EXPRO GROUP HOLDINGS N.V. (XPRO) FY 2022 MD&A
This page reproduces the company's own Item 7 MD&A text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” included in this Form 10-K.
This section contains forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current expectations, estimates and projections about our business and operations, and involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated and expressed in such forward-looking statements because of various factors, including those described in the sections titled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
This section of this Form 10-K generally discusses 2022 and 2021 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2022 and 2021. Discussions of 2020 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2021 and 2020 that are not included in this Form 10-K can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Unless otherwise indicated, references to the terms “Frank’s” refers to Frank’s International N.V., the predecessor reporting entity prior to the Merger, references to “Legacy Expro” refer to Expro Group Holdings International Limited, the entity acquired by the Company, and references to “Expro,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to Expro Group Holdings N.V., following the consummation of the Merger and unless the context otherwise requires, Frank’s prior to the consummation of the Merger.
Overview of Business
Working for clients across the entire well life cycle, we are a leading provider of energy services, offering cost-effective, innovative solutions and what we consider to be best-in-class safety and service quality. The Company’s extensive portfolio of capabilities spans well construction, well flow management, subsea well access, and well intervention and integrity solutions.
With roots dating to 1938, we have approximately 7,600 employees and provide services and solutions to leading exploration and production companies in both onshore and offshore environments in approximately 60 countries.
Our broad portfolio of products and services are designed to enhance production and improve recovery across the well lifecycle from exploration through abandonment, including:
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| Well Construction |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
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| • | Our well construction products and services support customers’ new wellbore drilling, wellbore completion and recompletion, and wellbore plug and abandonment requirements. In particular, we offer advanced technology solutions in drilling, tubular running services, cementing and tubulars. With a focus on innovation, we are continuing to advance the way wells are constructed by optimizing process efficiency on the rig floor, developing new methods to handle and install tubulars and mitigating well integrity risks. |
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| Column 1 | Column 2 |
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| Well Management |
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| Our well management offerings consist of well flow management, subsea well access and well intervention and integrity services: |
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| • | Well flow management: We gather valuable well and reservoir data, with a particular focus on well-site safety and environmental impact. We provide global, comprehensive well flow management systems for the safe production, measurement and sampling of hydrocarbons from a well during the exploration and appraisal phase of a new field; the flowback and clean-up of a new well prior to production; and in-line testing of a well during its production life. We also provide early production facilities to accelerate production; production enhancement packages to enhance reservoir recovery rates through the realization of production that was previously locked within the reservoir; and metering and other well surveillance technologies to monitor and measure flow and other characteristics of wells. |
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| • | Subsea well access: With over 35 years of experience providing a wide range of fit-for-purpose subsea well access solutions, our technology aims to ensure safe well access and optimized production throughout the lifecycle of the well. We provide what we believe to be the most reliable, efficient and cost-effective subsea well access systems for exploration and appraisal, development, intervention and abandonment, including an extensive portfolio of standard and bespoke Subsea Test Tree Assemblies, a rig-deployed Intervention Riser System and a vessel-deployed, wire through water Riserless Well Intervention System. We also provide systems integration and project management services. |
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| • | Well intervention and integrity: We provide well intervention solutions to acquire and interpret well data, ensure well bore integrity and improve production. In addition to our extensive fleet of mechanical and cased hole wireline units, we have recently introduced a number of cost-effective, innovative well intervention services, including CoilHose™, a lightweight, small-footprint solution for wellbore lifting, cleaning and chemical treatments; Octopoda™, for fluid treatments in wellbore annuli; and Galea™, an autonomous well intervention solution. We also possess several other distinct technical capabilities, including non-intrusive metering technologies and wireless telemetry systems for reservoir monitoring. |
We operate a global business and have a diverse and relatively stable customer base that is comprised of national oil companies (“NOC”), international oil companies (“IOC”), independent exploration and production companies (“Independents”) and service partners. We have strong relationships with a number of the world’s largest NOCs and IOCs, some of which have been our customers for decades. We are dedicated to safely and sustainably delivering maximum value to our customers.
We organize and manage our operations on a geographical basis. Our reporting structure and the key financial information used by our management team is organized around our four operating segments: (i) NLA, (ii) ESSA, (iii) MENA and (iv) APAC.
How We Generate Our Revenue
Our revenue is derived primarily from providing services in well construction, well flow management, subsea well access and well intervention and integrity to operators globally. Our revenue includes equipment service charges, personnel charges, run charges and consumables. Some of our contracts allow us to charge for additional deliverables, such as the costs of mobilization of people and equipment and customer specific engineering costs associated with a project. We also procure products and services on behalf of our customers that are provided by third parties for which we are reimbursed with a mark-up or in connection with an integrated services contract. We also design, manufacture and sell equipment, which is typically done in connection with a related operations and maintenance arrangement with a particular customer. In addition, we also generate revenue from the sale of certain well construction products.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, approximately 79% of our revenue was generated outside of the United States and approximately 70% of our revenue was generated by activities related to offshore oil and gas operations. Approximately 70% of our revenue was generated by services tied to drilling and completions-related activities, which are generally funded by customers’ capital expenditures, and approximately 30% of our revenue was generated by production optimization related activities, which are generally funded by customers’ operating expenditures rather than capital expenditures.
