UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Form 10-K

(Mark One)

Or

Commission File No. 001-34037

Commission Company Name: SUPERIOR ENERGY SERVICES INC

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SUPERIOR ENERGY SERVICES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 654-2200

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes  ¨   No  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes  ¨   No  x

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. Yes  x   No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically 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). Yes  x   No  ¨

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

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. Yes  ¨   No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  ¨   No  x

There is no market for the registrant’s securities.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes  x   No ¨

At March 24, 2021 there were 19,967,898 shares of the registrant’s Class A Common Stock outstanding.

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DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

SUPERIOR ENERGY SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Annual Report on Form 10-K for

the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) contain, and future oral or written statements or press releases by us and our management may contain, forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Generally, the words “expects,” “anticipates,” “targets,” “goals,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks” and “estimates,” variations of such words and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K or such other materials regarding our financial position, financial performance, liquidity, strategic alternatives, market outlook, future capital needs, capital allocation plans, business strategies and other plans and objectives of our management for future operations and activities are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by our management in light of its experience and prevailing circumstances on the date such statements are made. Such forward-looking statements, and the assumptions on which they are based, are inherently speculative and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

risks and uncertainties regarding the voluntary petitions for relief filed by the Affiliate Debtors (as defined below) on December 7, 2020 (the Chapter 11 Cases) under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code (the Bankruptcy Code) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas Houston Division (the Bankruptcy Court), including but not limited to: the continuing effects of the Chapter 11 Cases on us and our various constituents; attendant risks associated with restrictions on our ability to pursue our business strategies; uncertainty and continuing risks associated with our ability to achieve our stated goals;

the likelihood that our historical financial information may no longer be indicative of our future performance; and our implementation of fresh start accounting;

the difficulty to predict our long-term liquidity requirements and the adequacy of our capital resources;

restrictive covenants in the $120.0 million asset-based secured revolving credit facility (the Credit Facility) could limit our growth and our ability to finance our operations, fund our capital needs, respond to changing conditions and engage in other business activities that may be in our best interests;

the possibility that our new Board of Directors may have a different strategy and plan for our future;

the conditions in the oil and gas industry;

the effects of public health threats, pandemics and epidemics, and the adverse impact thereof on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity, including, but not limited to, our growth, operating costs, supply chain, labor availability, logistical capabilities, customer demand and industry demand generally, margins, utilization, cash position, taxes, the price of our securities, and our ability to access capital markets, including the macroeconomic effects from the continuing COVID-19 pandemic;

the ability of the members of Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) to agree on and to maintain crude oil price and production controls;

necessary capital financing may not be available at economic rates or at all;

operating hazards, including the significant possibility of accidents resulting in personal injury or death, or property damage for which we may have limited or no insurance coverage or indemnification rights;

the possibility of not being fully indemnified against losses incurred due to catastrophic events;

claims, litigation or other proceedings that require cash payments or could impair financial condition;

credit risk associated with our customer base;

the effect of regulatory programs and environmental matters on our operations or prospects;

the impact that unfavorable or unusual weather conditions could have on our operations;

the potential inability to retain key employees and skilled workers;

political, legal, economic and other risks and uncertainties associated with our international operations;

laws, regulations or practices in foreign countries could materially restrict our operations or expose us to additional risks;

potential changes in tax laws, adverse positions taken by tax authorities or tax audits impacting our operating results;

changes in competitive and technological factors affecting our operations;

risks associated with the uncertainty of macroeconomic and business conditions worldwide;

our operations may be subject to cyber-attacks;

counterparty risks associated with reliance on key suppliers;

challenges with estimating our potential liabilities related to our oil and natural gas property;

risks associated with potential changes of Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) security and bonding requirements for offshore platforms;

the likelihood that the interests of our significant stockholders may conflict with the interests of our other stockholders;

the risks associated with owning our Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the Class A Common Stock), for which there is no public market; and

the likelihood that the Stockholders Agreement (as defined below) may prevent certain transactions that could otherwise be beneficial to our stockholders.

These risks and other uncertainties related to our business are described in detail below in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Investors are cautioned that many of the assumptions on which our forward-looking statements are based are likely to change after such statements are made, including for example the market prices of oil and gas and regulations affecting oil and gas operations, which we cannot control or anticipate. Further, we may make changes to our business strategies and plans (including our capital spending and capital allocation plans) at any time and without notice, based on any changes in the above-listed factors, our assumptions or otherwise, any of which could or will affect our results. For all these reasons, actual events and results may differ materially from those anticipated, estimated, projected or implied by us in our forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update any of our forward-looking statements for any reason, notwithstanding any changes in our assumptions, changes in our business plans, our actual experience, or other changes. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.

PART I

Item 1. Business

General

We provide a wide variety of services and products to the energy industry. We serve major, national and independent oil and natural gas exploration and production companies around the world and we offer products and services with respect to the various phases of a well’s economic life cycle. We report our operating results in four business segments: Drilling Products and Services; Onshore Completion and Workover Services; Production Services; and Technical Solutions. We also provide supplemental segment revenue information in three geographic areas: U.S. land; U.S. offshore; and International.

For information about our operating segments and financial information by operating segment and geographic area, refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Part II, Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and note 9 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Recent Developments

Voluntary Reorganization Under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code

On December 4, 2020, Superior Energy Services, Inc. (the Former Parent, which is now known as SESI Holdings, Inc.) and certain of its direct and indirect wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries (together with the Former Parent, the Affiliate Debtors) entered into an Amended and Restated Restructuring Support Agreement (the Amended RSA) that amended and restated in its entirety the Restructuring Support Agreement (the RSA), dated September 29, 2020, with certain holders of SESI, L.L.C.’s (SESI) outstanding (i) 7.125% senior unsecured notes due 2021 (the 7.125% Notes) and (ii) 7.750% senior unsecured notes due 2024 (the 7.750% Notes). The parties to the Amended RSA agreed to the principal terms of a proposed financial restructuring of the Affiliate Debtors, which was implemented through the Plan (as defined below).

On December 7, 2020, the Affiliate Debtors filed the Chapter 11 Cases under the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court, and, in connection therewith, the Affiliate Debtors filed with the Bankruptcy Court the proposed Joint Prepackaged Plan of Reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the Plan). On January 19, 2021, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order, Docket No. 289, confirming and approving the Plan (the Confirmation Order). On February 2, 2021 (the Effective Date), the conditions to effectiveness of the Plan were satisfied or waived and we emerged from Chapter 11.

In addition, pursuant to the Plan, among other things:

Administrative expense claims, priority tax claims, other priority claims, and other secured claims will be or have been paid in full in the ordinary course (or receive such other treatment rendering such claims unimpaired);

General unsecured creditors for the Affiliate Debtors remained unimpaired and received payment in cash, in full, in the ordinary course;

Each holder of a Former Parent guarantee received its pro rata share of a $125,000 parent recovery cash pool;

Eligible holders of the claims arising as a result of holding either the 7.125% Notes or the 7.750% Notes against the Affiliate Debtors received their pro rata share of:

A payment equal to 2% of the principal amount of 7.125% Notes or 7.750% Notes held by all holders who did not opt of receiving a cash payout; or

solely to the extent that such a holder timely and validly elected to opt out of receiving the cash payout, (A) 100% of the Class A Common Stock issued and outstanding on the Effective Date, subject to dilution, and (B), to the extent such holder was an “accredited investor” or “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of the SEC’s rules, subscription rights to participate in an equity rights offering (the Equity Rights Offering); and

The Affiliate Debtors conducted the Equity Rights Offering through an offering of subscription rights for the purchase of Class A Common Stock on a pro rata basis, as described below.

As a result of certain related internal restructurings, effective as of the Effective Date, the entity now known as Superior Energy Services, Inc. became the successor reporting company to the Former Parent pursuant to Rule 15d-5 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act).

The costs of our efforts to restructure our capital, prior to and during the Chapter 11 Cases, along with all other costs incurred in connection with the Chapter 11 Cases, have been significant. During 2020, the Former Parent incurred $47.1 million of such costs prior to the commencement of the Chapter 11 Cases and $21.6 million during the pendency of the Chapter 11 Cases.

On the Effective Date, pursuant to the terms of the Plan, we filed an Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the Certificate of Incorporation) and a Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the Certificate of Amendment).

Also, on the Effective Date, and pursuant to the terms of the Plan, we adopted the Amended and Restated Bylaws (the Bylaws). The descriptions of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full texts of the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, and Certificate of Amendment which are incorporated by reference herein.

Credit Facility

On the Effective Date, pursuant to the Plan, the Former Parent and SESI entered into a Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other lenders and letter of credit issuers named therein providing for the Credit Facility, all of which is available for issuing letters of credit. On the Effective Date, the Credit Facility replaced the Senior Secured Debtor-in-Possession Credit Facility (the DIP Credit Facility) and approximately $46.6 million of undrawn letters of credit outstanding under the former DIP Credit Facility were deemed outstanding under the Credit Facility. All accrued and unpaid fees and other amounts outstanding thereunder were paid in full as well. The Credit Facility will mature on December 9, 2024. The borrowing base under the Credit Facility is determined by reference to SESI’s and the subsidiary guarantors’ billed and unbilled eligible accounts receivable, eligible inventory, until the earlier of December 9, 2022 and the Former Parent and its wholly-owned subsidiaries’ unrestricted cash being less than $75 million, eligible premium rental drill pipe and, so long as there are no loans outstanding at such time, certain cash of SESI and the subsidiary guarantors, less reserves established by the administrative agent in its permitted discretion.

