Precision Drilling Announces 2024 Third Quarter Unaudited Financial Results

Press Release

CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 29, 2024 — This news release contains “forward-looking information and statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. For a 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. This news release contains references to certain Financial Measures and Ratios, including Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before income taxes, loss (gain) on investments and other assets, gain on repurchase of unsecured senior notes, finance charges, foreign exchange, gain on asset disposals and depreciation and amortization), Funds Provided by (Used in) Operations, Net Capital Spending, Working Capital and Total Long-term Financial Liabilities. These terms do not have standardized meanings prescribed under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Accounting Standards and may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. See “Financial Measures and Ratios” later in this news release.

Precision Drilling Corporation (“Precision” or the “Company”) (TSX:PD; NYSE:PDS) delivered strong third quarter financial results, demonstrating the resilience of the business and its robust cash flow potential. Year to date, Precision has already achieved the low end of its debt reduction target range and is well on track to allocate 25% to 35% of its free cash flow to share buybacks in 2024.

Financial Highlights

Revenue was $477 million and exceeded the $447 million realized in the third quarter of 2023 as activity increased in Canada and internationally, which more than offset lower activity in the U.S.
Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ was $142 million, including a share-based compensation recovery of $0.2 million. In 2023, third quarter Adjusted EBITDA was $115 million and included share-based compensation charges of $31 million.
Net earnings was $39 million or $2.77 per share, nearly doubling the $20 million or $1.45 per share in 2023.
Completion and Production Services revenue increased 27% over the same period last year to $73 million, while Adjusted EBITDA rose 40% to $20 million, reflecting the successful integration of the CWC Energy Services (CWC) acquisition in late 2023.
Internationally, revenue increased 21% over the third quarter of last year as the Company realized US$35 million of contract drilling revenue versus US$29 million in 2023. Revenue for the third quarter of 2024 was negatively impacted by fewer rig moves and planned rig recertifications that accounted for 44 non-billable utilization days.
Debt reduction during the quarter was $49 million and total $152 million year to date. Share repurchases during the quarter were $17 million and total $50 million year to date.
Increased our 2024 planned capital expenditures from $195 million to $210 million to fund multiple contracted rig upgrades and the strategic purchase of drill pipe for use in 2025.

Operational Highlights

Canada’s activity increased 25%, averaging 72 active drilling rigs versus 57 in the third quarter of 2023. Our Super Triple and Super Single rigs are in high demand and approaching full utilization.
Canadian revenue per utilization day was $32,325 and comparable to the $32,224 in the same period last year.
U.S. activity averaged 35 drilling rigs compared to 41 for the third quarter of 2023.
U.S. revenue per utilization day was US$32,949 versus US$35,135 in the same quarter last year.
International activity increased 33% compared to the third quarter of 2023, with eight drilling rigs fully contracted this year following rig reactivations in 2023. International revenue per utilization day was US$47,223 compared to US$51,570 in the third quarter of 2023 due to fewer rig moves and planned rig recertifications completed in 2024.
Service rig operating hours increased 34% over the same quarter last year totaling 62,835 hours driven by the CWC acquisition.
Formed a strategic Joint Partnership (Partnership) with Indigenous partners to provide well servicing operations in northeast British Columbia.

^{(1) See “FINANCIAL MEASURES AND RATIOS.”}

MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY

“Precision’s international and Canadian businesses led our third quarter results, with revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, and net income all improving over the same period last year, demonstrating the resilience of our High Performance, High Value strategy and geographic exposure. Our cash flow conversion this quarter enabled us to repay debt, buy back shares, and continue to invest in our Super Series fleet. We have already achieved the low end of our debt repayment target range for this year and expect to be less than a year away from meeting our long-term target of a Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio⁽¹⁾ of less than one time.

“Canadian fundamentals for heavy oil, condensate, and LNG remain strong due to the additional takeaway capacity. The Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion is driving higher and stable returns for producers, who are accelerating heavy oil and condensate targeted drilling plans, while Canada’s first LNG project is expected to stabilize natural gas pricing and further stimulate activity in the Montney in 2025. As the leading provider of high-quality and reliable services in Canada, demand for our Super Series fleet remains high. Today, we have 75 rigs operating, with our Super Triple and Super Single rigs nearly fully utilized. We expect strong customer demand and utilization to continue well beyond 2025.

