/NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN
2023 KEY HIGHLIGHTS
The Company achieved the following 2023 results and highlights:
- Revenues of
$545.3 million in 2023 is the highest annual revenues in the Company's history and represents an increase of 71%, compared to$319.0 million in 2022. - Adjusted EBITDAS (1) of
$90.9 million in 2023, also established a new corporate record, increasing 33%, compared to$68.2 million in 2022. - Higher United States ("U.S.") and Canadian job count and operating days in 2023, compared to 2022, despite overall lower industry rig counts (2).
- An increase in the Canadian average revenue per operating day of 19% in 2023, compared to 2022.
- An increase in the
U.S. average revenue per operating day of 9% in 2023 Q4, compared to 2023 Q3, owing to a greater mix of rotary steerable work. - Net income of
$10.6 million in 2023 was lower than the$18.3 million net income in 2022. The decrease was mainly related to increased acquisition-related depreciation and amortization costs which will normalize over time. In addition, the Company recognized a non-cash provision of$5.4 million in 2023. - Cash flow - operating activities of
$70.0 million in 2023, compared to$39.9 million in 2022. - Free cash flow (1) of
$29.0 million in 2023, compared to$25.6 million in 2022. - The Company purchased 4,294,900 common shares of Cathedral under its normal course issuer bid ("NCIB") for a total amount of
$3.8 million at an average price of$0.82 per common share. - The Company acquired
Rime Downhole Technologies, LLC ("Rime"), a privately-held,Texas -based, engineering business that specializes in building products for the downhole Measurement-While-Drilling ("MWD") industry in exchange for approximatelyU.S. dollars ("USD")$41.0 million (4). - Subsequent to the acquisition of Rime in
July 2023 , loans and borrowings less cash was$67.9 million as atDecember 31, 2023 , compared to$69.4 million as atDecember 31, 2022 . The Company continues to focus on reducing its loans and borrowings and generating Free cash flow (1) in 2024. - The Company continues to see a significant opportunity for margin expansion in its
U.S. directional business by using Rime-supplied MWD systems to reduce its third-party rental costs.
(1) As defined in the "Non-GAAP measures" section of this news release. |
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Comments from President & CEO
"Cathedral achieved its highest revenue and Adjusted EBITDAS for any year going back to its founding in 1998 despite the challenges of lower activity levels in the U.S. market combined with a much lower commodity price environment compared to that of 2022. Revenue was over
"In
"Cathedral's
"Cathedral's purchase of Rime in
"In
"In regard to our ongoing efforts to strengthen the balance sheet, Cathedral remains focused on paying down its loans and borrowings and generating Free cash flow. The Company continues to target the reduction of loans and borrowings to less than 0.5x Adjusted EBITDAS by year end 2024, which should help it move closer to a broader shareholder return strategy. To date, Cathedral has been active under its NCIB program, which marks phase one of its pursuit to increase shareholder returns. Management believes that buying Cathedral shares at current share price levels represents good value and a sensible use of capital while also staying focused on paying down debt built up from the strategic acquisitions of Altitude and more recently Rime.
"Finally, I want to take this opportunity to thank both our employees for their dedication and our shareholders for their support as we continue to execute on our size and scale strategy and our vision to build Cathedral into a preeminent player in the North American directional technology market." concluded
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Canadian dollars in 000's except for otherwise noted
Three months ended | Year ended | |||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |
Revenues (2) | $ 145,419 | $ 139,148 | $ 545,297 | $ 319,013 |
Gross margin % (2) | 20 % | 23 % | 19 % | 22 % |
Adjusted gross margin % (1)(2) | 29 % | 31 % | 27 % | 31 % |
Adjusted EBITDAS (1) | $ 27,369 | $ 30,284 | $ 90,884 | $ 68,187 |
Adjusted EBITDAS margin % (1) | 19 % | 22 % | 17 % | 21 % |
Cash flow - operating activities (2) | $ 16,589 | $ 23,041 | $ 69,984 | $ 39,881 |
Free cash flow (1)(2) | $ 14,303 | $ 17,301 | $ 28,966 | $ 25,612 |
Net income | $ 1,767 | $ 10,270 | $ 10,628 | $ 18,347 |
Per share - basic and diluted | $ 0.01 | $ 0.05 | $ 0.04 | $ 0.11 |
Weighted average shares outstanding: | ||||
Basic (000s) | 242,265 | 221,475 | 237,562 | 162,551 |
Diluted (000s) | 267,828 | 226,564 | 252,597 | 166,130 |
