AKITA announces third quarter results and the continuation of its US division consolidation plan

CALGARY, Oct. 30, 2019 /CNW/ - AKITA Drilling Ltd. (TSX: AKT.A)

AKITA Drilling Ltd. ("the Company") announces that its focus on consolidation of its US operations continues with four more drilling rigs moving to the Permian basin. This brings the Company's total rig count operating out of its Midland, Texas facility to ten rigs out of the Company's 17 rig US fleet.

The third quarter of 2019 showed stronger results for the Company. Operating margin increased by 118%, up to $13,361,000 in the third quarter of 2019, from $6,120,000 in the same period of 2018. EBITDA improved significantly to $4,690,000 in the third quarter of 2019 up from a loss of $855,000 in the third quarter of 2018. Adjusted funds flow from operations was $3,076,000 in the third quarter of 2019 compared to $637,000 used in operations in the same period of the prior year. The Company's net loss decreased to $5,397,000 in the third quarter of 2019 from $5,459,000 in the third quarter of 2018. These significant improvements were driven by the number of rigs the company has located in the US (17) compared to the same time last year (four)¹. In the US, demand for drilling services remains stronger than in Canada.

In the third quarter of 2019, AKITA's fleet of 17 US-based rigs generated the majority of the Company's revenue, 70% up from 37% in the same period of 2018. Despite declining activity in the US, for both the industry and AKITA through the first three quarters of 2019, demand and activity in the US remain far stronger than in Canada.

^{1 AKITA ended the quarter with 17 rigs. The Xtreme acquisition closed on September 11, 2018 adding 13 rigs to the US rig fleet. Weighted average rig count in the US for the third quarter of 2018 was 6.7 rigs.}

Karl Ruud, AKITA's President and Chief Executive Officer stated: "Strengthening the Company's balance sheet continues to be our first priority."

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

($Thousands except per share amounts)	For the three months ended September 30,				For the nine months ended September 30,
	2019	2018	Change	% Change	2019	2018	Change	% Change
Adjusted revenue ^(1)	42,988	28,855	14,133	49%	136,959	84,342	52,617	62%
Adjusted operating and maintenance expenses ^(1)	29,627	22,735	6,892	30%	92,457	63,585	28,872	45%
Operating margin	13,361	6,120	7,241	118%	44,502	20,757	23,745	114%
Margin %	31%	21%	10	48%	32%	25%	7	28%
EBITDA^(1)	4,690	(855)	5,545	649%	16,992	5,284	11,708	222%
Per share	0.12	(0.04)	0.16	400%	0.43	0.27	0.16	59%
Adjusted funds flow from operations^(1)	3,076	(637)	3,713	583%	12,462	5,520	6,942	126%
Per share	0.08	(0.03)	0.11	367%	0.31	0.28	0.03	11%
Net loss	(5,397)	(5,459)	62	1%	(11,932)	(10,329)	(1,603)	(16%)
Per share	(0.14)	(0.24)	0.10	42%	(0.30)	(0.53)	0.23	43%
Capital expenditures	3,301	6,057	(2,756)	(46%)	11,083	10,062	1,021	10%
Dividends declared	-	3,367	(3,367)	(100%)	6,734	6,417	317	5%
Weighted average shares outstanding	39,608	22,469	17,139	76%	39,608	19,459	20,149	104%
Total assets	376,877	411,567	(34,690)	(8%)	376,877	411,567	(34,690)	(8%)
Total debt	82,318	74,628	7,690	10%	82,318	74,628	7,690	10%
^(1)Non-GAAP Items

 

CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

		For the three months ended September 30,				For the nine months ended September 30,
		2019	2018	Change	% Change	2019	2018	Change	% Change
Operating days
	Canada	338	483	(145)	(30%)	1,216	2,164	(948)	(44%)
	United States	843	381	462	121%	2,991	558	2,433	436%
Revenue per operating day^(1)
	Canada^(2)	37,601	37,468	133	0%	32,935	31,616	1,319	4%
	United States	35,918	28,236	7,682	27%	32,401	28,539	3,862	14%
Operating and maintenance per operating day^(1)
	Canada^(2)	29,746	29,157	589	2%	23,624	23,171	453	2%
	United States	23,218	22,709	509	2%	21,307	24,091	(2,784)	(12%)
Utilization
	Canada	16%	25%	(9)	(36%)	19%	33%	(14)	(42%)
	United States^(3)	54%	62%	(8)	(13%)	64%	52%	12	23%
^(1)Non-GAAP Items
^(2)Includes AKITA's share of Joint Venture revenue and expenses. See " Non-GAAP Items".
^(3)Utilization in the US is a weighted average for the year based on the number of days each rig was physically in the US and owned by the Company.

 

United States Drilling Division

AKITA achieved 843 operating days in the US in the third quarter of 2019 compared to 381 operating days in the same period of 2018. At September 30, 2019, 11 of AKITA's 17 US-based rigs operated, compared to 15 rigs operating at September 30, 2018. This highlights the decline in activity that the US drilling industry has seen over the last three quarters. Revenue from AKITA's US division increased to $30,279,000 in the third quarter of 2019 from $10,758,000 in the same period of 2018.  With the consolidation of operations into higher-demand basins well underway, the Company's attention for the remainder of 2019 and into 2020 will be further cost rationalization and improving margins.

Canadian Drilling Division

In Canada, utilization decreased to 16% (338 operating days) in the third quarter of 2019 from 25% (483 operating days) in the third quarter of 2018. Revenue in the Canadian division decreased to $12,709,000 in the third quarter of 2019 from $18,097,000 in the third quarter of 2018. Regulated production cuts, pipeline access and political and regulatory uncertainty are all weighing heavily on the Canadian energy industry, which in turn is negatively affecting drilling activity.  Activity levels in Canada declined sharply in the fourth quarter of 2018 and this has persisted through the first three quarters of 2019.  AKITA does not anticipate a change to this low demand environment without an improvement in the factors mentioned above.

FURTHER INFORMATION

This news release shall be used as preparation for reading the full disclosure documents. AKITA's unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 will be available on the AKITA website (www.akita-drilling.com) or via SEDAR (www.sedar.com) or can be requested in print from the Company.

NON-GAAP ITEMS

This news release references Non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) items. Revenue per operating day, operating and maintenance expense per operating day, adjusted revenue, adjusted operating and maintenance expense, EBITDA and adjusted funds flow from operations are all considered Non-GAAP items. Management feels that these Non-GAAP items are useful in assessing the Company's performance. These terms do not have standardized meanings prescribed under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. For further information, see "Basis of Analysis in this MD&A and Non-GAAP Items" in AKITA's 2019 third quarter Management's Discussion & Analysis.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:

Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "should", and similar expressions.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information.

The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which the Company operates, prevailing economic conditions, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company.

The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon.

Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the Company's expectations as of the date hereof, and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation.

SOURCE AKITA Drilling Ltd.

INVESTOR INQUIRIES: Darcy Reynolds, CPA, CA, Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, [phone]