Core Lab Reports Fourth Quarter And Full Year 2020 Results From Continuing Operations

AMSTERDAM, Jan. 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Core Laboratories N.V. (NYSE: "CLB US" and Euronext Amsterdam: "CLB NA") ("Core", "Core Lab", or the "Company") reported that continuing operations resulted in fourth quarter 2020 revenue of $113,700,000. Core's operating income was $23,400,000, with earnings per diluted share ("EPS") of $0.31, all in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). The financial results for the fourth quarter of 2020 include a non-cash adjustment of $11.9 million to reverse previously recognized stock compensation expense associated with performance share awards that did not fully vest and were revalued. Operating income, ex-items, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $13,000,000, yielding operating margins of 11% and EPS, ex-items, of $0.18. A full reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures and year-over-year comparisons are included in the attached financial tables.

Core's CEO, Larry Bruno stated, "Core's fourth quarter results demonstrate the dedicated efforts of our innovative staff, the durability and adaptability of the business model, as well as the benefits of the cost reduction plans that were quickly enacted earlier this year. Despite the challenges encountered in 2020, after adjusting for non-cash impairments, Core generated sector-leading operating margins, four consecutive quarters of positive earnings, and positive free cash flow for 2020. This performance enabled the Company to reduce net debt by $48,700,000 throughout the year, while continuing to fund capital investments for growth initiatives. As we embark on 2021, Core remains well-positioned to navigate today's challenging market and capitalize on future growth opportunities, while providing innovative solutions that drive efficiency and reservoir optimization for our clients."

Liquidity, Free Cash Flow, Private Placement Notes and Dividend

Core continues to focus and generate free cash flow ("FCF"), a non-GAAP financial measure defined as cash from operations less capital expenditures. For the full year of 2020 cash from operations was $57,900,000 and capital expenditures were $11,900,000, yielding FCF of $ 46,000,000, marking the 19(th) consecutive year in which the Company has generated positive free cash flow. Cash flow from operations, for the fourth quarter of 2020, included cash payments unique to the quarter, and had a negative impact on operational cash flow. These cash payments included (i) $16 million for employee post-retirement deferred compensation distributions and employment separation payments and (ii) approximately $5 million for prepaid 2021 corporate insurance programs, which resulted in lower annual premium costs. Accounting for the $21 million in cash payments ($16 million + $5 million), cash from operations was ($2,900,000) for the fourth quarter of 2020, and together with $3,300,000 in capital expenditures, FCF was ($6,200,000). Although these cash payments for employee post-retirement benefits in the fourth quarter are required to be deducted from operational cash flow and FCF, the Company had partially funded the employee post-retirement payments with $11,500,000 of cash received through previously purchased company owned life insurance ("COLI") policies. The cash received from COLI is considered investing activities, and thus, is not included in cash generated from operations or FCF. The following table summarizes the impact of these cash payments on operational cash flow.

                                                                                                        
       Quarter ended

                                                                                                      
       December 31, 2020

                                                                                                       
       (in $ millions)




     Net cash provided by operations, before employee post-retirement and prepaid insurance payments                         $18.1



     Cash payments for employee post-retirement and prepaid insurance                                                      $(21.0)




     U.S. GAAP - net cash used by operations                                                                                $(2.9)



     Capital Expenditures                                                                                                   $(3.3)




     FCF                                                                                                                    $(6.2)

For the full year, free cash was used to reduce the Company's outstanding debt, and net debt was decreased by $48,700,000 or 16.5%. Core will continue applying its excess free cash flow towards debt reduction for the foreseeable future.

The following graph summarizes the maximum leverage ratio permitted over the relevant period:

As of 31 December 2020, Core Lab's leverage ratio was 2.82, with $101,000,000 of excess capacity under the Company's revolving credit facility. As previously disclosed, subsequent to year-end, on 12 January 2021, the Company issued $60 million of senior unsecured notes in a private placement transaction. Proceeds from the sale were exclusively used to reduce outstanding borrowings under the credit facility. The Company anticipates it will continue to generate positive cash flow and reduce net debt, while maintaining ample liquidity and remaining in compliance with debt covenants.

On 17 December 2020, Core announced the launch of an "at-the-market offering" for the issuance and sale of up to $60.0 million of common shares. Core Lab intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of Shares, if any, for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, investments in the development of new products and technologies, capital expenditures, repayments of indebtedness, working capital and potential acquisitions. The Company has not sold shares under this program as of 27 January 2021.

