CALGARY, AB, Nov. 12, 2020 /CNW/ - CES Energy Solutions Corp. ("CES" or the "Company") (TSX: CEU) (OTC - Nasdaq Intl: CESDF) announced today the Company's results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020.

CES is pleased to announce Q3 2020 financial results demonstrating the resiliency of our business model, commitment to our customers, and the realization of benefits related to initiatives undertaken in response to the impact of the coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic on industry activity. 

While overall oil and gas industry activity levels remained at depressed levels during the third quarter of 2020, the North American market realized stabilization when compared to trough levels experienced in the second quarter of 2020. As a result, throughout the third quarter and to date, CES has benefited from the reversal of temporary production shut-ins across major basins and more recently, a modest improvement in drilling and completion activity.  Our established infrastructure, cost rationalization initiatives, and committed employee presence in key basins allowed CES to realize market share gains and sequential improvements in financial performance. Despite the challenges presented by the current economic environment, CES' overall liquidity position and balance sheet strength continued to improve in the third quarter, as the Company once again displayed its defensible business model and counter cyclical balance sheet at low points of the cycle.

CES' Q3 2020 financial results included herein demonstrate our continued emphasis on established financial goals comprised of balance sheet strength, ample liquidity, working capital optimization and cost structure rationalization. CES generated revenue of $166.3 million during Q3 2020 and Adjusted EBITDAC of $18.2 million, and revenue of $675.2 million and Adjusted EBITDAC of $77.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. CES exited the quarter with a net cash position of $29.4 million and an undrawn Senior Facility with full availability of $236.7 million, driven by strong cash flow generation achieved through a combination of working capital harvest, continued inventory management and cost containment measures. Demonstrating the Company's disciplined approach to protecting its balance sheet through the downturn, CES has been able to reduce Total Debt, net of cash from $426.6 million at March 31, 2020 to $292.4 million at September 30, 2020, of which $289.0 million relates to the Company's Senior Notes which don't mature until October 21, 2024. Subsequent to September 30, 2020, industry activity continued to improve from trough levels seen earlier in the year in both production chemical and drilling fluids end markets requiring the Company to make modest investments in working capital, while still retaining a net cash balance of approximately $23.0 million and an undrawn, fully accessible Senior Facility.

CES believes that continued focus on ensuring employee safety, preserving quality of operations, working capital management, balance sheet strength, and liquidity will allow the Company to best serve high quality customers during this challenging environment and continue to successfully gain attractive market share. Moreover, as we demonstrated with record US Drilling Fluids Market Share in the quarter of 17%, while some of our peers have had to take steps to reduce exposure to or withdraw from key market segments, our solid financial position will enable CES to maintain and strengthen our talent base and strategic infrastructure which will further improve our competitive position in a recovery.

Revenue for both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2020 was significantly affected by the global economic impacts of COVID-19 and low commodity price environment, which resulted in temporary production shut-ins, deferred completions and significant declines in drilling activity in North America. The financial results reported for 2020 also reflect the importance of CES' geographic positioning and strategic commitment to the US market which generated 68% of the Company's overall revenue in Q3 2020.  These results demonstrate the significance of CES' diversification through operating efficiencies and capitalizing on the completed infrastructure buildout in both the US and Canada. As activity levels declined significantly in Q3 2020 as compared to Q3 2019, CES has been able to maintain and grow its commitment to a strong and high quality customer base in both operating regions.

Revenue generated in the US in Q3 2020 was $113.9 million compared to $227.3 million in Q3 2019, a decrease of $113.4 million or 50%. US revenues in the quarter were negatively impacted by lower activity levels across all operating divisions.  US land drilling activity fell by 73% from Q3 2019 to Q3 2020 as operators quickly curtailed 2020 capex spending in order to preserve capital and avoid uneconomic completions. In this challenging environment, CES was able to increase its US Drilling Fluids Market Share to 17%, up from 13% in both Q3 2019 and Q2 2020. Year over year, production related volumes were also down significantly, however, sequentially, the Company benefited from the reversal of certain production shut-ins which partially offset the impact of lower drilling fluids activity quarter over quarter. 

Revenue generated in Canada decreased 41% to $52.4 million in Q3 2020 over the 2019 comparative period. Both the production chemicals and drilling fluids businesses in Canada saw significant declines in industry activity levels and experienced intense pricing pressure from customers. Sequentially, the Company benefited from increased production volumes and a seasonal uptick in activity levels, however peak drilling activity levels were considerably lower than previous year highs as customers curtailed spending, temporarily shut in some existing production, and scaled back drilling in order to preserve capital.

