Helix Reports Fourth Quarter 2009 Results
HOUSTON, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. (NYSE: HLX) reported a net loss of $55.7 million, or $(0.53) per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2009 compared with a net loss of $861.2 million, or $(9.48) per diluted share, for the same period in 2008, and net income of $3.9 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2009. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $101.9 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $639.1 million, or $(7.05) per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2008.
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Fourth quarter 2009 results included the following items on a pre-tax basis:
- Impairment charges of $55.9 million primarily associated with a reduction in carrying values of twelve oil and gas properties due to a revision in reserve estimates.
- Non-cash exploration and other charges of $22.6 million primarily related to costs associated with offshore lease expirations.
The net impact of these items in the fourth quarter, after income taxes, was $0.49 per diluted share.
Owen Kratz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Helix, stated, "Our fourth quarter results reflected continued weakness in the contracting services market. We had anticipated this slowdown and as a result, diverted much of our pipelay and construction support assets to internal use to complete the necessary infrastructure for two of our deepwater oil and gas developments, Danny and Phoenix. The combination of a weak market and capacity devoted to internal use weighed heavily on our fourth quarter results. In addition, repairs to a third party pipeline servicing our Noonan natural gas field were not completed until early January, thus impacting our fourth quarter oil and gas production. Looking forward, the outlook is better. Customer activity is picking up and we expect utilization in the contracting services business to improve as 2010 unfolds. Furthermore, we are poised to increase our oil and gas production in 2010. I am pleased to announce that production from our Danny oil field commenced in early February and with the completion of third party pipeline repairs, we have increased production from the Noonan gas field. We are putting the finishing touches on the Helix Producer I and we expect to commence production from the Phoenix oilfield by mid-year."
Fourth quarter 2009 results excluded approximately $15 million of realized gains associated with the cash settlement of natural gas contracts that were previously recognized as unrealized gains in the first three quarters of 2009.
Third quarter 2009 results included the following items on a pre-tax basis:
- A $17.9 million gain from the sale of 23.2 million shares of Cal Dive common stock.
- A $10.4 million charge associated with a weather derivative contract entered into in July 2009 to mitigate against possible losses during the 2009 hurricane season.
The net impact of these two items in the third quarter, after income taxes, was $0.07 per diluted share.
Fourth quarter 2008 results included the following items on a pre-tax basis:
- Non-cash impairment charges of $907.6 million, including $715.0 million to reduce the carrying value of goodwill and $192.6 million to reduce the carrying value of certain oil and gas properties.
- Other non-cash exploration charges of $26.6 million related primarily to the write off of two suspended exploratory wells.
- A $6.7 million pre-tax loss associated with the sale of the Bass Lite field located in Atwater Valley Block 426 in December 2008.
The net impact of these two items in the fourth quarter of 2008, after income taxes, was $9.49 per diluted share.
Summary of Results (1) (2)
(in thousands, except per share amounts and percentages, unaudited)
Quarter Ended Years Ended
------------- -----------
December 31, September 30, December 31,
------------ ------------ ------------
2009 2008 2009 2009 2008
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Revenues $180,048 $534,439 $216,025 $1,461,687 $2,114,074
Gross Profit:
Operating (3) $21,039 $85,142 $5,058 $388,095 $620,792
12% 16% 2% 27% 29%
Oil and Gas
Impairments
(4), (5) (55,940) (192,620) (1,537) (120,550) (215,675)
Exploration
Expense (21,520) (27,072) (904) (24,383) (32,926)
------- ------- ---- ------- -------
Total $(56,421) $(134,550) $2,617 $243,162 $372,191
Net Income
(Loss)
Applicable
to Common
Shareholders $(55,697) $(861,154) $3,895 $101,867 $(639,122)
Diluted
Earnings
(Loss) Per
Share $(0.53) $(9.48) $0.04 $0.96 $(7.05)
Adjusted
EBITDAX (6) $58,572 $55,339 $38,306 $490,092 $575,272
Segment Information, Operational and Financial Highlights (1)
(in thousands, unaudited)
Three Months Ended
------------------
December 31, September 30,
------------------ -------------
2009 2008 2009
---- ---- ----
Revenues:
---------
Contracting Services $150,736 $293,135 $175,091
Shelf Contracting (2) - 261,656 -
Production Facilities 5,888 - 5,888
Oil and Gas (3) 71,450 46,022 63,715
Intercompany Eliminations (48,026) (66,374) (28,669)
------- ------- -------
Total $180,048 $534,439 $216,025
======== ======== ========
Income (Loss) from Operations:
------------------------------
Contracting Services $7,698 $29,034 $10,132
Shelf Contracting (2) - 69,946 -
Production Facilities (1,378) (285) (1,388)
Oil and Gas (3) (3,715) (55,878) (23,599)
Goodwill Impairment - (704,311) -
Gain on Oil and Gas Derivative
Commodity Contracts 6,157 18,894 4,598
Oil and Gas Impairments (4) (55,940) (192,620) (1,537)
Exploration Expense (21,520) (27,072) (904)
Intercompany Eliminations (9,562) (4,316) (1,971)
------ ------ ------
Total $(78,260) $(866,608) $(14,669)
======== ========= ========
Equity in Earnings of Equity
Investments $5,177 $6,132 $13,385
====== ====== =======
Contracting Services
- Subsea Construction revenues decreased from the third quarter of 2009 attributable primarily to lower utilization of our owned and chartered construction vessels (71% in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared with 77% for the third quarter of 2009). Further, certain fourth quarter contracts were completed at lower contract rates compared to similar type contracts in the third quarter as we experienced a weaker services market. Furthermore, a greater portion of our asset base was utilized for internal oil and gas development, and thus contributed to a relatively high level of intercompany revenue elimination.