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Market Conditions and Price of Oil and Gas
Fiscal year 2022 has seen positive signs of recovery in the market following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian war in Ukraine. There are a number of market factors that have had, and may continue to have, an effect on our business, including:
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| • | The market for energy services and our business are substantially dependent on the price of oil and, to a lesser extent, the regional price of gas, which are both driven by market supply and demand. Changes in oil and gas prices impact customers' willingness to spend on exploration and appraisal, development, production and abandonment activities. The extent of the impact of a change in oil and gas prices on these activities varies extensively between geographic regions, types of customers, types of activities and the financial returns of individual projects. In response to this uncertain industry outlook, we continue to evaluate additional cost saving opportunities in order to reduce service delivery costs, increase productivity and improve profitability; however, our commitment to safety, service quality and innovation remains steadfast. |
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| • | Oil demand in 2022 exceeded 2021; in 2023 liquids demand is estimated to approximate 2019 levels. Brent prices remained volatile during the fourth quarter of 2022, with the average Brent oil price falling as a result of a slowdown in demand growth and tighter governmental monetary policies, offset by falling global oil inventories, uncertainty around the impact of the latest sanctions on Russia, and continued production restraint from OPEC+ members. In February 2023, Russia announced that it will cut production by 500,000 bbl/d in March, equivalent to 5% of its January output, following the enactment of the EU embargo and the $60 per barrel price cap for Russian oil. |
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| • | Following the multi-year underinvestment in new reserves, Expro and other energy service companies expect that operators will increase activity levels in exploration and development in 2023 and beyond, while maintaining fiscal discipline. |
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| • | Activity related to gas production and associated asset development is continuing to accelerate in the North Sea, Sub-Saharan Africa and MENA as a result of Russian gas supply shortfalls and Europe’s effort to diversify its gas supply and reduce its reliance on Russian pipeline gas supplies over the long term. |
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| • | Growth is not expected to be uniform across geo-markets or type of activity; however, international and deepwater activity are expected to continue to improve in 2023 and beyond. We also expect that the demand for services related to brownfield and production enhancement and infield development programs will continue to show increased demand. In addition, we envisage an increase in demand for early production facilities, especially in support of gas and liquified natural gas (“LNG”) developments. |
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| • | The clean energy transition continues to gain momentum. Hydrocarbons, however, are expected to continue to play a vital role in the transition towards more sustainable energy resources, with natural gas in particular acting as a key transition fuel and potentially as a structural source of low carbon electricity generation. We also believe that the existing expertise and future innovation within the energy services sector, both to reduce emissions and enhance efficiency, will be critical. We are already active in the early-stage carbon capture and storage segment and have expertise and established operations within the geothermal and flare reduction segments. We continue to develop technologies to enhance the sustainability of our customers’ operations which, along with our digital transformation initiatives, are expected to enable us to continue to support our customers’ commercial and environmental initiatives. As the industry changes, we continue to evolve our approach to adapt and help our customers address the critical energy transition. |
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| • | Increased expectations of host countries in regard to local content is another multi-year trend that gained additional momentum in recent years. Our commitment to developing local capabilities and in-country personnel has reduced our dependence on international staff, enabling us to continue to service our customers in their ongoing operations and mitigate some of the operational challenges associated with pandemic-related travel restrictions. |
Outlook
Demand continues to improve despite volatile oil prices, with oil demand forecast to return to pre-pandemic levels in early 2023. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (“EIA”) estimates that global liquids consumption will increase from an average of 99.4 million barrels per day ("b/d") in 2022 to 100.5 million b/d in 2023 (approximating 2019 consumption levels) and rise further to 102.2 million b/d in 2024. The EIA expects continued OPEC+ production growth in 2023 and a further increase of 0.8 million b/d over 2022, to average 29.5 million b/d in 2024. The increase in OPEC+ production along with growth in U.S. oil production in 2023 (expected to rise to 12.4 million b/d in 2023 and 12.8 million b/d in 2024, greater than the highest annual average U.S. crude oil production on record) is expected to lead to an overall build in global oil inventories in 2023. As a result, the EIA has reduced its forecast for Brent crude oil spot prices from its third quarter prediction to an average $83 per barrel in 2023 and $78 per barrel in 2024, compared to an average $101 per barrel in 2022. The EIA’s third quarter forecast was an average $102 per barrel in 2022 and $95 per barrel in 2023, so the EIA is increasingly forecasting a stabilizing oil price with lower price peaks.
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In addition to the improving oil market outlook, global natural gas prices remain elevated due to a combination of sustained economic activity and energy security concerns in Europe driving continued strong demand for LNG to replace Russian pipeline gas. The global demand for natural gas is set to decline from the highs of 2022 as domestic consumption from the electric power and industrial sectors is reduced and LNG exports remain relatively flat, limiting further upwards pricing pressures in 2023.
The EIA expects Henry Hub spot prices to decrease to an average of $4.90 per million British thermal unit (“MMBtu”) in 2023, down close to 25% from $6.42 MMBtu in 2022, then falling to $4.80/MMBtu in 2024 as natural gas production outpaces an increase in LNG exports resulting from rising LNG export capacity. Rystad forecasts the European and Asian LNG spot price to trade at approximately $32.0/MMBtu and $30.0/MMBtu respectively in 2023, a reduction from previous forecasts as record-strong LNG supplies have driven a storage build, suggesting a comparably softer market for 2023. The market does however remain tight for 2023 with upside risks due to further reduction in Russian gas and LNG exports, cold spells in the northern hemisphere, and a recovery in Chinese demand.
The outlook for 2023 indicates a continuing recovery in exploration and production expenditures, with investments expected to reach pre-pandemic levels with growth maintained in offshore shelf activity, driven by Latin America, shale / tight oil led by the U.S. land markets, and significant investments in incremental capacity in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, in order to offset the decline in Russian gas supply.
As a result, we expect demand for our services and solutions to continue to trend positively through 2023. The following provides an outlook for 2023 by our reporting segments based on data from Spears and Associates, Inc.
NLA: In North America, activity is projected to increase in 2023 by approximately 12% to 810 active rigs and over 21,900 new well spuds, which will also support an increase of 6% in frac activity over 2022. Approximately 792 rigs are forecast to be active in onshore North America, and 18 rigs active offshore, a 20% increase over 2022 active offshore rig count. The rate of growth has decelerated recently, most likely due to increased oilfield inflation and fiscal discipline from operators looking to return excess cash to investors or use cash to reduce financial leverage. In Latin America, drilling activity is forecast to increase 19% in 2023 to 202 active rigs and approximately 2,700 new wells, driven by the continued recovery in Argentina and Mexico, two countries with the highest drilling activity in the region. Offshore drilling activity in Latin America is forecast to rise 13% to 44 active rigs and 280 wells, driven by Brazil and Mexico, but offshore activity in Guyana is also expected to remain buoyant.
ESSA: European drilling is projected to average 84 active rigs in 2023 (up 14%) accounting for approximately 775 new wells. Offshore drilling is projected to rise by 9% in 2023, averaging 35 rigs with 425 new wells. As a result of energy security concerns and a desire by European policy makers to reduce reliance on Russian oil and gas imports, there remains an increased focus on North Sea operations and production optimization from existing assets, core areas of Expro’s expertise. In Sub-Saharan Africa, drilling activity is forecast to jump by 12% in 2023 to average 129 active rigs, drilling over 1,000 new wells. Sub-Saharan Africa growth is driven by offshore activity with 16% growth forecast in 2023, with the progression of development programs for a number of large offshore projects. In addition, exploration campaigns in Namibia are also progressing. New gas and LNG projects are expected to boost Africa’s natural gas production to record levels over the next decade, driven by Europe’s demand for non-Russian imports and Africa’s own gas demand rising.