In light of the increasingly challenging global oilfield market and the cost containment initiatives executed by the Company to right-size the business for the current environment, CES recorded the following items during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 which negatively impacted net income and EBITDAC and are considered to be non-recurring:

• Within cost of sales, the Company recorded $nil and $12.3 million, respectively, of inventory write-downs as certain commodity based products were revalued to net realizable value to reflect the commodity price environment at the time of the revaluation;
• Within general and administrative expenses, the Company recorded $0.5 million and $3.1 million, respectively, in additional bad debt allowances; and
• Within cost of sales and general and administrative expenses, the Company recorded $0.4 million and $2.4 million, respectively, in restructuring costs.

Excluding the items noted above, CES achieved Adjusted EBITDAC of $18.2 million in Q3 2020, compared to $42.2 million in Q3 2019. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, CES achieved Adjusted EBITDAC of $77.5 million compared to $127.5 million for the respective 2019 period.

CES' Adjusted EBITDAC of $18.2 million and margin of 11.0% in Q3 2020 represent significant improvements from the $8.2 million and 5.1% recorded in Q2 2020 as the Company recognized a full quarter of cost rationalization efforts in the third quarter, and further benefitted from the reversal of certain production shut-ins in both the US and Canada. CES responded to falling activity levels by significantly rationalizing costs and headcount in Canada and the US early in the second quarter, along with the implementation of a number of cost cutting measures with respect to compensation and discretionary expenses. In light of the uncertainty surrounding current market conditions, as activity levels fluctuate, CES will continue to diligently manage its cost base through reductions in personnel and overhead costs, compensation levels and discretionary spending as required.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recognized the Federal Government's Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy ("CEWS") program benefits in the amount of $5.6 million and $11.8 million, respectively, as a reduction to wage expense with $2.9 million and $6.2 million allocated to cost of sales, for the respective periods, and $2.7 million and $5.6 million allocated to general and administrative expenses, for the respective periods. The CEWS program has been instrumental in allowing CES to mitigate further Canadian personnel reductions while navigating uncertainty surrounding the severity and duration of current market conditions, and CES is encouraged by the Federal Government's planned extension of the program until June of 2021.

Net loss for Q3 2020 was $12.7 million, compared to net income of $7.6 million in Q3 2019. Net income decreased from Q3 2019 to Q3 2020 primarily due to the factors outlined above, offset by lower interest expense due to lower debt levels, recognition of $5.6 million benefit from the CEWS program, and a reduction in stock based compensation expense. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, net loss was $263.4 million compared to net income of $18.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.  For the nine month comparative periods, net loss was further impacted by a $248.9 million goodwill impairment recorded by the Company in Q1 2020 and the associated deferred income tax recovery of $14.7 million.

As at September 30, 2020, CES had a Working Capital Surplus of $266.9 million, which represents a $34.5 million reduction from $301.4 million at June 30, 2020, and a $150.4 million reduction from $417.3 million at March 31, 2020. This reduction in working capital is primarily driven by the reduction in activity levels experienced across the Company's operating divisions, and was further amplified by the Company's focus on working capital optimization over the last eighteen months. Through the pandemic, CES has benefited greatly from the high quality of its customers and diligent internal credit monitoring processes. As a result, CES has managed to maintain a strong collection record and has minimized accounts receivable losses, recording only $3.1 million in credit loss provisions to date in 2020, representing less than 0.5% of revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. With the working capital harvest in the third quarter, CES generated $40.3 million in cash provided by operating activities and was able to repay all remaining outstanding draws on the Company's Senior Facility. While CES' countercyclical leverage model provides the Company with significant balance sheet protection through a downtown, the Company continued to generate positive Funds Flow From Operations in both the second and third quarters of 2020 in this low commodity price environment, which excludes the impact of working capital release and is reflective of the Company's cost rationalization efforts and marginally improved market conditions in the quarter.

CES exited the quarter with a net cash balance of $29.4 million, an undrawn Senior Facility, and Total Debt, net of cash, of $292.4 million, of which $289.0 million relates to the Company's Senior Notes which don't mature until October 21, 2024 (December 31, 2019 - net cash of $nil, net draw of $76.7 million and Total Debt of $407.6 million). CES' Senior Facility was fully accessible at September 30, 2020 with a maximum available draw of $170.0 million on the Canadian facility and US$50.0 million on the US facility (December 31, 2019 - $170.0 million and US$50.0 million, respectively), and the facility does not mature until September 28, 2022.

