Form 6-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 6-K

 


Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16

under

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of February 2007

Commission File Number 001-33161

NORTH AMERICAN ENERGY PARTNERS INC.

Zone 3 Acheson Industrial Area

2-53016 Highway 60

Acheson, Alberta

Canada T7X 5A7

(Address of principal executive offices)

 


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F  x    Form 40-F  
¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule
101(b)(1):  
¨

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Yes    ¨  No    x

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule
12g3-2(b):                        .

Included herein:

 

1. Q3 fiscal 2007 earnings news release for North American Energy Partners Inc., dated February 14, 2007.

 



SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

NORTH AMERICAN ENERGY

PARTNERS INC.

By:

  /s/    Douglas A. Wilkes

Name:

  Douglas A. Wilkes

Title:

  Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer

Date: February 14, 2007


LOGO

  

NORTH AMERICAN ENERGY PARTNERS ANNOUNCES

RECORD THIRD QUARTER REVENUE

ACHESON, AB, Canada (February 14, 2007) – North American Energy Partners Inc. (“NAEPI”) (TSX: NOA) (NYSE: NOA) today announced results for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2006. Record revenue of $155.9 million propelled earnings to $6.6 million or $0.27 per share (basic) for the quarter, up from $2.1 million or $0.11 per share for the same period in fiscal 2006. The Company has earned $19.8 million ($0.96 basic earnings per share) for the first nine months of fiscal 2007, an increase of $55.4 million ($2.87 basic earnings per share) over the prior year loss of $35.6 million.

The Company also completed an initial public offering (“IPO”) for its common shares in the quarter. Including the subsequent over allotment, net proceeds received by the Company were $153 million on the issue of 9,437,500 voting common shares. Proceeds were used to retire debt, redeem preferred shares and to purchase certain leased equipment. At the same time as the closing of the IPO, NACG Holding Inc. amalgamated with its two subsidiaries, NACG Preferred Corp. and NAEPI, with the amalgamated company continuing as NAEPI.

“The quarter had many highlights” said Rod Ruston, President and CEO. “Taking the Company public was certainly an historic milestone which has positioned us to take advantage of what we see as a strong and growing business environment. Another highlight was achieving record revenue for the quarter.” Ruston added, “The operations in most of the Company continued to perform very well, despite challenges with the weather and rising equipment and tire costs. Our only area of shortfall came in the Pipeline division, which experienced some operational difficulties, primarily due to an unseasonably large amount of rain and changed conditions experienced on two projects.”

Financial Highlights

In CAD$ millions except earnings per share and equipment hours

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31
    Nine Months Ended
December 31
 
     2006     2005     2006     2005  

Revenue

   $ 155.9     $ 121.5     $ 424.0     $ 349.9  

Gross Profit

   $ 26.0     $ 13.8     $ 78.8     $ 48.7  

Gross Margin %

     16.7 %     11.4 %     18.6 %     13.9 %

Net Income(loss)

   $ 6.6     $ 2.1     $ 19.8     ($ 35.6 )

Earnings(loss) Per Share (basic)

   $ 0.27     $ 0.11     $ 0.96     ($ 1.91 )

Other Data

        

Consolidated EBITDA

   $ 24.7     $ 11.5     $ 72.2     $ 43.5  

Capital Spending

   $ 78.4     $ 10.3     $ 97.7     $ 24.1  

Equipment Hours

     239,341       221,355       720,057       641,755  

LOGO

 


LOGO

  

Summary

All comparisons are to the three month period ending December 31, 2005.

Revenue was $155.9 million, a $34.4 million increase from $121.5 million in the prior corresponding period, as a result of an increased volume of work in all segments. Segment operating profit also increased by $3.3 million to $17.5 million from $14.2 million, with operating margins improving in Mining and Site Preparation as well as Piling.

 

   

Mining and Site Preparation revenue increased by $21.6 million or 24% to $111.4 million. Segment profit increased by $4.2 million to $9.0 million due to higher revenues, increased profit margins and positive one-time impacts of the IPO.

 

   

The Piling division recorded quarterly revenue of $29.2 million, an $8.3 million improvement. Segment profit also increased significantly, rising from $6.3 million to $10.3 million. Higher revenues and job profit margins accounted for this increase.

 

   

Pipeline revenue was $15.3 million, a $4.5 million increase. The division experienced an operating loss of $1.8 million resulting from weather and other operational challenges on two projects. In the same period last year, this division earned $3.1 million.

Gross profit of $26.0 million was a $12.2 million improvement over last year’s $13.8 million. Higher revenue and lower operating lease expense were offset partially by higher project and equipment costs.

Equipment costs were $29.2 million, an increase of $12.4 million due to higher equipment hours, increased repair costs and significantly higher costs for tires.

General and administrative expense was $3.4 million higher due primarily to $2.0 million in one-time fees to terminate an Advisory Services Agreement. Increased staffing and salary levels also contributed to the increase.

Net income for the period was $6.6 million compared to $2.1 million in the previous corresponding period. Based on a weighted average of 24.7 million and 18.6 million shares outstanding respectively, basic EPS for this quarter was $0.27 as compared to $0.11 last year.

