Weatherford Reports Fourth Quarter Income from Continuing Operations of $0.99 Per Diluted Share, Before Non-Recurring Items

25 Jan 2008

Record EPS; 30 Percent Increase Over Prior Year

HOUSTON, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Weatherford International Ltd. (NYSE: WFT) today reported fourth quarter 2007 income from continuing operations of $345 million, or $0.99 per diluted share, before non-recurring items. Fourth quarter diluted earnings per share from continuing operations reflect an improvement of 30 percent over the fourth quarter of 2006 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.76, before non-recurring items. The non-recurring item in the fourth quarter of 2007 results includes investigation and exit costs incurred in connection with the company's exit from sanctioned countries.

Fourth quarter revenues were $2,192 million, or 21 percent higher than the same period last year, against a backdrop of a two percent increase in rig count activity. This is the highest level of quarterly revenues in the company's history.

Sequentially, the company's fourth quarter diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $0.13 higher than the third quarter 2007 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.86, before non-recurring items.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2007, revenues were $7.8 billion and income from continuing operations before non-recurring items was $1,164 million, or $3.35 per diluted share. In 2006, the company reported revenues of $6.6 billion and income from continuing operations before non- recurring items of $900 million, or $2.54 per diluted share.

North America

Revenues for the quarter were $1,054 million. This is a 10 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 19 percent drop in the Canadian rig count. Sequentially, revenues increased six percent, as compared to a one percent increase in rig count. In Canada, artificial lift, well construction and wireline increased on a year over year and sequential basis. In the U.S., artificial lift, well construction, drilling services and completion performed well.

Operating income of $256 million was seven percent lower than the same quarter in the prior year and three percent lower sequentially.

Latin America

Fourth quarter revenues of $256 million were 21 percent higher than the fourth quarter of 2006 and 20 percent higher than the prior quarter. This region's performance reflected strong sequential growth in all of its product lines.

The current quarter's operating income of $63 million improved 37 percent as compared to the same quarter in the prior year and was 40 percent higher when compared to the third quarter of 2007.

Europe/West Africa/CIS

Fourth quarter revenues of $344 million were 50 percent higher than the fourth quarter of 2006 and 12 percent higher than the prior quarter. This region improved across most product lines with the strongest growth in the artificial lift, wireline and drilling services product lines.

The current quarter's operating income of $91 million improved 92 percent as compared to the same quarter in the prior year and 17 percent sequentially.

Middle East/North Africa/Asia

Fourth quarter revenues of $538 million were 31 percent higher than the fourth quarter of 2006 and 18 percent higher than the prior quarter. This region's performance reflected improvements in most product lines with exceptional performance from wireline, completion and drilling services.

The current quarter's operating income of $132 million improved 35 percent as compared to the same quarter in the prior year and 27 percent as compared to the prior quarter.

Discontinued Operations

The company is disposing of its non-core oil and gas development and production business. 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 December 31, 2007, the loss per diluted share from discontinued operations was $0.02.

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 fourth quarter results on January 25, 2008 at 8:00 a.m. (CST). 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 38,000 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 outcome of pending government investigations, 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         Twelve Months
                                  Ended December 31,    Ended December 31,
                                   2007       2006       2007        2006

    Net Revenues:
      North America            $1,053,631   $956,436  $3,937,456  $3,672,630
      Latin America               256,128    211,512     882,318     726,197
      Europe/West Africa/CIS      344,335    229,757   1,188,519     827,343
      Middle East/North
       Africa/Asia                537,747    409,883   1,823,769   1,352,758
                                2,191,841  1,807,588   7,832,062   6,578,928

    Operating Income
     (Expense):
      North America               256,427    274,476   1,013,088   1,040,647
      Latin America                63,427     46,413     203,211     133,027
      Europe/West Africa/CIS       90,935     47,270     293,846     171,798
      Middle East/North
       Africa/Asia                131,953     98,086     416,263     279,953
      Research and Development    (44,904)   (37,384)   (169,317)   (149,429)
      Corporate Expenses          (26,403)   (26,625)   (101,968)    (95,106)
      Exit and Restructuring
       Charges                     (9,843)   (23,433)    (30,787)    (26,203)
                                  461,592    378,803   1,624,336   1,354,687

    Other Income (Expense):
      Other, Net                   (1,545)    (2,801)     (8,569)    (13,218)
      Interest Expense, Net       (52,023)   (32,494)   (171,281)   (102,560)
    Income from Continuing
     Operations Before Income
     Taxes and Minority
     Interest                     408,024    343,508   1,444,486   1,238,909

    Provision for Income Taxes:
      Provision for Operations    (67,434)   (96,758)   (291,252)   (354,156)
      Tax Charges and Benefit
       From Exit and Restructuring
       Charges                      1,752     31,713     (41,508)     32,683
                                  (65,682)   (65,045)   (332,760)   (321,473)

    Income from Continuing
     Operations Before
     Minority Interest            342,342    278,463   1,111,726     917,436
    Minority Interest, Net of
     Taxes                         (5,590)    (3,518)    (19,751)    (11,330)
    Income from Continuing
     Operations                  $336,752   $274,945  $1,091,975    $906,106
    Loss from Discontinued
     Operation, Net of Taxes       (5,741)    (2,943)    (21,369)     (9,737)
    Net Income                   $331,011   $272,002  $1,070,606    $896,369

    Basic Earnings Per Share:
      Income from Continuing
       Operations                   $0.99      $0.81       $3.23       $2.62
      Loss from Discontinued
       Operation                    (0.01)     (0.01)      (0.07)      (0.03)
      Net Income                    $0.98      $0.80       $3.16       $2.59

    Diluted Earnings Per Share:
      Income from Continuing
       Operations                   $0.97      $0.79       $3.14       $2.55
      Loss from Discontinued
       Operation                    (0.02)     (0.01)      (0.06)      (0.02)
      Net Income                    $0.95      $0.78       $3.08       $2.53

    Weighted Average Shares
     Outstanding:
      Basic                       338,547    340,747     338,516     346,123
      Diluted                     348,659    348,617     347,758     354,832



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

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

    Net Revenues:
      North America $1,053,631   $993,828   $883,364 $1,006,633   $956,436
      Latin America    256,128    213,644    206,604    205,942    211,512
      Europe/West
       Africa/CIS      344,335    308,587    290,639    244,958    229,757
      Middle East/
       North Africa/
       Asia            537,747    455,932    435,338    394,752    409,883
                    $2,191,841 $1,971,991 $1,815,945 $1,852,285 $1,807,588

    Operating Income
     (Expense):
      North America   $256,427   $264,183   $192,268   $300,210    274,476
      Latin America     63,427     45,453     45,742     48,589     46,413
      Europe/West
       Africa/CIS       90,935     77,886     69,790     55,235     47,270
      Middle East/
       North Africa/
       Asia            131,953    103,839     96,998     83,473     98,086
      Research and
       Development     (44,904)   (43,199)   (40,700)   (40,514)   (37,384)
      Corporate
       Expenses        (26,403)   (24,945)   (23,525)   (27,095)   (26,625)
      Exit and
       Restructuring
       Charges          (9,843)    (3,628)   (13,132)    (4,184)   (23,433)
                      $461,592   $419,589   $327,441   $415,714   $378,803


                           Supplemental Information
                                 (Unaudited)
                                  (In 000's)

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

    Depreciation and
     Amortization:
      North America    $74,452    $74,047    $66,959    $61,764    $58,475
      Latin America     21,352     18,880     17,118     16,739     17,307
      Europe/West
       Africa/CIS       24,671     22,926     20,936     18,235     17,259
      Middle East/
       North Africa/
       Asia             44,220     40,983     36,951     36,167     32,549
      Research and
       Development       1,671      1,678      1,669      1,620      1,819
      Corporate            825        463        909        990      1,576
                      $167,191   $158,977   $144,542   $135,515   $128,985


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 September 30, 2007 and the three months and years ended December 31, 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          Year Ended
                     Dec. 31,  Sept. 30,  Dec. 31,  Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,
                       2007      2007       2006      2007          2006

    Operating Income:
      GAAP Operating
       Income       $461,592  $419,589   $378,803  $1,624,336   $1,354,687
      Exit and
       restructuring
       charges         9,843(a)  3,628(b)  23,433(c)   30,787(d)    26,203(e)
      Non-GAAP
       Operating
       Income       $471,435  $423,217   $402,236  $1,655,123   $1,380,890

    Provision for
     Income Taxes:
      GAAP
       Provision
       for Income
       Taxes        $(65,682) $(70,429)  $(65,045)  $(332,760)   $(321,473)
      Tax impact
       of charges     (1,752)(a)  (646)(b) (5,315)(c)  (8,492)(d)   (6,285)(e)
      Other
       (benefits)
       charges             -         -    (26,398)(c)  50,000(d)   (26,398)(e)
      Non-GAAP
       Provision
       for Income
       Taxes        $(67,434) $(71,075)  $(96,758)  $(291,252)   $(354,156)


    Income from
     Continuing
     Operations:
      GAAP Income
       from
       Continuing
       Operations   $336,752  $294,924   $274,945  $1,091,975     $906,106
      Total
       charges,
       net of tax      8,091(a)  2,982(b)  (8,280)(c)  72,295(d)    (6,480)(e)
      Non-GAAP
       Income from
       Continuing
       Operations   $344,843  $297,906   $266,665  $1,164,270     $899,626


    Diluted Earnings
     Per Share From
     Continuing
     Operations:
      GAAP Diluted
       Earnings per
       Share From      $0.97     $0.85      $0.79       $3.14        $2.55
      Continuing
       Operations
       Total charges,
       net of tax       0.02(a)   0.01(b)   (0.03)(c)    0.21(d)     (0.01)(e)
      Non-GAAP
       Diluted
       Earnings
       per Share
       From
       Continuing
       Operations      $0.99     $0.86      $0.76        $3.35       $2.54


    Note (a): This amount represents investigation and exit costs incurred in
    connection with on-going investigations by the U.S. government.  On an
    after tax basis, these charges approximated $8.1 million during the three
    months ended December 31, 2007.

    Note (b): This amount represents investigation and exit costs incurred in
    connection with on-going investigations by the U.S. government.  On an
    after tax basis, these charges approximated $2.9 million during the three
    months ended September 30, 2007.

    Note (c): This amount represents severance charges associated with the
    Company's restructuring activities.  On an after tax basis, these charges
    approximated $18.1 million during the three months ended December 31,
    2006.  In addition, the Company realized a tax benefit of $26.4 million
    related to the favorable settlement of certain foreign tax exposures.

    Note (d): This amount represents investigation and exit costs incurred in
    connection with on-going investigations by the U.S. government.  On an
    after-tax basis, these charges approximated $11.0 million during the year
    ended December 31, 2007.  In addition, the Company incurred severance
    charges associated with its restructuring activities during the first half
    of 2007.  On an after tax basis, these charges approximated $11.2 million
    for the year ended December 31, 2007.  The Company also 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.

    Note (e): This amount represents severance charges associated with the
    Company's restructuring activities.  On an after tax basis, these charges
    approximated $19.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2006.  In
    addition, the Company realized a tax benefit of $26.4 million related to
    the favorable settlement of certain foreign tax exposures.

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
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