Nine Energy Service, Inc.: Form 10-Q for the period ended Sep 30, 2024

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the consolidated financial statements and the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” including “Critical Accounting Estimates,” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

This section contains forward-looking statements based on our current expectations, estimates, and projections about our operations and the industry in which we operate. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements because of various risks and uncertainties, including those described in the sections titled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

OVERVIEW

Company Description

Nine Energy Service, Inc. (either individually or together with its subsidiaries, as the context requires, the “Company,” “Nine,” “we,” “us,” and “our”) is a leading completion services provider that targets unconventional oil and gas resource development. We partner with our exploration and production (“E&P”) customers across all major onshore basins in both the U.S. and Canada as well as abroad to design and deploy downhole solutions and technology to prepare horizontal, multistage wells for production. We focus on providing our customers with cost-effective and comprehensive completion solutions designed to maximize their production levels and operating efficiencies. We believe our success is a product of our culture, which is driven by our intense focus on performance and wellsite execution as well as our commitment to forward-leaning technologies that aid us in the development of smarter, customized applications that drive efficiencies and reduce emissions.

We provide (i) cementing services, which consist of blending high-grade cement and water with various solid and liquid additives to create a cement slurry that is pumped between the casing and the wellbore of the well, (ii) an innovative portfolio of completion tools, including those that provide technologies used for completing the toe stage of a horizontal well and fully-composite, dissolvable, and extended range frac plugs to isolate stages during plug-and-perf operations, (iii) wireline services, the majority of which consist of plug-and-perf completions, which is a multistage well completion technique for cased-hole wells that consists of deploying perforating guns and isolation tools to a specified depth, and (iv) coiled tubing services, which perform wellbore intervention operations utilizing a continuous steel pipe that is transported to the wellsite wound on a large spool, providing a cost-effective solution for well work due to the ability to deploy efficiently and safely into a live well.

How We Generate Revenue and the Costs of Conducting Our Business

We generate our revenues by providing completion services to E&P customers across all major onshore basins in both the U.S. and Canada as well as abroad. We primarily earn our revenues pursuant to work orders entered into with our customers on a job-by-job basis. We typically enter into a Master Service Agreement (“MSA”) with each customer that provides a framework of general terms and conditions of our services that will govern any future transactions or jobs awarded to us. Each specific job is obtained through competitive bidding or as a result of negotiations with customers. The rate we charge is determined by location, complexity of the job, operating conditions, duration of the contract, and market conditions. In addition to MSAs, we have entered into a select number of longer-term contracts with certain customers relating to our wireline and cementing services, and we may enter into similar contracts from time to time to the extent beneficial to the operation of our business. These longer-term contracts address pricing and other details concerning our services, but each job is performed on a standalone basis.

The principal expenses involved in conducting our business include labor costs, materials and freight, the costs of maintaining our equipment, and fuel costs. Our direct labor costs vary with the amount of equipment deployed and the utilization of that equipment. Another key component of labor costs relates to the ongoing training of our field service employees, which improves safety rates and reduces employee attrition.

How We Evaluate Our Operations

We evaluate our performance based on a number of financial and non-financial measures, including the following:

• Revenue: We compare actual revenue achieved each month to the most recent projection for that month and to

the annual plan for the month established at the beginning of the year. We monitor our revenue to analyze trends in the performance of our operations compared to historical revenue drivers or market metrics. We are particularly interested in identifying positive or negative trends and investigating to understand the root causes.

