Core Laboratories Q2 2024 Earnings Call Transcript

Quartr
Provided by Quartr
July 25, 2024

There are 6 speakers on the call.

Operator

Good day, and welcome to the Core Laboratories Second Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call. Today, all participants will be in a listen only mode. Please note that today's event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Larry Bruno, Chairman and CEO. Please go ahead.

Speaker 1

Thanks, Chris. Good morning in the Americas. Good afternoon in Europe, Africa and the Middle East and good evening in Asia Pacific. We'd like to welcome all of our shareholders, analysts, and most importantly, our employees to Core Laboratories' Q2 2024 Earnings Call. This morning, I'm joined by Chris Hill, Core's Chief Financial Officer and Gwen Gresham, Core's Senior Vice President and Head of Investor Relations.

Speaker 1

The call will be divided into 6 segments. One will start by making remarks regarding forward looking statements. We'll then have some opening comments, including a high level review of important factors in Core's Q2 performance. In addition, we'll review Core's strategies and the 3 financial tenets that the company employs to build long term shareholder value. Chris will then give a detailed financial overview and have additional comments regarding shareholder value.

Speaker 1

Following Chris, Gwen will provide some comments on the company's outlook and guidance. I'll then review Core's 2 operating segments detailing our progress and discussing the continued successful introduction and deployment of Core Lab's technologies as well as highlighting some of Core's operations and major projects worldwide. Then we'll open the phones for a Q and A session. I'll now turn the call over to Gwen for remarks on forward looking statements.

Speaker 2

Before we start the conference this morning, I'll mention that some of our statements that we make during this call may include projections, estimates and other forward looking information. This would include any discussion of the company's business outlook. These types of forward looking statements subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to materially differ from our forward looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in our most recent annual report on Form 10 ks as well as other reports and registration statements filed by us with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Speaker 2

Our comments are also included on non GAAP financial measures. Reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is included in the press release announcing

Speaker 1

Thanks, Gwen. Moving now to some high level comments about the Q2 of 2024. Core continued to build on the operational momentum established over the past few quarters. Revenue was up slightly compared to Q1 of 2024, but the company did see nice sequential improvement in operating income, operating margins, free cash flow and earnings per share. In Reservoir Description, revenue in the 2nd quarter was up over 2% compared to Q1, reflecting the continued improvement in market demand for our global rock and fluid laboratory analyses.

Speaker 1

This improvement occurred despite the ongoing geopolitical conflicts that continue to negatively impact demand for laboratory services that are directly tied to the assay of crude oil and derived products. These geopolitical conflicts produced headwinds to both revenue growth and operating margins. For the Q2, operating margins in Reservoir Description were 14%. In Production Enhancement, revenue declined by approximately 2% compared to Q1, largely reflecting lower product sales outside the U. S, which offset growth in domestic product sales.

Speaker 1

However, profitability improved nicely with operating margins climbing to 10%, up over 2 60 basis points as cost control measures aimed at rightsizing the operation took hold. In line with our stated financial strategy, after funding our dividend, Core continued to dedicate free cash to paying down debt. During the quarter, Core's net debt was reduced by 15,800,000 in our outstanding debt also decreased our leverage ratio to 1.66, down from 1.76 last quarter. This is the lowest our leverage ratio has been in the last 5 years. We will continue to focus free cash on reducing debt and strengthening our balance sheet.

Speaker 1

Lastly, for the full company, ex items, EPS was $0.22 per share compared to $0.19 in Q1 of 2024 and operating margins improved from 12% to 13%, which includes the absorption of higher G and A costs in the second quarter. As we look ahead, Core will continue to execute on its key strategic objectives by 1, introducing new product and service offerings in key geographic markets 2, maintaining a lean and focused organization and 3, maintaining our commitment to delivering the company. We will remain focused on strengthening our balance sheet and advancing to our stated goal of achieving a leverage ratio of 1.5 times or lower. As we continue to reduce debt, Core is also reviewing various options for returning value to our shareholders through the use of excess free cash. Now to review Core Lab's strategies and the financial tenants that Core has used to build shareholder value over our 28 year history as a publicly traded company.

