Mr. Steve Glanville reports

STEP ENERGY SERVICES LTD. REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR END 2023 RESULTS

Step Energy Services Ltd. has released its financial and operating results for the three months and twelve months ended Dec. 31, 2023. The following press release should be read in conjunction with the management's discussion and analysis (MD&A) and audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as at Dec. 31, 2023.

2023 annual highlights

• Consolidated revenue for the year ended Dec. 31, 2023, of $945.7-million, decreasing 4.4 per cent from $989.0-million in the prior year.
• Net income for the year ended Dec. 31, 2023, of $50.4-million, or 67 cents per diluted share, compared with $94.8-million in 2022, or $1.31 per diluted share. Two thousand twenty-two net income was positively impacted by the reversal of $38.4-million of impairment loss taken in 2020, following the significant improvement in business conditions.
• For the year ended Dec. 31, 2023, adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) was $163.6-million or 17 per cent of revenue compared with $198.9-million or 20 per cent of revenue in the prior year.
• Free cash flow for the year ended Dec. 31, 2023, was $82.8-million compared with $111.8-million in 2022.
• Step continued to advance its multiphase shareholder return strategy in 2023:
  • Net debt was reduced to $87.8-million at Dec. 31, 2023, compared with $142.2-million at Dec. 31, 2022.
  • During the fourth quarter of 2023, the company received approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) to proceed with a normal course issuer bid (NCIB) for a 12-month period ending Dec. 18, 2024. Under the NCIB, the company can repurchase and cancel 3.6 million shares, representing 5 per cent of company's issued and outstanding shares.
• The company invested $105.2-million into sustaining and optimization capital equipment in the year. The primary focus of the optimization capital was the continued upgrade of fracturing fleets in Canada and the United States with the latest Tier 4 dual fuel engine technology, which reduces cost and emissions by displacing up to 85 per cent of diesel with natural gas. Step completed the upgrade of one fleet in Canada and one in the U.S. in 2023 and anticipates the completion of a second Canadian fleet by Q2 2024.
• Step trialed electric fracturing equipment on a client site in the Permian basin in the fourth quarter of 2023. Step is continually evaluating next-generation technology to ensure that it brings the most technically capable equipment to client locations. Next-generation equipment has the potential of providing increased efficiency and lower operating costs, but the higher capital costs will require longer-term client commitments.
• Step operated 21 coiled tubing units in Canada and the U.S., the largest fleet in North America. The fleet set depth records in Canada and the U.S. during 2023, reaching 8,101 metres (26,578 feet) and 8,252 metres (27,075 feet), respectively.

Fourth quarter 2023 overview

Commodity prices remained volatile in the fourth quarter. West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the benchmark U.S. oil price, declined from approximately $90 per barrel at the start of the quarter to approximately $70 per barrel at the close. The strengthening of supply from countries outside of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries plus other oil-producing countries (OPEC+), coinciding with slower than expected global demand growth, were significant factors in the price decrease. The benchmark Henry Hub natural gas price fluctuated through the quarter, but the quarter-end price remained relatively flat compared with the price at the end of the third quarter. The steady erosion in the U.S. rig count seen through much of 2023 slowed in the fourth quarter, with the Baker Hughes land rig count bottoming at 597 rigs before closing 2023 at 602 rigs, resulting in an average rig count of 601 in the fourth quarter. This is down from 630 rigs in Q3 2023 and 764 rigs at the close of 2022. Rig counts in Canada decreased by seven rigs, declining from an average of 187 in Q3 2023 to 180 in Q4 2023. The rig count in Canada is less indicative of completions activity, as an estimated 35 to 40 per cent of Canadian rigs are typically drilling wells that do not require hydraulic fracturing. The reduced activity was captured in analysis from Rystad Energy, an independent energy research and business intelligence company, which estimated that North American fracturing starts in Q4 2023 fell by 15 per cent relative to Q3 2023.

Step's consolidated fourth quarter revenue of $195.0-million and adjusted EBITDA of $18.4-million was lower sequentially and year over year. The fourth quarter typically sees a slowdown in activity as E&P (exploration and production) companies wind down their capital budgets. At times companies will pull capital forward if there is a strong commodity price incentive but that did not materialize in Q4 2023 as commodity prices were on a weakening trend.

