Nine(NINE) - 2020 Q4 - Annual Report

Operational Performance - Nine Energy Service completed approximately 22,000 cementing jobs from January 2014 through December 2020, achieving an on-time rate of approximately 91%[25]. - The company deployed approximately 241,200 isolation, stage one, and casing flotation tools from January 2014 through December 2020, enhancing completion efficiencies[27]. - Nine Energy Service operated 47 wireline pumpdown units in the U.S., completing approximately 171,000 wireline stages with a success rate of approximately 99% from January 2014 through December 2020[29]. - The company performed approximately 9,800 coiled tubing jobs and deployed over 218 million running feet of coiled tubing from April 2014 through December 2020, maintaining a success rate of over 99%[32]. - The company focuses on providing customized completion solutions tailored to the specific geology of each well, enhancing operational efficiencies and production levels[20]. - The company has dedicated resources for developing new technologies and equipment to achieve lower completion and production costs for customers[47]. - The company has implemented processes to ensure employee safety during the pandemic, including health assessments and remote work arrangements[60]. - The company operates a fleet of over 550 commercial motor vehicles, subject to federal and state regulations, which could result in substantial fines for non-compliance[68]. Financial Performance - For the year ended December 31, 2020, the top five customers accounted for approximately 37% of Nine Energy Service's revenues[39]. - The five largest customers accounted for approximately 37% of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2020, indicating significant customer concentration risk[129]. - The company recorded goodwill impairment charges of $296.2 million in the first quarter of 2020 due to declining market conditions[98]. - The company faces liquidity challenges, including delayed customer payments and potential defaults due to customer liquidity issues and bankruptcies[100]. - The company has experienced operating losses in the past and may not achieve profitability in the future due to low demand for its products and services[174]. - The company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $20.3 million and an intangible asset impairment charge of $12.7 million in 2019 due to reduced demand for coiled tubing[177]. - The company may experience lower utilization of its equipment and services in weak oil and natural gas price environments, impacting its financial performance[92]. - The company may not be able to enforce all provisions in employment agreements with executive officers, impacting its ability to retain critical personnel[171]. Market Conditions - The company has experienced a significant decline in demand for its products and services due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has adversely impacted commodity prices[58]. - The cyclical nature of the oil and natural gas industry, influenced by capital spending and market conditions, poses risks to the company's financial performance[87]. - Oil prices have been extremely volatile, with WTI oil ranging from $(36.98) per barrel in April 2020 to $77.41 per barrel in June 2018, and Henry Hub gas prices fluctuating between $1.33 per MMBtu in September 2020 and $6.24 per MMBtu in January 2018[90]. - Increased attention to climate change and consumer demand for alternative energy sources could reduce demand for oil and natural gas, adversely affecting the company's revenues[95]. - The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has created significant volatility and uncertainty in the oil and gas industry, adversely impacting the company's business and financial condition[98]. Regulatory and Environmental Risks - The company is subject to stringent environmental regulations, including the Clean Water Act, which imposes strict controls on pollutant discharges[69]. - The company is subject to stringent regulations under the Clean Water Act, which imposes potential administrative, civil, and criminal penalties for non-compliance with discharge permits[70]. - The EPA has lowered the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone from 75 to 70 parts per billion, which may lead to stricter permitting requirements for the company and its customers[71]. - The company is not currently a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, but future regulations could adversely affect its customers' costs and, consequently, the company's business[72]. - The company faces uncertainty regarding future methane regulations, as the EPA has delayed implementation of standards and ongoing litigation may affect regulatory clarity[77]. - The EPA has issued effluent limitation guidelines prohibiting the discharge of wastewater from hydraulic fracturing operations to publicly owned treatment plants, which could impact the company's operations[78]. - The company may be affected by state and local moratoria on hydraulic fracturing, which could reduce demand for its services if new laws are enacted[80]. - The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires evaluations of major projects on federal lands, which could delay oil and natural gas development due to additional permitting requirements[83]. Competition and Market Position - The company faces intense competition in the oilfield services industry, leading to pricing pressures and potential reductions in market share[116]. - The company’s competitive strategy emphasizes technology offerings, service quality, and technical expertise to differentiate itself in a highly competitive market[42]. - The company may be unable to maintain or increase prices due to competitive pressures and market conditions, impacting profitability[114]. - The company has experienced pricing declines in its dissolvable plug products, which could harm its business if the trend continues[116]. Corporate Governance and Ownership - Significant ownership concentration by SCF VII, L.P. and SCF-VII(A), L.P. at approximately 29% of outstanding common stock as of December 31, 2020, could limit other stockholders' influence on corporate matters[166]. - Another stockholder owned approximately 16% of outstanding common stock as of December 31, 2020, further concentrating ownership and potentially affecting corporate governance[166]. - Future sales and operational strategies may be influenced by significant stockholder actions, potentially affecting market perceptions and stock price[167]. Technology and Innovation - The company has developed proprietary downhole tools and techniques through internal resources and strategic partnerships, providing exclusive rights to market and sell technology in designated regions[48]. - The company is working on reducing manufacturing costs and introducing new technologies, but there is no assurance of success in these efforts[118]. - The company has a commitment to forward-leaning technologies to enhance operational efficiencies in unconventional oil and gas resource development[212]. Risk Management - The company maintains insurance coverage that it believes is customary in the industry, but acknowledges that this coverage may be inadequate to cover all liabilities[54]. - The company is exposed to regulatory risks, including limitations on indemnification agreements due to state laws, which could adversely affect financial condition[132]. - The company is subject to personal injury and property damage claims, which could materially impact financial results due to the inherent risks in its operations[134]. - Wage and hour-related litigation has increased in the oilfield services sector, and the company does not maintain insurance for such claims, which could impact financial results[136]. - Delays in obtaining necessary permits for operations could lead to revenue loss and materially affect business prospects[137]. Financial Reporting and Compliance - The company identified material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting in 2017, which were believed to be successfully remediated as of December 31, 2020[192]. - The company is classified as an "emerging growth company" and will remain so until it exceeds $1.07 billion in annual revenue or meets other specified criteria[188]. - The company utilizes reduced reporting requirements under the JOBS Act, which may affect the attractiveness of its common stock to investors[188]. - The company may incur additional costs if its forum selection provisions are found to be unenforceable, potentially affecting its financial condition[187]. Capital Expenditures and Investments - The company spent approximately $2.9 million and $13.6 million on capital expenditures related to maintenance in 2020 and 2019, respectively, and expects to spend approximately $13 million to $14 million in 2021[124]. - The company may face challenges in obtaining capital for necessary maintenance and upgrades, which could impact operational capacity[124].