Superior Energy Services Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Results

Recent operating highlights include:

• Entry into definitive agreement to divest certain U.S. land service lines into a new, publicly traded consolidation platform for U.S. completion, production and water solutions in combination with Forbes Energy Services
• Discontinuation of hydraulic fracturing service line

HOUSTON, Feb. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Superior Energy Services, Inc. (NYSE: SPN) (the “Company”) today announced a net loss from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2019 of $6.2 million, or $0.42 per share, on revenue of $336.1 million.  This compares to a net loss from continuing operations of $20.5 million, or $1.31 per share, for the third quarter of 2019, on revenue of $356.6 million and a net loss from continuing operations of $317.0 million, or $20.51 per share for the fourth quarter of 2018, on revenue of $389.4 million. 

As previously announced, during the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company exited its hydraulic fracturing operations.  The financial results of this service line have historically been included in the Onshore Completion and Workover Services segment, and are reflected in discontinued operations for the fourth quarter of 2019 and prior period results reported herein.  Loss from discontinued operations was $92.4 million, $17.9 million, and $433.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, third quarter of 2019, and fourth quarter of 2018, respectively.

The Company reported pre-tax charges of $2.9 million in restructuring costs and $3.1 million in connection with the previously announced strategic transaction with Forbes Energy Services Ltd. (OTCQX: FLSS) (“Forbes”).  The resulting adjusted net loss from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2019 was $1.6 million, or $0.11 per share.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company’s net loss from continuing operations was $77.8 million, or $5.05 per share, on revenue of $1,425.4 million as compared with a net loss from continuing operations of $427.4 million, or $27.69 per share, on revenue of $1,478.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.  Loss from discontinued operations was $178.0 million and $430.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

David Dunlap, President and CEO, commented, “Our fourth quarter results highlight the divergence of U.S. land markets, where declining activity resulted in lower revenue, and U.S. offshore and international markets, in which activity improved at a similar rate as we have observed for the past several quarters.

“We believe this divergence may be sustained for quite some time and have taken steps during the quarter to reorient our business.  In late December, we announced a strategic transaction in which the Company is combining its U.S. service rig, coiled tubing, wireline, pressure control, flowback, fluid management and accommodations service lines with Forbes’ complimentary service lines creating a new publicly traded consolidation platform for U.S. completion, production and water solutions.

“The divestiture of our U.S. land service businesses will result in the Company being comprised primarily of globally diversified, high margin businesses with strong competitive positions.  The Company will be uniquely positioned with a portfolio of assets, which have historically generated free cash flow through the cycle. 

Fourth Quarter 2019 Geographic Breakdown

U.S. land revenue was $137.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, a decrease of 15% as compared with revenue of $162.5 million in the third quarter of 2019, and a 33% decrease compared to revenue of $207.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2018.  U.S. offshore revenue remained flat at $95.3 million as compared with the third quarter of 2019 revenue, and increased by 6% from revenue of $89.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2018.  International revenue of $103.0 million increased by 2% as compared with revenue of $101.1 million in the third quarter of 2019 and increased 11% as compared to revenue of $92.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2018.           

Drilling Products and Services Segment

The Drilling Products and Services segment revenue in the fourth quarter of 2019 was $98.6 million, an 11% decrease from third quarter 2019 revenue of $111.2 million and a 6% decrease from fourth quarter 2018 revenue of $105.3 million.

U.S. land revenue decreased 22% to $36.3 million, U.S. offshore revenue was flat at $34.0 million and international revenue decreased 8% to $28.3 million.

Onshore Completion and Workover Services Segment

The Onshore Completion and Workover Services segment revenue in the fourth quarter of 2019 was $67.6 million, an 11% decrease from third quarter 2019 revenue of $76.0 million, and a 36% decrease from fourth quarter 2018 revenue of $105.2 million. 

Production Services Segment

The Production Services segment revenue increased in the fourth quarter of 2019 by 2% to $100.6 million from $98.7 million in the third quarter of 2019, and decreased by 8% from fourth quarter 2018 revenue of $109.9 million.

U.S. land revenue was $26.2 million, a 20% decrease from third quarter revenue of $32.6 million.  U.S. offshore revenue decreased 20% sequentially to $14.6 million and international revenue increased by 25% sequentially to $59.8 million.

Technical Solutions Segment

The Technical Solutions segment revenue in the fourth quarter of 2019 was $69.3 million, a 2% decrease from third quarter 2019 revenue of $70.7 million and remained flat when compared to the fourth quarter 2018 revenue of $69.0 million.

U.S. land revenue increased 7% sequentially to $7.8 million.  U.S. offshore revenue increased 14% sequentially to $46.6 million and international revenue decreased 34% sequentially to $14.9 million.

Strategic Transaction

As previously announced, on December 18, 2019, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to divest its U.S. service rig, coiled tubing, wireline, pressure control, flowback, fluid management and accommodations service lines and combine them with Forbes’s  complementary service lines to create a new, publicly traded consolidation platform for U.S. completion, production and water solutions.  This strategic transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2020.

Conference Call Information

The Company will host a conference call at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, February 20, 2020.  The call can be accessed from the Company’s website at www.superiorenergy.com or by telephone at 888-317-6003 and using entry number 7587134.  For those who cannot listen to the live call, a telephonic replay will be available through February 27, 2020 and may be accessed by calling 877-344-7529 and using the access code 10138541. 

