Item 1A. Risk Factors
Risks Related to our Business.
Demand for our equipment and services is affected by the volatility of oil and natural gas prices.
Oil and natural gas prices affect demand throughout the oil and gas industry, including the demand for our equipment and services. Our business depends in large part on the conditions of the oil and gas industry, and specifically on the capital investments of our customers related to the exploration and production of oil and natural gas. When these capital investments decline, our customers’ demand for our services declines.
The price of oil, a world-wide commodity, is affected by, among other things, the potential of armed conflict in politically unstable areas such as the Middle East as well as the actions of OPEC, an oil cartel which controls approximately 40 percent of global oil production. OPEC’s actions have historically been unpredictable and can contribute to the volatility of the price of oil on the world market.
Although the production sector of the oil and gas industry is less immediately affected by changing prices, and, as a result, less volatile than the exploration sector, producers react to declining oil and gas prices by curtailing capital spending, which would adversely affect our business. A prolonged low level of customer activity in the oil and gas industry adversely affects the demand for our equipment and services and our financial condition and results of operations.
Reliance upon a large customer may adversely affect our revenues and operating results.
At times our business has had a concentration of one or more major customers. One of our customers, a private exploration and production company, accounted for approximately 11 percent of the Company’s revenues in 2022 with no other customers exceeding 10 percent of revenues in 2022. There was no customer that accounted for 10 percent or more of the Company’s revenues in 2021 or 2020. In addition, there was no customer as of December 31, 2022 or 2021 that accounted for 10 percent or more of accounts receivable. The reliance on a large customer for a significant portion of our total revenues exposes us to the risk that the loss or reduction in revenues from this customer, which could occur unexpectedly, could have a material and disproportionate adverse impact upon our revenues and operating results.
Our concentration of customers in one industry and periodic downturns may impact our overall exposure to credit risk and cause us to experience increased credit loss allowance for accounts receivable.
Substantially all of our customers operate in the energy industry. This concentration of customers in one industry may impact our overall exposure to credit risk, either positively or negatively, in that customers may be similarly affected by changes in economic and industry conditions. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and do not generally require collateral in support of our trade receivables. The periodic downturns that our industry experiences may adversely affect our customers' operations which could cause us to experience increased credit losses for accounts receivable.
Our business depends on capital spending by our customers, many of whom rely on outside financing to fund their operations.
Many of our customers rely on their ability to raise equity capital and debt financing from capital markets to fund their operations. Their ability to raise outside capital depends upon, among other things, the availability of capital, near-term operating prospects of oil and gas companies, current and projected prices of oil and natural gas, and relative attractiveness of competing investments for available investment capital. These factors are outside of our control, and in the event our customers cannot continue to raise outside capital to fund their operations, RPC’s financial results would be negatively impacted.
RPC’s success will depend on its key personnel, and the loss of any key personnel may affect its revenues.
RPC’s success will depend to a significant extent on the continued service of key management personnel. The loss or interruption of the services of any senior management personnel or the inability to attract and retain other qualified management, sales, marketing and technical employees could disrupt RPC’s operations and cause a decrease in its revenues and profit margins.
We may be unable to compete in the highly competitive oil and gas industry in the future.
We operate in highly competitive areas of the oilfield services industry. The equipment and services in our industry segments are sold in highly competitive markets, and our revenues and earnings have in the past been affected by changes in competitive prices, fluctuations in the level of activity in major markets and general economic conditions. We compete with the oil and gas industry’s
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many large and small industry competitors, including the largest integrated oilfield service providers. We believe that the principal competitive factors in the market areas that we serve are product and service quality and availability, reputation for safety, technical proficiency and price. Although we believe that our reputation for safety and quality service is good, we cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain our competitive position.
We may be unable to identify or complete acquisitions.
Acquisitions have been and may continue to be a key element of our business strategy. We cannot assure you that we will be able to identify and acquire acceptable acquisition candidates on terms favorable to us in the future. We may be required to incur substantial indebtedness to finance future acquisitions and also may issue equity securities in connection with such acquisitions. The issuance of additional equity securities could result in significant dilution to our stockholders. We cannot assure you that we will be able to integrate successfully the operations and assets of any acquired business with our own business. Any inability on our part to integrate and manage the growth from acquired businesses could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Our operations are affected by adverse weather conditions.
Our operations are directly affected by the weather conditions in several domestic regions, including the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf Coast, the mid-continent and the Appalachian region. Hurricanes and other storms prevalent in the Gulf of Mexico and along the Gulf Coast during certain times of the year may also affect our operations, and severe hurricanes may affect our customers' activities for a period of several years. While the impact of these storms may increase the need for certain of our services over a longer period of time, such storms can also decrease our customers' activities immediately after they occur. Such hurricanes may also affect the prices of oil and natural gas by disrupting supplies in the short term, which may increase demand for our services in geographic areas not damaged by the storms. Prolonged rain, snow or ice in many of our locations may temporarily prevent our crews and equipment from reaching customer work sites. Due to seasonal differences in weather patterns, our crews may operate more days in some periods than others. Accordingly, our operating results may vary from quarter to quarter, depending on the impact of these weather conditions.
Our ability to attract and retain skilled workers may impact growth potential and profitability.
Our ability to be productive and profitable will depend substantially on our ability to attract and retain skilled workers. Our ability to expand our operations is, in part, impacted by our ability to increase our labor force. A significant increase in the wages paid by competing employers could result in a reduction in our skilled labor force, increases in the wage rates paid by us, or both. The Company and our industry is being affected by shortages of skilled labor. If labor shortages continue or a significant increase in wages occur, our capacity and profitability could be diminished, and our growth potential could be impaired.
Some of our equipment and several types of materials used in providing our services are available from a limited number of suppliers.
We purchase equipment provided by a limited number of manufacturers who specialize in oilfield service equipment. During periods of high demand, these manufacturers may not be able to meet our requests for timely delivery, resulting in delayed deliveries of equipment and higher prices for equipment. There are a limited number of suppliers for certain materials used in pressure pumping services, our largest service line. While these materials are generally available, supply disruptions can occur due to factors beyond our control. Such disruptions, delayed deliveries, and higher prices may limit our ability to provide services, or increase the costs of providing services, which could reduce our revenues and profits.
We have used outside financing in prior years to accomplish our growth strategy, and outside financing may become unavailable or may be unfavorable to us.
Our business requires a great deal of capital to maintain our equipment and increase our fleet of equipment to expand our operations, and we have access to our credit facility to fund our necessary working capital and other capital requirements. Our credit facility, as amended June 22, 2022, provides a borrowing base of $100 million less the amount of any outstanding letters of credit, and bears interest at a floating rate, which exposes us to market risks as interest rates rise. If our existing capital resources become unavailable, inadequate or unfavorable for purposes of funding our capital requirements, we would need to raise additional funds through alternative debt or equity financings to maintain our equipment and continue our growth. Such additional financing sources may not be available when we need them, or may not be available on favorable terms. If we fund our growth through the issuance of public equity, the holdings of stockholders will be diluted. If capital generated either by cash provided by operating activities or outside financing is not available or sufficient for our needs, we may be unable to maintain our equipment, expand our fleet of equipment, or take advantage of other potentially profitable business opportunities, which could reduce our future revenues and profits.
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Our international operations could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our operations in various international markets including, but not limited to, Africa, Canada, Argentina, China, Mexico, Latin America and the Middle East are subject to risks. These risks include, but are not limited to, political changes, expropriation, currency restrictions and changes in currency exchange rates, taxes, boycotts and other civil disturbances. The occurrence of any one of these events could have a material adverse effect on our operations.
Our financial results could continue to be negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The oil and gas industry experienced an unprecedented disruption during 2020 due to the substantial decline in global oil demand caused partly by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although global demand began to rebound in 2021, and has remained strong throughout 2022 and in early 2023, a worsening of the pandemic or a new global pandemic could further impact the economic conditions in the United States, as federal, state and local governments react to the public health crisis, creating uncertainties in the United States, as well as the global economy. RPC instituted strict procedures to assess employee health and safety while in its facilities or on operational locations and attempted to hire redundant crews in order to continue to provide services to its customers. These measures increased the Company’s operating expenses, and such higher operating expenses could continue if the COVID-19 pandemic continues during 2023 or a new global pandemic arises.