Speaker 1

The interest of our shareholders, clients and employees will always be well served by Core Lab's resilient culture, which relies on innovation, leveraging technology to solve problems and dedicated customer service. I'll talk more about some of our latest innovations in the operational review section of this call. While we navigate through the current challenges and pursue growth opportunities, the company will remain focused on its 3 long standing long term financial tenets, those being to maximize free cash flow, maximize return on invested capital and returning excess free cash to our shareholders. I'll now turn it over to Chris for the detailed financial review.

Speaker 3

Thanks, Larry. Before we review the financial performance for the quarter, the guidance we gave on our last call and past calls specifically excluded the impact of any CapEx gains or losses and assumed an effective tax rate of 20%. So accordingly, our discussion today excludes any foreign exchange gain or loss for current and prior periods. The comparison period for the Q1 of 2024 and Q2 of 2023 also include items that were discussed in those calls and highlighted in our earnings release for those periods. These items have also been excluded from our discussion of the financial results today.

Speaker 3

You can find a summary of those items in the tables attached to our press release for the Q2 of 2024. So now looking at the income statement, revenue was $130,600,000 in the 2nd quarter, a slight increase from $129,600,000 in the prior quarter and $127,900,000 in the prior year's Q2. Sequentially, increased demand in both the U. S. And certain international regions for reservoir rock and fluid analytical programs was partially offset by lower completion diagnostic services and completion product sales in international markets.

Speaker 3

Of this revenue, service revenue which is more international was $96,300,000 for the quarter, flat sequentially and up over 3% from last year. Demand for our laboratory based reservoir rock and fluid analytical continue growing globally with the stronger growth in certain international regions. However, the sequential growth was offset by a slightly lower level of completion diagnostic services in the U. S. Continued disruptions in some of the international regions where assay services continue to be impacted by the ongoing geopolitical conflicts.

Speaker 3

Product sales, which are more equally tied to North America and international activity were $34,200,000 for the quarter, up over 3% sequentially and relatively flat from last year. Sequentially, product sales increased 18% in the U. S, primarily driven by improved market penetration of our completion products. This sequential growth in product sales in the U. S.

Speaker 3

Was offset by a lower level of product sales into international markets and the Canadian market as a result of typical seasonal decline. Moving on to cost of services, ex items for the quarter was approximately 78% of service revenue, up slightly from 77% in the prior quarter and 76% last year. As we discussed during our last call, in February, a fire damaged one of our buildings on the campus of our Advanced Technology Center in Aberdeen. Although our insurance programs are reimbursing us for operating costs and additional costs associated with remediation of the equipment and the facility, the $1,300,000 of associated insurance is recorded as other income and not reflected in cost of services or revenue. For the remainder of 2024, we project service revenue continue growing to continue growing with strong incremental margins.

Speaker 3

Cost of sales ex items in the 2nd quarter was 82% of revenue improved from 93% last quarter and 84% from last year. As mentioned by Larry, the sequential improvement was primarily driven by savings from cost reduction initiatives and manufacturing efficiencies implemented at the end of the prior quarter. The company will continue to manage the business as efficiently as possible due to continued volatility in the U. S. Market as onshore completion activity in the U.

Speaker 3

S. Has shown signs of softening as we exited the Q2 and starting the Q3 of this year. G and A ex items for the quarter was $10,300,000 an increase from the prior quarter which was $8,300,000 The sequential increase in G and A expense was primarily due to the change in value of company owned life insurance investments which was a loss this quarter versus a gain in the prior quarter. Additionally, the company initiated a 3rd party assessment of our cybersecurity environment and also implementation of a global human capital management system which increased G and A expense in the Q2 of 2024. For 2024, we expect G and A ex items be approximately $40,000,000 to $42,000,000 It is also important to note that 100% of our corporate G and expenses are allocated and absorbed into the financial performance of the reported segments.

Speaker 3

The operating margins in both of our segments improved this quarter compared to the first quarter of this year. And the expansion of operating profit in both segments include the absorption of the $2,000,000 increase in G and A expenses this quarter. Depreciation and amortization for the quarter was $3,800,000 flat compared to last year last quarter. EBIT ex items for the quarter was $16,400,000 and increased 10% from $14,900,000 last quarter yielding an EBIT margin of approximately 13%. EBIT margins are up from 12% last quarter year over year.

