NEWPARK RESOURCES INC - Quarter Report: 2014 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014

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 No. 1-2960

Newpark Resources, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(281) 362-6800

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

2700 Research Forest Drive, Suite 100, The Woodlands, Texas 77381

(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.

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).

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

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

As of October 23, 2014, a total of 83,990,240 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, were outstanding.

NEWPARK RESOURCES, INC.

INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED

SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. We also may provide oral or written forward-looking statements in other materials we release to the public. The words “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying them. These forward-looking statements reflect the current views of our management; however, various risks, uncertainties and contingencies, including the risks identified in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, and those set forth from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements, including the success or failure of our efforts to implement our business strategy.

We assume no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by securities laws. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q might not occur.

For further information regarding these and other factors, risks and uncertainties affecting us, we refer you to the risk factors set forth in Item 1A, “Risk Factors”, in Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Newpark Resources, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)

See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Newpark Resources, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)

See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Newpark Resources, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)

See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Newpark Resources, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)

See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

NEWPARK RESOURCES, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 – Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Newpark Resources, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, which we refer to as “we,” “our” or “us,” have been prepared in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X for interim financial statements required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and do not include all information and footnotes required by the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for complete financial statements. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Our fiscal year end is December 31, our third quarter represents the three month period ended September 30, and our first nine months represents the nine month period ended September 30. The results of operations for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year. Unless otherwise stated, all currency amounts are stated in U.S. dollars.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary to present fairly our financial position as of September 30, 2014, the results of our operations for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 and 2013, and our cash flows for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013. All adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Our balance sheet at December 31, 2013 is derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. For further information, see Note 1 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

New Accounting Standards

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued updated guidance that changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations including enhanced disclosure requirements. Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations should be presented as discontinued operations. Those strategic shifts should have a major effect on the organization´s operations and financial results. The new guidance is effective for us in the first quarter of 2015; however, we do not expect the adoption to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB amended the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. The amendments are based on the principle that revenue should be recognized 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. The new guidance is effective for us in the first quarter of 2017. Early adoption is not permitted. The amendments may be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of initial application. We are currently evaluating the impact of these amendments and the transition alternatives on our consolidated financial statements.

Note 2 – Discontinued Operations

In March of 2014, we completed the sale of our Environmental Services business for $100 million in cash, subject to adjustment based on actual working capital conveyed at closing. Cash proceeds from the sale were $89.8 million in 2014, net of transaction related expenses, including the adjustment related to final working capital conveyed at closing. In addition, $8 million of the sale price was withheld in escrow associated with transaction representations, warranties and indemnities, and is expected to be released over the next 12 months. As a result of the sale transaction, we recorded a gain on the disposal of the business of $34.0 million ($22.1 million after-tax). All assets, liabilities and results of operations for this business have been reclassified to discontinued operations for all periods presented.

Summarized results of operations from discontinued operations through the date of sale are as follows:

Assets and liabilities of discontinued operations as of December 31, 2013 were as follows:

Note 3 – Earnings per Share

The following table presents the reconciliation of the numerator and denominator for calculating earnings per share from continuing operations:

Weighted average dilutive stock options and restricted stock outstanding totaled approximately 4.7 million and 4.9 million shares for the third quarter of 2014 and 2013, respectively, and 4.9 million and 5.2 million shares for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013, respectively. The resulting net effect of stock options and restricted stock were used in calculating diluted earnings per share for the period.

Note 4 – Stock-Based Compensation

During the second quarter of 2014, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors approved equity-based compensation to executive officers and other key employees. These awards included a grant of 745,608 shares of time-vesting restricted stock and restricted stock units, which vest equally over a three-year period. Non-employee directors received shares of restricted stock totaling 81,849 shares, which will vest in full on the earlier of: the day prior to the next annual meeting of stockholders following the grant date; or the first anniversary of the grant date. The weighted average fair value on the date of grant for these awards was $11.21 per share.

Additionally, 554,641 stock options were granted to executive officers and other key employees at an exercise price of $11.20, which provides for equal vesting over a three-year period with a term of ten years. The estimated fair value of the stock options on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model was $4.97. The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model included a risk free interest rate of 1.53%, expected life of 5.22 years and expected volatility of 48.6%.

