UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

SUPERIOR ENERGY SERVICES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		001-34037		75-2379388
(State or other jurisdiction)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

601 Poydras St., Suite 2400, New Orleans, Louisiana		70130
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o		Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o		Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o		Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o		Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

     On October 27, 2010, Superior Energy Services, Inc. issued a press release announcing its earnings for the third quarter ended September 30, 2010. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference. In accordance with General Instruction B.2. of Form 8-K, the information presented in this Item 2.02 shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

     (d) Exhibits.

Exhibit
Number		Description
99.1		Press release issued by Superior Energy Services, Inc., dated October 27, 2010.

SIGNATURES

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

Dated: October 28, 2010

Exhibit 99.1

		601 Poydras St., Suite 2400 New Orleans, LA 70130 NYSE: SPN (504) 587-7374 Fax: (504) 362-1818 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Dunlap, CEO; Robert Taylor, CFO; Greg Rosenstein, VP of Investor Relations, (504) 587-7374

Superior Energy Services, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2010 Results

Earnings of $0.42 per Diluted Share on Record Revenue
from U.S. Land and International Market Areas

New Orleans, LA – October 27, 2010 – Superior Energy Services, Inc. (NYSE: SPN) today announced net income of $33.2 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, on revenue of $435.4 million for the third quarter of 2010.

These results compare with net income of $24.4 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, on revenue of $386.5 million for the third quarter of 2009, and net income of $24.1 million, or $0.30 per share, on revenue of $424.9 million in the second quarter of 2010. Results from the third quarter of 2009 include non-cash, pre-tax charges of $6.2 million related to the Company’s equity-method investments and results from the second quarter of 2010 include pre-tax management transition expenses of $16.4 million.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company’s net income was $78.8 million, or $0.99 per diluted share, on revenue of $1,224.7 million, and adjusted net income was $89.3 million, or $1.12 per diluted share, after excluding pre-tax management transition expenses of $16.4 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company’s net income was $12.3 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, on revenue of $1,184.7 million.

David Dunlap, CEO of Superior, commented, “Our product line and geographic diversification once again benefitted our results. Strong sequential growth in U.S. domestic land activity for coiled tubing and drilling products and improved performance in the Marine segment largely offset the decline in Gulf of Mexico activity associated with the deepwater drilling moratorium and related slowdown in shallow water permitting.

“Non-Gulf of Mexico market areas generated a record $274 million in revenue, which represents a 17% sequential increase and a 67% increase year-over-year. Revenue from the domestic land market increased 31% sequentially and 121% year-over-year, as compared with increases in the average U.S. land drilling rig count of 10% sequentially and 76% year-over-year. International revenue increased 3% sequentially and 26% year-over-year, while Gulf of Mexico revenue decreased 16% sequentially and 27% year-over-year.

“We expect our 2010 earnings per share to be in a range of $1.52 to $1.56, which excludes the management transition expenses recorded in the second quarter. This implies a fourth quarter of 2010 earnings per share range of $0.40 to $0.44. Our prior 2010 earnings per share guidance range was $1.35 to $1.55.”

Geographic Breakdown

For the third quarter of 2010, Gulf of Mexico revenue was approximately $161.7 million, domestic land revenue was approximately $157.6 million, and international revenue was approximately $116.1 million. The domestic land and international revenues were record highs for a quarter.

Subsea and Well Enhancement Segment

Third quarter revenue for the Subsea and Well Enhancement Segment was $289.0 million, a 14% increase from the third quarter of 2009 and a 2% increase sequentially. Income from operations was $40.0 million, or 14% of segment revenue as compared with $31.6 million, or 12% of segment revenue, in the third quarter of 2009, and $43.9 million (adjusted for management transition expenses), or 15% of segment revenue in the second quarter of 2010.

Domestic land revenue in this segment increased 31% sequentially due to increased demand for coiled tubing, cased hole wireline, well control services and hydraulic workover and snubbing services. Gulf of Mexico revenue in this segment decreased 19% sequentially primarily due to a reduction in engineering and project management services and reduced revenue from the wreck removal project as work winds down. International revenue in this segment increased 4% sequentially due to increases in subsea and well control services.

