Strad Energy Services Announces First Quarter Results

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES (“U.S.”)

The news release contains “forward-looking information and statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. For 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, May 10, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Strad Energy Services Ltd., (TSX:SDY) (“Strad” or the “Company”), a North American-focused, energy services company, today announced its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2018. All amounts are stated in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

FIRST QUARTER SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS:

• Revenue increased 3% to $28.4 million compared to $27.7 million for the same period in 2017;
• First quarter loss decreased to $(0.4) million compared to $(2.3) million for the same period in 2017;
• Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ of $5.5 million increased 23% compared to $4.5 million for the same period in 2017;
• Loss per share decreased to $(0.01) as compared to $(0.04) during the same period in 2017;
• During the first quarter of 2018, the Company re-purchased and canceled 1,047,760 common shares under the normal course issuer bid (“NCIB”), bringing total shares repurchased and canceled under the NCIB to 1,154,860 as at March 31, 2018. Subsequent to the first quarter, an additional 1,527,560 common shares were re-purchased and canceled.
• Funded debt⁽²⁾ decreased to $8.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to $9.8 million at December 31, 2017. Funded debt⁽²⁾to covenant EBITDA⁽³⁾ ratio was 0.3 to 1.0 at March 31, 2018; and
• Capital additions totaled $4.8 million during the first quarter of 2018.

“Despite lower average rig counts and a long winter in Canada that delayed our start to the matting season, our first quarter results improved year-over-year,” said Andy Pernal, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We were pleased with the continued improvement in our U.S. Operations year-over-year due to increased rig counts in all of our operating regions. Our relatively fixed cost structure and ability to maintain 2017 exit pricing continue to serve us well.”

“The strength of our balance sheet allowed us to repurchase over one million shares to March 31, 2018, and an additional 1.5 million shares subsequent to the quarter,” said Michael Donovan, Chief Financial Officer of Strad. “In addition to the share buybacks, we were able to reduce funded debt to the lowest level in the past three years as well as continue to invest in our matting fleet. We will continue to allocate capital to opportunities that increase shareholder value while also remaining focused on cost discipline and balance sheet preservation in 2018.”

FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

FINANCIAL POSITION AND RATIOS

FIRST QUARTER RESULTS

Strad reported an increase in revenue and adjusted EBITDA of 3% and 23%, respectively and a decrease in net loss of 83% during the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to the same period in 2017. Strad’s first quarter results were driven by increased drilling activity in Strad’s U.S. operating regions, in addition to improved customer pricing. Higher rig counts in all three of the U.S. operating regions, resulted in increased revenue year-over-year. Decreased average rig counts in western Canada, due to higher price differentials, led to reduced operating activity and revenue from our Canadian Operations. Total company adjusted EBITDA margin percentage increased to 19% compared to 16% in the prior year, due to increased revenue and a relatively fixed cost structure.

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, Strad’s U.S. Operations reported an increase in revenue and adjusted EBITDA of 63% and 1,047% as compared to the same period in 2017. Net loss from U.S. Operations decreased from $(2.2) million in first quarter 2017 to $(0.1) million in the first quarter of 2018. Rig counts in the Bakken, Marcellus and Rockies  regions increased year-over-year by 32%, 24%, and 39% (source: Baker Hughes “North America Rotary Rig Count”), respectively, resulting in increased drilling activity and utilization for the first quarter of 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017. Revenue for the first quarter of 2018 was also impacted by improved customer pricing as compared to the same period in 2017. First quarter adjusted EBITDA increased to $2.3 million, as compared to $0.2 million in the same period of 2017, as a result of the increase in revenue and a lean cost structure in the U.S. due to our focus on reducing overhead costs and discretionary spending.

Strad’s Canadian Operations reported a decrease in revenue, net income and adjusted EBITDA of 9%, 33% and 7%, respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to the same period in 2017. The decrease in revenue was a result of decreased surface equipment and matting utilization, which declined by 7% and 33%, respectively, as compared to the same period in 2017. The decline in utilization was the result of a slower start to the matting season due to colder weather. This was offset by continued improved customer pricing during the first quarter of 2018.

