Select Water Solutions, Inc. (WTTR)
SIC breadcrumb: Mining > SIC Major Group 13 > SIC 1389 Oil & Gas Field Services, NEC
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1693256. Latest filing source: 0001104659-26-017085.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read WTTR's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read WTTR's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 1,407,344,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-18 |
| Net income | 21,223,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-18 |
| Assets | 1,595,612,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-18 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-18. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001693256.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 692,491,000 | 1,528,930,000 | 1,291,589,000 | 605,105,000 | 764,620,000 | 1,387,420,000 | 1,585,353,000 | 1,452,075,000 | 1,407,344,000 | |
| Net income | -1,043,000 | -16,816,000 | 36,512,000 | 2,784,000 | -338,684,000 | -42,225,000 | 48,278,000 | 74,403,000 | 30,644,000 | 21,223,000 |
| Operating income | -298,973,000 | -29,999,000 | 61,674,000 | 23,074,000 | -394,777,000 | -65,540,000 | 39,162,000 | 61,189,000 | 54,489,000 | 28,806,000 |
| Gross profit | -44,128,000 | 57,780,000 | 198,482,000 | 148,740,000 | -29,265,000 | 20,860,000 | 160,755,000 | 231,662,000 | 219,466,000 | 202,398,000 |
| Operating cash flow | 5,131,000 | -2,899,000 | 232,409,000 | 203,948,000 | 105,810,000 | -16,248,000 | 33,231,000 | 285,355,000 | 234,886,000 | 214,673,000 |
| Capital expenditures | 36,290,000 | 98,722,000 | 165,360,000 | 110,143,000 | 21,239,000 | 39,994,000 | 71,884,000 | 135,866,000 | 173,153,000 | 294,562,000 |
| Dividends paid | 6,020,000 | 24,924,000 | 29,745,000 | 33,655,000 | ||||||
| Share buybacks | 297,000 | 16,562,000 | 18,600,000 | 10,876,000 | 1,206,000 | 20,210,000 | 61,770,000 | 7,912,000 | 7,286,000 | |
| Assets | 405,066,000 | 1,356,368,000 | 1,360,605,000 | 1,347,620,000 | 875,359,000 | 950,192,000 | 1,222,853,000 | 1,218,190,000 | 1,366,282,000 | 1,595,612,000 |
| Liabilities | 70,358,000 | 292,999,000 | 249,832,000 | 234,808,000 | 169,477,000 | 255,018,000 | 339,125,000 | 326,018,000 | 450,748,000 | 668,545,000 |
| Stockholders' equity | 112,716,000 | 656,647,000 | 832,934,000 | 937,177,000 | 593,061,000 | 592,096,000 | 765,977,000 | 772,488,000 | 793,520,000 | 805,616,000 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 40,041,000 | 2,774,000 | 17,237,000 | 79,268,000 | 169,039,000 | 85,801,000 | 7,322,000 | 57,083,000 | 19,978,000 | 18,084,000 |
| Free cash flow | -31,159,000 | -101,621,000 | 67,049,000 | 93,805,000 | 84,571,000 | -56,242,000 | -38,653,000 | 149,489,000 | 61,733,000 | -79,889,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | -2.43% | 2.39% | 0.22% | -55.97% | -5.52% | 3.48% | 4.69% | 2.11% | 1.51% | |
| Operating margin | -4.33% | 4.03% | 1.79% | -65.24% | -8.57% | 2.82% | 3.86% | 3.75% | 2.05% | |
| Return on equity | -0.93% | -2.56% | 4.38% | 0.30% | -57.11% | -7.13% | 6.30% | 9.63% | 3.86% | 2.63% |
| Return on assets | -0.26% | -1.24% | 2.68% | 0.21% | -38.69% | -4.44% | 3.95% | 6.11% | 2.24% | 1.33% |
| Liabilities / equity | 0.62 | 0.45 | 0.30 | 0.25 | 0.29 | 0.43 | 0.44 | 0.42 | 0.57 | 0.83 |
| Current ratio | 2.69 | 2.41 | 2.40 | 2.74 | 3.96 | 2.44 | 2.24 | 2.15 | 1.65 | 1.57 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
Operating margin peer context
ROE peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Bridges
Income statement bridge from reported figures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Revenue: accession 0001104659-26-017085; concept RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax; source concepts us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax | Gross profit: accession 0001104659-26-017085; concept GrossProfit; source concepts us-gaap:GrossProfit | Operating income: accession 0001104659-26-017085; concept OperatingIncomeLoss; source concepts us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss | Net income: accession 0001104659-26-017085; concept NetIncomeLoss; source concepts us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss
Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Operating cash flow: accession 0001104659-26-017085; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | Capital expenditures: accession 0001104659-26-017085; concept PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | Free cash flow: accession 0001104659-26-017085; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-017085; filed 2026-02-18. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-017085; filed 2026-02-18. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-017085; filed 2026-02-18. Concept: OperatingIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-017085; filed 2026-02-18. Concept: GrossProfit. Source concepts: us-gaap:GrossProfit.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-017085; filed 2026-02-18. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-017085; filed 2026-02-18. Concept: PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-017085; filed 2026-02-18. Concept: PaymentsOfDividends. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividends.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-017085; filed 2026-02-18. Concept: PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-017085; filed 2026-02-18. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-017085; filed 2026-02-18. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-017085; filed 2026-02-18. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-017085; filed 2026-02-18. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-017085; filed 2026-02-18. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-06. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001693256.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 404,628,000 | 20,115,000 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 389,273,000 | 14,346,000 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 374,860,000 | 27,595,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 366,548,000 | 3,625,000 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 365,131,000 | 12,868,000 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 371,349,000 | 15,791,000 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 349,047,000 | -1,640,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 374,384,000 | 8,239,000 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 364,215,000 | 10,647,000 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 322,243,000 | 2,683,000 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 346,502,000 | -346,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 365,958,000 | 8,606,000 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001104659-26-056298; filed 2026-05-06. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001104659-26-056298; filed 2026-05-06. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001104659-26-056298.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report, as well as the historical consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 18, 2026 (our “2025 Form 10-K”). This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements based upon our current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors as described under “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and other cautionary statements described under the heading “Risk Factors” included in our 2025 Form 10-K and this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We assume no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
This discussion relates to the three months ended March 31, 2026 (the “Current Quarter”) and the three months ended March 31, 2025 (the “Prior Quarter”).
Overview
We are a leading provider of sustainable water and chemical solutions to the energy industry in the U.S. As a leader in the water solutions industry, we place the utmost importance on safe, environmentally responsible management of oilfield water throughout the lifecycle of a well. Additionally, we believe that responsibly managing water resources through our operations to help conserve and protect the environment in the communities in which we operate is paramount to our continued success.
Sustainability
Select is committed to a corporate strategy that supports the long-term viability of our business model in a manner that focuses on all stakeholders, including our people, our customers, the environment, and the communities in which we operate. We believe this focus will help us and our customers achieve their short-term and long-term strategic goals, help us attract and retain top talent, and further our efforts to generate investor returns. We believe our commitment to foster a culture of corporate responsibility is an important part of being a company with operations spanning the contiguous U.S. Further, we believe being a good corporate steward is strategic to our growth in the energy industry and will better allow us to develop solutions that both address the needs of our customers and contribute to sustainable business practices. Our commitment to these principles is exemplified through our sustainability-linked credit facility, which incorporates certain key performance indicator targets related to growing produced water recycling volumes and maintaining market-leading employee safety performance. Additionally, as a customer-oriented company,
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we compete with other providers based on various factors, including safety and operational performance, technological innovation, process efficiencies and reputational awareness. We have identified the following four priorities as part of our comprehensive corporate responsibility initiative: Environmental Stewardship, Safety & Well-being, Human Capital Management and Community Outreach. We believe there is a strong link between these corporate responsibility initiatives and our ability to provide value to our stakeholders.
We are one of the few public companies whose primary focus is on the management of water and water logistics in the energy industry, with a focus on driving efficient, environmentally responsible, and economical solutions that lower costs throughout the lifecycle of the well. We believe water is a valuable resource and understand that the energy industry, other industries, and the general public are competing for this resource. We continue to provide access to water as demanded by our customers and have significantly increased our focus on the recycling and reuse of produced water, as well as assessing other industrial water sources, to meet the industry’s water demand and align our operations with the goals of our customers. We have invested significantly in the development and acquisition of fixed and mobile recycling facilities that support the advancement of commercialized produced water reuse solutions. By doing so, we strive to reduce the amount of produced water being reinjected into SWDs and to reduce our usage of fresh water as well as that of our customers. By implementing our innovative approach to end-to-end water solutions, we have become a leader in recycling produced water to be reused for energy production.
Our strong company culture includes commitments to all stakeholders, and we aim to create a work environment that fosters a diverse and inclusive company culture. Additionally, we prioritize safety in our operations through rigorous training, structured protocols and ongoing automation of our operations. Our prioritization of safety includes a commitment to safeguarding the communities in which we operate.
We believe that proper alignment of our management and our board of directors with our shareholders is critical to creating long-term value, including the alignment of management compensation and incentive structures and the continued leadership of an experienced, diverse and independent board of directors.
Recent Developments
Infrastructure Investments and Contracted Growth Initiatives
We are prioritizing investments in Water Infrastructure projects, which often bring a more predictable and steady revenue stream through long-term contracts and production-related operations. These investments typically produce higher gross margins and also foster stronger partnerships with customers, as we become an integral partner in ensuring well productivity for ongoing customer production over the life of a well. Our focus is on integrated solutions that enhance contracted infrastructure projects with logistics services and chemical solutions, and expanding the value we provide to our customers. Our approach has been to streamline operations and offer a more comprehensive and valuable overall package to customers that is built around optimizing the entire water lifecycle, as such integrated solutions drive revenue growth and enhance overall value to clients.
Common Stock Offering
In February 2026, we completed an underwritten public offering of 15,784,315 shares of Class A common stock at a public offering price of $12.75 per share, consisting of 13,725,491 shares issued in the base offering and 2,058,824 shares issued upon the full exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option. The offering generated aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $201.3 million and net proceeds of approximately $192.2 million, after underwriting discounts and commissions and before other offering expenses. In connection with the offering, Select Inc. contributed the net proceeds of the offering to SES Holdings in exchange for a number of common units of SES Holdings equal to the number of shares of Class A common stock issued in the underwritten public offering. SES Holdings utilized a portion of the proceeds to pay down outstanding borrowings under our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility and intends to use the remaining proceeds for general corporate purposes, including funding water infrastructure growth capital projects, potential acquisitions, repayment of additional debt under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility, and working capital.
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Water Infrastructure
During the Current Quarter, we continued executing our strategy of expanding our Water Infrastructure segment as a key component of our long-term growth platform. Our integrated water management systems support operators by providing produced water gathering, transportation, recycling, and disposal services designed to reduce trucking activity, improve operational reliability, and increase water management efficiency across development programs.
Our infrastructure footprint in the Northern Delaware Basin remains a core area of development for our business. Our in-service and under construction systems in New Mexico in Eddy and Lea counties include approximately 1.7 million barrels per day of active fixed recycling capacity, more than 400 miles of pipeline, substantial storage capacity, and more than 1.5 million dedicated acres. This interconnected infrastructure network positions us to manage large volumes of produced water and support customer development programs across the region.
Water Services
During the Current Quarter, we continued our efforts to streamline operations and improve efficiency within our Water Services segment. Through operational improvements implemented during 2025, including portfolio actions such as the Omni transaction, we simplified portions of our service portfolio and enhanced cost discipline. These initiatives are intended to support improved operational efficiency, an improved margin profile, and cash flow generation from this segment.
Peak Rental Update
In August 2025, we announced that we had started an evaluation of strategic alternatives for Peak Rentals business within our Water Services segment. Peak Rentals currently includes our accommodations and rentals platform as well as our well testing and flowback operations. This evaluation includes a range of potential paths forward, including capital structure initiatives and other portfolio optimization opportunities. As of March 31, 2026, no transaction is pending or imminent, and we continue to own 100% of the business. We are continuing to evaluate strategic alternatives for Peak Rentals in the ordinary course; however, there can be no assurance that any particular outcome will ultimately be pursued or completed.
Chemical Technologies
During the Current Quarter, we continued to compete across a range of completion chemistry applications through our Chemical Technologies segment. Our in-basin manufacturing capabilities and continued research and development investments support our ability to supply friction reducers, surfactants and other completion chemistry products used in increasingly complex completion designs, including longer laterals and high-intensity completion programs. Demand for friction reducers and customized surfactant offerings remained supported by completion activity levels and the increasing use of recycled produced water in hydraulic fracturing operations.
Long-Term Contract Revenue
During the Current Quarter, we continued to expand our portfolio of contracted and recurring revenue opportunities through new and amended commercial agreements across our water infrastructure footprint, including produced water takeaway and disposal arrangements, water supply agreements, minimum volume commitments, acreage-wide right-of-first-refusal arrangements and additional delivery point commitments. These agreements included, among others, a 12-year water supply and takeaway agreement in Lea County, New Mexico, supported by approximately 7.1 miles of planned pipeline infrastructure, and a five-year produced water takeaway and disposal agreement in Canadian County, Oklahoma. We also executed several shorter-term interruptible disposal, water purchase and reserve capacity arrangements across New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma, including a water purchase agreement with a minimum volume commitment of approximately 1.8 million barrels. Collectively, these agreements are intended
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to increase utilization of our existing infrastructure, support selective capital investments in new pipeline connectivity and delivery points, and provide improved visibility into future revenue generation across our operating regions. In addition, we expanded our Water Services footprint through an acreage-w
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements based on our current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors as described under “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors.” The following information updates the discussion of our financial condition provided in our previous filings, and analyzes the changes in the results of operations between the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. Refer to our 2024 Annual Report filed February 19, 2025 for discussion and analysis of the changes in results of operations between the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. We assume no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
Overview
We are a leading provider of sustainable water and chemical solutions to the energy industry in the U.S. As a leader in the water solutions industry, we place the utmost importance on safe, environmentally responsible management of oilfield water throughout the lifecycle of a well. Additionally, we believe that responsibly managing water resources through our operations to help conserve and protect the environment in the communities in which we operate is paramount to our continued success.
Across many of the regions in which we operate, there is growing concern surrounding the volumes of water required for new well completions, as well as the volumes of produced water injected into subterranean formations where induced seismicity may occur. In response, we are working collaboratively with our customers and local communities to advance more sustainable, cost-effective water management solutions that reduce both freshwater consumption and disposal volumes. Through our integrated infrastructure networks, we provide permanent and mobile solutions that enable the gathering, treatment, and reuse of produced water, which in turn reduces demand for freshwater resources and limits reliance on saltwater disposal wells. In select regions, we have also secured access to non-potable alternative water sources, including brackish groundwater and municipal or industrial effluent, to further support water reuse and reduce competition for freshwater. Leveraging our in-house chemical expertise and proprietary FluidMatch™ design platform, we provide tailored water profiling, treatment assessment, and fluid system optimization to enable the economic use of these alternative sources without compromising well performance. Additionally, we help our customers lower emissions and minimize environmental impact through the deployment of combustion solutions for field-based methane control and the use of temporary layflat hose systems and permanent pipeline infrastructure. These water delivery systems are supported by our real-time automation and remote monitoring technologies, including leak detection, pressure monitoring, and volume tracking, which enhance the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our operations. By reducing the reliance on trucked water logistics, these solutions materially reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve public safety, and help limit traffic congestion and road damage in the local communities where we operate.
Recent Developments
Recent Acquisitions
During 2025, we executed a series of strategic asset acquisitions totaling $25.4 million to expand our water infrastructure footprint across both the Permian Basin and the Northeast Region. In the Permian, we acquired surface acreage, multiple SWDs, water storage assets, and a pipeline system connecting a key customer’s operations to a Select recycling facility. These assets are located across Lea County and Eddy County in New Mexico, as well as Howard County, Upton County, and Winkler County in Texas, further strengthening our integrated network of treatment, disposal, gathering, and recycling infrastructure in core production areas of the Permian Basin. In addition, certain acquired SWD sites allow for the potential development of additional wells or recycling facilities in the future. In the Northeast, we acquired three SWDs in Ohio, expanding our market leading disposal presence in the region. Collectively, these transactions enhance Select’s ability to deliver full-cycle water management solutions across its footprint,
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supporting both near-term operations and long-term growth. Additionally, we also acquired certain wastewater treatment facilities for the accommodation and rentals business line in the Permian and Eagle Ford regions for $1.7 million.
Omni Transaction
On July 1, 2025, we acquired a high-margin Bakken platform anchored by long-lived infrastructure from Omni: a special-waste landfill with approximately 3.2 million cubic yards of remaining capacity, a processing and recovery facility for reclaiming diesel and other hydrocarbons from oilfield waste, a permitted Class II SWD with capacity of approximately 12,000 barrels per day, and a commercial tank farm with approximately 24,000 barrels of oil storage. As part of the same transaction, we divested certain lower-margin operations including trucking operations in the Bakken, Northeast and MidCon regions, rental operations in the Bakken and one MidCon SWD. Approximately 280 fluids-hauling employees moved with those businesses, which together represented approximately 8 percent of Water Services segment revenue in the first half of 2025. This transaction expanded our market leading solids management business in the Bakken, while reducing exposure to noncore trucking and hauling.
Streamline Fluids Hauling
As part of our continued focus on capital discipline and portfolio optimization, we also took steps to streamline our fluids hauling operations to prioritize higher-margin, infrastructure-integrated markets. Specifically, we wound down our fluids hauling operations in the Haynesville region and divested the remaining lower-margin operations in the MidCon region. We continue to operate our more integrated and higher-margin fluids hauling businesses in the Permian, Rockies, and Eagle Ford regions, where these services are closely aligned with our operational infrastructure.
See “Note 3—Acquisitions” for further discussion.
AV Farms Investment
In February 2025, we made a $72.1 million equity method investment in a newly formed partnership focused on consolidating and commercializing a large-scale portfolio of senior water rights, irrigated farmland, and reservoir storage assets in Colorado. The investment, centered in the Arkansas River Valley region, is intended to support long-term water infrastructure development and reliable delivery to agricultural, municipal, and industrial stakeholders. As of December 31, 2025, we had contributed $72.1 million to AV Farms and held an approximate 39% ownership interest in the partnership and a 25% interest in the general partner. We expect to contribute up to an additional $74 million over a multi-year period to support future water rights acquisitions and infrastructure buildout. The governing agreements also include call and put option structures beginning in 2028 that could result in our acquisition of the remaining ownership interests, subject to defined valuation mechanics and partial equity settlement provisions. This investment reflects our strategic focus on long-term water resource development and positions us to participate in sustainable water solutions across high-priority basins in the Western United States (Refer to “Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies” for further discussion on AV Farms).
Peak Rentals Update
In August 2025, we announced that we had started an evaluation of strategic alternatives for Peak Rentals, our equipment rental and distributed power business within the Water Services segment. Peak currently includes our accommodations and rentals platform, as well as our well testing and flowback operations. This evaluation includes a range of potential paths forward, including capital structure initiatives and other portfolio optimization opportunities. As of December 31, 2025, no transaction is pending or imminent, and we continue to own 100% of the business. We are continuing to evaluate strategic alternatives for Peak Rentals in the ordinary course; however, there can be no assurance that any particular outcome will ultimately be pursued or completed.
New Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility
On January 24, 2025, we entered into a $550.0 million sustainability-linked senior secured credit facility and extinguished our prior debt. The new facility consists of a $300.0 million revolving credit facility and a $250.0 million
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term loan, both with a five-year maturity, and provides the flexibility to upsize by an additional $200.0 million. Proceeds from the term loan were used to repay all outstanding borrowings under our prior facility, which was concurrently terminated. This new structure enhances our liquidity position and extends our maturity profile through 2030. It also better aligns our capital structure with our long-term infrastructure growth strategy by supporting investment in contracted, production-linked assets and enhancing our flexibility to pursue disciplined, return-focused capital deployment (Refer to “Note 10—Debt” for further discussion of the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility).
Infrastructure Investments and Contracted Growth Initiatives
Select is prioritizing investments in Water Infrastructure projects, which often bring a more predictable and steady revenue stream through long-term contracts and production-related operations. These investments typically produce higher gross margins and also foster stronger partnerships with customers, as Select becomes an integral partner in ensuring well productivity for ongoing customer production over the life of a well. Our focus is on integrated solutions that enhance contracted infrastructure projects with logistics services and chemical solutions, and expanding the value we provide to our customers. Our approach has been to streamline operations and offer a more comprehensive and valuable overall package to customers that is built around optimizing the entire water lifecycle, as such integrated solutions drive revenue growth and enhance overall value to clients.
During 2025 and 2024, Select has made strategic Water Infrastructure investments across five of the seven regions in which we operate. A summary of the resulting system capacity and current state of operations and resulting competitive advantages is outlined below.
Permian
The Permian remains our largest and most strategically important Water Infrastructure region, anchored by a fully integrated network of 43 active SWDs, 17 active recycling facilities, as well as pipeline connectivity both within our system and with key customer infrastructure. We signed multiple new long-term customer agreements throughout 2025, including dedicated acreage, ROFR acreage and MVCs. A number of these commercial arrangements are expected to commence in 2026 and are anticipated to drive incremental system utilization, expand our high-margin recurring revenue base, and deepen customer relationships across the basin.
The platform was expanded through the 2024 acquisition of Trinity, which added SWDs, pipelines and customer connectivity. During 2025, we completed seven additional bolt-on acquisitions, further enhancing our regional scale and footprint across disposal and pipeline infrastructure. These transactions were highly complementary and have strengthened our ability to provide integrated solutions with improved connectivity to both new and existing customer operations. As of December 31, 2025, our total recycling capacity was approximately 2.4 million barrels per day, with total storage capacity of approximately 35 million barrels. Additionally, we are continuing to drill new SWDs and build new recycling facilities.
Haynesville
Including the Iron Mountain, and Tri-State acquisitions completed in 2024, we have established the largest disposal footprint in the Haynesville region. We now operate an integrated network of disposal assets, the majority of which are tied into basin-wide gathering infrastructure. As of 2025, our Haynesville system includes over 23 active SWDs supported by a regional pipeline network anchored by a 60-mile buried produced water gathering system. We also have a solids facility that processes drilling muds and water, removes solids for landfill disposal, and injects the remaining fluids into our SWDs. This scaled platform enhances flow assurance, improves route density, and strengthens commercial alignment with key customers across the region. Additionally, we are continuing to drill new SWDs in strategic locations to accommodate customer activity.
Looking ahead, we expect increased basin activity, supported by improved natural gas pricing and demand, to drive increased produced water volumes and higher system demand. Our existing gathering
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footprint, available disposal capacity, and flexible operating model position us to capture additional volumes while leveraging the operational efficiencies of the system.
Bakken
We continued to scale our Water Infrastructure platform in the Bakken throughout 2024 and 2025 through a combination of targeted acquisitions and organic growth initiatives. On March 1, 2024, we closed the acquisition of Buckhorn, expanding our permitted landfill footprint across North Dakota and Montana and integrating those assets into our existing solids waste network. This was followed by the acquisition of Omni on July 1, 2025, which added a high-capacity landfill, a hydrocarbon recovery and processing facility, one saltwater disposal well, and a commercial oil storage site. Following these transactions, we now operate four permitted landfills and 22 active SWDs in the region, and an expansive freshwater pipeline distribution network. This positions us as the market leader of full-cycle water and waste infrastructure solutions in the Bakken, with integrated capabilities across pipeline transportation, disposal, recovery, and solids handling. The expanded footprint enhances commercial alignment with key operators in the basin, and we are actively evaluating opportunities to broaden the range of accepted waste streams at our landfills to drive incremental revenue, increase throughput, and improve overall asset utilization.
Northeast
Following the Nuverra acquisition, a business combination and two asset acquisitions in 2024 that added three SWDs, and a subsequent asset acquisition in 2025 that added three additional SWDs, Select has established a scaled disposal platform in the Northeast. Our current operations include 21 active SWDs, representing the largest disposal network in the region. Additionally, we operate a permitted landfill that offers waste handling solutions tailored to the oil and gas industry. The expanded footprint enhances our ability to provide reliable disposal and produced water solutions to Northeast operators. Produced water volumes in the region are primarily delivered via truck, with limited pipeline connectivity, which continues to shape the commercial and operating model for the area.
Rockies
Effective January 1, 2024, we acquired two saltwater disposal wells along with acreage that offers future expansion potential. Our Rockies platform now includes three active SWDs, a recycling facility and a mobile recycling system, with an additional SWD expected to come online in the first quarter of 2026. We leverage a combination of customer integration points and available third-party infrastructure to enhance gathering, disposal and recycling connectivity. These efforts are improving alignment with key customers and supporting more efficient system utilization across the region.
Market Trends and Outlook
We are navigating through various evolving external factors that create uncertainty and volatility in our operating environment, including, but not limited to, global geopolitical conflicts, volatility in energy prices and inflation due to geopolitical dynamics, increased tariffs and their impact on costs of goods and services and developing trends among our customers, including increased consolidation in the industry and demand for produced water recycling services.
The armed conflict between Ukraine and Russia has continued into 2026, as well as ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, including heightened tensions with Iran. As a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the U.S., the United Kingdom, the member states of the European Union and other public and private actors have imposed severe sanctions on Russian financial institutions, businesses and individuals. In the Middle East, various conflicts have resulted in increased hostilities and instability in oil and gas producing regions in the Middle East as well as in key adjacent shipping lanes and supply chains, including elevated tensions with Iran, a major oil producer. In addition, in July of 2025, the U.S. government threatened additional sanctions on Russia and additional tariffs on countries that import energy from Russia.
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The Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the resulting sanctions and concerns regarding global energy security, have contributed to, and conflicts in the Middle East may contribute to, increases and volatility in the prices for oil and natural gas. Further, beginning in late 2025, the U.S. seized several oil tankers suspected of transporting oil from Venezuela, and, in early 2026, the U.S. launched a limited military intervention in Venezuela which culminated in the capture of Venezuela’s incumbent president. As the situation stabilizes and U.S.-Venezuela relations improve, it is expected that approximately 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil may become available for export as U.S. sanctions are lifted. The resumption of such exports may cause a depression in global oil prices as the market adjusts to such an increase in supply. Such volatility, coupled with an increased cost of capital, due, in part to elevated rates of inflation and interest rates, may lead to a more difficult investing and planning environment for us and our customers. The ultimate geopolitical and macroeconomic consequences of these conflicts and associated sanctions and/or international responses cannot be predicted, and such events, or any further hostilities elsewhere, could severely impact the world economy and may adversely affect our financial condition. An end to these conflicts and an easing or elimination of the related sanctions and/or international response could result in a significant fall in commodity prices as hydrocarbons become more readily accessible in global markets, which could have an adverse effect on our customers, and therefore adversely affect our customers’ demand for our services. An intensification of that conflict could also have an adverse effect on our customers and their demand for our services.
Since 2021, OPEC+ countries have instituted production cuts (as well as voluntary production cuts), which currently cut output by approximately 3.2 million barrels/day in the aggregate. Most recently, in November 2025, OPEC+ announced it would maintain current oil production cuts of approximately 3.2 million barrels per day and reaffirmed its decision to not increase production. OPEC+ may, at its discretion, continue to decrease, or increase, production, which will continue to impact crude oil and natural gas price volatility. The actions of OPEC+ countries with respect to oil production levels and announcements of potential changes in such levels, including agreement on and compliance with production targets, may result in volatility in the industry in which we and our customers operate. The average price of WTI crude oil decreased in 2025 versus 2024 due to a combination of factors, including heightened trade tensions, weakening global demand, rising domestic and global production, the threat of a global recession and increased production from OPEC+ countries and the gradual unwinding of OPEC+ production cuts. During the year ended December 31, 2025, the average spot price of WTI crude oil was $65.39 versus an average price of $76.63 for the year ended December 31, 2024. The average Henry Hub natural gas spot price during the year ended December 31, 2025 was $3.52 versus an average of $2.19 for the year ended December 31, 2024. Henry Hub natural gas price levels in 2025 have increased relative to 2024 due to a variety of factors, including increased demand driven by power consumption, sanctions on Russian hydrocarbons, severe weather events, infrastructure disruptions, lower than expected inventories, and the ongoing liquified natural gas (“LNG”) export growth in the U.S., and have positively impacted activity levels in natural gas basins.
Global macroeconomic developments, such as the development or change in international trade policies, including the imposition of tariffs, may adversely affect our ability to source raw materials and the demand for our services. While we have positioned ourselves to largely not be reliant on any sole supplier and believe we would be able to find alternative sources for our raw materials, any trading disruption (such as tariffs, product restrictions, etc.) in the trading relationships between the U.S. and other nations may adversely impact our business. For instance, beginning in the first quarter of 2025, the U.S. imposed new or additional tariffs, through executive orders, on a variety of imported raw materials and products, including steel and aluminum. In response to the U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum, the European Union and several other countries, including Canada and China, have threatened and/or imposed retaliatory tariffs. We continue to monitor the effects of the ever-evolving global trade landscape, including with respect to sanctions, tariffs, existing trade agreements, anti-dumping and countervailing duty regulations and more. President Trump has threatened additional increased tariffs on goods imported from China as result of current Chinese trade policy. A portion of those tariffs might by overturned depending on the resolution of certain U.S. litigation. Specifically, the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case determining whether a federal law giving the president certain emergency powers allowed President Trump to levy tariffs on nearly all goods imported into the United States through a series of executive orders. Tariffs and any additional changes in U.S. trade policy could result in one or more other jurisdictions adopting responsive trade policies. The adoption and expansion of trade restrictions, the occurrence of a trade war, or other governmental action related to tariffs or trade agreements or policies has the potential to adversely impact us and the global economy.
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Additionally, heightened inflation in recent years has resulted in higher interest rates and increased cost of capital for Select and for our customers. As costs of capital have increased, many of our customers have demonstrated their resolve to manage their capital spending within budgets and cash flow from operations and increase redemptions of debt and/or returns of capital to investors. Furthermore, consolidation among our customers, such as the consolidation of E&P companies in the Permian Basin, can disrupt our market in the near term and the resulting demand for our services. When one customer acquires another, drilling and completions activity levels may decrease overall, but acquisitions can lead to larger blocks of consolidated development and production acreage, which can increase the demand for our longer-term integrated full water lifecycle solutions. This consolidation may streamline operations, as Select can offer integrated solutions to clients with larger water volumes to manage in certain areas. The Company’s position in the market may strengthen, as it becomes an essential partner for long-term production integrity in larger, more comprehensive water projects. However, it also means Select must meet the changing needs and structures of these consolidated entities to maintain and grow these relationships. While customers involved in acquisitions may initially slow activity to focus on integration and portfolio management, we believe we are well-positioned to meet the increased responsibilities of overall water management, including water reuse, recycling, transmitting and balancing across customers and regions, and ultimately disposal, for these larger customers and blocks of contiguous acreage.
