Helmerich & Payne, Inc. Announces Third Quarter Results

July 28, 2016

TULSA, Okla., July 28, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (NYSE:HP) reported a net loss of $21 million (negative $0.20 per diluted share) from operating revenues of $366 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2016, compared to net income of $91 million ($0.83 per diluted share) from operating revenues of $661 million (as adjusted) during the third quarter of fiscal 2015, and net income of $21 million ($0.19 per diluted share) from operating revenues of $438 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2016.  Included in net income per diluted share for this year’s and last year’s third fiscal quarters as well as this year’s second fiscal quarter are approximately $0.27, $0.61, and $0.46, respectively, of after-tax income related to a combination of select items (including long-term contract early termination compensation from customers) as described in a separate section of this press release.

President and CEO John Lindsay commented, “Even though oil prices have pulled back over the past several weeks, it is encouraging to still see signs of optimism in the market.   In May, the BHI U.S. land rig count troughed at 380 rigs, and has since increased from what everyone hopes was the absolute bottom of this market cycle.  Recently, some E&P companies have announced budget increases and rig count additions.  It is a positive sign, but many still remain on the sidelines.

“This has been an extraordinary downturn and it is having a pervasive effect on every enterprise within the industry.  While H&P remains very strong and has been proactive and effective in adjusting to this new environment, the declines in activity levels and spot pricing that we have experienced have significantly impacted our bottom line and the size of our organization.  An improving market reverses these two trends, and we believe that we are uniquely positioned to grow market share in the increasingly complex drilling environment that unconventional shale plays will require going forward. 

“Time will tell whether momentum is truly building in the market; a few data points do not make a trend.   However, regardless of the timing, we are making every effort to emerge from this as a stronger Company for customers, employees, and shareholders.”

Operating Segment Results

Segment operating income for the Company’s U.S. land operations was $26 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2016, compared with $122 million for last year’s third fiscal quarter and $63 million for this year’s second fiscal quarter.  As compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2016, segment operating income decreased as a result of lower quarterly levels of activity and rig margins (excluding revenues from early contract terminations), as well as impairment charges during the third fiscal quarter related to used drilling equipment.  The number of quarterly revenue days decreased sequentially by approximately 22% to 7,483 days.  Excluding the impact of $8,287 and $10,790 per day corresponding to revenues from early contract terminations during this year’s second and third fiscal quarters, respectively, the average rig revenue per day decreased sequentially by $1,247 to $24,684.  Excluding the impact of $110 and $363 per day corresponding to employee severance expense during this year’s second and third fiscal quarters, respectively, the average rig expense per day decreased sequentially by $612 to $13,417.  Thus, the corresponding average rig margin per day decreased sequentially by $635 to $11,267.  Rig utilization for the segment was 24% for this year’s third fiscal quarter, compared with 47% and 31% for last year’s third fiscal quarter and this year’s second fiscal quarter, respectively.  At June 30, 2016, the Company’s U.S. land segment had approximately 89 contracted rigs generating revenue (including 75 under long-term contracts) and 259 idle rigs.  The 89 contracted rigs included 84 rigs generating revenue days.

Segment operating income for the Company’s offshore operations was $2.1 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2016, compared with $14.7 million for last year’s third fiscal quarter and $3.3 million for this year’s second fiscal quarter.  The sequential decrease in operating income was attributable to employee severance expense and declines in rig revenue days.  Excluding the impact of $537 and $1,236 per day corresponding to employee severance expense during this year’s second and third fiscal quarters, respectively, the average rig margin per day increased sequentially from $7,883 to $7,981, and quarterly revenue days decreased from 691 days to 637 days during the third fiscal quarter.

The Company’s international land operations reported a segment operating loss of $5.0 million for this year’s third fiscal quarter, compared with operating income of $19.0 million (as adjusted) for last year’s third fiscal quarter and an operating loss of $2.3 million for this year’s second fiscal quarter.  The sequential decrease in operating results was attributable to declines in the average daily margins and rig revenue days. Excluding the impact of $212 and $924 per day corresponding to employee severance expense during this year’s second and third fiscal quarters, respectively, the average rig margin per day decreased sequentially from $10,699 to $9,461 during the third fiscal quarter.  The number of quarterly revenue days decreased sequentially by approximately 3% to 1,274 days.

Drilling Operations Outlook for the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2016

In the U.S. land segment, the Company expects revenue days (activity) to increase by roughly 3% to 7% during the fourth fiscal quarter as compared to the third fiscal quarter of 2016.  Excluding any impact from early termination revenue, the average rig revenue per day is expected to be roughly $24,000, and the corresponding average rig expense per day is expected to decrease to roughly $13,300.  As of today, the U.S. land segment has approximately 91 contracted rigs that are generating revenue (including 72 under term contracts) and 257 idle rigs.  The 91 contracted rigs include 86 rigs generating revenue days.

