CORE LABORATORIES N V - Quarter Report: 2018 March (Form 10-Q)



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
Q	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018
OR
¨	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ________________ to ______________

Commission File Number: 001-14273

CORE LABORATORIES N.V.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

The Netherlands		Not Applicable
(State or other jurisdiction of		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
Strawinskylaan 913
Tower A, Level 9
1077 XX Amsterdam
The Netherlands		Not Applicable
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(31-20) 420-3191
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

None
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes Q No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes Q No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.



Large accelerated filer Q	Accelerated filer o	Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company o	Emerging growth company o
		(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ¨ No Q

The number of common shares of the registrant, par value EUR 0.02 per share, outstanding at April 26, 2018 was 44,202,824.



CORE LABORATORIES N.V.
FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2018

INDEX

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
		Page
Item 1.	Financial Statements

	Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017	1

	Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017	2

	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017	3

	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017	4

	Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Interim Financial Statements	5

Item 2.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	18

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	24

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	24


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	26

Item 1A.	Risk Factors	26

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	26

Item 6.	Exhibits	27

	Signature	28

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

CORE LABORATORIES N.V.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share data)



	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
ASSETS	(Unaudited)
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	13,244		$	14,400
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,644 and $2,590 at 2018 and 2017, respectively	137,661			133,097
Inventories	36,438			33,317
Prepaid expenses	14,150			12,592
Income taxes receivable	8,783			7,508
Other current assets	9,909			6,513
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS	220,185			207,427
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net	122,333			123,098
INTANGIBLES, net	9,221			9,396
GOODWILL	179,044			179,044
DEFERRED TAX ASSETS	11,563			10,719
OTHER ASSETS	54,794			55,128
TOTAL ASSETS	$	597,140		$	584,812
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	$	45,541		$	41,697
Accrued payroll and related costs	27,509			28,887
Taxes other than payroll and income	6,383			7,313
Unearned revenue	11,783			12,627
Income taxes payable	3,832			825
Other current liabilities	9,279			9,227
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES	104,327			100,576
LONG-TERM DEBT, net	235,114			226,989
CONTRACT LIABILITIES	5,474			4,442
DEFERRED COMPENSATION	52,755			52,786
DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES	5,897			5,323
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES	41,997			45,964
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 8)
EQUITY:
Preference shares, EUR 0.02 par value; 6,000,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding	—			—
Common shares, EUR 0.02 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized, 44,796,252 issued and 44,189,593 outstanding at 2018 and 44,796,252 issued and 44,184,205 outstanding at 2017	1,148			1,148
Additional paid-in capital	55,670			54,463
Retained earnings	173,060			173,855
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(7,745		)	(8,353		)
Treasury shares (at cost), 606,659 at 2018 and 612,047 at 2017	(74,495		)	(76,269		)
Total Core Laboratories N.V. shareholders' equity	147,638			144,844
Non-controlling interest	3,938			3,888
TOTAL EQUITY	151,576			148,732
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$	597,140		$	584,812

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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CORE LABORATORIES N.V.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)



	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2018			2017
	(Unaudited)
REVENUE:
Services	$	119,786		$	120,602
Product sales	50,232			36,007
Total revenue	170,018			156,609
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Cost of services, exclusive of depreciation expense shown below	83,288			83,050
Cost of product sales, exclusive of depreciation expense shown below	36,030			29,971
General and administrative expense, exclusive of depreciation expense shown below	12,709			12,756
Depreciation	5,582			6,079
Amortization	236			225
Other (income) expense, net	(143		)	989
OPERATING INCOME	32,316			23,539
Interest expense	3,120			2,618
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	29,196			20,921
Income tax expense	5,273			2,929
Income from continuing operations	23,923			17,992
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(346		)	(310		)
Net Income	23,577			17,682
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	50			24
Net income attributable to Core Laboratories N.V.	$	23,527		$	17,658
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE INFORMATION:
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations	$	0.54		$	0.41
Basic loss per share from discontinued operations	$	(0.01	)	$	(0.01	)
Basic earnings per share attributable to Core Laboratories N.V.	$	0.53		$	0.40

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations	$	0.54		$	0.41
Diluted loss per share from discontinued operations	$	(0.01	)	$	(0.01	)
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Core Laboratories N.V.	$	0.53		$	0.40

Cash dividends per share	$	0.55		$	0.55
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Basic	44,179			44,159
Diluted	44,463			44,347

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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CORE LABORATORIES N.V.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands)



	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2018			2017
	(Unaudited)
Net income	$	23,577		$	17,682

Other comprehensive income:
Derivatives
Gain (loss) in fair value of interest rate swaps	646			81
Interest rate swap amounts reclassified to interest expense	64			167
Income taxes on derivatives	(150		)	(87		)
Total derivatives	560			161

Pension and other postretirement benefit plans
Prior service cost
Amortization to net income of prior service cost	(21		)	(19		)
Amortization to net income of actuarial loss	84			111
Income taxes on pension and other postretirement benefit plans	(15		)	(24		)
Total pension and other postretirement benefit plans	48			68

Total other comprehensive income	608			229
Comprehensive income	24,185			17,911
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	50			24
Comprehensive income attributable to Core Laboratories N.V.	$	24,135		$	17,887

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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CORE LABORATORIES N.V.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)



	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2018			2017
	(Unaudited)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Income from continuing operations	$	23,923		$	17,992
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(346		)	(310		)
Net income	23,577			17,682
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Stock-based compensation	6,291			5,723
Depreciation and amortization	5,818			6,304
Changes to value of life insurance policies	29			946
Deferred income taxes	(256		)	6,603
Other non-cash items	98			571
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(5,913		)	(7,525		)
Inventories	(3,686		)	(3,898		)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(901		)	(1,647		)
Other assets	742			(1,001		)
Accounts payable	2,634			4,576
Accrued expenses	(2,281		)	(3,590		)
Unearned revenues	188			3,609
Other long-term liabilities	(3,247		)	1,408
Net cash provided by operating activities	23,093			29,761
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	(4,443		)	(6,449		)
Patents and other intangibles	(72		)	(102		)
Proceeds from sale of assets	280			324
Premiums on life insurance	(382		)	(399		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(4,617		)	(6,626		)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayment of debt borrowings	(29,000		)	(49,000		)
Proceeds from debt borrowings	37,000			51,000
Dividends paid	(24,322		)	(24,284		)
Repurchase of common shares	(3,310		)	(1,273		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(19,632		)	(23,557		)
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(1,156		)	(422		)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	14,400			14,764
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	$	13,244		$	14,342

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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CORE LABORATORIES N.V.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Core Laboratories N.V. and its subsidiaries for which we have a controlling voting interest and/or a controlling financial interest. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States ("U.S.") generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information using the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, these financial statements do not include all of the information and footnote disclosures required by U.S. GAAP and should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the summary of significant accounting policies and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 (the "2017 Annual Report").

