TETRA Technologies, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2009 Results

November 9, 2009 7:30 AM EST

THE WOODLANDS, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- TETRA Technologies, Inc. (TETRA or the Company) (NYSE: TTI) today announced third quarter 2009 results of $0.30 per share, compared to $0.16 per share reported in the third quarter of 2008. The $0.30 per share reported for the third quarter of 2009 includes a negative $0.04 per share special charge resulting from repair related expenses incurred by Maritech during the quarter. All financial data in the text portion of this release are reported in U.S. dollars and are before discontinued operations, and all per share amounts are fully diluted.

Consolidated revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 were $254.0 million versus $249.1 million in the third quarter of 2008. Total gross profit was $62.8 million in the third quarter of 2009 versus $43.7 million in the third quarter of 2008. Income before discontinued operations was $22.8 million in the third quarter of 2009 versus $12.1 million in the comparable period of 2008. Net income was $22.7 million in 2009's third quarter versus $11.7 million in 2008's third quarter.

Consolidated results per share from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2009 were earnings of $0.30 with 76.1 million weighted average diluted common shares outstanding versus earnings of $0.16 with 76.3 million weighted average diluted common shares outstanding in the third quarter of 2008.

Divisional pretax earnings (loss) from continuing operations in the third quarter of 2009 versus the third quarter of 2008 were, Fluids Division: $5.8 million in 3Q 2009 and $1.9 million in 3Q 2008; Offshore Services: $40.3 million in 3Q 2009 and $9.8 million in 3Q 2008; Maritech: $(7.2) million in 3Q 2009 and $1.8 million in 3Q 2008; Production Testing: $2.9 million in 3Q 2009 and $8.1 million in 3Q 2008; and, Compressco: $5.3 million in 3Q 2009 and $8.0 million in 3Q 2008.

Financial data aggregating the first nine months of 2009, and financial data relating to net income, as well as discontinued operations, are available in the accompanying financial table in this press release.

Stuart M. Brightman, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "The third quarter of 2009 was another excellent quarter for TETRA. Our strong results were driven by another record quarterly earnings performance by our Offshore Services segment and continued strong performances by several of our other businesses. We ended the third quarter with a cash balance of $8.4 million and long-term debt of $414.2 million, significantly below our projected peak long-term debt level, but slightly higher than our June 30, 2009 long-term debt position. This modest increase in long-term debt is predominately due to timing of capital expenditures, and the magnitude of Maritech's decommissioning expenditures. We anticipate a reduction in debt during the fourth quarter, and we expect to end the year below the $400 million target debt level which was announced in our February 10 press release.

"During the third quarter, our Fluids Division reported a sequential quarterly decrease in revenue and gross margins associated with the normal seasonal decline in our European calcium chloride business. The balance of the Division performed at a level similar to its second quarter performance, although activity levels increased both in our Gulf of Mexico (GOM) operations, and in our Brazilian operations. Our onshore fluids business declined in connection with slower activity and weaker pricing during the third quarter. As we go forward, we are encouraged by the trends experienced during the third quarter in the GOM and Brazil. We delivered fluids to Brazil under our previously announced Petrobras contract during the third quarter, and we expect those deliveries to continue in the fourth quarter. We continue to believe that Brazil offers strong growth opportunities for the Fluids Division. In addition, we continue to believe that future growth in the GOM will be focused toward deepwater services, as evidenced by our recent increase in activity in that area.

"Our Offshore Services segment reported another record-setting quarter for the period ended September 30. This large increase beyond the record set in the second quarter is attributable to a convergence of several factors. We continue to do very well with repair work on structures that suffered damage during Hurricane Ike. This activity, which was robust during the second quarter, has further increased during the third quarter. The success of the Offshore Services segment in this area derives from a combination of projects secured on a discrete service basis and an integrated service basis. Offshore Services continues to experience strong demand in connection with risk mitigation activities undertaken by our major customers. Favorable weather in the third quarter did not disrupt this backlog of work. The level of performance required to produce these stellar third quarter results also required exceptional operational execution. I am particularly proud of this segment's continued success in executing work, and of the very favorable response we've received from our customer base. As we enter the fourth quarter, we expect to see a lower level of activity in the Offshore Services segment due to seasonal weather disruptions. However, despite these reduced activity levels, we believe that the Offshore Services segment may yield higher results than the segment's typical fourth quarter operating performance, given the downed structure work currently planned and backlogged.