- Well Operations revenues increased in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared with the third quarter of 2009 due primarily to the realization of higher contract day rates for the Q4000. Further, our newest well operations vessel, Well Enhancer, was placed in service in the fourth quarter in the North Sea and generated $12.8 million of revenues. The increased revenues were partially offset by lower utilization rates for our well operations vessels (67% in fourth quarter of 2009 for three vessels compared to 92% in the third quarter of 2009 for two vessels).
- Robotics revenues decreased in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of 2009 following the completion of a trenching campaign in the third quarter and reflecting the general market weakness. There were no trenching revenues in the fourth quarter of 2009. Robotics asset utilization decreased to 58% in the fourth quarter of 2009 from 74% in the third quarter of 2009.
Oil and Gas
- Oil and Gas revenues increased $7.7 million to $71.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 due primarily to higher commodity prices realized for our oil production. Production in the fourth quarter of 2009 totaled 9.7 Bcfe compared to 9.8 Bcfe in the third quarter of 2009. The average prices realized for natural gas, including the effect of settled natural gas hedge contracts, totaled $7.97 per thousand cubic feet of gas (Mcf) in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to $8.02 per Mcf in the third quarter of 2009. For oil, including the effects of settled hedge contracts, we realized $71.48 per barrel in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to $68.86 per barrel in the third quarter of 2009.
- The Company's oil and gas production rate at February 23, 2010 approximated 145 million cubic feet of natural gas equivalent per day (MMcfe/d) as compared to 94 MMcfe/d at December 31, 2009. Third party repairs to the pipeline servicing the Noonan gas reservoir in our Bushwood field were completed in early January 2010. Separately, we commenced production from the Danny oil reservoir also in the Bushwood field on February 2, 2010.
- We have entered into oil and gas hedge contracts for approximately 25 Bcf of natural gas and 2.5 million barrels of oil to cover a significant portion of our forecasted production for 2010.
Other Expenses
- Selling, general and administrative expenses were 15.7% of revenue in the fourth quarter of 2009, 10.1% in the third quarter of 2009, and 7.5% in the fourth quarter of 2008. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased compared to the third quarter of 2009 due to increased bad debt expenses and higher legal expenses.
- Net interest expense and other increased to $11.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 from $10.3 million in the third quarter of 2009. Net interest expense increased to $11.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared with $7.3 million in the third quarter of 2009. The increase in net interest expense was attributable to a reduction in capitalized interest of $3.5 million in the fourth quarter compared with the third quarter due primarily to the completion of the Well Enhancer in October 2009.
Financial Condition and Liquidity
- Consolidated net debt at December 31, 2009 increased to $1.1 billion from $950 million as of September 30, 2009. We had no borrowings under our revolver and our availability was $386 million at December 31, 2009. Together with cash on hand of $271 million and our revolver availability, our total liquidity was approximately $657 million at December 31, 2009. Net debt to book capitalization as of December 31, 2009 was 43%. (Net debt to book capitalization is a non-GAAP measure. See reconciliation attached hereto.)
- As of December 31, 2009, we were in compliance with our debt covenants under our various loan agreements. On February 19, 2010, we amended our senior credit facility by revising the consolidated leverage ratio covenant test and adding an additional senior secured debt leverage ratio test. The amendment is effective for periods beginning on or after March 31, 2010.