The following table summarizes the quarterly cash dividends paid by the Company for the year ended 31 December 2020. Dutch withholding tax was deducted from each dividend at a rate of 15%.

                                                                                                            
            
     $ Amount per
                                                                                                        Common Share
                           Quarter Ending                   Record Date                    Payment Date

    ---


       31 March 2020                     
     24 January 2020             
     14 February 2020                                    $0.25



       30 June 2020                      
     8 May 2020                  
     19 May 2020                                         $0.01



       30  September 2020                
     27 July 2020                
     10 August 2020                                      $0.01



       31 December 2020                  
     26 October 2020             
     17 November 2020                                    $0.01




       2020 Total                                                                                                            $0.28


On 15 January 2021, the Board announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.01 per share of common stock, payable on 16 February 2021 to shareholders of record on 25 January 2021. Dutch withholding tax will be deducted from the dividend at a rate of 15%.

Reservoir Description

Reservoir Description revenue in the fourth quarter of 2020 was $83,800,000, up 5% sequentially. Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2020 on a GAAP basis was $19,400,000, while operating income, ex-items, was $12,300,000, up 5% sequentially, yielding operating margins, ex-items, of 15%, which were flat sequentially. Sequential performance was associated with improved U.S. client activity and some improvement on longer-cycle international project activity. Operating margins were impacted by continued COVID-19 disruptions that included project and logistical delays in various international markets; however, the implemented cost controls in the segment helped mitigate the impact on operating margins.

During the fourth quarter of 2020, Core continued to perform highly specialized core and reservoir fluid analytical programs on samples originating from the offshore South Atlantic Margin. Additional opportunities along the South Atlantic Margin are unfolding. Several international oil companies have obtained licenses for pre-salt exploration and appraisal in Brazil, signaling that this region will be a focus of near, mid and long-term capital deployment. To support current and future programs, Core is in the final stages of commissioning a new facility in Rio de Janeiro. This laboratory will offer a wide range of testing capabilities, including many of the proprietary and patented technologies that are in high demand throughout Core's global client base. These proprietary offerings include Core's full visualization, pressure-volume-temperature ("PVT") cell instrumentation and Core's Dual Energy CT rock evaluation technologies. This new laboratory secures Core's position as the leading provider of advanced reservoir description services in the region and satisfies the growing demand for Core's patented and proprietary laboratory technologies in this growing market.

Also, in the fourth quarter of 2020, Core continued analytical programs on a variety of CO(2 )injection projects for both carbon capture and sequestration ("CCS") and for enhanced oil recovery ("EOR") efforts. Under the direction of The CarbonNet Project, Core continued its laboratory analysis of conventional core from the Gular-1 appraisal well, offshore southeast Australia. Data generated by Core is providing insight into seal capacity, storage capacity, geomechanical properties and the pore system properties of the target injection zones. Additionally, in the fourth quarter of 2020, Core was engaged by a national oil company in the Asia-Pacific region to evaluate CO(2) injection opportunities as part of an EOR program in tight oil reservoirs. Core Lab combined its proprietary high frequency nuclear magnetic resonance technology with physical laboratory core flooding experiments to determine in-situ hydrocarbon saturations during and after CO(2) injection. This comprehensive dataset is providing the operator with an understanding of fluid displacement and fluid interactions throughout the CO(2) flooding process. For these EOR applications, CO(2) purity, injection parameters, fluid compatibility, and rock properties all need to be measured and evaluated. These two projects are representative of the various CO(2) subsurface injection opportunities that exist for Core and its clients.

Production Enhancement

Production Enhancement operations, which are focused on complex completions in unconventional, tight-oil reservoirs in the U.S., as well as conventional offshore projects across the globe, posted fourth quarter 2020 revenue of $29,900,000, up 18% sequentially. The revenue increase was primarily driven by U.S. land energetic product sales, which improved 65%, sequentially. This compares very favorably with sequential U.S. land well completion activity. Operating income on a GAAP basis was $4,500,000, and $1,170,000 ex-items, both up sequentially. Additionally, operating margins improved sequentially from near break-even to 4% for the quarter.