The Compensation Committee also approved performance-based awards during the second quarter of 2014 to executive officers. The performance-based restricted stock units will be settled in shares of common stock and will be based on the relative ranking of the Company’s total shareholder return (“TSR”) as compared to the TSR of the Company’s designated peer group for 2014. The performance period began June 1, 2014 and ends May 31, 2017, with the ending TSR price being equal to the average closing price of our shares over the 30-calendar days ending May 31, 2017. A total of 104,359 performance based restricted stock units were granted with the payout of shares for each executive ranging from 0%-150% of target. The estimated fair value of each restricted stock unit at the date of grant using the Monte Carlo valuation model was $12.55. The valuation was done as of the date of grant, which included a risk free interest rate of 0.81%, the average closing price of our shares over the 30-calendar days ending May 16, 2014 of $11.28 and expected volatility of 44.5%.

Note 5 – Acquisition

In December 2013, we completed the acquisition of Terrafirma Roadways (“Terrafirma”), a provider of temporary roadways and worksites based in the United Kingdom, for total cash consideration of $6.8 million, net of cash acquired. Additional consideration up to £1.0 million ($1.6 million) may be payable based on earnings of the business over the 18-month period following the acquisition. Prior to the acquisition, Terrafirma had been operating as a partner to the Company since 2008, developing a rental business with DURA-BASE^® composite mats, primarily focused in the utility industry in the U.K.

The transaction has been recorded using the acquisition method of accounting and accordingly, assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date. The excess of the total consideration, including projected additional consideration, was recorded as goodwill and includes the value of the assembled workforce. While the initial purchase price allocation has been completed, the allocation of the purchase price is subject to change for a period of one year following the acquisition. The following table summarizes the amounts recognized for assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the December 2013 acquisition date:

Pro forma results of operation for the acquired business have not been presented as the effect of this acquisition is not material to our consolidated financial statements.

Note 6 – Treasury Stock

In April 2013, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program that authorizes the Company to purchase up to $50.0 million of its outstanding shares of common stock. In February 2014, our Board of Directors increased the total authorization of the program to $100.0 million, subject to the completion of the Environmental Services divesture that subsequently closed in March of 2014. These purchases are funded with a combination of cash generated from operations, the sale of the Environmental Services business and borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility. The repurchase program has no specific term. The Company may repurchase shares in the open market or as otherwise determined by management, subject to market conditions, business opportunities and other factors. As part of the share repurchase program, the Company’s management has been authorized to establish trading plans under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

During the first nine months of 2014, 4,317,278 shares were repurchased for an average price of approximately $11.72 per share, including commissions, leaving $42.7 million remaining under the program. All of the shares repurchased are held as treasury stock. We record treasury stock purchases under the cost method whereby the entire cost of the acquired stock is recorded as treasury stock.

Note 7 – Receivables

Receivables consist of the following:

Note 8 – Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:

Raw materials consist primarily of barite, chemicals, and other additives that are consumed in the production of our drilling fluid systems. Our blended drilling fluids components consist of base drilling fluid systems that have been either mixed internally at our mixing plants or purchased from third party vendors. These base systems require raw materials to be added, as required to meet specified customer requirements.

Note 9 – Financing Arrangements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Our financing arrangements include $172.5 million of unsecured convertible senior notes (“Senior Notes”) and a $125.0 million revolving credit facility which can be increased by $75.0 million for a maximum $200.0 million of capacity. At September 30, 2014, we had no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility. The Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.0% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning April 1, 2011. Holders may convert the Senior Notes at their option at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the October 1, 2017 maturity date. The conversion rate is initially 90.8893 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Senior Notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of $11.00 per share of common stock), subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. Upon conversion, the Senior Notes will be settled in shares of our common stock. We may not redeem the Senior Notes prior to their maturity date.

Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, receivables, payables and debt. We believe the carrying values of these instruments, with the exception of our Senior Notes, approximated their fair values at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The estimated fair value of our Senior Notes was $227.9 million at September 30, 2014 and $231.2 million at December 31, 2013, based on quoted market prices at these respective dates.

