Information Services Corp. Class A TSX:ISC

IROC Energy Services Corp. announces third quarter 2008 results

Published
/THIS PRESS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN UNITED STATES OR TO ANY
UNITED STATES NEWS SERVICES/

CALGARY, Nov. 10 /CNW/ - IROC Energy Services Corp. ("IROC" or the "Company") (TSX: "ISC") announces the Company's financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
---------------------

                      For the 3 months              For the 9 months
                       ended Sept. 30,               ended Sept. 30,
                      ----------------              ----------------
                         (Unaudited)                   (Unaudited)
                                         %                             %
                   2008        2007 Change       2008        2007 Change
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Revenue
 - continuing
 operations      $22,488     $17,773   27%     $56,612     $51,497   10%
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Operating
 costs            13,827      10,818   28%      36,369      31,349   16%
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Gross margin       8,661       6,955   25%      20,243      20,148    0%
Gross margin %       39%         39%    0%         36%         39%   -8%
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General and
 administrative
 expenses          2,529       2,457    3%       7,231       7,629   -5%
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EBITDAS
 - continuing
 operations(1)     6,132       4,498   36%      13,012      12,519    4%
Per share
 diluted            0.14        0.10   40%        0.29        0.29    0%
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Net earnings
 - continuing
 operations        2,673         468  471%       2,389         909  163%
Per share
 diluted            0.06        0.01  500%        0.05        0.02  156%
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Net earnings         286         369  -22%         826       1,945  -58%
Per share
 diluted            0.01        0.01    0%        0.02        0.04  -59%
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Number of
 shares
 outstanding
  Basic       44,304,504  44,251,080    0%  44,285,624  43,164,377    3%
  Diluted     44,324,122  44,336,011    0%  44,446,091  43,273,275    3%
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(1) EBITDAS and EBITDAS per share are "NON-GAAP MEASURES". EBITDAS is
    defined as "earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
    amortization, stock-based compensation expense, foreign exchange
    gains and losses and gains or losses on disposal of property and
    equipment." EBITDAS and EBITDAS per share are not recognized measures
    under GAAP.

IROC reports strong revenue and EBITDAS from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2008 led by strong performance in our Canada Tech and Eagle Well Servicing divisions, each exceeding expectations during the quarter. Higher customer demand from significant improvements in natural gas and oil commodity pricing through the first nine months of the year strengthened fundamentals for producers in terms of cash flows and as such many producers accelerated programs providing for a strong third quarter of activity.

Highlights for the Quarter:
----------------------------

-   Revenue from continuing operations for the three months ended
    September 30, 2008 increased 27%, from $17.8 million to $22.5 million
    compared to the same period in 2007. Revenue growth was higher as a
    result of improved year over year utilization and higher pricing,
    coupled with a record quarter for revenues in Canada Tech from
    product sales.
-   EBITDAS from continuing operations for the three months ended
    September 30, 2008 was $6.1 million or $0.14 per share compared to
    $4.5 million, or $0.10 per share, in the same three month period of
    2007, an increase of 36%. Pricing increases in Canada Tech and
    pricing adjustments in other divisions helped to improve margins and
    profitability overall.
-   Net earnings from continuing operations of $2.7 million or $0.06 per
    share compared to $0.5 million or $0.01 per share in the comparable
    period of 2007. Net earnings improved from lower interest costs for
    debt servicing due to significant repayments of debt, coupled with
    improved utilization, pricing and product sales volumes.
-   Revenue generated from Eagle Well Servicing during the third quarter
    was $12.3 million compared to $9.3 million in the same period of
    2007, an increase of 31%. EBITDAS in the third quarter from Eagle was
    $4.8 million compared to $3.7 million in the same period of 2007, an
    increase of 28%. Utilization for the quarter was amongst the highest
    in our peer competitor group and revenue per hour increased over the
    same period of 2007.
-   The first of the six new service rigs being constructed was delivered
    and deployed to the field during September 2008. It is anticipated
    that delivery of the remaining five service rigs will be complete
    prior to the end of the fourth quarter of 2008 to allow for full
    deployment of these rigs during the traditionally busy first quarter.
-   Revenue in the Canada Tech division increased by 34% to $5 million in
    the third quarter, a record quarter for this division on the back of
    higher product sales into international markets and improved pricing.
-   Significantly strengthened the balance sheet by reducing debt levels
    with cash proceeds of $33.7 million from the sale of its drilling rig
    assets and discontinued the operations of the contract drilling
    services division, Mission Drilling. IROC exited Q3 2008 with net
    debt of $11.8 million.
-   Management and the Board of Directors undertook a full strategic
    review of IROC's operations during the quarter to investigate any and
    all options that may be available to the Corporation to provide the
    best return possible for our shareholders. The first action taken was
    to sell our drilling assets after considering the deteriorating
    drilling environment in the WCSB which had resulted in the inability
    of the division to provide an adequate return on capital invested,
    which is noted above. While the strategic review continues, further
    action has not been determined.