Speaker 3

Our operating income for the quarter on a GAAP basis was $16,000,000 Interest expense of $3,200,000 decreased from $3,400,000 last quarter. The decrease was primarily due to lower average borrowings on the credit facility this quarter. Income tax expense and effective Income tax expense and effective tax rate of 20% and ex items was $2,600,000 for the quarter. On a GAAP basis, we recorded a tax expense of $3,600,000 for the quarter. The effective tax rate will continue to be somewhat sensitive to the geographic mix of earnings across the globe and the impact of items discrete to each quarter.

Speaker 3

We continue to project the company's effective tax rate to be approximately 20%. Net income ex items ex items for the quarter was $10,400,000 an increase of over 16 percent from $8,900,000 last quarter and up from $9,800,000 in the Q2 of last year. A GAAP basis, we recorded net income of $9,000,000 for the quarter. Earnings per diluted share ex items was $0.22 for the quarter, up from $0.19 in the prior quarter and $0.21 in the same quarter last year. On a GAAP basis, earnings per diluted share was $0.19 for the quarter.

Speaker 3

Turning to the balance sheet. Receivables were $115,600,000 and increased slightly from $115,100,000 quarter end. Our DSOs for the 2nd quarter were at 75 days, up slightly from the 74 days last quarter. We anticipate our DSOs will improve in future quarters. Inventory at June 30, 2024 was 69,900,000 down approximately $800,000 from last quarter end.

Speaker 3

Inventory turns have also shown some slight improvement over the last few quarters. We continue to focus our efforts on reducing the amount of inventory we are currently carrying and anticipate inventory turns will gradually improve and inventory levels to decline as we progress through the remainder of 2024. Onto the liability side of the balance sheet, our long term debt was $150,000,000 at the end of the Q2 of 2024 and considering cash of $17,700,000 net debt was $132,300,000 which decreased $15,800,000 or over 10% from last quarter. Free cash flow generated during the quarter was primarily used to reduce debt. Our leverage ratio was reduced to 1.66 at June 30th from 1.76 last quarter end.

Speaker 3

This quarter marks the lowest level of leverage the company has maintained since the end of 2018 and we anticipate the leverage ratio will continue to improve during the remainder of 2024. Our debt is currently comprised of our senior notes at $110,000,000 $40,000,000 outstanding under the bank credit facility. Our credit facility has a borrowing capacity of $135,000,000 of which approximately $85,000,000 was still available as of June 30, 2024. The company will continue applying free cash towards reducing debt until the company reaches its target leverage ratio of 1.5 or lower. Looking at cash flow for the Q2 of 2024, cash flow from operating activities was approximately $17,200,000 and after paying for $2,900,000 of CapEx, our free cash flow for the quarter was $14,300,000 dollars When we compare free cash flow of $16,800,000 generated by the company for the first half of this year to $1,200,000 generated last year, we are pleased with not only an improvement in cash generation, but also managing the excess inventory levels down.

Speaker 3

As we indicated in our last call, we expect CapEx to modestly expand in 2024 compared to 2023 and we will continue to manage investment in working capital during a period of growth. Additionally, we expect CapEx to remain aligned activity levels and for the full year 2024, we expect capital expenditures to be in the range of $12,000,000 to 14,000,000 Core will continue its strict capital discipline and asset light business model with capital expenditure primarily targeted at growth opportunities. Core Lab's operational leverage continues to provide the ability to grow revenue and profitability with minimal capital requirements. Capital expenditures have historically ranged from 2.5% to 4% of revenue even during periods of significant growth. Although we have improved the efficiencies in our global laboratory infrastructure through some consolidation of facilities, that same intellectual property and leverage exists in the business today.

Speaker 3

We believe evaluating a company's ability to generate free cash flow and free cash flow yield is an important metric for shareholders when comparing and projecting company's financial results, particularly for those shareholders who utilize discounted cash flow models to assess valuations. I will now turn it over to Gwen for an update on our guidance and outlook.

