RPC's Q1 2025: Navigating Key Contradictions in Market Pricing, CapEx Strategy, and M&A Opportunities

Pressure pumping market pricing conversations, CapEx spending and M&A opportunities, M&A strategy and bid/ask spread, prudence in CapEx spending, and M&A criteria and strategy are the key contradictions discussed in RPC's latest 2025Q1 earnings call.



Financial Performance and Market Conditions:
- RPC, Inc. reported revenue of $333 million for Q1 2025, down 1% from Q4 2024, with EBITDA increasing to $48.9 million, up from $46.1 million.
- The stable financial performance in a challenging market was driven by strategic pricing and utilization management, although oil prices and market uncertainty impacted completion activities.

Pintail Acquisitions and Strategic Growth:
- RPC acquired Pintail Completions, a leading wireline and perforation services provider, for $245 million, enhancing its exposure toPermian Basin operations.
- The acquisition aligns with RPC's strategic imperatives to increase operational scale, focus on high cash flow generating service lines, and strengthen customer mix, with Pintail adding over $400 million in revenue.

Pressure Pumping and Market Dynamics:
- Pressure Pumping revenues were essentially flat sequentially, with all service lines declining 1%.
- This was due to competitive pricing and utilization tactics, with some customers struggling to maintain asset quality and performance due to economic pressures.

Non-Pressure Pumping Service Lines:
- Combined revenues of non-pressure pumping service lines were down 1% in Q1, with Coiled Tubing down a few points and Rental Tools up about 7%.
- This was attributed to unusual weather disruptions in certain regions offsetting growth in other areas, along with early traction in new drilled and unplugged products.

Capital Expenditure and M&A Strategy:
- CAPEX for the next nine months is projected to be between $165 million to $215 million, with Pintail's annualized CapEx estimated at up to $20 million.
- The company is focused on maintaining a strong balance sheet for future acquisitions, prioritizing accretive transactions with good free cash flow potential and exposure to larger E&P customers.

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