/NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA/

CALGARY, AB, Nov. 7, 2024 /CNW/ – ACX ACT Energy Technologies Ltd, formerly Cathedral Energy Services Ltd., (the “Company” or “ACT”) news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. For a full disclosure of forward-looking statements and the risks to which they are subject, see the “Forward-Looking Statements” section in this news release. This news release contains references to Adjusted gross margin, Adjusted gross margin %, Adjusted EBITDAS, Adjusted EBITDAS margin %, Free cash flow, Working capital and Net capital expenditures. These terms do not have standardized meanings prescribed under International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS Accounting Standards”) and may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. See the “Non-GAAP Measures” section in this news release for definitions and tabular calculations.

2024 Q3 KEY HIGHLIGHTS

The Company achieved the following 2024 Q3 results and highlights: 

• Revenues of $148.4 million in 2024 Q3, were the highest for any third quarter in the Company’s history and increased 2%, compared to $145.6 million in 2023 Q3.
• Adjusted EBITDAS ⁽¹⁾ of $30.2 million in 2024 Q3 was comparable to $30.1 million in 2023 Q3. Lost-in-hole equipment net reimbursements were lower in 2024 Q3, compared to 2023 Q3.
• Canadian operating days increased 34% in 2024 Q3, compared to 2023 Q3, which was favourable to a 12% increase in the Western Canadian rig count ⁽²⁾. ACT remains extremely active in oil plays where wells have a high multilateral count.
• U.S. operating days decreased 22% in 2024 Q3, compared to 2023 Q3, mainly due to a 10% decline in the U.S. land rig count ⁽²⁾.
• An increase in the Canadian average revenue per operating day of 2% in 2024 Q3, compared to 2023 Q3.
• An increase in the U.S. average revenue per operating day of 11% in 2024 Q3, compared to 2023 Q3.
• Net income of $26.2 million in 2024 Q3, compared to $5.7 million in 2023 Q3. The increase is mainly due to the recognition of previously unrecorded Canadian tax pools, resulting in a deferred income tax recovery of $11.1 million. Refer to the ‘Income tax’ section of this news release.
• Cash flow – operating activities of $19.4 million in 2024 Q3, compared to $9.1 million in 2023 Q3, mainly attributable to the change in non-cash working capital.
• Free cash flow ⁽¹⁾ of $8.7 million in 2024 Q3, compared to Free cash flow ⁽¹⁾ of $6.1 million in 2023 Q3.
• The Company purchased 506,800 common shares of ACT under its Normal Course Issuer Bid (“NCIB”) for a total amount of $3.0 million, at an average price of $5.91 per common share. As at September 30, 2024, the Company recognized $1.1 million as an accrued liability for the maximum common shares to be purchased under the plan. Subsequent to September 30, 2024, the Company purchased 179,800 common shares for a total purchase amount of $1.1 million, at an average purchase price of $6.04 per common share.
• Loans and borrowings less cash was $49.9 million as at September 30, 2024, compared to $67.9 million as at December 31, 2023. The Company will remain focused on reducing its loans and borrowings and generating Free cash flow ⁽¹⁾ for the remainder of 2024.
• The Company continues to see a significant opportunity for margin expansion in its U.S. directional business by using Rime Downhole Technologies (“Rime”) supplied Measurement-While-Drilling (“MWD”) systems to reduce its third-party rental costs. To date, ten Rime MWD systems have been deployed with an additional forty MWD systems expected to be deployed by the first half of 2025.
• The Company purchased five additional Rotary Steerable Systems (“RSS”) Orbit tools, expanding its U.S. fleet to twenty-six RSS tools.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Comments from President & CEO Tom Connors:

“Despite a more challenging market for drilling activity in the U.S., ACT delivered another quarter with solid and consistent results. Consolidated revenues were the second highest for any quarter in the Company’s history with Adjusted EBITDA of $30.2 million being among the highest of any quarter to date. Low natural gas prices and market uncertainty provided some headwinds in the quarter, particularly in the U.S. where the land rig count declined 10% (source: Baker Hughes) on a year-over-year basis. The quarter was also impacted by significantly lower lost-in-hole revenue or reimbursements versus historical averages. We believe our positioning and focus on the higher value, high-performance rotary steerable market in the U.S. and the multi-lateral drilling market in Canada helped propel the company to strong and consistent financial performance in the quarter despite these challenges. The benefits of ACT’s size and scale strategy continues to produce sound results by leveraging leading technology and exceptional service delivery in the North American directional drilling industry.  

