Ensign Energy Services Reports 2008 First Quarter Results

2008-05-05
6:00am

    CALGARY, May 5 /CNW/ -

    Overview

    Ensign Energy Services Inc. (the "Company") recorded net income of
$81.8 million ($0.53 per common share) for the three months ended March 31,
2008 compared with net income of $102.3 million ($0.67 per common share) for
the three months ended March 31, 2007, a decline of 20 percent. EBITDA (as
defined below), was $171.1 million ($1.12 per common share) in the first
quarter of 2008 compared with $185.4 million ($1.22 per common share) in the
first quarter of 2007, a decline of eight percent.
    The Company's financial results for the first quarter of 2008, although
down from the corresponding period of 2007 due to reduced levels of oilfield
services activity in Canada, have been impacted positively by the global
growth initiatives executed by the Company in 2007. The first quarter of 2008
is the first quarter to fully reflect contributions from the 13
fit-for-purpose Automated Drill Rigs ("ADRs") that were constructed and added
to the United States drilling rig fleet throughout 2007. The international
oilfield services segment also delivered improved financial results in the
first quarter of 2008, owing in part to the transfer of two ADRs from Canada
to Australia, and the construction of three drilling rigs for the Middle East
and Africa, all of which occurred in the latter half of 2007. Although the
Company's Canadian oilfield services division experienced operating activity
levels below that of the first quarter of last year, the financial results
achieved by this division in the first three months of 2008 were higher than
initially anticipated, and partially reflect the Company's efforts to maintain
a flexible cost structure that can adapt to fluctuating activity levels.

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
    ($ thousands, except per share data and operating information)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Three months ended March 31
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                2008        2007    % change
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Revenue                                  472,184     509,485          (7)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    EBITDA(1)                                171,055     185,419          (8)
    EBITDA per share(1)
      Basic                               $     1.12  $     1.22          (8)
      Diluted                             $     1.11  $     1.19          (7)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Adjusted net income(2)                    92,661     106,060         (13)
    Adjusted net income per share(2)
      Basic                               $     0.61  $     0.70         (13)
      Diluted                             $     0.60  $     0.68         (12)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net income                                81,796     102,321         (20)
    Net income per share
      Basic                               $     0.53  $     0.67         (21)
      Diluted                             $     0.53  $     0.66         (20)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Funds from operations(3)                 124,241     117,607           6
    Funds from operations per share(3)
      Basic                               $     0.81  $     0.77           5
      Diluted                             $     0.80  $     0.76           5
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Weighted average shares
     - basic (000s)                          153,054     152,357           -
    Weighted average shares
     - diluted (000s)                        154,357     155,553          (1)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Drilling
      Number of marketed rigs
        Canada
          Conventional                           157         163          (4)
          Oil sands coring/coal bed methane       31          31           -
        United States                             76          66          15
        International(4)                          48          47           2
      Operating days
        Canada                                 8,532       9,175          (7)
        United States                          4,917       4,479          10
        International                          2,367       2,361           -
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Well Servicing
      Number of marketed rigs/units
        Canada                                   118         114           4
        United States                             14          11          27
      Operating hours
        Canada                                44,971      59,231         (24)
        United States                          8,802       5,963          48
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) EBITDA is defined as "income before interest expense, income taxes,
        depreciation and stock-based compensation expense". Management
        believes that in addition to net income, EBITDA and EBITDA per share
        are useful supplemental measures as they provide an indication of the
        results generated by the Company's principal business activities
        prior to consideration of how these activities are financed, how the
        results are taxed in various jurisdictions or how the results are
        impacted by the accounting standards associated with the Company's
        stock-based compensation plan. EBITDA and EBITDA per share as defined
        above are not recognized measures under Canadian generally accepted
        accounting principles and accordingly may not be comparable to
        measures used by other companies.

    (2) Adjusted net income is defined as "net income before stock-based
        compensation expense, tax-effected using an income tax rate of 35%".
        Adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share are useful
        supplemental measures as they provide an indication of the results
        generated by the Company's principal business activities prior to
        consideration of how the results are impacted by the accounting
        standards associated with the Company's stock-based compensation
        plan, net of income taxes. Adjusted net income and adjusted net
        income per share as defined above are not recognized measures under
        Canadian generally accepted accounting principles and accordingly may
        not be comparable to measures used by other companies.

    (3) Funds from operations is defined as "cash provided by operating
        activities before the change in non-cash working capital". Funds from
        operations and funds from operations per share are measures that
        provide shareholders and potential investors with additional
        information regarding the Company's liquidity and its ability to
        generate funds to finance its operations. Management utilizes these
        measures to assess the Company's ability to finance operating
        activities and capital expenditures. Funds from operations and funds
        from operations per share are not measures that have any standardized
        meaning prescribed by Canadian generally accepted accounting
        principles and accordingly may not be comparable to similar measures
        used by other companies.

    (4) Includes workover rigs.