• Adjusted Gross Profit (Loss): Adjusted gross profit (loss) is a key metric that we use to evaluate operating performance. We define adjusted gross profit (loss) as revenues less direct and indirect costs of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization). Costs of revenues include direct and indirect labor costs, costs of materials, maintenance of equipment, fuel and transportation freight costs, contract services, crew cost, and other miscellaneous expenses. For additional information, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.
• Adjusted EBITDA: We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA (which is net income (loss) before interest, taxes, and depreciation and amortization) further adjusted for (i) goodwill, intangible asset, and/or property and equipment impairment charges, (ii) transaction and integration costs related to acquisitions, (iii) fees and expenses relating to our Units (as defined and described below) offering and other refinancing activities, (iv) loss or gain on revaluation of contingent liabilities, (v) loss or gain on extinguishment of debt, (vi) loss or gain on the sale of subsidiaries, (vii) restructuring charges, (viii) stock-based compensation and cash award expense, (ix) loss or gain on sale of property and equipment, and (x) other expenses or charges to exclude certain items which we believe are not reflective of ongoing performance of our business, such as legal expenses and settlement costs related to litigation outside the ordinary course of business. For additional information, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.
• Adjusted Return on Invested Capital (“Adjusted ROIC”): We define Adjusted ROIC as adjusted after-tax net operating profit (loss), divided by average total capital. We define adjusted after-tax net operating profit (loss) as net income (loss) plus (i) goodwill, intangible asset, and/or property and equipment impairment charges, (ii) transaction and integration costs related to acquisitions, (iii) fees and expenses relating to our Units offering and other refinancing activities, (iv) interest expense (income), (v) restructuring charges, (vi) loss (gain) on the sale of subsidiaries, (vii) loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt, and (viii) the provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes. We define total capital as book value of equity (deficit) plus the book value of debt less balance sheet cash and cash equivalents. We compute and use the average of the current and prior period-end total capital in determining Adjusted ROIC. Previously, in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), press releases, and other investor materials issued prior to December 31, 2023, we referred to (a) Adjusted ROIC as ROIC and (b) adjusted after-tax net operating profit (loss) as after-tax net operating profit (loss). We have made no changes to the manner in which these measures are calculated and have only revised the titles of these measures to more clearly identify them as non-GAAP measures. For additional information, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.
• Safety: We measure safety by tracking the total recordable incident rate (“TRIR”), which is reviewed on a monthly basis. TRIR is a measure of the rate of recordable workplace injuries, defined below, normalized and stated on the basis of 100 workers for an annual period. The factor is derived by multiplying the number of recordable injuries in a calendar year by 200,000 (i.e., the total hours for 100 employees working 2,000 hours per year) and dividing this value by the total hours actually worked in the year. Recordable workplace injuries include occupational death, nonfatal occupational illness, and other occupational injuries that involve loss of consciousness, restriction of work or motion, transfer to another job, or medical treatment other than first aid.

Industry Trends and Outlook

Our business depends, to a significant extent, on the level of unconventional resource development activity and corresponding capital spending of oil and natural gas companies. These activity and spending levels are strongly influenced by current and expected oil and natural gas prices. In recent years, commodity prices have been extremely volatile and unpredictable, and this has continued in 2024 thus far. Natural gas prices have continued to be extremely depressed, with average natural gas prices of $2.11 for the first nine months of 2024, which is 17% lower than average prices in 2023, which had already declined by over 60% as compared to 2022. This sustained lower natural gas price environment has resulted in, and is expected to continue to result in, decreased activity and lower rig counts, especially in natural gas-levered basins like the Haynesville, where the rig count as of the end of the third quarter of 2024 has declined by approximately 54% since the end of 2022. It has also led to, and is expected to continue to lead to, pricing pressure from customers, impacting both revenue and margins. Towards the end of the third quarter of 2024, West Texas Intermediate oil prices began to decline, reaching as low as $66.73 on September 10, 2024, a decline of approximately 24% as compared to the highest price thus far in 2024 of $87.69 on April 5, 2024, due to OPEC and other oil exporting nations potentially bringing production back. The ongoing conflict in the

Middle East and demand from China, if weaker than expected, could have an impact on oil prices moving forward as well. Nonetheless, as discussed below, activity levels have remained relatively stable in oil-levered basins.

Due to the spot-market nature of our business, our revenue and profitability generally moves very similarly to rig, frac, and stage counts in U.S. rig count. Since the end of 2023, the U.S. rig count has declined by around 35 rigs, or approximately 6%. This is following a rig count decline of over 150 rigs from the end of 2022 to the end of 2023, creating an already depressed oil and gas market. For the full year 2024, most public operators with acreage in oil-levered basins, like the Permian, appear to be keeping activity and capital expenditure levels relatively flat year-over-year. However, we anticipate both private and public operators with acreage in gas-levered basins, like the Haynesville and in the Northeast, will maintain low activity levels until natural gas prices start to improve. In the third quarter of 2024, despite a declining rig count as compared to the second quarter of 2024, we outperformed market drivers, and our revenue and profitability for the third quarter of 2024 was improved as compared to the second quarter of 2024 due in large part to market share gains achieved by our cementing division, which we believe has been able to differentiate itself in the market with its advanced cementing slurries and excellent wellsite execution. Due to typical budget exhaustion, weather, and holiday slow-downs, as well as an expected decrease in international tool sales, we anticipate fourth quarter revenue and profitability to be lower as compared to the third quarter of 2024.

We remain cautiously optimistic on the outlook for the energy sector, and we believe there is potential upside for North American activity levels, especially if natural gas prices begin to recover. We believe that there could be a moderate increase in activity in 2025 over current levels if commodity prices are supportive and customer budgets are reset and believe that we are well-positioned to capitalize on an improving market, should it materialize.

Significant factors that are likely to affect commodity prices moving forward include geopolitical and economic developments in the U.S. and globally, including conflicts, instability, acts of war or terrorism in oil producing countries or regions, particularly the Middle East, Russia, South America and Africa; actions of the members of OPEC and other oil exporting nations that relate to or impact oil production or supply; weather conditions; the effect of energy, monetary, and trade policies of the U.S.; the pace of economic growth in the U.S. and throughout the world, including the potential for macro weakness; changes to energy regulations and policies, including those of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other governmental bodies; and overall North American oil and natural gas supply and demand fundamentals, including the pace at which export capacity grows. Furthermore, although as noted above, our customers’ activity and spending levels, and thus demand for our services and products, are strongly influenced by current and expected oil and natural gas prices, even with price improvements in oil and natural gas, operator activity may not materially increase, as operators remain focused on operating within their capital plans and uncertainty remains around supply and demand fundamentals.