Core Laboratories N.V. uses the equity method of accounting for investments in which it has less than a majority interest and over which it does not exercise control but does exert significant influence. We use the cost method to record certain other investments in which we own less than 20% of the outstanding equity and do not exercise control or exert significant influence. Non-controlling interests have been recorded to reflect outside ownership attributable to consolidated subsidiaries that are less than 100% owned. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented have been included in these financial statements. Furthermore, the operating results presented for the three months ended March 31, 2018 may not necessarily be indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2018.

Core Laboratories N.V.'s balance sheet information for the year ended December 31, 2017 was derived from the 2017 audited consolidated financial statements but does not include all disclosures in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

References to "Core Lab", the "Company", "we", "our" and similar phrases are used throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and relate collectively to Core Laboratories N.V. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

We operate our business in two reportable segments. These complementary segments provide different services and products and utilize different technologies for improving reservoir performance and increasing oil and gas recovery from new and existing fields.

•

Reservoir Description: Encompasses the characterization of petroleum reservoir rock, fluid and gas samples to increase production and improve recovery of oil and gas from our clients' reservoirs. We provide laboratory based analytical and field services to characterize properties of crude oil and petroleum products to the oil and gas industry. We also provide proprietary and joint industry studies based on these types of analysis.


•	Production Enhancement: Includes services and products relating to reservoir well completions, perforations, stimulations and production. We provide integrated diagnostic services to evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of well completions and to develop solutions aimed at increasing the effectiveness of enhanced oil recovery projects.

Certain reclassifications were made to prior period amounts in order to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on the reported net income or cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

2. INVENTORIES

Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):



	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Finished goods	$	23,736	$	21,668
Parts and materials	10,966		10,613
Work in progress	1,736		1,036
Total inventories	$	36,438	$	33,317

We include freight costs incurred for shipping inventory to our clients in the Cost of product sales caption in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES UPDATE

Our significant accounting policies are detailed in "Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. Significant changes to our accounting policies as a result of adopting Topic 606 are discussed below:

Revenue Recognition

All of our revenue is derived from contracts with clients and is reported as revenue in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Our contracts generally include standard commercial payment terms generally acceptable in each region, and do not include financing with extended payment terms. We have no significant obligations for refunds, warranties, or similar obligations. Our revenue does not include taxes collected from our customers. In certain circumstances we apply the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606 - Revenue From Contracts with Customers ("Topic 606") to a portfolio of contracts with similar characteristics. We use estimates and assumptions when accounting for a portfolio that reflect the size and composition of the portfolio of contracts.

A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct service or good to a client, and is the unit of account under ASC Topic 606. We have contracts with two general groups of performance obligations; those that require us to perform analysis and/or diagnostic tests in our laboratory or at the client's wellsite and those from the sale of tools, diagnostic and equipment products and related services. We recognize revenue at an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for such services or goods as described below by applying the five-step method to: (1) identify the contract(s) with clients; (2) identify the performance obligation(s) in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligation(s) in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) we satisfy the performance obligation(s).

Services Revenue: We provide a variety of services to clients in the oil and gas industry. Where services are provided related to the testing and analysis of rock and fluids, we recognize revenue upon the provision of the test results or analysis to the client. For our design, field engineering and completion diagnostic services, we recognize revenue upon the delivery of those services at the well site or delivery of diagnostic data. In the case of our consortia studies, we have multiple performance obligations and revenue is recognized at the point in time when the testing and analysis results on each contributed core are made available to our consortia members. We conduct testing and provide analysis services in support of our consortia studies recognizing revenue as the testing and analysis results are made available to our consortia members.

Product Sales Revenue: We manufacture equipment that we sell to our clients in the oil and gas industry. Revenue is recognized when title to that equipment passes to the client, which is typically when the product is shipped to the client or picked up by the client at our facilities, as set out in the contract.

For arrangements that include multiple performance obligations, we allocate revenue to each performance obligation based on estimates of the price that we would charge the client for each promised service or product if it were sold on a standalone basis.

To a lesser extent in all of our business segments, we enter into other types of contracts including service arrangements and non-subscription software and licensing agreements. We recognize revenue for these arrangements over time or at a point in time depending on our evaluation of when the client obtains control of the promised services or products.

Contract Assets and Liabilities

Contract assets and liabilities result due to the timing of revenue recognition, billings and cash collections.

Contract assets include our right to payment for goods and services already transferred to a customer when the right to payment is conditional on something other than the passage of time, for example contracts where we recognize revenue over time but do not have a contractual right to payment until we complete the performance obligations. Contract assets are included in our accounts receivable and are not material as of March 31, 2018.

Contract liabilities consist of advance payments received and billings in excess of revenue recognized. We generally receive up-front payments relating to our consortia studies; we recognize revenue over the life of the study as the testing and analysis results are made available to our consortia members. We record billings in excess of revenue recognized for contracts with a duration less than twelve months as unearned revenue. We classify contract liabilities for contracts with a duration greater than twelve months as current or non-current based on the timing of when we expect to recognize revenue. The current portion of contract liabilities is included in unearned revenue and the non-current portion of contract liabilities is included in long-term

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contract liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet. The total balance of our contract liabilities at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were $9.4 million and $6.7 million, respectively.

Disaggregation of Revenue

We contract with clients for service revenue and/or product sales revenue. We present revenue disaggregated by services and product sales in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. For revenue disaggregated by reportable segment, please see Note 15, Segment Reporting.