Overall, however, even though commodity prices have moderated recently, the financial health of the oil and gas industry is in a generally healthy position, including many of our customers specifically, as reflected in revenues and earnings, debt metrics, recent capital raises, and recurring shareholder returns. The industry may face additional changes due to recent and future legislative and regulatory changes under the current presidential administration. Most recently, the OBBBA, signed into law in July 2025, includes many provisions intended to expand onshore oil and gas leasing and drilling on federal land, such as increased federal oil and gas lease sales and lower royalty rates on federal oil and gas leases. While the financial health of the broader oil and gas industry has shown improvement as compared to prior periods, central bank policy actions and associated liquidity risks and other factors may negatively impact the value of our equity and that of our customers, and may reduce our and their ability to access liquidity in the bank and capital markets or result in capital being available on less favorable terms, which could negatively affect our financial condition and that of our customers.
From an operational standpoint, many of the recent efficiency trends still apply to ongoing unconventional oil and gas development. The continued trend towards multi-well pad development and simultaneous well completions, executed within a limited time frame, combined with service price inflation and elevated interest rates, has increased the overall intensity, complexity and cost of well completions, while increasing fracturing efficiency and the use of lower-cost in-basin sand has decreased total costs for our customers. However, we note the continued efficiency gains in the well completions process can limit the days we spend on the wellsite and, therefore, negatively impact the total revenue opportunity for certain of our services utilizing day-rate pricing models.
This multi-well pad development, combined with upstream acreage consolidation and corporate mergers as well as the growing trends around the recycling and reuse applications of produced water provides a significant opportunity for companies like us that can deliver increasingly complex solutions for our E&P customers across large swathes of acreage through our regional infrastructure networks, delivering solutions for the full completion and production lifecycle of wells. While these trends have advanced the most in the Permian Basin to date, they are emerging in other basins as well and Select has recently performed recycling projects in the Haynesville, Rockies and South Texas regions as well.
The increased reuse of produced water requires additional chemical treatment solutions. We have a dedicated team of specialists focused every day on developing and deploying innovative water treatment and reuse services for our customers. Our FluidMatch™ design solutions enable our customers to economically use these alternative sources to optimize their fluid systems by providing water profiling and fluid assessment services working towards real-time. This trend also supports more complex “on-the-fly” solutions that treat, proportion, and blend various streams of water and chemicals at the wellsite. This complexity favors service companies that are able to provide advanced technology solutions. Ultimately, we intend to play an important role in the advancement of water and chemical solutions that are designed to meet the sustainability goals of key stakeholders.
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Our water logistics, treatment, and chemical application expertise, in combination with advanced technology solutions, are applicable to other industries beyond oil and gas. We are working to further commercialize our services in other businesses and industries through our industrial solutions group and equity method investments.
Our Segments
Our services are offered through three reportable segments: (i) Water Infrastructure; (ii) Water Services; and (iii) Chemical Technologies.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Water Infrastructure. The Water Infrastructure segment consists of the Company’s fixed infrastructure assets, including operations associated with our water distribution pipeline infrastructure, our water recycling facilities, our produced water gathering pipelines, SWDs, and our solids management facilities, primarily serving E&P companies. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Water Services. The Water Services segment primarily consists of the Company’s water-related services businesses, including water sourcing, water transfer, fluids hauling, water monitoring, water containment and water network automation, primarily serving E&P companies. Additionally, this segment includes the operations of our Peak Rentals businesses. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Chemical Technologies. The Chemical Technologies segment provides technical solutions, products and expertise related to chemical applications in the oil and gas industry. We develop, manufacture, manage logistics and provide a full suite of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, cementing and well completions for customers ranging from pressure pumpers to major integrated and independent oil and gas producers. This segment also utilizes its chemical experience and lab testing capabilities to customize tailored water treatment solutions designed for the recycling and treatment of produced water and to optimize the fracturing fluid system in conjunction with the quality of water used in well completions. |
How We Generate Revenue
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Water Infrastructure. The Water Infrastructure segment comprises our extensive infrastructure network, including produced water gathering pipelines, water distribution lines, water recycling facilities, saltwater disposal wells, and solids management operations. We primarily generate revenue through fixed fees per barrel handled, which may include gathering, transportation, recycling, or disposal, pursuant to long-term commercial agreements that may incorporate acreage dedications, MVCs, and periodic escalators. Additional revenue is earned from the sale of skim oil, based on the volume of skim oil sold at prevailing market rates, as well as from recycled water sales and capacity optimization on an interruptible basis. Revenue is recognized as volumes are received and processed across our network. |
Contract structures becoming more prevalent in our Water Infrastructure segment include dedicated acreage, ROFRs, interruptible agreements, MVCs, wellbore dedications, AMIs and WPAs. These contracts underpin the economics of our newly built facilities to an anchor tenant, with the opportunity for further commercialization of the asset. Most of our contracts are an acreage dedication structure, and we often utilize a ROFR structure in tandem with these dedications to secure upside with our customers should they expand their activities outside the dedicated acreage position.
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Dedicated Acreage
We believe in the geology we’re investing in and, as such, view acreage dedications as the optimal structure for both us and our customers, as they align long-term development incentives on both sides. Under these agreements, the operator is generally obligated to deliver produced water to us for recycling or disposal, and to take treated water from us for completions within the dedicated position. Importantly, for most of our contracts, we hold the right, but not the obligation, to accept water under these dedications, meaning we are not penalized in the event we’re unable to take water we cannot consume. That said, we do have a limited number of firm takeaway commitments, under which we incur monetary penalties for failure to perform. Due to the high quality of our dedicated acreage positions, we typically see strong and consistent activity levels and maintain a backlog of high-confidence well inventory. Dedicated acreage remains our most common contract structure, with tier-one inventory conversion, and development is a matter of when, not if.
ROFR
ROFR acres provide potential upside to our dedicated acreage revenue stream and are incorporated in many of our acreage dedication contract structures. These are typically acreage positions in proximity to the core dedicated area, but are often excluded initially due to their later place in the development timeline. Should the anchor customer expand or initiate operational activity within the ROFR area, we generally hold the first right to build out the necessary water infrastructure to support that activity. Subject to mutual agreement on the exercise of the ROFR, that acreage is then converted to Dedicated Acreage under the original contract framework. We typically see ROFR conversion through operator expansion on adjacent leaseholds, acreage trades, or acquisitions that fall within ROFR boundaries. While less certain than committed dedicated volumes, ROFRs represent meaningful incremental upside to our contracted revenue base.
Interruptible Agreements
Interruptible agreements allow new or existing customers into our system to take advantage of our expansive water networks for produced water disposal and/or recycling. Operators can tie-in, and we can provide treated water for completions or accept produced water into our system for disposal or treatment. Our anchor tenants will typically continue to have primary rights to both our disposal and recycling capacity for their continued operations. Interruptible contracts are our way of commercializing the product we have created, particularly in the Northern Delaware Basin.
MVCs
Contractual arrangements under which an operator commits to receive or deliver a defined minimum volume of water-related services, typically measured in barrels, with predetermined financial true-up mechanisms for any shortfall below the committed volumes. These MVCs encompass the sourcing, supply, transportation, recycling, and disposal of water used across the operator’s drilling, completion, and production activities.
Wellbore dedication
The dedication of specifically identified wells owned or operated by a customer whereby all water required to complete the wells or produced by the wells are dedicated to Select.
AMIs
Designated areas in which producers will dedicate subsequently acquired or leased acreage and oil and natural gas wells to Select.
WPA
Water purchase agreements where customers agree to purchase water.
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| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Water Services. The Water Services segment comprises our short-cycle, field-based service offerings, including water transfer, water sourcing, fluids hauling, monitoring, containment, water-network automation and the services associated with Peak Rentals. We generally earn revenue via market-based day rates, time-and-materials, or per-barrel delivered under MSAs and short-term work orders. Peak Rentals’ services are typically billed per job/day plus consumables. Revenue is recognized as services are performed at customer sites. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Chemical Technologies. The Chemical Technologies segment provides technical products and services for hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, cementing and completions, serving pressure pumpers and E&P operators. Revenue is primarily price-per-unit of chemicals delivered or consumed, supplemented by application engineering, lab testing and field service fees, under short-term supply arrangements and MSAs. We also formulate and supply tailored water-treatment chemistries that support produced-water recycling and optimization of fracturing fluids. Revenue is recognized upon delivery or consumption of product and performance of services. |
Costs of Conducting Our Business
The principal expenses involved in conducting our business are labor costs, vehicle and equipment costs (including depreciation, rental, repair and maintenance and leasing costs), raw materials including water sourcing costs and fuel costs. Overall, our fixed costs are relatively low and most of the costs of serving our customers are variable, i.e., they are incurred only when we provide water and water-related services, or chemicals and chemical-related services to our customers.
Labor costs associated with our employees and contract labor comprise the largest portion of our costs of doing business. We incurred labor and labor-related costs of $484.2 million, $530.7 million and $554.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The majority of our recurring labor costs are variable and dependent on the market environment and are incurred only while we are providing our operational services. We also incur costs to employ personnel to ensure safe operations, sell and supervise our services and perform maintenance on our assets, which is not directly tied to our level of business activity. Additionally, we incur selling, general and administrative costs for compensation of our administrative personnel at our field sites and in our operational and corporate headquarters, as well as for third-party support, permitting, licensing and services.
We incur significant vehicle and equipment costs in connection with the services we provide, including depreciation, repairs and maintenance, rental and leasing costs. We incurred vehicle and equipment costs of $306.0 million, $312.9 million and $318.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
We incur raw material costs in manufacturing our chemical products, as well as for water that we source for our customers. We incurred raw material costs of $255.2 million, $242.7 million and $299.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
We incur variable transportation costs associated with our service lines, predominately fuel and freight. We incurred fuel and freight costs of $75.0 million, $83.4 million and $115.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Changes to fuel prices impact our transportation costs, which affect the results of our operations.
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How We Evaluate Our Operations
We use a variety of operational and financial metrics to assess our performance. Among other measures, management considers each of the following:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Revenue; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Gross Profit; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Gross Margins; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“EBITDA”); |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Adjusted EBITDA; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Cash Flows; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Free Cash Flow. |
Revenue
We analyze our revenue and assess our performance by comparing actual monthly revenue to our internal projections and across periods. We also assess incremental changes in revenue compared to incremental changes in direct operating costs and selling, general and administrative expenses across our reportable segments to identify potential areas for improvement, as well as to determine whether segment performance is meeting management’s expectations.
Gross Profit
To measure our financial performance, we analyze our gross profit, which we define as revenues less direct operating expenses (including depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses). We believe gross profit provides insight into profitability and the true operating performance of our assets. We also compare gross profit to prior periods and across segments to identify trends as well as underperforming segments.
Gross Margins
Gross margins provide an important gauge of how effective we are at converting revenue into profits. This metric works in tandem with gross profit to ensure that we do not seek to increase gross profit at the expense of lower margins, nor pursue higher gross margins at the expense of declining gross profits. We track gross margins by segment and service line and compare them across prior periods and across segments and service lines to identify trends as well as underperforming segments.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
We view EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as important indicators of performance. We define EBITDA as net income/(loss), plus interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation, amortization and accretion. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA plus any impairment and abandonment charges or asset write-offs pursuant to U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), plus non-cash losses on the sale of assets or subsidiaries less remeasurement gains on fixed assets related to business combinations, non-cash compensation expense, and non-recurring or unusual expenses or charges, including severance expenses, transaction costs, or facilities-related exit and disposal-related expenditures, plus/(minus) foreign currency losses/(gains), plus/(minus) losses/(earnings) on unconsolidated entities and plus TRAs expense. The adjustments to EBITDA are generally consistent with such adjustments described in our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility. See “—Comparison of Non-GAAP Financial Measures—EBITDA and Adjusted
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EBITDA” for more information and a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.
Cash Flows and Free Cash Flow
We define FCF as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less purchases of property and equipment, plus proceeds received from sale of property and equipment. Our board of directors and executive management team use FCF to assess our liquidity and ability to repay maturing debt, fund operations and make additional investments. We believe FCF provides useful information to investors because it is an important indicator of our liquidity including our ability to reduce net debt, make strategic investments, pay dividends and distributions and repurchase common stock. Our measure of FCF may not be directly comparable to similar measures reported by other companies. Furthermore, FCF is not a substitute for, or more meaningful than, net cash provided by (used in) operating activities nor any other measure prescribed by GAAP, and there are limitations to using non-GAAP measures such as FCF. Accordingly, FCF should not be considered a measure of the income generated by our business or discretionary cash available to it to invest in the growth of our business.
Factors Affecting the Comparability of Our Results of Operations to Our Historical Results of Operations
Our future results of operations may not be comparable to our historical results of operations for the periods presented, primarily for the reasons described below and those described in “—Recent Developments” above.
Acquisition Activity
As described above, we continuously evaluate potential investments, particularly in water infrastructure and other water-related services and technology. To the extent we consummate acquisitions, any pre-transaction revenues or expenses from such transactions are not included in our historical results of operations.
Between January 2024 and December 2025, we completed seven business combinations and approximately eighteen asset acquisitions. Our historical financial statements for periods prior to the respective date each acquisition was completed do not include the results of operations of that acquisition. See “—Recent Developments” and “Note 3—Acquisitions” for a description of these transactions.
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Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our results of operations, including revenue by segment, for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the year ended December 31, 2024. The results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 is set forth in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Year Ended December 31, 2025 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2024
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year ended December 31, | | Change | | ||||||||
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | | Dollars | | Percentage | | ||||
| | | | (in thousands) | | | | | | | ||||
| Revenue | | | | | | | | | | ||||
| Water Infrastructure | | $ | 313,239 | | $ | 290,900 | | $ | 22,339 | | 7.7 | % | |
| Water Services | | | 786,525 | | | 901,657 | | | (115,132) | (12.8) | % | | |
| Chemical Technologies | | | 307,580 | | | 259,518 | | 48,062 | 18.5 | % | | ||
| Total revenue | | 1,407,344 | | 1,452,075 | | (44,731) | (3.1) | % | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Costs of revenue | | | | | | | | | | ||||
| Water Infrastructure | | | 143,940 | | | 137,573 | | 6,367 | 4.6 | % | | ||
| Water Services | | 635,225 | | 720,876 | | (85,651) | (11.9) | % | | ||||
| Chemical Technologies | | | 251,284 | | | 220,617 | | | 30,667 | | 13.9 | % | |
| Depreciation, amortization and accretion | | 174,497 | | 153,543 | | 20,954 | 13.6 | % | | ||||
| Total costs of revenue | | 1,204,946 | | 1,232,609 | | (27,663) | (2.2) | % | | ||||
| Gross profit | | 202,398 | | 219,466 | | (17,068) | (7.8) | % | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Operating expenses | | | | | | | | | | ||||
| Selling, general and administrative | | 161,316 | | | 159,978 | | 1,338 | 0.8 | % | | |||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 5,321 | | | 3,404 | | 1,917 | 56.3 | % | | |||
| Impairments and abandonments | | | 6,221 | | | 1,237 | | | 4,984 | | NM | | |
| Lease abandonment costs | | 734 | | | 358 | | 376 | 105.0 | % | | |||
| Total operating expenses | | 173,592 | | 164,977 | | 8,615 | 5.2 | % | | ||||
| Income from operations | | 28,806 | | 54,489 | | (25,683) | (47.1) | % | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other income (expense) | | | | | | | | | | ||||
| Gain on sales of property and equipment and divestitures, net | | | 10,338 | | | 3,255 | | | 7,083 | NM | | | |
| Interest expense, net | | (23,181) | | | (6,965) | | (16,216) | 232.8 | % | | |||
| Remeasurement gain on business combination | | | 14,924 | | | — | | | 14,924 | NM | | | |
| Tax receivable agreements expense | | | (4,995) | | | (836) | | | (4,159) | NM | | | |
| Other | | (1,141) | | | (573) | | (568) | NM | | | |||
| Income before income tax benefit (expense) and equity in losses of unconsolidated entities | | 24,751 | | 49,370 | | (24,619) | (49.9) | % | | ||||
| Income tax benefit (expense) | | 1,608 | | (13,568) | | 15,176 | (111.9) | % | | ||||
| Equity in losses of unconsolidated entities | | | (4,892) | | (352) | | (4,540) | NM | | | |||
| Net income | | $ | 21,467 | | $ | 35,450 | | $ | (13,983) | (39.4) | % | |
Revenue
Our revenue decreased $44.7 million, or 3.1%, to $1.407 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $1.452 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024. The decrease was composed of a $115.1 million decrease in Water Services revenue partially offset by a $48.1 million increase in Chemical Technologies revenue and a $22.3 million increase in Water Infrastructure revenue. The net $44.7 million decrease was driven primarily by
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macroeconomic conditions, including fewer hydraulic fracturing crews, as well as divested Fluids Hauling operations from the Omni transaction, partially offset by increases as a result of recent capital investments as well as the ramp-up of long-term contractual agreements in our Water Infrastructure segment and enhanced sales performance in Chemical Technologies. For the year ended December 31, 2025, our Water Infrastructure, Water Services and Chemical Technologies revenues constituted 22.3%, 55.9% and 21.9% of our total revenue, respectively, compared to 20.0%, 62.1% and 17.9%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2024. The revenue changes by reportable segment are as follows:
Water Infrastructure. Revenue increased by $22.3 million, or 7.7%, to $313.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $290.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily driven by higher recycling revenue, supported by long-term contracts and the continued organic buildout of our recycling infrastructure, as well as higher disposal and solids revenues reflecting contributions from recently acquired assets. These gains were partially offset by a combination of macroeconomic factors, including a reduction in hydraulic fracturing crews impacting activity and key customer activity timing and reduced activity levels in the Bakken.
Water Services. Revenue decreased $115.1 million, or 12.8%, to $786.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $901.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The decrease was primarily driven by lower Fluids Hauling revenue following the divestiture of operations in connection with the Omni transaction, as well as lower Water Sourcing revenue associated with the transition from certain freshwater to produced water operations. Broader macroeconomic softness also contributed to lower Water Transfer and Well Testing revenue. This was partially offset by higher Accommodation and Rentals revenue driven by increased power generation activity and underlying organic growth.
Chemical Technologies. Revenue increased $48.1 million, or 18.5%, to $307.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to $259.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase in revenues was primarily driven by continued success in new product development, which has supported market share gains across key customer segments, as well as improved sales team execution.
Costs of Revenue
Costs of revenue decreased $27.7 million, or 2.2%, to $1.205 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $1.233 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024. The decrease was primarily composed of an $85.7 million decrease in Water Services costs partially offset by a $30.7 million increase in Chemical Technologies costs, a $6.4 million increase in Water Infrastructure costs and an increase of $21.0 million in depreciation, amortization and accretion. The costs of revenue changes by reportable segment are as follows:
Water Infrastructure. Costs of revenue increased $6.4 million, or 4.6%, to $143.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $137.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. Cost of revenue as a percent of revenue decreased to 46.0% from 47.3% primarily driven by higher margins in gathering, disposal, and solids operations, reflecting both the accretive impact of recently acquired assets and effective integration execution. Pipeline margins were also higher in the period. These increases were partially offset by modest declines in higher margin recycling operations, primarily reflecting changes in service mix, though recycling margins remained above 50% for the year despite the year-over-year decline.
Water Services. Costs of revenue decreased $85.7 million, or 11.9%, to $635.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $720.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. Cost of revenue as a percent of revenue increased to 80.8% from 80.0% primarily impacted by lower revenue levels in the Water Transfer, Well Testing business lines, as not all costs could be proportionally reduced. This increase was also impacted by a decline water sourcing revenue and margins, reflecting a transition of certain fresh water to produced water operations. Further, Accommodations and Rental’s margins declined due to customer and activity mix. This was partially offset by improved gross margins in our Fluids Hauling business line, favorably impacted by the divestment of lower margin operations in connection with the Omni transaction.
Chemical Technologies. Costs of revenue increased $30.7 million, or 13.9%, to $251.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $220.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. Cost of revenue as a
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percent of revenue decreased to 81.7% from 85.0% primarily attributable to a higher proportion of sales from higher margin products, coupled with reduced freight costs resulting from a shift from third-party providers to internal logistics execution.
Depreciation amortization and accretion. Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense increased $21.0 million, or 13.6%, to $174.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $153.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 primarily due to a higher fixed asset base resulting from investments made into new organic infrastructure projects as well as recent acquisitions. Also contributing to the increase was higher accretion expense resulting from a change in estimated plug and abandonment costs on previously acquired inactive SWDs.
Gross Profit
Gross profit was $202.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to $219.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The decrease was primarily driven by a $29.5 million decrease in gross profit from our Water Services segment and a $21.0 million increase in depreciation, amortization and accretion expense partially offset by a $17.4 million increase in our Chemical Technologies segment and a $16.0 million increase in gross profit from our Water Infrastructure segment. Gross margin as a percentage of revenue was 14.4% and 15.1% during the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $1.3 million, or 0.8%, to $161.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $160.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily driven by $5.4 million in higher information technology costs, a $5.4 million increase in wages and associated taxes and benefits and contract labor, $0.9 million higher bad debt expense and $0.8 million in higher severance expense partially offset by a $6.6 million decline in incentive and equity-based compensation, $2.9 million in lower transaction and rebranding costs, and a $1.7 million reduction in legal and professional fees and other expenses.
Gain on Sales of Property and Equipment and Divestitures, Net
During the year ended December 31, 2025, we recognized $10.3 million in gains on sales of property and equipment and divestitures, primarily consisting of $6.4 million in underutilized or obsolete property and equipment in our Water Services segment, $2.9 million in our Water Infrastructure segment comprised of a $4.7 million gain from the sale of excess land in the Haynesville/East Texas region partially offset by $1.8 million of losses on sales of obsolete and underutilized property and equipment, and $1.0 million of obsolete property and equipment in our Chemical Technologies segment. During the year ended December 31, 2024, amounts recognized were due primarily to sales of underutilized or obsolete property and equipment.
Impairments and Abandonments
For the year ended December 31, 2025, we recognized $6.2 million in impairments and abandonments, consisting of $4.4 million in the Water Infrastructure segment primarily associated with SWD abandonments and the termination of a disposal lease, $1.2 million in Other related to abandonment of back-office software development costs previously classified as Other long-term assets and $0.6 million in the Water Services segment related to the relocation of operations from a leased facility. For the year ended December 31, 2024, we recorded $1.2 million of abandonment that was primarily attributable to abandoned property and equipment.
Net Interest Expense
Net interest expense increased by $16.2 million, or 232.8%, to $23.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $7.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 due to interest expense on the new Term Loan Facility as well as higher amortization of deferred debt issuance costs in connection with our new Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility and extinguishment costs related to our Prior Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility.
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Remeasurement Gain on Business Combination
For the year ended December 31, 2025, a remeasurement gain of $14.9 million was recognized in connection with Water Services property and equipment that was part of the purchase consideration transferred to Omni.
Tax Receivable Agreements Expense
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, we determined that we were in a position to reasonably estimate the amount of the liability associated with the TRAs and determined that future payments under the terms of the TRAs were probable, and therefore recorded expense of $5.0 million and $0.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Income Tax Benefit (Expense)
For the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, we recorded $1.6 million in income tax benefit and $13.6 million in income tax expense, respectively. The current year $1.6 million benefit was primarily driven by a favorable adjustment to the valuation allowance, as well as research and development and energy investment tax credits.
Net Income
Net Income decreased by $14.0 million, to a net income of $21.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to $35.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, driven primarily by lower gross profit, an increase in interest expense, equity investment losses and tax receivable agreements expense during 2025 partially offset by 2025 income tax benefit compared to 2024 income tax expense, the remeasurement gain on business combination and increased gains on sales of property and equipment and divestitures, net.
Comparison of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Our board of directors, management and investors use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to assess our financial performance because it allows them to compare our operating performance on a consistent basis across periods by removing the effects of our capital structure (such as varying levels of interest expense), asset base (such as depreciation, amortization and accretion) and items outside the control of our management team. We present EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA because we believe they provide useful information regarding the factors and trends affecting our business in addition to measures calculated under GAAP.
Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP. We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures will provide useful information to investors in assessing our financial performance and results of operations. Net income is the GAAP measure most directly comparable to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. Our non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as alternatives to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Each of these non-GAAP financial measures has important limitations as an analytical tool due to the exclusion of some but not all items that affect the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. One should not consider EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA in isolation or as substitutes for an analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Because EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may be defined differently by other companies in our industry, our definitions of these non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing their utility.
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The following table sets forth our reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to our net income, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure, for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year Ended December 31, | ||||
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | ||
| | | (in thousands) | ||||
| Net income | | $ | 21,467 | | $ | 35,450 |
| Interest expense, net | | | 23,181 | | | 6,965 |
| Income tax (benefit) expense | | | (1,608) | | | 13,568 |
| Depreciation, amortization and accretion | | | 179,818 | | | 156,947 |
| EBITDA | | | 222,858 | | | 212,930 |
| Tax receivable agreements expense | | | 4,995 | | | 836 |
| Non-cash compensation expenses | | | 19,875 | | | 26,358 |
| Non-recurring severance expenses(1) | | | 1,467 | | | 648 |
| Non-cash loss on sale of assets or subsidiaries | | | 1,399 | | | 3,609 |
| Transaction and rebranding costs | | | 10,269 | | | 10,038 |
| Lease abandonment costs | | | 734 | | | 358 |
| Impairments and abandonments | | | 6,221 | | | 1,237 |
| Remeasurement gain on business combination | | | (14,924) | | | — |
| Equity in losses of unconsolidated entities | | | 4,892 | | | 352 |
| Other | | | 2,497 | | | 2,029 |
| Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 260,283 | | $ | 258,395 |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | For the year ended December 31, 2025, these costs relate to severance expense in connection with the termination of certain former management employees related to a reorganization. For the year ended December 31, 2024, these costs related to severance costs associated with our former chief financial officer (“CFO”). |
EBITDA was $222.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to $212.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The $10.0 million increase in EBITDA was driven primarily by a $14.9 million remeasurement gain on business combination with Omni, a $7.1 million increase in gains on asset sales and $3.9 million in higher gross profit partially offset by a $5.0 million increase in impairments and abandonments, $4.5 million less in equity earnings in unconsolidated investments, $4.2 million increase in tax receivable agreements expense and a $1.3 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses. Adjusted EBITDA was $260.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to $258.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash on hand, borrowing capacity under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility, cash flows from operations and proceeds from the sale of excess property and equipment. Our primary uses of capital have been to fund current operations, maintain our asset base, implement technological advancements, make capital expenditures to support organic growth, fund acquisitions and equity investments, pay dividends and distributions, make payments under the TRAs, and when appropriate, repurchase shares of Class A common stock in the open market. Depending on available opportunities, market conditions and other factors, we may also issue debt and equity securities, in the future, if needed.
We prioritize sustained positive FCF and a strong balance sheet, and evaluate potential acquisitions and investments in the context of those priorities, in addition to the economics of the opportunity. We believe this approach provides us with additional flexibility to evaluate larger investments as well as improved resilience in a sustained downturn versus many of our peers.
Based on our current cash and cash equivalents balance, operating cash flow, available borrowings under our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility and the ongoing actions discussed above, we believe that we will be able to
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maintain sufficient liquidity to satisfy our obligations and remain in compliance with our existing debt covenants through the next twelve months and beyond, prior to giving effect to any future financing that may occur.
We intend to finance most of our capital expenditures, contractual obligations and working capital needs with cash on hand, cash generated from operations and borrowings under our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility. For a discussion of the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility, see “—Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility” below. Although we cannot provide any assurance, we believe that our current cash balance, operating cash flow and available borrowings under our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next twelve months. In addition, we may opportunistically seek to raise additional capital through securities offerings or other avenues, as appropriate, based on market circumstances and other factors.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, we initiated a quarterly dividend and distribution program of $0.05 per share and $0.05 per unit for holders of Class A and Class B shares, respectively. We paid quarterly dividends at the same rate through the third quarter of 2023, then the board of directors increased the quarterly dividend paid on November 17, 2023 to $0.06 per share and $0.06 per unit for holders of Class A and Class B shares, respectively. We paid quarterly dividends at the same rate through the third quarter of 2024, then the board of directors increased the quarterly dividend paid on November 15, 2024 to $0.07 per share and $0.07 per unit for holders of Class A and Class B shares, respectively. This program resulted in a financing outflow of $33.7 million and $29.7 million during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. This quarterly dividend program is expected to continue into 2026 and beyond. All future dividend payments are subject to quarterly review and approval by our board of directors.
As of December 31, 2025, cash and cash equivalents totaled $18.1 million and we had approximately $145.5 million of available borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility under our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2025, we had $320.0 million in outstanding indebtedness, the borrowing base for the Revolving Credit Facility under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility was $235.1 million, the borrowing base for the Term Loan Facility under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility was $426.3 million and outstanding letters of credit totaled $19.6 million. As of February 16, 2026, we had $363.5 million in outstanding indebtedness, the borrowing base for the Revolving Credit Facility under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility was $214.5 million, the borrowing base for the Term Loan under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility was $426.3 million, the outstanding letters of credit totaled $19.6 million, and the available borrowing capacity under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility was $81.4 million.
As of December 31, 2025, we had no material off-balance sheet arrangements. As such, we are not exposed to any material financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such financing arrangements.
Our contractual obligations include, among other things, our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility and operating leases. Refer to “Note 6—Leases” for operating lease obligations as of December 31, 2025 and “Note 10—Debt” for an update to our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility as of December 31, 2025.
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Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. The summary of our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 is set forth in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Cash Flow Changes Between the Years Ended December 31, 2025 and 2024
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year Ended December 31, | | Dollar Change | | Percentage Change | ||||||
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | | | | | | |||
| | | (in thousands) | | | | | | | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | | $ | 214,673 | | $ | 234,886 | | $ | (20,213) | | (8.6) | % |
| Net cash used in investing activities | | | (404,962) | | | (318,623) | | | (86,339) | | (27.1) | % |
| Net cash provided by financing activities | | | 188,389 | | | 46,641 | | | 141,748 | | 303.9 | % |
| Subtotal | | $ | (1,900) | | $ | (37,096) | | | | | | |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | | | 6 | | | (9) | | | 15 | | NM | |
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | | $ | (1,894) | | $ | (37,105) | | | | | | |
Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities was $214.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $234.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The $20.2 million decrease is comprised of $14.9 million of net income combined with non-cash adjustments and a $5.3 million decrease in converting working capital to cash.
Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities was $405.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $318.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The $86.3 million increase in net cash used in investing activities was due primarily to a $121.4 million increase in purchases of property and equipment, a $72.1 million investment in unconsolidated entities during the year ended December 31, 2025 and $0.6 million in lower proceeds received from sales of property and equipment partially offset by a $107.7 million decrease in spending for acquisitions net of cash received.
Financing Activities. Net cash provided by financing activities was $188.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $46.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The $141.7 million increase in net cash provided by financing activities was due primarily to a $150.0 million increase in borrowings net of repayments and $2.9 million of cash received from noncontrolling interest holders during the year ended December 31, 2025 partially offset by $7.9 million of debt issuance costs during the year ended December 31, 2025 and a $3.9 million increase in dividends and distributions paid.
Free Cash Flow
The following table summarizes our FCF for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year ended December 31, | ||||
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | ||
| | | (in thousands) | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | | $ | 214,673 | | $ | 234,886 |
| Purchase of property and equipment | | | (294,562) | | | (173,153) |
| Proceeds received from sale of property and equipment | | | 15,251 | | | 15,809 |
| Free cash flow | | $ | (64,638) | | $ | 77,542 |
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Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility
On January 24, 2025 (the “Closing Date”), SES Holdings, a subsidiary of the Company, Select Water Solutions, LLC, a subsidiary of SES Holdings (the “Select LLC”), Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, issuing lender and swingline lender (the “Administrative Agent”), and the other lenders party thereto, entered into that certain sustainability-linked senior secured credit facility (the “Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility”), which initially provides for $300.0 million in revolving commitments (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) and $250.0 million in term commitments (the “Term Loan Facility”), in each case, subject to a borrowing base. The Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility also has a sublimit of $50.0 million for letters of credit and a sublimit of $30.0 million for swingline loans. Subject to obtaining commitments from existing or new lenders, Select LLC has the option to increase the maximum amount under the sustainability-linked senior secured credit facility by (i) $150.0 million for additional revolving commitments and (ii) $50.0 million for additional term commitments, in each case, during the first four years following the Closing Date. As of the Closing Date, (i) there were no borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility and approximately $20.0 million of letters of credit issued and outstanding thereunder and (ii) the Term Loan Facility was fully funded. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meaning ascribed to them in the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility.
Refer to “Note 10—Debt” for further discussion of the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures about any 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. Our critical accounting policies are described below to provide a better understanding of how we develop our assumptions and judgments about future events and related estimations and how they can impact our financial statements. The following accounting policies involve critical accounting estimates because they are dependent on our judgment and assumptions about matters that are inherently uncertain.
We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions we believe to be reasonable according to the current facts and circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects are subject to uncertainty and, accordingly, these estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained, and as the business environment in which we operate changes. We believe the current assumptions, judgments and estimates used to determine amounts reflected in our consolidated financial statements are appropriate, however, actual results may differ under different conditions. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Annual Report.
Goodwill and other intangible assets: The purchase price of acquired businesses is allocated to its identifiable assets and liabilities based upon estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and other intangible assets are initially recorded at their fair values. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of acquisitions over the fair value of the net assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill and other intangible assets not subject to amortization are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized either on a straight-line basis over the asset’s estimated useful life or on a basis that reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are realized.
Impairment of goodwill, long-lived assets and intangible assets: Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and finite-lived intangible assets, are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by a comparison of their carrying amount to the estimated undiscounted cash flows to be generated by those assets. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount, we record impairment losses for the excess of their carrying value over the estimated fair
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value. Fair value is determined, in part, by the estimated cash flows to be generated by those assets. Our cash flow estimates are based upon, among other things, historical results adjusted to reflect our best estimate of future market rates, utilization levels, and operating performance. Development of future cash flows also requires management to make assumptions and to apply judgment, including the timing of future expected cash flows, using the appropriate discount rates and determining salvage values. The estimate of fair value represents our best estimates of these factors based on current industry trends and reference to market transactions and is subject to variability. Assets are generally grouped at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows. We operate within the oilfield service industry, and the cyclical nature of the oil and gas industry that we serve and our estimates of the period over which future cash flows will be generated, as well as the predictability of these cash flows, can have a significant impact on the estimated fair value of these assets and, in periods of prolonged down cycles, may result in impairment charges. Changes to our key assumptions related to future performance, market conditions and other economic factors could adversely affect our impairment valuation.
We conduct our annual goodwill impairment tests in the fourth quarter of each year, and whenever impairment indicators arise, by examining relevant events and circumstances which could have a negative impact on its goodwill such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors that have a negative effect on earnings and cash flows, overall financial performance, acquisitions and divestitures and other relevant entity-specific events. If a qualitative assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we are required to perform a quantitative impairment test for goodwill comparing the reporting unit’s carrying value to its fair value. Our reporting units are based on our organizational and reporting structure. In determining fair values for the reporting units, we rely primarily on the income and market approaches for valuation. In the income approach, we discount predicted future cash flows using a weighted-average cost of capital calculation based on publicly-traded peer companies. In the market approach, valuation multiples are developed from both publicly-traded peer companies as well as other company transactions.
If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, goodwill impairment is calculated by subtracting the fair value of the reporting unit from the carrying value. Application of the goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including the identification of reporting units, allocation of assets (including goodwill) and liabilities to reporting units and determining the fair value. The determination of reporting unit fair value relies upon certain estimates and assumptions that are complex and are affected by numerous factors, including the general economic environment and levels of E&P activity of oil and gas companies, our financial performance and trends and our strategies and business plans, among others. Unanticipated changes, including immaterial revisions, to these assumptions, could result in a provision for impairment in a future period. Given the nature of these evaluations and their application to specific assets and time frames, it is not possible to reasonably quantify the impact of changes in these assumptions.
Retentions: We assume risk of loss through deductibles and self-insured retentions, up to certain levels for losses related to general liability, workers’ compensation and employer’s liability, vehicle liability, and health insurance. Our exposure (i.e., the self-insured retention or deductible) per occurrence is $1.0 million for general liability, $1.0 million for workers’ compensation and employer’s liability, $2.0 million for auto liability and $0.4 million for health insurance. We also have an excess loss policy over these coverages with a limit of $100.0 million in the aggregate. Management reviews its estimates of reported and unreported claims and provides for losses through reserves. We use actuarial estimates to record our liability for future periods. If the number of claims or the costs associated with those claims were to increase significantly over our estimates, additional charges to earnings could be necessary to cover required payments. As of December 31, 2025, we estimate the range of exposure to be from $18.1 million to $22.4 million and have recorded liabilities of $20.1 million, which represents management’s best estimate of probable loss related to workers’ compensation and employer’s liability, and auto liability. Additionally, as of December 31, 2025, accrued health insurance and accrued general liabilities were $3.9 million and $4.0 million, respectively.
Tax Receivable Agreements: We intend to fund any obligation under the TRAs with cash from operations or borrowings under our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility. With respect to obligations under each of our TRAs (except in cases where we elect to terminate the TRAs early, the TRAs are terminated early due to certain mergers or other changes of control or we have available cash but fail to make payments when due), generally we may elect to defer payments due under the TRAs if we do not have available cash to satisfy our payment obligations under the TRAs or if
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our contractual obligations limit our ability to make these payments. Any such deferred payments under the TRAs generally will accrue interest.
We account for any amounts payable under the TRAs in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 450, Contingencies. For a discussion regarding an acceleration of the amounts payable under the TRAs if we elect to terminate the TRAs early or they are terminated early due to our failure to honor a material obligation thereunder or due to certain mergers, asset sales, other forms of business combinations or other changes of control and the potential impact of such an acceleration and the potential impact of such acceleration, please read Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Our Organizational Structure. In certain cases, payments under the TRAs may be accelerated and/or significantly exceed the actual benefits, if any, we realize in respect of the tax attributes subject to the TRAs.
We have assessed the amount of any liability under the TRAs required under the provisions of ASC 450 in connection with preparing the consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, we determined that we were in a position to reasonably estimate an amount of liability associated with the TRAs and determined that future payments under the terms of the TRAs were probable, and therefore recorded liabilities of $43.4 million and $38.5 million, respectively. The projection of future taxable income and utilization of tax value attributes associated with the TRAs involve estimates which require judgment. The amount of the Company’s actual taxable income, passage of future legislation, or consummation of significant transactions in the future may impact the liability related to the TRAs.
Realizability of Deferred Tax Assets: We establish valuation allowances when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts more likely than not to be realized. Deferred income tax assets are evaluated quarterly to determine if valuation allowances are required or should be adjusted. The ability to realize deferred tax assets depends on the ability to generate sufficient taxable income within the carryback or carryforward periods provided for in the tax law for each applicable tax jurisdiction. The assessment regarding whether a valuation allowance is required or should be adjusted is based on an evaluation of possible sources of taxable income and also considers all available positive and negative evidence factors. Our accounting for the realization of deferred tax assets incorporates, amongst other factors, our best estimate of future events. Changes in our current estimates, due to unanticipated market conditions, governmental legislative actions or events, could have a material effect on our ability to utilize deferred tax assets. As of December 31, 2025, valuation allowances against deferred tax assets were $100.2 million. See “Note 15—Income Taxes” for additional information.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to “Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies” for recent accounting pronouncements.
MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001558370-25-001154.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements based on our current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors as described under “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors.” We assume no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
Overview
We are a leading provider of sustainable water-management solutions to the energy industry in the U.S. As a leader in the water solutions industry, we place the utmost importance on safe, environmentally responsible management of oilfield water throughout the lifecycle of a well. Additionally, we believe that responsibly managing water resources through our operations to help conserve and protect the environment in the communities in which we operate is paramount to our continued success.
In many regions of the country, there has been growing concern about the volumes of water required for new oil and gas well completions, as well as volumes of water injected into subterranean zones where seismicity can be triggered. Working with our customers and local communities, we strive to be an industry leader in the development of sustainable cost-effective alternatives to fresh water. Specifically, we offer solutions through our infrastructure networks that enable our E&P customers to gather, treat and reuse produced water, thereby reducing the demand for freshwater while also reducing the volumes of saltwater that must be disposed by injection. In many areas, we have also acquired sources of non-potable water, such as brackish water or municipal or industrial effluent. Through our expertise in chemical technologies and our FluidMatch™ design solutions, we provide water profiling and fluid assessment services for our customers to support the optimization of their fluid systems, enabling the economic use of these alternative sources. We also work with our E&P customers to lower their emissions through methane combustion technology, and reduce the environmental footprint of their operations through the use of temporary hose and permanent pipeline systems, which are supported by extensive monitoring and automation technology solutions that provide safer and more efficient water resource management. These solutions significantly reduce the demand for trucking operations, thereby reducing gasoline and diesel exhaust emissions, increasing safety and decreasing traffic congestion in nearby communities.
Recent Trends and Outlook
During 2024, Select executed six strategic business combinations totaling $148.1 million, and eight asset acquisitions totaling $14.6 million, enhancing current and future water infrastructure capabilities. The Trinity Acquisition added strategic saltwater disposal wells and pipelines in the Permian Basin. The Iron Mountain Acquisition and the Tri-State Acquisition strengthened fluids and solids treatment and disposal assets in the Haynesville region. The Buckhorn Acquisition expanded solids management services by adding landfills in North Dakota and Montana. The Bobcat Acquisition enhanced disposal operations and provided comprehensive produced water solutions in the Marcellus/Utica region. Finally, the Rockies Infrastructure Acquisition improved water disposal operations in that region. These strategic acquisitions collectively position Select for future growth and operational efficiency in the water infrastructure segment.
Select is prioritizing investments in water infrastructure projects, which often bring a more predictable and steady revenue stream through long-term contracts and production-related operations. These investments typically produce higher gross margins and also foster stronger partnerships with customers, as Select becomes an integral partner
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in ensuring well productivity for ongoing customer production over the life of a well. Our focus is on integrated solutions that enhance contracted infrastructure projects with logistics services and chemical solutions, and expanding the value we provide to our customers. Our approach, historically and during the year ended December 31, 2024, has been to streamline operations and offer a more comprehensive and valuable overall package to customers that is built around optimizing the entire water lifecycle as such integrated solutions drive revenue growth and enhance overall value to clients.
The armed conflict between Ukraine and Russia continued into 2024, as well as ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, including heightened tensions with Iran. As a result of the Russian invasion of the Ukraine, the U.S., the United Kingdom, the member states of the European Union and other public and private actors have imposed severe sanctions on Russian financial institutions, businesses and individuals. In the Middle East, various conflicts have resulted in increased hostilities and instability in oil and gas producing regions in the Middle East as well as in key adjacent shipping lanes and supply chains, including elevated tensions with Iran, a major oil producer.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the resulting sanctions and concerns regarding global energy security, has contributed to, and conflicts in the Middle East may contribute to, increases and volatility in the prices for oil and natural gas. Such volatility, coupled with an increased cost of capital, due, in part to elevated rates of inflation and interest rates, may lead to a more difficult investing and planning environment for us and our customers. The ultimate geopolitical and macroeconomic consequences of these conflicts and associated sanctions and/or international responses cannot be predicted, and such events, or any further hostilities elsewhere, could severely impact the world economy and may adversely affect our financial condition. An end to these conflicts and an easing or elimination of the related sanctions and/or international response could result in a significant fall in commodity prices as hydrocarbons become more readily accessible in global markets, which could have an adverse effect on our customers, and therefore adversely affect our
customers’ demand for our services. An intensification of that conflict could also have an adverse effect on our customers and their demand for our services.
In addition, since 2021, OPEC+ countries instituted production cuts (as well as voluntary production cuts), which currently cut output by 5.86 million barrels/day in the aggregate. In December 2024, OPEC+ announced an extension of such production cuts through the end of 2026. OPEC+ may, at its discretion, continue to decrease, or increase, production, which will continue to impact crude oil and natural gas price volatility. The actions of OPEC+ countries with respect to oil production levels and announcements of potential changes in such levels, including agreement on and compliance with production targets, may result in volatility in the industry in which we and our customers operate. The average price of West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) crude oil remained relatively flat in 2024 versus 2023, primarily due to sluggish demand and relatively high production outside of OPEC+ countries, offset by OPEC+ production cuts. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the average spot price of WTI crude oil was $76.63 versus an average price of $77.58 for the year ended December 31, 2023. While WTI price levels marginally declined during 2024 relative to 2023, these WTI price levels remain supportive of our customers’ drilling and completion programs in the major shale basins. The average Henry Hub natural gas spot price during the year ended December 31, 2024, was $2.19 versus an average of $2.53 for the year ended December 31, 2023. Henry Hub natural gas price levels in 2024 have declined relative to 2023 and have negatively impacted activity levels in the natural gas basins though prices did see a recovery in the second half of 2024 relative to the first half of the year.
Additionally, increased inflation in recent years has resulted in higher interest rates and increased cost of capital for Select and for our customers. As costs of capital has increased, many of our customers have demonstrated their resolve to manage their capital spending within budgets and cash flow from operations and increase redemptions of debt and/or returns of capital to investors. Additionally, consolidation among our customers, such as the consolidation of E&P companies in the Permian Basin, can disrupt our market in the near term and the resulting demand for our services. Overall however, even though commodity prices have moderated recently, the financial health of the oil and gas industry is in a generally healthy position overall, including many of our customers specifically, as reflected in revenues and earnings, debt metrics, recent capital raises, and equity valuations.
In addition, global macroeconomic developments, such as the development or change in international trade policies, including the imposition of tariffs, may adversely affect our ability to source raw materials and the demand for our services. While we have positioned ourselves to largely not be reliant on any sole supplier and believe we would be
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able to find alternative sources for our raw materials, any trading disruption (such as tariffs, product restrictions, etc.) in the trading relationships between the U.S. and other nations may adversely impact our business. For example, on February 1, 2025, the White House issued three executive orders directing the U.S. to impose an increase of the duty on imports from Canada, Mexico and China and empowering the U.S. president to raise the tariffs further should any country retaliate. On February 3, 2025, the prospective tariffs on Canada and Mexico were deferred for 30 days, though the execution of these tariff increases remain possible beyond the current short-term reprieve. The 10% additional tariff on all imports from China went into effect, and on February 4, 2025 China retaliated with various levels of tariffs on certain products imported from the U.S., including a 10% tariff on crude oil and a 15% tariff on liquified natural gas. The continuation, expansion or worsening of these tariffs may adversely affect the industry in which we operate and reduce demand for our services.
When one customer acquires another, drilling and completions activity levels may decrease overall, but acquisitions can lead to larger blocks of consolidated development and production acreage, which can increase the demand for our longer-term integrated full water lifecycle solutions. This consolidation may streamline operations, as Select can offer integrated solutions to clients with larger water volumes to manage in certain areas. The Company’s position in the market may strengthen, as it becomes an essential partner for long-term production integrity in larger, more comprehensive water projects. However, it also means Select must meet the changing needs and structures of these consolidated entities to maintain and grow these relationships. While customers involved in acquisitions may initially slow activity to focus on integration and portfolio management, we believe we are well-positioned to meet the increased responsibilities of overall water management, including water reuse, recycling, transmitting and balancing across customers and regions, and ultimately disposal, for these larger customers and blocks of contiguous acreage.
While the financial health of the broader oil and gas industry has shown improvement as compared to prior periods, central bank policy actions and associated liquidity risks and other factors may negatively impact the value of our equity and that of our customers, and may reduce our and their ability to access liquidity in the bank and capital markets or result in capital being available on less favorable terms, which could negatively affect our financial condition and that of our customers.
From an operational standpoint, many of the recent trends still apply to ongoing unconventional oil and gas development. The continued trend towards multi-well pad development and simultaneous well completions, executed within a limited time frame, combined with service price inflation and elevated interest rates, has increased the overall intensity, complexity and cost of well completions, while increasing fracturing efficiency and the use of lower-cost in-basin sand has decreased total costs for our customers. However, we note the continued efficiency gains in the well completions process can limit the days we spend on the wellsite and, therefore, negatively impact the total revenue opportunity for certain of our services utilizing day-rate pricing models.
This multi-well pad development, combined with upstream acreage consolidation and corporate mergers as well as the growing trends around the recycling and reuse applications of produced water provides a significant opportunity for companies like us that can deliver increasingly complex solutions for our E&P customers across large swathes of acreage through our regional infrastructure networks, delivering solutions for the full completion and production lifecycle of wells. While these trends have advanced the most in the Permian Basin to date, they are emerging in other basins as well and Select has recently performed recycling projects in the Haynesville, Rockies and South Texas regions as well.
The increased reuse of produced water requires additional chemical treatment solutions. We have a dedicated team of specialists focused every day on developing and deploying innovative water treatment and reuse services for our customers. Our FluidMatch™ design solutions enable our customers to economically use these alternative sources to optimize their fluid systems by providing water profiling and fluid assessment services working towards real-time. This trend also supports more complex “on-the-fly” solutions that treat, proportion, and blend various streams of water and chemicals at the wellsite. This complexity favors service companies that are able to provide advanced technology solutions. Ultimately, we intend to play an important role in the advancement of water and chemical solutions that are designed to meet the sustainability goals of key stakeholders.
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Our water logistics, treatment, and chemical application expertise, in combination with advanced technology solutions, are applicable to other industries beyond oil and gas. We are working to further commercialize our services in other businesses and industries through our industrial solutions group.
Our Segments
Our services are offered through three reportable segments: (i) Water Infrastructure; (ii) Water Services; and (iii) Chemical Technologies.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Water Infrastructure. The Water Infrastructure segment consists of the Company’s fixed infrastructure assets, including operations associated with our water distribution pipeline infrastructure, our water recycling solutions, and our produced water pipeline gathering systems and SWDs, as well as solids management facilities, primarily serving E&P companies. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Water Services. The Water Services segment consists of the Company’s services businesses, including water sourcing, water transfer, flowback and well testing, fluids hauling, water monitoring, water containment and water network automation, primarily serving E&P companies. Additionally, this segment includes the operations of our accommodations and rentals business. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Chemical Technologies. The Chemical Technologies segment provides technical solutions, products and expertise related to chemical applications in the oil and gas industry. We develop, manufacture, manage logistics and provide a full suite of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, cementing and well completions for customers ranging from pressure pumpers to major integrated and independent oil and gas producers. This segment also utilizes its chemical experience and lab testing capabilities to customize tailored water treatment solutions designed to optimize the fracturing fluid system in conjunction with the quality of water used in well completions. |
How We Generate Revenue
We currently generate most of our revenue through our water-management services associated with well completions as well as ongoing produced water management, provided through our Water Infrastructure and Water Services segments. Most of this revenue is realized through customer agreements with fixed pricing terms and is recognized when delivery of services is provided, generally at our customers’ sites. While we have some long-term pricing arrangements, particularly in our Water Infrastructure segment, most of our water and water-related services are priced based on prevailing market conditions, giving due consideration to the customer’s specific requirements.
We also generate revenue by providing completion and specialty chemicals through our Chemical Technologies segment. We invoice the majority of our Chemical Technologies customers for services provided based on the quantity of chemicals used or pursuant to short-term contracts as customer needs arise.
Costs of Conducting Our Business
The principal expenses involved in conducting our business are labor costs, vehicle and equipment costs (including depreciation, rental, repair and maintenance and leasing costs), raw materials and water sourcing costs and fuel costs. Our fixed costs are relatively low. Most of the costs of serving our customers are variable, i.e., they are incurred only when we provide water and water-related services, or chemicals and chemical-related services to our customers.
Labor costs associated with our employees and contract labor comprise the largest portion of our costs of doing business. We incurred labor and labor-related costs of $530.7 million, $554.4 million and $476.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The majority of our recurring labor costs are variable and dependent on the market environment and are incurred only while we are providing our operational services. We also incur costs to employ personnel to ensure safe operations, sell and supervise our services and perform maintenance on our assets, which is not directly tied to our level of business activity. Additionally, we incur selling, general and
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administrative costs for compensation of our administrative personnel at our field sites and in our operational and corporate headquarters, as well as for third-party support, licensing and services.
We incur significant vehicle and equipment costs in connection with the services we provide, including depreciation, repairs and maintenance, rental and leasing costs. We incurred vehicle and equipment costs of $312.9 million, $318.9 million and $266.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
We incur raw material costs in manufacturing our chemical products, as well as for water that we source for our customers. We incurred raw material costs of $242.7 million, $299.9 million and $300.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
We incur variable transportation costs associated with our service lines, predominately fuel and freight. We incurred fuel and freight costs of $83.4 million, $115.6 million and $118.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Variability in fuel prices impact our transportation costs, which affect the results of our operations.
How We Evaluate Our Operations
We use a variety of operational and financial metrics to assess our performance. Among other measures, management considers each of the following:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Revenue; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Gross Profit; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Gross Margins; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | EBITDA; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Adjusted EBITDA; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Cash Flows; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Free Cash Flow. |
Revenue
We analyze our revenue and assess our performance by comparing actual monthly revenue to our internal projections and across periods. We also assess incremental changes in revenue compared to incremental changes in direct operating costs and selling, general and administrative expenses across our reportable segments to identify potential areas for improvement, as well as to determine whether segment performance is meeting management’s expectations.
Gross Profit
To measure our financial performance, we analyze our gross profit, which we define as revenues less direct operating expenses (including depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses). We believe gross profit provides insight into profitability and the true operating performance of our assets. We also compare gross profit to prior periods and across segments to identify trends as well as underperforming segments.
Gross Margins
Gross margins provide an important gauge of how effective we are at converting revenue into profits. This metric works in tandem with gross profit to ensure that we do not seek to increase gross profit at the expense of lower
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margins, nor pursue higher gross margins at the expense of declining gross profits. We track gross margins by segment and service line and compare them across prior periods and across segments and service lines to identify trends as well as underperforming segments.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
We view EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as important indicators of performance. We define EBITDA as net income/(loss), plus interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation, amortization and accretion. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA plus/(minus) loss/(income) from discontinued operations, plus any impairment and abandonment charges or asset write-offs pursuant to accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”), plus non-cash losses on the sale of assets or subsidiaries, non-recurring compensation expense, non-cash compensation expense, and non-recurring or unusual expenses or charges, including severance expenses, transaction costs, or facilities-related exit and disposal-related expenditures, plus/(minus) foreign currency losses/(gains), plus/(minus) losses/(gains) on unconsolidated entities and plus tax receivable agreements expense less bargain purchase gains from business combinations. The adjustments to EBITDA are generally consistent with such adjustments described in our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility. See “—Comparison of Non-GAAP Financial Measures—EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA” for more information and a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.
Cash Flows and Free Cash Flow
We define free cash flow as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less purchases of property and equipment, plus proceeds received from sale of property and equipment. Our board of directors and executive management team use free cash flow to assess our liquidity and ability to repay maturing debt, fund operations and make additional investments. We believe free cash flow provides useful information to investors because it is an important indicator of our liquidity, including our ability to reduce net debt, make strategic investments, pay dividends and distributions and repurchase common stock. Our measure of free cash flow may not be directly comparable to similar measures reported by other companies. Furthermore, free cash flow is not a substitute for, or more meaningful than, net cash provided by (used in) operating activities nor any other measure prescribed by GAAP, and there are limitations to using non-GAAP measures such as free cash flow. Accordingly, free cash flow should not be considered a measure of the income generated by our business or discretionary cash available to it to invest in the growth of our business.
Factors Affecting the Comparability of Our Results of Operations to Our Historical Results of Operations
Our future results of operations may not be comparable to our historical results of operations for the periods presented, primarily for the reasons described below and those described in “—Recent Trends and Outlook” above.
Acquisition Activity
As described above, we continuously evaluate potential investments, particularly in water infrastructure and other water-related services and technology. To the extent we consummate acquisitions, any incremental revenues or expenses from such transactions are not included in our historical results of operations.
Between January 2023 and December 2024, we completed six business combinations and approximately fourteen asset acquisitions. Our historical financial statements for periods prior to the respective date each acquisition was completed do not include the results of operations of that acquisition. See “—Recent Developments” and “Note 3—Acquisitions” for a description of these transactions.
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Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our results of operations, including revenue by segment, for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 is set forth in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2023
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year ended December 31, | | Change | | ||||||||
| | 2024 | 2023 | Dollars | Percentage | | ||||||||
| | | | (in thousands) | | | | | | | ||||
| Revenue | | | | | | ||||||||
| Water Infrastructure | | $ | 290,900 | | $ | 229,970 | | $ | 60,930 | | 26.5 | % | |
| Water Services | | | 901,657 | | | 1,032,896 | | | (131,239) | (12.7) | % | | |
| Chemical Technologies | | | 259,518 | | | 322,487 | | (62,969) | (19.5) | % | | ||
| Total revenue | | 1,452,075 | | 1,585,353 | | (133,278) | (8.4) | % | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Costs of revenue | | | | | | | | ||||||
| Water Infrastructure | | | 137,573 | | | 138,191 | | (618) | (0.4) | % | | ||
| Water Services | | 720,876 | | 814,609 | | (93,733) | (11.5) | % | | ||||
| Chemical Technologies | | | 220,617 | | | 262,078 | | | (41,461) | | (15.8) | % | |
| Depreciation, amortization and accretion | | 153,543 | | 138,813 | | 14,730 | 10.6 | % | | ||||
| Total costs of revenue | | 1,232,609 | | 1,353,691 | | (121,082) | (8.9) | % | | ||||
| Gross profit | | 219,466 | | 231,662 | | (12,196) | (5.3) | % | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Operating expenses | | | | | | | | ||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | | 159,978 | | | 155,548 | | 4,430 | 2.8 | % | | |||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 3,404 | | | 2,276 | | 1,128 | 49.6 | % | | |||
| Impairments and abandonments | | | 1,237 | | | 12,607 | | | (11,370) | | NM | | |
| Lease abandonment costs | | 358 | | | 42 | | 316 | NM | | | |||
| Total operating expenses | | 164,977 | | 170,473 | | (5,496) | (3.2) | % | | ||||
| Income from operations | | 54,489 | | 61,189 | | (6,700) | (10.9) | % | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other income (expense) | | | | | | | | ||||||
| Gain (loss) on sales of property and equipment and divestitures, net | | | 3,255 | | | (210) | | | 3,465 | NM | | | |
| Interest expense, net | | (6,965) | | | (4,393) | | (2,572) | 58.5 | % | | |||
| Tax receivable agreements expense | | | (836) | | | (38,187) | | | 37,351 | NM | | | |
| Other | | (573) | | | 2,424 | | (2,997) | NM | | | |||
| Income before income tax (expense) benefit and equity in losses of unconsolidated entities | | 49,370 | | 20,823 | | 28,547 | 137.1 | % | | ||||
| Income tax (expense) benefit | | (13,568) | | 60,196 | | (73,764) | (122.5) | % | | ||||
| Equity in losses of unconsolidated entities | | | (352) | | (1,800) | | 1,448 | NM | | | |||
| Net income | | $ | 35,450 | | $ | 79,219 | | $ | (43,769) | (55.3) | % | |
Revenue
Our revenue decreased $133.3 million, or 8.4%, to $1.45 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $1.59 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was composed of a $131.2 million decrease in Water Services revenue and a $63.0 million decrease in Chemical Technologies revenue partially offset by a $60.9 million increase in Water Infrastructure revenue. The net $133.3 million decrease was driven primarily by macroeconomic factors stemming from lower frac crew deployments and associated price reductions impacted by
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competitor price cuts. Included in the increases in Water Infrastructure were incremental revenue contributions from our 2024 acquisitions. For the year ended December 31, 2024, our Water Infrastructure, Water Services and Chemical Technologies revenues constituted 20.0%, 62.1% and 17.9% of our total revenue, respectively, compared to 14.5%, 65.2% and 20.3%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2023. The revenue changes by reportable segment are as follows:
Water Infrastructure. Revenue increased by $60.9 million, or 26.5%, to $290.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $230.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily driven by additional revenue from acquisitions, which contributed to higher disposal and landfill revenue earned during 2024, and organic growth in our recycling business line, offset by lower pipeline distribution volumes.
Water Services. Revenue decreased $131.2 million, or 12.7%, to $901.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $1.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in revenues was primarily attributable to lower customer activity levels primarily driven by macroeconomic factors stemming from lower frac crew deployments and associated price reductions impacted by competitor price cuts. The decrease impacted all Water Services business lines, except for a slight increase in Water Sourcing revenue, which experienced modest growth during the year.
Chemical Technologies. Revenue decreased $63.0 million, or 19.5%, to $259.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $322.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in revenues was primarily driven by macroeconomic factors stemming from lower frac crew deployments and associated price reductions impacted by competitor price cuts.
Costs of Revenue
Costs of revenue decreased $121.1 million, or 8.9%, to $1.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $1.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily composed of a $0.6 million decrease in Water Infrastructure costs, a $93.7 million decrease in Water Services costs and a $41.5 million decrease in Chemical Technologies costs reflecting the lower revenue-producing activity discussed above, partially offset by an increase of $14.7 million in depreciation, amortization and accretion.
