Basic Energy Services Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009 Results

MIDLAND, Texas, Feb. 23  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Basic Energy Services, Inc. (NYSE:BAS) ("Basic") today announced its financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2009.

Basic generated revenue of $128.1 million during the fourth quarter of 2009, up 3% from $125.0 million in the third quarter of 2009, and down from the $246.0 million reported in the fourth quarter of 2008. For the fourth quarter of 2009, Basic reported a net loss of $24.2 million, or $0.61 per diluted share. In the comparable quarter last year, Basic reported net income of $3.9 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, which included $12.2 million of after-tax income related to the terminated merger break-up fee payment and a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $22.5 million.

Adjusted EBITDA for the 2009 fourth quarter was $8.7 million, or 7% of revenue, compared to $6.7 million, or 5% of revenue, in the third quarter of 2009, and $61.8 million, or 25% of revenue, in the comparable quarter of 2008. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and the net gain or loss from the disposal of assets. The 2008 fourth quarter results also exclude the pre-tax goodwill impairment charge and terminated merger income. Adjusted EBITDA, which is not a measure determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), is defined and reconciled in note 2 under the accompanying financial tables.

Ken Huseman, Basic's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We capitalized on improving market conditions during the fourth quarter to more than offset weaker seasonal factors and generated the second consecutive sequential increase in revenue.  Oil driven drilling activity in particular drove substantial sequential improvements in our pressure pumping and drilling segments of 13% and 11%, respectively, along with a more modest sequential increase of 2% in our fluid services segment.  Our well servicing segment, which is more dependent on maintenance-related work, felt the impact of the seasonally shorter workdays with a sequential decline in rig hours of 3% and a decline in revenue of 4%.

"Rates were generally stable with the exception of our fluids services segments where several competitors were heavily discounting frac tank rentals and other auxiliary charges early in the quarter.  While that competitive pressure moderated by the end of the quarter, margins in the segment suffered as a result.  Instances of labor shortages began appearing in the busier markets at the end of the quarter so margins were pressured with slightly higher labor and fuel costs with no room for rate increases at year end.

"It was an extremely difficult year as the comparison to 2008 confirms.  Despite the unprecedented drop in spending for oilfield services by the E&P companies and substantial excess capacity in the industry, we generated modest cash flow from operations while protecting our ability to offer a broad range of services from our large network of service points throughout our footprint.

"Our expectations are much improved for the new year.  Activity levels have continued to build on the momentum we saw develop in the fourth quarter even with unfavorable weather in most markets.  Expectations for oil prices well above the $60 threshold are driving capital spending plans for drilling, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and workover projects across the range of our customer base.  Despite uncertain gas prices, our customers indicate increased levels of spending for workover and drilling projects in anticipation of improving prices later in the year.

"I'd like to thank our employees for making the most of the challenging business conditions we faced throughout 2009.  Those dedicated and experienced people in combination with our quality fleet, market coverage and substantial liquidity provide the foundation upon which we expect to build much stronger results in 2010."

In 2009, Basic generated a net loss of $84.5 million for the year, or $2.13 per diluted share, excluding the impact of a $166.9 million after-tax ($204.0 million pre-tax) non-cash goodwill impairment charge and a $2.2 million after-tax ($3.5 million pre-tax) loss on the early extinguishment of debt. Net loss as reported for 2009 was $253.5 million, or $6.39 per diluted share. During the comparable period in 2008, Basic generated net income of $83.4 million, or $2.00 per diluted share, before merger and goodwill-related items. Including those items, net income reported for the 2008 year was $68.2 million, or $1.64 per diluted share.  Revenues declined 48% to $526.6 million in 2009, compared to $1.0 billion in 2008.

  Business Segment Results

  Well Servicing



Sequentially, well servicing revenues declined approximately 4% to $37.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to $38.4 million in the prior quarter.  Last year's fourth quarter revenues were $76.2 million. At December 31, 2009, the well servicing rig count was 405, down nine net rigs from the prior quarter end, as Basic added four newbuild well servicing rigs and retired 13 rigs.  The weighted average number of well servicing rigs was 410 during the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to 414 during both the third quarter of 2009 and the fourth quarter of 2008.

Well servicing rig utilization of 41% in the fourth quarter of 2009 was down slightly from 42% in the third quarter reflecting the impact of shorter daylight hours as well as the holidays that fall in fourth quarter. Last year in the comparable quarter, the rig utilization rate was 62%.  Revenue per well servicing rig hour declined 1% sequentially to $309 during the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to $313 in the prior quarter. During the fourth quarter of 2008, revenue per well servicing hour was $418.