4. CONTRACT ASSETS AND CONTRACT LIABILITIES

The balance of contract assets and contract liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):



	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Contract assets
Current	$	414	$	325

Contract Liabilities
Current	$	3,923	$	2,252
Non-current	5,474		4,442



	March 31, 2018
Estimate of when contract liabilities will be recognized
within 12 months	$	3,923
within 12 to 24 months	4,509
greater than 24 months	965

We did not recognize any impairment losses on our receivables and contract assets for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

5. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

In the first quarter of 2018, in a continuing effort to streamline our business and align our business strategy for further integration of services and products, the Company committed to divest the business of our full range of permanent downhole monitoring systems and related services, which have been part of our Production Enhancement segment. We anticipate the sale of this business line will occur within the next twelve months.

The associated results of operations are separately reported as Discontinued Operations for all periods presented on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Balance sheet items for this discontinued business have been reclassed to Other current assets and Other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Cash flows from this discontinued business are shown in the table below. As such, the results from continuing operations for the Company and segment highlights for Production Enhancement, exclude these discontinued operations.

Selected data for this discontinued business consisted of the following (in thousands):

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	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2018			March 31, 2017
Service revenue	$	476		$	334
Sales revenue	530			864
Total revenue	1,006			1,198

Cost of services, exclusive of depreciation expense shown below	561			551
Cost of product sales, exclusive of depreciation expense shown below	822			1,000
Depreciation and Amortization	58			123
Other Expense (Income)	8			(116		)
Operating Income	(443		)	(360		)
Income tax expense	(97		)	(50		)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$	(346	)	$	(310	)


	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Current assets	$	1,748		$	2,549
Non-current assets	990			1,048
Total assets	$	2,738		$	3,597

Current liabilities	$	500		$	221
Non-current liabilities	79			75
Total liabilities	$	579		$	296

Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $0.5 million.

6. LONG-TERM DEBT

We have no capital lease obligations. Long-term debt is as follows (in thousands):



	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Senior notes	$	150,000		$	150,000
Credit facility	86,000			78,000
Total long-term debt	236,000			228,000
Less: Debt issuance costs	(886		)	(1,011		)
Long-term debt, net	$	235,114		$	226,989

We have two series of senior notes outstanding with an aggregate principal amount of $150 million ("Senior Notes") issued in a private placement transaction. Series A consists of $75 million in aggregate principal amount of notes that bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.01% and are due in full on September 30, 2021. Series B consists of $75 million in aggregate principal amount of notes that bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.11% and are due in full on September 30, 2023. Interest on each series of the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on March 30 and September 30.

We maintain a revolving credit facility ("Credit Facility") that allows for an aggregate borrowing capacity of $400 million. The Credit Facility also provides an option to increase the commitment under the Credit Facility by an additional $50 million to bring the total borrowings available to $450 million if certain prescribed conditions are met by the Company. The Credit Facility bears interest at variable rates from LIBOR plus 1.25% to a maximum of LIBOR plus 2.00%. Any outstanding balance under the Credit Facility is due August 29, 2019, when the Credit Facility matures. Our available capacity at any point in time is reduced by borrowings outstanding at the time and outstanding letters of credit which totaled $12.3 million at March 31, 2018, resulting in an available borrowing capacity under the Credit Facility of $301.7 million. In addition to those items under

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the Credit Facility, we had $13.4 million of outstanding letters of credit and performance guarantees and bonds from other sources as of March 31, 2018.

The terms of the Credit Facility and Senior Notes require us to meet certain covenants, including, but not limited to, an interest coverage ratio (consolidated EBITDA divided by interest expense) and a leverage ratio (consolidated net indebtedness divided by consolidated EBITDA), where consolidated EBITDA (as defined in each agreement) and interest expense are calculated using the most recent four fiscal quarters. The Credit Facility has the more restrictive covenants with a minimum interest coverage ratio of 3.0 to 1.0 and a maximum leverage ratio of 2.5 to 1.0. We believe that we are in compliance with all such covenants contained in our credit agreements. Certain of our material, wholly-owned subsidiaries are guarantors or co-borrowers under the Credit Facility and Senior Notes.

In 2014, we entered into two interest rate swap agreements for a total notional amount of $50 million. See Note 13 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.

The estimated fair value of total debt at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 approximated the book value of total debt. The fair value was estimated using Level 2 inputs by calculating the sum of the discounted future interest and principal payments through the date of maturity.

7. PENSION

Defined Benefit Plan

We provide a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all of our Dutch employees ("Dutch Plan") who were hired prior to 2007. The pension benefit is based on years of service and final pay or career average pay, depending on when the employee began participating. The benefits earned by the employees are immediately vested.

The following table summarizes the components of net periodic pension cost under the Dutch Plan (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2018			2017
Service cost	$	349		$	375
Interest cost	300			275
Expected return on plan assets	(259		)	(233		)
Amortization of prior service cost	(21		)	(19		)
Amortization of actuarial loss	84			111
Net periodic pension cost	$	453		$	509

Upon adoption of ASU 2017-07 ("Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost") on January 1, 2018, the components of net periodic benefit cost other than the service cost component are included in the line item "other (income) expense, net" in the income statement. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we contributed $1.2 million to fund the estimated 2018 premiums on investment contracts held by the Dutch Plan.

8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We have been and may from time to time be named as a defendant in legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business. These include, but are not limited to, employment-related claims and contractual disputes or claims for personal injury or property damage which occur in connection with the provision of our services and products. Management does not currently believe that any of our pending contractual, employment-related, personal injury or property damage claims and disputes will have a material effect on our future results of operations, financial position or cash flow.

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9. EQUITY

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we repurchased 30,298 of our common shares for $3.3 million. These included rights to 10,298 shares valued at $1.1 million that were surrendered to us pursuant to the terms of a stock-based compensation plan in consideration of the participants' tax burdens that may result from the issuance of common shares under that plan. Such common shares, unless canceled, may be reissued for a variety of purposes such as future acquisitions, non-employee director stock awards or employee stock awards. We distributed 35,686 treasury shares upon vesting of stock-based awards during the three months ended March 31, 2018.

In February 2018, we paid a quarterly dividend of $0.55 per share of common stock. In addition, on April 17, 2018, we declared a quarterly dividend of $0.55 per share of common stock for shareholders of record on April 27, 2018 and payable on May 22, 2018.