Revenue generated from Strad’s energy infrastructure customer vertical decreased to $6.0 million during the first quarter of 2018 compared to $8.4 million in 2017. The decrease in energy infrastructure revenue is a result of colder weather in March 2018 as compared to 2017, resulting in delayed starts to matting jobs in Canada. The energy infrastructure customer vertical continued to be primarily driven by matting in Canada.

Strad’s Product Sales reported a decline in revenue of 42%, as a result of lower third party sales and rental fleet sales which decreased to $0.1 and $0.9 million respectively, during the three months ending March 31, 2018, as compared to $0.5 million and $0.9 million during the same period in 2017.

During the first quarter of 2018, capital expenditures were $4.2 million in Canada, $0.4 million in Corporate and $0.2 million in the U.S. These were related primarily to wood matting additions in Canada, which were acquired to prepare for and to support Strad’s energy infrastructure customer vertical during the upcoming 2018 matting season.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2018, of $19.1 million decreased 9% compared to $20.9 million for the same period in 2017. Decreased revenue during the quarter was primarily a result of lower rig counts, which decreased by 9% year-over-year (source: Baker Hughes “North America Rotary Rig Count”). This led to decreased operating activity in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (“WCSB”) and lower utilization rates for both matting and surface equipment, as compared to the same period in 2017. Further impacting the first quarter results was a slower start to the matting season as a result of colder weather. This was offset by improved customer pricing during the period.

During the first quarter, revenue from energy infrastructure projects was $5.3 million or 27% of total revenue for Canadian Operations as compared to $6.5 million or 31% of total Canadian Operations revenue in the first quarter of 2017. The overall decrease in revenue during the first quarter of 2018 is primarily due to a slower start to the matting season as a result of the longer winter, in addition to fewer energy infrastructure jobs carried over from the prior quarter, as compared to the same period in 2017.

During the first quarter, Strad’s matting fleet increased to 71,800 mats at March 31, 2018, compared to 64,700 mats as at March 31, 2017. First quarter matting utilization decreased to 26% compared to 39% in the same period of 2017 due to the slower start to the matting season.

Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2018, of $4.4 million, decreased 7% compared to $4.8 million for the same period in 2017. Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue, for the three months ended March 31, 2018, remained consistent at 23% as compared to the same period in 2017. The decrease in adjusted EBITDA is driven primarily by the decrease in revenue during the first quarter of 2018.

Operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2018, of $13.1 million decreased 11% compared to $14.7 million for the same period in 2017. The decrease in operating expenses for the first quarter of 2018, as compared to the first quarter of 2017, is due to a decrease in matting related service work.

Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A“) for the three months ended March 31, 2018, of $1.5 million increased 10% compared to $1.4 million for the same period in 2017. SG&A costs increased over the three months March 31, 2018, as a result of increased employees for 2018, resulting in increased costs related to salaries and benefits.

Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2018, increased 63% to $8.3 million from $5.1 million for the same period in 2017. The increase in revenue is due to a combination of higher surface equipment and matting utilization rates and improved customer pricing resulting from increased drilling activity when compared to the same period in 2017. Average rig counts in the Bakken, Marcellus and Rockies regions increased by 32%, 24%, and 39%, respectively, during the first quarter of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 (source: Baker Hughes “North America Rotary Rig Count”).

During the first quarter, revenue from energy infrastructure projects was $0.1 million or 2% of total revenue for U.S. Operations, compared to $0.4 million or 9% in the same period of 2017. The decrease in revenue from energy infrastructure projects is primarily due to fewer projects in 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.

The U.S. average matting fleet increased to 18,300 mats for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to 15,700 mats for the same period in 2017. The increase of mats during 2018 was to support U.S. matting customers.

Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2018, increased to $2.3 million compared to $0.2 million for the same period in 2017. Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue, for the three months ended March 31, 2018, was 28% compared to 4% for the same period in 2017. The significant increase in both adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue is primarily due to higher revenue and a lean cost structure.

Operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2018, of $4.7 million, increased 20% as compared to $4.0 million for the same period in 2017. The increase in operating expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2018, is a result of increased activity levels due to the increase in average rig counts.

SG&A costs for the three months ended March 31, 2018, of $1.2 million increased 36% compared to $0.9 million for the same period in 2017. The change in SG&A expenses for the first quarter of 2018, is due to the increased head count for 2018, resulting in increased costs related to salaries and benefits.