Starting in mid-March of this year, the Company acted quickly on a number of proactive measures to preserve balance sheet strength through the downturn. Among these actions were initiatives relating to capex reductions, dividend suspension, and NCIB activity:

• In Q3 2020, CES incurred $3.1 million in capital expenditures, representing a 67% decrease from $9.5 million in Q3 2019 and a 39% decrease from $5.1 million in Q2 2020. Year-to-date, CES incurred $20.6 million in capital expenditures, representing a decrease of 32% year over year. Current quarter capital expenditures are primarily comprised of the expansion of the lab capabilities just outside of Midland, Texas, and other processing equipment expenditures primarily associated with the production chemical business. In light of challenging market conditions, the Company has suspended all non-essential capital expenditures and expects 2020 capital expenditures, excluding amounts financed through leasing arrangements, to be up to $30.0 million in 2020, compared to $45.2 million in 2019, and representing a $20.0 million or 40% reduction from the original 2020 capex plan of $50.0 million.
• The Company reduced its monthly dividend on March 12, 2020 from $0.06 per share to $0.015 per share on an annualized basis. As industry conditions continued to deteriorate, CES suspended its monthly dividend on April 16, 2020. This decision will conserve approximately $16.0 million on an annualized basis.
• CES temporarily suspended activity under the NCIB program in the second quarter of 2020 after using $4.8 million to repurchase for cancellation 2,325,277 common shares in Q1 2020. On July 16, 2020 the Company announced the renewal of its previous NCIB, which allows for the repurchase and cancellation of up to 19,025,236 common shares, being 7.5% of the public float at the time of renewal before expiry on July 20, 2021. During Q3 2020, the Company opportunistically repurchased 2,633,400 common shares at an average price of $0.90 per share for a total amount of $2.4 million. Since inception of the Company's NCIB programs and up to September 30, 2020, the Company has repurchased 15,560,280 common shares at an average price of $2.56 per share for a total amount of $39.8 million. Subsequent to September 30, 2020, the Company has repurchased 2,430,500 additional shares at a weighted average price of $0.73 for a total of $1.8 million.

Outlook

Continually evolving impacts on the global oil and gas industry resulting from COVID-19 and the public health containment measures implemented worldwide have resulted in significantly reduced global oil demand with oil prices experiencing record low levels during the second quarter of 2020. CES remains cautious with its 2020 outlook and expects significantly reduced upstream activity across North America, reduced production levels, deferred completions, downward pressure on margins, further industry consolidation, and some customers potentially experiencing formal restructurings and bankruptcies. The high level of uncertainty surrounding the magnitude and duration of this downturn has resulted in customers announcing material reductions to their capital spending and temporarily shutting in existing production, therefore resulting in a corresponding reduction in demand for the Company's products and services. Although several producers have started bringing shut-in production back on-stream, CES has undertaken significant steps to rationalize its cost structure and will take additional appropriate actions as necessary. During the second and third quarters of 2020, CES applied for and received funding from the Canadian Federal Government's CEWS program, recognizing an aggregate benefit of $11.8 million, thereby mitigating further personnel reductions while we navigate through this downturn. Further, in the September 23, 2020 Throne Speech from the Government of Canada, it was announced that the CEWS program would be extended until June 2021. While details regarding the program require further clarification, CES expects to continue to participate in the program through the duration of its extension as applicable.

CES believes it will benefit from its asset light, consumables business model and its ability to maintain a prudent cost structure in this low oil price environment. CES' counter cyclical leverage model allows the Company to remain resilient despite expected declines in industry activity. During the 2015-2016 downturn, CES experienced a reduction in Working Capital Surplus of $152.7 million from December 31, 2014 to June 30, 2016, and was able to reduce Total Debt outstanding, fully pay down the Senior Facility, and grow cash balances through the end of Q2 2016 to $111.1 million. From Q1 2020 to Q3 2020, CES has again demonstrated its financial resiliency with positive Funds Flow from Operations, and a $133.7 million working capital harvest resulting in an undrawn and fully accessible Senior Facility and a positive net cash balance of $29.4 million as at September 30, 2020. Currently, the Company's Senior Facility continues to remain undrawn and the Company has a net cash balance of $23.0 million.

