TULSA, Okla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (NYSE: HP) reported a net loss of $46 million or $(0.43) per diluted share from operating revenues of $317 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, compared to a net loss of $421 million, or $(3.88) per diluted share, on revenues of $634 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. The net losses per diluted share for the third and second quarters of fiscal year 2020 include $(0.09) and $(3.96), respectively, of after-tax losses comprised of select items⁽¹⁾. For the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, select items⁽¹⁾ were comprised of:

• $0.02 of after-tax gains pertaining to a non-cash fair market adjustment to our equity investment

• $(0.11) of after-tax losses pertaining to restructuring charges

Net cash provided by operating activities was $214 million for the third quarter of fiscal year 2020 compared to $121 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2020.

President and CEO John Lindsay commented, “The unprecedented decline in activity experienced during the quarter continues to reverberate throughout the industry and we expect that ramifications will be felt for several quarters to come. The health and safety of our employees and customers remains our top priority followed by maintaining our financial strength and flexibility. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, H&P acted decisively to preserve operational and financial integrity, capitalizing on our strengths as we remain focused on addressing the challenges and opportunities within the energy sector.

"The current state of the industry pointedly underscores a necessity for change and is providing opportunities to accelerate strategic objectives aimed at how we approach adding value and how that value is perceived by our customers. Our customer centric approach has served the Company well for 100 years and is evolving to encompass the wider array of drilling and digital technology solutions H&P can deliver. This will change the narrative around the value proposition we offer to our customers. Rather than focusing on discrete products, like rigs or separate technology applications, we are focusing on packaging the total solution - combining people, rigs and technology to deliver the best possible well that accomplishes our customer's operational goals while reducing their financial risk. We believe these changes are required in order to improve not only the value delivery, but also to enhance the economic performance for our customers and H&P stakeholders.

"As we continue to evolve this business model, we are also aligning business segments to reflect the integration of our solution-based offering by combining our proprietary rig technology, touch of a button automation software, uniform FlexRig fleet and digital expertise into one unique industry offering. Accordingly, what historically had been referred to as the U.S. Land Operations and HP Technologies business segments have been combined to form the North America Solutions business segment.

"We will utilize this new segment to facilitate deployment of digital technologies and assimilate new performance-based commercial models into the industry. The utilization of rig automation software, such as AutoSlide℠, in combination with contracts based upon H&P's drilling performance and well quality, rather than a generic dayrate, provide a higher level of wellbore efficiency and value. Customer adoption of AutoSlide is progressing and it is now deployed on over one-third of our active rigs - more than during any previous quarter. Our number of performance-based contracts has held relatively steady despite record rig count declines and limited incremental contracting activity."

Senior Vice President and CFO Mark Smith also commented, "The Company continues to take actions to preserve its strong financial position. In addition to the previously announced measures, which included a reduction to the annual dividend of approximately $200 million, a reduction in planned fiscal 2020 capital spend of $95 million and a roughly $50 million reduction in fixed operational overhead, the Company took further steps to reduce its planned fiscal 2020 capital spend by another $40 million and its selling, general and administrative cost structure by $25 million on an annualized basis. The culmination of these cost-saving initiatives resulted in a $15 million restructuring charge during the quarter. We expect to see results from these efforts increase in our fiscal fourth quarter. While the vast majority of these reductions are related to the U.S., we are implementing similar cost-saving measures in our international locations as well, working through local jurisdictional regulations.

"More than a quarter has passed since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and we are still unable to reasonably estimate its duration or ascertain the full extent it will have on the industry in terms of timing or magnitude of a recovery. As a result, we cannot be certain of the ultimate impact on H&P's operations or financial position. In the meantime, the Company will continue to innovate and lead the way forward. Our solid economic footing remains intact with approximately $490 million in cash on hand and short-term investments and no amounts drawn on our $750 million revolving credit facility. During the quarter, H&P's already healthy financial position was bolstered by the anticipated unlock of working capital, which included a sizable reduction in our accounts receivable, and recognition of approximately $50 million in early contract termination revenue. We anticipate similar benefits in the coming quarters, although not to the same magnitude. Finally, it is worth reiterating, we have liquidity of over $1.2 billion and our debt-to-cap is 12%, with no maturities until 2025."

John Lindsay concluded, “The Company moved quickly and decisively making several strategic and impactful decisions that we believe will position us well for the future. We remain acutely aware of the constraints imposed by the current environment and because of our people, our drilling solutions' capabilities and solid financial footing, H&P is well positioned to address the challenges ahead."

