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Patterson-UTI Rig Count Continues to Rocket Skyward – 159 in May

As we do every month (and have for two years), MDN tracks how many rigs oilfield services company Patterson-UTI Energy reports operating–as a proxy for rig count health in the Marcellus/Utica. In April the Patterson rig count rocketed to 115, up an amazing 27 rigs in a single month–the biggest jump we’ve seen (see Patterson-UTI Huge Increase in Monthly Rig Count – SSE Factored?). Why the big jump in April? We theorized that rigs from Seventy Seven Energy, which Patterson recently bought/merged with, influenced those numbers (see Patterson-UTI Energy Completes Merger with Seventy Seven Energy). Last month we reached out to Patterson and got confirmation of our theory from Mike Drickamer, Vice President, Investor Relations: “We completed the merger with Seventy Seven Energy on April 20 and so the April rig count did reflect 10 days of rigs acquired from Seventy Seven Energy.” Patterson released their May rig count number yesterday, and it zoomed to another new high–of 159 rigs. That’s up an amazing 38% in one month! It is the most rigs we’ve tracked for Patterson since we began keeping track. The reason for May’s high number is, of course, that Patterson’s numbers now reflect a full month of SSE rigs now part of the Patterson fleet… Read More “Patterson-UTI Rig Count Continues to Rocket Skyward – 159 in May”

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Patterson-UTI Huge Increase in Monthly Rig Count – SSE Factored?

As we do every month (and have for two years), MDN tracks how many rigs oilfield services company Patterson-UTI Energy reports operating–as a proxy for rig count health in the Marcellus/Utica. Patterson operates a number of rigs in the northeast, as well as other areas of the continental United States (and Canada). Patterson was our “canary down the mine shaft” for discerning when the deep, dark recession in drilling would turn around. It happened in June 2016–and every single month since that time, including the month of April. In March, Patterson’s rig count jumped up by 10, to an average of 88 active rigs operating in the U.S. That has been the biggest single monthly increase since they began adding rigs again last June–until April. Last month the Patterson rig count rocketed to 115, up an amazing 27 rigs in a single month. What in the world happened? We have an answer…
Read More “Patterson-UTI Huge Increase in Monthly Rig Count – SSE Factored?”

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Patterson-UTI Energy Completes Merger with Seventy Seven Energy

As MDN told you last November, Patterson-UTI Energy, an oilfield services company with major operations in the northeast, is buying out and merging in Seventy Seven Energy (SSE) in an all-stock deal worth $1.76 billion (see Seventy Seven Energy Throws in the Towel, Sells to Paterson-UTI). SSE is the former Chesapeake Oilfield Operating company, the oilfield services subsidiary of Chesapeake Energy that Chessy spun out into its own company in July 2014 after it couldn’t find anyone to buy it (see Long Labor & Delivery: Seventy Seven Energy Born Yesterday). It was an ill-fated venture from the beginning. SSE never turned a profit after becoming its own company. In June 2016, SSE, which has major operations in the Marcellus/Utica, filed for bankruptcy, then emerged from bankruptcy two months later borrowing $100 million (see Seventy Seven Energy Pops Out of Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in 2 Mos.). With Patterson is buying it, they are on the hook for SSE’s debts. So even though the deal to buy SSE is a no-cash stock swap, Patterson still needs a boatload of cash to pay off SSE’s debts. So Patterson floating 15.8 million shares of stock at $26.45 per share to raise $418 million in order to pay off SSE’s debts (see Patterson-UTI Floats $418M of New Stock to Pay Off SSE’s Debts). The day has finally arrived. Yesterday Patterson closed on the deal and now SSE, nee Chesapeake Oilfield Operating, is no more…
Read More “Patterson-UTI Energy Completes Merger with Seventy Seven Energy”

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Seventy Seven Energy 2016: Still Bleeding, Just Not as Much

Seventy Seven Energy (SSE) is the former Chesapeake Oilfield Operating company, the oilfield services subsidiary of Chesapeake Energy that Chessy spun out into its own company in July 2014 after it couldn’t find anyone to buy it (see Long Labor & Delivery: Seventy Seven Energy Born Yesterday). It was an ill-fated venture from the beginning. SSE never turned a profit after becoming its own company. In June 2016, SSE, which has major operations in the Marcellus/Utica, filed for bankruptcy, then emerged from bankruptcy two months later borrowing $100 million (see Seventy Seven Energy Pops Out of Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in 2 Mos.). In the third quarter of last year, the red ink continued to flow, with SSE losing $36.5 million. SSE finally had enough and threw in the towel. In December, Patterson-UTI Energy, another oilfield services company with major operations in the northeast, cut a deal to buy out and merge in SSE in an all-stock deal worth $1.76 billion (see Seventy Seven Energy Throws in the Towel, Sells to Paterson-UTI). However, that deal is not yet done and won’t be until mid-year this year. In the meantime, SSE has just released its fourth quarter and full year 2016 update. And yes, the red ink continued to flow, although not was fast as it was…
Read More “Seventy Seven Energy 2016: Still Bleeding, Just Not as Much”

