EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO    News Release    BJ Services Company
      4601 Westway Park Blvd.
      Houston, Texas 77041
      713/462-4239
  

 

Contact: Jeff Smith

  

 

BJ SERVICES REPORTS FOURTH FISCAL QUARTER NET LOSS

FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS OF $0.01 PER DILUTED SHARE

Houston, Texas. November 23, 2009. BJ Services Company (BJS-NYSE, CBOE, PCX) today reported a net loss from continuing operations of $2.8 million, or $(0.01) per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, which ended September 30, 2009, compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $0.10 per diluted share for the previous quarter and net income from continuing operations of $0.59 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Discontinued operations, consisting of the Company’s pressure pumping business in Russia, accounted for a net loss of $0.02 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, compared to a net loss of $0.01 per diluted share for the previous quarter and a net loss of $0.02 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. The Company completed its last pressure pumping contract in Russia in July, so the Company reclassified its Russia pressure pumping business as a discontinued operation and, accordingly, recast prior periods to conform to that presentation.

Revenue in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 was $878.2 million, a 13% increase from the $780.2 million reported in the previous quarter and a 42% decrease from the $1.51 billion reported in the prior year’s September quarter. Operating loss for the quarter was $15.0 million, compared to an operating loss of $39.1 million for the previous quarter and operating income of $262.2 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Fourth quarter results included $5.3 million of transaction costs related to the pending merger with Baker Hughes Incorporated. Operating income (loss) as a percentage of revenue was (1.7) % in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, compared to (5.0) % in the previous quarter and 17.4% in the comparable quarter of the prior year.

Commenting on the results, Chairman and CEO Bill Stewart said, “Our fourth quarter results reflected some sequential improvement in U.S. drilling activity, particularly with respect to oil exploration, and some margin improvement that primarily resulted because of asset impairment and employee termination costs recorded in the third quarter that did not recur in the fourth quarter. Drilling activity in the U.S., as measured by average active drilling rigs, increased 4% sequentially, but declined 51% compared to the same period a year ago. Natural gas drilling was 5% lower sequentially, and North America natural gas prices show little sign of meaningful near-term recovery. Our Canadian operations were slow to recover from the spring break-up period, but showed significant improvement from the third fiscal quarter. International pressure pumping revenues were flat compared to the prior quarter, as was international drilling activity, with sequential margin erosion particularly in Latin America. Our Oilfield Services Group results rebounded significantly from a very weak third fiscal quarter.

“While we experienced meaningful sequential improvement and generally stable U.S. pricing during the quarter, near term market conditions overall are still very challenging. Looking at the longer term horizon, we have more reason for optimism. We were recently awarded a four-year contract, renewable for two additional two-year periods, to provide coiled tubing services for Statoil ASA in Norway with estimated revenues of up to $250 million over the full eight-year period, and a $50 million letter of intent for a three-year pipeline construction contract on the Nord Stream gas


pipeline project extending from Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea. Revenue related to these contracts is expected to begin in early fiscal 2011. And, of course, we look forward to completing the merger with Baker Hughes in the first calendar quarter of 2010 and beginning to realize the benefits of integrating these two industry leaders into a more competitive global enterprise.”

During the quarter, cash and cash equivalents increased $51.3 million to $282.6 million, as the Company continued to generate positive operating cash flow. The Company repaid $14.3 million of indebtedness, reducing outstanding debt to $506.1 million. Other uses of cash during the quarter included capital expenditures of $80.0 million and the payment of $14.6 million in dividends.


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

UNAUDITED

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended  
     September 30     June 30
2009
 
     2009     2008    

Revenue

   $ 878,172      $ 1,510,588      $ 780,245   

Operating Expenses:

      

Cost of sales and services

     810,021        1,155,928        731,948   

Research and engineering

     16,133        17,323        15,922   

Marketing

     24,849        30,850        25,896   

General and administrative

     40,763        41,797        35,880   

Loss on disposal of assets, net

     1,380        2,516        9,726   
                        

Total operating expenses

     893,146        1,248,414        819,372   
                        

Operating income (loss)