MENA: In the Middle East and North Africa, drilling activity is projected to rise substantially in 2023 (26%) to an average of 356 active rigs, drilling over 3,100 new wells as Saudi Arabia seeks to meet increased demand for its oil with several large oilfield expansion schemes. Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Iraq also plan to increase their production capacity. There also is increased focus on infield development and production optimization and enhancement projects to increase production rates (for example in Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Qatar), also adding to a positive future activity outlook.
APAC: In Asia-Pacific, drilling activity is forecast to increase by 11% with 189 active rigs drilling around 2,500 new wells in 2023. Offshore activity is forecast to grow 20% to an average of 49 rigs, with growth primarily in India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. In addition, carbon capture, utilization and storage project interest is growing, with opportunities being investigated in Thailand as well as in Indonesia, Australia and Malaysia. Production enhancement, well intervention and well abandonment activities are also gaining momentum.
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How We Evaluate Our Operations
We use a number of financial and operational measures to routinely analyze and evaluate the performance of our business, including Revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations and Cash Conversion.
Revenue: We analyze our performance by comparing actual monthly revenue by operating segments and areas of capabilities to our internal projections for each month. Our revenue is primarily derived from well construction, well flow management, subsea well access and well intervention and integrity solutions.
Adjusted EBITDA: We regularly evaluate our financial performance using Adjusted EBITDA. Our management believes Adjusted EBITDA is a useful financial performance measure as it excludes non-cash charges and other transactions not related to our core operating activities and allows more meaningful analysis of the trends and performance of our core operations.
Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations: We regularly evaluate our operating cash flow performance using Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations. Our management believes Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations is a useful tool to measure the operating cash performance of the Company as it excludes exceptional payments, interest payments and non-cash charges not related to our core operating activities and allows more meaningful analysis of the trends and performance of our core operations.
Cash Conversion: We regularly evaluate our efficiency of generating cash from operations using Cash Conversion which provides a useful tool to measure Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations as a percentage of Adjusted EBITDA.
Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations and Cash Conversion are non-GAAP financial measures. Please refer to the section titled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss, the most directly comparable financial performance measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP and a reconciliation of Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations to net cash provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable liquidity measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.
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Executive Overview
Year ended December 31, 2022 compared to year ended December 31, 2021
Certain highlights of our financial results and other key developments include:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
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| • | Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased by $453.6 million, or 54.9%, to $1,279.4 million, compared to $825.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Of the total increase, $385.7 million represents an increase in well construction revenue, reflecting a full-year impact of the Merger (versus only the last quarter of 2021 in the prior year). The remaining increase was driven by higher well management revenue due to higher customer activities. Activity and revenue across all our geography-based operating segments also increased during the year ended December 31, 2022. Revenue for our segments is discussed separately below under the heading “Operating Segment Results.” |
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| • | We reported a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2022 of $20.1 million, compared to a net loss of $131.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The overall decrease in net loss was primarily driven by increased revenue and Adjusted EBITDA due to a combination of the impact of the Merger, Merger-related synergies and higher activity during the year ended December 31, 2022, a reduction in stock-based compensation expense of $35.7 million and a reduction in merger and integration expense of $34.0 million. The above improvement was partially offset by higher start-up and commissioning costs of $27.7 million incurred on a large subsea project in the current year and an increase in tax expenses by $25.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. |
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| • | Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased by $80.3 million, or 63.8%, to $206.2 million from $125.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The overall increase in Adjusted EBITDA was due to the impact of the Merger, Merger-related synergies and higher activity during the year ended December 31, 2022, partially offset by start-up and commissioning costs incurred on a large subsea project during 2022. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 16.1% during the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to 15.3% during the year ended December 31, 2021, due to a combination of favorable product mix and lower support costs as a result of merger-related synergies, partially offset by start-up and commissioning costs incurred on a large subsea project during the current period. Excluding $27.7 million of such start-up and commissioning costs during the year ended December 31, 2022, Adjusted EBITDA would have been $233.9 million and Adjusted EBITDA margin would have been 18.3%. |
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| • | Net cash provided by operating activities was $80.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to $16.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase of $64.1 million in net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 was primarily due to improvements in Adjusted EBITDA of $80.3 million (despite the start-up and commissioning costs referenced above), a decrease in payment of merger and integration expenses related to the Merger of $9.8 million, and a decrease in payment of severance and other expense of $4.1 million, partially offset by unfavorable movements in working capital of $15.9 million and an increase in tax payments of $13.0 million during the year ended 31 December 2022. Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations and Cash Conversion for the year ended December 31, 2022, were $115.3 million and 55.9%, respectively, compared to $65.3 million and 51.9%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2021. |
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Selected Unaudited Financial Information for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2022
Operating Segment Results
The following table shows revenue by segment and revenue as a percentage of total revenue by segment for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2022:
| Three Months Ended | Percentage | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | December 31, 2022 | September 30, 2022 | December 31, 2022 | September 30, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| NLA | $ | 131,684 | $ | 134,574 | 37.5 | % | 40.2 | % | ||||||||
| ESSA | 117,344 | 99,809 | 33.4 | % | 29.9 | % | ||||||||||
| MENA | 55,387 | 50,030 | 15.8 | % | 15.0 | % | ||||||||||
| APAC | 46,551 | 49,938 | 13.3 | % | 14.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Total Revenue | $ | 350,966 | $ | 334,351 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
The following table shows the Segment EBITDA and Segment EBITDA as a percentage of total revenue by segment (“Segment EBITDA margin”) and a reconciliation to income (loss) before income taxes for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2022:
| Three Months Ended | Segment EBITDA Margin | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | December 31, 2022 | September 30, 2022 | December 31, 2022 | September 30, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| NLA | $ | 35,153 | $ | 39,743 | 26.7 | % | 29.5 | % | ||||||||
| ESSA | 30,179 | 17,760 | 25.7 | % | 17.8 | % | ||||||||||
| MENA | 19,433 | 14,667 | 35.1 | % | 29.3 | % | ||||||||||
| APAC | 3,673 | (8,617 | ) | 7.9 | % | -17.3 | % | |||||||||
| Total Segment EBITDA | $ | 88,438 | $ | 63,553 | 25.2 | % | 19.0 | % | ||||||||
| Corporate costs | (23,954 | ) | (18,849 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Equity in income of joint ventures | 5,590 | 3,510 | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization expense | (34,538 | ) | (34,825 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Merger and integration expense | (4,996 | ) | (1,629 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Severance and other expense | (2,411 | ) | (3,242 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | (3,554 | ) | (4,684 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange gain (loss) | 2,044 | (7,957 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Other income, net | 1,477 | 432 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest and finance (expense) income, net | (3,468 | ) | 1,502 | |||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | $ | 24,628 | $ | (2,189 | ) |
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Quarter ended December 31, 2022 compared to quarter ended September 30, 2022
NLA
Revenue for the NLA segment was $131.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of $2.9 million, or 2.1%, compared to $134.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to lower well management services revenue in Mexico and the U.S., partially offset by higher well construction services revenue in the Gulf of Mexico driven by higher customer activities.