The following table summarizes our changes in equity for the three months ended March 31, 2018 (in thousands):



	Common Shares		Additional Paid-In Capital		Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Treasury Stock			Non-Controlling Interest		Total Equity
December 31, 2017	$	1,148	$	54,463	$	173,855		$	(8,353	)	$	(76,269	)	$	3,888	$	148,732
Stock based-awards	—		1,207		—			—			5,084			—		6,291
Repurchase of common shares	—		—		—			—			(3,310		)	—		(3,310		)
Dividends paid	—		—		(24,322		)	—			—			—		(24,322		)
Amortization of deferred pension costs, net of tax	—		—		—			48			—			—		48
Interest rate swaps, net of tax	—		—		—			560			—			—		560
Net income	—		—		23,527			—			—			50		23,577

March 31, 2018	$	1,148	$	55,670	$	173,060		$	(7,745	)	$	(74,495	)	$	3,938	$	151,576

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following (in thousands):



	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Prior service cost	$	525		$	541
Unrecognized net actuarial loss	(8,639		)	(8,703		)
Fair value of derivatives, net of tax	369			(191		)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(7,745	)	$	(8,353	)

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10. EARNINGS PER SHARE

We compute basic earnings per common share by dividing net income attributable to Core Laboratories N.V. by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common and potential common shares include additional shares in the weighted average share calculations associated with the incremental effect of dilutive restricted stock awards and contingently issuable shares, as determined using the treasury stock method. The following table summarizes the calculation of weighted average common shares outstanding used in the computation of diluted earnings per share (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2018	2017
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding	44,179	44,159
Effect of dilutive securities:
Performance shares	231	138
Restricted stock	53	50
Weighted average diluted common and potential common shares outstanding	44,463	44,347

11. OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE, NET

The components of Other (income) expense, net, were as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2018			2017
Sale of assets	$	(152	)	$	(179	)
Results of non-consolidated subsidiaries	(58		)	(79		)
Foreign exchange	432			97
Rents and royalties	(94		)	(122		)
Severance, compensation and other charges	—			1,145
Other, net	(271		)	127
Total other (income) expense, net	$	(143	)	$	989

Foreign exchange gains and losses are summarized in the following table (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(Gains) losses by currency	2018			2017
British Pound	$	(128	)	$	19
Canadian Dollar	115			(19		)
Euro	246			103
Other currencies, net	199			(6		)
Total (gain) loss, net	$	432		$	97

12. INCOME TAX EXPENSE

The effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 were 18% and 14%, respectively. Income tax expense of $5.3 million in the first quarter of 2018 increased by $2.4 million compared to $2.9 million in the same period in 2017, due to the result of several items discrete to each quarter, along with changes in activity levels in jurisdictions with differing tax rates.

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13. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

We are exposed to market risks related to fluctuations in interest rates. To mitigate these risks, we utilize derivative instruments in the form of interest rate swaps. We do not enter into derivative transactions for speculative purposes.

Interest Rate Risk

Our Credit Facility bears interest at variable rates from LIBOR plus 1.25% to a maximum of LIBOR plus 2.00%. As a result of two interest rate swap agreements, we are subject to interest rate risk on debt in excess of $50 million drawn on our Credit Facility.

In 2014, we entered into two interest rate swap agreements for a total notional amount of $50 million to hedge changes in the variable rate interest expense on $50 million of our existing or replacement LIBOR-priced debt. Under the first swap agreement of $25 million, we have fixed the LIBOR portion of the interest rate at 1.73% through August 29, 2019, and under the second swap agreement of $25 million, we have fixed the LIBOR portion of the interest rate at 2.5% through August 29, 2024. Each swap is measured at fair value and recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as an asset or liability. They are designated and qualify as cash flow hedging instruments and are highly effective. Unrealized losses are deferred to shareholders' equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss and are recognized in income as an increase to interest expense in the period in which the related cash flows being hedged are recognized in expense.

At March 31, 2018, we had fixed rate long-term debt aggregating $200 million and variable rate long-term debt aggregating $36 million, after taking into account the effect of the swaps.

The fair values of outstanding derivative instruments are as follows (in thousands):



	Fair Value of Derivatives
	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017			Balance Sheet Classification
Derivatives designated as hedges:
5 year interest rate swap	$	180	$	70		Other long-term assets
10 year interest rate swap	108		(492		)	Other long-term assets (liabilities)
	$	288	$	(422	)

The fair value of all outstanding derivatives was determined using a model with inputs that are observable in the market (Level 2) or can be derived from or corroborated by observable data.

The effect of the interest rate swaps on the Consolidated Statement of Operations was as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2017		Income Statement Classification
Derivatives designated as hedges:
5 year interest rate swap	$	8	$	59	Increase to interest expense
10 year interest rate swap	56		108		Increase to interest expense
	$	64	$	167

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14. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company's only financial assets and liabilities which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis relate to certain aspects of the Company's benefit plans and our derivative instruments. We use the market approach to value certain assets and liabilities at fair value using significant other observable inputs (Level 2) with the assistance of a third-party specialist. We do not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using quoted prices in an active market (Level 1) or significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). Gains and losses related to the fair value changes in the deferred compensation assets and liabilities are recorded in General and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Gains and losses related to the fair value of the interest rate swaps are recorded in Other comprehensive income. The following table summarizes the fair value balances (in thousands):



			Fair Value Measurement at
			March 31, 2018
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Deferred compensation assets ⁽¹⁾	$	45,527	$	—	$	45,527	$	—
5 year interest rate swap	180		—		180		—
10 year interest rate swap	108		—		108		—
	45,815		—		45,815		—
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plan	$	36,975	$	—	$	36,975	$	—
	$	36,975	$	—	$	36,975	$	—



				Fair Value Measurement at
				December 31, 2017
	Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
Assets:
Deferred compensation assets ⁽¹⁾	$	46,145		$	—	$	46,145		$	—
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plan	$	37,280		$	—	$	37,280		$	—
5 year interest rate swap	(70		)	—		(70		)	—
10 year interest rate swap	492			—		492			—
	$	37,702		$	—	$	37,702		$	—

(1) Deferred compensation assets consist of the cash surrender value of life insurance policies and are intended to assist in the funding of the deferred compensation agreements.

15. SEGMENT REPORTING

•


•	Production Enhancement: Includes services and products relating to reservoir well completions, perforations, stimulations and production. We provide integrated diagnostic services to evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of well completions and to develop solutions aimed at increasing the effectiveness of enhanced oil recovery projects.