Results of Operations

Results for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

(in thousands, except percentage change)

Revenues

Revenues decreased $2.5 million, or 2%, to $138.2 million for the third quarter of 2024. The decrease in comparison to the third quarter of 2023 was prevalent across all lines of service and was primarily due to pricing decreases and current market conditions, as the average U.S. rig count for the third quarter of 2024 decreased 10%, in comparison to the third quarter of 2023. More specifically, tools revenue decreased $1.2 million, or 4%, driven by a decrease in completion tools stages of 5%, in comparison to the third quarter of 2023. In addition, although job count increased 15% in comparison to the third quarter of 2023, cementing revenue (including pump downs) decreased $0.7 million, or 1%, primarily due to pricing decreases related to changes in mix of services between periods. Further, coiled tubing revenue decreased $0.2 million, or 1%, due largely to pricing decreases, and wireline revenue decreased $0.4 million, or 2%, due largely to changes in mix of services, each in comparison to the third quarter of 2023.

Cost of Revenues (Exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization)

Cost of revenues decreased $4.2 million, or 4%, to $113.5 million for the third quarter of 2024. The decrease in comparison to the third quarter of 2023 was primarily driven by a reduction in activity for certain lines of service in comparison to the third quarter of 2023 as described above under “Revenues.” More specifically, the decrease was primarily attributed to a $1.9 million decrease in materials installed and consumed while performing services, a $0.9 million decrease in employee-related costs, a $0.5 million decrease in travel, meals, and entertainment expenses, a $0.3 million decrease in repairs and maintenance expenses, and a $0.3 million decrease in cost of revenue type restructuring costs, each in comparison to the third quarter of 2023.

Adjusted Gross Profit (Loss)

Adjusted gross profit increased approximately $1.8 million to $24.7 million for the third quarter of 2024 due to the factors described above under “Revenues” and “Cost of Revenues.”

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses decreased $0.7 million to $12.4 million for the third quarter of 2024. The decrease was primarily related to a $0.4 million decrease in marketing expenses and a $0.3 million decrease in professional fees between periods.

Depreciation

Depreciation expense decreased $1.1 million to $6.2 million for the third quarter of 2024. The decrease in comparison to the third quarter of 2023 was primarily due to a decrease in capital expenditures across certain lines of service over the last twelve months.

Amortization of Intangibles

Amortization of intangibles, which is comprised of technology and customer relationships, decreased $0.1 million to $2.8 million for the third quarter of 2024. The decrease in comparison to the third quarter of 2023 was related to certain intangible assets being fully amortized over the last twelve months.

(Gain) Loss on Revaluation of Contingent Liability

We recorded a $0.4 million loss on revaluation of contingent liability for the third quarter of 2024 compared to a $0.5 million loss on revaluation of contingent liability for the third quarter of 2023. The losses for both periods were related to increases in the fair value of the earnout associated with our acquisition of Frac Technology AS.

(Gain) Loss on Sale of Property and Equipment

Loss on sale of property and equipment increased $0.5 million in comparison to the third quarter of 2023. The increase is primarily related to losses on equipment sales in the third quarter of 2024 that did not occur in the third quarter of 2023.

Non-Operating (Income) Expenses

Non-operating expenses increased $0.3 million to $12.5 million for the third quarter of 2024. The increase in comparison to the third quarter of 2023 was attributed to a decrease in interest income earned on cash in the third quarter of 2024, as our average cash for the period decreased in comparison to the third quarter of 2023.

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes

We recorded an income tax provision of $0.1 million for the third quarter of 2024 compared to an income tax provision of $0.2 million for the third quarter of 2023. The difference between the periods was primarily attributed to our income tax position in state and foreign tax jurisdictions.

Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA

Net loss decreased $3.1 million, or 24%, to $10.1 million for the third quarter of 2024, and Adjusted EBITDA increased $2.7 million, or 23%, to $14.3 million for the third quarter of 2024. The changes were primarily due to the fluctuations in revenues and expenses discussed above. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for further information regarding Adjusted EBITDA.

