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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2004

 

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                      to                     

 

Commission file number 000-31579

 

HYDRIL COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   95-2777268
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)
3300 North Sam Houston Parkway East Houston, Texas   77032-3411
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (281) 449-2000

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes x No ¨

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Shares outstanding at April 30, 2004:

 

Common stock, $.50 par value, 16,153,841 shares outstanding

 

Class B common stock, $.50 par value, 6,726,578 shares outstanding

 



Table of Contents

HYDRIL COMPANY

 

INDEX

 

     Page

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.   Financial Statements

    

Consolidated Balance Sheets—March 31, 2004 (unaudited) and December 31, 2003

   3

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations—For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003

   5

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003

   6

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

   7

Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   12

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   27

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

   27
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

   27

 

* * *

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance, including our business strategy and product development plans, and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties and assumptions, which are more fully described under “RISK FACTORS” in Item 2 of this report and in Hydril Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, include, but are not limited to, the impact of changes in oil and natural gas prices and worldwide and domestic economic conditions on drilling activity and demand for and pricing of Hydril’s products, the impact of geo-political and other events affecting international markets and trade, Hydril’s ability to remain on the leading edge of technology in its products and maintain and increase its market share, the impact of international and domestic trade laws, the loss of or change to distribution methods of premium connections in the U.S. and Canada, overcapacity in the pressure control industry, and high fixed costs that could affect the pricing of Hydril’s products. These factors may cause our company’s or our industry’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipated,” “believes,” “estimated,” “potential,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.

 

These statements are only projections, based on anticipated industry activity. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

 


Table of Contents

HYDRIL COMPANY

Part I, Item 1: Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Information)

 

     March 31,
2004


    December 31,
2003


 
     (unaudited)        

CURRENT ASSETS:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 62,315     $ 54,139  

Investments

     7,922       6,831  

Receivables:

                

Trade, less allowance for doubtful accounts: 2004, $1,092; 2003, $1,127

     39,154       34,886  

Contract costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings

     2,606       4,366  

Other

     1,496       1,842  
    


 


Total receivables

     43,256       41,094  
    


 


Inventories:

                

Finished goods

     23,157       24,190  

Work-in-process

     6,038       5,320  

Raw Materials

     6,457       6,906  
    


 


Total inventories

     35,652       36,416  
    


 


Deferred tax asset

     9,093       9,095  

Other current assets

     4,579       4,422  
    


 


Total current assets

     162,817       151,997  
    


 


PROPERTY:

                

Land and improvements

     21,132       21,021  

Buildings and equipment

     53,449       53,217  

Machinery and equipment

     160,802       163,574  

Construction-in-progress

     4,826       2,106  
    


 


Total

     240,209       239,918  

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (136,897 )     (134,871 )
    


 


Property, net

     103,312       105,047  
    


 


OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS:

                

Investments

     952       958  

Deferred tax asset

     1,106       901  

Other assets

     5,625       5,649  
    


 


TOTAL

   $ 273,812     $ 264,552  
    


 


 

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements

 

3


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HYDRIL COMPANY

Part I, Item 1: Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Information)

 

     March 31,
2004


    December 31,
2003


 
     (unaudited)        

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

                

Accounts payable

   $ 13,359     $ 13,481  

Billings in excess of contract costs and estimated earnings

     453       487  

Accrued liabilities

     16,927       17,184  

Income taxes payable

     4,722       4,350  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     35,461       35,502  
    


 


LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:

                

Deferred tax liability

     141       140  

Other

     12,309       11,900  
    


 


Total long-term liabilities

     12,450       12,040  
    


 


CONTINGENCIES (Note 4)

                

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

                

Capital stock:

                

Preferred stock-authorized, 10,000,000 shares of $1 par value; none issued or outstanding

     —         —    

Common stock-authorized 75,000,000 shares of $.50 par value; 16,153,841 and 16,058,792 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively

     8,077       8,029  

Class B common stock-authorized, 32,000,000 shares of $.50 par value; 6,726,578 and 6,757,721 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively

     3,363       3,379  

Additional paid in capital

     50,152       49,312  

Retained earnings

     167,933       160,059  

Deferred compensation

     (1,656 )     (1,801 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (1,968 )     (1,968 )
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     225,901       217,010  
    


 


TOTAL

   $ 273,812     $ 264,552  
    


 


 

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements

 

4


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HYDRIL COMPANY

Part I, Item 1: Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,


 
     2004

    2003

 

REVENUE

   $ 57,497     $ 57,338  

COST OF SALES

     35,147       35,039  
    


 


GROSS PROFIT

     22,350       22,299  
    


 


SELLING, GENERAL & ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES:

                

Engineering

     2,917       3,666  

Sales and marketing

     4,115       3,998  

General and administration

     4,861       4,307  
    


 


Total

     11,893       11,971  
    


 


OPERATING INCOME

     10,457       10,328  

INTEREST EXPENSE

     —         (555 )

INTEREST INCOME

     184       250  

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

     (105 )     (80 )
    


 


INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     10,536       9,943  

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

     2,662       3,480  
    


 


NET INCOME

   $ 7,874     $ 6,463  
    


 


NET INCOME PER SHARE:

                

BASIC

   $ 0.34     $ 0.29  
    


 


DILUTED

   $ 0.34     $ 0.28  
    


 


WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:

                

BASIC

     22,847,662       22,593,902  

DILUTED

     23,137,955       22,944,120  

 

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements

 

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HYDRIL COMPANY

Part I, Item 1: Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In Thousands)

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,


 
     2004

    2003

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                

Net income

   $ 7,874     $ 6,463  
    


 


Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

                

Amortization of deferred compensation

     96       —    

Depreciation

     3,106       2,889  

Deferred income taxes

     (206 )     782  

Provision for doubtful accounts

     70       104  

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

                

Receivables

     (3,992 )     434  

Contract costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings

     1,760       (3,185 )

Inventories

     764       1,590  

Other current and noncurrent assets

     72       368  

Accounts payable

     (122 )     (22 )

