Pason Reports Fourth Quarter 2020 Results

CALGARY, AB, Feb. 24, 2021 /CNW/ - Pason Systems Inc. (TSX:PSI) announced today its 2020 fourth quarter results.

Highlights

Pason's financial results for the year ended December 31, 2020, were significantly impacted by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on global oil and gas demand, and the related reduction in drilling activity in all of the Company's end markets. As a result, revenue of $156.6 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $39.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, represent decreases over prior year results. During the year, Pason took necessary cost rationalization and restructuring measures to reflect lower industry activity levels, which allowed the Company to minimize losses while retaining technology development and service capabilities as industry rig counts reached historic lows in the third quarter of 2020, and furthermore, demonstrate the Company's strong operating leverage as North American and International rig counts began to improve throughout the fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Pason generated consolidated revenue of $32.8 million, a decrease of 52% from the corresponding period in 2019, but a 42% increase from $23.1 million in the third quarter of 2020. Adjusted EBITDA was $8.2 million in the fourth quarter, a decrease of 69% or $18.4 million from the corresponding period in 2019, but a significant increase from an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $1.1 million in the third quarter of 2020 as the Company began to absorb its fixed cost base with improving activity levels. While the Company continued to defend and grow its competitive positioning in key markets, the year over year decline in revenue and Adjusted EBITDA is reflective of the challenging industry conditions that persisted throughout 2020. 

Despite these challenging conditions, Pason continued to maintain a strong balance sheet with no interest bearing debt and $149.3 million in cash and cash equivalents as at December 31, 2020 (2019: $161.0 million). The Company generated $8.9 million in funds flow from operations in the fourth quarter (2019: $22.1 million), which was offset by investments in working capital to meet improving industry activity levels, resulting in a net cash outflow from operating activities of $2.7 million (2019: inflow of $24.7 million). Year-over-year, funds flow from operations and cash from operating activities was negatively impacted by the reduction in gross profit, offset by the Company receiving government wage subsidies and cost savings resulting from the 2020 restructuring.

Free cash flow was a loss of $3.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $20.0 million from the corresponding period in 2019. This decrease is due to the year-over-year reduction in cash from operating activities, partially offset by a 92% reduction in capital expenditures as part of the Company's ongoing efforts to remain disciplined with capital spending.

The Company recorded a net loss attributable to Pason of $2.2 million ($0.03 per share) in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to net income attributable to Pason of $10.4 million ($0.12 per share) recorded in the corresponding period in 2019. The year-over-year decline is due to the factors outlined above, and furthermore, the fourth quarter results of 2020 include a charge resulting from the revaluation of a put option and an increase in stock-based compensation expense.

President's Message

Throughout the fourth quarter of 2020, industry conditions continued to gradually improve from the low points they had reached during the third quarter.  While North American drilling activity was down 58% year-over-year from the fourth quarter of 2019, it improved by 34% sequentially from the third quarter. The ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are severe for our industry and our world and significant uncertainties remain, particularly around the spread of new virus variants and supply chain interruptions in the delivery of vaccines.

Pason's financial results in the fourth quarter reflected the continued challenging industry conditions.  Consolidated revenue for the quarter of $32.8 million was down 52% from 2019 levels and Adjusted EBITDA of $8.2 million was 69% lower than the prior year.  Sequentially, the benefits of Pason's operating leverage in periods of increasing industry activity were evident as Adjusted EBITDA improved by $9.3 million from the third quarter on a $9.7 million increase in revenue.  Free cash flow was negative $3.1 million, driven by working capital requirements as the business recovered in the quarter.

For the full year, consolidated revenue of $156.6 million represented a 47% decrease from 2019 and Adjusted EBITDA of $39.5 million was 70% lower.  Capital expenditures were reduced by 79% in 2020 to $5.2 million in response to dramatically lower activity levels.  Free Cash Flow of $53.9 million was driven by stronger operating results in the first quarter before the full effects of the pandemic, a significant working capital recovery and lower levels of capital expenditures. 

