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Long-Term Debt
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Long-Term Debt
Note 8 — Long-Term Debt
 
Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands): 
 
December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
Term Loan (previously scheduled to mature June 2020)
$

 
$
33,693

Term Loan (matures December 2021)
33,250

 

2022 Notes (mature May 2022)
125,000

 
125,000

2023 Notes (mature September 2023)
125,000

 
125,000

MARAD Debt (matures February 2027)
63,610

 
70,468

Nordea Q5000 Loan (matures April 2020)
89,286

 
125,000

Unamortized debt discounts
(22,540
)
 
(28,802
)
Unamortized debt issuance costs
(7,753
)
 
(10,044
)
Total debt
405,853

 
440,315

Less current maturities
(99,731
)
 
(47,252
)
Long-term debt
$
306,122

 
$
393,063


 
Credit Agreement
 
On June 30, 2017, we entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (and the amendments made thereafter, collectively the “Credit Agreement”) with a group of lenders led by Bank of America, N.A. (“Bank of America”). On June 28, 2019, we amended our existing term loan (the “Term Loan”) and revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) under the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement is comprised of a $35 million Term Loan and a Revolving Credit Facility of $175 million and matures on December 31, 2021. The Revolving Credit Facility permits us to obtain letters of credit up to a sublimit of $25 million. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, subject to existing lender participation and/or the participation of new lenders, and subject to standard conditions precedent, we may request aggregate commitments of up to $100 million with respect to an increase in the Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2019, we had no borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, and our available borrowing capacity under that facility, based on the leverage ratios, totaled $171.1 million, net of $3.9 million of letters of credit issued under that facility.
 
Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest, at our election, at either Bank of America’s base rate, the LIBOR or a comparable successor rate, or a combination thereof. The Term Loan bearing interest at the base rate will bear interest at a per annum rate equal to Bank of America’s base rate plus a margin of 2.25%. The Term Loan bearing interest at a LIBOR rate will bear interest per annum at the LIBOR or a comparable successor rate selected by us plus a margin of 3.25%. The interest rate on the Term Loan was 5.05% as of December 31, 2019. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bearing interest at the base rate will bear interest at a per annum rate equal to Bank of America’s base rate plus a margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.50%. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bearing interest at a LIBOR rate will bear interest per annum at the LIBOR or a comparable successor rate selected by us plus a margin ranging from 2.50% to 3.50%. A letter of credit fee is payable by us equal to the applicable margin for LIBOR rate loans multiplied by the daily amount available to be drawn under the applicable letter of credit. Margins on borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility will vary in relation to the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio (as defined below) as provided for in the Credit Agreement. We also pay a fixed commitment fee of 0.50% per annum on the unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility.
 
The Term Loan principal is required to be repaid in quarterly installments of 2.5% of the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan, with a balloon payment at maturity. Installment amounts are subject to adjustment for any prepayments on the Term Loan. We may prepay indebtedness outstanding under the Term Loan without premium or penalty, but may not reborrow any amounts prepaid. We may prepay indebtedness outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility without premium or penalty, and may reborrow any amounts prepaid up to the amount available under the Revolving Credit Facility.
 
The Credit Agreement and the other documents entered into in connection with the Credit Agreement include terms and conditions, including covenants, which we consider customary for this type of transaction. The covenants include certain restrictions on our and certain of our subsidiaries’ ability to grant liens, incur indebtedness, make investments, merge or consolidate, sell or transfer assets, pay dividends and make capital expenditures. In addition, the Credit Agreement obligates us to meet minimum ratio requirements of EBITDA to interest charges (Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio), funded debt to EBITDA (Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio) and secured funded debt to EBITDA (Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio).
 
We may designate one or more of our new foreign subsidiaries as subsidiaries not generally subject to the covenants in the Credit Agreement (the “Unrestricted Subsidiaries”). The debt and EBITDA of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries with the exception of Helix Q5000 Holdings, S.à r.l. (“Q5000 Holdings”), a wholly owned Luxembourg subsidiary of Helix Vessel Finance S.à r.l., are not included in the calculations of our financial covenants. Our obligations under the Credit Agreement, and those of our subsidiary guarantors under their guarantee, are secured by (i) most of the assets of the parent company, (ii) the shares of our domestic subsidiaries (other than Cal Dive I - Title XI, Inc.) and of Helix Robotics Solutions Limited (formerly known as Canyon Offshore Limited) and (iii) most of the assets of our domestic subsidiaries (other than Cal Dive I - Title XI, Inc.) and of Helix Robotics Solutions Limited. In addition, these obligations are secured by pledges of up to 66% of the shares of certain foreign subsidiaries.
 
In June 2019, in connection with the amendment of the Credit Agreement we wrote off the remaining unamortized debt issuance costs associated with a lender exiting the Credit Agreement. In March 2018, we prepaid $61 million of the then-existing term loan with a portion of the net proceeds from the 2023 Notes and recognized a $0.9 million loss to write off the related remaining unamortized debt issuance costs. In June 2017, we recognized a $0.4 million loss to write off the remaining unamortized debt issuance costs related to certain lenders exiting from the then-existing term loan. These losses are presented as “Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt” in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. In connection with decreases in lenders’ commitments under our then-existing revolving credit facility, in June 2017, we recorded a $1.6 million interest charge to accelerate the amortization of a pro-rata portion of debt issuance costs related to the lenders whose commitments were reduced.
 