Billings in excess of contract costs and estimated earnings

     (34 )     222  

Accrued liabilities

     (257 )     (5,934 )

Income taxes payable

     372       (64 )

Other long-term liabilities

     409       810  
    


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     9,912       4,457  
    


 


NET CASH FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                

Purchase of held-to-maturity investments

     (3,692 )     (9,591 )

Proceeds from held-to-maturity investments

     2,607       5,657  

Capital expenditures

     (1,402 )     (1,803 )
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (2,487 )     (5,737 )

NET CASH FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock

     126       102  

Net proceeds from exercise of stock options

     625       255  
    


 


Net cash provided by financing activities

     751       357  

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     8,176       (923 )

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     54,139       61,590  
    


 


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

   $ 62,315     $ 60,667  
    


 


SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

                

Interest paid

   $ —       $ 523  

Income taxes paid:

                

Domestic

     780       —    

Foreign

     1,119       2,581  

 

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements

 

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Hydril Company

 

Part I, Item 1: Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Note 1 — BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

Principles of Consolidation- The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Hydril Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

 

Use of Estimates- The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Reclassifications- Certain prior year amounts within the consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

 

Interim Presentation- The accompanying consolidated interim financial statements and disclosures have been prepared by the Company in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and in the opinion of management reflect all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation in all material respects of the financial position and results for the interim periods. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year.

 

Note 2 — Product Warranty Liability

 

The changes in the aggregate product warranty liability is as follows for the three months ended March 31:

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,


 
(in thousands)    2004

    2003

 

Beginning balance

   $ 2,194     $ 3,274  

Claims paid

     (166 )     (412 )

Additional warranty charged to expense

     150       50  
    


 


Ending balance

   $ 2,178     $ 2,912  
    


 


 

7


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Note 3 — LONG-TERM CONTRACTS

 

The components of long-term contracts as of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003 consist of the following:

 

     March 31,
2004


    December 31,
2003


 
     (in thousands)  

Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts

   $ 37,684     $ 34,682  

Less: billings to date

     (35,531 )     (30,803 )
    


 


Excess of costs and estimated earnings over billings

   $ 2,153     $ 3,879  
    


 


Included in the accompanying balance sheets under the following captions:

                

Contract costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings

   $ 2,606     $ 4,366  

Billings in excess of contract costs and estimated earnings

     (453 )     (487 )
    


 


Total

   $ 2,153     $ 3,879  
    


 


 

Note 4 — CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company is involved in legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management these matters are such that their outcome will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position or results of operations of the Company.

 

The Company has been identified as a potentially responsible party at a waste disposal site near Houston, Texas. Based on the number of other potentially responsible parties, the total estimated site cleanup costs and its estimated share of such costs, the Company does not expect this matter to materially affect its results of operation or financial condition.

 

Note 5 — LINES OF CREDIT

 

At March 31, 2004, the Company had available $20,000,000 in total committed unsecured revolving lines of credit, which extend through June 30, 2005. Of this, $15,000,000 relates to the Company’s U.S. operations and $5,000,000 relates to the Company’s foreign operations. Under both the domestic and foreign lines, the Company may, at its election, borrow at either a prime or LIBOR based interest rate. Interest rates fluctuate depending on the Company’s leverage ratio and are prime minus a spread ranging from 60 to 115 basis points or LIBOR plus a spread ranging from 85 to 140 basis points. At March 31, 2004, there were no outstanding borrowings under either facility. Our U.S. revolving credit agreement contains covenants with respect to debt levels, tangible net worth and debt-to-capitalization ratios. The Company was in compliance with these covenants at March 31, 2004. The foreign line does not contain any separate financial

 

8


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covenants but contains cross-default provisions which would be triggered by a default under the U.S. line of credit.

 

The terms of the Company’s credit facilities allow for the issuance of letters of credit. The amount of outstanding letters of credit reduces the amount available for borrowing under the credit facilities. The letters of credit are generally short in duration and immaterial in amount. At March 31, 2004 there was approximately $408,000 outstanding in letters of credit.

 

Note 6 — INCOME TAXES

 

During the quarter ended March 31, 2004, the Company completed a research and experimentation tax study which resulted in a $920,000 credit to the Company’s income tax provision. The research and experimentation tax credit covers qualified spending for the two-year period from 2002 through 2003. Prior to 2003, the Company was an alternative minimum tax payer and accordingly could not benefit from this type of tax credit. Expenses of $125,000 associated with the study are included in general and administrative expenses for the quarter.

 

Note 7 — EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

The Company has presented basic and diluted income per share (“EPS”) on the consolidated statement of operations. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Dilutive EPS is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period plus the assumed exercise of dilutive stock options and vesting of restricted stock and restricted stock units, less the number of treasury shares from the proceeds using the average market price for the Company’s common stock for each of the periods presented. When potentially dilutive securities are anti-dilutive, they are not included in dilutive EPS. Basic weighted average shares outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 were 22,847,662 and 22,593,902, respectively. Dilutive weighted average shares outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 were 23,137,955 and 22,944,120, respectively.

 

Note 8 — EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLANS

 

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” Accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized for the Company’s stock option plans. In December 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) 148 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure.” The statement requires pro forma disclosures that reflect the difference in stock-based employee compensation cost, if any, included in net income and the total cost measured by the fair value based method per SFAS 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, if any, that would have been recognized in the income statement if the fair value based method had been applied to all awards.

 

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The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003:

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,


 
(in thousands except per share data)    2004

    2003

 

Net income, as reported

   $ 7,874     $ 6,463  

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under the fair value based method for all awards, net of tax

     (350 )     (448 )
    


 


Proforma net income

   $ 7,524     $ 6,015  
    


 


Earnings per share:

                

Basic-as reported

   $ 0.34     $ 0.29  

Basic-proforma

   $ 0.33     $ 0.27  

Diluted-as reported

   $ 0.34     $ 0.28  

Diluted-proforma

   $ 0.33     $ 0.26  

 

Note 9 — SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION

 

In accordance with SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” the Company has identified the following reportable segments: Premium Connection and Pressure Control.

