COVINGTON, La., Feb. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. (NYSE:HOS) announced today results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2015.  Following are highlights for this period and the Company's future outlook:

• 4Q2015 diluted EPS was $(0.07), a decrease of $0.28, or 133%, from the comparable 3Q2015 diluted EPS of $0.21
• 4Q2015 revenues were $88.7 million, a decrease of $27.6 million, or 24%, from 3Q2015 revenues of $116.3 million
• 4Q2015 EBITDA was $32.2 million, a decrease of $17.1 million, or 35%, from the comparable 3Q2015 EBITDA of $49.3 million
• 4Q2015 operating margin was 5%, down from the comparable 3Q2015 operating margin of 19%
• 4Q2015 average new gen OSV dayrates were $24,033, a decrease of $1,666, or 7%, from the sequential quarter
• 4Q2015 utilization of the Company's new gen OSV fleet was 46%, down from 50% sequentially
• 4Q2015 effective utilization of the Company's active new gen OSVs was 84%, up from 72% sequentially
• 4Q2015 effective new gen OSV dayrates were $11,127, a decrease of $1,800, or 14%, from the sequential quarter
• The Company announced plans to modify and enhance four remaining 310 class MPSV newbuilds, upgrading two to 400 class
• First 20 HOSMAX vessels have been placed in-service with final four MPSV newbuild deliveries expected during 2016 and 2017
• The Company has now stacked a total of 33 new gen OSVs, up from 27 since last reported
• Annualized cash opex and G&A savings due to proactive cost containment measures are now $160 million, up from $125 million

The Company recorded a net loss for the fourth quarter of 2015 of $(2.7) million, or $(0.07) per diluted share, compared to net income of $18.8 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, for the year-ago quarter; and net income of $14.4 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2015. Included in the Company's third quarter 2015 net income was a gain of $11.0 million ($6.7 million after-tax or $0.19 per diluted share) related to the August 2015 sale of the final 250EDF class OSV to the U.S. Navy.   Excluding the impact of such gain on sale of assets, net income and diluted EPS for the third quarter of 2015 would have been $7.7 million, and $0.21 per share, respectively.  Diluted common shares for the fourth quarter of 2015 were 35.9 million compared to 36.4 million for each of the fourth quarter of 2014 and the third quarter of 2015.  The fourth quarter 2015 share count was lower because GAAP requires the use of basic shares outstanding for diluted EPS when reporting a net loss.  EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2015 was $32.2 million compared to $67.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2014 and $60.3 million in the third quarter of 2015.  Excluding the impact of the third quarter 2015 gain on sale of assets, EBITDA for the third quarter would have been $49.3 million.  For additional information regarding EBITDA as a non-GAAP financial measure, please see Note 10 to the accompanying data tables. 

Revenues. Revenues were $88.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2015, a decrease of $71.5 million, or 44.6%, from $160.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2014; and a decrease of $27.6 million, or 23.7%, from $116.3 million for the third quarter of 2015.  The year-over-year decrease in revenues was primarily due to soft market conditions in the Gulf of Mexico, or GoM, which led to the Company's decision to stack 28 OSVs on various dates between October 1, 2014 and December 31, 2015.  Post quarter-end, the Company has stacked an additional five new generation OSVs to-date and has one additional vessel pending to be stacked during the remainder of the first quarter of 2016.  For the three months ended December 31, 2015, the Company had an average of 26.8 vessels stacked compared to 3.3 vessels stacked in the prior-year quarter and 18.1 in the sequential quarter. The year-over-year decrease in revenue was partially offset by $7.1 million in revenue earned from the full or partial-period contribution of seven vessels that were placed in service since September 2014 under the Company's fifth OSV newbuild program.  Operating income was $4.5 million, or 5.1% of revenues, for the fourth quarter of 2015, compared to $36.7 million, or 22.9% of revenues, for the comparably calculated prior-year quarter; and $21.8 million, or 18.7% of revenues, for the comparably calculated third quarter of 2015.  Average new generation OSV dayrates for the fourth quarter of 2015 were $24,033 compared to $27,623 for the same period in 2014 and $25,699 for the third quarter of 2015.  New generation OSV utilization was 46.3% for the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to 75.7% for the year-ago quarter and 50.3% for the sequential quarter. Excluding stacked vessel days, the Company's new generation OSV effective utilization was 84.4%, 80.0% and 72.2% for the same periods, respectively.  The year-over-year decrease in utilization is primarily due to soft market conditions for high-spec OSVs operating in the GoM and the incremental vessels that were stacked.  Utilization-adjusted, or effective, new generation OSV dayrates for the fourth quarter of 2015 were $11,127 compared to $20,911 for the same period in 2014 and $12,927 for the third quarter of 2015. 

