Cypress Environmental Partners Reports Fourth Quarter Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Cypress Environmental Partners, L.P. (NYSE: CELP) reported disappointing financial results for Q4 2021, with a net loss of $4.1 million and adjusted EBITDA of -$0.3 million. The company faces significant operational challenges, including a credit agreement uncertainty due to substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Cypress is negotiating with lenders for recapitalization options and has engaged Piper Sandler to explore investor proposals. Litigation costs related to Fair Labor Standards Act claims and a recent settlement involving over 60 plaintiffs further strain resources.

Positive

• Cypress successfully settled claims with over 60 plaintiffs, which may help mitigate future legal risks.
• Received proposals for recapitalization from multiple potential investors.

Negative

• Significant net loss of $4.1 million reported for Q4 2021.
• Continuous legal and advisory expenses exceeded $2.5 million.
• Substantial doubt about going concern status noted in financial statements.
• Outstanding debt of $58.1 million and potential delisting from NYSE due to market cap issues.

TULSA, Okla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, Cypress Environmental Partners, L.P., (NYSE: CELP) (“Cypress”) reported its financial results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2021.

FINANCING

Cypress continues to work with Deutsche Bank AG, its credit facility Administrative Agent, Lead Arranger and Bookrunner, and the six other banks (“Lenders”) and their financial and legal advisors regarding the credit agreement that matures on May 31, 2022. Because the credit agreement matures within one year, the financial statements in Cypress’s Annual Report on Form 10-K disclose substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern, as defined under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. This condition resulted in the auditor’s report on the financial statements including a “going concern” uncertainty paragraph, which is an event of default of the credit agreement.

Cypress, with the support of the Lenders, has engaged Piper Sandler to solicit potential debt and equity investors to submit proposals to recapitalize Cypress and has received several proposals that are currently being evaluated by the board of directors and the Lenders.

Cypress also continues to negotiate with contingent fee plaintiffs’ lawyers to resolve litigation and arbitration exposure regarding Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) claims and associated indemnification demands from customers against whom some such claims have been asserted. Cypress has entered into a settlement covering more than 60 plaintiffs and resolving all of the claims asserted directly against the Company. The ability to resolve such exposure has been an important factor in Cypress’s ability to obtain a renewal from the current Lenders and remains an important element of successfully raising new capital without an in-court restructuring. Cypress and the Lenders may pursue a number of options, including but not limited to the possibility of i) a sale of the debt to a third party; ii) a sale of the debt to a related party; iii) entering into an agreement with a new investor for a stalking horse bid that would lead to an in-court restructuring and section 363 process; or some combination of these actions which may include a court-supervised restructuring. Cypress has incurred and expects to continue to incur significant legal and advisory fees in developing its financing plans. Under the current credit agreement Cypress is responsible for the Lender-mandated legal and financial advisor expenses, which have now exceeded $2.5 million dollars.

The New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) continues to monitor trading in Cypress’s common units for compliance with the NYSE’s requirement of a $15 million market capitalization over 30 trading days; the failure to satisfy this requirement would result in immediate suspension and commencement of delisting procedures. It is likely that Cypress’s common units would be delisted from the NYSE in the event of any restructuring or liquidation proceeding. Such a proceeding would also likely lead to Cypress’s common and preferred equity (including accrued and unpaid distributions) having no value, given the amount of Cypress’s senior secured debt, which is currently $58.1 million.

Cypress believes that its Lenders are fully aligned on the importance of business continuity and normal operations to ensure ongoing reliable service to Cypress’s customers. Cypress and the Lenders intend to complete the process described above without disruption to customers, inspectors, and other employees.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Cash balance of $8.3 million at December 31, 2021.
• Outstanding borrowings of $54.2 million on the credit facility at December 31, 2021.
• Net loss attributable to common unitholders of $4.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021.
• Adjusted EBITDA of $(0.3 million) for the three months ended December 31, 2021.
• Distributable cash flow (“DCF”) of $(1.5 million) for the three months ended December 31, 2021.
• Common unit and preferred unit distributions remain suspended.

FOURTH QUARTER 2021 SUMMARY FINANCIAL RESULTS
		Three Months Ended
		December 31,
		2021			2020
		(Unaudited)
		(in thousands)
Net loss		$	(2,675)		$	(675)
Net loss attributable to common unitholders		$	(4,099)		$	(1,906)
Net loss per common limited partner unit – basic and diluted		$	(0.34)		$	(0.16)
Adjusted EBITDA (1)		$	(284)		$	1,469
Distributable cash flow (1)		$	(1,546)		$	(810)

(1)

This press release includes the following financial measures not presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP: adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA attributable to limited partners, and distributable cash flow. Each such non-GAAP financial measure is defined below under “Non-GAAP Financial Information”, and each is reconciled to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure in schedules at the end of this press release.