 

The Company’s premium connection segment manufactures premium connections that are used in drilling environments where extreme pressure, temperature, corrosion and mechanical stress are encountered, as well as in environmentally sensitive drilling. These harsh drilling conditions are typical for deepwater, deep-formation and horizontal or highly deviated wells. Hydril applies premium threaded connections to tubulars owned by its customers and purchases pipe in certain international markets for threading and resale. Hydril manufactures premium threaded connections and provides services at facilities located in Houston, Texas; Westwego, Louisiana; Bakersfield, California; Nisku, Alberta, and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada; Aberdeen, Scotland; Veracruz, Mexico; Batam, Indonesia; and Port Harcourt and Warri, Nigeria.

 

The Company’s pressure control segment manufactures a broad range of pressure control equipment used in oil and gas drilling and well completion typically employed in harsh environments. The Company’s pressure control products are primarily safety devices that control and contain fluid and gas pressure during drilling, completion and maintenance in oil and gas wells. The Company also provides aftermarket replacement parts, repair and field services for its installed base of pressure control equipment. Hydril manufactures pressure control products at two plant locations in Houston, Texas.

 

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1 “SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES” under Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2003 filed with the Securities and

 

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Exchange Commission. The Company evaluates segment performance based on operating income or loss.

 

Financial data for the business segments for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 is as follows:

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,


 
(in thousands)    2004

    2003

 

Revenue

                

Premium Connection

   $ 33,425     $ 31,445  

Pressure Control

     24,072       25,893  
    


 


Total

   $ 57,497     $ 57,338  
    


 


Operating income (loss)

                

Premium Connection

   $ 9,397     $ 8,206  

Pressure Control

     4,786       5,261  

Corporate Administration

     (3,726 )     (3,139 )
    


 


Total

   $ 10,457     $ 10,328  
    


 


Depreciation expense

                

Premium Connection

   $ 1,905     $ 1,783  

Pressure Control

     720       677  

Corporate Administration

     481       429  
    


 


Total

   $ 3,106     $ 2,889  
    


 


Capital expenditures

                

Premium Connection

   $ 786     $ 624  

Pressure Control

     499       885  

Corporate Administration

     117       294  
    


 


Total

   $ 1,402     $ 1,803  
    


 


 

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Part I, Item 2: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion of Hydril’s historical results of operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with Hydril’s unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this report and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Hydril’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

OVERVIEW

 

Hydril Company is engaged worldwide in engineering, manufacturing and marketing premium connection and pressure control products used for oil and gas drilling and production. Hydril applies premium threaded connections to tubulars owned by its customers and purchases pipe in certain international markets for threading and resale. Our premium connections are used in drilling environments where extreme pressure, temperature, corrosion and mechanical stress are encountered, as well as in environmentally sensitive drilling. These harsh drilling conditions are typical for deep-formation, deepwater and horizontal or highly deviated wells. Our pressure control products are primarily safety devices that control and contain fluid and gas pressure during drilling, completion and maintenance of oil and gas wells in these same environments. We also provide aftermarket replacement parts, repair and field services for our installed base of pressure control equipment. These products and services are required on a recurring basis because of the impact on original equipment from the extreme conditions in which pressure control products are used.

 

Demand for our products and services is cyclical and substantially dependent on the activity levels in the oil and gas industry and our customers’ willingness to spend capital on the exploration and development of oil and gas reserves. The level of these capital expenditures is highly sensitive to current and expected oil and gas prices, which have historically been characterized by significant volatility. Generally, increasing commodity prices result in increased oil and gas exploration and production, which translates into greater demand for oilfield products and services. Conversely, falling commodity prices generally result in reduced demand for oilfield products and services. Historically, changes in budgets and activity levels by oil and gas exploration and production companies have lagged significant movements in commodity prices.

 

Our premium connection products are marketed primarily to exploration and production company operators. The premium connection market is driven by the level of worldwide drilling activity, in particular by the number of rigs drilling to a target depth greater than 15,000 feet and rigs drilling in water depths greater than 1,500 feet. The majority of such wells have been drilled in North America. These depths require substantially more premium connections than shallower wells. Internationally, while the total international rig count is a general indicator of the premium connection market, there are many variables, including political and civil unrest, which may adversely impact the level of drilling activity in particular countries or regions. If we are affected by conditions that exist in only specific markets, our premium connections results may differ relative to movements in the international rig count.

 

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We sell our pressure control products primarily to drilling contractors for use in oil and gas drilling and to a lesser extent to exploration and production companies for oil and gas production. The main factors that affect sales of pressure control capital equipment products are the level of construction of new drilling rigs and the rate at which existing rigs are refurbished. Demand for our pressure control aftermarket replacement parts, repair and field services primarily depends upon the level of worldwide offshore drilling activity as well as the total U.S. rig count. The following tables illustrate the data for these sectors over the last five quarters:

 

Average

U.S. Rig Count

Over 15,000 ft Target Depth (1)


  

Average

Gulf of Mexico Rig Count

Over 1,500 ft Water Depth (2)


Quarter

Ended


  

Number

of Rigs


  

Number

of Rigs 


03/31/03    126           25
06/30/03    131           26
09/30/03    153           23
12/31/03    162           20
03/31/04    170           20

Average

Worldwide Offshore

                   Rig Count (3)                   


  

Average

U.S. Total

                Rig Count (4)                


Quarter

Ended


  

Number

of Rigs


  

Number

of Rigs 


03/31/03    324           901
06/30/03    343        1,028
09/30/03    339        1,088
12/31/03    346        1,109
03/31/04    337        1,118

 

(1) Source: Average rig count calculated by Hydril using weekly data published by Smith International.

 

(2) Source: Average rig count calculated by Hydril using month-end data provided by ODS-Petrodata Group.

 

(3) Source: Average rig count calculated by Hydril using weekly data for the United States and Canada, and monthly data for the international regions, as published by Baker Hughes International. The worldwide offshore rig count includes data for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Asia Pacific, the United States and Canada, and therefore excludes the Former Soviet Union and China.