CES has proactively managed both the duration and the flexibility of its debt. In August 2019, CES successfully amended and extended its Senior Facility to September 2022. In October 2017, CES successfully re-financed and reduced its coupon on its previously outstanding $300.0 million Senior Notes by issuing new 6.375% Senior Notes which mature in October 2024. This provides the Company with an additional level of financial stability during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and the related deterioration of the global crude oil market.

Although CES previously expected 2020 capital expenditures to be at or below 2019 levels, in light of recent developments in the global oil and gas markets, the Company has suspended all non-essential capital expenditures and currently expects 2020 capital expenditures to be up to $30.0 million, a 40% reduction from the original 2020 capex plan of $50.0 million.  CES will continue its disciplined and prudent approach to capital expenditures and is currently reviewing 2021 planned expenditures which will be adjusted as required as conditions continue to unfold.

CES continues to believe that coming out of this downturn it can continue to grow its share of the oilfield consumable chemical markets in which it competes. CES also believes that competitor consolidations and business failures will provide further opportunities for CES in a recovery scenario. CES sees the consumable chemical market increasing its share of the oilfield spend as operators continue to: drill longer reach laterals and drill them faster; expand and optimize the utilization of pad drilling; increase the intensity and size of their fracs; and require increasingly technical and specialized chemical treatments to effectively maintain existing cash flow generating wells and treat growing production volumes and water cuts from new wells.

CES' strategy is to continue to use its decentralized management model; its vertically integrated manufacturing model; its problem solving through science approach; its patented and proprietary technologies; and its superior people and execution to increase market share.  By being basic in the manufacture of the consumable chemicals it sells, CES continues to be price competitive and a technology leader. Operators require increasingly technical solutions and deeper customer-centric coverage models to meet their needs. CES believes that its unique value proposition makes it the premier independent provider of technically advanced consumable chemical solutions to the North American oilfield.

In its core businesses, CES will focus on profitably growing market share, controlling costs and managing working capital, developing or acquiring new technologies and making strategic investments as required to position the business to capitalize on current and future opportunities. CES remains committed to the safety of our employees, support of our customers, defense of our strong financial position, and preservation of shareholder value. CES' counter cyclical leverage model and capital light business will continue to demonstrate our resiliency to weather this challenging business environment while preparing the Company to excel as headwinds subside. The suspension of CES' dividend, accompanied by implemented cost reduction initiatives, will continue to preserve the strength of the Company's balance sheet while maintaining liquidity to fund existing operations and potential growth initiatives. CES will be protective of its balance sheet and prudent with its capital allocation, particularly in the current low oil price environment, and will continue to opportunistically utilize its NCIB program.

Conference Call Details

With respect to the third quarter results, CES will host a conference call / webcast at 9:00 am MT (11:00 am ET) on Friday, November 13, 2020.

North American toll-free: 1-(800)-319-4610
International / Toronto callers: (416)-915-3239
Link to Webcast: http://www.cesenergysolutions.com/

Financial Highlights

Business of CES

CES is a leading provider of technically advanced consumable chemical solutions throughout the life-cycle of the oilfield. This includes total solutions at the drill-bit, at the point of completion and stimulation, at the wellhead and pump-jack, and finally through to the pipeline and midstream market. At the drill-bit, CES' designed drilling fluids encompass the functions of cleaning the hole, stabilizing the rock drilled, controlling subsurface pressures, enhancing drilling rates, and protecting potential production zones while conserving the environment in the surrounding surface and subsurface area. At the point of completion and stimulation, CES' designed chemicals form a critical component of fracturing solutions or other forms of remedial well stimulation techniques. The shift to horizontal drilling and multi-stage fracturing with long horizontal well completions has been responsible for significant growth in the drilling fluids and completion and stimulation chemicals markets. At the wellhead and pump-jack, CES' designed production and specialty chemicals provide down-hole solutions for production and gathering infrastructure to maximize production and reduce costs of equipment maintenance. Key solutions include corrosion inhibitors, demulsifiers, H₂S scavengers, paraffin control products, surfactants, scale inhibitors, biocides and other specialty products. Further, specialty chemicals are used throughout the pipeline and midstream industry to aid in hydrocarbon movement and manage transportation and processing challenges including corrosion, wax build-up and H₂S.