Segment EBITDA for the NLA segment was $35.2 million, or 26.7% of revenues, during the three months ended December 31, 2022, compared to $39.7 million, or 29.5% of revenues, during the three months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease of $4.5 million in Segment EBITDA was attributable to lower activity and the reduction in Segment EBITDA margin was attributable to a less favorable product mix during the three months ended December 31, 2022.
ESSA
Revenue for the ESSA segment was $117.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $17.5 million, or 17.6%, compared to $99.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase in revenues was primarily driven by higher well flow management revenue in Congo from a new contract and in the U.K. from increased customer activities.
Segment EBITDA for the ESSA segment was $30.2 million, or 25.7% of revenues, for the three months ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $12.4 million, or 69.9%, compared to $17.8 million, or 17.8% of revenues, for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase in Segment EBITDA and Segment EBITDA margin was primarily attributable to higher activity levels and a more favorable activity mix during the three months ended December 31, 2022.
MENA
Revenue for the MENA segment was $55.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $5.4 million, or 10.7%, compared to $50.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase in revenue was driven by higher well flow management services revenue in Algeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Segment EBITDA for the MENA segment was $19.4 million, or 35.1% of revenues, for the three months ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $4.7 million, or 32.5%, compared to $14.7 million, or 29.3% of revenues, for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase in Segment EBITDA and Segment EBITDA margin was primarily due to higher activity and a more favorable activity mix during the three months ended December 31, 2022.
APAC
Revenue for the APAC segment was $46.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of $3.3 million, or 6.8%, compared to $49.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease in revenue was primarily due to lower subsea well access revenue in Australia and Malaysia.
Segment EBITDA for the APAC segment was $3.7 million, or 7.9% of revenues, for the three months ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $12.3 million compared to $(8.6) million, or (17.3)% of revenues, for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase in Segment EBITDA (despite the decrease in revenues) was primarily due to lower start-up and commissioning costs incurred on a large subsea project during the three months December 31, 2022, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022. Excluding $4.8 million and $16.8 million of start-up and commissioning costs during the three months ended December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2022, respectively, Segment EBITDA would have been $8.5 million and $8.1 million and Segment EBITDA margin would have been 18.2% and 16.3% respectively, for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2022.
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We include in this Form 10-K the non-GAAP financial measures Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations and Cash Conversion. We provide reconciliations of net loss, the most directly comparable financial performance measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, to Adjusted EBITDA. We also provide a reconciliation of Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations to net cash provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable liquidity measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.
Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations and Cash Conversion are used as supplemental financial measures by our management and by external users of our financial statements, such as investors, commercial banks, research analysts and others. These non-GAAP financial measures allow our management and others to assess our financial and operating performance as compared to those of other companies in our industry, without regard to the effects of our capital structure, asset base, items outside the control of management and other charges outside the normal course of business.
We define Adjusted EBITDA as net loss adjusted for (a) income tax expense (benefit), (b) depreciation and amortization expense, (c) impairment expense, (d) severance and other expense, net, (e) stock-based compensation expense, (f) merger and integration expense, (g) gain on disposal of assets, (h) other income, net, (i) interest and finance income (expense), net and (j) foreign exchange losses. Adjusted EBITDA margin reflects our Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues.
We define Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations as net cash provided by operating activities adjusted for cash paid during the period for interest, net, severance and other expense and merger and integration expense. We define Cash Conversion as Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations divided by Adjusted EBITDA.
Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations and Cash Conversion have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. As Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations and Cash Conversion may be defined differently by other companies in our industry, our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations and Cash Conversion may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing their utility.
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The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA for each of the periods presented (in thousands):
| Year ended | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (20,145 | ) | $ | (131,891 | ) | $ | (307,045 | ) | |||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 41,247 | 16,267 | (3,400 | ) | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization expense | 139,767 | 123,866 | 113,693 | |||||||||
| Impairment expense (1) | - | - | 287,454 | |||||||||
| Severance and other expense | 7,825 | 7,826 | 13,930 | |||||||||
| Merger and integration expense | 13,620 | 47,593 | 1,630 | |||||||||
| Gain on disposal of assets | - | (1,000 | ) | (10,085 | ) | |||||||
| Other income, net (2) | (3,149 | ) | (3,992 | ) | (3,908 | ) | ||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 18,486 | 54,162 | - | |||||||||
| Foreign exchange losses | 8,341 | 4,314 | 2,261 | |||||||||
| Interest and finance expense, net | 241 | 8,795 | 5,656 | |||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA (3) | $ | 206,233 | $ | 125,940 | $ | 100,186 | ||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA Margin | 16.1 | % | 15.3 | % | 14.8 | % |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (1) | Impairment expense represents impairments recorded on goodwill and other long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and operating lease right-of-use assets. |
| (2) | Other income, net, is comprised of immaterial, unusual or infrequently occurring transactions which, in management’s view, do not provide useful measures of the underlying operating performance of the business. |
|---|---|
| (3) | Excluding $27.7 million of start-up and commissioning costs on a large subsea project during the year ended December 31, 2022, Adjusted EBITDA would have been $233.9 million and Adjusted EBITDA margin would have been 18.3%. |
The following table provides a reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations for each of the periods presented (in thousands):
| Year Ended | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 80,169 | $ | 16,144 | $ | 70,391 | ||||||
| Cash paid during the year for interest, net | 3,851 | 4,192 | 2,630 | |||||||||
| Cash paid during the year for severance and other expense | 3,970 | 8,052 | 15,602 | |||||||||
| Cash paid during the year for merger and integration expense | 27,344 | 36,921 | - | |||||||||
| Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations | $ | 115,334 | $ | 65,309 | $ | 88,623 | ||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 206,233 | $ | 125,940 | $ | 100,186 | ||||||
| Cash Conversion | 55.9 | % | 51.9 | % | 88.5 | % |
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Results of Operations
Operating Segment Results
We evaluate our business segment operating performance using segment revenue and Segment EBITDA, as described in Note 5 “Business segment reporting” in our consolidated financial statements. We believe Segment EBITDA is a useful operating performance measure as it excludes non-cash charges and other transactions not related to our core operating activities and corporate costs, and Segment EBITDA allows management to more meaningfully analyze the trends and performance of our core operations by segment as well as to make decisions regarding the allocation of resources to our segments.