Core's clients are always seeking innovative technological solutions to optimize their completion techniques. Recently, several of Core's technologically sophisticated clients in North America pursued an oriented downhole perforating technology which would align the perforations in the direction of maximum principal stress. To meet this objective, Core's Production Enhancement engineering team developed the patent pending Oriented GoGun(TM). Providing both very high alignment accuracy and wellsite efficiency, this technological advancement is designed to allow the frac energy to be focused in a manner that maximizes the frac while minimizing tortuosity. Core's Oriented GoGun(TM) also eliminates the need for orientation subassemblies, minimizing the number of connections and saving time by not having to recapture and redress orienting subs. During the fourth quarter of 2020, one of the largest E&P operators in North America conducted field trials, including various offerings from competitor's oriented systems. During the field trails, downhole cameras were used by the operator to verify orientation accuracy. Core Lab's Oriented GoGun(TM) proved to have the highest level of accuracy, both from perforation to perforation and from stage to stage. As a result of Core's superior product performance, the operator has adopted the Oriented GoGun(TM) as their preferred perforating system.

Also, during the fourth quarter of 2020, Core's proprietary completion diagnostic services were utilized in a major Gulf Coast natural gas storage project. Core was engaged by the operator to assess the effectiveness of frac pack completions performed on a number of wells in this gas storage field. Core utilized its PackScan(® )density logging technology to determine the competency of the annular packs that had been placed in these wells. In one of the wells, Core's PackScan(®) density log revealed insufficient coverage of the perforated interval and a completely uncovered sand control screen. Core's engineers identified these potential failure points and recommended a proppant "top-off" treatment to remediate the interval of concern. The operator agreed, and within a week a successful "top-off" treatment was performed, resulting in 14 feet of proppant coverage above the top of the sand control screen. It is critical that these gas storage wells be effectively fracked and the annulus competently packed in order to ensure their long-term functionality for both injecting and withdrawing natural gas. Core Labs' PackScan(® )technology and the resultant top-off treatment avoided a costly completion remediation program.

Return On Invested Capital

Core's Board of Supervisory Directors ("Board") and the Company's Executive Management continue to focus on strategies that maximize return on invested capital ("ROIC") and FCF, factors that have high correlation to total shareholder return. Core's commitment to an asset-light business model and disciplined capital stewardship promote capital efficiency and are designed to produce more predictable and superior long-term ROIC.

Events associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have caused significant disruptions in global markets and economies, with adverse effects throughout the energy sector. These adverse effects have triggered significant asset impairments for goodwill, intangible assets, inventory and other fixed assets, which further distort underlying financial performance and performance metrics, such as ROIC.

The Board has established an internal performance metric of demonstrating superior ROIC performance relative to the oilfield service companies listed as Core's Comp Group by Bloomberg. In 2020, Core Lab recorded $133 million in non-cash charges associated with impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and inventory. Excluding these adjustments, Core's calculation of ROIC using Bloomberg's formula was 4.7%.

Industry and Core Lab Outlook

For 2021, Core will continue to focus on executing its strategic plan of generating free cash and reducing net debt, while maximizing ROIC. Additionally, as part of the Company's 2021 strategic focus, the Company will continue to invest in targeted, client-driven technologies that aim to both solve client problems and capitalize on Core's growth opportunities.

Core is optimistic about its international growth opportunities as the second half of 2021 unfolds and COVID-19 disruptions are expected to abate. With Core Lab having more than 70% of its revenue exposed to international activity, the Company remains active on international projects already underway. International markets are expected to drive growth opportunities for the Company in the second half of 2021 and beyond; these areas include: Brazil, Mexico, Qatar and various other areas of the Middle East. Unpredictable project and logistical disruptions related to COVID-19 are expected to persist in the near to mid-term. For the first quarter of 2021, and consistent with historical trends, Core Lab expects lower client activity due to seasonality. This seasonal pattern typically results in a decline in first quarter revenue by mid-single digits. Core anticipates typical seasonal effects and COVID-19 restrictions to impact the first quarter of 2021, with first quarter revenue projected to be flat to down by low single digits, sequentially. The projected decline in first quarter revenue is slightly less pronounced, compared to historical trends, as the Company expects momentum in U.S. land activity to continue.

Within Reservoir Description, Core expects reservoir fluid analysis, which accounts for more than 65% of the segment's revenue, to remain resilient as this work is diversified across the life of the reservoir and less reliant on drilling and completion of new wells. However, given Reservoir Description's strong international exposure, COVID-19 disruptions present uncertainties for near to mid-term client activity levels as travel restrictions fluctuate due to virus trends.