Note 10 – Commitments and Contingencies

In the ordinary course of conducting our business, we become involved in litigation and other claims from private party actions, as well as judicial and administrative proceedings involving governmental authorities at the federal, state and local levels. During the second quarter of 2014, a lawsuit was filed by Jesse Davida, a former employee, in Federal Court in Texas against Newpark Drilling Fluids LLC, alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). The plaintiff seeks damages and penalties for the Company’s alleged failure to: properly classify its field service employees as “non-exempt” under the FLSA; and pay them on an hourly basis (including overtime). The plaintiff seeks recovery on his own behalf, and seeks certification of a class of similarly situated employees. We have retained outside counsel with experience in FLSA class action litigation, and plan to vigorously defend this litigation. Similar cases have been filed against other companies in the oil and gas services industry, including some of our competitors. We are monitoring developments in those cases as well. Because our case remains in the very early stages, we cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the litigation at this time and, accordingly, cannot estimate any possible loss or range of loss. In the opinion of management, any liability in these matters should not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Note 11 – Segment Data

Summarized operating results for our reportable segments are shown in the following table (net of inter-segment transfers):

The following discussion of our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and capital resources should be read together with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this report as well as our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Our third quarter represents the three month period ended September 30 and our first nine months represents the nine month period ending September 30. Unless otherwise stated, all currency amounts are stated in U.S. dollars.

Overview

We are a diversified oil and gas industry supplier providing products and services primarily to the oil and gas exploration and production (“E&P”) industry. We operate our business through two reportable segments: Fluids Systems and Mats and Integrated Services.

In March 2014, we completed the sale of our Environmental Services business, which was historically reported as a third operating segment for $100 million in cash. The proceeds were used for general corporate purposes, including investments in our core drilling fluids and mats segments, along with share purchases under the current repurchase program. See Note 2 Discontinued Operations in our Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 for additional information.

Our Fluids Systems segment, which generated 87% of consolidated revenues in the first nine months of 2014, provides customized drilling fluids solutions to E&P customers globally, operating through four geographic regions: North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”), Latin America, and Asia Pacific.

In 2013, we announced several international contract awards in the EMEA region all of which began in 2014. We were awarded a contract to provide drilling fluids and related services for a series of wells to be drilled in the Black Sea. In addition, we were awarded two contracts to provide drilling fluids and related services for land operations, including a five year contract by the Kuwait Oil Company (“Kuwait”) and a four year contract by another customer in India. Total revenue generated under these contracts was approximately $14 million for the first nine months of 2014. In the third quarter of 2014, we were also awarded a contract by ENI S.p.A. to provide drilling fluids and related services for a series of wells in offshore Libya with the work expected to begin in the first half of 2015.

We are continuing the roll-out of Evolution^®, our family of high performance water-based drilling fluid systems initially launched in 2010, which we believe provide superior performance and environmental benefits to our customers, as compared to traditional fluid systems used in the industry. After completing the roll-out of the systems into most major North American drilling basins in 2011 and 2012, we began expanding into key international markets. The systems have now been used in our EMEA and Asia Pacific regions. Total revenues from wells using Evolution systems were approximately $183 million in the first nine months of 2014, including $26 million from international markets, compared to total revenues of $86 million in the first nine months of 2013.

In the third quarter of 2014, we announced two capital investment projects within the Fluids Systems segment. We have plans for a capital investment of approximately $30 million to significantly expand existing capacity and upgrade the drilling fluids blending, storage and transfer capabilities in Fourchon, Louisiana, which serves the Gulf of Mexico deepwater market. In addition, we are investing approximately $20 million in a new manufacturing facility and distribution center located in Conroe, Texas, which will support the increasing demand for our proprietary fluid technologies, including our Evolution systems. Both of these projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2015.

Our Mats and Integrated Services segment, which generated 13% of consolidated revenues through the first nine months of 2014, provides composite mat rentals, well site construction and related site services to oil and gas customers. In addition, mat rentals activity is expanding into applications in other industries, including petrochemicals, utilities, and pipeline. We also sell composite mats to E&P customers outside of the U.S., and to domestic customers outside of the oil and gas industry.

