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Precision Drilling Corporation

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Industry Oil & Gas Exploration & Production
Employees 5001-10,000
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FY2014 Annual Report · Precision Drilling Corporation
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Precision  
Drilling  
Corporation

2014
Annual 
Report

Precision

Management’s 
Discussion and Analysis

Consolidated Financial 
Statements and Notes

Precision

Precision Drilling 
Corporation 
2014

What’s Inside

6  About Precision 

10  2014 Highlights and Outlook

15  Understanding our Business Drivers

  The Energy Industry
  A Competitive Operating Model
  An Effective Strategy

24  2014 Results

 2014 Compared to 2013 
2013 Compared to 2012 
Segmented Results 
Quarterly Financial Results

34  Financial Condition

40  Accounting Policies and Estimates

43  Risks in our Business

50 

 Evaluation of Controls and Procedures

51  Corporate Governance

52 

 Management’s Report  
to the Shareholders

53 

 Independent Auditors’ Reports

55 

 Consolidated Financial  
Statements and Notes

92  Supplemental Information

94  Shareholder Information

95  Corporate Information

 
 
 
 
 
2014 SHARE TRADING SUMMARY

The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX)

P D

Volume (millions)

Share Price (Cdn$)

$16

$12

$8

$4

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$
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d
C

(
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c
i
r

P
e
r
a
h
S

0
Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Toronto (TSX: PD)
High: $15.65    Low: $6.11    Close December 31, 2014: $7.06    Volume Traded: 360,004,415

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)

P DS

Volume (millions)

Share Price (US$)

$16

$12

$8

$4

)
$
S
U

(
e
c
i
r

P
e
r
a
h
S

0
Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

New York (NYSE: PDS) 
High: US$14.65    Low: US$5.27    Close December 31, 2014: US$6.06    Volume Traded: 570,212,820

)
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10

7.5

5.0

2.5

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10

7.5

5.0

2.5

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Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

1

 
 
 
 
 
 
MD&A

Management’s 
Discussion and
Analysis

Precision

Precision Drilling 
Corporation 
2014

This management’s discussion and analysis 
(MD&A) contains information to help you 
understand our business and financial 
performance. Information is as of March 6, 
2015. This MD&A focuses on our consolidated 
financial statements and includes a discussion 
of known risks and uncertainties relating to the 
oilfield services sector. It does not, however, 
cover the potential effects of general economic, 
political, governmental and environmental 
events, or other events that could affect us in 
the future.

You should read this MD&A with the 
accompanying audited consolidated financial 
statements and notes, which have been 
prepared in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and with 
the information in Cautionary Statement About 
Forward-Looking Information and Statements on 
page 3. We adopted IFRS effective January 1, 
2011, and restated our 2010 results at that time.

The terms we, us, our, Precision Drilling and 
Precision mean Precision Drilling Corporation 
and our consolidated subsidiaries, and 
include any partnerships that we and/or our 
subsidiaries are part of.

All amounts are in Canadian dollars unless 
otherwise stated.

2

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND STATEMENTS
We disclose forward-looking information to help current and prospective investors understand our future prospects.

Certain statements contained in this MD&A, including statements that contain words such as “could”, “should”, “can”, 
“anticipate”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, “expect”, “believe”, “will”, “may”, “continue”, “project”, “potential” and similar 
expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts constitute “forward-looking information” 
within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning 
of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, 
“forward-looking information and statements”). 

In particular, our forward-looking information and statements in this MD&A include, but are not limited to, the following: 

   the expected use of the net proceeds from our private offering of 5.25% Senior Notes
   the potential development of the LNG export sector in Canada and the U.S. and its potential to serve as a catalyst 

for future natural gas drilling activity

   continuing customer demand for Tier 1 drilling rigs
   international expansion plans
   our capital expenditure plans including the amounts to be allocated for expansion capital, upgrades and 

sustaining and infrastructure expenditures

   the number of new build rigs to be delivered to customers including timing of delivery 
   the plans to add a training rig to our Nisku facility 
   our strategic priorities for 2015, which includes growing our integrated directional drilling service under the 

Schlumberger alliance

   amendments to IFRS and their expected impact on our financial statements.

These forward-looking information and statements are based on certain assumptions and analysis made by Precision in 
light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments as 
well as other factors we believe are appropriate in the circumstances. These include, among other things:

   our ability to continue to make advances in drilling and completion techniques and make efficiency gains
   our ability to react to customers’ spending plans as a result of the recent decline in oil prices
   the status of current negotiations with our customers and vendors
   Tier 1 rigs remaining best suited for the drilling of the majority of unconventional wells
   increasing demand for integrated directional drilling capabilities
   our ability to deliver rigs to customers on a timely basis
   the general stability of the economic and political environment in the jurisdictions where we operate. 

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

3

Whether actual results, performance or achievements will conform to our expectations and predictions is subject to a 
number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from our 
expectations. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: 

   volatility in the price and demand for oil and natural gas 
   fluctuations in customer spending and its impact on the demand for contract drilling, well servicing and ancillary 

oilfield services 

   the risks associated with our investments in capital assets and changing technology 
   shortages, delays and interruptions in the delivery of equipment, supplies and other key inputs 
   the effects of seasonal and weather conditions on operations and facilities 
   the availability of qualified personnel and management 
   the existence of competitive operating risks inherent in our businesses 
   changes in environmental and safety rules or regulations including increased regulatory scrutiny on horizontal 

drilling and hydraulic fracturing 

   terrorism, social, civil and political unrest in the foreign jurisdictions where we operate 
   fluctuations in foreign exchange, interest rates and tax rates 
   other unforeseen conditions which could impact the use of services supplied by Precision and Precision’s ability 

to respond to such conditions 

   other risks and uncertainties set out in this MD&A under the heading Risks in our Business.

You are cautioned that the foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive. Other risks and uncertainties are set out in 
reports on file with applicable securities regulatory authorities, including but not limited to our annual information form 
(AIF) for the year ended December 31, 2014, which may be accessed on Precision’s SEDAR profile on SEDAR  
(www.sedar.com) or under Precision’s EDGAR profile on EDGAR (www.sec.gov).

All of the forward-looking information and statements made in this MD&A are expressly qualified by these cautionary 
statements. There can be no assurance that actual results or developments that we anticipate will be realized. We 
caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information and statements. The forward-looking information 
and statements made in this MD&A are made as of the date hereof. We will not necessarily update or revise this 
forward-looking information as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless we are required to by 
applicable securities law.

4

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

ADDITIONAL GAAP MEASURES
In this MD&A, we reference additional generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) measures that are not defined 
terms under IFRS to assess performance because we believe they provide useful supplemental information to investors. 

Adjusted EBITDA
We believe that Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before income taxes, finance charges, foreign exchange, impairment 
of goodwill, loss on asset decommissioning, and depreciation and amortization), as reported in the Consolidated 
Statement of Earnings, is a useful supplemental measure because it gives us, and our investors, an indication of the 
results from our principal business activities before consideration of how our activities are financed and excluding the 
impact of foreign exchange, taxation, non-cash depreciation, amortization and impairment charges, and non-cash 
decommissioning charges.

Operating Earnings
We believe that operating earnings, as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings, is a useful measure of our 
income because it gives us, and our investors, an indication of the results of our principal business activities before 
consideration of how our activities are financed and excluding the impact of foreign exchange and taxation.

Funds Provided by Operations
We believe that funds provided by operations, as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow, is a useful 
measure because it gives us, and our investors, an indication of the funds our principal business activities generated 
prior to consideration of working capital, which is primarily made up of highly liquid balances.

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

5

About Precision

Management’s 
Discussion and
Analysis

Precision Drilling Corporation provides onshore drilling, completion and production services to exploration and 
production companies in the oil and natural gas industry.

Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, we are Canada’s largest  
oilfield services company and one of the largest in the U.S. We also have 
operations in Mexico and the Middle East.

Our shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange, under the symbol PD, 
and on the New York Stock Exchange, under the symbol PDS.

Vision

Our vision is to be globally recognized as  

the High Performance, High Value provider  

of land drilling and related services.

You can read about our strategic priorities 

on page 22.

STRENGTH AND FLEXIBILITY
From our founding as a private drilling contractor in the 1950s, 
Precision has grown to become one of the most active drillers in 
North America. Our strength and flexibility are underpinned by four 
distinguishing features:

   a competitive operating model that drives efficiency, quality and cost control
  size and scale of operations that provide higher margins and better service capabilities
  liquidity that allows us to take advantage of business cycle opportunities
  a capital structure that provides long-term stability and flexibility.

6

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

TWO BUSINESS SEGMENTS
We operate our business in two segments, supported by vertically integrated business support systems. 

Precision Drilling Corporation

Contract Drilling Services
•  Drilling rig operations
   – Canada
   – U.S.
   – International
•  Directional drilling operations
   – Canada
   – U.S.

Completion and Production Services

 Canada and U.S.

   – Service rigs
   – Equipment rentals

 Canada

   – Snubbing and coil tubing
   – Camps and catering
   – Water systems

Business support systems
•  Sales and
   marketing

•  Procurement and 
   distribution

 Manufacturing

 Equipment maintenance

 Engineering

   and certification

Corporate support
• 
   systems

Information

•  Health, safety and 
   environment

 Human
   resources

 Finance

 Legal and enterprise 

   risk management

2014 Adjusted EBITDA by Operating Segment

2014 Revenue by Region

Contract
Drilling
Services
91%

Completion 
and Production 
Services
9%

International

8%

Canada

46%

USA

46%

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

7

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Contract Drilling Services
We provide onshore drilling services to exploration and production companies in the oil and natural gas industry, 
operating in Canada, the U.S. and internationally.

We are the second largest land drilling contractor in North America, servicing approximately 23% of the active land 
drilling market in Canada and 5% of the active U.S. market. We also have an international presence with operations  
in Mexico and the Middle East.

At December 31, 2014, our Contract Drilling Services segment consisted of:

  313 land drilling rigs, including:

  – 174 in Canada
  – 124 in the U.S.
  – 6 in Mexico
  – 4 in Saudi Arabia
  – 2 in Kuwait
  – 2 in the Kurdistan region of Iraq
  – 1 in the country of Georgia

   capacity for approximately 88 concurrent directional drilling jobs in Canada and the U.S.
   engineering, manufacturing and repair services primarily for Precision’s operations
   centralized procurement, inventory and distribution of consumable supplies for our global operations.

Drilling Rigs at December 31, 2014

Horsepower

Tier 1

Tier 2

PSST (1)

Total

< 1000

1000-1500

>1500

95

39

14

148

115

20

4

139

7

15

4

26

Geographic location

Canada

U.S.

International

Tier 1

Tier 2

PSST (1)

Total

(1) Precision seasonal, stratification and turnkey rigs.

119

41

14

174

93

23

8

124

5

10

–

15

Total

217

74

22

313

Total

217

74

22

313

Contract Drilling 
Revenue 

Contract Drilling    
Adjusted EBITDA

$ Millions

$2,500

$2,000

$1,500

$1,000

$500

0

$ Millions

$1,000

$800

$600

$400

$200

0

Contract Drilling 
Utilization Days

Utilization Days

80,000

60,000

40,000

20,000

0

2010 2011

2012

2013

2014

2010 2011

2012

2013

2014

2010 2011

2012

2013

2014

8

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Completion and Production Services
We provide completion and workover services and ancillary services and equipment rentals to oil and natural gas 
exploration and production companies primarily in Canada, with a presence in the U.S.

On an operating hour basis in 2014, we serviced approximately 11% of the well completion and workover service rig 
market demand in Canada. 

At December 31, 2014, our Completion and Production Services segment consisted of:

   156 well completion and workover service rigs, including:

  – 148 in Canada
  – 8 in the U.S.

   17 snubbing units in Canada 
   4 coil tubing units in Canada
   approximately 2,600 oilfield rental items including surface storage, small-flow wastewater treatment, power 

generation, and solids control equipment primarily in Canada
   221 wellsite accommodation units in Canada and 65 in the U.S.
   50 drilling camps and four base camps in Canada 
   10 large-flow wastewater treatment units, 25 pump houses and eight potable water production units in Canada.