     (14,974     262,174        (39,127

Interest expense

     (6,741     (6,705     (7,057

Interest income

     27        528        334   

Other expense, net

     (5,780     (1,617     (4,647
                        

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

     (27,468     254,380        (50,497

Income taxes

     (24,677     79,182        (21,169
                        

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     (2,791     175,198        (29,328

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (7,156     (7,103     (3,008
                        

Net income (loss)

   $ (9,947   $ 168,095      $ (32,336
                        

Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share:

      

Continuing operations

   $ (0.01   $ 0.59      $ (0.10

Discontinued operations

     (0.02     (0.02     (0.01
                        

Net income (loss) per share

   $ (0.03   $ 0.57      $ (0.11
                        

Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share:

      

Continuing operations

   $ (0.01   $ 0.59      $ (0.10

Discontinued operations

     (0.02     (0.02     (0.01
                        

Net income (loss) per share

   $ (0.03   $ 0.57      $ (0.11
                        

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:

      

Basic

     292,123        294,153        292,087   

Diluted

     292,123        296,050        292,087   

Supplemental Data:

      

Depreciation and amortization

   $ 78,126      $ 72,593      $ 72,610   

Capital expenditures

     79,974        173,085        76,131   

Debt

     506,112        556,340        520,373   


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

     Fiscal Year Ended September 30  
     2009     2008  

Revenue

   $ 4,121,897      $ 5,359,077   

Operating Expenses:

    

Cost of sales and services

     3,523,838        4,091,262   

Research and engineering

     66,270        71,997   

Marketing

     108,186        120,655   

General and administrative

     159,094        158,975   

Loss on disposal of assets, net

     13,540        2,894   

Pension settlement

     21,695        —     
                

Total operating expenses

     3,892,623        4,445,783   
                

Operating income

     229,274        913,294   

Interest expense

     (27,248     (28,107

Interest income

     1,224        1,912   

Other expense, net

     (9,083     (8,579
                

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     194,167        878,520   

Income taxes

     28,196        258,034   
                

Income from continuing operations

     165,971        620,486   

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (16,028     (11,121
                

Net income

   $ 149,943      $ 609,365   
                

Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share:

    

Continuing operations

   $ 0.57      $ 2.11   

Discontinued operations

     (0.06     (0.03
                

Net income per share

   $ 0.51      $ 2.08   
                

Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share:

    

Continuing operations

   $ 0.57      $ 2.10   

Discontinued operations

     (0.06     (0.04
                

Net income per share

   $ 0.51      $ 2.06   
                

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:

    

Basic

     292,239        293,479   

Diluted

     293,393        295,766   

Supplemental Data:

    

Depreciation and amortization

   $ 296,165      $ 263,970   

Capital expenditures

     394,192        605,584   


Operating Highlights

Following are the results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2009, September 30, 2008 and June 30, 2009 and for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

 

     Three Months Ended     Fiscal Year Ended  
     September 30     June 30
2009
    September 30  
     2009     2008       2009     2008  

U.S./Mexico Pressure Pumping

          

Revenue

   $ 342,697      $ 755,240      $ 314,012      $ 1,853,831      $ 2,743,383   

Operating Income (Loss)

     (34,931     147,942        (38,540     104,094        597,837   

Operating Margins

     -10     20     -12     6     22

Canada Pressure Pumping

          

Revenue

   $ 58,995      $ 133,702      $ 23,259      $ 309,435      $ 442,474   

Operating Income (Loss)

     (1,516     19,463        (15,633     17,610        34,341   

Operating Margins

     -3     15     -67     6     8

International Pressure Pumping

          

Revenue

   $ 257,552      $ 335,840      $ 258,078      $ 1,098,493      $ 1,185,388   

Operating Income

     21,645        57,689        27,669        121,463        178,716   

Operating Margins

     8     17     11     11     15

Oilfield Services Group

          

Revenue

   $ 218,928      $ 285,806      $ 184,896      $ 860,138      $ 987,832   

Operating Income

     30,338        58,735        10,935        102,928        191,670   

Operating Margins

     14     21     6     12     19

Corporate

          