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Results for these segments are presented below. We use the same accounting policies to prepare our segment results as are used to prepare our Consolidated Financial Statements. All interest and other non-operating income (expense) is attributable to Corporate & Other and is not allocated to specific segments. Summarized financial information concerning our segments is shown in the following table (in thousands):



	Reservoir Description		Production Enhancement		Corporate & Other ¹			Consolidated
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
Revenue from unaffiliated clients	$	100,809	$	69,209	$	—		$	170,018
Inter-segment revenue	47		51		(98		)	—
Segment operating income (loss)	14,757		17,687		(128		)	32,316
Total assets (at end of period)	319,830		217,935		59,375			597,140
Capital expenditures	2,181		1,847		415			4,443
Depreciation and amortization	4,248		1,002		568			5,818
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
Revenue from unaffiliated clients	$	104,895	$	51,714	$	—		$	156,609
Inter-segment revenue	174		201		(375		)	—
Segment operating income (loss)	15,940		7,755		(156		)	23,539
Total assets (at end of period)	320,543		196,298		63,575			580,416
Capital expenditures	2,577		3,020		852			6,449
Depreciation and amortization	4,620		1,164		520			6,304

(1) "Corporate & Other" represents those items that are not directly related to a particular segment, eliminations and the assets and liabilities of discontinued operations.

16. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Pronouncements Adopted in 2018

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 ("Revenue from Contracts with Customers"), which provides guidance on revenue recognition. The core principle of this guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance requires entities to apply a five-step method to (1) identify the contract(s) with customers; (2) identify the performance obligation(s) in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligation(s) in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. We adopted this standard and all related amendments on January 1, 2018. The adoption of this standard did not result in any material changes to our revenue recognition policies and procedures nor to our financial statements. Upon adoption we used the modified retrospective approach; this approach resulted in no cumulative adjustment to retained earnings or net income and no adjustments to prior periods.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07 ("Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost"), which requires that an employer report the service cost component of net periodic pension cost in the same line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations. We adopted this standard on January 1, 2018. We used the practical expedient method which allows us to use the amounts disclosed in our pension footnote for the three month period ended March 31, 2017 as the estimation basis for applying the retrospective presentation requirements. The adoption of this standard did not result in any material changes to our consolidated financial statements.

Pronouncements Not Yet Effective

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 ("Leases"), which introduces the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous guidance. The new standard establishes a right-of-use ("ROU") model that requires a lessee to record an ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years with early adoption permitted. We anticipate the adoption of this standard will have a material

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impact on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, increasing both asset balances and liability balances; however, there should not be a material impact to our Consolidated Statement of Operations.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 ("Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments") which replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years with early adoption permitted in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We are evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02 ("Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income"), which provides companies with an option to reclassify stranded tax effects resulting from enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA") from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years with early adoption permitted, and would be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the tax rate as a result of TCJA is recognized. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion summarizes the financial position of Core Laboratories N.V. and its subsidiaries as of March 31, 2018 and should be read in conjunction with (i) the unaudited consolidated interim financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q ("Quarterly Report") and (ii) the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (the "2017 Annual Report").

General

Core Laboratories N.V. is a limited liability company incorporated and domiciled in the Netherlands. It was established in 1936 and is one of the world's leading providers of proprietary and patented reservoir description and production enhancement services and products to the oil and gas industry. These services and products can enable our clients to improve reservoir performance and increase oil and gas recovery from their producing fields. Core Laboratories N.V. has over 70 offices in more than 50 countries and employs approximately 4,600 people worldwide.

References to "Core Lab", the "Company", "we", "our" and similar phrases are used throughout this Quarterly Report and relate collectively to Core Laboratories N.V. and its consolidated affiliates.

We operate our business in two reportable segments: Reservoir Description and Production Enhancement. These complementary segments provide different services and products and utilize different technologies for improving reservoir performance and increasing oil and gas recovery from new and existing fields.

•


•	Production Enhancement: Includes services and products relating to reservoir well completions, perforations, stimulations and production. We provide integrated diagnostic services to evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of well completions and to develop solutions aimed at increasing the effectiveness of enhanced oil recovery projects.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Certain statements contained in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section, including those under the headings "Outlook" and "Liquidity and Capital Resources", and in other parts of this Quarterly Report, are forward-looking. In addition, from time to time, we may publish forward-looking statements relating to such matters as anticipated financial performance, business prospects, technological developments, new products, research and development activities and similar matters. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "continue", or other similar words, including statements as to the intent, belief, or current expectations of our directors, officers, and management with respect to our future operations, performance, or positions or which contain other forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on us. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, no assurances can be given that the future results indicated, whether expressed or implied, will be achieved. While we believe that these statements are and will be accurate, our actual results and experience may differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in our statements due to a variety of risks and uncertainties.

We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For a more detailed discussion of some of the foregoing risks and uncertainties, see "Item 1A - Risk Factors" in our 2017 Annual Report and in Part II of this Quarterly Report, as well as the other reports filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

Outlook

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As part of our long-term growth strategy, we continue our efforts to expand our market presence by opening or expanding facilities in strategic areas and realizing synergies within our business lines subject to client demand and market conditions. We believe our market presence provides us a unique opportunity to service clients who have global operations whether they are international oil companies, national oil companies, or independent oil companies.

We are encouraged by the increased focus of our major clients regarding capital management, return on invested capital “ROIC”, free cash flow, and returning capital back to their shareholders, as opposed to just production growth at any cost. The companies adopting value versus volume metrics tend to be the more technologically sophisticated operators and form the foundation of Core’s worldwide client base. We expect to benefit from our clients’ shift in focus from strictly production growth to employing higher technological solutions in their efforts to maximize economic production growth and estimated ultimate recovery ("EUR").

Crude oil prices, although still volatile, began to improve during the second half of 2016 and continued to strengthen during 2017, especially during the second half of 2017. On average, pricing for crude oil improved over 16% for 2017 over 2016, which resulted in much improved levels of land-based activity associated with the exploitation and production of oil in the United States. Crude oil prices have continued to improve during 2018.