About Superior Energy Services

Superior Energy (NYSE: SPN) serves the drilling, completion and production-related needs of oil and gas companies worldwide through a diversified portfolio of specialized oilfield services and equipment that are used throughout the economic life cycle of oil and gas wells.  For more information, visit: www.superiorenergy.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this communication (and oral statements made regarding the subjects of this communication) other than historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of uncertainties and factors, many of which are outside the control of Superior Energy, Forbes and Spieth Newco, Inc. (“Newco”), which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to: statements regarding the expected benefits of the proposed transaction; the anticipated completion of the proposed transaction and the timing thereof; the expected future results of operations and growth of Superior Energy and Newco; and plans and objectives of management for future operations of Superior Energy and Newco.

While Superior Energy believes that the assumptions concerning future events are reasonable, it cautions that there are inherent difficulties in predicting certain important factors that could impact the future performance or results of its and Newco’s business. Among the factors that could cause results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are: the failure to realize the anticipated costs savings, synergies and other benefits of the transaction; the possible diversion of management time on transaction-related issues; the risk that the requisite approvals to complete the transaction are not obtained or other closing conditions are not satisfied; local, regional and national economic conditions and the impact they may have on Superior Energy, Forbes, Newco and their customers; conditions in the oil and gas industry, especially oil and natural gas prices and capital expenditures by oil and gas companies; the debt obligations of Superior Energy and Newco following the transaction and the potential effect of limiting Superior Energy’s and/or Newco’s ability to fund future growth and operations and increasing their respective exposure to risk during adverse economic conditions; the financial condition of Superior Energy’s and Newco’s customers; any non-performance by customers of their contractual obligations; changes in customer, employee or supplier relationships resulting from the transaction; changes in safety, health, environmental and other regulations; the results of any reviews, investigations or other proceedings by government authorities; and the potential additional costs relating to any reviews, investigations or other proceedings by government authorities or shareholder actions.

These forward-looking statements are also affected by the risk factors, forward-looking statements and challenges and uncertainties described in Superior Energy’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, and those set forth from time to time in Superior Energy’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which are available at www.superiorenergy.com. Except as required by law, Superior Energy expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

No Offer or Solicitation

This communication is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the solicitation of any vote in any jurisdiction pursuant to the proposed transaction or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. Subject to certain exceptions to be approved by the relevant regulators or certain facts to be ascertained, the public offer will not be made directly or indirectly, in or into any jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of such jurisdiction, or by use of the mails or by any means or instrumentality (including without limitation, facsimile transmission, telephone and the internet) of interstate or foreign commerce, or any facility of a national securities exchange, of any such jurisdiction.

Important Additional Information Regarding the Transaction Will Be Filed With the SEC

In connection with the proposed transaction, Newco has filed a registration statement on Form S-4, which included a preliminary joint proxy statement/prospectus of Newco and Forbes, with the SEC. A definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus will be filed with the SEC once the registration statement becomes effective. While the registration statement and joint proxy statement/prospectus have not yet become effective and the information therein is subject to change, they provide important information about the transaction. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF SUPERIOR ENERGY AND FORBES ARE ADVISED TO CAREFULLY READ THE PRELIMINARY JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AND TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND DEFINITIVE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS (INCLUDING ALL AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSACTION, THE PARTIES TO THE TRANSACTION AND THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANSACTION. A definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to security holders of Forbes in connection with the Forbes shareholder meeting. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the joint proxy statement/prospectus (when available) and other relevant documents filed by Superior Energy, Forbes and Newco with the SEC from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Security holders and other interested parties will also be able to obtain, without charge, a copy of the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents (when available) from www.superiorenergy.com under the tab “Investors” and then under the heading “SEC Filings.” Security holders may also read and copy any reports, statements and other information filed with the SEC at the SEC public reference room at 100 F Street N.E., Room 1580, Washington D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at (800) 732-0330 or visit the SEC’s website for further information on its public reference room.

Participants in the Solicitation

Superior Energy, Forbes and their respective directors, executive officers and certain other members of management may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from their respective security holders with respect to the transaction. Information about these persons is set forth in Superior Energy’s proxy statement relating to its 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 26, 2019, and Forbes’ proxy statement relating to its 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 25, 2019, and subsequent statements of changes in beneficial ownership on file with the SEC. Security holders and investors may obtain additional information regarding the interests of such persons, which may be different than those of the respective companies’ security holders generally, by reading the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents regarding the transaction, which will be filed with the SEC.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The following table reconciles net income/loss from continuing operations, which is the directly comparable financial measure determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), to adjusted income/loss from continuing operations (non-GAAP financial measure).  This financial measure is provided to enhance investors’ overall understanding of the Company’s current financial performance.

The following table reconciles net income/loss from continuing operations by segment, which is the directly comparable financial measure determined in accordance with GAAP, to adjusted income/loss from continuing operations and adjusted EBITDA by segment (non-GAAP financial measures).  These financial measures are provided to enhance investors’ overall understanding of the Company’s current financial performance. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Paul Vincent, VP of Treasury and Investor Relations, (713) 654-2200