USA: Halliburton CEO Pleased with Q3 Results

Halliburton announced today that income from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2011 was $867 million, or $0.94 per diluted share, excluding a $19 million, after-tax, or $0.02 per diluted share, impairment charge on an asset held for sale in the Europe/Africa/CIS region.

This compares to income from continuing operations for the second quarter of 2011 of $747 million, or $0.81 per diluted share, excluding employee separation costs of $8 million, after-tax, or $0.01 per diluted share.

Halliburton’s consolidated revenue in the third quarter of 2011 was $6.5 billion, compared to $5.9 billion in the second quarter of 2011. Consolidated operating income was $1.3 billion in the third quarter of 2011, compared to $1.2 billion in the second quarter of 2011. Strong growth in the Western Hemisphere accounted for the majority of these increases.

“I am extremely pleased with our third quarter results, as we set company records for revenue and operating income. North America continues to deliver very strong growth in revenue and profitability, while international profitability recovered at the rate we expected. Compared to the second quarter, our Completion and Production division grew revenue and operating income by 11% and 16%, respectively, and our Drilling and Evaluation division grew revenue and operating income by 9% and 14%, respectively,” said Dave Lesar, chairman, president, and chief executive officer.

“North America revenue and operating income grew sequentially by 13% and 14%, respectively, compared to United States rig count growth of 6%, with incremental operating margin of greater than 30%. Incremental operating margin was negatively impacted by cost increases for materials, logistics and labor, as well as weather in the Marcellus and water shortages in the Mid-Continent. Operating income in North America exceeded $1.0 billion for the first time in our company’s history. The sequential improvements were primarily driven by strong activity in the Bakken, Eagle Ford, and Permian Basin areas, along with the seasonal recovery in Canada.

“International revenue grew 7% from the prior quarter, with 23% operating income growth compared to international rig count growth of 2%. We set company records for revenue in the third quarter in both our Latin America and Middle East/Asia regions. The strong sequential operating income growth was driven by improved activity in Latin America and Asia. Project delays in Iraq and the shutdown in Libya continued to have a negative impact on results in the third quarter. In Iraq, we started operating three rigs near the end of the quarter, and we expect to have six rigs by the end of the fourth quarter. Libya is in an assessment phase and is expected to make a positive contribution in 2012. Other Eastern Hemisphere markets continue to show gradual progress primarily as a result of volume increases, as international pricing remains very competitive.

“The recent drop in oil prices and related declines in equity markets have been unsettling to investors. Despite short-term macroeconomic concerns, I continue to believe in the long-term prospects for our business. Our international business continues to show gradual recovery as activity increases. In North America, we see several meaningful differences from prior cycles, including a high level of oil-directed activity, an increased presence of large international customers, and strong credit availability that provide us continued confidence in the resiliency of the North America market.

“Globally, as field development becomes increasingly complex, we expect the demand for oil services will continue to grow. We anticipate the execution of our strategy and our focus on the high-growth segments of deepwater, unconventional resources, and mature fields will result in a strong operating environment in both our North America and international business and will support continued delivery of strong financial results,” Lesar concluded.

Net income in the third quarter of 2011 was $683 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, compared to $739 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2011. In addition, discontinued operations for the third quarter of 2011 included a $163 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, charge related to a ruling in an arbitration proceeding between Barracuda & Caratinga Leasing Company B.V. and Halliburton’s former subsidiary, KBR, whom Halliburton agreed to indemnify.

[mappress]

Source: Halliburton, October 17, 2011