    Revenue and Oilfield Services Expense

                                   Three months
                                  ended March 31
                              -----------------------
    ($ thousands)                   2008        2007      Change    % change
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Revenue
      Canada                     260,450     312,614     (52,164)        (17)
      United States              139,315     136,747       2,568           2
      International               72,419      60,124      12,295          20
                              -----------------------------------------------
                                 472,184     509,485     (37,301)         (7)
    Oilfield services expense    287,464     309,824     (22,360)         (7)
                              -----------------------------------------------
                                 184,720     199,661     (14,941)         (7)
                              -----------------------------------------------
    Gross margin                   39.1%       39.2%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Revenue reported by the Company's Canadian oilfield service division
declined 17 percent in the first quarter of 2008 compared with the first
quarter of 2007. Canadian drilling operating days and well servicing hours
declined 7 percent and 24 percent, respectively, for the three months ended
March 31, 2008 compared with the three months ended March 31, 2007. Although
operating activity levels recorded by the Canadian oilfield services segment
in the first three months of 2008 exceeded earlier expectations, demand for
oilfield services continued to reflect a level of uncertainty in the Canadian
market as operators weighed the impact of a strong Canadian dollar and the
sustainability of strengthening commodity prices on their project economics.
The fundamentals of the Canadian oilfield services market may have seen a
slight improvement late in the first quarter of 2008 with an improvement in
the price of natural gas; however, the majority of winter drilling programs
were bid and contracted near the end of 2007 when operators approve their
capital budgets for the upcoming year. The Canadian market at that point
continued to be characterized by an oversupply of equipment, a weakening
United States dollar, and concerns over natural gas inventory levels heading
into the winter heating season and the resultant impact on natural gas prices.
All of these issues contributed to the pricing pressure experienced by the
Company in contracting work for the first quarter of 2008.
    In light of market conditions in Canada, the Company completed several
reorganizations in the first quarter of 2008 to further streamline its
operations. Effective January 1, 2008, the Company consolidated its Ensign
Drilling and Tri-City Drilling operating divisions into a newly formed Ensign
Canadian Drilling division. The Company further consolidated its
transportation assets into a newly formed Artisan Trucking division. The
Company believes these consolidations will provide further operational
efficiencies and customer focus throughout the remainder of 2008. In addition,
in order to maintain its drilling rig fleet in the most cost-effective manner,
the Company removed three drilling rigs from its Canadian marketed fleet of
equipment in the first quarter of 2008. The Company will retain the
serviceable components from these drilling rigs to support the remainder of
its drilling rig fleet.
    The Company embarked on a significant expansion of its United States
equipment fleet in 2007, and the first quarter of 2008 is the first period to
fully reflect the contributions from this additional equipment. The expansion
added 13 ADRs and three well servicing rigs to the Rocky Mountain region of
the United States, which contributed to a 12 percent increase in drilling
operating activity and a 48 percent increase in well servicing hours in the
first quarter of 2008 compared with the first quarter of 2007. The Company
enjoys the competitive advantage of having an established operational base in
the United States, complete with training programs and facilities, and was
able to quickly and efficiently integrate this new equipment into its existing
operations. The Company's California operations delivered stable results on a
period-over-period basis as operations in that region continue to be supported
by strong market prices for crude oil. The growth and positive financial
results achieved by the Company's United States oilfield services segment are
somewhat muted by the foreign exchange rates in effect in the first quarter of
2008 compared with the first quarter of 2007. The average United States dollar
exchange rate at which the results are translated to Canadian dollars declined
14 percent in the first quarter of 2008 compared with the first quarter of
2007.
    The Company's international operations are also reaping the rewards of
actions taken in 2007 to bolster the international drilling rig fleet in
fulfillment of crude oil driven demand. Revenue for the international oilfield
services segment totaled $72.4 million for the first quarter of 2008, an
increase of 20 percent over the first quarter of 2007. The financial results
for the first quarter of 2008 reflect contributions from two ADRs relocated
from Canada to Australia in the latter half of 2007, one drilling rig deployed
to the Middle East in the fourth quarter of 2007, as well as the completion of
two drilling rig construction projects in the Middle East and Africa in the
first quarter of 2008. Future growth for this important segment includes the
construction of six ADRs for the Middle East and Africa markets, the
operations of which are expected to commence in early 2009.
    Gross margin for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was 39.1 percent
compared with 39.2 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The
maintenance of strong operating margins on a period-over-period basis is the
result of improved margins in the United States and international oilfield
services divisions, offset by margin compression in the Canadian oilfield
services segment, which faced highly competitive conditions in the first
quarter of 2008. While Canada remains a core market for the Company, its
global diversification strategy, upon which it has been leveraging its
existing United States and international operational bases over the past
several years, has served to mitigate the general market weakness experienced
in Canada in the first quarter of 2008. The Company also implemented several
cost control and restructuring initiatives that are ensuring the Canadian
equipment fleet continues to generate strong returns, despite the pressures
facing its operations.

