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Helmerich & Payne Fiscal Third Quarter 2020 Results

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   |    Tuesday,July 28,2020

Helmerich & Payne, Inc. reported a net loss of $46 million or $(0.43) per diluted share from operating revenues of $317 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, compared to a net loss of $421 million, or $(3.88) per diluted share, on revenues of $634 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. The net losses per diluted share for the third and second quarters of fiscal year 2020 include $(0.09) and $(3.96), respectively, of after-tax losses comprised of select items⁽¹⁾. For the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, select items⁽¹⁾ were comprised of:

• $0.02 of after-tax gains pertaining to a non-cash fair market adjustment to our equity investment

• $(0.11) of after-tax losses pertaining to restructuring charges

Net cash provided by operating activities was $214 million for the third quarter of fiscal year 2020 compared to $121 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2020.

President and CEO John Lindsay commented, "The unprecedented decline in activity experienced during the quarter continues to reverberate throughout the industry and we expect that ramifications will be felt for several quarters to come. The health and safety of our employees and customers remains our top priority followed by maintaining our financial strength and flexibility. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, H&P acted decisively to preserve operational and financial integrity, capitalizing on our strengths as we remain focused on addressing the challenges and opportunities within the energy sector.

"The current state of the industry pointedly underscores a necessity for change and is providing opportunities to accelerate strategic objectives aimed at how we approach adding value and how that value is perceived by our customers. Our customer centric approach has served the Company well for 100 years and is evolving to encompass the wider array of drilling and digital technology solutions H&P can deliver. This will change the narrative around the value proposition we offer to our customers. Rather than focusing on discrete products, like rigs or separate technology applications, we are focusing on packaging the total solution - combining people, rigs and technology to deliver the best possible well that accomplishes our customer's operational goals while reducing their financial risk. We believe these changes are required in order to improve not only the value delivery, but also to enhance the economic performance for our customers and H&P stakeholders.

"As we continue to evolve this business model, we are also aligning business segments to reflect the integration of our solution-based offering by combining our proprietary rig technology, touch of a button automation software, uniform FlexRig fleet and digital expertise into one unique industry offering. Accordingly, what historically had been referred to as the U.S. Land Operations and HP Technologies business segments have been combined to form the North America Solutions business segment.

"We will utilize this new segment to facilitate deployment of digital technologies and assimilate new performance-based commercial models into the industry. The utilization of rig automation software, such as AutoSlide℠, in combination with contracts based upon H&P's drilling performance and well quality, rather than a generic dayrate, provide a higher level of wellbore efficiency and value. Customer adoption of AutoSlide is progressing and it is now deployed on over one-third of our active rigs - more than during any previous quarter. Our number of performance-based contracts has held relatively steady despite record rig count declines and limited incremental contracting activity."

Senior Vice President and CFO Mark Smith also commented, "The Company continues to take actions to preserve its strong financial position. In addition to the previously announced measures, which included a reduction to the annual dividend of approximately $200 million, a reduction in planned fiscal 2020 capital spend of $95 million and a roughly $50 million reduction in fixed operational overhead, the Company took further steps to reduce its planned fiscal 2020 capital spend by another $40 million and its selling, general and administrative cost structure by $25 million on an annualized basis. The culmination of these cost-saving initiatives resulted in a $15 million restructuring charge during the quarter. We expect to see results from these efforts increase in our fiscal fourth quarter. While the vast majority of these reductions are related to the U.S., we are implementing similar cost-saving measures in our international locations as well, working through local jurisdictional regulations.

"More than a quarter has passed since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and we are still unable to reasonably estimate its duration or ascertain the full extent it will have on the industry in terms of timing or magnitude of a recovery. As a result, we cannot be certain of the ultimate impact on H&P's operations or financial position. In the meantime, the Company will continue to innovate and lead the way forward. Our solid economic footing remains intact with approximately $490 million in cash on hand and short-term investments and no amounts drawn on our $750 million revolving credit facility. During the quarter, H&P's already healthy financial position was bolstered by the anticipated unlock of working capital, which included a sizable reduction in our accounts receivable, and recognition of approximately $50 million in early contract termination revenue. We anticipate similar benefits in the coming quarters, although not to the same magnitude. Finally, it is worth reiterating, we have liquidity of over $1.2 billion and our debt-to-cap is 12%, with no maturities until 2025."

John Lindsay concluded, "The Company moved quickly and decisively making several strategic and impactful decisions that we believe will position us well for the future. We remain acutely aware of the constraints imposed by the current environment and because of our people, our drilling solutions' capabilities and solid financial footing, H&P is well positioned to address the challenges ahead."