Speaker 2

Thank you, Chris. We maintain our constructive outlook on international upstream projects for 2024 and anticipate sustainable client activity growth in the years ahead to support rising crude oil demand and energy security concerns. Aligned with this, the company will continue to execute our strategic plan of technology investments and pursue growth opportunities. The IEA, the EIA and OPEC projections continue to forecast growth in crude oil demand of 1,200,000 barrels per day for both 2024 2025. The projected growth in crude oil demand is in addition to the natural decline of production from existing fields.

Speaker 2

As such, continued investment in the development of onshore and offshore crude oil fields will be required to meet the projected growth in demand. In the near term, crude oil markets will remain volatile due to global economic and geopolitical risk and uncertainties. As international project activity continues to expand, committed long term upstream projects from the Middle East, South Atlantic Margins and Certain Areas of Asia Pacific and West Africa support year over year growth in demand for Core Lab's proprietary services and products. However, as the Q3 began, demand in laboratory assay work was negatively impacted by military attacks on hydrocarbon refining infrastructure and the maritime transportation network in the Russia Ukraine region, along with the temporary closure of client facilities and ports in the Gulf of Mexico due to Hurricane Beryl. In addition, the company anticipates U.

Speaker 2

S. Onshore client activity will be sequentially lower. Consequently, we project Reservoir Description's Q3 2024 revenue to modestly grow. Turning to production enhancement. The U.

Speaker 2

S. Frac spread count continues to trend lower and the company anticipates a soft market for the remainder of the year. However, growth in demand for Core's international and offshore diagnostic services and energetic system product sales should offset declines in U. S. Onshore activity.

Speaker 2

Reservoir Description's 3rd quarter 2024 revenue is projected to range from 86 point $5,000,000 to $89,500,000 with operating income of $13,400,000 to 14,000,000 Our Production Enhancement segment's 3rd quarter revenue is estimated to range from $44,500,000 to 47 $500,000 with operating income of $3,300,000 to $4,900,000 In summary, the company's Q3 2024 revenue is projected to range from $131,000,000 to $137,000,000 with operating income of $16,900,000 to $19,100,000 yielding operating margins of approximately 13 EPS for the 3rd quarter is expected to range from $0.23 to 0 point 2 $7 The company's Q3 2024 guidance is based on projections for underlying operations and excludes gains and losses in foreign exchange. Our Q3 guidance also assumes an effective tax rate of 20%. With that, I'll pass the discussion back to Larry.

Speaker 1

Thanks, Gwen. First, I'd like to thank our global team of employees for providing innovative solutions, integrity and superior service to our clients. The team's collective dedication to servicing our clients is the foundation of Core Lab's success. Looking at the macro, as Gwen mentioned, IEA, EIA and OPEC projections forecast growth in crude oil demand between 1,000,000 and 2,000,000 barrels per day for both 2024 2025. This projected growth in demand is in addition to the production that needs to be brought online to account for the natural decline from existing fields.

Speaker 1

These forecasts continue to bode well for increasing demand for the Core Lab services and products that will be required to grow production. As we look ahead, we see long term improvement in the international rig count over the past year and a half as a harbinger of an improving landscape for reservoir description, a trend that we project will play out for the next several years, particularly in the Middle East, North and South America and most other regions. Production Enhancement, in addition to its exposure to the U. S. Land market, also has expanding opportunities in international areas such as with unconventional plays in the Middle East and emerging onshore and offshore conventional plays in a number of regions.

Speaker 1

Personal face to face visits with Middle East operators during the Q2 reinforced the continuing growth opportunities for both of Core's operating segments. Furthermore, Core Lab continues to expand its portfolio of innovative offerings for plug and abandonment programs in mature offshore basins around the globe, as well as other products for well completion and remediation applications. Now let's review the Q2 performance of our 2 business segments. Turning first to Reservoir Description. For the Q2 of 2024, revenue came in at $86,300,000 up 2% compared to Q1 of 2024.

Speaker 1

Operating income for Reservoir Description, ex items, was $11,800,000 and operating margins were 14%, flat compared to margins in Q1. The segment is still feeling the negative impacts of ongoing international geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East and Russia, Ukraine. These conflicts are somewhat detracting from growth that is occurring across other regions. Now for some operational highlights from Reservoir Description. In the Q2 of 2024, Core Lab's Colombian operation was engaged by a leading independent E and P company to conduct a multi well analytical program to evaluate the effectiveness of various enhanced oil recovery or EOR techniques under consideration for a mature oilfield.

