines whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value after considering qualitative, market and other factors, and if it is, then goodwill impairment is determined using a two-step quantitative impairment test.  From time to time, the Company may perform the first step of the quantitative testing for goodwill impairment in lieu of performing the qualitative assessment.  The first step of the quantitative testing is to compare the fair value of an entity’s reporting units to the respective carrying value of those reporting units.  If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the quantitative testing is performed whereby the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to its identifiable tangible and intangible assets and liabilities with any remaining fair value representing the fair value of goodwill.  If this resulting fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying value of goodwill, an impairment loss would be recognized in the amount of the shortfall.

Intangible Assets — Intangible assets were recorded in the pressure pumping operating segment in connection with the fourth quarter 2010 acquisition of the assets of a pressure pumping business. As a result of the purchase price allocation, the Company recorded an intangible asset related to the customer relationships acquired. The intangible asset was recorded at fair value on the date of acquisition.

The value of the customer relationships was estimated using a multi-period excess earnings model to determine the present value of the projected cash flows associated with the customers in place at the time of the acquisition and taking into account a contributory asset charge. The resulting intangible asset is being amortized on a straight-line basis over seven years. Amortization expense of approximately $911,000 was recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 associated with customer relationships.

The following table presents the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of the customer relationships as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (in thousands):

 

 

 

6. Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consisted of the following at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (in thousands):

 

 

14

---

 

7. Asset Retirement Obligation

The Company records a liability for the estimated costs to be incurred in connection with the abandonment of oil and natural gas properties in the future. This liability is included in the caption “other” in the liabilities section of the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The following table describes the changes to the Company’s asset retirement obligations during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

 

 

 

8. Long Term Debt

2012 Credit Agreement — On September 27, 2012, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (“Credit Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, letter of credit issuer, swing line lender and lender, and each of the other lenders party thereto. The Credit Agreement is a committed senior unsecured credit facility that includes a revolving credit facility and a term loan facility.

The revolving credit facility permits aggregate borrowings of up to $500 million outstanding at any time. The revolving credit facility contains a letter of credit facility that is limited to $150 million and a swing line facility that is limited to $40 million, in each case outstanding at any time.

The term loan facility provides for a loan of $100 million, which was drawn on December 24, 2012. The term loan facility is payable in quarterly principal installments, which commenced December 27, 2012. The installment amounts vary from 1.25% of the original principal amount for each of the first four quarterly installments, 2.50% of the original principal amount for each of the subsequent eight quarterly installments, 5.00% of the original principal amount for the subsequent four quarterly installments and 13.75% of the original principal amount for the final four quarterly installments.

Subject to customary conditions, the Company may request that the lenders’ aggregate commitments with respect to the revolving credit facility and/or the term loan facility be increased by up to $100 million, not to exceed total commitments of $700 million. The maturity date under the Credit Agreement is September 27, 2017 for both the revolving facility and the term facility.

 

Loans under the Credit Agreement bear interest by reference, at the Company’s election, to the LIBOR rate or base rate, provided, that swing line loans bear interest by reference only to the base rate. The applicable margin on LIBOR rate loans varies from 2.25% to 3.25% and the applicable margin on base rate loans varies from 1.25% to 2.25%, in each case determined based upon the Company’s debt to capitalization ratio. As of March 31, 2016 the applicable margin on LIBOR rate loans was 2.25% and the applicable margin on base rate loans was 1.25%. Based on the Company’s debt to capitalization ratio at December 31, 2015, the applicable margin on LIBOR loans is 2.75% and the applicable margin on base rate loans is 1.75% as of April 1, 2016.  Based on the Company’s debt to capitalization ratio at March 31, 2016, the applicable margin on LIBOR loans will be 2.75% and the applicable margin on base rate loans will be 1.75% as of July 1, 2016.  A letter of credit fee is payable by the Company equal to the applicable margin for LIBOR rate loans times the daily amount available to be drawn under outstanding letters of credit. The commitment fee rate payable to the lenders for the unused portion of the credit facility is 0.50%.

Each domestic subsidiary of the Company unconditionally guarantees all existing and future indebtedness and liabilities of the other guarantors and the Company arising under the Credit Agreement, other than (a) Ambar Lone Star Fluid Services LLC, (b) domestic subsidiaries that directly or indirectly have no material assets other than equity interests in, or capitalization indebtedness owed by, foreign subsidiaries, and (c) any subsidiary having total assets of less than $1 million. Such guarantees also cover obligations of the Company and any subsidiary of the Company arising under any interest rate swap contract with any person while such person is a lender or an affiliate of a lender under the Credit Agreement.

15

---

The Credit Agreement requires compliance with two financial covenants. The Company must not permit its debt to capitalization ratio to exceed 45%. The Credit Agreement generally defines the debt to capitalization ratio as the ratio of (a) total borrowed money indebtedness to (b) the sum of such indebtedness plus consolidated net worth, with consolidated net worth determined as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter. The Company also must not permit the interest coverage ratio as of the last day of a fiscal quarter to be less than 3.00 to 1.00. The Credit Agreement generally defines the interest coverage ratio as the ratio of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) of the four prior fiscal quarters to interest charges for the same period. The Company was in compliance with these covenants at March 31, 2016. The Credit Agreement also contains customary representations, warranties and affirmative and negative covenants.

Events of default under the Credit Agreement include failure to pay principal or interest when due, failure to comply with the financial and operational covenants, as well as a cross default event, loan document enforceability event, change of control event and bankruptcy and other insolvency events. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, then a majority of the lenders have the right, among others, to (i) terminate the commitments under the Credit Agreement, (ii) accelerate and require the Company to repay all the outstanding amounts owed under any loan document (provided that in limited circumstances with respect to insolvency and bankruptcy of the Company, such acceleration is automatic), and (iii) require the Company to cash collateralize any outstanding letters of credit.

As of March 31, 2016, the Company had $65 million principal amount outstanding under the term loan facility at an interest rate of 2.75% and no amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility. The Company currently has available borrowing capacity of $500 million under the revolving credit facility.

2015 Reimbursement Agreement — On March 16, 2015, the Company entered into a Reimbursement Agreement (the “Reimbursement Agreement”) with The Bank of Nova Scotia (“Scotiabank”), pursuant to which the Company may from time to time request that Scotiabank issue an unspecified amount of letters of credit.  As of March 31, 2016, the Company had $41.1 million in letters of credit outstanding under the Reimbursement Agreement.  

Under the terms of the Reimbursement Agreement, the Company will reimburse Scotiabank on demand for any amounts that Scotiabank has disbursed under any letters of credit.  Fees, charges and other reasonable expenses for the issuance of letters of credit are payable by the Company at the time of issuance at such rates and amounts as are in accordance with Scotiabank’s prevailing practice.  The Company is obligated to pay to Scotiabank interest on all amounts not paid by the Company on the date of demand or when otherwise due at the LIBOR rate plus 2.25% per annum, calculated daily and payable monthly, in arrears, on the basis of a calendar year for the actual number of days elapsed, with interest on overdue interest at the same rate as on the reimbursement amounts.