Increasing expectations from customers, investors and other stakeholders regarding our environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices may affect our business, may create additional costs for us, or expose us to related risks.
Many companies are receiving greater attention from stakeholders regarding their ESG practices, as well as their oversight of relevant ESG issues. The various stakeholders are placing growing importance on our potential environmental and social issue risk exposure and the impact of our choices. This trend appears likely to continue. Increased focus on ESG and related decision-making may negatively impact us as customers, investors and other stakeholders may choose to not work with us or reallocate capital or decline to make an investment as a result of their assessment of our ESG practices. Companies that do not comport with, or do not adapt to, these evolving investor and stakeholder ESG-related expectations and standards, or that are assessed as not having responded appropriately to the growing focus on ESG matters, may have their brand and reputation harmed, and we or our stock price may be adversely affected even though we may be in full compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.
Risk Management Risks.
Our business has potential liability for litigation, personal injury and property damage claims assessments.
Our operations involve the use of heavy equipment and exposure to inherent risks, including blowouts, explosions and fires. If any of these events were to occur, it could result in liability for personal injury and property damage, pollution or other environmental hazards or loss of production. Litigation may arise from a catastrophic occurrence at a location where our equipment and services are used. This litigation could result in large claims for damages. The frequency and severity of such incidents will affect our operating costs, insurability and relationships with customers, employees and regulators. These occurrences could have a material adverse effect on us. We maintain what we believe is prudent insurance protection. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain adequate insurance in the future at rates we consider reasonable or that our insurance coverage will be adequate to cover future claims and assessments that may arise.
Our operations may be adversely affected if we are unable to comply with regulations and environmental laws.
Our business is significantly affected by stringent environmental laws and other regulations relating to the oil and gas industry and by changes in such laws and the level of enforcement of such laws. We are unable to predict the level of enforcement of existing laws and regulations, how such laws and regulations may be interpreted by enforcement agencies or court rulings, or whether additional laws and regulations will be adopted. The adoption of laws and regulations curtailing exploration and development of oil and gas fields in our areas of operations for economic, environmental or other policy reasons would adversely affect our operations by limiting demand for our services. We also have potential environmental liabilities with respect to our offshore and onshore operations, and could be liable for cleanup costs, or environmental and natural resource damage due to conduct that was lawful at the time it occurred, but is later ruled to be unlawful. We also may be subject to claims for personal injury and property damage due to the generation or disposal of hazardous substances in connection with our operations. We believe that our present operations substantially comply with applicable federal and state pollution control and environmental protection laws and regulations. We also believe that compliance with such laws has had no material adverse effect on our operations to date. However, such environmental laws are changed frequently. We are unable to predict whether environmental laws will, in the future, materially adversely affect our operations and financial condition. Penalties for noncompliance with these laws may include cancellation of permits, fines, and other corrective actions, which would negatively affect our future financial results.
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Compliance with federal and state regulations relating to hydraulic fracturing could increase our operating costs, cause operational delays, and could reduce or eliminate the demand for our pressure pumping services.
RPC’s pressure pumping services are the subject of continuing federal, state and local regulatory oversight. This scrutiny is prompted in part by public concern regarding the potential impact on drinking and ground water and other environmental issues arising from the growing use of hydraulic fracturing. Among these regulatory entities is the White House Council on Environmental Quality, which coordinated a review of hydraulic fracturing practices. In addition, a committee of the United States House of Representatives investigated hydraulic fracturing practices and publicized information regarding the materials used in hydraulic fracturing. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also conducted a study of the environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing practices, and in 2015, issued a report which concluded that hydraulic fracturing had not caused a measurable impact on drinking water sources in the U.S. This and similar conclusions from similar investigations carry positive implications for our industry. In spite of these favorable empirical data, the current administration imposed a temporary suspension of new oil and gas leasing permits on federal oil and gas drilling areas. This suspension has been challenged in court and was blocked in the fourth quarter of 2021. Early in 2023 a final decision was still pending. This legislation has had a minimal impact on RPC’s Technical Services Segment’s revenues. Furthermore, we do not believe that this ban, or any similar future ban, would impact RPC’s Technical Services Segment’s revenues because this or similar bans would only apply to drilling and completion on Federal lands, which account for less than 10 percent of U.S. oilfield activity.
General Risks.
Our common stock price has been volatile.
Historically, the market price of common stock of companies engaged in the oil and gas services industry has been highly volatile. Likewise, the market price of our common stock has varied significantly in the past.
Risks Related to our Capital and Ownership Structure.
Our management and directors have a substantial ownership interest, and public stockholders may have no effective voice in the management of the Company.
The Company has elected the “Controlled Corporation” exemption under Section 303A of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) Listed Company Manual. The Company is a “Controlled Corporation” because a group that includes Gary W. Rollins, Pamela R. Rollins, Amy Rollins Kreisler and Timothy C. Rollins, each of whom is a director of the Company, and certain companies under their control, controls in excess of fifty percent of the Company’s voting power. As a “Controlled Corporation,” the Company need not comply with certain NYSE rules including those requiring a majority of independent directors, and independent compensation and nominating committees.
RPC’s executive officers, directors and their affiliates hold directly or through indirect beneficial ownership, in the aggregate, 61 percent of RPC’s outstanding shares of common stock. As a result, these stockholders effectively control the operations of RPC, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions such as acquisitions and other matters requiring stockholder approval. This concentration of ownership could also have the effect of delaying or preventing a third party from acquiring control over the Company at a premium.
The Controlling Group could take actions that could negatively impact our results of operations, financial condition or stock price.
The Controlling Group may from time to time and at any time, in their sole discretion, acquire or cause to be acquired, additional equity or other instruments of the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates, or derivative instruments the value of which is linked to Company securities, or dispose or cause to be disposed, such equity or other securities or instruments, in any amount that the Controlling Group may determine in their sole discretion, through open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. In addition, depending upon a variety of factors, the Controlling Group may at any time engage in discussions with the Company and its affiliates, and other persons, including retained outside advisers, concerning the Company’s business, management, strategic alternatives and direction, and in their sole discretion, consider, formulate and implement various plans or proposals intended to enhance the value of their investment in the Company. In the event the Controlling Group were to engage in any of these actions, our common stock price could be negatively impacted, such actions could cause volatility in the market for our common stock or could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and our financial condition.
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Our management and directors have a substantial ownership interest, and the availability of the Company’s common stock to the investing public may be limited.
The availability of RPC’s common stock to the investing public may be limited to those shares not held by the executive officers, directors and their affiliates, which could negatively impact RPC’s stock trading prices and affect the ability of minority stockholders to sell their shares. Future sales by executive officers, directors and their affiliates of all or a portion of their shares could also negatively affect the trading price of our common stock.
Provisions in RPC's certificate of incorporation and bylaws may inhibit a takeover of RPC.
RPC’s certificate of incorporation, bylaws and other documents contain provisions including advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and director nominations, and staggered terms for the Board of Directors. These provisions may make a tender offer, change in control or takeover attempt that is opposed by RPC’s Board of Directors more difficult or expensive.
Risks Related to Digital Operations, Cybersecurity and Business Disruption.
Our operations rely on digital systems and processes that are subject to cyber-attacks or other threats that could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated results of operations and consolidated financial condition.
Our operations are dependent on digital technologies and services. We use these technologies and services for internal purposes, including data storage, processing and transmissions, as well as in our interactions with customers and suppliers. Digital technologies are subject to the risk of cyber-attacks, both from internal and external threats. Internal threats in cybersecurity are caused by the misuse of access to networks and assets by individuals within the Company by maliciously or negligently disclosing, modifying or deleting sensitive information. Individuals within the Company include current employees, contractors and partners. External threats in cybersecurity are caused by unauthorized parties attempting to gain access to our networks and assets by exploiting security vulnerabilities or through the introduction of malicious code, such as viruses, worms, Trojan horses and ransomware. In response to the risk of cyber-attacks, we regularly review and update processes to prevent unauthorized access to our networks and assets and misuse of data. We provide regular security awareness training for all employees, simulate phishing attempts and closely manage the accounts and privileges of all employees and contractors. In addition, we have adopted an established cybersecurity framework that provides significant risk management across several areas. We also maintain an up-to-date incident response plan to quickly address cybersecurity incidents. We have experienced unsuccessful cyberattack attempts to gain unauthorized access to our network. To date, these attacks have not had a material impact on our operations.
