HOUSTON, Feb. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Parker Drilling Company (NYSE-PKD), an international drilling contractor, drilling services and rental tools provider, today reported results for the quarter and year-to-date periods ended December 31, 2012.  The Company's results for the 2012 fourth quarter included a net loss of $20.1 million or $0.17 per diluted share on revenues of $157.2 million.  Results for the period included $16.3 million, pre-tax, of non-routine expenses primarily related to the previously disclosed proposed settlement of U.S. Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission investigations.  Excluding the effects of non-routine items, the Company reported a net loss of $4.0 million or $0.03 per diluted share compared with similarly adjusted 2012 third quarter net income of $11.4 million or $0.10 per diluted share on revenues of $165.3 million, and 2011 fourth quarter net income of $20.2 million or $0.17 per diluted share on revenues of $181.1 million. 

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Adjusted EBITDA, excluding non-routine items, was $35.8 million, compared with $55.6 million for the preceding third quarter, and $66.7 million for the prior year's fourth quarter.

Parker Drilling's fourth quarter results primarily reflect the impacts of recent market trends, strategic decisions to better position the Company for profitable growth, and the charge taken for the proposed settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission.

"During the latter part of 2012, business trends and competitive conditions in a number of markets were challenging.  Our responses have focused on leveraging our strategic position, preserving profitability, and improving future opportunities to grow. These efforts have already begun to have a favorable impact on performance," said Parker Drilling President and Chief Executive Officer, Gary Rich.  "Rental Tools utilization has risen for two consecutive months.  Our barge rig fleet utilization is currently above the fourth quarter fleet average and the fleet's average dayrate has continued to increase.  Our international operations have four more rigs under contract than at year-end, including contracts to begin work in Kurdistan with two rigs to be relocated from Kazakhstan.  And, we recently were awarded an O&M contract to operate three ExxonMobil platforms off the coast of California. 

"In choosing to be selective and strategic in our response to market conditions, we believe we have enhanced our relationships with key customers in core markets, provided momentum to our 2013 performance potential, and built a stronger base from which to expand and grow," noted Gary Rich.

Fourth Quarter Highlights

• During the quarter, the International Drilling operation began moving two rigs from their base in Algeria to reposition them for work in other markets and also committed to redeploy two rigs from Kazakhstan for work in Kurdistan.  As a result, the Company incurred costs related to the rig moves and the write-off of unrecoverable VAT taxes of approximately $4.7 million.
• The Company made use of slowing activity in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico inland waters drilling market to bring forward dry-dock inspections, repairs and general maintenance for three barge drilling rigs.  This took these units out of service for portions of the quarter and limited operating cost leverage. 
• The first of Parker Drilling's two AADU rigs completed its acceptance testing process and began operations under the terms of the Company's five-year contract with BP.  
• The Rental Tools segment addressed weakened conditions in the U.S. land drilling market with a balance of competitive price responses and other actions, strengthening its position with key customers in core markets. 
• Parker Drilling reached an agreement in principle with the Department of Justice and staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission related to investigations of possible violations of U.S. law, recording a charge associated with the proposed settlement.
• The Company amended its $130 million Credit Agreement, consisting of a term loan and revolving credit facility, extending its expiration to 2017.

Outlook

"I believe we are making significant improvements in Parker's fundamental performance potential," commented Mr. Rich.  "Our Rental Tools business is poised to make gains in the growing offshore Gulf of Mexico drilling market while strengthening its U.S. land-related operations.  Our U.S. barge fleet is well-positioned for a period of sustained drilling in the Gulf of Mexico's inland waters.  The repositioning of several international rigs enhances our ability to participate in other large and growing markets.  And, our Alaska operations are underway on a multi-year drilling program and our O&M portfolio is growing.

"In addition, our balance sheet is in sound condition and we are confident we have the financial capacity to sustain our businesses, invest in growth opportunities and fund the proposed settlement with the DOJ and SEC," he concluded.

Fourth Quarter Review

Parker Drilling's revenues for the 2012 fourth quarter, compared with the 2012 third quarter, declined 5 percent to $157.2 million from $165.3 million, segment gross margin declined 31 percent to $44.1 million from $63.8 million, while segment gross margin was 28.0 percent of revenues compared with 38.6 percent.  Compared with the 2011 fourth quarter, the Company's revenues declined 13 percent from revenues of $181.1 million, segment gross margin declined 40 percent from segment gross margin of $74.0 million, and segment gross margin as a percent of revenues was below the 2011 fourth quarter level of 40.9 percent.  (Segment gross margin excludes depreciation and amortization expense).

Results for the 2012 fourth quarter included $16.3 million, pre-tax, of non-routine expenses primarily related to the proposed settlement of U.S. Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission investigations. These non-routine expenses reduced after-tax earnings by $16.1 million, or approximately $0.14 per diluted share.  The results for the 2012 third quarter and 2011 fourth quarter included non-routine, after-tax expense of $0.4 million and $110.4 million, respectively.  Details of the non-routine items are provided in the attached financial tables.