Operating Segment Results

This segment had an operating loss of $25 million compared to an operating loss of $343 million during the previous quarter. The prior quarter was adversely impacted by $407 million in asset impairment charges, while the current quarter operating loss was driven by the dramatic decline in rig activity due to significantly lower crude oil prices resulting from a global supply and demand imbalance caused by the pandemic.

Operating gross margins⁽²⁾ declined by $97.6 million to $101.8 million as both revenues and expenses declined sequentially. Revenues during the quarter benefited from $50.2 million in early contract termination revenue and better than anticipated activity due to more favorable timing around the stacking of a number of rigs. A slight offset to some of these benefits was the increase in the number of rigs that became idle but contracted which carry lower revenues. Idle but contracted rigs also carry lower costs, which in addition to lower activity contributed to lower expense during the quarter. Expenses also benefited from internal costs savings initiatives that are having a more immediate and substantial impact than previously expected. Technology solutions operations were in-line with expectations.

This segment had an operating loss of $9.5 million compared to an operating loss of $152.5 million during the previous quarter. The decrease in the operating loss was primarily attributable to impairments of drilling equipment that adversely impacted prior quarter results. Operating gross margins⁽²⁾ declined to a negative $5.1 million from a positive $13.3 million in the previous quarter as there were fewer rigs operating during the quarter and a higher mix of lower margin rigs contracted. Additionally, this segment carried higher expenses relative to activity levels resulting from compliance with local jurisdictional requirements surrounding COVID-19. The Company continues to explore opportunities to mitigate these expenses, while maintaining strict adherence to local regulations. Current quarter results included a $3.2 million foreign currency loss related to our South American operations compared to an approximate $3.4 million foreign currency loss in the second quarter of fiscal year 2020.

This segment had operating income of $3.0 million compared to an operating loss of $3.3 million during the previous quarter. Operating gross margins⁽²⁾ increased to $8.5 million compared to $0.4 million in the prior quarter resulting from increased financial contribution from a rig that commenced drilling operations during the third quarter and the absence of unfavorable expenses and unexpected downtime that adversely impacted the prior quarter. Segment operating income from management contracts on customer-owned platform rigs contributed approximately $1.7 million, compared to approximately $3.2 million during the prior quarter.

Operational Outlook for the Fourth Quarter

• We expect North America Solutions operating gross margins⁽²⁾ to be between $38-$48 million, inclusive of approximately $12 million of contract early termination compensation

• We expect to exit the quarter at between 58-63 contracted rigs, inclusive of approximately 10-15 contracted rigs generating revenue that could remain idle

• We expect International Solutions operating gross margins⁽²⁾ to be between $(2)-$0 million, exclusive of any foreign exchange gains or loses

• We expect Offshore Gulf of Mexico rig operating gross margins⁽²⁾ to be between $5-$7 million

• Management contracts are also expected to generate approximately $2 million in operating income

Other Estimates for Fiscal Year 2020

• Gross capital expenditures are now expected to be approximately $150 to $165 million. Asset sales include reimbursements for lost and damaged tubulars and sales of other used drilling equipment that offset a portion of the gross capital expenditures and are expected to total approximately $35 million in fiscal year 2020.

• General and administrative expenses for fiscal year 2020 are expected to be less than $175 million, excluding any future one-time items

• Depreciation is now expected to be approximately $475 million

COVID-19 Update

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact around the world and on our Company. After falling dramatically, crude oil prices and industry activity appear to have stabilized albeit at much lower levels. The environment in which we operate is still uncertain; however, from the onset of COVID-19's rapid spread across the U.S. in early March 2020, we moved quickly and took several actions to maintain the health and safety of H&P employees, customers and stakeholders and to preserve our financial strength. We discussed these actions in our press release dated, April 30, 2020 and in our quarterly report on Form-10Q for the period ended March 31, 2020 and will provide updates in our quarterly report on Form-10Q for the period ended June 30, 2020 when filed.

Select Items Included in Net Income per Diluted Share

Third quarter of fiscal year 2020 net loss of $(0.43) per diluted share included $(0.09) in after-tax losses comprised of the following:

• $0.02 of non-cash after-tax gains related to fair market value adjustments to equity investments

• $(0.11) of after-tax losses related to restructuring charges

Second quarter of fiscal year 2020 net loss of $(3.88) per diluted share included $(3.96) in after-tax losses comprised of the following:

• $0.03 of after-tax gains related to the change in fair value of a contingent liability

• $0.13 of after-tax benefits from the reversal of accrued compensation

• $(0.09) of non-cash after-tax losses related to fair market value adjustments to equity investments

• $(4.03) of non-cash after-tax losses related to the impairment of goodwill, less capable rigs and excess related equipment and inventory