“We were one of the most active service providers in the directional market in Canada in the third quarter, resulting in record quarterly revenues of $61.5 million, also a 36% increase from 2023 Q3. Third quarter Canadian revenues also exceeded the $58.4 million generated in 2024 Q1, which is a rare achievement in the seasonal Canadian energy services sector. ACT’s activity and performance in the quarter was further buoyed with technology that is ideally suited for multilateral drilling combined with vast field experience that has grown from the onset of this burgeoning method of drilling.

“Due to higher levels of demand and utilization we increased the size of our RSS fleet by five additional tools to a total of twenty-six in our U.S. division in the third quarter. The addition of ten incremental tools this year has allowed us to increase our revenue per operating day by roughly 11% versus the same quarter last year, despite a 22% decrease in operating days year-over-year.

“The successful deployment of a sizable MWD fleet remains the top priority and focus for management in 2024 and 2025, with the potential to further expand our business, improve our margins and EBITDA profile, while generating very attractive returns on our investment. The MWD buildout is expected to provide increased resiliency through expanded margins in a weaker macro environment and position the Company with more flexibility to further pay down debt and potentially initiate return of capital strategy in 2025. The execution of the plan remains on track with delivery of completed MWD tools beginning in 2024 Q4 and continuing into the first half of 2025. With a significant portion of our revenue in our U.S. business going to third-parties to rent essential technology, there is a substantial opportunity to recapture margins even if we are only able to achieve relatively moderate levels of operational success in 2025.

“We continued with our NCIB program in the quarter to return capital back to shareholders at a relatively low purchase price. In 2024, we purchased approximately 0.7 million common shares at an average purchase price of $5.94 per common share as of the date of this news release. Management believes that buying shares at current share price levels represents good value and a sensible use of capital. In addition, we strengthened our balance sheet with reduced debt levels and increased our cash balance which will continue to be a focus into 2025.

“With a constructive outlook in our Canadian business, improving outlook in the longer-term for the U.S., market, improving EBITDA and cash flow profiles, and a clear strategy, I am confident we can deliver higher returns for our shareholders and increasing value for our customers as we go forward. I would like to thank our team for their continued focus, dedication, and exceptional operational execution,” stated Tom Connors, ACT President and Chief Executive Officer.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(unaudited)

Canadian dollars in 000’s (except for otherwise noted)

 

OUTLOOK

The outlook for global energy demand remains robust in the coming years due to rising intensity of energy use in developing countries and the prospect of a soft landing for economic growth among industrialized nations as central banks co-ordinate to bring interest rates down. The rising prominence of natural gas as the transition fuel for power generation in the decades to come is also supportive even before any additional demand caused by growth in AI-driven datacenters.

In the short term, oil markets continue to be impacted by a number of factors. Bearish factors include a relatively weak Chinese economy and the possibility of OPEC adding more oil production to the market in 2025. Bullish factors include continued solid global gross domestic product growth as noted, low U.S. oil and product inventories in relation to five-year averages and ongoing Middle Eastern tensions that could affect oil supply. The U.S. election is also adding uncertainty as it relates to possible changes to U.S. energy policy. On the whole, WTI oil prices have trended lower by roughly U.S. $10 per barrel since the release of our second quarter results in August 2024, which has caused a slow drift downward in U.S. land drilling levels. By contrast, U.S. natural gas prices have improved over the last three months as the market awaits the beginning of the North American winter heating season as well as the start-up of exports from a number of new U.S. liquified natural gas (“LNG”) projects in 2025 and 2026.

Owing to higher levels of uncertainty in both oil and natural gas markets, ACT is seeing varying impact on its job counts in Canada and the U.S. in the fourth quarter of 2024.  In Canada, ACT continues to run at levels close to those achieved in the record-setting third quarter. ACT’s Canadian exploration and production (“E&P”) clients have done an excellent job at repairing balance sheets to withstand oil and gas price volatility and have also been helped by a continued weakening of the Canadian dollar, which increases their realized pricing.  We remain very constructive on Canada in the years to come and are encouraged by reports that testing continues with respect to bringing the major LNG Canada project online sometime in 2025. With relatively steady levels of activity forecasted for the Canadian market it is also important to note the fourth quarter is likely to be impacted by budget exhaustion and holiday seasonality in early-to-mid- December.

ACT’s U.S. job count has softened modestly in the fourth quarter, in keeping with the continued softness in underlying U.S. rig activity. ACT continues to increase its presence in the premium part of the directional drilling market by way of adding RSS systems to its fleet. Maximizing available revenue per operating day is our immediate focus as well as beginning the margin recapture process as we introduce our new MWD systems to clients. Holiday seasonality also starts to become a factor in late November with the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. Lower benchmark U.S. oil and gas prices to date in the fourth quarter may also accelerate the timing of the typical end-of-year budget exhaustion process.

