e8vk
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (date of earliest event reported): February 6, 2008
DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
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TEXAS
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0-10144
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75-0970548 |
(State of incorporation
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(Commission file number)
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(I.R.S. employer identification number) |
or organization) |
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508 W. WALL, SUITE 800 |
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MIDLAND, TEXAS
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79701 |
(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (432) 684-3000
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the
filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction
A.2. below):
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14d-2(b)) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
On February 6, 2008, Dawson Geophysical Company (the Company) held an investors conference
call. Furnished as Exhibit 99.1 is a copy of the transcript of the Companys presentation during
that call and the questions and answers following the presentation.
Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the
information set forth in this Item 7.01 and in the attached Exhibit is deemed to be furnished and
shall not be deemed to be filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
Exchange Act).
In accordance with the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995, the Company cautions that statements in the Exhibit which are forward-looking and which
provide other than historical information involve risks and uncertainties that may materially
affect the Companys actual results of operations. These risks include, but are not limited to,
dependence upon energy industry spending, the volatility of oil and gas prices, high fixed cost of
operations, weather interruptions, the ability to obtain land access rights of way, industry
competition, the ability to manage growth, and the availability of capital resources. A discussion
of these and other factors, including risks and uncertainties, is set forth in the Companys Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The Company disclaims any intention or
obligation to revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events, or otherwise.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information set forth in the
attached Exhibit 99.1 is deemed to be furnished and shall not be deemed to be filed for
purposes of the Exchange Act.
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Exhibit |
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Number |
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Description |
99.1
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Transcript of the Investors Conference Call. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
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Date: February 8, 2008 |
By: |
/s/ Christina W. Hagan
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Christina W. Hagan |
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Executive Vice President, Secretary and
Chief Financial Officer |
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
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Exhibit |
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Number |
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Description |
99.1
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Transcript of the Investors Conference Call. |
exv99w1
Exhibit 99.1
Conference Call Transcript
DWSN Q1 2008 Dawson Geophysical Earnings Conference Call
Event Date/Time: Feb. 06. 2008 / 12:00PM ET |
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© 2008 Thomson Financial. Republished with permission. No part of this publication may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of Thomson
Financial. |
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Final Transcript
Feb. 06. 2008 / 12:00PM ET, DWSN Q1 2008 Dawson Geophysical Earnings Conference Call
CORPORATE PARTICIPANTS
Christina Hagan
Dawson Geophysical EVP, CFO
Steve Jumper
Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Decker Dawson
Dawson Geophysical Chairman
CONFERENCE CALL PARTICIPANTS
Neal Dingmann
Dahlman Rose & Company Analyst
Collin Gerry
Raymond James & Associates Analyst
Gary Lenhoff
Ironworks Capital Analyst
Pierre Connor
Capital One Southcoast, Inc. Analyst
John Langston
Hodges Capital Analyst
Byron Pope
Tudor Pickering Holt Analyst
Marshall Adkins
Raymond James & Associates Analyst
PRESENTATION
Operator
Good afternoon. My name is Chastity, and I will be your conference operator today. At this
time, I would like to welcome everyone to the Dawson Geophysical quarter one, 2008 conference call.
All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. After the speakers remarks,
there will be a question and answer session. (OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS).
Mr. Jumper, you may begin your conference.
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Thank you Chastity. Well good morning, or afternoon, depending on where you are, and welcome
to Dawson Geophysical Companys first quarter 2008 earnings and operations conference call. Joining
me this morning are Christina Hagan, EVP and CFO, and Decker Dawson, Chairman. The call is
scheduled for 30 minutes, and will be divided into three segments. Following these opening
comments, Chris will discuss our financial overview. I will then return for an operations
overview, and then open the call for questions. We will not provide guidance, as we have said in
the past.
As we said in the press release, we are very pleased that our first quarter results, and what
historically has been our most difficult operating quarter, with shorter days, weather issues, and
down time for crews, during the holiday season. Despite these difficulties we were able to post
first quarter records in revenue, EBITDA, net income, and earnings per share. At this point, Ill
turn control of the call over to Chris Hagan, our CFO, to discuss the financials.
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© 2008 Thomson Financial. Republished with permission. No part of this publication may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of Thomson
Financial. |
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Final Transcript
Feb. 06. 2008 / 12:00PM ET, DWSN Q1 2008 Dawson Geophysical Earnings Conference Call
Christina Hagan - Dawson Geophysical EVP, CFO
Thank you, Steve. First, Ill state our Safe Harbor Provisions. In accordance with the Safe
Harbor Provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Dawson Geophysical
Company cautions that statements made today in this conference call, which are forward-looking and
which provide other than historical information, involve risks and uncertainties that may
materially affect the companys actual results of operations.
These risks include, but are not limited to: the dependence upon energy, industry spending, the
volatility of oil and gas prices, weather interruptions, the ability to manage growth, the ability
to obtain land access rights of way, and the availability of capital resources. A discussion of
these and other factors, including risks and uncertainties, is set forth in the companys Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007. Dawson Geophysical Company disclaims any intentions,
or obligations, to revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise.
During this conference call, Dawson will make references to EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial
measure. A reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure, to the applicable GAAP measure, can be found in
Dawsons current earnings release, a copy of which is located on the Dawson website,
www.Dawson3D.com.
At this time, Ill review our earnings release. This morning, we reported revenues of $77.599
million for the quarter ending December 31, 2007, the companys first quarter of fiscal 2008, as
compared to $53.654 million for the same quarter in fiscal 2007, an increase of 45%. Revenue growth
in the quarter was primarily due to the expanded capabilities of existing crews, which resulted in
improved efficiency and pricing, as well as the fielding of two additional seismic data acquisition
crews in April and September of 2007, being the companys 14th and 15th crews.
Revenues in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 continue to include high third party charges, related
to the use of helicopter support services, specialized survey technology and dynamite energy
sources. The sustained level of these charges is driven by the companys continued operations in
areas with limited access in the Appalachian Basin, Arkansas, Val Verde basin in Texas, and in
eastern Oklahoma. The company is reimbursed for these expenses by its clients.