Speaker 1

Key to this endeavor was the utilization of Core Lab's advanced geochemical technologies, which enable precise determination of fluid compositions and isotopic signatures across several reservoir zones. With these data sets, the operator was able to assess the viability of various reservoir fluid mixing strategies with a goal of achieving sweep efficiency across the oilfield. Moreover, Core Lab's rock properties measurements and geological analysis also provided valuable insight into fluid flow behavior patterns that would occur in the subsurface during the EOR process. Following the laboratory program and the identification of the most effective EOR strategy, Core Lab's production enhancement team then deployed specialized chemical tracers into the injection wells to monitor the progress of the EOR field flood. With meticulous tracer evaluation still ongoing, Core's team is continuing to assess inter well fluid displacement vectors and sweep efficiencies, while also identifying un swept areas of the field and potential barriers to flow, all of which are important factors in optimizing hydrocarbon recovery and extracting that all important incremental barrel from existing fields.

Speaker 1

Moving now to production enhancement, where Core Lab's technologies continue to help our clients optimize their well completions and improve production. Revenue for production enhancement came in at $44,300,000 down slightly compared to Q1. However, operating income ex items was $4,500,000 up from $3,400,000 in Q1 and operating margins were 10% for the Q2 of 2024, up 2 60 basis points from Q1 and reflective of implemented cost controls and improved efficiencies. 2nd quarter performance was supported by continuing demand for completion diagnostics along with a rebound in U. S.

Speaker 1

Product sales. Quarter over quarter, we saw somewhat lower international product sales along with some softness in completion activity in the U. S. Land market in the back half of the quarter. Now for some operational highlights from Production Enhancement.

Speaker 1

An operator in the U. S. Land shale play teamed up with Core's completions expert to improve cluster efficiencies and well performance. The operator wanted to deploy an oriented perforating system with a goal of preferentially aligning perforating guns and energetic charges with natural bedding planes in the strata. However, using standard non customized commodity energetics for these applications would yield unequal hole size, which in turn would produce inconsistent proppant placement and stimulation.

Speaker 1

To address this problem, Core's ballistic engineers developed a new family of energetics for unconventional oriented plug and perf completions. Core's new hero oriented frac technology reduces hole size variation maximizes cluster efficiency by using a proprietary ballistic innovation for oriented perforating gun applications. By specifying Core Lab's hero oriented frac technology for their wells, the operator was able to improve cluster efficiencies, increase stimulated reservoir volume, reduce frac cost and increase well productivity. Also in the Q2 of 2024, an operator in the Gulf of Mexico employed Core's completion diagnostic technologies to assess a frac pack. Core's technologies revealed effective frac pack coverage over the targeted interval with no significant voids in the annular pack across the sand control screen.

Speaker 1

In addition, an ample profit reserve was set above the screen. When reversing out the excess proppant slurry, a larger than expected volume of co mingled natural gas was detected. A thorough examination of the PAC scan log by Core's engineering staff revealed that the unexpected gas quantity was produced from the lower portion of the annular PAC. Identification of this interval of high gas production is assisting the operator in calibrating their reservoir model. The results will also help optimize future completion designs in the stratigraphic horizon.

Speaker 1

That concludes our operational review. We appreciate your participation. And Chris will now open the call for questions.

Operator

Thank you. We will now begin the question and answer session. And today's first question comes from John Daniel with Daniel Energy Partners. Please proceed, sir.

Speaker 4

Hey, guys. Thank you for including me. Good job on the free cash flow.

Speaker 1

Good morning, John. Thank you.

Speaker 4

Larry, I've got a sort of a dumb product question for you. I was interested in what in the press release comment about the emulsion treatment plant, that example where you're working with NOCs on sort of identifying problematic wells with the water, if you will. Could you elaborate on that? And is that something given all the water that is here in the U. S.

Speaker 4

Lower forty eight, is that an opportunity set that's being marketed here?

Speaker 1

Yes. I mean, emulsions are, I'll call it oil specific is probably the best way to put it. There's always water that occurs in association with oil production, referred to as the water cut. And that oil that water is either easily separated out, disassociates from the oil in the separator. That's one of the functions that separators do, separate water from oil and gas from liquids.

