Hornbeck Offshore Announces Fourth Quarter 2017 Results

COVINGTON, La., Feb. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. (NYSE:HOS) announced today results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2017.  Following is an executive summary for this period and the Company's future outlook:

• 4Q2017 diluted EPS was $2.48, an improvement of $2.99 from 3Q2017 diluted EPS of $(0.51)
• 4Q2017 net income was $93.8 million, an improvement of $112.8 million from 3Q2017 net loss of $(19.0) million
• 4Q2017 income taxes include a benefit of $125.2 million related to the repricing of deferred tax liabilities due to the tax reform enacted in 2017
• Offsetting this tax benefit was $14.2 million of tax expense due to valuation allowances for tax credits that may expire prior to being utilized
• Excluding the reconciling items discussed below, adjusted 4Q2017 diluted EPS and net loss were $(0.44) and $(16.1) million, respectively
• 4Q2017 EBITDA was $13.9 million, an increase of $3.3 million, or 31%, from 3Q2017 EBITDA of $10.6 million
• 4Q2017 average new gen OSV dayrates were $18,964, a sequential increase of $481, or 3%
• 4Q2017 effective new gen OSV dayrates were $4,570, a sequential decrease of $291, or 6%
• 4Q2017 utilization of the Company's new gen OSV fleet was 24%, down from 26% sequentially
• 4Q2017 effective utilization of the Company's active new gen OSVs was 81%, down from 86% sequentially
• The Company currently has 44 OSVs stacked and expects to have a total of 45 OSVs stacked by the end of 1Q2018
• The Company drew an additional $67 million of available capacity under its First-Lien Credit Facility at year-end 2017
• Quarter-end cash was $187 million, up from $113 million sequentially, with $62 million of newbuild growth capex remaining to be funded
• The Company now expects delivery of final two MPSVs in 2019 with $18 million and $44 million of growth capex in 2018 and 2019, respectively
• 4Q2017 total liquidity (cash and credit availability) of $324 million represents an increase of $7 million, or 2%, from 3Q2017

The Company recorded net income for the fourth quarter of 2017 of $93.8 million, or $2.48 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $(19.2) million, or $(0.53) per diluted share, for the year-ago quarter; and a net loss of $(19.0) million, or $(0.51) per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2017.  Included in the Company's fourth quarter 2017 results is a $125.2 million tax benefit related to U.S. tax reform legislation that was enacted in December 2017, partially offset by $14.2 million of tax expense due to valuation allowances related to tax credits that may expire prior to being utilized and a $1.7 million non-cash write-off of goodwill.  Excluding the net impact of these reconciling items, net loss and diluted EPS for the fourth quarter of 2017 would have been $(16.1) million and $(0.44) per diluted share, respectively.  Diluted common shares for the fourth quarter of 2017 were 37.9 million compared to 36.4 million and 37.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2016 and the third quarter of 2017, respectively.  GAAP requires the use of basic shares outstanding for diluted EPS when reporting a net loss.  EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $13.9 million compared to $1.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2016 and $10.6 million for the third quarter of 2017.  For additional information regarding EBITDA as a non-GAAP financial measure, please see Note 10 to the accompanying data tables.

Revenues.  Revenues were $56.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, an increase of $14.3 million, or 34.1%, from $41.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2016; and an increase of $2.5 million, or 4.7%, from $53.7 million for the third quarter of 2017.  The year-over-year increase in revenues was primarily due to improved market conditions for the Company's MPSVs, partially offset by weak OSV market conditions worldwide.  The sequential increase in revenues was primarily attributable to higher effective dayrates for the MPSV fleet.  As of December 31, 2017, the Company had 42 OSVs stacked.  For the three months ended December 31, 2017, the Company had an average of 43.5 vessels stacked compared to 46.5 vessels stacked in the prior-year quarter and 43.0 vessels stacked in the sequential quarter.  Operating loss was $(14.3) million, or (25.4)% of revenues, for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to an operating loss of $(27.5) million, or (65.6)% of revenues, for the prior-year quarter; and an operating loss of $(16.7) million, or (31.1)% of revenues, for the third quarter of 2017.  Excluding the impact of the goodwill write-off discussed above, fourth quarter 2017 operating loss would have been $(12.6) million, or (22.4)% of revenues.  Average new generation OSV dayrates for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $18,964 compared to $24,212 for the same period in 2016 and $18,483 for the third quarter of 2017.  New generation OSV utilization was 24.1% for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to 20.0% for the year-ago quarter and 26.3% for the sequential quarter.  Excluding stacked vessel days, the Company's new generation OSV effective utilization was 81.0%, 74.5% and 85.8% for the same periods, respectively.  Utilization-adjusted, or effective, new generation OSV dayrates for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $4,570 compared to $4,842 for the same period in 2016 and $4,861 for the third quarter of 2017. 