Step's Canadian geographic region generated quarterly revenue of $112.2-million and adjusted EBITDA of $15.0-million. Fracturing revenue in Canada fell quarter over quarter due to the typical slowdown outlined above as well as the decision by certain clients to defer approximately $16.0-million to $18.0-million of work scheduled for Q4 2023 into Q1 2024. The Q4 fracturing job mix also shifted sequentially to include more lower-intensity well completions, which have a lower revenue profile. The lower activity and shift in job mix is reflected in the reduction in proppant pumped, which declined in Q4 2023 to 223,300 tonnes from 308,000 tonnes in Q3 2023, resulting in lower average revenue per day. Coiled tubing services typically follow fracturing services on a well, resulting in activity changes that lag the fracturing market. Coiled tubing activity levels stayed strong through the fourth quarter, benefitting from Step's presence in the Canadian market as a technical leader. Coiled tubing revenue per day also decreased in part due to the shift to lower intensity coil fracturing, which is lower revenue relative to the milling work that was more predominant in prior quarters.

Step's U.S. geographic region generated quarterly revenue of $82.8-million and adjusted EBITDA of $7.2-million. The fourth quarter slow down in drilling activity was further exacerbated by the wave of consolidation in the U.S. E&P market, which negatively affected Step's U.S. fracturing operations when a long-term client was acquired in mid Q4 2023. This acquisition resulted in the cancellation of the remaining fracturing work scope for 2023 for one fracturing crew and additional work scope was lost for a second fracturing crew when a client delayed a pad late in the quarter to the point where it would have crossed over into Q1 2024, disrupting the schedule for that quarter. The estimated revenue loss from this reduced utilization was approximately $17.0-million to $19.0-million. With the reduction in utilization, proppant pumped decreased to 237,000 tonnes in Q4 from 281,000 tonnes in Q3. Coiled tubing activity remained strong in the northern basins as clients continued to operate until the holiday break while levels declined sequentially in the southern basins as clients reached the limits of their 2023 capital budgets.

The company generated consolidated adjusted EBITDA of $18.4-million, a margin of 9 per cent. This was lower than the $52.3-million (21-per-cent margin) achieved in Q3 2023 and the $48.6-million (19-per-cent margin) posted in Q4 2022. The decline in activity was a factor in the lower adjusted EBITDA but margins were also eroded by higher operating expenses associated with the preparation of equipment for the highly utilized upcoming quarter and certain one-time items that totalled between $3.0-million to $4.0-million.

Net loss was $5.2-million in Q4 2023 (seven cents diluted loss per share), sequentially lower than net income of $20.7-million in Q3 (28 cents diluted earnings per share) and $16.7-million (23 cents diluted earnings per share) realized in Q4 2022. Net loss for Q4 2023 included $2.6-million in finance costs (Q3 2023 -- $2.9-million, Q4 2022 -- $3.0-million) and $800,000 in share-based compensation (Q3 2023 -- $4.0-million, Q4 2022 -- $4.4-million).

Free cash flow was $(4.5)-million in Q4 2023, sequentially lower than the $37.1-million in Q3 2023 and the $22.4-million in Q4 2022. Significant collection of trade receivables late in Q4 2023 allowed the company to accelerate certain capital expenditures to capitalize on benefits associated with early payment and possession. The accelerated capital expenditures resulted in a draw down of working capital, which Step anticipates will return to more typical levels in the first quarter of 2024. Free cash flow on an annualized basis in 2023 was $82.8-million compared with $111.8-million in 2022. A considerable portion of free cash flow was allocated to debt reduction, balanced with increased investment into equipment.

Net debt was reduced to $87.8-million at the close of Q4 2023 from $89.8-million at close of Q3 2023 and is down nearly $60-million on a year-over-year basis. The debt reduction was accomplished while simultaneously investing $120.4-million into capital expenditures during the full year 2023. Step has now reduced debt by nearly $230-million from peak levels in 2018.

Market outlook

The outlook for the north American energy sector is anticipated to continue strengthening as major energy infrastructure projects are completed in Canada and the United States. In Canada, completion of the Trans Mountain Expansion project will increase the capacity of the original Trans Mountain Pipeline from 300,000 barrels of oil per day to 890,000 barrels of oil per day and completion of the LNG Canada facility will require 2.1 BCF (billion cubic feet) per day of feed gas to produce liquefied natural gas (LNG) for export. These projects are both anticipated to be complete in 2024, with additional LNG projects expected to add up to 4 to 5 BCF per day by 2030. In the U.S., numerous LNG projects are under construction with completion dates anticipated over the next three to four years, adding 11 to 12 BCF per day to current U.S. LNG export capacity of approximately 13 to 14 BCF per day today. Collectively these projects demonstrate that North America is becoming a cornerstone supplier of clean, reliable energy to the world, lifting millions of people out of energy poverty and delivering energy security to allies across the world, while providing constructive economic conditions for North American producers and service providers.