Speaker 1

But in some cases, the composition of the oil and the water chemistry lead to emulsion. So you've got discrete droplets where you can consider the water is kind of trapped in droplets in the oil. And so, in this particular case where they've had multiple wells flowing in together, they needed to find out where that emulsion was coming from because it has implications for production and transportation and initial processing of the oil. So we do that type of analysis wherever there are emulsions present for clients and that can also generate or expand into midstream and downstream applications as well. It's understanding the nature of the physical interaction of water and oil and what are the things that are causing that.

Speaker 1

So the answer to your question is yes, wherever there are emulsion problems and if they're occurring in the U. S. Land market, we'll address it there. The scale of this particular project has big implications for what kind of treatment plans the client is going to have to develop. And so high impact on the bottom line of the client if we can sort out a way to minimize that trapped water in the emulsions.

Speaker 4

Okay. Got it. And then I think we're all excited about international. In the press release, again, you guys called out the personal face to face meetings. It might be it's not meant to be a softball question, but it probably will come across that way.

Speaker 4

But did you when you walked away from those meetings, how was it that was it reaffirming or made you feel even better? Does that make any sense? Just if you could elaborate on what they're telling you over the next several years.

Speaker 1

Sure. So, I'd say at a minimum reaffirming and in some cases inspirational to accelerate some capital investment and some expansion of operations. So came out with both of those. In no instances did we walk away thinking that we were going to see a downward trend for many other clients. And we went through 5 different countries and Chris actually came along with me on this trip.

Speaker 1

We went through various operators, talked to NOCs. We talk to IOCs that in some cases are seconded to the NOCs, staff where they're working on big projects, all had a very up into the right attitude. Some with a I won't call it hyperbolic, but up with an inspiring slope on expectations for work. The only thing I would say is the flow of committed work is still not meeting what we would anticipate the pace to be for some of these projects. We know the in many cases core is out of the ground.

Speaker 1

They're going through some internal review. And we're anxiously awaiting them to pass on those cores to us because it's revenue waiting for us to I'll call it harvest out of committed project work. So still up into the right. We can go faster if the opportunity presents itself. And if that happens, we'll see revenue and profit click up nicely.

Speaker 4

Great. Okay. Thank you all very much.

Speaker 1

Yes. Thanks, John. Appreciate the call.

Operator

The next question comes from Stephen Gengaro with Stifel. Please proceed.

Speaker 5

Thank you. Good morning, everybody.

Speaker 4

Good morning.

Speaker 5

I guess 2 from me. 1 kind of at a high level. One of the things that's been a little surprising to us has just been the lack of a recovery in U. S. Land, right?

Speaker 5

And obviously, there's efficiency gains, etcetera. When you guys think about sort of 2025, what do you think needs to happen to get at least some positive momentum in U. S. Activity?

Speaker 1

Well, I think one thing that would help a lot would be firmer natural gas prices. I think that's put a weight on completion activity drilling and completion activity in the U. S. So I think that's an underlying, call it, foundational to activity levels in the U. S.

Speaker 1

And so, if there are, I'll call it, altered views of the role that exporting natural gas might play, I think that would also be supportive of an increase in activity for natural grass drilling and completion. And then I think one of the things Stephen that needs to be looked at here is and this is looking back over nearly 4 decades and I cringe when I say that nearly 4 decades of experience here. Whenever there are consolidations in the market, inevitably, even the best case scenarios, there's always a period of, what I would call it, reorganization and realignment of operations. I think the consolidations that have occurred or in the process of occurring in the U. S.

Speaker 1

All bode well for Core Lab. We see that the acquiring companies tend to be heavy users of science And we think that that's a great thing for us. People that are willing to be make data driven decisions whether it's on evaluation of the rocks and fluids or on how they complete their wells. So we think that plays out well for us. But I do think that there is a little bit of an overhang of sort of a consolidation effect that will work its way out over the next 2, 3, 4 quarters.

Speaker 1

Some companies are a little faster than other companies.

