HOUSTON, Feb. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Select Energy Services, Inc. (NYSE: WTTR) ("Select" or the "Company"), a leading provider of sustainable water and chemical solutions to the U.S. unconventional oil and gas industry, today announced its financial results for the quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

Consolidated Financial Information

Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $255.1 million as compared to $204.6 million in the third quarter of 2021 and $133.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $11.2 million as compared to a net loss of $14.2 million in the third quarter of 2021 and a net loss of $21.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.

For the fourth quarter of 2021, gross profit was $17.9 million, as compared to a gross profit of $9.0 million in the third quarter of 2021 and a gross loss of $3.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Total gross margin was 7.0% in the fourth quarter of 2021 as compared to 4.4% in the third quarter of 2021 and (3.0)% in the fourth quarter of 2020. Gross margin before depreciation and amortization ("D&A") for the fourth quarter of 2021 was 16.6% as compared to 15.6% for the third quarter of 2021 and 14.5% for the fourth quarter of 2020.

SG&A during the fourth quarter of 2021 was $25.2 million as compared to $22.0 million during the third quarter of 2021 and $15.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2020. SG&A during the fourth quarter of 2021 and the third quarter of 2021 was impacted by non-recurring transaction costs of $2.0 million and $2.4 million, respectively.

Adjusted EBITDA was $26.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 as compared to $15.1 million in the third quarter of 2021 and $10.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Adjusted EBITDA was negatively impacted by the deduction of $19.0 million of non-recurring bargain purchase price gains that benefited Net Income during the quarter related to our recent acquisition activity. Additionally, Adjusted EBITDA was impacted by $2.4 million of non-recurring transaction costs, $1.6 million of non-cash losses on asset sales, $0.4 million in lease abandonment costs, and $0.8 million in other adjustments. Non-cash compensation expense accounted for an additional $3.2 million adjustment. Please refer to the end of this release for reconciliations of gross profit (loss) before D&A (non-GAAP measure) to gross profit (loss) and of Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP measure) to net income (loss).

John Schmitz, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, stated, "We wrapped up 2021 with another strong quarter of sequential revenue growth while expanding margins and recording positive net income. During the fourth quarter, we accelerated the execution of our strategy to improve and bolster our base business, advance our technology, ESG and diversification efforts, and execute on strategic M&A. While the fourth quarter was relatively stable from an industry activity standpoint, we outpaced our expectations and were able to generate 25% consolidated sequential revenue growth during the quarter. Additionally, Adjusted EBITDA increased significantly to $26.4 million, up 74% sequentially, supported by both our base business and our recent acquisitions.

"On the M&A front, we have seen meaningful contributions from our recent acquisitions, notably Complete Energy Services, which closed in the third quarter and Agua Libre and HB Rentals, which both closed in the fourth quarter. Setting aside the growth contributions from our recent M&A activity, our base business grew revenue sequentially by 14%. This continued growth was driven by a combination of market share capture and, more importantly, continued pricing improvements and operational efficiencies. Additionally, in the fourth quarter we announced an agreement to acquire Nuverra, a provider of environmental and water solutions in the Bakken, Haynesville and Northeast regions. The acquisition has been approved by a majority of Nuverra's shareholders and we anticipate it will close imminently.

"As I've mentioned before, consolidation is important for the industry, and I believe we will generate value through revenue and cost synergies resulting from these acquisitions. We will be diligent during 2022 about integrating these businesses, reducing costs and inefficiencies and generating cash through the sale of non-core or underutilized assets. With the current constructive commodity price backdrop and activity outlook, this consolidation strategy will put Select in a strong position to continue to grow the base business, meaningfully improve our pricing, capture market share and generate free cash flow.

"Through the combination of Complete, Agua Libre, HB Rentals and Nuverra, we will have added nearly $300 million of incremental annual run-rate revenue to the business since the beginning of the third quarter of 2021 through M&A. We will have also added a significant portfolio of water infrastructure assets, supported by a number of long-term contracts. These additions include more than 1.2 million barrels per day of permitted disposal capacity across the Permian, MidCon, Eagle Ford, Haynesville, Bakken, Rockies and Northeast regions. When combined with our existing assets, our company-wide permitted daily disposal capacity will have increased to more than 2.0 million barrels per day, providing considerable development potential for continued expansion of gathering and recycling networks.