Operating Expenses.  Operating expenses were $45.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2015, a decrease of $34.7 million, or 43.3%, from $80.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2014; and a decrease of $9.5 million, or 17.3%, from $54.9 million for the third quarter of 2015.  The year-over-year decrease in operating expenses was primarily due to vessels that the Company stacked since late 2014, which resulted in a substantial reduction in mariner headcount and other operating expenses.  This decrease was partially offset by $2.6 million of operating costs related to the full or partial-period contribution from vessels added to the Company's fleet since September 2014.   

General and Administrative ("G&A").  G&A expenses of $11.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2015 were 12.6% of revenues compared to $13.9 million, or 8.7% of revenues, for the fourth quarter of 2014; and $12.2 million, or 10.5% of revenues, for the third quarter of 2015.  The year-over-year decrease in G&A expenses was primarily attributable to lower shoreside personnel expense and incentive compensation expense.  

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense was $27.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2015, or $1.8 million lower than the prior-year quarter and $0.4 million higher than the sequential quarter.  Depreciation increased by $2.2 million over the year-ago quarter primarily due to the contribution of seven new HOSMAX vessels that were placed in service on various dates since September 2014.  The depreciation increase was more than offset by a decrease in amortization expense of $4.0 million, which was primarily due to five vessels sold on various dates since October 2014 and the deferral of planned drydockings for stacked vessels.  Depreciation and amortization expense is expected to increase from current levels as the vessels under the Company's current newbuild program are placed in service and when any newly constructed vessels undergo their initial 30-month and 60-month recertifications.

Interest Expense.  Interest expense was $9.6 million during the fourth quarter of 2015, or $0.9 million higher than the prior-year quarter.  The increase was primarily due to the Company capitalizing a lower percentage of interest compared to the prior-year period. The Company recorded $6.5 million of capitalized construction period interest, or roughly 40% of its total interest costs, for the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to $7.3 million, or roughly 46% of its total interest costs, for the year-ago quarter.

Annual Results For Fiscal 2015

Revenue for fiscal 2015 decreased 25.0% to $476.1 million compared to $634.8 million for fiscal 2014.  Operating income was $143.5 million, or 30.1% of revenues, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 compared to $169.4 million, or 26.7% of revenues, for the prior year.  Net income for fiscal 2015 decreased $21.1 million to $66.8 million, or $1.84 per diluted share, compared to $87.9 million, or $2.40 per diluted share, for the prior year.  EBITDA for fiscal 2015 decreased 11.1% to $253.6 million compared to $285.4 million for fiscal 2014.  However, the Company recorded a $44.1 million ($27.6 million after tax and $0.76 per diluted share) gain on sale of assets during fiscal 2015 compared to $0.8 million ($0.5 million after-tax, or $0.01 per diluted share) gain on the sale of assets in the prior year.  The fiscal 2015 gain resulted from the February 2015 and August 2015 sales of four 250EDF class OSVs previously chartered to the U.S. Navy for aggregate cash proceeds to the Company of $152 million.  Excluding the impact of such gain on sale of assets, operating income, operating margin, net income, diluted EPS and EBITDA for fiscal 2015 would have been $99.4 million, 20.9%, $39.2 million, $1.08 per share and $209.5 million, respectively.  The year-over-year decrease in revenues primarily resulted from soft market conditions in the GoM, which led to the Company's decision to stack 28 new generation OSVs on various dates between October 1, 2014 and December 31, 2015.  For the twelve months ended December 31, 2015, the Company had an average of 18.0 vessels stacked compared to 0.8 vessels stacked in the prior year. The decrease in revenue was partially offset by $54.0 million in revenue earned from the full or partial-period contribution of 14 vessels that were placed in-service under the Company's fifth OSV newbuild program since December 2013. 