The Company has also agreed that if obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by liens on any of its or any of its subsidiaries’ property, then the Company’s reimbursement obligations and (to the extent similar obligations would be secured under the Credit Agreement) other obligations under the Reimbursement Agreement and any letters of credit will be equally and ratably secured by all property subject to such liens securing the Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to a Continuing Guaranty dated as of March 16, 2015, the Company’s payment obligations under the Reimbursement Agreement are jointly and severally guaranteed as to payment and not as to collection by subsidiaries of the Company that from time to time guarantee payment under the Credit Agreement.

2015 Term Loan Agreement — On March 18, 2015, the Company entered into a Term Loan Agreement (the “2015 Term Loan Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and lender, each of the other lenders party thereto, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as Lead Arranger and Sole Book Runner, and Bank of America, N.A. and The Bank Of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, LTD., as Co-Syndication Agents.

The 2015 Term Loan Agreement is a senior unsecured single-advance term loan facility pursuant to which the Company made a term loan borrowing of $200 million on March 18, 2015 (the “Term Loan Borrowing”).  The Term Loan Borrowing is payable in quarterly principal installments, together with accrued interest, on each June 30, September 30, December 31 and March 31, commencing on June 30, 2015.  Each of the first four principal installments is in an amount equal to 2.5% of the Term Loan Borrowing and each successive quarterly installment, until and including June 30, 2017, is in an amount equal to 5.0% of the Term Loan Borrowing, with the outstanding principal balance of the Term Loan Borrowing due on the maturity date under the 2015 Term Loan Agreement.  The maturity date under the 2015 Term Loan Agreement is September 27, 2017.  Loans under the 2015 Term Loan Agreement bear interest, at the Company’s election, at the per annum rate of LIBOR rate plus 3.25% or base rate plus 2.25%.

16

---

Each domestic subsidiary of the Company unconditionally guarantees all existing and future indebtedness and liabilities of the other guarantors and the Company arising under the 2015 Term Loan Agreement and other Loan Documents (as defined in the 2015 Term Loan Agreement), other than (a) Ambar Lone Star Fluid Services LLC, (b) domestic subsidiaries that directly or indirectly have no material assets other than equity interests in, or capitalization indebtedness owed by, foreign subsidiaries, and (c) any subsidiary having total assets of less than $1 million.

The 2015 Term Loan Agreement requires quarterly compliance with two financial covenants.  The Company must not permit its debt to capitalization ratio to exceed 45%.  The 2015 Term Loan Agreement generally defines the debt to capitalization ratio as the ratio of (a) total borrowed money indebtedness to (b) the sum of such indebtedness plus consolidated net worth, with consolidated net worth determined as of the most recently ended fiscal quarter.  The Company also must not permit the interest coverage ratio as of the last day of a fiscal quarter to be less than 3.00 to 1.00.  The 2015 Term Loan Agreement generally defines the interest coverage ratio as the ratio of EBITDA of the four prior fiscal quarters to interest charges for the same period.  The Company was in compliance with these covenants at March 31, 2016.

The 2015 Term Loan Agreement further provides that neither the Company nor its subsidiaries is permitted to make restricted payments unless, after giving effect to such restricted payment, the Company’s pro forma ratio of debt to EBITDA for the four prior fiscal quarters, determined as of the preceding ending quarterly period, does not exceed 2.50 to 1.00.  Restricted payments are generally defined as (a) dividends and distributions made on account of equity interests of the Company or its subsidiaries and (b) payments made to redeem, repurchase or otherwise retire equity interests of the Company or its subsidiaries.  Payments made solely in the form of common equity interests, made to the Company and its subsidiaries, or made in connection with the Company’s long term incentive plans are not restricted payments under the 2015 Term Loan Agreement.

The 2015 Term Loan Agreement also contains customary representations, warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, and events of default.  Events of default under the 2015 Term Loan Agreement include failure to pay principal or interest when due, failure to comply with the financial and operational covenants, as well as a cross default event, Loan Document enforceability event, change of control event and bankruptcy and other insolvency events.  If an event of default occurs and is continuing, then a majority of the lenders have the right, among others, to accelerate and require the Company to repay all the outstanding amounts owed under any Loan Document (provided that in limited circumstances with respect to insolvency and bankruptcy of the Company, such acceleration is automatic).

As of March 31, 2016, the Company had $180 million principal amount outstanding under the 2015 Term Loan Agreement at a rate of 3.75%.

Senior Notes — On October 5, 2010, the Company completed the issuance and sale of $300 million in aggregate principal amount of its 4.97% Series A Senior Notes due October 5, 2020 (the “Series A Notes”) in a private placement. The Series A Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.97% per annum. The Company pays interest on the Series A Notes on April 5 and October 5 of each year. The Series A Notes will mature on October 5, 2020.

On June 14, 2012, the Company completed the issuance and sale of $300 million in aggregate principal amount of its 4.27% Series B Senior Notes due June 14, 2022 (the “Series B Notes”) in a private placement. The Series B Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.27% per annum. The Company pays interest on the Series B Notes on April 5 and October 5 of each year. The Series B Notes will mature on June 14, 2022.

The Series A Notes and Series B Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company which rank equally in right of payment with all other unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Series A Notes and Series B Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of the existing domestic subsidiaries of the Company other than subsidiaries that are not required to be guarantors under the Credit Agreement.

The Series A Notes and Series B Notes are prepayable at the Company’s option, in whole or in part, provided that in the case of a partial prepayment, prepayment must be in an amount not less than 5% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding, at any time and from time to time at 100% of the principal amount prepaid, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the prepayment date, plus a “make-whole” premium as specified in the note purchase agreements. The Company must offer to prepay the notes upon the occurrence of any change of control. In addition, the Company must offer to prepay the notes upon the occurrence of certain asset dispositions if the proceeds therefrom are not timely reinvested in productive assets. If any offer to prepay is accepted, the purchase price of each prepaid note is 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the prepayment date.

The respective note purchase agreements require compliance with two financial covenants. The Company must not permit its debt to capitalization ratio to exceed 50% at any time. The note purchase agreements generally define the debt to capitalization ratio as the ratio of (a) total borrowed money indebtedness to (b) the sum of such indebtedness plus consolidated net worth, with consolidated net worth determined as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter. The Company also must not permit the

17

---

interest coverage ratio as of the last day of a fiscal quarter to be less than 2.50 to 1.00. The note purchase agreements generally define the interest coverage ratio as the ratio of EBITDA for the four prior fiscal quarters to interest charges for the same period. The Company was in compliance with these covenants at March 31, 2016.

Events of default under the note purchase agreements include failure to pay principal or interest when due, failure to comply with the financial and operational covenants, a cross default event, a judgment in excess of a threshold event, the guaranty agreement ceasing to be enforceable, the occurrence of certain ERISA events, a change of control event and bankruptcy and other insolvency events. If an event of default under the note purchase agreements occurs and is continuing, then holders of a majority in principal amount of the respective notes have the right to declare all the notes then-outstanding to be immediately due and payable. In addition, if the Company defaults in payments on any note, then until such defaults are cured, the holder thereof may declare all the notes held by it pursuant to the note purchase agreement to be immediately due and payable.

In April and August 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued accounting standards updates to provide guidance for the presentation of debt issuance costs.  Under this guidance, debt issuance costs, except those related to line-of-credit arrangements, are presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt.  Debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements can continue to be classified as a deferred charge. Amortization of debt issuance costs continues to be reported as interest expense.  This guidance became effective for the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2016.  This guidance was applied retrospectively, and debt issuance costs and long-term debt as of December 31, 2015 have been adjusted.  There was no impact on results of operations or cash flows as a result of the adoption of this guidance.  Interest expense related to the amortization of debt issuance costs was approximately $745,000 and $547,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 respectively.