Service Rig Fleet as at December 31, 2014 

Type

Well Completion and Workover Service

Singles:

  Freestanding mobile

Doubles:

  Mobile

  Freestanding mobile

  Skid

Slants:

  Freestanding

Total service rigs

Snubbing units

Coil tubing units

Total service rigs, snubbing units and coil tubing units

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

94

25

35

28

18

200

20

–

220

90

19

40

22

18

189

18

–

207

90

19

40

22

19

190

19

5

214

90

19

40

22

20

191

19

12

222

74

7

41

14

20

156

17

4

177

Completion and Production 
Revenue

Completion and Production 
Adjusted EBITDA

Completion and Production 
Service Rig Hours

$ Millions

$400

$300

$200

$100

0

$ Millions

$125

$100

$75

$50

$25

0

Hours

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

0

2010 2011

2012

2013

2014

2010 2011

2012

2013

2014

2010 2011

2012

2013

2014

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014 Highlights and Outlook

Management’s 
Discussion and
Analysis

Adjusted EBITDA and funds provided by operations are additional GAAP measures. See page 5 for more information.

Financial Highlights

Year ended December 31 
(thousands of dollars, except where noted)

% increase/

2014

(decrease) 

2013

% increase/
(decrease)

Revenue

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA % of revenue

Net earnings

Cash provided by operations

Funds provided by operations

Investing activities

Capital spending

  Expansion 

  Upgrade 

  Maintenance and infrastructure 

  Proceeds on sale

Net capital spending
Business acquisitions (net of cash  
  acquired)

Earnings per share ($)

Basic

Diluted

Dividends per share ($)

n/m – calculation not meaningful.

Operating Highlights

Year ended December 31

Contract drilling rig fleet

Drilling rig utilization days

Canada

U.S.

International

Service rig fleet

Service rig operating hours

2,350,538

800,370

34.1%

33,152

680,159

697,474

571,383

136,475
148,832

(101,826)

754,864

–

0.11

0.11

0.25

15.8

25.3

(82.7)

58.9

51.0

102.5

(3.3)
32.3

661.5

44.5

–

(84.1)

(83.3)

19.0

2,029,977

638,833

31.5%

191,150

428,086

461,973

282,145

141,132
112,527

(13,372)

522,432

(0.5)

(4.8)

265.1

(32.6)

(22.9)

(52.7)

8.5
(20.6)

(57.4)

(37.6)

2012

2,040,741

670,792

32.9%

52,360

635,286

598,812

596,194

130,094
141,769

(31,423)

836,634

% increase/
(decrease)

4.6

(3.5)

(72.9)

19.2

1.1

30.9

(13.2)
16.9

96.6

17.8

–

(100.0)

25

(100.0)

0.69

0.66

0.21

263.2

266.7

320.0

0.19

0.18

 0.05

(72.9)

(73.1)

n/m

% increase/

2014

(decrease) 

313

(4.3)

32,810

35,075

4,036

177

273,194

7.5

15.9

13.5

(20.3)

(3.7)

2013

327

30,530

30,268

3,555

222

283,576

% increase/

(decrease) 

1.9

(5.6)

(12.5)

70.4

3.7

(3.8)

2012

321

32,352

34,597

2,086

214

294,681

% increase/

(decrease) 

(4.7)

(14.8)

(8.7)

197.2

3.4

(7.2)

10 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

 
 
 
 
 
Financial Position and Ratios

(thousands of dollars, except ratios)

Working capital 

Working capital ratio

Long-term debt

Total long-term financial liabilities

Total assets
Enterprise value (1)
Long-term debt to long-term debt plus equity (2)

Long-term debt to cash provided by operations

Long-term debt to enterprise value

December 31, 
2014

December 31, 
2013

December 31, 
2012

653,630

2.3

1,852,186

1,881,275

5,308,996

3,265,865

0.43

2.72

0.57

305,783

1.9

1,323,268

1,355,535

4,579,123

3,919,763

0.36

3.09

0.34

278,021

1.7

1,218,796

1,245,290

4,300,263

3,213,406

0.36

1.92

0.38

(1) Share price multiplied by the number of shares outstanding plus long-term debt minus working capital. See page 39 for more information. 
(2) Net of unamortized debt issue costs.

2014 OVERVIEW
Net earnings in 2014 were $33 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, compared to $191 million, or $0.66 per diluted share 
in 2013. During the year, we recorded a before-tax asset decommissioning charge and goodwill write down totaling 
$222 million that reduced net earnings by $182 million and net earnings per diluted share by $0.62. Effective January 1, 
2014, we began calculating depreciation on our drilling rigs and service rigs on a straight-line basis, which reduced 
net earnings for the year by approximately $29 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, from what net earnings would have 
been using the previous depreciation method. We believe that, due to technological developments within the industry, 
straight-line depreciation better reflects the allocation of the cost of the assets over their expected lives.

Revenue in 2014 was $2,351 million, 16% higher than in 2013, mainly due to improved utilization and higher average 
pricing in our Contract Drilling Services segment. Contract Drilling Services revenue was up 17%, while revenue from 
Completion and Production Services was up 6%. Our international drilling activity increased 15% with an average of 15 
rigs working in 2014 compared to 13 in 2013. 

Adjusted EBITDA in 2014 was $800 million, 25% higher than in 2013. Our Adjusted EBITDA margin was 34%, compared 
to 31% in 2013. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA margin was mainly the result of higher utilization and improved margin 
in our Contract Drilling Services segment. Adjusted EBITDA margin for the year in our Contract Drilling Services segment 
was 41%, compared with 38% in the prior year, while Adjusted EBITDA margin from our Completion and Production 
segment was 17% compared to a prior year margin of 19%. A competitive industry and fixed costs contributed to the 
lower margin in our Completion and Production Services segment. Our portfolio of term customer contracts, a scalable 
operating cost structure, and economies achieved through vertical integration of the supply chain all help us manage our 
Adjusted EBITDA margin.

On June 3, 2014, we issued US$400 million of 5.25% Senior Notes due in 2024 in a private offering. The Notes are 
guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by current and future U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries that also guarantee 
our revolving credit facility and certain other indebtedness. We expect to use the net proceeds from this placement for 
general corporate purposes, including building new drilling rigs. 

Drilling activity was robust throughout most of 2014, despite rapidly falling oil prices in the second half of the year. On 
the strength of oil prices, the industry momentum at the end of 2013 continued into 2014 as customers in North America 
focused on unconventional oil and natural gas liquids targets. Drilling activity in the Middle East and Mexico was strong 
throughout 2014, driven primarily by higher oil prices. Natural gas prices were higher for most of the year relative to 2013, 
but not high enough to encourage increased gas-directed drilling activity.

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

11

During the year, we decommissioned 29 drilling rigs, 35 well servicing rigs and two snubbing units and recognized a 
non-cash pre-tax decommissioning charge of $127 million. Certain components of the decommissioned equipment 
will be used in our ongoing operations. We also recorded a $95 million impairment charge to the goodwill attributable 
to Canadian well servicing and the wastewater treatment businesses as it was determined that their carrying values 
exceeded their recoverable amounts. 

In the fourth quarter of 2014, we increased our quarterly dividend to $0.07 per common share.

OUTLOOK

Contracts
Our strong portfolio of term customer contracts provides a base level 
of activity and revenue and, as of March 6, 2015, we had term contracts 
in place for an average of 104 rigs: 45 in Canada, 48 in the U.S. and  
11 internationally for 2015. In Canada, term contracted rigs normally 
generate 250 utilization days per rig year because of the seasonal nature 
of wellsite access. In most regions in the U.S. and internationally, term contracts normally generate 365 utilization  
days per rig year. In 2014, approximately 49% of our total contract drilling revenue was generated from rigs under 
term contract.

for Canada, and one for Kuwait).

We expect to add 17 new-build Super Series 

rigs to our fleet in 2015 (13 for the U.S., three 

Pricing, Demand and Utilization
The demand for energy is highly correlated with global economic growth and has been rising over the past several years 
with the improvement in the global economic situation. In addition, per capita energy consumption has been increasing 
in many developing countries. These demand fundamentals, along with the challenges of maintaining or growing global 
supply, supported stronger oil prices from 2009 through much of 2014. However, in late 2014 the price of crude oil on 
global markets began declining rapidly as global oversupply drove prices down sharply. For the first three quarters of 
2014, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) averaged US$99.82 per barrel while from October 1, 2014 to March 6, 2015 WTI 
averaged US$63.21 per barrel. WTI closed at US$49.61 per barrel on March 6, 2015.

Natural gas prices have been depressed for a few years, reaching 10-year lows in 2012 before recovering slightly in 2014 
to average US$4.33 per MMBtu at Henry Hub. Lower natural gas prices have persisted due to increased production from 
unconventional resource development, higher than average storage levels, and the lack of an export market from North 
America. Despite the industry-wide decline in natural gas drilling activity, U.S. production has continued to grow, keeping 
prices low.

Natural gas demand in North America largely depends on the weather with colder winter temperatures and, to a lesser 
extent, warmer summer temperatures resulting in greater natural gas demand. Other demand drivers, such as natural 
gas fired power generation, industrial applications and transportation, have shown positive growth over the past several 
years driven by a preference for natural gas over coal, favourable regulation and lower prices. As well, the potential of 
liquefied natural gas (LNG) export development in both Canada and the U.S. could serve as a catalyst for natural gas 
directed drilling activity over the medium to long term. 

The oil rig count at March 6, 2015 was 37% lower in the U.S. than it was a year ago, and 61% lower in Canada. Despite 
declines of over 40% from peak levels in November 2014, the overall North American land oil directed rig count on 
March 6, 2015 was approximately three times higher than it was on March 6, 2009, supported by unconventional oil 
drilling in plays such as Bakken, Cardium, Montney, Duvernay, Eagle Ford, Granite Wash, Niobrara and Permian. We 
expect exploration and production companies drilling unconventional oil and gas wells will continue to seek ways to 
increase efficiencies and lower costs in their operations, supporting demand for highly efficient Tier 1 drilling rigs.

12 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

 
International
We currently have 15 rigs in Mexico and the Middle East, and we plan to deliver another new-build rig to Kuwait in 
the first half of 2015. 

Upgrading the Fleet
We and some of our competitors have been upgrading the drilling rig fleet by building new rigs and upgrading existing 
rigs. We believe this retooling of the industry-wide fleet has been making Tier 3 rigs virtually obsolete in North America. 
In the fourth quarter of 2012, we decommissioned 52 rigs from our fleet and exited the conventional Tier 3 contract 
drilling business. In the fourth quarter of 2014, we decommissioned a further 29 drilling rigs (19 in Canada and 
10 in the U.S.). Our focus on the Tier 1 market is aligned with our corporate strategy, customer relationships and 
competitive position. 

Capital Spending
We expect capital spending in 2015 to be approximately $487 million ($481 million in the Contract Drilling Services 
segment and $6 million in the Completion and Production Services segment): 

   $370 million for expansion capital, which includes the cost to complete construction of the 17 remaining drilling 

rigs from the 2014 new-build rig program

   $40 million for upgrade capital 
   $77 million for sustaining and infrastructure expenditures, which is based on currently anticipated activity levels.

Following is a new-build delivery schedule of expected deliveries in 2015. All of the rigs shown on the table below are 
backed by customer contracts.

Rig Deliveries:

Canada

U.S.

International

Q1

Q2

2

7

–

9

–

6

1

7

2015

Q3

1

–

–

1

Q4

Total

–

–

–

–

3

13

1

17

The 13 rigs for the U.S. are Super Triple rigs and are scheduled to be delivered to multiple unconventional basins for 
five different customers. The new-build rigs in Canada are ST-1200 rigs for three different customers. The international 
new-build ST-1500 rig is expected to be delivered to Kuwait in June 2015. As at March 6, 2015, eight of the 17 rigs had 
been delivered and placed into service.