The company returned $50 million to shareholders in 2020 through a combination of dividends and share repurchases.  Our balance sheet remains strong with positive working capital of $167.4 million, including $149.3 million of cash and cash equivalents.  We are maintaining our quarterly dividend at $0.05 per share, and will continue to prudently deploy capital while protecting our balance sheet.

In the midst of ongoing public health guidelines and restrictions, our employees continue to balance the delivery of best-in-class service and new technologies for customers with ensuring the continued safety of themselves, their loved ones, and the people they encounter in their work.  Momentum continues to build for our newest product offerings, including increasing demand for our data delivery services and a wider range of integrations for the Drilling Advisory System (DAS), as customers look to technology solutions to help drive further improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of their drilling operations.

Through Energy Toolbase (ETB), we continue to advance the development of our product offering in the solar and energy storage market.  ETB has maintained a strong subscriber base for its industry-leading economic analysis and proposal generation software, and additional bookings for installations of our control system continue to validate our belief that providing an integrated platform, which allows customers to model, control, and monitor energy storage systems provides a compelling value proposition.

Entering 2021, there is growing optimism as leading indicators point to a continued recovery in drilling activity.  After hovering around US$40 per barrel for the first half of the fourth quarter, WTI oil prices have steadily climbed past US$50 per barrel.  US oil production remains at levels approximately 15% below pre-pandemic levels.  The inventory of drilled but uncompleted wells (DUCs) has been steadily decreasing since the summer.  Crude oil and refined product storage levels have returned to their five-year historical range for the first time since the spring of 2020.  The most recent Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecast calls for 5.4 million barrels per day of global oil demand growth in 2021, and a full recovery to 2019 demand levels by 2022.

Increasing demand will need to be met by additional supply and as storage levels decrease and production levels remain below historical norms, new drilling will be required.  Pason's competitive position remains strong in each of our operating regions and we expect to fully participate in the continued recovery of industry activity.  When we adjusted our cost structure to our expected medium-term activity levels, we retained the required technology and service capabilities to maintain our competitive position and fully serve that level of activity. As such, we do not anticipate significant increases in our cost base in the medium-term. Incremental margins are expected to remain strong through 2021, but will fluctuate as the industry recovers and as the company begins to incur certain activity-related costs in anticipation of further revenue growth.

Continued consolidation of the North American E&P sector is likely to result in a smaller number of companies with a heighted focus on technology.  We are prepared to increase our investments in technology development in order to meet the growing demands of these customers.  Our capital expenditures will also begin to trend toward normalized levels with activity increases and as we continually refresh parts of our technology platform.  We currently expect capital expenditures of up to $15 million in 2021.

Pason is committed to providing unmatched service quality and leadership in technology innovations and, with the dedicated efforts of our exceptional employees, we intend to deliver on these commitments to earn the continued support of our customers, suppliers, and shareholders.

Jon Faber

(signed)

President and Chief Executive Officer
February 24, 2021

Management's Discussion and Analysis

The following discussion and analysis has been prepared by management as of February 24, 2021, and is a review of the financial condition and results of operations of Pason Systems Inc. (Pason or the Company) based on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements  for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and accompanying notes, and Pason's Annual Information Form dated March 17, 2020.

Certain information regarding the Company contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Such statements are subject to known or unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. For further information, please refer to Forward Looking Information.

All financial measures presented in this report are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.

Changes in Reportable Segments

Prior to the third quarter of 2020, the Company presented three operating segments, based upon the geographic segments of the Company's core business of servicing the oil and gas industry, consisting of Canada, the United States, and International. The United States segment included Energy Toolbase Software Inc, which is the operating entity of the Company's solar and energy storage business.

