Canada NewsWire
CALGARY, Oct. 30, 2019
CALGARY, Oct. 30, 2019 /CNW/ - Energy Services Inc. ("Secure" or the "Corporation") (TSX – SES) provided today an update on its corporate vision and strategy and announced a sales process relating to service lines that do not have recurring or production-related revenue streams, the development of a new feeder pipeline system and the operational and financial results of the Corporation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.
The following press release should be read in conjunction with the Corporation's management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") and the interim consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
CORPORATE VISION AND STRATEGY UPDATE
In 2007, Secure was founded with one vision in mind: to help our customers. Twelve years later, delivering solutions that put our customers' needs first continues to be our guiding principle. Our unique culture, which is driven by entrepreneurial spirit, motivation, and hard work, allows us to carefully consider our customers' needs and deliver innovative solutions. It is this culture and our commitment to exceptional customer service that has made Secure a trusted industry partner today.
The past several years have been volatile for the oil and gas sector. From the dramatic drop in oil prices in late 2014, to the ongoing environmental and political debates surrounding transportation of crude oil in Canada, macro economic factors and political issues continue to have a significant impact on our industry. Our customers have responded with increased financial and capital discipline as they strive for resiliency and free cash flow generation through low commodity price cycles.
Secure's strategy remains focused on what is in the Corporation's control: helping our customers by challenging what's possible. Secure is building on our dedication to creating value for customers with our updated vision to Do Midstream Differently. By doing midstream differently, Secure works transparently with customers to identify opportunities where we can provide innovative solutions that help our customers reduce costs and emissions, and invest their capital where it generates the highest returns. As a result, customers are willing to share in the risk and commit dedicated volumes to our midstream infrastructure that provides predictable, recurring cash flows for the Corporation.
Increasing the stability of our cash flows is a key priority for Secure as we aim to reduce the risk of our investments, maximize the return and value from our existing assets and ensure profitable growth for our shareholders. This focus has led Secure to make strategic investments in midstream infrastructure in high impact resource plays located near customer production, including the following:
This midstream growth has helped transform the nature and reliability of Secure's cash flows by significantly increasing the Corporation's exposure to recurring production-based revenues and limiting exposure to cyclical drilling and completion activities. Additional opportunities to execute on this strategy are expected to continue to evolve based on current trends such as:
Secure's strategy is to follow a sensible approach to capital spending by allocating funds to projects that will generate stable cash flows. This approach includes constructing and operating midstream infrastructure as follows:
STRATEGIC DIVESTITURES
As part of Secure's focus on increasing cash flow stability, Secure has initiated a formal sales process for the divestiture of specific service lines that do not have recurring or production-related revenue streams. In the last quarter, multiple financial institutions approached Secure about divesting select service lines, and this process is expected to be ongoing throughout the remainder of the year and into 2020. Secure expects any divestitures will be completed by the end of 2020. Aggregate proceeds for these divestures could range from $100 million to $200 million depending on which service lines are divested.
For many years, service offerings that supported drilling and completion activities were a key part of Secure's strategy of delivering value to customers through a broad suite of integrated, 'cradle to grave' energy solutions. During years where producer spending was robust, these service lines made important contributions to Secure by generating significant free cash flow that was reinvested in midstream growth opportunities.
Monetizing assets that primarily support drilling and completion activity will help management focus on its longer-term strategy, strengthen our balance sheet, provide incremental capital for continued midstream infrastructure growth, and support continued opportunistic share repurchases. Secure believes this best positions the Corporation for sustainable future growth and shareholder value creation in the midstream space.
Regardless of whether or not divestitures are completed, Secure and our employees will continue providing exceptional service and delivering value-adding solutions that exceed our customers expectations.
DEVELOPMENT OF NEW FEEDER PIPELINE SYSTEM
Secure is pleased to announce that the Corporation has entered into long-term contracts in the Bigstone and East Kaybob regions of Alberta to gather light oil and condensate from multiple producers and transport the product to the Corporation's Fox Creek full-service terminal ("FST"). Several producer facilities will be tied into the system by way of four-inch diameter lateral pipelines, joining together into a six-inch line stretching approximately 25 kilometres to the Fox Creek FST. In total, the system will span approximately 120 kilometres and is estimated to cost approximately $40 million. Construction is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2019 and the pipeline is expected to be operational by mid-2020, subject to regulatory or other unanticipated delays.
The project is underpinned by 15-year commitments with multiple customers, providing Secure with stable, long-term fee-for-service revenues from pipeline tariffs, and reliable volumes at the Fox Creek FST. The pipeline system creates value for our customers operating in the region by providing a capital efficient transportation solution that enhances operating netbacks. Additionally, the pipeline system significantly reduces or eliminates trucking logistics and constraints, reduces CO2 emissions and increases safety by reducing the number of trucks required to transport producer's product.