In October 2013, we announced plans to expand our mat manufacturing facility, located in Carencro, Louisiana. The $40 million expansion project is expected to be completed at the end of the first quarter of 2015. Upon completion, the project will significantly increase our production capacity and support expansion into new markets, both domestically and internationally. The new facility will also include a research and development center, intended to drive continued new product development efforts. Until this manufacturing facility expansion project is completed, we expect revenues from mat sales to continue to be limited by our manufacturing capacity limitations, along with our efforts to meet growing demand for mat rentals. During the first nine months of 2014, we allocated the majority of our composite mat production toward the expansion of our rental fleet, leaving fewer mats available for sale to customers.

In December 2013, we completed the acquisition of Terrafirma Roadways (“Terrafirma”), a provider of temporary roadways and worksites based in the United Kingdom, for total cash consideration of $6.8 million, net of cash acquired. Prior to the acquisition, Terrafirma had been operating as a partner to the Company since 2008, developing a rental business with DURA-BASE^® composite mats, primarily focused in the utility industry in the U.K.

Rig count data is the most widely accepted indicator of drilling activity. Average North American rig count data for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, as compared to the same periods of 2013 is as follows:

Source: Baker Hughes Incorporated

Third Quarter of 2014 Compared to Third Quarter of 2013

Consolidated Results of Operations

Summarized results of operations for the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013 are as follows:

Revenues

Revenues increased 11% to $297.0 million in the third quarter of 2014, compared to $268.1 million in the third quarter of 2013. This $28.8 million increase includes a $28.3 million (14%) increase in revenues in North America, comprised of a $19.7 million increase in our Fluids Systems segment and an $8.6 million increase in the Mats and Integrated Services segment. Revenues from our international operations remained relatively flat with the third quarter of 2013, with increases in our Fluids Systems EMEA region being more than offset by declines in the Latin America region. International revenues in 2014 also include a $1.9 million increase from the December 2013 acquisition of Terrafirma. Additional information regarding the change in revenues is provided within the operating segment results below.

Cost of revenues

Cost of revenues increased 4% to $228.7 million in the third quarter of 2014 compared to $218.9 million in the third quarter of 2013. Cost of revenues increased 4% compared to the prior year third quarter on a 11% increase in revenues, benefitting from an improved sales mix, including continued growth in our higher margin family of Evolution drilling fluid systems and higher growth in the Mats and Integrated Services segment, which provides a stronger margin relative to Fluids Systems. Additional information regarding the change in cost of revenues is provided within the operating segment results below.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $4.9 million to $28.8 million in the third quarter of 2014 from $23.8 million in the third quarter of 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase of $1.5 million in performance-based incentive compensation, an increase of $0.8 million related to stock-based compensation, increases in personnel and administrative costs associated with company growth, and spending related to strategic planning projects and other growth initiatives.

Foreign currency exchange

Foreign currency exchange was a $1.2 million loss in the third quarter of 2014, compared to a $1.0 million loss in the third quarter of 2013. The third quarter 2014 loss primarily reflects the impact of the strengthening U.S. dollar on currency translations on assets and liabilities (including intercompany balances) held in our international operations that are denominated in currencies other than functional currencies.

Interest expense, net

Interest expense totaled $2.3 million for the third quarter of 2014 compared to $2.7 million in the third quarter of 2013. The decline in interest expense in the third quarter of 2014 was primarily attributable to the capitalization of interest associated with the mat manufacturing facility expansion project.

Provision for income taxes

The provision for income taxes for the third quarter of 2014 was $12.4 million, reflecting an effective tax rate of 34.5%, compared to $6.5 million in the third quarter of 2013, reflecting an effective tax rate of 29.7%. The low effective tax rate in the third quarter of 2013 was primarily attributable to increased deductions and other benefits identified with completion of the 2012 U.S. tax filings.

Discontinued operations

Income from our discontinued Environmental Services operations that were sold in March 2014 was $3.3 million in the third quarter of 2013.  See Note 2 Discontinued Operations in our Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1.

Operating Segment Results

Summarized financial information for our reportable segments is shown in the following table (net of inter-segment transfers):

Fluids Systems

Revenues

Total revenues for this segment consisted of the following:

North American revenues increased 12% to $184.0 million in the third quarter of 2014, compared to $164.2 million in the third quarter of 2013. While the North American rig count improved by 8% over this period, the 12% revenue increase is largely attributable to market share gains in Canada, and continued strong demand for wholesale barite. In addition, our U.S. completion services and equipment rental business, which was sold in December of 2013, contributed $3.7 million of revenue to the third quarter of 2013.