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

13

i

%
n
g
r
a
M

50

40

30

20

10

0

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Revenue and 
Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

Adjusted EBITDA

Revenue

Source: Precision Drilling 

Funds From Operations

Note: 2009 was prepared under 
previous Canadian GAAP

s
n
o

i
l
l
i

M
$

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

s
n
o

i
l
l
i

M
$

Source: Precision Drilling

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Drilling Utilization Days

80,000

60,000

s
y
a
D

40,000

20,000

0

International

USA

Canada

Source: Precision Drilling

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

14  Management’s Discussion and Analysis

 
 
 
Understanding our Business Drivers

Management’s 
Discussion and
Analysis

THE ENERGY INDUSTRY
Precision operates in the energy services business, which is an inherently challenging cyclical industry. Customer 
demand depends on the end price for their products: crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids.

We depend on oil and natural gas exploration and production companies to contract our services as part of their 
development activities. The economics of their business are dictated by the current and expected future margin between 
their finding and development costs and the eventual market price for the commodities they produce.

Commodity Prices
Our customers’ cash flow to fund exploration and development is dependent on commodity prices: higher prices 
increase cash flow and encourage investment. 

Oil can be transported relatively easily, so it is generally priced in a global market that is influenced by an array of 
economic and political factors. Oil prices had generally been relatively strong since 2009 as supply and demand 
fundamentals remained tight. Strong prices contributed to significant drilling activity in North America, resulting in supply 
growth, particularly from shale plays in the U.S. This activity, combined with slower than expected global demand growth 
and sustained production levels from OPEC, led to a supply-demand imbalance, which resulted in price deterioration 
beginning in late 2014 and continuing into 2015. 

Natural gas and natural gas liquids continue to be priced regionally. In North America, colder weather late in 2013 and 
early 2014 increased demand for natural gas, depleting inventories and causing spot prices to rise at the beginning of 
the year. But as the year progressed, supplies of unconventional natural gas increased and inventories reached levels 
that are viewed as adequate to keep North American markets well supplied. 

WTI Oil Prices and 
Henry Hub Natural 
Gas Prices

12

t

u
B
M
M
/
$
S
U

8

4

Henry Hub Natural Gas Prices

West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) 
Oil Prices

Source: Precision Drilling 

0
Jan-10

Jan-11

Jan-12

Jan-13

Jan-14

Jan-15

120

80

40

0

l

e
r
r
a
b
/
$
S
U

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

15

New Technology 
Technological advancements in horizontal drilling, fracturing and stimulation have brought about a shift in development 
from conventional to unconventional natural gas and oil reservoirs. This is giving companies cost-effective access to 
more complex reservoirs in North America, in existing basins and in new basins that have not been economic in the past. 

The following chart shows the consistent trend away from vertical wells to more demanding directional/horizontal well 
programs, which require higher capacity equipment and greater technical expertise for drilling. These trends are driving 
the demand for high performing, Tier 1 drilling rigs, which garner premium contract rates.

Directional/Horizontal 
Wells Drilled as a 
Percentage of Total Wells
Drilled in Canada

100

80

60

40

20

t

e
g
a
n
e
c
r
e
P

Precision

Canada Industry Excluding Precision

Source: Whelby Data

0
Jan-10

Jan-11

Jan-12

Jan-13

Jan-14

Jan-15

These technical innovations have been a major factor in the increase in natural gas production in the U.S., which is 
becoming less reliant on Canada as a source of natural gas. Natural gas production in Canada has been declining 
because of lower natural gas directed drilling due to pricing pressure and Canada’s lack of an export market other than 
the U.S. 

U.S. Lower 48 Production

100

)
d
/
f
c
B

(

s
a
G

l

a
r
u
a
N

t

80

60

40

20

U.S. Lower 48 Natural Gas Production

U.S. Lower 48 Crude Oil Production

Source: Energy Information Administration

0
Jan-10

Jan-11

Jan-12

Jan-13

Jan-14

Jan-15

10

8

6

4

2

0

l

)
d
/
s
b
b
M
M

(

l
i

O
e
d
u
r
C

16 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

 
 
 
 
Canadian Production

20

16

12

8

4 

)
d
/
f
c
B

(

s
a
G

l

a
r
u
a
N

t

Canadian Crude Oil Production

Canadian Natural Gas Production

Source: Energy Information Administration
and First Energy Capital

0
Jan-10

Jan-11

Jan-12

Jan-13

Jan-14

Jan-15

5

4

3

2

1

0

l

)
d
/
s
b
b
M
M

(

l
i

O
e
d
u
r
C

Drilling Activity
The graphs below show that, since 2010, drilling activity in the U.S. and Canada has been shifting from natural gas to oil. 
The Canadian drilling rig activity graph also shows how Canadian drilling activity fluctuates with the seasons, a market 
dynamic that in general is not present in the U.S. 

U.S. Drilling Rig Activity

1,600

i

g
n
k
r
o
W
s
g
R

i

1,200

800

400

0
Jan-10

Jan-11

Jan-12

Jan-13

Jan-14

Jan-15

Natural Gas Rigs

Crude Oil Rigs

Source: Baker Hughes, Inc.

Canadian Drilling Rig Activity

600

Natural Gas Rigs

Crude Oil Rigs

Source: Baker Hughes, Inc.

i

g
n
k
r
o
W
s
g
R

i

400

200

0
Jan-10

Jan-11

Jan-12

Jan-13

Jan-14

Jan-15

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A COMPETITIVE OPERATING MODEL
The contract drilling business is highly competitive, with numerous industry participants. We compete for long-term 
drilling contracts that are often awarded based on a competitive bid process. 

We believe potential customers focus on pricing and rig availability when selecting a drilling contractor, but also consider 
many other things, including drilling capabilities and condition of rigs, quality of rig crews, breadth of service and safety 
record, among others.

Providing High Performance, High Value services to our customers is the core of our competitive strategy. We deliver 
High Performance by employing passionate people supported by superior systems and equipment designed to 
maximize productivity and reduce risks. We create High Value by operating safely, lowering customer risks and costs, 
developing people, generating financial growth, and attracting investment.

Operating Efficiency
We keep customer well costs down by maximizing the efficiency of operations in several ways:
   using innovative and advanced drilling technology that is efficient and reduces costs
   having equipment that is geographically dispersed, reliable and well maintained 
   monitoring our equipment to minimize mechanical downtime
   effectively managing operations to keep non-productive time to a minimum
   compensating our executives and eligible employees based on performance against safety, operational, employee 

retention, and financial measures.

Efficient, Cost-Reducing Technology
We focus on providing efficient, cost-reducing drilling technology. Design innovations and technology improvements, 
such as multi-well pad capability and mobility between wells, capture incremental time savings during the 
drilling process. 

The versatile Precision Super Series design features technical innovations in safety and drilling efficiency for horizontal 
wells on a single or multiple well pad. Precision Super Series rigs use extended length drill pipe, an integrated top 
drive, innovative unitization to facilitate quick moves between well locations, a small footprint to minimize environmental 
impact, and enhanced safety features such as automated pipe handling with iron roughnecks and remotely operated 
torque wrenches.

Super Triple electric rigs (ST-1200 and ST-1500) have greater hoisting capacity and are used in deeper exploration and 
development drilling, while Super Single rigs are used in shallow to medium depth applications. Power capabilities are 
a major design criterion for Super Triple rigs. Drilling productivity and reliability with AC power drive systems provides 
added precision and measurability, while a computerized electronic auto driller feature precisely controls weight, rotation 
and torque on the drill bit. 

Broad Geographic Footprint
Geographic proximity and fleet versatility make us a comprehensive provider of High Performance, High Value services 
to our customers. Our large, diverse fleet of rigs is strategically deployed across the most active drilling regions in 
North America, including the major unconventional oil and natural gas basins. 

18 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Managing Downtime
Reliable and well-maintained equipment minimizes downtime and non-productive time during operations. We manage 
mechanical downtime through preventative maintenance programs, detailed inspection processes, an extensive fleet of 
strategically located spare equipment, and an in-house supply chain. We minimize non-productive time (move, rig-up 
and rig-out time) by utilizing walking and skidding systems, reducing the number of move loads per rig, having lighter 
move loads, and using mechanized equipment for safer and quicker rig component connections.

Tracking Our Results
We unitize key financial information per day and per hour, and compare these measures to established benchmarks 
and past performance. We evaluate the relative strength of our financial position by monitoring our working capital, 
debt ratios, and returns on capital employed. We track industry rig utilization statistics to evaluate our performance 
against competitors. And we link incentive compensation for our senior team to returns generated compared to 
established benchmarks. 

We reward executives and eligible employees through incentive compensation plans for performance against the 
following measures:

   Safety performance – total recordable incident frequency per 200,000 man-hours. Measured against prior year 

performance and current year industry performance in Canada and the U.S.

   Operational performance – rig down time for repair as measured by time not billed to the customer. Measured 

against a predetermined target of available billable time.

   Key field employee retention – senior field employee retention rates. Measured against predetermined target rates 

of retention.

   Financial performance – Adjusted EBITDA and return on capital employed calculated as a percentage of pre-tax 

operating earnings divided by total assets less current liabilities. Measured against predetermined targets.

   Investment returns – total shareholder return performance, including dividends, against an industry peer group 

over a three year period. Measured against predetermined competitors in the established peer group.

Top Tier Service 
We pride ourselves on providing quality equipment operated by experienced and well-trained crews. We also strive to 
align our capabilities with evolving technical requirements associated with more complex well bore programs.

High Performance Rig Fleet
Our fleet of drilling rigs is well positioned to address the unconventional  
drilling programs of our customers. The vast majority of our drilling rigs 
have been designed or significantly upgraded to drill horizontal wells. 
With a breadth of horsepower types and drilling depth capabilities, our 
large fleet can address every type of onshore unconventional oil and 
natural gas drilling opportunity in North America.

In 2014, we high-graded our drilling rig fleet, as follows:

69%

As at December 31, 2014, 69% of our  

313 drilling rigs were Tier 1 rigs.

   added 15 Tier 1 new-build drilling rigs, with 17 additional Tier 1 new-build drilling rigs in various stages of 

completion expected to be delivered by mid 2015

   upgraded 12 drilling rigs, half of which were tier upgrades
   decommissioned 29 legacy drilling rigs (19 in Canada and 10 in the U.S.).

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

19

As at December 31, 2014, 69% of our 313 drilling rigs were Tier 1 rigs.

Tier 1

Rigs are better suited to meet the 
challenges of complex customer 
requirements for resource 
exploitation in North American 
shale and unconventional plays

High performance Super Series rigs, innovative in design, capable of drilling directionally or horizontally, 
highly mobile (move with pad walking or skidding systems or require fewer trucking loads)

Features
  highly mechanized tubular handling equipment
 integrated top drive or top drive adaptability
  advanced AC, silicone controlled rectifier (SCR) and mechanical power distribution and 

control efficiencies 

 electronic or hydraulic control of the majority of operating parameters
 specialized drilling tubulars
 high-capacity mud pumps 
 majority use Range III drill pipe

Tier 2 

High performance rigs, capable of drilling directionally or horizontally, generally less mobile than Tier 1 rigs

High performance rigs with new 
equipment and modifications to 
improve performance and enhance 
directional and horizontal drilling 
capability

Features
  some mechanization of tubular handling equipment
  top drive adaptability
  SCR or mechanical-type power systems
  increased hookload and or racking capabilities
  upgraded power generating, control systems and other major components
  high-capacity mud pumps

PSST (Precision seasonal, 
stratification and turnkey) 

Acceptable level of performance for certain drilling requirements but would require major equipment 
upgrades to meet the criteria of a Tier 2 or Tier 1 rig

Typically, conventional mechanical 
rigs with no automation and lower 
pumping capacity

  Other than 22 rigs retained for seasonal, stratification and turnkey drilling work, we have exited the  
Tier 3 market. We believe that developments in the land drilling industry have made the Tier 3 rigs 
virtually obsolete in North America.

Our service rigs provide completion, workover, abandonment, well maintenance, high pressure operations and critical 
sour gas well work, and well re-entry preparation across the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, and the northern U.S. 
Service rigs are supported by three field locations in Alberta, two in Saskatchewan, and one in each of Manitoba, British 
Columbia, and North Dakota.