 

(4) Source: Average rig count calculated by Hydril using weekly data published by Baker Hughes Incorporated.

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2004 AND 2003

 

Revenue

 

Total revenue increased $0.2 million, to $57.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 compared to $57.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003. Our premium connection revenue increased $2.0 million, or 6%, to $33.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 compared to $31.4 million for the prior year period. This increase was primarily the result of higher demand in certain international markets, primarily Latin America, and in North America due to higher levels of drilling activity. Pressure control revenue decreased $1.8 million, or 7%, to $24.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 compared to $25.9 million for the same period in 2003. Pressure control capital equipment revenue decreased 34% primarily due to lower revenue from projects that are complete or nearing completion, consistent with the low level of new rig construction and refurbishment in the industry. This decrease was partially offset by a 20% increase in aftermarket pressure control revenue, primarily overhaul and repair activity, due to an increase in the total U.S. and worldwide offshore rig counts.

 

Gross Profit

 

Gross profit was $22.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 compared to $22.3 million for the prior year period. Gross profit in our premium connection segment increased over the prior year quarter due to higher demand which led to higher plant utilization and accordingly lower manufacturing costs. Pressure control gross profit decreased from the prior year period due to a decline in capital equipment sales and an increase in lower-margin repair and service sales, which were partially offset by an increase in higher-margin spare part sales.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2004 were $11.9 million compared to $12.0 million for the prior year quarter. Higher administrative costs in the first quarter of 2004 were partially offset by lower engineering expenses compared to the prior year quarter. As a percentage of sales, selling, general, and administrative expenses were 21% for both the first quarter of 2004 and the corresponding prior year period.

 

Operating Income

 

Operating income increased $0.2 million to $10.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 compared to $10.3 million for the same period in 2003. Operating income for our premium connection segment increased $1.2 million to $9.4 million for the first quarter of 2004 from $8.2 million for the first quarter of 2003. Operating income for our pressure control segment decreased $0.5 million to $4.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 compared to the same period in 2003. Corporate and administrative expenses were $3.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 compared to $3.1 million for the prior year period due to higher administrative expenses.

 

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Interest Expense

 

There was no interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2004 compared to $0.6 million for the prior year period. During the second quarter of 2003, our remaining debt of $30.0 million was repaid.

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

The provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2004 was $2.7 million compared to $3.5 million for the same period in 2003. The decrease is primarily the result of a research and experimentation tax credit of $0.9 million recorded in the 2004 period. The research and experimentation tax credit covers qualified spending for the two-year period from 2002 to 2003. Prior to 2003, the Company was an alternative minimum tax payer and accordingly could not benefit from this type of tax credit. Expenses of $125,000 associated with the tax credit study are included in general and administrative expenses for the quarter.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Our primary liquidity needs are to fund capital expenditures, fund new product development and provide additional working capital. Our primary source of funds is cash flow from operations. In addition, we have available $20 million in committed revolving credit facilities.

 

Operating Activities

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2004, cash provided by operating activities was $9.9 million primarily due to earnings and contractual cash payments received from customers on long-term capital equipment projects. Cash provided by operating activities was $4.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003 primarily due to earnings and contractual cash payments received from customers on capital equipment long-term projects, which was partially offset by higher working capital requirements.

 

Investing Activities

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 compared to $5.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003. Capital spending for the three months ended March 31, 2004 of $1.4 million included $0.5 million for our pressure control segment and $0.8 million for our premium connection segment, in both cases primarily to support manufacturing operations, and $0.1 million for general corporate purposes. Capital spending for the three months ended March 31, 2003 of $1.8 million included $0.9 million for our pressure control segment and $0.6 million for our premium connection segment primarily to support manufacturing operations, and $.3 million for general corporate purposes.

 

Credit Facilities

 

We have two unsecured revolving lines of credit for working capital requirements that provide up to $20.0 million in total committed revolving credit borrowings through June 30, 2005. Of these, $15.0 million relates to our U.S. operations and $5.0 million relates to our foreign operations. Under these lines, we may borrow, at our election, at either a prime or LIBOR based interest rate. Interest rates fluctuate depending on our leverage ratio

 

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and are prime minus a spread ranging from 60 to 115 basis points or LIBOR plus a spread ranging from 85 to 140 basis points. At March 31, 2004, there were no outstanding borrowings under either facility. Our U.S. revolving credit agreement contains covenants with respect to debt levels, tangible net worth and debt-to-capitalization ratios. At March 31, 2004, we were in compliance with these covenants. Our foreign line of credit does not contain any separate financial covenants but contains cross-default provisions which would be triggered by a default under our U.S. line of credit.

 

The terms of the Company’s credit facilities allow for the issuance of letters of credit. The amount of outstanding letters of credit reduces the amount available for borrowing under the credit facilities. The letters of credit are generally short in duration and immaterial in amount. At March 31, 2004 there was approximately $0.4 million outstanding in letters of credit.

 

Backlog

 

The pressure control capital equipment backlog was $11.9 million at March 31, 2004, $11.5 million at December 31, 2003 and $23.3 million at March 31, 2003. The decrease from March 31, 2003 was the result of work completed and revenue recognized on several large long-term capital equipment project orders and no new substantial project orders having been received. Substantially all of the remaining revenue from projects currently in backlog is expected to be recorded by the end of 2004. We recognize the revenue and gross profit from pressure control long-term projects using the percentage-of-completion accounting method. As revenue is recognized under the percentage-of-completion method, the order value in backlog is reduced. It is possible for orders to be cancelled; however, in the event of cancellations all costs incurred would be billable to the customer. Our backlog of premium connection and pressure control aftermarket parts and service is not a meaningful measure of business prospects due to the quick turnover of such orders.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Our accounting policies are described in Note 1 “SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES” under Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2003 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, which require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the year. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The policies we consider to be most critical in understanding the judgments that are involved in preparing our financial statements and the uncertainties that could impact our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows are described under “CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES” in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2003.