Operating Expenses.  Operating expenses were $31.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, an increase of $3.7 million, or 13.5%, from $27.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2016; and an increase of $1.1 million, or 3.7%, from $30.1 million for the third quarter of 2017.  The year-over-year increase in operating expenses was primarily due to a higher average number of active vessels in the Company's fleet.  The sequential increase in operating expenses was primarily due to higher personnel expenses.    

General and Administrative ("G&A").  G&A expense was $11.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $13.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2016; and $12.9 million for the third quarter of 2017.  The year-over-year decrease in G&A expense was primarily attributable to lower long-term incentive compensation and lower short-term incentive compensation, partially offset by higher professional fees related to the Company's on-going liability management activities. The sequential decrease in G&A expense was primarily due to lower long-term incentive compensation expense. Long-term incentive compensation was lower than the prior-year period and sequential quarter due to a "mark to market" adjustment on cash-settled share-based awards to reflect the decrease in the Company's stock price during the three months ended December 31, 2017. 

Depreciation and Amortization.  Depreciation and amortization expense was $28.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, or $0.2 million lower than the year-ago quarter and $1.2 million higher than the sequential quarter.  Depreciation expense decreased by $0.1 million over the year-ago quarter.  Amortization expense also decreased by $0.1 million over the year-ago quarter, driven by postponed recertifications for certain of the Company's stacked OSVs, partially offset by the $1.7 million goodwill charge.  Depreciation expense was in-line with the sequential quarter; however, amortization expense was $1.2 million higher, wholly attributable to the goodwill charge previously mentioned.  Amortization expense is expected to decrease further in fiscal 2018 as a result of the deferral of regulatory recertification activities for vessels that have been stacked.  However, amortization expense is expected to increase in fiscal 2019 as a result of currently active vessels that were placed in service under the Company's fifth OSV newbuild program commencing their initial intermediate drydock or special survey.  The Company also expects amortization expense to increase whenever market conditions warrant reactivation of currently stacked vessels, which will then require the Company to drydock such vessels, and thereafter to revert back to historical levels.

Interest Expense.  Interest expense was $12.2 million during the fourth quarter of 2017, or $1.6 million lower than the prior-year quarter.  The decrease was primarily due to lower interest expense associated with the debt exchange and debt repurchases, as well as the termination of the then-existing credit facility, all of which were completed during the second quarter of 2017.  The Company recorded $2.6 million of capitalized construction period interest, or roughly 18% of its total interest costs, for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $2.4 million, or roughly 15% of its total interest costs, for the year-ago quarter.

Twelve Month Results

Revenue for fiscal 2017 decreased 14.7% to $191.4 million compared to $224.3 million for fiscal 2016.  Operating loss was $(88.7) million, or (46.4)% of revenues, for fiscal 2017 compared to an operating loss of $(64.2) million, or (28.6)% of revenues, for the prior-year.  Net income for fiscal 2017 increased $91.2 million to $27.4 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $(63.8) million, or $(1.76) per diluted share, for fiscal 2016.  EBITDA for fiscal 2017 decreased 25.7% to $38.2 million compared to $51.4 million for fiscal 2016.  Included in the Company's results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 are a net $111.0 million tax benefit in the fourth quarter of 2017 primarily related to the impact of the U.S. tax reform legislation enacted in December 2017, a $15.5 million net gain on early extinguishment of debt in the second quarter of 2017 and a $1.7 million charge for the write-off of goodwill.  Excluding the impact of these reconciling items, net loss, diluted EPS and EBITDA for fiscal 2017 would have been $(91.9) million, $(2.49) per diluted share and $22.8 million, respectively.  The year-over-year decrease in vessel revenues primarily resulted from weak market conditions worldwide and the repricing or stacking of six vessels, which concluded long-term contracts at dayrates above current market levels.  For fiscal 2017, the Company had an average of 43.6 vessels stacked compared to 41.6 vessels stacked in fiscal 2016.