Balance, |
|
|
Working capital, excluding current portion of loans and borrowings (1) | $ 74,865 | $ 60,447 |
Total assets | $ 403,733 | $ 353,990 |
Loans and borrowings | $ 78,598 | $ 80,535 |
Shareholders' equity | $ 179,468 | $ 153,897 |
(1) Refer to the "Non-GAAP Measures" section in this news release. |
(2) Refer to the "Reclassifications" section in this news release. |
OUTLOOK
Global oil and North American natural gas prices weakened considerably in the fourth quarter of 2023, which caused an approximate 5% decline in both the
In the futures market, oil as traded on NYMEX remains in backwardation. With each successive future month price lower than the preceding month, there is no meaningful incentive for speculators to put oil into storage as is the case when the oil futures curve is in contango. This typically implies that the current oil supply-demand balance remains healthy. As such, Cathedral believes that the current WTI oil price of around USD
The natural gas market outlook remains challenging in the short term with a twelve-month strip price on the
In
Finally, looking at the first quarter of 2024, Cathedral is seeing more of the same trends evidenced in the fourth quarter of 2023. The Company's 2024 Q1
2023 ACQUISITION
On
The EP Notes have a three-year term and accrue interest payable quarterly at a rate of 5% per annum. Any time prior to expiry of the EP Notes, if the 20-day volume weighted average trading price of the common shares of Cathedral equals or exceeds CAD
The purchase price allocation was recognized under IFRS 3 Business combinations as follows:
As at | |||||
Consideration: | |||||
Cash | $ 27,954 | ||||
Exchangeable promissory notes | 24,632 | ||||
Total consideration | $ 52,586 | ||||
Purchase price allocation: | |||||
Cash | $ 528 | ||||
Inventory | 7,119 | ||||
Other net working capital | 3,373 | ||||
Property, plant and equipment | 3,817 | ||||
Right-of-use assets | 492 | ||||
Lease liabilities | (492) | ||||
Intangible assets | 35,850 | ||||
1,487 | |||||
Deferred tax asset | 412 | ||||
Total purchase price allocation | $ 52,586 |
2022 ACQUISITIONS
In 2022, the Company executed five strategic acquisitions as detailed below:
U.S. - based company, Altitude inJuly 2022 for total consideration of$124.1 million , comprised of a cash payment of$87.2 million and a common share issuance of$36.9 million . Altitude was a privately-held,U.S. - based, directional drilling services business with headquarters inWyoming , executive leadership based inHouston , and significant operations inTexas , most prominently in thePermian Basin . The Company continues to use the Altitude name and brand in theU.S. Cathedral's formerU.S. directional drilling business has been integrated into Altitude's business;U.S. - based operations, Discovery Downhole Services ("Discovery") inFebruary 2022 for total consideration of$20.9 million , comprised of a cash payment of$18.2 million and a common share issuance of$2.7 million . The acquisition included the operating assets and non-executive personnel of Discovery'sU.S. - based, high-performance mud motor technology rental business;LEXA Drilling Technologies Inc. ("Lexa"), aCalgary, Alberta based technology company, inJune 2022 for total consideration of$1.8 million ;- the operating assets of Compass Directional Services ("Compass") in
June 2022 for total consideration of$8.3 million , comprised of a cash payment of$4.0 million and a common share issuance of$4.3 million ; and - the Canadian directional drilling business of Ensign Energy Services ("Ensign") in
October 2022 for total common share consideration of$6.0 million .
RECLASSIFICATIONS
The Company has changed the presentation of certain figures in the comparative period related to equipment lost-in-hole reimbursements collected from customers and the corresponding derecognition of the property, plant and equipment ("PP&E").
More specifically, the Company reclassified its gain on disposal of PP&E in the comparative period as follows: a) reclassified the proceeds on disposal of PP&E, related to lost-in-hole equipment, to revenues and b) recognized a write-off of PP&E for the net book value of the lost-in-hole equipment on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. In addition, the lost-in-hole proceeds were reclassified from the Company's cash flows - investing activities to the cash flows - operating activities on the consolidated statement of cash flows.
The Company has changed its judgement regarding equipment lost-in-hole events that are contracted with its customers in that these events are now considered to be part of its ordinary business activities. The changes are reflected in the current and prior periods, as described above.