Future Outlook

Based on the key assumptions outlined below and in the attached data tables, the following statements reflect management's current expectations regarding future operating results and certain events.  These statements are forward-looking and actual results may differ materially given the volatility inherent in the Company's industry.  Other than as expressly stated, these statements do not include the potential impact of any significant further decline in commodity prices for oil and natural gas; any additional future repositioning voyages; unexpected vessel repairs or shipyard delays; or future capital transactions, such as vessel acquisitions or divestitures, business combinations, possible additional stock buy-backs, financings or the unannounced expansion of existing newbuild programs that may be commenced after the date of this disclosure.  Additional cautionary information concerning forward-looking statements can be found on page 9 of this news release.

Forward Guidance

The Company's forward guidance for selected operating and financial data, outlined below and in the attached data tables, reflects the current state of depressed commodity prices and planned decreases in the capital spending budgets of its customers. 

Vessel Counts.  As of December 31, 2015, excluding one inactive non-core conventional OSV, the Company's fleet consisted of 60 new generation OSVs and six MPSVs.  The forecasted vessel counts presented in this press release reflect the anticipated fiscal 2016 and 2017 MPSV newbuild deliveries discussed below.  With an average of 33.6 new generation OSVs projected to be stacked during fiscal 2016, the Company's active fleet for 2016 is expected to be comprised of an average of 28.3 new generation OSVs and 6.9 MPSVs.  With an assumed average of 34.0 new generation OSVs projected to be stacked during fiscal 2017, the Company's active fleet for 2017 is expected to be comprised of an average of 28.0 new generation OSVs and 8.7 MPSVs. 

Operating Expenses.  Aggregate cash operating expenses are projected to be in the range of $41.0 million to $46.0 million for the first quarter of 2016, and $170.0 million to $185.0 million for the full-year 2016.  Not included in these costs is the expected lost revenue related to vessels during approximately 156 days of aggregate commercial-related downtime.  Please refer to the attached data table on page 12 of this press release for a summary, by period and by vessel type, of historical and projected data for commercial-related downtime (in days) for each of the quarterly and/or annual periods presented for the fiscal years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.  Reflected in the cash opex guidance range above are the anticipated results of several cost containment measures initiated by the Company due to prevailing market conditions, including, among other actions, the stacking of 33 new generation OSVs on various dates since October 1, 2014, as well as company-wide headcount reductions and across-the-board pay-cuts for shoreside and vessel personnel.  The Company currently plans to stack one additional high-spec OSV during the first quarter of 2016 and may choose to stack additional vessels as market conditions warrant.  The cash operating expense estimate above is exclusive of any additional repositioning expenses the Company may incur in connection with the potential relocation of more of its vessels into international markets or back to the GoM, and any customer-required cost-of-sales related to future contract fixtures that are typically recovered through higher dayrates.

G&A Expenses.  G&A expenses are expected to be in the approximate range of $11.5 million to $12.5 million for the first quarter of 2016, and $47.0 million to $52.0 million for the full-year 2016.  