Snubbing units complement traditional natural gas well servicing by allowing customers to work on wells while they are 
pressurized and production has been suspended. We have two kinds of snubbing units: rig-assist and self-contained. 
Self-contained units do not require a service rig on site and are capable of snubbing and performing many other well 
servicing procedures.

Coil tubing units have the ability to service horizontal wells by pushing the tubing rather than relying on gravity. Coil 
tubing often works more effectively in the unconventional horizontal wells that are becoming more common. We began 
using our first coil tubing unit in the first quarter of 2012 and by the end of 2013 we had 12 units operating. However, in 
the fourth quarter of 2014, we sold our U.S. coil tubing assets for cash consideration of $44 million. Our remaining four 
coil tubing units continue to serve the Canadian market. 

Ancillary Equipment and Services
An inventory of equipment (portable top drives, loaders, boilers, tubulars and well control equipment) supports our 
fleet of drilling and service rigs. We also maintain an inventory of key rig components to minimize downtime due to 
equipment failure.

We benefit from internal services for equipment certifications and component manufacturing provided by Rostel 
Industries and for standardization and distribution of consumable oilfield products through Columbia Oilfield Supply 
in Canada and Precision Supply in the U.S. 

Precision Rentals supplies customers with an inventory of specialized equipment and wellsite accommodations. 
Precision Camp Services supplies meals and provides accommodation for crews at remote oilfield worksites. Terra Water 
Systems plays an essential role in providing water treatment services as well as potable water production plants for 
Precision Camp Services and other camp facilities.

20 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Systematic Maintenance
We consistently reinvest capital to sustain and upgrade existing property, plant and equipment. We match equipment 
repair and maintenance expenses to activity levels under our maintenance and certification programs. We use computer 
systems to track key preventative maintenance indicators for major rig components, record equipment performance 
history, schedule equipment certifications, reduce downtime, and better manage our assets. We have a continuous 
maintenance program for essential elements, such as tubulars and engines.

Technical Centres 
We operate two contract drilling technical centres, one in Nisku, Alberta and the other in Houston, Texas. We also operate 
one Completion and Production Services technical centre in Red Deer, Alberta. These centres house our technical 
service and field training groups and enable us to consolidate support and training for our operations. The Houston 
facility includes a fully functioning training rig with the latest drilling technologies; a training rig will be added at the Nisku 
facility in 2015. In addition, our Houston facility houses our rig manufacturing group. 

Upgrade Opportunities
We leverage our internal manufacturing and repair capabilities and inventory of quality rigs to address market demand 
through upgraded drilling and service rigs. For drilling rigs, the upgrade is typically performed at the request of a 
customer and includes a term contract. The upgrade may result in a change in tier classification.

People
Having an experienced, high performance crew is a competitive strength  
and highly valued by our customers. There are often shortages of 
industry manpower in peak operating periods. We rely heavily on our 
safety record, investment in employee development, and reputation to 
attract and retain employees. Our people strategies focus on initiatives 
that provide a safe and productive work environment, opportunity for advancement, and added wage security. We have 
centralized personnel, orientation, and training programs in Canada. In the U.S., these functions are managed to align 
with regional labour and customer service requirements.

(www.toughnecks.com), our highly 

In 2008, we launched Toughnecks  

successful field recruiting program.

Systems
Our fully integrated, enterprise-wide reporting system has improved business performance through real-time access to 
information across all functional areas. All of our divisions operate on a common integrated system using standardized 
business processes across finance, payroll, equipment maintenance, procurement, and inventory control functions.

We continue to invest in information systems that provide competitive advantages. Electronic links between field and 
financial systems provide accuracy and timely processing. This repository of rig data improves response time to 
customer inquiries. Rig manufacturing projects also benefit from scheduling and budgeting tools as economies of scale 
can be identified and leveraged as construction demands increase.

Safe Operations
Safety, environmental stewardship and employee wellness are critical for us and for our customers and are the 
foundation of our culture.

Safety performance is a fundamental contributor to operating  
performance and the financial results we generate for our shareholders. 
We track safety using an industry standard recordable frequency statistic 
that benchmarks successes and isolates areas for improvement. We 
have taken it to another level by tracking and measuring all injuries, 
regardless of severity, because they are leading indicators of the potential for a more serious incident. In 2014, 256 of our 
drilling rigs and 195 of our service rigs achieved Target Zero. We continue to embrace technological advancements that 
make operations safer.

incidents is a core belief that all injuries can 

Our safety vision for eliminating workplace 

be prevented.

Target Zero

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

21

Together with our customers, we are continuously looking for opportunities to reduce our consumption of  
non-renewable resources and reduce our environmental footprint. We use technology to minimize our impact on  
the environment, including: 

  heat recovery and distribution systems
  power generation and distribution
  fuel management
  fuel type
  noise reduction
  recycling of used materials 
  use of recycled materials
  efficient equipment designs
  spill containment.

AN EFFECTIVE STRATEGY
Precision’s vision is to be recognized as the High Performance, High Value provider of services for global energy 
exploration and development. We work toward this vision by defining and measuring our results against strategic 
priorities we establish at the beginning of every year. 

2014 Strategic Priorities

2014 Results

Execute our High Performance, High Value strategy
Invest in our physical and human capital infrastructure to advance 
field level professional development.

Provide industry leading service to customers and demand safe 
operations.

Leverage our scale of operations and utilize established systems  
to promote consistent and reliable service.

Execute on existing organic growth opportunities 
Deliver new-build and upgraded drilling rigs to customer contracts, 
expand international activity in existing locations and grow our LNG 
drilling leadership position. 

Be a recognized leader in the integrated directional drilling 
transformation. 

Grow our U.S. presence in Completion and Production Services. 

Improved safety performance in both operating segments in 2014, 
resulting in the best performance in our history.

Completed construction of our Nisku Technical Centre.

Entered into a technology service agreement and marketing alliance 
with Schlumberger that enables us to market a full range of downhole 
technology.

Increased the utilization of our centralized U.S. repair and 
maintenance facility.

Achieved Target Zero for more than 75% of our drilling rigs and 90% 
of our service rigs.

Achieved better than predetermined targets for mechanical downtime.

Delivered 15 new-build Super Series rigs to customers on long-term 
contracts and upgraded 12 existing drilling rigs to higher specification 
assets under long-term contracts.

Signed customer contracts for the delivery of 17 new-build rigs 
in 2015.

Seven of the new-build deliveries in 2014 and 2015 are for customers 
with an ownership interest in resources expected to support potential 
Canadian LNG exports.

Expanded international operations with rig additions in the 
Middle East.

Build our brand
Uphold our reputation and market breadth in North America while 
strengthening our presence in select oilfield markets internationally.

Delivered strong Canadian and U.S. financial performance throughout 
2014 and exceeded employee retention goals across all targeted 
skill positions.

Increased recognition from U.S. and international investors while 
retaining strong support from Canadian base.

Our corporate and competitive growth strategies are designed to optimize resource allocation and differentiate 
us from the competition, generating value for investors. Despite the recent drop in industry activity, long-term 
we see opportunities for growth in our Contract Drilling Services land drilling rig fleet both in North America and 
internationally. Unconventional drilling is the primary opportunity in the North American marketplace. Unconventional 
resource development requires advanced Tier 1 drilling rigs and other highly developed services that facilitate the 
drilling of reliable, predictable and repeatable horizontal wells. The completion and production work associated with 
unconventional wells provides the most profitable growth opportunities for Completion and Production Services.

22 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FOR 2015

Work with our customers to lower well costs
Deliver High Performance, High Value services to customers  
to create maximum efficiency and lower risks for development 
drilling programs. 

Utilize our unique platform of Tier 1 assets, geographically 
diverse operations, and highly efficient service offering to deliver 
cost-reducing solutions. 

Grow our cost-reducing integrated directional drilling service  
with the Schlumberger alliance.

Maximize cost efficiency throughout the organization 
Continue to leverage Precision’s scale to reduce costs and deliver 
High Performance. 

Maximize the benefits of the variable nature of operating and 
capital costs.

Maintain an efficient corporate cost structure by optimizing systems 
for assets, people and business management. 

Maintain our uncompromising focus on worker safety, premium 
service quality, and employee development.

Reinforce our competitive advantage 
Gain market share as Tier 1 rigs remain most in demand.

Manage liquidity and focus activities on cash flow generation
Monitor working capital, debt and liquidity ratios.

High-grade our active rig fleet by delivering new-build rigs 
and maximizing customer opportunities to utilize High 
Performance assets. 

Deliver consistent, reliable, High Performance service.

Retain and continue to develop the industry’s best people.

Maintain a scalable cost structure that is responsive to changing 
competition and market demand.

Adjust capital plans according to utilization and customer demand.

Link executive incentive compensation to our performance.

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

23

2014 Results

Management’s 
Discussion and
Analysis

Adjusted EBITDA and operating earnings are additional GAAP measures. See page 5 for more information.

Consolidated Statements of Earnings Summary

Year ended December 31 (thousands of dollars)

2014

2013

2012

2,017,110

343,556

(10,128)

2,350,538

821,490

57,954

(79,074)

800,370

448,669

126,699

225,002

95,170

(946)

109,701

21,077

(12,075)

33,152

1,719,910

323,353

(13,286)

2,029,977

653,664

61,032

(75,863)

638,833

333,159

–

305,674

–

(9,112)

93,248

221,538

30,388

191,150

1,725,240

326,079

(10,578)

2,040,741

649,281

93,554

(72,043)

670,792

307,525

192,469

170,798

52,539

3,753

86,829

27,677

(24,683)

52,360

2014

2013

2012

1,077,814

1,096,918

195,487

(19,681)

1,002,199

1,053,966

901,246

137,681

(11,149)

936,113

64,017

(13,355)

2,350,538

2,029,977

2,040,741

2,434,774

2,244,867

629,355

5,308,996

2,082,958

2,006,519

489,646

4,579,123

2,119,891

1,913,810

266,562

4,300,263

Revenue

Contract Drilling Services

Completion and Production Services

Inter-segment elimination

Adjusted EBITDA

Contract Drilling Services

Completion and Production Services

Corporate and Other

Depreciation and amortization

Loss on asset decommissioning

Operating earnings

Impairment of goodwill

Foreign exchange

Finance charges

Earning before income taxes

Income taxes

Net earnings

Results by Geographic Segment

Year ended December 31 (thousands of dollars)

Revenue

Canada

U.S.

International

Inter-segment elimination

Total assets

Canada

U.S.

International

24 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

2014 COMPARED TO 2013
Net earnings in 2014 were $33 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, compared to $191 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, 
in 2013. During the year, we recorded a before-tax asset decommissioning charge and goodwill write down totaling 
$222 million that reduced net earnings by $182 million and net earnings per diluted share by $0.62. Effective January 1, 
2014, we began calculating depreciation on our drilling rigs and service rigs on a straight-line basis, which reduced net 
earnings by approximately $29 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, compared with what net earnings would have been 
using the previous depreciation method.

Revenue was $2,351 million, 16% higher than 2013. The increase was the result of improved utilization and average 
pricing in our Contract Drilling Services segment.

Adjusted EBITDA in 2014 was $800 million, 25% higher than 2013, primarily because of higher activity levels and higher 
average pricing in our Contract Drilling Services segment. Activity, as measured by drilling utilization days, increased 8% 
in Canada, 16% in the U.S., and 14% internationally compared to 2013.

Average Oil and Natural Gas Prices

Oil 

2014

2013

2012

West Texas Intermediate (per barrel)

US $93.06

US $98.02

US $94.13

Natural gas

Canada

  AECO (per MMBtu)

U.S.

  Henry Hub (per MMBtu)

$4.45

$3.18

$2.39

US $4.33

US $3.73

US $2.75

Key Statistics
There were 10,942 wells drilled in western Canada in 2014, consistent with the 10,903 drilled in 2013. Despite only 
increasing 39 wells, total industry drilling operating days were 9% higher than 2013, at 131,021. Average industry drilling 
operating days per well was 12.0 compared to 11.0 in 2013. Average depth of a well increased 8%. 

Approximately 37,500 wells were started onshore in the U.S., 5% more than the approximately 35,700 wells started 
in 2013. 