    Depreciation
                                   Three months
                                  ended March 31
                              -----------------------
    ($ thousands)                   2008        2007      Change    % change
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Depreciation                  28,253      23,307       4,946          21
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Depreciation expense totaled $28.3 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2008 compared with $23.3 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2007. Although consolidated operating activity levels in the first
quarter of 2008 declined slightly compared with the same period of 2007,
depreciation expense has increased due to the introduction of higher valued
equipment to the drilling rig fleet, primarily in the United States.

    General and Administrative Expense

                                   Three months
                                  ended March 31
                              -----------------------
    ($ thousands)                   2008        2007      Change    % change
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    General and administrative    13,665      14,242        (577)         (4)
    % of revenue                    2.9%        2.8%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    General and administrative expense totaled $13.7 million for the
three months ended March 31, 2008, a decrease of four percent from general and
administrative expense of $14.2 million for the three months ended March 31,
2007. As a percentage of revenue, general and administrative expense was
2.9 percent in the first quarter of 2008 and is comparable to 2.8 percent
recorded in the first quarter of 2007.

    Stock-Based Compensation Expense

                                   Three months
                                  ended March 31
                              -----------------------
    ($ thousands)                   2008        2007      Change    % change
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Stock-based compensation      16,716       5,752      10,964         191
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Stock-based compensation expense arises from the intrinsic value
accounting of the Company's stock option plan, whereby the liability
associated with stock-based compensation is adjusted on a quarterly basis for
the effect of granting and vesting of stock options, and changes in the
underlying price of the Company's common shares. For the three months ended
March 31, 2008, stock-based compensation expense is comprised of additional
granting and vesting of stock options of $1.0 million (net of forfeitures) and
the impact of an increase in the Company's share price of $15.7 million. The
closing price of the Company's common shares was $20.01 at March 31, 2008
compared with $15.25 at December 31, 2007.

    Interest Expense

                                   Three months
                                  ended March 31
                              -----------------------
    ($ thousands)                   2008        2007      Change    % change
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Interest                       1,937         943         994         105
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Interest expense is incurred on the Company's operating lines of credit.
The increase in interest expense on a period-over-period basis is due to the
increase in the average balance outstanding of the Company's operating lines
of credit. The average balance outstanding for the first quarter of 2008 was
$121.8 million compared with $89.6 million for the first quarter of 2007.

    Income Taxes

                                   Three months
                                  ended March 31
                              -----------------------
    ($ thousands)                   2008        2007      Change    % change
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Current income tax            43,346      56,759     (13,413)        (24)
    Future income tax               (993)     (3,663)      2,670         (73)
                              -----------------------------------------------
                                  42,353      53,096     (10,743)        (20)
                              -----------------------------------------------
    Effective income
     tax rate (%)                  34.1%       34.2%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2008
was 34.1 percent compared with 34.2 percent for the three months ended
March 31, 2007. The future income tax recovery in both the first quarter of
2008 and 2007 is primarily due to partnership timing differences. Taxable
income generated by Canadian partnerships was a significant component of the
future income tax liability as at December 31, 2007 and 2006. These future
income tax liabilities decline as taxable income generated by Canadian
partnerships declines, resulting in a recovery in future income tax.

    Financial Position

    The following chart outlines significant changes in the consolidated
balance sheet from December 31, 2007 to March 31, 2008:

    ($ thousands)               Change   Explanation
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Cash and cash equivalents   11,920   See consolidated statement of
                                         cash flows.
    Accounts receivable         80,211   Increase due to an increase in
                                         operating activity levels in Canada
                                         in the first quarter of 2008
                                         compared with the fourth quarter
                                         of 2007.
    Inventory and other        (38,226)  Decrease due to the reclassification
                                         of drill pipe inventory to property
                                         and equipment as a result of a
                                         change in the estimated useful life.
    Property and equipment      81,503   Increase due to ongoing capital
                                         expenditures and the
                                         reclassification of drill pipe
                                         inventory, offset by depreciation
                                         and changes in foreign exchange
                                         rates in the period.
    Accounts payable             1,378   Increase due to an increase in
     and accrued liabilities             operating activity levels in Canada,
                                         offset by a decrease in net capital
                                         expenditure activity levels during
                                         the first quarter of 2008 compared
                                         with the fourth quarter of 2007.
    Operating lines of credit    7,676   Increase due to the use of operating
                                         lines of credit to finance ongoing
                                         capital expenditures.
    Stock-based compensation    15,003   Increase due to share price
                                         increases and additional vesting of
                                         stock options, net of stock option
                                         exercises and forfeitures.
    Income taxes payable         5,477   Increase due to the current income
                                         tax provision for the period, net
                                         of tax instalments.
    Dividends payable                5   Increase due to a slight increase in
                                         the number of outstanding common
                                         shares in the first quarter of 2008
                                         compared with the fourth quarter of
                                         2007.
    Future income taxes          1,507   Increase due to the effect of
                                         foreign exchange movements on
                                         foreign-denominated opening
                                         balances, net of the current period
                                         future income tax recovery.
    Shareholders' equity       104,362   Increase due to the aggregate impact
                                         of net income for the period,
                                         increase in common shares due to
                                         exercises of employee stock options,
                                         impact of foreign exchange rate
                                         fluctuations on net assets of
                                         foreign self-sustaining
                                         subsidiaries, net of dividends
                                         declared in the period.
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Working Capital and Funds from Operations

                                   Three months
                                  ended March 31
                              -----------------------
    ($ thousands, except
     per share data)                2008        2007      Change    % change
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Funds from operations        124,241     117,607       6,634           6
    Funds from operations
     per share                     $0.81       $0.77       $0.04           5
    Working capital(1)            89,516      60,272      29,244          49
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (1) Comparative figure as of December 31, 2007.