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

You should consider carefully the following risk factors and all other information contained in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2003. Any of the following risks could impair our business, financial condition and operating results.

 

Risks Relating to Our Business

 

A material or extended decline in expenditures by the oil and gas industry, due to a decline in oil and gas prices or other economic factors, would reduce our revenue.

 

Demand for our products and services is substantially dependent on the level of capital expenditures by the oil and gas industry for the exploration for and development of crude oil and natural gas reserves. In particular, demand for our premium connections and our aftermarket pressure control products and services is driven by the level of worldwide drilling activity, especially drilling in harsh environments. A substantial or extended decline in drilling activity will adversely affect the demand for our products and services. Demand for our pressure control capital equipment is directly affected by the number of drilling rigs being built or refurbished. At this time, drilling rig utilization for many categories of rigs is below capacity. Therefore, in general, drilling contractors are not planning significant refurbishment of drilling rigs or new rig construction. As a result of these conditions, we do not expect to receive any significant new capital equipment orders for at least the next several months. An extended decline in capital equipment orders could adversely affect revenue and operating income for our pressure control segment and could result in additional charges if we are required to take cost reduction measures in light of business conditions. Worldwide drilling activity is generally highly sensitive to oil and gas prices and can be dependent on the industry’s view of future oil and gas prices, which have been historically characterized by significant volatility. Oil and gas prices are affected by numerous factors, including:

 

  the level of worldwide oil and gas exploration and production activity;

 

  worldwide demand for energy, which is affected by worldwide economic conditions;

 

  the policies of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC;

 

  significant decreases or increases in the production of oil or gas from countries due to war or civil unrest, such as in Iraq, Nigeria and Venezuela;

 

  the cost of producing oil and gas;

 

  interest rates and the cost of capital;

 

  technological advances affecting hydrocarbon consumption, particularly oil and gas;

 

  environmental regulation;

 

  level of oil and gas inventories in storage;

 

  tax policies;

 

  policies of national governments; and

 

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  war, civil disturbances and political instability.

 

We expect prices for oil and natural gas to continue to be volatile and affect the demand and pricing of our products and services. A material decline in oil or gas prices could materially adversely affect our business. In addition, recessions and other adverse economic conditions can also cause declines in spending levels by the oil and gas industry, and thereby decrease our revenue and materially adversely affect our business.

 

We rely on a few distributors for sales of our premium connections in the United States and Canada; a loss of one or more of our distributors or a change in the method of distribution could adversely affect our ability to sell our products.

 

There are a limited number of distributors who buy steel tubulars, contract with us to thread the tubulars and sell completed tubulars with our premium connections. In 2003, our eight distributors accounted for 59% of our premium connection sales in the United States and Canada.

 

In the United States, tubular distributors have combined on a rapid basis in recent years resulting in fewer distribution alternatives for our products. In 1999, four distributors, one of which distributed our premium connections, combined to become one of the largest distributors of tubulars in the United States, and the combined company no longer distributes our products. Because of the limited number of distributors, we have few alternatives if we lose a distributor. Identifying and utilizing additional or replacement distributors may not be accomplished quickly and could involve significant additional costs. Even if we find replacement distributors, the terms of new distribution agreements may not be favorable to us. In addition, distributors may not be as well capitalized as our end-users and may present a higher credit risk.

 

We cannot assure you that the current distribution system for premium connections will continue. For example, products may in the future be sold directly by tubular manufacturers to end-users or through other distribution channels such as the internet. If methods of distribution change, many of our competitors may be better positioned to take advantage of those changes than we are.

 

The intense competition in our industry could result in reduced profitability and loss of market share for us.

 

Contracts for our products and services are generally awarded on a competitive basis, and competition is intense. The most important factors considered by our customers in awarding contracts include:

 

  availability and capabilities of the equipment;

 

  ability to meet the customer’s delivery schedule;

 

  price;

 

  reputation;

 

  experience;

 

  safety record, and

 

  technology.

 

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Many of our major competitors are diversified multinational companies that are larger and have substantially greater financial resources, larger operating staffs and greater budgets for marketing and research and development than we do. They may be better able to compete in making equipment available faster and more efficiently, meeting delivery schedules or reducing prices. In addition, two or more of our major competitors could consolidate producing an even larger company. Also our competitors may acquire product lines that would allow them to offer a more complete package of drilling equipment and services rather than providing only individual components. As a result of any of the foregoing reasons, we could lose customers and market share to those competitors. These companies may also be better able than we are to successfully endure downturns in the oil and gas industry.

 

The level and pricing of tubular goods imported into the United States and Canada could adversely affect demand for our products and our results of operations.

 

The level of imports of tubular goods, which has varied significantly over time, affects the domestic tubular goods market. High levels of imports reduce the volume sold by domestic producers and tend to reduce their selling prices, both of which could have an adverse impact on our business. We believe that United States import levels are affected by, among other things:

 

  United States and worldwide demand for tubular goods;

 

  the trade practices of and government subsidies to foreign producers; and

 

  the presence or absence of antidumping and countervailing duty orders.

 

In many cases, foreign producers of tubular goods have been found to have sold their products, which may include premium connections, for export to the United States at prices that are lower than the cost of production or their prices in their home market or a major third-country market, a practice commonly referred to as “dumping.” If not constrained by antidumping duty orders and countervailing duty orders, which impose duties on imported tubulars to offset dumping and subsidies provided by foreign governments, this practice allows foreign producers to capture sales and market share from domestic producers. Duty orders normally reduce the level of imported goods and result in higher prices in the United States market. Duty orders may be modified or revoked as a result of administrative reviews conducted at the request of a foreign producer or other party.