Drilling Products and Services Segment

Third quarter revenue for the Drilling Products and Services Segment was $118.7 million, 18% higher year-over-year and 2% lower sequentially. Income from operations was $15.4 million, or 13% of segment revenue, as compared with $17.9 million, or 18% of segment revenue, in the third quarter of 2009, and $25.0 million (adjusted for management transition expenses), or 21% of segment revenue, in the second quarter of 2010. Domestic land revenue increased 31% sequentially primarily due to increased rentals of accommodations, specialty tubulars and stabilization equipment. International revenue was essentially unchanged from the prior quarter, while Gulf of Mexico revenue declined 29% sequentially due to the deepwater drilling moratorium which curtailed demand for drill pipe and specialty tubulars.

Marine Segment

Marine Segment revenue was $27.6 million, 12% lower year-over-year and 44% higher sequentially. Income from operations was $5.9 million, or 21% of segment revenue, as compared with income from operations of $5.1 million, or 16% of segment revenue, in the third quarter of 2009, and a loss of $4.4 million (adjusted for management transition expenses) in the second quarter of 2010.

Average fleet utilization was 88% as compared with 62% in both the third quarter of 2009 and in the second quarter of 2010. Utilization increased sequentially across almost all classes. The high utilization for the smaller liftboat classes is primarily due to Macondo oil spill response work. This segment also benefitted from a reduction in maintenance and repairs expenses as compared with the most recent quarter.

Liftboat Average Dayrates and Utilization by Class Size
Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
($ actual)

						Average
Class		Liftboats				Dayrate				Utilization
145’-155’			6			$	6,810				96.9	%
160’-175’			8				8,807				89.3	%
200’			5				10,717				80.7	%
230’-245’			3				24,253				71.0	%
250’			2				31,800				97.8	%
265’1			2				—				—

Conference Call Information

The Company will host a conference call at 10 a.m. Central Time on Thursday, October 28, 2010. The call can be accessed from Superior’s website at www.superiorenergy.com, or by telephone at 480-629-9644. For those who cannot listen to the live call, a telephonic replay will be available through Thursday, November 4, 2010 and may be accessed by calling 303-590-3030 and using the pass code 4369171. An archive of the webcast will be available after the call for a period of 60 days on http://www.superiorenergy.com.

Superior Energy Services, Inc. serves the drilling and production-related needs of oil and gas companies worldwide through its brand name rental tools and its integrated well intervention services and tools, supported by an engineering staff who plan and design solutions for customers. Offshore projects are delivered by the Company’s fleet of modern marine assets.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are volatility of the oil and gas industry, including the level of exploration, production and development activity; risks associated with the uncertainty of macroeconomic and business conditions worldwide, as well as the global credit markets; risks associated with the Company’s rapid growth; changes in competitive factors and other material factors that are described from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual events, circumstances, effects and results may be materially different from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Consequently, the forward-looking statements contained herein should not be regarded as representations by Superior or any other person that the projected outcomes can or will be achieved.

SUPERIOR ENERGY SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009
(in thousands, except earnings per share amounts)
(unaudited)

		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2010				2009				2010				2009
Revenues		$	435,353			$	386,455			$	1,224,720			$	1,184,725
Cost of services (exclusive of items shown separately below)			232,308				215,674				661,276				635,407
Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion			56,805				52,720				162,152				153,566
General and administrative expenses			84,912				63,425				248,165				188,694
Reduction in value of assets			—				—				—				92,683
Income from operations			61,328				54,636				153,127				114,375
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net			(12,456	)			(12,320	)			(39,174	)			(37,328	)
Earnings (losses) from equity-method investments, net			3,030				(4,161	)			9,185				(21,331	)
Reduction in value of equity-method investment			—				—				—				(36,486	)
Income before income taxes			51,902				38,155				123,138				19,230
Income taxes			18,685				13,736				44,330				6,923
Net income		$	33,217			$	24,419			$	78,808			$	12,307
Basic earnings per share		$	0.42			$	0.31			$	1.00			$	0.16
Diluted earnings per share		$	0.42			$	0.31			$	0.99			$	0.16
Weighted average common shares used in computing earnings per share:
Basic			78,797				78,188				78,683				78,126
Diluted			79,722				78,812				79,573				78,684