Availability under the Credit Facility will be the lesser of (i) the commitments and (ii) the borrowing base. Subject to certain conditions, upon request and with the consent of the participating lenders, the total commitments under the Credit Facility may be increased to $170.0 million. SESI’s obligations under the Credit Facility are guaranteed by the Former Parent and all of SESI’s material domestic subsidiaries and secured by substantially all of the Former Parent’s, SESI’s and the subsidiary guarantors’ assets, other than real property.

Any borrowings under the Credit Facility will bear interest, at SESI’s option, at either an adjusted LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 3.00% to 3.50% per annum, or an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 2.00% to 2.50% per annum, in each case on the basis of the consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio. In addition, SESI is required to pay (i) a letter of credit fee, (ii) to the issuing lender of each letter of credit, a fronting fee and (iii) commitment fees.

The Credit Facility requires compliance with various covenants, including, but not limited to, limitations on the incurrence of indebtedness, permitted investments, liens on assets, making distributions, transactions with affiliates, mergers, consolidations, dispositions of assets and other provisions customary in similar types of agreements. The Credit Facility also requires compliance with a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0 if (a) an event of default has occurred and is continuing or (b) availability under the Credit

Facility is less than the greater of $20.0 million or 15% of the lesser of the aggregate commitments and the borrowing base. The covenants and other restrictions of the Credit Facility significantly restrict the ability to incur borrowings other than letters of credit.

The foregoing description of the Credit Facility is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Credit Facility agreement evidencing it, which is incorporated herein by reference.

DDTL Commitment Letter

On the Effective Date, that certain Commitment Letter, dated as of September 29, 2020, with certain consenting noteholders terminated in accordance with its terms upon the effectiveness of the Credit Facility without the establishment of the delayed-draw term loan facility.

Stockholders Agreement

On the Effective Date, in order to implement the governance related provisions reflected in the Plan, the Stockholders Agreement (the Stockholders Agreement) was executed, to provide for certain governance matters. Other than obligations related to Confidential Information (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement), the rights and preferences of each stockholder under the Stockholders Agreement will terminate when such stockholder ceases to own any shares of Class A Common Stock.

The foregoing description of the Stockholders Agreement is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the document, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Resignation of Executive Officers

On March 22, 2021, the Company announced the resignation of David D. Dunlap, President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors, and Westervelt T. Ballard, Jr., Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Neither of the resignations resulted from any disagreement with the Company regarding any matter related to the Company’s operations, policies, or practices. Michael Y. McGovern, the Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors, was appointed as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and assumed the functions of the Company's principal executive officer, and James W. Spexarth, the Company’s Chief Accounting Officer, has been appointed interim Chief Financial Officer.

Departure and Appointment of Directors

Pursuant to the Plan, as of the Effective Date, the following directors ceased to serve on the Former Parent’s board of directors: Terence E. Hall, Peter D. Kinnear, Janiece M. Longoria, Michael M. McShane, James M. Funk and W. Matt Ralls. All officers immediately prior to the Effective Date were retained in their existing positions upon the Effective Date, subject to the terms of the Plan.

Pursuant to the Plan and the Stockholders Agreement, our current Board of Directors consists of the following six members:

Joseph Citarrella

Daniel E. Flores

Michael Y. McGovern

Julie J. Robertson

Krishna Shivram

Timothy J. Winfrey

Senior Notes

As part of the transactions undertaken pursuant to the Plan, the record holders of certain of the 7.125% Notes and the 7.750% Notes contributed all of their allowed claims described in the Plan in exchange for either (i) a cash payout to be entirely funded by an equity rights offering in connection with the Plan discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (the Equity Rights Offering), or (ii) shares of the Class A Common Stock. On the Effective Date, all outstanding obligations under the 7.125% Notes and the 7.750% Notes, were cancelled, and the applicable agreements governing such obligations were terminated. Furthermore, all existing shares of common stock of the Former Parent were cancelled pursuant to the Plan, and we are in the process of issuing shares of Class A Common Stock to such noteholders, subject to dilution on account of the Class B Common Stock to be issued to our management under a management equity incentive plan. The Class A Common Stock issued to such holders is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), pursuant to Section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code (which generally exempts from such registration requirements the issuance of securities under a plan of reorganization).

Prior to the Effective Date, the Equity Rights Offering was completed in accordance with the Plan, which resulted in the issuance of 735,189 shares of Class A Common Stock. The Class A Common Stock issued in the Equity Rights Offering was exempt from registration under the Securities Act pursuant to section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Market Conditions

Our operations continue to be disrupted due to the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The significant business disruption resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted customers, vendors and suppliers in all geographical areas where we operate. The closure of non-essential business facilities and restrictions on travel put in place by governments around the world have significantly reduced economic activity. Also, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted and may further impact the broader economies of affected countries, including negatively impacting economic growth, the proper functioning of financial and capital markets, foreign currency exchange rates, and interest rates. For example, the continued spread of COVID-19 has led to disruption and volatility in the global capital markets, which increases the cost of capital and adversely impacts access to capital. Additionally, recognized health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have altered the policies of companies operating around the world, resulting in these companies instituting safety programs similar to what both domestic and international governmental agencies have implemented, including stay at home orders, social distancing mandates, and other community oriented health objectives. We are complying with all such ordinances in our operations across the globe. Management believes it has proactively addressed many of the known operational impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to the extent possible and will strive to continue to do so, but there can be no guarantee the measures will be fully effective.

Furthermore, the oil and gas industry experienced unprecedented price disruptions during 2020, which are continuing in 2021, due in part to significantly decreased demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as activity declined in the face of depressed crude oil pricing. The U.S. oil and gas rig count fell by more than 50% in the second half of 2020. The number of oil and gas rigs outside of the U.S. and Canada fell by more than 25% in the second half of 2020 to an average of 697 rigs from 954 rigs in the first half of 2020. These market conditions have significantly impacted our business, with 2020 revenue decreasing to $851.3 million, as compared to $1,425.4 million in 2019, or 40%. As customers continue to revise their capital budgets in order to adjust spending levels in response to lower commodity prices, we have experienced significant pricing pressure for our products and services.

Low oil prices and industry volatility are likely to continue through the near and long-term. The recent widespread escalation of COVID-19 cases remains a significant factor impacting oil demand. Vaccination campaigns are underway; however, several regions, including areas of the United States, have been and continue to deal with a rebound in the pandemic resulting in tighter mobility constraints and less travel. There is also concern about whether vaccines will be effective against different strains of the virus that have developed and may develop in the future.

As the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, management expects it to continue to materially and adversely affect our revenue, financial condition, profitability, and cash flow for an indeterminate period of time. We will continue to take certain actions to address challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and deliver on our commitment to emerge stronger from this crisis.

New York Stock Exchange Delisting

On September 17, 2020, the Former Parent was notified by the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE) that it was no longer in compliance with the NYSE continued listing standards. Trading of the Former Parent’s common stock on the NYSE was suspended effective as of approximately 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on September 17, 2020. The Former Parent’s common stock was subsequently delisted from trading on the NYSE and removed from registration under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act.

On September 18, 2020, the Former Parent’s common stock commenced trading on the OTCQX marketplace. In connection with the Chapter 11 Cases, the Former Parent’s common stock was removed from the OTCQX marketplace on December 10, 2020 and commenced trading on the OTC Pink Sheets during the pendency of the Chapter 11 Cases. In connection with the Chapter 11 Cases, the Former Parent’s common stock was canceled. The shares of our Class A Common Stock are not listed on a national securities exchange.

Products and Services

We offer a wide variety of specialized oilfield services and equipment generally categorized by their typical use during the economic life of a well. A description of the products and services offered by each of our four segments is as follows:

Drilling Products and Services – Includes downhole drilling tools and surface rentals.

Downhole drilling tools – Includes rentals of tubulars, such as primary drill pipe strings, landing strings, completion tubulars and associated accessories, and manufacturing and rentals of bottom hole tools, including stabilizers, non-magnetic drill collars and hole openers.

Surface rentals – Includes rentals of temporary onshore and offshore accommodation modules and accessories.

Onshore Completion and Workover Services – Includes fluid management and workover services.

Fluid management – Includes services used to obtain, move, store and dispose of fluids that are involved in the exploration, development and production of oil and gas, including mobile piping systems, specialized trucks, fracturing tanks and other assets that transport, heat, pump and dispose of fluids.

Workover services – Includes a variety of well completion, workover and maintenance services, including installations, completions, sidetracking of wells and support for perforating operations.

Production Services – Includes intervention services.

Intervention services – Includes services to enhance, maintain and extend oil and gas production during the life of the well, including coiled tubing, cased hole and mechanical wireline, hydraulic workover and snubbing, pressure control services, production testing and optimization.

Technical Solutions – Includes products and services that generally address customer-specific needs with their applications, which typically require specialized engineering, manufacturing or project planning expertise. Most operations requiring our technical solutions are generally in offshore environments during the completion, production and decommissioning phase of an oil and gas well. These products and services primarily include completion tools and services and well control services.

Completion tools and services – Provides products and services used during the completion phase of an offshore well to control sand and maximize oil and gas production, including sand control systems, well screens and filters, and surface-controlled sub surface safety valves.

Well control services – Mitigates and resolves well control and pressure control problems through firefighting, consulting, engineering and well control training.

The Technical Solutions segment also includes revenues from oil and gas production related to our 51% ownership interest in our sole federal offshore oil and gas property (which we refer to in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as the oil and gas property) and related assets.