THIRD QUARTER OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
During the third quarter of 2019, Secure achieved Adjusted EBITDAi of $43.2 million, equal to $0.27 per share, an 18% decrease from the three months ended September 30, 2018. Drilling and completion activity in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin ("WCSB") did not see the usual significant increase following the second quarter spring break up due to unseasonably wet weather conditions extending throughout the summer months. During the third quarter, oil and gas producers were unwilling to incur additional costs due to weather related issues if the oil and gas activity could be delayed until weather conditions improved. This reduction in activity was compounded by the overall impact of reduced capital budgets as producers continue to make cautious spending decisions. Overall, the active rig count and wells completed were down 33% and 21% during the third quarter of 2019 from the same period of 2018.
In the Midstream Infrastructure division, growth initiatives over the last several years to increase capacity in response to customer demand and expand production-related service offerings partially offset the impact of lower drilling and completion volumes at the Corporation's facilities. Reduced activity levels had the most significant impact on the Corporation's Technical Solutions and Environmental Solutions divisions, where over half of the service lines provide drilling and completion-related services. The poor weather also impacted the execution of planned remediation and demolition programs in the Environmental Solutions division.
Secure continues to execute on the Corporation's midstream growth strategy by helping our customers challenge what's possible. During the third quarter, Secure progressed construction of the Pipestone water disposal facility in the Montney region of Alberta. The facility is pipeline connected and has multi-year contracted volumes through facility and area dedications with an anchor tenant, providing reliable cash flows over the contract term. The facility was commissioned in October and is expected to be running at full capacity by the end of the year. During the year, Secure also drilled additional wells at the Tony Creek water disposal facility and the 13 Mile and Keene full-service terminals which are expected to contribute incremental revenue in the first quarter of 2020 after pipeline connections are completed.
Secure continues to follow a disciplined approach to maintaining a strong balance sheet. This provides the Corporation with considerable flexibility to continue to grow the business organically and execute on acquisition opportunities that align with the profitable growth strategy of Secure. Additionally, during the third quarter of 2019, Secure returned $10.7 million of cash flow to shareholders through the Corporation's monthly dividend, and purchased and cancelled 579,900 common shares of the Corporation ("shares") at a weighted average price per share of $6.85 for a total of $4.0 million under the Corporation's normal course issuer bid approved at the end of May 2019. Subsequent to the end of the quarter, Secure purchased and cancelled an additional 1,002,100 shares at an average price of $4.57 per share.
The Corporation's operating and financial highlights for the three- and nine-month periods ending September 30, 2019 and 2018 can be summarized as follows:
Three months ended Sept 30, | Nine months ended Sept 30, | |||||
($000's except share and per share data) | 2019 | 2018 | % change | 2019 | 2018 | % change |
Revenue (excludes oil purchase and resale) | 154,147 | 182,469 | (16) | 470,395 | 505,416 | (7) |
Oil purchase and resale | 577,877 | 646,565 | (11) | 1,843,998 | 1,748,986 | 5 |
Total revenue | 732,024 | 829,034 | (12) | 2,314,393 | 2,254,402 | 3 |
Adjusted EBITDA (1) | 43,173 | 53,746 | (20) | 133,278 | 132,711 | - |
Per share ($), basic | 0.27 | 0.33 | (18) | 0.83 | 0.81 | 2 |
Per share ($), diluted | 0.27 | 0.33 | (18) | 0.82 | 0.80 | 2 |
Net (loss) income attributable to shareholders of Secure | (639) | 6,809 | (109) | (1,058) | 5,985 | 118 |
Per share ($), basic and diluted | - | 0.04 | (100) | (0.01) | 0.04 | 125 |
Cash flows from operating activities | 35,976 | 19,879 | 81 | 147,204 | 127,205 | 16 |
Per share ($), basic | 0.23 | 0.13 | 77 | 0.92 | 0.78 | 18 |
Per share ($), diluted | 0.22 | 0.20 | 10 | 0.91 | 0.77 | 18 |