These reclassifications recognized in the three months and year ended
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Excerpt)
Three months ended | Year ended | |||||
Reported | Adjustment | Adjusted | Reported | Adjustment | Adjusted | |
Revenues: | ||||||
$ 42,673 | $ 906 | $ 43,579 | $ 117,683 | $ 3,833 | $ 121,516 | |
85,845 | 9,724 | 95,569 | 180,718 | 16,779 | 197,497 | |
Total revenues | 128,518 | 10,630 | 139,148 | 298,401 | 20,612 | 319,013 |
Cost of sales | (103,929) | (2,740) | (106,669) | (243,419) | (4,798) | (248,217) |
Gross margin | 24,589 | 7,890 | 32,479 | 54,982 | 15,814 | 70,796 |
Write-off of PP&E | — | (1,059) | (1,059) | — | (2,545) | (2,545) |
Gain (loss) on disposal of PP&E | $ 6,937 | $ (6,938) | $ (1) | $ 13,492 | $ (13,376) | $ 116 |
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Excerpt)
Three months ended | Year ended | |||||
Reported | Adjustment | Adjusted | Reported | Adjustment | Adjusted | |
Cash flow provided by (used in): | ||||||
Operating activities | ||||||
Loss (gain) on disposal of PP&E | $ (6,937) | $ 6,938 | $ 1 | $ (13,492) | $ 13,376 | $ (116) |
Write-off of PP&E | — | 1,059 | 1,059 | — | 2,545 | 2,545 |
Changes in non-cash operating working capital (1) | (8,283) | 684 | (7,599) | (27,113) | — | (27,113) |
Cash flow - operating activities | 14,360 | 8,681 | 23,041 | 23,960 | 15,921 | 39,881 |
Investing activities | ||||||
Cash paid on acquisitions, net of cash acquired (1) | (55) | (733) | (788) | (104,581) | — | (104,581) |
PP&E additions | (12,152) | 2,855 | (9,297) | (30,894) | 4,497 | (26,397) |
Proceeds on disposal of equipment | 10,501 | (10,501) | — | 21,795 | (20,117) | 1,678 |
Cash flow - investing activities | (615) | (8,379) | (8,994) | (115,804) | (15,620) | (131,424) |
Effect of exchange rate on changes on cash | $ 2,258 | $ (302) | $ 1,956 | $ 2,543 | $ (301) | $ 2,242 |
(1) The Company made reclassifications in the consolidated statement of cash flows for three months ended |
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three months ended | Year ended | |||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |
Revenues | ||||
$ 100,106 | $ 95,569 | $ 383,904 | $ 197,497 | |
45,313 | 43,579 | 161,393 | 121,516 | |
Total revenues (2) | $ 145,419 | $ 139,148 | $ 545,297 | $ 319,013 |
Cost of sales | ||||
Direct costs (2) | $ (104,216) | $ (95,707) | $ (398,031) | $ (218,908) |
Depreciation and amortization | (11,171) | (10,660) | (41,019) | (28,687) |
Share-based compensation | (249) | (302) | (918) | (622) |
Cost of sales | $ (115,636) | $ (106,669) | $ (439,968) | $ (248,217) |
Gross margin (2) | $ 29,783 | $ 32,479 | $ 105,329 | $ 70,796 |
Gross margin % (2) | 20 % | 23 % | 19 % | 22 % |
Adjusted gross margin % (1)(2) | 29 % | 31 % | 27 % | 31 % |
(1) Refer to the "Non-GAAP Measures" section in this news release. |
(2) Refer to the "Reclassifications" section in this news release. |
Consolidated
The Company recognized
The Company recognized
The Company recognized
The Company recognized
The Gross margin % decreased to 20% and 19% in the three months and year ended
Depreciation and amortization expense included in cost of sales increased to
Depreciation and amortization expense included in cost of sales as a percentage of revenue was 8% in the three months and year ended
Revenues
Direct costs
Canadian segment
Revenues
Canadian revenues were
Canadian revenues were
Direct costs
Canadian direct costs included in cost of sales were
Canadian direct costs included in cost of sales were
Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses
Three months ended | Year ended | |||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses: | ||||
Direct costs | $ 14,801 | $ 11,814 | $ 52,502 | $ 27,933 |
Depreciation and amortization | 2,289 | (635) | 7,596 | 3,009 |
Share-based compensation | 1,004 | 356 | 4,183 | 765 |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | $ 18,094 | $ 11,535 | $ 64,281 | $ 31,707 |
The Company recognized SG&A expenses of
Depreciation and amortization included in SG&A were
Stock-based compensation included in SG&A were
Provision
The Company has recognized a provision of
Research and development ("R&D") costs
The Company recognized R&D costs of
Write-off of property, plant and equipment
The Company recognized a write-off of property, plant and equipment of
Finance costs
Finance costs - loans and borrowings were
Finance costs - loans and borrowings were
In addition, the Company had
Foreign exchange
The Company recognized a foreign exchange gain of
The Company recognized a foreign currency translation loss on foreign operations of
Income tax
The Company recognized an income tax expense of
Income tax expense is booked based upon expected annualized rates using the statutory rates of 23% for both
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Annually, the Company's principal source of liquidity is cash generated from its operations. In addition, the Company has the ability to fund liquidity requirements through its Credit Facility and the issuance of additional debt and/or equity, if available.
In order to facilitate the management of its liquidity, the Company prepares an annual budget, which is updated, as necessary, depending on varying factors, including changes in capital structure, execution of the Company's business plan and general industry conditions. The annual budget is approved by the Board of Directors and updated forecasts are prepared as the fiscal year progresses with changes reviewed by the Board of Directors.
Cash flow - operating activities was
At
Warrants
During the year ended
Normal course issuer bid
On
Under the TSX rules, the Company is entitled to purchase up to the greater of: 25% of the average daily trading volume of the respective class of shares; or 1,000 shares on any trading day; or a larger amount of shares per calendar week, subject to the maximum number that may be acquired under the NCIB, if the transaction meets the block purchase exception rule under TSX rules. Accordingly, unless a block purchase meets the block purchase exception under TSX rules, the Company is entitled to purchase up to 99,621 common shares on any trading day.
