Expro International Group PLC
29 September 2003
Embargoed until 07.00
29 September 2003
EXPRO INTERNATIONAL GROUP PLC
("Expro" or "the Group")
Pre-Close Trading Update: Half Year ended 30th September 2003
The Board of Expro International Group PLC ("Expro") announces today that
trading during the half year has been in-line with trends described in the
financial statements for the year ended 30th March 2003. Consequently the
results for the six months to 30th September, 2003 are expected to be in-line
with consensus market expectations.
Activity levels in Europe, particularly in the UK North Sea and Norway, have
remained buoyant, and in the Africa / FSU / ME region there has been a continued
strong performance. In the Asia Pacific region we have successfully launched
well perforation operations in China, incorporating the technology and expertise
we have developed in the US Gulf of Mexico. We will continue to seek
opportunities to internationalise this capability, securing new sources of
revenue for the Group.
For the Americas region, modest expectations were set at the beginning of the
current financial year and the business has delivered on this, despite continued
low levels of activity. Although the onshore rig count rose progressively during
the period and has now stabilised at around 900 rigs, this market is not
significant for Expro. The large majority of our revenue in this region is
driven by the offshore rig count, which has remained static throughout the
period at an average of 105 rigs (prior year period average 109 rigs). We are
now taking a more cautious view on the offshore rig count for the remainder of
the year, even though some observers believe there will be a material
improvement.
The growth opportunities we have identified continue to show promise, with our
new Excape, Cased Hole Services, technology gaining wider market acceptance and
delivering income in excess of double the prior year period levels. We believe
revenue from this perforating technology will continue to grow rapidly and that
Excape has global applications. In the important deepwater market, we have
successfully tested our new large bore electro-hydraulic ultra-deepwater subsea
equipment and we expect to see the benefit in our Subsurface income in West
Africa and the Gulf of Mexico in the next financial year, as current tenders
translate into firm contract awards. Tronic launched its new fibre-optic
connector at the Offshore Europe trade show earlier this month, where it was
very positively received. The QuantX joint venture with Baker Hughes has
established itself in the increasingly important well instrumentation arena and
both partners anticipate a resumption of growth next financial year.
Graeme Coutts, CEO with effect from 1st October, 2003, said: "Market conditions
are generally healthy for the industry and we expect to see a progressive
recovery in our performance as new technology and geographic re-positioning make
their impact. In the short term, weak offshore Gulf of Mexico rig activity is
proving disappointing; however I am happy with our overall progress."
- Ends -
For further information please contact:
Expro International Group PLC 0118 9591 341
Graeme Coutts, CEO designate
Colin Ainger, Director Corporate Development
Weber Shandwick Square Mile 020 7067 0700
Tim Jackaman / Mike Kirk / Rachel Taylor
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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