Near-term commodity prices continue to remain volatile, with concerns over recession and overproduction weighing on prices. North American crude oil, as measured by the benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI), is showing greater resiliency due to the higher correlation with global oil markets. Those markets are heavily influenced by the supply management policies of the OPEC+ producers, which helps smooths out the volatility in crude prices. Natural gas prices are expected to remain weak through the shoulder season, with the benchmark Henry Hub price recently testing multidecade lows in Q1 2024 as a result of an extremely mild winter and record gas production. Major U.S. producers have announced reductions in their 2024 capital programs to return this market to balance, which will result in softer U.S. activity levels for at least the first half of the year relative to prior years. Canadian gas production is heavily affected by the price of natural gas liquids (NGLs), which have been more stable than natural gas due to their correlation to oil prices. Demand for condensate, a key NGL, remains strong and is supported by growing oil sands production. Nonetheless, major Canadian natural gas producers are also voicing more caution around expected 2024 activity levels, which may result in deferral of some work scope to later in the year.

The long-term outlook for oil field services is very constructive. The structural underinvestment in hydrocarbon production capacity through the last seven years has been exacerbated by geopolitical tensions, forcing governments and policy makers to confront the realty that oil and gas will be a key part of the energy mix for many years. Step is proud to work in Canada and the U.S., countries that have the natural resources, regulatory frameworks and technical expertise to deliver safe and affordable energy to the world.

Visibility into the second half of the year will in large part be dictated by the slope of the natural gas futures curve. The current strip shows prices strengthening in the third and fourth quarters, which will bring more stability to the fracturing market. Step will continue to evaluate opportunities to repatriate the fracturing capacity sent to Canada back to the U.S. The recent E&P consolidation is expected to benefit Step's ultra deep coiled tubing capacity, as the contiguous land holdings of the consolidated entities create more opportunities for the three-mile laterals to be drilled.

Consolidated

Step's focus for the balance of 2024 and into 2025 is on the generation of free cash flow that supports the company's commitment to continue investing into next generation technology and expanding its shareholder return framework.

Step has set a target to have 90 per cent of its fracturing fleet capable of utilizing natural gas by the end of 2025. Step's current focus is on the upgrading of diesel engines to Tier 4 dual fuel capability, with the third fleet expected to be complete by the end of Q2 2024. Step is evaluating other next-generation technologies that could provide even higher natural gas substitution rates.

Step's shareholder return framework will continue to focus on reduction of overall leverage but was expanded in late 2023 to include an NCIB. Step believes that its current share price does not reflect the value inherent in its business and it intends to acquire the full amount permitted, provided market conditions remain favourable.

Canadian financial and operations review

Step has a fleet of 16 coiled tubing units in the WCSB, all of which are designed to service the deepest wells in the basin. Step's fracturing business primarily focuses on the deeper, more technically challenging plays in Alberta and northeast British Columbia. Step deploys or idles coiled tubing units and fracturing horsepower as dictated by the market's ability to support targeted utilization and economic returns.

About Step Energy Services Ltd.

Step is an energy service company that provides coiled tubing, fluid and nitrogen pumping, and hydraulic fracturing solutions. Its combination of modern equipment along with its commitment to safety and quality execution has differentiated Step in plays where wells are deeper, and have longer laterals and higher pressures. Step has a high performance, safety-focused culture, and its experienced technical office and field professionals are committed to providing innovative, reliable and cost-effective solutions to its clients.

Founded in 2011 as a specialized deep-capacity coiled tubing company, Step has grown into a North American service provider, delivering completion and stimulation services to exploration and production companies in Canada and the United States. Its Canadian services are focused on the Western Canadian sedimentary basin while in the United States, its fracturing and coiled tubing services are focused in the Permian and Eagle Ford in Texas, the Uinta-Piceance and Niobrara-DJ basins in Colorado, and the Bakken in North Dakota.

Its four core values -- safety, trust, execution and possibilities -- inspire its team of professionals to provide differentiated levels of service, with a goal of flawless execution and an unwavering focus on safety.

Step will host a conference call on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 9 a.m. MT to discuss the results for the fourth quarter and year-end 2023 and outlook on 2024.

You can also visit the investors section of the company's website to access the conference call.

To participate in the Q&A (question and answer) session, please call the conference call operator at: 1-800-717-1738 (toll-free) 15 minutes prior to the call's start time and ask for Step Energy Services fourth quarter and year-end 2023 earnings results conference call.

The conference call will be archived on Step's website.

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