Results for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

(in thousands, except percentage change)

Revenues

Revenues decreased $52.8 million, or 11%, to $412.7 million for the first nine months of 2024. The decrease in comparison to the first nine months of 2023 was prevalent across all lines of service and was primarily due to pricing decreases and current market conditions, as the average U.S. rig count for the first nine months of 2024 decreased 15%, in comparison to the first nine months of 2023. More specifically, cementing revenue (including pump downs) decreased $27.2 million, or 16%, primarily due to pricing decreases coupled with a job count decrease of 1%, each in comparison to the first nine months of 2023. Coiled tubing revenue also decreased $10.3 million, or 11%, primarily due to pricing decreases as well as lower utilization as total days worked decreased 1%, each in comparison to the first nine months of 2023. In addition, tools revenue decreased $10.1 million, or 9%, driven by a decrease in completion tools stages of 13%, in comparison to the first nine months of 2023. Further, although total wireline stages increased 11%, in comparison to the first nine months of 2023, wireline revenue also decreased $5.2 million, or 6%, due largely to pricing decreases between periods.

Cost of Revenues (Exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization)

Cost of revenues decreased $30.7 million, or 8%, to $341.5 million for the first nine months of 2024. The decrease in comparison to the first nine months of 2023 was primarily driven by a reduction in activity for certain lines of service in comparison to the first nine months of 2023 as described above under “Revenues.” More specifically, the decrease was attributed to a $15.6 million decrease in materials installed and consumed while performing services, a $9.4 million decrease in employee costs, a $1.6 million decrease in vehicle expense, a $1.3 million decrease in travel, meals, and entertainment expenses, a $1.1 million decrease in repairs and maintenance expenses, a $1.0 million decrease in general and administrative type restructuring costs, and a $0.7 million decrease in other costs, each in comparison to the first nine months of 2023.

Adjusted Gross Profit (Loss)

Adjusted gross profit decreased $22.0 million to $71.2 million for the first nine months of 2024 due to the factors described above under “Revenues” and “Cost of Revenues.”

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses decreased $9.9 million to $37.1 million for the first nine months of 2024. The decrease in comparison to the first nine months of 2023 was primarily related to $6.4 million in costs associated with the Units offering in the first nine months of 2023 that did not reoccur in the first nine months of 2024. The decrease is also partially attributed to a $2.4 million decrease in employee costs, a $0.6 million decrease in marketing expenses, and a $0.5 million decrease in professional fees, each in comparison to the first nine months of 2023.

Depreciation

Depreciation expense decreased $2.6 million to $19.6 million for the first nine months of 2024. The decrease in comparison to the first nine months of 2023 was primarily due to a decrease in capital expenditures across certain lines of service over the last twelve months.

Amortization of Intangibles

Amortization of intangibles, which is comprised of technology and customer relationships, decreased $0.3 million to $8.4 million for the first nine months of 2024. The decrease in comparison to the first nine months of 2023 was related to certain intangible assets being fully amortized over the last twelve months.

(Gain) Loss on Revaluation of Contingent Liability

We recorded a $0.2 million loss on revaluation of contingent liability for the first nine months of 2024 and a $0.4 million loss on revaluation of contingent liability for the first nine months of 2023. The losses for both periods were related to increases in the fair value of the earnout associated with our acquisition of Frac Technology AS.

(Gain) Loss on Sale of Property and Equipment

We recorded a $0.5 million loss on sale of property and equipment for the first nine months of 2024 and a $0.4 million gain on sale of property and equipment for the first nine months of 2023. The change was primarily attributed to gains on equipment sales in the first nine months of 2023 that did not reoccur in the first nine months in 2024, as well as losses on equipment sales in the first nine months of 2024 that did not occur in the first nine months of 2023.

Non-Operating (Income) Expenses

Non-operating expenses increased $0.4 million to $37.3 million for the first nine months of 2024. The increase in comparison to the first nine months of 2023 was primarily attributed to a $0.3 million decrease in interest income earned on cash in the first nine months of 2024, as our average cash for the period decreased in comparison to the first nine months of 2023. The increase was also partially attributed to an increase in interest expense on the 2028 Notes (as defined and described below) in the first nine months of 2024 compared to interest expense on the 2023 Notes (as defined and described below) and the 2028 Notes in the first nine months of 2023.

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes

We recorded an income tax provision of $0.4 million for both the first nine months of 2024 and the first nine months of 2023. The provision for both periods was primarily attributed to our income tax position in state and foreign tax jurisdictions.

Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA

Net loss increased $10.3 million, or 47%, to $32.2 million for the first nine months of 2024, and Adjusted EBITDA decreased $19.3 million, or 33%, to $39.1 million for the first nine months of 2024. The changes were primarily due to the fluctuations in revenues and expenses discussed above. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for further information regarding Adjusted EBITDA.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that is used by management and external users of our financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders, and rating agencies. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA (which is net income (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) further adjusted for (i) goodwill, intangible asset, and/or property and equipment impairment charges, (ii) transaction and integration costs related to acquisitions, (iii) fees and expenses relating to our Units offering and other refinancing activities, (iv) loss or gain on revaluation of contingent liabilities, (v) loss or gain on extinguishment of debt, (vi) loss or gain on the sale of subsidiaries, (vii) restructuring charges, (viii) stock-based compensation and cash award expense, (ix) loss or gain on sale of property and equipment, and (x) other expenses or charges to exclude certain items which we believe are not reflective of ongoing performance of our business, such as legal expenses and settlement costs related to litigation outside the ordinary course of business.