Core sees continued, gradual sequential improvement in U.S. land activity into 2021. As a result, Core Lab projects Production Enhancement first quarter 2021 revenue to increase sequentially. Core expects Production Enhancement to continue to track or outperform activity levels in U.S. land completions.

In summary, despite the near-term international challenges related to COVID-19 restrictions, Core Lab sees activity levels improving as 2021 unfolds, with higher incremental margins emerging in the second half of the year. Core's growth opportunities are directly related to expanding client activity and new market penetration, particularly internationally. Within that context, Core remains focused on the on-going development of new client driven technologies and market penetration, as well as the continued focus on digitization and automation throughout Core's business.

The Company's first quarter 2021 guidance is based on projections for the underlying operations and exclude gains and losses in foreign exchange. This initial first quarter 2021 guidance also assumes an effective tax rate of 20%.

Earnings Call Scheduled

The Company has scheduled a conference call to discuss Core's fourth quarter 2020 earnings announcement. The call will begin at 7:30 a.m. CST / 2:30 p.m. CET on Thursday, 28 January 2021. To listen to the call, please go to Core's website at www.corelab.com.

Core Laboratories N.V. is a leading provider of proprietary and patented reservoir description and production enhancement services and products used to optimize petroleum reservoir performance. The Company has over 70 offices in more than 50 countries and is located in every major oil-producing province in the world. This release, as well as other statements we make, includes forward-looking statements regarding the future revenue, profitability, business strategies and developments of the Company made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Federal securities law. The Company's outlook is subject to various important cautionary factors, including risks and uncertainties related to the oil and natural gas industry, business conditions, international markets, international political climates, public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and any related actions taken by businesses and governments, and other factors as more fully described in the Company's most recent Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These important factors could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on current expectations of the Company's performance and are subject to a variety of factors, some of which are not under the control of the Company. Because the information herein is based solely on data currently available, and because it is subject to change as a result of changes in conditions over which the Company has no control or influence, such forward-looking statements should not be viewed as assurance regarding the Company's future performance. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this press release, except as required by law.

Visit the Company's website at www.corelab.com. Connect with Core Lab on Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.


                                                                                                                                                                                 
            
                CORE LABORATORIES N.V. & SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                                                                                                                            
             
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                                                                                                                                                                                   
            (amounts in thousands, except per share data)

                                                                                                                                                                                                  
              (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                                            
      
          Three Months Ended                                                                          % Variance



                                                                                                                               December                                  September                                                                 December

                                                                                                                                         31,                                          30,                                                                     31,       vs. Q3-20 vs. Q4-19
                                                                                                                                        2020                                         2020                                                                    2019




     REVENUE                                                                                                                                 $
        113,749                                                      $
              105,382                              $
         156,778       7.9%  (27.4)%





     OPERATING EXPENSES:



     Costs of services and sales                                                                                                                    87,918                                                                   81,038                                     117,749       8.5%  (25.3)%



     General and administrative expenses 1                                                                                                         (3,692)                                                                   8,937                                       9,773         NM       NM



     Depreciation and amortization                                                                                                                   4,837                                                                    5,164                                       5,535     (6.3)%  (12.6)%



     Inventory write-down                                                                                                                              443                                                                                                                            NM       NM



     Other (income) expense, net                                                                                                                       839                                                                  (1,088)                                      2,666         NM  (12.6)%




     Total operating expenses                                                                                                                       90,345                                                                   94,051                                     135,723     (3.9)%  (33.4)%





     OPERATING INCOME                                                                                                                               23,404                                                                   11,331                                      21,055     106.5%    11.2%



     Interest expense                                                                                                                                2,920                                                                    4,672                                       3,588    (37.5)%  (18.6)%




     Income from continuing operations                                                                                                              20,484                                                                    6,659                                      17,467     207.6%    17.3%


        before income tax expense



     Income tax expense                                                                                                                              6,540                                                                    3,663                                       7,177      78.5%   (8.9)%




     Income from continuing operations                                                                                                              13,944                                                                    2,996                                      10,290     365.4%    35.5%



     Income (loss) from discontinued                                                                                                                 (424)                                                                                                                           NM       NM


        operations, net of income taxes




     Net income                                                                                                                                     13,520                                                                    2,996                                      10,290     351.3%    31.4%



     Net income attributable to non-                                                                                                                  (17)                                                                      33                                        (40)        NM       NM


        controlling interest




     Net income attributable to Core                                                                                                          $
        13,537                                                        $
              2,963                               $
         10,330     356.9%    31.0%


        Laboratories N.V.