Presented below is a schedule of the principal repayment requirements of long-term debt by fiscal year as of March 31, 2016 (in thousands):

 

 

 

9. Commitments, Contingencies and Other Matters     

As of March 31, 2016, the Company maintained letters of credit in the aggregate amount of $41.1 million for the benefit of various insurance companies as collateral for retrospective premiums and retained losses which could become payable under the terms of the underlying insurance contracts. These letters of credit expire annually at various times during the year and are typically renewed. As of March 31, 2016, no amounts had been drawn under the letters of credit.

As of March 31, 2016, the Company had commitments to purchase approximately $61.9 million of major equipment for its drilling and pressure pumping businesses.

The Company’s pressure pumping business has entered into agreements to purchase minimum quantities of proppants and chemicals from certain vendors. These agreements expire in 2016, 2017 and 2018. As of March 31, 2016, the remaining obligation under these agreements was approximately $24.7 million, of which approximately $7.7 million relates to purchases required during the remainder of 2016. In the event that the required minimum quantities are not purchased during any contract year, the Company could be required to make a liquidated damages payment to the respective vendor for any shortfall.

In November 2011, the Company’s pressure pumping business entered into an agreement with a proppant vendor to advance up to $12.0 million to such vendor to finance the construction of certain processing facilities. This advance is secured by the underlying processing facilities and bears interest at an annual rate of 5.0%. Repayment of the advance is to be made through discounts applied to purchases from the vendor and repayment of all amounts advanced must be made no later than October 1, 2017. As of March 31, 2016, advances of approximately $11.8 million had been made under this agreement and principal repayments of approximately $10.6 million had been received, resulting in a balance outstanding of approximately $1.2 million.

The Company is party to various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of its business.  The Company does not believe that the outcome of these proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

18

---

 

 

10. Stockholders’ Equity

Cash Dividends — The Company paid cash dividends during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 as follows:

 

 

 

On April 27, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a cash dividend on its common stock in the amount of $0.02 per share to be paid on June 23, 2016 to holders of record as of June 9, 2016. The Company’s 2015 Term Loan Agreement contains a covenant that could restrict its ability to make dividend payments later in 2016. The amount and timing of all future dividend payments, if any, are subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon business conditions, results of operations, financial condition, terms of the Company’s debt agreements and other factors.

On September 6, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a stock buyback program that authorizes purchase of up to $200 million of the Company’s common stock in open market or privately negotiated transactions. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had remaining authorization to purchase approximately $187 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock under the stock buyback program. Shares purchased under a buyback program are accounted for as treasury stock.

There were no acquisitions of treasury stock during the three months ended March 31, 2016.

 

 

 

11. Income Taxes

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate was 33.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to 42.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2015.  The Domestic Production Activities Deduction (the “Section 199 Deduction”) was enacted as part of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (as revised by the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008), and allows a deduction of 9% on the lesser of qualified production activities income or taxable income.  For tax purposes, the Company had net operating losses for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, which are being carried back to prior years.  These carrybacks resulted in the loss of the benefits of previous Section 199 Deductions.  The loss of these benefits was recognized in the quarter ended March 31, 2016, which reduced the tax benefit for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 and lowered the effective tax rate.  

 

In 2015, the Company expected a loss before income taxes for financial statement purposes for the year ending December 31, 2015; however, as of March 31, 2015, the Company expected to have taxable income for the year ending December 31, 2015, and the Section 199 Deduction was expected to provide a permanent tax benefit.  The interplay between the expected loss before income taxes for financial statement purposes and the permanent tax benefit expected to be provided by the Section 199 Deduction resulted in a higher effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

 

 

12. Fair Values of Financial Instruments

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these items. These fair value estimates are considered Level 1 fair value estimates in the fair value hierarchy of fair value accounting.

19

---

The estimated fair value of the Company’s outstanding debt balances (including current portion) as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 is set forth below (in thousands):

 

 

The carrying values of the balances outstanding under the Credit Agreement and the 2015 Term Loan Agreement approximate their fair values as these instruments have floating interest rates. The fair values of the Series A Notes and Series B Notes at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are based on discounted cash flows associated with the respective notes using current market rates of interest at those respective dates.  For the Series A Notes, the current market rates used in measuring this fair value were 6.10% at March 31, 2016 and 6.66% at December 31, 2015.  For the Series B Notes, the current market rates used in measuring this fair value were 6.37% at March 31, 2016 and 6.95% at December 31, 2015. These fair value estimates are based on observable market inputs and are considered Level 2 fair value estimates in the fair value hierarchy of fair value accounting.

 

 

13. Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In June 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standards update to provide guidance on the accounting for share-based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period.  The guidance requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period is treated as a performance condition.  This guidance became effective for the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2016.  This guidance will be applied prospectively and had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  

In April and August 2015, the FASB issued accounting standards updates to provide guidance for the presentation of debt issuance costs.  Under this guidance, debt issuance costs, except those related to line-of-credit arrangements, are presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt.  Debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements can continue to be classified as a deferred charge. Amortization of debt issuance costs continues to be reported as interest expense.  This guidance became effective for the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2016.  This guidance was applied retrospectively, and debt issuance costs and long-term debt as of December 31, 2015 have been adjusted.  There was no impact on results of operations or cash flows as a result of the adoption of this guidance.

In May 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standards update to provide guidance on the recognition of revenue from customers. The FASB clarified this guidance in March and April 2016.  Under this guidance, an entity will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects what it expects in exchange for the goods or services. This guidance also requires more detailed disclosures to enable users of the financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty, if any, of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The requirements in this update are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In November 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standards update to provide guidance for the presentation of deferred tax liabilities and assets.  Under this guidance, for a particular tax-paying component of an entity and within a particular tax jurisdiction, all deferred tax liabilities and assets, as well as any related valuation allowance, shall be offset and presented as a single noncurrent amount. The requirements in this update are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The adoption of this update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standards update to provide guidance for the accounting for leasing transactions.  The requirements in this update are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standards update to provide guidance for the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows.  The requirements in this update are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

20

---

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Report”) and other public filings and press releases by us contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These “forward-looking statements” involve risk and uncertainty. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements relating to: liquidity; revenue and cost expectations and backlog; financing of operations; oil and natural gas prices; source and sufficiency of funds required for building new equipment, upgrading existing equipment and additional acquisitions (if opportunities arise); impact of inflation; demand for our services; competition; equipment availability; government regulation; debt service obligations; and other matters. Our forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and often use words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “budgeted,” “continue,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “project,” “should,” “strategy,” or “will,” or the negative thereof and other words and expressions of similar meaning. The forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses we make in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate in the circumstances. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Forward-looking statements may be made orally or in writing, including, but not limited to, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in this Report and other sections of our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Exchange Act and the Securities Act.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and a variety of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated or expected results expressed in or suggested by these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, volatility in customer spending and in oil and natural gas prices that could adversely affect demand for our services and their associated effect on rates, utilization, margins and planned capital expenditures, global economic conditions, excess availability of land drilling rigs and pressure pumping equipment, including as a result of reactivation or construction, equipment specialization and new technologies, competition, adverse industry conditions, adverse credit and equity market conditions, failure by our customers to pay us or satisfy their contractual obligations (particularly with respect to fixed term contracts), difficulty in building and deploying new equipment and integrating acquisitions, shortages, delays in delivery and interruptions in supply of equipment, supplies and materials, weather, loss of key customers, liabilities from operations for which we do not have and receive full indemnification or insurance, ability to effectively identify and enter new markets, governmental regulation, ability to realize backlog, ability to retain management and field personnel, legal proceedings and other factors. Refer to “Risk Factors” contained in Part 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 for a more complete discussion of factors that might affect our performance and financial results. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are intended to relay our expectations about the future, and speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, changes in internal estimates or otherwise, except as required by law.