Capital expenditures totaled $78.4 million in the quarter, of which $44.6 million related to the purchase of leased equipment using the net proceeds from the IPO. Most of the remaining expenditure was for growth capital and included growth in the fleet with the addition of 10 new mining trucks.

The IPO and amalgamation impacted pre-tax income and EBITDA as summarized in the following table:

LOGO


LOGO

  

Common Share Offering and Amalgamation Pre-Tax Income and EBITDA Impacts

(in millions of Canadian dollars)    Pre-Tax Income     EBITDA  

Accretion of NAEPI Series A preferred shares

   (0.6 )   (0.6 )

Termination of Advisory Services Agreement

   (2.0 )   (2.0 )

Loss on Retirement of 9% senior secured notes

   (10.8 )   (6.3 )

Gain on NACG Preferred Corp. Series A preferred shares

   9.4     9.4  

Equipment operating lease buy-out adjustments

   6.5     6.5  
            

Total Impacts

   2.5     7.0  
            

Our consolidated financial statements and accompanying Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2006 were filed today with securities regulators in Canada and the United States and are available at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov.

Conference Call

We will be conducting a conference call on Thursday, February 15, 2007 at 7:30 a.m. (MST) to review these financial and operating results. To participate in the call, please dial:

Local or Overseas: 780-424-5694

Toll-free: 1-888-458-1598

Participants Code: 30442#

For instant replay access available until midnight on Thursday, February 22, 2007, please dial:

Local or Overseas: 403-232-0933

Toll-free: 1-877-653-0545

Participant Code: 381105#

A live and on-demand webcast and podcast will also be available in the Investor Relations section of our website at www.nacg.ca.

********************

Certain statements contained in this news release may include forward-looking information with respect to North American Energy Partners Inc.’s operations and future financial results. Such statements are based on current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. As a result, actual results may differ materially from those contained in these statements. For further information, please refer to the disclosure documents filed with securities regulatory authorities in Canada and the United States.

********************

LOGO


LOGO

  

North American Energy Partners Inc. (TSX: NOA) (NYSE: NOA) is one of the largest providers of mining and site preparation, piling and pipeline installation services in western Canada. For more than 50 years, we have provided services to large oil, natural gas and resource companies, with a principal focus on the Canadian oil sands. We maintain one of the largest independently owned equipment fleets in the region.

 

For further information, please contact:

   Kevin Rowand   
   Investor Relations Manager   
   North American Energy Partners Inc.   
   Phone: (780) 960-4531   
   Fax: (780) 960-7103   
   Email: krowand@nacg.ca   

LOGO


NORTH AMERICAN ENERGY PARTNERS INC.

(formerly NACG Holdings Inc.)

Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands of Canadian dollars)

 

     December 31,
2006
    March 31,
2006
 
     (unaudited)        

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 7,107     $ 42,804  

Accounts receivable

     97,991       67,235  

Unbilled revenue

     39,118       43,494  

Inventory

     156       57  

Prepaid expenses and deposits

     20,383       1,796  

Other assets

     12,294       1,004  

Future income taxes

     21,774       5,583  
                
     198,823       161,973  

Future income taxes

     18,582       23,367  

Plant and equipment

     270,417       184,562  

Goodwill

     199,067       198,549  

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $17,518 (March 31, 2006 - $17,026)

     615       772  

Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $6,846 (March 31, 2006 - $6,004)

     12,105       17,788  
                
   $ 699,609     $ 587,011  
                

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

    

Current liabilities:

    

Revolving credit facility

   $ 15,000     $ —    

Accounts payable

     80,443       54,085  

Accrued liabilities

     11,411       24,603  

Billings in excess of costs incurred and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts

     8,792       5,124  

Current portion of capital lease obligations

     3,357       3,046  

Future income taxes

     13,045       5,583  
                
     132,048       92,441  

Capital lease obligations

     6,411       7,906  

Senior notes

     233,060       304,007  

Derivative financial instruments

     60,193       63,611  

Redeemable preferred shares

     —         77,568  

Future income taxes

     24,678       23,367  
                
     456,390       568,900  
                

Shareholders’ equity:

    

Common shares (authorized – unlimited number of voting and non-voting common shares; issued and outstanding – December 31, 2006 - 35,192,260 voting common shares and 412,400 non-voting common shares (March 31, 2006 – 18,207,600 voting common shares and 412,400 non-voting common shares))

     296,801       93,100  

Contributed surplus

     3,247       1,557  

Deficit

     (56,829 )     (76,546 )
                
     243,219       18,111  
                
   $ 699,609     $ 587,011  
                

 


NORTH AMERICAN ENERGY PARTNERS INC.

(formerly NACG Holdings Inc.)

Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

 

    

Three months ended

December 31

   

Nine months ended

December 31

 
     2006     2005     2006     2005  

Revenue

   $ 155,858     $ 121,524     $ 424,024     $ 349,887  

Project costs

     92,023       81,028       232,115       226,786  

Equipment costs

     29,244       16,808       78,777       48,119  

Equipment operating lease expense

     2,088       4,316       15,657       10,300  

Depreciation

     6,531       5,525       18,665       16,007  
                                

Gross profit

     25,972       13,847       78,810       48,675  

General and administrative

     11,647       8,179       30,894       21,884  

Loss (gain) on disposal of plant and equipment

     381       (453 )     839       (774 )

Amortization of intangible assets

     127       182       492       548  
                                

Operating income before the undernoted

     13,817       5,939       46,585       27,017  

Interest expense

     9,292       8,287       29,786       61,442  

Foreign exchange loss (gain)

     10,897       897       (2,497 )     (14,343 )

Realized and unrealized (gain) loss on derivative financial instruments

     (13,315 )     (5,432 )     (1,533 )     13,365  

Gain on repurchase of NACG Preferred Corp. Series A preferred shares

     (9,400 )     —         (9,400 )     —    

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     10,875       —         10,928       2,095  

Other income

     (233 )     (82 )     (824 )     (350 )
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

     5,701       2,269       20,125       (35,192 )

Income taxes:

        

Current income taxes

     —         150       (2,844 )     394  

Future income taxes

     (938 )     —         3,193       —    
                                

Net income (loss) for the period

     6,639       2,119       19,776       (35,586 )

Deficit, beginning of period

     (63,409 )     (92,310 )     (76,546 )     (54,605 )

Premium on repurchase of common shares

     (59 )     —         (59 )     —    
                                

Deficit, end of period

   $ (56,829 )   $ (90,191 )   $ (56,829 )   $ (90,191 )
                                

Net income (loss) per share – basic

   $ 0.27     $ 0.11     $ 0.96     $ (1.91 )
                                

Net income (loss) per share – diluted

   $ 0.26     $ 0.11     $ 0.90     $ (1.91 )
                                

 


NORTH AMERICAN ENERGY PARTNERS INC.

(formerly NACG Holdings Inc.)

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands of Canadian dollars)

(unaudited)

 

    

Three months ended

December 31

   

Nine months ended

December 31

 
     2006     2005     2006     2005  

Cash provided by (used in):

        

Operating activities:

        

Net income (loss) for the period

   $ 6,639     $ 2,119     $ 19,776     $ (35,586 )

Items not affecting cash:

        

Depreciation

     6,531       5,525       18,665       16,007  

Amortization of intangible assets

     127       182       492       548  

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     853       884       2,688       2,452  

Loss (gain) on disposal of plant and equipment

     381       (453 )     839       (774 )

Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain) on senior notes

     10,956       835       (2,537 )     (14,570 )

Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative financial instruments

     (13,856 )     (6,041 )     (3,418 )     11,312  

Stock-based compensation expense

     621       293       1,742       616  

Gain on repurchase of NACG Preferred Corp. Series A preferred shares

     (9,400 )     —         (8,000 )     —    

Accretion and change in redemption value of mandatorily redeemable preferred shares

     1,204       (406 )     3,114       36,090  

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     10,680       —         10,680       2,095  

Future income taxes

     (938 )     —         3,193       —    

Decrease (increase) in allowance for doubtful accounts

     —         28       24       (44 )

Net changes in non-cash working capital

     (31,219 )     20,626       (45,920 )     1,172  
                                
     (17,421 )     23,592       1,338       19,318  
                                

Investing activities:

        

Acquisition, net of cash acquired

     —         —         (1,496 )     —    

Purchase of plant and equipment

     (78,398 )     (10,334 )     (97,707 )     (24,129 )

Proceeds on disposal of plant and equipment

     2,882       2,085       3,454       5,138  
                                
     (75,516 )     (8,249 )     (95,749 )     (18,991 )
                                

Financing activities:

        

Increase in revolving credit facility

     15,000       —         15,000       —    

Repayment of senior secured credit facility

     —         —         —         (61,257 )

Repayment of capital lease obligations

     (3,652 )     (572 )     (5,273 )     (1,499 )

Issuance of 9% senior secured notes

     —         —         —         76,345  

Retirement of 9% senior secured notes

     (74,748 )     —         (74,748 )     —    

Issuance of NAEPI Series B preferred shares

     —         16       —         8,367  

Repurchase of NAEPI Series B preferred shares

     —         (851 )     —         (851 )

Repurchase of NAEPI Series A preferred shares

     (1,000 )     —         (1,000 )     —    

Repurchase of NACG Preferred Corp. Series A preferred shares

     (27,000 )     —         (27,000 )     —    

Issuance of common shares

     171,165       200       171,304       200  

Share issue costs

     (16,197 )     —         (18,138 )     —    

Repurchase of common shares for cancellation

     (84 )     —         (84 )     —    

Financing costs

     (267 )     (75 )     (1,347 )     (7,560 )
                                
     63,217       (1,282 )     58,714       13,745  
                                

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (29,720 )     14,061       (35,697 )     14,072  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     36,827       17,935       42,804       17,924  
                                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 7,107     $ 31,996     $ 7,107     $ 31,996