France: BOURBON Announces Growth in Revenues in Third Quarter

BOURBON announces revenue up + 17% over 9 months in line with the objectives of the 2015 Leadership Strategy. Significant increase in daily rates in the quarter follows previous quarter’s upturn in utilization rates.

““In a favorable oil & gas environment. the price per barrel of Brent (113 US$ over the quarter) remains at a high level and the North Sea activity started to recover before the steady upturn in rates for offshore vessels worldwide. Prospects for increasing utilization rates and daily rates are set fair for the fourth quarter in deep and shallow water offshore”” says Christian Lefèvre Chief Executive Officer of BOURBON. ““Backed by the success of our Bourbon Liberty series with our oil & gas clients. BOURBON is. and should continue to be. one of the main services companies to benefit from this recovery. However. BOURBON’s financial performance will only be impacted gradually. as contracts are renewed. and will be offset by the costs of commissioning new vessels.””

In the third quarter of 2011, BOURBON’s revenues totaled 252.2 million euros, up 14% (+20% at constant exchange rate) over the same period in 2010, buoyed by the steady improvement in daily rates and the good performance of shallow water offshore vessels.

Compared with the second quarter of 2011, BOURBON revenues were up 2% (+2.5% at constant exchange rate). While “Other” revenues mainly issued from chartered vessels were cut by one third, revenues of Marine and Subsea Services owned vessels activity were up 4%.

In the first 9 months of 2011, revenues were up 17% (+20% at constant exchange rate) compared with the same period in 2010 thanks to good performance in the shallow water offshore segment (+62%) and the crewboat segment (+17%). This is partly due to expansion of the fleet and to a slight improvement in prices.

Indicators for BOURBON activity

BOURBON fleet (owned vessels)

During the quarter, BOURBON took delivery of 15 new vessels (6 shallow water offshore vessels and 9 crewboats), while 3 crewboats, each around 18 years old, were taken out of the fleet in the period.

The average utilization rate for the fleet rose to 83.4% in the third quarter of 2011 (+4.2 points compared with the third quarter of 2010), logically posting a slight decline compared with the second quarter of 2011 (-1.3 points) due to a large number of vessels joining the fleet.

In the first 9 months of 2011 compared with the same period in 2010, the average utilization rate was 4.4 points higher at 83.8%.

Geographic breakdown of BOURBON’s revenues

The Europe & Mediterranean/Middle-East and American Continent regions were up sharply year on year. This performance is due to inclusion of the full effect of the contracts in Brazil and the recently signed contracts in Turkey and the UK.

In the first 9 months of 2011, BOURBON’s traditional operating region of Africa was up 9.6% compared with the same period in 2010.

MARINE SERVICES

Compared with the third quarter of 2010, Marine Services revenues were 17% higher at 200.3 million euros. This rise is mainly due to strong performance from the shallow water offshore vessels segment which posted 50% growth in revenues and an upswing in its utilization rate (+4.3 points) and average daily rates.

Compared with the second quarter of 2011, revenues for the Activity increased by 5%, thanks particularly to the growth of the deepwater offshore vessels segment, marked by an upturn in the segment’s utilization rates to a total of 90.2% (+ 3.3 points) and by the improvement in average daily rates.

In the first nine months of 2011, Marine Services revenues were up 18% compared with the same period in 2010, largely due to the expansion of the shallow water offshore and crewboats segments which saw an improvement in utilization and average daily rates.

Marine Services indicators by segment

Deepwater offshore vessels

Compared with the third quarter of 2010, revenues generated by deepwater offshore vessels in the third quarter of 2011 recorded a 3% increase to 81.7 million euros, representing 41% of the total Marine Services revenues. The average utilization rate remained stable at 90.2% while the daily rate was 6.8% higher.

Compared with the second quarter of 2011, revenues were up 10%. This was partly the result of a significant improvement in the level of North Sea activity while the second quarter had not had the benefit of the traditional favorable seasonal effect, as well as the renewal of 5 medium-sized PSV contracts at much higher prices. In addition, BOURBON was once again in a position to charge for mobilization fees. Average utilization rates increased by 3.3 points and the average daily rate by 7.3%.