During the year ended
In connection with the NCIB, the Company has established an automatic securities purchase plan ("the Plan") for the common shares. Accordingly, the Company may repurchase its common shares under the Plan on any trading day during the NCIB, including during regulatory restrictions or self-imposed trading blackout periods. The Plan commenced on
Syndicated credit facility
On
During the year ended
As at
At
- Consolidated Funded Debt to Consolidated Credit Agreement EBITDA ratio shall not exceed 2.5:1; and
- Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage ratio shall not be less than 1.25:1
Contractual obligations and contingencies
As at
The Company also holds six letters of credit totaling
The Company is involved in various other legal claims associated with the normal course of operations. The Company believes that any liabilities that may arise pertaining to such matters would not have a material impact on its financial position.
The following table outlines the anticipated payments related to contractual commitments subsequent to
Balance, | Carrying | One year | 1-2 years | 3-5 years | Thereafter |
Loans and borrowings - principal | $ 79,212 | $ 21,043 | $ 20,220 | $ 37,949 | $ — |
EP Notes - principal | 26,400 | — | — | 26,400 | — |
Interest payments on loans and borrowings and EP Notes | 14,100 | 6,912 | 5,163 | 2,025 | — |
Lease liabilities - undiscounted | 17,725 | 4,169 | 3,840 | 8,624 | 1,092 |
Trade and other payables | 93,661 | 93,661 | — | — | — |
Total | $ 231,098 | $ 125,785 | $ 29,223 | $ 74,998 | $ 1,092 |
Capital structure
As at
NET CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
The following table details the Corporation's Net capital expenditures:
Three months ended | Year ended | |||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |
Motors and related equipment | $ 2,818 | $ 3,747 | $ 25,604 | $ 12,579 |
MWD and related equipment | 4,364 | 4,104 | 14,218 | 12,335 |
Shop and automotive equipment | 151 | 876 | 2,235 | 876 |
Other | 988 | 844 | 4,097 | 881 |
Gross capital expenditures | $ 8,321 | $ 9,571 | $ 46,154 | $ 26,671 |
Less: equipment lost-in-hole and damaged beyond repair reimbursements | (5,078) | $ (7,996) | (20,338) | $ (15,921) |
Net capital expenditures (1) | $ 3,243 | $ 1,575 | $ 25,816 | $ 10,750 |
(1) Refer to the "Non-GAAP Measures" section in this news release. |
The Company's 2024 Net capital expenditure budget is expected to be approximately
NON-GAAP MEASURES
Cathedral uses certain performance measures throughout this news release that are not defined under IFRS Accounting Standards or Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). These non-GAAP measures do not have a standardized meaning and may differ from that of other organizations, and accordingly, may not be comparable. Investors should be cautioned, however, that these measures should not be construed as alternatives to IFRS Accounting Standards measures as an indicator of Cathedral's performance.
These measures include the Adjusted gross margin, Adjusted gross margin %, Adjusted EBITDAS, Adjusted EBITDAS margin %, Adjusted EBITDAS per diluted share, Free cash flow, Working capital and Net captial expenditures. Management believes these measures provide supplemental financial information that is useful in the evaluation of Cathedral's operations.
These non-GAAP measures are defined as follows:
i) | "Adjusted gross margin" - calculated as gross margin before non-cash costs (write-down of inventory, depreciation, amortization and share-based compensation); is considered a primary indicator of operating performance (see tabular calculation); |
ii) | "Adjusted gross margin %" - calculated as Adjusted gross margin divided by revenues; is considered a primary indicator of operating performance (see tabular calculation); |
iii) | "Adjusted EBITDAS" - calculated as net income before finance costs, unrealized foreign exchange on intercompany balances, income tax expense, depreciation, amortization, non-recurring costs (including acquisition and restructuring costs and provision), write-down of inventory and share-based compensation; provides supplemental information to net income that is useful in evaluating the results and financing of the Company's business activities before considering certain charges (see tabular calculation); |
iv) | "Adjusted EBITDAS margin %" - calculated as Adjusted EBITDAS divided by revenues; provides supplemental information to net income that is useful in evaluating the results and financing of the Company's business activities before considering certain charges as a percentage of revenues (see tabular calculation); |
v) | "Adjusted EBITDAS per diluted share" - calculated as Adjusted EBITDAS divided by the diluted weighted average shares outstanding; provides supplemental information to net income that is useful in evaluating the results and financing of the Company's business activities before considering certain charges on a per diluted share basis; |
vi) | "Free cash flow" - calculated as cash flow - operating activities prior to: i) changes in non-cash working capital, ii) income tax paid (refunded) and iii) non-recurring costs less: i) PP&E additions, excluding assets acquired in business combinations, ii) required repayments on loans and borrowings, in accordance with the Company's credit facility agreement, and iii) repayments of lease liabilities, net of finance costs, offset by proceeds on disposals of PP&E. Management uses this measure as an indication of the Company's ability to generate funds from its operations to support future capital expenditures, additional repayments of loans and borrowings or other initiatives (see tabular calculation). |
The calculation of Free cash flow has been amended from a prior period to demonstrate a more appropriate representation of the Company's Free cash flow by deducting the Company's required repayments on loans and borrowings compared to no adjustment included in a prior period. It is the Company's view that required repayments of loans and borrowings reduce its Free cash flow and, as such, should be deducted from the Free cash flow calculation. | |
In addition, there were reclassification adjustments related to the cash flow - operating activities, proceeds on disposal of PP&E and PP&E additions, as described in the "Reclassifications" section in this news release; and | |
vii) | "Working capital" - calculated as current assets less current liabilities, excluding the current portion of loans and borrowings. Management uses this measure as an indication of the Company's financial and cash liquidity position. |
viii) | "Net capital expenditures" - calculated as the gross capital expenditures less reimbursements from customers for equipment lost-in-hole and damaged beyond repair, net of payments to vendors for equipment lost-in-hole or damaged beyond repair - refer to the "Net capital expenditures" section of this news release. |
The following tables provide reconciliations from the IFRS Accounting Standards measures to non-GAAP measures.