Net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 was $7.704 million, compared to $5.435 million in
the same quarter fiscal 2007, an increase of 42%. Our earnings per share for the first quarter of
fiscal 2008 were $1.01 compared to $0.72 per share in fiscal 2007. Included in the first quarter
earnings results is a 38% increase in deprecation charges from the prior year period, reflecting
the companys recent increased capital investment and growth.
EBITDA for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 was $17.970 million compared to $12.668 million in the
same quarter fiscal quarter 2007, an increase of 42%. Capital expenditures during the quarter were
$14.890 million were used to purchase an additional 5,000 channels of ARAM ARIES recording
equipment, ten addition I/O Vibrator Energy Source units, and have made technical improvements in
all phases of our operations. Back to you, Steve.
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Thank you, Chris. As we have said, first quarter results point to continued strength here at
Dawson Geophysical. All 15 crews were in operation during the quarter, with a 15th crew placed into
service in September.
Weather conditions early in the quarter were favorable, with few interruptions until mid to late
December. Operations were negatively impacted by several issues, weather, late in the quarter, as
just mentioned, downtime for the crews during the holiday season on all 15 crews, and the timing of
crew moves in relation to weather and holidays. Several crews either finished projects and moved,
or experienced weather interruptions immediately before, or after the holiday break, both of which
had a negative impact on revenue. I would also like to add that our data processing group had a 33%
increase in revenue from the prior quarter, or the quarter the previous year.
Demand for our services remains robust, and bid activity continues to be steady. Although our
clients can cancel their contracts on short notice, our order book is strong, with commitments well
into calendar 2008. We do not anticipate an expansion in crew count at this point, as we believe we
have the capacity to meet both the short and long-term needs of our clients. On the other hand, we
are seeing an increased demand for channel count. In fact, the previous three-month period total
channel count exceeded 107,000.
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© 2008 Thomson Financial. Republished with permission. No part of this publication may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of Thomson
Financial. |
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Final Transcript
Feb. 06. 2008 / 12:00PM ET, DWSN Q1 2008 Dawson Geophysical Earnings Conference Call
Indications from our client base are for continued steady demand for seismic services in the lower
48. During the quarter, we replaced an I/O System 2 MRX cable-based recording system on an existing
crew, with a 7,500 channel ARAM ARIES recording system purchased in fiscal 2007.
We increased channel count from 10,000 to 11,500 on existing ARAM ARIES crew, we increased channel
count from 9,500 to 10,000 on an existing ARAM ARIES crew, bringing the increased total channel
count to in excess of 107,000. We took delivery of 10 I/O Vibrator Energy Source units, bringing
the companys total to 123, and we operated in west Texas, South Texas, the Fort Worth basin of
Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado, Utah, Montana, and West Virginia.
Increased channel count has and will continue to positively impact results and we believe to add
value to our clients with higher resolution 3-D seismic images, increased efficiency, and shorter
cycle time. The objective of our services is to reduce finding and development costs. The demand on
our industry has, and will continue to be cost effective, higher resolution images, in a shorter
cycle time. We believe increased channel count, and the number of energy source units, will meet
that demand. We believe growth in channel count will continue into the foreseeable future.
Pricing for our services remains firm. There have been isolated areas, or projects specific pricing
softness, but that is typical in our business when there are crew availability issues, based on
short-term demand. We believe future revenue and earnings growth will come primarily through
increased channel count, improved efficiencies, and productivity and not necessarily from increases
in crew count, and across the board pricing increases in our market. As an example, in our first
quarter 08 to first quarter 07 comparison, revenues increased 45%, EBITDA 42%, and net income
42%, while crew count increased by only 15%, or two new crews.
Our contract mix continued to be evenly split between turnkey and term agreements. While turnkey
contracts do have increases in risk related to weather and operational downtime, they provide for
more upside in revenue and profitability. We anticipate maintaining a mix of turnkey and term
agreements, and we will continue to maintain weather downtime, for weather protection clauses, in
the turnkey contracts.
In addition, we are seeing a slight shift in operations to more vibrator energy source work and
less dynamite source work than in recent years. As Chris mentioned, we continue to have a high
level of third party charges, however the level of third party charges as a percentage of revenue
has remained essentially flat, over the last four quarters. If the trend toward more vibrator work
continues, we believe the level of third party charges as a percentage of revenue, should decline
over the next few quarters, as we do less dynamite energy source related work.
And with that, I will open the call up for questions. Operator, we are ready for questions.
QUESTION AND ANSWER
Operator
Thank you. (OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS). Your first question comes from the line of Neal Dingmann,
with Dahlman Rose.
Neal Dingmann - Dahlman Rose & Company Analyst
Good morning, guys. Good quarter.
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Good morning, Neil. How are you?
Neal Dingmann - Dahlman Rose & Company Analyst
Good, good. Say, Steve, couple things. One, what is sort of the level out there for bids? Has
it extended as far as couple things? If I were to come in and need, lets say a large channel
count project today, when could you get to me?
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
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reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of Thomson
Financial. |
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Final Transcript
Feb. 06. 2008 / 12:00PM ET, DWSN Q1 2008 Dawson Geophysical Earnings Conference Call
Oh, Neil, thats going to thats a tough question to answer. As weve stated, you know,
weve got order book well into the calendar year, and as weve talked about in the past, the demand
on our services is really more long-term than short-term, because it takes a while to get projects
ready.
My answer to that question would be, if you came in with a high channel count project, that was of
any significance, we would anticipate being able to meet that demand, because of the timing of the
project that youll have. It will take long enough to get that project ready, where well be able
to meet it. And of course if something were to come in and, thats got a great contract with it and
got some long-term visibility, then thats one of those things where you would have to look at the
situation, and if demand was there, and all the right issues were in place, you would certainly
look at a crew expansion at that point, but we feel like right now, were able to meet all the
short and long-term demand thats out there.
Neal Dingmann - Dahlman Rose & Company Analyst
Okay. When you look right now at some of these contracts, a couple things. Of the 15 crews, do
you see pretty good visibility for the most part of this year, and then wondering around how
these contracts are structured, have we seen a shift this far, on either weather or different clauses included in some of these contracts?