North America completion activity levels continued to expand in the first quarter of 2018. According to Baker Hughes, the U.S. land-based rig count at March 31, 2018 was 31% higher than at the beginning of 2017. We believe this increase is in response to the improved pricing of crude oil as the average price of crude oil for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was approximately $66.95 per barrel while the average price of crude oil for same period in 2017 was approximately $51.37 per barrel. We expect the average second quarter 2018 U.S. rig count to be similar to first quarter of 2018 levels, with completion activity levels showing modest growth. Core Lab believes the U.S. completion growth rate will moderate until logistical bottlenecks are resolved (e.g. for the industry to hire and train new frac crews, acquire and/or update pressure pumping equipment, and supply chain logistics). In addition, an emerging trend to larger pad drilling sites, increasing up to 24 wells, will create an increase in drilled but uncompleted wells over the next several quarters. Combined, these issues could impact the rate of revenue growth opportunity for any company that is reliant on completions as a catalyst for growth.

Additionally, renewed investment at a global level is critical in order to meet future supply needs. Oil company recognition of the need for investment is evidenced by the approximately 25 - 30 final investment decision ("FIDs") estimated to be announced in 2018, with six already announced year-to-date. These FIDs would follow the more than 20 FIDs announced in 2017.

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Results of Operations

Our results of operations as a percentage of applicable revenue were as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,										Change
	2018					2017					$			%
REVENUE:
Services	$	119,786		70	%	$	120,602		77	%	$	(816	)	(1	)%
Product sales	50,232			30	%	36,007			23	%	14,225			40	%
Total revenue	170,018			100	%	156,609			100	%	13,409			9	%
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Cost of services, exclusive of depreciation expense shown below*	83,288			70	%	83,050			69	%	238			—	%
Cost of product sales, exclusive of depreciation expense shown below*	36,030			72	%	29,971			83	%	6,059			20	%
Total cost of services and product sales	119,318			70	%	113,021			72	%	6,297			6	%
General and administrative expense	12,709			7	%	12,756			8	%	(47		)	—	%
Depreciation and amortization	5,818			3	%	6,304			4	%	(486		)	(8	)%
Other (income) expense, net	(143		)	—	%	989			1	%	(1,132		)	NM
Operating income	32,316			19	%	23,539			15	%	8,777			37	%
Interest expense	3,120			2	%	2,618			2	%	502			19	%
Income before income tax expense	29,196			17	%	20,921			13	%	8,275			40	%
Income tax expense	5,273			3	%	2,929			1	%	2,344			80	%
Income from continuing operations	23,923			14	%	17,992			11	%	5,931			33	%
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(346		)	—	%	(310		)	—	%	(36		)	(12	)%
Net Income	23,577			14	%	17,682			11	%	5,895			33	%
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	50			—	%	24			—	%	26			NM
Net income attributable to Core Laboratories N.V.	$	23,527		14	%	$	17,658		11	%	$	5,869		33	%
"NM" means not meaningful
* Percentage based on applicable revenue rather than total revenue.

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	Three Months Ended										Change
	Mar 31, 2018					Dec 31, 2017					$			%
REVENUE:
Services	$	119,786		70	%	$	125,437		74	%	$	(5,651	)	(5	)%
Product sales	50,232			30	%	44,674			26	%	5,558			12	%
Total revenue	170,018			100	%	170,111			100	%	(93		)	—	%
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Cost of services, exclusive of depreciation expense shown below*	83,288			70	%	85,713			68	%	(2,425		)	(3	)%
Cost of product sales, exclusive of depreciation expense shown below*	36,030			72	%	34,229			77	%	1,801			5	%
Total cost of services and product sales	119,318			70	%	119,942			71	%	(624		)	(1	)%
General and administrative expense	12,709			7	%	11,994			7	%	715			6	%
Depreciation and amortization	5,818			3	%	6,038			4	%	(220		)	(4	)%
Other (income) expense, net	(143		)	—	%	(269		)	—	%	126			NM
Operating income	32,316			19	%	32,406			19	%	(90		)	—	%
Interest expense	3,120			2	%	2,717			2	%	403			15	%
Income before income tax expense	29,196			17	%	29,689			17	%	(493		)	(2	)%
Income tax expense	5,273			3	%	8,017			5	%	(2,744		)	(34	)%
Income from continuing operations	23,923			14	%	21,672			13	%	2,251			10	%
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(346		)	—	%	(20		)	—	%	(326		)	NM
Net income	23,577			14	%	21,652			13	%	1,925			9	%
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	50			—	%	(39		)	—	%	89			NM
Net income attributable to Core Laboratories N.V.	$	23,527		14	%	$	21,691		13	%	$	1,836		8	%
"NM" means not meaningful
* Percentage based on applicable revenue rather than total revenue.

Operating Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Compared to the Three Months Ended December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017

Services Revenue

Services revenue decreased 5% sequentially to $119.8 million for the first quarter of 2018 from $125.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, which is primarily attributable to normal seasonal patterns for many of our multi-national and national oil company clients. Services revenue of $119.8 million in the first quarter of 2018 decreased slightly year-over-year from $120.6 million. This decrease was mainly driven by lower activity in international and offshore activities.We continue to focus on large-scale core analyses and reservoir fluids characterization studies in the Eagle Ford, the Permian Basin and the Gulf of Mexico, along with Guyana, Malaysia and other international locations such as offshore South America, and the Middle East, including Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, we have client interest in our existing multi-client reservoir studies such as the Tight Oil Reservoirs of the Midland Basin study and the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico - Phase II as well as several major enhanced oil recovery ("EOR") projects for unconventional reservoirs such as the newly initiated Unconventional EOR in the Eagle Ford Formation and similar EOR joint industry projects for tight-oil developments in other basins.

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Product Sales Revenue

Revenue associated with product sales increased 12% sequentially to $50.2 million for the first quarter of 2018 from $44.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 and increased 40% year-over-year from $36.0 million in the first quarter of 2017. Our product sales revenue is primarily driven by completions of wells in the North American market and, more specifically, the activity associated with the completion of each stage in a wellbore. We continue to benefit from increasing completion activity in the U.S. and our clients' acceptance of new products which were led by our newly introduced HERO^® PerFRAC technology.

Cost of Services, excluding depreciation

Cost of services expressed as a percentage of services revenue remained relatively consistent at 70% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to 68% and 69% each for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017, respectively. Cost of services expressed as a percentage of services revenue is primarily reflective of how our fixed cost structure is being absorbed by revenue.