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Patterson-UTI Floats $418M of New Stock to Pay Off SSE’s Debts

As MDN told you in November, Patterson-UTI Energy, an oilfield services company with major operations in the northeast, is buying out and merging in Seventy Seven Energy (SSE) in an all-stock deal worth $1.76 billion (see Seventy Seven Energy Throws in the Towel, Sells to Paterson-UTI). SSE is the former Chesapeake Oilfield Operating company, the oilfield services subsidiary of Chesapeake Energy that Chessy spun out into its own company in July 2014 after it couldn’t find anyone to buy it (see Long Labor & Delivery: Seventy Seven Energy Born Yesterday). It was an ill-fated venture from the beginning. SSE never turned a profit after becoming its own company. In June of this year, SSE, which has major operations in the Marcellus/Utica, filed for bankruptcy, then emerged from bankruptcy two months later borrowing $100 million (see Seventy Seven Energy Pops Out of Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in 2 Mos.). In the third quarter of this year, the red ink continued to flow, with SSE losing $36.5 million. Now that Patterson is buying it, they are on the hook for SSE’s debts. So even though the deal to buy SSE is a no-cash stock swap, Patterson still needs a boatload of cash to pay off SSE’s debts. So Patterson is floating 15,800,000 shares of stock at $26.45 per share to raise $418 million. The stated reason? “To fund the repayment of the outstanding indebtedness of Seventy Seven Energy Inc.”…
Read More “Patterson-UTI Floats $418M of New Stock to Pay Off SSE’s Debts”

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Seventy Seven Energy Throws in the Towel, Sells to Paterson-UTI

Seventy Seven Energy (SSE) is the former Chesapeake Oilfield Operating company, the oilfield services subsidiary of Chesapeake Energy that Chessy spun out into its own company in July 2014 after it couldn’t find anyone to buy it (see Long Labor & Delivery: Seventy Seven Energy Born Yesterday). It was an ill-fated venture from the beginning. SSE never turned a profit after becoming its own company. In June of this year, SSE, which has major operations in the Marcellus/Utica, filed for bankruptcy, then emerged from bankruptcy two months later borrowing $100 million (see Seventy Seven Energy Pops Out of Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in 2 Mos.). In the third quarter of this year, the red ink continued to flow, with SSE losing $36.5 million. Patterson-UTI Energy, another oilfield services company with major operations in the northeast, is buying out and merging in SSE in an all-stock deal worth $1.76 billion…
Read More “Seventy Seven Energy Throws in the Towel, Sells to Paterson-UTI”

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Seventy Seven Energy 3Q16: Post-Bankruptcy, Still Losing $

SSE logoIn August MDN reported that oilfield services company Seventy Seven Energy (SSE), the former Chesapeake Oilfield Operating company, had popped out of bankruptcy in record time–just two months after declaring bankruptcy (see Seventy Seven Energy Pops Out of Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in 2 Mos.). The bankruptcy reduced more than $1 billion worth of debt by waving a magic wand and turning debt into equity (shares of stock)–hosing existing stockholders. SSE’s second quarter report reflects the pre-bankrupt company and showed they lost $84.5 million in 2Q16, compared to losing $74.7 million in 2Q15 (see Seventy Seven Energy 2Q16: Shed $1B Debt, Lost $84.5M). SSE has just released their 3Q16 update, which is the first update since they magically wiped away $1 billion in debt. What does it show? It’s complicated, since there is the pre-bankrupt financials and post-bankrupt financials. The bottom line is that the company is still losing money. If you look at just the two months since emerging from Chapter 11, SSE lost another $36.5 million. The company reports they currently have 29 rigs operating with another 22 rigs under contract…
Read More “Seventy Seven Energy 3Q16: Post-Bankruptcy, Still Losing $”

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Seventy Seven Energy 2Q16: Shed $1B Debt, Lost $84.5M

SSE logoEarlier this month MDN reported that oilfield services company Seventy Seven Energy (SSE), the former Chesapeake Oilfield Operating company, had popped out of bankruptcy in record time–just two months after declaring bankruptcy (see Seventy Seven Energy Pops Out of Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in 2 Mos.). The bankruptcy reduced more than $1 billion worth of debt by waving a magic wand and turning debt into equity (shares of stock)–hosing existing stockholders. We also reported SSE was cleared to borrow another $100 million (go figure). Last week SSE released their second quarter 2016 update. It shows the company lost $84.5 million in 2Q16, compared to losing $74.7 million in 2Q15. Here’s the SSE 2Q16 update…
Read More “Seventy Seven Energy 2Q16: Shed $1B Debt, Lost $84.5M”

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Seventy Seven Energy Pops Out of Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in 2 Mos.

