Weatherford Reports Second Quarter Income From Continuing Operations of $0.68 Per Diluted Share Before Non-Recurring Items

23 Jul 2007
 28 Percent Increase Over Prior Year, Despite Severe Canadian Market Declines

HOUSTON, July 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Weatherford International Ltd. (NYSE: WFT) today reported second quarter 2007 net income of $235.0 million from continuing operations, or $0.68 per diluted share, before non-recurring items. Second quarter diluted earnings per share from continuing operations reflect an improvement of 28 percent over the second quarter of 2006 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.53, before non-recurring items. The non-recurring items in the second quarter of 2007 results include severance associated with the company's second quarter restructuring activities of $8.6 million, after tax, and $50.0 million of expense for withholding taxes on a distribution made by the company to one of its foreign subsidiaries.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990308/WEATHERFORDLOGO )

Second quarter revenues were $1,815.9 million, or 18 percent higher than the same period last year, against a backdrop of a two percent increase in rig activity.

Sequentially, the company's second quarter diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were lower than the record first quarter 2007 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.83, before non-recurring items, primarily due to an unusually severe seasonal downturn in the Canadian market.

In the first six months of 2007, revenues were $3.7 billion and income from continuing operations before charges was $521.5 million, or $1.50 per diluted share. In 2006, the company reported revenues for the first six months of $3.1 billion and income from continuing operations before charges of $396.8 million, or $1.11 per diluted share.

North America

Revenues for the quarter were $883.4 million. This is a five percent increase over the same quarter in the prior year, as compared to a one percent rig count decline. Growth in the U.S. rig count was more than offset by a 51% drop in the Canadian rig count. Sequentially, revenues decreased 12 percent, as compared to a 16 percent decline in rig count, driven by a 72% sequential decline in the Canadian rig count. In Canada, all product lines declined. In the U.S., artificial lift, completion, wireline, drilling services and chemicals & stimulation performed exceptionally well.

Operating income of $192.3 million was 14 percent lower than the same quarter in the prior year and 36 percent lower than the preceding quarter. The sharp drop in Canadian activity negatively impacted operating margins.

Latin America

Second quarter revenues of $206.6 million were 16 percent higher than the second quarter of 2006 and essentially flat with the prior quarter. This region's performance reflected the strongest sequential growth in its artificial lift, drilling services and well construction product lines.

The current quarter's operating income of $45.7 million improved 36 percent as compared to the same quarter in the prior year and decreased six percent as compared to the first quarter of 2007. Sequentially, the decrease in operating income was primarily driven by decreased activity in Venezuela's Orinoco basin, where the company has a substantial share of the heavy oil market.

Europe/West Africa/CIS

Second quarter revenues of $290.6 million were 42 percent higher than the second quarter of 2006 and 19 percent higher than the prior quarter. This region improved across all product lines with the strongest growth in the completion, drilling services, wireline and drilling tools product lines.

The current quarter's operating income of $68.8 million improved 52 percent as compared to the same quarter in the prior year and 26 percent as compared to the first quarter of 2007.

Middle East/North Africa/Asia

Second quarter revenues of $435.3 million were 38 percent higher than the second quarter of 2006 and 10 percent higher than the prior quarter. This region's performance reflected sequential improvements in its drilling services, artificial lift, completion and drilling tools service lines.

The current quarter's operating income of $97.0 million improved 68 percent as compared to the same quarter in the prior year and 16 percent as compared to the prior quarter.

Discontinued Operations

The company is disposing of an R&D driven investment in producing oilfield assets. The results of operations of this business for the current and prior periods are reflected as discontinued operations, net of taxes. For the three months ended June 30, 2007, the loss per diluted share from discontinued operations was $0.03.

Reclassifications and Non-GAAP

Non-GAAP performance measures and corresponding reconciliations to GAAP financial measures have been provided for meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods.

Conference Call

The company will host a conference call with financial analysts to discuss the 2007 second quarter results on July 23, 2007 at 7:30 a.m. (CDT). The company invites investors to listen to a play back of the conference call at the company's website, http://www.weatherford.com in the "investor relations" section.

Weatherford is one of the largest global providers of innovative mechanical solutions, technology and services for the drilling and production sectors of the oil and gas industry. Weatherford operates in over 100 countries and employs approximately 33,500 people worldwide.

Contact: Andrew P. Becnel (713) 693-4136

                Chief Financial Officer

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning, among other things, Weatherford's prospects for its operations which are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These risks and uncertainties, which are more fully described in Weatherford International Ltd.'s reports and registration statements filed with the SEC, include the impact of oil and natural gas prices and worldwide economic conditions on drilling activity, the demand for and pricing of Weatherford's products and services, domestic and international economic and regulatory conditions and changes in tax and other laws affecting our business. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those currently anticipated.