Water Infrastructure. Costs of revenue decreased $0.6 million, or 0.4%, to $137.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $138.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Cost of revenue as a percent of revenue decreased to 47.3% from 60.1%, due primarily to the growth in high margin recycling revenue and an increase in disposal margin impacted by the margin accretive contributions of acquired disposal operations, improved operational throughput and execution, as well as higher skim oil sales, partially offset by a decline in high-margin pipeline revenue.
Water Services. Costs of revenue decreased $93.7 million, or 11.5%, to $720.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $814.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Cost of revenue as a percent of revenue increased to 80.0% from 78.9% primarily driven by lower Water Containment margins and reduced Accommodation & Rentals margins, both affected by decreased revenue stemming from macroeconomic conditions. Additionally, the decrease was impacted by lower Fluids Hauling margins due to macroeconomic conditions and price reductions. These declines were partially offset by improved Water Transfer and Flowback margins, both benefiting from effective cost controls, as well as higher Water Sourcing margins, benefiting from effective cost controls and increased revenue.
Chemical Technologies. Costs of revenue decreased $41.5 million, or 15.8%, to $220.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $262.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Cost of revenue as a percent of revenue increased to 85.0% from 81.3% primarily driven by higher absorption costs in our manufacturing facilities due to lower volumes as well as modest price reductions stemming from macroeconomic factors.
Depreciation amortization and accretion. Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense increased $14.7 million, or 10.6%, to $153.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $138.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily due to a higher fixed asset base resulting from recent acquisitions as well as investments made into fixed infrastructure projects.
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Gross Profit
Gross profit was $219.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $231.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was due primarily to lower revenue and gross profit in our Water Services and Chemical Technologies segments, partially offset by higher revenue and gross profit in our Water Infrastructure segment. Gross profit increased by $61.5 million in our Water Infrastructure segment, decreased by $37.5 million in our Water Services segment and decreased by $21.5 million in our Chemical Technologies segment. Also contributing to the decrease in gross profit was a $14.7 million increase in depreciation, amortization and accretion expense. Gross margin as a percentage of revenue was 15.1% and 14.6% during the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $4.4 million, or 2.8%, to $160.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $155.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was due primarily to a $11.7 million increase in incentive and equity-based compensation cost, $4.9 million in higher wages, associated payroll taxes and employer 401(k) match contributions, $3.2 million in higher legal and professional fees, $0.9 million in higher research and development costs, $0.6 million in higher information technology costs and $0.6 million in severance expense partially offset by $10.5 million in lower transaction and rebranding costs, a $5.1 million decrease in credit loss expense, $0.8 million in lower vehicle lease costs and $1.1million from a combination of other expenses.
Impairments and Abandonments
For the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we recorded $1.2 million and $1.4 million of abandonment that was primarily attributable to abandoned property and equipment, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we recorded $11.1 million of trademark abandonment in the Chemical Technologies segment as well as $0.1 million of impairment in our Water Services segment to write-off the remaining value of a cost-method investment.
Net Interest Expense
Net interest expense increased by $2.6 million, or 58.5%, to $7.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $4.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 due primarily to higher average borrowing on our Prior Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility partially offset by interest income on cash balances.
Tax Receivable Agreements Expense
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we determined that we were in a position to reasonably estimate the amount of the liability associated with the Tax Receivable Agreements and determined that future payment under the terms of the Tax Receivable Agreements were probable, and therefore recorded expense of $0.8 million and $38.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Income Tax Expense
For the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we recorded $13.6 million in income tax expense and $60.2 million in income tax benefit, respectively. The benefit in 2023 was due to a release of a portion of the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets at the end of 2023.
Net Income
Net Income decreased by $43.8 million, to a net income of $35.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $79.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, driven primarily by a $73.8 million income tax expense increase partially offset by a $37.4 million decrease in tax receivable agreements expense. Also impacting the
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decrease was lower gross profit and higher selling, general and administrative expenses partially offset by the trademark abandonment during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Comparison of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Our board of directors, management and investors use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to assess our financial performance because it allows them to compare our operating performance on a consistent basis across periods by removing the effects of our capital structure (such as varying levels of interest expense), asset base (such as depreciation, amortization and accretion) and items outside the control of our management team. We present EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA because we believe they provide useful information regarding the factors and trends affecting our business in addition to measures calculated under GAAP.
Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP. We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures will provide useful information to investors in assessing our financial performance and results of operations. Net income is the GAAP measure most directly comparable to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. Our non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as alternatives to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Each of these non-GAAP financial measures has important limitations as an analytical tool due to the exclusion of some but not all items that affect the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. One should not consider EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA in isolation or as substitutes for an analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Because EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may be defined differently by other companies in our industry, our definitions of these non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing their utility.
The following table sets forth our reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to our net (loss) income, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure, for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year ended December 31, | ||||
| | | 2024 | 2023 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| Net income | | $ | 35,450 | | $ | 79,219 |
| Interest expense, net | | | 6,965 | | | 4,393 |
| Income tax expense (benefit) | | | 13,568 | | | (60,196) |
| Depreciation, amortization and accretion | | | 156,947 | | | 141,089 |
| EBITDA | | | 212,930 | | | 164,505 |
| Tax receivable agreements expense | | | 836 | | | 38,187 |
| Non-cash compensation expenses | | | 26,358 | | | 17,369 |
| Non-recurring severance expenses(1) | | | 648 | | | — |
| Non-cash loss on sale of assets or subsidiaries(2) | | | 3,609 | | | 3,350 |
| Transaction and rebranding costs(3) | | | 10,038 | | | 20,447 |
| Lease abandonment costs | | | 358 | | | 42 |
| Impairments and abandonments | | | 1,237 | | | 12,607 |
| Equity in losses of unconsolidated entities | | | 352 | | | 1,800 |
| Other(4) | | | 2,029 | | | 6 |
| Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 258,395 | | $ | 258,313 |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | For the year ended December 31, 2024, these costs related to severance costs associated with our former CFO. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (2) | For all periods presented, the losses were primarily due to sales of real estate and underutilized or obsolete property and equipment. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (3) | For all periods presented, these costs were primarily legal-related due diligence costs and rebranding costs as well as costs related to certain acquired subsidiaries. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (4) | The majority of amounts for the year ended December 31, 2024 relate to the settlement of sales tax audits with respect to acquired entities. |
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EBITDA was $212.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $164.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The $48.4 million increase in EBITDA was driven primarily by $38.2 million in tax receivable agreements expense in 2023 compared to $0.8 million in 2024, a $2.5 million increase in gross profit and an $11.4 million decrease in impairments and abandonments partially offset by a $4.4 million increase in selling, general and administrative expense. Adjusted EBITDA was $258.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $258.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash on hand, borrowing capacity under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility, cash flows from operations and proceeds from the sale of excess property and equipment. Our primary uses of capital have been to fund current operations, maintain our asset base, implement technological advancements, make capital expenditures to support organic growth, fund acquisitions and minority investments, pay dividends and distributions, make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements, and when appropriate, repurchase shares of Class A common stock in the open market. Depending on available opportunities, market conditions and other factors, we may also issue debt and equity securities, in the future, if needed.
As of December 31, 2024, we had $85.0 million in outstanding borrowings. We prioritize sustained positive free cash flow and a strong balance sheet, and evaluate potential acquisitions and investments in the context of those priorities, in addition to the economics of the opportunity. We believe this approach provides us with additional flexibility to evaluate larger investments as well as improved resilience in a sustained downturn versus many of our peers.
Based on our current cash and cash equivalents balance, operating cash flow, available borrowings under our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility and the ongoing actions discussed above, we believe that we will be able to maintain sufficient liquidity to satisfy our obligations and remain in compliance with our existing debt covenants through the next twelve months and beyond, prior to giving effect to any future financing that may occur.
We intend to finance most of our capital expenditures, contractual obligations and working capital needs with cash on hand, cash generated from operations and borrowings under our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility. For a discussion of the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility, see “—Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility” below. Although we cannot provide any assurance, we believe that our current cash balance, operating cash flow and available borrowings under our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next twelve months.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, we initiated a quarterly dividend and distribution program of $0.05 per share and $0.05 per unit for holders of Class A and Class B shares, respectively. We paid quarterly dividends at the same rate through the third quarter of 2023, then the board of directors increased the quarterly dividend paid on November 17, 2023 to $0.06 per share and $0.06 per unit for holders of Class A and Class B shares, respectively. We paid quarterly dividends at the same rate through the third quarter of 2024, then the board of directors increased the quarterly dividend paid on November 15, 2024 to $0.07 per share and $0.07 per unit for holders of Class A and Class B shares, respectively. This program resulted in a financing outflow of $29.7 million and $24.9 million during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. This quarterly dividend program is expected to continue into 2025 and beyond. All future dividend payments are subject to quarterly review and approval by our board of directors.
As of December 31, 2024, cash and cash equivalents totaled $20.0 million and we had approximately $114.8 million of available borrowing capacity under our Prior Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2024, the borrowing base under the Prior Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility was $218.8 million, we had $85.0 million in outstanding borrowings, and outstanding letters of credit totaled $19.0 million. As of February 17, 2025, we had $250.0 million in outstanding indebtedness, the borrowing base for the Revolving Credit Facility (as defined below) under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility was $231.2 million, the borrowing base for the Term Loan (as defined below)
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under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility was $426.3 million, the outstanding letters of credit totaled $19.9 million, and the available borrowing capacity under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility was $211.3 million.
In 2022, our trade accounts receivable experienced a notable surge, rising from $232.8 million to $430.0 million. This increase was attributed to multiple factors, including the growth in our revenue, the addition of receivables from acquired entities, and the complexities encountered during the integration of these acquisitions. During 2023, in parallel with integration efforts related to previously acquired companies, we implemented enhancements to our billing and collection processes, yielding tangible benefits, with continued strong collections throughout 2024. These improvements resulted in a more efficient management of our working capital, thereby augmenting our generation of cash. This increased cash flow provides us with greater flexibility to reinvest in our business or return capital to our shareholders.
As of December 31, 2024, we had no material off-balance sheet arrangements. As such, we are not exposed to any material financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such financing arrangements.
Our contractual obligations include, among other things, our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility and operating leases. Refer to “Note 6—Leases” for operating lease obligations as of December 31, 2024 and “Note 10—Debt” for an update to our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility as of December 31, 2024.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. The summary of our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 is set forth in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Cash Flow Changes Between the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year ended December 31, | | Change | | |||||||
| | 2024 | 2023 | Dollars | Percentage | | |||||||
| | | (in thousands) | | | | | | | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | | $ | 234,886 | | $ | 285,355 | | $ | (50,469) | | (17.7) | % |
| Net cash used in investing activities | | | (318,623) | | | (137,168) | | | (181,455) | | (132.3) | % |
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | | 46,641 | | | (98,423) | | | 145,064 | | 147.4 | % |
| Subtotal | | | (37,096) | | | 49,764 | | | | | | |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | | | (9) | | | (3) | | | (6) | | NM | |
| Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | | $ | (37,105) | | $ | 49,761 | | | | | | |
Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities was $234.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $285.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The $50.5 million decrease is comprised of a $45.8 million reduction in converting working capital to cash and a decrease of $4.7 million of net income combined with non-cash adjustments.
Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities was $318.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $137.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The $181.5 million increase in net cash used in investing activities was due primarily to an increase of $143.6 million spent for acquisitions net of cash received, a $37.3 million increase in purchases of property and equipment and a $1.1 million decrease in proceeds received from sales of property and equipment.
Financing Activities. Net cash provided by financing activities was $46.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to net cash used in financing activities of $98.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The $145.1 million increase in net cash provided by financing activities was due primarily to borrowings net of debt repayments increasing $101.0 million and a $53.9 million decrease in repurchases of shares of Class A common
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stock partially offset by $4.4 million of cash received from noncontrolling interest holders net of payments during the year ended December 31, 2023, $4.8 million increase in dividends and distributions paid and $0.5 million paid with respect to tax receivable agreements during the year ended December 31, 2024.
Free Cash Flow
The following table summarizes our free cash flow for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year ended December 31, | ||||
| | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| | | (in thousands) | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | | $ | 234,886 | | $ | 285,355 |
| Purchase of property and equipment | | | (173,153) | | | (135,866) |
| Proceeds received from sale of property and equipment | | | 15,809 | | | 16,891 |
| Free cash flow | | $ | 77,542 | | $ | 166,380 |
Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility
On January 24, 2025 (the “Closing Date”), SES Holdings, LLC (“SES Holdings”), a subsidiary of the Company, Select Water Solutions, LLC, a subsidiary of SES Holdings (the “Select LLC”), Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, issuing lender and swingline lender (the “Administrative Agent”), and the other lenders party thereto, entered into that certain sustainability-linked senior secured credit facility (the “Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility”), which initially provides for $300.0 million in revolving commitments (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) and $250.0 million in term commitments (the “Term Loan Facility”), in each case, subject to a borrowing base. The Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility also has a sublimit of $50.0 million for letters of credit and a sublimit of $30.0 million for swingline loans. Subject to obtaining commitments from existing or new lenders, Select LLC has the option to increase the maximum amount under the sustainability-linked senior secured credit facility by (i) $150.0 million for additional revolving commitments and (ii) $50.0 million for additional term commitments, in each case, during the first four years following the Closing Date. As of the Closing Date, (i) there were no borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility and approximately $20 million of letters of credit issued and outstanding thereunder and (ii) the Term Loan Facility was fully funded. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meaning ascribed to them in the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility.
The Borrowing Base for the Revolving Credit Facility is calculated as the sum of (i) 90% of the Eligible Investment Grade Billed Receivables, plus (ii) 85% of the Eligible Billed Receivables (other than Eligible Investment Grade Billed Receivables), plus (iii) the lesser of (a) 75% of the amount of Eligible Unbilled Receivables and (b) an amount equal to 40% of the Borrowing Base, plus (iv) the least of (x) the product of 70% multiplied by the value of Eligible Inventory at such time, (y) the product of 85% multiplied by the Net Recovery Percentage identified in the most recent Acceptable Appraisal of Inventory, multiplied by the value of Eligible Inventory at such time and (z) an amount equal to 30% of the Borrowing Base, minus (v) the aggregate amount of Reserves, if any, established by the Administrative Agent from time to time. As of the Closing Date, the Borrowing Base under the Revolving Credit Facility was $219.0 million. The Borrowing Base is thereafter calculated on a monthly basis (or if an Increased Reporting Period is in effect as described in the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility, on a weekly basis) pursuant to a borrowing base certificate delivered by Select LLC to the Administrative Agent.
The Term Advance Borrowing Base for the Term Loan Facility is calculated as the lesser of (i) the product of 100% multiplied by the Net Book Value of all M&E and (ii) the product of 65% multiplied by the NOLV-IP of the Term Advance Collateral. As of the Closing Date, the Term Advance Borrowing Base under the Term Loan Facility was $426.27 million. The Term Advance Borrowing Base is thereafter only subject to reporting and redetermination during the period commencing after the date that excess availability is less than the greater of (a) 25% of the lesser of (1) the aggregate revolving commitments and (2) the then-effective borrowing base (such lesser amount, the “Borrowing Limit”) and (b) $30.0 million for three or more consecutive business days and ending on the first date that excess availability has equaled or exceeded the greater of (1) 25% of the Borrowing Limit and (2) $30.0 million for 30 consecutive days.
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Borrowings under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility bear interest, at Select LLC’s election, at either Term SOFR (subject to a zero percent floor) or the Base Rate (“Base Rate” being equal to the greater of (a) the Prime Rate for such day; (b) the Federal Funds Rate for such day, plus 0.50%; or (c) Term SOFR for a one month Interest Period as of such day, plus 1.0%), in each case plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin for Term SOFR loans under the Term Loan Facility ranges from 3.00% to 3.50% and the applicable margin for Base Rate loans under the Term Facility ranges from 2.00% to 2.50%, in each case, depending on Select LLC’s average excess availability under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility. Additionally, the applicable margin for Term SOFR loans under the Revolving Credit Facility ranges from 1.50% to 2.00% and the applicable margin for Base Rate loans under the Revolving Credit Facility ranges from 0.50% to 1.00%, in each case, depending on Select LLC’s average excess availability under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility. Until March 31, 2025, the applicable margin will be (i) 3.25% for Term SOFR loans under the Term Loan Facility, (ii) 2.25% for Base Rate loans under the Term Loan Facility, (iii) 1.75% for Term SOFR loans under the Revolving Credit Facility, and (iv) 0.75% for Base Rate loans under the Revolving Credit Facility. Interest is payable monthly in arrears for Base Rate loans and, for Term SOFR loans, at the end of each applicable Interest Period, which may be one month or three months at Select LLC’s election. A commitment fee accrues on the unused commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility at either 0.25% per annum or 0.375% per annum depending on Select LLC’s average utilization of the Revolving Credit Facility in the preceding calendar month and is payable monthly in arrears. Until February 28, 2025, the commitment fee rate is 0.375% per annum. The Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility is scheduled to mature on the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date or the earlier termination in full of the Commitments.
Under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility, the interest rate margin and the facility fee rates are also subject to annual adjustments based on the Select LLC’s performance of specified sustainability target thresholds with respect to (i) total recordable incident rate, as the Employee Health and Safety Metric, and (ii) barrels of recycled produced water recycled at facilities of the Credit Parties, as the Water Stewardship Metric, in each case, subject to limited assurance verification by a qualified independent external reviewer. The adjustment for the interest rate margin is a range of plus and minus 5.00 basis points and the adjustment for the commitment fee rate is a range of plus and minus 1.00 basis point, subject to the mechanics under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility. As of the Closing Date, the margin adjustment in effect is a reduction of 5.00 basis points and the commitment fee adjustment in effect is a reduction of 1.00 basis point.
The obligations under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility are guaranteed by SES Holdings and certain subsidiaries of SES Holdings and Select LLC and secured by a security interest in substantially all of the personal property assets of SES Holdings, Select LLC and their domestic subsidiaries that are guarantors.
The Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility contains certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants and events of default. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the lenders may declare all amounts outstanding under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility to be immediately due and payable.
In addition, the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility restricts SES Holdings’ and Select LLC’s ability to make distributions on, or redeem or repurchase, its equity interests, except for certain distributions, including distributions of cash so long as, both at the time of the distribution and after giving effect to the distribution, no default or event of default exists under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility or would result from the making of such distribution and (a) the fixed charge coverage ratio of SES Holdings is equal to or greater than 1.0 to 1.0 on a pro forma basis, (b) the leverage ratio of SES Holdings is not greater than 3.5 to 1.0 on a pro forma basis, (c) excess availability at all times during the preceding 30 consecutive days, on a pro forma basis and after giving effect to such distribution, is not less than the greater of (1) 20% of the Borrowing Limit and (2) $27.0 million. Additionally, the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility generally permits Select LLC to make distributions required under its existing tax receivable agreements, subject to certain limitations.
The Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility also requires SES Holdings to maintain (i) a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.0 to 1.0 and (ii) a leverage ratio of not more than 3.5 to 1.0, in each case, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter.
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Beginning with the first full quarter ending after the first anniversary of the closing date, the Term Loan Facility will amortize in quarterly installments equal to $15.625 million (subject to reduction of such amount on account of certain prepayments). Upon the repayment in full of the Term Loan Facility, certain terms of the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility will be automatically adjusted (including the conditions to the making of cash distributions and the financial maintenance covenants) and the Term Advance Collateral will be released as Collateral, in each case, as described in the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility.
Certain lenders party to the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility and their respective affiliates have from time to time performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory, commercial banking and investment banking services for the Company and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business for which they have received and would receive customary compensation. In addition, in the ordinary course of their various business activities, such parties and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investments and securities activities may involve the Company’s securities and/or instruments.
In connection with the entry into the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility, the obligations of SES Holdings and Select LLC under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 17, 2022, by and among Select LLC, SES Holdings, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto (the “Prior Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility”) were repaid in full and the Previous Credit Facility was terminated on the Closing Date.
Refer to “Note 10—Debt” and “Note 19—Subsequent Events” for further discussion of the Prior Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility and the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures about any 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. Our critical accounting policies are described below to provide a better understanding of how we develop our assumptions and judgments about future events and related estimations and how they can impact our financial statements. The following accounting policies involve critical accounting estimates because they are dependent on our judgment and assumptions about matters that are inherently uncertain.
We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions we believe to be reasonable according to the current facts and circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects are subject to uncertainty and, accordingly, these estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained, and as the business environment in which we operate changes. We believe the current assumptions, judgments and estimates used to determine amounts reflected in our consolidated financial statements are appropriate, however, actual results may differ under different conditions. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Annual Report.
Goodwill and other intangible assets: The purchase price of acquired businesses is allocated to its identifiable assets and liabilities based upon estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and other intangible assets are initially recorded at their fair values. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of acquisitions over the fair value of the net assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill and other intangible assets not subject to amortization are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized either on a straight-line basis over the asset’s estimated useful life or on a basis that reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are realized.
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Impairment of goodwill, long-lived assets and intangible assets: Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and finite-lived intangible assets, are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by a comparison of their carrying amount to the estimated undiscounted cash flows to be generated by those assets. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount, we record impairment losses for the excess of their carrying value over the estimated fair value. Fair value is determined, in part, by the estimated cash flows to be generated by those assets. Our cash flow estimates are based upon, among other things, historical results adjusted to reflect our best estimate of future market rates, utilization levels, and operating performance. Development of future cash flows also requires management to make assumptions and to apply judgment, including the timing of future expected cash flows, using the appropriate discount rates and determining salvage values. The estimate of fair value represents our best estimates of these factors based on current industry trends and reference to market transactions and is subject to variability. Assets are generally grouped at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows. We operate within the oilfield service industry, and the cyclical nature of the oil and gas industry that we serve and our estimates of the period over which future cash flows will be generated, as well as the predictability of these cash flows, can have a significant impact on the estimated fair value of these assets and, in periods of prolonged down cycles, may result in impairment charges. Changes to our key assumptions related to future performance, market conditions and other economic factors could adversely affect our impairment valuation.
We conduct our annual goodwill impairment tests in the fourth quarter of each year, and whenever impairment indicators arise, by examining relevant events and circumstances which could have a negative impact on its goodwill such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors that have a negative effect on earnings and cash flows, overall financial performance, acquisitions and divestitures and other relevant entity-specific events. If a qualitative assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we are required to perform a quantitative impairment test for goodwill comparing the reporting unit’s carrying value to its fair value. Our reporting units are based on our organizational and reporting structure. In determining fair values for the reporting units, we rely primarily on the income and market approaches for valuation. In the income approach, we discount predicted future cash flows using a weighted-average cost of capital calculation based on publicly-traded peer companies. In the market approach, valuation multiples are developed from both publicly-traded peer companies as well as other company transactions. The cost approach, when used, considers replacement cost as the primary indicator of value.
If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, goodwill impairment is calculated by subtracting the fair value of the reporting unit from the carrying value. Application of the goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including the identification of reporting units, allocation of assets (including goodwill) and liabilities to reporting units and determining the fair value. The determination of reporting unit fair value relies upon certain estimates and assumptions that are complex and are affected by numerous factors, including the general economic environment and levels of E&P activity of oil and gas companies, our financial performance and trends and our strategies and business plans, among others. Unanticipated changes, including immaterial revisions, to these assumptions, could result in a provision for impairment in a future period. Given the nature of these evaluations and their application to specific assets and time frames, it is not possible to reasonably quantify the impact of changes in these assumptions.
Retentions: We assume risk of loss through deductibles and self-insured retentions, up to certain levels for losses related to general liability, workers’ compensation and employer’s liability, vehicle liability, and health insurance. Our exposure (i.e., the self-insured retention or deductible) per occurrence is $1.0 million for general liability, $1.0 million for workers’ compensation and employer’s liability, $2.0 million for auto liability and $0.4 million for health insurance. We also have an excess loss policy over these coverages with a limit of $100.0 million in the aggregate. Management reviews its estimates of reported and unreported claims and provides for losses through reserves. We use actuarial estimates to record our liability for future periods. If the number of claims or the costs associated with those claims were to increase significantly over our estimates, additional charges to earnings could be necessary to cover required payments. As of December 31, 2024, we estimate the range of exposure to be from $18.9 million to $22.8 million and have recorded liabilities of $20.0 million, which represents management’s best estimate of probable loss related to workers’ compensation and employer’s liability, and auto liability. Additionally, as of December 31, 2024, accrued health insurance and accrued general liabilities were $4.4 million and $2.2 million, respectively.
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Tax Receivable Agreements: We intend to fund any obligation under the Tax Receivable Agreements with cash from operations or borrowings under our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility. With respect to obligations under each of our Tax Receivable Agreements (except in cases where we elect to terminate the Tax Receivable Agreements early, the Tax Receivable Agreements are terminated early due to certain mergers or other changes of control or we have available cash but fail to make payments when due), generally we may elect to defer payments due under the Tax Receivable Agreements if we do not have available cash to satisfy our payment obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreements or if our contractual obligations limit our ability to make these payments. Any such deferred payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements generally will accrue interest.
We account for any amounts payable under the Tax Receivable Agreements in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 450, Contingencies. For a discussion regarding an acceleration of the amounts payable under the Tax Receivable Agreements if we elect to terminate the Tax Receivable Agreements early or they are terminated early due to our failure to honor a material obligation thereunder or due to certain mergers, asset sales, other forms of business combinations or other changes of control and the potential impact of such an acceleration and the potential impact of such acceleration, please read Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Our Organizational Structure. In certain cases, payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements may be accelerated and/or significantly exceed the actual benefits, if any, we realize in respect of the tax attributes subject to the Tax Receivable Agreements.
We have assessed the amount of any liability under the Tax Receivable Agreements required under the provisions of ASC 450 in connection with preparing the consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we determined that we were in a position to reasonably estimate an amount of liability associated with the Tax Receivable Agreements and determined that future payments under the terms of the Tax Receivable Agreements were probable, and therefore recorded liabilities of $38.5 million and $38.2 million, respectively. The projection of future taxable income and utilization of tax attributes associated with the Tax Receivable Agreements involve estimates which require significant judgment. The amount of the Company’s actual taxable income, passage of future legislation, or consummation of significant transactions in the future may significantly impact the liability related to the Tax Receivable Agreements.
Realizability of Deferred Tax Assets: We establish valuation allowances when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts more likely than not to be realized. Deferred income tax assets are evaluated quarterly to determine if valuation allowances are required or should be adjusted. The ability to realize deferred tax assets depends on the ability to generate sufficient taxable income within the carryback or carryforward periods provided for in the tax law for each applicable tax jurisdiction. The assessment regarding whether a valuation allowance is required or should be adjusted is based on an evaluation of possible sources of taxable income and also considers all available positive and negative evidence factors. Our accounting for the realization of deferred tax assets incorporates, amongst other factors, our best estimate of future events. Changes in our current estimates, due to unanticipated market conditions, governmental legislative actions or events, could have a material effect on our ability to utilize deferred tax assets. As of December 31, 2024, valuation allowances against deferred tax assets were $105.4 million. See “Note 15—Income Taxes” for additional information.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to “Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies” for recent accounting pronouncements.
FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001558370-24-001437.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements based on our current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors as described under “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors.” We assume no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
Overview
We are a leading provider of sustainable water-management and chemical solutions to the energy industry in the U.S. As a leader in the water solutions industry, we place the utmost importance on safe, environmentally responsible management of oilfield water throughout the lifecycle of a well. Additionally, we believe that responsibly managing water resources through our operations to help conserve and protect the environment in the communities in which we operate is paramount to our continued success.
In many regions of the country, there has been growing concern about the volumes of water required for new oil and gas well completions, as well as volumes of water injected into subterranean zones where seismicity can be triggered. Working with our customers and local communities, we strive to be an industry leader in the development of sustainable cost-effective alternatives to fresh water. Specifically, we offer solutions through our infrastructure networks that enable our E&P customers to gather, treat and reuse produced water, thereby reducing the demand for freshwater while also reducing the volumes of saltwater that must be disposed by injection. In many areas, we have also acquired sources of non-potable water, such as brackish water or municipal or industrial effluent. Through our expertise in chemical technologies and our FluidMatch™ design solutions, we provide water profiling and fluid assessment services for our customers to support the optimization of their fluid systems, enabling the economic use of these alternative sources. We also work with our E&P customers to lower their emissions through methane combustion technology, and reduce the environmental footprint of their operations through the use of temporary hose and permanent pipeline systems, which are supported by extensive monitoring and automation technology solutions that provide safer and more efficient water resource management. These solutions significantly reduce the demand for trucking operations, thereby reducing gasoline and diesel exhaust emissions, increasing safety and decreasing traffic congestion in nearby communities.
Recent Trends and Outlook
On January 29, 2024, we announced the acquisition of strategic water infrastructure assets in the Haynesville Shale and Rockies regions for approximately $90 million of aggregate cash consideration. These acquisitions encompassed the gathering and disposal assets and operations of Tri-State Water Logistics, LLC, the fluids and solids treatment and disposal assets and operations of Iron Mountain Energy, LLC, and produced water gathering and disposal infrastructure and additional permitted disposal and recycling capacity in the Rockies region. These acquisitions will add approximately 450,000 barrels per day of permitted disposal capacity to our Water Infrastructure segment across 21 saltwater disposal wells, two slurry injection wells and a solids treatment facility. The disposal assets are supported by a significant portfolio of interconnected gathering pipelines, strategic surface acreage and right-of-way, and multiple long-term pipeline gathering and dedication contracts.
Select is prioritizing investments in water infrastructure projects, which often bring a more predictable and steady revenue stream through long-term contracts. These investments typically produce higher gross margins and also foster stronger partnerships with customers, as Select becomes an integral partner in ensuring well integrity for ongoing customer production. The focus is on integrated solutions that enhance contracted infrastructure projects with logistics services and chemical solutions, and expanding our value provided to the customer. Our approach, historically and as we
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head into 2024, has been to streamline operations and offer a more comprehensive and valuable overall package to customers built around optimizing the entire water lifecycle as such integrated solutions to drive revenue growth and enhance overall value to clients.
Effective June 1, 2023, our chief operating decision maker began to strategically view and manage certain water sourcing and transfer operations, previously included in our Water Infrastructure segment, as part of our Water Services segment. These changes were driven by a number of factors, including the preponderance of our water sourcing business that integrates with our water transfer operations, the continued transition of completions water demand from fresh and brackish water to recycled water, as well as the diversifying demand for these water transfer services beyond the immediate vicinity of our pipeline infrastructure. Due to these changes, we believe the Water Services segment management is best suited to manage these operations. As a result of these changes, we anticipate more efficient sharing and utilization of resources and to realize potential synergies. Prior periods have been recast to include the water sourcing and transfer operations within the Water Services segment and remove the results of those operations from the Water Infrastructure segment.