"Maritech reported a pre-tax operating loss of $7.2 million in the third quarter. This loss was caused primarily by $5 million of repair related expenses associated with the 2008 hurricanes. Production in the third quarter was an average 44.9 MMCFE/day compared to an average 57.1 MMCFE/day in the second quarter of 2009. This decrease in production was caused by several fields being shut-in due to downstream pipeline problems. During the fourth quarter, we expect to resume production on a portion of our East Cameron (EC) 328 property which was damaged during Hurricane Ike. We anticipate this will result in fourth quarter production at a rate similar to our average third quarter production.

"During October, we entered into a settlement with respect to Maritech's insurance litigation under which we will receive approximately $40 million in cash during the fourth quarter of 2009. As a result of the timing of the settlement and the scheduled payment during the fourth quarter, the full amount of the proceeds will be reflected as a credit to earnings in the fourth quarter.

"In the Production Testing segment, third quarter domestic testing activity and profit margins were relatively flat versus the second quarter. We believe that these results may indicate a stabilization in activity and pricing, and we are cautiously optimistic that domestic activity will increase modestly in connection with improving natural gas prices. Internationally, our testing business continued to perform well in our existing markets. We will continue to redeploy assets and target capital spending toward our strong international markets.

"Compressco experienced a minor decrease in activity during the third quarter compared to the second quarter of 2009. This decrease was driven primarily by a continued slow-down in activity in the domestic market. However, Compressco continues to grow internationally, and international markets will continue to be an area of focus for us. The combination of the slower domestic market with the solid international market, while being slightly lower than the second quarter, resulted in a continuation of the excellent margins reported by this business. Compressco's continued concentration on cost reduction and international growth will be a key focus as we move forward.

"In conclusion, we are very pleased with our third quarter performance, highlighted again by the results in our Offshore Services segment. Offshore Services continues to benefit from the cumulative impact of our efforts over the last several years in improving execution and marketing, as well as from further integration of our previous acquisitions. Furthermore, we are beginning to believe that we have seen the bottom of the downward trend in the domestic markets for our fluids and testing businesses, both in activity and pricing. Our major capital investment, the calcium chloride facility in El Dorado, Arkansas, is expected to start commercial production in the fourth quarter. Looking forward, we believe we are very well positioned for long-term success in all of our businesses, and we will continue to focus on cash flow and liquidity," concluded Brightman.

TETRA is an oil and gas services company, including an integrated calcium chloride and brominated products manufacturing operation that supplies feedstocks to energy markets, as well as other markets.

This press release includes certain statements that are deemed to be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements concerning financial guidance, estimated earnings, earnings per share, expected benefits from our agreements and long-term investments, expected benefits from our cost reduction initiatives, expected benefits from the settlement of insurance claims, expected results of operational business segments for 2009, the expected impact of current economic and capital market conditions on the oil and gas industry and our operations, statements regarding our beliefs, expectations, plans, goals, future events and performance, and other statements that are not purely historical. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performances or results and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that could affect actual results are described in the section titled "Certain Business Risks" contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as well as other risks identified from time to time in its reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                              Three Months Ended        Nine Months Ended

                              September 30,             September 30,

                              2009         2008         2009         2008

                              (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

Revenues

Fluids Division               $ 50,889     $ 65,399     $ 176,789    $ 229,049

Offshore Division

Offshore Services               131,482      84,341       271,783      215,219

Maritech                        43,319       51,887       129,939      184,868

Intersegment eliminations       (11,574 )    (8,417  )    (40,600 )    (14,336 )

Offshore Division total         163,227      127,811      361,122      385,751

Production Enhancement
Division

Production Testing              19,070       31,365       61,976       92,899

Compressco                      20,960       24,735       67,528       71,341

Production Enhancement          40,030       56,100       129,504      164,240
Division total