                        Weatherford International Ltd.
                 Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income
                                 (Unaudited)
                     (In 000's, Except Per Share Amounts)

                                      Three Months            Six Months
                                     Ended June 30,         Ended June 30,
                                    2007       2006        2007        2006
    Net Revenues:
       North America              $883,364   $839,753  $1,889,997  $1,762,187
       Latin America               206,604    178,637     412,546     340,732
       Europe/West Africa/CIS      290,639    205,092     535,597     382,316
       Middle East/North
        Africa/Asia                435,338    315,094     830,090     589,352
                                 1,815,945  1,538,576   3,668,230   3,074,587

    Operating Income (Expense):
       North America               192,268    222,276     492,166     484,689
       Latin America                45,742     33,575      94,331      58,737
       Europe/West Africa/CIS       68,801     45,178     123,558      79,353
       Middle East/North
        Africa/Asia                 96,998     57,806     180,471     104,120
       Research and Development    (40,700)   (37,361)    (81,214)    (73,804)
       Equity in Earnings              989      3,293       1,779       5,927
       Corporate Expenses          (23,525)   (21,507)    (50,620)    (43,763)
       Exit Costs and
        Restructuring Charges      (13,132)    (2,770)    (17,316)     (2,770)
                                   327,441    300,490     743,155     612,489

    Other Income (Expense):
       Other, Net                   (5,934)    (9,926)     (8,306)    (10,749)
       Interest Expense, Net       (35,293)   (23,637)    (69,064)    (42,579)
    Income from Continuing
     Operations
       Before Income Taxes and
        Minority Interest          286,214    266,927     665,785     559,161

    Provision for Income Taxes:
     Provision for Operations      (59,845)   (78,503)   (152,743)   (163,376)
     Tax Charges and Benefit
      From Exit and
      Restructuring Charges        (45,426)       970     (43,906)        970
                                  (105,271)   (77,533)   (196,649)   (162,406)

    Income from Continuing
     Operations Before Minority
     Interest                      180,943    189,394     469,136     396,755
    Minority Interest, Net of
     Taxes                          (4,463)      (899)     (8,837)     (1,736)
    Income from Continuing
     Operations                   $176,480   $188,495    $460,299    $395,019
    Loss from Discontinued
     Operation, Net of Taxes       (11,170)    (1,648)    (13,417)     (4,855)
    Net Income                    $165,310   $186,847    $446,882    $390,164

    Basic Earnings Per Share:
     Income from Continuing
      Operations                     $0.52      $0.54       $1.36       $1.13
     Loss from Discontinued
      Operation                      (0.03)     (0.00)      (0.04)      (0.01)
     Net Income                      $0.49      $0.54       $1.32       $1.12

    Diluted Earnings Per Share:
     Income from Continuing
      Operations                     $0.51      $0.53       $1.33       $1.10
     Loss from Discontinued
      Operation                      (0.03)     (0.01)      (0.04)      (0.01)
     Net Income                      $0.48      $0.52       $1.29       $1.09

    Weighted Average Shares
     Outstanding:
      Basic                        338,331    348,853     338,670     349,006
      Diluted                      347,817    358,433     347,062     358,164



                        Weatherford International Ltd.
                    Selected Income Statement Information
                                 (Unaudited)
                                  (In 000's)

                                          Three Months
                                             Ended
                        6/30/2007  3/31/2007 12/31/2006  9/30/2006  6/30/2006

    Net Revenues:
         North America   $883,364 $1,006,633   $956,436   $954,007   $839,753
         Latin America    206,604    205,942    211,512    173,953    178,637
         Europe/West
          Africa/CIS      290,639    244,958    229,757    215,270    205,092
         Middle East/
           North Africa/
           Asia           435,338    394,752    409,883    353,523    315,094
                       $1,815,945 $1,852,285 $1,807,588 $1,696,753 $1,538,576

    Operating Income
     (Expense):
         North America   $192,268   $299,898   $274,007   $281,484   $222,276
         Latin America     45,742     48,589     46,413     27,877     33,575
         Europe/West
          Africa/CIS       68,801     54,757     47,646     46,049     45,178
         Middle East/North
          Africa/Asia      96,998     83,473     98,086     71,134     57,806
         Research and
          Development     (40,700)   (40,514)   (37,384)   (38,241)   (37,361)
         Equity in
          Earnings (Losses)   989        790         93       (190)     3,293
         Corporate
          Expenses        (23,525)   (27,095)   (26,625)   (24,718)   (21,507)
         Exit Costs and
          Restructuring
          Charges         (13,132)    (4,184)   (23,433)        --     (2,770)
                         $327,441   $415,714   $378,803   $363,395   $300,490



                           Supplemental Information
                                 (Unaudited)
                                  (In 000's)

