RPC, Inc. (NYSE: RES) ('RPC' or 'the Company'), a leading diversified oilfield services company, announced its unaudited results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.
Non-GAAP and adjusted measures, including adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share (diluted), EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, and free cash flow are reconciled to the most comparable GAAP measures in the appendices of this earnings release.
Sequential comparisons are versus 3Q:23. The Company believes quarterly sequential comparisons are most useful in assessing industry trends and RPC's recent financial results. Both sequential and year-over-year comparisons are available in the tables at the end of this earnings release.
Fourth Quarter 2023 Highlights
Revenues increased 19% sequentially to $394.5 million
Net income was $40.3 million, up 120% sequentially, and diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.19; net income margin increased 470 basis points sequentially to 10.2%
Adjusted EBITDA was $79.5 million, up 53% sequentially; Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 440 basis points sequentially to 20.1%
The strong sequential improvement in revenues and profitability resulted from significantly higher pressure pumping fleet utilization compared to the third quarter of 2023
Full Year 2023 Highlights
Revenues increased 1% year-over-year to $1.6 billion
Net income was $195.1 million and diluted EPS was $0.90; net income margin was 12.1%
Adjusted EBITDA was $374.4 million, with Adjusted EBITDA margin of 23.1%
Net cash flow from operating activities was $394.8 million and free cash flow was $213.8 million
The Company remained debt-free, paid $34.6 million in dividends and repurchased $21.1 million of common stock in 2023 (including $8.6 million of buyback program repurchases during 4Q:23)
The Company acquired the Spinnaker cementing business effective July 1, expanding RPC's existing cementing operations and customer relationships
Management Commentary
'We closed out 2023 with a strong sequential improvement in fourth quarter financial results,' stated Ben M. Palmer, RPC's President and Chief Executive Officer. 'As anticipated, the fourth quarter began with a solid increase in pressure pumping activity. However, as oil prices fell toward the end of the year, customer demand followed suit and we experienced a more significant holiday season slowdown than originally expected. Looking forward, we have a new Tier 4 dual-fuel fleet on order and anticipate placing it in service by the end of the second quarter of 2024, replacing a Tier 2 diesel fleet as we upgrade our asset base without adding to pressure pumping industry capacity.
'We have over $220 million in cash on the balance sheet, are highly liquid, debt-free, and capable of navigating an uncertain environment. This solid financial position also supports targeted organic investments, as well as continued capital returns to our shareholders through both dividends and opportunistic share buybacks. With the Spinnaker integration essentially complete, we are actively assessing additional acquisition opportunities to bolster selected service lines, increase our scale, and enhance our growth outlook,' concluded Palmer.
Revenues were $394.5 million, up 19%. Revenues increased primarily due to a significant rebound in pressure pumping activity compared to 3Q:23. However, growth was constrained by lower-than-expected activity during the December holiday season, which may have been influenced by declining oil prices throughout the quarter.
Cost of revenues, which excludes depreciation and amortization, was $279.4 million, up from $239.1 million. These costs increased as a function of revenue growth during the quarter.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $38.1 million, down from $42.0 million. The decrease in expenses is due in part to a reduction in incentive compensation and other cost control measures.
Gain on disposition of assets was $1.6 million, reflecting asset sales through the Company's normal course of operations.
Interest income totaled $2.6 million, reflecting higher cash balances.
Income tax provision was $12.3 million, or 23.4% of income before income taxes.
Net income and diluted EPS were $40.3 million and $0.19, respectively, up from $18.3 million and $0.08, respectively, in 3Q:23. Net income margin increased 470 basis points sequentially to 10.2%.
Adjusted EBITDA (adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) was $79.5 million, up from $51.9 million; adjusted EBITDA margin increased 440 basis points sequentially to 20.1%.
Non-GAAP adjustments: there were no adjustments to GAAP performance measures in 4Q:23, other than those necessary to calculate EBITDA. However, in the first and second quarters of 2023, the Company reported pension settlement charges totaling $18.3 million, or $0.07 of diluted EPS, which were excluded when calculating adjusted financial measures.
Balance Sheet, Cash Flow and Capital Allocation
Cash and cash equivalents were $223.3 million at the end of 2023, with no outstanding borrowings under the Company's $100 million revolving credit facility.
Net cash provided by operating activities and free cash flow were $394.8 million and $213.8 million, respectively, for the full year 2023.
Payment of dividends totaled $34.6 million in 2023. The Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.04 per share, payable March 11, 2024, to common stockholders of record at the close of business on February 9, 2024.
Share repurchases totaled $21.1 million in 2023. Buybacks under the Company's share repurchase program totaled $8.6 million during 4Q:23 (1,200,000 shares) and $18.7 million (2,469,056 shares) for the full year.
Segment Operations: Sequential Comparisons (versus 3Q:23)
Technical Services performs value-added completion, production and maintenance services directly to a customer's well. These services include pressure pumping, downhole tools and services, coiled tubing, cementing, and other offerings.
Revenues were $371.1 million, up 22%
Operating income was $46.4 million, up 146%
Results were driven primarily by higher pressure pumping revenues, the largest service line within Technical Services, and the related leverage of fixed personnel costs
Support Services provides equipment for customer use or services to assist customer operations, including rental of tubulars and related tools, pipe inspection and storage services, and oilfield training services.
About RPC
RPC provides a broad range of specialized oilfield services and equipment primarily to independent and major oilfield companies engaged in the exploration, production and development of oil and gas properties throughout the United States, including the Gulf of Mexico, mid-continent, southwest, Appalachian and Rocky Mountain regions, and in selected international markets. RPC's investor website can be found at www.rpc.net.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements and information included in this press release constitute 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include statements that look forward in time or express management's beliefs, expectations or hopes. In particular, such statements include, without limitation: our expectation to place a new Tier 4 DGB pressure pumping fleet in service by the end of the second quarter of 2024; our capability to navigate an uncertain environment; our financial ability to support investments in the business and return capital to shareholders and, our intention to assess acquisition opportunities to bolster selected service lines, increase our scale, and enhance our growth outlook. Risk factors that could cause such future events not to occur as expected include the following: the price of oil and natural gas and overall performance of the U.S. economy, both of which can impact capital spending by our customers and demand for our services; business interruptions due to adverse weather conditions; changes in the competitive environment of our industry and our ability to identify and complete acquisitions. Additional factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from management's projections, forecasts, estimates, and expectations are contained in RPC's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Contact:
Tel: (404) 321-2140
RPC, INC. 