Internationally, revenues decreased 2% to $67.3 million in the third quarter of 2014, as compared to $68.8 million in the third quarter of 2013 as increases in the EMEA region were more than offset by decreases in the Latin America region. The increase in the EMEA region is primarily attributable to approximately $6 million in revenues from the new contracts mentioned above, including the deepwater Black Sea, India and Kuwait contracts. The decrease in the Latin America region is primarily attributable to declines in Petrobras drilling activity.

Operating Income

Operating income increased $10.6 million in the third quarter of 2014, as compared to the third quarter of 2013. The increase in operating income includes an $11.6 million increase from North American operations partially offset by a $1.0 million decrease from international operations. In addition to the favorable impact on operating income from the increase in revenues described above, the increase in North American operating income is largely attributable to improved sales mix, including approximately a $31 million increase in revenue from our proprietary Evolution drilling fluid systems, which generate higher margins relative to our traditional product offering. Also, the third quarter of 2013 included a $1.1 million operating loss associated with the exited completions service and rental business.

The decrease in operating income for our international operations is primarily attributable to operating losses in the Latin America region in the third quarter of 2014 offset by the benefit from the increased revenues in the EMEA region as described above.

In recent quarters, the business environment in Brazil has become increasingly challenging, particularly as Petrobras, our primary customer in the region, has focused more efforts on well completions and less on drilling activities. Also, the lack of timely payment of Petrobras-related invoicing has caused increases in invested working capital associated with participation in this market. In response to these changes in the business environment, we have taken certain actions to reduce the cost structure of this operation and are continuing to evaluate further actions. While the Brazilian deepwater drilling market remains an important component of our long-term strategy, the profitability of our business in Brazil remains highly dependent on increasing levels of drilling activity by Petrobras and other E&P customers. In the absence of a longer-term increase in drilling activity, we may incur additional charges, including potential asset impairments, as we seek to reduce our cost structure in country, which may negatively impact our future operating results.

Mats and Integrated Services

Revenues

Total revenues for this segment consisted of the following:

Mat rental and services revenues increased $22.4 million compared to the third quarter of 2013, primarily due to increasing demand for our composite mat products in the Northeast U.S. region, a large site preparation project in the Gulf Coast region and our ongoing expansion into the utility and pipeline markets. In addition, the third quarter of 2014 benefitted from a $1.9 million increase from the U.K. rental operation, following the December 2013 Terrafirma acquisition, as described above. Mat sales in the third quarter of 2014 decreased $11.8 million from the third quarter of 2013 as we allocated the majority of our composite mat production toward the expansion of our rental fleet. As described further below, quarterly revenues from mat sales typically fluctuate based on management’s allocation of plant capacity, along with the timing of mat orders from customers.

Operating Income

Segment operating income increased by $5.2 million, as compared to the third quarter of 2013, largely attributable to the $10.6 million increase in revenues described above. The segment operating margin remains strong, driven by high utilization of mats in our rental fleet, and high utilization of our production facility, which continues to run at maximum production capacity levels.

The levels of mat sales in a given quarter are determined by several factors, including customer demand, as well as our allocation of mat production between sales and deployment into our rental fleet. The allocation of our production between additions to our rental fleet and sales in any given quarter is driven by a number of factors including commitments to meeting customer schedules, ability of our customers to take delivery of mats, timing of large mat rental projects/events, and plant capacity/efficiencies. As noted above, in the third quarter of 2014, we allocated the majority of our composite mat production toward the expansion of our rental fleet, leaving fewer mats available for sale to customers. Based on the continuing strong demand for our mats in the rental fleet, we expect the majority of our production to continue to be dedicated toward the expansion of our rental fleet until completion of the new mat manufacturing facility, resulting in lower mat sales revenues and income.

Corporate Office

Corporate office expenses increased $2.0 million to $8.9 million in the third quarter of 2014, compared to $6.8 million in the third quarter of 2013.  The increase primarily relates to higher personnel and administrative costs related to company growth, higher performance-based incentive compensation, and a $0.5 million increase in spending related to strategic planning projects and other growth initiatives. Additionally, the third quarter of 2014 includes $0.5 million in incremental costs related to our corporate office relocation.