In the offshore segment, the Company expects revenue days to increase by approximately 1% during the fourth fiscal quarter as compared to the third fiscal quarter of 2016.  The average rig margin per day is expected to be approximately $8,000 during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. 

In the international land segment, the Company expects revenue days to increase by approximately 5% to 10% during the fourth quarter as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2016.  The average rig margin per day is expected to be roughly $8,300 during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016.

Select Items Included in Net Income (or Loss) per Diluted Share

Included in net loss per diluted share corresponding to the third quarter of fiscal 2016 are approximately $0.27 of after-tax income related to a combination of the following:  $0.35 of after-tax gains from long-term contract early termination compensation from customers; $0.02 of after-tax losses from employee severance expense; $0.03 of after-tax losses from impairment charges related to used drilling equipment; and $0.03 of after-tax losses in general and administrative expenses from employer 401K plan matching contributions related to employee work force reductions.

Included in net income per diluted share corresponding to the third quarter of fiscal 2015 are approximately $0.61 of after-tax income related to a combination of the following:  $0.60 (as adjusted) of after-tax gains from long-term contract early termination compensation from customers and $0.01 of after-tax gains related to the sale of used drilling equipment. 

Included in net income per diluted share corresponding to the second quarter of fiscal 2016 are approximately $0.46 of after-tax income related to a combination of the following:  $0.49 of after-tax gains from long-term contract early termination compensation from customers; $0.02 of after-tax gains related to the sale of used drilling equipment; $0.01 of after-tax losses from employee severance expense; and $0.04 of losses from discontinued operations.    

About Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

Helmerich & Payne, Inc. is primarily a contract drilling company.  As of July 28, 2016, the Company’s existing fleet includes 348 land rigs in the U.S., 38 international land rigs, and nine offshore platform rigs.  In addition, the Company is scheduled to deliver another two new H&P-designed and operated FlexRigs®* during this fiscal year, both under long-term contracts with customers.  Upon completion of these commitments, the Company’s global fleet is expected to have a total of 388 land rigs, including 373 AC drive FlexRigs.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and such statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties.  All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the registrant’s future financial position, operations outlook, business strategy, budgets, projected costs and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements.  For information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's business, please refer to the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of  Operations" sections of the Company's SEC filings, including but not limited to its annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.  As a result of these factors, Helmerich & Payne, Inc.'s actual results may differ materially from those indicated or implied by such forward-looking statements.  We undertake no duty to update or revise our forward-looking statements based on changes in internal estimates, expectations or otherwise, except as required by law.

*FlexRig® is a registered trademark of Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.
Unaudited
(in thousands, except per share data)
	Three Months Ended															Nine Months Ended
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF	March 31			June 30												June 30
OPERATIONS		2016			2016					2015 (As adjusted)							2016					2015 (As adjusted)
Operating Revenues:
Drilling – U.S. Land	$	349,283		$	285,028					$	494,615					$	1,004,116					$	2,103,125
Drilling – Offshore		34,325			30,492						57,071						106,697						189,386
Drilling – International Land		51,352			47,983						106,551						171,529						304,262
Other		3,231			2,983						3,208						10,182						11,129
	$	438,191		$	366,486					$	661,445					$	1,292,524					$	2,607,902
Operating costs and expenses:
Operating costs, excluding depreciation		221,611			186,146						350,640						684,401						1,377,202
Depreciation		141,517			138,690						144,965						422,336						433,445
Asset impairment charge		-			6,250						-						6,250						-
General and administrative		33,811			46,496						29,253						112,381						96,984
Research and development		2,315			2,707						3,329						7,941						12,344
Income from asset sales		(2,684	)		(547				)		(1,791				)		(7,820				)		(8,819	)
		396,570			379,742						526,396						1,225,489						1,911,156
Operating income (loss)		41,621			(13,256				)		135,049						67,035						696,746
Other income (expense):
Interest and dividend income		799			778						1,588						2,310						4,447
Interest expense		(5,721	)		(6,407				)		(6,136				)		(16,652				)		(9,326	)
Other		653			534						(281				)		926						88
		(4,269	)		(5,095				)		(4,829				)		(13,416				)		(4,791	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations
before income taxes		37,352			(18,351				)		130,220						53,619						691,955
Income tax provision		12,178			2,842						39,321						33,740						243,891
Income (loss) from continuing operations		25,174			(21,193				)		90,899						19,879						448,064
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, before income taxes		(56	)		2,193						(27				)		2,241						(41	)
Income tax provision		3,913			2,200						-						6,113						-
Loss from discontinued operations		(3,969	)		(7				)		(27				)		(3,872				)		(41	)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$	21,205		$	(21,200				)	$	90,872					$	16,007					$	448,023
Basic earnings per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.23		$	(0.20				)	$	0.84					$	0.18					$	4.13
Loss from discontinued operations	$	(0.04	)	$	-					$	-					$	(0.04				)	$	-
Net income (loss)	$	0.19		$	(0.20				)	$	0.84					$	0.14					$	4.13
Diluted earnings per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.23		$	(0.20				)	$	0.83					$	0.17					$	4.10
Loss from discontinued operations	$	(0.04	)	$	-					$	-					$	(0.04				)	$	-
Net income	$	0.19		$	(0.20				)	$	0.83					$	0.13					$	4.10
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		108,014			108,047						107,652						107,970						107,759
Diluted		108,466			108,047						108,469						108,523						108,571