Cost of Product Sales, excluding depreciation

Cost of product sales expressed as a percentage of product sales revenue improved to 72% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to 77% and 83% for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017, respectively. The improvement in cost of product sales as a percentage of product sales revenue was primarily due to the improved absorption rates of our fixed costs.

General and Administrative Expense

General and administrative ("G&A") expense includes corporate management and centralized administrative services that benefit our operations. G&A expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $12.7 million compared to $12.0 million and $12.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017, respectively.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $5.8 million compared to $6.0 million and $6.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017, respectively. Reduced capital expenditures during 2017 in response to the industry downturn led to lower depreciation expense in the fourth quarter of 2017 and further reduction in the first quarter of 2018.

Other (Income) Expense, Net

The components of other (income) expense, net, were as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2018			2017
Sale of assets	$	(152	)	$	(179	)
Results of non-consolidated subsidiaries	(58		)	(79		)
Foreign exchange	432			97
Rents and royalties	(94		)	(122		)
Severance, compensation and other charges	—			1,145
Other, net	(271		)	127
Total other (income) expense, net	$	(143	)	$	989

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Foreign exchange (gain) loss, net by currency is summarized in the following table (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2018			2017
British Pound	$	(128	)	$	19
Canadian Dollar	115			(19		)
Euro	246			103
Other currencies, net	199			(6		)
Total (gain) loss, net	$	432		$	97

Interest Expense

Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $3.1 million compared to $2.7 million and $2.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017, respectively.

Income Tax Expense

The effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was 18% compared to 27% and 14% for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017, respectively. Income tax expense was $5.3 million in the first quarter of 2018 compared to $8.0 million and $2.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017, respectively, due to the result of several items discrete to each quarter, along with changes in activity levels in jurisdictions with differing tax rates.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the "Tax Act”) was signed into law reducing the U.S. corporate income tax rate to 21%, effective January 1, 2018. The Tax Act included changes to tax laws which will have an impact on income tax related to our U.S. operations. The Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") has 18 months from the date of enactment to issue final regulations with regard to the Tax Act. Provisions within the new law have been included in our estimate of the annual effective tax rate used in determining income tax expense. We expect to refine the current year income tax estimate for the new tax law throughout the year as regulations are issued by the IRS. Among the items included within the Tax Act that have the largest impact to Core Lab are the foreign derived intangible income deduction and 100% fixed asset expensing. We have analyzed other provisions of the Tax Act and determined there are no other material impacts to the current year income tax estimate.

Discontinued Operations

See Note 5 Discontinued Operations for additional information.

Segment Analysis

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	Three Months Ended March 31,						2018 / 2017					Three Months Ended December 31,			Q1 / Q4
	2018			2017			$ Change			% Change		2017			$ Change			% Change
Revenue:
Reservoir Description	$	100,809		$	104,895		$	(4,086	)	(4	)%	$	104,571		$	(3,762	)	(4	)%
Production Enhancement	69,209			51,714			17,495			34	%	65,540			3,669			6	%
Consolidated	$	170,018		$	156,609		$	13,409		9	%	$	170,111		$	(93	)	—	%
Operating income (loss):
Reservoir Description	$	14,757		$	15,940		$	(1,183	)	(7	)%	$	17,269		$	(2,512	)	(15	)%
Production Enhancement	17,687			7,755			9,932			128	%	15,357			2,330			15	%
Corporate and Other¹	(128		)	(156		)	28			NM		(220		)	92			NM
Consolidated	$	32,316		$	23,539		$	8,777		37	%	$	32,406		$	(90	)	—	%
(1) "Corporate and Other" represents those items that are not directly related to a particular segment
"NM" means not meaningful

Reservoir Description

Revenue from the Reservoir Description segment decreased 4% sequentially and year-over-year to $100.8 million from $104.6 million and $104.9 million in the fourth and first quarters of 2017, respectively. The decrease in revenue is primarily attributable to the industry's decrease of investment in international and offshore projects, however, we believe this investment activity has shown sign of improvement which we anticipate will continue in the second half of 2018. We continue to focus on large-scale core analyses and reservoir fluids characterization studies in the Eagle Ford, the Permian Basin and the Gulf of Mexico, along with Guyana, Malaysia and other international locations such as offshore South America, and the Middle East, including Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. During the first quarter of 2018, Core provided its clients with onsite sample collection services and pressure-volume-temperature ("PVT") laboratory measurements that allowed clients to calculate the economic value of their reservoirs under primary production. Furthermore, these data form the criteria necessary to determine when secondary, and possibly tertiary, recovery techniques might best be applied to optimize the EUR from these reservoirs. New fluid phase behavior projects were initiated in the Eagle Ford, the Permian Basin and the Gulf of Mexico, along with Guyana, Malaysia and other international locations. In addition to these PVT services, Core Lab performed customized reservoir condition EOR studies. These include the determination of minimum miscibility pressures, physical measurements of crude oil properties following gas injection and thermodynamic testing for reservoir simulation models. These test results allow Core’s clients to calculate the economic viability of miscible tertiary recovery processes, which could extend reservoir life and improve incremental hydrocarbon production.

Operating income was $14.8 million in the first quarter of 2018, a decrease of 15% sequentially compared to $17.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 and a decrease of 7% year-over-year compared to $15.9 million in the first quarter of 2017. These decreases were primarily due to lower activity levels during the first quarter of 2018 compared to the prior periods.

Operating margins were over 15% in the first quarter of 2018, a decrease from 17% in the fourth quarter of 2017 and level with 15% in the first quarter of 2017.

Production Enhancement

Revenue from the Production Enhancement segment, largely focused on North American unconventional reservoirs and complex completions and stimulations, was $69.2 million in the first quarter of 2018, an increase of 6% sequentially from $65.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 and an increase of 34% year-over-year from $51.7 million in the first quarter of 2017. Our clients continue to seek technological solutions for increasing daily production and estimated ultimate recoveries from their reservoirs. We continue to benefit from the increasing completion activity in the U.S. and our clients' acceptance of new services and products which were led by our newly introduced FLOWPROFILER EDS^TM and HERO^® PerFRAC technologies.