     
                Diluted EPS from continuing                                                                                                   $
        0.31                                                         $
              0.07                                 $
         0.23     342.9%    34.8%


     
                   operations






     
                Diluted EPS attributable to Core                                                                                              $
        0.30                                                         $
              0.07                                 $
         0.23     328.6%    30.4%


     
                   Laboratories N.V.






     Weighted average diluted common                                                                                                                44,958                                                                   44,899                                      44,634       0.1%     0.7%


        shares outstanding






     Effective tax rate                                                                                                                                 32                                                                       55                                          41
                                                                                                                                                          %                                                                       %                                          %        NM       NM






     
                SEGMENT INFORMATION:





     
                Revenue:



     Reservoir Description                                                                                                                    $
        83,838                                                       $
              80,060                              $
         102,617       4.7%  (18.3)%



     Production Enhancement                                                                                                                         29,911                                                                   25,322                                      54,161      18.1%  (44.8)%




     Total                                                                                                                                   $
        113,749                                                      $
              105,382                              $
         156,778       7.9%  (27.4)%






     
                Operating income:



     Reservoir Description                                                                                                                    $
        19,426                                                       $
              11,022                               $
         14,248      76.2%    36.3%



     Production Enhancement                                                                                                                          4,495                                                                    (321)                                      6,586         NM  (31.7)%



     Corporate and Other                                                                                                                             (517)                                                                     630                                         221         NM       NM




     Total                                                                                                                                    $
        23,404                                                       $
              11,331                               $
         21,055     106.5%    11.2%






     
                "NM" means not meaningful



     (1) For the quarter ending December 31, 2020, General and administrative expenses include an adjustment to reverse $11.3


             million of stock compensation that had been previously recognized.

                                                                               
             
                CORE LABORATORIES N.V. & SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                             
          
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                                                                                 
              (amounts in thousands, except per share data)

                                                                                                  
              (Unaudited)




                                                                         
     
           Twelve Months ended                                            % Variance



                                                                                         December                                                  December
                                                                                      
                31,                                           
                31,
                                                                                                  2020                                                       2019




     REVENUE                                                                                                          $
              487,267                         $
        668,210   (27.1)%





     OPERATING EXPENSES:



     Costs of services and sales                                                                                                  374,767                               495,579   (24.4)%



     General and administrative expenses                                                                                           34,033                                48,023   (29.1)%



     Depreciation and amortization                                                                                                 20,867                                22,605    (7.7)%



     Impairments and other charges                                                                                                122,204                                             NM



     Inventory write-down                                                                                                          10,375                                             NM



     Other (income) expense, net                                                                                                    1,826                                 5,319        NM




     Total operating expenses                                                                                                     564,072                               571,526    (1.3)%





     OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)                                                                                                     (76,805)                               96,684        NM



     Interest expense                                                                                                              14,372                                14,690    (2.2)%




     Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense                                                          (91,177)                               81,994        NM



     Income tax expense (benefit)                                                                                                   5,896                              (12,290)       NM




     Income (loss) from continuing operations                                                                                    (97,073)                               94,284        NM



     Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes                                                                (424)                                7,833        NM




     Net income (loss)                                                                                                           (97,497)                              102,117        NM



     Net income attributable to non-controlling interest                                                                              140                                   134        NM




     Net income (loss) attributable to Core Laboratories N.V.                                                        $
              (97,637)                        $
        101,983  (195.7)%






     
                Diluted EPS from continuing operations                                                               $
              (2.18)                           $
        2.11        NM






     
                Diluted EPS attributable to Core Laboratories N.V.                                                   $
              (2.20)                           $
        2.28        NM






     Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding                                                                            44,477                                44,646    (0.4)%






     Effective tax rate                                                                                                     (6)
            %                                 (15)
                                                                                                                                                                              %       NM






     
                SEGMENT INFORMATION:





     
                Revenue:



     Reservoir Description                                                                                            $
              355,041                         $
        420,897   (15.6)%



     Production Enhancement                                                                                                       132,226                               247,313   (46.5)%




     Total                                                                                                            $
              487,267                         $
        668,210   (27.1)%






     
                Operating income (loss):



     Reservoir Description                                                                                             $
              55,044                          $
        55,140    (0.2)%