Customers

Our customers are the major and independent oil and gas companies that are active in the geographic areas in which we operate. There were no customers that exceeded 10% of our total revenues in 2020, 2019 or 2018. A reduction in sales to any of our existing large customers could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.

Competition

We provide products and services worldwide in highly competitive markets, with competitors comprised of both small and large companies. Our revenues and earnings can be affected by several factors, including changes in competition, fluctuations in drilling and completion activity, perceptions of future prices of oil and gas, government regulation, disruptions caused by weather, pandemics and general economic conditions. We believe that the principal competitive factors are price, performance, product and service quality, safety, response time and breadth of products and services.

Potential Liabilities and Insurance

Our operations involve a high degree of operational risk and expose us to significant liabilities. An accident involving our services or equipment, or the failure of a product sold by us, could result in personal injury, loss of life, and damage to property, equipment or the environment. Litigation arising from a catastrophic occurrence, such as fire, explosion, well blowout or vessel loss, may result in substantial claims for damages.

As is customary in our industry, our contracts generally provide that we will indemnify and hold harmless our customers from any claims arising from personal injury or death of our employees, damage to or loss of our equipment, and pollution emanating from our equipment and services. Similarly, our customers generally agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from any claims arising from personal injury or death of their employees, damage to or loss of their equipment or property, and pollution caused from their equipment or the well reservoir (including uncontained oil flow from a reservoir). Nonetheless, our indemnification arrangements may not protect us in every case.

We maintain a liability insurance program that covers against certain operating hazards, including product liability, property damage and personal injury claims, as well as certain limited environmental pollution claims for damage to a third party or its property arising out of contact with pollution for which we are liable, but well control costs are not covered by this program.  These policies include primary and excess umbrella liability policies with limits of $200 million per occurrence, including sudden and accidental pollution incidents. All of the insurance policies we purchase contain specific terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions and are subject to either deductibles or self-insured retention amounts for which we are responsible.  There can be no assurance that the nature and amount of insurance we maintain will be sufficient to fully protect us against all liabilities related to our business.

Government Regulation

Our business is significantly affected by federal, state and local laws and other regulations. These laws and regulations relate to, among other things:

worker safety standards;

the protection of the environment;

the handling and transportation of hazardous materials; and

the mobilization of our equipment to, and operations conducted at, our work sites.

Numerous permits are required for the conduct of our business and operation of our various facilities and equipment, including our underground injection wells, trucks and other heavy equipment. These permits can be revoked, modified or renewed by issuing authorities based on factors both within and outside our control.

We cannot predict the level of enforcement of existing laws and regulations or how such laws and regulations may be interpreted by enforcement agencies or court rulings in the future. We also cannot predict whether additional laws and regulations will be adopted, including changes in regulatory oversight, increase of federal, state or local taxes, increase of inspection costs, or the effect such changes may have on us, our businesses or our financial condition.

Environmental Matters

Our operations, and those of our customers, are subject to extensive laws, regulations and treaties relating to air and water quality, generation, storage and handling of hazardous materials, and emission and discharge of materials into the environment. We believe we are in substantial compliance with all regulations affecting our business. Historically, our expenditures in furtherance of our compliance with these laws, regulations and treaties have not been material, and we do not expect the cost of compliance to be material in the future.

Raw Materials

We purchase various raw materials and component parts in connection with delivering our products and services. These materials are generally, but not always, available from multiple sources and may be subject to price volatility. While we generally do not experience significant long-term shortages of these materials, we have from time to time experienced temporary shortages of particular raw materials. We are always seeking ways to ensure the availability of resources, as well as manage costs of raw materials.

Seasonality

Seasonal weather and severe weather conditions can temporarily impair our operations and reduce demand for our products and services. Examples of seasonal events that negatively affect our operations include high seas associated with cold fronts during the winter months and hurricanes during the summer months in the Gulf of Mexico, and severe cold during winter months in the U.S. land market area.

Employees

At December 31, 2020, we had approximately 3,300 employees. Approximately 12% of our employees are subject to union contracts, all of which are in international locations. We believe that we have good relationships with our employees.

Facilities

Our principal executive offices are located at 1001 Louisiana Street, Suite 2900, Houston, Texas, 77002. We own or lease a large number of facilities in the various areas in which we operate throughout the world.

Intellectual Property

We seek patent and trademark protections throughout the world for our technology when we deem it prudent, and we aggressively pursue protection of these rights. We believe our patents and trademarks are adequate for the conduct of our business, and that no single patent or trademark is critical to our business. In addition, we rely to a great extent on the technical expertise and know-how of our personnel to maintain our competitive position.

Other Information

We have our principal executive offices at 1001 Louisiana Street, Suite 2900, Houston, Texas 77002. Our telephone number is (713) 654-2200. We also have a website at http://www.superiorenergy.com.

Our Shared Core Values at Work (Code of Conduct) applies to all of our directors, officers and employees. This Code of Conduct is publicly available on the Corporate Governance page in the About Us section of our website at http://www.superiorenergy.com. Any waivers granted to directors or executive officers and any material amendment to our Code of Conduct will be posted promptly on our website and/or disclosed in a current report on Form 8-K.

Copies of the annual, quarterly and current reports we file with or furnish to the SEC, and any amendments to those reports, as well as our Code of Conduct, are available on our website free of charge soon after such reports are filed with or furnished to the SEC. The information posted on our website is not incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Alternatively, you may access these reports at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov/.

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

The following information should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in Part II, Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the matters contained under the caption “Forward-Looking Statements” at the beginning of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The following discussion of “risk factors” identifies the most significant risks or uncertainties that could (i) materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or prospects, as well as the market value of our securities, or (ii) cause our actual results to differ materially from our anticipated results or other expectations. These risks are not the only risks that we face. Our business operations could also be affected by additional factors that apply to all companies operating in the U.S. and globally, as well as other risks that are not presently known to us or that we currently consider to be immaterial to our operations. These risks include:

General Risk Factors

From time to time, we are subject to various claims, litigation and other proceedings that could ultimately be resolved against us, requiring material future cash payments or charges, which could impair our financial condition or results of operations.

The size, nature and complexity of our business make us susceptible to various claims, both in litigation and binding arbitration proceedings. We may in the future become subject to various claims, which, if not resolved within amounts we have accrued, could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Similarly, any claims, even if fully indemnified or insured, could negatively impact our reputation among our customers and the public, and make it more difficult for us to compete effectively or obtain adequate insurance in the future.

Changes in tax laws or tax rates, adverse positions taken by taxing authorities and tax audits could impact our operating results.

We are subject to the jurisdiction of a significant number of domestic and foreign taxing authorities. Changes in tax laws or tax rates, the resolution of tax assessments or audits by various tax authorities could impact our operating results. In addition, we may periodically restructure our legal entity organization. If taxing authorities were to disagree with our tax positions in connection with any such restructurings, our effective income tax rate could be impacted. The final determination of our income tax liabilities involves the interpretation of local tax laws, tax treaties and related authorities in each taxing jurisdiction, as well as the significant use of estimates and assumptions regarding future operations and results and the timing of income and expenses. We may be audited and receive tax assessments from taxing authorities that may result in assessment of additional taxes that are ultimately resolved with the authorities or through the courts. We believe these assessments may occasionally be based on erroneous and even arbitrary interpretations of local tax law. Resolution of any tax matter involves uncertainties and there are no assurances that the outcomes will be favorable. If U.S. or other foreign tax authorities change applicable tax laws, our overall taxes could increase, and our business, financial condition or results of operating may be adversely impacted.

We are affected by global economic factors and political events.

Our financial results depend on demand for our services and products in the U.S. and the international markets in which we operate. Declining economic conditions, or negative perceptions about economic conditions, could result in a substantial decrease in demand for our services and products. World political events could also result in further U.S. military actions, terrorist attacks and related unrest.  Military action by the U.S. or other nations could escalate and further acts of terrorism may occur in the U.S. or elsewhere. Such acts of terrorism could lead to, among other things, a loss of our investment in the country, impairment of the safety of our employees, extortion or kidnapping, and impairment of our ability to conduct our operations. Such developments have caused instability in the world’s financial and insurance markets in the past, and many experts believe that a confluence of worldwide factors could result in a prolonged period of economic uncertainty and slow growth in the future.  In addition, any of these developments could lead to increased volatility in prices for oil and gas and could affect the markets for our products and services. Insurance premiums could also increase and coverages may be unavailable.

Uncertain economic conditions and instability make it particularly difficult for us to forecast demand trends. The timing and extent of any changes to currently prevailing market conditions is uncertain and may affect demand for many of our services and products. Consequently, we may not be able to accurately predict future economic conditions or the effect of such conditions on demand for our services and products and our results of operations or financial condition.

Our operations may be subject to cyber-attacks that could have an adverse effect on our business operations.

Like most companies, we rely heavily on information technology networks and systems, including the Internet, to process, transmit and store electronic information, to manage or support a variety of our business operations, and to maintain various records, which may

include information regarding our customers, employees or other third parties, and the integrity of these systems are essential for us to conduct our business and operations.  We make significant efforts to maintain the security and integrity of these types of information and systems (and maintain contingency plans in the event of security breaches or system disruptions). However, we cannot provide assurance that our security efforts and measures will prevent security threats from materializing, unauthorized access to our systems, loss or destruction of data, account takeovers, or other forms of cyber-attacks or similar events, whether caused by mechanical failures, human error, fraud, malice, sabotage or otherwise. Cyber-attacks include, but are not limited to, malicious software, attempts to gain unauthorized access to data, unauthorized release of confidential or otherwise protected information and corruption of data. The frequency, scope and sophistication of cyber-attacks continue to grow, which increases the possibility that our security measures will be unable to prevent our systems’ improper functioning or the improper disclosure of proprietary information. Any failure of our information or communication systems, whether caused by attacks, mechanical failures, natural disasters or otherwise, could interrupt our operations, damage our reputation, or subject us to claims, any of which could materially adversely affect us.