Product Sales

Product Sales are comprised of third party equipment sales to existing customers and sales of equipment from Strad’s existing fleet to customers.

Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2018, decreased 42% to $1.0 million from $1.6 million for the same period in 2017, resulting from lower rental fleet sales and third party sales. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, Product Sales consisted of $0.9 million of rental fleet sales and $0.1 of third party equipment sales compared to $0.9 million and $0.5 million, respectively, in addition to $0.2 million of in-house product sales during the same period in 2017. In the fourth quarter of 2017, management made the decision to no longer manufacture in-house products.

During the first quarter, revenue from energy infrastructure projects was $0.6 million or 61% of total revenue compared to $1.5 million or 89% of total revenue in the same period of 2017. Product Sales vary from quarter to quarter and are dependent on project timing and customer demands.

Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2018, decreased to a loss of $(0.3) million from $0.5 million for the same period in 2017. Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue, for the three months ended March 31, 2018, was (27)% compared to 31% for the same period in 2017. The decrease in adjusted EBITDA is due to decreased revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2018, of $1.2 million increased 8% compared to $1.1 million for the same period in 2017. Operating expenses vary with individual transactions and business activity levels.

OUTLOOK

In the first quarter of 2018, trends experienced throughout 2017 largely continued. West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) prices continued to improve, reaching levels not seen since 2014; an indicator that the North American energy sector continues to recover. However, conditions and sentiment remain very different in Canada versus the United States. In Canada, regulatory and political uncertainty continues to hamper any progress on take-away capacity issues which have led to muted capital expenditures from customers and concerns over the outlook of the industry. In the United States, progressive government policy has led to increases in operator investment and sentiment which we expect will continue throughout 2018.

The strength of our balance sheet allowed Strad to repurchase for cancellation over 1 million shares during the first quarter of 2018. Subsequent to the quarter, we repurchased an additional 1.5 million shares. As 2018 progresses, we will continue to examine and evaluate all options to create value for our shareholders.

A longer winter than historically experienced in Canada meant for a slower start to the matting season. As a result, matting utilization was lower than the same period in 2017. Despite weather related activity challenges, 2017 exit pricing was maintained during the period. We invested in our fleet in the quarter as part of our focus on growth in the energy infrastructure customer vertical and to meet customer demand throughout 2018.

Strad’s U.S. Operations continued to improve reporting a decrease in net loss from $(2.2) million to $(0.1) million for the first quarter of 2018 compared to the same quarter in 2017. Adjusted EBITDA from the U.S. Operations has increased 27% from fourth quarter 2017 and 1,047% from the same period in 2017. The adjusted EBITDA increase is a result of improved customer pricing and higher drilling activity as rig counts in all three of the U.S. operating regions increased. Increased WTI prices and the largest corporate tax reduction in recent U.S. history have resulted in an improved investment climate. We expect our U.S. Operations to contribute to our fiscal 2018 results in a meaningful way.

Revenue from the energy infrastructure customer vertical contributed $6.0 million or 21% to total revenue, a decrease of $2.4 million from 2017. We continue focus on growing total revenue year-over-year from the energy infrastructure vertical to provide diversification and reduce reliance on drilling activity.

In the first quarter, we spent $4.8 million of the previously announced $8.0 million capital spending budget of which $4.0 million was directed towards the matting fleet, $0.4 million related to technology initiatives and the remaining $0.4 million related to other maintenance capital. We expect to evaluate the size of our capital program in 2018 as opportunities arise.