- We incurred capital expenditures (including capitalized interest) totaling $119 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to $87 million in the third quarter of 2009 and $134 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. For the year ended December 31, 2009, capital expenditures totaled $328 million. These amounts exclude all Cal Dive capital expenditures in the periods noted.
Footnotes to "Summary of Results":
(1) Results of Helix RDS Limited, our former reservoir consulting business, included as discontinued operations for all periods presented in our comparative condensed consolidated statements of operations.
(2) Results of Cal Dive, our former Shelf Contracting business, were consolidated through June 10, 2009, at which time our ownership interest dropped below 50%. Our remaining interest was accounted for under the equity method of accounting through September 23, 2009. Subsequent to September 23, 2009 our investment in Cal Dive was accounted for as an available for sale security.
(3) Fourth quarter of 2009 included $2.5 million of expense related to a weather derivative contract and $0.6 million of hurricane-related costs. Third quarter of 2009 included $10.4 million of expense related to a weather derivative contract and $5.1 million of hurricane-related costs.
(4) Fourth quarter 2009 oil and gas impairments were attributable to the revision in estimated reserves associated with twelve fields resulting from mechanical and/or production related issues. Impairments in the fourth quarter of 2008 were due primarily to the deterioration of certain fields' economics following significant drops in both oil and natural gas prices during the period.
(5) Full year 2009 impairments were comprised of the impairments described in item (4) above, $51.5 million of additional asset retirement and impairment costs resulting from Hurricane Ike recorded in the second quarter of 2009 and $11.5 million of additional oil and gas property revisions following estimated reserve reductions at June 30, 2009. Full year 2008 oil and gas impairments included $6.7 million related to our deepwater Tiger field damaged by Hurricane Ike in the third quarter of 2008 and $14.6 million associated with the unsuccessful Devil's Island development well in the first quarter of 2008.
(6) Non-GAAP measure. See reconciliation attached hereto.
Footnotes to "Segment Information, Operational and Financial Highlights":
(1) Results of Helix RDS Limited, our former reservoir consulting business, were included as discontinued operations for all periods presented in our comparative condensed consolidated statements of operations.
(2) Results of Cal Dive, our former Shelf Contracting business, were consolidated through June 10, 2009, at which time our ownership interest dropped below 50%. Our remaining interest was accounted for under the equity method of accounting through September 23, 2009. Subsequent to September 23, 2009 our investment in Cal Dive was accounted for as an available for sale security.
(3) Fourth quarter 2009 included $2.5 million of expense related to a weather derivative contract and $0.6 million of hurricane-related costs. Third quarter 2009 included $10.4 million of expense related to a weather derivative contract and $5.1 million of hurricane-related costs.
(4) Fourth quarter 2009 oil and gas impairments were attributable to the revision in estimated reserves associated with twelve fields resulting from mechanical and/or production related issues. Impairments in the fourth quarter of 2008 were due primarily to the deterioration of certain fields' economics following significant drops in both the oil and natural gas prices during the period.
Further details are provided in the presentation for Helix's quarterly conference call to review its fourth quarter and full year 2009 results (see the "Investor Relations" page of Helix's website, www.HelixESG.com). The call, scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Central Standard Time on Thursday, February 25, 2010, will be audio webcast live from the "Investor Relations" page of Helix's website. Investors and other interested parties wishing to listen to the call via telephone may join the call by dialing 800 475 0212 (Domestic) or 1 312 470 7004 (International). The pass code is Tripodo. A replay will be available from the Audio Archives page on Helix's website.
Helix Energy Solutions, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is an international offshore energy company that provides development solutions and other key life of field services to the open energy market as well as to our own oil and gas business unit. That business unit is a prospect generation, exploration, development and production company. Employing our own key services and methodologies, we seek to lower finding and development costs, relative to industry norms.