Risks Related to the Chapter 11 Cases

Despite having emerged from bankruptcy on February 2, 2021, we continue to be subject to the risks and uncertainties associated with residual Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.

As discussed below (see Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations), we emerged from bankruptcy on the Effective Date. It is possible that having filed for bankruptcy and our recent emergence from the bankruptcy could adversely affect our business and relationships with customers, vendors, employees, service providers and suppliers. Due to uncertainties, many risks exist, including the following:

vendors or other contract counterparties could terminate their relationship or require financial assurances or enhanced performance;

the ability to renew existing contracts and compete for new business may be adversely affected;

the ability to attract, motivate and/or retain key executives and employees may be adversely affected;

employees may be distracted from performance of their duties or more easily attracted to other employment opportunities; and

competitors may take business away from us, and our ability to attract and retain customers may be negatively impacted.

Because of the residual risks and uncertainties associated with the Chapter 11 Cases, the ultimate impact that events that occurred during, or that may occur subsequent to, these proceedings will have on our business, financial condition and results of operations cannot be accurately predicted or quantified. We cannot assure you that having been subject to bankruptcy protection will not adversely affect our operations going forward.

The Chapter 11 Cases have had, and may continue to have, a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, the consummation of the Plan resulted in the cancellation and exchange of the Former Parent’s equity securities.

The Chapter 11 Cases have had, and will continue to have, a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and cash flows. Some significant risks include or relate to the following:

the effects of the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases on our business and the interests of various constituents, including our stockholders;

the potential material adverse effects of claims that were not discharged in the Chapter 11 Cases; and

uncertainties and continuing risks associated with our ability to achieve our stated goals.

Because of the risks and uncertainties associated with the Chapter 11 Cases, we cannot predict or quantify the ultimate impact that the Chapter 11 Cases may have on our business, cash flows, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.

Our actual financial results since we emerged from bankruptcy are not comparable to the Former Parent’s historical financial information as a result of the implementation of the Plan and the transactions contemplated thereby and our adoption of fresh start accounting.

In connection with the disclosure statement filed with the Bankruptcy Court, and the hearing to consider confirmation of the Plan, projected financial information was prepared to demonstrate to the Bankruptcy Court the feasibility of the Plan and the ability to continue operations upon emergence from bankruptcy. Those projections were prepared solely for the purpose of the bankruptcy proceedings and have not been, and will not be, updated on an ongoing basis and should not be relied upon by investors. At the time they were prepared, the projections reflected numerous assumptions concerning anticipated future performance with respect to prevailing and anticipated market and economic conditions that were and remain beyond our control and that may not materialize. Projections are inherently subject to substantial and numerous uncertainties and to a wide variety of significant business, economic and competitive risks and the assumptions underlying the projections and/or valuation estimates may prove to be wrong in material respects. Actual results will likely

vary significantly from those contemplated by the projections. The failure of any such results, or any other developments contemplated by the Plan, to materialize, or of any such results or developments to have the anticipated effect on us and our subsidiaries or our business or operations, could materially adversely impact our business and prospects as a post-emergence company.

In addition, as a result of our emergence from bankruptcy, we will adopt fresh start accounting and adjust our assets and liabilities to fair values and our accumulated deficit will be restated to zero and reflected in our financial statements for the quarter ending March 31, 2021. Fresh start accounting will result in the Company becoming a new entity for financial reporting purposes on February 2, 2021, the Effective Date. Accordingly, our financial condition and results of operations following our emergence from bankruptcy will not be comparable to the financial condition and results of operations reflected in historical financial statements. Implementation of the Plan and the transactions contemplated thereby may materially change the amounts and classifications reported in our consolidated historical financial statements.

Our long-term liquidity requirements and the adequacy of our capital resources are difficult to predict at this time.

We face uncertainty regarding the adequacy of our liquidity and capital resources and have extremely limited, if any, access to additional financing. In addition to the cash requirements necessary to fund our ongoing operations, we have incurred significant professional fees and other costs in connection with the Chapter 11 Cases. We cannot assure you that cash on hand, letters of credit under the Credit Facility, and cash flow from operations will be sufficient to continue to fund our operations and allow us to satisfy our obligations related to the Chapter 11 Cases.

Furthermore, turmoil in the credit and financial markets could adversely affect financial institutions, inhibit lending and limit our access to funding through borrowings under the Credit Facility or obtaining other financing in the public or private capital markets on terms we believe to be reasonable. Prevailing market conditions could be adversely affected by the ongoing disruptions in domestic or overseas sovereign or corporate debt markets, low commodity prices or other factors impacting our business, contractions or limited growth in the economy or other similar adverse economic developments in the U.S. or abroad. Instability in the global financial markets has from time to time resulted in periodic volatility in the capital markets. This volatility could limit our access to the credit markets, leading to higher borrowing costs or, in some cases, the inability to obtain financing on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all. Any such failure to obtain additional financing could jeopardize our ability to repay, refinance or reduce our debt obligations, or to meet our other financial commitments.

Restrictive covenants in the Credit Facility could limit our growth and our ability to finance our operations, fund our capital needs, respond to changing conditions and engage in other business activities that may be in our best interests.

The Credit Facility imposes operating and financial restrictions. These restrictions limit the ability to, among other things:

incur additional indebtedness;

make investments or loans;

create liens;

consummate mergers and similar fundamental changes;

make restricted payments;

make investments in unrestricted subsidiaries; and

enter into transactions with affiliates.

The restrictions contained in the Credit Facility could:

limit the ability to plan for, or react to, market conditions, to meet capital needs or otherwise to restrict our activities or business plan; and

adversely affect the ability to finance our operations, enter into acquisitions or to engage in other business activities that would be in our interest.

The Credit Facility includes provisions that require mandatory prepayment of outstanding borrowings and/or a borrowing base redetermination when there are asset dispositions over a certain threshold, which could limit the ability to generate liquidity from asset sales. Also, the Credit Facility requires compliance with a specified financial ratio if triggered by an event of default or availability beneath specified thresholds. The ability to comply with this ratio may be affected by events beyond our control and, as a result, this ratio may not be met. This financial ratio restriction could limit the ability to obtain future financings, make needed capital expenditures, withstand a continued downturn in our business or a downturn in the economy in general or otherwise conduct necessary corporate activities. Declines in oil and natural gas prices could result in failure to meet one or more of the financial covenants under the Credit Facility, which could require refinancing or amendment of such obligations resulting in the payment of consent fees or higher interest rates, or require a capital raise at an inopportune time or on terms not favorable.

A breach of any of these covenants or the inability to comply with the required financial ratios or financial condition tests could result in a default under the Credit Facility. A default under the Credit Facility, if not cured or waived, could result in acceleration of all indebtedness outstanding thereunder, which in turn would trigger cross-acceleration and cross-default rights.

Upon emergence from bankruptcy, the composition of our Board of Directors changed significantly.

Under the Plan, the composition of our Board of Directors changed significantly. Our new directors have different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives from those individuals who previously served on the Former Parent’s board of directors and, thus, may have different views on the issues that will determine our future. As a result, our future strategy and plans may differ materially from those of the past.

The ability of the new directors to quickly expand their knowledge of our business plans, operations and existing strategies in a timely manner will be critical to their ability to make informed decisions about our strategy, operations and future strategies.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to adversely affect our business, and the ultimate effect on our operations and financial condition will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and continues to have, a material impact on businesses around the world and the economic environments in which they operate. A number of jurisdictions in which we operate have implemented severe restrictions on the movement of their respective populations. As a result, there has been a significant reduction in demand for, and prices of, crude oil, which has directly affected our business. The COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to mitigate its effect have had a substantial negative impact on the global economy and demand for oil. Although oil prices are back to pre-pandemic levels, driven by global vaccine distribution, an unfolding demand recovery, OPEC+ agreement on production volume, and a declining production base, if the negative trend in the demand for or price of crude oil resumes or continues for a prolonged period, or the demand for or price of crude oil does not further increase, our business, financial condition, results of operation and liquidity may be further materially and adversely affected. Our operations also may be further adversely affected if significant portions of our workforce continue to be unable to work effectively due to illness, quarantines, government actions or other restrictions in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Management expects industry activity levels and spending by customers to remain depressed in 2021 as demand destruction from the COVID-19 pandemic continues despite recent improvements in oil and gas prices and the significant changes we have implemented to respond to the current environment. We believe that the well-known impacts described above and other potential impacts include, but are not limited to, the following:

disruption to our supply chain for materials essential to our business, including restrictions on importing and exporting products;

customers may attempt to cancel or delay projects or may attempt to invoke force majeure clauses in certain contracts resulting in a decreased or delayed demand for our products and services;

customers may also seek to delay payments, may default on payment obligations and/or seek bankruptcy protection that could delay or prevent collections of certain accounts receivable;

a need to preserve liquidity and volatility in the financial markets;

reduction of our global workforce to adjust to market conditions, including severance payments, retention issues, and an inability to hire employees when market conditions improve;

liabilities resulting from operational delays due to decreased productivity resulting from stay-at-home orders affecting the work force or facility closures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic;

liabilities resulting from an inability to perform services due to limited manpower availability or an inability to travel to perform the services;

other contractual or other legal claims from our customers resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic; and

infections and quarantining of our employees and the personnel of our customers, suppliers and other third parties.