Operating Segment Results for the Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2020

North America Solutions:

This segment had an operating loss of $25 million compared to an operating loss of $343 million during the previous quarter. The prior quarter was adversely impacted by $407 million in asset impairment charges, while the current quarter operating loss was driven by the dramatic decline in rig activity due to significantly lower crude oil prices resulting from a global supply and demand imbalance caused by the pandemic.

Operating gross margins⁽²⁾ declined by $97.6 million to $101.8 million as both revenues and expenses declined sequentially. Revenues during the quarter benefited from $50.2 million in early contract termination revenue and better than anticipated activity due to more favorable timing around the stacking of a number of rigs. A slight offset to some of these benefits was the increase in the number of rigs that became idle but contracted which carry lower revenues. Idle but contracted rigs also carry lower costs, which in addition to lower activity contributed to lower expense during the quarter. Expenses also benefited from internal costs savings initiatives that are having a more immediate and substantial impact than previously expected. Technology solutions operations were in-line with expectations.

International Solutions:

This segment had an operating loss of $9.5 million compared to an operating loss of $152.5 million during the previous quarter. The decrease in the operating loss was primarily attributable to impairments of drilling equipment that adversely impacted prior quarter results. Operating gross margins⁽²⁾ declined to a negative $5.1 million from a positive $13.3 million in the previous quarter as there were fewer rigs operating during the quarter and a higher mix of lower margin rigs contracted. Additionally, this segment carried higher expenses relative to activity levels resulting from compliance with local jurisdictional requirements surrounding COVID-19. The Company continues to explore opportunities to mitigate these expenses, while maintaining strict adherence to local regulations. Current quarter results included a $3.2 million foreign currency loss related to our South American operations compared to an approximate $3.4 million foreign currency loss in the second quarter of fiscal year 2020.

Offshore Gulf of Mexico:

This segment had operating income of $3.0 million compared to an operating loss of $3.3 million during the previous quarter. Operating gross margins⁽²⁾ increased to $8.5 million compared to $0.4 million in the prior quarter resulting from increased financial contribution from a rig that commenced drilling operations during the third quarter and the absence of unfavorable expenses and unexpected downtime that adversely impacted the prior quarter. Segment operating income from management contracts on customer-owned platform rigs contributed approximately $1.7 million, compared to approximately $3.2 million during the prior quarter.

Operational Outlook for the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal Year 2020

North America Solutions:

• We expect North America Solutions operating gross margins⁽²⁾ to be between $38-$48 million, inclusive of approximately $12 million of contract early termination compensation
• We expect to exit the quarter at between 58-63 contracted rigs, inclusive of approximately 10-15 contracted rigs generating revenue that could remain idle

International Solutions:

• We expect International Solutions operating gross margins⁽²⁾ to be between $(2)-$0 million, exclusive of any foreign exchange gains or loses

Offshore Gulf of Mexico:

• We expect Offshore Gulf of Mexico rig operating gross margins⁽²⁾ to be between $5-$7 million
• Management contracts are also expected to generate approximately $2 million in operating income

Other Estimates for Fiscal Year 2020

• Gross capital expenditures are now expected to be approximately $150 to $165 million. Asset sales include reimbursements for lost and damaged tubulars and sales of other used drilling equipment that offset a portion of the gross capital expenditures and are expected to total approximately $35 million in fiscal year 2020.
• General and administrative expenses for fiscal year 2020 are expected to be less than $175 million, excluding any future one-time items
• Depreciation is now expected to be approximately $475 million

COVID-19 Update

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact around the world and on our Company. After falling dramatically, crude oil prices and industry activity appear to have stabilized albeit at much lower levels. The environment in which we operate is still uncertain; however, from the onset of COVID-19's rapid spread across the U.S. in early March 2020, we moved quickly and took several actions to maintain the health and safety of H&P employees, customers and stakeholders and to preserve our financial strength. We discussed these actions in our press release dated, April 30, 2020 and in our quarterly report on Form-10Q for the period ended March 31, 2020 and will provide updates in our quarterly report on Form-10Q for the period ended June 30, 2020 when filed.