The following table shows revenue by segment and revenue as a percentage of total revenue by segment for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
| Year Ended | Percentage | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||
| NLA | $ | 499,813 | $ | 193,156 | $ | 115,738 | 39.1 | % | 23.4 | % | 17.2 | % | ||||||||||||
| ESSA | 389,342 | 300,557 | 219,534 | 30.4 | % | 36.4 | % | 32.5 | % | |||||||||||||||
| MENA | 201,495 | 171,136 | 194,033 | 15.7 | % | 20.7 | % | 28.7 | % | |||||||||||||||
| APAC | 188,768 | 160,913 | 145,721 | 14.8 | % | 19.5 | % | 21.6 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total Revenue | $ | 1,279,418 | $ | 825,762 | $ | 675,026 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
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The following table shows Segment EBITDA and Segment EBITDA margin by segment and a reconciliation to income (loss) before income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
| Year Ended | Segment EBITDA Margin | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||
| NLA | $ | 135,236 | $ | 32,254 | $ | 54 | 27.1 | % | 16.7 | % | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||
| ESSA | 74,681 | 53,336 | 35,393 | 19.2 | % | 17.7 | % | 16.1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| MENA | 63,315 | 56,312 | 77,296 | 31.4 | % | 32.9 | % | 39.8 | % | |||||||||||||||
| APAC (1) | 4,850 | 33,444 | 34,976 | 2.6 | % | 20.8 | % | 24.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total Segment EBITDA | 278,082 | 175,346 | 147,719 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate costs (2) | (87,580 | ) | (66,153 | ) | (61,122 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in income of joint ventures | 15,731 | 16,747 | 13,589 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization expense | (139,767 | ) | (123,866 | ) | (113,693 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment expense | - | - | (287,454 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Merger and integration expense | (13,620 | ) | (47,593 | ) | (1,630 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Severance and other expense | (7,825 | ) | (7,826 | ) | (13,930 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | (18,486 | ) | (54,162 | ) | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange loss | (8,341 | ) | (4,314 | ) | (2,261 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | 3,149 | 3,992 | 3,908 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on disposal of assets | - | 1,000 | 10,085 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest and finance expense, net | (241 | ) | (8,795 | ) | (5,656 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | $ | 21,102 | $ | (115,624 | ) | $ | (310,445 | ) |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (1) | Excluding $27.7 million of start-up and commissioning costs during the year ended December 31, 2022, Segment EBITDA would have been $32.6 million and Segment EBITDA margin would have been 17.3%. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (2) | Corporate costs include the costs of running our corporate head office and other central functions that support the operating segments, including research, engineering and development, logistics, sales and marketing and health and safety and are not attributable to a particular operating segment. |
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Year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021
NLA
Revenue for the NLA segment was $499.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of 306.6 million, or 158.7%, compared to $193.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Of the total increase, $257.8 million was attributable to higher well construction revenue, reflecting a full-year impact of the Merger (versus only the fourth quarter of 2021 in the prior year) and higher customer activities in Gulf of Mexico, the U.S. and Brazil during the year ended December 31, 2022. The remaining increase of $48.9 million was attributable to higher well flow management revenue in the U.S., Gulf of Mexico and Canada as well as higher well intervention and integrity revenue in Argentina and Brazil during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Segment EBITDA for the NLA segment was $135.2 million, or 27.1% of revenues, during the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $32.3 million or 16.7% of revenues during the year ended December 31, 2021, an increase of $102.9 million. The increase was primarily attributable to a combination of the impact of the Merger and higher activities during the year ended December 31, 2022. Further, the increase in Segment EBITDA margin was due to a more favorable activity mix and lower support costs as a result of merger-related synergies, which together contributed to a higher fall-through from incremental revenue.
ESSA
Revenue for the ESSA segment was $389.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $88.7 million, or 29.5%, compared to $300.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Merger contributed an increase of $85.6 million, reflecting well construction revenue during the year ended December 31, 2022. Additionally, well intervention and integrity services revenue was higher during the current period in the U.K. and Mozambique due to increased customer activities. We also benefited from higher well flow management revenue during the three months ended December 31, 2022, driven by a new long-term construction project in Congo. This increase was partially offset by lower well flow management business activity in Nigeria due to a large production equipment sale in 2021 that did not recur during the current period and lower well flow management services revenue in Norway from reduced customer activities.
Segment EBITDA for the ESSA segment was $74.7 million, or 19.2% of revenues, during the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $53.3 million, or 17.7% of revenues, during the year ended December 31, 2021, an increase of $21.4 million, primarily due to the impact of the Merger and higher activities during the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in Segment EBITDA margin was primarily due to a more favorable activity mix.
MENA
Revenue for the MENA segment was $201.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $30.4 million, or 17.7%, compared to $171.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Of the total increase, $15.9 million was attributable to the Merger reflecting the well construction revenue during the year, and the remaining increase was primarily driven by well flow management equipment sales in Saudi Arabia and higher well flow management revenue in Algeria and Egypt, partially offset by lower well intervention and integrity activities in Algeria.