CES operates in all major basins throughout the United States ("US"), including Permian, Eagleford, Bakken, Marcellus and Scoop/Stack, as well as in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin ("WCSB") with an emphasis on servicing the ongoing major resource plays; Montney, Duvernay, Deep Basin and SAGD. In the US, CES operates under the trade names AES Drilling Fluids ("AES"), JACAM Chemicals ("JACAM"), Catalyst Oilfield Services ("Catalyst") and Superior Weighting Products ("Superior Weighting"). In Canada, CES operates under the trade names Canadian Energy Services, PureChem Services ("PureChem"), StimWrx Energy Services Ltd. ("StimWrx"), Sialco Materials Ltd. ("Sialco"), and Clear Environmental Solutions ("Clear").

The JACAM, Catalyst, PureChem, and Sialco brands are vertically integrated manufacturers of advanced specialty chemicals. In addition to being basic in the manufacture of oilfield chemicals, JACAM, Catalyst, and PureChem have expanding distribution channels into the oilfield. The StimWrx brand provides near matrix stimulation and remediation of oil, gas, and injection wells in Western Canada and the US. The Canadian Energy Services and AES brands are focused on the design and implementation of drilling fluids systems and completion solutions sold directly to oil and gas producers. The Superior Weighting brand custom grinds minerals including barite, which is the weighting agent utilized in most drilling fluid systems.

Clear is a complimentary business division that supports the operations and augments the product offerings in the WCSB. Clear is CES' environmental division, providing environmental consulting, water management and water transfer services, and drilling fluids waste disposal services primarily to oil and gas producers active in the WCSB.

CES continues to invest in research and development of new technologies and in the top-end scientific talent that can develop and refine these technologies. CES operates nine separate lab facilities across North America: two in Houston, Texas; two in Midland, Texas; one in Sterling, Kansas; and one in each of Calgary, Alberta; Grand Prairie, Alberta; Carlyle, Saskatchewan; and Delta, British Columbia. In the US, CES' main chemical manufacturing and reacting facility is located in Sterling, Kansas with additional low-temperature reacting and chemical blending capabilities just outside of Midland, Texas and chemical blending capabilities in Sonora, Texas. In Canada, CES has a chemical manufacturing and reacting facility located in Delta, British Columbia with additional chemical blending capabilities located in Carlyle, Saskatchewan, Nisku, Alberta, and Grand Prairie, Alberta. CES also leverages third party partner relationships to drive innovation in the consumable fluids and chemicals business.

Cautionary Statement
Except for the historical and present factual information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, may constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively referred to as "forward-looking information") which involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of CES, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.  When used in this press release, such information uses such words as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", and other similar terminology.  This information reflects CES' current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speaks only as of the date of the press release.  Forward-looking information involves significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be an accurate indication of whether or not such results will be achieved.  A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking information, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed below.  The management of CES believes the material factors, expectations and assumptions reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these factors, expectations and assumptions will prove to be correct.  The forward-looking information contained in this document speaks only as of the date of the document, and CES assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required pursuant to applicable securities laws or regulations. The material assumptions in making forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, assumptions relating to demand levels and pricing for the oilfield consumable chemical offerings of the Company; fluctuations in the price and demand for oil and natural gas; anticipated activity levels of the Company's significant customers; commodity pricing; general economic and financial market conditions; the successful integration of recent acquisitions; the Company's ability to finance its operations; levels of drilling and other activity in the WCSB, the Permian and other US basins, the effects of seasonal and weather conditions on operations and facilities; changes in laws or regulations; currency exchange fluctuations; the ability of the Company to attract and retain skilled labour and qualified management; and other unforeseen conditions which could impact the Company's business of supplying oilfield consumable chemistry to the Canadian and US markets and the Company's ability to respond to such conditions.