 

21

---

ITEM 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Recent Developments — Oil prices declined significantly during the second half of 2014.  The closing price of oil, which was as high as $105.68 per barrel during the third quarter of 2014, averaged $48.69 during 2015 and reached a twelve-year low of $26.19 in February 2016.  Prices have increased into the mid-$40s since February but remain below the 2015 average price.  As a result of the prolonged decline in oil prices, our industry has experienced a severe decline in both contract drilling and pressure pumping activity levels.  We do not expect activity levels to increase until commodity prices improve.

Low commodity prices are negatively impacting spending by exploration and production companies.  The impact of these spending reductions is evidenced by the published rig counts, which have declined by more than 75% in the United States since the recent peak in 2014.  

Our rig count has also significantly declined.  As of March 31, 2016, we had 61 drilling rigs operating in the United States, which was a decrease of 71% from the recent peak of 214 rigs in October 2014.  On average, we operated 71 rigs in the United States during the first quarter of 2016.  Term contracts have provided support for our operating rig count during the first quarter of 2016.  Based on contracts currently in place, we expect an average of 43 rigs operating under term contracts during the second quarter and an average of 40 rigs operating under term contracts during 2016.

 Our pressure pumping business is continuing to experience the effects of reduced spending by customers and downward pressure on pricing.  With the weakness in commodity prices, we have seen a significant decrease in the amount of available work, and the profitability of available work has continued to deteriorate.  In response, we now have stacked approximately 54% of our fleet of more than 1.0 million hydraulic fracturing horsepower.

In anticipation of this downturn, we began reducing our cost structure in the fourth quarter of 2014.  In 2015 and 2016, we continued to reduce our cost structure and, to date, we have reduced our drilling headcount at a rate generally proportionate with the reduction in our rig count.  In pressure pumping, we have reduced our headcount and obtained lower prices on many products and services that we use.  We expect our capital expenditures in 2016 to primarily consist of maintenance capital, as we do not expect to build any new rigs or purchase any new fracturing horsepower.  We plan to continue to adjust our cost structure in line with our level of operating activity.  

We expect that our term contract coverage in contract drilling and scalability with respect to labor and other operating costs in contract drilling and pressure pumping should position us to weather this downturn.  We believe the U.S. rig count is beginning to stabilize as crude oil prices have improved from the cyclical lows reached in the first quarter.  The outlook for crude oil prices remains uncertain with numerous economic and geopolitical concerns.  For this reason, visibility into the timing of a recovery remains limited, and we do not believe current oil prices in the mid-$40s are sufficient to support a meaningful increase in U.S. drilling activity. In the event oil prices remain depressed for a sustained period, or decline further, these declines could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Management Overview — We are a leading provider of services to the North American oil and natural gas industry. Our services primarily involve the drilling, on a contract basis, of land-based oil and natural gas wells and pressure pumping services. In addition to these services, we also invest, on a non-operating working interest basis, in oil and natural gas properties.

We operate land-based drilling rigs in oil and natural gas producing regions of the continental United States and western Canada. There continues to be uncertainty with respect to the global economic environment, and oil and natural gas prices have been depressed. During the first quarter of 2016, our average number of rigs operating in the United States was 71 compared to an average of 165 drilling rigs operating during the same period in 2015. During the first quarter of 2016, our average number of rigs operating in Canada was three compared to an average of eight drilling rigs operating during the first quarter of 2015.

Prior to the decline in oil prices, we addressed our customers’ needs for drilling horizontal wells in shale and other unconventional resource plays by expanding our areas of operation and improving the capabilities of our drilling fleet during the last several years.  As of March 31, 2016, our rig fleet included 161 APEX^® rigs. We do not expect to add any new rigs to our fleet during 2016.

In connection with the development of horizontal shale and other unconventional resource plays, primarily between 2010 and 2014, we added equipment to perform service-intensive fracturing jobs. As of March 31, 2016, we had approximately 1.1 million hydraulic horsepower in our pressure pumping fleet. We have increased the horsepower of our pressure pumping fleet by more than eight-fold since the beginning of 2009, although we have not ordered or committed to purchase any new horsepower since October 2014 and there is currently no new horsepower on order. In recent years, low commodity prices and the industry-wide addition of new pressure pumping equipment to the marketplace led to an excess supply of pressure pumping equipment in North America.

22

---

We maintain a backlog of commitments for contract drilling revenues under term contracts, which we define as contracts with a fixed term of six months or more.  Our contract drilling backlog as of March 31, 2016 was $580 million. Approximately 54% percent of the total March 31, 2016 backlog is reasonably expected to remain at the end of 2016.  We generally calculate our backlog by multiplying the dayrate under our term drilling contracts by the number of days remaining under the contract.  The calculation does not include any revenues related to other fees such as for mobilization, demobilization and customer reimbursables, nor does it include potential reductions in rates for unscheduled standby or during periods in which the rig is moving or incurring maintenance and repair time in excess of what is permitted under the drilling contract.  In addition, generally our term drilling contracts are subject to termination by the customer on short notice and provide for an early termination payment to us in the event that the contract is terminated by the customer.  For contracts that we have received an early termination notice, our backlog calculation includes the early termination rate, instead of the dayrate, for the period we expect to receive the lower rate.  

For the three months ended March, 2016 and 2015, our operating revenues consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

Generally, the profitability of our business is impacted most by two primary factors in our contract drilling segment: our average number of rigs operating and our average revenue per operating day.  During the first quarter of 2016, our average number of rigs operating was 71 in the United States and three in Canada compared to 165 in the United States and eight in Canada in the first quarter of 2015. Our average revenue per operating day was $25,340 in the first quarter of 2016, including $16.8 million of early termination revenue, compared to $25,870 in the first quarter of 2015, including $15.8 million of early termination revenue.  The profitability of our pressure pumping segment is impacted most by our number of fracturing jobs during a quarter and our average revenue per fracturing job.  We had 83 fracturing jobs during the first quarter of 2016 compared to 216 fracturing jobs during the first quarter of 2015.  Our average revenue per fracturing job was $1.133 million in the first quarter of 2016 and $1.098 million in the first quarter of 2015.  Consolidated net loss for the first quarter of 2016 was $70.5 million compared to consolidated net income of $9.1 million for the first quarter of 2015.  

