Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - First quarter 2025 revenue was $123.6 million, down 4% sequentially and down 5% year over year [16][24] - Operating income and earnings per share also decreased sequentially, with net income ex items at $6.7 million, down from $10.4 million in the prior quarter [24] - Operating margins in Reservoir Description were 10%, down 670 basis points sequentially, while Production Enhancement margins were 8%, expanding by 450 basis points [11][12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Reservoir Description revenue was $80.9 million, down 7% compared to Q4 2024, impacted by geopolitical conflicts and sanctions [10][43] - Production Enhancement revenue was flat at $42.7 million compared to Q4 2024, with increased demand for diagnostic services offsetting some declines [12][48] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Service revenue was $95.1 million, down 1% sequentially, with crude assay services affected by geopolitical conflicts [18] - Product sales were $28.5 million, down 13% sequentially and down 14% year over year, impacted by sanctions and delayed orders [19][20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company continues to focus on technology investments to solve client problems and capitalize on technical opportunities [8] - Core Laboratories aims to maximize free cash flow, return on invested capital, and return excess free cash to shareholders [14] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that geopolitical conflicts and sanctions created operational inefficiencies but saw demand pick up late in the quarter [9][10] - The company maintains a constructive long-term outlook on international upstream projects, expecting growth in crude oil demand driven by non-OECD countries [32][33] Other Important Information - Core Laboratories reduced net debt by approximately $5 million, maintaining the lowest leverage ratio in eight years [13][27] - The company plans to increase capital expenditures in 2025, targeting $14 million to $16 million, excluding insurance-covered rebuilding costs [29] Q&A Session Summary Question: Production enhancement margin outlook - Management explained that while margins improved in Q1, they expect a different mix in Q2 with product sales increasing and diagnostic services decreasing [54][55] Question: Expectations for margin progression in the back half of the year - Management indicated optimism for margin growth in Q3 and Q4, with cost reduction plans in place [58][59] Question: International market challenges - Management acknowledged challenges in Mexico but expressed optimism about opportunities in the Middle East and Africa, with gradual improvement expected [70][71][75]