In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information pertaining to the following: the certainty and predictability of future cash flows and earnings; expectations that EBITDAC will exceed the sum of expenditures on interest, taxes and capital expenditures; expectations of  capital expenditures in 2020; expectations regarding CES' ability to harvest working capital as activity levels decline based on historical performance and current circumstances; expectations that EBITDAC will provide sufficient free cash flow to pay down the Company's Senior Facility and add cash to the balance sheet; expectations regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CES' operations and the oil and natural gas industry generally; CES' ability to execute on financial goals relating to its balance sheet, liquidity, working capital and cost structure; expectations regarding CES' ability to qualify and participate in the Canadian Government's CEWS program; expectations regarding reduced capital expenditures by CES' customers and the quantum of shut-in production by CES' customers; expectations that CES' financial position will provide a competitive advantage in a recovery; the sufficiency of liquidity and capital resources to meet long-term payment obligations; CES' ability to increase or maintain its market share, including expectations that PureChem and JACAM will increase market share in the oilfield consumable chemical market, that Catalyst will increase market-share of production and specialty chemicals in the Permian Basin, and that AES will increase drilling fluids market share in the Permian Basin; optimism with respect to future prospects for CES; impact of CES' vertically integrated business model on future financial performance; CES' ability to leverage third party partner relationships to drive innovation in the consumable fluids and chemicals business; supply and demand for CES' products and services, including expectations for growth in CES' production and specialty chemical sales, expected growth in the consumable chemicals market; industry activity levels; commodity prices; uncertainty surrounding the duration and severity of a low oil and natural gas price environment; development of new technologies; expectations regarding CES' growth opportunities in Canada and the US; expectations regarding the performance or expansion of CES' operations and working capital optimization;  expectations regarding end markets for production chemicals and drilling fluids in Canada and the US; expectations regarding the impact of production curtailment policies; expectations regarding demand for CES' services and technology; investments in research and development and technology advancements; access to debt and capital markets and cost of capital; expectations regarding capital allocation including the use of surplus free cash flow, the purchase of CES' common shares by CES pursuant to the NCIB, debt reduction through the repayment of the Company's Senior Facility or repurchases of the Company's Senior Notes, investments in current operations, issuing dividends, or market acquisitions; CES' ability to continue to comply with covenants in debt facilities; and competitive conditions.

CES' actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information as a result of the following factors: general economic conditions in the US, Canada, and internationally; geopolitical risk; fluctuations in demand for consumable fluids and chemical oilfield services,  the severity of the downturn in oilfield activity; the severity of the decline in activity in the Permian, the WCSB,  and other basins in which the Company operates; a decline in frac related chemical sales; a decline in operator usage of chemicals on wells; an increase in the number of customer well shut-ins; a shift in types of wells drilled; volatility in market prices for oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids and the effect of this volatility on the demand for oilfield services generally; the declines in prices for natural gas, natural gas liquids, oil, and pricing differentials between world pricing; pricing in North America and pricing in Canada; impacts of production level decisions among OPEC+ members and the potential demand impacts of COVID-19; competition, and pricing pressures from customers in the current commodity environment; the degree and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, including government laws and regulations implemented in response to the pandemic and the resulting impact on the demand for oil and natural gas; government support programs implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and potential changes to the qualification criteria and amount of available support; political and societal unrest that may impact CES' operations as well as impact the market for oil and natural gas generally; currency risk as a result of fluctuations in value of the US dollar; liabilities and risks, including environmental liabilities and risks inherent in oil and natural gas operations; sourcing, pricing and availability of raw materials, consumables, component parts, equipment, suppliers, facilities, and skilled management, technical and field personnel; the collectability of accounts receivable, particularly in the current low oil and natural gas price environment; ability to integrate technological advances and match advances of competitors; ability to protect the Company's proprietary technologies; availability of capital; uncertainties in weather and temperature affecting the duration of the oilfield service periods and the activities that can be completed; the ability to successfully integrate and achieve synergies from the Company's acquisitions; changes in legislation and the regulatory environment, including uncertainties with respect to oil and gas royalty regimes, programs to reduce greenhouse gas and other emissions, carbon pricing schemes, and regulations restricting the use of hydraulic fracturing; pipeline capacity and other transportation infrastructure constraints; government mandated production curtailments; reassessment and audit risk and other tax filing matters; changes and proposed changes to US policies including tax policies or policies relating to the oil and gas industry; international and domestic trade disputes, including restrictions on the transportation of oil and natural gas and regulations governing the sale and export of oil, natural gas and refined petroleum products; divergence in climate change policies between the US and Canada; potential changes to the crude by rail industry; changes to the fiscal regimes applicable to entities operating in the US and the WCSB; supply chain disruptions including those caused by global pandemics or disease or from political unrest and blockades; access to capital and the liquidity of debt markets; fluctuations in foreign exchange and interest rates; CES' ability to maintain adequate insurance at rates it considers reasonable and commercially justifiable; and the other factors considered under "Risk Factors" in CES'  Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2019 dated March 12, 2020, and "Risks and Uncertainties" in CES' MD&A for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, dated November 12, 2020.

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SOURCE CES Energy Solutions Corp.

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