• Rental Tools segment revenues were $55.7 million, segment gross margin was $32.8 million and segment gross margin as a percentage of revenues was 59.0 percent.  Compared with the 2012 third quarter, segment revenues, gross margin and gross margin as a percent of revenues declined.  Actions initiated earlier in response to weakened market conditions and more competitive pricing shored up profitability and began to restore utilization levels during the quarter.
• U.S. Barge Drilling segment revenues were $29.4 million, segment gross margin was $13.2 million, and segment gross margin as a percentage of revenues was 44.8 percent.  Compared with the 2012 third quarter, segment revenues, gross margin and gross margin as a percent of revenues declined.  As drilling activity slowed toward the year-end and in anticipation of the market's future need for barge drilling rigs, the Company took three units out of service for drydock repairs and inspections and general maintenance work.  While this reduced the number of the Company's barge drilling rigs available to the market, the impact of this was partially offset by an increase in the fleet-average dayrate for the period. 
• U.S. Drilling segment revenues were $1.4 million. The segment reported its first operating revenues in the 2012 fourth quarter as the first of two AADU rigs began operations late in the period.  The increase in operating expense reflects the impact of the rig's transition, during the 2012 third quarter, from a capitalized construction project to a deployed rig with operating costs.
• International Drilling segment revenues were $67.6 million, segment gross margin was $2.7 million, and segment gross margin as a percentage of revenues was 3.9 percent. Compared with the 2012 third quarter, segment revenues, gross margin and gross margin as a percent of revenues declined.  The reduction in segment revenues was primarily due to the impact from a decline in average rig fleet utilization. This was partially offset by an increase in operating and maintenance (O&M) contract revenues.  The decline in segment gross margin is primarily due to lower rig utilization and costs associated with strategic decisions to reposition rigs from Algeria and redeploy rigs from Kazakhstan.  In addition, it reflects the transition to a new O&M contract in Sakhalin Island, Russia, from the previous, expired contract.
• Technical Services segment revenues were $3.1 million and the segment had a gross margin loss of $0.1 million.  The reduction in segment revenues was primarily due to the completion of some early-phase engineering projects, while the segment's earnings loss reflects this and the costs of retaining engineering expertise and experience during the transition between projects.

2012 Summary

The Company's results for the 2012 year included net income of $37.3 million or $0.31 per diluted share on revenues of $678.0 million, compared with the prior year's net loss of $50.5 million or $0.43 per diluted share on revenues of $686.6 million.  Excluding the effects of non-routine items, the Company reported adjusted net income of $55.0 million or $0.46 per diluted share compared with similarly adjusted 2011 net income of $62.9 million or $0.54 per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA, excluding non-routine items, was $234.6 million for 2012 and $242.6 million for the prior year.

Results for 2012 included $18.7 million, pre-tax, of non-routine expenses primarily related to the proposed settlement of U.S. Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission investigations. These non-routine expenses reduced after-tax earnings by $17.7 million or $0.15 per diluted share.  Earnings for the 2011 year included $113.4 million of after-tax expense for non-routine items, or $0.97 per diluted share. 

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures were $43.9 million for the 2012 fourth quarter and $191.5 million for the year.  Capital expenditures for 2012 included $86.0 million for the construction of two AADU rigs and $62.0 million for the purchase of tubular goods and other rental tools equipment.  In addition, the Company invested $13.8 million in a new enterprise resource planning system that is expected to increase the ability to address business matters and to assess and leverage market opportunities.

Conference Call

Parker Drilling has scheduled a conference call for 10:00 a.m. CST (11:00 a.m. EST) on Thursday, February 21, 2013, to review its reported results.  Those interested in listening to the call by telephone may do so by dialing (480) 629-9692.  The call can also be accessed through the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://www.parkerdrilling.com.  A replay of the call can be accessed on the Company's website for 12 months and will be available by telephone from Feb. 21 through Feb. 28 by dialing (303) 590-3030 and using the access code 4591662#.

Cautionary Statement

This press release contains certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements in this press release other than statements of historical facts that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, projects, believes, or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the proposed settlement of the Company's Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission investigations, anticipated future financial or operational results; the outlook for rig utilization and dayrates; general industry conditions such as the demand for drilling and the factors affecting demand; competitive advantages such as technological innovation; future operating results of the Company's rigs, rental tools operations and projects under management; capital expenditures; expansion and growth opportunities; acquisitions or joint ventures; asset sales; successful negotiation and execution of contracts; scheduled delivery of drilling rigs for operation; the strengthening of the Company's financial position; increases in market share; outcomes of legal proceedings and investigations; compliance with credit facility and indenture covenants; and similar matters. These statements are based on certain assumptions made by the Company based on management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, anticipated future developments and other factors believed to be appropriate. Although the Company believes that its expectations stated in this press release are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied or expressed by the forward-looking statements. These include risks relating to changes in worldwide economic and business conditions that could adversely affect market conditions, fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices that could reduce the demand for drilling services, changes in laws or government regulations that could adversely affect the cost of doing business, our ability to refinance our debt and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected as described in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. See "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report filed on Form 10-K and other public filings and press releases. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Company Description

Parker Drilling (NYSE: PKD) provides high-performance contract drilling solutions, rental tools and project management services to the energy industry. Parker Drilling's rig fleet included 22 land rigs and two offshore barge rigs in international locations, 12 barge rigs in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, and three land rigs in the U.S. The Company's rental tools business supplies premium equipment to operators on land and offshore in the U.S. and select international markets. Parker Drilling also performs contract drilling for customer-owned rigs and provides technical services addressing drilling challenges for E&P customers worldwide. More information about Parker Drilling can be found at http://www.parkerdrilling.com, including operating status reports for the Company's Rental Tools segment and its international and U.S. rig fleets, updated monthly.

SOURCE Parker Drilling Company