    Funds from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 increased
six percent compared with the three months ended March 31, 2007. Although net
income has declined in the first quarter of 2008 compared with the first
quarter of 2007, funds from operations have increased on a period-over-period
basis, primarily due to the timing of cash flows associated with the Company's
stock-based compensation plan.
    At March 31, 2008, the Company's working capital totaled $89.5 million
compared with working capital of $60.3 million at December 31, 2007, an
increase of $29.2 million. The increase is primarily attributable to increased
operating activity levels, and an associated increase in accounts receivable,
in the Company's Canadian oilfield services division in the first quarter of
2008 compared to activity levels near the end of the fourth quarter of 2007.
Operating activity levels in Canada typically peak in the first quarter of
2008 when winter conditions support heightened drilling activities. Offsetting
the increase in accounts receivable, working capital was impacted by the
reclassification of drill pipe inventory to property and equipment as a result
of a change in estimate of the useful lives of these assets. As of March 31,
2008, the Company continues to operate with sufficient liquidity to meet its
obligations as they come due.

    Investing Activities

                                   Three months
                                  ended March 31
                              -----------------------
    ($ thousands)                   2008        2007      Change    % change
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net purchase of
     property and equipment      (33,544)    (93,608)     60,064         (64)
    Net change in
     non-cash working capital     (3,249)     (4,262)      1,013         (24)
                              -----------------------------------------------
    Cash used in
     investing activities        (36,793)    (97,870)     61,077         (62)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Net investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2008
totalled $36.8 million compared with $97.9 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2007. Capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2008 relate to
ongoing drilling rig upgrade initiatives, as well as finalization of the 2007
international build programs, including the deployment of one drilling rig to
the Middle East and one drilling rig to north Africa in the first three months
of 2008. The Company also completed the construction of two well servicing
rigs for the Canadian market in the first quarter of 2008.
    As at March 31, 2008, the Company was in the early stages of constructing
six drilling rigs destined for the international market. Capital expenditures
for the remainder of 2008 will reflect this construction activity.

    Financing Activities
                                   Three months
                                  ended March 31
                              -----------------------
    ($ thousands)                   2008        2007      Change    % change
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net increase in operating
     lines of credit               7,676      39,244     (31,568)        (80)
    Issue of capital stock           300         826        (526)        (64)
    Dividends                    (12,628)    (12,188)       (440)          4
    Net change in
     non-cash working capital          5          33         (28)        (85)
                              -----------------------------------------------
    Cash (used in) provided
     by financing activities      (4,647)     27,915     (32,562)       (117)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Company increased the utilized balance of its operating lines of
credit by $7.7 million during the first quarter of 2008. The funds provided by
this increase were used primarily to finance the Company's international
capital expenditure programs.
    Other financing activities during the first quarter of 2008 include the
receipt of $0.3 million on the exercise of employee stock options and the
declaration of dividends in the amount of $12.6 million. The increase in
dividends on a quarter-over-quarter basis is due to an increase in the
Company's quarterly dividend rate from $0.08 per common share in the first
quarter of 2007 to $0.0825 per common share in the first quarter of 2008. All
dividends paid by the Company subsequent to January 1, 2006 qualify as an
eligible dividend, as defined by subsection 89(1) of the Canadian Income Tax
Act.

    Outlook

    The first quarter activity levels in Canada, while down from activity
levels of a year ago, exceeded the Company's original expectations.
Strengthening natural gas commodity prices, combined with record levels of
crude oil prices, resulted in improved demand for oilfield services in the
first quarter. First quarter activity levels would have been slightly higher
were it not for a shortage of skilled labor within the industry. While an
oversupply of equipment still exists, and it remains to be seen whether the
province of Alberta's latest tinkering with the royalty regime will improve
the economics for exploration and production companies, there is growing
optimism around a recovery in the Canadian oilfield services industry.
However, we are not yet out of the woods. The Company still expects
utilization and operating margins to be in line with seasonal and forecasted
lows through the second and third quarters of 2008, as demand for oilfield
services lags the recent improvement in natural gas commodity prices. The
Company is positioning itself for improved levels of demand and operating
conditions for the 2008/09 winter drilling season in Canada.
    The first quarter activity levels in the Company's United States segment
met expectations. The addition of the 13 newly constructed ADRs had a positive
impact on both utilization and operating margins. Activity levels are expected
to continue to improve through the remainder of the year. Additionally, the
Company will continue to cultivate and develop expansion opportunities to
increase its size in this core market, a market Ensign has been in since 1994.
    The three newly constructed drilling rigs in the Company's international
segment started to contribute in the first quarter of 2008, slightly behind
schedule due to construction and commissioning delays. These new rigs and
contracts on existing rigs should enable the international division to show
year over year growth in utilization and operating margins through the
remainder of the year. Construction activities have commenced on six new ADRs
for the international market. These new builds are destined for Africa and the
Middle East and will not begin to meaningfully contribute to the Company's
financial results until the beginning of the 2009 fiscal year.
    While the recovery in the Canadian oilfield services industry may have
started with improved prices for natural gas, the Company believes that
activity levels and financial contributions from its Canadian operations will
be restrained through the remainder of the year. The continued weakness in
Canada will be partially offset by strong contributions from the Company's
expanded United States operations and improved contributions from the
Company's international operations. The advantages of Ensign's established
global strategy will continue to benefit Ensign shareholders.