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Well, were still having strong downtime for weather protection clauses, as we have had for
quite some time, and as we have said in the past, those things are always negotiable, on a contract
by contract basis, depending on where you are.
But, you know, no, Neil, the contracts are still a mix, about a 50/50 mix of turnkey, and term
agreements. I think going forward, were starting to see a little shift towards turnkey work,
which is okay. That provides us for more upside and more profitability, but I think contract
clauses are still very strong, and still very positive, and very favorable for both sides. Were
getting paid for a service, that our clients are finding adds value, and I think were in a
real good position contract mix, and visibility wise.
Neal Dingmann - Dahlman Rose & Company Analyst
Okay. What percent is turnkey these days?
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Were about 50/50, about evenly you cant be 50/50 on 15 crews obviously, but were its a
pretty even mix. You know, 7/8, 8/7, something like that. Weve been as high as nine or ten crews
that are on turnkey agreements, and we could be down as low as five or six, but for the most part,
were evenly mixed.
Neal Dingmann - Dahlman Rose & Company Analyst
Okay. Then two more quick ones, if I could for Christina, maybe. On depreciation rate going
forward, do you see this staying about the same, or would this trail off a little bit?
Christina Hagan - Dawson Geophysical EVP, CFO
Well, I think well see an all-time high obviously for 2008, based on our expenditures from
2007, and what we do in 2008, but its going to trail off beginning in 2009, but we probably wont
get back to 2007 level until closer to 2011. If we didnt buy any more capital assets, which of
course well do. But I think were on track for our first quarter, for what we expect pretty much
for the year.
Neal Dingmann - Dahlman Rose & Company Analyst
Okay, and then last question, maybe I can address one to Mr. Dawson. As far as as he sees the
market being as good as it is today, what makes him nervous in this market?
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Financial. |
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Final Transcript
Feb. 06. 2008 / 12:00PM ET, DWSN Q1 2008 Dawson Geophysical Earnings Conference Call
Decker Dawson - Dawson Geophysical Chairman
Im not nervous at all.
Neal Dingmann - Dahlman Rose & Company Analyst
Thats what I wanted to hear. Thats all Ive got. Thank you.
Decker Dawson - Dawson Geophysical Chairman
Operator
Thank you. Your next question comes from Collin Gerry, with Raymond James.
Collin Gerry - Raymond James & Associates Analyst
Hello, good morning, Steve, good morning, Chris.
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Collin Gerry - Raymond James & Associates Analyst
I had a quick question. If I go back to last quarter, I think you told us you were going to
spend $30 million in CapEx for the full year, and it looks like you spend a pretty good chunk of
that here in the first quarter. I guess give me a sense what, what the driver there was, and was
this opportunistic, or was that planned all along?
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Well, the it was planned all along. We had a very specific budget set out of $30 million,
with some particular items that we had targeted, that we felt like we needed to get, one of which
was the additional 5,000 ARAM channels. We had a conversion of some MRX equipment to RSR equipment,
as were moving more towards ARAM and RSR gear. We had the
vibrator energy source units, which we
knew we were going to be in need of, and then some other maintenance capital-type items.
And so it was planned and our budget has in the past been very fluid. Its moved. Weve approved
a $10 million budget and ended up with $40 million and approved $20 million and ended up with $50
million, and that in no way means that were going to explode the capital budget the remainder of
the fiscal year, but we are in a position from a balance sheet standpoint and that, that we can
move very quickly on something that comes up.
And if theres an increase in channel count, or we need more energy source units, or something
comes along later in the year requiring a capital expenditure, well make adjustments accordingly.
But they were planned.
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Financial. |
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Final Transcript
Feb. 06. 2008 / 12:00PM ET, DWSN Q1 2008 Dawson Geophysical Earnings Conference Call
Collin Gerry - Raymond James & Associates Analyst
Okay. Well, thats helpful. I guess it sounds like your CapEx budget is easy to forecast as
your earnings are, which certainly makes our job a little bit, even harder.
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Well, you know, I understand.
Collin Gerry - Raymond James & Associates Analyst
Okay. Now I wanted to dial in a little bit on kind of bigger picture. Help me understand, kind
of the timing of the response. As you talk to your customers, if we do see a softer natural gas
price environment 2008, and you mentioned bidding activity is still pretty strong right now, being
inside this earlier cycle stuff, I would imagine that, youre not going to see as immediate a
response. In other words, people will probably still be spending on seismic budgets. Help me
understand your customers kind of spending in that environment.
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Well, I you say that were a leading indicator, and weve kind of talked about this before,
and maybe I misunderstand the difference between a leading indicator, and lagging indicator. But,
we are really in a phase right now where were continuing to do the majority of our work is
natural gas driven, and its coupled with lease evaluation,
large acreage block evaluation, and so theres been quite a bit of investment on behalf of our client for leases and land
work, and so, theres such a lead time to get the seismic work done, that youre going to go ahead
and continue the project through a short cycle swing in natural gas pricing.
And thats what we experienced in 2007, throughout the year, and were seeing the same thing in
2008. Were having we continue to have conversations with people about activity going into 2009.
We dont have any contracts in hand that get us deep into 2009 right now, but theres certainly
talk among some of our clients, about opportunities extending into 2009. And weve seen,
you know, indications that CapEx budgets, in certain situations were going to be decreased,
and as were moving into February, and into March as we move into March, I think were seeing
some of these people actually beginning to slightly increase their seismic budgets, certainly.
And so, where were going to fit into responses to natural gas pricing, I think it will be like it
was last year. If they are short cycle dips and seasonal kind of things, then I think well be
strong. If theres a collapse, who knows what will happen? You know, but theres still our client
base still has a cost consciousness to them. I mean they still want to use those dollars, even
though budgets may be expanding or decreasing, whatever they may be. They still want value, and
they still want cost effective seismic work.