If our systems for protecting against cybersecurity risks prove to be insufficient, we could be adversely affected by, among other things, loss of or damage to intellectual property, proprietary or confidential information, or customer, supplier, or employee data, as well as, interruption of our business operations and increased costs required to prevent, respond to, or mitigate cybersecurity attacks. These risks could harm our reputation and our relationships with customers, suppliers, employees and other third parties, and may result in claims against us. These risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated results of operations and consolidated financial condition.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
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Item 2. Properties
RPC owns or leases approximately 60 offices and operating facilities. The Company leases approximately 21,200 square feet of office space in Atlanta, Georgia that serves as its headquarters, a portion of which is allocated and charged to Marine Products Corporation. See “Related Party Transactions” contained in Item 7. As of December 31, 2021, the lease agreement on the headquarters is effective through May 2031. RPC believes its current operating facilities are suitable and adequate to meet current and reasonably anticipated future needs. Descriptions of the major facilities used in our operations are as follows:
Owned Locations
Broussard, Louisiana — Operations, sales and equipment storage yard
Elk City, Oklahoma — Operations, sales and equipment storage yard
Houma, Louisiana — Administrative office
Channelview, Texas — Pipe storage yard and inspection services
Odessa, Texas — Pumping services facility
Rock Springs, Wyoming — Operations, sales and equipment storage yard
Vernal, Utah — Operations, sales and equipment storage yards
Newcastle, Oklahoma — Operations, sales and administrative offices
Leased Locations
Midland, Texas — Operations, sales and administrative offices
Seminole, Oklahoma — Pumping services facility
The Woodlands, Texas — Operations, sales and administrative office
Odessa, Texas — Pumping services facility
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
RPC is a party to various routine legal proceedings primarily involving commercial claims, workers’ compensation claims and claims for personal injury. RPC insures against these risks to the extent deemed prudent by its management, but no assurance can be given that the nature and amount of such insurance will, in every case, fully indemnify RPC against liabilities arising out of pending and future legal proceedings related to its business activities. While the outcome of these lawsuits, legal proceedings and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes that the outcome of all such proceedings, even if determined adversely, would not have a material adverse effect on RPC’s business or financial condition.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
The information required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K is included in Exhibit 95.1 to this Form 10-K.
Item 4A. Information About Our Executive Officers
The Executive Officers have been elected by the Board of Directors to serve until the April 2023 Board of Directors’ meeting, or until their earlier removal by the Board of Directors or their resignation. The following table lists the executive officers of RPC and their ages, offices, and terms of office with RPC.
Name and Office with Registrant Age Date First Elected to Present Office
President and Chief Executive Officer
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
Executive Chairman of the Board
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PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
RPC’s common stock is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RES. As of February 17, 2023 there were 217,535,918 shares of common stock outstanding and approximately 22,000 beneficial holders of our common stock.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Shares repurchased by the Company and affiliated purchases in the fourth quarter of 2022 are outlined below.
Total Number Maximum
of Shares (or Number (or
Units) Approximate
Purchased as Dollar Value) of
Part of Shares (or Units)
Total Number of Average Price Publicly that May Yet Be
Shares Paid Per Announced Purchased Under
(or Units) Share Plans or the Plans or
Period Purchased (or Unit) Programs (1) Programs (1)
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Performance Graph
The following graph shows a five-year comparison of the cumulative total stockholder return based on the performance of the stock of the Company, assuming dividend reinvestment, as compared with both a broad equity market index and an industry or peer group index. The indices included in the following graph are the Russell 2000 Index (“Russell 2000”), the Philadelphia Stock Exchange’s Oil Service Index (“OSX”), and a peer group which includes companies that are considered peers of the Company (the “Peer Group”). The Company has voluntarily chosen to provide both an industry and a peer group index.
The Company was a component of the Russell 2000 during 2022. The Russell 2000 is a stock index measuring the performance of the small-cap segment of the US equity universe. The components of the index had a weighted average market capitalization in 2022 of $2.8 billion, and a median market capitalization of $950 million. The Russell 2000 was chosen because it represents companies with comparable market capitalizations to the Company, and because the Company is a component of the index. The OSX is a stock index of 15 companies that provide oil drilling and production services, oilfield equipment, support services and geophysical/reservoir services. The Company is not a component of the OSX, but this index was chosen because it represents a large group of companies that provide the same or similar equipment and services as the Company. The companies included in the Peer Group are Halliburton Company, NexTier Oilfield Solutions, Inc., Oil States International, Inc., and Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. The companies included in the Peer Group have been weighted according to each respective issuer's stock market capitalization at the beginning of each year. The peer group used in the immediately preceding fiscal year (“the Former Peer Group”) included Oil States International, Inc., Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. and Halliburton Company. NexTier Oilfield Solutions, Inc. is included for this fiscal year because it operates similar service lines in similar domestic markets as the Company and has sufficient trading history to be included for this fiscal year.
Item 6. Reserved
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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with “Selected Financial Data” and the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this document. See also “Forward-Looking Statements” on page 2. Discussions of year-to-year comparisons of 2021 and 2020 items that are not included in this Form 10-K can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 on our Annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, which Item is incorporated herein by reference.
RPC, Inc. (“RPC”) provides a broad range of specialized oilfield services primarily to independent and major oilfield companies engaged in exploration, production and development of oil and gas properties throughout the United States, including the southwest, mid-continent, Gulf of Mexico, Rocky Mountain and Appalachian regions, and in selected international markets. The Company’s revenues and profits are generated by providing equipment and services to customers who operate oil and gas properties and invest capital to drill new wells and enhance production or perform maintenance on existing wells.
Our key business and financial strategies are:
- To deliver product and services to our customers safely.
- To maintain and selectively increase market share.
- To align the interests of our management and stockholders.
In assessing the outcomes of these strategies and RPC’s financial condition and operating performance, management generally reviews periodic forecast data, monthly actual results, and other similar information. We also consider trends related to certain key financial data, including revenues, utilization of our equipment and personnel, maintenance and repair expenses, pricing for our services and equipment, profit margins, selling, general and administrative expenses, cash flows and the return on our invested capital. Additionally, we compare our trends to those of our peers. We continuously monitor factors that impact current and expected customer activity levels, such as the price of oil and natural gas, changes in pricing for our services and equipment and utilization of our equipment and personnel. Our financial results are affected by geopolitical factors such as political instability in the petroleum-producing regions of the world, overall economic conditions and weather in the United States, the prices of oil and natural gas, and our customers’ drilling and production activities.
The oil and gas industry experienced an unprecedented disruption during 2020 due to the substantial decline in global oil demand caused partly by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although global demand began to rebound in 2021, and has remained strong throughout 2022, the pandemic could continue to impact the economic conditions in the United States, as federal, state and local governments react to the public health crisis, creating uncertainties in the United States, as well as the global economy. RPC instituted strict
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procedures to assess employee health and safety in its facilities and operational locations and attempted to hire redundant crews in order to continue to provide services to its customers.
Current industry conditions are characterized by oil prices which have risen from less than $20 per barrel in the second quarter of 2020 to approximately $80 per barrel early in the first quarter of 2023. While there are many factors influencing the price of oil, we believe that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the first quarter of 2022 destabilized global oil markets, causing prices to rise, while also increasing the attractiveness of the U.S. domestic oilfield due to its oil and natural gas reserves, political stability and downstream energy infrastructure. In response to these conditions, the U.S. domestic rig count has risen from a low of 244 in the third quarter of 2020 to 771 early in the first quarter of 2023. In addition, well completions have increased from 1,110 in the third quarter of 2020 to 2,959 in the fourth quarter of 2022.