2023 ACQUISITION

On July 11, 2023, ACT, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, acquired Rime, a privately-held, Texas-based, engineering business that specializes in building products for the downhole MWD industry (the “Rime acquisition”) in exchange for approximately USD $41.0 million (approximately CAD $54.1 million) comprised of: i) the payment of USD $21.0 million in cash (approximately CAD $28.0 million); and ii) the issuance of principal amount of USD $20.0 million (approximately CAD $26.4 million) of subordinated exchangeable promissory notes (“EP Notes”) that are exchangeable into a maximum of 3,510,000 common shares of ACT at an issue price of CAD $7.70 per common share.  The EP notes have a three-year term and accrue interest quarterly at a rate of 5% per annum. In accordance with International Accounting Standards (“IAS”) 32 and IFRS 13, the EP Notes were determined to be a compound instrument and, accordingly, recognized at the fair value of their respective debt component of $23.4 million and equity component of $1.2 million totaling $24.6 million.  

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

SEGMENTED INFORMATION

United States

Revenues

U.S. revenues were $86.9 million in 2024 Q3, a decrease of $13.4 million or 13%, compared to $100.3 million in 2023 Q3. The Company realized a 22% decrease in operating days to 3,080 days in 2024 Q3, compared to 3,953 days in 2023 Q3. The decrease in operating days was due to a declining market in 2024 Q3. The average revenue per operating day increased 11% to $28,230 per day in 2024 Q3, compared to $25,383 per day in 2023 Q3, mainly due to job mix.    

U.S. revenues were $292.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $8.8 million or 3%, compared to $283.8 million for the same period in 2023. The Company realized a 7% decrease in operating days to 10,496 days in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 11,233 days for the same period in 2023. The decrease is mainly related to a declining market in the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The average revenue per operating day increased 10% to $27,875 per day in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $25,265 per day for the same period in 2023, mainly due to a change in job mix.

Direct costs

U.S. direct costs included in cost of sales were $64.9 million in 2024 Q3, a decrease of $9.8 million or 13%, compared to $74.7 million in 2023 Q3. The decrease is mainly due to lower third-party rental and labour costs. As a percentage of revenues, direct costs increased to 75% in 2024 Q3, compared to 74% in 2023 Q3 mainly due to higher labour and repair costs as a percentage of revenues.

U.S. direct costs included in cost of sales were $221.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $5.1 million or 2%, compared to $216.2 million for the same period in 2023. The increase is mainly due to higher repairs and manufacturing costs, offset by third-party rental costs. The manufacturing costs are attributable to the Rime acquisition (acquired in July 2023). As a percentage of revenues, direct costs were 76% in both the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 as a result of higher repair costs, offset by lower labour and rental costs as a percentage of revenues.

Canadian

Revenues

Canadian revenues were $61.5 million in 2024 Q3, an increase of $16.2 million or 36%, compared to $45.3 million in 2023 Q3. The Company realized a 34% increase in operating days to 4,527 days in 2024 Q3, compared to 3,388 days in 2023 Q3. The increase in operating days is mainly attributable to higher market demand in 2024 Q3. The average revenue per operating day increased 2% to $13,585 per day in 2024 Q3, compared to $13,357 per day in 2023 Q3. The increase in the average revenue per operating day is mainly attributed to higher proceeds from lost-in-hole reimbursements from customers and a change in job mix, including higher charges for premium tools.

Canadian revenues were $151.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $35.0 million or 30%, compared to $116.1 million for the same period in 2023. The Company realized a 27% increase in operating days to 11,031 days in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 8,709 days for the same period in 2023. The increase in operating days is mainly attributable to higher market demand in the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The average revenue per operating day increased 3% to $13,700 per day in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $13,329 per day for the same period in 2023. The increase in the average revenue per operating day is mainly attributed to higher proceeds from lost-in-hole reimbursements from customers and a change in job mix, including higher charges for premium tools.

Direct costs

Canadian direct costs included in cost of sales were $39.5 million in 2024 Q3, an increase of $12.5 million or 46%, compared to $27.0 million in 2023 Q3. The increase is mainly due to higher labour, repair, and third-party rental costs in 2024 Q3. As a percentage of revenues, direct costs were 64% in 2024 Q3, compared to 60% in 2023 Q3 mainly due to higher rental costs as a percentage of revenues.