                                              Three Months
                                                 Ended
                           6/30/2007 3/31/2007 12/31/2006 9/30/2006 6/30/2006

    Depreciation and
     Amortization:
      North America          $66,959   $61,764    $58,475   $58,102   $53,829
      Latin America           17,118    16,739     17,307    16,856    15,251
      Europe/West
       Africa/CIS             20,936    18,235     17,259    16,460    16,084
      Middle East/North
       Africa/Asia            36,951    36,167     32,549    29,653    27,263
      Research and
       Development             1,669     1,620      1,819     1,813     1,867
      Corporate                  909       990      1,576       596       700
                            $144,542  $135,515   $128,985  $123,480  $114,994


We report our financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, Weatherford's management believes that certain non-GAAP performance measures and ratios may provide users of this financial information additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods. One such non-GAAP financial measure we may present from time to time is operating income or income from continuing operations excluding certain charges or amounts. This adjusted income amount is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP. Accordingly, it should not be considered as a substitute for operating income, net income or other income data prepared in accordance with GAAP. See the table below for supplemental financial data and corresponding reconciliations to GAAP financial measures for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, the three months ended March 31, 2007 and the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the Company's reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP.



                        Weatherford International Ltd.
            Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
                                 (Unaudited)
                    (In thousands, except per share data)

                               Three Months Ended       Six Months Ended
                        June 30,   March 31, June 30,  June 30,   June 30,
                          2007       2007      2006      2007       2006
    Operating Income:
      GAAP Operating
       Income           $327,441  $415,714  $300,490   $743,155   $612,489
       Exit costs and
        restructuring
        charges           13,132(a)  4,184(b)  2,770(c)  17,316(d)   2,770(e)
      Non-GAAP
       Operating Income $340,573  $419,898  $303,260   $760,471   $615,259


    Provision for Income
     Taxes:
      GAAP Provision
       for Income
       Taxes           $(105,271) $(91,378) $(77,533) $(196,649) $(162,406)
       Tax impact of
        charges           (4,574)(a)(1,520)(b)  (970)(c) (6,094)(d)   (970)(e)
       Other charge       50,000(a)     --        --     50,000(d)      --
      Non-GAAP
       Provision
       for Income Taxes $(59,845) $(92,898) $(78,503) $(152,743) $(163,376)


    Income from
     Continuing
     Operations:
      GAAP Income
       from Continuing
       Operations        $176,480  $283,819  $188,495   $460,299   $395,019
       Total charges,
        net of tax         58,558(a)  2,664(b)  1,800(c)  61,222(d)   1,800(e)
      Non-GAAP Income
       from Continuing
       Operations        $235,038  $286,483  $190,295   $521,521   $396,819


    Diluted Earnings Per
     Share From
     Continuing
     Operations:
      GAAP Diluted
       Earnings per
       Share From
       Continuing
       Operations           $0.51     $0.82     $0.53      $1.33      $1.10
       Total charges, net
        of tax               0.17(a)   0.01(b)   0.00(c)    0.17(d)    0.01(e)
      Non-GAAP Diluted
       Earnings per Share
       From Continuing
       Operations           $0.68     $0.83     $0.53      $1.50      $1.11


    Note (a): This amount represents severance charges associated with the
    Company's restructuring activities. On an after tax basis, these charges
    approximated $8.6 million during the three months ended June 30, 2007. In
    addition, the Company incurred a tax charge of $50.0 million for
    withholding taxes required to be paid on a distribution made by the
    Company to one of its foreign subsidiaries. On an after tax basis, these
    items resulted in an effect of seventeen cents per diluted share for the
    three months ended June 30, 2007.

    Note (b): This amount represents severance charges associated with the
    Company's restructuring activities. On an after tax basis, these charges
    approximated $2.7 million, or one cent per diluted share, during the three
    months ended March 31, 2007.

    Note (c): This amount represents severance charges associated with the
    integration of the Precision acquisition. On an after tax basis, these
    charges approximated $1.8 million during the three months ended June 30,
    2006.

    Note (d): This amount represents severance charges associated with the
    Company's restructuring activities. On an after tax basis, these charges
    approximated $11.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2007. In
    addition, the Company incurred a tax charge of $50.0 million for
    withholding taxes required to be paid on a distribution made by the
    Company to one of its foreign subsidiaries. On an after tax basis, these
    items resulted in an effect of seventeen cents per diluted share for the
    six months ended June 30, 2007.

    Note (e): This amount represents severance charges associated with the
    integration of the Precision acquisition. On an after tax basis, these
    charges approximated $1.8 million, or one cent per diluted share, during
    the six months ended June 30, 2006.


SOURCE Weatherford International Ltd.

CONTACT: Andrew P. Becnel, Chief Financial Officer of Weatherford
International Ltd., +1-713-693-4136
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Web site: http://www.weatherford.com