RPC believes that oil production in the United States has also become an increasingly important determinant of global oil prices, because the United States has grown to be the world’s largest producer of oil and is more flexible in its ability to increase or decrease drilling and production activities more rapidly than the state-owned oil companies which comprise OPEC membership. During the past several years, improving drilling and completion activity have caused U.S. domestic oil production to rise to record production levels. Oil production fell during 2020 and 2021 during the downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but by the fourth quarter of 2022 had increased to within five percent of record oil production recorded during the fourth quarter of 2019 (source: U.S. Energy Information Administration). Customer activities directed towards natural gas drilling and production have been weak for many years because of the high production of shale-directed natural gas wells, the high amount of natural gas production associated with oil-directed shale wells in the U.S. domestic market, and relatively constant consumption of natural gas in the United States. One result of high natural gas production and steady demand has been a decline in the price of natural gas. The price of natural gas briefly rose to $9.56 per Mcf during the third quarter of 2022 as the market assessed the impact of European sanctions against Russian natural gas imports and the potential of a cold winter. However, the price of natural gas fell during the fourth quarter of 2022 and early 2023. The price of natural gas early in the first quarter of 2023 was $3.46 per Mcf, which was approximately 17.4 percent lower than at the same time in 2022. The Company believes that the recent decline in the price of natural gas discourages our customers from conducting natural gas-directed drilling and completion activities during the near term. However, the Company also believes that the long-term outlook for natural gas-directed drilling and completion activities in the United States is favorable due to global political instability and projected increases in U.S. natural gas export capabilities.
The Company’s strategy of utilizing equipment in unconventional basins continued. During 2022, we made capital expenditures, excluding the equipment acquired under a finance lease, totaling $139.6 million, an increase of $72.0 million compared to the prior year. Capital expenditures during 2022 were primarily directed towards capitalized maintenance and selected growth opportunities.
Revenues during 2022 totaled $1.6 billion, an increase of 85.2 percent compared to 2021. This increase was primarily due to improved pricing, higher customer activity levels and a larger active fleet of revenue-producing equipment. Cost of revenues increased $424.9 million in 2022 compared to the prior year primarily due to increases in expenses consistent with higher activity levels, such as materials and supplies expenses, employment costs and fuel costs. In addition, these costs increased due to higher market prices for materials and supplies, fuel and other raw materials. As a percentage of revenues, cost of revenues decreased to 67.9 percent in 2022 compared to 76.7 percent in 2021 due to improved pricing for our services and leverage of employment costs.
Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased to 9.3 percent in 2022 compared to 14.3 percent in 2021, primarily due to leverage of costs that are relatively fixed during the short term over higher revenues.
Income before income taxes was $289.6 million for 2022 compared to $16.4 million in 2021. Net income for 2022 was $218.4 million, or $1.01 earnings per share compared to net income of $7.2 million, or $0.03 earnings per share in 2021.
Cash flows from operating activities increased to $201.3 million in 2022 compared to $47.7 million in 2021 primarily due to a significant increase in net income, partially offset by increased working capital requirements in 2022 compared to 2021. As of December 31, 2022, there were no outstanding borrowings under our credit facility.
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Outlook
Drilling activity in the U.S. domestic oilfields, as measured by the rotary drilling rig count, reached a cyclical peak of 1,083 during the fourth quarter of 2018 (Source: Baker Hughes, Inc.). Between the fourth quarter of 2018 and the third quarter of 2020, the drilling rig count fell by 77 percent. During the third quarter of 2020, the U.S. domestic drilling rig count reached the lowest level recorded up to that time. The principal catalyst for this steep rig count decline was the decrease in the price of oil in the world markets resulting from the decline in global oil demand associated with the COVID-19 pandemic which began in the first quarter of 2020. Rig count during 2022 increased 51.3 percent compared to 2021.
The current and projected prices of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids are important catalysts for U.S. domestic drilling activity. Following the trough of the most recent oilfield downturn in the second quarter of 2020, the price of oil has risen by more than 100 percent in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the average price of oil in the second quarter of 2020. The price of natural gas has risen by over 225 percent during the same time period. Following a low price of $0.23 per gallon in the first quarter of 2020, the price of benchmark natural gas liquids has risen to $0.80 per gallon in the fourth quarter of 2022 (Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration). In addition, oil and gas prices experienced increases beginning in February 2022 due to concerns about potential world-wide supply constraints resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Although the price increases in these commodities have recently moderated from their highs, RPC believes that they remain above levels sufficient to motivate our customers to increase drilling and completion activities.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine during the first quarter of 2022 prompted Western European countries to curtail or eliminate their purchases of natural gas from Russia. As a result, the demand for liquified natural gas from the United States increased significantly, which increased the price for natural gas in the United States to its highest level since 2008 and has encouraged additional investment in liquified natural gas production facilities in the United States. These higher prices and additional investments in natural gas infrastructure should encourage RPC’s customers to increase their natural gas-directed exploration and production activities.
The majority of the U.S. domestic rig count remains directed towards oil. In the fourth quarter of 2022, approximately 79 percent of the U.S. domestic rig count was directed towards oil, compared to 82 percent in the prior year. We believe that oil-directed drilling will remain the majority of domestic drilling, and that natural gas-directed drilling will remain a low percentage of U.S. domestic drilling in the near term. However, we believe that natural gas-directed drilling will increase because of favorable long-term market dynamics. This projected higher demand should drive increased activity in most of the basins in which RPC operates.
We continue to monitor the market for our services and the competitive environment, including the current trends and expectations with regard to environmental concerns and related impact on our equipment fleets. The growing efficiency with which oilfield completion crews are providing services is a catalyst for the oversupplied nature of the oilfield services market. We believe that most of the feasible efficiency gains have been realized, and a number of our smaller competitors have ceased operations. These factors, combined with the increase in drilling and completion activities and the improvement in commodity prices, leads us to believe that the competitive market for our services has improved during 2022 and we expect demand will continue to improve during the near term.
During 2022, RPC made payments under a finance lease arrangement, with a final payment in the third quarter of 2022, for a new Tier 4 dual-fuel pressure pumping fleet that went to work during the fourth quarter of 2021. In addition, the Company refurbished an existing fleet that was placed into service during 2022 and is currently refurbishing another existing fleet that will be placed in service in early 2023. Additionally, the Company has ordered a pressure pumping fleet that is projected to be delivered in the first half of 2023. We have selectively upgraded our existing equipment to operate using multiple fuel sources and to take advantage of advances in technology and data collection. RPC’s response to our industry’s current higher activity levels and improved service pricing is primarily to maintain and upgrade our current fleet capacity of revenue-producing equipment. We will remain highly disciplined about adding new revenue-producing equipment capacity and will only expand when we believe the projected financial returns of such capital expenditures meet our financial return criteria. The Company is allocating capital in the coming year to maintain the capacity of its pressure pumping fleet to offset anticipated future fleet retirements.
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Results of Operations
Revenues by business segment [in thousands]:
Operating income (loss) by business segment [in thousands]:
Gain on disposition of assets, net $ 8,804 $ 10,882 $ 9,523
Earnings (loss) per share — diluted $ 1.01 $ 0.03 $ (1.00)
Percentage cost of revenues to revenues 68 % 77 % 80 %
Percentage depreciation and amortization expense to revenues 5 % 8 % 16 %
Effective income tax rate 24.6 % 56.1 % 31.4 %
Average U.S. domestic rig count 723 478 436
Average oil price (per barrel) $ 94.89 $ 68.13 $ 39.50
Year Ended December 31, 2022 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021
Revenues. Revenues in 2022 increased $736.8 million or 85.2 percent compared to 2021 primarily due to higher customer activity levels, pricing improvements and a larger fleet of pressure pumping equipment in service. The Technical Services segment revenues in 2022 increased $701.3 million or 86.0 percent compared to the prior year. The increase is primarily due to higher activity levels and improved pricing as compared to the prior year. The Support Services segment revenues in 2022 increased $35.5 million or 71.2 percent compared to 2021 due to higher activity levels for rental tools. Technical Services reported operating income of $281.6 million during 2022 compared to an operating income of $24.4 million in the prior year, while Support Services reported an operating income of $18.1 million in 2022 compared to an operating loss of $5.7 million in the prior year. The average price of oil increased 39.3 percent and the average price of natural gas increased 64.1 percent during 2022 compared to the prior year. The average domestic rig count during 2022 was 51.3 percent higher than 2021. International revenues, which increased slightly from $31.2 million in 2021 to $32.6 million in 2022, were two percent of consolidated revenues in 2022 compared to four percent in 2021. International revenues decreased in 2022 primarily due to lower activity levels in Canada compared to the prior year. Our international revenues are impacted by the timing of project initiation and their ultimate duration.