Other Financial Data.  Quarterly depreciation, amortization, net interest expense, cash income taxes, cash interest expense, weighted-average basic shares outstanding and weighted-average diluted shares outstanding for the first quarter of 2016 are projected to be $22.4 million, $6.4 million, $11.7 million, $1.5 million, $13.8 million, 36.1 million and 36.8 million, respectively.  Guidance for depreciation, amortization, net interest expense, cash income taxes and cash interest expense for the full fiscal years 2016 and 2017 is provided on page 13 of this press release.  The Company's annual effective tax rate is expected to be roughly 30.0% for fiscal 2016 and 37.0% for fiscal 2017.

Capital Expenditures Outlook

Update on OSV Newbuild Program #5.  The Company also announced today upgrades to the four remaining MPSVs under construction at two shipyards as part of its ongoing newbuild program.  The modifications to the first two MPSVs, which are expected to be delivered in the second and third quarters of 2016, will increase the berthing capacity, expand the cargo-carrying capabilities and expand the work area for ROVs.  The modifications to the other two MPSVs will include the addition of a 60-foot mid-body plug, installation of an additional crane, increased berthing capacity, expanded cargo-carrying capacities and expanded work areas for ROVs.  These latter two MPSVs have been upgraded to a 400 class designation and are scheduled to deliver in the second and fourth quarters of 2017.  The aggregate cost of these four conversions will be approximately $70.0 million and will extend the deliveries by an aggregate of 730 additional vessel-days.  The Company's fifth OSV newbuild program now consists of four 300 class OSVs, five 310 class OSVs, ten 320 class OSVs, three 310 class MPSVs and two 400 class MPSVs.  As of February 17, 2016, the Company has placed 20 vessels in-service under this program.  The four remaining vessels under this 24-vessel domestic newbuild program are currently expected to be delivered in accordance with the table below:

Based on the updated schedule above of projected vessel in-service dates, the Company now expects to own 62 new generation OSVs as of December 31, 2016.  These vessel additions result in a projected average new generation OSV fleet complement of 61.9 and 62.0 vessels for the fiscal years 2016 and 2017, of which 33.6 and 34.0 vessels are projected to be stacked, respectively.  Based on the foregoing, the Company now expects to own and operate eight and ten MPSVs as of December 31, 2016, and 2017, respectively.  These vessel additions result in a projected average MPSV fleet complement of 6.9, 8.7 and 10.0 vessels for the fiscal years 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.  The aggregate cost of the Company's fifth OSV newbuild program, excluding construction period interest, is now expected to be approximately $1,335.0 million, of which $86.4 million and $46.9 million are expected to be incurred in fiscal years 2016 and 2017, respectively.  From the inception of this program through December 31, 2015, the Company has incurred $1,201.7 million, or 90.0%, of total expected project costs, including $32.3 million that was spent during the fourth quarter of 2015.  The Company expects to incur newbuild project costs of $36.5 million during the first quarter of 2016.

Update on Maintenance Capital Expenditures.  Please refer to the attached data table on page 12 of this press release for a summary, by period and by vessel type, of historical and projected data for drydock downtime (in days) and maintenance capital expenditures for each of the quarterly and/or annual periods presented for the fiscal years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.  Maintenance capital expenditures, which are recurring in nature, primarily include regulatory drydocking charges incurred for the recertification of vessels and other vessel capital improvements that extend or maintain a vessel's economic useful life.  The Company expects that its maintenance capital expenditures for its fleet of vessels will be approximately $21.5 million and $24.9 million for the full fiscal years 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Update on Other Capital Expenditures.  Please refer to the attached data tables on page 12 of this press release for a summary, by period, of historical and projected data for other capital expenditures, for each of the quarterly and/or annual periods presented for the fiscal years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.  Other capital expenditures, which are generally non-recurring, are comprised of the following: (i) commercial-related vessel improvements, such as the addition of cranes, ROVs, helidecks, living quarters and other specialized vessel equipment, or the modification of vessel capacities or capabilities, such as DP upgrades and mid-body extensions, which costs are typically included in and offset, in whole or in part, by higher dayrates charged to customers, and the speculative relocation of vessels from one geographic market to another; and (ii) non-vessel related capital expenditures, including costs related to the Company's shore-based facilities, leasehold improvements and other corporate expenditures, such as information technology or office furniture and equipment.  The Company expects miscellaneous incremental commercial-related vessel improvements and non-vessel capital expenditures to be approximately $14.0 million and $12.0 million, respectively, for the full fiscal years 2016 and 2017, respectively.  