Adjusted gross margin
Three months ended | Year ended | |||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |
Gross margin (1) | $ 29,783 | $ 32,479 | $ 105,329 | $ 70,796 |
Add non-cash items included in cost of sales: | ||||
Write-down of inventory included in cost of sales | 524 | 107 | 1,501 | 107 |
Depreciation and amortization | 11,171 | 10,660 | 41,019 | 28,687 |
Share-based compensation | 249 | 302 | 918 | 622 |
Adjusted gross margin | $ 41,727 | $ 43,548 | $ 148,767 | $ 100,212 |
Adjusted gross margin % | 29 % | 31 % | 27 % | 31 % |
(1) Refer to the "Reclassifications" section in this news release. |
Adjusted EBITDAS
Three months ended | Year ended | |||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |
Net income | $ 1,767 | $ 10,270 | $ 10,628 | $ 18,347 |
Add (deduct): | ||||
Income tax expense | 5,617 | 5,283 | 9,559 | 4,614 |
Depreciation and amortization included in cost of sales | 11,171 | 10,660 | 41,019 | 28,687 |
Depreciation and amortization included in selling, general and administrative expenses | 2,289 | (635) | 7,596 | 3,009 |
Share-based compensation included in cost of sales | 249 | 302 | 918 | 622 |
Share-based compensation included in selling, general and administrative expenses | 1,004 | 356 | 4,183 | 765 |
Finance costs - loans and borrowings | 2,446 | 3,266 | 7,948 | 5,290 |
Finance costs - lease liabilities | 214 | 200 | 848 | 784 |
Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain) on intercompany balances | 69 | (709) | (930) | 1,802 |
Non-recurring expenses and inventory write-down | 2,543 | 1,291 | 9,115 | 4,267 |
Adjusted EBITDAS | $ 27,369 | $ 30,284 | $ 90,884 | $ 68,187 |
Adjusted EBITDAS margin % | 19 % | 22 % | 17 % | 21 % |
Free cash flow
Three months ended | Year ended | |||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |
Cash flow - operating activities (1) | $ 16,589 | $ 23,041 | $ 69,984 | $ 39,881 |
Add (deduct): | ||||
Income tax paid (refund) | 4,633 | (480) | 5,479 | (538) |
Changes in non-cash operating working capital (1) | 4,928 | 7,599 | 12,141 | 27,113 |
Non-recurring expenses | 2,019 | 1,184 | 7,614 | 4,160 |
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment (3) | 454 | — | 1,187 | 1,678 |
Less: | ||||
PP&E additions (1)(2) | (8,327) | (9,297) | (46,177) | (26,397) |
Required repayments on loans and borrowings (3) | (5,118) | (3,728) | (17,727) | (17,151) |
Repayments of lease liabilities, net of finance costs | (875) | (1,018) | (3,535) | (3,134) |
Free cash flow | $ 14,303 | $ 17,301 | $ 28,966 | $ 25,612 |
(1) Refer to the "Reclassifications" section in this news release. |
(2) PP&E additions exclude non-cash additions and assets acquired in business combinations. |
(3) Required repayments on loans and borrowings in accordance with the credit facility agreement. Excludes discretionary debt repayments. |
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "achieve", "believe", "plan", "intend", "objective", "continuous", "ongoing", "estimate", "outlook", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should" or similar words suggesting future outcomes. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking statements relating to, among other things:
- Future commitments;
- The 2024 Net capital expenditure budget and financing thereof;
- Cathedral's purchase of Rime in
July 2023 will allow the Company to address one of the major value capture opportunities in itsU.S. directional business – the operating margin lost from renting third-party MWD systems. - At current activity levels, Cathedral estimates that it is spending USD
$25 million to$30 million of margin annually to third parties for MWD technology to supply on its own work, which represents a substantial opportunity for margin expansion over the next twelve to eighteen months for very reasonable levels of capital investment and very compelling rates of return. - Rime has already supplied ten MWD systems for Altitude to help replace third-party rental products and begin the process of margin expansion in 2024.
