Trico Reports Third Quarter Results -- Strength Continues in Subsea Services Businesses as Company Dramatically Improves Balance Sheet


THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Nov. 4, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trico Marine Services, Inc. (Nasdaq:TRMA) (the "Company" or "Trico") today announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2009 of revenues of $190 million, operating income of approximately $6 million and net income of $0.36 per diluted share. The strength in the Subsea Services and Subsea Trenching and Protection divisions shown in the second quarter, continued into the third quarter.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Joseph S. Compofelice, commented, "The strength of our third quarter results reflects the strong performance by our subsea services divisions, DeepOcean and CTC Marine. These divisions have positioned us for future growth in emerging subsea markets with 45% of their revenues earned in Latin America, the Middle East/Mediterranean, China and other areas of Southeast Asia, substantially offsetting the weakness in the North Sea."

Mr. Compofelice continued, "We made excellent progress regarding our liquidity challenges with the successful closing of our $400 million high yield notes offering. With those proceeds, we eliminated substantially all of the Company's commercial bank debt worldwide, and have deferred amortization of principal for five years. This improved our balance sheet with the current portion of our long-term debt being reduced from $188 million at June 30, 2009 to $22 million at September 30, 2009. We also completed non-core OSV asset sales of almost $40 million in the second half of 2009 (for a total of approximately $70 million year-to-date) thus far and will look at further sales when and as appropriate."

Summary Results Compared to Q2 2009

Total revenues for the third quarter of 2009 were $190 million, compared to $180 million for the second quarter of 2009. Operating income in the third quarter was $5.5 million, after net charges for impairments and loss on sales of assets of $2.0 million. This compares to $15.2 million in the second quarter, after the net benefit of impairments and gain on sales of assets of 3.7 million. Operating income in the third quarter reflected a $13 million improvement within our Subsea Services segment. The overall reduction in operating income from the second quarter, excluding the items mentioned above, was solely attributable to the performance of the Company's towing and supply business, which we expect to stabilize in the future as the Company continues to divest itself of non-core OSV assets.

Division Results

In the Company's Subsea Services segment, principally DeepOcean, revenues increased by $2 million and operating income adjusted for the effect of impairment was consistent with the second quarter.

In the Company's Subsea Trenching and Protection segment, CTC Marine, revenues increased by $11 million although operating income decreased by $1 million primarily driven by service mix.

In both DeepOcean and CTC Marine, average day rate spreads were strong, as each business enlarged the scope of services provided during the third quarter.

For the Towing and Supply segment, day rates and utilization reflect the weakness in West Africa and North Sea spot markets. After the end of the quarter, the Company sold two North Sea class vessels for approximately $40 million reducing its exposure to a market with excess supply. In addition, the Company has targeted additional vessels for sale, as the Company continues to seek ways to reduce its exposure to the North Sea spot market Towing and Supply sector.

Liquidity

Since the end of the prior quarter and through the date of this release, the Company has, through a series of transactions, continued to improve its liquidity position as follows:



 * Completed a $400 million high-yield notes offering, effectively
   deferring scheduled maturities in 2010 of $220 million.   The
   terms of the high-yield note offering includes several partial
   pre-payment options as well;
 * Received proceeds from asset sales of approximately $40 million;
 * Obtained the right to cancel four newbuilds, reducing its
   capital expenditure obligation, net of refund guarantees, by
   approximately $100 million; and
 * Negotiated two working capital facilities totaling $58 million.

At September 30, 2009, the Company had $42 million in cash and $739 million in total debt.

Pro-forma for the refinancing, the Company's cash and credit availability to fund capital expenditures is approximately $80 million.

Market Outlook

The Company's backlog remains healthy at approximately $700 million of termed out or long-term contracts primarily in its subsea segments. On a consolidated basis, revenues for the third quarter had the following geographic mix: 52% in the North Sea, of which approximately two-thirds are subject to long-term contracts, 19% in China, where the Company currently has four subsea service spreads in the South China Sea, 12% in Mexico and Brazil and 17% in West Africa, the Middle East, Mediterranean and Australia.