And so I think what were going to continue to see is those dollars committed to seismic work will
be spent very, very wisely, and I think they will be done with increased channel counts, and they
will be done with improved efficiencies, and pricing related to the value added by the product
were providing, which is ever-changing, year to year with these increased channel counts, and I
think they are going to get a bigger bang for their buck, so to speak, and were going to be able
to increase efficiency.
So I think, even some alterations in budgets I think, will be dollars wisely spent, and will end up
being even slight decreases or increases can continue to be a positive for us
with improved efficiencies.
Collin Gerry - Raymond James & Associates Analyst
Okay. Thats helpful. So it sounds like, you know, relative to bidding activity, youre not
seeing much of a slowdown, but even if you do see somewhat of a lets say a summer fall in gas
prices like weve seen in the last couple years, you dont see a really quick response from your
service, so to speak, or for demand for your service?
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
I dont. I mean right now the stuff that were working on right now, is stuff that will get
drilled best case, late summer into next year. The stuff thats being drilled right now, is stuff
that weve worked on in the last, prior year. And so, that delay time, that evaluation time has the
ability to move through these short cycle swings.
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reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of Thomson
Financial. |
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Final Transcript
Feb. 06. 2008 / 12:00PM ET, DWSN Q1 2008 Dawson Geophysical Earnings Conference Call
I just really dont sense any softening in the market right now. Theres obviously some
a lot of work to do, and a lot of opportunity, and were not seeing increases in crew counts across
the lower 48, like weve seen in the last few years. We just added one in September, and theres
been one or two others added, but I think the demand cycle is still very strong, and I think were
still in very good shape, and as Decker said, hes not worried.
Collin Gerry - Raymond James & Associates Analyst
Okay. Last question, as it relates to that issue, what give us a sense of your customer
base. Of your 15 crews, are most of your customers kind of large the independents, as we call them,
or do you have some private E&P guys that may be a little bit quicker to jerk the chain?
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
I would say right now that obviously the majority of our work, and where we are today, and
that changes month to month, and quarter to quarter, but where we are today is working primarily
for the large public independents, but weve got work for the small E&P operators as well. Weve
got several projects going on, for some people who are privately held small companies, and weve
got some stuff on the books, and some conversations going on with some majors. And so our client
mix, like our contract mix, really hasnt changed much in the last few years.
Collin Gerry - Raymond James & Associates Analyst
Would you say close to 25% maybe on the smaller kind of private side?
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Yes, right now maybe. You know, probably three or four crews at any given time, as many as
six, will be working for some of the small independent, privately held E&P shops, and the rest of
them are either large companies the majors, or the large independents.
Collin Gerry - Raymond James & Associates Analyst
All right. Perfect. Thank you so much.
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Thanks, Collin. Appreciate it.
Collin Gerry - Raymond James & Associates Analyst
All right.
Operator
Thank you. Your next question comes from the line of Gary Lenhoff, with Ironworks Capital.
Gary Lenhoff - Ironworks Capital Analyst
Thank you. Steve, just curious, can you comment, was the wet weather in Oklahoma in December
anything out of the ordinary in terms of impact on operations? Or was it similar to last years
fourth quarter? Can you add some color there?
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Final Transcript
Feb. 06. 2008 / 12:00PM ET, DWSN Q1 2008 Dawson Geophysical Earnings Conference Call
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
I think from a weather standpoint, I have to think back to last year, but I think the weather
impact in Oklahoma was about what it was last year. I think from an actual number of days down, but
I think what happened to us this year, was maybe the timing of some of the wet weather in some
places. You know, were down for the holiday season, we have been historically, and well continue
to be so in the future, and if the weather hit, slightly a day or two before the scheduled break,
and the day or two after, it can really impact how things are affected going in and out of a break.
And so, you know, its kind of hard to work that weather when youve got some downtime booked,
already scheduled in. But, I dont think it was overall in a quarter, the weather was favorable.
It wasnt until the very, you know, mid to late December that it
had an impact. But I think it was
more of a timing of the impact, more than the actual amount of wet weather we had.
Gary Lenhoff - Ironworks Capital Analyst
Okay.
Thats helpful. Last, second question, Christina, you had a very strong cash flow
quarter. If your CapEx is going to come in in the range, in the ball park of $30 million, unless
Im well off, youre going to generate substantial free cash flow this year. Can you give us some
color on what you would do with that cash?
Christina Hagan - Dawson Geophysical EVP, CFO
Well, as always, we want to invest in our company. Well be looking at opportunities to
perhaps, make capital expenditures and investments, be it new technology or replacement of additional
MRX crews. So those kinds of things are going to be first and foremost considerations, and beyond
that
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
You know, weve had this conversation, Gary, the last couple of years, where weve projected,
or theres been projections. We havent projected, but theres been projections of cash flows, and
every year weve always said, well, were going to have this excess cash at the end of the year,
and what are we going to do with it, and every year weve spent it, and weve reinvested it, and
its come back and increased the size of our company, either through channel count, energy sources,
or crew count.
At this point, you know, weve got this little $5 million revolver that we would take care of, and
we would finish out the CapEx budget, and then we would we still require a very large working
capital to operate with these reimbursable items that we have, and the out of pocket cash, we
actually moved pretty tight on a cash flow budget, month to month. And so we need to build up some
working capital, cash in particular. Our working capital position is
strong. But our cash position needs to
increase, and get in better shape, and well just continue to protect the balance sheet, and wait
and see what happens, and see what opportunities arise.
The good
thing about the balance sheet being strong and being in this great cash position that were headed
toward, is we can move pretty quickly on opportunities, and thats we have a history of doing
that, and were going to continue to do that. And so thats a long-winded way to say, we dont
know.
Gary Lenhoff - Ironworks Capital Analyst
I appreciate it, Steve. I guess unless Im wrong, the nuance is now its not as likely, or at
least, you havent said this perhaps, but in the past couple of years, it looked pretty likely that
you would be adding crews. Looks like for the near term, thats not something that youre looking
at doing, so that the CapEx budget, you may actually come closer to the CapEx forecast that you put
out at the beginning of the year this year, than you have in past years. Is that fair, or am I
giving you am I going too far out into the future?