Cost of revenues. Cost of revenues in 2022 increased $424.9 million or 64.1 percent compared to 2021 primarily due to increases in expenses consistent with higher activity levels, such as materials and supplies expenses, maintenance and repairs expenses, employment costs and fuel costs. In addition, these costs increased due to higher market prices for materials and supplies, fuel and other raw materials. As a percentage of revenues, cost of revenues decreased to 67.9 percent in 2022 compared to 76.7 percent in 2021 due to the leverage of direct employment costs over higher revenues, improved pricing and a favorable job mix within pressure pumping.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $148.6 million in 2022 compared to $123.6 million in 2021 primarily due to increases in employment related costs including variable incentive compensation costs consistent with improved operating results. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased to 9.3 percent of revenues in 2022 compared to 14.3 percent of revenues in 2021 due to leverage of costs that are relatively fixed during the short term over higher revenues.
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Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization were $83.0 million in 2022, an increase of $10.3 million, compared to $72.7 million in 2021. Depreciation and amortization increased due to capital expenditures in the past year.
Gain on disposition of assets, net. Gain on disposition of assets, net was $8.8 million in 2022 compared to $10.9 million in 2021. The gain on disposition of assets, net is generally comprised of gains and losses related to various property and equipment dispositions or sales to customers of lost or damaged rental equipment.
Otherincome, net. Other income, net was $1.1 million in 2022 compared to other income, net of $2.0 million in 2021.
Interest expense and interest income. Interest expense was $0.6 million in 2022 compared to interest expense of $1.9 million in 2021. Interest expense for 2021 was unusually high, primarily due to interest expense related to the settlement of a legal dispute with a supplier coupled with interest charged in connection with resolution of a state well servicing audit. Interest expense includes facility fees on the unused portion of the credit facility and the amortization of loan costs. Interest income increased to $1.2 million in 2022 compared to $0.1 million in 2021 due to a higher average cash balance coupled with an increase in investment yields consistent with higher interest rates.
Income tax provision. Income tax provision was $71.3 million in 2022, compared to $9.2 million income tax provision for the same period in 2021. The effective tax rate was 24.6 percent for 2022 compared to 56.1 percent for 2021. The increase in the income tax provision in 2022 is primarily related to an increase in pretax income. The decrease in the effective tax rate resulted from higher pre tax income which diluted the impact of the unfavorable permanent and discrete adjustments.
Net income and diluted earnings per share. Net income was $218.4 million in 2022, or $1.01 diluted earnings per share, compared to net income of $7.2 million in 2021, or $0.03 diluted earnings per share. This improvement in earnings per share was primarily due to higher profitability, as average shares outstanding was essentially unchanged.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash and Cash Flows
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents were $126.4 million as of December 31, 2022, $82.4 million as of December 31, 2021 and $84.5 million as of December 31, 2020.
The following table sets forth the historical cash flows for the years ended December 31:
(In thousands)
Net cash used for financing activities (33,580) (2,151) (826)
Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased by $153.6 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 includes net income of $218.4 million, less an unfavorable change in accounts receivable of $157.9 million, partially offset by favorable changes in other components of our working capital (accounts payable, accrued payroll and taxes receivable) totaling $69.8 million. The net unfavorable changes in working capital were the result of increased business activity levels.
Cash used for investing activities for 2022 increased by $76.1 million compared to 2021, primarily due to an increase in capital expenditures consistent with higher business activity levels and an improved operating environment.
Cash used for financing activities for 2022 increased by $31.4 million primarily due to cash paid for a finance lease beginning in the third quarter of 2021, coupled with the reinstatement of cash dividends paid to common stockholders in the third quarter of 2022.
Financial Condition and Liquidity
The Company’s financial condition remains strong. We believe the liquidity provided by our existing cash and cash equivalents and our overall strong capitalization will provide sufficient liquidity to meet our requirements for at least the next twelve months. The Company’s decisions about the amount of cash to be used for investing and financing activities are influenced by our capital position,
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and the expected amount of cash to be provided by operations. RPC does not expect to utilize our revolving credit facility to meet these liquidity requirements in the near term.
The Company currently has a $100.0 million revolving credit facility that matures in June 2027 as recently amended. The facility contains customary terms and conditions, including restrictions on indebtedness, dividend payments, business combinations and other related items. In the second quarter of 2022, the Company further amended the revolving credit facility. Among other matters, the amendment (1) extends the termination date for revolving loans from July 26, 2023 to June 22, 2027, (2) replaces LIBOR with Term SOFR as an interest rate option in connection with revolving loan borrowings and reduces the applicable rate margins by approximately 25.0 basis points at each pricing level, (3) introduces a 1.00% per annum floor for base rate borrowings, (4) permits the issuance of letters of credit in currencies other than U.S. dollars. As of December 31, 2022, RPC had no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility, and letters of credit outstanding relating to self-insurance programs and contract bids totaled $17.5 million; therefore, a total of $82.5 million of the facility was available. The Company was in compliance with the credit facility financial covenants as of December 31, 2022. For additional information with respect to RPC’s facility, see Note 9 of the consolidated financial statements.
Cash Requirements
Capital expenditures were $139.6 million in 2022, and we currently expect capital expenditures to be between $250 million to $300 million in 2023, which will be directed towards both capitalized maintenance of our existing equipment and selected growth opportunities. The Company is allocating capital to maintain the capacity of its pressure pumping fleet to offset anticipated future fleet retirements. RPC refurbished an existing fleet that was placed into service during 2022 and is currently refurbishing another existing fleet that will be placed in service in early 2023. In addition, the Company ordered a pressure pumping fleet that is expected to be delivered and paid for in the first half of 2023. During 2022, RPC made payments totaling $24.0 million for a pressure pumping fleet under a finance lease which was initiated in 2021. The actual amount of capital expenditures will depend primarily on equipment maintenance requirements, expansion opportunities, and equipment delivery schedules.
The Company has ongoing sales and use tax audits in various jurisdictions subject to varying interpretations of statutes. The Company has recorded the exposure from these audits to the extent issues are resolved or can be reasonably estimated. There are issues that could result in unfavorable outcomes that cannot be currently estimated. See Note 12 of the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
During the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company initiated actions to terminate the defined benefit pension plan which are expected to be completed in early 2023. The Company currently expects to make a final cash contribution of approximately $6.0 million to $10.0 million as part of the termination. The Company did not make any cash contributions to this plan during 2022 or 2021.
As of December 31, 2022, the Company’s stock buyback program has authorized the aggregate repurchase of up to 41,578,125 shares, including an additional 10,000,000 shares authorized for repurchase by the Board of Directors on February 12, 2018. No shares were purchased on the open market during the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, and 8,248,184 shares remain available to be repurchased under the current authorization. The Company may repurchase outstanding common shares periodically based on market conditions and our capital allocation strategies considering restrictions under our credit facility. The stock buyback program does not have a predetermined expiration date.
On January 24, 2023, the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.04 per share payable March 10, 2023 to common stockholders of record at the close of business on February 10, 2023. The Company expects to continue to pay cash dividends to common stockholders, subject to industry conditions and RPC’s earnings, financial condition, and other relevant factors.
Contractual Obligations
The Company’s obligations and commitments that require future payments include our credit facility, certain non-cancelable leases, purchase obligations, amounts related to the usage of corporate aircraft and other long-term liabilities. See note 16 of the consolidated financial statements for details regarding RPC’s lease obligations.
Fair Value Measurements
The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified in the fair value hierarchy (Level 1, 2 or 3) based on the inputs used for valuation. Assets and liabilities that are traded on an exchange with a quoted price are classified as Level 1. Assets and liabilities that are valued using significant observable inputs in addition to quoted market prices are classified as Level 2. The Company currently has no assets or liabilities measured on a recurring basis that are valued using unobservable inputs and therefore no assets or liabilities measured on a recurring basis are classified as Level 3. For defined benefit plan and Supplemental Executive
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Retirement Plan (“SERP”) investments measured at net asset value, the values are computed using inputs such as cost, discounted future cash flows, independent appraisals and market based comparable data or on net asset values calculated by the fund when not publicly available.