Management evaluates Company performance and financial condition using certain non-GAAP metrics, primarily Adjusted EBITDAX, net debt and net debt to book capitalization. We calculate Adjusted EBITDAX as earnings before net interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization and exploration expense. Further, we do not include earnings from our interest in Cal Dive in any periods presented in our Adjusted EBITDAX calculation. Net debt is calculated as the sum of financial debt less cash and equivalents on hand. Net debt to book capitalization is calculated by dividing net debt by the sum of net debt, convertible preferred stock and shareholders' equity. These non-GAAP measures are useful to investors and other internal and external users of our financial statements in evaluating our operating performance because they are widely used by investors in our industry to measure a company's operating performance without regard to items which can vary substantially from company to company, and help investors meaningfully compare our results from period to period. Adjusted EBITDAX should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, but instead is supplemental to, income from operations, net income or other income data prepared in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative to our reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Users of this financial information should consider the types of events and transactions which are excluded.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, any projections of financial items; future production volumes, results of exploration, exploitation, development, acquisition and operations expenditures, and prospective reserve levels of property or wells; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statement concerning developments, performance or industry rankings; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. The forward looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors including the performance of contracts by suppliers, customers and partners; employee management issues; uncertainties inherent in the exploration for and development of oil and gas and in estimating reserves; complexities of global political and economic developments; geologic risks, volatility of oil and gas prices and other risks described from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2008 and any subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We assume no obligation and do not intend to update these forward-looking statements except as required by the securities laws.
HELIX ENERGY SOLUTIONS GROUP, INC.
Comparative Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
-----------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
Dec. 31, Dec. 31,
(in thousands, except per
share data) 2009 2008 2009 2008
---- ---- ---- ----
(unaudited) (unaudited)
Net revenues:
Contracting services $108,598 $488,417 $1,076,349 $1,568,221
Oil and gas 71,450 46,022 385,338 545,853
------ ------ ------- -------
180,048 534,439 1,461,687 2,114,074
Cost of sales:
Contracting services 89,373 358,223 854,975 1,135,429
Oil and gas 69,636 91,074 218,617 357,853
Oil and gas
impairments 55,940 192,620 120,550 215,675
Exploration expense 21,520 27,072 24,383 32,926
------ ------ ------ ------
236,469 668,989 1,218,525 1,741,883
Gross profit (loss) (56,421) (134,550) 243,162 372,191
Goodwill and
other
indefinite-
lived
intangible
impairments - 704,311 - 704,311
Gain on oil and
gas derivative
commodity
contracts 6,157 18,894 89,485 21,599
Gain on sale of
assets, net 246 (6,422) 2,019 73,471
Selling and
administrative
expenses 28,242 40,219 130,851 177,172
------ ------ ------- -------
Income (loss)
from operations (78,260) (866,608) 203,815 (414,222)
Equity in
earnings of
investments 5,177 6,132 32,329 31,854
Gain on
subsidiary
equity
transaction - - 77,343 -
Net interest
expense and
other 11,526 34,184 51,495 111,098
------ ------ ------ -------
Income (loss)
before income
taxes (84,609) (894,660) 261,992 (493,466)
Provision
(benefit) of
income taxes (30,374) (64,859) 95,822 86,779
------- ------- ------ ------
Income (loss)
from continuing
operations (54,235) (829,801) 166,170 (580,245)
Income (loss)
from
discontinued
operations,
net of tax (722) (11,483) 9,581 (9,812)
---- ------- ----- ------
Net income
(loss),
including
noncontrolling
interests (54,957) (841,284) 175,751 (590,057)
Net income
applicable to
noncontrolling
interests 680 19,320 19,697 45,873
--- ------ ------ ------
Net income (loss)
applicable to Helix (55,637) (860,604) 156,054 (635,930)
Preferred
stock
dividends 60 550 748 3,192
Preferred
stock
beneficial
conversion
charges - - 53,439 -
--- --- ------ ---
Net income (loss)
applicable to
Helix common
shareholders $(55,697) $(861,154) $101,867 $(639,122)
======== ========= ======== =========
Weighted Avg.