In response to ongoing low activity levels across the North American land drilling market, the Company streamlined its structure and operations in the third quarter by consolidating its core US and Canadian operations. As a result of this consolidation, along with the continued investment in solar and energy storage business, the Company determined that the prior operating segments no longer reflected how management monitored and evaluated operating results. This conclusion was reached in part due to the fact that solar and energy storage business is distinct from its core business and that anticipated future operating results will be significant enough to warrant a distinct segment, as well as the consolidation of management of North American operations. These new reportable segments reflect how the Chief Executive Officer and management allocate resources and assess the performance of the Company.

All comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the new presentation.

Impact of Hyperinflation

Due to various qualitative and quantitative factors, Argentina has been designated a hyper-inflationary economy as of the second quarter of 2018 for accounting purposes. As such, the Company has applied accounting standards IAS 21, The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange, and IAS 29, Financial Reporting in Hyper-Inflationary Economies to these Consolidated Financial Statements for its Argentinian operating subsidiary. These Consolidated Financial Statements are based on the historical cost approach in IAS 29.

The impact of applying IAS 21 to the operating results of the Argentina subsidiary for the fourth quarter of 2020 was to decrease revenue by $276 and reduce segment gross profit by $571. The impact of applying IAS 29 to the non-monetary assets and liabilities, and shareholders' equity of the Argentina subsidiary resulted in a non-cash net monetary adjustment of $594 for the fourth quarter of 2020.

Impact on IFRS Measures

Impact on Non-IFRS Measures

Additional IFRS Measures

In its Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company uses certain additional IFRS measures. Management believes these measures provide useful supplemental information to readers.

Funds flow from operations

Management believes that funds flow from operations, as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, is a useful additional measure as it represents the cash generated during the period, regardless of the timing of collection of receivables and payment of payables. Funds flow from operations represents the cash flow from continuing operations, excluding non-cash items. Funds flow from operations is defined as net income adjusted for depreciation and amortization expense, non-cash, stock-based compensation expense, deferred taxes, and other non-cash items impacting operations.

Cash from operating activities

Cash from operating activities is defined as funds flow from operations adjusted for changes in working capital items.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

These definitions are not recognized measures under IFRS, and accordingly, may not be comparable to measures used by other companies. These Non-IFRS measures provide readers with additional information regarding the Company's operating performance, and ability to generate funds to finance its operations, fund its research and development and capital expenditure program, and pay dividends.

Revenue per Industry day

Revenue per Industry day is defined as the daily revenue generated from all products that the Company is renting over all active drilling rig days in the North American market. This metric provides a key measure of the Company's ability to evaluate and manage product adoption, pricing, and market share penetration. Drilling days are calculated by using accepted industry sources.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

EBITDA  is defined as net income before interest income and expense, income taxes, stock-based compensation expense, and depreciation and amortization expense.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA, adjusted for foreign exchange, impairment of property, plant, and equipment, restructuring costs, net monetary adjustments, government wage assistance, revaluation of put obligation, and other items which the Company does not consider to be in the normal course of continuing operations.

Management believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful supplemental measures as they provide an indication of the results generated by the Company's principal business activities prior to the consideration of how these results are taxed in multiple jurisdictions, how the results are impacted by foreign exchange or how the results are impacted by the Company's accounting policies for equity-based compensation plans.

Free cash flow

Free cash flow is defined as cash from operating activities plus proceeds on disposal of property, plant, and equipment, less capital expenditures (including changes to non-cash working capital associated with capital expenditures), and deferred development costs. This metric provides a key measure on the Company's ability to generate cash from its principal business activities after funding capital expenditure programs, and provides an indication of the amount of cash available to finance, among other items, the Company's dividend and other investment opportunities.

Overall Performance

The Pason Electronic Drilling Recorder (EDR) remains the Company's primary product for the North American and International business unit. The EDR provides a complete drilling data acquisition system, data networking, and drilling management tools and reports at both the wellsite and at customer offices. The EDR is the base product from which all other wellsite instrumentation products are linked. By linking these products, a number of otherwise redundant elements such as data processing, display, storage, and networking are eliminated. This ensures greater reliability and a more robust system of instrumentation for the customer.