Select Items Included in Net Income per Diluted Share

Third quarter of fiscal year 2020 net loss of $(0.43) per diluted share included $(0.09) in after-tax losses comprised of the following:

• $0.02 of non-cash after-tax gains related to fair market value adjustments to equity investments
• $(0.11) of after-tax losses related to restructuring charges

Second quarter of fiscal year 2020 net loss of $(3.88) per diluted share included $(3.96) in after-tax losses comprised of the following:

• $0.03 of after-tax gains related to the change in fair value of a contingent liability
• $0.13 of after-tax benefits from the reversal of accrued compensation
• $(0.09) of non-cash after-tax losses related to fair market value adjustments to equity investments
• $(4.03) of non-cash after-tax losses related to the impairment of goodwill, less capable rigs and excess related equipment and inventory

Conference Call

A conference call will be held on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. (ET) with John Lindsay, President and CEO, Mark Smith, Senior Vice President and CFO, and Dave Wilson, Director of Investor Relations to discuss the Company’s third quarter fiscal year 2020 results. Dial-in information for the conference call is (800) 895-3361 for domestic callers or (785) 424-1062 for international callers. The call access code is ‘Helmerich’. You may also listen to the conference call that will be broadcast live over the Internet by logging on to the Company’s website at and accessing the corresponding link through the Investor Relations section by clicking on “INVESTORS” and then clicking on “Event Calendar” to find the event and the link to the webcast.

About Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

Founded in 1920, Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (H&P) (NYSE: HP) is committed to delivering industry leading levels of drilling productivity and reliability. H&P operates with the highest level of integrity, safety and innovation to deliver superior results for its customers and returns for shareholders. Through its subsidiaries, the Company designs, fabricates and operates high-performance drilling rigs in conventional and unconventional plays around the world. H&P also develops and implements advanced automation, directional drilling and survey management technologies. At June 30, 2020, H&P's fleet included 262 land rigs in the U.S., 32 international land rigs and eight offshore platform rigs. For more information, see H&P online at .

Forward-Looking Statements

This release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and such statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the registrant’s future financial position, operations outlook, business strategy, dividends, budgets, projected costs and plans and objectives of management for future operations, and the impact or duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and any subsequent recovery, are forward-looking statements. For information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with the Company’s business, please refer to the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of the Company’s SEC filings, including but not limited to its annual report on Form 10‑K and quarterly reports on Form 10‑Q. As a result of these factors, Helmerich & Payne, Inc.’s actual results may differ materially from those indicated or implied by such forward-looking statements. We undertake no duty to update or revise our forward-looking statements based on changes in internal estimates, expectations or otherwise, except as required by law.

We use our Investor Relations website as a channel of distribution for material company information. Such information is routinely posted and accessible on our Investor Relations website at .

Note Regarding Trademarks. Helmerich & Payne, Inc. owns or has rights to the use of trademarks, service marks and trade names that it uses in conjunction with the operation of its business. Some of the trademarks that appear in this release or otherwise used by H&P include FlexRig and AutoSlide, which may be registered or trademarked in the U.S. and other jurisdictions.

(1) See the corresponding section of this release for details regarding the select items. The Company believes identifying and excluding select items is useful in assessing and understanding current operational performance, especially in making comparisons over time involving previous and subsequent periods and/or forecasting future periods results. Select items are excluded as they are deemed to be outside of the Company's core business operations.

(2) Operating gross margin is defined as operating revenues less direct operating expenses.

Note 1: Per revenue day metrics and segment operating income/loss are used by the Company to facilitate period-to-period comparisons in operating performance of the Company’s reportable segments in the aggregate. These measures highlight operating trends and aid analytical comparisons. However, per revenue day metrics and segment operating income/loss have limitations and should not be used as alternatives to revenues, expenses, or operating income/loss, which are performance measures determined in accordance with GAAP.

Note 2: Operating statistics exclude the effects of offshore platform management contracts and gains and losses from translation of foreign currency transactions and do not include reimbursements of “out-of-pocket” expenses in revenue per day, expense per day and margin per day calculations. Additionally, expense per day and margin per day calculations do not include intercompany expenses.

Segment operating income (loss) for all segments is a non-GAAP financial measure of the Company’s performance, as it excludes gain on sale of assets, corporate selling, general and administrative expenses, corporate restructuring charges, and corporate depreciation. The Company considers segment operating income to be an important supplemental measure of operating performance for presenting trends in the Company’s core businesses. This measure is used by the Company to facilitate period-to-period comparisons in operating performance of the Company’s reportable segments in the aggregate by eliminating items that affect comparability between periods. The Company believes that segment operating income is useful to investors because it provides a means to evaluate the operating performance of the segments and the Company on an ongoing basis using criteria that are used by our internal decision makers. Additionally, it highlights operating trends and aids analytical comparisons. However, segment operating income has limitations and should not be used as an alternative to operating income or loss, a performance measure determined in accordance with GAAP, as it excludes certain costs that may affect the Company’s operating performance in future periods.

The following table reconciles operating income (loss) per the information above to loss from continuing operations before income taxes as reported on the Consolidated Statements of Operations:

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