     Production Enhancement                                                                                                     (133,449)                         $
        38,378        NM



     Corporate and Other                                                                                                            1,600                                 3,166        NM




     Total                                                                                                           $
              (76,805)                         $
        96,684        NM






     
                "NM" means not meaningful

                                                                                       
              
          CORE LABORATORIES N.V. & SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                                        
              
          CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

                                                                                                     
        (amounts in thousands)

                                                                                                       
            (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                                                                                            % Variance




     
                ASSETS:                                  December 31,             September 30,                                             December 31, 2019         vs. Q3-20   vs. Q4-19
                                                                    2020                       2020






     Cash and cash equivalents                                           $
      13,806                                   $
              15,146                             $
          11,092       (8.8)%        24.5%



     Accounts receivable, net                                                83,192                                               85,366                                    131,579       (2.5)%      (36.8)%



     Inventory                                                               38,151                                               42,908                                     50,163      (11.1)%      (23.9)%



     Other current assets                                                    30,699                                               26,469                                     28,403        16.0%         8.1%




     Total Current Assets                                                   165,848                                              169,889                                    221,237       (2.4)%      (25.0)%





     Property, plant and equipment, net                                     115,293                                              117,123                                    123,506       (1.6)%       (6.6)%



     Right-of-use assets                                                     66,385                                               69,228                                     75,697       (4.1)%      (12.3)%



     Intangibles, goodwill and other long-term assets, net                  221,053                                              234,574                                    354,233       (5.8)%      (37.6)%




     Total assets                                                       $
      568,579                                  $
              590,814                            $
          774,673       (3.8)%      (26.6)%






     
                LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:





     Current maturities of long-term debt                  
              $                                              $
              75,000                         
     $                         NM           NM



     Accounts payable                                                        23,028                                               22,806                                     35,611         1.0%      (35.3)%



     Short-term operating lease obligations                                  11,437                                               11,807                                     11,841       (3.1)%       (3.4)%



     Other current liabilities                                               55,285                                               62,523                                     64,142      (11.6)%      (13.8)%




     Total current liabilities                                               89,750                                              172,136                                    111,594      (47.9)%      (19.6)%





     Long-term debt, net                                                    259,433                                              189,566                                    305,283        36.9%      (15.0)%



     Long-term operating lease obligations                                   56,108                                               56,649                                     64,660       (1.0)%      (13.2)%



     Other long-term liabilities                                             87,715                                              100,754                                    110,996      (12.9)%      (21.0)%





     Total equity                                                            75,573                                               71,709                                    182,140         5.4%      (58.5)%




     Total liabilities and equity                                       $
      568,579                                  $
              590,814                            $
          774,673       (3.8)%      (26.6)%






     
                "NM" means not meaningful


                                                                                          
       
             CORE LABORATORIES N.V. & SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                                        
       
          CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                                                                                
            (amounts in thousands)

                                                                                                    
              (Unaudited)




                                                                                                  Three Months Ended                                        
     
        Twelve Months ended



                                                                                                       December                                                   December
                                                                                                    
                31,                                            
                31,
                                                                                                                2020                                                        2020                          December 31, 2019




     CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES



     Income (loss) from continuing operations                                                                                           $
              13,944                              $
          (97,073)                       $
          94,284



     Income (loss) from discontinued operations                                                                                                      (424)                                        (424)                                7,833




     Net income (loss)                                                                                                                  $
              13,520                              $
          (97,497)                      $
          102,117



     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:



     Stock-based compensation                                                                                                                      (8,860)                                        7,394                                20,879



     Depreciation and amortization                                                                                                                   4,837                                        20,867                                22,605



     Impairments, inventory write-down and other charges                                                                                               443                                       132,579



     Deferred income tax                                                                                                                               798                                      (12,216)                             (36,345)



     Gain on sale of business                                                                                                                                                                                                        (1,154)



     (Gain) loss on sale of discontinued operations                                                                                                    573                                           573                               (8,411)



     Accounts receivable                                                                                                                             1,192                                        46,421                               (3,191)



     Inventory                                                                                                                                       4,351                                         1,471                               (3,892)



     Accounts payable                                                                                                                                  424                                      (12,838)                              (3,757)



     Other adjustments to net income                                                                                                              (20,190)                                     (28,886)                                  676




     
                Net cash provided by (used in) by operating activities                                                               $
              (2,912)                               $
          57,868                        $
          89,527





     CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES



     Capital expenditures                                                                                                              $
              (3,302)                             $
          (11,880)                     $
          (22,269)



     Proceeds from sale of business                                                                                                                                                                                                    2,980



     Proceeds from cash surrender value of company-owned life insurance                                                                             11,509                                        20,443



     Proceeds (adjustments) from sale of discontinued operations                                                                                     (225)                                        (225)                               14,789



     Other investing activities                                                                                                                        465                                         (487)                              (1,177)




     
                Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities                                                                    $
              8,447                                 $
          7,851                       $
          (5,677)





     CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES



     Repayment of debt borrowings                                                                                                     $
              (31,000)                            $
          (102,000)                    $
          (123,000)



     Proceeds from debt borrowings                                                                                                                  26,000                                        56,000                               138,000



     Dividends paid                                                                                                                                  (445)                                     (12,446)                             (97,574)



     Repurchase of treasury shares                                                                                                                 (1,201)                                      (2,794)                              (3,308)



     Other financing activities                                                                                                                      (229)                                      (1,765)




     
                Net cash used in financing activities                                                                                $
              (6,875)                             $
          (63,005)                     $
          (85,874)





     NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                                                                                       (1,340)                                        2,714                               (2,024)



     CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period                                                                                                 15,146                                        11,092                                13,116




     CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period                                                                                           $
              13,806                                $
          13,806                        $
          11,092


Non-GAAP Information

Management believes that the exclusion of certain income and expenses enables it to evaluate more effectively the Company's operations period-over-period and to identify operating trends that could otherwise be masked by the excluded Items. For this reason, we use certain non-GAAP measures that exclude these Items; and we feel that this presentation provides a clearer comparison with the results reported in prior periods. The non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, the financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP, as more fully discussed in the Company's financial statement and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                                                                                     
              
                Reconciliation of Operating Income, Income from Continuing Operations and Earnings Per Diluted Share from Continuing Operations

                                                                                                                                                    
              (amounts in thousands, except per share data)

                                                                                                                                                                     
              (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                                                
              
                Operating Income from Continuing Operations


                                                                                                                                                             
              
                Three Months Ended



                                                                                                                                         December                                                                            September                                     December
                                                                                                                                      
                31,                                                                                                                   
               31,
                                                                                                                                                  2020                                                                                30, 2020                                      2019




     GAAP reported                                                                                                                                      $
              23,404                                                                                  $
       11,331                 $
        21,055



     Stock compensation (1)                                                                                                                                       (11,934)



     Inventory write-down                                                                                                                                              443



     Cost reduction and other charges                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2,578



     Facility exit cost                                                                                                                                                256



     Foreign exchange losses (gains)                                                                                                                                   852                                                                                          982                        1,359




     Excluding specific items                                                                                                                           $
              13,021                                                                                  $
       12,313                 $
        24,992







                                                                                                                                                     
              
                Income from Continuing Operations


                                                                                                                                                             
              
                Three Months Ended



                                                                                                                                         December                                                                            September                                     December
                                                                                                                                      
                31,                                                                                                                   
               31,
                                                                                                                                                  2020                                                                                30, 2020                                      2019




     GAAP reported                                                                                                                                      $
              13,944                                                                                   $
       2,996                 $
        10,290



     Stock compensation (1)                                                                                                                                       (11,934)



     Inventory write-down                                                                                                                                              301



     Cost reduction and other charges                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2,062



     Facility exit cost                                                                                                                                                174



     Debt restructuring                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1,223



     Impact of higher (lower) tax rate 2                                                                                                                             5,018                                                                                        2,773                        3,684



     Foreign exchange losses (gains)                                                                                                                                   578                                                                                          344                        1,087




     Excluding specific items                                                                                                                            $
              8,081                                                                                   $
       7,336                 $
        17,123







                                                                                                                                           
              
                Earnings Per Diluted Share from Continuing Operations


                                                                                                                                                             
              
                Three Months Ended



                                                                                                                                         December                                                                            September                                     December
                                                                                                                                      
                31,                                                                                                                   
               31,
                                                                                                                                                  2020                                                                                30, 2020                                      2019




     GAAP reported                                                                                                                                        $
              0.31                                                                                    $
       0.07                   $
        0.23



     Stock compensation (1)                                                                                                                                         (0.27)



     Inventory write-down                                                                                                                                             0.01



     Cost reduction and other charges                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         0.05



     Debt restructuring                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           0.03



     Impact of higher (lower) tax rate 2                                                                                                                              0.11                                                                                         0.06                         0.08



     Foreign exchange losses (gains)                                                                                                                                  0.02                                                                                                                     0.02




     Excluding specific items                                                                                                                             $
              0.18                                                                                    $
       0.16                   $
        0.38






     
                (1) Includes an adjustment to reverse previously recognized stock compensation expense for shares that were granted but did not vest and

     
              
                were revalued. This adjustment is non-taxable.