    Risks and Uncertainties

    This document contains forward-looking statements based upon current
expectations that involve a number of business risks and uncertainties. The
factors that could cause results to differ materially include, but are not
limited to, political and economic conditions, crude oil and natural gas
prices, foreign currency fluctuations, weather conditions and the ability of
oil and natural gas companies to raise capital or other unforeseen conditions
which could impact on the use of the services supplied by the Company.

    Conference Call

    A conference call will be held to discuss the Company's first quarter
results at 2:00 p.m. MT (4:00 p.m. ET) on Monday, May 5, 2008. The conference
call number is 1-800-732-9307. A taped recording will be available until
May 12, 2008 by dialing 1-877-289-8525 and entering reservation number
21271299 followed by the number sign. A live broadcast may be accessed through
the Company's web site at www.ensignenergy.com.

    Ensign Energy Services Inc. is an international oilfield services
contractor and is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading
symbol ESI.

    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    As at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
    (Unaudited, in thousands of dollars)

                                                      March 31   December 31
                                                          2008          2007
                                                          ----          ----
    Assets

    Current assets
    Cash and cash equivalents                     $     13,860  $      1,940
    Accounts receivable                                381,932       301,721
    Inventory and other                                 51,526        89,752
    Future income taxes                                  6,586         2,367
                                                  ---------------------------

                                                       453,904       395,780

    Property and equipment                           1,472,283     1,390,780
                                                  ---------------------------

                                                  $  1,926,187  $  1,786,560
                                                  ---------------------------
                                                  ---------------------------

    Liabilities

    Current liabilities
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities      $    178,973  $    177,595
    Operating lines of credit                          125,645       117,969
    Current portion of stock-based compensation         22,400         8,056
    Income taxes payable                                24,742        19,265
    Dividends payable                                   12,628        12,623
                                                  ---------------------------

                                                       364,388       335,508

    Stock-based compensation                             5,382         4,723

    Future income taxes                                207,849       202,123
                                                  ---------------------------

                                                       577,619       542,354
                                                  ---------------------------

    Shareholders' Equity

    Capital stock (note 4)                             168,081       167,599
    Accumulated other comprehensive income             (62,876)      (97,588)
    Retained earnings                                1,243,363     1,174,195
                                                  ---------------------------

                                                     1,348,568     1,244,206
                                                  ---------------------------

                                                  $  1,926,187  $  1,786,560
                                                  ---------------------------
                                                  ---------------------------

    See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.



    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS
    For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
    (Unaudited, in thousands of dollars, except per share data)

                                                          2008          2007
                                                          ----          ----

    Revenue
    Oilfield services                             $    472,184  $    509,485

    Expenses
    Oilfield services                                  287,464       309,824
    Depreciation                                        28,253        23,307
    General and administrative                          13,665        14,242
    Stock-based compensation                            16,716         5,752
    Interest                                             1,937           943
                                                  ---------------------------

                                                       348,035       354,068
                                                  ---------------------------

    Income before income taxes                         124,149       155,417
                                                  ---------------------------

    Income taxes
    Current                                             43,346        56,759
    Future                                                (993)       (3,663)
                                                  ---------------------------

                                                        42,353        53,096
                                                  ---------------------------

    Net income for the period                           81,796       102,321

    Retained earnings - beginning of period          1,174,195       973,644

    Dividends (note 4)                                 (12,628)      (12,188)
                                                  ---------------------------

    Retained earnings - end of period             $  1,243,363  $  1,063,777
                                                  ---------------------------
                                                  ---------------------------

    Net income per share (note 4)
    Basic                                         $       0.53  $       0.67
    Diluted                                       $       0.53  $       0.66
                                                  ---------------------------
                                                  ---------------------------

    See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.



