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Essential Energy Services Announces Third Quarter Results and Declares Quarterly Dividend

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Nov 6, 2013) - Essential Energy Services Ltd. (ESN.TO) ("Essential" or the "Company") announces third quarter EBITDA(1) of $17.1 million, down from $19.3 million in the third quarter of 2012. Given the relatively flat industry activity, Essential's EBITDA decrease is largely attributed to start-up costs for expansion of the downhole tools business into the United States and the absence of EBITDA from the drilling rig assets that was included in third quarter 2012 results. The drilling assets were sold in November 2012. On a year-to-date basis, EBITDA was $45.4 million.

SELECTED INFORMATION

Three months ended September 30,

Nine months ended September 30,

(Thousands, except per share amounts)

2013

2012*

2013

2012*

Revenue

$

84,510

$

83,513

$

243,445

$

252,566

Gross margin

$

21,414

$

23,012

$

57,935

$

63,655

Gross margin %

25%

28%

24%

25%

EBITDA(1) from continuing operations

$

17,132

$

19,261

$

45,386

$

51,973

EBITDA % (1)

20%

23%

19%

21%

Net income from continuing operations

$

4,292

$

8,343

$

14,539

$

22,714

Per share - basic and diluted

$

0.03

$

0.07

$

0.12

$

0.18

Total assets

$

409,613

$

415,653

$

409,613

$

415,653

Total long-term debt

$

40,484

$

50,474

$

40,484

$

50,474

Utilization

Deep coil tubing rigs

73%

79%

67%

71%

Service rigs

50%

45%

49%

49%

Equipment fleet **

Deep coil tubing rigs

27

26

27

26

Service rigs

54

55

54

55

*

Certain comparative amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period's presentation.

**

Fleet data represents the number of units at the end of a period.

1

Refer to "Non-IFRS Measures" section for further information.

HIGHLIGHTS

Third quarter 2013 industry activity was in line with 2012. In addition to wet weather at the beginning of the quarter, exploration and production ("E&P") companies were cautious with their capital spending as the oil price differential continued to be volatile and equity capital market activity was limited, making it difficult for producers to raise capital.

Essential's revenue for the third quarter of 2013 was generally flat compared to 2012, consistent with industry activity. Reported revenue of $84.5 million, increased $1.0 million compared to the third quarter of 2012.

  • Coil Well Service - Essential's coil well service third quarter revenue was consistent with the same period in the prior year despite a decline in deep coil tubing utilization from 79% in the third quarter of 2012 to 73% in the current quarter. Essential saw an increase in utilization for the masted deep coil tubing fleet in the quarter and revenue increased from Essential's larger fleet of nitrogen and fluid pumpers. These gains were offset by a softening in demand for the conventional deep coil tubing fleet.

  • Service Rigs - During the third quarter, service rig revenue improved and utilization increased from 45% to 50% quarter-over-quarter. Essential saw improved utilization in specific operating areas including Grande Prairie and Fort St. John. Demand continued for service rigs operating on steam-assisted gravity drainage ("SAGD") wells.

  • Downhole Tools & Rentals - Revenue for downhole tools & rentals increased during the third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year due to an increase in Tryton Multi-stage Fracturing System ("Tryton MSFS®") product demand.