First Nine Months of 2014 Compared to First Nine Months of 2013

Consolidated Results of Operations

Summarized results of operations for the first nine months of 2014 compared to the first nine months of 2013 are as follows:

Revenues

Revenues increased 2% to $812.3 million in the first nine months of 2014, compared to $795.4 million in the first nine months of 2013. This $16.8 million increase includes a $7.7 million (1%) increase in revenues in North America, with a $21.9 million increase in our Mats and Integrated Services segment being offset by a $14.2 million decline in our Fluids Systems segment. Revenues from our international operations increased by $9.1 million (4%), primarily attributable to increases in the Fluids Systems EMEA region, partially offset by declines in the Asia Pacific and Latin America regions. International revenues in 2014 also include a $5.0 million increase from the December 2013 acquisition of Terrafirma. Additional information regarding the change in revenues is provided within the operating segment results below.

Cost of revenues

Cost of revenues decreased 2% to $639.9 million in the first nine months of 2014, compared to $654.3 million in the first nine months of 2013. Despite a 2% increase in revenues, cost of revenues decreased 2% in the first nine months of 2014 benefitting from an improved sales mix, including continued growth in our higher margin family of Evolution drilling fluid systems and higher growth in the Mats and Integrated Services segment, which provides a stronger margin relative to Fluids Systems. Additional information regarding the change in cost of revenues is provided within the operating segment results below.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $12.7 million to $82.3 million in the first nine months of 2014 from $69.5 million in the first nine months of 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to increases in personnel and administrative costs associated with company growth, a $2.7 million increase in performance-based compensation, a $2.3 million increase in stock-based incentive compensation, and a $3.3 million increase in spending related to strategic planning projects, including the development of our deepwater market penetration strategy, international treasury and tax planning projects, and other growth initiatives.

Other Operating Income, net

Other operating income was $1.9 million in the first nine months of 2014 as compared to $0.5 million in the first nine months of 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to $1.2 million of gains recognized on the sale of two properties in 2014.

Foreign currency exchange

Foreign currency exchange was a $0.5 million gain in the first nine months of 2014, compared to a $1.1 million loss in the first nine months of 2013. The 2014 gain primarily reflects the impact of the fluctuating U.S. dollar on currency translations on assets and liabilities (including intercompany balances) held in our international operations that are denominated in currencies other than functional currencies.

Interest expense, net

Interest expense totaled $8.1 million for both the first nine months of 2014 and 2013. An increase in interest expense in the first nine months of 2014 related to the impact of higher borrowings in our international subsidiaries was offset by the benefit of lower borrowings under our U.S. revolving credit facility and capitalization of interest associated with the mat manufacturing facility expansion project.

Provision for income taxes

The provision for income taxes for the first nine months of 2014 was $28.9 million, reflecting an effective tax rate of 34.2%, compared to $20.8 million in the first nine months of 2013, reflecting an effective tax rate of 33.1%. The increase in the effective tax rate is primarily related to the increase in U.S. earnings in 2014 which has a higher effective tax rate than our foreign jurisdictions. The full year 2014 tax rate is anticipated to be approximately 35%.

Discontinued operations

Income from our discontinued Environmental Services operations that was sold in March 2014 was $1.2 million in 2014 compared to $9.6 million in the first nine months of 2013.  In addition, 2014 includes a $22.1 million gain from the March 2014 sale of the business, described above.  See Note 2 Discontinued Operations in our Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1.

Operating Segment Results

Summarized financial information for our reportable segments is shown in the following table (net of inter-segment transfers):

Fluids Systems

Revenues

Total revenues for this segment consisted of the following:

North American revenues decreased 3% to $489.2 million in the first nine months of 2014, compared to $503.4 million in the first nine months of 2013. While the North American rig count improved by 5% over this period, the decreases primarily related to market share losses in South Texas and reduced drilling activity of a key customer in the U.S., which were partially offset by market share gains in Canada, as well as continued strong demand for wholesale barite. In addition, our U.S. completion services and equipment rental business, which was sold in December of 2013, contributed $13.4 million of revenue to the first nine months of 2013.