"Importantly, this sizable infrastructure footprint provides us with access to a significant amount of recurring, long-lived produced water volumes which can be recycled as an alternative sustainable water source in attractive areas for development. During 2021, we developed six new recycling facilities backed by long-term contracts, increasing our overall recycling capacity to more than 525,000 barrels per day. I am confident that these recently constructed assets combined with our recently acquired assets position us extremely well to continue to develop new recycling opportunities, balance water logistics across multiple customers and support our customers in reaching their sustainability goals in the years to come.

"Ultimately, I am excited about our recent financial performance, M&A execution, our recycling projects and our other sustainability-focused investments. I firmly believe the consolidation strategy we've undertaken is needed in the marketplace and we are well positioned to execute on additional opportunities ahead. With growing activity, strong commodity prices and improved operational and financial performance, the future remains bright," concluded Schmitz.

Business Segment Information

The Water Services segment generated revenues of $140.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 as compared to $112.5 million in the third quarter of 2021 and $59.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Gross margin before D&A for Water Services was 15.4% in the fourth quarter of 2021 as compared to 15.8% in the third quarter of 2021 and 7.0% in the fourth quarter of 2020. Revenues improved 25.1% sequentially, driven by roughly equal contributions from the existing business and the acquisitions that closed during the fourth quarter. Looking at the first quarter of 2022, the Company expects to see 5% – 10% revenue growth with modest improvements to gross margins before D&A, supported by continued pricing improvements, market activity and incremental contributions from the pending acquisition of Nuverra.

The Water Infrastructure segment generated revenues of $46.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 as compared to $36.8 million in the third quarter of 2021 and $36.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Gross margin before D&A for Water Infrastructure was 25.8% in the fourth quarter of 2021 as compared to 22.5% in the third quarter of 2021 and 30.7% in the fourth quarter of 2020. Revenues improved 27.4% sequentially while pulling through 37.9% incremental margins, driven primarily by a combination of contributions from the Agua Libre acquisition and the Northern Delaware pipelines and related logistics. For the first quarter of 2022, the Company anticipates the combination of the contributions from the recent acquisitions, including the pending Nuverra acquisition, and the recently completed recycling projects will result in 10% – 15% revenue growth, with gross margins before D&A in mid- to high-20 percent range.

The Oilfield Chemicals segment generated revenues of $67.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 as compared to $55.4 million in the third quarter of 2021 and $37.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Gross margin before D&A for Oilfield Chemicals was 12.6% in the fourth quarter of 2021 as compared to 10.5% in the third quarter of 2021 and 12.7% in the fourth quarter of 2020. Revenues improved 22.0% sequentially, well exceeding expectations, driven by growth in the Permian and MidCon regions. Gross margins improved sequentially driven by a combination of the reactivation of the Tyler manufacturing facility and pricing improvements. Supported by the recent strong revenue growth in the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company anticipates relatively stable revenues in this segment during the first quarter of 2022 with modest improvements to gross margins before D&A.

Cash Flow and Capital Expenditures

Cash flow from operations for the fourth quarter of 2021 was ($2.4) million as compared to ($2.5) million in the third quarter of 2021 and ($14.0) million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Net capital expenditures for the fourth quarter of 2021 were $4.1 million, comprised of $10.1 million of capital expenditures, partially offset by $6.0 million of cash proceeds from ordinary course asset sales. Cash flow from operations less capital expenditures, net of asset sales, was ($6.4) million during the fourth quarter of 2021. Additionally, cash flow used in investing activities during the fourth quarter of 2021 included approximately $14.4 million for the Company's acquisition of Agua Libre and $1.5 million for the Company's acquisition of HB Rentals, partially offset by $1.0 million of inflows from other investment-related activities.

Balance Sheet and Capital Structure

Total cash and cash equivalents were $85.8 million as of December 31, 2021 as compared to $107.4 million as of September 30, 2021.

The Company had no borrowings outstanding under its revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, the borrowing base under the revolving credit facility was $132.7 million and $140.4 million, respectively. The Company had available borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, of approximately $117.1 million and $124.8 million, respectively, after giving effect to $15.6 million of outstanding letters of credit as of both December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021.

Total liquidity was $202.9 million as of December 31, 2021, as compared to $232.2 million as of September 30, 2021. The Company had 90,197,097 weighted average Class A shares outstanding and 16,221,101 weighted average Class B shares outstanding during the fourth quarter of 2021.