Canadian direct costs included in cost of sales were $97.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $19.8 million or 26%, compared to $77.6 million for the same period in 2023. The increase is mainly due to higher labour, repair, and third-party rental costs in the nine months ended September 30, 2024. As a percentage of revenues, direct costs were 64% in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 67% for the same period in 2023 mainly due to lower labour and repair costs as a percentage of revenues.

CONSOLIDATED

Revenues

The Company recognized $148.4 million of revenues in 2024 Q3, an increase of $2.8 million or 2%, compared to $145.6 million in 2023 Q3. The increase is due to a 4% increase in operating days (2024 – 7,607 days; 2023 – 7,341 days), offset by a decrease of 2% in the average revenue per operating day (2024 – $19,515; 2023 – $19,833). The decrease in the average revenue per operating day is mainly due to lower lost-in-hole reimbursements from the Company’s customers.

The Company recognized $443.7 million of revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $43.8 million or 11%, compared to $399.9 million for the same period in 2023. The increase is due to an 8% increase in operating days (2024 – 21,527 days; 2023 – 19,942 days) and an increase of 3% in the average revenue per operating day (2024 – $20,611; 2023 – $20,052).

Direct costs

The Company recognized $104.4 million of direct costs in 2024 Q3, an increase of $2.8 million or 3%, compared to $101.6 million in 2023 Q3. The increase is mainly due to higher repair and labour costs related to an increase in operating days, offset by lower third-party rental costs.

The Company recognized $318.7 million of direct costs in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $24.9 million or 8%, compared to $293.8 million for the same period in 2023. The increase is mainly due to higher repairs and labour costs related to the increase in operating days, and the inclusion of manufacturing costs related to Rime (acquired in July 2023), offset by lower third-party rental costs.

Direct costs as a percentage of revenues was 70% in 2024 Q3, which is comparable to 2023 Q3. Direct costs as a percentage of revenue decreased to 72% in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from 73% for the same period in 2023, mainly due to decreased labour and third-party rental costs as a percentage of revenues.

Gross margin and adjusted gross margin 

The Gross margin % increased to 25% in 2024 Q3, compared to 23% in 2023 Q3.  The Gross margin % increased to 23% in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 19% for the same period in 2023. 

The Adjusted gross margin % decreased to 30% in 2024 Q3, compared to 31% in 2023 Q3. The Adjusted gross margin % increased to 28% in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 27% for the same period in 2023.

Depreciation and amortization expense

Depreciation and amortization expense included in cost of sales decreased to $6.4 million and $24.2 million in 2024 Q3 and the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $10.5 million and $29.8 million for the same periods in 2023, respectively. The decrease is mainly due to a change in depreciation methodology, as described below.

In 2024 Q1, the Company assessed its depreciation methodology related to its property, plant and equipment. As a result, the Company determined that using a straight-line method of depreciation, rather than the declining balance method, more accurately reflects the future economic benefits of the related assets. The depreciation expense included in cost of sales decreased due to the change in methodology.

Depreciation and amortization expense included in cost of sales as a percentage of revenues was 4% and 5% in 2024 Q3 and the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 7% for the same periods in 2023, respectively.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses 

The Company recognized direct costs included in SG&A expenses of $13.1 million and $44.0 million in 2024 Q3 and the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $1.5 million and $6.3 million, compared to $11.6 million and $37.7 million for the same periods in 2023, respectively. The increase is mainly related to higher professional services and promotional costs in 2024. In addition, a portion of the increased direct costs included in SG&A for the nine months ended September 30, 2024  is attributable to the acquisition of Rime.

Direct costs included in SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenues were 9% and 10% in 2024 Q3 and the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 8% and 9% for the same periods in 2023, respectively.

Depreciation and amortization included in SG&A expenses were $2.6 million and $7.4 million in 2024 Q3 and the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $2.3 million and $5.3 million for the same periods in 2023, respectively, mainly due to amortization expense related to the intangible assets acquired in the Rime transaction.

Stock-based compensation included in SG&A expenses were $0.3 million and $2.0 million in 2024 Q3 and the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $1.7 million and $3.2 million for the same periods in 2023, respectively. The decrease is mainly due to certain stock options being fully vested in 2024.

Research and development (“R&D”) costs

The Company recognized R&D costs of $0.8 million and $2.4 million in 2024 Q3 and the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $0.4 million and $1.4 million for the same periods in 2023, respectively. R&D costs are salaries, benefits, purchased materials and shop supply costs related to new product development and technology.

