Category: Canada

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Speaking to a group of mining industry professionals at a conference in early 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made it clear what role he saw for their sector in the future.

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“The mining industry cannot only drive the clean (energy) transition, but profit from it,” he said.

Now, as Trudeau plans to exit as the federal Liberals’ leader after 12 years, many inside the mining sector are hopeful that their industry is already in the early stages of a revitalization, driven by exactly what Trudeau described years ago: cutting global carbon emissions will significantly increase demand for metals, which will lead to new investment in mining companies and greater government support.

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But other mining insiders say that while Trudeau talked about the role mining could play in the green energy transition, his cabinet ministers implemented few policies that addressed the challenges they face, from lengthy permitting processes to the difficulty in raising capital.

“We have a lot of policy documents, or wish lists, let’s say, or things we hope happen,” said Sean Boyd, chairman of Toronto-based Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd., the country’s largest mining company by market capitalization. “The question is: how do we actually make it happen? It’s not good enough to say we hope this happens; you have to make it happen.”

Boyd said several major shifts occurred during Trudeau’s tenure.

First, governments in Western countries stopped viewing mining as a “dirty, old industry” — a view he said had been common throughout the political spectrum for decades — and began to view it as strategically important, largely because of the energy transition.

Trudeau said as much during a speech in March 2020 at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada, one of the world’s largest mining conferences, in downtown Toronto.

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“You need a partner in government that will help you grow and remain competitive on the global market,” he said. “Our government is that partner.”

To that end, in late 2022, his government released a strategy that identified 31 critical minerals and prioritized six of them — lithium, graphite, nickel, cobalt, copper and rare earth elements. It created tax credits for companies searching for critical mineral deposits and set aside funding for exploration and the deployment of technologies to support the sector.

“Trudeau’s support for the mining sector was mixed,” Pierre Gratton, president of the Mining Association of Canada, the primary industry lobbying group, said in an email. “The critical minerals strategy is a great document, but several of the measures for the upstream mining sector remain incomplete, including key tax credits.”

He said Canada has been losing ground to other countries and needs to do a better job of attracting investment.

By some measures, however, mining companies are seeing greater investment: Through October, mining companies listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange or the TSX Venture Exchange had raised $9.2 billion, which is more than any other sector and over 50 per cent of all equity capital raised.

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That compares to $7.6 billion raised in all of 2023, which represented only about 35 per cent of all equity raised.

But there is little question that the industry’s growth has been sluggish at best over the past decade. In 2012, without accounting for inflation or any other adjustments, mining companies on the TSX raised $10.2 billion.

“We have been losing competitive ground,” Gratton said.

One particular sore spot for the mining industry has been the length of time needed to obtain a permit.

The federal government did reform the Impact Assessment Act in 2019 to help streamline the process, but it hasn’t resulted in significant time savings yet.

Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson earlier this year said it takes around 12 to 15 years to permit a mine, and his goal is to bring the process down to five years.

So far, Gratton said, “the promise of a new regulatory system remains elusive.”

Perhaps the biggest shift felt by the mining sector was unrelated to any Canadian policy. As China has gained economic power and invested heavily in supply chains for the energy transition, such as solar panels and electric vehicles, its relationship with many countries deteriorated to the point that it is now viewed as an adversary.

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In 2020, Canada blocked a state-owned Chinese mining company from purchasing a gold mine in Nunavut. That opened the door for Boyd, then chief executive of Agnico, to purchase the company.

Since then, the federal government has placed new restrictions on Chinese investment in Canada’s mining sector. In 2023, it forced Chinese investors to divest from three lithium exploration companies, a move that received industry pushback.

Boyd said that under Trudeau, there has been renewed interest in developing the Arctic — a region where his company has focused — which he sees as a positive sign. But he said that for mining to thrive, the government needs to provide more support, not only for infrastructure such as ports and airstrips to open up remote areas so bulk metals can be mined and shipped to markets, but for communities around the mines to thrive.