Our revenues, profitability and cash flows are highly dependent upon prevailing prices for oil and natural gas. During periods of improved commodity prices, the capital spending budgets of oil and natural gas operators tend to expand, which generally results in increased demand for our services. Conversely, in periods when these commodity prices deteriorate, the demand for our services generally weakens, and we experience downward pressure on pricing for our services.  Oil and natural gas prices and our monthly average number of rigs operating have significantly declined from recent highs.  In March 2016, our average number of rigs operating was 64 in the United States and less than one in Canada.

We are also highly impacted by operational risks, competition, the availability of excess equipment, labor issues, weather and various other factors that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. Please see “Risk Factors” included in Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.

Our liquidity as of March 31, 2016 included approximately $181 million in working capital, including $187 million of cash and cash equivalents, and $500 million available under our revolving credit facility.  We believe our current liquidity, together with cash expected to be generated from operations, should provide us with sufficient ability to fund our current plans to maintain and make improvements to our existing equipment, service our debt and pay cash dividends.  If under current market conditions we desire to pursue opportunities for growth that require capital, we believe such pursuit would likely require additional debt or equity financing.  However, there can be no assurance that such capital will be available on reasonable terms, if at all.

Commitments and Contingencies — As of March 31, 2016, we maintained letters of credit in the aggregate amount of $41.1 million for the benefit of various insurance companies as collateral for retrospective premiums and retained losses which could become payable under the terms of the underlying insurance contracts. These letters of credit expire annually at various times during the year and are typically renewed. As of March 31, 2016, no amounts had been drawn under the letters of credit.

As of March 31, 2016, we had commitments to purchase approximately $61.9 million of major equipment for our drilling and pressure pumping businesses.

Our pressure pumping business has entered into agreements to purchase minimum quantities of proppants and chemicals from certain vendors. These agreements expire in 2016, 2017 and 2018. As of March 31, 2016, the remaining obligation under these agreements was approximately $24.7 million, of which approximately $7.7 million relates to purchases required during the remainder

23

---

of 2016. In the event that the required minimum quantities are not purchased during any contract year, we could be required to make a liquidated damages payment to the respective vendor for any shortfall.

In November 2011, our pressure pumping business entered into an agreement with a proppant vendor to advance up to $12.0 million to such vendor to finance its construction of certain processing facilities. This advance is secured by the underlying processing facilities and bears interest at an annual rate of 5.0%. Repayment of the advance is to be made through discounts applied to purchases from the vendor and repayment of all amounts advanced must be made no later than October 1, 2017. As of March 31, 2016, advances of approximately $11.8 million had been made under this agreement and repayments of approximately $10.6 million had been received resulting in a balance outstanding of approximately $1.2 million.

Trading and Investing — We have not engaged in trading activities that include high-risk securities, such as derivatives and non-exchange traded contracts. We invest cash primarily in highly liquid, short-term investments such as overnight deposits and money market accounts.

Description of Business — We conduct our contract drilling operations primarily in the continental United States and western Canada. We provide pressure pumping services to oil and natural gas operators primarily in Texas and the Appalachian region. Pressure pumping services are primarily well stimulation and cementing for completion of new wells and remedial work on existing wells. We also invest in oil and natural gas assets as a non-operating working interest owner. Our oil and natural gas working interests are located primarily in Texas and New Mexico.

The North American oil and natural gas services industry is cyclical and at times experiences downturns in demand. During these periods, there have been substantially more drilling rigs and pressure pumping equipment available than necessary to meet demand. As a result, drilling and pressure pumping contractors have had difficulty sustaining profit margins and, at times, have incurred losses during the downturn periods.  The North American oil and natural gas services industry is currently experiencing a severe downturn.

Construction of new technology drilling rigs had increased in recent years. The addition of new technology drilling rigs to the market, combined with a reduction in the drilling of vertical wells, has resulted in excess capacity of older technology drilling rigs. Similarly, the substantial increase in unconventional resource plays led to higher demand for pressure pumping services, and there was a significant increase in the construction of new pressure pumping equipment across the industry. As a result of the decline in oil and natural gas prices and the construction of new equipment, there is an excess of new technology drilling rigs and pressure pumping equipment available. In circumstances of excess capacity, providers of drilling and pressure pumping services have difficulty sustaining profit margins and may sustain losses during downturn periods. We cannot predict either the future level of demand for our contract drilling or pressure pumping services or future conditions in the oil and natural gas contract drilling or pressure pumping businesses.

In addition, unconventional resource plays have substantially increased and some drilling rigs are not capable of drilling these wells efficiently. Accordingly, the utilization of some older technology drilling rigs has been hampered by their lack of capability to efficiently compete for this work. Other ongoing factors which could continue to adversely affect utilization rates and pricing, even in an environment of high oil and natural gas prices and increased drilling activity, include:

Critical Accounting Policies

In addition to established accounting policies, our condensed consolidated financial statements are impacted by certain estimates and assumptions made by management. No changes in our critical accounting policies have occurred since the filing of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.

We evaluate the recoverability of our long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable (a “triggering event”).  Based on recent commodity prices, results of operations for the period ended March 31, 2016 and our expectations of results of operations in future periods, we concluded that no triggering event occurred during the first quarter of 2016 with respect to our contract drilling segment or our pressure pumping segment.  Our expectations of results of operations in future periods were based on the assumption that activity levels in both segments will begin to recover by early 2017 in response to improved future oil prices.  

With respect to the long-lived assets in our oil and natural gas exploration and production segment, we assess the recoverability of long-lived assets each quarter due to revisions in oil and natural gas reserve estimates and expectations about future commodity prices.  Our analysis indicated that the carrying amounts of certain oil and natural gas properties were not recoverable at March 31,

24

---

2016.  Our estimates of expected future net cash flows from impaired properties are used in measuring the fair value of such properties.  We recorded impairment charges of $2.2 million during the first quarter of 2016 related to our oil and natural gas properties.  

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our liquidity as of March 31, 2016 included approximately $181 million in working capital, including $187 million of cash and cash equivalents, and $500 million available under our revolving credit facility. 

We believe our current liquidity, together with cash expected to be generated from operations, should provide us with sufficient ability to fund our current plans to maintain and make improvements to our existing equipment, service our debt and pay cash dividends.  If under current market conditions we desire to pursue opportunities for growth that require capital, we believe such pursuit would likely require additional debt or equity financing.  However, there can be no assurance that such capital will be available on reasonable terms, if at all.

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, our sources of cash flow included:

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, we used $14.7 million to pay dividends on our common stock, $10.0 million to repay long-term debt and $21.3 million:

We paid cash dividends during the three months ended March 31, 2016 as follows:

 

On April 27, 2016, our Board of Directors approved a cash dividend on our common stock in the amount of $0.02 per share to be paid on June 23, 2016 to holders of record as of June 9, 2016. Our 2015 Term Loan Agreement contains a covenant that could restrict our ability to make dividend payments later in 2016.  This covenant applies to only the 2015 Term Loan Agreement indebtedness, and we believe that our strong financial position allows us various alternatives to address this restriction, including repayment of this debt.  However, the amount and timing of all future dividend payments, if any, are subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon business conditions, results of operations, financial condition, terms of our debt agreements and other factors.

On September 6, 2013, our Board of Directors approved a stock buyback program that authorizes purchase of up to $200 million of our common stock in open market or privately negotiated transactions. As of March 31, 2016, we had remaining authorization to purchase approximately $187 million of our outstanding common stock under the 2013 stock buyback program. Shares purchased under a buyback program are accounted for as treasury stock.