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
I think youre giving me too much credit. Ive already got some things that
our operations people are talking about, that we may need to look at and increases in channel
count, like I said, maybe some more replacement.
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Final Transcript
Feb. 06. 2008 / 12:00PM ET, DWSN Q1 2008 Dawson Geophysical Earnings Conference Call
You know, one thing thats real interesting about our growth in the last three or four
years is, we have increased crew count from five or six in 2003 or 04, to the current 15, and
weve continued to add energy sources and continued to increase channel count, and weve tried our
best to meet these maintenance capital requirements that are out there, but we still have some
equipment on some of these crews that has been around a
while, that needs some upgrading, and needs some increase in channel count. They may need a
replacement in energy source units, and so weve always got opportunity to spend our money wisely,
that will help our operations, increase our productivity, and help us down the road, without having
the crew count expansion. And theres already several of those things that are out there, that
were looking at closely and monitoring, outside of the crew count.
Now, we talk an awful lot quarter to quarter, publicly and when I get questions privately about,
crew count and whens the next crew coming out. Well, we dont have a schedule for the next crew.
We may end up here a year from now with 15. If opportunity arises, were going to meet that
opportunity. Were training people as fast as we can. Were working to market as hard as we can.
Were maintaining those relationships. And going back to Neils first question, if an opportunity
arises, its not necessarily going to be can we get to it in three months or six months, but is
there time to add the crew, do we see demand for it, and do we have the personnel to add it, and so
were never were never saying never about crew count expansion, but at this point, we have no
plans.
It may very well be in the future, sometime in the near future or distant future that crew count
actually decreases. Weve talked about this before that we go back 25 years ago and thats a long
time, but crew counts drop from 744 in the lower 48, to 58 or 60, something like that, and yet we
own we think we operate more channels in the lower 48 with our 15 crews than we did industry-wide
the lower 48, 25 years ago. And so, were still going to be able to generate revenue and
productivity, and have places to wisely spend our money, that doesnt necessarily relate straight
to crew expansion, I mean crew count increases.
Gary Lenhoff - Ironworks Capital Analyst
So thats very helpful insight, Steve. I appreciate it, and thanks for taking my question.
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Thanks, Gary. Good talking to you.
Operator
Thank you. Your next question comes from Pierre Connor, with Capital One Southcoast.
Pierre Connor - Capital One Southcoast, Inc. Analyst
Good morning, everybody.
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Hello, Pierre. How are you?
Pierre Connor - Capital One Southcoast, Inc. Analyst
Fine, thanks, Steve. Steve, I appreciate your comments on the difficulty to estimate the
earnings, but I do appreciate the color and perspective you always provide us in your operations,
so thanks, and particularly good color today.
Let me ask you some more about the channel count. I think the point that youre making is that your
growth is not from crew count, but from channel count, so if my math is approximately right,
107,000 channels and 15 crews, so some 7000 on average. But you have some running up at 10,000 and
11,000 plus channels?
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Final Transcript
Feb. 06. 2008 / 12:00PM ET, DWSN Q1 2008 Dawson Geophysical Earnings Conference Call
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Oh, yes.
Pierre Connor - Capital One Southcoast, Inc. Analyst
Can where what is your goal? Where can these go to? I imagine they are customer-driven,
but can you take all your crews up to 10,000 or 11,000 channels?
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
You know, I dont know that well take them all to 10,000 or 11,000, Pierre. But youve asked
a really good question. You know, we operate six ARAM crews. We operate six RSR crews, and we
operate three I/O System 2 MRX cable-based crews. One of the MRX crews is currently on the
WesternGeco project that weve talked about in the past. They are actually utilizing the Q-Land
system for WesternGeco in New Mexico. And so, we still have the two I/O System 2 MRXs out there.
You know, we, we have got the MRX crews about as large as we can get them. You know, they are
carrying 4,000, 5,000, 6,000 channels, but they dont they are very limited in expandability. The
seismic data, the technical data, they record is every bit what the other systems record, but just
the configuration, the flexibility, and the functionality of the system, does not allow it to
increase channel count at all. So were pretty well tapped out on those two/three crews, depending
on what Western what happens with the WesternGeco crew going forward, and we think weve got
visibility on that project as well.
Now, the RSR crews are operating anywhere from as small as 2,000 channels to about 6,500 I thinks
the largest RSR crew. They still have the ability to expand. They still got, some expandability to
them, but they become a little cumbersome as channel count increases, more difficulty in retrieving
data back to the central recording unit, and actually getting it from memory onto a disk, or a
tape, excuse me. And so, they have some room to expand channel count wise, certainly. And weve got
the one thats at 2,000 channels. It continues to work on very small projects in the Fort Worth
basin. Weve had it as large as 3,000 or 4,000 channels. Weve done quite a bit of work at moving
the channel count around on the RSR crews, to keep all of them busy.
We just recently converted 2,400 channels of the MRX equipment to I/O to the RSR equipment, so
weve added some RSR gear as well. Now on the ARAM systems, weve got one running around at 7,500
channels and one at 10,000, one at 11,500. I think the demand continues to grow for channel count
up in the 7,000 to 10,000 range, and so weve got three of them that are running around with 5,000
to 6,500 channels just in, with the days market. And the type of work were doing. So theres
certainly room to grow those channels on the ARAM system. Theres some room to grow several of the
RSRs, to continue to increase the MRX, channel count growth, they are pretty limited to about 3,000
channels, and they can actually go up to six, but they really only can record officially 3,000 to
3,500.
And so, the growth in channel count in those two crews, will be another replacement, which is
exactly what happened in November. We replaced an I/O System 2 that was carrying 3,000, 4,000
channels with a 7,500 channel ARAM. And so it really, in essence, when you get down to it, when we
do a replacement of an I/O System 2 with an MRX, that in essence is a crew expansion. Its a
totally different operational deal, and you really change the whole game when you do that. So in my
mind, even though we dont report them as an additional crew, boy, their whole world changes when
they increase that channel count capability.
Pierre Connor - Capital One Southcoast, Inc. Analyst
Okay. So then the next question that relates to that is, as we think about, and here were
getting into dangerous territory, but on a revenue per crew per day kind of perspective, if we were
to get these 5% growth in channel count, is it roughly proportional, Steve, that
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
No, it is not linear.