Operating Loss

   $ (30,510   $ (21,655   $ (23,558   $ (116,821   $ (89,270

September Quarter Review

U.S./Mexico Pressure Pumping Services fourth quarter 2009 revenue of $342.7 million was 9% higher than the June 2009 quarter (sequential) with average active drilling rigs for the same period increasing 4%. Compared to the September 2008 quarter (year-over-year), revenue decreased 55% on a 47% decrease in average active drilling rigs. Sequentially, revenues improved most notably in the Permian Basin, Rocky Mountains and East Texas, partially offset by sequential declines in South Texas and Gulf of Mexico areas. For the year-over-year periods, the steep declines were attributable to lower fracturing and cementing activity in the U.S., coupled with a reduction in pricing for our services and products. Mexico revenues increased year-over-year, due to increased activity both onshore and offshore. Operating margin for U.S./Mexico improved slightly to a loss of (10)% in the fourth quarter from an operating loss of (12)% in the previous quarter, primarily as a result of asset impairment and employee severance costs recorded in the third quarter not repeating in the fourth quarter. Year-over-year, operating margin declined from a positive operating margin of 20% in the same quarter last year. The lower operating margin in fiscal 2009 was primarily attributable to lower U.S. drilling activity and lower pricing for our services and products.

Canada Pressure Pumping Services fourth quarter 2009 revenue of $59.0 million was 154% higher sequentially with average drilling rig activity up 105%, primarily reflecting increased drilling activity coming out of the spring break-up period. Year-over-year revenue decreased 56% with average drilling rig activity down 57% primarily as a result of decreased cementing and fracturing


activity, as well as lower pricing. Operating margin for the fourth quarter of 2009 was (3)%, improved from (67)% in the previous quarter and down from 15% in the same quarter in the previous year. The sequential margin improvement was primarily the result of emerging from the seasonal decline in drilling activity in the third fiscal quarter associated with the spring break-up period. The year-over-year margin decline was largely attributable to lower drilling activity and lower pricing.

International Pressure Pumping Services fourth quarter 2009 revenue of $257.6 million was virtually unchanged compared to revenue of $258.1 million in the fiscal third quarter, with average active drilling rig levels decreasing 2% for the same period. Revenue compared to the same quarter last year decreased 23% with average active drilling rig count down 16%. Historical results for the International Pressure Pumping Services segment have been restated to exclude our operations in Russia, which were reclassified as discontinued operations in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.

Percentage changes in revenue by region compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2009 and the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 are as follows:

 

Region

   Sequential     Year-Over-Year  

Europe

   0   -23

Middle East

   -8   -29

Asia Pacific

   -6   -22

Latin America

   11   -18
            

Total

   -0   -23
            

The sequential improvement in Latin America is largely attributable to increased activity in Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia, partially offset by industry labor strike-related activity decreases in Argentina. The sequential decline in the Middle East is primarily attributable to lower activity in India and Azerbaijan, partially offset by increases in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Kazakhstan. The sequential decrease in Asia Pacific is largely the result of lower activity in Malaysia and Vietnam. Sequential revenues in the Europe segment were flat overall, as increases in Norway were offset by declines in the U.K. and the Netherlands.

Year-over-year, revenues decreased significantly in each segment of our International Pressure Pumping operations with average active drilling rigs declining 16%. The Middle East decrease was primarily the result of decreased activity and lower pricing in Saudi Arabia, India, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. The Asia Pacific decrease reflects decreased activity levels in China, New Zealand and Malaysia, partially offset by higher revenue in Australia. Latin America was negatively impacted by labor strikes in Argentina and decreased activity in Venezuela. The decline in Europe is primarily due to lower activity and lower pricing in the North Sea and lower activity in Nigeria and the Netherlands.

Operating income margin for International Pressure Pumping was 8% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, compared to 11% in the previous quarter and 17% for the same quarter last year. Sequential margin improvement in the Middle East and Europe regions were more than offset by lower margins in Asia Pacific and Latin America. Year-over-year margins were lower in every region due to the overall market decline and lower prices in certain markets. The lower margins were primarily due to activity declines and pricing pressures in certain international markets and charges totaling $4.5 million for unfavorable outcomes of a tax court ruling and a customer dispute recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.


We completed work on our final pressure pumping contract in Russia in July 2009. Consequently, we classified the Russia pressure pumping unit as a discontinued operation in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009. Accordingly, the historical results of our Russian pressure pumping operations have been reclassified for all periods presented. We have begun the process of redeploying and liquidating assets associated with this business. We recorded charges totaling $6.6 million in connection with these exit activities, including employee separation costs, fixed asset and inventory impairment charges and freight costs to redeploy certain pressure pumping assets into other markets.