Eliminations and other          (171    )    (211    )    (245    )    (396    )

Total revenues                  253,975      249,099      667,170      778,644

Gross profit

Fluids Division                 10,236       10,440       40,439       46,090

Offshore Division

Offshore Services               45,800       13,857       75,374       29,832

Maritech                        (5,813  )    (1,285  )    (8,662  )    26,034

Intersegment eliminations       1,120        (244    )    546          303

Offshore Division total         41,107       12,328       67,258       56,169

Production Enhancement
Division

Production Testing              4,309        10,521       15,452       31,978

Compressco                      7,919        11,037       25,631       30,786

Production Enhancement          12,228       21,558       41,083       62,764
Division total

Eliminations and other          (798    )    (618    )    (2,248  )    (1,841  )

Total gross profit              62,773       43,708       146,532      163,182

General and administrative      24,230       25,641       71,253       78,762
expense

Operating income                38,543       18,067       75,279       84,420

Interest expense, net           2,969        4,217        9,557        12,966

Other expense (income)          1,687        (5,316  )    61           (4,547  )

*Income before taxes and        33,887       19,166       65,661       76,001
discontinued operations (A)

Provision for income taxes      11,075       7,048        22,269       26,372

Income before discontinued      22,812       12,118       43,392       49,629
operations

Loss from discontinued          (150    )    (461    )    (393    )    (1,868  )
operations, net of taxes (A)

Net income                    $ 22,662     $ 11,657     $ 42,999     $ 47,761

*Income before taxes and
discontinued operations

Fluids Division                 5,800        1,895        19,169       24,306

Offshore Division

Offshore Services               40,250       9,793        62,630       17,237

Maritech                        (7,158  )    1,814        (9,403  )    26,757

Intersegment eliminations       1,120        (243    )    622          303

Offshore Division total         34,212       11,364       53,849       44,297

Production Enhancement
Division

Production Testing              2,850        8,127        15,931       25,885

Compressco                      5,277        8,039        17,850       22,680

Production Enhancement          8,127        16,166       33,781       48,565
Division total

Corporate overhead (includes    (14,252 )    (10,259 )    (41,138 )    (41,167 )
interest)

Total                           33,887       19,166       65,661       76,001

                               Three Months Ended      Nine Month Ended

                               September 30,           September 30,

                               2009        2008        2009         2008

                               (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

Basic per share information:

Income before discontinued     $ 0.30      $ 0.16      $ 0.58       $ 0.67
operations

Loss from discontinued           (0.00  )    (0.01  )    (0.01   )    (0.03   )
operations

Net income                     $ 0.30      $ 0.15      $ 0.57       $ 0.64

Weighted average shares          75,013      74,613      74,973       74,388
outstanding

Diluted per share information

Income before discontinued     $ 0.30      $ 0.16      $ 0.58       $ 0.65
operations

Loss from discontinued           (0.00  )    (0.01  )    (0.01   )    (0.02   )
operations

Net income                     $ 0.30      $ 0.15      $ 0.57       $ 0.63

Weighted average shares          76,060      76,316      75,490       75,874
outstanding

Depreciation, depletion and    $ 37,445    $ 50,393    $ 114,322    $ 134,192
amortization (B)

(A) Information presented for each period reflects TETRA's Process Services and Venezuelan fluids and production testing operations as discontinued operations.

(B) DD&A information for 2009 and 2008 includes asset impairments and oil and gas dry hole costs under successful efforts accounting.

Balance Sheet                 September 30, 2009  December 31, 2008

                              (In Thousands)

Cash                          $ 8,423             $ 6,032

Accounts receivable, net        236,419             225,491

Inventories                     118,657             117,731

Other current assets            64,086              86,059

PP&E, net                       843,587             807,466

Other assets                    143,935             169,845

Total assets                  $ 1,415,107         $ 1,412,624

Current liabilities           $ 222,851           $ 212,481

Long-term debt                  414,183             406,840

Other long-term liabilities     223,057             277,482

Equity                          555,016             515,821

Total liabilities and equity  $ 1,415,107         $ 1,412,624

    Source: TETRA Technologies, Inc.

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