Inflation
The Company purchases its equipment and materials from suppliers who provide competitive prices, and employs skilled workers from competitive labor markets. If inflation in the general economy increases, the Company’s costs for equipment, materials and labor could increase as well. In addition, increases in activity in the domestic oilfield can cause upward wage pressures in the labor markets from which it hires employees, especially if employment in the general economy increases. Also, activity increases can cause supply disruptions and higher costs of certain materials and key equipment components used to provide services to the Company’s customers. During 2021 and continuing through 2022, the price of labor and raw materials have been increasing due to improving oilfield activity and labor shortages caused by the departure of skilled labor from the domestic oilfield industry in prior years.
During 2022, market prices of some raw materials and key equipment components increased significantly and availability has been challenged. We have successfully increased the pricing for our equipment and services to cover much of these cost increases, but due to the competitive nature of the oilfield services business, there is no assurance that we will be able to continue to do this successfully in the future.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have any material off balance sheet arrangements.
Related Party Transactions
See Note 14 of the consolidated financial statements, which is incorporated herein by reference, for a description of related party transactions.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, which require significant judgment by management in selecting the appropriate assumptions for calculating accounting estimates. These judgments are based on our historical experience, terms of existing contracts, trends in the industry, and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate. Senior management has discussed the development, selection and disclosure of its critical accounting policies requiring significant judgements and estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. The Company believes the following critical accounting policies involve estimates that require a higher degree of judgment and complexity:
Credit loss allowance for accounts receivable — Substantially all of the Company’s receivables are due from oil and gas exploration and production companies in the United States, selected international locations and foreign, nationally owned oil companies. Our credit loss allowance is determined using a combination of factors to ensure that our receivables are not overstated due to uncollectibility. Our established credit evaluation procedures seek to minimize the amount of business we conduct with higher risk customers. Our customers’ ability to pay is directly related to their ability to generate cash flow on their projects and is significantly affected by the volatility in the price of oil and natural gas. Credit loss allowance for accounts receivable are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. Accounts are written off against the allowance when the Company determines that amounts are uncollectible and recoveries of amounts previously written off are recorded when collected. Significant recoveries will generally reduce the required provision in the period of recovery, thereby causing credit loss allowance to fluctuate significantly from period to period. Recoveries were insignificant in 2022, 2021 and 2020. We record specific provisions when we become aware of a customer's inability to meet its financial obligations, such as in the case of bankruptcy filings or deterioration in the customer's operating results or financial position. If circumstances related to a customer changes, our estimate of the realizability of the receivable would be further adjusted, either upward or downward.
The estimated credit loss allowance is based on our evaluation of the overall trends in the oil and gas industry, financial condition of our customers, our historical write-off experience, current economic conditions, and in the case of international customers, our judgments about the economic and political environment of the related country and region. In addition to reserves established for specific customers, we establish general reserves by using different percentages depending on the age of the receivables which we adjust periodically based on management judgment and the economic strength of our customers. The net credit loss allowance as a percentage of revenues ranged from 0.4 percent to 0.8 percent over the last three years. Increasing or decreasing the estimated general
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reserve percentages by 0.50 percentage points as of December 31, 2022 would have resulted in a change of $1.9 million in the recorded provision for current expected credit losses.
Insurance expenses —The Company self-insures, up to certain policy-specified limits, certain risks related to general liability, workers’ compensation, vehicle and equipment liability. The cost of claims under these self-insurance programs is estimated and accrued using individual case-based valuations and statistical analysis and is based upon judgment and historical experience; however, the ultimate cost of many of these claims may not be known for several years. These claims are monitored and the cost estimates are revised as developments occur relating to such claims. The Company has retained an independent third party actuary to assist in the calculation of a range of exposure for these claims. As of December 31, 2022, the Company estimates the range of exposure to be from $8.4 million to $12.4 million. The Company has recorded liabilities at December 31, 2022 of $10.4 million which represents management’s best estimate of probable loss.
Long-lived assets including goodwill — RPC carries a variety of long-lived assets on its balance sheet including property, plant and equipment and goodwill. Impairment is the condition that exists when the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. Goodwill is the excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the net of the amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company conducts impairment tests on goodwill annually, during the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate an impairment may exist. In addition, the Company conducts impairment tests on long-lived assets, other than goodwill, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.
For the impairment testing on long-lived assets, other than goodwill, a long-lived asset is grouped at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. Estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset group are compared to its carrying amount. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the asset group’s carrying amount, then the Company is required to determine the asset group's fair value by using a discounted cash flow analysis. This analysis is based on estimates such as management’s short-term and long-term forecast of operating performance, including revenue growth rates and expected profitability margins, estimates of the remaining useful life and service potential of the assets within the asset group, and a discount rate based on weighted average cost of capital. An impairment loss is measured and recorded as the amount by which the asset group's carrying amount exceeds its fair value. Assessment of goodwill impairment is conducted at the level of each reporting unit, which is the same as our reportable segments, Technical Services and Support Services, comparing the estimated fair value of each reporting unit to the reporting unit’s carrying value, including goodwill. The fair value of each reporting unit is estimated using an income approach and a market approach. The income approach uses discounted cash flow analysis based on management’s short-term and long-term forecast of operating performance. This analysis includes significant assumptions regarding discount rates, revenue growth rates, expected profitability margins, forecasted capital expenditures and the timing of expected future cash flows based on market conditions. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered impaired. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment loss is measured and recorded.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements, which is incorporated herein by reference for a description of recent accounting standards, including the expected dates of adoption and estimated effects on results of operations and financial condition.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The Company is subject to interest rate risk exposure through borrowings on its revolving credit facility. As of December 31, 2022, there were no outstanding interest-bearing advances on our credit facility which bore interest at a floating rate.
Additionally, the Company is exposed to market risk resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates. However, since the majority of the Company’s transactions occur in U.S. currency, this risk is not expected to have a material effect on its consolidated results of operations or financial condition.
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MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
To the Stockholders of RPC, Inc.:
The management of RPC, Inc. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. RPC, Inc. maintains a system of internal accounting controls designed to provide reasonable assurance, at a reasonable cost, that assets are safeguarded against loss or unauthorized use and that the financial records are adequate and can be relied upon to produce financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The internal control system is augmented by written policies and procedures, an internal audit program and the selection and training of qualified personnel. This system includes policies that require adherence to ethical business standards and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any controls system. A controls system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the controls system are met. Also, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and any instances of fraud, if any, within the Company will be detected. Further, the design of a controls system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. The Company intends to continually improve and refine its internal controls.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operations of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022 based on criteria established in the 2013Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this evaluation, management’s assessment is that RPC, Inc. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022.
The independent registered public accounting firm, Grant Thornton LLP, has audited the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022, and has also issued their report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, included in this report on page 28.
/s/ Ben M. Palmer /s/ Michael L. Schmit
Atlanta, Georgia
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Stockholders
RPC, Inc.
Opinion on internal control over financial reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of RPC, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by COSO.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022, and our report dated February 27, 2023 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and limitations of internal control over financial reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Stockholders
RPC, Inc.
Opinion on the financial statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of RPC, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022, and the related notes and financial statement schedule included under Item 15(2) (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”), and our report dated February 27, 2023 expressed an unqualified opinion.
Basis for opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical audit matters
Critical audit matters are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. We determined that there are no critical audit matters.
/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2004.