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 and certain events during the Company's guidance period as set forth on pages 11 and 12 of this press release. These statements are forward-looking and actual results may differ materially, particularly given the volatility inherent in, and the currently depressed conditions of, the Company's industry.  Other than as expressly stated, these statements do not include the potential impact of any significant further change in commodity prices for oil and natural gas; any additional future repositioning voyages; any additional stacking or reactivation of vessels; unexpected vessel repairs or shipyard delays; or future capital transactions, such as vessel acquisitions, modifications or divestitures, business combinations, possible share or note repurchases or financings that may be commenced after the date of this disclosure.  Additional cautionary information concerning forward-looking statements can be found on page 8 of this news release.

Forward Guidance

The Company's forward guidance for selected operating and financial data, outlined below and in the attached data tables, reflects the current state of commodity prices and planned decreases in the capital spending budgets of its customers. 

Vessel Counts.  As of December 31, 2017, the Company's fleet of owned vessels consisted of 62 new generation OSVs and eight MPSVs.  The forecasted vessel counts presented in this press release reflect the two MPSV newbuilds now expected to be delivered during fiscal 2019, as discussed below.  With an average of 42.9 new generation OSVs projected to be stacked during fiscal 2018, the Company's active fleet for 2018 is expected to be comprised of an average of 19.1 new generation OSVs and 8.0 MPSVs.  With an assumed average of 43.0 new generation OSVs projected to be stacked during fiscal 2019, the Company's active fleet for 2019 is expected to be comprised of an average of 19.0 new generation OSVs and 9.0 MPSVs. 

Operating Expenses.  Aggregate cash operating expenses are projected to be in the range of $32.0 million to $37.0 million for the first quarter of 2018, and $130.0 million to $145.0 million for the full-year 2018.  Reflected in the cash opex guidance ranges above are the anticipated continuing results of several cost containment measures initiated by the Company since the fourth quarter of 2014 due to prevailing market conditions, including, among other actions, the stacking of vessels on various dates from October 1, 2014 through December 31, 2017, as well as company-wide headcount reductions and across-the-board pay-cuts for shoreside and vessel personnel.  The Company plans to stack one 240 class OSV during the remainder of the first quarter of 2018.  The Company may choose to stack or reactivate additional vessels as market conditions warrant.  The cash operating expense estimate above is exclusive of any additional repositioning expenses the Company may incur in connection with the potential relocation of more of its 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 Expense.  G&A expense is expected to be in the approximate range of $11.0 million to $13.0 million for the first quarter of 2018, and $45.0 million to $50.0 million for the full-year 2018.  

Other Financial Data.  Quarterly depreciation, amortization, net interest expense, cash income taxes, cash interest expense, weighted-average basic shares outstanding and weighted-average diluted shares outstanding for the first quarter of 2018 are projected to be $24.6 million, $2.1 million, $13.2 million, $0.2 million, $15.1 million, 37.3 million and 37.9 million, respectively.  As a reminder, please note that GAAP requires the use of basic shares outstanding for diluted EPS when reporting a net loss.  Guidance for depreciation, amortization, net interest expense, cash income taxes and cash interest expense for the full fiscal years 2018 and 2019 is provided on page 12 of this press release.  The Company's annual effective tax benefit rate is expected to be between 20.0% and 22.0% for fiscal years 2018 and 2019. 

Capital Expenditures Outlook

Update on OSV Newbuild Program #5.    The two remaining vessels under the Company's nearly completed 24-vessel domestic newbuild program, both of which are 400 class MPSVs, are now expected to be delivered in the second and third quarters of 2019, respectively. 

The Company owns 62 new generation OSVs and eight MPSVs as of December 31, 2017.  Based on the projected MPSV in-service dates, the Company now expects to own eight and ten MPSVs as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019, respectively.  These vessel additions result in a projected average MPSV fleet complement of 8.0, 9.0 and 10.0 vessels for the fiscal years 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively.  The aggregate cost of the Company's fifth OSV newbuild program, excluding construction period interest, is expected to be approximately $1,335.0 million, of which $18.4 million and $43.9 million are expected to be incurred in the full fiscal years 2018 and 2019, respectively.  From the inception of this program through December 31, 2017, the Company has incurred $1,272.7 million, or 95.3%, of total expected project costs, including $3.2 million that was spent during the fourth quarter of 2017.  The Company expects to incur newbuild project costs of $0.4 million during the first quarter of 2018.

Update on Maintenance Capital Expenditures.  Please refer to the attached data table on page 11 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 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.  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 or maintain a vessel's economic useful life.  The Company expects that its maintenance capital expenditures for its fleet of vessels will be approximately $19.4 million and $24.2 million for the full fiscal years 2018 and 2019, respectively.  These cash outlays are expected to be incurred over approximately 329 and 435 days of aggregate commercial downtime in 2018 and 2019, respectively, during which the applicable vessels will not earn revenue. 