Balance sheet preservation and cost containment will remain top priorities in 2018. In order to maintain our relatively fixed cost structure we will be investing in technology to drive efficiencies throughout the organization. Our strong balance sheet and free cash flow allow Strad the flexibility to evaluate and pursue acquisitions or organic growth opportunities as they arise.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

As at March 31, 2018, working capital was $16.3 million compared to $19.6 million at December 31, 2017. The change in current assets is a result of a 1% increase in accounts receivable to $26.3 million for the first quarter of 2018 compared to $26.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2017. The increase in accounts receivable is due to the increase in U.S. operations  revenue.  At March 31, 2018, the Company had a net bank indebtedness position in current liabilities, as opposed to cash and cash equivalents in current assets at December 31, 2017, which led to a decrease in current assets, an increase in current liabilities and an overall decrease in working capital. Inventory decreased by 11% to $1.6 million at March 31, 2018, from $1.8 million at December 31, 2017. The decrease in inventory is in part due to management’s decision to provide for inventory items no longer used in the normal course of business. The provision, of $0.2 million, was offset by purchases made throughout the first quarter of 2018 to support customer requirements. Prepaid expenses increased 6% at March 31, 2018, as compared to December 31, 2017. The increase in prepaids relates to the normal course of business.

The change in current liabilities is a result of a 3% increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities to $12.2 million at March 31, 2018, compared to $11.9 million at year end. The increase in accounts payable is primarily due to the timing of payments made for the first quarter of 2018.

Cash flow from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2018, increased to $6.5 million compared to $3.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, due to a lower net loss, which resulted from higher revenue. Funds from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018, increased to $6.5 million compared to $5.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Capital expenditures totaled $4.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Strad’s total facility borrowing decreased by $2.8 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared to the fourth quarter of 2017. Management monitors funds from operations and the timing of capital additions to ensure adequate capital resources are available to fund Strad’s capital program.

As at March 31, 2018, the Company’s syndicated banking facility consists of an operating facility with a maximum principal amount of $7.0 million CAD and $5.0 million USD, and a $36.5 million CAD syndicated revolving facility, both of which are subject to certain limitations on accounts receivable, inventory, and net book value of fixed assets and are secured by a general security agreement over all of the Company’s assets. As at March 31, 2018, the Company had access to the maximum credit facilities. The syndicated banking facility  will mature on September 29, 2020. The syndicated banking facility bears interest at bank prime plus a variable rate, which is dependent on the Company’s funded debt to covenant EBITDA ratio.

Based on the Company’s funded debt to covenant EBITDA ratio, the interest rate on the syndicated credit facility is bank prime plus 0.5% on prime rate advances and at the prevailing rate plus a stamping fee of 1.50% on bankers’ acceptances. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the overall effective rates on the operating facility and revolving facility were 3.76% and 3.39%, respectively. As of March 31, 2018, $1.7 million was drawn on the operating facility and $6.3 million was drawn on the revolving facility. Required payments on the revolving facility are interest only.

As at March 31, 2018, the Company was in compliance with all of the financial covenants under its credit facilities.

The relevant definitions related to the financial debt covenant ratio terms as set forth in the Company’s syndicated banking facility are as follows:

• Funded debt includes bank indebtedness plus long-term debt plus current and long-term obligations under finance lease, less cash.
• Covenant EBITDA is based on trailing twelve months adjusted EBITDA plus share based payments, plus additional one-time charges.
• Interest expense ratio is calculated as the ratio of trailing twelve months adjusted EBITDA plus share based payments to trailing twelve months interest expense on loans and borrowings.

The above noted definitions are not recognized under IFRS and are provided strictly for the purposes of the financial covenant calculation.

NON-IFRS MEASURES AND RECONCILIATIONS

Certain supplementary measures in this Press Release do not have any standardized meaning as prescribed under IFRS and, therefore, are considered non-IFRS measures. These measures are described and presented in order to provide shareholders and potential investors with additional information regarding the Company’s financial results, liquidity and its ability to generate funds to finance its operations. These measures are identified and presented, where appropriate, together with reconciliations to the equivalent IFRS measure. However, they should not be construed as alternative measures to IFRS measures, and they may not be consistent with calculations of other companies. These measures are further explained below.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and other adjustments (“adjusted EBITDA”) is not a recognized measure under IFRS. Management believes that in addition to net income (loss), adjusted EBITDA is a useful supplemental measure as it provides an indication of the results generated by the Company’s principal business activities prior to consideration of how those activities are financed or how the results are taxed. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as net income (loss) plus interest, finance fees, taxes, depreciation and amortization, loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment, loss on foreign exchange, less gain on foreign exchange and gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment. Segmented adjusted EBITDA is based upon the same calculation for defined business segments, which are comprised of Canadian Operations, U.S. Operations and Product Sales. The Company’s method of calculating adjusted EBITDA may differ from that of other organizations and, accordingly, its adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to that of other companies.