Well servicing segment profit in the fourth quarter of 2009 was $9.1 million compared to $9.4 million in the prior quarter and $25.8 million in the same period in 2008.  Continued focus on cost control produced segment profit margins of 25% in the fourth quarter of 2009, up from 24% in the third quarter of 2009, but down from 34% in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Fluid Services

Fluid services revenue in the fourth quarter of 2009 increased by 2% to $51.0 million compared to $49.8 million in the prior quarter. During the comparable quarter of 2008, this segment produced $89.1 million in revenue.  Weighted average number of fluid services trucks declined to 794 trucks during the fourth quarter of 2009, down eleven trucks from the average truck count of 805 during the third quarter of 2009. During the fourth quarter of 2008 the average number of fluid services trucks was 804.

Average revenue per fluid services truck was $64,000 in the fourth quarter of 2009, up slightly from $62,000 in the prior quarter and down 42% compared to $111,000 in the same period in 2008.  Segment profit in the fourth quarter of 2009 was $10.3 million, or 20% of revenue, compared to $11.3 million, or 23% of revenue, in the prior quarter and $33.9 million, or 38% of revenue, in the same period in 2008. Segment profit margins were down sequentially due to higher diesel and other operating costs.  Additionally, weather-related and environmental slowdowns significantly decreased margins in the construction segment.

Completion & Remedial Services

Sequentially, completion and remedial services revenues increased 9% to $35.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 from $32.6 million in the prior quarter. Last year, this segment generated $70.7 million in revenue.  Segment profit in the fourth quarter of 2009 rose sequentially to $10.8 million, or 30% of revenue, compared to $9.5 million, or 29% of revenue, in the prior quarter. During the fourth quarter of 2008, segment profit was $30.4 million, or 43% of revenue. The sequential rise in revenue was mainly due to the improved revenues from the pressure pumping service line. As of December 31, 2009, Basic had approximately 139,000 hydraulic horsepower, the same as at September 30, 2009, and December 31, 2008.

Contract Drilling

Contract drilling revenues rose sequentially 11% to $4.6 million during the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to $4.1 million in the prior quarter. During the comparable quarter of 2008, this segment produced revenue of $9.9 million. Segment profit in the fourth quarter of 2009 was $905,000 compared to $845,000 in the prior quarter and $3.6 million during the fourth quarter of 2008.  The sequential rise in segment profit was primarily a result of a 7% increase in drilling rig operating days and a 4% rise in revenue per day partially offset by a 5% increase in operating expenses per day. Basic operated nine drilling rigs during the fourth quarter of 2009, the same as in the prior quarter and in the same period in 2008.

G&A Expense

G&A expense in the fourth quarter of 2009 decreased by 10% to $22.6 million from $25.1 million in the prior quarter mainly as a result of continued cost saving measures, lower bad debt expense and an insurance settlement.  During the fourth quarter of 2008, G&A expense was $32.1 million.

Capital Expenditures

During 2009, Basic's total capital expenditures, including capital leases, were approximately $61 million, comprised of $29 million for sustaining and replacement projects, $21 million for expansion projects and $11 million for other projects.  Expansion capital spending included approximately $11 million for the fluid services segment, $8 million for the completion and remedial services segment, and $2 million for the well servicing segment.  Other capital expenditures of $11 million were mainly for facilities and IT infrastructure.

In 2010, the minimum capital requirements planned for sustaining Basic's existing fleet is approximately $35 million. Capital expenditures for expansion and other replacements will be made as the operating environment improves.

Basic Energy Services provides well site services essential to maintaining production of oil and gas wells within its operating area. The Company employs approximately 3,800 employees in more than 100 service points throughout the major oil and gas producing regions in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, Kansas and the Rocky Mountain states.

For more information, please visit Basic's website at http://www.basicenergyservices.com/.

Conference Call

Basic will host a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter 2009 results on Wednesday, February 24, 2010, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time (8:00 a.m. Central).  To access the call, please dial [phone] and ask for the "Basic Energy Services" call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time.  The conference call will also be broadcast live via the Internet and can be accessed through the investor relations section of Basic's corporate website, http:/// http://www.basicenergyservices.com/.

A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until March 4, 2010 and may be accessed by calling [phone] and using the pass code 4206151#.  A webcast archive will be available at http://www.basicenergyservices.com/ shortly after the call and will be accessible for approximately 30 days. For more information, please contact Donna Washburn at DRG&E at [phone] or email at .

Safe Harbor Statement

This release includes forward-looking statements and projections, made in reliance on the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Basic has made every reasonable effort to ensure that the information and assumptions on which these statements and projections are based are current, reasonable, and complete.  However, a variety of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections, anticipated results or other expectations expressed in this release, including (i) changes in demand for our services and any related material impact on our pricing and utilizations rates, (ii) Basic's ability to execute, manage and integrate acquisitions successfully and (iii) changes in our expenses, including labor or fuel costs and financing costs.  Additional important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations are disclosed in Item 1A of Basic's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and subsequent Form 10-Qs filed with the SEC.  While Basic makes these statements and projections in good faith, neither Basic nor its management can guarantee that anticipated future results will be achieved.  Basic assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements made by Basic, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

  Contacts:           Alan Krenek, Chief Financial Officer
                      Basic Energy Services, Inc.
                      432-620-5510

                      Jack Lascar/Sheila Stuewe
                      DRG&E / 713-529-6600



                                -Tables to Follow-





                         Basic Energy Services, Inc.
         Consolidated Statements of Operations, Comprehensive Income
                          and Other Financial Data
                 (in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                           
                                      Three Months        Twelve Months  
                                         Ended                Ended      
                                      December 31,         December 31,  
                                    ----------------     ---------------- 
                                     2009      2008       2009      2008  
                                    ------    ------     ------    ------ 
  Income Statement Data:         (Unaudited)(Unaudited)(Unaudited)(Audited)
  Revenues:                               
    Well servicing                 $36,967   $76,194    $160,614  $343,113
    Fluid services                  50,975    89,128     214,822   315,768
    Completion and remedial
     services                       35,594    70,748     134,818   304,326
    Contract drilling                4,597     9,902      16,373    41,735
                                     -----     -----      ------    ------
      Total revenues               128,133   245,972     526,627 1,004,942
                                   -------   -------     ------- ---------
                                           
  Expenses:                               
    Well servicing                  27,825    50,437     121,618   215,243
    Fluid services                  40,640    55,190     159,079   203,205
    Completion and remedial
     services                       24,803    40,335      95,287   165,574
    Contract drilling                3,692     6,318      13,604    28,629
    General and administrative (1)  22,610    32,107     104,253   115,319
    Depreciation and amortization   33,915    32,572     132,520   118,607
    (Gain) loss on disposal
     of assets                         797       284       2,650        76
    Goodwill impairment                  -    22,522     204,014    22,522
                                       ---    ------     -------    ------
      Total expenses               154,282   239,765     833,025   869,175
                                   -------   -------     -------   -------
        Operating income
         (loss)                    (26,149)    6,207    (306,398)  135,767

  Other income (expense):                 
    Interest expense               (11,479)   (6,649)    (32,949)  (26,766)
    Interest income                     35       311         563     2,136
    Loss on early extinguishment
     of debt                             -         -      (3,481)        - 
    Other income (expense)             127    19,939       1,198    12,235
                                       ---    ------       -----    ------ 
  Income (loss) from continuing
   operations before income
   taxes                           (37,466)   19,808    (341,067)  123,372 
  Income tax benefit (expense)      13,314   (15,881)     87,529   (55,134)
                                    ------    ------      ------    ------
  Net income (loss)               $(24,152)   $3,927   $(253,538)  $68,238
                                  ========    ======   =========   =======
                                           
  Earnings (loss) per share of
   common stock:                          
     Basic                          $(0.61)    $0.10      $(6.39)    $1.67
                                    ======     =====      ======     =====
     Diluted                        $(0.61)    $0.10      $(6.39)    $1.64
                                    ======     =====      ======     =====
                                           
  Other Financial Data:                   
  EBITDA (2)                        $8,690   $59,002   $(173,501) $266,685 
  Adjusted EBITDA (2)                8,690    61,824      33,984   277,377
  Capital expenditures:                   
    Acquisitions, net of cash
     acquired                        6,626        95       7,816   110,913
    Property and equipment           8,568    23,022      43,367    91,890
        

                                         As of          
                                  December    December
                                     31,         31,         
                                     2009       2008  
                                 (unaudited)  (audited)           
                                  --------------------
   Balance Sheet Data:                
   Cash and cash equivalents      $125,357   $111,135
   Restricted cash                  14,123          - 
   Net property and equipment      666,642    740,879
   Total assets                  1,039,541  1,310,711
   Total long-term debt            475,845    454,260
   Total stockholders' equity      340,149    595,004



                                       Three months       Twelve months
                                          Ended               Ended 
                                       December 31,        December 31,
  Segment Data:                       2009      2008      2009      2008
                                           
  Well Servicing                          
  Weighted average number of rigs      410       414       413       405
  Rig hours (000's)                  119.5     182.4     485.2     840.2
  Rig utilization rate                40.8%     61.6%     41.1%     72.5%
  Revenue per rig hour                $309      $418      $331      $408
  Well servicing rig profit
   per rig hour                        $77      $141       $80      $152
  Segment profits as a percent
   of revenue                         24.7%     33.8%     24.3%     37.3%
                                           
  Fluid Services                          
  Weighted average number
   of fluid services trucks            794       804       805       699
  Revenue per fluid services
   truck (000's)                       $64      $111      $267      $452
  Segment profits per fluid   
   services truck (000's)              $13       $42       $69      $161
  Segment profits as a percent
   of revenue                         20.3%     38.1%     26.0%     35.6%
                                           