As a result of the change in reportable segments described previously, the Company, effective from the third quarter of 2020, reports on three strategic business units: The North American (Canada and the United States) and International (Latin America, including Mexico, Offshore, the Eastern Hemisphere, and the Middle East)  business units, all of which offer services to the oil and gas industry, and the Solar and Energy Storage business unit, which provides services to solar and energy storage developers. Revenue  associated with the Solar and Energy Storage business unit is reported in analytics and other.

Throughout 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to have a significant negative impact on the demand for fossil fuels, which combined with a supply imbalance led to a decline in commodity prices. As a result, oil and gas operators took a very cautious approach to capital spending and the global drilling industry saw a significant decline in the active rig counts in all major markets the Company operates in.

Total revenue decreased by 52% in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to the corresponding period in 2019 due to the decrease in industry activity in the North American and International operating segments, partially offset by an increase in North American Revenue per Industry Day as the Company continued to defend and grow its leading market share position.

Discussion of Operations

North American Operations

Although North American industry activity throughout the fourth quarter improved from the lows experienced in the third quarter, challenging industry conditions remained. Revenue in the North American business unit was $26.3 million during the fourth quarter of 2020, a decrease of 54% from the comparable period in 2019, while average North American land rig count fell 58% during the same comparative periods. Despite the challenging industry conditions, Pason managed to increase its North American Revenue per Industry Day to $721 during the fourth quarter of 2020, an increase of 8% from the comparable period in 2019. The increase in Revenue per Industry Day was primarily achieved through market share growth and favourable geographic sales mix within North America, offsetting selective price concessions and a weaker US dollar. As certain regions within the North American segment experience fluctuations in activity levels due to seasonality, Pason expects Revenue per Industry Day to fluctuate with the relative revenue levels associated within North American regions.

Rental services and local administration decreased by 51% in the fourth quarter of 2020 over the 2019 comparative period. The decrease in operating costs is attributable to the Company's restructuring efforts to support lower levels of current and anticipated activity levels.

Depreciation and amortization decreased by 31% down in the fourth quarter of 2020 over the 2019 comparative period. The decrease is due to a combination of lower capital expenditures in recent years, along with several development projects becoming fully amortized at the beginning of 2020. 

Segment gross profit was $8.7 million during the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to $25.2 million in the 2019 comparative period, representing a 65% decline year-over-year, due to the factors outlined above.

International Operations

The International business unit's revenue decreased by 42% in the fourth quarter of 2020 over the 2019 comparative period as activity levels in the Company's major international markets also experienced a significant reduction in activity, as was witnessed in North America.

Rental services and local administration decreased by 47% in the fourth quarter of 2020 over the 2019 comparative period. The decrease in operating costs is attributable to the Company's restructuring efforts to support lower levels of current and anticipated activity levels.

Segment gross profit was $1.2 million during the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to $2.7 million in the 2019 comparative period, due to the factors outlined above.

Solar and Energy Storage Operations

Revenue generated by the Solar and Energy Storage business unit was $0.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to $1.0 million during the 2019 comparative period, for which the majority continues to be comprised of subscription based software licenses for solar energy planning tools. The reduction in revenue in the fourth quarter is primarily due to the recognition of deferred revenue for contracts extending into 2021. Operating expenses and local administration was $1.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to $1.2 million during the comparable period. Segment gross loss was $0.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to a segment gross loss of $0.3 million during the 2019 comparable period.

Results in 2020 for the Solar and Energy Storage segment reflect results generated from Energy Toolbase Inc, the Company formed through the amalgamation of the former Pason Power entity and Energy Toolbase LLC (ETB), which was acquired on September 10, 2019. Comparatively, results in 2019 only reflect activity from the amalgamated ETB from September 10, 2019, onwards.

The Solar and Energy Storage business unit incurred the following research and development costs, which are included in research and development in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. These costs are excluded from the segment gross loss table above.