Concurrently, the Company also decided to rename its Oilfield Chemicals segment as Chemical Technologies. This change was based on a number of factors, including the continued success of our chemicals business in delivering customized, specialty chemicals products developed through our own research and development efforts and the de-emphasis of certain traditional commoditized chemistry products within the oil and gas industry, as well as the continued investments in time and resources we make to manufacture and sell our specialty chemical products into non-oilfield industrial-related applications. We believe these segment changes better align the business with the current and future state of the Company’s operations, capital allocations and strategic objectives. This change was a naming convention only change that did not impact any numbers for all years presented.
On May 8, 2023, we announced that our stockholders approved the Company’s Fifth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which, among other things, changed the name of the Company from Select Energy Services, Inc. to Select Water Solutions, Inc. to reflect our strategic focus as a water-first company. We retained our current stock ticker “WTTR” trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
The armed conflict between Ukraine and Russia continued throughout 2023, and additional conflicts arose in Israel and elsewhere in the Middle East. As a result of the Russian invasion of the Ukraine, the U.S., the United Kingdom, the member states of the European Union and other public and private actors have sustained severe sanctions on Russian financial institutions, businesses and individuals. In October 2023, Hamas militants conducted attacks in Israel and an armed conflict has ensued between Israel and Hamas. The ensuing conflict has resulted in increased hostilities and instability in oil and gas producing regions in the Middle East as well as in key adjacent shipping lanes. In tandem with such conflict, the Houthi movement, which controls parts of Yemen, has targeted and launched numerous attacks on Israeli, American and international commercial marine vessels in the Red Sea, resulting in many shipping companies re-routing to avoid the region altogether and worsening existing supply chain issues, including delays in supplier deliveries, extended lead times and increased cost of freight, insurance and materials. The potential for an international conflict with Iran, a major oil producer, the Houthi movement in Yemen or the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon has been perceived by many to have increased due to continued increasing hostilities in the Middle East. The Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the resulting sanctions and concerns regarding global energy security, has contributed to, and the conflict in the Israel-Gaza region and any heightened hostilities in the Middle East may contribute to, increases and volatility in the prices for oil and natural gas. Such volatility, coupled with an increased cost of capital, due, in part to higher rates of inflation and interest rates, may lead to a more difficult investing and planning environment for us and our customers. The ultimate geopolitical and macroeconomic consequences of these conflicts and associated sanctions and/or international responses cannot be predicted, and such events, or any further hostilities elsewhere, could severely impact the world economy and may adversely affect our financial condition. An end to these conflicts and an easing or elimination of the related sanctions and/or international response could result in a significant fall in commodity prices as hydrocarbons become more readily accessible in global markets, which could have an adverse effect on our customers, and therefore adversely affect our customers’ demand for our services. An intensification of that conflict could also have an adverse effect on our customers and their demand for our services.
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In addition, OPEC+ countries announced production cuts of around 1.16 million barrels per day in April 2023, bringing its total volume cuts to 3.66 million barrels per day since 2021. A number of other production cuts have followed, most recently, in November 2023, OPEC+ announced voluntary output cuts totaling 2.2 million barrels per day into the first quarter of 2024, including an additional cut of 900,000 barrels per day. Although OPEC+ increased its output in December 2023 due to, among other things, the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, OPEC+ may, at its discretion, continue to decrease, or increase, production, which will continue to impact crude oil and natural gas price volatility. The actions of OPEC+ countries with respect to oil production levels and announcements of potential changes in such levels, including agreement on and compliance with production targets, may result in volatility in the industry in which we and our customers operate. The average price of West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) crude oil decreased in 2023 versus 2022 as a result of increased production coupled with a moderate decrease in global demand. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the average spot price of WTI crude oil was $77.58 versus an average price of $94.90 for the year ended December 31, 2022. While WTI price levels declined during 2023 relative to 2022, these WTI price levels remain supportive of our customers’ drilling and completion programs in the major shale basins. The average Henry Hub natural gas spot price during the year ended December 31, 2023, was $2.54 versus an average of $6.42 for the year ended December 31, 2022. Henry Hub natural gas price levels in 2023 have declined materially relative to 2022 and have negatively impacted activity levels, resulting in incremental development activity cuts.
While the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations have largely ended, some impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as increased inflation and supply chain constraints, have resulted in higher interest rates and cost of capital, which in turn increase the risk of economic stagnation or an economic recession. The pandemic had a material negative impact on our financial results for prior periods and may affect the comparability of our results.
Many of our customers have demonstrated their resolve to manage their capital spending within budgets and cash flow from operations and increase redemptions of debt and/or returns of capital to investors. Additionally, consolidation among our customers, such as the current consolidation of E&P companies in the Permian Basin, can disrupt our market in the near term and the resulting demand for our services. Overall however, the financial health of the oil and gas industry and many of our customers specifically, as reflected in debt metrics, recent capital raises, and equity valuations, has greatly improved over the course of the year ended December 31, 2022, and through the year ended December 31, 2023.
When one customer acquires another, it can lead to larger blocks of consolidated development and production acreage, which can increase the demand for our longer term integrated full water lifecycle solutions. This consolidation may streamline operations, as Select can offer integrated solutions to clients with larger water volumes to manage in certain areas. The Company's position in the market may strengthen, as it becomes an essential partner for long term production integrity in larger, more comprehensive water projects. However, it also means Select must meet the changing needs and structures of these consolidated entities to maintain and grow these relationships. While customers involved in acquisitions may initially slow activity to focus on integration and portfolio management, we believe Select is well-positioned to meet the increased responsibilities of overall water management, including water reuse, recycling, transmitting and balancing across customers and regions, and ultimately disposal, for these larger customers and blocks of contiguous acreage.
While the financial health of the broader oil and gas industry has continued to improve, the potential inability of broader banking and other financial services firms to access liquidity has at times resulted in significant disruptions to global markets. Central bank policy actions, bank failures and associated liquidity risks and other factors may negatively impact the value of our equity and that of our customers, and may reduce our and their ability to access liquidity in the bank and capital markets or result in capital being available on less favorable terms, which could negatively affect our financial condition and that of our customers.
From an operational standpoint, many of the recent trends still apply to ongoing unconventional oil and gas development. The continued trend towards multi-well pad development, executed within a limited time frame, combined with service price inflation and high interest rates, has increased the overall intensity, complexity and cost of well completions, while increasing fracturing efficiency and the use of lower-cost in-basin sand has decreased total costs for our customers. However, we note the continued efficiency gains in the well completions process can limit the days we
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spend on the wellsite and, therefore, negatively impact the total revenue opportunity for certain of our services utilizing day-rate pricing models.
This multi-well pad development, combined with recent upstream acreage consolidation and corporate mergers as well as the growing trends around the recycling and reuse applications of produced water provides a significant opportunity for companies like us that can deliver increasingly complex solutions for our E&P customers across large swathes of acreage through our regional infrastructure networks, delivering solutions for the full completion and production lifecycle of wells. While these trends have advanced the most in the Permian Basin to date, they are emerging in other basins as well.
The increased reuse of produced water requires additional chemical treatment solutions. We have a dedicated team of specialists focused every day on developing and deploying innovative water treatment and reuse services for our customers. Our FluidMatch™ design solutions enable our customers to economically use these alternative sources to optimize their fluid systems by providing water profiling and fluid assessment services working towards real-time. This trend also supports more complex “on-the-fly” solutions that treat, proportion, and blend various streams of water and chemicals at the wellsite. This complexity favors service companies that are able to provide advanced technology solutions. Ultimately, we intend to play an important role in the advancement of water and chemical solutions that are designed to meet the sustainability goals of key stakeholders.
Our water logistics, treatment, and chemical application expertise, in combination with advanced technology solutions, are applicable to other industries beyond oil and gas. We are working to further commercialize our services in other businesses and industries through our industrial solutions group.
Our Segments
Our services are offered through three reportable segments: (i) Water Services; (ii) Water Infrastructure; and (iii) Chemical Technologies.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Water Services. The Water Services segment consists of the Company’s services businesses, including water sourcing, water transfer, flowback and well testing, fluids hauling, water monitoring, water containment and water network automation, primarily serving E&P companies. Additionally, this segment includes the operations of our accommodations and rentals business. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Water Infrastructure. The Water Infrastructure segment consists of the Company’s fixed infrastructure assets, including operations associated with our water distribution pipeline infrastructure, our water recycling solutions, and our produced water gathering systems and SWDs, as well as solids disposal facilities, primarily serving E&P companies. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Chemical Technologies. The Chemical Technologies segment provides technical solutions, products and expertise related to chemical applications in the oil and gas industry. We develop, manufacture, manage logistics and provide a full suite of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, cementing and well completions for customers ranging from pressure pumpers to major integrated and independent oil and gas producers. This segment also utilizes its chemical experience and lab testing capabilities to customize tailored water treatment solutions designed to optimize the fracturing fluid system in conjunction with the quality of water used in well completions. |
How We Generate Revenue
We currently generate most of our revenue through our water-management services associated with well completions as well as ongoing produced water management, provided through our Water Services and Water Infrastructure segments. Most of this revenue is realized through customer agreements with fixed pricing terms and is recognized when delivery of services is provided, generally at our customers’ sites. While we have some long-term pricing arrangements, particularly in our Water Infrastructure segment, most of our water and water-related services are priced based on prevailing market conditions, giving due consideration to the customer’s specific requirements.
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We also generate revenue by providing completion and specialty chemicals through our Chemical Technologies segment. We invoice the majority of our Chemical Technologies customers for services provided based on the quantity of chemicals used or pursuant to short-term contracts as customer needs arise.
Costs of Conducting Our Business
The principal expenses involved in conducting our business are labor costs, vehicle and equipment costs (including depreciation, rental, repair and maintenance and leasing costs), raw materials and water sourcing costs and fuel costs. Our fixed costs are relatively low. Most of the costs of serving our customers are variable, i.e., they are incurred only when we provide water and water-related services, or chemicals and chemical-related services to our customers.
Labor costs associated with our employees and contract labor comprise the largest portion of our costs of doing business. We incurred labor and labor-related costs of $554.4 million, $476.2 million and $285.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The majority of our recurring labor costs are variable and dependent on the market environment and are incurred only while we are providing our operational services. We also incur costs to employ personnel to ensure safe operations, sell and supervise our services and perform maintenance on our assets, which is not directly tied to our level of business activity. Additionally, we incur selling, general and administrative costs for compensation of our administrative personnel at our field sites and in our operational and corporate headquarters, as well as for third-party support, licensing and services.
We incur significant vehicle and equipment costs in connection with the services we provide, including depreciation, repairs and maintenance, rental and leasing costs. We incurred vehicle and equipment costs of $318.9 million, $266.6 million and $165.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
We incur raw material costs in manufacturing our chemical products, as well as for water that we source for our customers. We incurred raw material costs of $300.7 million, $300.8 million and $209.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
We incur variable transportation costs associated with our service lines, predominately fuel and freight. We incurred fuel and freight costs of $115.7 million, $118.1 million and $58.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Rising fuel prices impact our transportation costs, which affect the results of our operations.
How We Evaluate Our Operations
We use a variety of operational and financial metrics to assess our performance. Among other measures, management considers each of the following:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Revenue; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Gross Profit; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Gross Margins; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | EBITDA; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Adjusted EBITDA. |
Revenue
We analyze our revenue and assess our performance by comparing actual monthly revenue to our internal projections and across periods. We also assess incremental changes in revenue compared to incremental changes in direct operating costs and selling, general and administrative expenses across our reportable segments to identify
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potential areas for improvement, as well as to determine whether segment performance is meeting management’s expectations.
Gross Profit
To measure our financial performance, we analyze our gross profit, which we define as revenues less direct operating expenses (including depreciation and amortization expenses). We believe gross profit provides insight into profitability and the true operating performance of our assets. We also compare gross profit to prior periods and across segments to identify trends as well as underperforming segments.
Gross Margins
Gross margins provide an important gauge of how effective we are at converting revenue into profits. This metric works in tandem with gross profit to ensure that we do not seek to increase gross profit at the expense of lower margins, nor pursue higher gross margins at the expense of declining gross profits. We track gross margins by segment and service line and compare them across prior periods and across segments and service lines to identify trends as well as underperforming segments.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
We view EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as important indicators of performance. We define EBITDA as net income/(loss), plus interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA plus/(minus) loss/(income) from discontinued operations, plus any impairment and abandonment charges or asset write-offs pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”), plus non-cash losses on the sale of assets or subsidiaries, non-recurring compensation expense, non-cash compensation expense, and non-recurring or unusual expenses or charges, including severance expenses, transaction costs, or facilities-related exit and disposal-related expenditures, plus/(minus) foreign currency losses/(gains), plus/(minus) losses/(gains) on unconsolidated entities and plus tax receivable agreements expense less bargain purchase gains from business combinations. The adjustments to EBITDA are generally consistent with such adjustments described in our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility. See “—Comparison of Non-GAAP Financial Measures—EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA” for more information and a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss), the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.
Factors Affecting the Comparability of Our Results of Operations to Our Historical Results of Operations
Our future results of operations may not be comparable to our historical results of operations for the periods presented, primarily for the reasons described below and those described in “—Recent Trends and Outlook” above.
Acquisition Activity
As described above, we continuously evaluate potential investments, particularly in water infrastructure and other water-related services and technology. To the extent we consummate acquisitions, any incremental revenues or expenses from such transactions are not included in our historical results of operations.
Between January 2022 and June 2023, we completed three business combinations, four asset acquisitions and the buyout of all noncontrolling interests in a recycling system joint venture, including the acquisitions of Breakwater, Cypress and Nuverra among others. Our historical financial statements for periods prior to the respective date each acquisition was completed do not include the results of operations of that acquisition. See “—Recent Developments” and “Note 3—Acquisitions” for a description of these transactions.
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Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our results of operations, including revenue by segment, for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021 is set forth in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year ended December 31, | | Change | | ||||||||
| | 2023 | 2022 | Dollars | Percentage | | ||||||||
| | | | (in thousands) | | | | | | | ||||
| Revenue | | | | | | ||||||||
| Water Services | | $ | 1,032,896 | | $ | 944,497 | | $ | 88,399 | 9.4 | % | | |
| Water Infrastructure | | | 229,970 | | | 125,284 | | | 104,686 | | 83.6 | % | |
| Chemical Technologies | | | 322,487 | | | 317,639 | | 4,848 | 1.5 | % | | ||
| Total revenue | | 1,585,353 | | 1,387,420 | | 197,933 | 14.3 | % | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Costs of revenue | | | | | | | | ||||||
| Water Services | | 814,609 | | 764,569 | | 50,040 | 6.5 | % | | ||||
| Water Infrastructure | | | 138,191 | | | 82,941 | | 55,250 | 66.6 | % | | ||
| Chemical Technologies | | | 262,078 | | | 265,648 | | | (3,570) | | (1.3) | % | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | 138,813 | | 113,507 | | 25,306 | 22.3 | % | | ||||
| Total costs of revenue | | 1,353,691 | | 1,226,665 | | 127,026 | 10.4 | % | | ||||
| Gross profit | | 231,662 | | 160,755 | | 70,907 | 44.1 | % | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Operating expenses | | | | | | | | ||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | | 155,548 | | | 118,935 | | 36,613 | 30.8 | % | | |||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 2,276 | | | 2,209 | | 67 | 3.0 | % | | |||
| Impairments and abandonments | | | 12,607 | | | — | | | 12,607 | | NM | | |
| Lease abandonment costs | | 42 | | | 449 | | (407) | (90.6) | % | | |||
| Total operating expenses | | 170,473 | | 121,593 | | 48,880 | 40.2 | % | | ||||
| Income from operations | | 61,189 | | 39,162 | | 22,027 | 56.2 | % | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other income (expense) | | | | | | | | ||||||
| (Loss) gain on sales of property and equipment and divestitures, net | | | (210) | | | 2,192 | | | (2,402) | 109.6 | % | | |
| Interest expense, net | | (4,393) | | | (2,700) | | (1,693) | 62.7 | % | | |||
| Bargain purchase gain | | | — | | | 13,352 | | | (13,352) | NM | | | |
| Tax receivable agreements expense | | | (38,187) | | | — | | | (38,187) | NM | | | |
| Other | | 2,424 | | | 4,718 | | (2,294) | NM | | | |||
| Income before income tax benefit (expense) | | 20,823 | | 56,724 | | (35,901) | (63.3) | % | | ||||
| Income tax benefit (expense) | | 60,196 | | (957) | | 61,153 | (6390.1) | % | | ||||
| Equity in losses of unconsolidated entities | | | (1,800) | | (913) | | (887) | NM | | | |||
| Net income | | $ | 79,219 | | $ | 54,854 | | $ | 24,365 | 44.4 | % | |
Revenue
Our revenue increased $197.9 million, or 14.3%, to $1.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $1.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was composed of an $88.4 million increase in Water Services revenue, a $104.7 million increase in Water Infrastructure revenue and a $4.8 million increase in Chemical Technologies revenue. These increases were driven primarily by higher demand for our services
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coupled with increased pricing in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2022. Included in the increases in Water Services and Water Infrastructure were incremental revenue contributions from the Breakwater, Nuverra, Cypress and other asset acquisitions. For the year ended December 31, 2023, our Water Services, Water Infrastructure and Chemical Technologies revenues constituted 65.2%, 14.5% and 20.3% of our total revenue, respectively, compared to 68.1%, 9.0% and 22.9%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2022. The revenue changes by reportable segment are as follows:
Water Services. Revenue increased $88.4 million, or 9.4%, to $1.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $944.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to incremental revenue contributions from the Breakwater acquisition and higher demand for our services coupled with increased pricing in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in demand was due to market activity increases across most of our areas of operations, market share gains in the Permian Basin in our poly and containment business line and new service offerings in our accommodations and rentals business line.
Water Infrastructure. Revenue increased by $104.7 million, or 83.6%, to $230.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $125.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to incremental revenue contributed by Breakwater, Nuverra, Cypress and other asset acquisitions. Revenue during the year ended December 31, 2023 also benefitted by the ramp-up of recycling and treatment operations associated with two long-term agreements in the Rockies region and one long-term agreement in the Permian region.
Chemical Technologies. Revenue increased $4.8 million, or 1.5%, to $322.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $317.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to higher demand for our services in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2022 and was not directly impacted by acquisition activity.
Costs of Revenue
Costs of revenue increased $127.0 million, or 10.4%, to $1.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $1.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was comprised of a $50.0 million increase in Water Services costs and a $55.3 million increase in Water Infrastructure costs due to supporting the higher revenue-producing activity discussed above partially offset by a $3.6 million decrease in Chemical Technologies costs. Depreciation and amortization expense also increased by $25.3 million.
Water Services. Costs of revenue increased $50.0 million, or 6.5%, to $814.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $764.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Cost of revenue as a percent of revenue decreased to 78.9% from 80.9%, due primarily to higher pricing for our services and economies of scale from higher revenue activity.
Water Infrastructure. Costs of revenue increased $55.3 million, or 66.6%, to $138.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $82.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Cost of revenue as a percent of revenue decreased to 60.1% from 66.2%, due primarily to increased water treatment and recycling margins, which were favorably impacted by the Breakwater acquisition and the ramp-up of three long-term treatment and recycling agreements.
Chemical Technologies. Costs of revenue decreased $3.6 million, or 1.3%, to $262.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $265.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Cost of revenue as a percent of revenue decreased to 81.3% from 83.6%, due primarily to realizing additional higher-margin market share within our portfolio of products as well as manufacturing process efficiencies.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $25.3 million, or 22.3%, to $138.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $113.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, due primarily to a higher fixed asset base related to the Breakwater acquisition and investments in pipeline and recycling infrastructure in our Water Infrastructure segment.
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Gross Profit
Gross profit was $231.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $160.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Gross profit increased by $38.4 million in our Water Services segment, $49.4 million in our Water Infrastructure segment and $8.4 million in our Chemical Technologies segment. Partially offsetting the increase in gross profit was a $25.3 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense. Gross margin as a percent of revenue was 14.6% and 11.6% during the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $36.6 million, or 30.8%, to $155.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $118.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was due primarily to $14.7 million in rebranding costs, $9.5 million in higher wages, associated payroll taxes and employer 401(k) match contributions, a $6.6 million increase in legal and professional fees, a $3.2 million increase in bad debt expense, a $3.0 million increase in incentive and equity-based compensation cost, $2.0 million in higher contract labor, $1.9 million in higher information technology costs, and $1.8 million from a combination of other expenses partially offset by a $3.0 million decrease in transaction costs, a $2.4 million decrease in vehicle lease costs, and a $0.6 million decrease in insurance costs.
Impairments and Abandonments
We recorded $11.1 million of trademark abandonment in the Chemical Technologies segment during the year ended December 31, 2023. Also, we recorded $1.4 million of abandonment that was primarily attributable to abandoned property and equipment and $0.1 million of impairment in our Water Services segment to write-off the remaining value of a cost-method investment. We did not record any impairments and abandonments during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Net Interest Expense
Net interest expense increased by $1.7 million, or 62.7%, to $4.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, due primarily to higher average borrowings on our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility and higher interest rates during the year ended December 31, 2023 prior to repaying such borrowings.
Bargain Purchase Gain
A bargain purchase gain of $13.4 million in 2022 was comprised of $6.7 million related to the Nuverra acquisition and $6.7 million in adjustments related to acquisitions that occurred in 2021. The Nuverra acquisition resulted in a bargain purchase gain as Nuverra was experiencing financial distress and actively evaluating strategic alternatives leading up to the transaction. We did not record any bargain purchase gain during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Tax Receivable Agreements Expense
As of December 31, 2023, we determined that we were in a position to reasonably estimate the amount of the liability associated with the Tax Receivable Agreements and determined that future payment under the terms of the Tax Receivable Agreements were probable, and therefore recorded expense of $38.2 million as of December 31, 2023.
Other
Other income was $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $4.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The $2.3 million decrease is primarily due to the removal of the $1.1 million UltRecovery contingent consideration liability in 2022.
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Net Income
Net Income increased by $24.4 million, to a net income of $79.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $54.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, driven primarily by the release of a valuation allowance associated with deferred tax assets, increased revenue with improved margins, including contributions from our recent acquisitions, partially offset by tax receivable agreements expense, an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses and the abandonment costs referenced above.
Comparison of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We view EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as important indicators of performance. We define EBITDA as net income (loss), plus interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. We define Adjusted EBITDA, as EBITDA plus/(minus) loss/(income) from discontinued operations, plus any impairment and abandonment charges or asset write-offs pursuant to GAAP, plus non-cash losses on the sale of assets or subsidiaries, non-recurring compensation expense, non-cash compensation expense, and non-recurring or unusual expenses or charges, including severance expenses, transaction costs, or facilities-related exit and disposal-related expenditures, plus/(minus) foreign currency losses/(gains), plus/(minus) losses/(gains) on unconsolidated entities and plus tax receivable agreements expense less bargain purchase gains from business combinations. The adjustments to EBITDA are generally consistent with such adjustments described in our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility. See “—Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss), the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.
Our board of directors, management and investors use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to assess our financial performance because it allows them to compare our operating performance on a consistent basis across periods by removing the effects of our capital structure (such as varying levels of interest expense), asset base (such as depreciation and amortization) and items outside the control of our management team. We present EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA because we believe they provide useful information regarding the factors and trends affecting our business in addition to measures calculated under GAAP.
Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP. We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures will provide useful information to investors in assessing our financial performance and results of operations. Net income is the GAAP measure most directly comparable to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. Our non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as alternatives to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Each of these non-GAAP financial measures has important limitations as an analytical tool due to the exclusion of some but not all items that affect the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. One should not consider EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA in isolation or as substitutes for an analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Because EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may be defined differently by other companies in our industry, our definitions of these non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing their utility.
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The following table sets forth our reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to our net (loss) income, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure, for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 is set forth in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year ended December 31, | ||||
| | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| | | | | | | |
| Net income | | $ | 79,219 | | $ | 54,854 |
| Interest expense, net | | | 4,393 | | | 2,700 |
| Income tax (benefit) expense | | | (60,196) | | | 957 |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 141,089 | | | 115,716 |
| EBITDA | | | 164,505 | | | 174,227 |
| Tax receivable agreements expense | | | 38,187 | | | — |
| Non-cash compensation expenses | | | 17,369 | | | 15,570 |
| Non-cash loss on sale of assets or subsidiaries(1) | | | 3,350 | | | 4,400 |
| Transaction and rebranding costs(2) | | | 20,447 | | | 11,672 |
| Lease abandonment costs | | | 42 | | | 449 |
| Impairments and abandonments | | | 12,607 | | | — |
| Bargain purchase gain | | | — | | | (13,352) |
| Equity in losses of unconsolidated entities | | | 1,800 | | | 913 |
| Other | | | 6 | | | 926 |
| Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 258,313 | | $ | 194,805 |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (1) | For all periods presented, the losses were primarily due to sales of real estate and underutilized, excess or obsolete property and equipment. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (2) | For all periods presented, these costs were primarily legal-related due diligence costs as well as costs related to certain acquired subsidiaries and rebranding costs. |
EBITDA was $164.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $174.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The $9.7 million decrease in EBITDA was driven primarily by $38.2 million in tax receivable agreements expense in 2023, a $36.6 million increase in selling, general and administrative expense in 2023, a $13.4 million bargain purchase gain in 2022 and abandonment costs of $12.6 million in 2023 partially offset by an increase of $96.2 million in gross profit. Adjusted EBITDA was $258.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $194.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The $63.5 million increase is primarily attributable to the items discussed above.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash on hand, borrowing capacity under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility, cash flows from operations and proceeds from the sale of excess property and equipment. Our primary uses of capital have been to fund current operations, maintain our asset base, implement technological advancements, make capital expenditures to support organic growth, fund acquisitions and minority investments, pay dividends and distributions, and when appropriate, repurchase shares of Class A common stock in the open market. Depending on available opportunities, market conditions and other factors, we may also issue debt and equity securities, in the future, if needed.
As of December 31, 2023, we had no outstanding bank debt. We prioritize sustained positive free cash flow and a strong balance sheet, and evaluate potential acquisitions and investments in the context of those priorities, in addition to the economics of the opportunity. We believe this approach provides us with additional flexibility to evaluate larger investments as well as improved resilience in a sustained downturn versus many of our peers.
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Based on our current cash and cash equivalents balance, operating cash flow, available borrowings under our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility and the ongoing actions discussed above, we believe that we will be able to maintain sufficient liquidity to satisfy our obligations and remain in compliance with our existing debt covenants through the next twelve months and beyond, prior to giving effect to any future financing that may occur.
We intend to finance most of our capital expenditures, contractual obligations and working capital needs with cash on hand, cash generated from operations and borrowings under our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility. For a discussion of the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility, see “—Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility” below. Although we cannot provide any assurance, we believe that our current cash balance, operating cash flow and available borrowings under our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next twelve months.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, we initiated a quarterly dividend and distribution program of $0.05 per share and $0.05 per unit for holders of Class A and Class B shares, respectively. We paid quarterly dividends at the same rate through the third quarter of 2023, then the board of directors increased the quarterly dividend paid on November 17, 2023 to $0.06 per share and $0.06 per unit for holders of Class A and Class B shares, respectively. This program resulted in a financing outflow of $24.9 million and $6.0 million during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. This quarterly dividend program is expected to continue into 2024 and beyond. All future dividend payments are subject to quarterly review and approval by our board of directors.
As of December 31, 2023, cash and cash equivalents totaled $57.1 million and we had approximately $250.3 million of available borrowing capacity under our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2023, the borrowing base under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility was $267.4 million, we had zero in outstanding borrowings, and outstanding letters of credit totaled $17.1 million. As of February 19, 2024, we had $55.0 million in outstanding indebtedness, the borrowing base under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility was $218.4 million, the outstanding letters of credit totaled $17.1 million, and the available borrowing capacity under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility was $146.3 million.
In 2022, our trade accounts receivable experienced a notable surge, rising from $232.8 million to $430.0 million. This increase was attributed to multiple factors, including the growth in our revenue, the addition of receivables from acquired entities, and the complexities encountered during the integration of these acquisitions. During 2023, in parallel with integration efforts related to previously acquired companies, we implemented enhancements to our billing and collection processes, yielding tangible benefits. These improvements resulted in a more efficient management of our working capital, thereby augmenting our generation of cash. This increased cash flow provides us with greater flexibility to reinvest in our business or return capital to our shareholders.
As of December 31, 2023, we had no material off-balance sheet arrangements. As such, we are not exposed to any material financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such financing arrangements.
Our contractual obligations include, among other things, our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility and operating leases. Refer to “Note 6—Leases” for operating lease obligations as of December 31, 2023 and “Note 10—Debt” for an update to our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility as of December 31, 2023.
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Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The summary of our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 is set forth in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Cash Flow Changes Between the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year ended December 31, | | Change | | |||||||
| | 2023 | 2022 | Dollars | Percentage | | |||||||
| | | (in thousands) | | | | | | | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | | $ | 285,355 | | $ | 33,231 | | $ | 252,124 | | 758.7 | % |
| Net cash used in investing activities | | | (137,168) | | | (53,246) | | | (83,922) | | (157.6) | % |
| Net cash used in financing activities | | | (98,423) | | | (58,451) | | | (39,972) | | (68.4) | % |
| Subtotal | | | 49,764 | | | (78,466) | | | | | | |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | | | (3) | | | (13) | | | 10 | | NM | |
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 49,761 | | $ | (78,479) | | | | | | |
Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities was $285.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $33.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The $252.1 million improvement is comprised of an increase of $64.5 million of net income combined with non-cash adjustments and $187.6 million of decreased working capital primarily due to collecting trade receivables favorably impacted by improvements in the billing and collection process. These trade receivables were previously elevated due to the factors noted above.
Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities was $137.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $53.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The $83.9 million increase in net cash used in investing activities was due primarily to a $64.0 million increase in purchases of property and equipment, a $14.4 million decrease in proceeds received from sales of property and equipment and an increase of $10.7 million spent for acquisitions, net of cash and restricted cash received partially offset by a decrease of $7.2 million in investments made in non-controlled entities.
Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities was $98.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $58.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The $40.0 million increase in net cash used in financing activities was due primarily to a $41.6 million increase in repurchases of shares of Class A common stock, an $18.9 million increase in dividends paid and debt repayments net of borrowings increasing $9.9 million partially offset by a $22.0 million purchase of noncontrolling interests in 2022 resulting in 100% ownership of the Big Spring Recycling System, which includes significant pipeline, storage, recycling and disposal infrastructure assets in the Midland Basin, $6.3 million of cash received net of cash paid from/to noncontrolling interest holders during the year ended December 31, 2023, and $2.1 million in debt issuance costs paid during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility
On March 17, 2022 (the “Restatement Date”), SES Holdings and Select Water Solutions, LLC (“Select LLC”), formerly Select Energy Services, LLC and a wholly-owned subsidiary of SES Holdings, entered into a $270.0 million amended and restated senior secured sustainability-linked revolving credit facility (the “Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility”), by and among SES Holdings, as parent, Select LLC, as borrower and certain of SES Holdings’ subsidiaries, as guarantors, each of the lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, issuing lender and swingline lender (the “Administrative Agent”) (which amended and restated the Prior Credit Agreement dated November 1, 2017). The Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility also has a sublimit of $40.0 million for letters of credit and a sublimit of $27.0 million for swingline loans. Subject to obtaining commitments from existing or new lenders, Select LLC has the option to increase the maximum amount under the senior secured credit facility by $135.0 million during the first three years following the Restatement Date.
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Our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility also contains a sustainability adjustments feature that could result in up to a 0.05% increase or reduction to the effective interest rate pursuant to an Applicable Sustainability Margin Adjustment depending on Select LLC’s ability to meet certain sustainability targets and thresholds starting in 2022. For each calendar year, the “Applicable Sustainability Margin Adjustment” will equal the number of basis points (whether positive, negative or zero) equal to the sum of (i) the Applicable Water Stewardship Fee Adjustment plus (ii) Applicable Health and Safety Fee Adjustment (each as defined in the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility.
The “Applicable Water Stewardship Fee Adjustment" is based on Select LLC’s ability to (i) remain above the Water Stewardship Threshold and (ii) reach the Water Stewardship Target, both metrics which are measured by the total number of barrels of recycled produced water recycled by SES Holdings and its Subsidiaries. The “Applicable Employee Health and Safety Fee Adjustment" is based on Select LLC’s ability to (i) remain above the Employee Health and Safety Threshold and (ii) reach the Employee Health and Safety Target, both metrics which are measured by the total recordable incident rates of employees with respect to SES Holdings and its Subsidiaries.
Refer to “Note 10—Debt” for further discussion of the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures about any 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. Our critical accounting policies are described below to provide a better understanding of how we develop our assumptions and judgments about future events and related estimations and how they can impact our financial statements. The following accounting policies involve critical accounting estimates because they are dependent on our judgment and assumptions about matters that are inherently uncertain.
We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions we believe to be reasonable according to the current facts and circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects are subject to uncertainty and, accordingly, these estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained, and as the business environment in which we operate changes. We believe the current assumptions, judgments and estimates used to determine amounts reflected in our consolidated financial statements are appropriate, however, actual results may differ under different conditions. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Annual Report.
Other intangible assets: The purchase price of acquired businesses is allocated to its identifiable assets and liabilities based upon estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. Other intangible assets are initially recorded at their fair values. Other intangible assets not subject to amortization are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized either on a straight-line basis over the asset’s estimated useful life or on a basis that reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are realized.
Impairment of long-lived assets and intangible assets: Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and finite-lived intangible assets, are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by a comparison of their carrying amount to the estimated undiscounted cash flows to be generated by those assets. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount, we record impairment losses for the excess of their carrying value over the estimated fair value. Fair value is determined, in part, by the estimated cash flows to be generated by those assets. Our cash flow estimates are based upon, among other things, historical results adjusted to reflect our best estimate of future market rates, utilization levels, and operating performance. Development of future cash flows also requires management to make assumptions and to apply judgment, including the timing of future expected cash flows, using the appropriate discount rates and determining salvage values. The estimate of fair value represents our best estimates of these factors based on current
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industry trends and reference to market transactions and is subject to variability. Assets are generally grouped at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows. We operate within the oilfield service industry, and the cyclical nature of the oil and gas industry that we serve and our estimates of the period over which future cash flows will be generated, as well as the predictability of these cash flows, can have a significant impact on the estimated fair value of these assets and, in periods of prolonged down cycles, may result in impairment charges. Changes to our key assumptions related to future performance, market conditions and other economic factors could adversely affect our impairment valuation.
Retentions: We assume risk of loss through deductibles and self-insured retentions, up to certain levels for losses related to general liability, workers’ compensation and employer’s liability, vehicle liability, and health insurance. Our exposure (i.e., the self-insured retention or deductible) per occurrence is $0.5 million for general liability, $0.25 million for workers’ compensation and employer’s liability, $0.25 million for auto liability and $0.3 million for health insurance. We also have an excess loss policy over these coverages with a limit of $100.0 million in the aggregate. Management reviews its estimates of reported and unreported claims and provides for losses through reserves. We use actuarial estimates to record our liability for future periods. If the number of claims or the costs associated with those claims were to increase significantly over our estimates, additional charges to earnings could be necessary to cover required payments. As of December 31, 2023, we estimate the range of exposure to be from $16.2 million to $19.2 million and have recorded liabilities of $17.3 million, which represents management’s best estimate of probable loss related to workers’ compensation and employer’s liability, and auto liability. Additionally, as of December 31, 2023, accrued health insurance and accrued general liabilities were $6.7 million and $1.3 million, respectively.
Tax Receivable Agreements: We intend to fund any obligation under the Tax Receivable Agreements with cash from operations or borrowings under our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility. With respect to obligations under each of our Tax Receivable Agreements (except in cases where we elect to terminate the Tax Receivable Agreements early, the Tax Receivable Agreements are terminated early due to certain mergers or other changes of control or we have available cash but fail to make payments when due), generally we may elect to defer payments due under the Tax Receivable Agreements if we do not have available cash to satisfy our payment obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreements or if our contractual obligations limit our ability to make these payments. Any such deferred payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements generally will accrue interest.
We account for any amounts payable under the Tax Receivable Agreements in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 450, Contingencies. For a discussion regarding an acceleration
of the amounts payable under the Tax Receivable Agreements if we elect to terminate the Tax Receivable Agreements
early or they are terminated early due to our failure to honor a material obligation thereunder or due to certain mergers,
asset sales, other forms of business combinations or other changes of control and the potential impact of such an acceleration and the potential impact of such acceleration, please read Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Our Organizational Structure. In certain cases, payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements may be accelerated and/or significantly exceed the actual benefits, if any, we realize in respect of the tax attributes subject to the Tax Receivable Agreements.
We have assessed the amount of any liability under the Tax Receivable Agreements required under the provisions of ASC 450 in connection with preparing the consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2023, we determined that we were in a position to reasonably estimate an amount of liability associated with the Tax Receivable Agreements and determined that future payments under the terms of the Tax Receivable Agreements were probable, and therefore recorded liabilities of $38.2 million as of December 31, 2023. Prior to this, we had determined that we were not in a position to reasonably estimate such amount and that future payments were not probable. The projection of future taxable income and utilization of tax attributes associated with the Tax Receivable Agreements involve estimates which require significant judgment. The amount of the Company’s actual taxable income, passage of future legislation, or consummation of significant transactions in the future may significantly impact the liability related to the Tax Receivable Agreements.
Realizability of Deferred Tax Assets: We establish valuation allowances when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts more likely than not to be realized. Deferred income tax assets are evaluated quarterly to determine if valuation allowances are required or should be adjusted. The ability to realize deferred tax assets depends on the ability to generate sufficient taxable income within the carryback or carryforward periods provided for in the tax law for
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each applicable tax jurisdiction. The assessment regarding whether a valuation allowance is required or should be adjusted is based on an evaluation of possible sources of taxable income and also considers all available positive and negative evidence factors. Our accounting for the realization of deferred tax assets incorporates, amongst other factors, our best estimate of future events. Changes in our current estimates, due to unanticipated market conditions, governmental legislative actions or events, could have a material effect on our ability to utilize deferred tax assets. As of December 31, 2023, valuation allowances against deferred tax assets were $112 million. See “Note 15—Income Taxes” for additional information.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to “Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies” for recent accounting pronouncements.
FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001558370-23-001765.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements based on our current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors as described under “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors.” We assume no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
Overview
We are a leading provider of comprehensive water-management and chemical solutions to the oil and gas industry in the U.S. As a leader in the water solutions industry, we place the utmost importance on safe, environmentally responsible management of oilfield water throughout the lifecycle of a well. Additionally, we believe that responsibly managing water resources through our operations to help conserve and protect the environment in the communities in which we operate is paramount to our continued success.
In many regions of the country, there has been growing concern about the volumes of water required for new oil and gas well completions, as well as volumes of water injected into subterranean zones where seismicity can be triggered. Working with our customers and local communities, we strive to be an industry leader in the development of cost-effective alternatives to fresh water. Specifically, we offer services that enable our E&P customers to treat and reuse produced water, thereby reducing the demand for fresh water while also reducing the volumes of saltwater that must be disposed by injection. In many areas, we have also acquired sources of non-potable water, such as brackish water or municipal or industrial effluent. Through our expertise in chemical technologies and our FluidMatch™ design solutions, we provide water profiling and fluid assessment services for our customers to support the optimization of their fluid systems, enabling the economic use of these alternative sources. We also work with our E&P customers to lower their emissions through methane combustion technology, and reduce the environmental footprint of their operations through the use of temporary hose and permanent pipeline systems, which are supported by extensive monitoring and automation technology solutions that provide safer and more efficient water resource management. These solutions significantly reduce the demand for trucking operations, thereby reducing gasoline and diesel exhaust emissions, increasing safety and decreasing traffic congestion in nearby communities.
Recent Trends and Outlook
On September 7, 2022, the Company announced that our board of directors approved the initiation of a dividend program under which the Company intends to pay regular quarterly dividends. On January 27, 2023, our board of directors declared our most recent quarterly cash dividend, of $0.05 per share of Class A common stock, that was paid on February 17, 2023 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 7, 2023. A distribution of $0.05 per unit was also approved for those holders of units of SES Holdings, LLC, who also hold an equal number of shares of Class B common stock of the Company, which was subject to the same payment and record dates. All future dividend payments are subject to quarterly review and approval by the board of directors.
Between July 2021 and December 2022, Select completed seven business combinations, one asset acquisition and the buyout of all noncontrolling interests in a recycling system joint venture. Collectively these acquisitions expanded our revenue base and service offerings with many of our key customers and increased our overall service offerings within multiple basins. Continuing the integration of the acquired assets and operations will be a major focus of ours during 2023. Our integration and related efforts include, but are not limited to, increasing revenue through strategic market share gains, investing around acquired infrastructure, regional service line expansion and achieving operational synergies. These operational synergies are expected to be realized by efficiently connecting complementary infrastructure assets with one another, pairing infrastructure assets with related services, realizing cost synergies, and selling excess assets.
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While the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations have decreased in recent quarters, this pandemic has had a material negative impact on our financial results. While we have seen economic recovery and higher oil prices through the year ended December 31, 2022, such negative impact may continue well beyond the containment of the pandemic until global GDP levels, associated oil demand and resulting oilfield activity fully rebound. While we have seen oilfield activity improve considerably and global inventories rapidly normalize with continued demand growth since the low point experienced in 2020, considerable uncertainty remains. Even with this recent recovery however, we cannot provide assurance that our assumptions used to estimate our future financial results will be correct, given the unpredictable nature of the current market environment after the recent elevated volatility in demand for oil and demand for our services. As a consequence, our ability to accurately forecast our activity and profitability is uncertain.
In February 2022, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine that has led to significant armed hostilities. As a result, the U.S., the United Kingdom, the member states of the European Union and other public and private actors have levied severe sanctions on Russian financial institutions, businesses and individuals. This conflict, and the resulting sanctions and concerns regarding global energy security, has contributed to increases and volatility in the prices for oil and natural gas throughout 2022, with the posted price for WTI reaching a high of $123.64 per barrel during the year ended December 31, 2022. Such volatility may lead to a more difficult investing and planning environment for us and our customers. While the near-term impact of these events resulted in higher oil and gas prices during the year ended December 31, 2022, the ultimate geopolitical and macroeconomic consequences of this invasion and associated sanctions cannot be predicted, and such events, or any further hostilities in Ukraine or elsewhere, could severely impact the world economy and may adversely affect our financial condition.
As a result of reduced oil inventories driven by the economic recovery and oil demand growth in much of the world, as well as supply uncertainties heightened by the Russia/Ukraine war, oil and gas prices increased notably in the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the average spot price of WTI crude oil was $94.90 versus an average price of $68.16 for the year ended December 31, 2021. The average Henry Hub natural gas spot price during the year ended December 31, 2022, was $6.42 versus an average of $3.91 for the year ended December 31, 2021. While current price levels have materially reduced from these 2022 full year averages, current price levels remain supportive of our customers’ drilling and completion programs in the major shale basins.
Many of our customers have demonstrated their resolve to manage their capital spending within budgets and cash flow from operations and increase redemptions of debt and/or returns of capital to investors. Additionally, consolidation among our customers can disrupt our market in the near-term and the resulting demand for our services. Overall however, the financial health of the oil and gas industry and many of our customers specifically, as reflected in debt metrics, recent capital raises, and equity valuations, greatly improved over the year ended December 31, 2021 and through the year ended December 31, 2022.
From an operational standpoint, many of the recent trends still apply to ongoing unconventional oil and gas development. The continued trend towards multi-well pad development, executed within a limited time frame, has increased the overall complexity of well completions, while increasing fracturing efficiency and the use of lower-cost in-basin sand has decreased total costs for our customers. However, we note the continued efficiency gains in the well completions process can limit the days we spend on the wellsite and, therefore, negatively impact the total revenue opportunity for certain of our services utilizing day-rate pricing models.
This multi-well pad development, combined with recent upstream acreage consolidation and the growing trends around the recycling and reuse applications of produced water provides a significant opportunity for companies like us that can deliver increasingly complex solutions for our E&P customers across the full completion and production lifecycle of wells. While these trends have advanced the most in the Permian Basin to date, they are beginning to emerge in other basins as well.
The trend of increased reuse of produced water will require additional chemical treatment solutions, and we have a dedicated team of specialists focused every day on developing and deploying innovative water treatment and reuse services for our customers. Our FluidMatch™ design solutions enable our customers to economically use these alternative sources to optimize their fluid systems by providing water profiling and fluid assessment services working
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towards real-time. This trend also supports more complex “on-the-fly” solutions that treat, proportion, and blend various streams of water and chemicals at the wellsite. This complexity favors service companies able to provide advanced technology solutions. Ultimately, we intend to play an important role in the advancement of water and chemical solutions that are designed to meet the sustainability goals of key stakeholders.
Our water logistics, treatment, and chemical application expertise, in combination with advanced technology solutions, are applicable to other industries beyond oil and gas. We are working to further commercialize our services in other businesses and industries through our industrial solutions group.
On November 1, 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of Breakwater in a stock-for-stock transaction for total consideration of $105.3 million based on the closing price of the Company’s shares of Class A common stock on October 31, 2022. The consideration transferred consisted of 9,181,144 shares of Class A common stock, $10.5 million of debt that was paid off at closing as part of consideration exchanged, $3.7 million in change-of-control payments and $2.4 million in seller transaction costs. The acquisition strengthened Select’s geographic footprint with a unique set of water logistics and infrastructure assets, particularly in the Permian and Eagle Ford regions. The acquisition included a controlling interest in the Big Spring Recycling System (“BSRS”), which includes significant pipeline, storage, recycling and disposal infrastructure assets in the Midland Basin.
On December 2, 2022, the Company acquired all noncontrolling interests in BSRS valued at approximately $7.3 million based on the closing price of the Company’s shares of Class A common stock on December 1, 2022, and $22.0 million in cash, for total consideration of $29.3 million. The consideration transferred included 910,612 shares of Class A common stock. This equity transaction enabled Select to simplify the BSRS operations and decision-making processes and provided potential revenue and cost synergies. On December 2, 2022, Select also acquired certain assets and revenue-producing contracts in the Midland Basin from a third party for $6.1 million, inclusive of $0.1 million of acquisition-related costs. Many of the assets acquired are adjacent to the BSRS, with connectivity into the BSRS providing future revenue and cost synergies.
On November 1, 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of certain saltwater disposal assets from Cypress for total consideration of $9.2 million based on the closing price of the Company’s shares of Class A common stock on October 31, 2022. The consideration transferred consisted of 952,753 shares of Class A common stock. The acquired Cypress operations consist of eight saltwater disposal facilities with daily permitted capacity of 85,000 barrels per day across North Dakota. The acquisition strengthened Select’s geographic footprint with a portfolio of strategic wastewater disposal facilities in the Bakken region, with the majority of Cypress’s volumes being delivered through high volume contracted gathering pipeline infrastructure.
On February 23, 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of Nuverra for total consideration of $35.9 million based on the closing price of the Company’s shares of Class A common stock on February 23, 2022. The consideration transferred consisted of 4,203,323 shares of Class A common stock. The acquisition strengthened Select’s geographic footprint with a unique set of water logistics and infrastructure assets, particularly in the Bakken, Haynesville and Northeast, while continuing to expand Select’s production-related revenues. Select also acquired a 60-mile underground twin pipeline network in the Haynesville Shale in Texas and Louisiana. This pipeline network is used for the collection of produced water for transport to interconnected disposal wells and the delivery or re-delivery of water from water sources to operator locations for use in well completion activities. Additionally, Nuverra operates a landfill facility in North Dakota located on a 50-acre site. The facility provides a unique opportunity for Select to expand its logistics capabilities into a new service offering. The acquisition resulted in a bargain purchase gain, as Nuverra was experiencing financial distress and actively evaluating strategic alternatives leading up to the transaction.
Our Segments
Our services are offered through three reportable segments: (i) Water Services; (ii) Water Infrastructure; and (iii) Oilfield Chemicals.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Water Services. The Water Services segment consists of the Company’s services businesses, including water transfer, flowback and well testing, fluids hauling, water monitoring, water containment and water |
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| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| network automation, primarily serving E&P companies. Additionally, this segment includes the operations of our accommodations and rentals business. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Water Infrastructure. The Water Infrastructure segment consists of the Company’s infrastructure assets, including operations associated with our water sourcing and pipeline infrastructure, our water recycling solutions, and our produced water gathering systems and SWDs, as well as solids disposal facilities, primarily serving E&P companies. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Oilfield Chemicals. The Oilfield Chemicals segment provides technical solutions, products and expertise related to chemical applications in the oil and gas industry. We develop, manufacture, manage logistics and provide a full suite of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, cementing, pipelines and well completions for customers ranging from pressure pumpers to major integrated and independent oil and gas producers. This segment also utilizes its chemical experience and lab testing capabilities to customize tailored water treatment solutions designed to optimize the fracturing fluid system in conjunction with the quality of water used in well completions. |
How We Generate Revenue
We currently generate the majority of our revenue through our water-management services associated with well completions, provided through our Water Services and Water Infrastructure segments. The majority of this revenue is realized through customer agreements with fixed pricing terms and is recognized when delivery of services is provided, generally at our customers’ sites. While we have some long-term pricing arrangements, particularly in our Water Infrastructure segment, most of our water and water-related services are priced based on prevailing market conditions, giving due consideration to the specific requirements of the customer.
We also generate revenue by providing completion and specialty chemicals through our Oilfield Chemicals segment. We invoice the majority of our Oilfield Chemicals customers for services provided based on the quantity of chemicals used or pursuant to short-term contracts as the customers’ needs arise.
Costs of Conducting Our Business
The principal expenses involved in conducting our business are labor costs, vehicle and equipment costs (including depreciation, repair, rental and maintenance and leasing costs), raw materials and water sourcing costs and fuel costs. Our fixed costs are relatively low. Most of the costs of serving our customers are variable, i.e., they are incurred only when we provide water and water-related services or chemicals and chemical-related services to our customers.
Labor costs associated with our employees and contract labor comprise the largest portion of our costs of doing business. We incurred labor and labor-related costs of $476.2 million, $285.7 million and $243.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The majority of our recurring labor costs are variable and dependent on the then-current market environment and are incurred only while we are providing our operational services. We also incur costs to employ personnel to sell and supervise our services and perform maintenance on our assets, which is not directly tied to our level of business activity. Additionally, we incur selling, general and administrative costs for compensation of our administrative personnel at our field sites and in our operational and corporate headquarters, as well as for third-party support, licensing and services.
We incur significant vehicle and equipment costs in connection with the services we provide, including depreciation, repairs and maintenance, rental and leasing costs. We incurred vehicle and equipment costs of $266.6 million, $165.1 million and $157.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
We incur raw material costs in manufacturing our chemical products, as well as for water that we source for our customers. We incurred raw material costs of $300.8 million, $209.7 million and $154.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
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We incur variable transportation costs associated with our service lines, predominately fuel and freight. We incurred fuel and freight costs of $118.1 million, $58.5 million and $35.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Rising fuel prices impact our transportation costs, which affect the pricing and demand for our services and, therefore, our results of operations.
How We Evaluate Our Operations
We use a variety of operational and financial metrics to assess our performance. Among other measures, management considers each of the following:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Revenue; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Gross Profit; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Gross Margins; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | EBITDA; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Adjusted EBITDA. |
Revenue
We analyze our revenue and assess our performance by comparing actual monthly revenue to our internal projections and across periods. We also assess incremental changes in revenue compared to incremental changes in direct operating costs and selling, general and administrative expenses across our reportable segments to identify potential areas for improvement, as well as to determine whether segment performance is meeting management’s expectations.
Gross Profit
To measure our financial performance, we analyze our gross profit, which we define as revenues less direct operating expenses (including depreciation and amortization expenses). We believe gross profit provides insight into profitability and the true operating performance of our assets. We also compare gross profit to prior periods and across segments to identify trends as well as underperforming segments.
Gross Margins
Gross margins provide an important gauge of how effective we are at converting revenue into profits. This metric works in tandem with gross profit to ensure that we do not seek to increase gross profit at the expense of lower margins, nor pursue higher gross margins at the expense of declining gross profits. We track gross margins by segment and service line and compare them across prior periods and across segments and service lines to identify trends as well as underperforming segments.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
We view EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as important indicators of performance. We define EBITDA as net income/(loss), plus interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA plus/(minus) loss/(income) from discontinued operations, plus any impairment charges or asset write-offs pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”), plus non-cash losses on the sale of assets or subsidiaries, non-recurring compensation expense, non-cash compensation expense, and non-recurring or unusual expenses or charges, including severance expenses, transaction costs, or facilities-related exit and disposal-related expenditures, plus/(minus) foreign currency losses/(gains) and plus/(minus) losses/(gains) on unconsolidated entities less bargain purchase gains from business combinations. The adjustments to EBITDA are generally consistent with such adjustments described in our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility. See “—Comparison of Non-GAAP Financial
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Measures—EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA” for more information and a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss), the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.
Factors Affecting the Comparability of Our Results of Operations to Our Historical Results of Operations
Our future results of operations may not be comparable to our historical results of operations for the periods presented, primarily for the reasons described below and those described in “—Recent Trends and Outlook” above.
Acquisition Activity
As described above, we continuously evaluate potential investments, particularly in water infrastructure and other water-related services and technology. To the extent we consummate acquisitions, any incremental revenues or expenses from such transactions are not included in our historical results of operations.
Between July 2021 and December 2022, we completed seven business combinations, one asset acquisition and the buyout of all noncontrolling interests in a recycling system joint venture. Our historical financial statements for periods prior to the respective date each acquisition was completed do not include the results of operations of such acquisition. See “—Recent Trends and Outlook” and “Note 3—Acquisitions” for a description of these transactions.
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Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our results of operations, including revenue by segment, for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. The results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 is set forth in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Year Ended December 31, 2022 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2021
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year ended December 31, | | Change | | ||||||||
| | 2022 | 2021 | Dollars | Percentage | | ||||||||
| | | | (in thousands) | | | | | | | ||||
| Revenue | | | | | | ||||||||
| Water Services | | $ | 799,369 | | $ | 394,075 | | $ | 405,294 | 102.8 | % | | |
| Water Infrastructure | | | 270,412 | | | 154,789 | | | 115,623 | | 74.7 | % | |
| Oilfield Chemicals | | | 317,639 | | | 215,756 | | 101,883 | 47.2 | % | | ||
| Total revenue | | 1,387,420 | | 764,620 | | 622,800 | 81.5 | % | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Costs of revenue | | | | | | | | ||||||
| Water Services | | 644,097 | | 346,730 | | 297,367 | 85.8 | % | | ||||
| Water Infrastructure | | | 203,413 | | | 115,887 | | 87,526 | 75.5 | % | | ||
| Oilfield Chemicals | | | 265,648 | | | 191,115 | | | 74,533 | | 39.0 | % | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | 113,507 | | 90,028 | | 23,479 | 26.1 | % | | ||||
| Total costs of revenue | | 1,226,665 | | 743,760 | | 482,905 | 64.9 | % | | ||||
| Gross profit | | 160,755 | | 20,860 | | 139,895 | 670.6 | % | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Operating expenses | | | | | | | | ||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | | 118,935 | | | 83,076 | | 35,859 | 43.2 | % | | |||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 2,209 | | | 2,430 | | (221) | (9.1) | % | | |||
| Lease abandonment costs | | 449 | | | 894 | | (445) | (49.8) | % | | |||
| Total operating expenses | | 121,593 | | 86,400 | | 35,193 | 40.7 | % | | ||||
| Income (loss) from operations | | 39,162 | | (65,540) | | 104,702 | (159.8) | % | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other income (expense) | | | | | | | | ||||||
| Gain (loss) on sales of property and equipment and divestitures, net | | | 2,192 | | | (2,068) | | | 4,260 | 206.0 | % | | |
| Interest expense, net | | (2,700) | | | (1,711) | | (989) | 57.8 | % | | |||
| Foreign currency (loss) gain, net | | | (8) | | | 2 | | | (10) | NM | | | |
| Bargain purchase gain | | | 13,352 | | | 18,985 | | | (5,633) | NM | | | |
| Other | | 4,726 | | | 673 | | 4,053 | NM | | | |||
| Income (loss) before income tax (expense) benefit | | 56,724 | | (49,659) | | 106,383 | 214.2 | % | | ||||
| Income tax (expense) benefit | | (957) | | (147) | | (810) | NM | | | ||||
| Equity in losses of unconsolidated entities | | | (913) | | (279) | | (634) | NM | | | |||
| Net income (loss) | | $ | 54,854 | | $ | (50,085) | | $ | 104,939 | 209.5 | % | |
Revenue
Our revenue increased $622.8 million, or 81.5%, to $1.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $764.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was composed of a $405.3 million increase in Water Services revenue, a $115.6 million increase in Water Infrastructure revenue and a $101.9 million increase in Oilfield Chemicals revenue. These increases were driven primarily by higher demand for our services coupled with increased pricing in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2021. Included in the increases in Water
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Services and Water Infrastructure were incremental revenue contributions from the Complete, Agua Libre and Basic, HB Rentals, Nuverra, Breakwater and Cypress acquisitions. For the year ended December 31, 2022, our Water Services, Water Infrastructure and Oilfield Chemicals revenues constituted 57.6%, 19.5% and 22.9% of our total revenue, respectively, compared to 51.6%, 20.2% and 28.2%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2021. The revenue changes by reportable segment are as follows:
Water Services. Revenue increased $405.3 million, or 102.8%, to $799.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $394.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily attributable to higher demand for our services coupled with increased pricing in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was also impacted by incremental revenue contributed by the Complete, Basic, HB Rentals, Nuverra and Breakwater acquisitions.
Water Infrastructure. Revenue increased by $115.6 million, or 74.7%, to $270.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $154.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily attributable to higher demand for our services in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was also modestly impacted by incremental revenue contributed by the Complete, Agua Libre, Nuverra, Breakwater and Cypress acquisitions.
Oilfield Chemicals. Revenue increased $101.9 million, or 47.2%, to $317.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $215.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily attributable to higher demand for our services, particularly our proprietary friction reducer product offerings, in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2021.
Costs of Revenue
Costs of revenue increased $482.9 million, or 64.9%, to $1.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $743.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was comprised of a $297.4 million increase in Water Services costs, a $87.5 million increase in Water Infrastructure costs and a $74.5 million increase in Oilfield Chemicals costs. Depreciation and amortization expense also increased by $23.5 million. For the year ended December 31, 2022, inflation also impacted variable costs for labor, fuel and services. We were able to pass some of these increased costs to customers with surcharges and pricing increases.
Water Services. Costs of revenue increased $297.4 million, or 85.8%, to $644.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $346.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Cost of revenue as a percent of revenue decreased to 80.6% from 88.0%, due primarily to economies of scale from higher revenue activity
Water Infrastructure. Costs of revenue increased $87.5 million, or 75.5%, to $203.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $115.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Cost of revenue as a percent of revenue slightly increased to 75.2% from 74.9%, due to increased pricing for many water sources partially offset by a higher relative contribution of high margin disposal revenue.
Oilfield Chemicals. Costs of revenue increased $74.5 million, or 39.0%, to $265.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $191.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Cost of revenue as a percent of revenue decreased to 83.6% from 88.6%, due primarily to higher utilization and cost absorption at our manufacturing facilities.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $23.5 million, or 26.1%, to $113.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $90.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, due primarily to a higher fixed asset base related to acquisitions occurring after June 30, 2021.
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Gross Profit
Gross profit was $160.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to $20.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Gross profit increased by $107.9 million in our Water Services segment, $28.1 million in our Water Infrastructure segment and $27.4 million in our Oilfield Chemicals segment. Partially offsetting the increase in gross profit was a $23.5 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense. Gross margin as a percent of revenue was 11.6% and 2.7% during the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $35.9 million, or 43.2%, to $118.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $83.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was due primarily to a $6.1 million increase in equity-based compensation costs,$5.9 million from higher wages, associated payroll taxes and employer 401k match contributions, $5.2 million of costs from the additional personnel and related back-office expenses as a result of our recent acquisitions, comprised of $1.9 million of personnel costs and $3.3 million of other back-office costs, a $4.4 million increase in short-term incentive compensation cost, a $3.0 million increase in business development costs, $2.6 million in higher vehicle lease costs, $2.5 million in higher legal and professional fees, a $1.8 million increase in bad debt expense, a $1.3 million increase in travel, meals and entertainment costs, $1.0 million in higher subscription costs, a $1.0 million increase in information technology costs, a $1.0 million increase in insurance costs and $3.2 million from a combination of other expenses partially offset by $3.2 million in severance expense during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Net Interest Expense
Net interest expense increased by $1.0 million, or 57.8%, to $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 due primarily to writing off unamortized deferred debt issuance costs in connection with amending and restating the Prior Credit, lower interest income related to notes receivable that were converted to an equity-method investment and higher interest expense due to borrowings during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Bargain Purchase Gain
Bargain purchase gain of $13.4 million in 2022 was comprised of $6.7 million related to the Nuverra acquisition and $6.7 million in adjustments related to acquisitions that occurred in 2021. The Nuverra acquisition resulted in a bargain purchase gain as Nuverra was experiencing financial distress and actively evaluating strategic alternatives leading up to the transaction.