Segment EBITDA for the MENA segment was $63.3 million, or 31.4% of revenues, during the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $56.3 million, or 32.9% of revenues during the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily attributable to a combination of the impact of the Merger and higher activities during the year ended December 31, 2022. The reduction in Segment EBITDA margin was primarily due to lower activity on higher margin contracts and a less favorable activity mix.
APAC
Revenue for the APAC segment was $188.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $27.9 million, or 17.3%, compared to $160.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Of the total increase, $26.5 million was attributable to the Merger with the addition of well construction revenue during the period, and the remaining increase was primarily attributable to higher subsea well access and well intervention and integrity services revenue in Australia and Brunei, respectively, partially offset by lower well flow management and well intervention and integrity revenue in Thailand.
Segment EBITDA for the APAC segment was $4.9 million, or 2.6% of revenues, during the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $33.4 million, or 20.8% of revenues, during the year ended December 31, 2021. The reduction in Segment EBITDA and Segment EBITDA margin was primarily due to $27.7 million in start-up and commissioning costs incurred on a large subsea project during the year ended December 31, 2022 that did not occur during the year ended December 31, 2021, lower activity on higher margin contracts and a resulting less favorable activity mix. Excluding the $27.7 million of such start-up and commissioning costs during the year ended December 31, 2022, Segment EBITDA would have been $32.6 million and Segment EBITDA margin would have been 17.3%.
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Corporate Costs
Corporate costs for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased by $21.4 million, or 32.3%, to $87.6 million as compared to $66.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in the corporate costs is primarily driven by the impact of the Merger, whereby the statement of operations reflect the corporate costs of only Legacy Expro prior to the Merger and of the combined company (including activities of Frank’s) for all periods subsequent to the Merger, partially offset by lower support costs as a result of merger-related synergies.
Equity in income of joint ventures
Equity in income of joint ventures for the year ended December 31, 2022 decreased by $1.0 million, or 6.1%, to $15.7 million as compared to $16.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrease reflects lower income from our joint venture in China compared to the previous year.
Depreciation and amortization expense
Depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased by $15.9 million, or 12.8%, to $139.8 million, as compared to $123.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2022 is primarily related to the Merger.
Merger and integration expense
Merger and integration expense for the year ended December 31, 2022 decreased by $34.0 million, to $13.6 million as compared to $47.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower legal and other professional fees, and lower integration and other costs related to the Merger incurred during the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021.
Stock-based compensation expense
Stock-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $18.5 million as compared to $54.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrease is primarily attributable to the recognition of stock-based compensation expense for Legacy Expro’s Management Incentive Plan of $42.1 million as a result of the Merger during the previous year ended December 31, 2021 as the performance conditions within the stock-based compensation agreements were satisfied upon consummation of the Merger, as compared to $3.8 million of expenses incurred on the Legacy Expro’s Management Incentive Plan during the current year ended December 31, 2022.
Gain on disposal of assets
No gain on disposal of assets was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The gain during the previous year represented the earn-out consideration related to a sale of assets which occurred in 2020; the gain was recognized as the conditions upon which the consideration was contingent were met during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Interest and finance expense, net
Interest and finance expense, net, for the year ended December 31, 2022, was $0.2 million, a decrease of $8.6 million, or 97.7%, compared to $8.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrease in interest and finance expense was primarily due to fees incurred with respect to the New Facility established following the Merger during the previous year.
Income tax (expense) benefit
Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $41.2 million, compared to an income tax expense of $16.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Our statutory tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2022 was 25.8% as compared to 25.0% for the year ended December 31, 2021. The effective tax rate was 768.0% and (12.3%) for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 respectively. Our effective tax rate was impacted by the Merger in 2021 and the geographic mix of profits and losses between deemed profit and taxable profit jurisdictions.
Our effective income tax rate fluctuates from the statutory tax rate based on, among other factors, changes in pretax income in jurisdictions with varying statutory tax rates along with jurisdictions utilizing a deemed profit taxation regime, the impact of valuation allowances, foreign inclusions and other permanent differences related to the recognition of income and expense.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
Our financial objectives include the maintenance of sufficient liquidity, adequate financial resources and financial flexibility to fund our business. At December 31, 2022, total available liquidity was $348.5 million, including cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash of $218.5 million and $130.0 million available for borrowings under our New Facility. Expro believes these amounts, along with cash generated by ongoing operations, will be sufficient to meet future business requirements for the next 12 months and beyond. Our primary sources of liquidity have been cash flows from operations. Our primary uses of capital have been for capital expenditures and acquisitions. We monitor potential capital sources, including equity and debt financing, in order to meet our investment and liquidity requirements.
Our total capital expenditures are estimated to range between $120.0 million and $130.0 million for 2023. Our total capital expenditures were $81.9 million for year ended December 31, 2022, out of which approximately 90% were used for the purchase and manufacture of equipment to directly support customer-related activities and approximately 10% for other property, plant and equipment, inclusive of software costs. The actual amount of capital expenditures for the purchase and manufacture of equipment may fluctuate based on market conditions. Our total capital expenditures (exclusive of the Merger) were $81.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, which were generally used for the purchase and manufacture of equipment to directly support customer-related activities. We continue to focus on preserving and protecting our strong balance sheet, optimizing utilization of our existing assets and, where practical, limiting new capital expenditures.
On June 16, 2022, the Board approved the Stock Repurchase Program. Under the Stock Repurchase Program, we may repurchase shares of our common stock in open market purchases, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The Stock Repurchase Program is being utilized at management’s discretion and in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws. The timing and actual numbers of shares repurchased, if any, will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate requirements, the constraints specified in the Stock Repurchase Program along with general business and market conditions. The Stock Repurchase Program does not obligate us to repurchase any particular amount of common stock, and it could be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we repurchased 1.1 million shares at an average price of $11.81 per share, for a total cost of $13.0 million under this $50.0 million program.
Credit Facility
Revolving Credit Facility
On November 5, 2018, certain subsidiaries of Frank’s entered into an asset-based revolving credit facility (the “ABL Credit Facility”) with aggregate commitments of $100.0 million secured by certain assets of the subsidiary guarantors.