At this time, it is not possible to quantify these risks, but the combination of these factors could have a further material impact on our financial results. The ultimate extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affects our business, financial condition, results of operation and liquidity will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. These future developments include, but are not limited to, the scope and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and actions taken by governmental authorities and other third parties in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Disruptions and/or uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic for a sustained period of time will result in, and have resulted to date in, delays or modifications to our strategic plans and initiatives and will hinder our ability to achieve our strategic goals. The COVID-19 pandemic, and the volatile regional and global economic conditions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, will likely have the effect of heightening many of the other risks included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. However, because the COVID-19 situation is unprecedented and continuously evolving, the other potential impacts to our risk factors are uncertain.

Risks Related to Our Business

Our business depends on conditions in the oil and gas industry, especially oil and natural gas prices and capital expenditures by oil and gas companies.

Our business depends on the level of oil and natural gas exploration, development and production activity of, and the corresponding capital spending by, oil and gas companies worldwide.  The level of exploration, development and production activity is directly affected by trends in oil and natural gas prices, which historically have been volatile and difficult to predict and are likely to continue to be volatile.  Oil and natural gas prices are subject to large fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in supply and demand, economic growth trends, market uncertainty and a variety of other factors beyond our control. Price volatility continued throughout 2019 and, partially due to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and failure of OPEC+ and other major producers to agree on production cuts, became more extreme in 2020.  Lower oil and natural gas prices generally lead to decreased spending by our customers. While higher oil and natural gas prices generally lead to increased spending by our customers, sustained high energy prices can also be an impediment to economic growth and can therefore negatively impact spending by our customers. Our customers may also take into account the volatility of oil and natural gas prices and other risk factors and require higher returns for individual projects if there is higher perceived risk. Any of these factors could significantly affect the demand for oil and natural gas, which could affect the level of capital spending by our customers and in turn could have a material effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flow.

The availability of quality drilling prospects, exploration success, relative production costs, expectations about future oil and natural gas demand and prices, the stage of reservoir development, the availability of financing, and political and regulatory environments are also expected to affect levels of exploration, development, and production activity, which would impact the demand for our services.  Any prolonged reduction of oil and natural gas prices, as well as anticipated declines, could also result in lower levels of exploration, development, and production activity.

The demand for our services may be affected by numerous factors, including the following:

the cost of exploring for, producing and delivering oil and natural gas;

demand for energy, which is affected by worldwide economic activity, population growth and market expectations regarding future trends;

the ability of OPEC+ and other key oil-producing countries to set and maintain production levels for oil;

the level of excess production capacity;

the discovery rate of new oil and natural gas reserves;

domestic and global political and economic uncertainty, socio-political unrest and instability, terrorism or hostilities;

weather conditions and changes in weather patterns, including summer and winter temperatures that impact demand;

the availability, proximity and capacity of transportation facilities;

oil refining capacity and shifts in end-customer preferences toward fuel efficiency;

the level and effect of trading in commodity futures markets, including trading by commodity price speculators and others;

demand for and availability of alternative, competing sources of energy;

the extent to which taxes, tax credits, environmental regulations, auctions of mineral rights, drilling permits, drilling concessions, drilling moratoriums or other governmental regulations, actions or policies affect the production, cost of production, price or availability of petroleum products and alternative energy sources; and

technological advances affecting energy exploration, production and consumption.

The oil and gas industry has historically experienced periodic downturns, which have been characterized by significantly reduced demand for oilfield services and downward pressure on the prices we charge.  Sustained lower oil and natural gas prices have led to a significant decrease in spending by our customers over the past several years, which have led to significantly decreased revenues. Further decreases in oil and natural gas prices could lead to further cuts in spending and potential lower revenues for us. Several large oil and gas exploration and production companies have recently announced reductions in their previously announced planned capital expenditures during 2020 in light of declining global oil and natural gas prices. Moreover, weakness in the oil and gas industry may adversely impact the financial position of our customers, which in turn could cause them to fail to pay amounts owed to us in a timely manner or at all.  We expect continued volatility in both crude oil and natural gas prices (including the possibilities that such prices could remain at current levels or decline further for an extended period of time), as well as in the level of drilling and production related activities as a result of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, decisions of OPEC+ and other oil exporting nations regarding production, and the other factors listed above. Any of these events have affected, and could further affect, the demand for oil and natural gas and has and could further have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flow.

Necessary capital financing may not be available at economic rates or at all.

Turmoil in the credit and financial markets could adversely affect financial institutions, inhibit lending and limit our access to funding through borrowings under the Credit Facility or obtaining other financing in the public or private capital markets on terms we believe to be reasonable. Prevailing market conditions could be adversely affected by the ongoing disruptions in domestic or overseas sovereign or corporate debt markets, low commodity prices or other factors impacting our business, contractions or limited growth in the economy or other similar adverse economic developments in the U.S. or abroad. Instability in the global financial markets has from time to time resulted in periodic volatility in the capital markets. This volatility could limit our access to the credit markets, leading to higher borrowing costs or, in some cases, the inability to obtain financing on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all. Any such failure to obtain additional financing could jeopardize our ability to repay, refinance or reduce our debt obligations, or to meet our other financial commitments.

There are operating hazards inherent in the oil and gas industry that could expose us to substantial liabilities.

Our operations are subject to hazards inherent in the oil and gas industry that may lead to property damage, personal injury, death or the discharge of hazardous materials into the environment. Many of these events are outside of our control. Typically, we provide products and services at a well site where our personnel and equipment are located together with personnel and equipment of our customer and other service providers. From time to time, personnel are injured or equipment or property is damaged or destroyed as a result of accidents, failed equipment, faulty products or services, failure of safety measures, uncontained formation pressures or other dangers inherent in oil and natural gas exploration, development and production. Any of these events can be the result of human error or purely accidental, and it may be difficult or impossible to definitively determine the ultimate cause of the event or whose personnel or equipment contributed thereto. All of these risks expose us to a wide range of significant health, safety and environmental risks and potentially substantial litigation claims for damages. With increasing frequency, our products and services are deployed in more challenging exploration, development and production locations. From time to time, customers and third parties may seek to hold us accountable for damages and costs incurred as a result of an accident, including pollution, even under circumstances where we believe we did not cause or contribute to the accident. Our insurance policies are subject to exclusions, limitations and other conditions, and may not protect us against liability for some types of events, including events involving a well blowout, or against losses from business interruption.  Our insurance also may not cover losses associated with pandemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, we may not be able to maintain insurance at levels of risk coverage or policy limits that we deem adequate or on terms that we deem commercially reasonable.  Any damages or losses that are not covered by insurance, or are in excess of policy limits or subject to substantial deductibles or retentions, could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. 

We may not be fully indemnified against losses incurred due to catastrophic events.

As is customary in our industry, our contracts generally provide that we will indemnify and hold harmless our customers from any claims arising from personal injury or death of our employees, damage to or loss of our equipment, and pollution emanating from our equipment and services.  Similarly, our customers generally agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from any claims arising from personal injury or death of their employees, damage to or loss of their equipment or property, and pollution caused from their equipment or the well reservoir (including uncontained oil flow from a reservoir).  Our indemnification arrangements may not protect us in every case. For example, from time to time we may enter into contracts with less favorable indemnities or perform work without a contract that protects us. In addition, our indemnification rights may not fully protect us if we cannot prove that we are entitled to be indemnified or if the customer is bankrupt or insolvent, does not maintain adequate insurance or otherwise does not possess sufficient resources to indemnify us.  In addition, our indemnification rights may be held unenforceable in some jurisdictions.

Our customers’ changing views on risk allocation could cause us to accept greater risk to win new business or could result in us losing business if we are not prepared to take such risks.  To the extent that we accept such additional risk, and insure against it, our insurance premiums could rise.

The credit risks of our customer base could result in losses.

Many of our customers are oil and gas companies that are facing liquidity constraints in light of the current commodity price environment. These customers impact our overall exposure to credit risk as they are also affected by prolonged changes in economic and industry conditions. If a significant number of our customers experience a prolonged business decline or disruptions, we may incur increased exposure to credit risk and bad debts.

We are subject to environmental and worker health and safety laws and regulations, which could reduce our business opportunities and revenue, and increase our costs and liabilities.

Our business is significantly affected by a wide range of environmental and worker health and safety laws and regulations in the areas in which we operate, including increasingly rigorous environmental laws and regulations governing air emissions, water discharges and waste management.  Generally, these laws and regulations have become more stringent and have sought to impose greater liability on a larger number of potentially responsible parties. The Macondo well explosion in 2010 resulted in additional regulation of our offshore operations, and similar onshore or offshore accidents in the future could result in additional increases in regulation. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in a variety of administrative, civil and criminal enforcement measures, including assessment of monetary penalties, imposition of remedial requirements and issuance of injunctions as to future compliance.