- In a year where forecasted activity levels are anticipated to be flat-to-slightly negative versus 2023 in
North America , Cathedral can demonstrate meaningful continued growth driven by a reduction in expenses utilizing organically-developed technology. - In regard to our ongoing efforts to strengthen the balance sheet, Cathedral remains focused on paying down its loans and borrowings and generating Free cash flow.
- The Company continues to target the reduction of loans and borrowings to less than 0.5x Adjusted EBITDAS by year end 2024, which should help it move closer to a broader shareholder return strategy.
- Management believes that buying Cathedral shares at current share price levels represents good value and a sensible use of capital while also staying focused on paying down loans and borrowings built up from the strategic acquisitions of Altitude and more recently Rime.
- The Company continues to see a significant opportunity for margin expansion in its
U.S. directional business by using Rime-supplied MWD systems to reduce its third-party rental costs. - Cathedral believes that the current WTI oil price of around USD
$80.00 per barrel is likely considered a healthy price by most of Cathedral's E&P clients to deploy planned oil-directed capital programs inNorth America for 2024. - The natural gas market outlook remains challenging in the short term with a twelve-month strip price on the
U.S. NYMEX futures curve of approximately USD$2.75 per mmbtu, which compares to the approximate USD$3.00 per mmbtu strip price when Cathedral released its 2023 Q3 results. - This price compression is likely to have the effect of a further weakening of natural gas-targeted activity in
U.S. areas such as the Haynesville, Marcellus and the Rockies as the year progresses. - Cathedral's substantial presence in the oil-focused Permian and smaller presence in the Haynesville should act as a stabilizing influence amidst potential future E&P natural gas capital program cuts and potential declines in activity.
- Cathedral's Canadian client base is affected to a lower degree and we expect a fairly flat overall market in 2024.
- A survey of energy service analysts is consistent with the Company's view that 2024 is likely to be reasonably flat to 2023 from an overall activity perspective with a bias to some potential strengthening in the market toward the latter half of the year on improving natural gas prices.
Canada has some encouraging prospects for activity in the future given it was announced recently that the gas transmission pipeline (Coastal GasLink) for the LNG Canada project has now reached mechanical completion and with the looming start-up of theTrans Mountain oil pipeline expansion in months to come. Once both projects initiate operations they should support some degree of growth and stability in incremental drilling activity in the Canadian market for many years into the future.- The first ten Rime-supplied MWD kits have now been deployed into Altitude, which should also help increase divisional margins going forward as third party MWD systems are displaced. Cathedral anticipates introducing and deploying forty Rime-supplied MWD kits throughout the remainder of 2024.
The Company believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date hereof but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon.
Various material factors and assumptions are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking statements. Those material factors and assumptions are based on information currently available to the Company, including information obtained from third-party industry analysts and other third-party sources. In some instances, material assumptions and material factors are presented elsewhere in this news release in connection with the forward-looking statements. You are cautioned that the following list of material factors and assumptions is not exhaustive. Specific material factors and assumptions include, but are not limited to:
- the performance of Cathedral's business;
- impact of economic and social trends;
- oil and natural gas commodity prices and production levels;
- capital expenditure programs and other expenditures by Cathedral and its customers;
- the ability of Cathedral to attract and retain key management personnel;
- the ability of Cathedral to retain and hire qualified personnel;
- the ability of Cathedral to obtain parts, consumables, equipment, technology, and supplies in a timely manner to carry out its activities;
- the ability of Cathedral to maintain good working relationships with key suppliers;
- the ability of Cathedral to retain customers, market its services successfully to existing and new customers and reliance on major customers;
- risks associated with technology development and intellectual property rights;
- obsolescence of Cathedral's equipment and/or technology;
- the ability of Cathedral to maintain safety performance;
- the ability of Cathedral to obtain adequate and timely financing on acceptable terms;
- the ability of Cathedral to comply with the terms and conditions of its credit facility;
- the ability to obtain sufficient insurance coverage to mitigate operational risks;
- currency exchange and interest rates;
- risks associated with future foreign operations;
- the ability of Cathedral to integrate its transactions and the benefits of any acquisitions, dispositions and business development efforts;
- environmental risks;
- business risks resulting from weather, disasters and related to information technology;
- changes under governmental regulatory regimes and tax, environmental, climate and other laws in
Canada and theU.S. ; and - competitive risks.
Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties some of which are described herein. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company's actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks identified in this news release and in the Company's Annual Information Form under the heading "Risk Factors". Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such statements to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise.
All forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Further information about the factors affecting forward-looking statements is available in the Company's current Annual Information Form that has been filed with Canadian provincial securities commissions and is available on www.sedarplus.ca and the Company's website (www.cathedralenergyservices.com).
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
As at
Canadian dollars in '000s
As at |
|
|
Assets | ||
Current assets: | ||
Cash | $ 10,731 | $ 11,175 |
Trade receivables | 111,846 | 113,477 |
Prepaid expenses | 5,839 | 4,529 |
Inventories | 44,976 | 26,195 |
Total current assets | 173,392 | 155,376 |
Property, plant and equipment | 113,853 | 108,530 |
Intangible assets | 66,366 | 38,511 |
Right-of-use assets | 10,138 | 12,178 |
39,984 | 39,395 | |
Total non-current assets | 230,341 | 198,614 |
Total assets | $ 403,733 | $ 353,990 |
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | ||
Current liabilities: | ||
Trade and other payables | $ 93,661 | $ 90,389 |
Current taxes payable | 1,425 | 909 |
Loans and borrowings, current | 21,023 | 15,735 |
Lease liabilities, current | 3,441 | 3,631 |
Total current liabilities | 119,550 | 110,664 |
Loans and borrowings, long-term | 57,575 | 64,800 |
Exchangeable promissory notes | 23,923 | — |
Lease liabilities, long-term | 12,323 | 14,249 |
Deferred tax liability | 10,894 | 10,380 |
Total non-current liabilities | 104,715 | 89,429 |
Total liabilities | 224,265 | 200,093 |
Shareholders' equity: | ||
Share capital | 197,380 | 180,484 |
(709) | (959) | |
Exchangeable promissory notes | 1,242 | — |
Contributed surplus | 17,002 | 15,854 |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 13,088 | 17,389 |
Deficit | (48,535) | (58,871) |
Total shareholders' equity | 179,468 | 153,897 |
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ 403,733 | $ 353,990 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Three months and year ended
Canadian dollars in '000s except per share amounts
Three months ended | Year ended | |||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |
Revenues (1) | $ 145,419 | $ 139,148 | $ 545,297 | $ 319,013 |
Cost of sales: | ||||
Direct costs (1) | (104,216) | (95,707) | (398,031) | (218,908) |
Depreciation and amortization | (11,171) | (10,660) | (41,019) | (28,687) |
Share-based compensation | (249) | (302) | (918) | (622) |
Total cost of sales | (115,636) | (106,669) | (439,968) | (248,217) |
Gross margin | 29,783 | 32,479 | 105,329 | 70,796 |
Selling, general and administrative expenses: | ||||
Direct costs | (14,801) | (11,814) | (52,502) | (27,933) |
Depreciation and amortization | (2,289) | 635 | (7,596) | (3,009) |
Share-based compensation | (1,004) | (356) | (4,183) | (765) |
Total selling, general and administrative expenses | (18,094) | (11,535) | (64,281) | (31,707) |
Provision | (1,126) | — | (5,417) | — |
Research and development costs | (317) | (418) | (1,754) | (1,271) |
Write-down of property, plant and equipment (1) | (1,028) | (1,059) | (4,952) | (2,545) |
Gain (loss) on disposal of property, plant and equipment (1) | 228 | (1) | 618 | 116 |
Income from operating activities | 9,446 | 19,466 | 29,543 | 35,389 |
Finance costs - loans and borrowings | (2,446) | (3,266) | (7,948) | (5,290) |
Finance costs - lease liabilities | (214) | (200) | (848) | (784) |
Foreign exchange gain (loss) | 622 | 737 | 768 | (2,180) |
Acquisition and restructuring costs | (24) | (1,184) | (1,328) | (4,174) |
Income before income taxes | 7,384 | 15,553 | 20,187 | 22,961 |
Income tax expense | ||||
Current | (4,163) | (675) | (8,411) | (762) |
Deferred | (1,454) | (4,608) | (1,148) | (3,852) |
Total income tax expense | (5,617) | (5,283) | (9,559) | (4,614) |
Net income | 1,767 | 10,270 | 10,628 | 18,347 |
Other comprehensive (loss) income: | ||||
Foreign currency translation differences on foreign operations | (4,892) | (3,629) | (4,301) | 8,378 |
Total comprehensive (loss) income | $ (3,125) | $ 6,641 | $ 6,327 | $ 26,725 |
Net income per share - basic and diluted | $ 0.01 | $ 0.05 | $ 0.04 | $ 0.11 |
(1) Refer to the "Reclassifications" section of this news release |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Year ended
Canadian dollars in '000s
Share | Shares | Contributed surplus | Accumulated other comprehensive income | Deficit | Total shareholders' equity | |