On December 20, 2018, subsidiaries of Legacy Expro entered into a revolving credit facility (the “2018 RCF”) with aggregate commitments of $150.0 million with up to $100.0 million available for drawdowns as loans and up to $50 million for bonds and guarantees. The 2018 RCF was secured by a fixed and floating charge on certain assets of some of our wholly owned subsidiaries. On October 1, 2021, following the closing of the Merger, the ABL Credit Facility and 2018 RCF were cancelled.
Concurrently with the cancelation of the ABL Credit Facility and the 2018 RCF, we entered into the New Facility with DNB Bank ASA, London Branch, as agent, with total commitments of $200.0 million, of which $130.0 million is available for drawdowns as loans and $70.0 million is available for letters of credit. Proceeds of the New Facility may be used for general corporate and working capital purposes. Please see Note 16 “Interest bearing loans” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
On July 21, 2022, the Company entered into an agreement to increase the facility available for letters of credit to $92.5 million, on the same terms as the current facility, increasing total facility commitments to $222.5 million.
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Cash flow from operating, investing and financing activities
Cash flows provided by (used in) our operations, investing and financing activities are summarized below (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 80,169 | $ | 16,144 | $ | 70,391 | ||||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities | (71,206 | ) | 112,046 | (96,773 | ) | |||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (25,612 | ) | (7,176 | ) | (625 | ) | ||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash activities | (4,738 | ) | (1,876 | ) | 631 | |||||||
| Net (decrease) increase to cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | (21,387 | ) | $ | 119,138 | $ | (26,376 | ) |
Analysis of cash flow changes between the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $80.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to $16.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase of $64.1 million in net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 was primarily due to improvements in Adjusted EBITDA of $80.3 million, a decrease in payment of merger and integration expenses related to the Merger by $9.8 million, and a decrease in payment of severance and other expense by $4.1 million partially offset by unfavorable movements in working capital of $15.9 million and an increase in income tax payments by $13.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations during the year ended December 31, 2022 was $115.3 million compared to $65.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. Our primary uses of net cash provided by operating activities were capital expenditures and funding obligations related to our financing arrangements.
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $71.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $112.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. Our principal recurring investing activity is our capital expenditures. The change in net cash used in investing activities was primarily due to cash of $189.7 million acquired as part of the Merger during the year ended December 31, 2021 and an acquisition of technology of $8.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2022, partially offset by proceeds from sale / maturity of investments of $11.3 million and an increase in proceeds from disposal of assets by $3.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. Capital expenditures during the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 both approximated $82 million.
Net cash used in financing activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $25.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to $7.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase of $18.4 million in cash used in financing activities is primarily related to repurchase of common stock of $13.0 million, an increase in payment of financed insurance premium of $7.0 million, and an increase in payment of withholding taxes on stock-based compensation plans of $3.4 million, partially offset by lower payment of loan issuance and other transaction costs of $5.0 million during 2022.
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Off-balance sheet arrangements
We have outstanding letters of credit/guarantees that relate to performance bonds, custom/excise tax guaranties and facility lease/rental obligations. These were entered into in the ordinary course of business and are customary practices in the various countries where we operate. It is not practicable to estimate the fair value of these financial instruments. None of the off-balance sheet arrangements either has, or is likely to have, a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2022, we had no material off-balance sheet financing arrangements other than those discussed above.
Critical accounting policies and estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires Expro to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues and associated costs as well as reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related disclosures of contingent liabilities. Certain accounting policies involve judgments and uncertainties. We evaluate estimates and assumptions on a regular basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the 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. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We consider the following policies to be the most critical to understanding the judgments that are involved and the uncertainties that could impact our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Revenue recognition
Service revenue is recognized over a period of time as services are performed or rendered and the customer simultaneously consumes the benefit of the service while it is being rendered, and, therefore, reflects the amount of consideration to which we have a right to invoice. We generally perform services either under direct service purchase orders or master service agreements which are supplemented by individual call-out provisions. For customers contracted under such arrangements, an accrual is recorded in unbilled receivable for revenue earned but not yet invoiced. Revenue from the sale of goods is generally recognized at the point in time when the control has passed onto the customer which generally coincides with delivery and, where applicable, installation. We also regularly assess customer credit risk inherent in the carrying amounts of receivables, contract costs and estimated earnings, including the risk that contractual penalties may not be sufficient to offset our accumulated investment in the event of customer termination.
We also recognize revenue for “bill and hold” sales, once the following criteria have been met: (1) there is a substantive reason for the arrangement, (2) the product is identified as the customer’s asset, (3) the product is ready for delivery to the customer, and (4) we cannot use the product or direct it to another customer.
Where contractual arrangements contain multiple performance obligations, judgment is involved to analyze each performance obligation within the sales arrangement to determine whether they are distinct. The revenue for contracts involving multiple performance obligations is allocated to each distinct performance obligation based on relative selling prices and is recognized on satisfaction of each of the distinct performance obligations.
We recognize revenue for long-term construction-type contracts, involving significant design and engineering efforts in order to satisfy custom designs for customer-specific applications, on an over a period of time basis, using an input method, which represents the ratio of actual costs incurred to date on the project in relation to total estimated project costs. The estimate of total project costs has a significant impact on both the amount of revenue recognized as well as the related profit on a project. Revenue and profits on contracts can also be significantly affected by change orders and claims. Profits are recognized based on the estimated project profit multiplied by the percentage complete. Due to the nature of these projects, adjustments to estimates of contract revenue and total contract costs are often required as work progresses. Any expected losses on a project are recorded in full in the period in which they are identified.
We are required to determine the transaction price in respect of each of our contracts with customers. In making such judgment, we assess the impact of any variable consideration in the contract, due to discounts or penalties, the existence of any significant financing component and any non-cash consideration in the contract. In determining the impact of variable consideration, we use the “most-likely amount” method whereby the transaction price is determined by reference to the single most likely amount in a range of possible consideration amounts.
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Business Combinations
We record business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting. All of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at estimated fair value as of the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired is recorded as goodwill.
The application of the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions in the determination of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, in order to properly allocate purchase price consideration between assets that are depreciated and amortized from goodwill. The fair value assigned to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on management’s estimates and assumptions, as well as other information compiled by management, including valuations that utilize customary valuation procedures and techniques. Significant assumptions and estimates include, but are not limited to, the cash flows that an asset is expected to generate in the future and what we believe to be an appropriate weighted-average cost of capital.
