McDermott 2Q Net Loss Amounts to USD 149.4 Mln

McDermott International, Inc., an engineering and construction company, with a focus on the energy and power industries, today reported a net loss of $149.4 million, or $0.63 per fully diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2013.

These results compared to income of $52.7 million, or $0.22 per fully diluted share, in the corresponding period of 2012. Weighted average common shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis were approximately 236.2 million and 237.5 million in the quarters ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

McDermott’s revenues were $647.3 million for the 2013 second quarter compared to $889.2 million in the corresponding period of 2012. The year-over-year decrease was attributable to the Middle East and Asia Pacific segments, primarily due to the completion of several significant projects that were active in the 2012 second quarter. The decrease from these segments was partially offset by higher revenues in the Atlantic segment due to higher fabrication activity in Mexico. The Company’s operating loss in the 2013 second quarter was $149.5 million compared to operating income of $79.4 million in the 2012 second quarter.

Additional project-related charges on two projects discussed last quarter resulted in operating losses in the Asia Pacific and Middle East segments. In the Asia Pacific segment, the Company increased its loss estimates by $62.0 million due to delays on a deepwater pipelay project in Malaysia. Late deliveries from suppliers and a prolonged reconfiguration of one of the Company’s marine vessels pushed the project’s installation plan into the monsoon season. As a result, the Company now plans to execute the offshore work in two separate campaigns in 2013 and 2014, to utilize additional third-party support vessels, and has accrued liquidated damages. The Company expects to complete the project in the second quarter 2014.

In addition, the Middle East segment’s results were impacted by a $38.0 million charge to one project in Saudi Arabia. The charge reflects an estimated increase in the Company’s vessel mobilization costs to complete an extended offshore hookup campaign. Inclusive of the second quarter charges, the project remains in an overall profitable position and is expected to be completed by mid-2014. Two of the other loss projects reported last quarter have now been completed.

“As a management team, we are taking immediate and decisive actions to correct the weakness we have experienced in our project bidding and execution,” said Stephen M. Johnson, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of McDermott. “We are driving a more disciplined culture within the Company, and we expect our operating leadership change announced separately today will add focus and urgency to our intentions. Although these problematic projects are expected to require some time to fully work through the system, the initiatives listed below reinforce our commitment to delivering an adequate return on our investors’ capital.”

With the goal of substantially consolidating the Atlantic segment, the Company commenced the restructuring of its Atlantic operations in the second quarter 2013. The restructuring includes personnel reductions in Houston and New Orleans as well as a relocation of Morgan City’s fabrication and marine activities to Altamira, Mexico, following the completion of Morgan City’s existing projects in backlog. Restructuring costs are expected to range between $45 million to $60 million and include severance, asset impairment and relocation expenses, and future Morgan City lease costs. Approximately $15.5 million of these restructuring costs were incurred during the 2013 second quarter, and the majority is expected to be recognized over the next four quarters.

The Company is employing a multi-faceted approach to improve overall bidding and execution. First, the Company has accelerated its ongoing initiative to overhaul the leadership of its project delivery teams by hiring experienced project leaders and project-focused control and risk management personnel from outside McDermott. Second, the Company has initiated project-level incentive plans that more directly align individual compensation with project performance. Third, the Company is reevaluating risk identification and mitigation coverage to better acknowledge the Company’s inherent risks when bidding.

In order to improve the Company’s project bidding and execution capabilities in its newer subsea end-market, the Company has established a separate subsea division, led by a seasoned industry team recruited primarily from outside McDermott. The team is to have oversight responsibility for the Company’s subsea assets and existing subsea-related projects and to assist the Company in identifying, mitigating and pricing project execution risks. While this division is still maturing, the Company believes it to be a source of future profitable growth and an area in which McDermott can solidify a meaningful market presence.

McDermott is refocusing on geographic markets in which it has the scale, expertise and relationships to secure a competitive advantage. In the 2013 second quarter, the Company launched a geographic market focus initiative intended to discontinue bidding activities where it cannot forecast sufficiently attractive return potential. Initially, the Company has decided to exit the Morgan City facility and a joint venture, and it plans to continue its review of target markets.

At June 30, 2013, the Company’s backlog was approximately $5.1 billion, compared to $5.3 billion at March 31, 2013. Of the June 30, 2013 backlog, approximately $375.1 million was derived from three projects that are currently in a loss position, of which 98 percent relate to the project in the Asia Pacific segment and a five-year charter in Brazil. In addition, the backlog includes approximately $211.9 million for one project under deferred profit recognition.

As of June 30, 2013, McDermott reported total assets of approximately $3.2 billion. Included in this amount was $473.2 million of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and investments. Net working capital, calculated as current assets less current liabilities, was $349.8 million. In addition, total equity was $1.8 billion, or approximately 55% of total assets, with total debt of $95.6 million.

[mappress]

Press Release, August 6, 2013