Goodwill
Under IFRS, we are required annually to assess the carrying value of our assets in cash generating units containing 
goodwill. Due to the decrease in oil and natural gas well drilling in Canada and the outlook for pricing, we recognized 
a $95 million impairment charge on goodwill in 2014, which represented the full amount of goodwill attributable to our 
Canadian well servicing operation and water treatment operations.

Foreign Exchange
We recognized a foreign exchange gain of $1 million in 2014 (2013 – $9 million) because the Canadian dollar weakened 
in value against the U.S. dollar and this affected the net U.S. dollar denominated monetary position in our Canadian 
dollar-based companies.

Finance Charges
Finance charges were $110 million, an increase of $16 million compared with 2013. The increase is the result of the 
issuance of the US$400 million 5.25% Senior Notes due in 2024 and the impact of the weaker Canadian dollar on our 
U.S. dollar denominated interest. 

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

25

 
 
Income Taxes
Income taxes were a recovery of $12 million, $42 million lower than 2013 mainly because operating results were lower.

On August 7, 2014, the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled in favour of Precision’s wholly owned subsidiary, Inter-Leasing, Inc., 
reversing a decision by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice dated June 2013, regarding the reassessment of Ontario 
income tax for Inter-Leasing, Inc.’s 2001 through 2004 taxation years. The Ontario Minister of Revenue made an 
application to the Supreme Court of Canada seeking leave to appeal this decision. On March 5, 2015, the Supreme 
Court of Canada denied the Ontario Minister of Revenue’s application for leave to appeal. The decision by the Supreme 
Court of Canada brought the appeal process to an end and Precision has reflected the $55 million paid to the Ontario 
tax authorities in 2008, related to the reassessed taxation years, as a current receivable. It is expected that this amount 
plus interest and costs will be received from the Ontario Minister of Revenue in 2015.

2013 COMPARED TO 2012
Net earnings in 2013 were $191 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, compared to $52 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, 
in 2012. For 2012, net earnings and net earnings per diluted share include the impact of charges associated with asset 
decommissioning and an impairment charge to the goodwill attributable to our Canadian directional drilling operations.

Revenue was $2,030 million, 1% lower than in 2012. Improved pricing in Canada and increased activity internationally were 
offset by lower activity levels in both the Contract Drilling Services and Completion and Production Services segments. 

Adjusted EBITDA in 2013 was $639 million, 5% lower than 2012. Lower activity levels were partially offset by higher 
average pricing in both operating segments due to changes in product mix. Activity, as measured by drilling utilization 
days, dropped 6% in Canada and 13% in the U.S. compared to 2012 but increased 70% internationally.

The volatile global environment and low natural gas prices in much of 2013 reduced utilization for us and for the 
industry in general.

Key Statistics
There were 10,903 wells drilled in western Canada in 2013, 1% more than the 10,753 drilled in 2012. Despite the 
150 well increase, total industry drilling operating days were 3% lower than 2012, at 120,043. Average industry drilling 
operating days per well was 11.0 compared to 11.6 in 2012. Average depth of a well increased 7%. The decrease 
in days per well while average depth increased reflects the use of top tier rigs and greater industry experience with 
unconventional drilling.

U.S. activity, as measured by onshore well starts, was down 3% year over year. Approximately 35,700 wells were started 
in 2013, compared to approximately 36,800 wells in 2012. 

Foreign Exchange
We recognized a foreign exchange gain of $9 million in 2013 because the Canadian dollar weakened in value against the 
U.S. dollar and this affected the net U.S. dollar denominated monetary position in our Canadian dollar-based companies.

Finance Charges
Finance charges were $93 million, an increase of $6 million compared with 2012 primarily due to the increase in average 
outstanding debt in Canadian dollars. 

Income Taxes
Income taxes were $30 million, $55 million higher than in 2012 mainly because operating results were higher.

26 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Segmented Results

CONTRACT DRILLING SERVICES

Financial Results
Adjusted EBITDA and operating earnings are additional GAAP measures. See page 5 for more information.

Year ended December 31  
(thousands of dollars, except where noted)

Revenue

Expenses

Operating

General and administrative

Adjusted EBITDA

Depreciation and amortization

Loss on asset decommissioning

Operating earnings

2014

2,017,110

1,147,826

47,794
821,490

381,465

97,947

342,078

% of 
revenue

56.9

2.4
40.7

18.9

4.8

17.0

2013

1,719,910

1,019,156

47,090
653,664

292,217

–

361,447

% of
revenue

59.3

2.7
38.0

17.0

–

21.0

2012

1,725,240

1,036,553

39,406
649,281

271,993

192,469

184,819

% of
revenue

60.1

2.3
37.6

15.8

11.1

10.7

2014 Compared to 2013
Revenue from Contract Drilling Services was $2,017 million, 17% higher than 2013, mainly due to improved utilization 
days and higher average day rates in all of our geographic business units. 

Operating expenses were 57% of revenue, compared to 59% in 2013, mainly because of improved results from our 
international drilling business and lower operating costs per utilization day in the U.S. Operating expenses per day were 
1% higher in Canada and 4% lower in the U.S. mainly because of a reduction in crew labour costs and a larger activity 
base over which to spread fixed costs. General and administrative expense for 2014 was in line with 2013.

Operating earnings were $342 million, 5% lower than 2013, and equated to 17% of revenue compared to 21% in 2013. 
Included in the 2014 Contract Drilling Services results was a loss on asset decommissioning charge of $98 million 
related to the decommissioning of 29 drilling rigs in the fourth quarter.

Capital expenditures in 2014 were $822 million:
   $564 million – to expand our asset base
   $137 million – to upgrade existing equipment 
   $121 million – on maintenance and infrastructure. 

Most of the expansion capital was on 32 new-build rigs, as part of our rig build program; 15 of these were completed 
and placed into service by December 31, 2014, the remaining 17 are expected to be placed into service in 2015.

Operating Statistics

Year ended December 31

Number of drilling rigs (year-end)

Drilling utilization days (operating and moving)

% increase/
 (decrease)

(4.3)

2014

313

Canada

U.S.

International

Drilling revenue per utilization day

Canada (Cdn$)

U.S. (US$)

Drilling statistics (Canadian operations only)

  Wells drilled

  Average days per well

  Metres drilled (hundreds)

  Average metres per well

32,810

35,075

4,036

22,250

24,330

3,091

9.4

5,864

1,897

7.5

15.9

13.5

0.6

3.2

(3.7)

11.9

5.2

9.2

2013

327

30,530

30,268

3,555

22,108

23,575

3,211

8.4

5,576

1,736

% increase/
(decrease)

1.9

(5.6)

(12.5)

70.4

5.1

(0.5)

4.1

(10.6)

6.6

2.4

2012

321

32,352

34,597

2,086

21,030

23,696

3,085

9.4

5,233

1,696

% increase/
(decrease)

(4.7)

(14.8)

(8.7)

197.2

14.0

9.0

(13.5)

(1.1)

(8.5)

5.8

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

27

Canadian Drilling
Revenue from Canadian drilling was up $55 million or 8% from 2013. Drilling rig activity, as measured by utilization days, 
was up 7%.

In 2014, the industry drilled 10,942 wells in western Canada, in line with the 10,903 wells drilled in 2013. Industry 
operating days increased 9% to 131,021 as wells drilled in 2014 were on average 8% deeper than wells drilled in 2013.

Adjusted EBITDA was $357 million, 7% higher than 2013, because of higher drilling activity. 

Depreciation expense for the year was $19 million higher than 2013 because of changes in the estimated remaining 
useful life of our capital equipment, a change to straight-line depreciation, and depreciation expense associated with 
new equipment.

Drilling Statistics – Canada
In 2014, we completed five new-build rigs, transferred one rig from the U.S. to Canada, and decommissioned 19 legacy 
rigs, bringing our Canadian 2014 year-end net rig count to 174 (from 187 in the prior year).

The industry drilling rig fleet decreased as well – there were approximately 797 rigs at the end of 2014 compared to  
819 at the end of 2013. Our operating day utilization was 42% (2013 – 39%), compared to industry utilization of 44% 
(2013 – 40%).

Our average dayrates in Canada increased 1% in 2014 because of rig mix and new-build and upgraded rigs entering 
the fleet compared to the prior year, partially offset by competitive pricing in some rig segments.

U.S. Drilling
Revenue from U.S. drilling was higher than 2013 by US$140 million or 20%. Drilling rig activity, as measured by utilization 
days, was up 16% while average revenue per day was up 3%. 

Adjusted EBITDA was US$359 million, 33% higher than US$270 million in 2013, mainly because of higher industry activity. 

Depreciation expense for the year was $29 million higher than 2013 because of changes in the estimated remaining 
useful life of our capital equipment, a change to straight-line depreciation, and depreciation expense associated with 
new equipment. 

Drilling Statistics – U.S.
In 2014, we completed seven new-build rigs, transferred one net rig into our U.S. fleet from our international operations, 
transferred one rig to our Canadian fleet, and decommissioned ten rigs, leaving our U.S. year-end net rig count at 124 
(127 in 2013). In 2014, we averaged 96 rigs working, a 16% increase from 2013.

Our average dayrates in the U.S. increased 3% in 2014 with the addition of new-build and upgraded rigs to our fleet, 
resulting in a better rig mix. Turnkey utilization days increased 24% over 2013 and accounted for approximately 3% of 
our U.S. rig utilization.

Drilling Statistics – U.S.

Average number of active land rigs for quarters ended:

March 31

June 30

September 30

December 31

Annual average

(1) Source: Baker Hughes

28 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

2014

2013

Precision

Industry (1)

Precision

Industry (1)

94

93

97

100

96

1,724

1,802

1,842

1,856

1,806

81

80

81

90

83

1,706

1,710

1,709

1,697

1,705

COMPLETION AND PRODUCTION SERVICES

Financial Results
Adjusted EBITDA and operating earnings are additional GAAP measures. See page 5 for more information.

Year ended December 31  
(thousands of dollars, except where noted)

Revenue

Expenses

Operating

General and administrative

Adjusted EBITDA

Depreciation and amortization

Loss on asset decommissioning

Operating earnings (loss)

2014

343,556

268,129

17,473
57,954

58,621

28,752

(29,419)

% of 
revenue

78.0

5.1
16.9

17.1

8.4

(8.6)

2013

323,353

242,768

19,553
61,032

32,630

–

28,402

% of
revenue

75.1

6.0
18.9

10.1

8.8

2012

326,079

217,326

15,199
93,554

30,758

– 

62,796

% of
revenue

66.6

4.7
28.7

9.4

19.3

Revenue from Completion and Production Services was $344 million in 2014, 6% higher than 2013, mainly because 
of higher average pricing for our well servicing product line due to product mix, partially offset by lower activity. 

Operating earnings were negative $29 million in 2014, $58 million lower than 2013 because of a loss on asset 
decommissioning of $29 million and a loss on disposal of our U.S. coil tubing assets of $14 million and higher 
depreciation due to the change to straight-line depreciation. 

Operating expenses were 78% of revenue, 3% higher than 2013, mainly because of product mix. 

Depreciation excluding the loss on disposal of our coil tubing assets in the year was 37% more than 2013 because 
of changes in the estimated remaining useful life of our capital equipment, a change to straight-line depreciation, and 
depreciation associated with new equipment. 

Capital expenditures were $24 million:

   $8 million – to expand our asset base
   $16 million – on maintenance and infrastructure. 

Revenue from Precision Well Servicing in Canada was $189 million, in line with 2013, as higher average hourly pricing 
offset lower operating activity.

Revenue from our U.S. based completion and production businesses was US$57 million, 12% higher than 2013. 
The increase was the result of continued growth in activity. During the fourth quarter, we sold our U.S. based coil 
tubing assets.

Revenue from Precision Rentals was $42 million, 6% lower than 2013. Lower average rates from product mix were 
partially offset by higher activity. In 2013 Precision Rentals expanded from three major product lines (surface equipment, 
wellsite accommodations, and small flow wastewater treatment systems) to also provide power generation equipment, 
solids control equipment, and WaterDams (containment rings).