In addition, during the quarter the Company announced contract awards representing $50 million in value, approximately $35 million of which are new subsea contract awards. Recent subsea tender activity suggests to the Company that the market outlook remains cautiously optimistic for 2010, with a stronger outlook in 2011.

Conference Call Information

The Company will conduct a conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, November 5, 2009, to discuss the results with analysts, investors and other interested parties. Individuals who wish to participate in the conference call should dial (800) 768-6569, access code 4736768, in the United States or (785) 830-7992, access code 4736768, from outside the country.

A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until November 19, 2009, starting approximately 1 hour after the completion of the call, and can be accessed by dialing (888) 203-1112 access code 4736768 (international calls should use (719) 457-0820, access code 4736768).

About Trico

The Trico Marine Group is an integrated provider of subsea, trenching and marine support vessels and services. Trico's Towing and Supply division provides a broad range of marine support services to the oil and gas industry through use of its diversified fleet of vessels including the transportation of drilling materials, supplies and crews to drilling rigs and other offshore facilities; towing drilling rigs and equipment, and support for the construction, installation, repair and maintenance of offshore facilities. Trico's Subsea Services and Subsea Protection divisions control a well equipped fleet of vessels and operate a fleet of modern ROVs and trenching and other subsea protection equipment. Trico Marine Services, Inc. is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas and has a global presence with operations in the North Sea, West Africa, Mexico, Brazil and Southeast Asia.

For more information about Trico Marine Services, Inc. visit us on the web at www.tricomarine.com.

The Trico Marine Services, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5229

Certain statements in this press release that are not historical fact may be "forward looking statements." Forward-looking statements are projections of events, revenues, income, future economic performance or management's plans and objectives for the Company's future operations. Actual events may differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statement. There are a number of important factors involving risks (known and unknown) and uncertainties beyond the control of the Company that could cause actual events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, by way of example and not in limitation, include the Company's objectives, business plans or strategies, and projected or anticipated benefits or other consequences of such plans or strategies; the Company's ability to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms, including with respect to refinancing debt maturing in the next twelve months; the Company's ability to continue to service, and to comply with our obligations under, our credit facilities and our other indebtedness; projections involving revenues, operating results or cash provided from operations, or the Company's anticipated capital expenditures or other capital projects; overall demand for and pricing of the Company's vessels; changes in the level of oil and natural gas exploration and development; the Company's ability to successfully or timely complete its various vessel construction projects; further reductions in capital spending budgets by customers; further decline in oil and natural gas prices; projected or anticipated benefits from acquisitions; increases in operating costs; the inability to accurately predict vessel utilization levels and day rates; variations in global business and economic conditions; the results, timing, outcome or effect of pending or potential litigation and our intentions or expectations with respect thereto and the availability of insurance coverage in connection therewith; and the Company's ability to repatriate cash from foreign operations if and when needed. A further description of risks and uncertainties relating to Trico Marine Services, Inc. and its industry and other factors, which could affect the Company's results of operations or financial condition, are included in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Trico undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this report. These results should be considered preliminary until the Company files its Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



             TRICO MARINE SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 Consolidated Statements of Income
                           (Unaudited)
              (In thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                ----------------------
                                                  Three Months Ended
                                                ----------------------
                                                 Sept. 30,   June 30,
                                                   2009        2009
                                                ----------  ----------


 Revenues                                       $  189,855  $  179,732

 Operating expenses:
  Direct operating expenses                        143,456     130,221
  General and administrative                        19,594      19,390
  Depreciation and amortization                     19,324      18,547
  Impairments                                        1,184      14,023
  (Gain) loss on sales of assets                       768     (17,684)
                                                ----------  ----------
 Total operating expenses                          184,326     164,497

 Operating income                                    5,529      15,235

 Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized       (8,587)    (11,665)
 Interest income                                       181         790
 Unrealized gain (loss) on mark-to-market of
  embedded derivative                              (21,026)        476
 Gain on conversions of debt                            --         551
 Refinancing costs                                      --      (6,224)
 Other expense, net                                 30,526       1,857
                                                ----------  ----------

 Income before income taxes                          6,623       1,020
 Income tax benefit                                 (1,891)     (3,641)
                                                ----------  ----------

 Net income                                          8,514       4,661

 Less:  Net (income) loss attributable to the
  noncontrolling interest                              859        (514)
                                                ----------  ----------

