Nuverra Announces Fourth-Quarter, Full-Year 2015 Results

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., March 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Nuverra Environmental Solutions, Inc. (OTCQB: NESC) ("Nuverra" or the "Company") today announced financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2015.

Summary of Financial Results

• Fourth-quarter revenue from continuing operations was $68.6 million, a decrease of approximately 10% sequentially from the third quarter and approximately 52% compared with $141.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. Revenue for 2015 was $356.7 million, down approximately 34% when compared with $536.3 million in 2014.
• Loss from continuing operations for the fourth quarter was $34.4 million, or a loss of $1.24 per diluted share. Excluding special items, loss from continuing operations for the fourth quarter was $21.8 million, or a loss of $0.79 per diluted share. Full-year loss from continuing operations was $195.2 million, or a loss of $7.05 per diluted share. Excluding special items, loss from continuing operations for the year was $73.8 million, or a loss of $2.67 per diluted share.
• Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations for the fourth quarter was $8.2 million, up approximately 31% sequentially from the third quarter, and down approximately 68% when compared to adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of $25.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. Fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA margin was 12.0%, compared sequentially with 8.2% in the third quarter and 17.9% in the fourth quarter of 2014. Full-year 2015 adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $45.9 million with a margin of 12.9%, compared with $95.2 million and a margin of 17.8% in 2014.
• The Company generated $43.4 million in free cash flow in 2015; $39.3 million cash on hand at December 31, 2015.
• Company separately announced today it has entered into a Restructuring Support Agreement with majority holders of its Senior Notes Due 2018 to improve liquidity and defer cash interest expense.

Mark. D. Johnsrud, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "The fourth quarter remained challenging, with further reductions in activity levels, pricing headwinds and an extended holiday slowdown in overall customer activities. Looking ahead, we expect the operating environment will remain difficult. Customers are significantly reducing capital spending from 2015 levels and are intent on controlling costs through efficient well designs and technology programs. We remain focused on cost management, operational efficiency and free cash flow, while also being responsive to changes in market conditions."

In a separate press release issued today, the Company announced it has entered into a Restructuring Support Agreement with majority holders of its Senior Notes Due 2018 to restructure the Company's debt. That press release can be found at www.nuverra.com.

Mr. Johnsrud commented, "With the continued support of our bank group and noteholders, we are working together to create a solution for the Company's financing needs, that if successfully completed, will improve liquidity, defer cash interest expense and preserve potential value for our shareholders." 

FOURTH-QUARTER 2015 RESULTS

Fourth-quarter 2015 revenue from continuing operations was $68.6 million, a sequential decrease of $7.9 million, or 10%, when compared with $76.5 million in the third quarter, and a decrease of $73.1 million, or 52%, when compared with revenue from continuing operations of $141.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2014.  The decreases were primarily related to further reductions in overall customer drilling and completion activities and pricing pressures, as well as the impact of an extended holiday slowdown in November and December. These factors impacted all operating divisions, driving lower revenue for fluid and solid logistics services, disposal and rental services, offset slightly by an increase in revenue related to Haynesville water midstream services, when compared with the fourth quarter of 2014.

The Company realized significant reductions in total costs and expenses throughout 2015, driven by two primary factors:  the overall decline in market activities driving down variable costs and actions taken by the Company to proactively reduce costs and expenses.  Fourth-quarter total costs and expenses, adjusted for special items, were $78.5 million, a 43% decrease compared with the fourth quarter of 2014. Reductions included approximately $23.8 million in lower variable payroll and related expenses, approximately $8.8 million in fuel reductions, and approximately $4.0 million in lower depreciation and amortization expense, with the balance due to reductions in all other direct operating costs. For the full year, total costs and expenses adjusted for special items were $381.9 million, a reduction of $145.9 million, or nearly 28%, compared with 2014.

Excluding special items, fourth-quarter loss from continuing operations was $21.8 million, or a loss of $0.79 per diluted share, compared with loss from continuing operations of $9.6 million, or a loss of $0.35 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2014. Reported fourth-quarter loss from continuing operations was $34.4 million, or a loss of $1.24 per share, compared with a loss from continuing operations of $321.1 million, or a loss of $11.84 per share in the fourth quarter of 2014. Special items for the fourth quarter primarily consisted of approximately $9.9 million in restructuring and other exit-related costs and approximately $1.1 million related to the write off of a portion of unamortized deferred financing costs associated with the Company's amended asset-based revolving credit facility. Special items affecting 2014 fourth-quarter results primarily consisted of non-cash impairment charges of $203.3 million for goodwill and $112.4 million for long-lived assets.

Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations for the fourth quarter was $8.2 million, an increase of $2.0 million, or 31%, sequentially from $6.2 million in the third-quarter. Fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA margin was 12.0%, compared with a margin of 8.2% in the third quarter. The improvement was primarily due to decreased insurance and compensation costs, and lower bad debt expense. On a year-over-year comparison, adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was down 68% compared with the fourth quarter of 2014.

2015 FULL-YEAR RESULTS

Revenue for the full year was $356.7 million, or a decline of 34%, when compared with $536.3 million in 2014. The decrease was largely driven by the continuous slowing throughout the year in customer drilling and completion activities in all operating basins, coupled with service pricing pressures and the extended holiday slowdown that impacted the fourth quarter.

Excluding special items, 2015 loss from continuing operations was $73.8 million, or a loss of $2.67 per diluted share, compared with a loss from continuing operations of $40.7 million, or a loss of $1.56 per diluted share, for the same period in 2014. Reported loss from continuing operations for the year was $195.2 million, or a loss of $7.05 per diluted share, compared with a loss of $457.2 million, or a loss of $17.52 per diluted share in 2014.  Special items for the full year primarily consisted of non-cash charges of $104.7 million for goodwill impairment, approximately $11.1 million in restructuring and other exit-related costs, and approximately $2.1 million related to the write off of a portion of unamortized deferred financing costs associated with the amended asset-based revolving credit facility. Special items in 2014 primarily consisted of non-cash impairment charges of $304.0 million for goodwill and $112.4 million for long-lived assets.

2015 adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $45.9 million, with a margin of 12.9%, compared with $95.2 million, with a margin of 17.8%, in 2014. The year-over-year decline was related primarily to the effects of significantly lower customer drilling and completion activities coupled with continuous service pricing pressures, which drove lower revenue, offset in part by reductions in total costs and expenses.

CASH & LIQUIDITY

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations through December 31, 2015 was $49.8 million, with net cash capital expenditures from continuing operations of $6.5 million for the year. The Company generated $43.4 million in free cash flow for the year, compared with a use of cash of $28.2 million in 2014.

At December 31, 2015, total debt outstanding, excluding $0.4 million in premiums and discounts, was $520.2 million, consisting of $400 million of 2018 Notes, $101.8 million outstanding under the asset-backed revolving credit facility, and $18.8 million in capital leases and notes payable.

The Company made principal payments on the revolving credit facility totaling $20.0 million during January and February 2016, following the periodic appraisal of the borrowing base, resulting in $81.8 million principal outstanding as of February 29, 2016. The Company had $20.7 million cash on hand and $0.7 million of net availability remaining under the facility as of February 29, 2016.

The Company further disclosed that its audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission, contained an explanatory paragraph regarding its ability to continue as a going concern from its independent registered public accounting firm. On March 10, 2016, lenders under the revolving credit facility amended certain terms of the facility and consented to the inclusion of a going concern qualification or exception in the Company's 2015 audited financials. The Company remains current with all payment obligations due on its outstanding debt.

DIVISION RESULTS OVERVIEW

Rocky Mountain Division (Bakken)

Rocky Mountain Division revenue for the fourth quarter was $37.7 million, a decrease of 8.8% compared sequentially with third-quarter revenue of $41.3 million, and a decrease of 57.1% on a year-over-year comparison with revenue of $87.8 million the fourth quarter of 2014.  For the full year, Rocky Mountain Division revenue was $196.0 million, a decrease of 41.4%, compared with revenue of $334.8 million in 2014. Quarterly and year-over-year declines were related primarily to significant reductions in customer drilling and completion activities and the effect of continued pricing pressures, in addition to the impact of an extended holiday slowdown in November and December.

Fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations for the Rocky Mountain Division was $8.5 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 22.6%, compared with $25.8 million and a 29.4% adjusted EBITDA margin in the fourth quarter of 2014. On a sequential comparison, fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was up $78,000 when compared with third-quarter adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of $8.4 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 20.4%. The improvement was driven by overall cost and expense reductions coupled with proactive cost-management activities. For the full year, adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations for the Rocky Mountain division was $46.1 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 23.5%, compared with adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of $97.9 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 29.3%, in 2014.

