Precision Drilling beats by CAD$0.07, beats on revs; guides FY14 contracts/drilling
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of CC$0.24 per share, CAD$0.07 better than the Capital IQ Consensus Estimate of CAD$0.17; revenues rose 6.2% year/year to CAD$567 mln vs the CC$553.11 mln consensus, mainly because of higher international and U.S. drilling activity and higher pricing in Canadian contract drilling partially offset by lower turnkey activity in the United States.
OUTLOOK
Contracts
Our portfolio of term customer contracts provides a base level of activity and revenue and, as of February 12, 2014, we have term contracts in place for an average of 57 rigs in Canada, 53 in the United States and eight internationally for the first quarter of 2014 and an average of 51 rig contracts in Canada, 41 in the United States and seven internationally for the full year. In Canada, term contracted rigs normally generate 250 utilization days per year because of the seasonal nature of well site access. In most regions in the United States and internationally, term contracts normally generate 365 utilization days per year.
Drilling Activity
In the United States, our average active rig count in the quarter was 90 rigs, up three rigs over the fourth quarter in 2012 and up nine rigs over the third quarter of 2013. We currently have 95 rigs active in the United States. In Canada, our average active rig count in the quarter was 89 rigs, the same as the fourth quarter in 2012 and up six rigs over the third quarter of 2013. We currently have 144 rigs active in Canada and expect the strength of drilling activity in the first quarter to be driven in large part by weather. We expect to benefit from the fleet enhancements made over the past few years when compared to the prior year period. Internationally, our average active rig count in the quarter was 11 rigs, up three rigs over the fourth quarter in 2012 and in line with the third quarter of 2013. We currently have 11 rigs active internationally and expect our active rig count to grow over the next two quarters as two new build rigs for the Kuwait market are delivered late in the second quarter, and we see potential for additional rigs going to work in Mexico.
OUTLOOK
Contracts
Our portfolio of term customer contracts provides a base level of activity and revenue and, as of February 12, 2014, we have term contracts in place for an average of 57 rigs in Canada, 53 in the United States and eight internationally for the first quarter of 2014 and an average of 51 rig contracts in Canada, 41 in the United States and seven internationally for the full year. In Canada, term contracted rigs normally generate 250 utilization days per year because of the seasonal nature of well site access. In most regions in the United States and internationally, term contracts normally generate 365 utilization days per year.
Drilling Activity
In the United States, our average active rig count in the quarter was 90 rigs, up three rigs over the fourth quarter in 2012 and up nine rigs over the third quarter of 2013. We currently have 95 rigs active in the United States. In Canada, our average active rig count in the quarter was 89 rigs, the same as the fourth quarter in 2012 and up six rigs over the third quarter of 2013. We currently have 144 rigs active in Canada and expect the strength of drilling activity in the first quarter to be driven in large part by weather. We expect to benefit from the fleet enhancements made over the past few years when compared to the prior year period. Internationally, our average active rig count in the quarter was 11 rigs, up three rigs over the fourth quarter in 2012 and in line with the third quarter of 2013. We currently have 11 rigs active internationally and expect our active rig count to grow over the next two quarters as two new build rigs for the Kuwait market are delivered late in the second quarter, and we see potential for additional rigs going to work in Mexico.