Environmental laws and regulations may provide for “strict liability” for remediation costs, damages to natural resources or threats to public health and safety as a result of our conduct that was lawful at the time it occurred or the conduct of, or conditions caused by, prior owners or operators or other third parties. Strict liability can render a party liable for damages without regard to negligence or fault on the part of the party. Some environmental laws provide for joint and several strict liability for remediation of spills and releases of hazardous substances.  For example, our well service and fluids businesses routinely involve the handling of significant amounts of waste materials, some of which are classified as hazardous substances. We also store, transport and use radioactive and explosive materials in certain of our operations. In addition, many of our current and former facilities are, or have been, used for industrial purposes. Accordingly, we could become subject to material liabilities relating to the containment and disposal of hazardous substances, oilfield waste and other waste materials, the use of radioactive materials, the use of underground injection wells, and to claims alleging personal injury or property damage as the result of exposures to, or releases of, hazardous substances. In addition, stricter enforcement of existing laws and regulations, new domestic or foreign laws and regulations, the discovery of previously unknown contamination or the imposition of new or increased requirements could require us to incur costs or become the basis of new or increased liabilities that could reduce our earnings and our cash available for operations.

In addition, we and our customers may need to apply for or amend facility permits or licenses from time to time with respect to storm water or wastewater discharges, waste handling, or air emissions relating to manufacturing activities or equipment operations, which subjects us and our customers to new or revised permitting conditions that may be onerous or costly to comply with.

Climate change legislation or regulations restricting emissions of greenhouse gases could result in increased operating costs and reduced demand for the oil and natural gas our customers produce.

Increasing concerns that emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) may endanger public health and produce climate changes with significant physical effects, such as increased frequency and severity of storms, floods, droughts and other climatic events, have drawn significant attention from government agencies and environmental advocacy groups. In response, additional costly requirements and restrictions have been imposed on the oil and gas industry to regulate and reduce the emission of GHGs.

Specifically, the EPA has adopted regulations under existing provisions of the federal Clean Air Act which increase operational costs by requiring the monitoring and annual reporting of GHG emissions from oil and gas production, processing, transmission and storage facilities in the United States. Although, the U.S. Congress has considered legislation to reduce emissions of GHGs, significant legislation has not yet been adopted to reduce GHG emissions at the federal level. In the absence of such federal climate legislation, a number of state and regional efforts have emerged that are aimed at tracking and/or reducing GHG emissions through the completion of GHG emissions inventories and through cap and trade programs that typically require major sources of GHG emissions to acquire and surrender emission allowances in return for emitting GHGs. Given the long-term trend towards increasing regulation, future federal GHG regulations of the oil and gas industry remain a possibility.

Climate change, environmental, social and governance, and sustainability are growing global movements. Continuing political and social attention to these issues has resulted in both existing and pending international agreements and national, regional or local legislation and regulatory measures, as well as society pressure in some areas, to limit GHG emissions and has been stated in the U.S. to be a priority of the new Biden Administration, as well as other initiatives. In December 2015, the United States joined the international community at the 21st Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris, France that proposed an agreement requiring member countries to review and “represent a progression” in their intended nationally determined contributions, which set GHG emission reduction goals every five years beginning in 2020. This agreement was signed by the United States in April 2016 and entered into force in November 2016. The United States is one of over 120 nations having ratified or otherwise consented to the agreement; however this agreement does not create any binding obligations for nations to limit their GHG emissions, but rather includes pledges to voluntarily limit or reduce future emissions. Although the prior administration formally withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement effective November 4, 2020, the new administration issued an executive order to rejoin the Paris climate agreement on January 20, 2021.

In addition to governmental regulations, our customers are also requiring additional equipment upgrades to address the growing concerns of GHG emission and climate change which result in higher operational costs for service providers such as us. Despite taking additional

measures to reduce GHG emissions, there is the possibility that the demand for fossil fuels may nevertheless decrease due to such concerns.

Furthermore, there have also been efforts in recent years aimed at the investment community, including investment advisors, sovereign wealth funds, public pension funds, universities and other groups, promoting the divestment of fossil fuel equities as well as to pressure lenders and other financial services companies to limit or curtail activities with companies engaged in the extraction of fossil fuel reserves. If these efforts are successful, our ability and the ability of our customers to access capital markets may be limited.

At this stage, we cannot predict the impact of these or other initiatives on our or our customers operations, nor can we predict whether, or which of, other currently pending GHG emission proposals will be adopted, or what other actions may be taken by domestic or international regulatory bodies. The potential passage of climate change regulation may curtail production and demand for fossil fuels such as oil and gas in areas of the world where our customers operate and thus adversely affect future demand for our products and services, which may in turn adversely affect future results of operations.

Adverse and unusual weather conditions may affect our operations.

Our operations may be materially affected by severe weather conditions in areas where we operate.  Severe weather, such as hurricanes, high winds and seas, blizzards and extreme temperatures may cause evacuation of personnel, curtailment of services and suspension of operations, inability to deliver materials to jobsites in accordance with contract schedules, loss of or damage to equipment and facilities and reduced productivity.  In addition, variations from normal weather patterns can have a significant impact on demand for oil and natural gas, thereby reducing demand for our services and equipment.

Our inability to retain key employees and skilled workers could adversely affect our operations.

Our performance could be adversely affected, especially in light of our emergence from bankruptcy, if we are unable to retain certain key employees and skilled technical personnel.  Our ability to continue to expand the scope of our services and products depends in part on our ability to increase the size of our skilled labor force.  The loss of the services of one or more of our key employees or the inability to employ or retain skilled technical personnel could adversely affect our operating results.  In the past, the demand for skilled personnel has been high and the supply limited.  We have experienced increases in labor costs in recent years and may continue to do so in the future.  Furthermore, these internal and external factors may also be impacted by our recent emergence from bankruptcy, the uncertainties currently facing us and the business environment and changes we may make to the organizational structure to adjust to changing circumstances.

We face significant competition in attracting and retaining talented employees. Further, managing succession for, and retention of, key executives is critical to our success, and our failure to do so could adversely affect our future performance.

Our ability to attract and retain qualified and experienced employees is essential to meet our current and future goals and objectives. There is no guarantee we will be able to attract and retain such employees or that competition among potential employers will not result in increased salaries or other benefits. If we are unable to retain existing employees or attract additional employees, we could experience a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. We may not be able to locate or employ on acceptable terms a qualified replacement for the CEO or other key executives if their services are no longer available. Furthermore, our business could be affected adversely if suitable replacement personnel are not recruited quickly or effectively. Our failure to adequately plan for succession of senior management and other key management roles or the failure of key employees to successfully transition into new roles, including any potential future CEO candidate, could have a material adverse effect on our businesses and results of operations.

Our international operations and revenue are affected by political, economic and other uncertainties worldwide.

During 2020, the Former Parent conducted business in more than 50 countries. Our international operations are subject to varying degrees of regulation in each of the foreign jurisdictions in which we provide services. Local laws and regulations, and their interpretation and enforcement, differ significantly among those jurisdictions, and can change significantly over time. Future regulatory, judicial and legislative changes or interpretations may have a material adverse effect on our ability to deliver services within various foreign jurisdictions.

In addition to these international regulatory risks, our international operations are subject to a number of other risks inherent in any business operating in foreign countries, including, but not limited to, the following:

political, social and economic instability;

potential expropriation, seizure or nationalization of assets;

inflation;

deprivation of contract rights;

increased operating costs;

inability to collect receivables and longer receipt of payment cycles;

civil unrest and protests, strikes, acts of terrorism, war or other armed conflict;

import-export quotas or restrictions, including tariffs and the risk of fines or penalties assessed for violations;

confiscatory taxation or other adverse tax policies;

currency exchange controls;

currency exchange rate fluctuations, devaluations and conversion restrictions;

potential submission of disputes to the jurisdiction of a foreign court or arbitration panel; 

pandemics or epidemics that disrupt our ability to transport personnel or equipment;

embargoes or other restrictive governmental actions that could limit our ability to operate in foreign countries;

additional U.S. and other regulation of non-domestic operations, including regulation under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the FCPA) as well as other anti-corruption laws;

restrictions on the repatriation of funds;

limitations in the availability, amount or terms of insurance coverage;

the risk that our international customers may have reduced access to credit because of higher interest rates, reduced bank lending or a deterioration in our customers’ or their lenders’ financial condition;

the burden of complying with multiple and potentially conflicting laws and regulations;

the imposition of unanticipated or increased environmental and safety regulations or other forms of public or governmental regulation that increase our operating expenses;

complications associated with installing, operating and repairing equipment in remote locations;

the geographic, time zone, language and cultural differences among personnel in different areas of the world; and

challenges in staffing and managing international operations.

These and the other risks outlined above could cause us to curtail or terminate operations, result in the loss of personnel or assets, disrupt financial and commercial markets and generate greater political and economic instability in some of the geographic areas in which we operate. International areas where we operate that have significant risk include the Middle East, Indonesia, Nigeria and Angola.

Laws, regulations or practices in foreign countries could materially restrict our operations or expose us to additional risks.

In many countries around the world where we do business, all or a significant portion of the decision making regarding procuring our services and products is controlled by state-owned oil companies. State-owned oil companies or prevailing laws may (i) require us to meet local content or hiring requirements or other local standards, (ii) restrict with whom we can contract or (iii) otherwise limit the scope of operations that we can legally or practically conduct. Our inability or failure to meet these requirements, standards or restrictions may adversely impact our operations in those countries. In addition, our ability to work with state-owned oil companies is subject to our ability to negotiate and agree upon acceptable contract terms, and to enforce those terms. In addition, many state-owned oil companies may require integrated contracts or turnkey contracts that could require us to provide services outside our core businesses. Providing services on an integrated or turnkey basis generally requires us to assume additional risks.

