CALGARY, ALBERTA — (Marketwired) — 05/13/13 — Tesla Exploration Ltd. (“Tesla” or the “Company”) (TSX: TXL) today announces its 2013 first quarter operating and financial results.
First Quarter Highlights:
First Quarter Financial Results:
The Company–s consolidated revenues including reimbursables decreased 35% in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the first quarter of 2012 due to an expected decline in North American land activity. The Company–s revenue excluding reimbursables decreased 36%. Improvements in activity levels for Tesla International were more than offset by declines in activity levels for Tesla Canada, Tesla USA and Tesla Trinidad. Tesla Offshore enjoyed a consistent level of activity. The Company–s gross margin declined in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the first quarter of 2012 due to the drop in revenues. However, gross margin as a percentage of total revenue (including reimbursables) increased to 38% in the first quarter of 2013 from 33% in the first quarter of 2012 due to a heavier weighting of continued strong margins in Canada and improvements for Tesla International. Gross margin as a percentage of revenue excluding reimbursables also improved to 47% in the first quarter of 2013 compared to 40% in the first quarter of 2012 for similar reasons. Reimbursable revenues declined proportionately to total revenues.
Tesla Canada was able to operate up to eight crews during the first quarter of 2013 compared with up to nine crews operating in the first quarter of 2012. While rates remained comparable to the previous winter, Tesla Canada saw reduced activity levels due to the previously reported cancellation or deferral of several significant projects during the quarter. Tesla Canada–s gross margin was negatively impacted by the reduced revenues but gross margin percentage remained strong with high utilization of the Company–s 3C equipment in the oil sands region.
Operations in the US were limited during the first quarter of 2013 with the Hawk system in Canada until early March when Tesla USA returned to work under its agreement with a multi-client geophysical company. Tesla USA operated three crews for most of the first quarter of 2012 on large 3D programs. Tesla USA–s gross margin was limited during the first quarter and declined from the comparative period with the reduction in activity levels.
As expected, there was no activity for Tesla Trinidad during the current quarter compared to significant activity on the Guayaguayare program during the first quarter of 2012. Tesla Trinidad generated gross margin from recording and recognition of turnkey revenues in the first quarter of 2012.
Tesla International–s revenues improved from the comparative quarter due to increased revenues from operations in Africa. During the first quarter of 2013, Tesla International completed a land and marine project in Tanzania, the land phase of a project in the DRC and began mobilization into Somaliland for a contract in the country. Tesla International also completed projects in Europe and the UK. The first quarter of 2012 included a full workload for the UK crew, the demobilization from northern Ethiopia and operations on a lake project in the DRC. Gross margins benefitted from the increased revenues and a heavier weighting of operational income. Cost overruns on demobilizations from the DRC and Ethiopia negatively impacted gross margin during the first quarter of 2012.
Tesla Offshore–s activity during the first quarter of 2013 remained consistent with the first quarter of 2012. The first quarter of 2013 benefitted from significantly increased activity levels in the Gulf of Mexico for the geophysical division with a healthy backlog of both turnkey and day rate work. The first quarter of 2012 was buoyed by Tesla Offshore–s support role on the project in Trinidad and the mobilization of the deep tow system. Tesla Offshore–s gross margin was similar to the comparative quarter but was limited by poor weather conditions in the Gulf of Mexico. Gross margin during the first quarter of 2012 included a heavy weighting of lower margin support work on the project in Trinidad.
The Company–s EBITDA decreased in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the first quarter of 2012 due to the decline in revenues and absolute gross margin along with a slight increase in general and administrative costs associated with increased business development expenses. The Company–s consolidated net income also declined quarter over quarter due to the reduction in EBITDA and increased depreciation related to the Hawk system. This was partially offset by a corresponding reduction in tax expense.
The Company–s working capital increased $13.5 million during the quarter to $16.8 million including net cash of $6.0 million. Operating cash flows and a $4.0 million draw on long-term debt during the quarter were required to fund increased working capital working capital requirements in certain jurisdictions, repay $1.3 million of regular finance leases, purchase $0.7 million of the Company–s shares under its Normal Course Issuer Bid (“NCIB”) and fund $2.2 million of capital expenditures. The Company also repaid $11.4 million on its operating lines of credit during the quarter.
Total long-term borrowings grew by $3.1 million during the quarter to $25.3 million. Draws on long-term debt of $4.0 million were partially offset by regular payments made on outstanding finance leases. Subsequent to March 31, 2013, the Company repaid $5.0 million on long-term debt reducing total long- term borrowings to $20.3 million.