“In the U.S., our rig count has been range-bound for the last several months, with 35 rigs operating today. Volatile commodity prices, customer consolidation, and budget exhaustion are all headwinds that we expect will continue to suppress activity for the remainder of the year. We are encouraged by recent momentum in our contract book with seven new contracts secured for oil and natural gas drilling projects that are expected to begin late this year for 2025 drilling programs. Looking ahead, we anticipate that the next wave of additional Gulf Coast LNG export facilities, coal plant retirements, and a build-out of AI data centers should drive further natural gas drilling and support sustained natural gas demand.

“Precision’s international operations provide a stable foundation for earnings and cash flow as our rigs are under long-term contracts that extend into 2028. Our well servicing business further complements our stability as we remain the premier well service provider in Canada where demand continues to outpace manned service rigs. In 2023, we repositioned these businesses with rig reactivations and our CWC acquisition and as a result, each business is on track to increase its 2024 Adjusted EBITDA by approximately 50% over the prior year.

“I am proud of the discipline Precision continues to show throughout the organization and we remain focused on our strategic priorities, which include generating free cash flow, improving capital returns to shareholders, and delivering operational excellence. With robust Canadian market fundamentals, an improving long-term outlook for the U.S., and a focused strategy, I am confident we will continue to drive higher total shareholder returns. I would like to thank our team for executing at the highest operating levels and generating strong financial performance and value for our customers,” stated Kevin Neveu, Precision’s President and CEO.

^{(1) See “FINANCIAL MEASURES AND RATIOS.”}

SELECT FINANCIAL AND OPERATING INFORMATION

Financial Highlights

	For the three months ended September 30,								For the nine months ended September 30,
(Stated in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)		2024		2023		% Change				2024		2023		% Change
Revenue		477,155		446,754			6.8			1,434,157		1,430,983			0.2
Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾		142,425		114,575			24.3			400,695		459,887			(12.9	)
Net earnings		39,183		19,792			98.0			96,400		142,522			(32.4	)
Cash provided by operations		79,674		88,500			(10.0	)		319,292		330,316			(3.3	)
Funds provided by operations⁽¹⁾		113,322		91,608			23.7			342,837		388,220			(11.7	)

Cash used in investing activities		38,852		34,278			13.3			141,032		157,157			(10.3	)
Capital spending by spend category⁽¹⁾
Expansion and upgrade		7,709		13,479			(42.8	)		30,501		39,439			(22.7	)
Maintenance and infrastructure		56,139		38,914			44.3			127,297		108,463			17.4
Proceeds on sale		(5,647	)	(6,698	)		(15.7	)		(21,825	)	(20,724	)		5.3
Net capital spending⁽¹⁾		58,201		45,695			27.4			135,973		127,178			6.9

Net earnings per share:
Basic		2.77		1.45			91.0			6.74		10.45			(35.5	)
Diluted		2.31		1.45			59.3			6.73		9.84			(31.6	)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		14,142		13,607			3.9			14,312		13,643			4.9
Diluted		14,890		13,610			9.4			14,317		14,858			(3.6	)

^{(1) See “FINANCIAL MEASURES AND RATIOS.”}

Operating Highlights

	For the three months ended September 30,							For the nine months ended September 30,
	2024		2023		% Change			2024		2023		% Change
Contract drilling rig fleet		214		224		(4.5	)		214		224		(4.5	)
Drilling rig utilization days:
U.S.		3,196		3,815		(16.2	)		9,885		13,823		(28.5	)
Canada		6,586		5,284		24.6			17,667		15,247		15.9
International		736		554		32.9			2,192		1,439		52.3
Revenue per utilization day:
U.S. (US$)		32,949		35,135		(6.2	)		33,011		35,216		(6.3	)
Canada (Cdn$)		32,325		32,224		0.3			34,497		32,583		5.9
International (US$)		47,223		51,570		(8.4	)		51,761		51,306		0.9
Operating costs per utilization day:
U.S. (US$)		22,207		21,655		2.5			22,113		20,217		9.4
Canada (Cdn$)		19,448		18,311		6.2			20,196		19,239		5.0

Service rig fleet		165		121		36.4			165		121		36.4
Service rig operating hours		62,835		46,894		34.0			194,390		144,944		34.1

Drilling Activity

	Average for the quarter ended 2023								Average for the quarter ended 2024
	Mar. 31		June 30		Sept. 30		Dec. 31			Mar. 31		June 30		Sept. 30
Average Precision active rig count⁽¹⁾:
U.S.		60		51		41		45			38		36		35
Canada		69		42		57		64			73		49		72
International		5		5		6		8			8		8		8
Total		134		98		104		117			119		93		115