Northeast Division (Marcellus, Utica)

Northeast Division revenue for the fourth quarter was $17.6 million, a decrease of 11.3%, compared sequentially with third-quarter revenue of $19.8 million, and a decrease of 37.5% on a year-over-year comparison with revenue of $28.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2014.  For the full year, Northeast Division revenue was $92.1 million, a decrease of 3.6%, compared with revenue of $95.6 million in 2014. The quarterly decline was primarily driven by further reductions in customer drilling and completion activities and continued pricing pressure, as well as the extended holiday slowdown. For the full year, first-half revenue increases from the addition of new customers in the Northeast Division were offset by a slowing of customer drilling and completion activities in the second half of the year.

Fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations for the Northeast Division was $2.5 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 14.1%, compared with $2.9 million and a 10.2% adjusted EBITDA margin in the fourth quarter of 2014. Despite the overall decline in annual revenue, the Northeast Division achieved a $3.1 million increase in year-over-year adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations, primarily as a result of higher revenue in the first half of the year coupled with lower total costs and expenses for the full year. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations for 2015 in this division was $13.5 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 14.7%, compared with adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of $10.4 million, and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 10.9% in 2014.

Southern Division (Haynesville, Eagle Ford, Permian)

Southern Division revenue for the fourth quarter was $13.4 million, a decrease of 13.1%, compared sequentially with third-quarter revenue of $15.4 million, and a decrease of 48.2% on a year-over-year comparison with revenue of $25.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2014.  For the full year, Southern Division revenue was $68.5 million, a decrease of 35.3%, compared with revenue of $105.9 million in 2014. Quarterly and yearly declines were primarily driven by further reductions in customer drilling and completion activities that impacted water logistics, disposal, and rental equipment services; ongoing pricing pressure; and the extended holiday slowdown in the fourth quarter. These decreases were offset in part by increases in revenue from the Haynesville pipeline compared with the fourth quarter and full-year 2014.

Fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations for the Southern Division was $1.3 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 9.6%, compared with adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of $1.5 million and a 5.9% adjusted EBITDA margin in the fourth quarter of 2014. For the full year, adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations for the Southern Division was $6.3 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 9.1%, compared with adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of $7.7 million and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 7.3% in 2014. The year-over-year adjusted EBITDA margin improvement of 180 basis points was driven by overall cost and expense reductions coupled with proactive cost-management activities.

About Nuverra

Nuverra Environmental Solutions, Inc. is among the largest companies in the United States dedicated to providing comprehensive, full-cycle environmental solutions to customers in the energy market. Nuverra focuses on the delivery, collection, treatment, recycling, and disposal of restricted solids, water, wastewater, waste fluids and hydrocarbons that are part of the drilling, completion and ongoing production of shale oil and natural gas. The Company provides its suite of environmentally compliant and sustainable solutions to customers who demand stricter environmental compliance and accountability from their service providers. Find additional information about Nuverra on the Company's website, http://www.nuverra.com, and in documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) at http://www.sec.gov.

Forward-Looking Statements

The information contained herein includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements may include forecasts of growth, revenues, business activity, pricing, adjusted EBITDA, pipeline and solids treatment initiatives, and landfill and treatment facility activities, as well as statements regarding possible acquisitions, divestitures, financings, restructurings, business growth and expansion opportunities, liquidity, availability of capital, ability to access capital markets, cost-management initiatives, expected outcome of litigation and other statements that are not historical facts.  Actual results may differ materially from results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, difficulties encountered in restructuring our debt; uncertainties in evaluating long-lived assets for potential impairment; potential impact of litigation; risks of successfully consummating expected transactions within the timeframes or on the terms contemplated; uncertainty relating to successful negotiation, execution and consummation of all necessary definitive agreements in connection with our strategic initiatives; whether certain markets grow as anticipated; pricing pressures; risks associated with our indebtedness; current and projected future uncertainties in commodities markets, including low oil and/or natural gas prices; changes in customer drilling and completion activities and capital expenditure plans; shifts in production in shale areas where we operate and/or shale areas where we currently do not have operations; control of costs and expenses, including uncertainty regarding the ability to successfully implement cost-management initiatives; liquidity and access to capital; compliance with the terms of agreements governing our indebtedness; and the competitive and regulatory environment. Additional risks and uncertainties are disclosed from time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, as well as Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

Liz Merritt, VP-Investor Relations & Communications
480-878-7452
ir@nuverra.com

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