Management believes Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to us and our investors regarding our financial condition and results of operations because it allows us and them to more effectively evaluate our operating performance and compare the results of our operations from period to period without regard to our financing methods or capital structure and helps identify underlying trends in our operations that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of impairments, acquisitions and dispositions, and costs that are not reflective of the ongoing performance of our business. We exclude the items listed above from net income (loss) in arriving at this measure because these amounts can vary substantially from company to company within our industry depending upon accounting methods and book values of assets, capital structures, and the method by which the assets were acquired.

Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income (loss) as determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) or as an indicator of our operating performance. Certain items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing a company’s financial performance, such as a company’s cost of capital and tax structure, as well as the historic costs of depreciable assets, none of which are components of Adjusted EBITDA. Our computation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

The following table presents a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure of Adjusted EBITDA to the GAAP financial measure of net income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

(in thousands)

(1) Amounts relate to the revaluation of a contingent liability associated with a 2018 acquisition. The impact is included in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss). For additional information on contingent liabilities, see Note 10 – Commitments and Contingencies included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

(2) Amounts represent fees and expenses relating to our Units offering and other refinancing activities, including cash incentive compensation to employees following the successful completion of the Units offering, that were not capitalized.

(3) Amounts represent fees, legal settlements, and/or accruals associated with legal proceedings brought pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act and/or similar state laws.

Adjusted Return on Invested Capital

Adjusted ROIC is a non-GAAP financial measure. We define Adjusted ROIC as adjusted after-tax net operating profit (loss), divided by average total capital. We define adjusted after-tax net operating profit (loss), which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as net income (loss) plus (i) goodwill, intangible asset, and/or property and equipment impairment charges, (ii) transaction and integration costs related to acquisitions, (iii) fees and expenses relating to our Units offering and other refinancing activities, (iv) interest expense (income), (v) restructuring charges, (vi) loss (gain) on the sale of subsidiaries, (vii) loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt, and (viii) the provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes. We define total capital as book value of equity (deficit) plus the book value of debt less balance sheet cash and cash equivalents. We compute and use the average of the current and prior period-end total capital in determining Adjusted ROIC. Previously, in our SEC filings, press releases, and other investor materials issued prior to December 31, 2023, we referred to (a) Adjusted ROIC as ROIC and (b) adjusted after-tax net operating profit (loss) as after-tax net operating profit (loss). We have made no changes to the manner in which these measures are calculated and have only revised the titles of these measures to more clearly identify them as non-GAAP measures.

Management believes Adjusted ROIC provides useful information to us and our investors regarding our financial condition and results of operations because it quantifies how well we generate operating income relative to the capital we have invested in our business and illustrates the profitability of a business or project taking into account the capital invested. Management uses Adjusted ROIC to assist them in capital resource allocation decisions and in evaluating business performance. Although Adjusted ROIC is commonly used as a measure of capital efficiency, definitions of Adjusted ROIC differ, and our computation of Adjusted ROIC may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

The following table provides our calculation of Adjusted ROIC for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. The following table also presents ROIC (defined as net income (loss), divided by average total capital) and a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure of adjusted after-tax net operating profit (loss) to the most directly comparable GAAP measure of net income (loss), in each case for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

(in thousands)

(1) Amounts represent fees and expenses relating to our Units offering and other refinancing activities, including cash incentive compensation to employees following the successful completion of the Units offering, that were not capitalized.

Adjusted Gross Profit (Loss)

GAAP defines gross profit (loss) as revenues less cost of revenues and includes depreciation and amortization in costs of revenues. We define adjusted gross profit (loss) as revenues less direct and indirect costs of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization). This measure differs from the GAAP definition of gross profit (loss) because we do not include the impact of depreciation and amortization, which represent non-cash expenses.

Management believes adjusted gross profit (loss) provides useful information to us and our investors regarding our financial condition and results of operation and helps management evaluate our operating performance by eliminating the impact of depreciation and amortization, which we do not consider indicative of our core operating performance. Adjusted gross profit (loss) should not be considered as an alternative to gross profit (loss), operating income (loss), or any other measure of financial performance calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted gross profit (loss) may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies because other companies may not calculate adjusted gross profit (loss) or similarly titled measures in the same manner as we do.