Write-off of property, plant and equipment

The Company recognized a write-off of property, plant and equipment of $0.6 million and $2.9 million in 2024 Q3 and the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $1.6 million and $3.9 million for the same periods in 2023, respectively. The write-offs related to equipment lost-in-hole and damaged beyond repair. Reimbursements on lost-in-hole equipment and damaged beyond repair are based on service agreements held with clients and are recognized as revenues.

Finance costs

Finance costs – loans and borrowings and EP Notes were $1.9 million in 2024 Q3, a decrease of $0.4 million, compared to $2.3 million in 2023 Q3. The decrease is mainly due to a lower outstanding balance of loans and borrowings in 2024 Q3 compared to 2023 Q3. Finance costs – loans and borrowings and EP Notes were $6.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $1.3 million, compared to $5.5 million for the same period in 2023. The increase is mainly due to higher interest rates in 2024 and finance costs related to the Company’s EP notes issued as part of the Rime transaction in July 2023.

In addition, the Company had finance costs of $0.2 million and $0.6 million in 2024 Q3 and the nine months ended September 30, 2024 related to lease liabilities, which is consistent with the same periods in 2023, respectively.

Foreign exchange

The Company recognized a foreign exchange loss of $1.3 million in 2024 Q3, compared to a foreign exchange loss of $0.8 million in 2023 Q3. The Company recognized a foreign exchange gain of $1.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to a foreign exchange gain of $0.1 million for the same period in 2023. The impact of foreign exchange is due to fluctuations of the Canadian dollar relative to the USD related to foreign currency transactions recognized in net income.

The Company recognized a foreign currency translation loss on foreign operations of $0.9 million in 2024 Q3, compared to a gain of $4.8 million in 2023 Q3. The Company recognized a foreign currency translation gain on foreign operations of $1.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to a gain of $0.6 million for the same period in 2023. The Company’s foreign operations are denominated in USD and differences due to fluctuations in the foreign currency exchange rates are recorded in other comprehensive income. 

Income tax

The Company recognized an income tax expense of $9.5 million and $6.6 million in 2024 Q3 and the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to an income tax expense of $1.4 million and $3.9 million for the same periods in 2023, respectively. Income tax expense is booked based upon expected annualized rates using the statutory rates of 23% for both Canada and the U.S.

The Company recognized a portion of its Canadian tax pools in 2024 Q3 due to management’s assessment and estimates that they will likely be utilized within the next twelve to eighteen months. The tax effected amount recognized was $11.1 million. The remaining tax pools remain unrecognized as at September 30, 2024.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Annually, the Company’s principal source of liquidity is cash generated from its operations.  In addition, the Company has the ability to fund liquidity requirements through its credit facility and the issuance of additional debt and/or equity, if available.

In order to facilitate the management of its liquidity, the Company prepares an annual budget, which is updated, as necessary, depending on varying factors, including changes in capital structure, execution of the Company’s business plan and general industry conditions. The annual budget is approved by the Board of Directors and updated forecasts are prepared as the fiscal year progresses with changes reviewed by the Board of Directors.

Cash flow – operating activities was $19.4 million and $69.2 million in 2024 Q3 and the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $9.1 million and $53.4 million for the same periods in 2023, respectively. ACT remains focused on reducing its loans and borrowings and generating Free cash flow, as defined in the ‘Non-GAAP measures’ section of this news release. In addition, the Company will remain opportunistic in executing its NCIB and making strategic and accretive acquisitions.

At September 30, 2024, the Company had working capital, excluding current portion of loans and borrowings of $78.8 million (December 31, 2023 – $74.9 million).

Normal course issuer bid

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, 506,800 (2023 – 347,843) common shares were purchased under the NCIB for a total purchase amount of $3.0 million (2023 – $2.2 million) at an average price of $5.91 (2023 – $5.74) per common share. A portion of the purchase amount reduced share capital by $2.9 million (2023 – $2.0 million), and the residual purchase amount of $0.1 million (2023 – $0.2 million) was recorded to the deficit.

In connection with the NCIB, the Company established an automatic securities purchase plan (“the Plan”). Accordingly, the Company may repurchase its common shares under the Plan on any trading day during the NCIB, including during regulatory restrictions or self-imposed trading blackout periods. The Plan commenced on July 29, 2024 and will terminate on July 28, 2025. As at September 30, 2024, the Company recognized $1.1 million as an accrued liability ($1.0 million reduced share capital, and $0.1 million was recorded to the deficit) for the maximum common shares to be purchased under the Plan. Subsequent to September 30, 2024, the Company purchased 179,800 common shares for a total purchase amount o $1.1 million, at an average purchase price of $6.04 per common share.

