Hornbeck Offshore Announces First Quarter 2014 Results

COVINGTON, La., April 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. HOS announced today results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2014. Following are highlights for this period and the Company's future outlook:

• 1Q2014 Upstream revenue, EBITDA and diluted EPS were $136.6 million, $54.3 million and $0.31 per share, respectively
• 1Q2014 utilization of the 54-vessel new gen OSV fleet was 75% compared to 87% a year-ago and 79% sequentially
• 1Q2014 high-spec OSV effective utilization was 76% compared to 99% a year-ago and 81% sequentially
• 1Q2014 MPSV effective utilization was 85% compared to 95% a year-ago and 100% sequentially
• First seven HOSMAX OSVs have been placed in-service with two more newbuild deliveries expected by the end of 2Q2014
• OSV Newbuild Program #5 remains 98% on-time and on-budget
• Contract backlog for new gen OSV vessel-days is currently at 60% and 24% for the remainder of 2014 and for fiscal 2015
• Contract backlog for MPSV vessel-days is currently at 62% and 6% for the remainder of 2014 and for fiscal 2015
• One 240 class OSV began 2-year charter (with options) in late-March to support IRM and survey work in the GoM
• One additional new gen OSV added to the previously announced five-vessel specialty charter in Mexico beginning 2Q2014
• Two new gen OSVs awarded spot contracts to support U.S. military operations outside of the GoM commencing in 2Q2014
• Company now has a total of ten incremental vessels commencing new charters in markets outside of the GoM in 2Q2014
• Company remains optimistic about a gradual GoM market improvement over the remainder of 2014, particularly in 2H2014

The Company recorded consolidated net income for the first quarter of 2014 of $11.8 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, compared to net income of $6.2 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for the year-ago quarter; and net income of $22.2 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2013.  Excluding the impact of a first quarter 2013 loss on early extinguishment of debt,consolidated net income for the year-ago period would have been $21.4 million, or $0.59 per diluted share. Diluted common shares for the first quarter of 2014 were 36.7 million compared to 36.3 million for the first quarter of 2013 and 36.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2013. EBITDA from consolidated operations for the first quarter of 2014 was $55.0 million compared to $45.8 million in the first quarter of 2013 and $66.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. Excluding the impact of a first quarter 2013 loss on early extinguishment of debt, EBITDA from consolidated operations for the year-ago period would have been $70.1 million.  For additional information regarding EBITDA as a non-GAAP financial measure, please see Note 7 to the accompanying data tables.  The historical results for the Downstream segment, which was sold in August 2013, have been presented as discontinued operations for all periods in this press release and the accompanying data tables. 

Continuing Operations

The Company's income from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2014 was $11.4 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, compared to $3.9 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, for the year-ago quarter; and $22.1 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2013. First quarter 2014 EBITDA from continuing operations increased 39.9% to $54.3 million compared to $38.8 million for the first quarter of 2013 and decreased 18.8% compared to $66.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2013.  Excluding the impact of a first quarter 2013 loss on early extinguishment of debt, income and EBITDA from continuing operations for the year-ago period would have been $19.1 million and $63.1 million, respectively.  

Revenues. Revenues were $136.6 million for the first quarter of 2014, an increase of $4.1 million, or 3.1%, from $132.5 million for the first quarter of 2013; and a decrease of $8.3 million, or 5.7%, from $144.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2013. The year-over-year increase in Upstream revenues was primarily due to the full or partial-period contribution of twelve vessels that were placed in-service under the Company's fifth OSV newbuild program and recently completed OSV retrofit program since March 2013 and, to a lesser extent, an increase in revenues for the Company's MPSV fleet.  The newly constructed and recently retrofitted vessels accounted for a $25.5 million year-over-year increase in revenues. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in revenue due to transitory soft market conditions for the Company's vessels that were in-service during each of the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.  Operating income was $25.0 million, or 18.3% of revenues, for the first quarter of 2014 compared to $43.8 million, or 33.1% of revenues, for the prior-year quarter; and $43.7 million, or 30.2% of revenues, for the fourth quarter of 2013.  Excluding incremental amortization recorded for the accelerated regulatory drydocking of vessels that are expected to relocate to foreign markets from the GoM, operating margin for the first quarter of 2014 would have been 21.4%.  Average new generation OSV dayrates for the first quarter of 2014 were $26,237 compared to $25,142 for the same period in 2013 and $27,781 for the fourth quarter of 2013. New generation OSV utilization was 75.3% for the first quarter of 2014 compared to 86.7% for the year-ago quarter and 79.4% for the sequential quarter. The year-over-year decrease in utilization is primarily due to 223 incremental vessel-days out-of-service for regulatory recertification during the first quarter of 2014 compared to the prior-year period, along with transitory softness for high-spec OSVs operating in the GoM spot market. The Company's high-spec OSVs achieved an average utilization of 73.1% for the first quarter of 2014. After adjusting for 127 days of first quarter 2014 downtime for regulatory drydockings, the Company's commercially available high-spec OSV fleet achieved an effective utilization of 76.2%.