SSE logoGetting a pre-packaged bankruptcy to go is about as fast as getting a Happy Meal at the McDonald’s drive-thru. Relatively speaking, of course. Bankruptcies usually take many months, often years, before a company emerges to fight another day. Not so with the pre-packaged variety. Seventy Seven Energy (SSE), the former Chesapeake Oilfield Operating company, filed a bankruptcy plan just two months ago (see Seventy Seven Energy Officially Files for Prepackaged Bankruptcy). Last month we reported SSE would soon exit bankruptcy, borrowing another $100 million (see Seventy Seven Energy Cleared to Exit Bankruptcy, Borrowing $100M!). Yesterday SSE reported they have emerged, waving the magic wand and turning $1.1 billion of debt into equity. SSE’s previous stockholders are now completely hosed, and the new stockholders (former debtholders) are holding their breath…
Read More “Seventy Seven Energy Pops Out of Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in 2 Mos.”

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Seventy Seven Energy Cleared to Exit Bankruptcy, Borrowing $100M!

Can you spare a dimeIn June MDN told you that Seventy Seven Energy (SSE), the old Chesapeake Oilfield Operating unit that was spun into its own company a few years ago, filed a “pre-packaged” bankruptcy plan that screws shareholders by devaluing their shares to worthless status and converting the company’s considerable outstanding debts into new shares of ownership (see Seventy Seven Energy Officially Files for Prepackaged Bankruptcy). In a little over a month, the judge assigned to case has approved that plan, along with a plan for SSE to borrow an additional $100 million. Wait, what?? The company just converted a boatload of debt into equity (bonds and IOUs into shares of stock), and they turn around and borrow ANOTHER $100 million! Yep. That’s what’s happening…
Read More “Seventy Seven Energy Cleared to Exit Bankruptcy, Borrowing $100M!”

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Seventy Seven Energy Officially Files for Prepackaged Bankruptcy

SSE logoIn May MDN told you that Seventy Seven Energy (SSE), the old Chesapeake Oilfield Operating unit that was spun into its own company a few years ago, was planning to screw shareholders by devaluing their shares to worthless status and converting the company’s considerable outstanding debts into new shares of ownership (see Seventy Seven Energy Makes Progress in “Pre-Packaged” Bankruptcy). It’s called a “pre-packaged” bankruptcy–where a company cuts a deal with note holders (those who hold IOUs) to convert the debt into equity. Magnum Hunter Resources did it to their shareholders (see Magnum Hunter Emerges from Bankruptcy with CEO Gary Evans Gone). A number of other companies with operations in the Marcellus/Utica are also trying it, including Warren Resources, Halcon Resources, Penn Virginia and Ultra Petroleum. A couple of others are on the cusp of doing it: Stone Energy and EXCO Resources. SSE announced yesterday they have all of their ducks in a row with debt holders and they have officially filed for their “pre-packaged” bankruptcy…
Read More “Seventy Seven Energy Officially Files for Prepackaged Bankruptcy”

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Seventy Seven Energy Makes Progress in “Pre-Packaged” Bankruptcy

SSE logoThe process of screwing over existing stockholders in favor of debtholders continues at Seventy Seven Energy (SSE). In April, MDN told you that SSE–the old Chesapeake Oilfield Operating unit that was spun into its own company a few years ago–was ordering up one prepackaged bankruptcy to go (see Seventy Seven Energy Filing for Bankruptcy, Converting Debt into Stock). Following the path of other oil and gas-related companies, SSE plans to convert existing debt into equity–turning IOUs into shares of stock. Magnum Hunter Resources just completed the process of doing the same thing and had now emerged from bankruptcy (see Magnum Hunter Emerges from Bankruptcy with CEO Gary Evans Gone). Everybody is sort-of happy under that scenario–except the original stockholders who see the value of their shares of stock turned into toilet paper. They become worthless. (Note to self: Always buy bonds in the future!) SSE continues their march toward renegotiating with existing noteholders, as they announced last Friday…
Read More “Seventy Seven Energy Makes Progress in “Pre-Packaged” Bankruptcy”