Funds from operations are cash flow from operating activities excluding changes in non-cash working capital. Funds from operations is a non-IFRS measure commonly used in the energy industry to assist in measuring a company’s ability to finance its capital programs, debt repayments and other financial obligations. Funds from operations is not intended to represent net cash generated from operating activities or other measures of financial performance in accordance with IFRS. It is a supplemental measure to gauge performance of the Company before non-cash items. Working capital is calculated as current assets minus current liabilities. Working capital, cash forecasting, and banking facilities are used by Management to ensure funds are available to finance growth opportunities.

Funded debt is calculated as bank indebtedness plus long-term debt plus current and long-term portion of finance lease obligations less cash from syndicate institutions.

Reconciliation of Funds from Operations

Reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND STATEMENTS

Certain statements and information contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information and statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words “expect”, “plan”, “continue”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “potential”, “targeting”, “intend”, “could”, “might”, “should”, “believe”, “may”, “predict”, or “will” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. More particularly, this press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future capital expenditures of the Company, including its 2018 capital budget, planned allocations of capital expenditures, and funding thereof, by way of cash flow, anticipated cash flow, debt, anticipated demand for the Company’s products and services in 2018 and anticipated revenue allocations amongst our service offerings, drilling activity in North America, pricing of the Company’s products and services and expectations for 2018 and potential for improved profitability, and the potential for growth and expansion of certain components of the Company’s business, including further additions to our matting fleet, anticipated benefits from cost reductions and timing thereof, manufacturing capacity to meet anticipated demand for the Company’s products, and expected exploration and production industry activity including the effects of industry trends on demand for the Company’s products. These statements relate to future events or to the Company’s future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this press release. The forward-looking information and statements included in this press release are not guarantees of future performance and should not be unduly relied upon. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated and described in the forward-looking statements. Such information and statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information or statements. In addition to other material factors, expectations and assumptions which may be identified in this press release and other continuous disclosure documents of the Company referenced herein, assumptions have been made in respect of such forward-looking statements and information regarding, among other things: the Company will continue to conduct its operations in a manner consistent with past operations; the general continuance of current industry conditions; anticipated financial performance, business prospects, impact of competition, strategies, the general stability of the economic and political environment in which the Company operates; exchange and interest rates; tax laws; the sufficiency of budgeted capital expenditures in carrying out planned activities; the availability and cost of labour and services and the adequacy of cash flow; debt and ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms to fund its planned expenditures, which are subject to change based on commodity prices; market conditions and future oil and natural gas prices; and potential timing delays. Although Management considers these material factors, expectations and assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, no assurance can be given that they will prove to be correct.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing lists of factors are not exhaustive. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect the Company’s operations and financial results are included in reports on file with the Canadian Securities Regulatory Authorities and may be accessed through the SEDAR website (www.sedar.com) or at the Company’s website. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, nor the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of securities mentioned in this press release in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.

FOURTH QUARTER EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL

Strad Energy Services Ltd. has scheduled a conference call to begin promptly
at 8:00 a.m. MT (10:00 a.m. ET) on Friday, May 11, 2018.

The conference call dial in number is 1-844-388-0561, followed by Conference ID code 3374949

The conference call will also be accessible via webcast at www.stradenergy.com

A replay of the call will be available approximately after the conference call ends until Friday, May 18th, 2018, at 1:00pm ET. To access the replay, call 1-855-859-2056, followed by pass code 3374949.

ABOUT STRAD ENERGY SERVICES LTD.

Strad is a North American energy services company that provides rental equipment and matting solutions to the oil and gas and energy infrastructure sectors.  Strad focuses on providing complete customer solutions in Canada and the United States.

Strad is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Strad is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “SDY”.

For more information, please contact:

Strad Energy Services Ltd.  
Andy Pernal  
President and Chief Executive Officer  
(403) 775-9202  
Fax: (403) 232-6901
email: 

Strad Energy Services Ltd.
Michael Donovan
Chief Financial Officer
(403) 775-9221
Fax: (403) 232-6901
email: 

www.stradenergy.com