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- **Leadership Transition**: Carrie Ford appointed CEO, Gene Stahl COO, Dustin Honing CFO; Kevin Nevew retires after 18 years.
- **Q3 Financials**: Adjusted EBITDA $118 million, US rig count up 40% YTD, Canada margins $13,000/day.
- **Rig Upgrades**: 27 upgrades in 2025, $20 million capital increase; 100% Super Triple utilization in Canada's winter 2025.
- **US Growth**: US rig count from 27 to 40 since Q1; gas demand supported by LNG exports and electrification.
- **Customer Contracts**: 2026 discussions include Montney, heavy oil, and US gas; longer-term contracts in Montney and Marcellus.

**【Management Opening Remarks】**
- Precision Drilling announced the retirement of Kevin Nevew and the appointment of Carrie Ford as President and CEO, Gene Stahl as COO, and Dustin Honing as CFO.
- Q3 highlights include outperforming industry drilling activity, resilient operating margins within guidance, a $20 million increase in 2025 capital budget for rig upgrades, and debt reduction targets met.

**【CFO Financial Commentary】**
- Q3 adjusted EBITDA: $118 million (CAD129 million pre-SBC), down from CAD142 million in 2024.
- Canada: 63 active rigs (down 9 from Q3 2024), daily margins $13,007 (within guidance).
- US: 36 active rigs (up 3 from Q2), margins stable at $8,700/day; rig count increased from 27 to 40 since Q1.
- International: 7 rigs (down from 8 in 2024), day rates up 14% due to recertification.
- 2025 capital budget: $260 million (sustaining: $151 million, upgrades: $109 million), including 5 new contract-backed upgrades.
- Free cash flow allocation: 35-45% to debt reduction, $54 million shares repurchased YTD.
- 2025 guidance: depreciation $300 million, cash interest $65 million, tax rate 45-50% (25-30% in 2026).

**【CEO Strategic Overview】**
- **Scale Leverage**: 115 drilling rigs, 80 well service rigs; mobilized 2 Super Triple rigs from US to Canada for winter drilling.
- **Technology Integration**: 90% Super Triples with Alpha tech, 93% rigs with Evergreen solutions; robotics rig sets footage records.
- **Customer Focus**: 27 major upgrades in 2025, backed by upfront payments; Montney, heavy oil, and US gas basins driving demand.
- **Future Growth**: Expect 100% utilization of Super Triples in Canada's 2025 winter season; exploring longer-term US gas contracts.

**【Q&A Highlights】**
- **Contract Duration**: Longer-term contracts in Montney, Marcellus; shorter in oil basins; 2026 discussions ongoing.
- **Rig Upgrades**: 27 upgrades in 2025; demand driven by US gas, Canadian heavy oil; upgrade timeframes 1-4 months.
- **M&A Strategy**: No immediate plans; focus on organic growth via asset utilization and technology.
- **Market Outlook**: US gas activity supported by LNG exports; Canada's winter drilling season expected to meet/beat 2024 levels.
- **Financial Discipline**: Maintain net debt/EBITDA <1x; allocate 50%+ free cash flow to shareholders post-leverage target.


Precision Drilling Corp (PDS) Q3 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

- **Financial Strength**: Adjusted EBITDA of $108M, net earnings $16M, and 12th straight quarter of profit highlight strong operational execution.
- **U.S. Growth**: 36 rigs active in gas basins, targeting 40-45 by Q3 2025. Daily margins improving to $8,000-$9,000.
- **Canada Dominance**: 50 rigs operating, with Super Triple Alpha and Super Single rigs driving $15,306/day margins. LNG Canada Phase 1 could add 5+ rigs.
- **Capital Allocation**: $240M capex for 22 rig upgrades, with 35-45% of free cash flow to shareholders. Debt reduction target of $700M by 2027 on track.
- **Strategic Upgrades**: EverGreen solutions and extended-reach drilling upgrades deliver <12-month paybacks, enhancing competitive advantage.