The following table presents a reconciliation of adjusted gross profit (loss) to GAAP gross profit (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

(in thousands)

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources and Uses of Liquidity

Historically, we have met our liquidity needs principally from cash on hand, cash flows from operations and, if needed, external borrowings and issuances of debt and equity securities. Our principal uses of cash are to fund capital expenditures, service our outstanding debt, and fund our working capital requirements. Due to our high level of variable costs and the asset-light make-up of our business, we have historically been able to quickly implement cost-cutting measures and will continue to adapt as the market dictates. For example, earlier this year, we implemented certain cost reduction and supply chain initiatives. These ongoing initiatives have helped reduce some of our largest material costs, and starting at the end of the second quarter of 2024, we began to see positive impacts on our profitability as a result of such efforts. We have also used cash to make open market repurchases of our debt and may, from time to time, continue to make such repurchases when it is opportunistic to do so to manage our debt maturity profile.

For 2024, our planned capital expenditure budget, excluding possible acquisitions, is expected to be between $10.0 million and $15.0 million. The nature of our capital expenditures is comprised of a base level of investment required to support our current operations and amounts related to growth and company initiatives. Capital expenditures for growth and company initiatives are discretionary. We continually evaluate our capital expenditures, and the amount we ultimately spend will depend on a number of factors, including expected industry activity levels and company initiatives. For example, our planned capital expenditure budget, excluding possible acquisitions, for 2024 was initially expected to be between $15.0 million and $25.0 million and was subsequently reduced to be between $10.0 million and $15.0 million in conjunction with market declines and to preserve liquidity until the market returns to more normalized levels. Although we do not budget for acquisitions, pursuing growth through acquisitions may continue to be a part of our business strategy. Our ability to make significant additional acquisitions for cash will require us to obtain additional equity or debt financing, which we may not be able to obtain on terms acceptable to us or at all.

We continually monitor potential capital sources, including equity and debt financing, to meet our investment and target liquidity requirements. Our future success and growth will be highly dependent on our ability to continue to access outside sources of capital, which we cannot guarantee.

At September 30, 2024, we had $15.7 million of cash and cash equivalents and $27.6 million of availability under the ABL Credit Facility (as defined and described below), which resulted in a total liquidity position of $43.3 million. Our liquidity position will continue to be impacted by the semi-annual interest payments ($19.5 million based on amounts outstanding as of September 30, 2024) to the holders of the 2028 Notes, which began on August 1, 2023. We believe that, based on our current forecasts, our cash on hand, together with cash flows from operations and borrowings under the ABL Credit Facility, should be sufficient to fund our capital requirements for at least the next twelve months from the issuance date of our condensed consolidated financial statements. However, we can make no assurance regarding our ability to achieve our forecasts, which are materially dependent on our financial performance and the ever-changing market.

ATM Program

On November 6, 2023, we entered into an equity distribution agreement (the “Equity Distribution Agreement”) with Piper Sandler & Co. (the “Agent”), pursuant to which we may, from time to time, sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $30.0 million through the Agent acting as our sales agent. The Agent will receive a commission equal to 3.0% of the gross sale price of any shares sold under the Equity Distribution Agreement.

Under the Equity Distribution Agreement, we will set the parameters for the sale of the shares thereunder, including the number of shares to be sold, the time period during which sales are requested to be made and any price below which sales may not be made. During the three months ended September 30, 2024, 1,181,090 shares were sold under the Equity Distribution Agreement, which generated net proceeds to us of $1.4 million after deducting commissions of $0.1 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, 5,380,164 shares were sold under the Equity Distribution Agreement, which generated net proceeds to us of $8.2 million after deducting commissions of $0.3 million.

Units Offering and 2028 Notes

On January 30, 2023, we completed our public offering of 300,000 units with an aggregate stated amount of $300.0 million (the “Units”). Each Unit consisted of $1,000 principal amount of our 13.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 (collectively, the “2028 Notes”) and five shares of our common stock. We received proceeds of $279.8 million from the Units offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commission, which, together with borrowings under the ABL Credit Facility, was used to fund the redemption of our 8.750% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “2023 Notes”). On February 1, 2023, we redeemed all of the 2023 Notes at a redemption price of 100.0% of outstanding principal amount thereof ($307.3 million), plus accrued and unpaid interest ($6.7 million).

Each Unit separated into its constituent securities (the 2028 Notes and the shares of our common stock) automatically on October 27, 2023. A holder of Units could have elected to separate its Units into its constituent securities, in whole but not in part, on or after March 31, 2023. Prior to such date, the Units could not be separated at the option of the holder.

On January 30, 2023, we, and certain of our subsidiaries entered into an indenture, dated as of January 30, 2023 (the “2028 Notes Indenture”), with U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as the trustee and as notes collateral agent, pursuant to which the 2028 Notes were issued. The 2028 Notes will mature on February 1, 2028 and bear interest at an annual rate of 13.000% payable in cash semi-annually in arrears on each of February 1 and August 1, commencing August 1, 2023. The 2028 Notes are our senior secured obligations and are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by each of our current domestic subsidiaries and will be so guaranteed by certain future subsidiaries, in each case, subject to agreed guaranty and security principles and certain exclusions.