Revenue from Precision Camp Services was $37 million, 13% higher than 2013, because of an increase in base camp 
activity days. Precision operated four base camps and 50 drill camps during 2014. 

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

29

 
Operating Results

Year ended December 31

Number of service rigs (end of year)
Service rig operating hours (1)
Revenue per operating hour (1)

2014

177

273,194

907

% increase/
 (decrease)

(20.3)

(3.7)

6.2

2013

222

283,576

854

% increase/
(decrease)

3.7

(3.8)

14.8

2012

214

294,681

744

% increase/
(decrease)

3.4

(7.2)

8.1

(1) 2012 comparatives have been changed to include U.S. based service rig activity.

In 2014, we decommissioned 35 service rigs and two snubbing units and moved one service rig from Canada to the U.S. 
In addition, we moved two snubbing units from the U.S. to Canada and sold our eight U.S. based coil tubing units. We 
also added rental equipment to our North American footprint. 

Service rig rates increased 6% as we provided higher-end services and crew wage increases were passed through to 
customers. Our service rig hours decreased 4% although higher rig rates and our U.S. expansion in well service rigs 
partially offset the impact of market activity declines.

CORPORATE AND OTHER 

Financial Results
Adjusted EBITDA is an additional GAAP measure. See page 5 for more information.

Year ended December 31 (thousands of dollars, except where noted)

2014

2013

2012

Revenue

Expenses

Operating

General and administrative

Adjusted EBITDA

Depreciation and amortization

Operating earnings (loss)

–

–

79,074

(79,074)

8,583

(87,657)

–

–

75,863

(75,863)

8,312

(84,175)

–

–

72,043

(72,043)

4,774

(76,817)

Our corporate segment has support functions that provide assistance to our other business segments. It includes costs 
incurred in corporate groups in both Canada and the U.S. 

Corporate and Other expenses were $79 million in 2014, $3 million more than 2013. The increase mainly related to costs 
resulting from international growth and the foreign exchange translation on U.S. dollar based costs. In 2014, corporate 
general and administrative costs were 3.4% of consolidated revenue compared to 3.7% in 2013 and 3.5% in 2012.

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL RESULTS
Adjusted EBITDA and funds provided by operations are additional GAAP measures. See page 5 for more information.

2014 – Quarters Ended 
(thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

Revenue

Adjusted EBITDA

Net earnings (loss)

Per basic share

Per diluted share

Funds provided by operations

Cash provided by operations

Dividends per share

March 31

672,249

237,274

101,557

0.35

0.35

231,393

170,127

0.06

June 30

475,174

129,695

(7,174)

(0.02)

(0.02)

97,805

228,412

0.06

September 30

December 31

584,590

199,390

52,813

0.18

0.18

196,217

146,733

0.06

618,525

234,011

(114,044)

(0.39)

(0.39)

172,059

134,887

0.07

30 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

2013 – Quarters Ended 
(thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

Revenue

Adjusted EBITDA

Net earnings

Per basic share

Per diluted share

Funds provided by operations

Cash provided by operations

Dividends per share

March 31

595,720

215,181

93,313

0.34

0.33

144,682

62,948

0.05

June 30

378,898

88,248

473

0.00

0.00

33,791

182,345

0.05

September 30

December 31

488,450

137,660

29,443

0.11

0.10

127,684

88,341

0.05

566,909

197,744

67,921

0.24

0.24

155,816

94,452

0.06

Seasonality
Drilling and well servicing activity is affected by seasonal weather patterns and ground conditions. In northern Canada, 
some drilling sites can only be accessed in the winter once the terrain is frozen, which is usually late in the fourth quarter. 
Thus, activity peaks in the winter, in the fourth and first quarters. In the spring, wet weather and the spring thaw in 
Canada and the northern U.S. make the ground unstable. Government road bans restrict the movement of rigs and other 
heavy equipment, reducing activity in the second quarter. This leads to quarterly fluctuations in operating results and 
working capital requirements.

Fourth Quarter 2014 Compared to Fourth Quarter 2013
In the fourth quarter, we recorded a net loss of $114 million, or a net loss per diluted share of $0.39, compared to net 
earnings of $68 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2013. During the quarter, we recorded a 
before-tax asset decommissioning charge and goodwill write down totaling $222 million that reduced net earnings by 
$182 million and net earnings per diluted share by $0.62. Effective January 1, 2014, we began calculating depreciation 
on our drilling rigs and service rigs on a straight-line basis which reduced net earnings for the fourth quarter by 
approximately $2 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, from what net earnings would have been using the previous 
depreciation method.

Revenue in the fourth quarter was $619 million, 9% higher than the fourth quarter of 2013, mainly due to higher drilling 
activity in the U.S., Canada and internationally along with higher average dayrates in the U.S. and internationally. 
Revenue from our Contract Drilling Services and Completion and Production Services segments both increased over 
the comparative prior year period by 10% and 5%, respectively. 

Adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter was $234 million or 18% higher than the fourth quarter of 2013. Our activity for 
the quarter, as measured by drilling rig utilization days, increased 4% in Canada, 12% in the U.S. and 2% internationally, 
compared to the fourth quarter of 2013. 

Our Adjusted EBITDA margin was 38% in the fourth quarter of 2014, compared to 35% in the fourth quarter of 2013. 
The increase in Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue was mainly due to increases in activity and profitability in 
our Contract Drilling Services segment and lower costs associated with incentive compensation that is tied to the price 
of our common shares, which resulted in a recovery of $10 million in the fourth quarter.

As a percentage of revenue, operating costs were 58% in the fourth quarter of 2014 and 59% in the same quarter of 
2013. Our portfolio of term customer contracts, a highly variable operating cost structure, and economies achieved 
through vertical integration of the supply chain all help us manage our Adjusted EBITDA margin. 

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

31

Contract Drilling Services
Revenue from Contract Drilling Services was $532 million in the fourth quarter, 10% higher than the fourth quarter of 
2013, while Adjusted EBITDA increased by 16% to $232 million. The increases were mainly due to higher drilling rig 
utilization days in our U.S. and Canadian contract drilling businesses and higher average day rates in our U.S. and 
international drilling businesses.

Operating earnings for our international business improved as average day rates increased 27% while drilling rig 
utilization days for the quarter were 2% higher than the prior year comparative period. The average day rate was up 
as we realized a higher percentage of our fleet utilization from our operations in the Middle East.

Drilling rig utilization days in Canada (drilling days plus move days) were 8,550 during the fourth quarter of 2014, an 
increase of 4% compared to 2013 primarily resulting from the delivery of new-build and upgraded rigs over the last 
12 months. Drilling rig utilization days in the U.S. were 9,214, 12% higher than the same quarter of 2013. The increase in 
U.S. activity was primarily due to strong demand for Tier 1 assets, which has led to market share gains over the past year 
due to our high percentage of Tier 1 assets. The majority of our North American activity came from oil and liquids-rich 
natural gas plays. 

The majority of activity was in oil and liquids-rich natural gas related plays. We averaged a total of 205 rigs working in  
the quarter (93 in Canada, 100 in the U.S., and 12 internationally), compared to an average of 190 rigs in the fourth 
quarter of 2013. 

Compared to the same quarter in 2013, drilling rig revenue per utilization day was up 1% in the U.S. and down 1% in 
Canada. The increase in average dayrates for the U.S. was driven by improved rig mix and higher rates for well-to-well 
and re-contracted rigs, partially offset by lower turnkey revenue. In Canada, the dayrate decrease was the result of 
competitive pricing in some rig segments, partially offset by new-build and upgraded rigs entering the fleet compared 
to the fourth quarter of 2013.

In Canada, 42% of utilization days in the quarter were generated from rigs under term contract, compared to 44% in the 
fourth quarter of 2013. In the U.S., 69% of utilization days were generated from rigs under term contract as compared to 
62% in the fourth quarter of 2013. At the end of the quarter, we had 48 drilling rigs under contract in Canada, 63 in the 
U.S., and 12 internationally. 

Operating costs were 55% of revenue for the fourth quarter, compared to 56% of revenue in the fourth quarter of 
2013. On a per utilization day basis, operating costs for the drilling rig division in Canada were higher than the prior 
year primarily because of higher crew wages and labour burden. In the U.S., operating costs for the quarter on a per 
day basis were down from the fourth quarter of 2013, primarily as a result of a decrease in turnkey activity and size of 
turnkey jobs.

During the fourth quarter, the Contract Drilling Services segment recognized a loss of $98 million related to the 
decommissioning of drilling rigs. Depreciation expense in the quarter was 29% higher than the fourth quarter of 2013 
due to changes in the estimated remaining useful life of our capital equipment, a change to straight-line depreciation, 
and depreciation expense associated with new equipment.

32 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Completion and Production Services
Revenue from Completion and Production Services was up $4 million or 5% from the fourth quarter of 2013, as a greater 
proportion of higher end services were provided in the current quarter compared with the prior year. 

Our North America service rig activity in the fourth quarter was 2% lower than the fourth quarter of 2013 (70,350 operating 
hours compared to 72,013 hours in the fourth quarter of 2013). Approximately 86% of the fourth quarter Canadian service 
rig activity was oil related. In the fourth quarter of 2014, we sold our U.S. coil tubing assets for total cash of $44 million 
incurring a loss on disposal of $14 million.

Average service rig revenue per operating hour in the fourth quarter was $906, $28 higher than the fourth quarter of 2013. 
The increase was primarily the result of rig mix as we provided a greater proportion of higher end services in the current 
year, partially offset by the sale of our U.S. coil tubing assets that generally received a higher rate per hour. 

Adjusted EBITDA was $16 million, in line with the fourth quarter of 2013, as higher average rates were offset by a decline 
in activity. 

Operating costs as a percentage of revenue increased to 78% in the fourth quarter of 2014, from 76% in the fourth 
quarter of 2013. In 2014, operating costs per service rig operating hour were higher than the fourth quarter of 2013, 
mainly because of one-time costs associated with the disposition of our U.S. coil tubing operations.

During the fourth quarter, the Completion and Production Services segment recognized a loss of $29 million related to 
the decommissioning of 35 well servicing and two snubbing units, along with certain spare equipment. Depreciation, 
excluding the $14 million loss on disposal of our U.S. coil tubing assets in the fourth quarter of 2014, was 32% more than 
the fourth quarter of 2013 because of changes in the estimated remaining useful life of our capital equipment, a change 
to straight-line depreciation, and depreciation associated with new equipment.

Corporate and Other
General and administrative expenses for the quarter were $26 million, $8 million lower than the fourth quarter of 2013. 
The decrease was due to lower costs associated with incentive compensation tied to the price of our common shares, 
partially offset by increased costs associated with expansion efforts.

Net finance charges were $30 million in the fourth quarter, $7 million higher than the fourth quarter of 2013, mainly 
because of the issuance of US$400 million of 5.25% Senior Notes on June 3, 2014 and the effect of the weakening 
Canadian dollar on our U.S. dollar denominated interest expense.

Capital expenditures were $338 million in the fourth quarter compared to $123 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. 
Spending in the fourth quarter of 2014 included:
  $236 million to expand our asset base
  $42 million to upgrade existing equipment 
  $60 million on maintenance and infrastructure. 

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

33

Financial Condition

Management’s 
Discussion and
Analysis

The oilfield services business is inherently cyclical. To manage this variability, we focus on maintaining a strong balance 
sheet so we have the financial flexibility we need to continue to manage our growth and cash flows, no matter where we 
are in the business cycle.

We apply a disciplined approach to managing and tracking the results of our operations to keep costs down. We 
maintain a scalable cost structure so we can be responsive to changing competition and market demand. And we invest 
in our fleet to make sure we remain competitive. Our maintenance capital expenditures are tightly governed by and 
highly responsive to activity levels with additional cost savings leverage provided through our internal manufacturing and 
supply divisions. Term contracts on expansion capital for new-build rig programs help provide more certainty of future 
revenues and return on our growth capital investments.

LIQUIDITY
In June 2014, we issued US$400 million of 5.25% Senior Notes due in 2024 in a private offering. The Notes are 
guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by current and future U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries that also guarantee 
our revolving credit facility and certain other indebtedness. We expect to use the net proceeds from this placement for 
general corporate purposes, including building new drilling rigs. 