“Those communities have needs around food security, basic high-quality internet, and the government doesn’t have to blow the budget to do this,” he said. “But I think the government needs to be more strategic about how it thinks about partnerships.”

• Email: gfriedman@postmedia.com

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This news release contains “forward-looking information and statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. For a full disclosure of the forward-looking information and statements and the risks to which they are subject, see the “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements” later in this news release.

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CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Precision Drilling Corporation (Precision or the Company) (TSX:PD; NYSE:PDS) is pleased to provide a series of positive announcements including: 1) 2024 debt repayment and year end liquidity update; 2) capital allocation framework update; and 3) financial and operational update.

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2024 Debt Repayment and Year End Liquidity Update

Precision reduced debt by $176 million in 2024, achieving the mid-point of its debt reduction target range. As at December 31, 2024, Precision’s outstanding debt obligations included:

• US$160 million – 7.125% unsecured senior notes due January 15, 2026
• US$400 million – 6.875% unsecured senior notes due January 15, 2029
• US$12 million drawn on the Senior Credit Facility

The Company ended 2024 with a cash balance of approximately $74 million, compared to $54 million at year end 2023, and total available liquidity of approximately $575 million.

Capital Allocation Framework Update

Precision remains firmly committed to its long-term debt reduction target of repaying $600 million between 2022 and 2026 and reaching a sustained Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio¹ of below 1.0 times. Over the past three years, we have reduced our debt by $435 million and lowered our Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio, which we expect to be approximately 1.4 times as at December 31, 2024.

During 2024, Precision returned $75 million to shareholders through share repurchases under its Normal Course Issuer Bid and as at December 31, 2024 had 13,779,502 shares outstanding, compared to 14,336,539 as at December 31, 2023, a decrease of 4%.

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Since 2015, Precision has prioritized its capital allocation plans, allocating $1.5 billion of its free cash flow to debt repayments and share buybacks, while investing $1.3 billion in its fleet and completing two acquisitions. As at December 31, 2024, our annual run rate interest expense is approximately US$40 million compared to US$104 million in 2016.

With a strong free cash flow outlook in 2025, we plan to further reduce our debt while increasing our share buyback allocation. In February, we will provide specific capital allocation plans and targets for 2025.

^{1. Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio is a Non-GAAP measure. Please refer to page 41 of Precision’s Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2023 for more information.}

Financial and Operational Update

Financial Results

Precision intends to release its 2024 fourth quarter results after markets close on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Fourth quarter drilling field margins in Canada and the U.S. are expected to align with previous guidance. With a closing share price of $87.92 on December 31, 2024, share based compensation expense for the fourth quarter and full year is expected to be approximately $15 million and $47 million, respectively, which also aligns with previous guidance.

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Operational Activity

In Canada, Precision continues to experience strong customer demand for drilling services, particularly when Alpha^TM technologies and EverGreen^TM environmental solutions are included. While some customers deferred fourth quarter drilling plans to January, our average active rig count remained robust at 65. We currently have 78 rigs active and expect our rig count to peak between the low to mid-80s during this winter drilling season, with our Super Triple and Super Single fleets nearly fully utilized.

In the U.S., we averaged 34 rigs in the fourth quarter and have 32 rigs operating today with an additional four rigs earning standby revenue. We expect industry and Precision’s active rig count to remain relatively steady in the mid 30s for the first half of 2025.

Internationally, Precision continues to have eight active rigs, with three in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and five in Kuwait. Our international operations provide a stable foundation for earnings and cash flow as our rigs are under long-term contracts that extend into 2028.

As we enter 2025, we expect continued high activity levels for our Well Service business. 85 to 100 crews are projected to be operational in early January, with additional crews expected to be deployed after that.