CEO'S PERSPECTIVE

“2021 was another difficult year, however I am proud of how our employees navigated the second straight year of COVID-19. Despite over six months of negotiations, we regret that we have been unable to reach an agreement with our Lenders and therefore face the possibility of restructuring. Insiders (management, board, and individuals that control the general partner) own 76% of our equity (common and preferred units) and remain fully aligned with the minority unitholders. The FLSA wage litigation that swept through the inspection industry over the last several years has been expensive and time consuming for our customers, our competitors, and us. We were successful in negotiating a settlement covering over 60 cases; however, we have been unable to reach a global resolution despite months of negotiations. Regardless of the outcome of the negotiations with our Lenders and the FLSA plaintiffs’ lawyers, we are mutually aligned with our Lenders to avoid any adverse impact with operations so that we can continue to serve our customers and maintain our great employees,” said Peter C. Boylan III, Chairman, President, and CEO.

SEGMENT UPDATE

Inspection Services

• During the fourth quarter Cypress had an average headcount of approximately 430 inspectors working throughout the United States. Headcount declined in early 2022 as the result of changes to inspector pay practices, which were driven in part by the need to mitigate the risk of needing to defend against future FLSA litigation. In early 2022 competitors offering more aggressive pay practices solicited and hired approximately 65 of Cypress’s inspectors as a result of these changes.
• Cypress continues to pursue business development. In fourth quarter 2021 Cypress submitted over a dozen bids, and thus far in 2022 Cypress has submitted another 16 new bid proposals.
• General and administrative expense in 4^th quarter 2021 included a $0.7 million accrual related to a settlement Cypress reached in early 2022 with over 60 plaintiffs in FLSA litigation.
• Other income in 4^th quarter 2021 included a gain of $1.6 million upon receipt of proceeds from the settlement of a dispute with another party.

Pipeline & Process Services (“PPS”)

• Cypress discontinued the operations of its 51%-owned subsidiary Brown Integrity, which provided hydrotesting services. Cypress recorded gains of $1.0 million in 4^th quarter 2021 related to asset sales within net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax.

Water & Environmental Services (“Environmental Services”)

• Cypress’s water treatment facilities generally receive more water when its customers’ oil production increases from the completion of new oil wells in North Dakota. 23 drilling rigs are currently operating in North Dakota.
• In December 2021, Cypress recorded an impairment of $0.9 million to the fixed assets and lease assets of one of its water treatment facilities.

COMMON UNIT & PREFERRED UNIT DISTRIBUTIONS

In July 2020, Cypress announced that it had suspended common unit distributions. Cypress’s credit facility continues to contain significant restrictions on the payment of distributions. Cypress expects to use available cash for working capital needs including restructuring expenses. Cypress continues the suspension of the distribution payments to an affiliate of the general partner to which he is entitled on his preferred units.

FOURTH QUARTER 2021 OPERATING RESULTS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

Inspection Services

The Inspection Services segment’s results for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were:

• Revenue - $26.7 million and $32.4 million, respectively.
• Gross Margin - $3.1 million and $3.9 million, respectively.

Water & Environmental Services (“Environmental Services”)

The Environmental Services segment’s results for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were:

• Revenue - $1.1 million and $1.4 million, respectively.
• Gross Margin - $0.6 million and $0.9 million, respectively

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

During the quarter, Cypress had less than $0.1 million in capital expenditures, which is reflective of an attractive business model that requires minimal capital expenditures.

ANNUAL REPORT

Cypress filed its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 with the Securities and Exchange Commission today. Cypress will also post a copy of the Form 10-K on its website at www.cypressenvironmental.biz. Unitholders may request a printed copy of these reports free of charge by contacting Investor Relations at Cypress Environmental Partners, L.P., 5727 S. Lewis Ave., Suite 300, Tulsa, OK 74105 or by e-mailing ir@cypressenvironmental.biz.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION

This press release and the accompanying financial schedules include the following non-GAAP financial measures: adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA attributable to limited partners, and distributable cash flow. The accompanying schedules provide reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. Cypress's non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to its financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP, including revenues, net income or loss attributable to limited partners, net cash provided by or used in operating activities, or any other measure of liquidity or financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP as a measure of operating performance, liquidity, or ability to service debt obligations and make cash distributions to unitholders. The non-GAAP financial measures presented by Cypress may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures of other entities because other entities may not calculate their measures in the same manner.

Cypress defines adjusted EBITDA as net income or loss exclusive of (i) interest expense, (ii) depreciation, amortization, and accretion expense, (iii) income tax expense or benefit, (iv) equity-based compensation expense, (v) and certain other unusual or nonrecurring items. Cypress defines adjusted EBITDA attributable to limited partners as adjusted EBITDA exclusive of amounts attributable to the general partner and to noncontrolling interests. Cypress defines distributable cash flow as adjusted EBITDA attributable to limited partners less cash interest paid, cash income taxes paid, maintenance capital expenditures, and cash distributions paid or accrued on preferred equity. Management believes these measures provide investors meaningful insight into results from ongoing operations.

These non-GAAP financial measures are used as supplemental liquidity and performance measures by Cypress's management and by external users of its financial statements, such as investors, banks, and others to assess:

• financial performance of Cypress without regard to financing methods, capital structure or historical cost basis of assets;
• Cypress's operating performance and return on capital as compared to those of other companies, without regard to financing methods or capital structure;
• viability and performance of acquisitions and capital expenditure projects and the overall rates of return on investment opportunities; and
• the ability of Cypress's businesses to generate sufficient cash to pay interest costs, support its indebtedness, and make cash distributions to its unitholders.

ABOUT CYPRESS ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNERS, L.P.

Cypress Environmental Partners, L.P. is a master limited partnership that provides essential environmental services to the utility and energy industries, including pipeline & infrastructure inspection, NDE testing, and in-line integrity support services throughout the United States. Cypress also provides environmental services to upstream and midstream energy companies and their vendors in North Dakota, including water treatment, hydrocarbon recovery, and disposal into EPA Class II injection wells to protect our groundwater. Cypress works closely with its customers to help them protect people, property, and the environment, and to assist their compliance with increasingly complex and strict rules and regulations. Cypress is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

This press release may contain or incorporate by reference forward-looking statements as defined under the federal securities laws regarding Cypress Environmental Partners, L.P., including projections, estimates, forecasts, plans and objectives. Although management believes that expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to be correct. In addition, these statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other assumptions that are difficult to predict and may be beyond Cypress's control. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, Cypress's actual results may vary materially from what management forecasted, anticipated, estimated, projected or expected.

The key risk factors that may have a direct bearing on Cypress's results of operations and financial condition are described in detail in the "Risk Factors" section of Cypress's most recently filed annual report and subsequently filed quarterly reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are encouraged to closely consider the disclosures and risk factors contained in Cypress's annual and quarterly reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak as of the date of this announcement. Cypress undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Information contained in this press release is unaudited and subject to change.

CYPRESS ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNERS, L.P.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020
(in thousands)
		December 31,				December 31,
		2021				2020
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	8,251			$	12,138
Trade accounts receivable, net			11,541				16,024
Assets of discontinued operations			3,176				8,182
Prepaid expenses and other			1,945				2,002
Debt issuance costs, net			444				-
Total current assets			25,357				38,346
Property and equipment:
Property and equipment, at cost			15,759				23,449
Less: Accumulated depreciation			9,622				14,059
Total property and equipment, net			6,137				9,390
Intangible assets, net			12,993				15,143
Goodwill			50,392				50,389
Finance lease right-of-use assets, net			60				112
Operating lease right-of-use assets			1,449				1,987
Debt issuance costs, net			-				242
Assets of discontinued operations			-				3,807
Other assets			590				570
Total assets		$	96,978			$	119,986
LIABILITIES AND OWNERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	771			$	855
Accounts payable – affiliates			99				58
Accrued payroll and other			5,350				4,768
Income taxes payable			55				268
Finance lease obligations			49				51
Operating lease obligations			429				439
Current portion of long-term debt			54,229				-
Liabilities of discontinued operations			36				1,582
Total current liabilities			61,018				8,021
Long-term debt			-				62,029
Finance lease obligations			4				55
Operating lease obligations			1,078				1,549
Liabilities of discontinued operations			-				245
Other noncurrent liabilities			318				182
Total liabilities			62,418				72,081
Owners’ equity:
Partners’ capital:
Common units (12,361 and 12,213 units outstanding at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively)			13,472				27,507
Preferred units (5,769 units outstanding at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020)			48,424				44,291
General partner			(25,876	)			(25,876	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(2,636	)			(2,655	)
Total partners’ capital			33,384				43,267
Noncontrolling interests			1,176				4,638
Total owners’ equity			34,560				47,905
Total liabilities and owners’ equity		$	96,978			$	119,986

CYPRESS ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNERS, L.P.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the Three Months and Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(in thousands, except per unit data)
		Three Months Ended December 31,								Years Ended December 31,
		2021				2020				2021				2020
		(unaudited)
Revenue		$	27,772			$	33,809			$	117,317			$	187,280
Costs of services			24,016				28,969				101,776				163,741
Gross margin			3,756				4,840				15,541				23,539
Operating costs and expense:
General and administrative			5,845				4,554				17,897				18,242
Depreciation, amortization and accretion			1,238				1,077				4,535				4,325
Impairments			881				-				881				-
Loss on asset disposals, net			23				-				32				5
Operating (loss) income			(4,231	)			(791	)			(7,804	)			967
Other (expense) income:
Interest expense			(949	)			(777	)			(3,601	)			(3,959	)
Foreign currency (losses) gains			(21	)			274				(16	)			107
Other, net			1,712				129				2,024				530
Net loss before income tax expense			(3,489	)			(1,165	)			(9,397	)			(2,355	)
Income tax expense (benefit)			10				(29	)			40				482
Net loss from continuing operations			(3,499	)			(1,136	)			(9,437	)			(2,837	)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax			824				461				(2,642	)			2,471
Net loss		$	(2,675	)		$	(675	)		$	(12,079	)		$	(366	)
Net loss from continuing operations		$	(3,499	)		$	(1,136	)		$	(9,437	)		$	(2,837	)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests – continuing operations			9				5				30				19
Net loss attributable to limited partners – continuing operations			(3,508	)			(1,141	)			(9,467	)			(2,856	)
Net income (loss) attributable to limited partners – discontinued operations			443				269				(1,132	)			1,441
Net loss attributable to limited partners		$	(3,065	)		$	(872	)		$	(10,599	)		$	(1,415	)
Net loss attributable to limited partners – continuing operations		$	(3,508	)		$	(1,141	)		$	(9,467	)		$	(2,856	)
Net income attributable to preferred unitholder			1,034				1,034				4,133				4,133
Net loss attributable to common unitholders – continuing operations			(4,542	)			(2,175	)			(13,600	)			(6,989	)
Net income (loss) attributable to common unitholders – discontinued operations			443				269				(1,132	)			1,441
Net loss attributable to common unitholders		$	(4,099	)		$	(1,906	)		$	(14,732	)		$	(5,548	)
Net (loss) income per common limited partner unit:
Basic and diluted – continuing operations		$	(0.37	)		$	(0.18	)		$	(1.11	)		$	(0.58	)
Basic and diluted - discontinued operations			0.04				0.02				(0.09	)			0.12
Basic and diluted		$	(0.33	)		$	(0.16	)		$	(1.20	)		$	(0.46	)
Weighted average common units outstanding:
Basic and diluted			12,350				12,211				12,318				12,181

Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA
and Distributable Cash Flow
		Three Months Ended December 31,								Years Ended December 31,
		2021				2020				2021				2020
		(in thousands)
Net loss		$	(2,675	)		$	(675	)		$	(12,079	)		$	(366	)
Add:
Interest expense			949				777				3,601				3,959
Depreciation, amortization and accretion			1,190				1,183				4,721				4,775
Income tax expense (benefit)			10				(29	)			40				482
Equity-based compensation			329				232				1,152				961
Impairments			881				-				881				-
Foreign currency losses			21				-				16				-
Discontinued operations (a)			(989	)			255				1,609				1,169
Less:
Foreign currency gains			-				274				-				107
Adjusted EBITDA		$	(284	)		$	1,469			$	(59	)		$	10,873
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interests			(100	)			314				(715	)			1,588
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to limited partners		$	(184	)		$	1,155			$	656			$	9,285
Less:
Preferred unit distributions paid or accrued			1,034				1,034				4,133				4,133
Cash interest paid, cash taxes paid, and maintenance capital expenditures			328				931				3,863				5,394
Distributable cash flow		$	(1,546	)		$	(810	)		$	(7,340	)		$	(242	)

(a)

Amounts include net loss on asset disposals, depreciation, amortization, and accretion expense, interest expense, and income tax expenses that were previously reported within the Pipeline & Process Services segment, prior to that segment being reported as a discontinued operation.

Reconciliation of Net Loss Attributable to
Limited Partners to Adjusted EBITDA Attributable
to Limited Partners and Distributable Cash Flow
		Three Months Ended December 31,								Years Ended December 31,
		2021				2020				2021				2020
		(in thousands)
Net loss attributable to limited partners		$	(3,065	)		$	(872	)		$	(10,599	)		$	(1,415	)
Add:
Interest expense			949				777				3,601				3,959
Depreciation, amortization and accretion			1,190				1,183				4,721				4,775
Income tax expense (benefit)			10				(29	)			40				482
Equity-based compensation			329				232				1,152				961
Impairments			881				-				881				-
Foreign currency losses			21				-				16				-
Discontinued operations (a)			(499	)			138				844				630
Less:
Foreign currency gains			-				274				-				107
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to limited partners		$	(184	)		$	1,155			$	656			$	9,285
Less:
Preferred unit distributions paid or accrued			1,034				1,034				4,133				4,133
Cash interest paid, cash taxes paid, and maintenance capital expenditures			328				931				3,863				5,394
Distributable cash flow		$	(1,546	)		$	(810	)		$	(7,340	)		$	(242	)

(a)

Amounts include net loss on asset disposals, depreciation, amortization, and accretion expense, interest expense, and income tax expenses attributable to limited partners that were previously reported within the Pipeline & Process Services segment, prior to that segment being reported as a discontinued operation.

Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to
Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow
		Years Ended December 31,
		2021				2020
		(in thousands)
Cash flows provided by operating activities		$	3,317			$	27,922
Changes in trade accounts receivable, net			(4,512	)			(30,481	)
Changes in prepaid expenses and other			(409	)			897
Changes in accounts payable and accounts payable - affiliates			64				366
Changes in accrued payroll and other			(499	)			9,614
Change in income taxes payable			213				747
Interest expense (excluding non-cash interest)			2,646				3,379
Income tax expense (excluding deferred tax benefit)			40				482
Bad debt expense, net of recoveries			29				(470	)
Other			(14	)			(44	)
Discontinued operations (a)			(934	)			(1,539	)
Adjusted EBITDA		$	(59	)		$	10,873
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interests			(715	)			1,588
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to limited partners		$	656			$	9,285
Less:
Preferred unit distributions paid or accrued			4,133				4,133
Cash interest paid, cash taxes paid, and maintenance capital expenditures			3,863				5,394
Distributable cash flow		$	(7,340	)		$	(242	)

(a)

Amounts include changes in working capital, interest expense, income tax expense, and other amounts that were previously reported within the Pipeline & Process Services segment, prior to that segment being reported as a discontinued operation.

Operating Data
		Three Months								Years
		Ended December 31,								Ended December 31,
		2021				2020				2021				2020
Inspection Services Segment:
Average number of inspectors			431				546				456				730
Average revenue per inspector per week		$	4,711			$	4,520			$	4,752			$	4,769
Inspection Services gross margins			11.8	%			12.0	%			11.5	%			10.9	%
Environmental Services Segment:
Total barrels of saltwater processed (000's)			1,322				1,863				5,233				7,932
Average revenue per barrel		$	0.82			$	0.74			$	0.83			$	0.73
Environmental Services gross margins			56.9	%			68.6	%			58.9	%			65.0	%
Capital expenditures (inclusive of discontinued operations) (000's)		$	30			$	268			$	347			$	1,950
Common unit distributions (000's)		$	-			$	-			$	-			$	5,098
Preferred unit distributions paid (000's)		$	-			$	1,034			$	-			$	4,133
Preferred unit distributions accrued (000's)		$	1,034			$	-			$	4,133			$	-

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220415005178/en/

Investors:

Cypress Environmental Partners, L.P. - Jeff Herbers – Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

jeff.herbers@cypressenvironmental.biz or 918-947-5730

Source: Cypress Environmental Partners, L.P.

FAQ

What were the financial results for Cypress Environmental Partners in Q4 2021?

Cypress reported a net loss of $4.1 million and adjusted EBITDA of -$0.3 million for Q4 2021.

What challenges is Cypress Environmental Partners facing with its credit agreement?

Cypress is working with lenders to address substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern, as noted in its financial statements.

What actions is Cypress taking regarding its outstanding debt?

Cypress has engaged Piper Sandler to explore recapitalization options and has received several investor proposals.

How has Cypress addressed its legal issues related to the Fair Labor Standards Act?

Cypress has reached a settlement with over 60 plaintiffs to mitigate legal risks and costs.

What is the current market capitalization status of Cypress Environmental Partners?

Cypress's compliance with the NYSE's $15 million market capitalization requirement is under scrutiny, with potential delisting if not met.