 

In addition, antidumping and countervailing duty orders may be revoked as a result of periodic “sunset reviews”. Under the sunset review procedure, an order must be revoked after five years unless the United States Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission determine that dumping is likely to continue or recur and that material injury to the domestic injury is likely to continue or recur. Antidumping duty orders continue to cover imports of tubulars from Argentina, Italy, Japan, Korea and Mexico, and a countervailing duty order continues to cover imports from Italy. On July 17, 2001, the Department of Commerce ordered the continuation of the countervailing and antidumping duty orders on tubular goods other than drill pipe on Argentina, Italy, Korea and Mexico, and the continuation of the antidumping duty order on tubular goods, inclusive of drill pipe, from Japan. If the orders covering imports from these countries are

 

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revoked in full or in part or the duty rates lowered, we could be exposed to increased competition from imports that could reduce our sales and market share or force us to lower prices. Tubulars produced by domestic steel mills and threaded by us may not be able to economically compete with tubulars manufactured and threaded at steel mills outside the U.S. The Department of Commerce intends to initiate the next five-year review of these orders no later that June 2006. The sunset review for tubular products from Argentina, Italy, Japan, Korea and Mexico will take place in 2006, with a decision expected by April 2007.

 

We may lose premium connection business to international and domestic competitors who produce their own pipe, as well as other new entrants.

 

In the United States and Canada and sometimes internationally, our premium connections are added to steel tubulars purchased by a distributor from third-party steel suppliers. After our premium connections are added, the distributor sells the completed premium tubular to a customer at a price that includes, but does not differentiate between, the costs of the steel pipe and the connection. Pricing of premium connections can be affected by steel prices, as the steel pipe is the largest component of the overall price. We have no control over the price of the steel pipe that is supplied for our connections.

 

During 2003, we derived approximately 67% of our revenue from services or equipment ultimately provided or delivered to end-users for use outside of the United States. Many of our larger competitors, especially internationally, are integrated steel producers, who produce, rather than purchase, steel. For example, several foreign steel mills have formed a corporation that is licensed to produce and sell a competing premium connections product line outside of the United States and Canada. Foreign integrated steel producers have more pricing flexibility for premium connections since they control the production of both the steel tubulars to which the connections are applied, as well as the premium connections. This inherent pricing and supply control puts us at a competitive disadvantage, and we could lose business to integrated steel producers even if we may have a better product. The recent acquisition or future acquisitions of U.S. tubular steel manufacturing capacity by foreign integrated steel producers could result in a loss of market share for Hydril. Other domestic and foreign steel producers who do not currently manufacture tubulars with premium connections may in the future enter the premium connections business and compete with us.

 

Our international operations may experience severe interruptions due to political, economic and other risks.

 

In 2003, approximately 67% of our total revenue was derived from services or equipment ultimately provided or delivered to end-users outside the United States, and approximately 28% of our revenue was derived from products which were produced and used outside of the United States. We are, therefore, significantly exposed to the risks customarily attendant to international operations and investments in foreign countries. These risks include:

 

  political instability, civil disturbances, war and terrorism;

 

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  nationalization, expropriation, and nullification of contracts;

 

  changes in regulations and labor practices;

 

  changes in currency exchange rates and potential devaluations;

 

  changes in currency restrictions which could limit the repatriations of profits or capital;

 

  restrictive actions by local governments;

 

  seizure of plant and equipment; and

 

  changes in foreign tax laws.

 

An interruption of our international operations could reduce our earnings or adversely affect the value of our foreign assets. The occurrence of any of these risks could also have an adverse effect on demand for our products and services or our ability to provide them. We have manufacturing facilities in Warri and Port Harcourt, Nigeria and in Batam, Indonesia and a portion of our revenue is from sales to customers in these countries and surrounding areas. In addition, a portion of our revenue is from sales to customers in Venezuela. These countries in recent history have experienced civil disturbances and violence, which have disrupted oil and gas exploration and production operations located there as well as day-to-day operations and oversight of our business from time to time. These disruptions have affected our operations and resulted in lower demand for our premium connection products and services and, accordingly have had an adverse affect on our results of operations in recent periods and may continue to do so.

 

The occurrence or threat of terrorist attacks could have an adverse affect on our results and growth prospects, as well as on our ability to access capital and obtain adequate insurance.

 

The occurrence or threat of future terrorist attacks could adversely affect the economies of the United States and other developed countries. A lower level of economic activity could result in a decline in energy consumption, which could cause a decrease in spending by oil and gas companies for exploration and development. In addition, these risks could trigger increased volatility in prices for crude oil and natural gas which could also adversely affect spending by oil and gas companies. A decrease in spending for any reason could adversely affect the markets for our products and thereby adversely affect our revenue and margins and limit our future growth prospects. Moreover, these risks could cause increased instability in the financial and insurance markets and adversely affect our ability to access capital and to obtain insurance coverage that we consider adequate or are otherwise required by our contracts with third parties.

 

The consolidation or loss of potential end-users of our products could adversely affect demand for our products and services and reduce our revenue.

 

Exploration and production company operators and drilling contractors have undergone substantial consolidation in the last few years. Additional consolidation is probable. In addition, many oil and gas properties will be transferred over time to different potential customers.

 

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Consolidation results in fewer end-users for our products. In addition, merger activity among both major and independent oil and gas companies also affects exploration, development and production activity, as these consolidated companies attempt to increase efficiency and reduce costs. Generally, only the more promising exploration and development projects from each merged entity are likely to be pursued, which may result in overall lower post-merger exploration and development budgets. Moreover, some end-users are not as risk-averse and, as such, do not use as many premium products in drilling deep formation wells.

 

In 2003, our largest premium connection customer accounted for 21% of segment sales, and our ten largest premium connection customers accounted for 64% of total segment sales. In 2003, our largest pressure control customer accounted for 27% of segment sales and our ten largest pressure control customers accounted for 65% of segment sales.

 

The loss of one or more of our end-users, a reduction in exploration and development budgets as a result of industry consolidation or other reasons or a transfer of deep formation drilling prospects to end-users that do not rely as heavily on premium products could adversely affect demand for our products and services and reduce our revenue.

 

Overcapacity in the pressure control industry and high fixed costs could exacerbate the level of price competition for our products, adversely affecting our business and revenue.

