USA: Superior Energy Releases Third Quarter Earnings Report

Superior Energy Services, Inc.  announced net income of $59.6 million, or $0.73 per diluted share on record revenue of $565.3 million for the third quarter of 2011, and adjusted net income of $55.9 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, after excluding a non-cash, unrealized pre-tax gain of $5.8 million from hedging contracts at the Company’s equity-method investments.

These results compare with third quarter of 2010 net income of $33.2 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, on revenue of $435.4 million.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recorded net income of $123.2 million, or $1.52 per diluted share, on revenue of $1,490.1 million, and adjusted net income of $113.7 million, or $1.40 per diluted share, after excluding a pre-tax gain of $8.6 million from the sale of liftboats and $6.2 million in non-cash, unrealized pre-tax gains from hedging contracts at the Company’s equity-method investments.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company’s net income was $78.8 million, or $0.99 per diluted share, on revenue of $1,224.7 million, and adjusted net income was $89.3 million, or $1.12 per diluted share, after excluding pre-tax management transition expenses of $16.4 million.

David Dunlap, CEO of the Company, commented, “Our third quarter results were in line with our expectations primarily due to continued strength in activity levels in the U.S. land markets, ongoing execution of our international growth strategy and the steady increase in Gulf of Mexico activity. These favorable trends helped offset weather-related downtime in the Gulf of Mexico and northeast U.S.

“Our U.S. land revenue increased 16% sequentially as compared to a 6% increase in the average number of drilling rigs working in the U.S., the seventh consecutive quarter that we grew at a faster pace than the rig count. The primary driver for our increased land revenue was an 18% sequential increase in revenue from the Subsea and Well Enhancement Segment. We experienced higher demand across all of our intervention services, led by coiled tubing and wireline. Customers have quickly absorbed new intervention equipment capacity introduced throughout the year, indicative of market dynamics where the supply chain for the end user remains exceedingly tight. Internationally, our revenue increased 4% as the Drilling Products and Services Segment increased 12% sequentially, the highest quarterly growth rate in eight quarters, driven by higher demand in Latin America.

“Our operating income as a percentage of revenue (operating margin) increased over the second quarter of 2011 as we experienced higher margins in the Drilling Products and Services and Marine Segments. In the Drilling and Products Services Segment, the high incremental margin reflects increased activity in all of our geographic market areas. In the Marine Segment, we benefitted from a combination of higher liftboat utilization and lower maintenance and repair expenses, despite lower revenue resulting from fewer liftboats in our fleet and weather-related disruptions in the Gulf of Mexico. The operating margin in the Subsea and Well Enhancement Segment had a slight sequential decline due to weather-related interruptions in the Gulf of Mexico and Pennsylvania as well as an increase in drydocking expenses at Hallin Marine, all of which are transitory and confined to the third quarter.”

2011 Earnings Guidance Update

The Company expects 2011 adjusted earnings per share – which is exclusive of gains from the sale of liftboats and hedging activities at the Company’s equity-method investments – to be in the range of $2.03 and $2.10. Prior adjusted earnings per share guidance was in the range of $1.96 to $2.16 per diluted share.

Mr. Dunlap commented, “We anticipate that activity levels will remain robust in the U.S. land markets throughout the fourth quarter and that international growth should continue at its measured pace. The guidance captures the range of uncertainty for activity levels in the shallow water Gulf of Mexico, where seasonal factors such as weather and holidays typically result in a reduction in optional well maintenance and decommissioning work performed late in the year.”

Geographic Breakdown

For the third quarter of 2011, Gulf of Mexico revenue was approximately $193 million, U.S. land revenue was approximately $229 million, and international revenue was approximately $143 million.

Subsea and Well Enhancement Segment

Third quarter revenue for the Subsea and Well Enhancement Segment was $377.6 million, as compared with $289.0 million in the third quarter of 2010 and $336.0 million in the second quarter of 2011, which represents a 31% year-over-year increase and a 12% sequential increase.

Gulf of Mexico revenue in this segment increased 14% sequentially to $128 million. Gulf of Mexico revenue during the quarter included approximately $9.6 million for a project off the coast of Alaska. Activity increased in the Gulf of Mexico for completion tools and stimulation services, pressure control and plug and abandonment services.

U.S. land revenue in this segment increased 18% sequentially to $154 million due to the addition of coiled tubing and pressure control products, as well as increased demand for cased hole wireline, hydraulic workover and snubbing, and remedial pumping services. International revenue increased 2% sequentially to $96 million due to increased activity for completion tools and hydraulic workover and snubbing services.

Drilling Products and Services Segment

Third quarter revenue for the Drilling Products and Services Segment was $163.5 million, as compared with $118.7 million in the third quarter of 2010 – a 38% year-over-year improvement – and $149.2 million in the second quarter of 2011, or 10% higher sequentially.

The primary factor driving the higher sequential revenue was a 12% increase in international revenue to $47 million as a result of increased demand for premium drill pipe in Latin America, particularly Brazil and Colombia. U.S. land revenue increased 11% sequentially to $75 million as a result of increased rentals of premium drill pipe and accommodations. Gulf of Mexico revenue increased 4% sequentially to $41 million due to increased rentals of premium drill pipe and stabilization equipment and accessories in the deepwater market area.

Marine Segment

Marine Segment revenue in the third quarter was $24.3 million, a 12% decrease from the third quarter of 2010 and a 5% decrease from the second quarter of 2011. The Company had 18 liftboats in its rental fleet during the third quarter of 2011, as compared with an average of 24 in the third quarter of 2010 and an average of 20 in the second quarter of 2011.

Average fleet utilization in the third quarter of 2011 was 77% as compared with 88% in the third quarter of 2010 and 70% in the second quarter of 2011. While weather-related downtime, highlighted by interruptions from Tropical Storm Lee, impacted third quarter 2011 utilization, operating margin improved as a result of lower repair and maintenance expenses.

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Source: Superior Energy , October 27 , 2011