Liquidity Outlook

As of December 31, 2015, the Company had a cash balance of $259.8 million and an undrawn $300.0 million revolving credit facility.  Together with cash on-hand, the Company expects to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to cover all of its growth capital expenditures for the remaining four HOSMAX vessels under construction, commercial-related capital expenditures, and all of its annually recurring cash debt service, maintenance capital expenditures and cash income taxes through the completion of the newbuild program, as well as discretionary share repurchases from time to time, without ever having to use its currently undrawn revolving credit facility.  The Company has three tranches of funded unsecured debt outstanding that mature in fiscal 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively.  While the Company has an authorized share repurchase program, it will continue to prioritize its usage of cash appropriate to the current market cycle. 

Conference Call

The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter 2015 financial results and recent developments at 10:00 a.m. Eastern (9:00 a.m. Central) tomorrow, February 18, 2016. To participate in the call, dial (412) 902-0030 and ask for the Hornbeck Offshore call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time. To access it live over the Internet, please log onto the web at http://www.hornbeckoffshore.com, on the "Investors" homepage of the Company's website at least fifteen minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software.  Please call the Company's investor relations firm, Dennard-Lascar, at (713) 529-6600 to be added to its e-mail distribution list for future Hornbeck Offshore news releases. An archived version of the web cast will be available shortly after the call for a period of 60 days on the "Investors" homepage of the Company's website. Additionally, a telephonic replay will be available through February 25, 2016, and may be accessed by calling (201) 612-7415 and using the pass code 13629184#.

Attached Data Tables

The Company has posted an electronic version of the following four pages of data tables, which are downloadable in Microsoft Excel™ format, on the "Investors" homepage of the Hornbeck Offshore website for the convenience of analysts and investors.

In addition, the Company uses its website as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with disclosure obligations under SEC Regulation FD. Such disclosures will be included on the Company's website under the heading "Investors." Accordingly, investors should monitor that portion of the Company's website, in addition to following the Company's press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls and webcasts.

Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. is a leading provider of technologically advanced, new generation offshore service vessels primarily in the Gulf of Mexico and Latin America. Hornbeck Offshore currently owns a fleet of 69 vessels primarily serving the energy industry and has four additional ultra high-spec Upstream vessels under construction for delivery through 2017.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Press Release contains "forward-looking statements," as contemplated by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, in which the Company discusses factors it believes may affect its performance in the future. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than historical facts, such as statements regarding assumptions, expectations, beliefs and projections about future events or conditions. You can generally identify forward-looking statements by the appearance in such a statement of words like "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "remain," "should," "will," or other comparable words or the negative of such words. The accuracy of the Company's assumptions, expectations, beliefs and projections depends on events or conditions that change over time and are thus susceptible to change based on actual experience, new developments and known and unknown risks. The Company gives no assurance that the forward-looking statements will prove to be correct and does not undertake any duty to update them. The Company's actual future results might differ from the forward-looking statements made in this Press Release for a variety of reasons, including sustained low oil and natural gas prices; significant and sustained or additional declines in oil and natural gas prices; a sustained weakening of demand for the Company's services; unplanned customer suspensions, cancellations, rate reductions or non-renewals of vessel charters, vessel management contracts or failures to finalize commitments to charter or manage vessels; sustained or further reductions in capital spending budgets by customers; the inability to accurately predict vessel utilization levels and dayrates; fewer than anticipated deepwater and ultra-deepwater drilling units operating in the GoM or other regions where the Company operates; the effect of inconsistency by the United States government in the pace of issuing drilling permits and plan approvals in the GoM or other drilling regions; the Company's inability to successfully complete the remainder of its current vessel newbuild program on-time and on-budget, which involves the construction and integration of highly complex vessels and systems; the inability to successfully market the vessels that the Company owns, is constructing or might acquire; the government's cancellation or non-renewal of the management, operations and maintenance contracts for vessels; an oil spill or other significant event in the United States or another offshore drilling region that could have a broad impact on deepwater and other offshore energy exploration and production activities, such as the suspension of activities or significant regulatory responses; the imposition of laws or regulations that result in reduced exploration and production activities or that increase the Company's operating costs or operating requirements; environmental litigation that impacts customer plans or projects; disputes with customers; bureaucratic, administrative or operating barriers that delay vessels in foreign markets from going on-hire or result in contractual penalties or deductions imposed by foreign customers; industry risks; the impact stemming from the reduction of Petrobras' announced plans for or administrative barriers to exploration and production activities in Brazil; less than expected growth in Mexican offshore activities; age or other restrictions imposed on our vessels by customers; unanticipated difficulty in effectively competing in or operating in international markets; less than anticipated subsea infrastructure and field development demand in the GoM and other markets affecting our MPSVs; the level of fleet additions by the Company and its competitors that could result in vessel over capacity in the markets in which the Company competes; economic and geopolitical risks; weather-related risks; the shortage of or the inability to attract and retain qualified personnel, when needed, including vessel personnel for active and newly constructed vessels; any success in unionizing the Company's U.S. fleet personnel; regulatory risks; the repeal or administrative weakening of the Jones Act or changes in the interpretation of the Jones Act related to the U.S. citizenship qualification; drydocking delays and cost overruns and related risks; vessel accidents, pollution incidents, or other events resulting in lost revenue, fines, penalties or other expenses that are unrecoverable from insurance policies or other third parties; unexpected litigation and insurance expenses; or fluctuations in foreign currency valuations compared to the U.S. dollar and risks associated with expanded foreign operations, such as non-compliance with or the unanticipated effect of tax laws, customs laws, immigration laws, or other legislation that result in higher than anticipated tax rates or other costs or the inability to repatriate foreign-sourced earnings and profits. In addition, the Company's future results may be impacted by adverse economic conditions, such as inflation, deflation, or lack of liquidity in the capital markets, that may negatively affect it or parties with whom it does business resulting in their non-payment or inability to perform obligations owed to the Company, such as the failure of customers to fulfill their contractual obligations or the failure by individual banks to provide funding under the Company's credit agreement, if required.  Further, the Company can give no assurance regarding when and to what extent it will effect share repurchases.  Should one or more of the foregoing risks or uncertainties materialize in a way that negatively impacts the Company, or should the Company's underlying assumptions prove incorrect, the Company's actual results may vary materially from those anticipated in its forward-looking statements, and its business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected and, if sufficiently severe, could result in noncompliance with certain covenants of our currently undrawn revolving credit facility. Additional factors that you should consider are set forth in detail in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K as well as other filings the Company has made and will make with the Securities and Exchange Commission which, after their filing, can be found on the Company's website www.hornbeckoffshore.com.

Regulation G Reconciliation

This Press Release also contains references to the non-GAAP financial measures of earnings, or net income, before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA. The Company views EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA primarily as liquidity measures and, therefore, believes that the GAAP financial measure most directly comparable to such measure is cash flows provided by operating activities. Reconciliations of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to cash flows provided by operating activities are provided in the table below. Management's opinion regarding the usefulness of EBITDA to investors and a description of the ways in which management uses such measure can be found in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as in Note 10 to the attached data tables.