Speaker 5

Great. Thank you. And the other question, one of the things that we're trying to get our arms around better is when we think about drilling and completion efficiency and kind of who benefits and who kind of gets hurt just because there's less wells being drilled or less wells being completed. So when we think about your Production Enhancement division, I know that the perforating gun business has been kind of evolving over the last several years for many reasons. But when you think about that business, what parts of it do you think you bring incremental value and really benefit from the strive for efficiency and more efficient completion?

Speaker 5

And is there any part that it actually hurts you?

Speaker 1

So I think let's first thing for Core Lab, let's kind of delink the connection with Core Lab in large measure from the drilling activity as it relates to production enhancement, right? We really don't have a revenue opportunity during the drilling of an oil well. So the rig count in North America, short term perturbations in that aren't going to really impact Core Lab. The completion side, that's where we have our revenue opportunities production enhancement. So, with longer laterals and more complex completions, that I think feeds into the idea that they're still going to need plenty of perforating systems, energetic systems to complete those longer laterals.

Speaker 1

And I think on the diagnostic side, important concept there is, as wells get more complicated, U shaped geometries and simulfracs to trimalfracs to quads, every time clients try new technology, they need to establish, did I complete this now 3rd, 4th, maybe some indications of folks looking at a 5th mile? Did they get the stimulation the completion of stimulation effect that they wanted? That's where our diagnostics come in. So I think whether if you and I've talked about this a little bit in previous calls. The frac spread may be becoming a little less relevant for us, as a bogey of what activity is like if the wells are getting longer and more complex.

Speaker 1

They'll still be consuming energetic systems for perforation. And the more complex the wells, the better for us. Right. Because they've got to unravel, are they getting what they wanted from that extra horsepower or the larger frac jobs they're doing.

Speaker 3

Now the only other thing I would add Stephen just to give a full picture is if the trends are either more shots or less shots per foot that would obviously have an impact on the product side. Yes.

Speaker 1

This charge sale specifically. Right.

Speaker 5

Yes. No, that makes sense. I appreciate the color, gentlemen.

Speaker 2

Okay. Thank you, Steven.

Speaker 1

Thanks, Steven.

Operator

At this time, there are no further questioners in the queue. And this does conclude our question and answer session. I would now like to turn the conference back over to Larry Bruno for any closing remarks.

Speaker 1

Okay. We'll wrap up here. In summary, Core's operational leadership continues to position the company for improving client activity levels for 2024 and beyond. We have never been better operationally or technologically positioned to help our global client base optimize their reservoirs and to address their evolving needs. We remain uniquely focused and are the most technologically advanced client focused reservoir optimization company in the oilfield service sector.

Speaker 1

The company will remain focused on maximizing free cash and returns on invested capital. In addition to our quarterly dividends, we'll bring value to our shareholders via growth opportunities driven by both the introduction of problem solving technologies and new market penetration. In the near term, Core will continue to use free cash to strengthen its balance sheet while also investing in growth opportunities. So in closing, we thank and appreciate all of our shareholders and the analysts that cover Core Lab. The executive management team and the Board of Core Laboratories give a special thanks to our worldwide employees that have made these results possible.

Speaker 1

We're proud to be associated with their continuing achievements. So thanks for spending time with us and we look forward to our next update. Goodbye for now.

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Key Takeaways

  • Core Labs reported Q2 revenue of $130.6 million, a slight sequential increase, with ex-items EPS of $0.22 and overall operating margins improving to 13% as free cash flow and earnings per share grew.
  • In Reservoir Description, Q2 revenue rose by 2% to $86.3 million and operating margins held at 14% despite geopolitical headwinds impacting crude assay services.
  • Production Enhancement revenue declined 2% to $44.3 million, but operating margins expanded by 260 basis points to 10% thanks to cost controls and manufacturing efficiencies.
  • The company generated $14.3 million in free cash flow during Q2, used to reduce net debt by $15.8 million, lowering the leverage ratio to 1.66—its lowest level since 2018—and targeting ≤1.5x.
  • Q3 2024 guidance calls for total revenue of $131 million–$137 million, EPS of $0.23–$0.27 and ~13% operating margins, as Core Labs continues investing in new technologies, lean operations and shareholder returns.
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Earnings Conference Call
Core Laboratories Q2 2024
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