Atlanta, Georgia
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
RPC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(in thousands except share information)
December 31, December 31,
ASSETS
Operating lease right-of-use assets 28,864 24,572
Finance lease right-of-use assets — 20,327
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
LIABILITIES
Accrued payroll and related expenses 33,161 15,350
Accrued state, local and other taxes 4,296 1,905
Income taxes payable 499 656
Pension liabilities 9,610 —
Current portion of operating lease liabilities 10,728 6,387
Current portion of finance lease liabilities — 20,194
Long-term accrued insurance expenses 7,149 11,770
Long-term pension and retirement plans liabilities 23,106 35,376
Long-term operating lease liabilities 19,517 19,719
Other long-term liabilities 5,430 7,111
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Capital in excess of par value — —
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (19,939) (20,708)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 1,129,013 $ 864,365
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
RPC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(in thousands except per share data)
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Pension settlement, impairment and other charges 2,921 — 217,493
Earnings (loss) per share
Dividends paid per share $ 0.04 $ — $ —
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
RPC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(in thousands except per share data)
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation 5 (112) (210)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
RPC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(in thousands)
Accumulated
Capital in Other
Common Stock Excess of Retained Comprehensive
Shares Amount Par Value Earnings Income (Loss) Total
Stock issued for stock incentive plans, net 716 71 8,664 — — 8,735
Pension adjustment, net of taxes — — — — 5,727 5,727
Foreign currency translation — — — — (210) (210)
Stock issued for stock incentive plans, net 819 82 6,494 — — 6,576
Pension adjustment, net of taxes — — — — (2,890) (2,890)
Foreign currency translation — — — — (112) (112)
Stock issued for stock incentive plans, net 1,139 114 6,261 — — 6,375
Pension adjustment, net of taxes — — — — 764 764
Foreign currency translation — — — — 5 5
Dividends — — — (8,645) — (8,645)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
RPC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(in thousands)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Depreciation, amortization and other non-cash charges 83,664 72,506 95,309
Gain due to benefit plan financing arrangement — — (891)
Pension settlement, impairment and other non-cash charges 2,921 — 211,043
(Increase) decrease in assets:
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accrued state, local and other taxes 2,391 (883) 361
Pension and retirement plans liabilities (4,589) (1,065) (3,249)
Long-term accrued insurance expenses (4,621) (52) (2,218)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from benefit plan financing arrangement — — 1,566
Re-investment in benefit plan financing arrangement — — (1,566)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Payment of dividends (8,645) — —
Cash paid for common stock purchased and retired (918) (567) (826)
Cash paid for finance lease (24,017) (1,584) —
Net cash used for financing activities (33,580) (2,151) (826)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 43,991 (2,063) 34,473
Supplemental cash flows disclosure:
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing activities:
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable $ 9,334 $ 4,282 $ 3,859
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
34
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
RPC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020
Note 1: Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of RPC, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (“RPC” or the “Company”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Common Stock
RPC is authorized to issue 349,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.10 par value. Holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends when, as, and if declared by the Board of Directors out of legally available funds. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Holders of common stock do not have cumulative voting rights. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of common stock are entitled to ratable distribution of the remaining assets available for distribution to stockholders.
Preferred Stock
RPC is authorized to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.10 par value. As of December 31, 2022, there were no shares of preferred stock issued. The Board of Directors is authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed by law, to provide for the issuance of preferred stock as a class without series or, if so determined from time to time, in one or more series, and by filing a certificate pursuant to the applicable laws of the state of Delaware and to fix the designations, powers, preferences and rights, exchangeability for shares of any other class or classes of stock. Any preferred stock to be issued could rank prior to the common stock with respect to dividend rights and rights on liquidation.
Dividends
On January 24, 2023, the Board of Directors declared a $0.04 per share cash dividend payable March 10, 2023 to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 10, 2023.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Significant estimates are used in the determination of the credit loss allowance, income taxes, goodwill impairment, accrued insurance expenses, depreciable lives of assets, and pension liabilities.
Revenues
RPC recognizes revenues from contracts with its customers based on the amount of consideration it receives in exchange for the services provided. See Note 2 for additional information.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Substantially all of the Company’s customers are engaged in the oil and gas industry. This concentration of customers may impact overall exposure to credit risk, either positively or negatively, in that customers may be similarly affected by changes in economic and industry conditions. The Company provided oilfield services to several hundred customers during each of the last three years. One of our customers, a private exploration and production company, accounted for approximately 11 percent of the Company’s revenues in 2022 with no other customers exceeding 10 percent of revenues in 2022. There was no customer that accounted for 10 percent or more of the Company’s revenues in 2021 or 2020. Additionally, there was no customer that accounted for 10 percent or more of accounts receivable as of December 31, 2022 or 2021.
35
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
RPC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when acquired are considered to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains its cash in bank accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. RPC maintains cash equivalents and investments in one or more large financial institutions, and RPC’s policy restricts investment in any securities rated less than “investment grade” by national rating services.
Investments
Investments classified as available-for-sale securities are stated at their fair values, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Realized gains and losses, declines in value judged to be other than temporary, interest, and dividends with respect to available-for-sale securities are included in interest income. The Company realized no gains or losses on its available-for-sale securities during 2022, 2021 and 2020. Securities that are held in the non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) are classified as trading. See Note 13 for further information regarding the SERP. The change in fair value of trading securities is presented as compensation cost in selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.
Management determines the appropriate classification of investments at the time of purchase and re-evaluates such designations as of each balance sheet date.
Accounts Receivable
The majority of the Company’s accounts receivable is due principally from major and independent oil and natural gas exploration and production companies. Credit is extended based on evaluation of a customer’s financial condition and, generally, collateral is not required. Accounts receivable are considered past due after 60 days and are stated at amounts due from customers, net of a credit loss allowance.
Credit Loss Allowance for Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are carried at the amounts due from customers, reduced by an allowance for estimated amounts that may not be collectible in the future. The estimated credit loss allowance is based on an evaluation of industry trends, financial condition of customers, historical write-off experience, current economic conditions, and in the case of international customers, judgments about the economic and political environment of the related country and region. Accounts receivable balances are written off when determined to be uncollectible and recoveries of amounts previously written off are recorded when collected.
Inventories
Inventories, which consist principally of (i) raw materials and supplies that are consumed providing services to the Company’s customers, (ii) spare parts for equipment used in providing these services and (iii) components and attachments for manufactured equipment used in providing services, are recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method or the weighted average cost method. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. The Company regularly reviews inventory quantities on hand and records a write-down for excess or obsolete inventory based primarily on its estimated forecast of product demand, market conditions, production requirements and technological developments.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment, including software costs, are reported at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization, which is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Annual depreciation and amortization expenses are computed using the following useful lives: operating equipment, 3 to 20 years; buildings and leasehold improvements, 15 to 39 years or the life of the lease; furniture and fixtures, 5 to 7 years; software, 5 years; and vehicles, 3 to 5 years. The cost of assets retired or otherwise disposed of and the related accumulated depreciation and amortization are eliminated from the accounts in the year of disposal with the resulting gain or loss credited or charged to income from operations. Expenditures for additions, major renewals, and betterments are capitalized. Expenditures for restoring an identifiable asset to working condition or for maintaining the asset in good working order constitute repairs and maintenance and are expensed as incurred.
36
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
RPC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020
RPC records impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amount of those assets. The Company periodically reviews the values assigned to long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, to determine if any impairments should be recognized.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets of businesses acquired. The carrying amount of goodwill by reporting unit was as follows:
(in thousands)
Goodwill is reviewed annually, or more frequently, if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount, for impairment. In 2022, due to improved industry conditions, its reporting units’ performance and public market indications of value, the Company elected to perform a qualitative assessment of its goodwill and concluded that it is more likely than not that fair value of each of its reporting unit is more than its carrying amount, including goodwill. In 2021, the Company performed a quantitative impairment test by estimating the fair value of each of its reporting units by considering both comparable public company multiples (a market approach) and projected discounted future cash flows (an income approach). The discounted cash flow analysis is based on management’s short-term and long-term forecast of operating results for each reporting unit and includes assumptions regarding discount rates, revenue growth rates, expected profitability margins, forecasted capital expenditures, and the timing of expected future cash flows. Based on these assessments the Company concluded that the fair value of its reporting units exceeded their carrying amount and therefore no impairment of goodwill occurred during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Advertising
Advertising expenses are charged to expense during the period in which they are incurred. Advertising expenses totaled $2.0 million in 2022, $1.1 million in 2021, and $806 thousand in 2020.