Pierre Connor - Capital One Southcoast, Inc. Analyst
Okay.
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Final Transcript
Feb. 06. 2008 / 12:00PM ET, DWSN Q1 2008 Dawson Geophysical Earnings Conference Call
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
It channel count, from a capital expenditures standpoint, the base unit, the energy sources
are already there. Youve got additional investment in geophones, cables, and ground equipment, and
now youre you have a 60 or 70 person crew. You increase the channel count, you know, 2,000,
3,000, and you may only increase the size of the crew, you know, five people or something. And with
a little bit of increase in cost related to repair work on the equipment.
But it is not linear, but theres several ways to use channel count. And this is where you start to
see the channel count growth really begin to impact the seismic business, is you can take those
channels, and you can put them in a tighter grid, and you can put them closer together, and you can
increase the resolution of the image, and you can increase the number of shots, or the effort per
square mile, which now relates to an increase in the pricing of that product. If youve got 96,
source points per square mile versus 196, then youre going to get paid differently for that
product. By the same token, if youve got an increase in the number of channels per square mile,
thats an increase, as well, but its not linear.
Now, the other way that we utilize channels, and as we continue channel count growth is that you
can and I hope we can get a chance to demonstrate this to some folks, but as you add more
equipment on the ground, you add a bigger area that gives you more flexibility on where you can
operate, and you begin to increase efficiency. And so, you increase productivity, and so the actual
cost per channel isnt linear, but yet you overcome that cost, or that expense with
productivity, and you overcome it with the actual pricing of the product. Thats why it is so
difficult for us to give a prediction of what revenues going to be, and why its so difficult for
us to talk about what pricing increases were, from an apples to apples standpoint, because were
not really doing that.
And so, and weve got crews that are generating day rates all over the board. I dont want to give
any numbers, but theres a wide range of day rates that the crews are generating, just based on the
number of channels, and where they are operating, and the type of work that they are doing. And,
you know, its just I understand the issue and I understand the concerns out there, but there are
just really not any two 3-D surveys that are alike. Every one of them
is different, and if they
were all alike, we would have some way to draw some comparisons, but where we work impacts that
revenue per day. Whether its in the rugged terrains of West Virginia, or the flat plains of west
Texas, whether its vibrator or dynamite work, how much of that hits us at the bottom line, how
much of thats a third party pass-through, whether its 2,000, 6,000 channels, whether theres 200
shots per square mile, or 500, its just very difficult to get that revenue per crew, per channel,
and any metric like that.
Chris tries. I mean she works on it pretty hard and we keep confusing her. Its a different
deal.
Pierre Connor - Capital One Southcoast, Inc. Analyst
Maybe she can help me with it later. No, really this is helpful. So maybe another way of
looking at it is, within this first quarter where we did have these disruptions for the holiday
periods, maybe and some weather, of course, there wasnt really anything that would change the
perspective of the revenue generating capacity, lets call it, from where you were in the fourth
quarter. So while we might have been on a revenue per crew per day sequentially lower, because of,
as you point out, interruptions, certainly theres no difference, if anything, maybe some
efficiency improvement with the different channels.
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Right. Im comfortable with that.
Pierre Connor - Capital One Southcoast, Inc. Analyst
Got it, got it. That is real helpful, guys. Ive taken plenty of time. I need just real quick
to check maybe with Christina. So this first quarter tax rate, would you assume this could be from
here on out?
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Final Transcript
Feb. 06. 2008 / 12:00PM ET, DWSN Q1 2008 Dawson Geophysical Earnings Conference Call
Christina Hagan - Dawson Geophysical EVP, CFO
Well, as always as we go through the year, we reevaluate and estimate where were going
to be, but this is where we are in the first quarter. Its really flat from first quarter of 07
and, so thats the best I can do for you there.
Pierre Connor - Capital One Southcoast, Inc.- Analyst
Okay, thats fine. And last quarter, I think, Steve, you mentioned a couple areas that you
thought might grow in terms of where there might be activity. You mentioned potentially some
interest in shooting some oil plays. Did that pan out?
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Still coming around.
Pierre Connor - Capital One Southcoast, Inc. Analyst
Not there yet?
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Those things are still out there and weve got some places where were looking at that, and I
think thats still a fair statement going forward.
Pierre Connor - Capital One Southcoast, Inc. Analyst
Okay. Actually one last one relative to this cost. With the transition of the crew to ARAM,
and while it obviously was a capital expenditures on the channel count, do you absorb any
incremental costs associated with some of the transition at all?
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Yes, yes.
Pierre Connor - Capital One Southcoast, Inc. Analyst
Okay. So theres
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
And that, and thats a very good point. You know, in addition to the holiday season, some
other things have we always talk about shorter days and we talk about holiday season, where
weve got the downtime and the break towards the end of the year, and we talk about the weather
concerns and the fall and winter, our first quarter.
You know, we have another couple issues out there. One is we get caught with these hunting seasons,
where youre either working shorter days, or no weekends, or not at all, and you have to move out
of an area for a week of hunting season, and so youve got those issues, and then youve got this
issue where we did switch over a crew, and its still geophysics, its still seismic, going from an
I/O System to an ARAM, but you know, an I/O System 2 has six channels per ground box, and the ARAM
has eight. And so if they have worked for 10 years on six channels versus eight, then they have got
an adjustment there. And then theyve got an adjustment where the operators, just dont know where
the buttons are to punch right away, and so they have got a couple of weeks of figuring out how to
work with the system. And so youve got that issue, always involved when you have a changeover.
Its certainly not to the level of a brand-new crew, and I think our crews have done an exceptional
job of responding to new equipment, and increasing the number, the amount of equipment.
But it is a real fact that you have some issue with equipment changes, and the 15th crew went out
in September and, yes, they worked all the quarter, but sometimes it takes a crew a little while to
get up to full speed, and so sometimes when youre dealing with a crew, youre carrying their full
expense for some period of time, they may not hit full stride in that same timeframe. And
so I think theres a part of that, thats in play as well.
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Final Transcript
Feb. 06. 2008 / 12:00PM ET, DWSN Q1 2008 Dawson Geophysical Earnings Conference Call
Pierre Connor - Capital One Southcoast, Inc. Analyst
Okay. Thats exactly what I was trying to get color on. So everyone, thank you very much.
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Thanks. Appreciate it.
Operator
Thank you. Your next question comes from John Langston, of Hodges Capital.
John Langston - Hodges Capital Analyst
You know, I think all my questions were answered. I was really just kind of looking for some
color on what you were seeing from your customers. Sounds like youre not really just seeing any
slowdown at all, anywhere in particular. I guess not really any area in particular that youre
seeing any slowdown?
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
No, I, I think well continue to, were, were fairly spread out across the country. You know,
weve got wide geographical expansion, or coverage, and we see steady activity in all these basins.
Theres certainly going to be hot spots where were going to move in and out of certain areas as,
for example the Rockies. Its very seasonal based on weather and federal land issues, and so we see
some seasonality in those places. But, you know, demand remains strong. The outlook is
strong. The feedback we get from our clients, and the people who are dealing with them day to day,
are strong.
I think there is a concern and as always, in our business, and in all service business, that you
continue to add value and I think theres, on behalf of our clients, I think they are looking at
their costs, and so it does remain competitive. Costs are very important to our clients and so, we
are we have to work at ways to increase productivity, increase efficiencies and continue to add
value by improving the product, and I think thats where we are. I think prices are firm. and the
market remains strong, and we feel very good about where we are, and about our outlook going
forward.
John Langston - Hodges Capital Analyst
Okay. Well, thanks for the additional color.
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Thank you.
Operator
Thank you. Your next question comes from Byron Pope, with Tudor Pickering Holt.
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Final Transcript
Feb. 06. 2008 / 12:00PM ET, DWSN Q1 2008 Dawson Geophysical Earnings Conference Call
Byron Pope - Tudor Pickering Holt Analyst
Steve, you mentioned that youre seeing a slight trend afoot, where theres moving away from
the use of dynamite more in favor of the vibratized trucks. Whats your sense as to whats driving
that shift? Is it environmental issues, or is it geography, or?
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Oh, I think just to maybe expand on the prior question, I think there is, there are areas
where there are large, weve shot quite a bit in some areas that require dynamite. They have been
related to difficult access issues, terrain issues, or maybe heavy, wooded areas, where you just
cant get vibrators in and weve done quite a bit of work in there. And we will continue to do so.
You know, we still have a crew in Arkansas that will be doing a lot of dynamite work, still have a
crew in the Appalachian Basin. Well have crews moving in and out of eastern Oklahoma, and that is
expensive seismic work. And I think a lot of its been done. I think theres a lot to do, but right
now the shift appears to be, and maybe its just a bid cycle were in, that theres a lot more work
headed toward the vibrator work. Now, its still in some rough areas. Its still places thats
going to require helicopters, and to move equipment, and things like that.
But I dont think its anything in particular, Byron, other than just where were working at the
time. And that could reverse very quickly. Someone may come in and have some more work in Eastern
Oklahoma that requires dynamite, or in the Appalachian basin, we may have to put two crews out
there, but we just finished a job on the Gulf Coast that was dynamite, and so I dont have exact
numbers, but right now, I believe weve got, two crews that are dynamite, maybe three, with the
third one with mix source, and weve had as many as five at any one time. And I think well
continue to have two for the near term and, we may end up with three or four any one time, but
were just seeing more and more interest, maybe its new area related, more than anything else. But
I dont think its anything, certainly not environmental or a concern, anything like that.
Its mainly just you can be in eastern Oklahoma, and be right side by side, and one project
requires dynamite and one project requires a vibrator. Youre still in the same trend. Youre still
looking at the same thing. Its just what the terrain looks like. Right now were seeing a slight
shift, where most of what were seeing has a little better, a little better going, as we like to
say.
Byron Pope - Tudor Pickering Holt Analyst
Okay, and then you mentioned that there might be some margin implications of that, given that
you have your own vibrator trucks.
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Yes, it
Byron Pope - Tudor Pickering Holt Analyst
Can you talk about the margin magnitude of the margin delta, if you were doing a shoot with
vibrators as opposed to dynamite?
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
You know,
its difficult to say. But the big thing is, you know, well
always have the reimbursable issue with helicopters and permitting
and the normal things. But the big, the
big one is the drilling of the holes, and what the actual impact of that is going to be, is
difficult to say, just because you can be doing heli-portable drilling in one area, its very
expensive, and normal drilling in another. But, the indications are, that given the shift of
vibrator work, we should see a lessening of the third party charges, as it, as a percentage of
revenue what the big impacts going to be, well have
to wait and see, and that could reverse very
quickly too, as well.
Byron Pope - Tudor Pickering Holt Analyst
Okay, fair enough.
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Final Transcript
Feb. 06. 2008 / 12:00PM ET, DWSN Q1 2008 Dawson Geophysical Earnings Conference Call
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
I dont have an answer for you.
Byron Pope - Tudor Pickering Holt Analyst
No, no, thats fair enough. Thank you.
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Thanks, Byron.
Operator
Thank you. (OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS).
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Operator, I think well take one more. Weve taken our scheduled 30-minute call, and were
going to make it a solid hour. So and glad to do it, but well take one more question here.
Operator
Okay. Your next question comes from Marshall Adkins, with Raymond James.
Marshall Adkins - Raymond James & Associates Analyst
Hey, Im getting in here last.
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
I almost cut that off. I almost said were done, but I thought, well give you a word.
Marshall Adkins - Raymond James & Associates Analyst
Well, Ive got a couple of them here actually. First, I want to start with Decker. Decker, Im
getting a little old, Im not hearing real well. I thought I heard Jumper say that you are all
adding a crew this year. Is that what I heard?
Decker Dawson - Dawson Geophysical Chairman
Well, hell do whats required of us to do.
Marshall Adkins - Raymond James & Associates Analyst
Im just joking there. All right.