Common Shares
Outstanding:
Basic 103,007 90,802 99,136 90,650
======= ====== ====== ======
Diluted 103,007 90,802 105,720 90,650
======= ====== ======= ======
Basic earnings
(loss) per
share of
common stock:
Net income
(loss) from
continuing
operations ($0.52) ($9.36) $0.92 ($6.94)
Net income
(loss) from
discontinued
operations ($0.01) ($0.12) $0.09 ($0.11)
------ ------ ----- ------
Net income
(loss) per
share of common
stock ($0.53) ($9.48) $1.01 ($7.05)
====== ====== ===== ======
Diluted earnings
(loss) per share
of common stock:
Net income (loss)
from continuing
operations ($0.52) ($9.36) $0.87 ($6.94)
Net income (loss)
from discontinued
operations ($0.01) ($0.12) $0.09 ($0.11)
------ ------ ----- ------
Net income
(loss) per
share of common
stock ($0.53) ($9.48) $0.96 ($7.05)
====== ====== ===== ======
Comparative Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
ASSETS
(in thousands) Dec. 31, 2009 Dec. 31, 2008
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(unaudited)
Current Assets:
Cash and equivalents $270,673 $223,613
Accounts receivable 172,678 545,106
Other current assets 122,209 191,304
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Current Assets 565,560 960,023
Net Property & Equipment:
Contracting Services 1,470,582 1,876,795
Oil and Gas 1,393,124 1,541,648
Equity investments 189,411 196,660
Goodwill 78,643 366,218
Other assets, net 82,213 125,722
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Assets $3,779,533 $5,067,066
=====================================================================
LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(in thousands) Dec. 31, 2009 Dec. 31, 2008
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(unaudited)
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable $155,457 $ 344,807
Accrued liabilities 200,607 234,451
Income taxes payable - -
Current mat of L-T debt (1) 12,424 93,540
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Current Liabilities 368,488 672,798
Long-term debt (1) (2) 1,348,315 1,933,686
Deferred income taxes 442,607 615,504
Decommissioning liabilities 182,399 194,665
Other long-term liabilities 4,262 81,637
Convertible preferred stock (1) 6,000 55,000
Shareholders' equity (1) 1,427,462 1,513,776
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Liabilities & Equity $3,779,533 $5,067,066
=====================================================================
(1) Net debt to book capitalization - 43% at December 31, 2009.
Calculated as total debt less cash and equivalents ($1,090,066)
divided by sum of total net debt, convertible preferred stock and
shareholders' equity ($2,523,528).
(2) Reflects impact of retrospective adoption of accounting standard
which required bifurcation of Helix's convertible senior notes
between debt and equity components. Impact on December 31, 2009 and
December 31, 2008 was a reduction in debt totaling $26.9 million and
$34.8 million, respectively.
Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.
Reconciliation of Non GAAP Measures
Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2009
Earnings Release:
------------------
Reconciliation From Net Income to Adjusted EBITDAX:
---------------------------------------------------
4Q09 4Q08 3Q09 2009 2008
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(in thousands)
Net income (loss)
applicable to
common
shareholders $(55,697) $(861,154) $3,895 $101,867 $(639,122)
Non-cash impairment 52,578 894,577 533 72,372 917,632
(Gain) loss on
asset sales 198 6,422 (17,869) (87,694) (73,471)
Preferred stock
dividends 60 550 125 54,187 3,192
Income tax
provision
(benefit) (30,246) (67,117) 1,415 86,035 67,136
Net interest
expense and other 11,300 31,842 10,192 47,861 101,492
Depreciation and
amortization 58,859 79,299 46,315 247,372 306,047
Exploration expense 21,520 27,072 904 24,383 32,926
------ ------ --- ------ ------
Adjusted EBITDAX
(including Cal
Dive) $58,572 $111,491 $45,510 $546,383 $715,832
======= ======== ======= ======== ========
Less: Previously
reported
contribution from
Cal Dive $- $(56,152) $(7,204) $(56,291) $(140,560)
------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Adjusted EBITDAX $58,572 $55,339 $38,306 $490,092 $575,272
======= ======= ======= ======== ========
We calculate adjusted EBITDAX as earnings before net interest expense,
taxes, depreciation and amortization, and exploration expense. Further, we
do not include earnings from our interest in Cal Dive in any periods
presented in our adjusted EBITDAX calculation. These non-GAAP measures are
useful to investors and other internal and external users of our financial
statements in evaluating our operating performance because they are widely
used by investors in our industry to measure a company's operating
performance without regard to items which can vary substantially from
company to company and help investors meaningfully compare our results
from period to period. Adjusted EBITDAX should not be considered in
isolation or as a substitute for, but instead is supplemental to, income
from operations, net income or other income data prepared in accordance
with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to,
and not as an alternative to our reported results prepared in accordance
with GAAP. Users of this financial information should consider the types
of events and transactions which are excluded.
Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.
Reconciliation of Non GAAP Measures
Three Months Ended December 31, 2009
Earnings Release:
------------------
Reconciliation of unusual items:
--------------------------------
4Q09
----
(in thousands, except per share data)
Non-cash property impairments:
Property impairments 55,940
Tax provision (19,579)
-------
Non-cash property impairments, net: $36,361
=======
Diluted shares 103,007
Per share $0.35
Non-cash exploration charges:
Exploration charges 20,606
Tax provision (7,212)
------
Non-cash exploration charges, net: $13,394
=======
Diluted shares 103,007
Per share $0.13
Non-cash other charges:
Asset impairments 1,306
Inventory charges 700
Tax provision (702)
----
Non-cash other charges, net: $1,304
======
Diluted shares 103,007
Per share $0.01
SOURCE Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.
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