Insurance Expenses
RPC self-insures, up to certain policy-specified limits, certain risks related to general liability, workers’ compensation, vehicle and equipment liability, and employee health insurance plan costs. The estimated cost of claims under these self-insurance programs is estimated and accrued as the claims are incurred (although actual settlement of the claims may not be made until future periods) and may subsequently be revised based on developments relating to such claims. The portion of these estimated outstanding claims expected to be paid more than one year in the future is classified as long-term accrued insurance expenses.
37
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
RPC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020
Income Taxes
Deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the difference between the financial and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company establishes a valuation allowance against the carrying value of deferred tax assets when the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the asset will not be realized through future taxable income.
Defined Benefit Pension Plan
The Company has a defined benefit pension plan that provides monthly benefits upon normal retirement at age 65, or reduced early retirement benefits at age 59 1⁄2 or at age 55 or older with 15 or more years of service, to substantially all employees with at least one year of service prior to 2002. In 2002, RPC’s Board of Directors approved a resolution to cease all future retirement benefit accruals under the defined benefit pension plan. During the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company initiated actions to terminate the defined benefit pension plan. See Note 13 for a full description of this plan, the status of the plan termination and the related accounting and funding policies.
Share Repurchases
The Company records the cost of share repurchases in stockholders’ equity as a reduction to common stock to the extent of par value of the shares acquired and the remainder is allocated to capital in excess of par value and retained earnings if capital in excess of par value is depleted. The Company tracks capital in excess of par value on a cumulative basis for each reporting period, and discloses the excess over capital in excess of par value as part of stock purchased and retired in the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity.
Earnings per Share
Basic and diluted earnings per share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the respective periods. In addition, the Company has periodically issued share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends and are therefore considered participating securities. See Note 13 for further information on restricted stock granted to employees.
Restricted shares of common stock (participating securities) outstanding and a reconciliation of weighted average shares outstanding is as follows:
Adjustment for participating securities (3,187) (2,656) (2,571)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, investments, accounts payable, and debt. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair value due to the short-term nature of such instruments. The Company’s investments are classified as available-for-sale securities with the exception of investments held in the non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) which are classified as trading securities. All of these securities are carried at fair value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. See Note 11 for additional information.
38
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
RPC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation expense is recognized for all share-based payment awards, net of estimated forfeitures. Thus, compensation cost is amortized for those shares expected to vest on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award. See Note 13 for additional information.
Leases
The Company determines at contract inception if an arrangement is a lease or contains a lease based on whether the Company obtains the right to control the use of specifically identifiable property, plant and equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The Company’s lease population consists primarily of real estate including its corporate headquarters, office space and warehouses, in addition to vehicles. storage containers and office equipment. The Company’s population of month-to-month real estate leases have been classified as short-term leases. The Company has elected not to separate non-lease components from lease components for its leases. Variable lease payments relate primarily to taxes and insurance on real estate contracts and are recognized as expense when incurred.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued the following applicable Accounting Standards Updates (ASU):
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards:
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted:
Note 2: Revenues
Accounting Policy
RPC’s contract revenues are generated principally from providing oilfield services. These services are based on mutually agreed upon pricing with the customer prior to the services being delivered and, given the nature of the services, do not include the right of return. Pricing for these services is a function of rates based on the nature of the specific job, with consideration for the extent of equipment, labor, and consumables needed for the job. RPC typically satisfies its performance obligations over time as the services are performed. RPC records revenues based on the transaction price agreed upon with its customers.
Sales tax charged to customers is presented on a net basis within the consolidated statements of operations and therefore excluded from revenues.
39
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
RPC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020
Nature of services
RPC provides a broad range of specialized oilfield services to independent and major oil and gas companies engaged in the exploration, production and development of oil gas properties throughout the United States and in selected international markets. RPC manages its business as either (1) services offered on the well site with equipment and personnel (Technical Services) or (2) services and tools offered off the well site (Support Services). For more detailed information about operating segments, see Note 15.
RPC contracts with its customers to provide the following services by reportable segment:
Technical Services
Support Services
Our contracts with customers are generally short-term in nature and generally consist of a single performance obligation – the provision of oilfield services.
Payment terms
RPC’s contracts with customers states the final terms of the sales, including the description, quantity, and price of each service to be delivered. The Company’s contracts are generally short-term in nature and in most situations, RPC provides services ahead of payment - i.e., RPC has fulfilled the performance obligation prior to submitting a customer invoice. RPC invoices the customer upon completion of the specified services and collection generally occurs between 30 to 60 days after invoicing. As the Company enters into contracts with its customers, it generally expects there to be no significant timing difference between the date the services are provided to the customer (satisfaction of the performance obligation) and the date cash consideration is received. Accordingly, there is no financing component to our arrangements with customers.
Significant judgments
RPC believes the output method is a reasonable measure of progress for the satisfaction of our performance obligations, which are satisfied over time, as it provides a faithful depiction of (1) our performance toward complete satisfaction of the performance obligation under the contract and (2) the value transferred to the customer of the services performed under the contract. RPC has elected the right to invoice practical expedient for recognizing revenue related to its performance obligations.
Disaggregation of revenues
See Note 15 for disaggregation of revenue by operating segment and services offered in each of them and by geographic regions. Timing of revenue recognition for each of the periods presented is shown below:
Oilfield services transferred at a point in time $ — $ — $ —
40
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
RPC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020
Contract balances
Contract assets representing the Company’s rights to consideration for work completed but not billed are included in Accounts receivable, net on the consolidated balance sheets are shown below:
December 31, December 31,
Substantially all of the unbilled trade receivables as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 were invoiced during the following quarter.
Note 3: Pension Settlement, Impairment and Other Charges
The Company recorded the following pre-tax amounts during 2022 for pension settlement charges and for 2020 as impairment and other charges in the consolidated statements of operations.
Long lived asset impairments (1) $ — $ — $ 204,765
Abandonment of assets (2) — — 5,976
Severance costs — — 1,882
Assets held for sale write down (4) — — 192
Other — — 18
(3). Represents the non-cash settlement loss. See Note 13 for further details.
During 2021, the Company initiated actions to terminate its Retirement Income Plan (Plan), a defined benefit pension plan. Pension settlement loss of $2.9 million recognized in 2022 represents the accelerated recognition of actuarial losses related to the lump-sum window offered as part of the Plan termination. During the first quarter of 2023, the Company expects to recognize a pre-tax, non-cash settlement charge representing the unamortized net loss in the Plan which was approximately $22.5 million as of December 31, 2022. The final amount is subject to change based on the actual return on Plan assets and the periodic actuarial updates of the net losses in the Plan. See note 13 for additional information regarding the Plan.
During the first half of 2020, the Company experienced drastic declines in oilfield drilling and completion activities, with low levels of revenues not experienced by RPC or the industry for many years. This unprecedented disruption was caused by the substantial decline in global demand for oil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as macroeconomic events such as the geopolitical tensions between the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and Russia, regarding limits on oil production. These factors resulted in a significant drop in oil prices and a substantial deterioration of the Company’s public market capitalization. In response, the Company reduced headcount, furloughed employees and implemented compensation reductions for remaining active employees with the goal of adjusting its cost structure caused by low revenue levels. The Company determined these events constituted a triggering event that required a review of the recoverability of its long-lived assets and performed an interim goodwill impairment assessment as of March 31, 2020.
The Company used both income based and market based approaches to determine the fair value of its long-lived asset groups and its reporting units for goodwill impairment assessment. Under the income approach, the fair value for each of its asset groups and reporting units was determined based on the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at an appropriate risk-adjusted rate. The Company used internal forecasts, updated for recent events, to estimate future cash flows and terminal value calculation,
41
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
RPC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020
which incorporates historical and forecasted trends, including an estimate of long-term future growth rates, based on its most recent views of the long-term outlook for each asset group and reporting units. For the market based valuation, the Company used comparable public company multiples. The selection of comparable businesses was based on the markets in which the asset groups and reporting units operate giving consideration to risk profiles, size, geography, and diversity of products and services. Based on the concluded fair value of the asset groups, the Company measured and recorded an impairment loss that represents the amount by which the asset groups' carrying amounts exceeded their fair value. For purposes of the goodwill impairment assessment, the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its net book value and therefore, goodwill was deemed to be not impaired.
Note 4: Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable, net consists of the following:
(in thousands)
Trade receivables: