SAExploration Announces Third Quarter 2015 Consolidated Financial Results

HOUSTON, Nov. 04, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SAExploration Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:SAEX), (OTCBB:SAEXW) today announced its consolidated financial results for the third quarter (“Q3”) and nine months (“9M”) ended September 30, 2015.

Third Quarter 2015 Summary

• Revenue of $57.9 million, compared to $107.8 million in the third quarter of last year
• Gross profit, excluding depreciation expense, increased 4.3% to $18.2 million, up from $17.5 million in Q3 2014
• Gross margin, excluding depreciation expense, of 31.5%, up from 16.2% last year
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 32.5% to $9.8 million, up from $7.4 million in Q3 2014
• Adjusted EBITDA margin of 17.0%, up from 6.9% last year
• Diluted EPS of $(0.01), up from $(1.57) in Q3 2014
• Contracted backlog of $141.4 million through 2016 and $503.4 million of bids outstanding as of September 30, 2015
• Cash balance of $17.3 million and undrawn revolver on September 30, 2015

Brian Beatty, President and CEO of SAE, commented, “We are very pleased with our performance during the third quarter and first nine months of the year considering the environment we are operating in. While our revenues were down compared to last year, we were able to dramatically improve operating margins through rigid cost controls and efficient operational execution in the field, resulting in strong levels of cash flow for the quarter and first nine months. This year has proven to be one of the most exacting and difficult for our industry. However, our management team has successfully navigated numerous cycles before and is very adept at recognizing hidden value, such as that offered in many of our underserved and, often times, misunderstood markets. Having the experience to not only identify that value, but to have the knowledge about how to extract it has proven to be a key differentiator for us when compared to our competitors.”

Mr. Beatty continued, “As we continue to experience success in many of our resilient and dependable core markets, we remain cognizant of the challenging industry landscape. While visibility has begun to improve in South America, as demonstrated by the project awards announced during Q3, overall activity in this region remains below historical levels. Due to the lack of meaningful contribution from South America at a time when we experience seasonally higher costs associated with the start-up of our Alaska crews for the upcoming winter season, we expect our fourth quarter to be less robust than our first three. However, on the strength of our performance in the Alaska and ocean-bottom marine markets, and our success in improving margins and maximizing return on capital, we firmly expect 2015 will be a positive and pivotal year for SAE.”

Mr. Beatty further commented, “Looking forward into next year, we remain optimistic in our ability to preserve our improved margins and to generate positive cash flow. We have identified a number of 2016 opportunities in our Alaska and ocean-bottom marine markets, which remain active with projects designed to enhance production from our customers’ existing oil and gas assets. Our backlog consists of high quality contracts, with stable and well-capitalized customers, and our flexible asset-light model continues to position us uniquely within a fragmented sector plagued with underutilized equipment. Our cash on hand of over $17 million, coupled with our undrawn revolver of $20 million and our limited need for capital expenditures, has resulted in a strong liquidity position. In addition, the conclusion of our formal headcount reduction program and our recently completed $10 million strategic debt for equity swap have improved our financial flexibility.”

Mr. Beatty concluded, “I applaud our management team and employee base for maintaining their focus during this difficult time. We remain excited about the potential earnings power that can be achieved through our new streamlined cost structure once the backdrop stabilizes and activity levels increase. We also continue to focus on expanding our expertise with logistics services into other end markets, and building on our recent progress within the space, which we expect to increase our long-term cash flow potential. While our current advancement in this effort to diversify has been demonstrated on a relatively small scale, we believe the potential for further penetration into logistics remains viable in the long run. Overall, we are confident that our focus on high-return markets driven by distinctive factors, along with our competitive and strategic positioning, should result in improved long-term financial performance and value for our stakeholders.”

Third Quarter 2015 Financial Results

Revenues decreased 46.3% to $57.9 million from $107.8 million in Q3 2014. The decrease in revenue was primarily the result of reduced exploration activity in South America when compared to corresponding activity levels in Q3 2014. However, Alaska and ocean-bottom marine were meaningful contributors during the quarter, with the latter generating minimal revenue in the same period last year.

Gross profit increased 4.1% to $13.8 million, or 23.7% of revenues, up from a gross profit of $13.2 million, or 12.2% of revenues, in Q3 2014. Gross profit for Q3 2015 and Q3 2014 included depreciation expense of $4.5 million and $4.3 million, respectively. Excluding depreciation expense, gross margins for Q3 2015 and Q3 2014 were 31.5% and 16.2%, respectively. The year-over-year increase in gross profit was primarily due to improved operating performance and efficiency gains, resulting from process optimization measures undertaken as part of an overall cost reduction program.

Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) decreased 12.5% during the quarter to $8.8 million, or 15.2% of revenues, compared to $10.1 million, or 9.3% of revenues, in Q3 2014. SG&A expenses decreased year-over-year due, in part, to recently completed headcount reductions and other cost control measures. However, SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenue increased during the same period due to lower overall revenue.

Net loss attributable to the Corporation for the quarter was $(0.1) million, or $(0.01) per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $(23.4) million, or $(1.57) per diluted share, in Q3 2014. Net loss was primarily impacted by the following factors in Q3 2015:

• Lower SG&A expenses;
• Lower other expense primarily due to the 2014 charge for the loss on early extinguishment of debt; and
• Proportionately lower provision for income taxes; partially offset by
• Severance costs related to the Company’s workforce reduction program.

Adjusted EBITDA increased 32.5% to $9.8 million, or 17.0% of revenues, compared to $7.4 million, or 6.9% of revenues, in Q3 2014.

Capital expenditures for the quarter were $0.7 million, compared to $11.4 million in Q3 2014. The decrease in capital expenditures was due to the Alaska equipment purchase in 2014, which was funded by the issuance of senior secured notes in July 2014.

Year-to-Date 2015 Financial Results

Revenues decreased 31.5% to $204.5 million from $298.6 million in the first nine months of 2014. The decrease in revenue was primarily the result of reduced exploration activity in South America when compared to corresponding activity levels in the same period of 2014. Additionally, overall oil and gas activity in Canada remained at depressed levels. However, Alaska and ocean-bottom marine experienced significant growth during the first nine months of 2015.

Gross profit decreased 0.7% to $50.9 million, or 24.9% of revenues, from a gross profit of $51.3 million, or 17.2% of revenues, in the first nine months of 2014. Gross profit for 9M 2015 and 9M 2014 included depreciation expense of $13.7 million and $11.2 million, respectively. Excluding depreciation expense, gross margins for 9M 2015 and 9M 2014 were 31.6% and 20.9%, respectively. The increase in gross profit as a percentage of revenue was primarily related to improved operational execution in Alaska and the favorable performance on the Malaysian deep water ocean-bottom marine project that was completed ahead of schedule in the second quarter of 2015.

SG&A decreased 12.7% during the first nine months of the year to $26.4 million, or 12.9% of revenues, compared to $30.3 million, or 10.2% of revenues, in 9M 2014. SG&A in 9M 2015 included approximately $1.0 million of one-time severance costs related to the Company’s workforce reduction program. Adjusting for this amount, SAE’s recurring SG&A for 9M 2015 was approximately $25.4 million, or 12.4% of revenue.

Net income attributable to the Corporation was $3.2 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $(22.9) million, or $(1.56) per diluted share, in 9M 2014. Net income was primarily impacted by the following factors during the first nine months of 2015:

• Lower SG&A expenses;
• Lower other expense primarily due to the 2014 charge for the loss on early extinguishment of debt; and
• Proportionately lower provision for income taxes; partially offset by
• Substantially higher unrealized loss on foreign currency transactions; and
• Severance costs related to the Company’s workforce reduction program.

Adjusted EBITDA increased 16.7% to $40.2 million, or 19.6% of revenues, compared to $34.4 million, or 11.5% of revenues, in the first nine months of 2014.

Capital expenditures for the first nine months of 2015 were $5.6 million, compared to $15.8 million in 9M 2014. The capital expenditures during 9M 2015 were primarily invested to complete the equipment purchase in Alaska related to the Company’s North Slope operations. Most repair and maintenance costs incurred during the period were expensed at the project level. Of the total capital expenditures recorded, approximately $2.4 million were expenditures incurred and accrued in Q4 2014, but paid for in Q1 2015 with the proceeds from the Company’s senior secured notes issuance in July 2014. Organic cash, or cash derived from operating activities, used to fund capital expenditures during 9M 2015 was approximately $3.2 million. SAE continues to expect total organically-funded capital expenditures in 2015 to be under $5.0 million.

On September 30, 2015, cash and cash equivalents totaled $17.3 million, working capital was $44.7 million, and total stockholders’ deficit was $(17.9) million. Further, on September 30, 2015, total long-term debt, excluding capital leases, was $140.0 million and no amounts were outstanding under the Company’s $20.0 million revolving credit facility.

Contracted Backlog

As of September 30, 2015, SAE’s backlog was $141.4 million. Bids outstanding on the same date totaled $503.4 million. Approximately 95% of the backlog represents land-based projects, with the balance attributed to ocean-bottom marine projects.

The Company expects approximately 18% of the projects in its backlog on September 30, 2015 to be completed during the last three months of 2015, with the remainder in 2016. The estimations of realization from the backlog can be impacted by a number of factors, including customer delays or cancellations, permitting or project delays and environmental conditions.