    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
    (Unaudited, in thousands of dollars)

                                                          2008          2007
                                                          ----          ----
    Cash provided by (used in)

    Operating Activities
    Net income for the period                     $     81,796  $    102,321
    Items not affecting cash:
      Depreciation                                      28,253        23,307
      Stock-based compensation, net of cash paid        15,185        (4,358)
      Future income taxes                                 (993)       (3,663)
                                                  ---------------------------

    Cash provided by operating activities before
     the change in non-cash working capital            124,241       117,607
    Net change in non-cash working capital
     (note 6)                                          (70,881)      (47,717)
                                                  ---------------------------

                                                        53,360        69,890
                                                  ---------------------------

    Investing Activities
    Net purchase of property and equipment             (33,544)      (93,608)
    Net change in non-cash working capital
     (note 6)                                           (3,249)       (4,262)
                                                  ---------------------------

                                                       (36,793)      (97,870)
                                                  ---------------------------

    Financing Activities
    Net increase in operating lines of credit            7,676        39,244
    Issue of capital stock                                 300           826
    Dividends (note 4)                                 (12,628)      (12,188)
    Net change in non-cash working capital
     (note 6)                                                5            33
                                                  ---------------------------

                                                        (4,647)       27,915
                                                  ---------------------------

    Increase (decrease) in cash and
     cash equivalents during the period                 11,920           (65)

    Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of
     period                                              1,940        14,570
                                                  ---------------------------

    Cash and cash equivalents - end of period     $     13,860  $     14,505
                                                  ---------------------------
                                                  ---------------------------

    Supplemental information
    Interest paid                                 $      1,983  $        961
    Income taxes paid                             $     37,869  $     57,668
                                                  ---------------------------
                                                  ---------------------------

    See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.



    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
    For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
    (Unaudited, in thousands of dollars)

                                                          2008          2007
                                                          ----          ----

    Net income for the period                     $     81,796  $    102,321
    Other comprehensive income
    Foreign currency translation adjustment             34,712          (989)
                                                  ---------------------------
    Comprehensive income for the period           $    116,508  $    101,332
                                                  ---------------------------
                                                  ---------------------------

    See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.



    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
    For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
    (Unaudited, in thousands of dollars)

                                                          2008          2007
                                                          ----          ----

    Accumulated other comprehensive income
     - beginning of period                        $    (97,588) $    (20,163)
    Foreign currency translation adjustment             34,712          (989)
                                                  ---------------------------
    Accumulated other comprehensive income
     - end of period                              $    (62,876) $    (21,152)
                                                  ---------------------------
                                                  ---------------------------

    See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.



    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
    For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
    (Unaudited, in thousands of dollars, except share and per share data)

    The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
    accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles
    ("Canadian GAAP"), and include the accounts of Ensign Energy Services
    Inc. and its subsidiaries and partnerships (the "Company"), substantially
    all of which are wholly-owned. The interim consolidated financial
    statements have been prepared following the same accounting policies and
    methods of computation as the consolidated financial statements for the
    year ended December 31, 2007, except as noted below. The disclosures
    provided below are incremental to those included with the annual
    consolidated financial statements. These interim consolidated financial
    statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
    statements and the notes thereto in the Company's annual report for the
    year ended December 31, 2007.

    1.  Adoption of new accounting standards

        Capital disclosures

        Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted the Canadian Institute
        of Chartered Accountants ("CICA") Handbook Section 1535 "Capital
        Disclosures". The new section requires an entity to disclose
        information about its capital and how it is managed. The Company's
        capital management strategy is outlined in note 7.

        Financial instruments

        Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted CICA Handbook Section
        3862 "Financial Instruments - Disclosures" and Section 3863
        "Financial Instruments - Presentation", which replace Section 3861
        "Financial Instruments - Disclosure and Presentation". The new
        sections revise and enhance financial instruments disclosure
        requirements and place increased emphasis on disclosures about the
        nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments and how
        the Company manages those risks.

        The Company has designated its financial instruments as follows:

        - Cash and cash equivalents are classified as "held for trading" and
          any period change in fair value is recorded through net income;
        - Accounts receivable are classified as "loans and receivables".
          After their initial fair value measurement, they are measured at
          amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. For the
          Company, the measured amount generally corresponds to historical
          cost; and
        - Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, operating lines of
          credit, and dividends payable are classified as "other financial
          liabilities". After their initial fair value measurement, they are
          measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate
          method. For the Company, the measured amount generally corresponds
          to historical cost.

        Inventories

        Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted CICA Handbook Section
        3031 "Inventories", which requires inventory to be valued on a
        'first-in, first out' or weighted average basis. The new standard
        also requires fixed and variable production overheads that are
        incurred in converting materials into finished goods to be allocated
        to the cost of inventory on a systematic basis. The adoption of this
        standard did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated
        financial statements.

        Recent accounting pronouncements

        In January 2006, the CICA Accounting Standards Board ("AcSB") adopted
        a strategic plan for the direction of accounting standards in Canada.
        As part of that plan, the AcSB confirmed in February 2008 that
        International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") will replace
        Canadian GAAP in 2011 for profit-oriented Canadian publicly
        accountable enterprises. As the Company will be required to report
        its results in accordance with IFRS starting in 2011, the Company is
        assessing the potential impacts of this changeover and developing its
        plan accordingly.

