Precision Drilling Meets 2024 Debt Repayment and Share Repurchase Targets and Provides Capital Allocation, Financial and Operational Updates

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Precision Drilling Corporation
Precision Drilling Corporation

This news release contains "forward-looking information and statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. For a full disclosure of the forward-looking information and statements and the risks to which they are subject, see the "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements" later in this news release.

CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Precision Drilling Corporation (Precision or the Company) (TSX:PD; NYSE:PDS) is pleased to provide a series of positive announcements including: 1) 2024 debt repayment and year end liquidity update; 2) capital allocation framework update; and 3) financial and operational update.

2024 Debt Repayment and Year End Liquidity Update

Precision reduced debt by $176 million in 2024, achieving the mid-point of its debt reduction target range. As at December 31, 2024, Precision’s outstanding debt obligations included:

  • US$160 million – 7.125% unsecured senior notes due January 15, 2026

  • US$400 million – 6.875% unsecured senior notes due January 15, 2029

  • US$12 million drawn on the Senior Credit Facility

The Company ended 2024 with a cash balance of approximately $74 million, compared to $54 million at year end 2023, and total available liquidity of approximately $575 million.

Capital Allocation Framework Update

Precision remains firmly committed to its long-term debt reduction target of repaying $600 million between 2022 and 2026 and reaching a sustained Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio1 of below 1.0 times. Over the past three years, we have reduced our debt by $435 million and lowered our Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio, which we expect to be approximately 1.4 times as at December 31, 2024.

During 2024, Precision returned $75 million to shareholders through share repurchases under its Normal Course Issuer Bid and as at December 31, 2024 had 13,779,502 shares outstanding, compared to 14,336,539 as at December 31, 2023, a decrease of 4%.

Since 2015, Precision has prioritized its capital allocation plans, allocating $1.5 billion of its free cash flow to debt repayments and share buybacks, while investing $1.3 billion in its fleet and completing two acquisitions. As at December 31, 2024, our annual run rate interest expense is approximately US$40 million compared to US$104 million in 2016.

With a strong free cash flow outlook in 2025, we plan to further reduce our debt while increasing our share buyback allocation. In February, we will provide specific capital allocation plans and targets for 2025.

1. Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio is a Non-GAAP measure. Please refer to page 41 of Precision’s Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2023 for more information.