**【CFO Financial Commentary】**
- **Adjusted EBITDA**: $108 million (including $4 million share-based compensation and $7 million from customer-funded upgrades). Excluding these, EBITDA was $105 million.
- **Revenue**: $407 million (-5% YoY). Net earnings: $16 million ($1.21 per share), 12th consecutive quarter of profit.
- **Cash Flow**: $104 million from operations, $147 million in cash provided.
- **U.S. Operations**: 33 rigs (3Q19 increase), daily margins $9,026 (vs. Q1 guidance of $7,000-$8,000). Q3 2025 margins expected: $8,000-$9,000.
- **Canada**: 50 rigs (1 rig increase YoY). Margins $15,306 (including $1,440/day from upgrades). Q3 2025 margins: $12,000-$13,000.
- **International**: 7 rigs, day rates up 4% YoY. C&P segment EBITDA: $10 million (-18% YoY) due to 23% drop in well service hours.
- **Capital Expenditures**: $53 million (Q2). Full-year capex increased to $240 million ($150M sustaining, $86M upgrades).
- **Balance Sheet**: Debt reduction of $74 million, share buybacks $14 million. Net debt/EBITDA: 1.3x. Free cash flow expected to remain strong.

**【CEO Operational Update】**
- **U.S. Drilling**: 36 rigs (vs. 27 in Feb), 3 additional activations pending. Focus on gas basins (Haynesville, Marcellus) with private operators leading demand. Q3 2025 rig count target: 40-45.
- **Canada**: 50 rigs, 26 Super Triple Alpha rigs in Montney. 16 Super Single rigs with pad upgrades. LNG Canada Phase 1 ramp-up could add 5+ rigs.
- **International**: 5 rigs in Kuwait, 2 in Saudi Arabia. Exploring new shale opportunities.
- **Strategic Priorities**: 
  1. Debt reduction ($700M by 2027; $91M reduced YTD). 
  2. Free cash flow optimization (cost reductions, AI/digital twins). 
  3. Growth via rig upgrades (22 rigs in 2025, $240M capex). 
- **Rig Upgrades**: $1M-$5M upgrades with 6-12 month payback. 10 Super Single rigs with EverGreen solutions. 12 ST-1500 rigs upgraded for extended reach drilling.

**【Q&A Highlights】**
- **U.S. Gas Demand**: Private operators driving 36 rig count. Potential 5-7 rig activations in gas basins by end-2025. Term contracts: 1-2 years.
- **Canadian Market**: Oversupply in doubles segment (-30% activity YoY). Focus on high-margin Super Triple and Super Single rigs. Consolidation needed in doubles market.
- **Customer-Funded Upgrades**: $7M in Q2 from upfront payments. No guidance on future upgrades, but returns on capital > cost of capital.
- **Capital Allocation**: 35-45% of free cash flow to share buybacks. Debt reduction remains top priority.
- **Rig Capabilities**: Upgraded rigs in U.S. target 4-mile laterals. Alpha automation provides competitive edge in efficiency and safety.

Precision Drilling Corporation (PDS) Q2 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

- **Canada Dominance**: 74 rigs in Canada (up 1 YoY), Montney gas drilling stable, targeting mid-60s rigs by July. 
- **US Restructuring**: 34 rigs post-reorg, gas activity rising in Haynesville/Appalachia. 
- **Financial Discipline**: 2025 capex cut $25M, net debt/EBITDA 1.5x, targeting <1x by 2027. 
- **Margins Under Pressure**: US daily margins $8,360 (down $787 QoQ), Canada margins $14,779 (down $858 YoY). 
- **LNG Catalyst**: LNG Canada phase 1 shipments imminent, potential Phase 2 FID in 2025.

**【CFO Financial Review】**
- **Q1 Financial Highlights**: Adjusted EBITDA of $137M (excluding $6M in charges), revenue $496M (-6% YoY), net earnings $35M ($2.52/share). US daily operating margins $8,360 (down $787 QoQ), targeting $7,000-$8,000 in Q2. Canada margins $14,779 (down $858 YoY). C&P segment EBITDA $18M (-8% YoY). 
- **Cash Flow & Debt**: $110M free cash flow, $63M cash from ops. Reduced debt by $17M, share buybacks $31M. Net debt/EBITDA 1.5x, targeting <1x by 2027. 2025 capex cut to $200M (-$25M). 
- **Margins & Costs**: US operating costs $22,000/day (excluding mobilizations). Kuwait rig extension, Saudi Arabia rig suspension. 