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Operating income in the first quarter of 2018 was $17.7 million, an increase from $15.4 million, or 15%, in the fourth quarter of 2017 and an increase from $7.8 million, or 128%, in the first quarter of 2017. The increased profitability is due to increased demand for our higher margin services and products and impact of higher revenue on our fixed-cost structure.

Operating margins were 26% in the first quarter of 2018, up from 23% in the fourth quarter of 2017 and 15% in the first quarter of 2017 as we benefited from increased activity, increased demand for higher margin services and products and realized improved absorption rates of our fixed costs across higher revenue.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

We have historically financed our activities through cash on hand, cash flows from operations, bank credit facilities, equity financing and the issuance of debt. Cash flows from operating activities provides the primary source of funds to finance operating needs, capital expenditures, our dividend and share repurchase program. As we are a Netherlands holding company, we conduct substantially all of our operations through subsidiaries. Our cash availability is largely dependent upon the ability of our subsidiaries to pay cash dividends or otherwise distribute or advance funds to us. There are no restrictions preventing any of our subsidiaries from repatriating earnings, and there are no restrictions or income taxes associated with distributing cash to the parent company through loans or advances. As of March 31, 2018, $10.9 million of our $13.2 million of cash was held by our foreign subsidiaries.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes cash flows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,						2018 / 2017
	2018			2017			% Change
Cash flows provided by/(used in):
Operating activities	$	23,093		$	29,761		(22	)%
Investing activities	(4,617		)	(6,626		)	(30	)%
Financing activities	(19,632		)	(23,557		)	(17	)%
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	$	(1,156	)	$	(422	)	174	%

Cash flows provided by operating activities for the first three months of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 decreased primarily due to changes in working capital.

The decrease in cash flows used in investing activities during the first three months of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 was primarily attributable to a reduction in capital expenditures in 2018.

Cash flows used in financing activities decreased for the first three months of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. During the first three months of 2018, we increased our debt by $8.0 million, as compared to increasing it by $2 million during the first three months of 2017. In the first three months of 2018, we repurchased 30,298 shares of our common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $3.3 million compared to the repurchase of 10,752 shares for an aggregate purchase price of $1.3 million during the same period in 2017.

We utilize the non-GAAP financial measure of free cash flow to evaluate our cash flows and results of operations. Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities (which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure) less cash paid for capital expenditures. Management believes that free cash flow provides useful information to investors regarding the cash available in the period that was in excess of our needs to fund our capital expenditures and operating activities. Free cash flow is not a measure of operating performance under GAAP, and should not be considered in isolation nor construed as an alternative to operating profit, net income (loss) or cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities, each as determined in accordance with GAAP. Free cash flow does not represent residual cash available for distribution because we may have other non-discretionary expenditures that are not deducted from the measure. Moreover, since free cash flow is not a measure determined in accordance with GAAP and thus is susceptible to varying interpretations and calculations, free cash flow as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. The following table reconciles this non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP (in thousands):

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	Three Months Ended March 31,				2018 / 2017
	2018		2017		% Change
Free cash flow calculation:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	23,093	$	29,761	(22	)%
Less: cash paid for capital expenditures	4,443		6,449		(31	)%
Free cash flow	$	18,650	$	23,312	(20	)%

The decrease in free cash flow for the first three months of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 was primarily due to changes in working capital.

Notes, Credit Facilities and Available Future Liquidity

In 2014, we entered into two interest rate swap agreements for a total notional amount of $50 million. See Note 13 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.

Our ability to maintain and grow our operating income and cash flow depends, to a large extent, on continued investing activities. We believe our future cash flows from operations, supplemented by our borrowing capacity and issuances of additional equity, should be sufficient to fund our debt requirements, capital expenditures, working capital, dividend payments and future acquisitions.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no material changes in market risk from the information provided in Item 7A. "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" in our 2017 Annual Report.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

A complete discussion of our controls and procedures is included in our 2017 Annual Report.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, under the supervision of and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), as of the end of the period

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covered by this report. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2018 at the reasonable assurance level.

Our management does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud. Further, the design of disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our system of internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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CORE LABORATORIES N.V.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

See Note 8 to our Consolidated Interim Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our business faces many risks. Any of the risks discussed in this Quarterly Report or our other SEC filings could have a material impact on our business, financial position or results of operations. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also impair our business operations. For a detailed discussion of the risk factors that should be understood by any investor contemplating investment in our securities, please refer to "Item 1A - Risk Factors" in our 2017 Annual Report.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

None.

Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities

The following table provides information about purchases of equity securities that are registered by us pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act:



Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of a Publicly Announced Program	Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet be Purchased Under the Program (2)(3)
January 1 - 31, 2018 (1)	—	$	—	—	3,867,578
February 1 - 28, 2018 (1)	20,032	111.88		20,000	3,847,676
March 1 - 31, 2018 (1)	10,266	104.14		—	3,872,966
Total	30,298	$	109.26	20,000

(1) During the quarter 10,298 shares were surrendered to us by participants in a stock-based compensation plan to settle any personal tax liabilities which may result from the award.

(2) In connection with our initial public offering in September 1995, our shareholders authorized our Management Board to repurchase up to 10% of our issued share capital for a period of 18 months. This authorization was renewed at subsequent annual or special shareholder meetings. The repurchase of shares in the open market is at the discretion of management pursuant to this shareholder authorization.

(3) We distributed 35,686 treasury shares upon vesting of stock-based awards during the three months ended March 31, 2018.

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Item 6. Exhibits



Exhibit No.		Exhibit Title	Incorporated by reference from the following documents
31.1	-	Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	Filed herewith
31.2	-	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	Filed herewith
32.1	-	Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	Furnished herewith
32.2	-	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	Furnished herewith
101.INS	-	XBRL Instance Document	Filed herewith
101.SCH	-	XBRL Schema Document	Filed herewith
101.CAL	-	XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document	Filed herewith
101.LAB	-	XBRL Label Linkbase Document	Filed herewith
101.PRE	-	XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document	Filed herewith
101.DEF	-	XBRL Definition Linkbase Document	Filed herewith

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant, Core Laboratories N.V., has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



		CORE LABORATORIES N.V.

Date:	April 27, 2018	By:	/s/ Richard L. Bergmark
			Richard L. Bergmark
			Chief Financial Officer
			(Duly Authorized Officer and
			Principal Financial Officer)

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