In January 2019, contemporaneously with our acquisition from Marathon Oil of several wells and related infrastructure associated with the Droshky Prospect located in offshore Gulf of Mexico Green Canyon Block 244, we amended the Credit Agreement to permit the issuance of certain security to third parties for required P&A obligations and to make certain capital expenditures in connection with acquired assets (Note 16).
 
Convertible Senior Notes Due 2022 (“2022 Notes”)
 
On November 1, 2016, we completed a public offering and sale of the 2022 Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $125 million. The 2022 Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.25% per annum and are payable semi-annually in arrears on November 1 and May 1 of each year, beginning on May 1, 2017. The 2022 Notes mature on May 1, 2022 unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased. During certain periods and subject to certain conditions, the 2022 Notes are convertible by the holders into shares of our common stock at an initial conversion rate of 71.9748 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount (which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $13.89 per share of common stock), subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. We have the right and the intention to settle the principal amount of any such future conversions in cash.
 
Prior to November 1, 2019, the 2022 Notes were not redeemable. Beginning November 1, 2019, if certain conditions are met, we may redeem all or any portion of the 2022 Notes at a redemption price payable in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest and a “make-whole premium” (as defined in the indenture governing the 2022 Notes). Holders of the 2022 Notes may require us to repurchase the notes following a “fundamental change” (as defined in the indenture governing the 2022 Notes).
 
The indenture governing the 2022 Notes contains customary terms and covenants, including that upon certain events of default occurring and continuing, either the trustee under the indenture or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount then outstanding under the 2022 Notes may declare the entire principal amount of all the notes, and the interest accrued on such notes, if any, to be immediately due and payable. In the case of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to us or a significant subsidiary, the principal amount of the 2022 Notes together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon will become immediately due and payable.
 
The 2022 Notes were initially accounted for by separating the net proceeds between long-term debt and shareholders’ equity. In connection with the issuance of the 2022 Notes, we recorded a debt discount of $16.9 million ($11.0 million net of tax) as a result of separating the equity component. The effective interest rate for the 2022 Notes is 7.3% after considering the effect of the accretion of the related debt discount over the term of the 2022 Notes. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, interest expense (including amortization of the debt discount) related to the 2022 Notes totaled $8.4 million, $8.1 million and $7.9 million, respectively. The remaining unamortized debt discount of the 2022 Notes was $8.0 million and $11.0 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
 
Convertible Senior Notes Due 2023 (“2023 Notes”)
 
On March 20, 2018, we completed a public offering and sale of the 2023 Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $125 million. The 2023 Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.125% per annum and are payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on September 15, 2018. The 2023 Notes mature on September 15, 2023 unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased. During certain periods and subject to certain conditions, the 2023 Notes are convertible by the holders into shares of our common stock at an initial conversion rate of 105.6133 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount (which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $9.47 per share of common stock), subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. We have the right and the intention to settle the principal amount of any such future conversions in cash. Although not currently convertible, the value of the shares into which the 2023 Notes are convertible exceeded the principal amount of the 2023 Notes by $2.1 million as of December 31, 2019.
 
Prior to March 15, 2021, the 2023 Notes are not redeemable. On or after March 15, 2021, if certain conditions are met, we may redeem all or any portion of the 2023 Notes at a redemption price payable in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest and a “make-whole premium” (as defined in the indenture governing the 2023 Notes). Holders of the 2023 Notes may require us to repurchase the notes following a “fundamental change” (as defined in the indenture governing the 2023 Notes).
 
The indenture governing the 2023 Notes contains customary terms and covenants, including that upon certain events of default occurring and continuing, either the trustee under the indenture or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount then outstanding under the 2023 Notes may declare the entire principal amount of all the notes, and the interest accrued on such notes, if any, to be immediately due and payable. In the case of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to us or a significant subsidiary, the principal amount of the 2023 Notes together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon will become immediately due and payable.
 
The 2023 Notes were initially accounted for by separating the net proceeds between long-term debt and shareholders’ equity. In connection with the issuance of the 2023 Notes, we recorded a debt discount of $20.1 million ($15.9 million net of tax) as a result of separating the equity component. The effective interest rate for the 2023 Notes is 7.8% after considering the effect of the accretion of the related debt discount over the term of the 2023 Notes. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, interest expense (including amortization of the debt discount) related to the 2023 Notes totaled $8.4 million and $6.4 million, respectively. The remaining unamortized debt discount of the 2023 Notes was $14.5 million and $17.8 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
 
MARAD Debt
 
This U.S. government guaranteed financing (the “MARAD Debt”), pursuant to Title XI of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 administered by the Maritime Administration, was used to finance the construction of the Q4000. The MARAD Debt is collateralized by the Q4000 and is guaranteed 50% by us. The MARAD Debt is payable in equal semi-annual installments, matures in February 2027 and bears interest at a rate of 4.93%.
 