On each May 15 and November 14, commencing November 14, 2023 (each, an “Excess Cash Flow Offer Date”), we are required to make an offer (an “Excess Cash Flow Offer”) to all holders of the 2028 Notes and, if required by the terms of any Pari Passu Notes Lien Indebtedness (as defined in the 2028 Notes Indenture), to any holders of any Pari Passu Notes Lien Indebtedness to purchase, prepay or redeem, together on a pro-rata basis, the maximum principal amount of the 2028 Notes and any such Pari Passu Notes Lien Indebtedness (plus all accrued interest (including additional interest, if any) on the 2028 Notes and any such Pari Passu Notes Lien Indebtedness and the amount of all fees and expenses, including premiums, incurred in connection therewith) that may be purchased, prepaid or redeemed using an amount of cash equal to the Excess Cash Flow Amount (as defined in the 2028 Notes Indenture and which is 75.0% of Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the 2028 Notes Indenture), as determined immediately prior to the Excess Cash Flow Offer Date), if any, subject to certain exceptions set forth in the 2028 Notes Indenture. The offer price in any such offer will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2028 Notes and any such Pari Passu Notes Lien Indebtedness (or, in respect of any such Pari Passu Notes Lien Indebtedness, such lesser price, if any, as may be provided for by the terms of such Pari Passu Notes Lien Indebtedness), plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of purchase, prepayment or redemption, subject to the rights of holders of the 2028 Notes or any such Pari Passu Notes Lien Indebtedness on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the date of purchase, prepayment or redemption, and will be payable in cash. For the

Excess Cash Flow Offer Date of November 14, 2024, the Excess Cash Flow Amount will be $0, and as such, no Excess Cash Flow Offer will be made.

The 2028 Notes Indenture contains covenants that, among other things and subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to engage in certain activities. We were in compliance with the covenants contained in the 2028 Notes Indenture at September 30, 2024.

For additional information on the Units and the 2028 Notes, see Note 8 – Debt Obligations included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

ABL Credit Facility

On October 25, 2018, we entered into a credit agreement dated as of October 25, 2018 (the “2018 ABL Credit Agreement”) that permitted aggregate borrowings of up to $200.0 million, subject to a borrowing base, including a Canadian tranche with a sub-limit of up to $25.0 million and a sub-limit of $50.0 million for letters of credit (the “ABL Credit Facility”).

On January 17, 2023, we entered into the First Amendment to Credit Agreement (the “First ABL Facility Amendment”) with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lender parties thereto, which became effective on January 30, 2023. Pursuant to the First ABL Facility Amendment, the maturity date of the ABL Credit Facility was extended from October 25, 2023 to January 29, 2027. In addition, the First ABL Facility Amendment, among other changes, revised the terms of the ABL Credit Facility as follows: (a) decreased the size of the ABL Credit Facility from $200.0 million to $150.0 million, subject to the borrowing base, (b) changed the interest rate benchmark from London Interbank Offered Rate to Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate with a 10 basis point spread adjustment and increased pricing from the existing range of 1.75% to 2.25% to a range of 2.00% to 2.50%, in each case depending on our leverage ratio, (c) decreased the Canadian tranche sub-limit from $25.0 million to $5.0 million, and (d) decreased the letter of credit sub-limit from $50.0 million to $10.0 million. Certain other changes to the terms of the ABL Credit Facility as a result of the First ABL Facility Amendment are summarized in Note 8 – Debt Obligations included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

On June 7, 2024, we entered into the Second Amendment to Credit Agreement (together with the First ABL Facility Amendment, the “ABL Facility Amendments”) with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lender parties thereto, to change the interest rate benchmark for borrowings denominated in Canadian dollars from Canadian Dollar Offered Rate (CDOR) to a rate based on the Canadian Overnight Repo Rate Average (CORRA), effective as of June 14, 2024.

The 2018 ABL Credit Agreement, as amended by the ABL Facility Amendments (the “ABL Credit Agreement”), contains various affirmative and negative covenants, including financial reporting requirements and limitations on indebtedness, liens, mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions, sales of assets, dividends and other restricted payments, investments (including acquisitions) and transactions with affiliates. We were in compliance with all covenants contained in the ABL Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2024.

Pursuant to the ABL Credit Agreement, all obligations under the ABL Credit Facility are secured by security interests (subject to permitted liens) in substantially all of the personal property of our domestic subsidiaries, excluding certain assets. The obligations under the Canadian tranche are further secured by security interests (subject to permitted liens) in substantially all of the personal property of Nine Energy Canada, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Alberta, Canada, and its restricted subsidiaries, excluding certain assets.

At September 30, 2024, we had $50.0 million of borrowings under the ABL Credit Facility, and our availability under the ABL Credit Facility was approximately $27.6 million, net of outstanding letters of credit of $2.2 million. On October 10, 2024, the Company repaid $3.0 million of outstanding borrowings on the ABL Credit Facility.

For additional information on the ABL Credit Facility and the ABL Facility Amendments, see Note 8 – Debt Obligations included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarter Report on Form 10-Q.

Cash Flows

Cash flows provided by (used in) operations by type of activity were as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

(in thousands)

Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities was $1.8 million in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $21.2 million in net cash provided in the first nine months of 2023. The change was primarily attributed to a $12.0 million decrease in cash provided by operations driven mainly by an increased net loss in comparison to the first nine months of 2023. The change was also partially attributed to a $11.0 million decrease in cash provided by working capital, driven mainly by a $11.6 million decrease in cash provided by accounts receivable collections in comparison to the first nine months of 2023.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $11.2 million during the first nine months of 2024 compared to $14.7 million in net cash used in the first nine months of 2023. The decrease was attributed to a $4.5 million decrease in cash purchases of property and equipment, partially offset by a $1.0 million decrease in proceeds from the sale of property and equipment (including insurance), each in comparison to the first nine months of 2023.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $2.1 million during the first nine months of 2024 compared to $11.6 million in net cash used in the first nine months of 2023. The decrease was primarily attributed to the $307.3 million redemption of the 2023 Notes as well as $6.3 million in debt issuance costs associated with the Units offering in the first nine months of 2023, neither of which reoccurred in the first nine months of 2024. The decrease in net cash used was also partially due to $8.2 million in proceeds received from the issuance of common stock under our ATM program in the first nine months of 2024 that did not occur in the first nine months of 2023. Additionally, the decrease was partly attributed to a $5.0 million reduction in payments on the ABL Credit Facility between periods. The overall decrease in net cash used was largely offset by $279.8 million in proceeds received from the Units offering in the first nine months of 2023, that did not reoccur in the first nine months of 2024. The decrease was also offset by a $37.0 million reduction in proceeds from the ABL Credit Facility between periods, as well as a $0.6 million increase in payments on short term debt between periods.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Our critical accounting estimates, which are estimates made in accordance with GAAP that involve a significant level of estimation uncertainty and have had or are reasonably likely to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations, are described in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Estimates” in Item 7 of Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. There have been no material changes to our critical accounting estimates as described therein.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 3 – New Accounting Standards included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a summary of recently issued accounting pronouncements.

As a “smaller reporting company,” as defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), we are not required to provide the information required by this Item.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures of an issuer that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive and financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

As required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act, our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of September 30, 2024. Based upon that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2024.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarterly period ended September 30, 2024 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act).

Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

We are currently out of compliance with the NYSE minimum market capitalization requirement and are at risk of the NYSE delisting our common stock; such a delisting could negatively impact us as it would likely reduce the liquidity and market price of our common stock, which in turn would, among other things, negatively impact our ability to raise equity financing.

On October 21, 2024, we received written notification (the “Notice”) from the NYSE that we no longer satisfy the continued listing compliance standards set forth under Section 802.01B of the NYSE Listed Company Manual (the “NYSE Manual”) because our average global market capitalization was less than $50,000,000 over a consecutive 30 trading-day period that ended on October 18, 2024 and, at the same time, our last reported stockholders’ equity was less than $50,000,000.

In accordance with NYSE procedures, we have 45 days from receipt of the Notice to submit a plan to the NYSE demonstrating how we intend to regain compliance with the NYSE’s continued listing standards within 18 months of our receipt of the Notice. We intend to develop and submit a plan to bring the Company into compliance with the listing standards within the required timeframe (the “Plan”), which would be reviewed by the Listings Operations Committee of the NYSE (the “Listings Committee”). If the Listings Committee does not accept the Plan, the NYSE will commence suspension and delisting procedures. If the Listings Committee accepts the Plan, our common stock would continue to be listed on the NYSE during the 18-month cure period, subject to our compliance with other continued listing requirements, and we will be subject to quarterly review for compliance with the Plan. If we fail to meet material aspects of the Plan or any quarterly milestones contained in the Plan, the NYSE may commence suspension and delisting procedures. If we fail to regain compliance with Section 802.01B of the NYSE Manual at the end of the cure period, the NYSE will commence suspension and delisting procedures. The NYSE may also commence suspension and delisting procedures if the average closing price of our common stock falls below $1.00 per share over a period of 30 consecutive trading days (the “minimum share price condition”) or our common stock trades at an “abnormally low” price. In April 2020, we received written notification from the NYSE that we did not satisfy the minimum share price condition; although we regained compliance with this condition in June 2020, there is no assurance that we will be able to continue to do so.

A delisting of our common stock from the NYSE could negatively impact us as it would likely reduce the liquidity and market price of our common stock and thus (i) reduce the number of investors willing to hold or acquire our common stock, which would negatively impact our ability to access equity markets and obtain financing and (ii) impair our ability to provide equity incentives to our employees.