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Youre trying to back door me there, arent you?
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Final Transcript
Feb. 06. 2008 / 12:00PM ET, DWSN Q1 2008 Dawson Geophysical Earnings Conference Call
Marshall Adkins - Raymond James & Associates Analyst
Two real questions here. First of all, Steve, are you seeing any of the stuff youre doing now
with the increased channel count with, maybe the tighter spacing, are you going back and reshooting
areas that you maybe shot five years ago, are you seeing much of that going on?
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Yes, yes. Thats not a huge part of our order book at this point, but it is something that has
happened, and will continue to happen going forward.
You know, the real issue that we have here, Marshall, is that this increased channel count, and
this tight grid, and the way things are being acquired today as opposed to, you know, five, ten
years ago, is were seeing some things in some areas that we just couldnt see an image at all in
the past. And when you get to the point where youre seeing images in places where you couldnt see
one before, then that opens up a whole lot of basins, and a whole lot of areas for seismic work,
new areas.
And then that carries over and the operators say, maybe we can go look at for example, things in
the deep Delaware areas, things in, through various areas that have difficulty, the Val Verde basin
area, where youre seeing things that we havent seen before. And when you do that, it implies that
you can go back into the other areas and improve the image, and see things.
Now, heres the burden, Marshall, and its something weve talked about in the past, is
it has to find more oil and gas. The name of the game is not just better images. The name of the
game is finding oil and gas, and if it finds more oil and gas, its going to be acquired, reshot,
so to speak, is the way people talk about it. I think where were headed more towards in some of
these areas it will be shot again, will be more work, looking actually at the reservoir. I dont
know if its going to be an certainly not an evaluation play, maybe a little bit you call it
exploration, but its going to be more of a reservoir look. Its going to require, greater detail
within a reservoir for example that will tell them, why is this well reacting with this pressure,
and this well with this pressure when were injecting over here? Whats the compartmentalization? I
think thats the next natural move.
I think in the areas that require reshooting, I think weve done, weve seen most of this stuff.
Well continue to see the subtle things. The questions going to be can you see subtle things well
enough to find more oil and gas at pace with the seismic, and pace with the the investment, and I
think theres room for that, but I think more so, theres room for actually taking our tool, and
our technology, and looking inside the reservoir and helping more on the production development
side than on the pure exploration side, and thats where the reshoots are occurring, and will continue
to occur.
Marshall Adkins - Raymond James & Associates Analyst
To me that just seems like a real important driver of your business over the next five years,
and even though you and I are the only ones left on the call, I think it seems like thats pretty
important.
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Well, I think its real important. Weve got Ive got to do this a long time, so we got to
have something to do, you know?
Marshall Adkins - Raymond James & Associates Analyst
Last, final question, what in terms of technology trends, you mentioned a little bit, on
where your technology is internally and clearly we have seen a major shift from, for you for all
I/O 2 into ARAM and other systems. Give me just the latest snapshot of technology trends, and
whats hot, what do you see improving, or are you using more I guess over the next year or two?
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Final Transcript
Feb. 06. 2008 / 12:00PM ET, DWSN Q1 2008 Dawson Geophysical Earnings Conference Call
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
You know, I think, Marshall, were going to continue to shoot these high resolution, tightly
spaced 3-D surveys, and some of the things that are driving that factor, or driving the acquisition
are the reprocessing algorithms that are out there. And people are working on better imaging
routines in the data processing center, and our company, and all across the industry.
And what that does is it requires better resolution at the acquisition side. You have to have more
statistics, and you have to have better, attributes so to speak within your survey, and its
somewhat like refining the picture from a camera. You know, you can do all kinds of digital
enhancement. Well, youre going to enhance it a whole lot better if you start with an 8 or 10
megapixel camera, and thats where I think were going to continue
to see it. And what were seeing with that is not necessarily a shift in technology. Like I said, the ARAM and the I/Os use the very same geophones, and so the technology is very
similar, but I think the difference is, and you can call it technology, but the difference going
forwards more methodology, and I think thats where we are.
From a technical technology standpoint, we still got some interest in things going on in the
multicomponent world, and I think those are things that well look at going forward. Weve
been saying that the multicomponent worlds going to be upon us here any day, and I remember saying
that the first time about 12 years ago. But its still out there. Were still doing some
work on it. You know, the digital geophone, the digital sensor not geophone. The digital sensor
is out there. Certainly theres manufacturers working on that. Thats really the heart of the
WesternGeco Q-Land is the actual digital sensor, and that improves the frequency content of the
data, it improves the technical specifications of the data, and yet, it continues to lend itself to
an improvement in methodology, and data processing.
You know, on the vibrator side, were seeing shifts to improved vibrator electronics, improved
controllers that allow you to control the actual information youre putting into the ground, and I
think there will be steady improvement there, but from an overall standpoint, I think where we are
today, is methodology in numbers, versus pure what I would call technology shifts. Does that make
any sense?
Marshall Adkins - Raymond James & Associates Analyst
Absolutely. That was excellent. Thank you, guys.
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
Marshall, thank you for calling in. And operator, I believe were done. And just in closing, I
would like to thank everyone for listening into the call. We enjoyed talking to you, enjoy
hearing from you, and the participation this morning was outstanding.
As I have already said, we are very pleased with our results and look forward to 2008 with great
enthusiasm. We will be presenting on February 21 at the Intercom Oil Service Conference in San
Francisco. Well be in New York, in Boston the 12, and 13, the Dahlman Rose conference. A replay of
this call will be available on our website at www.Dawson 3D.com, I believe, for two weeks, three
a month or something? How long?
Christina Hagan - Dawson Geophysical EVP, CFO
At least two weeks.
Steve Jumper - Dawson Geophysical President, CEO
At least two weeks. And with that, we thank you. We thank our employees and our shareholders,
our clients, and look forward to talking to you again next quarter. Thank you.
Operator
Thank you for joining todays conference call. You may now disconnect.
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Final Transcript
Feb. 06. 2008 / 12:00PM ET, DWSN Q1 2008 Dawson Geophysical Earnings Conference Call
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