Bargain purchase gain of $19.0 million in 2021 was comprised of $9.4 million, $5.9 million and $3.6 million for the Complete, HB Rentals, and Agua Libre and Basic acquisitions, respectively. The Complete and HB Rentals acquisitions resulted in a bargain purchase in part due to the seller recently emerging from bankruptcy and deciding to divest domestic assets and operations and focus on international operations. The Agua Libre and Basic acquisition resulted in a bargain purchase as the seller was distressed and decided to divest its assets and operations to multiple buyers as operations were wound down and the business was shuttered.
Other
Other income was $4.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. During the year ended December 31, 2022, other income primarily related to the sale of excess assets and assignment to third parties of leased properties with asset retirement obligations acquired in our recent acquisitions as well as the removal of the $1.1 million UltRecovery contingent consideration liability. During the year ended December 31, 2021, other income primarily related to the disposal of asset retirement obligations and the realized gain, partially offset by an unrealized loss, on equity securities sold in 2021.
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Net Income (Loss)
Net Income (loss) increased by $104.9 million, to a net income of $54.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to a net loss of $50.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, driven primarily by increased revenue and gross profit due to an increase in demand for our services. This was partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative costs of $35.9 million and a smaller bargain purchase gain recorded for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. The year ended December 31, 2021 was negatively impacted by a significant reduction in demand for our services due to a gradual recovery following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Comparison of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We view EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as important indicators of performance. We define EBITDA as net income (loss), plus interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. We define Adjusted EBITDA, as EBITDA plus/(minus) loss/(income) from discontinued operations, plus any impairment charges or asset write-offs pursuant to GAAP, plus non-cash losses on the sale of assets or subsidiaries, non-recurring compensation expense, non-cash compensation expense, and non-recurring or unusual expenses or charges, including severance expenses, transaction costs, or facilities-related exit and disposal-related expenditures, plus/(minus) foreign currency losses/(gains) and plus/(minus) losses/(gains) on unconsolidated entities less bargain purchase gains from business combinations. The adjustments to EBITDA are generally consistent with such adjustments described in our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility. See “—Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss), the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.
Our board of directors, management and investors use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to assess our financial performance because it allows them to compare our operating performance on a consistent basis across periods by removing the effects of our capital structure (such as varying levels of interest expense), asset base (such as depreciation and amortization) and items outside the control of our management team. We present EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA because we believe they provide useful information regarding the factors and trends affecting our business in addition to measures calculated under GAAP.
Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP. We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures will provide useful information to investors in assessing our financial performance and results of operations. Net income is the GAAP measure most directly comparable to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. Our non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as alternatives to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Each of these non-GAAP financial measures has important limitations as an analytical tool due to the exclusion of some but not all items that affect the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. One should not consider EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA in isolation or as substitutes for an analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Because EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may be defined differently by other companies in our industry, our definitions of these non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing their utility.
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The following table sets forth our reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to our net (loss) income, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure, for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. The reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is set forth in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year Ended December 31, | ||||
| | | 2022 | 2021 | |||
| | | (in thousands) | ||||
| Net income (loss) | | $ | 54,854 | | $ | (50,085) |
| Interest expense, net | | | 2,700 | | | 1,711 |
| Income tax expense | | | 957 | | | 147 |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 115,716 | | | 92,458 |
| EBITDA | | | 174,227 | | | 44,231 |
| Non-cash compensation expenses | | | 15,570 | | | 9,469 |
| Non-recurring severance expenses(1) | | | — | | | 3,225 |
| Non-cash loss on sale of assets or subsidiaries(2) | | | 4,400 | | | 4,596 |
| Non-recurring transaction costs(3) | | | 11,672 | | | 5,656 |
| Lease abandonment costs | | | 449 | | | 894 |
| Bargain purchase gain | | | (13,352) | | | (18,985) |
| Other non-recurring charges(3) | | | — | | | 608 |
| Equity in losses of unconsolidated entities | | | 913 | | | 279 |
| Foreign currency loss (gain), net | | | 8 | | | (2) |
| Non-recurring change in vacation policy(4) | | | 918 | | | — |
| Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 194,805 | | $ | 49,971 |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (1) | For 2021, these costs related to severance costs associated with our former CEO. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (2) | For all periods presented, the losses were primarily due to sales of real estate and underutilized, excess or obsolete property and equipment. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (3) | For all periods presented, these costs were primarily legal-related due diligence costs as well as costs related to certain acquired subsidiaries. |
(4) Due to the various acquisitions entered into the last 18 months, and the workload on our employees, these costs represent a one-time accrual to payout vacation in excess of the allowed unused vacation carryover amount. Previously, any unused vacation in excess of the allowed carryover amount was forfeited at year-end.
EBITDA was $174.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to $44.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The $130.0 million increase in EBITDA was driven primarily by higher gross profit of $163.4 million and a $4.3 million increase in net gains from asset sales partially offset by a $35.9 million increase in selling, general and administrative costs. Adjusted EBITDA was $194.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to $50.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The $144.8 million increase is primarily attributable to many of the items discussed above.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash on hand, borrowing capacity under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility, cash flows from operations and proceeds from the sale of excess property and equipment. Our primary uses of capital have been to fund current operations, maintain our asset base, implement technological advancements, make capital expenditures to support organic growth, fund acquisitions and minority investments, and when appropriate, repurchase shares of Class A common stock in the open market. Depending on available opportunities, market conditions and other factors, we may also issue debt and equity securities, in the future, if needed.
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As of December 31, 2022, we had $16.0 million outstanding bank debt. We prioritize sustained positive free cash flow and a strong balance sheet, and evaluate potential acquisitions and investments in the context of those priorities, in addition to the economics of the opportunity. We believe this approach provides us with additional flexibility to evaluate larger investments as well as improved resilience in a sustained downturn versus many of our peers.
Based on our current cash and cash equivalents balance, operating cash flow, available borrowings under our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility and the ongoing actions discussed above, we believe that we will be able to maintain sufficient liquidity to satisfy our obligations and remain in compliance with our existing debt covenants through the next twelve months and beyond, prior to giving effect to any future financing that may occur.
We intend to finance most of our capital expenditures, contractual obligations and working capital needs with cash on hand, cash generated from operations and borrowings under our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility. For a discussion of the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility, see “—Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility” below. Although we cannot provide any assurance, we believe that our current cash balance, operating cash flow and available borrowings under our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next twelve months.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, we initiated a quarterly dividend and distribution program of $0.05 per share and $0.05 per unit for holders of Class A and Class B shares, respectively. This resulted in a financing outflow of $6.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, and this quarterly dividend program is expected to continue into 2023 and beyond. All future dividend payments are subject to quarterly review and approval by our board of directors.
As of December 31, 2022, cash and cash equivalents totaled $7.3 million and we had approximately $206.1 million of available borrowing capacity under our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2022, the borrowing base under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility was $245.0 million, we had $16.0 million in outstanding borrowings, and outstanding letters of credit totaled $22.9 million. As of February 20, 2023, we had $50.0 million in outstanding indebtedness, the borrowing base under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility was $228.0 million, the outstanding letters of credit totaled $22.6 million, and the available borrowing capacity under the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility was $155.4 million.
During 2022, our trade accounts receivable increased from $232.8 million to $430.0 million. The increase was due to increasing revenue, receivables from acquired companies and integration challenges related to our acquisitions. We are focused on improving our overall billings and collections processes in order to reduce our working capital and generate cash that we can employ in our business or return to shareholders.
As of December 31, 2022, we had no material off-balance sheet arrangements. As such, we are not exposed to any material financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such financing arrangements.
Our contractual obligations include, among other things, our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility and operating leases. Refer to “Note 6—Leases” for operating lease obligations as of December 31, 2022 and “Note 10—Debt” for an update to our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility as of December 31, 2022.
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Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. The summary of our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is set forth in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Cash Flow Changes Between the Years Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year ended December 31, | | Change | | |||||||
| | 2022 | 2021 | Dollars | Percentage | | |||||||
| | | (in thousands) | | | | | | | ||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | | $ | 33,231 | | $ | (16,248) | | $ | 49,479 | | 304.5 | % |
| Net cash used in investing activities | | | (53,246) | | | (64,456) | | | 11,210 | | 17.4 | % |
| Net cash used in financing activities | | | (58,451) | | | (2,542) | | | (55,909) | | (2199.4) | % |
| Subtotal | | | (78,466) | | | (83,246) | | | | | | |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | | | (13) | | | 8 | | | (21) | | NM | |
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | | $ | (78,479) | | $ | (83,238) | | | | | | |
Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities was $33.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to cash used in operating activities of $16.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The $49.5 million increase is comprised of an increase of $135.2 million of net income combined with non-cash adjustments, partially offset by $85.7 million of increased working capital primarily due to the timing of collecting trade receivables connected with increased revenue.
Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities was $53.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $64.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The $11.2 million decrease in net cash used in investing activities was due primarily to a $27.8 million decrease spent on acquisitions, net of cash received during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, an $18.8 million increase in proceeds received from sales of property and equipment partially offset by a $31.9 million increase in purchases of property and equipment and a $4.4 million increase in investments.
Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities was $58.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The $55.9 million increase in cash used in financing activities was primarily due to a $22.0 million purchase of noncontrolling interests, a $19.0 million increase in repurchases of shares of Class A common stock during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, the pay down of debt, net of borrowings of $6.0 million, dividend and distribution payments of $6.0 million and $2.1 million in debt issuance costs paid during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility
On March 17, 2022 (the “Restatement Date”), SES Holdings, a subsidiary of the Company, and Select Energy Services, LLC (“Select LLC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SES Holdings, entered into a $270.0 million amended and restated senior secured sustainability-linked revolving credit facility (the “Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility”), by and among SES Holdings, as parent, Select LLC, as borrower and certain of SES Holdings’ subsidiaries, as guarantors, each of the lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, issuing lender and swingline lender (the “Administrative Agent”) (which amended and restated the Prior Credit Agreement dated November 1, 2017). The Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility also has a sublimit of $40.0 million for letters of credit and a sublimit of $27.0 million for swingline loans. Subject to obtaining commitments from existing or new lenders, Select LLC has the option to increase the maximum amount under the senior secured credit facility by $135.0 million during the first three years following the Restatement Date.
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Our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility also contains a sustainability adjustments feature that could result in up to a 0.05% increase or reduction to the effective interest rate pursuant to an Applicable Sustainability Margin Adjustment depending on Select LLC’s ability to meet certain sustainability targets and thresholds starting in 2022. For each calendar year, the “Applicable Sustainability Margin Adjustment” will equal the number of basis points (whether positive, negative or zero) equal to the sum of (i) the Applicable Water Stewardship Fee Adjustment plus (ii) Applicable Health and Safety Fee Adjustment (each as defined in the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility.
The “Applicable Water Stewardship Fee Adjustment" is based on Select LLC’s ability to (i) remain above the Water Stewardship Threshold and (ii) reach the Water Stewardship Target, both metrics which are measured by the total number of barrels of recycled produced water recycled by SES Holdings and its Subsidiaries. The “Applicable Employee Health and Safety Fee Adjustment" is based on Select LLC’s ability to (i) remain above the Employee Health and Safety Threshold and (ii) reach the Employee Health and Safety Target, both metrics which are measured by the total recordable incident rates of employees with respect to SES Holdings and its Subsidiaries.
Refer to “Note 10—Debt” for further discussion of the Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility.
Tax Receivable Agreements
We intend to fund any obligation under the Tax Receivable Agreements with cash from operations or borrowings under our Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility. With respect to obligations under each of our Tax Receivable Agreements (except in cases where we elect to terminate the Tax Receivable Agreements early, the Tax Receivable Agreements are terminated early due to certain mergers or other changes of control or we have available cash but fail to make payments when due), generally we may elect to defer payments due under the Tax Receivable Agreements if we do not have available cash to satisfy our payment obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreements or if our contractual obligations limit our ability to make these payments. Any such deferred payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements generally will accrue interest.
We intend to account for any amounts payable under the Tax Receivable Agreements in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 450, Contingent Consideration. For further discussion regarding such an acceleration and its potential impact, please read Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Our Organizational Structure – In certain cases, payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements may be accelerated and/or significantly exceed the actual benefits, if any, we realize in respect of the tax attributes subject to the Tax Receivable Agreements.”
We have assessed the amount of any liability under the Tax Receivable Agreements required under the provisions of ASC 450 in connection with preparing the consolidated financial statements. We determined that there was no liability related to the Tax Receivable Agreements arising from the corporate reorganization and subsequent exchanges as of December 31, 2022 due to there not being any payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements that are probable under the provisions of ASC 450 within the foreseeable future. The Company would generally expect to recognize the liability under the Tax Receivable Agreements as probable in conjunction with the conclusion that deferred tax assets are more likely than not to be realized and, therefore, part or all of the valuation allowance on the deferred tax assets is released. We believe this correlation is appropriate given the relationship between the likelihood of realization of deferred tax assets and the probability of utilization of certain tax benefits that are subject to the Tax Receivable Agreements.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures about any 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. Our critical accounting policies are described below to provide a better understanding of how we develop our assumptions and judgments about future events and related estimations and how they can impact our financial statements. The following accounting policies involve critical accounting estimates because they are dependent on our judgment and assumptions about matters that are inherently uncertain.
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We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions we believe to be reasonable according to the current facts and circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects are subject to uncertainty and, accordingly, these estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained, and as the business environment in which we operate changes. We believe the current assumptions, judgments and estimates used to determine amounts reflected in our consolidated financial statements are appropriate, however, actual results may differ under different conditions. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Annual Report.
Goodwill and other intangible assets: The purchase price of acquired businesses is allocated to its identifiable assets and liabilities based upon estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and other intangible assets are initially recorded at their fair values. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of acquisitions over the fair value of the net assets acquired in a business combination. Our goodwill balance at both December 31, 2022 and 2021 was zero. Goodwill and other intangible assets not subject to amortization are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized either on a straight-line basis over the asset’s estimated useful life or on a basis that reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are realized.
Impairment of goodwill, long-lived assets and intangible assets: Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and finite-lived intangible assets, are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by a comparison of their carrying amount to the estimated undiscounted cash flows to be generated by those assets. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount, we record impairment losses for the excess of their carrying value over the estimated fair value. Fair value is determined, in part, by the estimated cash flows to be generated by those assets. Our cash flow estimates are based upon, among other things, historical results adjusted to reflect our best estimate of future market rates, utilization levels, and operating performance. Development of future cash flows also requires management to make assumptions and to apply judgment, including the timing of future expected cash flows, using the appropriate discount rates and determining salvage values. The estimate of fair value represents our best estimates of these factors based on current industry trends and reference to market transactions and is subject to variability. Assets are generally grouped at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows. We operate within the oilfield service industry, and the cyclical nature of the oil and gas industry that we serve and our estimates of the period over which future cash flows will be generated, as well as the predictability of these cash flows, can have a significant impact on the estimated fair value of these assets and, in periods of prolonged down cycles, may result in impairment charges. Changes to our key assumptions related to future performance, market conditions and other economic factors could adversely affect our impairment valuation. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we impaired $7.9 million of property and equipment because the carrying values were deemed not recoverable and were comprised of leasehold improvements related to abandoned facilities, abandonment of certain saltwater and fresh water wells and obsolete machinery and equipment.
When applicable, we conduct our annual goodwill impairment tests in the fourth quarter of each year, and whenever impairment indicators arise, by examining relevant events and circumstances which could have a negative impact on our goodwill, such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors that have a negative effect on earnings and cash flows, overall financial performance, acquisitions and divestitures and other relevant entity-specific events. If a qualitative assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then we would be required to perform a quantitative impairment test for goodwill comparing the reporting unit’s carrying value to its fair value. The Company’s reporting units are based on its organizational and reporting structure. In determining fair values for the reporting units, the Company relies primarily on the income, market and cost approaches for valuation. In the income approach, the Company discounts predicted future cash flows using a weighted-average cost of capital calculation based on publicly-traded peer companies. In the market approach, valuation multiples are developed from both publicly-traded peer companies as well as other company transactions. The cost approach considers replacement cost as the primary indicator of value.
If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, impairment is calculated based on the difference between the fair value and carrying value in accordance with our early adoption of Accounting Standards
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Update (“ASU“) 2017-04– Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. Application of the goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including the identification of reporting units, allocation of assets (including goodwill) and liabilities to reporting units and determining the fair value. The determination of reporting unit fair value relies upon certain estimates and assumptions that are complex and are affected by numerous factors, including the general economic environment and levels of E&P activity of oil and gas companies, our financial performance and trends and our strategies and business plans, among others. Unanticipated changes, including immaterial revisions, to these assumptions could result in a provision for impairment in a future period. Given the nature of these evaluations and their application to specific assets and time frames, it is not possible to reasonably quantify the impact of changes in these assumptions. During the first quarter of 2020, we recorded $266.9 million of goodwill impairment due to the significant decline in oil prices coupled with the uncertainty associated with future recovery. This impairment brought our goodwill balance to zero.
Retentions: We assume risk of loss through deductibles and self-insured retentions, up to certain levels for losses related to general liability, workers’ compensation and employer’s liability, vehicle liability, and health insurance. Our exposure (i.e., the self-insured retention or deductible) per occurrence is $0.5 million for general liability, $0.25 million for workers’ compensation and employer’s liability, $0.25 million for auto liability and $0.3 million for health insurance. We also have an excess loss policy over these coverages with a limit of $100.0 million in the aggregate. Management reviews its estimates of reported and unreported claims and provides for losses through reserves. We use actuarial estimates to record our liability for future periods. If the number of claims or the costs associated with those claims were to increase significantly over our estimates, additional charges to earnings could be necessary to cover required payments. As of December 31, 2022, we estimate the range of exposure to be from $15.3 million to $18.4 million and have recorded liabilities of $16.6 million, which represents management’s best estimate of probable loss related to workers’ compensation and employer’s liability, and auto liability. Additionally, as of December 31, 2022, accrued health insurance and accrued general liabilities were $7.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively.
Recent Accounting Pronouncement
Refer to “Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies” for recent accounting pronouncement.
FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001558370-22-001752.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements based on our current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors as described under “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors.” We assume no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
Overview
We are a leading provider of comprehensive water-management and chemical solutions to the oil and gas industry in the U.S. We also develop, manufacture and deliver a full suite of chemical solutions for use in oil and gas well completion and production operations. As a leader in the water solutions industry, we place the utmost importance on safe, environmentally responsible management of water throughout the lifecycle of a well. Additionally, we believe that responsibly managing water resources through our operations to help conserve and protect the environment in the communities in which we operate is paramount to our continued success.
In many regions of the country, there has been growing concern about the volumes of water required for new oil and gas well completions. Working with our customers and local communities, we strive to be an industry leader in the development of cost-effective alternatives to fresh water. Specifically, we offer services that enable our E&P customers to treat and reuse produced water, thereby reducing the demand for fresh water while also reducing the volumes of saltwater that must be disposed by injection. In many areas, we have also acquired sources of non-potable water, such as brackish water or municipal or industrial effluent. Through our expertise in chemical technologies and our FluidMatch™ design solutions, we provide water profiling and fluid assessment services for our customers to support the optimization of their fluid systems, enabling the economic use of these alternative sources. We also work with our E&P customers to lower their emissions through methane combustion technology, and reduce the environmental footprint of their operations through the use of temporary hose and permanent pipeline systems, which are supported by extensive monitoring and automation technology solutions that provide safer and more efficient water resource management. These solutions significantly reduce the demand for trucking operations, thereby reducing gasoline and diesel exhaust emissions, increasing safety and decreasing traffic congestion in nearby communities.
Recent Trends and Outlook
The recent acquisition of Complete, the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Agua Libre and other water-related assets, operations and assumed liabilities from Basic, and the acquisition of U.S. Lower 48 onshore accommodations and rental assets and operations H.B. Rentals, benefitted our financial results in the year ended December 31, 2021, as well as our competitive positioning in the water solutions market. These acquisitions expanded our geographic footprint, most notably in the Rockies region, provided access to employee expertise, as well as opportunities to expand our growing water recycling business into new areas. The acquisitions also increased our market share and added significant revenue-producing assets and multiple opportunities for future revenue and cost synergies.
On December 12, 2021, the Company entered into the Nuverra Merger Agreement with Nuverra, an energy-focused environmental solutions company, providing comprehensive, full-cycle environmental solutions, including the removal, treatment, recycling, transportation and disposal of restricted solids, fluids and hydrocarbons for exploration and production companies operating across the U.S., including in the Bakken, Haynesville, Marcellus and Utica Shales. With the Nuverra transaction, we will be adding more than 300,000 barrels per day of permitted daily disposal capacity in Texas, Louisiana, North Dakota, Montana and Ohio. When combined with our existing assets and other recent acquisitions, this brings our company-wide permitted daily disposal capacity to approximately 2.5 million barrels per day. The transaction closed on February 23, 2022. See “Note 19—Subsequent Events” for additional information on the merger.
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The ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations have had a material negative impact on our financial results. While we have seen economic recovery and higher oil prices through the year ended December 31, 2021, such negative impact may continue well beyond the containment of the pandemic until global GDP levels, associated oil demand and resulting oilfield activity all fully rebound. While we have seen activity improve considerably since the low point experienced in 2020, there remains uncertainty, but global oil inventories have rapidly normalized with continued demand growth. Even with this recent recovery however, we cannot provide assurance that our assumptions used to estimate our future financial results will be correct given the unpredictable nature of the current market environment after the recent elevated volatility in the demand for oil and demand for our services. As a consequence, our ability to accurately forecast our activity and profitability is uncertain.
The future magnitude and ultimate duration of the COVID-19 pandemic is also uncertain. Therefore, we cannot estimate its impact on our business, financial condition or near- or longer-term financial or operational results with certainty. In this environment, the Company has planned for a range of scenarios and has taken a number of actions to decrease operating and capital expenses, and defer other expenses in accordance with the provisions of the CARES Act. To protect our workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken steps to support our people who are affected by the virus, manage work-from-home scheduling as appropriate, limit on-site visitors, and monitor and consistently communicate with those who are required to be at a work location, while also providing these employees with additional personal protective equipment.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the average spot price of WTI crude oil was $68.16 versus an average price of $39.16 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The average Henry Hub natural gas spot price during the year ended December 31, 2021, was $3.91 versus an average of $2.04 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The significant improvement in oil and gas prices in 2021 relative to 2020 has been driven largely by reduced oil inventories resulting from economic recovery and oil demand growth in much of the world. These price levels are supportive of our customers’ drilling and completion programs in the major shale basins.
Many of our customers have demonstrated their resolve to manage their capital spending to within budgets and cash flow from operations and increase redemptions of debt and/or returns of capital to investors. Additionally, consolidation among our customers can disrupt our market in the near-term and the resulting demand for our services. Overall however, the financial health of the oil and gas industry and many of our customers specifically, as reflected in debt metrics, recent capital raises, and equity valuations, has greatly improved over the year ended December 31, 2021.
From an operational standpoint, many of the recent trends still apply to ongoing unconventional oil and gas development. For example, while we believe leading-edge lateral lengths and proppant use are plateauing, the average operator continues to catch up to this leading edge. The continued trend towards multi-well pad development, executed within a limited time frame, has increased the overall complexity of well completions, while increasing fracturing efficiency and the use of lower-cost in-basin sand has decreased total costs for our customers. However, we note the continued efficiency gains in the well completions process can limit the days we spend on the wellsite and, therefore, negatively impact the total revenue opportunity for certain of our services utilizing day-rate pricing models.
This multi-well pad development, combined with recent upstream acreage consolidation and the growing trends around the reuse applications of produced water, particularly in the Permian Basin but also emerging in other basins as well, however, provides significant opportunity for companies like us that can deliver increasingly complex solutions for our E&P customers across the full completion and production lifecycle of wells.
The trend of increased use of produced water will require additional chemical treatment solutions, and we have a dedicated team of specialists focused every day on developing and deploying innovative water treatment and reuse services for our customers. Our FluidMatch™ design solutions enable our customers to economically use these alternative sources to optimize their fluid systems by providing water profiling and fluid assessment services working towards real time. With our water treatment capabilities, our Well Chemical Services team and our knowledge base within our Oilfield Chemicals segment, we are well-positioned to advance these solutions. This trend also supports more complex “on the fly” solutions that treat, proportion, and blend various streams of water and chemicals at the wellsite. This complexity favors service companies able to provide advanced technology solutions that are able to economically
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compete with alternative historical solutions. Ultimately, we intend to play an important role in the advancement of water and chemical solutions that are designed to meet the sustainability goals of all stakeholders.
Our water logistics, treatment, and chemical application expertise, in combination with advanced technology solutions, are applicable to other industries beyond oil and gas, and we are working to further commercialize our services in other industrial businesses.
Permian Basin and Rockies Recycling Facility Projects
In 2021, we were awarded contracts underwriting the construction of three new produced water recycling facilities serving key customers in the Permian Basin, with two located in the Midland Basin and one located in the Delaware Basin. These state-of-the-art facilities will allow us to leverage our expertise in fracturing chemistry and fluid optimization and provide customers with sustainable recycling solutions that deliver a consistent water quality standard for use in completion activities, thereby decreasing both fresh water usage and waste disposal. We also signed a multi-year agreement with a large customer in the Rockies with a dedicated pipeline from its property to our water treatment facility. We will receive, treat and recycle water and have the ability to dispose excess water for this customer. The facility will have a throughput capacity to receive and treat 15,000 barrels per day with the ability to upgrade to 30,000 barrels per day. This agreement includes a minimum volume commitment and operations commenced in the fourth quarter of 2021.
In support of this growing Permian water infrastructure network, we also acquired infrastructure from an existing customer with one million barrels of storage capacity and are in the process of upgrading our previously announced Midland Basin produced water recycling facility to meet additional commercial demand from customers adjacent to the facility. We commenced construction on the two new Midland Basin fixed infrastructure produced water recycling facilities during the second quarter of 2021. Both projects are supported by long-term contracts with private operators in the Midland Basin for the purchase and delivery of recycled produced water. Each facility will support the recycling of up to 40,000 barrels of water per day while providing approximately 1.3 million barrels of adjacent recycled water storage capacity. Operations commenced during the second half of 2021.
Additionally, we expanded our previously announced Midland Basin produced water recycling facility serving Martin and Midland Counties, Texas and installed a bi-directional pipeline infrastructure to connect the facility to nearby operators to meet increasing demand from our anchor customer as well as from nearby third-party operators. These upgrades are expected to increase the throughput capacity of the facility by 30% to 65,000 barrels of produced water per day and increase the nearby recycled water storage capacity by 40% to 2.7 million barrels. The new pipeline is capable of transporting approximately 58,000 barrels of water per day to and from the facility. These upgrades were completed and became operational during the second half of 2021, and are expected to be accretive financially given the existing infrastructure already in place.
We also completed construction and commenced operations on a third facility during the second half of 2021, which is a centralized produced water recycling facility for a major integrated operator in the Delaware Basin. This facility is designed for recycling up to 30,000 barrels of produced water per day and will be supported by one million barrels of adjacent recycled water storage capacity.
These projects supplement our sizable existing footprint of water storage, distribution and recycling infrastructure in the Permian Basin and represent our entry with recycling solutions into the Rockies. In aggregate, we expect to spend approximately $10 million to construct the three new recycling facilities, to purchase the existing storage infrastructure, and to upgrade the existing produced water treatment facilities in the Midland Basin. Once fully operational, these projects will bring our total centralized produced water recycling capacity in the Permian Basin to approximately 375,000 barrels of water per day, which is supplemented by our mobile recycling technologies and capabilities that are currently supporting nearly 150,000 barrels per day of active produced water recycling projects.
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February 2021 Severe Weather
Severe winter weather in February 2021 negatively impacted our 2021 results, equating to approximately one lost week of operations across most of our locations, with extended raw material shortages that impacted our Oilfield Chemicals segment into March. We estimate that this negatively impacted 2021 revenue by an amount ranging from $9 million to $12 million.
Our Segments
Our services are offered through three reportable segments: (i) Water Services; (ii) Water Infrastructure; and (iii) Oilfield Chemicals.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Water Services. The Water Services segment consists of the Company’s services businesses, including water transfer, flowback and well testing, fluids hauling, water containment and water network automation, primarily serving E&P companies. Additionally, this segment includes the operations of our accommodations and rentals business as well as the Company’s industrial solutions business. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Water Infrastructure. The Water Infrastructure segment consists of the Company’s infrastructure assets, including operations associated with our water sourcing and pipeline infrastructure, our water recycling solutions and infrastructure, and our produced water gathering systems and SWDs, primarily serving E&P companies. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Oilfield Chemicals. The Oilfield Chemicals segment provides technical solutions and expertise related to chemical applications in the oil and gas industry. We also have significant capabilities supplying logistics for chemical applications. We develop, manufacture and apply a full suite of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, cementing, production, pipelines and well completions. Given the breadth of chemicals and application expertise we provide, our customers range from pressure pumpers to major integrated and independent oil and gas producers. This segment also utilizes its chemical experience and lab testing capabilities to customize tailored water treatment solutions designed to optimize the fracturing fluid system in conjunction with the quality of water used in well completions. |
How We Generate Revenue
We currently generate the majority of our revenue through our water-management services associated with hydraulic fracturing, provided through our Water Services and Water Infrastructure segments. The majority of this revenue is realized through customer agreements with fixed pricing terms and is recognized when delivery of services is provided, generally at our customers’ sites. While we have some long-term pricing arrangements, particularly in our Water Infrastructure segment, most of our water and water-related services are priced based on prevailing market conditions, giving due consideration to the specific requirements of the customer.
We also generate revenue by providing completion, specialty chemicals and production chemicals through our Oilfield Chemicals segment. We invoice the majority of our Oilfield Chemicals customers for services provided based on the quantity of chemicals used or pursuant to short-term contracts as the customers’ needs arise.
Costs of Conducting Our Business
The principal expenses involved in conducting our business are labor costs, vehicle and equipment costs (including depreciation, repair, rental and maintenance and leasing costs), raw materials and water sourcing costs and fuel costs. Our fixed costs are relatively low. Most of the costs of serving our customers are variable, i.e., they are incurred only when we provide water and water-related services or chemicals and chemical-related services to our customers.