    2.  Change in accounting estimates

        Effective January 1, 2008 the Company revised the estimated useful
        life of drill pipe to 1,500 operating days, to be depreciated on a
        unit-of-production basis with a 20% residual value. The change in
        estimated useful life reflects the Company's recent experience with
        respect to the period over which future benefits are derived from
        drill pipe and the impact improved technologies have had on extending
        the useful lives of these assets. As a result of this change in
        accounting estimate, drill pipe of $39,000 previously classified as
        inventory and other on the consolidated balance sheet has been
        reclassified to property and equipment on the basis that its
        estimated useful life of 1,500 operating days extends beyond the
        current period.

        Effective January 1, 2008 the Company revised the estimated useful
        life of oil sands coring rigs from 3,650 operating days to 1,000
        operating days. The oil sands coring rigs will continue to be
        depreciated on a unit-of-production basis with a 20% residual value.
        Further, the Company revised the estimated useful life of coiled
        tubing units from 24,000 operating hours to five years, to be
        depreciated on a straight-line basis.

        These changes in accounting estimates have been applied on a
        prospective basis and did not have a significant effect on
        consolidated net income for the three months ended March 31, 2008. It
        is impracticable to estimate the effect of these changes in
        accounting estimates on future periods as such an estimate would
        depend on a forecast of future operating activity levels.

    3.  Seasonality of operations

        The Company's Canadian oilfield services operations are seasonal in
        nature and are impacted by weather conditions that may hinder the
        Company's ability to access locations or move heavy equipment. The
        lowest activity levels are experienced during the second quarter of
        the year when road weight restrictions are in place and access to
        wellsites in Canada is reduced.

    4.  Capital Stock

        Authorized

        Unlimited common shares
        Unlimited preferred shares, issuable in series

        Outstanding

                                                     Number of
                                                 Common Shares        Amount
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
        Balance at January 1, 2008                 153,041,378  $    167,599
        Issued under employee stock option plan         26,000           482
                                                 ----------------------------
        Balance at March 31, 2008                  153,067,378  $    168,081
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------


        Options

        A summary of the status of the Company's stock option plan as of
        March 31, 2008, and the changes during the three-month period then
        ended, is presented below:

                                                                    Weighted
                                                                     Average
                                                     Number of      Exercise
                                                       Options         Price
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
        Outstanding at January 1, 2008               9,655,450  $      16.55
        Granted                                         55,000         13.79
        Exercised for shares                           (26,000)       (11.54)
        Exercised for cash                            (260,350)       (10.78)
        Forfeited                                      (49,900)       (16.74)
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
        Outstanding at March 31, 2008                9,374,200  $      16.70
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
        Exercisable at March 31, 2008                3,426,100  $      13.15
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------



                          Options Outstanding        Options Exercisable
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Average   Weighted            Weighted
                            Options   Vesting    Average    Options  Average
        Exercise          Outstand- Remaining   Exercise   Exercis- Exercise
        Price                   ing (in years)     Price       able    Price
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
        $8.75 to $11.05   2,598,100      0.49    $ 10.42  1,917,100  $ 10.40
        $13.50 to $18.85  2,119,100      1.40      14.04  1,024,700    13.66
        $19.88 to $23.33  4,657,000      2.47      21.42    484,300    22.93
                         ----------------------------------------------------
                          9,374,200      1.68    $ 16.70  3,426,100  $ 13.15
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------

        Common share dividends

        During the three months ended March 31, 2008, the Company declared
        dividends of $12,628 (2007 - $12,188), being $0.0825 per common share
        (2007 - $0.08 per common share).

        Net income per share

        Net income per share is calculated by dividing net income by the
        weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the
        period. Diluted net income per share is calculated using the treasury
        stock method, which assumes that all outstanding stock options are
        exercised, if dilutive, and the assumed proceeds are used to purchase
        the Company's common shares at the average market price during the
        period.

        The weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the
        three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:

                                                          2008          2007
                                                  ---------------------------
        Weighted average number of common shares
         outstanding - basic                       153,054,171   152,356,587
        Weighted average number of common shares
         outstanding - diluted                     154,357,359   155,552,697
                                                  ---------------------------

        Stock options of 4,890,500 (2007 - 2,449,000) were excluded from the
        calculation of diluted weighted average number of common shares
        outstanding, as the options' exercise price was greater than the
        average market price of the common shares for the period.

    5.  Segmented information

        The Company operates in three geographic areas within one industry
        segment. Oilfield services are provided in Canada, the United States
        and internationally. The amounts related to each geographic area are
        as follows:

        Three months ended March 31, 2008
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          United        Inter-
                            Canada        States      national         Total
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
        Revenue           $260,450      $139,315       $72,419      $472,184
        Property and
         equipment, net   $799,093      $357,441      $315,749    $1,472,283
        Capital
         expenditures,
         net               $11,715       $10,528       $11,300       $33,543
        Depreciation       $14,974        $6,656        $6,623       $28,253
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------