SUPERIOR ENERGY SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND DECEMBER 31, 2009
(in thousands)

		9/30/2010				12/31/2009
		(Unaudited)				(Audited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	47,381			$	206,505
Accounts receivable, net			494,283				337,151
Income taxes receivable			—				12,674
Prepaid expenses			27,765				20,209
Other current assets			200,750				287,024
Total current assets			770,179				863,563
Property, plant and equipment, net			1,349,396				1,058,976
Goodwill			576,774				482,480
Notes receivable			84,965				—
Equity-method investments			61,812				60,677
Intangible and other long-term assets, net			99,309				50,969
Total assets		$	2,942,435			$	2,516,665
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	82,708			$	63,466
Accrued expenses			180,620				133,602
Income taxes payable			24,386				—
Current portion of decommissioning liabilities			25,804				—
Deferred income taxes			29,704				30,501
Current maturities of long-term debt			810				810
Total current liabilities			344,032				228,379
Deferred income taxes			218,904				209,053
Decommissioning liabilities			116,116				—
Long-term debt, net			879,495				848,665
Other long-term liabilities			116,413				52,523
Total stockholders’ equity			1,267,475				1,178,045
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	2,942,435			$	2,516,665

Superior Energy Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Segment Highlights
Three months ended September 30, 2010, June 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)

		Three months ended,
		September 30, 2010				June 30, 2010				September 30, 2009
Revenue
Subsea and Well Enhancement		$	289,048			$	284,352			$	254,335
Drilling Products and Services			118,727				121,337				100,832
Marine			27,578				19,167				31,288
Total Revenues		$	435,353			$	424,856			$	386,455

		September 30, 2010				June 30, 2010				September 30, 2009
Gross Profit (1)
Subsea and Well Enhancement		$	118,231			$	116,477			$	94,098
Drilling Products and Services			72,659				77,578				64,621
Marine			12,155				885				12,062
Total Gross Profit		$	203,045			$	194,940			$	170,781

		September 30, 2010				June 30, 2010 (2)				September 30, 2009
Income from Operations (as adjusted)
Subsea and Well Enhancement		$	40,026			$	43,856			$	31,563
Drilling Products and Services			15,419				25,016				17,940
Marine			5,883				(4,364	)			5,133
Total Income from Operations (as adjusted)		$	61,328			$	64,508			$	54,636

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION

We report our financial results in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, the Company provides non-GAAP financial information because these adjustments are customarily excluded by analysts in published estimates and management believes, for purposes of comparability to financial performance in other periods and to evaluate the Company’s trends, that it is appropriate for these items to be excluded. Management uses this adjusted financial information to evaluate the Company’s operational trends and historical performance on a consistent basis. The adjusted financial information are not measures of financial performance under GAAP.

A reconciliation of these adjustments is below. In making any comparisons to other companies, investors need to be aware that the non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be directly comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies. Investors should pay close attention to the specific definition being used and to the reconciliation between such measures and the corresponding GAAP measures provided by each company under applicable SEC rules. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, or superior to, the Company’s reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Non-GAAP Reconciliation Excluding Management Transition Expenses
For the three months ended June 30, 2010
(in thousands)

		Subsea and				Drilling
		Well				Products and								Consolidated
		Enhancement				Services				Marine				Total
Income (loss) from operations		$	32,882			$	20,334			$	(5,104	)		$	48,112
Add:
Management transition expenses			10,974				4,682				740				16,396
Pre-tax income (loss) from operations as adjusted		$	43,856			$	25,016			$	(4,364	)		$	64,508