Oilfield Services Group fourth quarter 2009 revenue of $218.9 million increased 18% sequentially, but decreased 23% year-over-year. Percentage changes in revenue by division compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2009 and the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 are as follows:

 

Division

   Sequential     Year-Over-Year  

Tubular Services

   -8   -33

Process & Pipeline Services

   10   -22

Chemical Services

   2   -20

Completion Tools

   83   -28

Completion Fluids

   30   -11
            

Total

   18   -23
            

All of our Oilfield Services Group’s operating segments, with the exception of Tubular Services, reported sequential revenue increases in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009. Completion Tools showed the largest sequential increase in revenue, reflecting a number of relatively large project-related international sales in the fourth quarter. Completion Fluids benefited from new contracts in Mexico and increased deepwater revenue in the Gulf of Mexico. Process & Pipeline Services experienced high seasonal activity for its process business, particularly in Europe. The sequential decrease in Tubular Services revenue is primarily attributable to various drilling project delays and generally lower drilling activity.

Year-over-year, Process & Pipeline Services revenues declined primarily due to lower demand for our services and the completion of certain large international projects during fiscal 2009. Tubular Services revenues declined primarily due to lower service activity primarily in the Gulf of Mexico, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. Chemical Services and Completion Fluids revenues declined primarily as a result of decreased activity in the United States. Completion Tools revenues also declined primarily due to lower tool sales in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and lower tool services in Canada.

The Oilfield Services Group operating income margin for the quarter was 14%, up from 6% in the previous quarter and down from 21% in the prior year’s fourth quarter, reflecting the impact of revenue variances described above.

Primarily as a result of lower than expected profit for our North American operations, and the resulting change in the geographic mix of our pre-tax income for fiscal 2009, our effective tax rate for fiscal 2009 changed from an estimated 25% as of June 30, 2009, to 14.5% as of September 30, 2009. Accordingly, we revised our year-to-date income tax expense to reflect these revised expectations, and as a result, our net income tax benefit for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 was 90% of our pre-tax loss from reported continuing operations for the quarter.


Consolidated Geographic Highlights

The following table reflects the percentage change in consolidated revenue by geographic area for the September 2009 quarter compared to the June 2009 quarter and the September 2008 quarter. The information presented is based on our combined service and product line offering by geographic region.

 

Region

   Sequential     Year-Over-Year  

U.S.

   10   -53

Canada

   100   -48
            

Total

   19   -53
            

Latin America (incl. Mexico)

   16   -8

Europe/Africa

   8   -14

Middle East

   -10   -37

Asia Pacific

   -1   -26
            

Total

   13   -42
            

Additional Information

The Company will not hold a conference call following this earnings release. However, the Company intends to file its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) later today. A copy of the Annual Report is available on our web site at www.bjservices.com. Stockholders may request a printed copy of our complete audited financial statements free of charge by forwarding a written request to Investor Relations, BJ Services Company, P.O. Box 4442, Houston, Texas 77210-4442.

In addition, on October 14, 2009, Baker Hughes (BHI-NYSE) filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4, which includes a preliminary joint proxy statement of Baker Hughes and the Company regarding the proposed merger of the Company into a subsidiary of Baker Hughes. The joint proxy statement/prospectus and such other documents related to the Company may be obtained from the Company from our web site at www.bjservices.com or by directing a request to: BJ Services Company, P.O. Box 4442, Houston, Texas 77210-4442, Attention: Investor Relations, or by phone at 713-462-4239.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that anticipate future performance such as the Company’s prospects, expected revenue, expenses and profits, strategies for our operations, and other subjects, including conditions in the oilfield service and oil and natural gas industries and in the U.S. and international economy in general. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that may prove to be inaccurate, and they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expected. These risk factors include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions, global economic growth and activity, oil and natural gas market conditions, political and economic uncertainty, and other risks and uncertainties described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent public filings with the SEC.

BJ Services Company is a leading worldwide provider of pressure pumping, well completion, production enhancement and pipeline services to the petroleum industry.

(NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO BENEFICIAL OWNERS)