If the actual results differ from the estimates and judgments used in these estimates, the amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements may be exposed to potential impairment of long-lived assets, including intangible assets and goodwill. The Merger of Frank’s with Legacy Expro pursuant to the Merger Agreement was completed on October 1, 2021. Refer to Note 3 “Business combinations and dispositions” of our consolidated financial statements for further details.
Goodwill and identified intangible assets
We record the excess of purchase price over the fair value of the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed as goodwill. Goodwill is not subject to amortization and is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. A qualitative assessment is allowed to determine if goodwill is potentially impaired. We have the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to performing the quantitative goodwill impairment test. The qualitative assessment determines whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount. If it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount, then a quantitative impairment test is performed. The quantitative goodwill impairment test is used to identify both the existence of impairment and the amount of impairment loss. The test compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an impairment loss is recorded based on that difference.
No impairment expense was recorded for goodwill during the year ended December 31, 2022 or December 31, 2021. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we recorded impairment expense of $191.9 million, relating to our goodwill. Refer to Note 4 “Fair value measurements” of our consolidated financial statements for details regarding the facts and circumstances that led to this impairment and other details. We used the income approach and the market approach to estimate the fair value of our reporting units. The income approach estimates the fair value by discounting the reporting unit’s estimated future cash flows using what we believe to be an appropriate risk-adjusted rate. The market approach includes the use of comparative multiples to corroborate the discounted cash flow results and involves significant judgment in the selection of the appropriate peer group companies and valuation multiples. The inputs used in the determination of fair value are generally level 3 inputs.
We review our identified intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances arise that may indicate that the carrying amount of its intangible assets may not be recoverable. These events and changes can include significant current period operating losses or negative cash flows associated with the use of an intangible asset, or group of assets, combined with a history of such factors, significant changes in the manner of use of the assets, and current expectations that it is more likely than not that an intangible asset will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life. When impairment indicators are present, we compare undiscounted future cash flows, including the eventual disposition of the asset group at market value, to the asset group’s carrying value to determine if the asset group is recoverable. If the carrying values are in excess of undiscounted expected future cash flows, we measure any impairment by comparing the fair value of the asset or asset group to its carrying value. Estimating future cash flows requires significant judgment, and projections may vary from the cash flows eventually realized, which could impact our ability to accurately assess whether an asset has been impaired.
No impairment expense was recorded for identified intangible assets during the year ended December 31, 2022 or December 31, 2021. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we recorded impairment expense relating to our identified intangible assets of $60.4 million. Refer to Note 4 “Fair value measurements” of our consolidated financial statements for further details.
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Defined benefit plans
Our post-retirement benefit obligations are described in detail in Note 19 “Post-retirement benefits” of our consolidated financial statements. Defined pension benefits are calculated using significant inputs to the actuarial models that measure pension benefit obligations and related effects on operations. Two assumptions, discount rate and expected return on assets, are important elements of plan asset/liability measurement and are updated on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances so indicate.
We evaluate these critical assumptions at least annually on a plan and country specific basis. We periodically evaluate other assumptions involving demographic factors such as retirement age, mortality and turnover, and update them to reflect our experience and expectations for the future. Actual results in any given year will often differ from actuarial assumptions because of economic and other factors.
The discount rate that we use reflects the market rate of a portfolio of high-quality corporate bonds with maturities approximately matching the expected timing of payment of the related benefit obligations. The discount rates used to determine the benefit obligations for our principal pension plans were 4.7% in 2022, 1.8% in 2021 and 1.3% in 2020, reflecting market interest rates. As of December 31, 2022, we estimate that a 1% increase or decrease in the discount rate would result in an impact of approximately $18.5 million to our present value of defined benefit obligations at December 31, 2022.
The expected rate of return on plan assets represents the average rate of return expected to be earned on plan assets over the period that benefits included in the benefit obligation are expected to be paid, with consideration given to the distribution of investments by asset class and historical rates of return for each individual asset class. The weighted average expected rate of return on plan assets for the pension plans was 5.6% in 2022, 3.2% in 2021 and 2.7% in 2020. A change in the expected rate of return of 1% would impact our net periodic pension expense by $2.7 million.
Income Taxes
We use the asset and liability method to account for income taxes whereby we calculate the deferred tax asset or liability account balances using tax laws and rates in effect at that time. Under this method, the balances of deferred tax liabilities and assets at the end of each period are determined using the tax rate expected to be in effect when taxes are actually paid or recovered. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce gross deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the gross deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining the need for valuation allowances, we have made judgments and considered estimates regarding estimated future taxable income and available tax planning strategies. These estimates and judgments include some degree of uncertainty, therefore changes in these estimates and assumptions could require us to adjust the valuation allowances for our deferred tax assets accordingly. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets depends on the generation of sufficient taxable income in the applicable taxing jurisdictions.
We operate in approximately 60 countries. As a result, we are subject to numerous domestic and foreign taxing jurisdictions and tax agreements and treaties among various governments. Determination of taxable income in any jurisdiction requires the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and the use of estimates and assumptions regarding future events, including the amount, timing and character of income, deductions, and tax credits. Changes in tax laws, regulations or agreements in each taxing jurisdiction could have an impact on the amount of income taxes that we provide during any given year.
Our tax filings for various periods are subject to audit by the tax authorities in most jurisdictions in which we operate, and these assessments can result in additional taxes. Estimating the outcome of audits and assessments by the tax authorities involves uncertainty. We review the facts of each case and apply judgments and assumptions to determine the most likely outcome and provide for taxes, interest and penalties on this basis. In line with U.S. GAAP, we recognize the effects of a tax position in the consolidated financial statements when it is more likely than not that, based on the technical merits, some level of tax benefit related to a tax position will be sustained upon audit by tax authorities. Our experience has been that the estimates and assumptions used to provide for future tax assessments have proven to be appropriate. However, past experience is only a guide, and the potential exists that tax resulting from the resolution of current and potential future tax disputes may differ materially from the amount accrued. In such an event, we will record additional tax expense or tax benefit in the period in which such resolution occurs.
New accounting pronouncements
See Note 2 “Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies” in our consolidated financial statements under the heading “Recent accounting pronouncements.”
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