Effective October 1, 2015, the Company eliminated a legacy one-month lag period between its U.S. fiscal year and its foreign subsidiaries’ fiscal years.  As required, the elimination of the one-month lag has been applied retrospectively to all periods presented herein.

HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC. Unaudited (in thousands)
		June 30 2016				September 30 2015 (As Adjusted)
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$	907,032			$	729,384
Short term investments			49,565				45,543
Other current assets			580,995				656,170
Current assets of discontinued operations			80				8,097
Total current assets			1,537,672				1,439,194
Investments			99,898				104,354
Net property, plant, and equipment			5,306,434				5,563,170
Other assets			32,515				40,524
TOTAL ASSETS		$	6,976,519			$	7,147,242
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities		$	326,571			$	344,820
Current liabilities of discontinued operations			38				3,377
Total current liabilities			326,609				348,197
Non-current liabilities			1,451,314				1,406,036
Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations			3,984				4,720
Long-term notes payable			493,150				492,443
Total shareholders’ equity			4,701,462				4,895,846
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY		$	6,976,519			$	7,147,242

HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.
Unaudited
(in thousands)
	Nine Months Ended
	June 30
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS		2016		2015 (As Adjusted)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	16,007		$	448,023
Adjustment for loss from discontinued operations		3,872			41
Income from continuing operations		19,879			448,064
Depreciation		422,336			433,445
Asset impairment charge		6,250			-
Changes in assets and liabilities		153,624			258,102
Gain on sale of assets		(7,820	)		(8,819	)
Other		21,071			20,805
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations		615,340			1,151,597
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from discontinued operations		70			(41	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		615,410			1,151,556
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures		(219,549	)		(971,602	)
Purchase of short-term investments		(36,958	)		-
Proceeds from sales of short-term investments		32,681			-
Proceeds from sale of assets		12,804			17,757
Net cash used in investing activities		(211,022	)		(953,845	)
FINANCING  ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from senior notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs		(32	)		491,923
Proceeds from short-term debt		-			1,002
Payments on short-term debt		-			(1,002	)
Increase in bank overdraft		-			10,824
Dividends paid		(224,040	)		(223,827	)
Repurchase of common stock		-			(59,654	)
Exercise of stock options		483			(609	)
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of restricted stock		(3,912	)		(5,104	)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation		761			2,969
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(226,740	)		216,522
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		177,648			414,233
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		729,384			360,307
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	907,032		$	774,540