        Three months ended March 31, 2007
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          United        Inter-
                            Canada        States      national         Total
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
        Revenue           $312,614      $136,747       $60,124      $509,485
        Property and
         equipment, net   $804,795      $291,522      $268,224    $1,364,541
        Capital
         expenditures,
         net               $40,360       $40,669       $12,579       $93,608
        Depreciation       $13,346        $4,639        $5,322       $23,307
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------


    6.  Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

        The net change in non-cash working capital for the three months ended
        March 31, 2008 and 2007 is determined as follows:

                                                          2008          2007
                                                    ------------  -----------
        Net change in non-cash working capital
          Accounts receivable                        $ (80,211)    $ (38,340)
          Inventory and other                             (774)       (2,074)
          Accounts payable and accrued liabilities       1,378       (10,656)
          Income taxes payable                           5,477          (909)
          Dividends payable                                  5            33
                                                    ------------  -----------
                                                     $ (74,125)    $ (51,946)
                                                    ------------  -----------
        Relating to
          Operating activities                       $ (70,881)    $ (47,717)
          Investing activities                          (3,249)       (4,262)
          Financing activities                               5            33
                                                    ------------  -----------
                                                     $ (74,125)    $ (51,946)
                                                    ------------  -----------
                                                    ------------  -----------

    7.  Capital management strategy

        The Company's objectives when managing capital are to exercise
        financial discipline, and to deliver positive returns and stable
        dividend streams to its shareholders. The Company's capital
        management strategy remained unchanged during the three months ended
        March 31, 2008; however, the Company continues to be cognizant of the
        challenges associated with operating in a cyclical, commodity-based
        industry and may make future adjustments to its capital management
        strategy in light of changing economic conditions.

        The Company considers its capital structure to include shareholders'
        equity and operating lines of credit. In order to maintain or adjust
        its capital structure, the Company may from time to time adjust its
        capital spending or dividend policy to manage the level of its
        short-term borrowings, or may revise the terms of its operating lines
        of credit to support future growth initiatives. As at March 31, 2008,
        operating lines of credit totaled $125,645 and shareholders' equity
        totaled $1,348,568.

        The Company and several of its subsidiaries are subject to externally
        imposed capital requirements associated with their operating lines of
        credit, including financial covenants that incorporate shareholders'
        equity and level of indebtedness. As at March 31, 2008, the Company
        is in good standing with respect to these requirements.

    8.  Financial Instruments

        Fair value

        The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable,
        accounts payable and accrued liabilities, operating lines of credit
        and dividends payable approximate fair value due to the short-term
        nature of these instruments.

        Credit risk

        Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Company if a
        customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its
        contractual obligations. Credit risk arises principally from the
        Company's accounts receivable balances owing from customers operating
        primarily in the oil and natural gas industry in Canada, the United
        States and internationally. The carrying amount of accounts
        receivable represents the maximum credit exposure as at March 31,
        2008.

        The Company assesses the credit worthiness of its customers on an
        ongoing basis and considers the credit risk on these amounts normal
        for the industry. The Company establishes credit limits for each
        customer based on external credit reports, internal analysis and
        historical experience with the customer. Credit limits are approved
        by senior management and are reviewed on a regular basis or when
        changing economic circumstances dictate. The Company also monitors
        the amount and age of accounts receivable balances on an ongoing
        basis. At March 31, 2008 the Company's allowance for doubtful
        accounts was $328, a decrease of $85 from the balance as at
        December 31, 2007.

        Liquidity risk

        Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meets
        its financial obligations as they are due. The Company manages
        liquidity by forecasting cash flows on an annual basis and secures
        sufficient credit facilities to meet financing requirements that
        exceed anticipated internally generated funds. As at March 31, 2008,
        the remaining contractual maturities of accounts payable and accrued
        liabilities, operating lines of credit and dividends payable are less
        than one year.

        Market risk

        Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as
        foreign exchange rates and interest rates, will affect the Company's
        net income or the value of the financial statements.

        Interest rate risk
        ------------------
        The Company is exposed to interest rate risk with respect to its
        operating lines of credit that bear interest at floating market
        rates. For the three months ended March 31, 2008, if interest rates
        applicable to the operating lines of credit had been 1% higher or
        lower, with all other variables held constant, net income would have
        been $803 higher or lower.

        Foreign currency exchange rate risk
        -----------------------------------
        The Company operates internationally and is exposed to foreign
        exchange risk arising from various currency exposures, primarily with
        respect to the United States dollar and the Australian dollar. The
        principal foreign exchange risk relates to the conversion of the
        Company's self-sustaining subsidiaries from their functional
        currencies to Canadian dollars. At March 31, 2008, had the Canadian
        dollar weakened or strengthened by 1% against the United States
        dollar, with all other variables held constant, the Company's other
        comprehensive income would have been approximately $4,800 higher or
        lower. At March 31, 2008, had the Canadian dollar weakened or
        strengthened by 1% against the Australian dollar, with all other
        variables held constant, the Company's other comprehensive income
        would have been approximately $2,000 higher or lower.

    %SEDAR: 00001999E
For further information: Glenn Dagenais, Executive Vice President
Finance and Chief Financial Officer, (403) 262-1361