Syndicated and revolving credit facilities

On May 30, 2024, LTD and Holdco entered into a Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with its lenders (“Credit Agreement”) which provided for various administrative changes and the addition of a U.S. domiciled USD Revolving Operating Facility in the amount of $10.0 million. The terms of the Credit Agreement, including payment terms, interest rate and financial covenants remained unchanged. At September 30, 2024, the USD Revolving Operating Facility was undrawn.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company withdrew $10.0 million of its Syndicated Operating Facility and repaid $5.0 million, resulting in an outstanding balance of $5.0 million as at September 30, 2024. As at September 30, 2024, $30.0 million of the $35.0 million Syndicated Operating Facility remained undrawn.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company repaid $1.6 million of its CAD Revolving Operating Facility. As at September 30, 2024, the $15.0 million CAD Revolving Operating Facility remained undrawn.

In addition, the Company held its Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (“HASCAP”) loan with a balance of $0.7 million.

At September 30, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all covenants, including its financial covenants, which were as follows:

• Consolidated Funded Debt to Consolidated Credit Agreement EBITDA ratio shall not exceed 2.5:1; and
• Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage ratio shall not be less than 1.25:1.

Contractual obligations and contingencies

As at September 30, 2024, the Company’s commitment to purchase property, plant and equipment is approximately $4.0 million, which is expected to be incurred in the remainder of 2024.

The Company also holds six letters of credit totaling $1.7 million related to rent payments, corporate credit cards and a utilities deposit.

The Company is involved in various other legal claims associated with the normal course of operations. The Company believes that any liabilities that may arise pertaining to such matters would not have a material impact on its financial position.

The following table outlines the anticipated payments related to contractual commitments subsequent to September 30, 2024:

Capital structure

As at November 7, 2024, the Company has 34,876,425 common shares, 3,010,817 stock options and EP Notes that are exchangeable into a maximum of 3,510,000 common shares outstanding.

Share Consolidation

On May 9, 2024, the shareholders of the Company approved the consolidation of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company, on the basis of one post-consolidation common share for a range of five to ten pre-consolidation common shares. On June 10, 2024, the Board of Directors approved a consolidation ratio of one post-consolidation share for seven pre-consolidation common shares (the “Consolidation”). As a result, on July 3, 2024, 243,383,392 common shares issued and outstanding prior to the Consolidation were reduced to 34,769,056 common shares. No fractional common shares were issued in connection with the Consolidation, and all fractional common shares that otherwise would have been issued was rounded to the nearest whole common share. The share units and per share amounts in this news release were restated to reflect the Consolidation.

NET CAPITAL EXPENDITURES 

The following table details the Company’s Net capital expenditures:

In 2024 Q3 and the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company had capitalized costs recognized as intangible assets related to RSS licenses of $7.4 million and $13.5 million (2023 – $nil), respectively.

As at September 30, 2024, property, plant and equipment included $13.6 million (December 31, 2023 – $4.6 million) of directional drilling equipment not yet being depreciated as they are currently being manufactured and tested. Depreciation of the assets will commence upon the assets being fully operational.

The Company’s 2024 Net capital expenditure budget, including capital costs related to RSS licenses, is expected to be approximately $30 million to $35 million (2023 – $27 million to $32 million), excluding any potential acquisitions.  The Net capital expenditure budget is targeted at growing ACT’s high-performance mud motors, MWD in both Canada and the U.S., and RSS in the U.S. ACT intends to fund its 2024 capital plan from cash flow – operating activities.

NON-GAAP MEASURES

ACT uses certain performance measures throughout this news release that are not defined under IFRS Accounting Standards or Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). These non-GAAP measures do not have a standardized meaning and may differ from that of other organizations, and accordingly, may not be comparable. Investors should be cautioned that these measures should not be construed as alternatives to IFRS Accounting Standards measures as an indicator of ACT’s performance.

These measures include the Adjusted gross margin, Adjusted gross margin %, Adjusted EBITDAS, Adjusted EBITDAS margin %, Adjusted EBITDAS per diluted share, Free cash flow, Working capital and Net capital expenditures. Management believes these measures provide supplemental financial information that is useful in the evaluation of ACT’s operations.