Investor Conference Call

SAE will host a conference call on Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the Company’s consolidated financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015. Participants can access the conference call by dialing (855) 433-0934 (toll-free) or (484) 756-4291 (international). The Company will also offer a live webcast of the conference call on the Investors section of its website at www.saexploration.com.

To listen live via the Company’s website, please go to the website at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to register and download any necessary audio software. A replay of the webcast for the conference call will be archived on the Company’s website and can be accessed by visiting the Investors section of SAE’s website.

Upcoming Investor Conferences

SAE is scheduled to present at the Jefferies Global Energy Conference in Houston, TX on Thursday, November 12, 2015. The Company is also scheduled to present at the Cowen and Company 5^th Annual Ultimate Energy Conference at the New York Hilton Midtown Hotel in New York, NY on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. local time. Further, SAE will participate in the 3^rd Annual ROTH New Industrials Corporate Access Day in Chicago, IL on Tuesday, December 15, 2015.

A copy of the presentation materials will be made available on the Investors section of SAE’s website at www.saexploration.com.

About SAExploration Holdings, Inc. 

SAE is an internationally-focused oilfield services company offering a full range of vertically-integrated seismic data acquisition and logistical support services in remote and complex environments throughout Alaska, Canada, South America and Southeast Asia. In addition to the acquisition of 2D, 3D, time-lapse 4D and multi-component seismic data on land, in transition zones and offshore in depths up to 3,000 meters, SAE offers a full suite of logistical support and in-field processing services, such as program design, planning and permitting, camp services and infrastructure, surveying, drilling, environmental assessment and reclamation and community relations. SAE operates crews around the world, performing major projects for its blue-chip customer base, which includes major integrated oil companies, national oil companies and large independent oil and gas exploration companies. Operations are supported through a multi-national presence in Houston, Alaska, Canada, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil, New Zealand and Malaysia. For more information, please visit SAE’s website at www.saexploration.com.   

The information in SAE’s website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this notice or incorporated in filings SAE makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements can be identified by the use of words or phrases such as "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "projects," "plans to," "will," "should" and variations of these words or similar words.  These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding SAE’s financial condition, results of operations and business and SAE’s expectations or beliefs concerning future periods. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from those stated in this release. These risks and uncertainties include fluctuations in the levels of exploration and development activity in the oil and gas industry, intense industry competition, a limited number of customers, the need to manage rapid growth, delays, reductions or cancellations of service contracts, operational disruptions due to seasonality, weather and other external factors, crew productivity, the availability of capital resources, high levels of indebtedness, substantial international business exposing SAE to currency fluctuations and global factors including economic, political and military uncertainties, the need to comply with diverse and complex laws and regulations, and other risks incorporated by reference to SAE’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain risks and uncertainties related to SAE’s business are or will be described in greater detail in SAE’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information set forth herein should be read in light of such risks. Except as required by applicable law, SAE is not under any obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.

RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NON-GAAP ADJUSTED EBITDA
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share amounts)

We use an adjusted form of EBITDA to measure period over period performance, which is not derived in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) plus interest expense, less interest income, plus (gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt, loss on change in fair value of notes payable to Former SAE stockholders, plus income taxes, plus depreciation and amortization, plus non-recurring major expenses outside of operations, plus non-recurring one-time expenses and foreign exchange (gain) loss. Our management uses Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental financial measure to assess: (i) the financial performance of our assets without regard to financing methods, capital structures, taxes, historical cost basis or non-recurring expenses; (ii) our liquidity and operating performance over time in relation to other companies that own similar assets and calculate EBITDA in a similar manner; and (iii) the ability of our assets to generate cash sufficient to pay potential interest cost. We consider Adjusted EBITDA as presented below to be the primary measure of period-over-period changes in our operational cash flow performance.

The terms EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not defined under GAAP, and we acknowledge that these terms are not a measure of operating income, operating performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. When assessing our operating performance or liquidity, investors and others should not consider this data in isolation or as a substitute for net income, cash flow from operating activities or other cash flow data calculated in accordance with GAAP. In addition, our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to EBITDA or similarly titled measures utilized by other companies since such other companies may not calculate EBITDA or similarly titled measures in the same manner. Further, the results presented by Adjusted EBITDA cannot be achieved without incurring the costs that the measure excludes.

The computation of our Adjusted EBITDA from net income (loss), the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, is provided in the table below.

Contact
SAExploration Holdings, Inc.
Ryan Abney
Vice President, Capital Markets & Investor Relations
(281) 258-4409
rabney@saexploration.com