^{(1) Average number of drilling rigs working or moving.}

Financial Position

(Stated in thousands of Canadian dollars, except ratios)	September 30, 2024		December 31, 2023⁽²⁾
Working capital⁽¹⁾		166,473		136,872
Cash		24,304		54,182
Long-term debt		787,008		914,830
Total long-term financial liabilities⁽¹⁾		858,765		995,849
Total assets		2,887,996		3,019,035
Long-term debt to long-term debt plus equity ratio ⁽¹⁾		0.32		0.37

^{(1) See “FINANCIAL MEASURES AND RATIOS.”}^{(2) Comparative period figures were restated due to a change in accounting policy. See “CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING POLICY.”}

Summary for the three months ended September 30, 2024:

Revenue increased to $477 million compared with $447 million in the third quarter of 2023 as a result of higher Canadian and international activity, partially offset by lower U.S. activity, day rates and lower idle but contract rig revenue.
Adjusted EBITDA was $142 million as compared with $115 million in 2023, primarily due to increased Canadian and international results and lower share-based compensation. Please refer to “Other Items” later in this news release for additional information on share-based compensation.
Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue was 30% as compared with 26% in 2023.
Generated cash from operations of $80 million, reduced debt by $49 million, repurchased $17 million of shares, and ended the quarter with $24 million of cash and more than $500 million of available liquidity.
Revenue per utilization day, excluding the impact of idle but contracted rigs was US$32,949 compared with US$33,543 in 2023, a decrease of 2%. Sequentially, revenue per utilization day, excluding idle but contracted rigs, was largely consistent with the second quarter of 2024. U.S. revenue per utilization day was US$32,949 compared with US$35,135 in 2023. The decrease was primarily the result of lower fleet average day rates and idle but contracted rig revenue, partially offset by higher recoverable costs. We did not recognize revenue from idle but contracted rigs in the quarter as compared with US$6 million in 2023.
U.S. operating costs per utilization day increased to US$22,207 compared with US$21,655 in 2023. The increase is mainly due to higher recoverable costs and fixed costs being spread over fewer activity days, partially offset by lower repairs and maintenance. Sequentially, operating costs per utilization day were largely consistent with the second quarter of 2024.
Canadian revenue per utilization day was $32,325, largely consistent with the $32,224 realized in 2023. Sequentially, revenue per utilization day decreased $3,750 due to our rig mix, partially offset by higher fleet-wide average day rates.
Canadian operating costs per utilization day increased to $19,448, compared with $18,311 in 2023, resulting from higher repairs and maintenance and rig reactivation costs. Sequentially, daily operating costs decreased $2,204 due to lower labour expenses due to rig mix, recoverable expenses and repairs and maintenance.
Internationally, third quarter revenue increased 21% over 2023 as we realized revenue of US$35 million versus US$29 million in the prior year. Our higher revenue was primarily the result of a 33% increase in activity, partially offset by lower average revenue per utilization day. International revenue per utilization day was US$47,223 compared with US$51,570 in 2023 due to fewer rig moves and planned rig recertifications that accounted for 44 non-billable utilization days.
Completion and Production Services revenue was $73 million, an increase of $16 million from 2023, as our third quarter service rig operating hours increased 34%.
General and administrative expenses were $23 million as compared with $44 million in 2023 primarily due to lower share-based compensation charges.
Net finance charges were $17 million, a decrease of $3 million compared with 2023 as a result of lower interest expense on our outstanding debt balance.
Capital expenditures were $64 million compared with $52 million in 2023 and by spend category included $8 million for expansion and upgrades and $56 million for the maintenance of existing assets, infrastructure, and intangible assets.
Increased expected capital spending in 2024 to $210 million, an increase of $15 million, due to the strategic purchase of drill pipe before new import tariffs take effect and additional customer-backed upgrades.
Income tax expense for the quarter was $14 million as compared with $8 million in 2023. During the third quarter, we continue to not recognize deferred tax assets on certain international operating losses.
Reduced debt by $49 million from the redemption of US$33 million of 2026 unsecured senior notes and US$3 million repayment of our U.S. Real Estate Credit Facility.
Renewed our Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB) and repurchased $17 million of common shares during the third quarter.