These non-GAAP measures are defined as follows:

i)     “Adjusted gross margin” – calculated as gross margin before non-cash costs (write-down of inventory, depreciation, amortization and share-based compensation); is considered a primary indicator of operating performance (see tabular calculation);

ii)    “Adjusted gross margin %” – calculated as Adjusted gross margin divided by revenues; is considered a primary indicator of operating performance (see tabular calculation);

iii)   “Adjusted EBITDAS” – calculated as net income before finance costs, unrealized foreign exchange on intercompany balances, income tax expense, depreciation, amortization, gain on settlement of lease liabilities, non-recurring costs, write-down of inventory and share-based compensation; provides supplemental information to net income that is useful in evaluating the results and financing of the Company’s business activities before considering certain charges (see tabular calculation);

iv)   “Adjusted EBITDAS margin %” – calculated as Adjusted EBITDAS divided by revenues; provides supplemental information to net income that is useful in evaluating the results and financing of the Company’s business activities before considering certain charges as a percentage of revenues (see tabular calculation);

v)    “Adjusted EBITDAS per basic and diluted share” – calculated as Adjusted EBITDAS divided by the basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding; provides supplemental information to net income that is useful in evaluating the results and financing of the Company’s business activities before considering certain charges on a per basic and diluted common share basis;

vi)   “Free cash flow” – calculated as cash flow – operating activities prior to: i) changes in non-cash working capital, ii) income tax paid (refund) and iii) non-recurring costs less: i) PP&E and intangible asset additions, excluding assets acquired in business combinations, ii) required repayments on loans and borrowings, in accordance with the Company’s credit facility agreement, and iii) repayments of lease liabilities, net of finance costs, offset by proceeds on disposal of PP&E. Management uses this measure as an indication of the Company’s ability to generate funds from its operations to support future capital expenditures, additional repayments of loans and borrowings or other initiatives (see tabular calculation).

The Company has deducted intangible asset additions from its Free cash flow calculation in 2024 Q1, compared to being excluded in prior periods. The change of the calculation is mainly due to more significant additions in the period as the Company expanded its RSS tool fleet and the related licenses, as well as expected cash outflows in the future related to intangible assets as the Company expands its technology offerings.

vii) “Working capital” – calculated as current assets less current liabilities, excluding the current portion of loans and borrowings. Management uses this measure as an indication of the Company’s financial and cash liquidity position.

viii) “Net capital expenditures” – calculated as the gross capital expenditures less reimbursements from customers and insurance proceeds related to equipment lost-in-hole and damaged beyond repair, net of payments to vendors for insurance coverage and third-party rental equipment lost-in-hole or damaged beyond repair – refer to the “Capital expenditures” section of this news release.

The following tables provide reconciliations from the IFRS Accounting Standards to non-GAAP measures.

Adjusted gross margin

Adjusted EBITDAS

Free cash flow

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively referred to herein as “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws.  All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “achieve”, “believe”, “plan”, “intend”, “objective”, “continuous”, “ongoing”, “estimate”, “outlook”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “should” or similar words suggesting future outcomes.  In particular, this news release contains forward-looking statements relating to, among other things:

• Future commitments;
• The 2024 Net capital expenditure budget and financing thereof;
• We believe our positioning and focus on the higher value, high-performance rotary steerable market in the U.S. and the multi-lateral drilling market in Canada helped propel the company to strong and consistent financial performance in the quarter despite these challenges.
• The benefits of ACT’s size and scale strategy continues to produce sound results by leveraging leading technology and exceptional service delivery in the North American directional drilling industry.
• The successful deployment of a sizable MWD fleet management remains the top priority and focus for management in 2024 and 2025, with the potential to further expand our business, improve our margins and EBITDA profile, while generating very attractive returns on our investment.
• The MWD buildout is expected to provide increased resiliency through expanded margins in a weaker macro environment and position the Company with more flexibility to further pay down debt and potentially initiate return of capital strategy in 2025.
• The execution of the plan remains on track with delivery of completed MWD tools beginning in 2024 Q4 and continuing into the first half of 2025.
• With a significant portion of our revenue in our U.S. business going to third parties to rent essential technology, there is a substantial opportunity to recapture margins even if we are only able to achieve relatively moderate levels of operational success in 2025.
• Management believes that buying shares at current share price levels represents good value and a sensible use of capital. In addition, we strengthened our balance sheet with reduced debt levels and increased our cash balance which will continue to be a focus into 2025.
• With a constructive outlook in our Canadian business, improving outlook in the longer-term for the U.S., market, improving EBITDA and cash flow profiles, and a clear strategy, I am confident we can deliver higher returns for our shareholders and increasing value for our customers as we go forward.
• The outlook for global energy demand remains robust in the coming years due to rising intensity of energy use in developing countries and the prospect of a soft landing for economic growth among industrialized nations as central banks co-ordinate to bring interest rates down.
• The rising prominence of natural gas as the transition fuel for power generation in the decades to come is also supportive even before any additional demand caused by growth in AI-driven datacenters.
• Bearish factors include a relatively weak Chinese economy and the possibility of OPEC adding more oil production to the market in 2025.
• Bullish factors include continued solid global gross domestic product growth as noted, low U.S. oil and product inventories in relation to five-year averages and ongoing Middle Eastern tensions that could affect oil supply.
• By contrast, U.S. natural gas prices have improved over the last three months as the market awaits the beginning of the North American winter heating season as well as the start-up of exports from a number of new U.S. liquified natural gas projects in 2025 and 2026.
• Owing to higher levels of uncertainty in both oil and natural gas markets, ACT is seeing varying impact on its job counts in Canada and the U.S. in the fourth quarter of 2024.
• In Canada, ACT continues to run at levels close to those achieved in the record-setting third quarter.
• We remain very constructive on Canada in the years to come and are encouraged by reports that testing continues with respect to bringing the major LNG Canada project online sometime in 2025.
• With relatively steady levels of activity forecasted for the Canadian market it is also important to note the fourth quarter is likely to be impacted by budget exhaustion and holiday seasonality in early-to-mid-December.
• ACT’s U.S. job count has softened modestly in the fourth quarter, in keeping with the continued softness in underlying U.S. rig activity.
• Maximizing available revenue per operating day is our immediate focus as well as beginning the margin recapture process as we introduce our new MWD systems to clients.
• Holiday seasonality also starts to become a factor in late November with the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday.
• Lower benchmark U.S. oil and gas prices to date in the fourth quarter may also accelerate the timing of the typical end-of-year budget exhaustion process.