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SSE 1Q16: Revenue Down 64%, Lost $59M, Quick Bankruptcy Coming

77 energyLast week Seventy Seven Energy (SSE)–the old Chesapeake Oilfield Operating unit that was spun into its own company a few years ago–announced it would soon declare bankruptcy (see Seventy Seven Energy Filing for Bankruptcy, Converting Debt into Stock). The message was “Don’t worry, this will be a quick and relatively painless bankruptcy.” Painless for everyone except existing common stockholders who will see the value of their stock plummet. But we digress. We can see why they announced the bankruptcy last week because yesterday SSE released their first quarter 2016 financial and operating results. Revenue plummeted by 64% in 1Q16 over 1Q15 (and down 19% from 4Q15). The company lost $59.5 million in 1Q16. CEO Jerry Winchester said (our words) given that all the wheels have come off the drilling cart, SSE’s 1Q16 performance wasn’t all that bad. Here’s the announcement (take some Alka Seltzer before reading it if you’re an investor in SSE)…
Read More “SSE 1Q16: Revenue Down 64%, Lost $59M, Quick Bankruptcy Coming”

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Seventy Seven Energy Filing for Bankruptcy, Converting Debt into Stock

77 energy“We’ll take one prepackaged bankruptcy to go.” That was the upshot of an announcement yesterday from oilfield services company Seventy Seven Energy (SSE)–the old Chesapeake Oilfield Operating unit that was spun into its own company a few years ago. In February MDN reported that for 2015 SSE revenue was down 45% and the company lost $221 million (see Seventy Seven Energy 2015: Revenue Down 45%, $221M Loss). In January SSE was threatened by the New York Stock Exchange with de-listing its stock (see Seventy Seven Energy’s Stock Threatened with Delisting from NYSE). One of SSE’s ongoing problems is that Chesapeake Energy, itself not in all-that-great-a-shape, provides nearly three-fourths (70%) of SSE’s revenue. In January SSE hired the “restructuring” experts at Lazard Freres to figure out how to stay in business (see Seventy Seven Energy Hires Turnaround Expert, Hopes to Stay Afloat). Their solution, as we learned yesterday, is a prepackaged bankruptcy where SSE gets the vast majority of debtholders to agree to converting the debt into stock ownership in the company. So SSE is giving away much of the company to its current debtors, hoping they can keep the doors open…
Read More “Seventy Seven Energy Filing for Bankruptcy, Converting Debt into Stock”

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Seventy Seven Energy 2015: Revenue Down 45%, $221M Loss

Last week MDN told you that Seventy Seven Energy, the old Chesapeake Energy Oilfield Operating unit that was spun into its own company a few years ago, had released some selected 2015 financial numbers with no context (see Seventy Seven Energy Releases Cherry-Picked Numbers). Which led us to speculate, “It must be worse at oilfield services company Seventy Seven Energy (SSE) than we thought.” SSE released their fourth quarter and full year 2015 financials yesterday, and our speculation was spot on. SSE lost $221 million in 2015 (with $61 million of that loss coming in 4Q15). In 2014 SSE had $2 billion in revenue. In 2015, they had $1.1 billion in revenue–nearly cut in half. Which we suppose should not come as a surprise, that a company which supplies the rigs and people to drill and frack has seen business disappear since energy companies pulled way back in 2015. Still, you have to wonder how long they can hold on with losses like this. SSE has a large operation in the Marcellus/Utica, which is why we track them. Below is SSE’s 4Q15 and full year 2015 update…
Read More “Seventy Seven Energy 2015: Revenue Down 45%, $221M Loss”

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Seventy Seven Energy Releases Cherry-Picked Numbers

It must be worse at oilfield services company Seventy Seven Energy (SSE) than we thought. The former Chesapeake Energy Oilfield Operating unit that was spun into its own company a few years ago. In January SSE announced they had hired a turnaround expert (see Seventy Seven Energy Hires Turnaround Expert, Hopes to Stay Afloat). Not long after that, also in January, the New York Stock Exchange threatened the company with delisting (see Seventy Seven Energy’s Stock Threatened with Delisting from NYSE). Although third quarter 2015 results were bloody, it seemed to us the situation was improving at SSE (see Seventy Seven Energy 3Q15: Still Losing Money, But Not as Much). However, SSE has just released a preliminary fourth quarter and full year 2015 update–and the update is nothing more than a few cherry-picked facts and figures. No financials. No updates for their various divisions. No context at all. Just a few facts and figures plucked to make the company look as good as it possibly can–until the other shoe drops when they have to release their financials…
Read More “Seventy Seven Energy Releases Cherry-Picked Numbers”