 

There currently is and historically has been overcapacity in the pressure control equipment industry. When oil and gas prices fall, cash flows of our customers are reduced, leading to lower levels of expenditures and reduced demand for pressure control equipment. In addition, adverse economic conditions can reduce demand for oil and gas, which in turn could decrease demand for our pressure control products. Under these conditions, the overcapacity causes increased price competition in the sale of pressure control products and aftermarket services as competitors seek to capture the reduced business to cover their high fixed costs and avoid the idling of manufacturing facilities. Because we have multiple facilities that produce different types of pressure control products, it is even more difficult for us to reduce our fixed costs since to do so we might have to shut down more than one plant. During and after periods of increasing oil and gas prices when sales of pressure control products may be increasing, the overcapacity in the industry will tend to keep prices for the sale of pressure control products lower than if overcapacity were not a factor. As a result, when oil and gas prices are low, or are increasing from low levels because of increased demand, our business and revenue may be adversely affected because of either reduced sales volume or sales at lower prices or both.

 

If we do not develop, produce and commercialize new competitive technologies and products, our revenue may decline or we may be required to write-off any capitalized investment.

 

The markets for premium connections and pressure control products and services are characterized by continual technological developments. As a result, substantial improvements in the scope and quality of product function and performance can occur over a short period of time. If we are not able to develop commercially competitive products in a

 

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timely manner in response to changes in technology, our business and revenue may be adversely affected. Our future ability to develop new products depends on our ability to:

 

  design and commercially produce products that meet the needs of our customers;

 

  successfully market new products; and

 

  obtain and maintain patent protection.

 

We may encounter resource constraints or technical or other difficulties that could delay introduction of new products and services in the future. Our competitors may introduce new products before we do and achieve a competitive advantage. Additionally, the time and expense invested in product development may not result in commercial applications and provide revenue.

 

For example, while we have invested significant amounts in the development of new technologies, such as advanced composite tubing and subsea mudlift drilling, demand for these products may be limited for various reasons. In the case of subsea mudlift drilling, due in part to the cost to implement the technology, we do not anticipate any customer orders for the product in the near future. In addition, there are other groups of companies in our industry that are also developing competing technologies for deepwater drilling, and they may be ahead of us in completing development of their technology or develop more cost effective competing products.

 

If we are unable to successfully commercialize subsea mudlift drilling, commercialize our advanced composite tubing or successfully implement other technological or R&D type activities, our growth prospects may be reduced and the level of our future revenue may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, we would be required to write-off any capitalized investment in a product that does not reach commercial viability. Moreover, we may experience operating losses after new products are introduced and commercialized because of high start-up costs, unexpected manufacturing costs or problems, or lack of demand.

 

Limitations on our ability to protect our intellectual property rights could cause a loss in revenue and any competitive advantage we hold.

 

Some of our products and the processes we use to produce them have been granted United States and international patent protection, or have patent applications pending. Nevertheless, patents may not be granted from our applications and, if patents are issued, the claims allowed may not be sufficient to protect our technology. If our patents are not enforceable, our business may be adversely affected. In addition, if any of our products infringe patents held by others, our financial results may be adversely affected. Our competitors may be able to independently develop technology that is similar to ours without infringing on our patents. The latter is especially true internationally where the protection of intellectual property rights may not be as effective. In addition, obtaining and maintaining intellectual property protection internationally may be significantly more expensive than doing so domestically. We may have to spend substantial time and money defending our patents. After our patents expire, our competitors will not be legally constrained from developing products substantially similar to ours.

 

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The loss of any member of our senior management and other key employees may adversely affect our results of operations.

 

Our success depends heavily on the continued services of our senior management and other key employees. Our senior management consists of a small number of individuals relative to other comparable or larger companies. These individuals are Christopher T. Seaver, our President and Chief Executive Officer, Charles E. Jones, our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Neil G. Russell, our Senior Vice President-Premium Connections and Senior Vice President-Business Development, Chuck Chauviere-Vice President-Pressure Control, and Chris D. North, Secretary, Controller and Acting Chief Financial Officer. These individuals, as well as other key employees, possess sales and marketing, engineering, manufacturing, financial and administrative skills that are critical to the operation of our business. We generally do not have employment or non-competition agreements with members of our senior management or other key employees. If we lose or suffer an extended interruption in the services of one or more of our senior officers or other key employees, our results of operations may be adversely affected. Moreover, we may not be able to attract and retain qualified personnel to succeed members of our senior management and other key employees.

 

Our quarterly sales and earnings may vary significantly, which could cause our stock price to fluctuate.

 

Fluctuations in quarterly revenue and earnings could adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. Our quarterly revenue and earnings may vary significantly from quarter to quarter depending upon:

 

  the level of drilling activity worldwide;

 

  the variability of customer orders, which are particularly unpredictable in international markets;

 

  the mix of our products sold and the margins on those products;

 

  new products offered and sold by us or our competitors and;

 

  weather conditions that can affect our customers’ operations.

 

Revenue derived from current pressure control long-term projects is expected to be realized over the next two quarters. As a result, our revenue and earnings could fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter if there is any delay in completing these projects or if new project orders are not received. In addition, our fixed costs cause our margins to decrease when demand is low and manufacturing capacity is underutilized.

 

We could be subject to substantial liability claims, which would adversely affect our results and financial condition.

 

Most of our products are used in hazardous drilling and production applications where an accident or a failure of a product can have catastrophic consequences. For example, if one of our blowout preventers fails, the oil and gases from the well may ignite or the equipment and tubulars in the well may be suddenly propelled out of the well, potentially resulting in injury or death of personnel, destruction of drilling equipment, environmental damage and suspension of operations. Damages arising from an occurrence

 

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at a location where our products are used have in the past and may in the future result in the assertion of potentially large claims against us.

 

While we maintain insurance coverage against these risks, this insurance may not protect us against liability for some kinds of events, including specified events involving pollution, or against losses resulting from business interruption. Our insurance may not be adequate in risk coverage or policy limits to cover all losses or liabilities that we may incur. Moreover, we may not be able in the future to maintain insurance at levels of risk coverage or policy limits that we deem adequate. Any significant claims made under our policies will likely cause our premiums to increase. Any future damages caused by our products or services that are not covered by insurance, are in excess of policy limits or are subject to substantial deductibles, could reduce our earnings and our cash available for operations.