Moreover, in order to effectively compete in certain foreign jurisdictions, it is frequently necessary or required to establish joint ventures or strategic alliances with local contractors, partners or agents.  In certain instances, these local contractors, partners or agents may have interests that are not always aligned with ours.  Reliance on local contractors, partners or agents could expose us to the risk of being unable to control the scope or quality of our overseas services or products, or being held liable under the FCPA, or other anti-corruption laws for actions taken by our strategic or local contractors, partners or agents even though these contractors, partners or agents may not themselves be subject to the FCPA or other applicable anti-corruption laws.  Any determination that we have violated the FCPA or other anti-corruption laws could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, reputation or prospects.

If we are not able to design, develop, and produce commercially competitive products and to implement commercially competitive services in a timely manner in response to changes in the market, customer requirements, competitive pressures, and technology trends, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

The market for oilfield services in which we operate is highly competitive and includes numerous small companies capable of competing effectively in our markets on a local basis, as well as several large companies that possess substantially greater financial resources than we do. Contracts are traditionally awarded on the basis of competitive bids or direct negotiations with customers.

The market for our services and products is characterized by continual technological developments to provide better and more reliable performance and services. If we are not able to design, develop, and produce commercially competitive products and to implement commercially competitive services in a timely manner in response to changes in the market, customer requirements, competitive pressures, and technology trends, our business and consolidated results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. Likewise, if our proprietary technologies, equipment, facilities, or work processes become obsolete, we may no longer be competitive, and our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.  In addition, we may be disadvantaged

competitively and financially by a significant movement of exploration and production operations to areas of the world in which we are not currently active.

We depend on particular suppliers and are vulnerable to product shortages and price increases.

Some of the materials that we use are obtained from a limited group of suppliers. Our reliance on these suppliers involves several risks, including price increases, inferior quality and a potential inability to obtain an adequate supply in a timely manner. We do not have long-term contracts with most of these sources, and the partial or complete loss of certain of these sources could have a negative impact on our results of operations and could damage our customer relationships. Further, a significant increase in the price of one or more of these materials could have a negative impact on our results of operations.

Estimates of our potential liabilities relating to our oil and natural gas property may be incorrect.

Actual abandonment expenses may vary substantially from those estimated by us and any significant variance in these assumptions could materially affect the estimated liability recorded in our consolidated financial statements. Therefore, the risk exists we may underestimate the cost of plugging wells and abandoning production facilities. If costs of abandonment are materially greater than our estimates, this could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Potential changes of Bureau of Ocean Energy Management security and bonding requirements for offshore platforms could impact our operating cash flows and results of operations.

Federal oil and natural gas leases contain standard terms and require compliance with detailed Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and BOEM regulations and orders issued pursuant to various federal laws, including the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. In 2016 BOEM undertook a review of its historical policies and procedures for determining a lessee’s ability to decommission platforms on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and whether lessees should furnish additional security, and in July 2016, BOEM issued a new Notice to Lessees requiring additional security for decommissioning activities. In January 2017, BOEM extended the implementation timeline for properties with co-lessees by an additional six months, and in June 2017 announced that the Notice to Lessees would be stayed while BOEM continued to review its implementation issues and continued industry engagement to gather additional information on the financial assurance program.

During the second half of 2016, BSEE increased its estimates of many offshore operator’s decommissioning costs, including the decommissioning costs at our sole federal offshore oil and gas property, in which our subsidiary owns a 51% non-operating interest. In October 2016, BOEM sent an initial proposal letter to the operator of the oil and gas property, proposing an increase in the supplemental bonding requirement for the property’s sole fixed platform that was eight to ten times higher than the revised supplemental bonding requirement requested for any other deep-water fixed platform in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Both the operator and our subsidiary submitted formal dispute notices, asserting that the estimates in the October 2016 proposal letter may be based on erroneous or arbitrary estimates of the potential decommissioning costs, and requesting in-person meetings to discuss the estimate. We asked that BSEE and BOEM reduce the estimate to an amount that more closely approximates actual decommissioning costs, consistent with estimates identified by BSEE and BOEM for similar deep-water platforms. BSEE and BOEM have not yet responded to our dispute notice.

On September 17, 2020, BOEM issued a proposed rule addressing OCS oil and gas decommissioning costs (BOEM-2018-0033). The proposed rule contains updated criteria for determining decommissioning costs. Under the proposed rule, BOEM would only require additional security when (1) a lessee or grant holder poses a substantial risk of becoming financially unable to meet its obligations; (2) there is no co-lessee, co-grant holder or predecessor that is liable for those obligations with sufficient financial capacity; and (3) the property is at or near the end of its productive life. BSEE would typically issue orders to predecessors in title in a reverse chronological order. The proposed rule would also require that a party appealing any final decommissioning decision or order provide a surety bond to ensure that funding for decommissioning is available if the order is affirmed and the liable party then defaults. Based on the proposed framework, BOEM estimates its amount of financial assurance would decrease from $3.3 billion to $3.1 billion, although BOEM expects the rule would provide greater protection as the financial assurance would be focused on the riskiest properties.

We cannot predict when these laws and regulations may be adopted or change in the future, particularly as a result of the presidential administrations in January 2021. If BOEM withdraws the September 2020 rule proposal and proceeds to implement a rule or other regulatory action requiring additional security similar to the Notice to Lessees issued in July 2016 and we are unable to obtain the additional required bonds or post other acceptable security to secure of decommissioning obligations, BOEM may suspend or cancel operations at the oil and gas property or otherwise impose monetary penalties. Any of these actions could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, operating cash flows and liquidity.

Moreover, under existing BOEM and BSEE rules relating to assignment of offshore leases and other legal interests on the OCS, assignors of such interests may be held jointly and severally liable for decommissioning of OCS facilities existing at the time the assignment was approved by BOEM, in the event that the assignee or any subsequent assignee is unable or unwilling to conduct required decommissioning.

Risks Related to Our Class A Common Stock

There may be circumstances in which the interests of our significant stockholders could conflict with the interests of our other stockholders.

On the Effective Date, in order to implement certain transactions contemplated by the Plan, the Stockholders Agreement was executed with each stockholder who is deemed a party thereto pursuant to the Plan (constituting all of the stockholders on the Effective Date) and all other stockholders party thereto from time to time, to provide for certain governance matters relating to the Company. Two groups of these stockholders currently hold approximately 48%, respectively, of our Class A Common Stock. Furthermore, pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, these two groups of stockholders have appointed three of our six directors.

Circumstances may arise in which these groups of stockholders may have an interest in pursuing or preventing acquisitions, divestitures or other transactions, including the issuance of additional shares or debt, that, in their judgment, could enhance their investment in us, and their interests may not in all cases be aligned with our interests.

There is no public market for shares of our Class A Common Stock, and we do not expect there to be a market for shares of our Class A Common Stock.

There is no existing trading market for shares of our Class A Common Stock, and no market for our shares may develop in the future. If developed, any such market may not be sustained. In the absence of a trading market, our stockholders may be unable to liquidate an investment in our Class A Common Stock. Upon our emergence from bankruptcy, the Former Parent’s common stock was canceled and we issued new Class A Common Stock. The Class A Common Stock is not currently traded on a national securities exchange. There is no active market in the Class A Common Stock. No assurance can be given that an active market will develop for our Class A Common Stock or as to the liquidity of the trading market for our Class A Common Stock. Our Class A Common Stock may be traded only infrequently, if at all, and reliable market quotations may not be available. Holders of our Class A Common Stock may experience difficulty in reselling, or an inability to sell, their shares. In addition, if an active trading market does not develop or is not maintained, significant sales of our Class A Common Stock, or the expectation of these sales, could materially and adversely affect the market price of our Class A Common Stock. For so long as our Class A Common Stock is not listed on a national securities exchange, our ability to access equity markets, obtain financing and provide equity incentives could be negatively impaired. Furthermore, certain transfers of our Class A Common Stock require an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

Provisions in the Stockholders Agreement could delay or prevent a change in control.

Certain provisions of our Stockholders Agreement may delay, discourage, prevent or render more difficult an attempt to obtain control of the Company, whether through a tender offer, business combination, proxy contest or otherwise. These provisions include, among other things, those that:

permit two groups of our stockholders to elect up to three members of our Board of Directors and limit the removal of such directors; and

restrict certain transfers (including acquisitions and dispositions) of our securities.

We do not intend to pay dividends on our Class A Common Stock and our ability to pay dividends on our common stock is restricted.

We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to finance our operations. As a result, we do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends on our Class A Common Stock in the foreseeable future. Any decision to declare and pay dividends in the future will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on, among other things, our business prospects, results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements and availability, industry trends and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant. Any such decision will also be subject to compliance with contractual restrictions and covenants in the agreements governing our current and future indebtedness.

We do not have a class of our securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act. Until we do, we will not be required to provide certain reports to our stockholders.

We do not have a class of our securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act. Until we do, we will not be required to provide certain reports to our stockholders. We are currently required to file periodic reports with the SEC by virtue of Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. However, until we register a class of our securities under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, we are not subject to the SEC’s proxy rules, and large holders of our capital stock will not be subject to beneficial ownership reporting requirements under Sections 13 or 16 of the Exchange Act and their related rules. As a result, our stockholders and potential investors may not have available to them as much or as robust information as they may have if and when we become subject to those requirements.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

Information on properties is contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we are involved in various legal actions incidental to our business. Most of our pending legal proceedings were stayed by virtue of the Chapter 11 Cases at the end of 2020. However, based on current circumstances, we do not believe that the ultimate resolution of these proceedings, after considering available defenses and any insurance coverage or indemnification rights, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. See note 11 to our consolidated financial statements for further information.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Our common equity consists of common stock that is privately held and there is no established public trading market. As of March 24, 2021, there were 578 stockholders of record.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

Removed and reserved.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and applicable notes to our consolidated financial statements and other information included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including “Risk Factors” disclosed in Part I, Item 1A. The following information contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, our actual results may differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. See “Forward-Looking Statements” at the beginning of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Executive Summary

General

We provide a wide variety of services and products to the energy industry. We serve major, national and independent oil and natural gas exploration and production companies around the world and we offer products and services with respect to the various phases of a well’s economic life cycle. We currently report our operating results in four business segments: Drilling Products and Services; Onshore Completion and Workover Services; Production Services; and Technical Solutions. We also provide supplemental segment revenue information in three geographic areas: U.S. land; U.S. offshore; and International.