Nordea Credit Agreement
 
In September 2014, Q5000 Holdings entered into a credit agreement (the “Nordea Credit Agreement”) with a syndicated bank lending group for a term loan (the “Nordea Q5000 Loan”) in an amount of up to $250 million. The Nordea Q5000 Loan was funded in the amount of $250 million in April 2015 at the time the Q5000 vessel was delivered to us. Helix Vessel Finance S.à r.l., an indirect wholly owned Luxembourg subsidiary of Helix, guaranteed the Nordea Q5000 Loan. The loan is secured by the Q5000 and its charter earnings as well as by a pledge of the shares of Q5000 Holdings. This indebtedness is non-recourse to Helix.
 
The Nordea Q5000 Loan bears interest at a LIBOR rate plus a margin of 2.5%. The Nordea Q5000 Loan matures on April 30, 2020 and is repayable in scheduled quarterly principal installments of $8.9 million with a balloon payment of $80.4 million at maturity. The remaining principal balance and unamortized debt issuance costs related to the Nordea Q5000 Loan are classified as current in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2019. Q5000 Holdings may elect to prepay indebtedness outstanding under the Nordea Q5000 Loan without premium or penalty, but may not reborrow any amounts prepaid. Quarterly principal installments are subject to adjustment for any prepayments on this debt. We use interest rate swap contracts to fix the one-month LIBOR rate on a portion of our borrowings under the Nordea Q5000 Loan (Note 21). The total notional amount of the swaps (initially $187.5 million) decreases in proportion to the reduction in the principal amount outstanding under the Nordea Q5000 Loan. The fixed LIBOR rates are approximately 150 basis points.
 
The Nordea Credit Agreement and related loan documents include terms and conditions, including covenants and prepayment requirements, that we consider customary for this type of transaction. The covenants include restrictions on Q5000 Holdings’s ability to grant liens, incur indebtedness, make investments, merge or consolidate, sell or transfer assets, and pay dividends. In addition, the Nordea Credit Agreement obligates Q5000 Holdings to meet certain minimum financial requirements, including liquidity, consolidated debt service coverage and collateral maintenance.
 
Other
 
We previously issued additional convertible senior notes in March 2012, which were originally scheduled to mature on March 15, 2032 (the “2032 Notes”). In 2018, we fully redeemed the remaining $60.1 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2032 Notes and recognized a corresponding $0.2 million loss. The loss is presented as “Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt” in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
 
As discussed above, in accordance with the Credit Agreement, the 2022 Notes, the 2023 Notes, the MARAD Debt agreements and the Nordea Credit Agreement, we are required to comply with certain covenants, including with respect to the Credit Agreement, certain financial ratios such as a consolidated interest coverage ratio, a consolidated total leverage ratio and a consolidated secured leverage ratio, as well as the maintenance of minimum cash balance, net worth, working capital and debt-to-equity requirements. As of December 31, 2019, we were in compliance with these covenants.
 
Scheduled maturities of our long-term debt outstanding as of December 31, 2019 are as follows (in thousands): 
 
Term
Loan (1)
 
2022
Notes
 
2023
Notes
 
MARAD
Debt
 
Nordea
Q5000
Loan
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less than one year
$
3,500

 
$

 
$

 
$
7,200

 
$
89,286

 
$
99,986

One to two years
29,750

 

 

 
7,560

 

 
37,310

Two to three years

 
125,000

 

 
7,937

 

 
132,937

Three to four years

 

 
125,000

 
8,333

 

 
133,333

Four to five years

 

 

 
8,749

 

 
8,749

Over five years

 

 

 
23,831

 

 
23,831

Gross debt
33,250

 
125,000

 
125,000

 
63,610

 
89,286

 
436,146

Unamortized debt discounts (2)

 
(7,999
)
 
(14,541
)
 

 

 
(22,540
)
Unamortized debt issuance costs (3)
(381
)
 
(1,236
)
 
(2,344
)
 
(3,537
)
 
(255
)
 
(7,753
)
Total debt
32,869

 
115,765

 
108,115

 
60,073

 
89,031

 
405,853

Less current maturities
(3,500
)
 

 

 
(7,200
)
 
(89,031
)
 
(99,731
)
Long-term debt
$
29,369

 
$
115,765

 
$
108,115

 
$
52,873

 
$

 
$
306,122

(1)
Term Loan pursuant to the Credit Agreement matures in December 2021.
(2)
The 2022 Notes and the 2023 Notes will increase to their face amounts through accretion of their debt discounts to interest expense through May 2022 and September 2023, respectively.
(3)
Debt issuance costs are amortized to interest expense over the term of the applicable debt agreement.
 
The following table details the components of our net interest expense (in thousands): 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
$
31,186

 
$
32,617

 
$
38,274

Capitalized interest
(20,246
)
 
(15,629
)
 
(16,906
)
Interest income
(2,607
)
 
(3,237
)
 
(2,590
)
Net interest expense
$
8,333

 
$
13,751

 
$
18,778