Our core business, Eagle Well Servicing, has shown that it is very competitive in the market place with industry leading utilization, new equipment and competent personnel across its fleet of 31 service rigs, with an additional 5 rigs to be deployed to the field before year-end. The impact of reduced exploration programs is obvious but we believe that our segment of the oilfield services industry has historically been more stable and is expected to be affected less by the reductions than other segments as a result of production related work. More importantly, we have financial and operational capability that will allow us to not only survive the next few quarters but in fact thrive in this environment.

Further, IROC was able to substantially strengthen its balance sheet through the disposition of the Mission Drilling division assets, thereby providing greater flexibility in a time of uncertainty in our business. The benefits to IROC of this disposition will be seen over coming quarters as the capital that was made available as a result of the transaction is invested into the divisions of our business that provide greater potential returns for our shareholders.

The industry in general has benefited from the recent strength of the US Dollar, effectively providing a cushion for commodity prices in Canada. In our business, Canada Tech has been a significant benefactor of the rising US dollar. With our Canadian based operation and costs, the benefits of having 65% of our revenues in the division denominated in US Dollars are obvious.

While the remainder of fiscal 2008 looks solid, there has been a significant amount of uncertainty appear as we enter 2009. The global financial crisis is affecting all industries and has led to a significant fall in oil and gas commodity pricing from the highs seen in the third quarter of 2008. The effects of this, while difficult to predict with any high degree of certainty, appear to have hindered the ability for oil and gas producers to access debt or equity markets to finance their operations. Additionally, with the impending changes to the royalty rates in Alberta in January 2009, producers have already stated their plans to move capital from Alberta and into jurisdictions that provide greater potential returns. Producers have recently begun reducing their capital spending plans for fiscal 2009 with a focus on balance sheet preservation and matching spending with realistic cash flows.

Publicly reported information for IROC Energy Services Corp. is available at www.sedar.com.

About IROC Energy Services Corp.

IROC Energy Services Corp. is an Alberta oilfield services company that, through the IROC Energy Services Partnership, provides a comprehensive and diverse range of products, services and equipment to the oil and gas industry. IROC combines cutting-edge technology with depth of experience to deliver a product and services offering in five core areas: Well Servicing & Equipment, Downhole Temperature & Pressure Monitoring Tools, Rental Services, Lease Building, and Safety, Monitoring & Communications Services. For more information on IROC Energy Services Corp. visit our website at www.iroccorp.com.

Cautionary Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward looking statements concerning, among other things, expected revenues, expected expenses, profits, developments and strategies for IROC's operations all of which are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These forward looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "projected", "should", "believe" and other similar terms and phrases. By its nature, such forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited, to the risks associated with the oil and gas industry generally, fluctuating prices in crude oil and natural gas, changes in drilling activity, general global economic, political and business conditions, weather conditions, regulatory changes and availability of products, qualified personnel and manufacturing capacity and raw materials. If any of these uncertainties materialize, or if assumptions are incorrect actual results may vary materially from those expected. IROC relies on litigation protection for any forward looking statements.

This press release is not for dissemination in United States or to any United States news services. The Common Shares of IROC have not and will not be registered on the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "United States Securities Act") or any state securities laws and are not offered or sold in the United States or to any US person except in certain transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Expressed in thousands of dollars
(Unaudited)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               September 30, December 31,
                                                       2008         2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets
Current assets:
  Cash                                          $         1  $         1
  Accounts receivable                                17,767       15,423
  Inventory                                           4,504        5,442
  Prepaid expenses and deposits                         450          359
  Assets of discontinued operations (note 9)         10,502        2,960
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     33,224       24,185
Property and equipment (note 3)                      64,258       64,893
Intangible assets (note 4)                            4,793        5,376
Goodwill                                              8,621        8,621
Assets of discontinued operations (note 9)                -       34,578
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                                                $   110,896  $   137,653
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
  Operating line of credit                      $     7,314  $     3,421
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities            7,018        5,627
  Income taxes payable                                   46          190
  Current portion of long-term debt (note 5)          3,384        6,831
  Liabilities of discontinued operations
   (note 9)                                             607          383
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     18,369       16,452
Long-term debt (note 5)                              26,737       56,457
Future income taxes                                   3,450        3,481
Shareholders' equity:
  Share capital (note 6)                             51,579       51,547
  Warrants (note 6)                                       -          828
  Contributed surplus (note 6)                        3,456        2,409
  Retained earnings                                   7,305        6,479
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     62,340       61,263
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                                                $  110,896   $   137,653
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Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Retained Earnings