Corporate Expenses

During the second quarter of 2020, the Company initiated cost reduction initiatives to address the anticipated prolonged downturn in oil and gas drilling activity in all of its markets, which included headcount reductions. Accordingly, the Company recorded reorganization costs of $5.6 million within other (income) expenses, which is comprised of termination and other staff related costs. The Company also reversed certain discretionary compensation accruals in the fourth quarter. As a result, research and development and corporate service expenses have declined compared to 2019 levels.

The change in stock-based compensation expense for both the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020, versus the 2019 comparative periods is largely attributable to the respective changes in the Company's share price performance.

Other (Income) Expenses

During 2020, the Company was eligible to participate in the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program. As a result, a CEWS benefit of $2.2 million and $9.9 million was recorded as government wage assistance in the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020, respectively.

During 2019, the Company was notified that the tenant leasing the Company's previous office space in Colorado, USA, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. As a result, the Company derecognized the lease receivable and reported $4.3 million in other expenses. During the second quarter of 2020, the Company entered into an agreement to terminate the lease. As a result, a recovery of $5.8 million was recorded as other income which represents the derecognition of the previously outstanding lease liability, offset by a termination payment.

In the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company recorded a $1.8 million increase to the obligation under put option associated with the purchase of ETB to reflect the change in the fair value of the outstanding obligation. This increase was recorded within other (income) expenses as outlined above.

Net monetary gain included in other (income) expenses is a result of applying hyperinflation accounting to the Company's Argentinian subsidiary. The equity loss is a result of the Company using the equity method of accounting to account for its investment in Intelligent Wellhead Systems Inc. and reflects the current period change in the value of the Company's equity investment.

Q4 2020 vs Q3 2020

Following the historic lows in industry activity in Q3 2020, North America and International rig counts increased throughout the fourth quarter. Consolidated revenue was $32.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, a 42% increase compared to consolidated revenue of $23.1 million in the third quarter of 2020.

Revenue in the North American business unit was $26.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, a 44% increase compared to revenue of $18.3 million in the third quarter of 2020. The increase in revenue is attributable to an increase in the North American industry activity, as well as an increase in Revenue per Industry Day.

The International business unit reported revenue of $5.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, a 48% increase compared to revenue of $3.9 million in the third quarter of 2020. The increase in revenue is attributable to the easing of COVID-19 related restrictions in certain markets, most notably in Argentina and Australia.

Gross profit was $9.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, an increase of $8.7 million compared to the third quarter of 2020.  Adjusted EBITDA was $8.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to a loss of $1.1 million during the third quarter of 2020. The increase in gross profit and Adjusted EBITDA is mainly due to the $9.7 million increase in revenue, and continues to demonstrate Pason's operating leverage as the Company began to absorb its fixed cost base with improving activity levels.

Cash from operating activities was a loss of $2.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to a cash inflow of $5.8 million in the third quarter of 2020, with the decrease primarily due to the working capital investments required to meet increased activity levels quarter-over-quarter.

The Company recorded a net loss attributable to Pason in the fourth quarter of 2020 of $2.2 million ($0.03 per share) compared to a net loss attributable to Pason of $3.7 million ($0.04 per share) in the third quarter of 2020. The 2020 fourth quarter results benefited from the increased activity levels as noted above, but also include a charge resulting from the revaluation of a put option and an increase in stock-based compensation expense.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Statements of Operations

Consolidated Statements of Other Comprehensive Income

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Operating Segments

The Company operates three strategic business units: The North American (Canada and the United States) and International (Latin America, including Mexico, Offshore, the Eastern Hemisphere, and the Middle East)  business units, all of which offers services to the oil and gas industry, but are managed separately. The Solar and energy storage business unit offer services to solar and storage developers. For each of the strategic business units, the Group's senior management reviews internal management reports on a monthly basis.

Previously, the Company's operating segments were oil and gas centric and reported by geographic segment: Canada, the United States, and International (Latin America, Offshore, the Eastern Hemisphere, and the Middle East).  The solar and energy storage business was previously reported under the United States business unit.

All comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the new presentation.

The following table represents a disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers along with the reportable segment for each category: