CDN NEWS | 
US NEWS 
HOUSTON, March 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Eco-Stim Energy Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:ESES) (“EcoStim” or the “Company”) announced its financial and operating results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2017.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS & FOURTH QUARTER 2017 HIGHLIGHTS
- Generated 4Q17 Revenue of $19.8 million, 51% increase over 3Q17
- Generated 2017 Annual Revenue of $44 million, 427% increase over 2016
- Redeployed US Fleet #1 from Mississippian Lime to STACK at improved rates
- Both US Fleets expected to experience improved utilization and profitability for balance of 2018
- Secured working capital facility in February to enhance liquidity and support growth
J. Chris Boswell, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “2017 was a big transition year for EcoStim as we commenced operations for two spreads in the US and advanced efforts in Argentina to improve contract terms and operational performance. We are pleased with the progress we have made on both fronts while we continue to navigate the challenges associated with growing a relatively young enterprise.
“In early March we redeployed our Fleet #1 into the STACK at improved rates and now expect both US Fleets to operate at profitability levels in-line with industry averages. In Argentina, we have submitted a proposal to amend our agreement that we believe will improve utilization and minimize stand-by time. If finalized, the revised agreement is expected to be effective beginning on March 1, 2018. If we are unable to reach agreement, we expect to be released from the contract and would then be available to participate in work at higher 2018 pricing levels. As part of our ongoing negotiations in Argentina, in February 2018, we eliminated certain third-party services which contributed negatively to our fleet level gross margin during 2017.
“I want to thank our entire team for their hard work and dedication during this transition year in which we were able to accomplish so many challenging tasks to reduce operational risks and improve our market position. We believe that recent operational improvements and the impact of investments made over the past year are not fully reflected in the Company’s historical financial performance. We intend to continue to take appropriate actions to increase shareholder value and narrow EcoStim’s valuation gap as compared with its peers.”
Year Ended December 31, 2017 Financial Results
For the year ended December 31, 2017, EcoStim reported a net loss of $26.9 million or a loss of $0.41 per basic and diluted share as compared to a net loss of $17.9 million, or a loss of $1.32 per basic and diluted share, reported for the year ended December 31, 2016. Net loss for the years ended 2017 and 2016 included non-cash expenses of approximately $10.2 million and $5.6 million, respectively, consisting of depreciation, debt discounts, loan origination cost amortization and stock compensation.
Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2017 was a loss of $16.1 million as compared to a loss of $8.0 million in 2016. The Adjusted EBITDA loss in 2017 was primarily related to the start-up of two fleets in the US over an eight-month time period and continued losses in Argentina related to low prices, high third-party costs and low utilization. Based on the anticipated changes to our Argentina operation and the redeployment of the Company’s US Fleet #1 in early March 2018, we expect to achieve positive gross margins going forward.
Fourth Quarter Financial Results
For the fourth quarter of 2017, EcoStim reported a net loss of $9.1 million, or a loss of $0.12 per basic and diluted share, as compared to a net loss of $6.6 million, or a loss of $0.10 per basic and diluted share, reported for the third quarter of 2017. The net loss for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $4.6 million, or a loss of $0.34 per basic and diluted share. Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2017 included approximately $4.0 million of non-cash expenses consisting of depreciation, debt amortization and stock compensation. The increased losses in the fourth quarter of 2017 were primarily caused by one of our two US frac fleets being idle for a substantial portion of the quarter (a gross margin loss of $1.7 million) and continued losses in Argentina related to high third-party costs and low utilization (a gross margin loss of $1.4 million).
The gross margin contribution from our US Fleet #2 is expected to grow during Q1 2018 as a result of having a full quarter contribution and grow further during Q2 2018 as the Company moves outside of the winter season. Also, during Q4 2017, our US Fleet #2 incurred certain pre-operating costs that will not re-occur in Q1 2018.
Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2017 was a loss of $4.7 million, as compared with a loss of $2.0 million in Q4 2016 and a loss of $4 million in Q3 2017. The lower EBITDA in Q4 2017 was related to the gross margin losses discussed above.
SG&A Expense
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense in the fourth quarter of 2017 was approximately $2.7 million compared to $2.3 million for the prior quarter and $1.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2016. Our SG&A expense is primarily related to normal overhead, selling and administrative cost but also includes the cost associated with being a public company and maintaining an international operation. The $0.4 million increase in SG&A expense from Q3 2017 to Q4 2017 was primarily caused by (i) increased non-cash stock compensation expense; (ii) increased director compensation expense, including non-cash stock compensation expense; and (iii) certain increased legal expenses.
Cash and Total Liquidity
On December 31, 2017, EcoStim had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $8.8 million, compared to $1.7 million at December 31, 2016 and $21.7 million at September 30, 2017.
Capital Expenditures
Total capital expenditures during the fourth quarter of 2017 were approximately $10.7 million compared to $16.9 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $0.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. For 2017, our capital expenditures were $35.4 million, primarily related to investments in the Company’s two US frac fleets. As a result of our investments, our total pumping horsepower has increased to approximately 168,750 HHP, including six rental pumps and approximately 45,000 HHP of equipment that is subject to refurbishment and upgrades prior to activation.
Forward Guidance
The Company has a limited operating history, with less than one full year working in the US and only three years of operations in Argentina in a difficult but improving market environment. While the market in both Argentina and the U.S. is now much stronger, utilization of our frac fleets is difficult to accurately predict and therefore the Company does not plan to provide any earnings guidance for 2018 at this time. As the Company’s capacity additions made over the past year are deployed and the Company develops a longer operating history in the US, management may decide to provide guidance in the future. Factors that may influence our outlook and performance include the reliability and performance of our equipment, utilization of our assets in both the US and Argentina markets, the size of each job, pricing levels, and the service and product components of each job, as well as other factors discussed in our filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call on March 9, 2018 at 8:00 AM EST, 7:00 AM CST. To participate in the call please dial 877-900-9524 from the United States and Canada, and 412-902-0029 internationally. Participants should dial in five to ten minutes before the scheduled time and must be on a touchtone telephone to ask questions. A replay of the call will be available through April 20, 2018 by dialing 877-660-6853 from the U.S. and Canada, and 201-612-7415 internationally. The replay passcode is 13597819.
About the Company
EcoStim is an environmentally focused oilfield service and technology company providing well stimulation and completion services and field management technologies to oil and gas producers drilling in the U.S. and international unconventional shale markets. In addition to conventional pumping equipment, EcoStim offers its clients completion techniques that can dramatically reduce horsepower requirements, emissions and surface footprint.
Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain statements and information in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “foresee,” “should,” “would,” “could” “offer to” or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company is preparing for, plans, expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the Company’s statements made relating to: (i) revenue, earnings, profitability, gross margin, and other financial results for future periods, (ii) future pricing and other conditions in the markets served by the Company, (iii) the future utilization of the Company’s frac fleets, and (iv) the Company’s efforts and ability to renegotiate the terms of its existing contract in Argentina, or the potential for the Company to receive an early release from the contract, and the anticipated timing thereof. These statements are based on certain assumptions made by the Company based on management’s experience, expectations and perception of historical trends, current conditions, anticipated future developments and other factors believed to be appropriate. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable and are based on reasonable assumptions, no assurance can be given that these assumptions are accurate or that any of these expectations will be achieved (in full or at all) or will prove to have been correct. Our forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections.
For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our projected results, please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Investors should carefully consider the risk factors included in our filings, and should keep in mind the cautionary statements in this press release and in our filings.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
Contact:
Jeffrey Freedman, Investor Relations
[email protected]
281-531-7200
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