Update on Other Capital Expenditures.  Please refer to the attached data tables on page 11 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 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.  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 $1.5 million and $0.5 million, respectively, for the full fiscal years 2018 and 2019, respectively. 

Liquidity Outlook

As of December 31, 2017, the Company's total liquidity (cash and credit availability) was $323.5 million, comprised of $186.8 million of cash and $136.7 million of availability under the First-Lien Credit Facility, which represents an increase of $7.0 million, or 2%, from the end of the third quarter.  Included in the Company's year-end cash balance was the minimum required draw of an additional $67.0 million of the delayed-draw "use-it-or-lose-it" commitments under the First-Lien Credit Facility.  The next such minimum draw of $68.0 million isn't required until December 31, 2018.  The Company projects that, even with the currently depressed operating levels, cash generated from operations together with cash on hand and remaining availability under the First-Lien Credit Facility should be sufficient to fund its operations and commitments through at least December 31, 2019.  However, absent the combination of a significant recovery of market conditions such that cash flow from operations were to increase materially from projected levels coupled with a refinancing and/or further management of its funded debt obligations, the Company does not currently expect to have sufficient liquidity to repay the full amount of its 5.875% Senior Notes and 5.000% Senior Notes as they mature in fiscal years 2020 and 2021, respectively.  The Company remains fully cognizant of the challenges currently facing the offshore oil and gas industry and continues to review its capital structure and assess its strategic options.

Conference Call

The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter 2017 financial results and recent developments at 10:00 a.m. Eastern (9:00 a.m. Central) tomorrow, February 8, 2018. To participate in the call, dial (412) 902-0030 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 February 22, 2018, and may be accessed by calling (201) 612-7415 and using the pass code 13675092#.

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 Gulf of Mexico and Latin America. Hornbeck Offshore currently owns a fleet of 70 vessels primarily serving the energy industry and has two additional ultra high-spec MPSVs under construction for delivery in 2019.

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 impacts from oil and natural gas prices in the U.S. and worldwide; continued weakness in demand and/or pricing for the Company's services through and beyond the maturity of any of the Company's long-term debt; unplanned customer suspensions, cancellations, rate reductions or non-renewals of vessel charters or vessel management contracts or failures to finalize commitments to charter or manage vessels; continued weak capital spending by customers on offshore exploration and development; the inability to accurately predict vessel utilization levels and dayrates; sustained weakness in the number of deepwater and ultra-deepwater drilling units operating in the GoM or other regions where the Company operates; 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; any negative impact on the Company's ability to successfully complete the remainder of its current vessel newbuild program on-time; the inability to successfully market the vessels that the Company owns, is constructing or might acquire; the government's cancellation or non-renewal of the management, operations and maintenance contracts for vessels; 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; disputes with customers; bureaucratic, administrative or operating barriers that delay vessels in foreign markets from going on-hire; administrative barriers to exploration and production activities in Brazil; disruption in the timing and/or extent of Mexican offshore activities; age or other restrictions imposed on our vessels by customers; unanticipated difficulty in effectively competing in or operating in international markets; less than anticipated subsea infrastructure and field development demand in the GoM and other markets affecting our MPSVs; sustained vessel over-capacity for existing demand levels in the markets in which the Company competes; economic and geopolitical risks; weather-related risks; upon a return to improved operating conditions, the shortage of or the inability to attract and retain qualified personnel, when needed, including vessel personnel for active vessels or vessels the Company may reactivate or acquire; any success in unionizing the Company's U.S. fleet personnel; regulatory risks; the repeal or administrative weakening of the Jones Act or adverse changes in the interpretation of the Jones Act; 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; other industry risks; 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 of the Company to refinance or otherwise retire certain funded debt obligations that come due in 2019, 2020 and 2021; or the potential for any impairment charges that could arise in the future and that would reduce the Company's consolidated net tangible assets which, in turn, would further limit the Company's ability to grant certain liens, make certain investments, and incur certain debt under the Company's senior notes indentures and the New Credit Facility. 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 lenders to provide funding under the Company's New Credit Facility, if and when required.  Further, the Company can give no assurance regarding when and to what extent it will effect common stock or note repurchases.  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 and, if sufficiently severe, could result in noncompliance with certain covenants of the Company's existing indebtedness. 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 10 to the attached data tables.