SEGMENT REPORTING			Three Months Ended																		Nine Months Ended
			March 31						June 30												June 30
				2016						2016					2015 (As adjusted)							2016					2015 (As adjusted)
			(in thousands, except days and per day amounts)
U.S. LAND OPERATIONS
Revenues			$	349,283					$	285,028					$	494,615					$	1,004,116					$	2,103,125
Direct operating expenses				155,884						122,694						241,109						460,119						1,034,724
General and administrative expense				12,196						14,221						10,465						38,790						34,785
Depreciation				118,682						116,061						121,307						355,102						368,894
Asset impairment charge				-						6,250						-						6,250						-
Segment operating income			$	62,521					$	25,802					$	121,734					$	143,855					$	664,722
Revenue days				9,601						7,483						14,219						29,029						62,376
Average rig revenue per day			$	34,218					$	35,474					$	31,959					$	32,251					$	30,538
Average rig expense per day			$	14,139					$	13,780					$	14,130					$	13,532					$	13,410
Average rig margin per day			$	20,079					$	21,694					$	17,829					$	18,719					$	17,128
Rig utilization				31				%		24				%		47				%		31				%		68	%
OFFSHORE OPERATIONS
Revenues			$	34,325					$	30,492					$	57,071					$	106,697					$	189,386
Direct operating expenses				27,065						24,249						39,011						81,607						122,750
General and administrative expense				837						975						688						2,674						2,468
Depreciation				3,124						3,184						2,688						9,311						8,782
Segment operating income			$	3,299					$	2,084					$	14,684					$	13,105					$	55,386
Revenue days				691						637						728						2,064						2,331
Average rig revenue per day			$	28,004					$	25,568					$	38,333					$	27,086					$	48,136
Average rig expense per day			$	20,658					$	18,823					$	24,068					$	19,721					$	30,126
Average rig margin per day			$	7,346					$	6,745					$	14,265					$	7,365					$	18,010
Rig utilization				84				%		78				%		89				%		84				%		95	%
INTERNATIONAL LAND OPERATIONS
Revenues			$	51,352					$	47,983					$	106,551					$	171,529					$	304,262
Direct operating expenses				38,113						38,230						70,602						140,351						219,916
General and administrative expense				887						772						628						2,377						2,256
Depreciation				14,620						13,972						16,322						42,725						41,951
Segment operating income (loss)			$	(2,268				)	$	(4,991				)	$	18,999					$	(13,924				)	$	40,139
Revenue days				1,307						1,274						1,836						3,992						5,676
Average rig revenue per day			$	36,774					$	34,693					$	53,383					$	39,382					$	48,398
Average rig expense per day			$	26,287					$	26,156					$	33,598					$	29,050					$	33,769
Average rig margin per day			$	10,487					$	8,537					$	19,785					$	10,332					$	14,629
Rig utilization				38				%		37				%		50				%		38				%		53	%
Operating statistics exclude the effects of offshore platform management contracts, gains and losses from translation of foreign currency transactions, and do not include reimbursements of “out-of-pocket” expenses in revenue per day, expense per day and margin calculations.
Reimbursed amounts were as follows:
U.S. Land Operations	$	20,751				$	19,593					$	40,188					$	67,915					$	198,303
Offshore Operations	$	6,086				$	5,270					$	10,716					$	17,687					$	21,544
International Land Operations	$	3,288				$	3,784					$	8,540					$	14,316					$	29,557

Segment operating income for all segments is a non-GAAP financial measure of the Company’s performance, as it excludes general and administrative expenses, corporate depreciation, income from asset sales and other corporate income and expense.  The Company considers segment operating income to be an important supplemental measure of operating performance for presenting trends in the Company’s core businesses.  This measure is used by the Company to facilitate period-to-period comparisons in operating performance of the Company’s reportable segments in the aggregate by eliminating items that affect comparability between periods.  The Company believes that segment operating income is useful to investors because it provides a means to evaluate the operating performance of the segments and the Company on an ongoing basis using criteria that are used by our internal decision makers.  Additionally, it highlights operating trends and aids analytical comparisons.  However, segment operating income has limitations and should not be used as an alternative to operating income or loss, a performance measure determined in accordance with GAAP, as it excludes certain costs that may affect the Company’s operating performance in future periods.

The following table reconciles operating income per the information above to income from continuing operations before income taxes as reported on the Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands).

	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
	March 31			June 30						June 30
		2016			2016		2015 (As adjusted)				2016		2015 (As adjusted)
Operating income
U.S. Land	$	62,521		$	25,802		$	121,734		$	143,855		$	664,722
Offshore		3,299			2,084			14,684			13,105			55,386
International Land		(2,268	)		(4,991	)		18,999			(13,924	)		40,139
Other		(1,349	)		(2,186	)		(2,324	)		(4,839	)		(7,440	)
Segment operating income	$	62,203		$	20,709		$	153,093		$	138,197		$	752,807
Corporate general and administrative		(19,891	)		(30,528	)		(17,472	)		(68,540	)		(57,475	)
Other depreciation		(3,971	)		(4,456	)		(3,626	)		(12,037	)		(11,274	)
Inter-segment elimination		596			472			1,263			1,595			3,869
Income from asset sales		2,684			547			1,791			7,820			8,819
Operating income  (loss)	$	41,621		$	(13,256	)	$	135,049		$	67,035		$	696,746
Other income (expense):
Interest and dividend income		799			778			1,588			2,310			4,447
Interest expense		(5,721	)		(6,407	)		(6,136	)		(16,652	)		(9,326	)
Other		653			534			(281	)		926			88
Total other income (expense)		(4,269	)		(5,095	)		(4,829	)		(13,416	)		(4,791	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	37,352		$	(18,351	)	$	130,220		$	53,619		$	691,955

 

Contact:  Investor Relations
investor.relations@hpinc.com
(918) 588-5190

Source: Helmerich & Payne, Incorporated