     
                (2) Includes adjustments to reflect tax expense at a normalized rate of 20%.

                                                         
              
                Segment Information

                                                              
              (amounts in thousands)

                                                                   
              (Unaudited)




                                                        Operating Income from Continuing Operations


                                                           Three Months Ended December 31, 2020



                                           Reservoir                                                   Production                   Corporate and
                               Description                                                 Enhancement                        Other




     GAAP reported                                  $
       19,426                                                  $
        4,495                     $
     (517)



     Stock compensation                                 (7,713)                                                     (3,523)



     Foreign exchange losses                                578                                                          202                           73



     Excluding specific items                       $
       12,291                                                  $
        1,174                     $
     (444)


Return on Invested Capital

Return on Invested Capital ("ROIC") is based on Bloomberg's calculation on the trailing four quarters from the most recently reported quarter and the balance sheet of the most recent reported quarter, and is presented based on our belief that this non-GAAP measure is useful information to investors and management when comparing our profitability and the efficiency with which we have employed capital over time relative to other companies. ROIC is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income.

ROIC is defined by Bloomberg as Net Operating Profit (Loss) ("NOP") less Cash Operating Tax ("COT") divided by Total Invested Capital ("TIC"), where NOP is defined as GAAP net income before minority interest plus the sum of income tax expense, interest expense, and pension expense less pension service cost and COT is defined as income tax expense plus the sum of the change in net deferred taxes, and the tax effect on interest expense and TIC is defined as GAAP stockholder's equity plus the sum of net long-term debt, allowance for doubtful accounts, net balance of deferred taxes, income tax payable, and other charges.

The Board has established an internal performance metric of demonstrating superior ROIC performance relative to the oilfield service companies listed as Core's Comp Group by Bloomberg. In 2020, Core Lab recorded $133 million in non-cash charges associated with impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and inventory. Excluding these adjustments, Core's calculation of ROIC using Bloomberg's formula was 4.7%.

                                                     
             
                Reconciliation of ROIC

                                                
          (amounts in millions, except for ROIC and WACC data)

                                                                
              (Unaudited)






                                       Bloomberg                                                         Effect of non-
                                                                                                               cash                               Excluding non-
                                                                                                 charges                               cash charges




     Net operating profit                        $
           (79.3)                                                            $
     132.6                                $
     53.3



     Cash operating taxes                                   51.2                                                               (20.8)                                  30.4



     Total invested capital                                362.1                                                                126.7                                  488.8






     Return on invested capital                           (36.0)                                                       
     NM                                     4.7
                                                                %                                                                                                  %



     Weighted average cost of capital                        6.9
                                                                %

Free Cash Flow

Core uses the non-GAAP measure of free cash flow to evaluate its cash flows and results of operations. Free cash flow is an important measurement because it represents the cash from operations, in excess of capital expenditures, available to operate the business and fund non-discretionary obligations. Free cash flow is not a measure of operating performance under GAAP, and should not be considered in isolation nor construed as an alternative consideration to operating income, net income, earnings per share, or cash flows from operating, investing, or financing activities, each as determined in accordance with GAAP. Free cash flow should not be considered a measure of liquidity. Moreover, since free cash flow is not a measure determined in accordance with GAAP and thus is susceptible to varying interpretations and calculations, free cash flow as presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.

                                                          
      
          Computation of Free Cash Flow

                                                            
        (amounts in thousands)

                                                               
           (Unaudited)




                                                                           Three Months Ended              Twelve Months ended


                                                                                December                         December
                                                                             
                31,                 
                31,
                                                                                         2020                             2020




     Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                                       $
     (2,912)                     $
       57,868



     Capital expenditures                                                                         (3,302)                        (11,880)




     Free cash flow                                                                            $
     (6,214)                     $
       45,988


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SOURCE Core Laboratories N.V.