There were no treasury stock acquisitions during the three months ended March 31, 2016.

2012 Credit Agreement — On September 27, 2012, we entered into a Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement is a committed senior unsecured credit facility that includes a revolving credit facility and a term loan facility.  The Credit Agreement replaced a previous senior unsecured revolving credit facility.

The revolving credit facility permits aggregate borrowings of up to $500 million outstanding at any time. The revolving credit facility contains a letter of credit facility that is limited to $150 million and a swing line facility that is limited to $40 million, in each case outstanding at any time.

25

---

The term loan facility provides for a loan of $100 million, which was drawn on December 24, 2012. The term loan facility is payable in quarterly principal installments, which commenced December 27, 2012. The installment amounts vary from 1.25% of the original principal amount for each of the first four quarterly installments, 2.50% of the original principal amount for each of the subsequent eight quarterly installments, 5.00% of the original principal amount for the subsequent four quarterly installments and 13.75% of the original principal amount for the final four quarterly installments.

Subject to customary conditions, we may request that the lenders’ aggregate commitments with respect to the revolving credit facility and/or the term loan facility be increased by up to $100 million, not to exceed total commitments of $700 million. The maturity date under the Credit Agreement is September 27, 2017 for both the revolving facility and the term facility.

Loans under the Credit Agreement bear interest by reference, at our election, to the LIBOR rate or base rate, provided, that swing line loans bear interest by reference only to the base rate. The applicable margin on LIBOR rate loans varies from 2.25% to 3.25% and the applicable margin on base rate loans varies from 1.25% to 2.25%, in each case determined based upon our debt to capitalization ratio. As of March 31, 2016, the applicable margin on LIBOR rate loans was 2.25% and the applicable margin on base rate loans was 1.25%. Based on our debt to capitalization ratio at December 31, 2015, the applicable margin on LIBOR loans is 2.75% and the applicable margin on base rate loans is 1.75% as of April 1, 2016.  Based on our debt to capitalization ratio at March 31, 2016, the applicable margin on LIBOR loans will be 2.75% and the applicable margin on base rate loans will be 1.75% as of July 1, 2016.  A letter of credit fee is payable by us equal to the applicable margin for LIBOR rate loans times the daily amount available to be drawn under outstanding letters of credit. The commitment fee rate payable to the lenders for the unused portion of the credit facility is 0.50%.

Each of our domestic subsidiaries unconditionally guarantees all existing and future indebtedness and liabilities of the other guarantors and us arising under the Credit Agreement, other than (a) Ambar Lone Star Fluid Services LLC, (b) domestic subsidiaries that directly or indirectly have no material assets other than equity interests in, or capitalization indebtedness owed by, foreign subsidiaries, and (c) any subsidiary having total assets of less than $1 million.  Such guarantees also cover our obligations and those of any of our subsidiaries arising under any interest rate swap contract with any person while such person is a lender or an affiliate of a lender under the Credit Agreement.

The Credit Agreement requires compliance with two financial covenants. We must not permit our debt to capitalization ratio to exceed 45%. The Credit Agreement generally defines the debt to capitalization ratio as the ratio of (a) total borrowed money indebtedness to (b) the sum of such indebtedness plus consolidated net worth, with consolidated net worth determined as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter. We also must not permit the interest coverage ratio as of the last day of a fiscal quarter to be less than 3.00 to 1.00. The Credit Agreement generally defines the interest coverage ratio as the ratio of EBITDA of the four prior fiscal quarters to interest charges for the same period. We were in compliance with these financial covenants as of March 31, 2016. The Credit Agreement also contains customary representations, warranties and affirmative and negative covenants. We do not expect that the restrictions and covenants will impair, in any material respect, our ability to operate or react to opportunities that might arise.

Events of default under the Credit Agreement include failure to pay principal or interest when due, failure to comply with the financial and operational covenants, as well as a cross default event, loan document enforceability event, change of control event and bankruptcy and other insolvency events. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, then a majority of the lenders have the right, among others, to (i) terminate the commitments under the Credit Agreement, (ii) accelerate and require us to repay all the outstanding amounts owed under any loan document (provided that in limited circumstances with respect to insolvency and bankruptcy, such acceleration is automatic), and (iii) require us to cash collateralize any outstanding letters of credit.

As of March 31, 2016, we had $65 million principal amount outstanding under the term loan facility at an interest rate of 2.75% and no amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility.  We currently have available borrowing capacity of $500 million under the revolving credit facility.

2015 Reimbursement Agreement — On March 16, 2015, we entered into a Reimbursement Agreement (the “Reimbursement Agreement”) with The Bank of Nova Scotia (“Scotiabank”), pursuant to which we may from time to time request that Scotiabank issue an unspecified amount of letters of credit.  As of March 31, 2016, we had $41.1 million in letters of credit outstanding under the Reimbursement Agreement.

Under the terms of the Reimbursement Agreement, we will reimburse Scotiabank on demand for any amounts that Scotiabank has disbursed under any letters of credit.  Fees, charges and other reasonable expenses for the issuance of letters of credit are payable by us at the time of issuance at such rates and amounts as are in accordance with Scotiabank’s prevailing practice.  We are obligated to pay to Scotiabank interest on all amounts not paid on the date of demand or when otherwise due at the LIBOR rate plus 2.25% per annum, calculated daily and payable monthly, in arrears, on the basis of a calendar year for the actual number of days elapsed, with interest on overdue interest at the same rate as on the reimbursement amounts.

26

---

We have also agreed that if obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by liens on any of our subsidiaries’ property, then our reimbursement obligations and (to the extent similar obligations would be secured under the Credit Agreement) other obligations under the Reimbursement Agreement and any letters of credit will be equally and ratably secured by all property subject to such liens securing the Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to a Continuing Guaranty dated as of March 16, 2015 (the “Continuing Guaranty”), our payment obligations under the Reimbursement Agreement are jointly and severally guaranteed as to payment and not as to collection by our subsidiaries that from time to time guarantee payment under the Credit Agreement.

2015 Term Loan Agreement — On March 18, 2015, we entered into a Term Loan Agreement (the “2015 Term Loan Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and lender, each of the other lenders party thereto, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as Lead Arranger and Sole Book Runner, and Bank of America, N.A. and The Bank Of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, LTD., as Co-Syndication Agents.

The 2015 Term Loan Agreement is a senior unsecured single-advance term loan facility pursuant to which we made a term loan borrowing of $200 million on March 18, 2015 (the “Term Loan Borrowing”).  The Term Loan Borrowing is payable in quarterly principal installments, together with accrued interest, on each June 30, September 30, December 31 and March 31, commencing on June 30, 2015.  Each of the first four principal installments is in an amount equal to 2.5% of the Term Loan Borrowing and each successive quarterly installment, until and including June 30, 2017, is in an amount equal to 5.0% of the Term Loan Borrowing, with the outstanding principal balance of the Term Loan Borrowing due on the maturity date under the 2015 Term Loan Agreement.  The maturity date under the 2015 Term Loan Agreement is September 27, 2017.  Loans under the 2015 Term Loan Agreement bear interest, at our election, at the per annum rate of LIBOR rate plus 3.25% or base rate plus 2.25%.