Internationally, revenues increased 2% to $214.8 million in the first nine months of 2014, as compared to $210.9 million in first nine months of 2013 as increases in the EMEA region were partially offset by decreases in the Asia Pacific and Latin America regions. The increase in the EMEA region is primarily attributable to approximately $14 million in revenues from the new contracts described above, including the Black Sea, India and Kuwait contracts. The decline in the Asia Pacific region is attributable to lower customer drilling activities under an offshore contract in Australia and lower land drilling revenues. The decrease in the Latin America region is primarily attributable to declines in Petrobras drilling activity.

Operating Income

Operating income increased $13.6 million in the first nine months of 2014, as compared to the first nine months of 2013. The increase in operating income includes a $10.8 million increase from North American operations and a $2.8 million increase from international operations. Despite the 3% decrease in North American revenues described above, operating income in North America increased approximately 26% primarily attributable to improved sales mix, including approximately $77 million increase in revenues from our proprietary Evolution drilling fluid systems, which generate higher margins relative to our traditional product offering. North American operating income in 2014 also benefitted from the higher margins related to the increased revenues in Canada and from the strong demand for wholesale barite. Additionally, operating income in the first nine months of 2013 included a $1.7 million loss associated with the now exited completion services and rental business.

The increase in operating income for our international operations includes the benefit from the increased revenues in the EMEA region described above offset partially by lower earnings in the Asia Pacific region.

Mats and Integrated Services

Revenues

Total revenues for this segment consisted of the following:

Mat rental and services revenues increased $41.9 million compared to the first nine months of 2013, largely due to increasing demand for our composite mat products in the Northeast U.S. region, along with a large site preparation project in the Gulf Coast region. In addition, the first nine months of 2014 benefitted from a $5.0 million increase from the U.K. rental operation, following the December 2013 Terrafirma acquisition. Mat sales decreased by $14.8 million from the first nine months of 2013, as we allocated the majority of our 2014 composite mat production toward the expansion of our rental fleet. Quarterly revenues from mat sales typically fluctuate based on management’s allocation of plant capacity, along with the timing of mat orders from customers.

Operating Income

Segment operating income in 2014 increased by $13.4 million, as compared to the first nine months of 2013, largely attributable to the $27.1 million increase in revenues described above, along with a $0.6 million gain on the sale of real estate. The segment operating margin remains strong, driven by high utilization of mats in our rental fleet, and high utilization of our production facility, which continues to run at maximum production capacity levels.

Corporate Office

Corporate office expenses increased $7.1 million to $26.6 million in the first nine months of 2014, compared to $19.5 million in the first nine months of 2013. The increase is attributable to increases in personnel and administrative costs related to company growth, higher performance-based incentive compensation, higher stock-based compensation, and a $3.1 million increase in spending related to strategic planning projects, including the development of our deepwater market penetration strategy, international tax planning projects, and other growth initiatives.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net cash provided by operating activities during the first nine months of 2014 totaled $22.9 million as compared to $95.7 million during the first nine months of 2013. This $72.8 million decrease in operating cash flow is primarily attributable to the increase in working capital to support revenue growth and the increase in tax payments largely related to the 2014 sale of the Environmental Services business. During the first nine months of 2014, net income adjusted for non-cash items provided $78.3 million of cash while changes in operating assets used $55.4 million of cash. Uses of cash included increases in accounts receivable of $60.3 million, primarily attributable to higher revenue levels, and increases in inventories of $12.0 million, largely associated with the timing of receipts of barite ore purchased from China. These uses of cash were partially offset by a combined $23.1million increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

Net cash provided by investing activities during the first nine months of 2014 was $8.2 million, primarily consisting of net proceeds from the sale of the Environmental Services business of $89.8 million offset by capital expenditures of $84.7 million. The first nine months of 2014 capital expenditures included $50.9 million in the Mats & Integrated Services segment, including $27.4 million related to the deployment of produced mats into the rental fleet and $21.0 million related to the manufacturing plant expansion project at our Carencro, Louisiana facility.

We anticipate that our future working capital requirements for our operations will fluctuate directionally with revenues. We expect total 2014 capital expenditures to range between $100 million to $110 million. As of September 30, 2014, we had cash on-hand of $41.4 million of which $38.5 million resides within our foreign subsidiaries which we intend to leave permanently reinvested abroad. We expect our subsidiary cash on-hand, along with cash generated by operations and availability under our existing credit agreement to be adequate to fund our anticipated capital needs during the next 12 months.

