CALGARY, Canada – August 12, 2021 – High Arctic Energy Services Inc. (TSX: HWO) (the “Corporation” or “High Arctic”) released its second quarter results today. 2021 Q2 PR – 210812 Mike Maguire, Chief Executive Officer commented: “We have been encouraged by improved activity levels in Canada this second quarter, as customers took advantage of the early break-up to conduct production optimizing work, and the cost efficiencies we implemented in 2020 continued to hold. I am optimistic for continued activity increases as we move towards the traditionally busy winter season with sustained pre-pandemic commodity prices. The tightening market and the buoyant commodity prices should contribute to increases in customer pricing, and improvement in cash generated from operations. The relaxing of covid-19 travel restrictions in Papua New Guinea has encouraged our customers to begin maintenance and abandonment activities. I am very pleased we are welcoming back employees as we undertake the necessary work to ready Rig-115 and other equipment for deployment later this quarter and into 2022. We note the proposed merger of Santos and Oil Search, that Santos states ‘would create an unrivalled regional champion of size and scale’, and ‘would also create greater alignment in Papua New Guinea supporting the development of key projects including Papua LNG’. These two companies both have long histories in PNG, both are focused on ESG and share values aligned with our own and the expectations of the PNG communities. We enter the second half of 2021 with positive EBITDA, a strong balance sheet, access to capital, clear strategic priorities and a sound operational footing.” HIGHLIGHTS The following highlights the Corporation’s results, in thousands of Canadian dollars, for Q2-2021 and YTD-2021: Consolidated Q2-2021 revenues of $16,377 were slightly higher as compared to Q2-2020 revenues of $16,109. This 2% improvement is primarily due to Canada service rig operating hours increasing by 32% in High Arctic’s Production Services segment, offset by an 83% decline in Drilling Services revenue in PNG where operations were suspended due to Covid-19 restriction. The Corporation generated EBITDA of $752 and $1,960 during Q2-2021 and YTD-2021, respectively, which helped to fund capital expenditures of $685 and $1,450 during these periods, respectively. The restructuring and cost reduction initiatives undertaken by management throughout the 2020-year led to a 35% ($2,725) decline in general and administrative costs during the first six months of 2021. Balance sheet and liquidity remain strong at June 30, 2021 with cash of $21,728, positive working capital of $34,023, an undrawn revolving loan facility and no long-term debt outstanding. In July of 2021, the Corporation announced several key developments: Agreement to terms with a major multi-national customer in PNG to provide drilling services in the second half of 2021 for the abandonment of a complex legacy exploration well with the Corporation’s heli-portable drilling rig 115. Receipt of notice from our longest-standing customer in PNG of their intent to exercise an option to extend the existing drilling services contracts to August 2022. The purchase of 17 modern hydraulic catwalks currently deployed with an existing High Arctic customer in Cold Lake, Alberta for $1,100. As part of the transaction, High Arctic and the vendor will equally share revenue from July to December 2021 while the catwalks are sequentially upgraded to latest specification, safety controls and mobility. High Arctic will assume full control of all assets and all revenues on January 1, 2022. The Corporation’s strategic priorities for 2021 include: Safety excellence and focus on quality service delivery through consistent global standards; Cost control focused on operating cash flow, while balancing strategic priorities to fuel growth; Investment initiatives that secure the Corporation’s future as a lower emissions energy services provider; Growth and divestiture opportunities that enhance shareholder value, align with our core service offerings, and reside in well understood markets; and Disciplined working capital management and capital stewardship to improve returns for shareholders that potentially include dividends and common share buybacks. ——————– The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements (“Financial Statements”) and management discussion & analysis (“MD&A”) for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 will be available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and on High Arctic’s website at haes.ca. Non-IFRS measures, such as EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, EBITDA for purposes of long-term debt covenants, Adjusted net earnings (loss), Oilfield services operating margin, Operating margin %, Percent of revenue, Funds provided from operations, Working capital and Net cash are included in this News Release. See Non-IFRS Measures section, below. All amounts are denominated in Canadian dollars (“CAD”), unless otherwise indicated. Within this News Release, the three months ended June 30, 2021 may be referred to as the “Quarter” or “Q2-2021”, and similarly the six months ended June 30, 2021 may be referred to as “YTD-2021”. The comparative three months ended June 30, 2020 may be referred to as “Q2-2020”, and similarly the six months ended June 30, 2020 may be referred to as “YTD-2020”. References to other quarters may be presented as “QX-20XX” with X being the quarter/year to which the commentary relates. All amounts are expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted. RESULTS OVERVIEW For the three months ended June 30 For the six months ended June 30 ($ thousands, except per share amounts) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Revenue 16,377 16,109 34,144 55,721 Net loss (4,018) (6,145) (9,215) (8,310) Per share (basic and diluted) (0.08) (0.12) (0.19) (0.17) Oilfield services operating margin 3,268 4,273 6,630 11,584 Oilfield services operating margin as a % of revenue 20.0% 26.5% 19.4% 20.8% EBITDA 752 1,342 1,960 6,812 Adjusted EBITDA 796 1,147 1,670 3,899 Adjusted EBITDA as % of revenue 4.9% 7.1% 4.9% 7.0% Operating loss (4,106) (6,350) (10,251) (11,000) Cash provided by operating activities 2,023 7,678 938 16,571 Per share (basic and diluted) 0.04 0.15 0.02 0.33 Funds provided by operating activities 640 871 1,230 3,104 Per share (basic and diluted) 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.06 Dividends – – – 1,638 Per share (basic and diluted) – – – 0.03 Capital expenditures … Read more