Acquisition of Agua Libre Midstream and Other Water Related Assets from Basic

On October 1, 2021, Select closed on the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Agua Libre and certain water-related assets and operations of Basic and assumed liabilities in connection therewith, in each case pursuant to the terms of the stalking horse asset purchase agreement previously entered into with Basic and Agua Libre and as approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas on September 23, 2021 pursuant to Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. As consideration for the acquisition, Select issued 902,593 shares of Class A common stock and paid $14.5 million in cash to Basic to close the transaction, subject to standard post-closing adjustments, and assumed certain liabilities.

Agua Libre is a leading provider of water midstream, logistics and production services to the oil and gas industry, including operations in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and North Dakota.

HB Rentals Acquisition

On December 3, 2021, Select closed on the acquisition of the U.S. onshore rentals and accommodations operations of HB Rentals. In consideration for this acquisition, Select issued 1.2 million shares of Class A common stock and paid $1.5 million in cash, subject to standard post-closing adjustments, to Superior to close the transaction.

With current operations in the Permian, Haynesville, MidContinent, Northeast and Rockies regions, HB Rentals operates as a leading rentals and accommodations company with a footprint across the U.S. Going forward, the Company expects to operate the HB Rentals assets within its Peak rentals and accommodations business within the Water Services segment.

Acquisition of Nuverra Environmental Solutions, Inc.

On December 13, 2021 Select entered into an agreement to acquire Nuverra. Under the terms of the agreement, Nuverra stockholders will receive 0.2551 shares of Select Class A common stock for each share of Nuverra common stock, or approximately 4.15 million shares of Select Class A common stock in exchange for all outstanding shares of Nuverra. Additionally, Select anticipates assuming and repaying approximately $19.0 million of Nuverra's indebtedness at closing. The transaction was unanimously approved by each of Select's and Nuverra's board of directors and a majority of Nuverra's stockholders. Accordingly, the transaction is expected to close imminently.

Nuverra is an energy-focused environmental solutions company, providing comprehensive, full-cycle environmental solutions, including the removal, treatment, recycling, transportation and disposal of restricted solids, fluids and hydrocarbons for exploration and production companies operating across the U.S., including in the Bakken, Haynesville, Marcellus and Utica Shales.

Conference Call

Select has scheduled a conference call on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time / 10:00 a.m. Central time. Please dial 201-389-0872 and ask for the Select Energy Services call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time of the call, or listen to the call live over the Internet by logging on to the website at the address http://investors.selectenergyservices.com/events-and-presentations. A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available through March 9, 2022 and may be accessed by calling 201-612-7415 using passcode 13726211#. A webcast archive will also be available at the link above shortly after the call and will be accessible for approximately 90 days.

About Select Energy Services, Inc.

Select Energy Services, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively referred to as "Select" or the "Company") is a leading provider of sustainable water and chemical solutions to the oil and gas industry. Select develops, manufactures and delivers a full suite of chemical products for use in oil and gas well completion and production operations as well as integration into the full water life-cycle. These solutions are supported by the Company's critical water infrastructure assets and water treatment and recycling capabilities. As a leader in sustainable water and chemical solutions, Select places the utmost importance on safe, environmentally responsible management of oilfield water throughout the lifecycle of a well. Additionally, Select believes that responsibly managing water resources throughout its operations to help conserve and protect the environment is paramount to the continued success of the Company. For more information, please visit Select's website, http://www.selectenergy.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this communication other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements which contain our current expectations about our future results. We have attempted to identify any forward-looking statements by using words such as "could," "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "project," "will," "estimate" and other similar expressions. Although we believe that the expectations reflected, and the assumptions or bases underlying our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results, events or financial positions to differ materially from those included within or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could materially impact such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the severity and duration of world health events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which has negatively impacted our business; actions by the members of OPEC+ with respect to oil production levels and announcements of potential changes in such levels, including the ability of the OPEC+ countries to agree on and comply with supply limitations; operational challenges relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus, including logistical challenges, protecting the health and well-being of our employees, remote work arrangements, performance of contracts and supply chain disruptions; the level of capital spending and access to capital markets by oil and gas companies, trends and volatility in oil and gas prices, and our ability to manage through such volatility; and other factors discussed or referenced in the "Risk Factors" section of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and those set forth from time to time in our other filings with the SEC. Investors should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, unless required by law.

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