Our capitalization is as follows:

Our financing arrangements include $172.5 million of Senior Notes and a $125.0 million revolving credit facility. The Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.0% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning April 1, 2011. Holders may convert the Senior Notes at their option at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the October 1, 2017 maturity date. The conversion rate is initially 90.8893 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Senior Notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of $11.00 per share of common stock), subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. Upon conversion, the Senior Notes will be settled in shares of our common stock. We may not redeem the Senior Notes prior to their maturity date.

Our revolving credit facility (the "Credit Agreement") provides for a $125.0 million revolving loan facility available for borrowings and letters of credit which expires in November 2016. The Credit Agreement can be increased by $75.0 million for a maximum $200.0 million of capacity. Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, we can elect to borrow at an interest rate either based on LIBOR plus a margin based on our consolidated leverage ratio, ranging from 175 to 300 basis points, or at an interest rate based on the greatest of: (a) prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate in effect plus 50 basis points, or (c) the Eurodollar rate for a Eurodollar Loan with a one-month interest period plus 100 basis points, in each case plus a margin ranging from 75 to 200 basis points. The applicable margin on LIBOR borrowings on September 30, 2014 was 200 basis points. In addition, we are required to pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the Credit Agreement of 37.5 basis points. The Credit Agreement contains customary financial and operating covenants, including a consolidated leverage ratio, a senior secured leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio. We were in compliance with these covenants as of September 30, 2014.

At September 30, 2014, we had letters of credit issued and outstanding under the Credit Agreement which totaled $38.3 million leaving $86.7 million of availability at September 30, 2014. Additionally, our foreign operations had $8.8 million outstanding under lines of credit and other borrowings, as well as $0.3 million outstanding in letters of credit.

The Credit Agreement is a senior secured obligation, secured by first liens on all of our U.S. tangible and intangible assets, including our accounts receivable and inventory. Additionally, a portion of the capital stock of our non-U.S. subsidiaries has also been pledged as collateral.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which requires us to make assumptions, estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported. We periodically evaluate our estimates and judgments related to uncollectible accounts and notes receivable, customer returns, reserves for obsolete and slow moving inventory, impairments of long-lived assets, including goodwill and other intangibles and our valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. Our estimates are based on historical experience and on our future expectations that we believe to be reasonable. The combination of these factors forms the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from our current estimates and those differences may be material.

For additional discussion of our critical accounting estimates and policies, see “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Our critical accounting policies have not changed materially since December 31, 2013.

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates and changes in foreign currency rates. A discussion of our primary market risk exposure in financial instruments is presented below.

Interest Rate Risk

At September 30, 2014, we had total debt outstanding of $181.3 million, including $172.5 million of Senior Notes, bearing interest at a fixed rate of 4.0%. Variable rate debt totaled $8.8 million which relates to our foreign operations under lines of credit and other borrowings. At the September 30, 2014 balance, a 200 basis point increase in market interest rates during 2014 would cause our annual interest expense to increase approximately $0.2 million.

Foreign Currency

Our principal foreign operations are conducted in certain areas of EMEA, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Canada. We have foreign currency exchange risks associated with these operations, which are conducted principally in the foreign currency of the jurisdictions in which we operate which include European euros, Algerian dinar, Romanian new leu, Canadian dollars, Australian dollars, British pound and Brazilian reais. Historically, we have not used off-balance sheet financial hedging instruments to manage foreign currency risks when we enter into a transaction denominated in a currency other than our local currencies.

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

Based on their evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2014, the end of the period covered by this quarterly report.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

There has been no change in internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2014 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

There have been no material changes during the period ended September 30, 2014 in our “Risk Factors” as discussed in Item 1A to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

In February 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an amendment to the $50.0 million repurchase program to increase the amount authorized to $100.0 million, subject to completion of the Environmental Services divesture that subsequently closed in March 2014.

Not applicable.

The information concerning mine safety violations and other regulatory matters required by section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K is included in Exhibit 95.1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which is incorporated by reference.

None.