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Labor costs associated with our employees and contract labor comprise the largest portion of our costs of doing business. We incurred labor and labor-related costs of $285.7 million, $243.6 million and $477.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The majority of our recurring labor costs are variable and are incurred only while we are providing operational services. We also incur costs to employ personnel to sell and supervise our services and perform maintenance on our assets, which is not directly tied to our level of business activity. Additionally, we incur selling, general and administrative costs for compensation of our administrative personnel at our field sites and in our operational and corporate headquarters as well as for third-party support, licensing and services.
We incur significant vehicle and equipment costs in connection with the services we provide, including depreciation, repair and maintenance, rental and leasing costs. We incurred vehicle and equipment costs of $165.1 million, $157.6 million and $245.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
We incur raw material costs in manufacturing our chemical products, as well as for water that we source for our customers. We incurred raw material costs of $209.7 million, $154.2 million and $274.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
We incur variable transportation costs associated with our service lines, predominately fuel and freight. We incurred fuel and freight costs of $58.5 million, $35.6 million and $81.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Rising fuel prices impact our transportation costs, which affect the pricing and demand for our services and, therefore, our results of operations.
Public Company Costs
General and administrative expenses related to being a publicly-traded company include: Exchange Act reporting expenses; expenses associated with compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley; expenses associated with maintaining our listing on the NYSE; incremental independent auditor fees; incremental legal fees; investor relations expenses; registrar and transfer agent fees; incremental director and officer liability insurance costs; and director compensation. We expect that these and other general and administrative expenses related to being a publicly-traded company will generally remain consistent with costs incurred during 2021. Costs incurred by us for corporate and other overhead expenses will be reimbursed by SES Holdings pursuant to the SES Holdings LLC Agreement.
How We Evaluate Our Operations
We use a variety of operational and financial metrics to assess our performance. Among other measures, management considers each of the following:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Revenue; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Gross Profit; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Gross Margins; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | EBITDA; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Adjusted EBITDA. |
Revenue
We analyze our revenue and assess our performance by comparing actual monthly revenue to our internal projections and across periods. We also assess incremental changes in revenue compared to incremental changes in direct operating costs and selling, general and administrative expenses across our reportable segments to identify potential areas for improvement, as well as to determine whether segment performance is meeting management’s expectations.
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Gross Profit
To measure our financial performance, we analyze our gross profit, which we define as revenues less direct operating expenses (including depreciation and amortization expenses). We believe gross profit provides insight into profitability and true operating performance of our assets. We also compare gross profit to prior periods and across segments to identify trends as well as underperforming segments.
Gross Margins
Gross margins provide an important gauge of how effective we are at converting revenue into profits. This metric works in tandem with gross profit to ensure that we do not seek to increase gross profit at the expense of lower margins, nor pursue higher gross margins at the expense of declining gross profits. We track gross margins by segment and service line and compare them across prior periods and across segments and service lines to identify trends as well as underperforming segments.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
We view EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as important indicators of performance. We define EBITDA as net income/(loss), plus interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA plus/(minus) loss/(income) from discontinued operations, plus any impairment charges or asset write-offs pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”), plus non-cash losses on the sale of assets or subsidiaries, non-recurring compensation expense, non-cash compensation expense, and non-recurring or unusual expenses or charges, including severance expenses, transaction costs, or facilities-related exit and disposal-related expenditures, plus/(minus) foreign currency losses/(gains) and plus/(minus) losses/(gains) on unconsolidated entities less bargain purchase gains from business combinations. The adjustments to EBITDA are generally consistent with such adjustments described in our Credit Agreement. See “—Comparison of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss), the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.
Factors Affecting the Comparability of Our Results of Operations to Our Historical Results of Operations
Our future results of operations may not be comparable to our historical results of operations for the periods presented, primarily for the reasons described below and those described in “—Recent Trends and Outlook” above.
Acquisition and Divestiture Activity
As described above, we are continuously evaluating potential investments, particularly in water infrastructure and other water-related services and technology. To the extent we consummate acquisitions, any incremental revenues or expenses from such transactions are not included in our historical results of operations.
Complete Energy Services Acquisition
On July 9, 2021, we acquired Complete, an operating subsidiary of Superior Energy Services, Inc. (“Superior”) for purchase consideration of $34.7 million. Our historical financial statements for periods prior to July 9, 2021 do not include the results of operations of Complete.
UltRecovery Acquisition
On August 2, 2021, we acquired substantially all of the assets of UltRecovery Corporation (“UltRecovery”), a provider of sustainable production enhancement applications focused on existing conventional and unconventional oil and gas wells. The total purchase consideration was $3.6 million and our historical financial statements for periods prior to August 2, 2021 do not include the results of operations of UltRecovery.
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Agua Libre and Basic Acquisition
On October 1, 2021, we completed the acquisition of certain assets of Agua Libre and other water-related assets, operations and assumed liabilities from Basic. The total purchase consideration was $21.1 million and our historical financial statements for periods prior to October 1, 2021 do not include the results of operations of Agua Libre and Basic.
HB Rentals Acquisition
On December 3, 2021, Peak Oilfield Services, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Select, completed the acquisition of certain assets of HB Rentals, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Superior. The total purchase consideration was $8.7 million and our historical financial statements for periods prior to December 3, 2021 do not include the results of HB Rentals. Refer to “Note 3—Acquisitions and Divestitures” for detail on recent acquisition and divestiture activity.
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Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our results of operations, including revenue by segment, for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. The results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the year ended December 31, 2019 is set forth in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2020
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year ended December 31, | | Change | | ||||||||
| | 2021 | 2020 | Dollars | Percentage | | ||||||||
| | | | (in thousands) | | | | | | | ||||
| Revenue | | | | | | ||||||||
| Water Services | | $ | 394,075 | | $ | 319,766 | | $ | 74,309 | 23.2 | % | | |
| Water Infrastructure | | | 154,789 | | | 125,356 | | | 29,433 | | 23.5 | % | |
| Oilfield Chemicals | | | 215,756 | | | 159,983 | | 55,773 | 34.9 | % | | ||
| Total revenue | | 764,620 | | 605,105 | | 159,515 | 26.4 | % | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Costs of revenue | | | | | | | | ||||||
| Water Services | | 346,730 | | 291,734 | | 54,996 | 18.9 | % | | ||||
| Water Infrastructure | | | 115,887 | | | 99,546 | | 16,341 | 16.4 | % | | ||
| Oilfield Chemicals | | | 191,115 | | | 143,550 | | | 47,565 | | 33.1 | % | |
| Other | | | — | | | 740 | | | (740) | | NM | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | 90,028 | | 98,800 | | (8,772) | (8.9) | % | | ||||
| Total costs of revenue | | 743,760 | | 634,370 | | 109,390 | 17.2 | % | | ||||
| Gross profit (loss) | | 20,860 | | (29,265) | | 50,125 | 171.3 | % | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Operating expenses | | | | | | | | ||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | | 83,076 | | | 74,364 | | 8,712 | 11.7 | % | | |||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 2,430 | | | 2,872 | | (442) | (15.4) | % | | |||
| Impairment of goodwill and trademark | | | — | | | 276,016 | | | (276,016) | | NM | | |
| Impairment and abandonment of property and equipment | | | — | | | 7,910 | | | (7,910) | | NM | | |
| Lease abandonment costs | | 894 | | | 4,350 | | (3,456) | NM | | | |||
| Total operating expenses | | 86,400 | | 365,512 | | (279,112) | NM | | | ||||
| Loss from operations | | (65,540) | | (394,777) | | 329,237 | NM | | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other (expense) income | | | | | | | | ||||||
| Losses on sales of property and equipment and divestitures, net | | | (2,068) | | | (2,815) | | | 747 | (26.5) | % | | |
| Interest expense, net | | (1,711) | | | (2,136) | | 425 | (19.9) | % | | |||
| Foreign currency gain, net | | | 2 | | | 39 | | | (37) | NM | | | |
| Bargain purchase gain | | | 18,985 | | | — | | | 18,985 | NM | | | |
| Other income (expense), net | | 673 | | | (3,519) | | 4,192 | NM | | | |||
| Loss before income tax (expense) benefit | | (49,659) | | (403,208) | | 353,549 | NM | | | ||||
| Income tax (expense) benefit | | (147) | | 1,476 | | (1,623) | NM | | | ||||
| Equity in losses of unconsolidated entities | | | (279) | | — | | (279) | NM | | | |||
| Net loss | | $ | (50,085) | | $ | (401,732) | | $ | 351,647 | NM | | |
Revenue
Our revenue increased $159.5 million, or 26.4%, to $764.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $605.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was composed of a $74.3 million
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increase in Water Services revenue, a $29.4 million increase in Water Infrastructure revenue and a $55.8 million increase in Oilfield Chemicals revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2021, our Water Services, Water Infrastructure and Oilfield Chemicals revenues constituted 51.6%, 20.2% and 28.2% of our total revenue, respectively, compared to 52.9%, 20.7% and 26.4%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2020. The revenue changes by reportable segment are as follows:
Water Services. Revenue increased $74.3 million, or 23.2%, to $394.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $319.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily attributable to higher demand for our services in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2020, which was impacted by a significant reduction in drilling and completions activity following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as $78.6 million of incremental revenue contributed by the Complete, Basic and HB Rentals acquisitions. This was partially offset by comparative decreases in the first quarter of 2021 versus the first quarter of 2020, as the majority of the first quarter of 2020 revenue activity occurred before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also offsetting the comparative increase was the impact of severe weather in February 2021 for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Water Infrastructure. Revenue increased by $29.4 million, or 23.5%, to $154.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $125.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily attributable to higher demand for our services in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2020, which was impacted by a significant reduction in drilling and completions activity following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as $6.0 million of incremental revenue contributed by the Complete and Agua Libre acquisitions. This was partially offset by comparative decreases in the first quarter of 2021 versus the first quarter of 2020, as the majority of the first quarter of 2020 revenue activity occurred before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also offsetting the comparative increase was the impact of severe weather in February 2021 for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Oilfield Chemicals. Revenue increased $55.8 million, or 34.9%, to $215.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $160.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily attributable to higher demand for our services in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2020, which was impacted by a significant reduction in drilling and completions activity following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was partially offset by comparative decreases in the first quarter of 2021 versus the first quarter of 2020, as the majority of the first quarter of 2020 revenue activity occurred before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also offsetting the comparative increase was the impact of severe weather in February 2021 for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Costs of Revenue
Costs of revenue increased $109.4 million, or 17.2%, to $743.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $634.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was comprised of a $55.0 million increase in Water Services costs, a $16.3 million increase in Water Infrastructure costs and a $47.6 million increase in Oilfield Chemicals costs. This was partially offset by an $8.8 million decrease in depreciation and amortization expense, primarily due to a lower fixed asset base prior to the Complete, Agua Libre and Basic, and HB Rentals acquisitions.
Water Services. Costs of revenue increased $55.0 million, or 18.9%, to $346.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $291.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Cost of revenue as a percent of revenue decreased to 88.0% from 91.2%, primarily due to a gradual increase in demand for our services after June 30, 2020, which spread fixed costs over a larger revenue base. Additionally, costs of revenue were impacted during the year ended December 31, 2020, by severance and yard closure costs totaling $5.6 million.
Water Infrastructure. Costs of revenue increased $16.3 million, or 16.4%, to $115.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $99.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Cost of revenue as a percent of revenue decreased to 74.9% from 79.4%, primarily due to a higher relative contribution from high-margin pipeline revenue as well as a discrete cost in the year ended December 31, 2020 related to a customer bankruptcy. Additionally, costs of revenue were impacted during the year ended December 31, 2020 by severance and yard closure costs totaling $0.5 million.
Oilfield Chemicals. Costs of revenue increased $47.6 million, or 33.1%, to $191.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $143.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Cost of revenue as a percent of
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revenue decreased to 88.6% from 89.7%, primarily due to certain events in 2020 that did not recur in 2021. For the year ended December 31, 2020, costs of revenue were impacted by inventory adjustments and reserve additions of $0.6 million, severance costs of $0.6 million, and yard closure and equipment rental return costs of $0.5 million, including costs associated with idling our Tyler manufacturing facility to consolidate production in Midland. For the year ended December 31, 2021, costs were impacted by the severe winter weather in February and rising raw materials costs due to certain raw materials shortages, supply chain challenges, and inflationary pressures.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $8.8 million, or 8.9%, to $90.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $98.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to a lower fixed asset base for the majority of the year ended December 31, 2021, prior to the Complete, Agua Libre and Basic, and HB Rentals acquisitions.
Gross Profit (Loss)
Gross profit was $20.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to a gross loss of $29.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Gross profit increased by $19.3 million in our Water Services segment, $13.1 million in our Water Infrastructure segment and $8.2 million in our Oilfield Chemicals segment. Depreciation and amortization expense also decreased by $8.8 million. Gross margin as a percent of revenue was 2.7% and (4.8%) during the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $8.7 million, or 11.7%, to $83.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $74.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily due to $5.8 million of costs from the additional personnel and related back-office expenses as a result of our 2021 acquisitions, comprised of $4.1 million of personnel costs and $1.7 million of other back-office costs, a $3.7 million increase in equity-based compensation costs, $2.6 million in higher legal and professional fees in connection with work on realized and considered transactions, $1.3 million in higher dues and subscriptions, $1.1 million in higher travel, meals and entertainment costs, and $1.5 million from a combination of other expenses partially offset by a $6.6 million net decrease in bad debt expense and $0.7 million in lower costs related to the Company’s annual bonus plan.
Impairment
Goodwill and trademark impairment costs were $276.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2020, all of our goodwill was impaired due to the significant decline in oil prices and the uncertainty associated with the future recovery. We also recorded a $9.1 million partial impairment of our Rockwater trademark.
Impairment and abandonment of property and equipment costs were $7.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. These impairment costs were comprised of leasehold improvements related to abandoned facilities, abandonment of certain saltwater disposal and fresh water wells, and obsolete machinery and equipment.
There were no costs related to goodwill and trademark impairment or impairment and abandonment of property and equipment in 2021.
Lease Abandonment Costs
Lease abandonment costs were $0.9 million and $4.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2021, lease abandonment costs primarily related to expenses associated with facilities previously abandoned. The costs incurred in 2020 were primarily due to leases abandoned associated with realignment and combining activity on fewer leased properties.
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Bargain Purchase Gain
Bargain purchase gain of $19.0 million in 2021 was comprised of $9.4 million, $5.9 million and $3.6 million for the Complete, HB Rentals, and Agua Libre and Basic acquisitions, respectively. The Complete and HB Rentals acquisitions resulted in a bargain purchase in part due to the seller recently emerging from bankruptcy and deciding to divest domestic assets and operations and focus on international operations. The Agua Libre and Basic acquisition resulted in a bargain purchase as the seller was distressed and decided to divest its assets and operations to multiple buyers as operations were wound down and the business was shuttered.
Other Income (Expense)
Other income was $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to other expense costs of $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2021, other income primarily related to the disposal of asset retirement obligations and the realized gain, partially offset by an unrealized loss on equity securities sold in 2021 versus the mark-to-market fair value as of December 31, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2020, other expenses primarily related to legal and sales tax expenses related to certain acquired subsidiaries.
Net Loss
Net loss decreased by $351.6 million, to a net loss of $50.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to a net loss of $401.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to the $276.0 million in goodwill and trademark impairment costs and $7.9 million in impairment and abandonment of property and equipment costs during the year ended December 31, 2020, a $50.1 million increase in gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2021 and a bargain purchase gain of $19.0 million related to 2021 acquisitions, an increase to other income (expense) of $4.2 million and a $3.5 million reduction in lease abandonment costs. This was partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative costs of $8.7 million.
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Comparison of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We view EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as important indicators of performance. We define EBITDA as net income (loss), plus interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. We define Adjusted EBITDA, as EBITDA plus/(minus) loss/(income) from discontinued operations, plus any impairment charges or asset write-offs pursuant to GAAP, plus non-cash losses on the sale of assets or subsidiaries, non-recurring compensation expense, non-cash compensation expense, and non-recurring or unusual expenses or charges, including severance expenses, transaction costs, or facilities-related exit and disposal-related expenditures, plus/(minus) foreign currency losses/(gains) and plus/(minus) losses/(gains) on unconsolidated entities less bargain purchase gains from business combinations. The adjustments to EBITDA are generally consistent with such adjustments described in our Credit Agreement. See “—Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss), the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.
Our board of directors, management and investors use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to assess our financial performance because it allows them to compare our operating performance on a consistent basis across periods by removing the effects of our capital structure (such as varying levels of interest expense), asset base (such as depreciation and amortization) and items outside the control of our management team. We present EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA because we believe they provide useful information regarding the factors and trends affecting our business in addition to measures calculated under GAAP.
Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP. We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures will provide useful information to investors in assessing our financial performance and results of operations. Net income is the GAAP measure most directly comparable to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. Our non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as alternatives to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Each of these non-GAAP financial measures has important limitations as an analytical tool due to exclusion of some but not all items that affect the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. You should not consider EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA in isolation or as substitutes for an analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Because EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may be defined differently by other companies in our industry, our definitions of these non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing their utility.
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The following table sets forth our reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to our net (loss) income, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure, for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. The reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is set forth in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year ended December 31, | ||||
| | 2021 | 2020 | ||||
| | | | | | | |
| Net loss | | $ | (50,085) | | $ | (401,732) |
| Interest expense, net | | | 1,711 | | | 2,136 |
| Income tax expense (benefit) | | | 147 | | | (1,476) |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 92,458 | | | 101,672 |
| EBITDA | | | 44,231 | | | (299,400) |
| Non-cash compensation expenses | | | 9,469 | | | 5,764 |
| Nonrecurring severance expenses(1) | | | 3,225 | | | 7,168 |
| Non-cash loss on sale of assets or subsidiaries(2) | | | 4,596 | | | 9,767 |
| Nonrecurring transaction costs(3) | | | 5,656 | | | 4,439 |
| Lease abandonment costs(4) | | | 894 | | | 4,350 |
| Impairment of goodwill and trademark(4) | | | — | | | 276,016 |
| Impairment and abandonment of property and equipment(4) | | | — | | | 7,910 |
| Bargain purchase gain | | | (18,985) | | | — |
| Yard closure costs related to consolidating operations(4) | | | — | | | 2,961 |
| Other nonrecurring charges(3) | | | 608 | | | 1,969 |
| Equity in losses of unconsolidated entities | | | 279 | | | — |
| Foreign currency gain, net | | | (2) | | | (39) |
| Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 49,971 | | $ | 20,905 |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (1) | For 2021, these costs related to severance costs associated with our former CEO. For 2020, these costs related to severance due to the significant adverse change to the demand for the Company’s services in connection with a significant decline in the price of oil. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (2) | For all periods presented, the losses were primarily due to sales of real estate and underutilized, excess or obsolete property and equipment. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (3) | For 2021, these costs were primarily legal-related due diligence costs as well as costs related to certain acquired subsidiaries. For 2020, these costs were primarily due to a legal accrual related to certain previously acquired subsidiaries. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (4) | For 2020, these costs were due to the significant adverse change to the demand for the Company’s services in connection with a significant decline in the price of oil. |
EBITDA was $44.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to ($299.4) million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The $343.6 million increase in EBITDA was driven primarily by the $276.0 million in goodwill and trademark impairment costs and $7.9 million in impairment and abandonment of property and equipment costs during the year ended December 31, 2020, a bargain purchase gain of $19.0 million related to 2021 acquisitions, and higher gross profit of $41.4 million. Adjusted EBITDA was $50.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $20.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The $29.1 million increase is primarily attributable to many of the items discussed above.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash on hand, borrowing capacity under the Credit Agreement, cash flows from operations and proceeds from the sale of excess property and equipment. Our primary uses of capital have been to
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fund current operations, maintain our asset base, implement technological advancements, make capital expenditures to support organic growth, fund acquisitions and minority investments, and when appropriate, repurchase shares of Class A Common Stock in the open market. Depending on market conditions and other factors, we may also issue debt and equity securities, in the future, if needed.
As of December 31, 2021, we had no outstanding bank debt and a positive net cash position. We prioritize sustained positive free cash flow and a strong balance sheet, and evaluate potential acquisitions and investments in the context of those priorities, in addition to the economics of the opportunity. We believe this approach provides us with additional flexibility to evaluate larger investments as well as improved resilience in a sustained downturn versus many of our peers.
Based on our current cash and cash equivalents balance, operating cash flow, available borrowings under our Credit Agreement and the ongoing actions discussed above, we believe that we will be able to maintain sufficient liquidity to satisfy our obligations and remain in compliance with our existing debt covenants through the next twelve months and beyond, prior to giving effect to any future financing that may occur.
We intend to finance most of our capital expenditures, contractual obligations and working capital needs with cash on hand, cash generated from operations and borrowings under our Credit Agreement. For a discussion of the Credit Agreement, see “—Credit Agreement” below. Although we cannot provide any assurance, we believe that our current cash balance, operating cash flow and available borrowings under our Credit Agreement will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next twelve months.
As of December 31, 2021, cash and cash equivalents totaled $85.8 million and we had approximately $117.1 million of available borrowing capacity under our Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 2021, the borrowing base under the Credit Agreement was $132.7 million, we had no outstanding borrowings, and outstanding letters of credit totaled $15.6 million. As of February 21, 2022, we had no outstanding borrowings, the borrowing base under the Credit Agreement was $148.4 million, the outstanding letters of credit totaled $15.6 million, and the available borrowing capacity under the Credit Agreement was $132.8 million.
As of December 31, 2021, we had no material off-balance sheet arrangements. As such, we are not exposed to any material financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such financing arrangements.
Our contractual obligations include, among other things, our Credit Agreement and operating leases. Refer to “Note 6—Leases” for operating lease obligations as of December 31, 2021 and “Note 10—Debt” for an update to our Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2021.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. The summary of our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is set forth in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Cash Flow Changes Between the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year ended December 31, | | Change | | |||||||
| | 2021 | 2020 | Dollars | Percentage | | |||||||
| | | (in thousands) | | | | | | | ||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | | $ | (16,248) | | $ | 105,810 | | $ | (122,058) | | (115.4) | % |
| Net cash used in investing activities | | | (64,456) | | | (5,393) | | | (59,063) | | (1095.2) | % |
| Net cash used in financing activities | | | (2,542) | | | (10,710) | | | 8,168 | | 76.3 | % |
| Subtotal | | | (83,246) | | | 89,707 | | | | | | |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | | | 8 | | | 64 | | | (56) | | NM | |
| Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | | $ | (83,238) | | $ | 89,771 | | | | | | |
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Operating Activities. Net cash used in operating activities was $16.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $105.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The $122.1 million decrease is primarily due to $160.1 million lower cash from a non-recurrence of harvesting substantial working capital in the year ended December 31, 2020, as well as the current timing of collecting receivables connected with increasing revenue. This was partially offset by cash flows stemming from higher profitability for the year ended December 31, 2021 versus 2020.
Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities was $64.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The $59.1 million increase in net cash used in investing activities was primarily due to $34.7 million in cash disbursed for acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2021, an $18.8 million increase in purchases of property and equipment and a $5.9 million decrease in proceeds received from sales of property and equipment.
Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities was $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to net cash used in financing activities of $10.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The $8.2 million decrease in cash used in financing activities was primarily due to a $9.7 million decrease in repurchases of shares of Class A Common Stock during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 partially offset by a net $1.4 million increase in distributions to noncontrolling interests in water-related services joint ventures.
Credit Agreement
On November 1, 2017, SES Holdings and Select LLC entered into a $300.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Agreement”), by and among SES Holdings, as parent, Select LLC, as borrower, certain of SES Holdings’ subsidiaries, as guarantors, each of the lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, issuing lender and swingline lender (the “Administrative Agent”). The Credit Agreement has a sublimit of $40.0 million for letters of credit and a sublimit of $30.0 million for swingline loans. The maturity date of the Credit Agreement is the earlier of (a) November 1, 2022, and (b) the termination in whole of the Commitments pursuant to Section 2.1(b) of Article VII of the Credit Agreement. It is our intention to either extend the current Credit Agreement or enter into a new Credit Agreement prior to the termination of the current Credit Agreement. Refer to “Note 10—Debt” for further discussion of the Credit Agreement.
Tax Receivable Agreements
We intend to fund any obligation under the Tax Receivable Agreements with cash from operations or borrowings under our Credit Agreement. With respect to obligations under each of our Tax Receivable Agreements (except in cases where we elect to terminate the Tax Receivable Agreements early, the Tax Receivable Agreements are terminated early due to certain mergers or other changes of control or we have available cash but fail to make payments when due), generally we may elect to defer payments due under the Tax Receivable Agreements if we do not have available cash to satisfy our payment obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreements or if our contractual obligations limit our ability to make these payments. Any such deferred payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements generally will accrue interest.
We intend to account for any amounts payable under the Tax Receivable Agreements in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 450, Contingent Consideration. For further discussion regarding such an acceleration and its potential impact, please read Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Our Organizational Structure – In certain cases, payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements may be accelerated and/or significantly exceed the actual benefits, if any, we realize in respect of the tax attributes subject to the Tax Receivable Agreements.”
We have assessed the amount of any liability under the Tax Receivable Agreements required under the provisions of ASC 450 in connection with preparing the consolidated financial statements. We determined that there was no liability related to the Tax Receivable Agreements arising from the corporate reorganization and subsequent
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exchanges as of December 31, 2021 due to there not being any payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements that are probable under the provisions of ASC 450 within the foreseeable future. The Company would generally expect to recognize the liability under the Tax Receivable Agreements as probable in conjunction with the conclusion that deferred tax assets are more likely than not to be realized and, therefore, part or all of the valuation allowance on the deferred tax assets is released. We believe this correlation is appropriate given the relationship between the likelihood of realization of deferred tax assets and the probability of utilization of certain tax benefits that are subject to the Tax Receivable Agreements.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures about any 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. Our critical accounting policies are described below to provide a better understanding of how we develop our assumptions and judgments about future events and related estimations and how they can impact our financial statements. The following accounting policies involve critical accounting estimates because they are dependent on our judgment and assumptions about matters that are inherently uncertain.
We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions we believe to be reasonable according to the current facts and circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects are subject to uncertainty and, accordingly, these estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained, and as the business environment in which we operate changes. We believe the current assumptions, judgments and estimates used to determine amounts reflected in our consolidated financial statements are appropriate, however, actual results may differ under different conditions. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Annual Report.
Goodwill and other intangible assets: The purchase price of acquired businesses is allocated to its identifiable assets and liabilities based upon estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and other intangible assets are initially recorded at their fair values. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of acquisitions over the fair value of the net assets acquired in a business combination. Our goodwill balance at both December 31, 2021 and 2020 was zero. Goodwill and other intangible assets not subject to amortization are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized either on a straight-line basis over the asset’s estimated useful life or on a basis that reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are realized.
Impairment of goodwill, long-lived assets and intangible assets: Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and finite-lived intangible assets, are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by a comparison of their carrying amount to the estimated undiscounted cash flows to be generated by those assets. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount, we record impairment losses for the excess of their carrying value over the estimated fair value. Fair value is determined, in part, by the estimated cash flows to be generated by those assets. Our cash flow estimates are based upon, among other things, historical results adjusted to reflect our best estimate of future market rates, utilization levels, and operating performance. Development of future cash flows also requires management to make assumptions and to apply judgment, including the timing of future expected cash flows, using the appropriate discount rates and determining salvage values. The estimate of fair value represents our best estimates of these factors based on current industry trends and reference to market transactions and is subject to variability. Assets are generally grouped at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows. We operate within the oilfield service industry, and the cyclical nature of the oil and gas industry that we serve and our estimates of the period over which future cash flows will be generated, as well as the predictability of these cash flows, can have a significant impact on the estimated fair value of these assets and, in periods of prolonged down cycles, may result in impairment charges. Changes to our key assumptions related to future performance, market conditions and other economic factors could adversely affect our
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impairment valuation. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we impaired $7.9 million of property and equipment because the carrying values were deemed not recoverable and were comprised of leasehold improvements related to abandoned facilities, abandonment of certain saltwater and fresh water wells and obsolete machinery and equipment.
We conduct our annual goodwill impairment tests in the fourth quarter of each year, and whenever impairment indicators arise, by examining relevant events and circumstances which could have a negative impact on our goodwill, such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors that have a negative effect on earnings and cash flows, overall financial performance, acquisitions and divestitures and other relevant entity-specific events. If a qualitative assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then we would be required to perform a quantitative impairment test for goodwill comparing the reporting unit’s carrying value to its fair value. The Company’s reporting units are based on its organizational and reporting structure. In determining fair values for the reporting units, the Company relies primarily on the income, market and cost approaches for valuation. In the income approach, the Company discounts predicted future cash flows using a weighted-average cost of capital calculation based on publicly-traded peer companies. In the market approach, valuation multiples are developed from both publicly-traded peer companies as well as other company transactions. The cost approach considers replacement cost as the primary indicator of value.
If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, impairment is calculated based on the difference between the fair value and carrying value in accordance with our early adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU“) 2017-04– Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. Application of the goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including the identification of reporting units, allocation of assets (including goodwill) and liabilities to reporting units and determining the fair value. The determination of reporting unit fair value relies upon certain estimates and assumptions that are complex and are affected by numerous factors, including the general economic environment and levels of E&P activity of oil and gas companies, our financial performance and trends and our strategies and business plans, among others. Unanticipated changes, including immaterial revisions, to these assumptions could result in a provision for impairment in a future period. Given the nature of these evaluations and their application to specific assets and time frames, it is not possible to reasonably quantify the impact of changes in these assumptions. During the first quarter of 2020, we recorded $266.9 million of goodwill impairment due to the significant decline in oil prices coupled with the uncertainty associated with future recovery. This impairment brought our goodwill balance to zero.
Retentions: We assume risk of loss through deductibles and self-insured retentions, up to certain levels for losses related to general liability, workers’ compensation and employer’s liability, vehicle liability, and effective June 1, 2020, health insurance. Our exposure (i.e., the self-insured retention or deductible) per occurrence is $1.0 million for general liability, $1.0 million for workers’ compensation and employer’s liability, $2.0 million for vehicle liability and $0.3 million for health insurance. We also have an excess loss policy over these coverages with a limit of $100.0 million in the aggregate. Management reviews its estimates of reported and unreported claims and provides for losses through reserves. We use actuarial estimates to record our liability for future periods. If the number of claims or the costs associated with those claims were to increase significantly over our estimates, additional charges to earnings could be necessary to cover required payments. As of December 31, 2021, we estimate the range of exposure to be from $12.2 million to $14.3 million and have recorded liabilities of $13.2 million, which represents management’s best estimate of probable loss related to workers’ compensation and employer’s liability, and vehicle liability. Additionally, as of December 31, 2021, accrued health insurance and accrued general liabilities were $2.9 million and $0.5 million, respectively.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to “Note 2—Significant Accounting Polices” for recent accounting pronouncements.
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