Dividends per common share | 0.0675 | 0.0675 | - | 0.2025 | 0.2025 | - |
Capital expenditures (1) | 30,725 | 43,478 | (29) | 102,956 | 136,322 | (24) |
Total assets | 1,635,106 | 1,591,913 | 3 | 1,635,106 | 1,591,913 | 3 |
Long-term liabilities | 633,037 | 522,304 | 21 | 633,037 | 522,304 | 21 |
Common shares - end of period | 157,979,909 | 162,286,387 | (3) | 157,979,909 | 161,945,330 | (2) |
Weighted average common shares | ||||||
basic | 158,075,674 | 162,286,387 | (3) | 159,620,638 | 163,600,546 | (2) |
diluted | 160,725,966 | 164,911,044 | (3) | 162,621,883 | 165,779,889 | (2) |
(1)Refer to "Non-GAAP Measures" and "Operational Definitions" for further information. |
Sept 30 , 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Threshold | |
Senior Debt to EBITDA | 1.8 | 1.6 | 3.5 |
Total Debt to EBITDA | 2.5 | 2.2 | 5.0 |
MIDSTREAM INFRASTRUCTURE DIVISION HIGHLIGHTS
Three months ended Sept 30, 2019 | Nine months ended Sept 30, 2019 | |||||
($000's) | 2019 | 2018 | % Change | 2019 | 2018 | % Change |
Revenue | ||||||
Midstream Infrastructure (a) | 88,316 | 89,579 | (1) | 267,998 | 250,930 | 7 |
Oil purchase and resale | 577,877 | 646,565 | (11) | 1,843,998 | 1,748,986 | 5 |
Total Midstream Infrastructure division revenue | 666,193 | 736,144 | (10) | 2,111,996 | 1,999,916 | 6 |
Cost of Sales | ||||||
Midstream Infrastructure excluding items noted below | 39,829 | 35,913 | 11 | 118,485 | 107,160 | 11 |
Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 20,972 | 23,771 | (12) | 63,280 | 60,917 | 4 |
Oil purchase and resale | 577,877 | 646,565 | (11) | 1,843,998 | 1,748,986 | 5 |
Total Midstream Infrastructure division cost of sales | 638,678 | 706,249 | (10) | 2,025,763 | 1,917,063 | 6 |
Segment Profit Margin (1) | 48,487 | 53,666 | (10) | 149,513 | 143,770 | 4 |
Segment Profit Margin (1) as a % of revenue (a) | 55% | 60% | 56% | 57% | ||
(1)Calculated as revenue less cost of sales excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization. Refer to "Non-GAAP Measures and Operational Definitions" for further information. | ||||||
ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS DIVISION HIGHLIGHTS
Three months ended Sept 30, 2019 | Nine months ended Sept 30, 2019 | ||||||
($000's) | 2019 | 2018 | % Change | 2019 | 2018 | % Change | |
Revenue | |||||||
Environmental Solutions | 20,387 | 29,617 | (31) | 66,086 | 87,824 | (25) | |
Cost of Sales | |||||||
Environmental Solutions excluding depreciation and amortization | 15,308 | 23,149 | (34) | 53,343 | 69,778 | (24) | |
Depreciation and amortization | 2,047 | 1,801 | 14 | 7,037 | 6,434 | 9 | |
Total Environmental Solutions division cost of sales | 17,355 | 24,950 | (30) | 60,380 | 76,212 | (21) | |
Segment Profit Margin (1) | 5,079 | 6,468 | (21) | 12,743 | 18,046 | (29) | |
Segment Profit Margin (1) as a % of revenue | 25% | 22% | 19% | 21% | |||
(1)Calculated as revenue less cost of sales excluding depreciation and amortization. Refer to "Non-GAAP Measures and Operational Definitions" for further information. | |||||||
TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS DIVISION HIGHLIGHTS
Three months ended Sept 30, 2019 | Nine months ended Sept 30, 2019 | |||||
($000's) | 2019 | 2018 | % Change | 2019 | 2018 | % Change |
Revenue | ||||||
Technical Solutions | 45,444 | 63,273 | (28) | 136,311 | 166,662 | (18) |
Cost of Sales | ||||||
Technical Solutions excluding depreciation and amortization | 37,507 | 50,191 | (25) | 114,297 | 137,495 | (17) |
Depreciation and amortization | 5,734 | 5,096 | 13 | 17,603 | 15,582 | 13 |
Total Technical Solutions division cost of sales | 43,241 | 55,287 | (22) | 131,900 | 153,077 | (14) |
Segment Profit Margin (1) | 7,937 | 13,082 | (39) | 22,014 | 29,167 | (25) |
Segment Profit Margin (1) as a % of revenue | 17% | 21% | 16% | 18% | ||
(1)Calculated as revenue less cost of sales excluding depreciation and amortization. Refer to "Non-GAAP Measures and Operational Definitions" for further information. |
OUTLOOK
Improved weather conditions and increased producer spending to complete 2019 capital plans are expected to lead to higher drilling and completion activity during the fourth quarter compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019. However, in the absence of significant commodity price increases, the Corporation expects producer spending on drilling and completions to remain cautious, with activity levels below the fourth quarter of 2018.