 

If we are unable to attract and retain skilled labor, the results of our manufacturing and services activities will be adversely affected.

 

Our ability to operate profitably and expand our operations depends in part on our ability to attract and retain skilled manufacturing workers, equipment operators, engineers and other technical personnel. Because of the cyclical nature of our industry, many qualified workers choose to work in other industries where they believe lay-offs as a result of cyclical downturns are less likely. As a result, our growth may be limited by the scarcity of skilled labor. Even if we are able to attract and retain employees, the intense competition for them, especially when our industry is in the top of its cycle, may increase our compensation costs. Additionally, a significant increase in the wages paid by competing employers could result in a reduction in our skilled labor force, increases in the rates of wages we must pay or both. If our compensation costs increase or we cannot attract and retain skilled labor, the immediate effect on us would be a reduction in our profits and the extended effect would be diminishment of our production capacity and profitability and impairment of any growth potential.

 

Changes in regulation or environmental compliance costs and liabilities could have a material adverse effect on our results and financial condition.

 

Our business is affected by changes in public policy, federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the energy industry. The adoption of laws and regulations curtailing exploration and development drilling for oil and gas for economic, environmental and other policy reasons may adversely affect our operations by limiting available drilling and other opportunities in the oil and gas exploration and production industry. Our operations and properties are subject to increasingly stringent laws and regulations relating to environmental protection, including laws and regulations governing air emissions, water discharges, waste management and workplace safety. Many of our operations require permits that may be revoked or modified, that we are required to renew from time to time. Failure to comply with such laws, regulations or permits can result in substantial fines and criminal sanctions, or require us to purchase costly pollution control equipment or implement operational changes or improvements. We incur, and expect to continue to incur, substantial capital and operating costs to comply with environmental laws and regulations.

 

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We could become subject to claims related to the release of hazardous substances which could adversely affect our results and financial condition.

 

We use and generate hazardous substances and wastes in our manufacturing operations. In addition, many of our current and former properties are or have been used for industrial purposes for many years. Accordingly, we could become subject to potentially material liabilities relating to the investigation and cleanup of contaminated properties, including property owned or leased by us now or in the past or third party sites to which we sent waste for disposal. We also could become subject to claims alleging personal injury or property damage as the result of exposures to, or releases of, hazardous substances. In addition, stricter enforcement of existing laws and regulations, the enactment of new laws and regulations, the discovery of previously unknown contamination or the imposition of new or increased requirements could require us to incur costs or become the basis of new or increased liabilities that could reduce our earnings and our cash available for operations. See Note 4 “CONTINGENCIES” in Item 1 of this report for more information regarding environmental contingencies.

 

Liability to customers under warranties may materially and adversely affect our earnings.

 

We provide warranties as to the proper operation and conformance to specifications of the equipment we manufacture. Our pressure control equipment and premium connections are often deployed in critical environments including subsea applications. Failure of this equipment or our premium connections to operate properly or to meet specifications may increase our costs by requiring additional engineering resources and services, replacement of parts and equipment or monetary reimbursement to a customer. We have in the past received warranty claims and we expect to continue to receive them in the future. To the extent that we incur substantial warranty claims in any period, our reputation, our ability to obtain future business and our earnings could be materially and adversely affected.

 

We may lose money on fixed price contracts, and such contracts could cause our quarterly revenue and earnings to fluctuate significantly.

 

Almost all of our pressure control projects, including all of our larger engineered subsea control systems projects, are performed on a fixed-price basis. This means that we are responsible for all cost overruns, other than any resulting from change orders. Our costs and any gross profit realized on our fixed-price contracts will often vary from the estimated amounts on which these contracts were originally based. This may occur for various reasons, including:

 

  errors in cost, design or production time estimates;

 

  engineering design changes;

 

  changes requested by customers; and

 

  changes in the availability and cost of labor and material.

 

The variations and the risks inherent in engineered subsea control systems projects may result in reduced profitability or losses on our projects. Depending on the size of a project, variations from estimated contract performance can have a significant impact on our operating results for any particular fiscal quarter or year. Our significant losses in 1997 through 1999 on fixed-price contracts to provide pressure control equipment and subsea

 

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control systems for pressure control equipment are an example of the problems we can experience with fixed-price contracts.

 

Excess cash is invested in marketable securities which may subject us to potential losses.

 

We invest excess cash in various securities and money market mutual funds rated as the highest quality by a nationally recognized rating agency. However, changes in the financial markets, including interest rates, as well as the performance of the issuing companies can affect the market value of our short-term investments.

 

Part I, Item 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

There have been no significant changes since December 31, 2003 in the Company’s exposure to market risk.

 

Part I, Item 4: Controls and Procedures

 

Hydril’s Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2004, and they have concluded that these controls and procedures are effective. There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Part II, Item 6: Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

Exhibits:

 

31.1   

—Certification by Christopher T. Seaver, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

31.2   

—Certification by Chris D. North, Acting Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

32.1   

—Certification by Christopher T. Seaver, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Subsection (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code).

32.2   

—Certification by Chris D. North, Acting Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Subsection (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code).

 

Reports on Form 8-K:

 

On February 3, 2004, we submitted a report on Form 8-K furnishing pursuant to Items 9 and 12 the news release issued by Hydril Company dated February 2, 2004. Pursuant to Item 7, we attached the news release as an exhibit to the report.

 

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Table of Contents

On March 16, 2004, we submitted a report on Form 8-K furnishing pursuant to Item 9 the news release issued by Hydril Company dated March 15, 2004. Pursuant to Item 7, we attached the news release as an exhibit to the report.

 

SIGNATURE

 

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.

 

       

HYDRIL COMPANY

Date: May 5, 2004

      By:   /s/    CHRIS D. NORTH        
             
               

Chris D. North

Acting Chief Financial Officer

(Authorized officer and principal accounting

and financial officer)

 

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