The Company believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date hereof but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon.

Various material factors and assumptions are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking statements.  Those material factors and assumptions are based on information currently available to the Company, including information obtained from third-party industry analysts and other third-party sources.  In some instances, material assumptions and material factors are presented elsewhere in this news release in connection with the forward-looking statements.  You are cautioned that the following list of material factors and assumptions is not exhaustive.  Specific material factors and assumptions include, but are not limited to:

• the performance of ACT’s business;
• impact of economic and social trends;
• oil and natural gas commodity prices and production levels;
• capital expenditure programs and other expenditures by ACT and its customers;
• the ability of ACT to attract and retain key management personnel;
• the ability of ACT to retain and hire qualified personnel;
• the ability of ACT to obtain parts, consumables, equipment, technology, and supplies in a timely manner to carry out its activities;
• the ability of ACT to maintain good working relationships with key suppliers;
• the ability of ACT to retain customers, market its services successfully to existing and new customers and reliance on major customers;
• risks associated with technology development and intellectual property rights;
• obsolescence of ACT’s equipment and/or technology;
• the ability of ACT to maintain safety performance;
• the ability of ACT to obtain adequate and timely financing on acceptable terms;
• the ability of ACT to comply with the terms and conditions of its credit facility;
• the ability to obtain sufficient insurance coverage to mitigate operational risks;
• currency exchange and interest rates;
• risks associated with future foreign operations;
• the ability of ACT to integrate its transactions and the benefits of any acquisitions, dispositions and business development efforts;
• environmental risks;
• business risks resulting from weather, disasters and related to information technology;
• changes under governmental regulatory regimes and tax, environmental, climate and other laws in Canada and the U.S.; and
• competitive risks.

Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties some of which are described herein.  Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company’s actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks identified in this news release and in the Company’s Annual Information Form under the heading “Risk Factors”.  Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such statements to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise.

All forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Further information about the factors affecting forward-looking statements is available in the Company’s current Annual Information Form that has been filed with Canadian provincial securities commissions and is available on www.sedarplus.ca and the Company’s website (www.actenergy.com).

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
As at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023

Canadian dollars in ‘000s
(unaudited)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

Canadian dollars in ‘000s except per share amounts
(unaudited)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

Canadian dollars in ‘000s
(unaudited)

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

Canadian dollars in ‘000s
(unaudited)

ACT Energy Technologies Ltd., based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) and operates in the U.S. and Canada under Altitude Energy Partners, Discovery Downhole Services in the U.S., and Rime Downhole Technologies, LLC in the U.S.. ACT’s common shares are publicly-traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “ACX”.

ACT is a trusted partner to North American energy companies requiring high performance directional drilling services and related downhole technologies. We work in partnership with our customers to tailor our equipment and expertise to meet their specific geographical and technical needs. Our experience, technologies and responsive personnel enable our customers to achieve higher efficiencies and lower project costs. For more information, visit www.actenergy.com. 

SOURCE ACT Energy Technologies LTD.

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