13.07.2012 18:03:00
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FTS International Inc. -- Moody's downgrades FTS International's CFR to B2 from B1
New York, July 13, 2012 -- Moody's Investors Service downgraded the Corporate Family Rating (CFR) at FTS International Inc. (FTSI) to B2 from B1 and the FTSI term loan facility to B3 from B2. Moody's affirmed the Ba3 rating on FTS International Services, LLC's (FTSI Services) $550mm senior notes due 2018. All ratings of FTSI and FTSI Services were placed on review for downgrade.
RATING ACTIONS
..Issuer: FTS International Inc. (FTSI)
Corporate Family Rating, downgraded to B2 from B1
Probability of Default Rating, downgraded to B2 from B1
Senior Term Loan Facility, downgraded to B3 from B2, and revised LGD-5 (71%) from LGD-5 (75%)
..Issuer: FTS International Services, LLC (FTSI Services)
$550 million Senior Notes, affirmed at Ba3 and revised LGD-2 (23%) from LGD-3 (30%)
RATINGS RATIONALE
"FTSI's ratings downgrades are reflective of failed expectations of debt reduction, resulting higher leverage profile and heightened liquidity concerns amid an accelerated decline in profitability due to lower pricing and higher operating costs," stated Michael Somogyi, Moody's Vice President and Senior Analyst. Reflective of this challenging operating environment, FTSI is at risk of breaching the leverage covenant ratio in its senior secured term loan and is seeking to effect a refinancing plan intended to provide for additional financial flexibility.
The downgrade of FTSI's CFR to B2 from B1 reflects expected weaker profitability and resulting higher leverage profile. The downgrade of FTSI's senior secured term loan to B3 from B2 is reflective of its structural subordination to the senior notes at FTSI Services as expressed under Moody's Loss Given Default Methodology. The $1.5 billion term loan is secured by the equity ownership in FTSI Services and matures in May 2016.
FTSI operates in a highly cyclical industry with the level of drilling activity by E&P companies being the key driver influencing demand for fracturing services. E&P capex, in turn, depends largely on current and anticipated future crude oil and natural gas prices and production depletion rates. Since late 2011, low natural gas prices, the resulting shift by E&P companies from natural gas to oil and liquids rich plays and an increase in the supply of hydraulic fracturing equipment have all combined to reduce the prices for hydraulic fracturing services. Additionally, the fracturing services industry has experienced a sharp increase in costs associated with certain materials used in the hydraulic fracturing process and logistics and mobilization costs to relocate equipment from natural gas plays to oil and liquids plays.
The rating on FTSI Services' $550mm senior notes due 2018 were affirmed at Ba3, two notches above FTSI's B2 CFR. The senior notes are unsecured but have a structurally superior claim to the company's assets compared to the term loan as expressed under Moody's Loss Given Default Methodology.
All the ratings remain on review for downgrade subject to the evolution of FTSI's capital structure. We expect FTSI will seek covenant relief for its term loan facility and possibly restructure other aspects of its capital structure. While the company has discussed various alternatives, it is not clear what form this will take. During the review, we will assess FTSI Services expected operating cash flows in light of its second quarter results and evaluate FTSI's revised capital structure. We could confirm FTSI's B2 CFR if its leverage is expected to be no higher the 5x, otherwise we would likely downgrade the CFR and accompanying ratings on individual securities.
The principal methodology used in rating FTS International was the Global Oilfield Services Industry Methodology published in December 2009. Other methodologies used include Loss Given Default for Speculative-Grade Non-Financial Companies in the U.S., Canada and EMEA published in June 2009. Please see the Credit Policy page on www.moodys.com for a copy of these methodologies.
FTS International Inc. is a privately held oilfield services company formed by an investor group led by a subsidiary of Temasek Holdings Limited (Private) to acquire the majority shareholder of FTS International Services, LLC. The acquisition was funded through a combination of cash equity provided by the investor group and $1.5 billion term loan. FTS International Inc. is currently owned by Temasek (40%), Senja (11%), Other Investors (18%), Chesapeake (30%) with Management retaining 1% ownership.
FTS International Inc. is headquartered in Forth Worth, Texas.
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Michael Somogyi Vice President - Senior Analyst Corporate Finance Group Moody'sInvestors Service, Inc.250 Greenwich StreetNew York, NY 10007 U.S.A. JOURNALISTS: 212-553-0376 SUBSCRIBERS: 212-553-1653Steven Wood MD - Corporate Finance Corporate Finance Group JOURNALISTS: 212-553-0376 SUBSCRIBERS: 212-553-1653 Releasing Office: Moody's Investors Service, Inc.250 Greenwich StreetNew York, NY 10007 U.S.A. JOURNALISTS: 212-553-0376 SUBSCRIBERS: 212-553-1653(C) 2012 Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and/or its licensors and affiliates (collectively, "MOODY'S"). All rights reserved.
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