 Net income attributable to Trico Marine
  Services, Inc.                                $    9,373  $    4,147
                                                ==========  ==========

 Earnings per common share:
 Basic                                          $     0.46  $     0.22
                                                ==========  ==========
 Diluted                                        $     0.36  $     0.22
                                                ==========  ==========

 Weighted average shares outstanding:
 Basic                                              20,502      18,601
                                                ==========  ==========
 Diluted                                            35,179      26,345
                                                ==========  ==========

 Cash Flow Data:

 Cash provided by operating activities          $   37,506  $   44,093
 Cash provided by (used in) investing activities   (16,784)        134
 Cash used in financing activities                 (18,542)    (73,066)
 Capital expenditures                              (17,952)    (29,291)
                                                ----------------------

                                                ----------  ----------
 Balance Sheet Data:                            Sept. 30,    June 30,
                                                   2009        2009
                                                ----------  ----------

 Cash and cash equivalents                      $   41,733  $   35,069
 Total assets                                    1,236,218   1,182,684
 Total short-term debt                              22,296     187,533
 Total long-term debt (including derivative
  liability)                                       716,531     521,036
 Total liabilities                                 976,760     936,567
 Total equity                                      259,458     246,117


             TRICO MARINE SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Consolidating Statements of Income
                             (Unaudited)
                           (In thousands)

                            Three Months Ended September 30, 2009
                      ------------------------------------------------
                                           Subsea
                                          Trenching Corporate
                       Towing    Subsea   and Pro-  & Elim-
                     and Supply Services  tection   inations    Total
                      --------  --------  --------  --------  --------


 Revenues             $ 31,414  $ 87,519  $ 79,693  $ (8,771) $189,855

 Operating expenses:
  Direct operating
   expenses             24,960    63,128    64,139    (8,771)  143,456
  General and
   administrative        4,874     4,008     4,660     6,052    19,594
  Depreciation and
   amortization          4,769     9,682     4,795        78    19,324
  Impairment                --     1,184        --        --     1,184
  (Gain) loss on sales
   of assets               785        --       (17)       --       768
                      --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
 Total operating
  expenses              35,388    78,002    73,577    (2,641)  184,326
                      --------  --------  --------  --------  --------

 Operating income
  (loss)              $ (3,974) $  9,517  $  6,116  $ (6,130)  $ 5,529
                      ========  ========  ========  ========  ========

                             Three Months Ended June 30, 2009
                      ------------------------------------------------
                                           Subsea
                                          Trenching Corporate
                       Towing    Subsea   and Pro-  & Elim-
                     and Supply Services  tection   inations    Total
                      --------  --------  --------  --------  --------

 Revenues             $ 32,548  $ 85,454  $ 68,353  $ (6,623) $179,732

 Operating expenses:
  Direct operating
   expenses             22,705    61,793    52,346    (6,623)  130,221
  General and
   administrative        5,006     3,807     3,917     6,660    19,390
  Depreciation and
   amortization          4,769     9,181     4,518        79    18,547
  Impairment                --    14,023        --        --    14,023
  Gain on sales of
   assets              (17,667)       --        (9)       (8)  (17,684)
                      --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
 Total operating
  expenses              14,813    88,804    60,772       108   164,497
                      --------  --------  --------  --------  --------

 Operating income
  (loss)              $ 17,735  $ (3,350)  $ 7,581  $ (6,731) $ 15,235
                      ========  ========  ========  ========  ========


 Internally, we measure operating performance based on EBITDA, a
 non-GAAP financial measure, and we believe EBITDA is used by
 investors to evaluate and compare our cash flow generating capacity
 to other companies in our industry. We calculate EBITDA as operating
 income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, impairments and
 (gain) loss on sale of assets.