In the first nine months of 2011, revenues were down slightly (by 1%) compared with the same period in 2010 due mainly to a drop in the average utilization rate (-2.4 points). A number of contracts were renewed during the period, leading to a decline in activity during their implementation.

Shallow water offshore vessels

Compared with the third quarter of 2010, revenues from shallow water offshore vessels in the third quarter of 2011 were up sharply (+50%) at 61.5 million euros and now account for 31% of total revenues for the Marine Services activity. The utilization rate of the vessels was 86.4%, up 15.4 points year on year.

Compared with the second quarter of 2011, revenues were up 4%, mainly due to the expansion of the fleet (5 vessels delivered in the second quarter of 2011, contracted for the third quarter of 2011). Average daily rates continued to increase, in line with buoyant activity. The repositioning of part of the fleet on expiry of contracts resulted in a slight dip in the utilization rate.

In the first nine months of 2011, revenues were up significantly (by 62%) compared with the same period in 2010, thanks to 18 new vessels joining the fleet in the last 12 months, a sharp upturn in the average utilization rate (+14.3 points), and an increase in daily rates (+4.2%). This performance confirms the success of the Bourbon Liberty series among clients, in a context of a sharp increase in the activity of oil companies and offshore construction companies.

These good performances demonstrate the relevance and effectiveness of the strategic choices in the BOURBON 2015 plan under which investments are principally focused on the shallow water offshore vessel segment.

Crewboats

Compared with the third quarter of 2010, crewboat revenues in the third quarter of 2011 were up 11% at 57 million euros, largely due to the expansion of the fleet and improvement in daily rates.

Compared with the second quarter of 2011, revenues dipped slightly (by 1%) due to the traditional decline in utilization rates in West Africa at this time of year.

In the first nine months of 2011, revenues were up by 17% compared with the same period in 2010 thanks to the expansion of the fleet at a time of sustained activity for oil and gas companies and offshore construction companies (average utilization rate of +3.3 points). The rise in the average daily rate (+10%) reflects the improvement in prices for FSIV (Fast Supply Intervention Vessels) linked to the upturn in activity.

SUBSEA SERVICES

Compared with the third quarter of 2010, third quarter revenues in 2011 were 2% higher at 42.3 million euros.

Compared with the second quarter of 2011, revenues were up 2% due to two contrasting effects. The increase in the average daily rate (+4%) was the result of renewing two contracts on favorable terms. On the other hand, the decline in the average utilization rate (-2.3 points) is linked to planned maintenance for one vessel and changes on the spot market on which four “small” vessels in the IMR fleet operate. Activity remained stable for the other IMR vessels on medium/long-term contracts.

In the first nine months of 2011, revenues were up 14% compared with the same period in 2010, mainly due to the arrival of a new vessel and the marked improvement in the average utilization rate (+6.5 points), which reflects the upturn in activity.

OTHER

Compared with the third quarter of 2010, the use of external charters in the third quarter of 2011 increased “Other” revenues by 7.4%, taking them to 9.6 million euros.

Compared with the second quarter of 2011, reduced external charters had a strong impact on “Other” revenues, down by -33% in the third quarter of 2011.

The use of chartered vessels enables client requests to be met and contracts to be fulfilled pending delivery of new vessels from the shipyard and their integration in the fleet, and it allows BOURBON to include types of vessels that are complementary to its own service offer when bidding for global tenders.

OUTLOOK

Increased demand for offshore service vessels should continue in the coming years. Significant investments by oil and gas clients and their 4-year prospects have been scaled up. The outlook for a greater number of active drilling rigs and offshore construction companies’ strong order books confirms the sharp rebound expected on the market.

In the short term, the IMR activity supporting wind farms in the North Sea is expected to slow with the onset of winter.

Clients will continue to prefer innovative and high productive vessels like those in the BOURBON fleet. The process of replacing older vessels on the market will speed up to meet the oil and gas companies’ stringent demands in terms of “risk management”.

The market is expecting an improvement in the utilization rates of offshore vessels and a continuing improvement in daily rates during the fourth quarter of 2011 and in 2012. Through its unique positioning, its service offer, the quality of its fleet and the expertise of its personnel, BOURBON will reap the full benefit of this improvement in the market.

BOURBON’s 2011 results will continue to be impacted by the euro/dollar exchange rate.

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Source: BOURBON , November 10, 2011