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CFO Quote

Carey Ford, Precision’s CFO, commented, “Precision generated robust free cash flow in 2024 driven by increased activity and margin progression in Canada, integration of our CWC Energy Services acquisition, and international growth. With a strong free cash flow outlook, we plan to improve our capital returns to shareholders in 2025 by continuing to reduce our debt and increasing the percentage of free cash flow returned directly to shareholders. I am proud of our people’s commitment to Precision’s High Performance, High Value strategy, delivering exceptional services to our customers, and increasing value for our shareholders.”

About Precision

Precision is a leading provider of safe and environmentally responsible High Performance, High Value services to the energy industry, offering customers access to an extensive fleet of Super Series drilling rigs. Precision has commercialized an industry-leading digital technology portfolio known as Alpha^TM that utilizes advanced automation software and analytics to generate efficient, predictable, and repeatable results for energy customers. Our drilling services are enhanced by our EverGreen^TM suite of environmental solutions, which bolsters our commitment to reducing the environmental impact of our operations. Additionally, Precision offers well service rigs, camps and rental equipment all backed by a comprehensive mix of technical support services and skilled, experienced personnel.

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Precision is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “PD” and on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “PDS”.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this report, including statements that contain words such as “could”, “should”, “can”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, “expect”, “believe”, “will”, “may”, “continue”, “project”, “potential” and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, “forward-looking information and statements”).

In particular, forward-looking information and statements include, but are not limited to, the following:

• anticipated future activity levels;
• anticipated free cash flow; and
• our future debt reduction and shareholder capital return plans.

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These forward-looking information and statements are based on certain assumptions and analysis made by Precision in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. These include, among other things:

• the fluctuation in oil prices may pressure customers into reducing or limiting their drilling budgets;
• the status of current negotiations with our customers and vendors;
• customer focus on safety performance;
• existing term contracts are neither renewed nor terminated prematurely;
• continued market demand for Super Spec series rigs;
• our ability to deliver rigs to customers on a timely basis;
• the general stability of the economic and political environments in the jurisdictions where we operate; and
• the impact of an increase/decrease in capital spending.

Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information and statements. Whether actual results, performance or achievements will conform to our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

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• the business, operational and/or financial performance or achievements of Precision may be materially different from that currently anticipated;
• volatility in the price and demand for oil and natural gas;
• fluctuations in the level of oil and natural gas exploration and development activities;
• fluctuations in the demand for contract drilling, well servicing and ancillary oilfield services;
• our customers’ inability to obtain adequate credit or financing to support their drilling and production activity;
• changes in drilling and well servicing technology, which could reduce demand for certain rigs or put us at a competitive advantage;
• shortages, delays and interruptions in the delivery of equipment supplies and other key inputs;
• liquidity of the capital markets to fund customer drilling programs;
• availability of cash flow, debt and equity sources to fund our capital and operating requirements, as needed;
• the impact of weather and seasonal conditions on operations and facilities;
• competitive operating risks inherent in contract drilling, well servicing and ancillary oilfield services;
• ability to improve our rig technology to improve drilling efficiency;
• general economic, market or business conditions;
• the availability of qualified personnel and management;
• a decline in our safety performance which could result in lower demand for our services;
• changes in laws or regulations, including changes in environmental laws and regulations such as increased regulation of hydraulic fracturing or restrictions on the burning of fossil fuels and GHG emissions, which could have an adverse impact on the demand for oil and natural gas;
• terrorism, social, civil and political unrest in the foreign jurisdictions where we operate;
• fluctuations in foreign exchange, interest rates and tax rates; and
• other unforeseen conditions which could impact the use of services supplied by Precision and Precision’s ability to respond to such conditions.

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Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect our business, operations or financial results are included in reports on file with applicable securities regulatory authorities, including but not limited to Precision’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023, which may be accessed on Precision’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca or under Precision’s EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov. The forward-looking information and statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and Precision undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Additional Information

For further information about Precision, please visit our website at www.precisiondrilling.com or contact:

Lavonne Zdunich, CPA, CA
Vice President, Investor Relations
403.716.4500

800, 525 – 8th Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 1G1
Website: www.precisiondrilling.com

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