**【CEO Operational Update】**
- **Canada**: 74 rigs avg (up 1 YoY), Montney gas drilling stable, LNG Canada phase 1 imminent. 47 rigs pre-breakup, targeting mid-60s by July. 2 Super Singles reactivated, 2 cold-stacked for potential activation. 
- **US**: 30 rigs avg (up to 34 post-restructuring). Permian oil drilling cautious, gas (Haynesville/Appalachia) activity rising. 9 idle rigs in Haynesville, 1 ST-1500 mobilizing to Marcellus. 
- **International**: Kuwait 5 rigs (1 extended), Saudi Arabia 2 rigs (1 suspended). 
- **Cost Control**: $25M capex reduction ($8M upgrade, $17M maintenance). US org restructuring to reduce fixed costs. 

**【Q&A Key Themes】**
- **US Model & Margins**: 1/3 of US rigs on performance contracts. Q2 margins $7,000-$8,000 due to mobilizations/reactivations. 
- **Debt vs Buybacks**: 2025: $100M debt reduction, 35-45% FCF to buybacks. Target 1x leverage. 
- **Tariffs Impact**: Drill pipe costs up ~$0.5M-$1M per rig, but managed via bulk purchases. 
- **Canada Pricing**: 10% deflation pressure, but margins stable due to efficiency gains. 
- **International Risks**: Saudi Arabia rig suspensions, Kuwait contract awards delayed.

Precision Drilling Corporation (PDS) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

- **Debt Reduction Acceleration**: Target $700M debt reduction by 2027 (vs. $600M prior), with $435M achieved since 2022.
- **Canada Margin Resilience**: Q4 margins $14,559/day (excluding $4M reactivation costs), Q1 2025 expected to remain stable at $14,500-$15,000/day.
- **U.S. Growth Catalysts**: $30M allocated for long-reach horizontal upgrades, targeting gas basins with Alpha-automated Super Triples.
- **International Expansion**: Exploring shale gas opportunities in 3 regions, but no new rig deployments expected before Q4 2025.
- **EverGreen Momentum**: EverGreen revenue nearly doubled YoY, with 2 new product offerings launched in 2024.

**【Lavonne Zdunich - Strategic Priorities】**
- 2025 Focus: Maximize free cash flow through disciplined capital deployment, reduce debt by $100M+ annually, and allocate 25-35% of free cash flow to share buybacks.
- Shareholder Returns: Target $700M debt reduction by 2027 (vs. $600M prior goal), with $435M achieved since 2022.
- Growth Initiatives: Expand EverGreen Solutions (revenue nearly doubled YoY) and Super Single rig upgrades (e.g., LED lighting, hydrogen catalysts).

**【CFO Carey Ford - 2024 Financial Highlights】**
- Revenue: $1.9B (flat YoY), Adjusted EBITDA: $521M (-15% YoY), Cash from Operations: $482M (stable YoY).
- Debt Reduction: $176M in 2024, $75M share buybacks (4% of outstanding shares).
- Q4 Margins: U.S. drilling $9,165/day (vs. guidance $9,500), Canada $14,559/day (vs. guidance $15,000), excluding reactivation costs.
- 2025 Guidance: Depreciation $300M, Interest $65M, Tax Rate 25-30%, SG&A $100M.

**【CEO Kevin Neveu - 2025 Outlook】**
- U.S. Drilling: 34 rigs active in Q4, targeting gas-focused basins (Haynesville, Marcellus) with Alpha-automated Super Triples. $30M allocated for long-reach horizontal upgrades.
- Canada: 55 rigs active in Q4, expecting Q1 margins to stabilize at $14,500-$15,000/day. LNG Canada startup to boost activity post-breakup.
- International: 8 rigs operating in Kuwait/Saudi Arabia, exploring shale gas opportunities in 3 regions (long-term contracts pending).
- Technology & Acquisitions: $52M invested in 2024 fleet upgrades, open to tuck-in acquisitions if valuations align with strategic fit.

**【Q&A Key Themes】**
- U.S. Activity: Flat Q1-Q2, potential gas rig growth in Q3-Q4 if NYMEX > $4/MMBtu. Risk of short-term oil efficiency-driven churn.
- Canada Tariffs: Reduced impact due to CAD weakness, but breakup activity expected to exceed 2024 levels.
- International: Kuwait contracts secure, Saudi Arabia no suspensions. New international inquiries for pad rigs, but deployments >12 months out.
- Labor Market: No shortages, recruiting programs effective. Scale-based drillers to benefit from efficiency demand.
- CapEx: $225M for 2025, $30M for U.S. upgrades (6-10 rigs with long-reach capabilities).

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