           TRICO MARINE SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          Vessel Metrics
       


                                 Month         Three Months Ended
                                 Ended    ----------------------------
                                Oct. 31,  Sept. 30, June 30,  March 31,
                                  2009      2009      2009      2009
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
 Average Day Rates:
 Subsea Services
  MSVs (1)                      $ 90,554  $ 86,772  $ 79,164  $ 68,051
  SPSVs/MPSVs (2)                 26,421    26,995    27,638    21,104

 Subsea Trenching and
  Protection                    $140,717  $141,049  $127,991  $ 91,120

 Towing and Supply
  North Sea Class (3)           $ 16,008  $ 17,796  $ 17,012  $ 19,206
  OSVs (4)                         6,781     6,167     6,645     7,168

 Utilization:
 Subsea Services
  MSVs                               66%       91%       92%       73%
  SPSVs/MPSVs                        58%       71%       80%       68%

 Subsea Trenching and Protection     93%       97%       98%       90%

 Towing and Supply
  North Sea Class                    78%       83%       76%       81%
  OSVs                               66%       61%       66%       67%

 Average Number of Vessels:
 Subsea Services
  MSVs                              10.0      10.0       9.7       9.1
  SPSVs/MPSVs                        7.0       7.5       7.0       7.0

 Subsea Trenching and Protection     4.4       4.4       4.8       3.5

 Towing and Supply
  North Sea Class                   10.0      12.0      12.3      13.0
  OSVs                              29.0      33.0      37.4      38.0

 ----------------------
 (1) Multi-purpose service vessels
 (2) Subsea platform supply vessels/Multi-purpose platform supply
     vessels
 (3) Anchor handling, towing and supply vessels and platform
     supply vessels
 (4) Offshore supply vessels


                   Trico Marine Service, Inc.
       Debt Schedule at September 30, 2009 and Pro Forma
                    for High-Yield Notes
                        (Unaudited)
                      (In thousands)
                                                     Without Pro-Forma
                                                      High    for High
                                                      Yield    Yield
                                                      Notes    Notes
                                                    --------  --------
                                                    Sept. 30, Sept. 30,
                                                      2009      2009
                                                    --------  --------
 Remaining debt:
 $50 million U.S. Revolving Credit Facility
  Agreement, maturing in December 2011              $ 31,509  $ 31,509
 $202.8 million face amount, 8.125% Convertible
  Debentures, net of unamortized discount of $13.5
  million as of September 30, 2009, interest payable
  semi-annually in arrears, maturing on
  February 1, 2013                                   189,317   189,317
 $150.0 million face amount, 3.0% Senior Convertible
  Debentures, net of unamortized discount of
  $31.5 million and $35.9 million as of
  September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008,
  respectively, interest payable semi-annually in
  arrears, maturing on January 15, 2027              118,483   118,483
 6.11% Notes, principal and interest due in 30
  semi-annual installments, maturing April 2014        6,286     6,286
 Other debt                                              726       726
                                                    --------  --------
 Total amount of remaining debt                      346,321   346,321

 New debt:
 Senior Secured Notes                                     --   385,572
 Trico Shipping Working Capital Facility                            --
                                                    --------  --------
 Total amount of new debt                                 --   385,572

 Debt paid and refinanced:
 NOK 350 million Revolving Credit Facility,
  maturing January 1, 2010                            59,803        --
 NOK 230 million Revolving Credit Facility,
  maturing January 1, 2010                            19,822        --
 NOK 150 million Additional Term Loan, maturing
  January 1, 2010                                      9,097        --
 NOK 200 million Overdraft Facility, maturing
  January 1, 2010                                     16,028        --
 23.3 million Euro Revolving Credit Facility,
  maturing March 31, 2010                             20,671        --
 $100 and $200 million Revolving Credit Facility,
  maturing in May 2013                               172,759        --
 $18 million Revolving Credit Facility, maturing
  December 5, 2011                                    14,500        --
 8 million Sterling Overdraft Facility,
  due on demand                                       17,173        --
 24.2 million Sterling Asset Financing Revolving
  Credit Facility, maturing no later than
  December 13, 2014                                   16,762        --
 Finance lease obligations assumed in the
  acquisition of DeepOcean, maturing from
  October 2009 to November 2015                       14,873        --
 Other debt assumed in the acquisition of DeepOcean    6,246        --
                                                    --------  --------
 Total amount of debt paid and refinanced            367,734        --

 Total debt                                          714,055   731,893
 Less current maturities                             239,787    22,296
                                                    --------  --------
 Long-term debt                                     $474,268  $709,597
                                                    ========  ========

            

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