Operating Expenses. Operating expenses were $68.6 million for the first quarter of 2014, an increase of $12.3 million, or 21.8%, from $56.3 million for the first quarter of 2013; and an increase of $3.5 million, or 5.4%, from $65.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2013. The year-over-year increase in operating expenses is primarily due to higher operating expenses related to an increase in the number of active vessels in the Company's fleet during 2014 compared to 2013. Newly constructed vessels and upgraded vessels placed in-service under the Company's 200 class OSV retrofit program since March 2013 accounted for approximately $11.2 million, or 91%, of the higher year-over-year operating cost.

General and Administrative ("G&A").  G&A expenses of $13.7 million for the first quarter of 2014 were 10.0% of revenues compared to $13.0 million, or 9.8% of revenues, for the first quarter of 2013. The increase in G&A expenses was primarily attributable to the growth of the shoreside support team related to the Company's on-going newbuild program and expanding international operations.

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense was $29.4 million for the first quarter of 2014, or $9.9 million higher than the prior-year quarter. This increase is partially due to $4.3 million of incremental amortization recorded for the accelerated regulatory drydocking of vessels that are expected to relocate to foreign markets from the GoM. Depreciation was $2.4 million higher due to the contribution of six newbuild OSVs that were placed in-service on various dates since June 2013, as well as the higher cost basis of six upgraded vessels redelivered to the Company under its 200 class OSV retrofit program.  Depreciation and amortization expense is expected to continue to increase from current levels as the vessels under the Company's current newbuild program are placed in-service and when any newly constructed vessels undergo their initial 30-month and 60-month recertifications.

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $6.5 million, or 47.4%, during the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, primarily due to lower interest expense resulting from the November 2013 retirement of the Company's 1.625% convertible senior notes due 2026. The Company recorded $8.7 million of capitalized construction period interest, or roughly 55% of its total interest costs, for the first quarter of 2014 compared to having capitalized $6.0 million, or roughly 30% of its total interest costs, for the year-ago quarter.

Future Outlook

Based on the key assumptions outlined below and in the attached data tables, the following statements reflect management's current expectations regarding future operating results from continuing operations and certain events. These statements are forward-looking and actual results may differ materially given the volatility inherent in the Company's industry. Other than as expressly stated, these statements do not include the potential impact of any additional future long-term contract repositioning voyages; unexpected vessel repairs or shipyard delays; or future capital transactions, such as vessel acquisitions or divestitures, business combinations, financings or the unannounced expansion of existing newbuild programs that may be commenced after the date of this disclosure.  Additional cautionary information concerning forward-looking statements can be found on page 9 of this news release.

Forward Guidance for Continuing Operations

Vessel Counts.  As of March 31, 2014, excluding two inactive non-core vessels and one OSV newbuild delivery that occurred in April 2014, the Company's operating fleet consisted of 55 new generation OSVs and four MPSVs.  The forecasted Upstream vessel counts presented in this press release reflect the anticipated fiscal 2014 OSV newbuild deliveries discussed below. The Company's active Upstream fleet for fiscal years 2014 and 2015 is expected to be comprised of an average of 58.6 and 67.7 new generation OSVs, respectively. For fiscal 2014, the active new generation OSVs are comprised of an average of 28.7 "term" vessels that are currently chartered on long-term contracts and an average of 29.9 "spot" vessels that are currently operating or being offered for service under short-term charters. The Company expects to operate an average of 4.4 MPSVs in fiscal 2014 and 5.3 in fiscal 2015.