Further, the Company renewed its Canadian credit facility agreement consisting of a $15 million operating loan, a $30 million revolving credit facility and a $24 million (previously $20 million) finance lease facility. All facilities are available in either Canadian or US currency at Tesla–s discretion. The Company also expanded its UK subsidiary–s overdraft facility to GBP 4 million (previously GBP 2 million). These facilities provide the Company with flexibility with respect to capital expenditures and potential acquisitions.
Shareholders– equity increased $9.0 million to $72.4 million during the quarter due to the earnings generated during the quarter, an increase in accumulated other comprehensive income due to the weakening of the Canadian dollar against the functional currency of the Company–s foreign subsidiaries and the repurchase of shares under the Company–s NCIB. This was partially offset by a reduction in contributed surplus due to the modification of the Company–s stock option plan which now includes a cashless exercise feature.
Outlook:
North America Land Operations
Tesla Canada operated two crews into early April as spring break-up hit western Canada. Low natural gas prices will continue to limit exploration activity during the summer months. The Company expects to operate one crew periodically during May and June with one to two crews operational during the third quarter with potential activity in both western and eastern Canada. There is optimism regarding fall work based upon early bid requests and several substantial 3D/3C projects planned for the fourth quarter of 2013.
The Hawk system is back working on 3D programs under an agreement with a multi-client geophysical company. The Hawk crew should continue operating for the remainder of 2013 and should continue to generate improved margins from those realized under current industry metrics. The US seismic market remains soft with heavy competition for available projects. Pricing of services continues to be the driving factor in this competitive market with requirements for higher channel counts, wireless recording systems and third party multi-client programs driving the demand for services. Activity levels remain focused on oil and liquids rich shale plays such as the Bakken, Utica (eastern Ohio) and Marcellus (western Pennsylvania and West Virginia). Activity in the Denver-Julesburg (“DJ”) Basin has been slower than projected but is also expected to increase in the second half of 2013. Tesla USA has managed to secure additional contracts and expects to operate at least one additional multi-component 3D recording crew in the second half of 2013. The Company is investigating long-term rental and purchase options to service this demand.
South America Operations
Tesla Colombia was formed in February 2013 to provide seismic acquisition services to companies in Colombia. An experienced management team has spent the better part of a year researching the South American market. In recent years, there has been increased foreign investment in Colombian natural resources, growing exploration activity and a strong demand for experienced and reliable seismic acquisition companies with modern equipment and experience in comparable terrains and environments. Meetings continue to be held and relationships continue to be built with both oil and gas and mining companies operating in Colombia. Many of these companies are Canadian-based or international operators that Tesla has done work for in other regions of the world. Management has also focused on developing relationships with local companies that can provide support to Tesla–s operations in Colombia and provide access to potential clients. While no projects have been awarded at this time, the management team continues to pursue a number of opportunities that have been identified during Tesla–s presence in the country. Tesla continues to investigate other opportunities in South America, specifically in Trinidad, Ecuador and Suriname.
International Operations
Tesla International–s UK and European crew has seen a sustained demand for acquisition services in both the hydrocarbon and minerals sectors. Indicators suggest that this demand will be maintained. Additional applications of seismic data in the areas of gas storage and CO2 sequestration have been active indicating a possible opportunity for growth in previously non-perspective areas of Europe. This crew should be fully utilized for a good portion of 2013 after securing commitments for a number of projects throughout the year. Management is pursuing opportunities to fill remaining gaps in the current 2013 work schedule.
After completing the land phase of a project in the DRC during the first quarter of 2013, Tesla International is in the final stages of mobilizing for the marine phase of the project on Lake Albert. There remains significant interest in the lake zones of the Rift Valley with Tesla International well placed to exploit the transition zone (“TZ”) acquisition opportunities in the area. As such the TZ crew is expected to remain busy during a significant portion of 2013.
Tesla International is also in the final stages of mobilizing equipment to Somaliland after securing work on a long-term day-rate project. The start-up of the project has been delayed until June to ensure appropriate security is in place. The project is expected to last through the end of the year with bonus incentives for early completion.
Two key areas of East Africa are expected to see a return to greater activity following political stabilisation and the interest of some of the Major operators in developing their activities in the area. The first key area involves interests along the Great Lakes Trend from Tanzania into Ethiopia. This interest is in chasing analog plays based on the recent discoveries in Uganda and successes in Northern Kenya. The second area of increased exploration activity is near coastal blocks from Mozambique northward to Somalia which are hinged on recent major gas discoveries offshore East Africa. Tesla International expects to be successful in obtaining additional work from both these opportunities and from exploiting some potential new areas of activity to extend its current backlog. In particular, Tesla International has seen and is expecting numerous bids related to the latest concession awards in Kenya and the associated work commitments. Tesla International will also maintain a presence in Islamabad to explore opportunities in Pakistan as well as explore further possibilities in co-venturing with resident entities in other countries such as Libya, Tunisia and Iraq.
The UK technical services office remains steady with a number of in-seam seismic, unconventional gas (coal bed and shale), and geophysical interpretation projects recently awarded and underway with high utilization of capacity expected to continue.
The Jakarta processing office continues to work through a backlog of projects that has seen the office fully utilized through early 2013. Additional opportunities continue to be pursued to maintain backlog.
Offshore Operations
Tesla Offshore is benefitting from increased activity levels in the Gulf of Mexico. With 2013–s Central Gulf lease sale returning to the standard March schedule, a significant increase in opportunities during the fair weather season are expected. Tesla Offshore has a healthy backlog of both turnkey and day rate work as a direct result of last year–s lease sale that is keeping multiple vessels occupied. Poor weather in the Gulf of Mexico during April has limited productivity on this work. In late April, Tesla Offshore remobilized two geophysical vessels to continue the large scale day rate exploration projects that were put on hold for the winter months.
Construction activity has remained slow in April as the historically slow winter months come to an end. Construction activity is expected to pick up in May as trawling, positioning work and special projects resume.
Tesla Offshore continues to pursue opportunities outside the Gulf of Mexico and is entering the second year of a multi-year project in Alaska, although this work may be delayed until 2014 due to lack of approved drilling permits. As long-term clients expand into international areas, Tesla Offshore is configuring systems and staff to profitably provide services to support their operations.
Focusing on this growth plan, Tesla Offshore committed to the purchase of a Bluefin AUV which has the ability to acquire high resolution ocean bottom data. Tesla Offshore expects the AUV to be delivered and operational in September 2013. In addition to addressing a much needed service to our existing customer base, this will open new markets for Tesla Offshore related to deep water oil and gas field development, along with governmental, environmental and academic applications. Tesla Offshore plans to operate the AUV not only in the Gulf of Mexico, where the US Government now requires data across most of the deep water Gulf of Mexico blocks to be acquired by an AUV, but on a global basis. Tesla Offshore hired several experienced personnel to manage and optimize use of state of the art technology in geophysical survey operations, including the AUV service line, and to further the development of geo-hazards interpretation services for clients worldwide. The AUV team is also in the process of identifying other AUV specialists, to support field operations.
Forward-looking Statements:
Certain information set forth in this press release, including management–s assessment of the Company–s future plans and operations, contains forward-looking statements, which are based on the Company–s current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs, which may prove to be incorrect. Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “projects”, “intends”, “continues”, “estimates”, “objective”, “ongoing”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “might”, “plans” and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections that involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company–s actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These include, but are not limited to, the risks outlined in the “Business Risks” section of the Company–s MD&A for the three months ended March 31, 2013.
The information contained in this press release should not be considered all-inclusive as it excludes changes that may occur in general economic, political and environmental conditions. The Company cautions that actual performance will be affected by a number of factors, many of which are beyond its control. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information and statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and, subject to its obligations under applicable law, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements if conditions or opinions should change.
About Tesla
Tesla provides geophysical and related services in Canada through Tesla Exploration Partnership, internationally through its wholly owned subsidiaries Tesla Exploration International Ltd., Tesla Exploration Trinidad Ltd. and Tesla Exploration Colombia S.A.S., and in the United States through Tesla Exploration Inc. and Tesla Offshore LLC. Since the Company–s inception in 2000, Tesla has grown both organically and through acquisitions funded by retained earnings and prudent levels of borrowing, from a Canadian focused land seismic business to a global provider of a broad suite of geophysical and related services. Tesla trades on the TSX under the symbol “TXL”.
Contacts:
Tesla Exploration Inc.
Mr. Richard Habiak
President and CEO
(403) 216-0990
Tesla Exploration Inc.
Mr. Stuart Craven
Vice President and CFO
(403) 692-4602