Each of our domestic subsidiaries unconditionally guarantees all existing and future indebtedness and liabilities of the other guarantors and us arising under the 2015 Term Loan Agreement and other Loan Documents (as defined in the 2015 Term Loan Agreement), other than (a) Ambar Lone Star Fluid Services LLC, (b) domestic subsidiaries that directly or indirectly have no material assets other than equity interests in, or capitalization indebtedness owed by, foreign subsidiaries, and (c) any subsidiary having total assets of less than $1 million.

The 2015 Term Loan Agreement requires quarterly compliance with two financial covenants.  We must not permit our debt to capitalization ratio to exceed 45%.  The 2015 Term Loan Agreement generally defines the debt to capitalization ratio as the ratio of (a) total borrowed money indebtedness to (b) the sum of such indebtedness plus consolidated net worth, with consolidated net worth determined as of the most recently ended fiscal quarter.  We also must not permit the interest coverage ratio as of the last day of a fiscal quarter to be less than 3.00 to 1.00.  The 2015 Term Loan Agreement generally defines the interest coverage ratio as the ratio of EBITDA of the four prior fiscal quarters to interest charges for the same period.  We were in compliance with these financial covenants as of March 31, 2016.

The 2015 Term Loan Agreement further provides that neither we nor our subsidiaries are permitted to make restricted payments unless, after giving effect to such restricted payment, our pro forma ratio of debt to EBITDA for the four prior fiscal quarters, determined as of the preceding ending quarterly period, does not exceed 2.50 to 1.00.  Restricted payments are generally defined as (a) dividends and distributions made on account of our equity interests or our subsidiaries and (b) payments made to redeem, repurchase or otherwise retire our equity interests or our subsidiaries.  Payments made solely in the form of common equity interests, made to us and our subsidiaries, or made in connection with the our long term incentive plans are not restricted payments under the 2015 Term Loan Agreement. We do not expect that the restrictions and covenants will impair, in any material respect, our ability to operate or react to opportunities that might arise

The 2015 Term Loan Agreement also contains customary representations, warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, and events of default.  Events of default under the 2015 Term Loan Agreement include failure to pay principal or interest when due, failure to comply with the financial and operational covenants, as well as a cross default event, Loan Document enforceability event, change of control event and bankruptcy and other insolvency events.  If an event of default occurs and is continuing, then a majority of the lenders have the right, among others, to accelerate and require us to repay all the outstanding amounts owed under any Loan Document (provided that in limited circumstances with respect to insolvency and bankruptcy, such acceleration is automatic).

As of March 31, 2016, we had $180 million principal amount outstanding under the 2015 Term Loan Agreement at an interest rate of 3.75%.

Senior Notes — On October 5, 2010, we completed the issuance and sale of $300 million in aggregate principal amount of our 4.97% Series A Senior Notes due October 5, 2020 (the “Series A Notes”) in a private placement. The Series A Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.97% per annum. We pay interest on the Series A Notes on April 5 and October 5 of each year. The Series A Notes will mature on October 5, 2020.

27

---

On June 14, 2012, we completed the issuance and sale of $300 million in aggregate principal amount of our 4.27% Series B Senior Notes due June 14, 2022 (the “Series B Notes”) in a private placement. The Series B Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.27% per annum. We pay interest on the Series B Notes on April 5 and October 5 of each year. The Series B Notes will mature on June 14, 2022.

The Series A Notes and Series B Notes are senior unsecured obligations which rank equally in right of payment with all of our other unsubordinated indebtedness. The Series A Notes and Series B Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of our domestic subsidiaries other than subsidiaries that are not required to be guarantors under the Credit Agreement.

The Series A Notes and Series B Notes are prepayable at our option, in whole or in part, provided that in the case of a partial prepayment, prepayment must be in an amount not less than 5% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding, at any time and from time to time at 100% of the principal amount prepaid, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the prepayment date, plus a “make-whole” premium as specified in the note purchase agreements. We must offer to prepay the notes upon the occurrence of any change of control. In addition, we must offer to prepay the notes upon the occurrence of certain asset dispositions if the proceeds therefrom are not timely reinvested in productive assets. If any offer to prepay is accepted, the purchase price of each prepaid note is 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the prepayment date.

The respective note purchase agreements require compliance with two financial covenants. We must not permit our debt to capitalization ratio to exceed 50% at any time. The note purchase agreements generally define the debt to capitalization ratio as the ratio of (a) total borrowed money indebtedness to (b) the sum of such indebtedness plus consolidated net worth, with consolidated net worth determined as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter. We also must not permit the interest coverage ratio as of the last day of a fiscal quarter to be less than 2.50 to 1.00. The note purchase agreements generally define the interest coverage ratio as the ratio of EBITDA for the four prior fiscal quarters to interest charges for the same period. We were in compliance with these financial covenants as of March 31, 2016. We do not expect that the restrictions and covenants will impair, in any material respect, our ability to operate or react to opportunities that might arise.

Events of default under the note purchase agreements include failure to pay principal or interest when due, failure to comply with the financial and operational covenants, a cross default event, a judgment in excess of a threshold event, the guaranty agreement ceasing to be enforceable, the occurrence of certain ERISA events, a change of control event and bankruptcy and other insolvency events. If an event of default under the note purchase agreements occurs and is continuing, then holders of a majority in principal amount of the respective notes have the right to declare all the notes then-outstanding to be immediately due and payable. In addition, if we default in payments on any note, then until such defaults are cured, the holder thereof may declare all the notes held by it pursuant to the note purchase agreement to be immediately due and payable.

Our liquidity as of March 31, 2016 included approximately $181 million in working capital, including $187 million of cash and cash equivalents, and $500 million available under our revolving credit facility.  We believe our current liquidity, together with cash expected to be generated from operations, should provide us with sufficient ability to fund our current plans to maintain and make improvements to our existing equipment, service our debt and pay cash dividends.  If under current market conditions we desire to pursue opportunities for growth that require capital, we believe such pursuit would likely require additional debt or equity financing.  However, there can be no assurance that such capital will be available on reasonable terms, if at all.

Results of Operations

The following tables summarize operations by business segment for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:

 

 

 

28

---

The decreases in revenues and direct operating costs primarily result from the decrease in the number of rigs operating. Average direct operating costs per operating day decreased in part due to a reduction in our workers’ compensation reserves resulting from our strong and consistent operational record.  In addition, the proportion of rigs on standby increased during the quarter, further reducing the average direct operating costs per operating day as rigs on standby have very little associated cost.  

 

 

 

Revenues and direct operating costs decreased primarily due to a decrease in the number of fracturing jobs, although the average size of the fracturing jobs increased.  Average revenue per fracturing job and average direct operating costs per total job increased as a result of the increased size of the jobs completed in 2016 as compared to 2015.  The total number of jobs decreased as a result of the downturn in the oil and natural gas industry.  

 

 

 

Oil and natural gas and liquids revenues decreased primarily as a result of lower commodity prices.  Depletion and impairment expense in 2016 includes approximately $2.2 million of oil and natural gas property impairments compared to approximately $3.4 million of oil and natural gas property impairments in 2015.  Depletion expense is lower primarily due to lower oil production.