Contract Coverage.  The Company's forward contract coverage for its current and projected fleet of active new generation OSVs for the remainder of fiscal year 2014 and for fiscal 2015 is currently 60% and 24%, respectively. The Company's forward contract coverage for its current and projected fleet of MPSVs for the remainder of fiscal year 2014 and for fiscal 2015 is currently 62% and 6%, respectively. These contract backlog percentages are based on available vessel-days for the guidance periods, not estimated revenue.

Effective Dayrates.  Effective, or utilization-adjusted, new generation OSV dayrates for the Company's projected average of 28.7 active "term" OSVs are now expected to be in the $23,000 to $24,000 range for the full-year 2014. This range does not reflect the incremental impact of any revenue expected to be derived in fiscal 2014 from the Company's "spot" OSVs. The Company does not provide annual guidance regarding the effective dayrates anticipated for its "spot" new generation OSVs or for any of its MPSVs due to the wide range of potential outcomes of its current domestic and international bidding activity for such vessels.

Operating Expenses.  Aggregate cash operating expenses are projected to be in the range of $68.0 million to $73.0 million for the second quarter of 2014, and $295.0 million to $310.0 million for the full-year 2014. This annual guidance range includes roughly $5.2 million of total out-of-pocket costs related to the conversion and repositioning of multiple vessels for international or specialty charter commitments.  During the first quarter, the Company incurred $3.4 million of these operating costs and expects to incur $1.5 million in the second quarter, with the remainder projected for the third quarter.  Not included in these costs is the lost revenue related to such vessels during approximately 223 days of aggregate commercial-related downtime.  Please refer to the attached data table on page 12 of this press release for a summary, by period and by vessel type, of historical and projected data for commercial-related downtime (in days) for each of the quarterly and/or annual periods presented for the fiscal years 2013, 2014, and 2015. The cash operating expense estimate above is exclusive of any additional repositioning expenses the Company may incur that are not recoverable through charter hire in connection with the potential relocation of more of its current spot vessels into international markets or back to the GoM and any customer-required cost-of-sales related to future contract fixtures that are typically recovered through higher dayrates.

G&A Expenses.  General and administrative expenses are expected to be in the approximate range of $13.5 million to $14.5 million for the second quarter of 2014, and $58.0 million to $61.0 million for the full-year 2014, commensurate with the Company's pending fleet growth and expanding international operations. The Company expects to remain within the historical range of G&A-to-revenue margins of its public OSV peer group.

Other Financial Data.  Projected quarterly depreciation, amortization, net interest expense, cash income taxes, cash interest expense and weighted-average diluted shares outstanding for the second quarter of 2014 are $17.1 million, $9.7 million, $7.9 million, $1.3 million, $11.4 million and 37.0 million, respectively.  Guidance for depreciation, amortization, net interest expense, cash income taxes and cash interest expense for each of the remaining quarters of fiscal 2014 and for the full-year 2015 is provided on page 13 of this press release. The expected increase in amortization expense for the full-year 2014 is primarily due to the acceleration of drydock activities for six new generation OSVs recently awarded long-term contracts for specialty service in Mexico.  The Company's annual effective tax rate is expected to be in the range of 36.0% to 38.0% for fiscal years 2014 and 2015.

Capital Expenditures Outlook

Update on OSV Newbuild Program #5.  The Company's fifth OSV newbuild program consists of four 300 class OSVs, five 310 class OSVs, ten 320 class OSVs and five 310 class MPSVs.  As of April 30, 2014, the Company has placed seven vessels in-service under this program – four in 2013, two in February 2014 and one in April 2014. The 17 remaining vessels under this 24-vessel domestic newbuild program are currently expected to be delivered in accordance with the table below: 

The Company continues to monitor production deficiencies experienced at one of the shipyards and to employ all tools contractually available to improve progress and to ensure all possible efforts are made to meet the requirements of the contract.  These deficiencies have led the Company to shift its delivery assumption for the next vessel by 30 incremental days, however, the full-year 2014 average vessel-delivery projections have not changed materially.  Based on the updated schedule above of projected vessel in-service dates, the Company expects to own and operate 66 and 68 new generation OSVs as of December 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively. These vessel additions result in a projected average new generation OSV fleet complement of 58.6, 67.7 and 68.0 vessels for the fiscal years 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. Based on the updated schedule above of projected vessel in-service dates, the Company now expects to own and operate five, seven, and nine MPSVs as of December 31, 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively. These vessel additions result in a projected average MPSV fleet complement of 4.4, 5.3, 7.8 and 9.0 vessels for the fiscal years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. The aggregate cost of the Company's fifth OSV newbuild program, excluding construction period interest, is expected to be approximately $1.25 billion, of which $390.7 million, $117.1 million and $25.7 million is expected to be incurred in fiscal 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. From the inception of this program through March 31, 2014, the Company has incurred $823.2 million, or 65.9%, of total expected project costs, including $106.7 million that was spent during the first quarter of 2014.