  Completion and Remedial Services        
  Segment profits as a percent
   of revenue                         30.3%     43.0%     29.3%     45.6%
                                           
  Contract Drilling                       
  Weighted average number of rigs        9         9         9         9
  Rig operating days                   417       666     1,370     2,777
  Revenue per day                  $11,000   $14,900   $12,000   $15,000
  Drilling rig profit per day       $2,200    $5,400    $2,000    $4,700
  Segment profits as a percent
   of revenue                         19.7%     36.2%     16.9%     31.4%
                                           

  (1)  Includes approximately $1,224,000 and $725,000 of non-cash 
       compensation expense for the three months ended December 31, 2009 and 
       2008, respectively. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 and 
       2008, it includes approximately $5,152,000 and $4,149,000 of non-cash 
       compensation expense, respectively.  

  (2)  This earnings release contains references to the non-GAAP financial 
       measure of earnings (net income) before interest, taxes, depreciation 
       and amortization, or "EBITDA."  EBITDA should not be considered in 
       isolation or as a substitute for operating income, net income or 
       loss, cash flows provided by operating, investing and financing 
       activities, or other income or cash flow statement data prepared in 
       accordance with GAAP.  However, Basic believes EBITDA is a useful 
       supplemental financial measure used by its management and directors 
       and by external users of its financial statements, such as investors, 
       to assess:


  --  The financial performance of its assets without regard to financing
      methods, capital structure or historical cost basis;
  --  The ability of its assets to generate cash sufficient to pay interest
      on our indebtedness; and
  --  Its operating performance and return on invested capital as compared
      to those of other companies in the well servicing industry, without
      regard to financing methods and capital structure.




EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered an alternative to net income, operating income, cash flow from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA excludes some, but not all, items that affect net income and operating income, and these measures may vary among other companies. Limitations to using EBITDA as an analytical tool include:

  --  EBITDA does not reflect its current or future requirements for capital
      expenditures or capital commitments;
  --  EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements necessary to
      service interest or principal payments on, its debt;
  --  EBITDA does not reflect income taxes;
  --  Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the
      assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced
      in the future, and EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for
      such replacements; and
  --  Other companies in its industry may calculate EBITDA differently than
      Basic does, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.




The following table presents a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA, which is the most comparable GAAP performance measure, for each of the periods indicated:

                                      Three months       Twelve months
                                         Ended               Ended 
                                      December 31,        December 31,
  Reconciliation of Net              2009      2008      2009      2008
   Income (Loss) to EBITDA:            (Unaudited)        (Unaudited)
  Net income (loss)               $(24,152)   $3,927  $(253,528)   $68,238
    Income taxes                   (13,314)   15,881    (87,529)    55,134
    Net interest expense            11,444     6,338     32,386     24,630
    (Gain) loss on disposal of
     assets                            797       284      2,650         76
    Depreciation and amortization   33,915    32,572    132,520    118,607
                                    ------    ------    -------    -------
  EBITDA                            $8,690   $59,002  $(173,501)  $266,685
                                    ======   =======  =========   ========



The following table presents a reconciliation of net income to "Adjusted EBITDA," which means our EBITDA excluding the goodwill impairment charge and deferred debt costs write-off in 2009:

   
                                      Three months        Twelve months
                                         Ended                Ended 
  Reconciliation of Net               December 31,         December 31,
   Income (Loss) to Adjusted         2009      2008       2009      2008
   EBITDA:                             (Unaudited)         (Unaudited)
  Net income (loss)               $(24,152)   $3,927  $(253,538)   $68,238
    Goodwill impairment                  -    22,522    204,014     22,522
    Merger-related income                -   (19,700)         -    (11,830)
    Loss on early extinguishment
     of debt                             -         -      3,481          - 
    Income taxes                   (13,314)   15,881    (87,529)    55,134
    Net interest expense            11,444     6,338     32,386     24,630
    (Gain) loss on disposal of
     assets                            797       284      2,650         76
    Depreciation and amortization   33,915    32,572    132,520    118,607
                                    ------    ------    -------    -------
  Adjusted EBITDA                   $8,690   $61,824    $33,984   $277,377
                                    ======   =======    =======   ========




We believe Adjusted EBITDA is useful for management and investors in connection with comparisons of EBITDA excluding the items represented by the goodwill impairment charges and deferred debt costs write-offs in 2009. 

DATASOURCE: Basic Energy Services, Inc.



CONTACT:  Alan Krenek, Chief Financial Officer of Basic Energy Services,

Inc., [phone]; or Jack Lascar or Sheila Stuewe, both of DRG&E,

[phone], for Basic Energy Services, Inc.



Web Site:  http://basicenergyservices.com/ 

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