 

29

---

Other operating income (expense) includes net gains or losses associated with the disposal of assets related to corporate strategy decisions of the executive management group.  Accordingly, the related gains or losses have been excluded from the results of specific segments.  It also includes expenses related to certain legal settlements.  For the three months ended March 31, 2015, a $12.3 million charge related to the settlement of a lawsuit is included.

Interest expense increased primarily due to lower capitalized interest, as we do not expect to build any new rigs in 2016, and due to borrowings under the 2015 Term Loan Agreement.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) is not defined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).  We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) plus net interest expense, income tax expense (benefit) and depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment expense.  We present Adjusted EBITDA (a non-U.S. GAAP measure) because we believe it provides to both management and investors additional information with respect to both the performance of our fundamental business activities and our ability to meet our capital expenditures and working capital requirements.  Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to the U.S. GAAP measures of net income (loss) or operating cash flow.

Income Taxes

Our effective income tax rate was 33.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to 42.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2015.  The Domestic Production Activities Deduction (the “Section 199 Deduction”) was enacted as part of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (as revised by the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008), and allows a deduction of 9% on the lesser of qualified production activities income or taxable income.  For tax purposes, we had net operating losses for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, which are being carried back to prior years.  These carrybacks resulted in the loss of the benefits of previous Section 199 Deductions.  The loss of these benefits was recognized in the quarter ended March 31, 2016, which reduced the tax benefit for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 and lowered the effective tax rate.  

In 2015, we expected a loss before income taxes for financial statement purposes for the year ending December 31, 2015; however, as of March 31, 2015, we expected to have taxable income for the year ending December 31, 2015, and the Section 199 Deduction was expected to provide a permanent tax benefit.  The interplay between the expected loss before income taxes for financial statement purposes and the permanent tax benefit expected to be provided by the Section 199 Deduction resulted in a higher effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

30

---

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In June 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standards update to provide guidance on the accounting for share-based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period.  The guidance requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period is treated as a performance condition.  This guidance became effective for us during the three months ended March 31, 2016.  This guidance will be applied prospectively and had no impact on our consolidated financial statements.  

In April and August 2015, the FASB issued accounting standards updates to provide guidance for the presentation of debt issuance costs.  Under this guidance, debt issuance costs, except those related to line-of-credit arrangements, are presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt.  Debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements can continue to be classified as a deferred charge. Amortization of debt issuance costs continues to be reported as interest expense.  This guidance became effective for us during the three months ended March 31, 2016.  This guidance was applied retrospectively, and debt issuance costs and long-term debt as of December 31, 2015 have been adjusted.  There was no impact on results of operations or cash flows as a result of the adoption of this guidance.

In May 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standards update to provide guidance on the recognition of revenue from customers.  The FASB clarified this guidance in March and April 2016.  Under this guidance, an entity will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects what it expects in exchange for the goods or services.  This guidance also requires more detailed disclosures to enable users of the financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty, if any, of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers.  The requirements in this update are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017.  We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standards update to provide guidance for the presentation of deferred tax liabilities and assets.  Under this guidance, for a particular tax-paying component of an entity and within a particular tax jurisdiction, all deferred tax liabilities and assets, as well as any related valuation allowance, shall be offset and presented as a single noncurrent amount. The requirements in this update are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The adoption of this update is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standards update to provide guidance for the accounting for leasing transactions.  The requirements in this update are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018.  We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standards update to provide guidance for the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows.  The requirements in this update are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016.  We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Volatility of Oil and Natural Gas Prices and its Impact on Operations and Financial Condition

Our revenue, profitability and cash flows are highly dependent upon prevailing prices for oil and natural gas and expectations about future prices.  For many years, oil and natural gas prices and markets have been extremely volatile.  Prices are affected by many factors beyond our control.  Oil prices declined significantly during the second half of 2014.  The closing price of oil, which was as high as $105.68 per barrel during the third quarter of 2014, averaged $48.69 during 2015 and reached a twelve-year low of $26.19 in February 2016.  Prices have increased into the mid-$40s since February but remain below the 2015 average price.  As a result of the prolonged decline in oil prices, our industry has experienced a severe decline in both contract drilling and pressure pumping activity levels.  We do not expect activity levels to increase until commodity prices improve.

We expect oil and natural gas prices to continue to be volatile and to affect our financial condition, operations and ability to access sources of capital.  Higher oil and natural gas prices do not necessarily result in increased activity because demand for our services is generally driven by our customers’ expectations of future oil and natural gas prices.  A continued decline in demand for oil and natural gas or prolonged low oil and natural gas prices would likely result in further reduced capital expenditures by our customers and decreased demand for our drilling rigs and pressure pumping services, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, financial condition and cash flows.

 

31

---

ITEM 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We currently have exposure to interest rate market risk associated with any borrowings that we have under the Credit Agreement, the 2015 Term Loan Agreement and the Reimbursement Agreement.

Under the Credit Agreement, interest is paid on the outstanding principal amount of borrowings at a floating rate based on, at our election, LIBOR or a base rate.  The margin on LIBOR loans ranges from 2.25% to 3.25% and the margin on base rate loans ranges from 1.25% to 2.25%, based on our debt to capitalization ratio. At March 31, 2016, the margin on LIBOR loans was 2.25% and the margin on base rate loans was 1.25%. Based on our debt to capitalization ratio at December 31, 2015, the applicable margin on LIBOR loans is 2.75% and the applicable margin on base rate loans is 1.75% as of April 1, 2016.  Based on our debt to capitalization ratio at March 31, 2016, the applicable margin on LIBOR loans will be 2.75% and the applicable margin on base rate loans will be 1.75% as of July 1, 2016.  As of March 31, 2016, we had no amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facility and $65.0 million outstanding under our term loan facility at an interest rate of 2.75%. The interest rate on the borrowings outstanding under our revolving credit and term loan facilities is variable and adjusts at each interest payment date based on our election of LIBOR or the base rate.

Loans under the 2015 Term Loan Agreement bear interest, at our election, at the per annum rate of LIBOR plus 3.25% or base rate plus 2.25%.  As of March 31, 2016, we had $180 million principal amount outstanding under the 2015 Term Loan Agreement at an interest rate of 3.75%.  

Under the Reimbursement Agreement, we will reimburse Scotiabank on demand for any amounts that Scotiabank has disbursed under any letters of credit.  We are obligated to pay to Scotiabank interest on all amounts not paid by us on the date of demand or when otherwise due at the LIBOR rate plus 2.25% per annum.  As of March 31, 2016, no amounts had been disbursed under any letters of credit.

We conduct a portion of our business in Canadian dollars through our Canadian land-based drilling operations. The exchange rate between Canadian dollars and U.S. dollars has fluctuated during the last several years. If the value of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar weakens, revenues and earnings of our Canadian operations will be reduced and the value of our Canadian net assets will decline when they are translated to U.S. dollars. This currency risk is not material to our results of operations or financial condition.

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these items.

 

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures — We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as such terms are defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act), designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file with the SEC under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q. Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2016.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting —There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act.

 

 

32

---

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings

We are party to various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of our business; we do not believe that the outcome of these proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.  See Note 9 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I – Financial Information.  

 

ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The table below sets forth the information with respect to purchases of our common stock made by us during the quarter ended March 31, 2016.

 

 

 

 

33

---

ITEM 6. Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated by reference, as indicated:

 

 

 

 

 

34

---

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: May 2, 2016

35