The Corporation has engaged financial advisors for the sales process for the divestiture of specific service lines that do not have recurring or production-related revenue streams. We expect a robust sales process and are committed to obtaining a sales price commensurate with the value of the service lines. We expect the sales process will be ongoing throughout the fourth quarter and into 2020, with the intent of completing any divestitures by the end of next year.
There can be no assurance that any agreement or transaction will occur, or if a transaction is undertaken, as to its terms or timing. Secure has not set a definitive schedule to complete the sales process and no decision on any particular transaction structure has been reached at this time. Secure does not intend to make further announcements or disclose developments with respect to the sales process until the Corporation's board of directors has approved a definitive transaction, unless otherwise required by applicable laws or Secure otherwise determines that disclosure is appropriate.
Secure's organic growth capital for 2019 has been heavily weighted toward infrastructure projects that align with our underlying strategy to increase the stability of our cash flows. In addition to commissioning the Pipestone water disposal facility and feeder pipeline, the capital plan the remainder of 2019 includes beginning construction of the East Kaybob oil feeder pipeline; and finishing projects to optimize capabilities and increase processing and disposal capacity at various other facilities. The current growth capital plan for 2020 is approximately $30 million, and is dependent upon the timing of carryover and completion of projects from the fourth quarter of 2019. Sustaining capital is expected to be approximately $20 million for 2020.
Secure will continue to focus on strengthening the Corporation's financial position throughout 2020. This will provide increased flexibility for debt repayment, midstream infrastructure growth underpinned by contracts, and opportunistic share repurchases.
REPORTING CHANGES
The Corporation adopted IFRS 16 as at the effective date of January 1, 2019 which replaced IAS 17, Leases. The new standard introduces a single lessee accounting model and requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities for all leases with a term of more than 12 months, unless the underlying asset is of low value.
The Corporation elected the modified retrospective transition approach, which provides lessees a method for recording existing leases at adoption with no restatement of prior period financial information. Under this approach, a lease liability was recognized at January 1, 2019 in respect of leases previously classified as operating leases, measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted using the lessee's incremental borrowing rate at transition. The associated right-of-use assets were measured at amounts equal to the respective lease liabilities, subject to certain adjustments allowed under IFRS 16.
Adoption of the new standard at January 1, 2019 resulted in the recording of additional right-of-use assets and lease liabilities of $33.4 million and $35.9 million, respectively, related to office space, warehouses, surface land, rail cars and certain heavy equipment. The new standard did not materially impact consolidated net income as the depreciation of right-of-use assets and interest and finance costs related to the lease liabilities recognized under IFRS 16 were mostly offset by reductions in operating lease expense, which were previously recognized in cost of sales and general and administrative expenses. The adoption of IFRS 16 had no impact on cash flows.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND MD&A
The Corporation's condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 and MD&A for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 are available immediately on Secure's website at www.secure-energy.com. The condensed consolidated financial statements and MD&A will be available tomorrow on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained in this document constitute "forward-looking statements" and/or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively referred to as "forward-looking statements"). When used in this document, the words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", and similar expressions, as they relate to Secure, or its management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of Secure with respect to future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this document. In particular, this document contains or implies forward-looking statements pertaining to: management's expectations with respect to the business, financial prospects and future opportunities for the Corporation; the Corporation's growth and expansion strategy; the Corporation's ability to continue to grow the business organically and execute on strategic growth opportunities based on current financial position; sales process for the divestiture of specific service lines that do not have recurring or production-related revenue streams, including outcome of the sales process, proceeds and timing of proposed divestitures, and the announcements, anticipated proceeds and use of proceeds therefrom; the Corporation's proposed 2019 and 2020 capital expenditure programs including growth and expansion and sustaining capital expenditures, and the timing of completion for projects, in particular the Pipestone water disposal facility and East Kaybob pipeline; key factors driving the Corporation's success; the oil and natural gas industry in Canada and the U.S., including 2019 and 2020 activity levels, spending by producers and the impact of this on Secure's activity levels; the impact of new facilities, and new service offerings, potential acquisitions, and prior year acquisitions on the Corporation's future financial results; demand for the Corporation's services and products; industry fundamentals driving the success of Secure's core operations, including increased outsourcing of midstream work by producers, drilling, completion and production trends, opportunities relating to crude oil logistics, well density and economics for pipeline connecting production volumes to midstream facilities, and global oil and gas demand; debt service; future capital needs and how the Corporation intends to fund its operations, working capital requirements, dividends and capital program; access to capital; and the Corporation's ability to meet obligations and commitments and operate within any credit facility restrictions.