In addition, we amended our credit agreement governing our revolving credit facility to, among other things, voluntarily 
reduce the size of the revolving credit facility from US$850 million to US$650 million and extend the maturity to 
June 3, 2019.

As at December 31, 2014, our liquidity was supported by a cash balance of $491 million, a senior secured credit facility 
of US$650 million, operating facilities totalling approximately $55 million, and a US$25 million secured facility for letters 
of credit. Our ability to draw on our senior secured credit facility is governed by financial covenants including a total debt 
to EBITDA ratio. See our covenant discussion on page 38.

At December 31, 2014, including letters of credit, we had approximately  
$1,942 million (2013 – $1,394 million) outstanding under our secured and 
unsecured credit facilities and $30 million in unamortized debt issue 
costs. Our secured facility includes financial ratio covenants that are 
tested quarterly. 

Key Ratios

We ended 2014 with a long-term debt to 

long-term debt plus equity ratio of 0.43, and 
a ratio of long-term debt to cash provided by 

operations of 2.72.

We ended 2014 with a long-term debt to long-term debt plus equity ratio of 0.43 (compared to 0.36 in 2013) and a ratio 
of long-term debt to cash provided by operations of 2.72 (compared to 3.09 in 2013). 

The current blended cash interest cost of our debt is about 6.2%.

34 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Ratios and Key Financial Indicators
We evaluate the relative strength of our financial position by monitoring our working capital, debt ratios and liquidity.

We also monitor returns on capital, and we link our executives’ incentive compensation to the returns to our shareholders 
that we generate compared to our peers.

Financial Position and Ratios

(thousands of dollars, except ratios)

Working capital

Working capital ratio

Long-term debt 

Total long-term financial liabilities

Total assets

Enterprise value (see table on page 39)

Long-term debt to long-term debt plus equity 

Long-term debt to cash provided by operations 

Long-term debt to adjusted EBITDA

Long-term debt to enterprise value 

December 31,
2014

December 31,
2013

December 31,
2012

653,630

2.3

1,852,186

1,881,275

5,308,996

3,265,865

0.43

2.72

2.31

0.57

305,783

1.9

1,323,268

1,355,535

4,579,123

3,919,763

0.36

3.09

2.07

0.34

278,021

1.7

1,218,796

1,245,290

4,300,263

3,213,406

0.36

1.92

1.82

0.38

Credit Rating
Credit ratings affect our ability to obtain short and long-term financing, the cost of this financing, and our ability to 
engage in certain business activities cost-effectively.

Corporate credit rating

Senior secured bank credit facility rating

Senior unsecured credit rating

Moody’s

Ba1

Not rated

Ba1

S&P

BB+

Not rated

BB

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
To maintain and grow our business, we invest in both growth and sustaining capital. We base expansion capital 
decisions on return on capital employed and payback, and we mitigate the risk that we may not be able to fully recover 
our capital by requiring two- to five-year term contracts for new-build rigs. 

We base our maintenance capital decisions on actual activity levels, using key financial indicators that we express as per 
operating day or per operating hour. Sourcing internally (through our manufacturing and supply divisions) helps keep our 
maintenance capital costs as low as possible.

Foreign Exchange Risk
Our U.S. and international operations have revenue, expenses, assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other 
than the Canadian dollar (mostly in U.S. dollars and currencies that are pegged to the U.S. dollar). This means that 
changes in currency exchange rates affect our income statement, balance sheet and statement of cash flow. We 
manage this risk by matching the currency of our debt obligations with the currency of cash flows generated by the 
operations that the debt supports. 

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

35

Hedge of Investments in U.S. Operations
To December 31, 2014, we designated our US$650 million 6.625% Senior Notes due in 2020 and our US$400 million 
6.5% Senior Notes due in 2021 as a hedge of our investment in our U.S. operations. Effective January 1, 2015, we have 
included the US$400 million of 5.25% Senior Notes due in 2024 as a designated hedge of our investment in our U.S. 
operations. We recognize the effective amount of this hedge (net of tax) in other comprehensive income. We recognize 
ineffective amounts (if any) in earnings.

SOURCES AND USES OF CASH

At December 31 (thousands of dollars)

Cash from operations

Cash used in investing

Surplus (deficit)

Cash from (used in) financing

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

Net cash generated (used)

2014

680,159

(629,987)

50,172

329,704

30,999

410,875

2013

428,086

(526,535)

(98,449)

21,517

4,770

(72,162)

2012

635,286

(930,121)

(294,835)

(14,899)

(4,974)

(314,708)

Cash from Operations
In 2014, we generated cash from operations of $680 million compared to $428 million in 2013. The increase is primarily 
the result of better operating results and lower income taxes paid in 2014.

Investing Activity
We made growth and sustaining capital investments of $857 million in 2014:

  $571 million in expansion capital 
  $137 million in upgrade capital 
  $149 million in maintenance and infrastructure capital.

The $857 million in capital expenditures in 2014 was split between segments as follows:

  $822 million in Contract Drilling Services 
  $24 million in Completion and Production Services
  $11 million in Corporate and Other.

Expansion and upgrade capital includes the cost of long-lead items purchased for our capital inventory, such as top 
drives, drill pipe, control systems, engines and other items we can use to complete new-build projects or upgrade our 
rigs in North America and internationally.

We sold underutilized capital assets for proceeds of $102 million in 2014.

36 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Financing Activity
In June 2014, we issued US$400 million of 5.25% Senior Notes due in 2024 in a private offering. The Notes are 
guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by current and future U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries that also guarantee 
our revolving credit facility and certain other indebtedness. We expect to use the net proceeds from this placement for 
general corporate purposes, including building new drilling rigs. 

In addition, we amended our credit agreement governing our revolving credit facility to, among other things, voluntarily 
reduce the size of the revolving credit facility from US$850 million to US$650 million and extended the maturity to 
June 3, 2019. The US$250 million accordion feature remains and allows the facility to be increased to US$900 million 
with additional lender commitments. As at March 6, 2015, our revolving credit facility remains undrawn except for 
US$26 million in outstanding letters of credit. 

As at March 6, 2015 our operating facility of $40 million with Royal Bank of Canada remained undrawn except for 
$22 million in outstanding letters of credit; our operating facility of US$15 million with Wells Fargo remained undrawn; 
and our demand facility for letters of credit of $25 million with HSBC Canada had US$12 million available.

Debt 
As at December 31, 2014, we had a cash balance of $491 million and available capacity under our secured facilities of 
$781 million.

As at December 31, 2014, we had $1,882 million outstanding under our senior unsecured notes.

Amount

Availability

Used for

Maturity

Senior facility (secured)

US$650 million
(extendible, revolving term credit facility 
with US$250 million accordion feature)

Operating facilities (secured)

$40 million

Undrawn, except US$26 million in 
outstanding letters of credit

General corporate purposes

June 3, 2019

Undrawn, except $20 million in 
outstanding letters of credit

Letters of credit and general 
corporate purposes

US$15 million

Undrawn

Short term working capital 
requirements

Demand letter of credit facility (secured)

US$25 million

Senior notes (unsecured)

Undrawn, except US$8 million in 
outstanding letters of credit

Letters of credit 

$200 million

US$650 million

US$400 million

US$400 million

Fully drawn

Fully drawn 

Fully drawn 

Fully drawn 

Debt repayment

Debt repayment and general 
corporate purposes

Capital expenditures and  
general corporate purposes

Capital expenditures and  
general corporate purposes

March 15, 2019

November 15, 2020

December 15, 2021

November 15, 2024

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

37

Covenants

Senior Facility
The revolving term credit facility requires that we comply with certain financial covenants including leverage ratios of 
consolidated senior debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization as defined in the agreement 
(EBITDA) of less than 3:1 and consolidated total debt to EBITDA of less than 4:1 for the most recent four consecutive 
fiscal quarters; and an interest to EBITDA coverage ratio, calculated as EBITDA to interest expense, of greater than 
2.75:1 for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters. For purposes of calculating the leverage ratios, consolidated 
total debt includes all outstanding secured and unsecured indebtedness, while consolidated senior debt only includes 
secured indebtedness. EBITDA as defined in our revolving term facility agreement differs from Adjusted EBITDA as 
defined under Additional GAAP Measures on page 5 by the exclusion of bad debt expense and certain foreign exchange 
amounts. As at December 31, 2014 our consolidated senior debt-to-EBITDA ratio was 0.1:1 while our consolidated total 
debt-to-EBITDA ratio was 2.4:1. 

In addition, the revolving credit facility contains certain covenants that place restrictions on our ability to incur or assume 
additional indebtedness; dispose of assets; pay dividends, share redemptions or other distributions; change our 
primary business; incur liens on assets; engage in transactions with affiliates; enter into mergers, consolidations or 
amalgamations; and enter into speculative swap agreements. At December 31, 2014, we were in compliance with the 
covenants of the revolving credit facility.

Senior Notes
The senior notes require that we comply with certain financial covenants including an interest to EBITDA coverage ratio 
of greater than 2.5:1 for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters.

In addition, the senior notes contain certain covenants that limit our ability and the ability of certain subsidiaries to incur 
additional indebtedness and issue preferred stock; create liens; make restricted payments (including the payment 
of dividends); create or permit to exist restrictions on our ability or certain subsidiaries to make certain payments 
and distributions; engage in amalgamations, mergers or consolidations; make certain dispositions and engage in 
transactions with affiliates. At December 31, 2014 we were in compliance with the covenants of the senior notes.

Contractual Obligations
Our contractual obligations include both financial obligations (long-term debt and interest) and non-financial obligations 
(new-build rig commitments, operating leases, and equity-based compensation for key executives and officers).

The table below shows the amounts of these obligations and when payments are due for each.

At December 31, 2014  
(thousands of dollars)

Long-term debt

Interest on long-term debt
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (1)

Operating leases
Contractual incentive plans (2)

Total

Less than 
1 year

–

117,482

189,656

19,143

12,851

339,132

Payments due (by period)

1-3 years

4-5 years

–

234,964

–

27,456

29,794

292,214

200,000

224,672

228,679

17,457

–

More than 
5 years

1,682,145

221,546

–

11,005

–

Total

1,882,145

798,664

418,335

75,061

42,645

670,808

1,914,696

3,216,850

(1)  The balance due within one year relates to the costs committed to complete the 17 rigs scheduled for delivery in 2015. The balance due in four to five years relates to the costs of 

rig equipment with a flexible delivery schedule wherein we can take delivery of the equipment between 2016 and 2019 at our discretion.

(2)  Includes amounts we have not yet accrued but are likely to pay at the end of the contract term. Our long-term incentive plans compensate officers and key employees through 
cash payments when their awards vest. Equity-based compensation amounts are shown based on a five day weighted average share price of $7.14 at December 31, 2014.

38 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

CAPITAL STRUCTURE

Shares outstanding

Deferred shares outstanding

Warrants outstanding

Share options outstanding

March 6, 
2015

December 31, 
2014

December 31, 
2013

December 31, 
2012

292,819,921

292,819,921

291,979,671

276,475,770

226,010

–

226,010

–

221,112

–

11,028,021

8,560,088

8,074,694

335,946

15,000,000

6,413,777

You can find more information about our capital structure in our AIF, available on our website and on SEDAR.

Common Shares
Our articles of amalgamation allow us to issue an unlimited number of common shares. 

In the fourth quarter of 2012, our Board of Directors approved the introduction of an annualized dividend of $0.20 
per common share, payable quarterly. In the fourth quarter of 2013, our Board of Directors approved an increase in 
the quarterly dividend payment to $0.06 per common share and in the fourth quarter of 2014, our Board of Directors 
approved an increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.07 per common share.

Warrants
In December 2013, all of our 15,000,000 outstanding warrants were exercised providing proceeds of $48 million. The 
warrants were issued on April 22, 2009, under a private placement. Each warrant was exercisable for one common share 
at a price of $3.22 per common share for five years from the date of issue. 

Preferred Shares
We can issue preferred shares in one or more series. The number of preferred shares that may be authorized for issue at 
any time cannot exceed more than half of the number of issued and outstanding common shares. We currently have no 
preferred shares issued.