Balance, | $ 98,918 | $ — | $ 11,793 | $ 9,011 | $ (77,218) | $ 42,504 |
Comprehensive income | — | — | — | 8,378 | 18,347 | 26,725 |
Issued pursuant to private placements, net of share issue costs | 27,813 | — | 3,075 | — | — | 30,888 |
Consideration for business combination, net of share issue costs | 50,996 | — | — | — | — | 50,996 |
combination | 959 | (959) | — | — | — | — |
Issued pursuant to warrant exercises | 1,120 | — | (180) | — | — | 940 |
Issued pursuant to stock option exercises | 678 | — | (221) | — | — | 457 |
Share-based compensation | — | — | 1,387 | — | — | 1,387 |
Balance, | $ (959) | $ 15,854 | $ 17,389 | $ (58,871) | $ 153,897 |
Share | Shares | EP Notes | Contributed surplus | Accumulated other comprehensive income | Deficit | Total shareholders' equity | |
Balance, | $ (959) | $ — | $ 15,854 | $ 17,389 | $ (58,871) | $ 153,897 | |
Comprehensive (loss) income | — | — | — | — | (4,301) | 10,628 | 6,327 |
EP notes issued for business combination | — | — | 1,242 | — | — | — | 1,242 |
Repurchased pursuant to normal course issuer bid | (3,501) | — | — | — | — | (292) | (3,793) |
Cancelled pursuant to acquisition-related settlement | (168) | — | — | — | — | — | (168) |
Contributed surplus on treasury shares vesting | — | 250 | — | (250) | — | — | — |
Issued pursuant to warrant exercises | 19,840 | — | — | (3,433) | — | — | 16,407 |
Issued pursuant to stock | 725 | — | — | (270) | — | — | 455 |
Share-based compensation | — | — | — | 5,101 | — | — | 5,101 |
Balance, | $ (709) | $ 1,242 | $ 17,002 | $ 13,088 | $ (48,535) | $ 179,468 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Three months and year ended
Canadian dollars in '000s
Three months ended | Year ended | |||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |
Cash provided by (used in): | ||||
Operating activities: | ||||
Net income | $ 1,767 | $ 10,270 | $ 10,628 | $ 18,347 |
Non-cash adjustments: | ||||
Income tax expense | 5,617 | 5,283 | 9,559 | 4,614 |
Depreciation and amortization | 13,460 | 10,025 | 48,615 | 31,696 |
Share-based compensation | 1,253 | 658 | 5,101 | 1,387 |
(Gain) loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment (1) | (228) | 1 | (618) | (116) |
Write-down of property, plant and equipment (1) | 1,028 | 1,059 | 4,952 | 2,545 |
Write-down of inventory included in cost of sales | 524 | 107 | 1,501 | 107 |
Finance costs - loans and borrowings | 2,446 | 3,266 | 7,948 | 5,290 |
Finance costs - lease liabilities | 214 | 200 | 848 | 784 |
Income tax (paid) refund | (4,633) | 480 | (5,479) | 538 |
Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain) on intercompany balances | 69 | (709) | (930) | 1,802 |
21,517 | 30,640 | 82,125 | 66,994 | |
Changes in non-cash operating working capital (1) | (4,928) | (7,599) | (12,141) | (27,113) |
Cash flow - operating activities | 16,589 | 23,041 | 69,984 | 39,881 |
Investing activities: | ||||
Cash paid on acquisition, net of cash acquired (1) | — | (788) | (27,426) | (104,581) |
Property, plant and equipment additions(1) | (8,327) | (9,297) | (46,177) | (26,397) |
Intangible asset additions | (98) | (8) | (256) | (1,464) |
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment (1) | 454 | — | 1,187 | 1,678 |
Changes in non-cash investing working capital | 462 | 1,099 | 2,730 | (660) |
Cash flow - investing activities | (7,509) | (8,994) | (69,942) | (131,424) |
Financing activities: | ||||
Advances of loans and borrowings, net of upfront financing fees | 1,507 | 8,789 | 28,805 | 115,939 |
Repayments on loans and borrowings | (5,091) | (17,847) | (31,017) | (41,438) |
Payments on lease liabilities, net of finance costs | (875) | (1,018) | (3,535) | (3,134) |
Interest paid | (2,069) | (3,466) | (8,205) | (6,074) |
Common shares purchased pursuant to NCIB | 162 | — | (3,793) | — |
Proceeds on common share issuances | 30 | 907 | 16,862 | 32,285 |
Changes in non-cash financing working capital | (1,765) | — | — | — |
Cash flow - financing activities | (8,101) | (12,635) | (883) | 97,578 |
Effect of exchange rate on changes on cash (1) | (1,420) | 1,956 | 397 | 2,242 |
Change in cash | (441) | 3,368 | (444) | 8,277 |
Cash, beginning of year | 11,172 | 7,807 | 11,175 | 2,898 |
Cash, end of year | $ 10,731 | $ 11,175 | $ 10,731 | $ 11,175 |
(1) Refer to the "Reclassifications" section of this news release |
SOURCE
© Canada Newswire, source