Update on Maintenance Capital Expenditures.  Please refer to the attached data table on page 12 of this press release for a summary, by period and by vessel type, of historical and projected data for drydock downtime (in days) and maintenance capital expenditures for each of the quarterly and/or annual periods presented for the fiscal years 2013, 2014, and 2015. Maintenance capital expenditures, which are recurring in nature, primarily include regulatory drydocking charges incurred for the recertification of vessels and other vessel capital improvements that extend a vessel's economic useful life. The Company expects that its maintenance capital expenditures for its Upstream fleet of vessels will be approximately $54.5 million and $40.5 million, respectively, for the full-years 2014 and 2015, respectively.

Update on Other Capital Expenditures.  Please refer to the attached data tables on page 12 of this press release for a summary, by period, of historical and projected data for other capital expenditures, for each of the quarterly and/or annual periods presented for the fiscal years 2013, 2014 and 2015. Other capital expenditures, which are generally non-recurring, are comprised of the following: (i) commercial-related vessel improvements, such as the addition of cranes, ROVs, helidecks, living quarters and other specialized vessel equipment, or the modification of vessel capacities or capabilities, such as DP upgrades and mid-body extensions, which costs are typically included in and offset, in whole or in part, by higher dayrates charged to customers; and (ii) non-vessel related capital expenditures, including costs related to the Company's shore-based facilities, leasehold improvements and other corporate expenditures, such as information technology or office furniture and equipment. The Company expects miscellaneous incremental commercial-related vessel improvements and non-vessel capital expenditures to be approximately $45.0 million and $4.0 million, respectively, for the full-years 2014 and 2015, respectively.

Liquidity Outlook

As of March 31, 2014, the Company had a cash balance of $349.3 million and an undrawn $300 million revolving credit facility. Together with cash on-hand and cash proceeds from the sale of non-core assets, the Company expects to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to cover all of its growth capital expenditures for the remaining 17 HOSMAX vessels under construction, commercial-related capital expenditures, and all of its annually recurring cash debt service, maintenance capital expenditures and cash income taxes through the completion of the newbuild and conversion programs without ever having to use its currently undrawn revolving credit facility.  The Company has no funded debt outstanding that matures any sooner than fiscal 2019.

Conference Call

The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its first quarter 2014 financial results and recent developments at 10:00 a.m. Eastern (9:00 a.m. Central) tomorrow, May 1, 2014. To participate in the call, dial (480) 629-9819 and ask for the Hornbeck Offshore call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time. To access it live over the Internet, please log onto the web at http://www.hornbeckoffshore.com, on the "Investors" homepage of the Company's website at least fifteen minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. Please call the Company's investor relations firm, Dennard-Lascar, at (713) 529-6600 to be added to its e-mail distribution list for future Hornbeck Offshore news releases. An archived version of the web cast will be available shortly after the call for a period of 60 days on the "Investors" homepage of the Company's website. Additionally, a telephonic replay will be available through May 8, 2014, and may be accessed by calling (303) 590-3030 and using the pass code 4678496#.

Attached Data Tables

The Company has posted an electronic version of the following four pages of data tables, which are downloadable in Microsoft Excel™ format, on the "Investors" homepage of the Hornbeck Offshore website for the convenience of analysts and investors.

In addition, the Company uses its website as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with disclosure obligations under SEC Regulation FD. Such disclosures will be included on the Company's website under the heading "Investors." Accordingly, investors should monitor that portion of the Company's website, in addition to following the Company's press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls and webcasts.

Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. is a leading provider of technologically advanced, new generation offshore service vessels primarily in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Latin America. Hornbeck Offshore currently owns a fleet of 62 vessels primarily serving the energy industry and has 17 additional high-spec Upstream vessels under construction for delivery through 2016.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Press Release contains "forward-looking statements," as contemplated by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, in which the Company discusses factors it believes may affect its performance in the future. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than historical facts, such as statements regarding assumptions, expectations, beliefs and projections about future events or conditions. You can generally identify forward-looking statements by the appearance in such a statement of words like "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "remain," "should," "will," or other comparable words or the negative of such words. The accuracy of the Company's assumptions, expectations, beliefs and projections depends on events or conditions that change over time and are thus susceptible to change based on actual experience, new developments and known and unknown risks. The Company gives no assurance that the forward-looking statements will prove to be correct and does not undertake any duty to update them. The Company's actual future results might differ from the forward-looking statements made in this Press Release for a variety of reasons, including the effect of inconsistency by the United States government in the pace of issuing drilling permits and plan approvals in the GoM or other drilling regions; the Company's inability to successfully complete its fifth OSV newbuild program on-time and on-budget, which involves the construction, conversion and integration of highly complex vessels and systems; the inability to successfully market the vessels that the Company owns, is constructing or might acquire; an oil spill or other significant event in the United States or another offshore drilling region that could have a broad impact on deepwater and other offshore energy exploration and production activities, such as the suspension of activities or significant regulatory responses; the imposition of laws or regulations that result in reduced exploration and production activities or that increase the Company's operating costs or operating requirements; environmental litigation that impacts customer plans or projects; fewer than expected additions to the GoM active deepwater drilling rig fleet; disputes with customers; bureaucratic, administrative or operating barriers that delay vessels chartered in foreign markets from going on-hire or result in contractual penalties or deductions imposed by foreign customers; a sustained weakening of demand for the Company's services; unplanned customer suspensions, cancellations, rate reductions or non-renewals of vessel charters or failures to finalize commitments to charter vessels; the impact of planned sequester of federal spending pursuant to the Budget Control Act of 2011; industry risks; reductions in capital spending budgets by customers; a material reduction of Petrobras' announced plans for or administrative barriers to exploration and production activities in Brazil; sustained declines in oil and natural gas prices; further increases in operating costs, such as mariner wage increases; the inability to accurately predict vessel utilization levels and dayrates; unanticipated difficulty in effectively competing in or operating in international markets; less than anticipated subsea infrastructure demand in the GoM and other markets; fewer than anticipated deepwater and ultra-deepwater drilling units operating in the GoM or other regions that the Company operates in; the level of fleet additions by the Company and its competitors that could result in over capacity in the markets in which the Company competes; economic and political risks; weather-related risks; the shortage of or the inability to attract and retain qualified personnel, including vessel personnel for active and newly constructed vessels; regulatory risks; the repeal or administrative weakening of the Jones Act or changes in the interpretation of the Jones Act related to the U.S. citizenship qualification; drydocking delays and cost overruns and related risks; vessel accidents, pollution incidents, or other events resulting in lost revenue, fines, penalties or other expenses that are unrecoverable from insurance policies or other third parties; unexpected litigation and insurance expenses; fluctuations in foreign currency valuations compared to the U.S. dollar and risks associated with expanded foreign operations, such as non-compliance with or the unanticipated effect of tax laws, customs laws, immigration laws, or other legislation that result in higher than anticipated tax rates or other costs or the inability to repatriate foreign-sourced earnings and profits. In addition, the Company's future results may be impacted by adverse economic conditions, such as inflation, deflation, or lack of liquidity in the capital markets, that may negatively affect it or parties with whom it does business resulting in their non-payment or inability to perform obligations owed to the Company, such as the failure of customers to fulfill their contractual obligations or the failure by individual banks to provide funding under the Company's credit agreement, if required. Should one or more of the foregoing risks or uncertainties materialize in a way that negatively impacts the Company, or should the Company's underlying assumptions prove incorrect, the Company's actual results may vary materially from those anticipated in its forward-looking statements, and its business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. Additional factors that you should consider are set forth in detail in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K as well as other filings the Company has made and will make with the Securities and Exchange Commission which, after their filing, can be found on the Company's website www.hornbeckoffshore.com.

Regulation G Reconciliation

This Press Release also contains references to the non-GAAP financial measures of earnings, or net income, before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA. The Company views EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA primarily as liquidity measures and, therefore, believes that the GAAP financial measure most directly comparable to such measure is cash flows provided by operating activities. Reconciliations of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to cash flows provided by operating activities are provided in the table below. Management's opinion regarding the usefulness of EBITDA to investors and a description of the ways in which management uses such measure can be found in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as in Note 7 to the attached data tables.

 

 

 

 

SOURCE Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc.