Expro Expands Presence and Product Offerings, Completes Acquisition of UK-Based Coretrax

Rhea-AI Summary

Expro (NYSE: XPRO), a top energy services provider, announced the acquisition of Coretrax, an Aberdeen-based technology leader in drilling tools and wellbore solutions.

The acquisition, finalized on May 1, 2024, involves $75 million in cash and 6.75 million newly issued Expro shares.

Michael Jardon, Expro CEO, highlighted the potential for growth in Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, North America, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific due to this acquisition.

This merger aims to enhance Expro’s Well Construction and Well Intervention & Integrity solutions, leveraging Coretrax's innovative technology and customer base.

Positive

• Acquisition completed on May 1, 2024, marking a significant strategic move.
• Total consideration of $75 million in cash and 6.75 million newly issued Expro shares.
• Expected growth in Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East, North America, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific.
• Enhancement of Expro’s portfolio with Coretrax’s high-value technology solutions.
• Strengthened foothold in existing markets and opening new growth avenues.

Negative

• Dilution risk due to issuance of 6.75 million new Expro shares.
• Initial financial burden of $75 million in cash payment.

Insights

Financial Analyst

Expro's acquisition of Coretrax is a significant move, positioning the company to expand its market presence and enhance its technological capabilities. Coretrax's expertise in performance drilling tools and wellbore cleanup aligns well with Expro's existing portfolio, potentially paving the way for operational synergies and cost savings. Importantly, this acquisition will enable Expro to penetrate new markets, particularly in North and Latin America and Asia-Pacific. The total consideration of $75 million in cash and 6.75 million newly issued common shares reflects a balanced approach to financing the deal, minimizing strain on liquidity while also leveraging equity. Investors should keep an eye on how quickly and effectively Expro can integrate Coretrax's operations and whether the expected market expansion materializes.

Market Research Analyst

From a market perspective, the acquisition of Coretrax by Expro could enhance their competitive positioning in the global energy services market. Coretrax's innovative drilling optimization and well integrity technologies are highly complementary to Expro's service offerings. This strategic acquisition not only strengthens Expro's foothold in Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, but also opens new growth avenues in North and Latin America and Asia-Pacific, which are key markets for energy services. The integration of Coretrax's technology could potentially lead to new, high-margin service lines that are attractive to customers focused on cost-efficiency and operational effectiveness.

Energy Sector Expert

This acquisition is noteworthy in the context of the energy sector's broader trends, particularly the emphasis on technological innovation and operational efficiency. The merger of Expro and Coretrax's technologies promises enhanced solutions in well construction, well integrity and production optimization. Given the current market emphasis on maximizing oil and gas recovery while minimizing costs, this acquisition positions Expro favorably. The strategic fit and complementary strengths of Coretrax's technologies could offer Expro a competitive edge, particularly in regions with complex well environments. However, the long-term success of this acquisition will depend on Expro's ability to seamlessly integrate Coretrax's operations and maintain the innovation momentum.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Expro (NYSE: XPRO), a leading provider of energy services, has completed its acquisition of Coretrax, a technology leader in performance drilling tools and wellbore cleanup, well integrity, and production optimization solutions based in Aberdeen, Scotland. The effective date of closing was May 1, 2024.

Expro's Chief Operating Officer, Alistair Geddes with Coretrax's Chief Executive Officer, John Fraser (Photo: Business Wire)

The acquisition of Coretrax, from an investment group led by Buckthorn Partners, will enable Expro to expand its portfolio of cost-effective, technology-enabled Well Construction and Well Intervention & Integrity solutions.

Michael Jardon, Expro Chief Executive Officer, said, “This is an exciting day as we officially welcome John Fraser and his Coretrax teammates to the Expro family. We expect the acquisition to accelerate the growth of Coretrax’s innovative, high value-adding drilling optimization, well integrity and production enhancing technology solutions by leveraging Expro’s global operating footprint.

“Integrating Coretrax’s leading technologies will strengthen our current foothold in the Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa and Middle East and North Africa regions and is expected to open new avenues for growth in North and Latin America and Asia-Pacific. We look forward to leveraging the complementary capabilities and customer relationships of Expro and Coretrax to deliver additional value to our customers and other stakeholders."

John Fraser, CEO at Coretrax added, “This marks the beginning of a brand-new chapter for Coretrax as we unite with Expro to expand our capabilities. Completing this agreement means both organizations working in sync to take on the most complex well challenges. We are proud of our innovation-led approach, strong customer base and performance history as we join forces with Expro to create greater value for customers around the globe.”

Total consideration paid at closing was comprised of $75 million of cash and 6.75 million newly issued Expro common shares.

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC is serving as financial advisor to Expro and CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP is acting as legal counsel on the transaction. Evercore is serving as financial advisor, Blackwoods is acting as legal counsel to Coretrax, and Sidley Austin is acting as legal counsel to Buckthorn Partners on the transaction.

Notes to Editors:

Expro

Working for clients across the entire well life cycle, Expro is a leading provider of energy services, offering cost-effective, innovative solutions and what the Company considers to be best-in-class safety and service quality. The Company’s extensive portfolio of capabilities spans well construction, well flow management, subsea well access, and well intervention and integrity solutions.

With roots dating to 1938, Expro has approximately 8,000 employees and provides services and solutions to leading exploration and production companies in both onshore and offshore environments in approximately 60 countries.

For more information, please visit expro.com and connect with Expro on X (formerly Twitter) @ExproGroup and LinkedIn @Expro.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release, and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of Expro Group Holdings N.V. (“the Company”), may contain certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, the estimates and projections regarding the outcome and benefits of the proposed Coretrax acquisition, the Company’s ability to achieve the anticipated synergies as a result of the proposed Coretrax acquisition, and the Company’s future business strategy and prospects for growth, and are indicated by words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “outlook,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “believe,” “envision,” “goal,” “target,” “can,” “will,” and similar words or phrases. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the future results, performance or achievements expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based largely on the Company’s expectations and judgments and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are unforeseeable and beyond our control. The factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to materially differ include, among others the risk factors identified in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, historical practice, or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240515161636/en/

InvestorRelations@expro.com

MediaRelations@expro.com

Source: Expro

FAQ

What is the effective date of Expro's acquisition of Coretrax?

The effective date of Expro's acquisition of Coretrax is May 1, 2024.

What is the consideration for Expro's acquisition of Coretrax?

The total consideration for Expro's acquisition of Coretrax is $75 million in cash and 6.75 million newly issued Expro common shares.

What does Expro expect from the acquisition of Coretrax?

Expro expects to leverage Coretrax’s technology to enhance their Well Construction and Well Intervention & Integrity solutions, driving growth in multiple regions.

How will Coretrax's integration impact Expro's market presence?

The integration is expected to strengthen Expro’s presence in Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East, and open growth opportunities in North America, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific.

Who advised Expro and Coretrax on the acquisition?

Wells Fargo Securities advised Expro, while Evercore advised Coretrax. Legal counsel was provided by CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP for Expro and Blackwoods and Sidley Austin for Coretrax’s investment group.