Expressed in thousands of dollars except share and per share amounts
(Unaudited)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Three months ended       Nine months ended
                          ----------------------- -----------------------
                                    September 30,           September 30,
                                2008        2007        2008        2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue                   $   22,488  $   17,773  $   56,612  $   51,497
Expenses:
  Operating                   13,827      10,818      36,369      31,349
  General and
   administrative              2,529       2,457       7,231       7,629
  Stock-based
   compensation                   62         109         220         474
  Depreciation and
   amortization                2,282       2,262       6,748       6,461
  Interest and accretion
   on debentures                 152         236         624         707
  Interest on long-term
   debt                          756         850       2,558       2,327
  Other interest                  68         211         227         369
  Gain on disposal of
   equipment                     (28)        (99)        (34)       (250)
  Foreign exchange (gain)
   loss                          (24)        132         (82)        224
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                              19,624      16,976      53,861      49,290
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before income
 taxes from continuing
 operations                    2,864         797       2,751       2,207
Income taxes (recovery):
  Current                          -          16           -          52
  Future                         191         313         362       1,246
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings from
 continuing operations         2,673         468       2,389         909
Net earnings (loss)
 from discontinued
 operations (note 9)          (2,387)        (99)     (1,563)      1,036
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings                     286         369         826       1,945
Retained earnings,
 beginning of period           7,019       5,916       6,479       4,340
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings,
 end of period            $    7,305  $    6,285  $    7,305  $    6,285
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Earnings per share from
 continuing operations:
  Basic                   $     0.06  $     0.01  $     0.05  $     0.03
  Diluted                 $     0.06  $     0.01  $     0.05  $     0.02
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings (loss) per share
 from discontinued
 operations:
  Basic                   $    (0.05) $     0.00  $    (0.03) $     0.02
  Diluted                 $    (0.05) $     0.00  $    (0.03) $     0.02
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per share:
  Basic                   $     0.01  $     0.01  $     0.02  $     0.05
  Diluted                 $     0.01  $     0.01  $     0.02  $     0.04
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average number
 of shares outstanding:
  Basic                   44,304,504  44,251,080  44,285,624  43,164,377
  Diluted                 44,324,122  44,336,011  44,446,091  43,273,275
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------



Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Expressed in thousands of dollars
(Unaudited)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Three months ended   Nine months ended
                                 -------------------- -------------------
                                        September 30,       September 30,
                                      2008      2007      2008      2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by (used in):
Operations:
  Net earnings from continuing
   operations                      $ 2,673   $   468   $ 2,389   $   909
    Items not affecting cash:
      Depreciation and amortization  2,282     2,262     6,748     6,461
      Future income taxes              191       313       362     1,246
      Stock-based compensation          62       109       220       474
      Non-cash accretion on
       debentures                       64        96       256       288
      Gain on disposal of property
       and equipment                   (28)      (99)      (34)     (250)
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     5,244     3,149     9,941     9,128
    Changes in non-cash working
     capital balances (note 7)      (4,185)   (1,504)     (249)     (787)
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     1,059     1,645     9,692     8,341
Discontinued operations (note 9):
    Funds provided by discontinued
     operations                        144        68     1,491     1,540
    Changes in non-cash working
     capital balances of
     discontinued operations          (285)      845       782       426
                                       918     2,558    11,965    10,307
Investing:
    Purchase of property and
     equipment of continuing
     operations                     (3,153)   (5,977)   (5,807)  (17,552)
    Purchase of property and
     equipment  of discontinued
     operations                       (473)     (408)     (906)   (2,117)
    Proceeds on disposal of
     property and equipment from
     continuing operations              87       469       648     1,816
    Proceeds on disposal of
     equipment from discontinued
     operations                     23,935       333    23,935     1,235
    Business acquisitions                -         -         -    (1,000)
    Change in non-cash working
     capital balances (note 7)           -     1,228         -      (139)
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    20,396    (4,355)   17,870   (17,757)
Financing:
    Repayment of long-term debt    (21,619)     (214)  (26,421)     (634)
    Operating loan advances
     (repayments)                    7,290    (2,341)    3,893    (1,388)
    Repayment of debentures         (7,000)        -    (7,000)        -
    Issue of long-term debt              -     4,352         -     9,660
    Issue of common shares              15         -        33        12
    Loan commitment fees                 -         -      (340)     (200)
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   (21,314)    1,797   (29,835)    7,450
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase in cash                         -         -         -         -
Cash at beginning of period              1         1         1         1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash at end of period              $     1   $     1   $     1   $     1
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