Forward-looking statements concerning expected operating and economic conditions are based upon prior year results as well as the assumption that levels of market activity and growth will be consistent with industry activity in Canada and the U.S. and similar phases of previous economic cycles. Forward-looking statements concerning the availability of funding for future operations are based upon the assumption that the sources of funding which the Corporation has relied upon in the past will continue to be available to the Corporation on terms favorable to the Corporation and that future economic and operating conditions will not limit the Corporation's access to debt and equity markets.
Forward-looking statements concerning the relative future competitive position of the Corporation are based upon the assumption that economic and operating conditions, including commodity prices, crude oil and natural gas storage levels, interest and foreign exchange rates, the regulatory framework regarding oil and natural gas royalties, environmental regulatory matters, the ability of the Corporation and its subsidiaries to successfully market their services and drilling and production activity in North America will lead to sufficient demand for the Corporation's services including demand for oilfield services for drilling and completion of oil and natural gas wells, that the current business environment will remain substantially unchanged, and that present and anticipated programs and expansion plans of other organizations operating in the energy industry may change the demand for the Corporation's services and its subsidiaries' services. Forward-looking statements concerning the nature and timing of growth are based on past factors affecting the growth of the Corporation, past sources of growth and expectations relating to future economic and operating conditions. Forward-looking statements in respect of the costs anticipated to be associated with the acquisition and maintenance of equipment and property are based upon assumptions that future acquisition and maintenance costs will not significantly increase from past acquisition and maintenance costs.
Forward-looking statements involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether such results will be achieved. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements as a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in these forward-looking statements, including but not limited to those factors referred to under the heading "Risk Factors" in the annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2018 and in the MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2018 and also includes risks associated with general economic conditions in Canada and the U.S.; changes in the level of capital expenditures made by oil and natural gas producers and the resultant effect on demand for oilfield services during drilling and completion of oil and natural gas wells; volatility in market prices for oil and natural gas and the effect of this volatility on the demand for oilfield services generally; risks inherent in the Corporation's ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to meet its current and future obligations; increases in debt service charges; the Corporation's ability to access external sources of debt and equity capital; changes in legislation and the regulatory environment, including uncertainties with respect to implementing binding targets for reductions of emissions and the regulation of hydraulic fracturing services; uncertainties in weather and temperature affecting the duration of the oilfield service periods and the activities that can be completed; competition; sourcing, pricing and availability of raw materials, consumables, component parts, equipment, suppliers, facilities, and skilled management, technical and field personnel; liabilities and risks, including environmental liabilities and risks, inherent in oil and natural gas operations; ability to integrate technological advances and match advances of completion; credit risk to which the Corporation is exposed in the conduct of its business; Secure's ability to complete anticipated divestiture transactions on acceptable terms or at all; updates or changes to Secure's strategy; risks associated with the possible failure to realize the anticipated synergies in integrating the assets acquired in prior year acquisitions with the operations of Secure; and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Corporation.
Although forward-looking statements contained in this document are based upon what the Corporation believes are reasonable assumptions, the Corporation cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Unless otherwise required by law, Secure does not intend, or assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements.
NON-GAAP MEASURES AND OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS
The Corporation uses accounting principles that are generally accepted in Canada (the issuer's "GAAP"), which includes International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). Certain supplementary measures in this document do not have any standardized meaning as prescribed by IFRS. These measures are intended as a complement to results provided in accordance with IFRS. The Corporation believes these measures provide additional useful information to analysts, shareholders and other users to understand the Corporation's financial results, profitability, cost management, liquidity and ability to generate funds to finance its operations. However, they should not be used as an alternative to IFRS measures because they do not have a standardized meaning under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. See the MD&A available at www.sedar.com for further details, including reconciliations of the Non-GAAP measures and additional GAAP measures to the most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with IFRS.
ABOUT SECURE ENERGY SERVICES INC.
Secure is a TSX publicly traded integrated energy business with midstream infrastructure, environmental and technical solutions divisions providing industry leading customer solutions to upstream oil and natural gas companies operating in western Canada and certain regions in the United States ("U.S.").
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i Refer to the "Non-GAAP Measures and Operational Definitions" section herein. |
ii IFRS 16 was adopted by the Corporation on January 1, 2019 and resulted in the reclassification of certain lease payments previously included in the determination of EBITDA to depreciation and amortization expense and interest costs. Refer to the 'Reporting Changes' section herein. |
iii Refer to the "Liquidity and Capital Resources" section herein for details on the Corporation's covenant calculations. |
SOURCE SECURE Energy Services Inc.
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