Bankruptcy Accounting and Financial Reporting

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with ASC 852, Reorganizations (ASC 852), for the period subsequent to the commencement of our Chapter 11 Cases. ASC 852 requires that the consolidated financial statements distinguish transactions and events that are directly associated with the Chapter 11 Cases from the ongoing operations of the business.

Reorganization expenses

We have incurred costs associated with the Chapter 11 Cases, primarily unamortized debt issuance costs, expenses related to rejected leases, financing costs and postpetition professional fees. In accordance with applicable guidance, costs associated with the bankruptcy proceedings have been recorded as Reorganization expenses within the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020. Reorganization expenses totaled $21.6 million for 2020 and consisted of the following (in thousands):

Liabilities Subject to Compromise

The accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 includes amounts classified as Liabilities subject to compromise, which represent liabilities which have been allowed as claims in the Chapter 11 Cases. These amounts represent the Affiliate Debtors’ current estimate of known or potential obligations to be resolved in connection with the Chapter 11 Cases and may differ from actual future settlement amounts paid. Differences between liabilities estimated and claims filed, or to be filed, will be investigated and resolved in connection with the claims resolution process.

Liabilities subject to compromise at December 31, 2020 consisted of the following (in thousands):      

Financial Results

During 2020, we continued to manage challenging market dynamics as a divergence of operating results in the U.S. and international markets remained prevalent. We generated $851.3 million of revenue in 2020, which represents a 40% decrease from $1,425.4 million of revenue generated during 2019. The decrease in revenue is largely attributable to our U.S. land market area, in which revenue decreased by 59% during 2020.

In North America, unprecedented price disruptions and the significant decrease in demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact the demand for our completion services during 2020. The decrease in revenue generated in the U.S. land market area was primarily due to decreased revenues from our fluid management, well servicing rigs, and rentals of our premium drill pipe and bottom hole assemblies.

Revenue in our international market areas decreased 15% during 2020, as compared to 2019, as the international rig count declined 25% during 2020. The decrease in revenue generated in our international market areas was primarily driven by decreased revenue from electric line services, well control services, and rentals of premium drill pipe, even though we did experience revenue growth with our cementing and stimulation activities. We experienced revenue growth in our Middle East and African regions, but this was offset by a decrease in revenue in our Latin America and Asia Pacific regions. Revenue generated from the U.S. offshore market decreased 31%, primarily due to decreased revenues from our completion tools and services, plug and abandonment activities, and electric line services.

In 2020, our loss from operations was $172.0 million, as compared to our 2019 income from operations of $18.4 million. Despite the challenging year, we generated $95.0 million in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), which represents a significant decrease of 60% from $235.4 million of adjusted EBITDA generated during 2019. In addition, during 2020, we generated a free cash flow deficit of $45.4 million, as compared to the $5.9 million of free cash flow we generated during 2019. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below for a further discussion and a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net loss from continuing operations and a reconciliation of free cash flow to cash flows from operating activities.

During 2020, we focused on maintaining our cash balance and reducing capital expenditures. Our capital expenditures decreased by 66% during 2020, while our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash balance decreased by 3% as of December 31, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019. Under the provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act), the Company received a refund of $30.5 million in July 2020 related to the carryback of the 2018 net operating loss. In January of 2020, we received the remaining payment of $24.0 million relating to an asset sale which occurred during the fourth quarter of 2019.

During 2021, we expect to limit capital spending within our operational cash flow levels to generate free cash flow and allocate capital to businesses with higher returns on invested capital. Additionally, we intend to carefully manage our liquidity by continuously monitoring cash flow and capital spending.

Industry Trends

The oil and gas industry is both cyclical and seasonal. The level of spending by oil and gas companies is highly influenced by current and expected demand as well as future prices of oil and natural gas. Changes in spending resulted in an increased or decreased demand for our services and products. Rig count is an indicator of the level of spending by oil and gas companies. Crude oil prices traded within a wide range during 2020. After averaging $58 a barrel in January 2020, West Texas Intermediate prices fell to an average of $17 a barrel in April 2020, the lowest monthly average price since March 1999. The low prices were the result of significant declines in oil consumption that caused a sharp rise in global oil inventories. However, West Texas Intermediate prices increased through much of the rest of 2020 as rising oil demand and reduced production caused global oil inventories to fall. Prices rose to a monthly average of $47 a barrel in December 2020 due to expectations of future economic recovery based on the roll out of multiple COVID-19 vaccines. In the early part of January 2021, West Texas Intermediate prices reached their highest levels in 11 months after Saudi Arabia announced a one-month unilateral cut in its crude oil production for February and March that is in addition to its OPEC+ commitments. Oil prices are back to pre-pandemic levels, driven by global vaccine distribution, an unfolding demand recovery, OPEC+ agreement on production volume, and a declining production base. However, the surge in COVID-19 infections globally and the expected gradual return of spare production capacity make us cautious about near term recovery.

Our financial performance is significantly affected by the rig count in the U.S. land and offshore market areas as well as oil and natural gas prices and worldwide rig count, which are summarized in the table below.

⁽¹⁾ Estimate of drilling activity as measured by average active drilling rigs based on Baker Hughes Co. rig count information.

⁽²⁾ Excludes Canadian rig count.

Overview of our business segments

We attribute revenue to major geographic regions based on the location where services are performed or the destination of the rental or sale of products. The following table compares our revenues generated from major geographic regions (in thousands).

The Drilling Products and Services segment is moderately capital intensive with higher operating margins relative to our other segments as a result of relatively low operating expenses. The largest fixed cost is depreciation as there is little labor associated with our drilling products and services businesses. In 2020, 28% of segment revenue was derived from U.S. land market area (down from 43% in 2019), while 40% of segment revenue was from the U.S. offshore market area (up from 30% in 2019) and 32% of segment revenue was from international market areas (up from 26% in 2019). Premium drill pipe accounted for approximately 70% of this segment’s revenue in 2020, while bottom hole assemblies accounted for approximately 20% of this segment’s revenue in 2020.

The Onshore Completion and Workover Services segment consists primarily of services used in the completion and workover of oil and gas wells on land. These services include well service rigs and fluid management services. All of this segment’s revenue is derived in the U.S. land market areas. Demand for these services in the U.S. land market can change quickly and is highly dependent on the number of oil and natural gas wells drilled and completed. Given the cyclical nature of these drilling and completion activities in the U.S. land market, coupled with the high labor intensity of these services, operating margins can fluctuate widely depending on supply and demand at a given point in the cycle. Fluid management and well service rigs accounted for 66% and 34%, respectively, of this segment’s revenue in 2020.

The Production Services segment consists of intervention services primarily used to maintain and extend oil and gas production during the life of a producing well. These services are labor intensive and margins fluctuate based on how much capital our customers allocate towards enhancing existing oil and gas production from mature wells. In 2020, 22% of segment revenue was derived from the U.S. land market area (down from 34% in 2019), while 14% of segment revenue was from the U.S. offshore market area (down from 18% in 2019) and 64% of this segment’s revenue was from international market areas (up from 48% in 2019). Hydraulic workover and snubbing services represented 32% of this segment’s revenue in 2020. Pressure control and cementing and stimulation activities accounted for 26% and 20%, respectively, of this segment’s revenue in 2020.

The Technical Solutions segment consists of products and services that address customer-specific needs and include offerings such as completion tools and services, well control services, subsea well intervention and the production and sale of oil and gas. Given the project-specific nature associated with several of the service offerings in this segment and the seasonality associated with Gulf of Mexico

activity, revenue and operating margins in this segment can have significant variations from quarter to quarter. In 2020, revenue derived from the U.S. land market area was 11% of segment revenue (down from 15% in 2019), while 51% of segment revenue was from the U.S. offshore market area (down from 53% in 2019) and 37% of segment revenue was from international market areas (up from 32% in 2019). Completion tools and products accounted for approximately 45% of this segment’s revenue in 2020, while well control services represented 34% of this segment’s revenue in 2020.

Comparison of the Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

For 2020, our revenue was $851.3 million, a decrease of $574.1 million or 40%, as compared to 2019. Net loss from continuing operations was $281.3 million, or a $18.98 loss per share. Net loss was $396.2 million, or a $26.73 loss per share. Included in the results for 2020 were pre-tax charges of $47.1 million related to prepetition restructuring expenses, $26.9 million related to a reduction in value of assets, and $21.6 million related to postpetition reorganization expenses. For 2019, our revenue was $1,425.4 million, resulting in a loss from continuing operations of $77.8 million, or a $5.05 loss per share. Net loss was $255.7 million, or a $16.61 loss per share. Included in the results for 2019 was a pre-tax charge of $17.2 million related to a reduction in value of assets.

The following table compares our operating results for 2020 and 2019 (in thousands). Cost of revenues excludes depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion for each of our business segments.