Enterprise Value

(thousands of dollars, except shares outstanding and per share amounts)

Shares outstanding

Year-end share price on the TSX

Shares at market

Long-term debt

Less working capital

Enterprise value

December 31, 
2014

December 31, 
2013

December 31, 
2012

292,819,921

291,979,671

276,475,770

7.06

2,067,309

1,852,186

(653,630)

3,265,865

9.94

2,902,278

1,323,268

(305,783)

3,919,763

8.22

2,272,631

1,218,796

(278,021)

3,213,406

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

39

Accounting Policies and Estimates

Management’s 
Discussion and
Analysis

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS
Because of the nature of our business, we are required to make estimates about the future that affect the reported 
amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent liabilities. Estimates are based 
on our past experience, our best judgment and assumptions we think are reasonable. 

You’ll find all of our significant accounting policies in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements. We believe the 
following are the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, and are the most critical to how we report our financial 
position and results of operations:

  impairment of long-lived assets
  depreciation and amortization
  income taxes.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets, which include property, plant and equipment, intangibles and goodwill, comprise the majority of 
our assets. The carrying value of these assets is periodically reviewed for impairment or whenever events or changes 
in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. For property, plant and equipment, this 
requires us to forecast future cash flows to be derived from the utilization of these assets based on assumptions about 
future business conditions and technological developments. Significant, unanticipated changes to these assumptions 
could require a provision for impairment in the future.

For goodwill, we conduct impairment tests annually in the fourth quarter or whenever there is a change in circumstance 
that indicates that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The recoverability of goodwill requires a calculation of the 
recoverable amount of the cash generating unit (CGU) or groups of CGUs to which goodwill has been allocated. A CGU 
is the smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows 
from other assets or groups of assets. Judgment is required in the aggregation of assets into CGUs. The recoverability 
calculation requires an estimation of the future cash flows from the CGU or group of CGUs and judgment is required 
in determining the appropriate discount rate. We use observable market data inputs to develop a discount rate that we 
believe approximates the discount rate from market participants. 

In deriving the underlying projected cash flows, assumptions must also be made about future drilling activity, margins 
and market conditions over the long-term life of the assets or CGUs. We cannot predict if an event that triggers 
impairment will occur, when it will occur or how it will occur, or how it will affect reported asset amounts. Although 
estimates are reasonable and consistent with current conditions, internal planning and expected future operations, 
such estimations are subject to significant uncertainty and judgment. 

We performed an impairment test on the well servicing and water treatment CGUs at December 31, 2014, as described 
in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. These CGUs were found to be impaired and the goodwill associated 
with these CGUs was expensed in 2014.

Depreciation and Amortization
Our property, plant and equipment and intangible assets are depreciated and amortized based on estimates of useful 
lives and salvage values. These estimates consider data and information from various sources including vendors, 
industry practice, and our own historical experience and may change as more experience is gained, market conditions 
shift, or new technological advancements are made.

40 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Determination of which parts of the drilling rig equipment represent a significant cost relative to the entire rig and 
identifying the consumption patterns along with the useful lives of these significant parts, are matters of judgment. 
This determination can be complex and subject to differing interpretations and views, particularly when rig equipment 
comprises individual components for which different depreciation methods or rates are appropriate. 

Income Taxes 
Uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation of complex tax regulations, changes in tax laws, and the amount 
and timing of future taxable income. Differences arising between the actual results and the assumptions made, or future 
changes to such assumptions, could necessitate future adjustments to taxable income and expense already recorded. 
We establish provisions, based on reasonable estimates, for possible consequences of audits by the tax authorities of the 
respective countries in which we operate. The amount of such provisions is based on various factors, such as experience 
of previous tax audits and differing interpretations of tax regulations by the taxable entity and the responsible tax authority.

On August 7, 2014, the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled in favour of Precision’s wholly owned subsidiary, Inter-Leasing, Inc., 
reversing a decision by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in June 2013, regarding the reassessment of Ontario income 
tax for Inter-Leasing, Inc.’s 2001 through 2004 taxation years. The Ontario Minister of Revenue made an application to 
the Supreme Court of Canada seeking leave to appeal this decision. On March 5, 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada 
denied the Ontario Minister of Revenue’s application for leave to appeal. The decision by the Supreme Court of Canada 
brought the appeal process to an end and Precision has reflected the $55 million paid to the Ontario tax authorities in 
2008, related to the reassessed taxation years, as a current receivable. It is expected that this amount plus interest and 
costs will be received from the Ontario Minister of Revenue in 2015.

ACCOUNTING POLICIES ADOPTED JANUARY 1, 2014 
Following are accounting policies Precision adopted with an initial application date of January 1, 2014:

IAS 32, Financial Instruments: Presentation 
On January 1, 2014, we implemented certain amendments to IAS 32 that require us to provide clarification on the 
requirements for offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities on the statement of financial position. 

IAS 36, Impairment of Assets 
On January 1, 2014, we implemented certain amendments to IAS 36 that require that we disclose, if appropriate, 
the recoverable amount of an asset or cash generating unit, and the basis for the determination of fair value less 
costs of disposal or value-in-use of the asset, when an impairment loss is recognized or when an impairment loss is 
subsequently reversed.

IFRIC 21, Levies 
On January 1, 2014, we implemented IFRIC 21 that provides an interpretation on IAS 37, Provisions, Contingent Liabilities 
and Contingent Assets, with respect to the accounting for levies imposed by governments. IAS 37 sets out criteria for the 
recognition of a liability, one of which is the requirement for the entity to have a present obligation as a result of a past 
event. The interpretation clarifies that the obligating event is the activity described in the relevant legislation that triggers 
the payment of the levy.

ACCOUNTING POLICIES NOT YET ADOPTED

IFRS 9, Financial Instruments 
In November 2009, the IASB issued IFRS 9, replacing IAS 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. 
IFRS 9 will be issued in three phases. The first phase, which has already been issued, addresses the accounting for 
financial assets and financial liabilities. The second phase will address impairment of financial instruments, while the third 
phase will address hedge accounting. IFRS 9 uses a single approach to determine whether a financial asset is measured 
at amortized cost or fair value, and replaces the multiple category and measurement models in IAS 39. The approach 
in IFRS 9 focuses on how an entity manages its financial instruments in the context of its business model, as well as the 
contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial assets. The new standard also requires a single impairment method 
to be used, replacing the multiple impairment methods currently provided in IAS 39. 

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

41

Requirements for financial liabilities were added to IFRS 9 in October 2010. Although the classification criteria for 
financial liabilities will not change under IFRS 9, the fair value option may require different accounting for changes to 
the fair value of a financial liability resulting from changes to an entity’s own credit risk.

In December 2013, new hedge accounting requirements were incorporated into IFRS 9 that increase the scope of items 
that can qualify as a hedged item and change the requirements of hedge effectiveness testing that must be met to use 
hedge accounting. 

In July 2014, the IASB issued final amendments to IFRS 9, replacing earlier versions of IFRS 9. These amendments to 
IFRS 9 introduce a single, forward-looking ‘expected loss’ impairment model for financial assets that will require more 
timely recognition of expected credit losses, and a fair value through other comprehensive income category for financial 
assets that are debt instruments. 

The amendments to IFRS 9 are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 and are 
available for earlier adoption. We do not expect that the implementation of IFRS 9 will have a material effect on the 
financial statements. 

IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers
In May 2014, the IASB issued IFRS 15 to address how and when to recognize revenue as well as requiring entities to 
provide users of financial statements with more informative, relevant disclosures in order to understand the nature, 
amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The standard provides 
a principles based five-step model to be applied to all contracts with customers. This five-step model involves identifying 
the contract(s) with a customer; identifying the performance obligations in the contract; determining the transaction 
price; allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and recognizing revenue when 
(or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

Application of this new standard is mandatory for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017, with 
earlier application permitted. We do not expect that the implementation of IFRS 15 will have a material effect on the 
financial statements.

IFRS 11, Joint Arrangements 
In May 2014, the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 11 to address the accounting for acquisitions of interests in joint 
operations. The amendments address how a joint operator should account for the acquisition of an interest in a joint 
operation in which the activity of the joint operation constitutes a business. IFRS 11, as amended, now requires that such 
transactions be accounted for using the principles related to business combinations accounting as outlined in IFRS 3, 
Business Combinations. The amendments are to be applied prospectively and are effective for annual periods beginning 
on or after January 1, 2016, with earlier application permitted. We do not expect that these amendments will have an 
impact on the financial statements.

IAS 16, Property, Plant and Equipment and IAS 38, Intangible Assets 
In May 2014, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38 to clarify acceptable methods of depreciation and 
amortization. The amended IAS 16 eliminates the use of a revenue-based depreciation method for items of property, 
plant and equipment. Similarly, amendments to IAS 38 eliminate the use of a revenue-based amortization model for 
intangible assets except in certain specific circumstances. The amendments are to be applied prospectively and are 
effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016, with earlier application permitted. We do not expect 
that these amendments will have an impact on the financial statements.

42 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Risks in our Business

Management’s 
Discussion and
Analysis

Our key business risks are summarized below. You’ll find more information and other risks in business in our AIF, which 
you can find on our website (www.precisiondrilling.com).

Price of Oil and Natural Gas
We sell our services to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies. Macroeconomic and geopolitical 
factors associated with oil and natural gas supply and demand are the primary factors driving pricing and profitability 
in the oilfield services industry. Generally, we experience high demand for our services when commodity prices are 
relatively high and the opposite is true when commodity prices are low. The volatility of crude oil and natural gas prices 
accounts for much of the cyclical nature of the energy services business. 

Lower oil and natural gas prices could also cause our customers to terminate, renegotiate, or fail to honour their 
drilling contracts with us, which could affect the anticipated revenues that support our capital expenditure program and 
deliveries of new-build rigs. In addition, lower oil and natural gas prices, lower demand for oilfield services, or lower 
rig utilization could affect the fair market value of our rig fleet, which in turn could trigger a write down for accounting 
purposes. There is no assurance that demands for our services or conditions in the oil and natural gas and oilfield 
services sector will not decline in the future.

We have accounts receivable with customers in the oil and natural gas industry and their revenues may be affected 
by fluctuations in commodity prices. Our ability to collect receivables may be adversely affected by any prolonged 
weakness in oil and natural gas prices.

We try to manage this risk by keeping our cost structure as variable as we can while still being able to maintain the level 
of service our customers require.

Weather Patterns
Seasonal weather patterns in Canada and the northern U.S. affect activity in the oilfield services industry. During the 
spring months, wet weather and the spring thaw make the ground unstable so municipalities and counties and provincial 
and state transportation departments enforce road bans that restrict the movement of rigs and other heavy equipment. 
This reduces activity and highlights the importance of the location of our equipment prior to the imposition of the road 
bans. The timing and length of road bans depend on weather conditions leading to the spring thaw and during the 
thawing period. 

Additionally, certain oil and natural gas producing areas are located in parts of western Canada that are only accessible 
during the winter months because the ground surrounding or containing the drilling sites in these areas consists of 
terrain known as muskeg. Rigs and other necessary equipment cannot cross this terrain to reach the drilling site until 
the muskeg freezes. Moreover, once the rigs and other equipment have been moved to a drilling site, they may become 
stranded or be unable to move to another site if the muskeg thaws unexpectedly. Our business results depend partly on 
how long the winter drilling season lasts.

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

43

Competition
The contract drilling business is highly competitive with numerous industry participants. We compete for drilling contracts 
that are usually awarded based on competitive bids. We believe pricing and rig availability are the primary factors 
potential customers consider when selecting a drilling contractor. We believe other factors are also important, such as 
the drilling capabilities and condition of drilling rigs, the quality of service and experience of rig crews, the safety record 
of the contractor and the particular drilling rig, the offering of ancillary services, the ability to provide drilling equipment 
that is adaptable to and having personnel familiar with new technologies and drilling techniques, and rig mobility 
and efficiency. 

Historically, contract drilling has been cyclical with periods of low demand, excess rig supply and low dayrates, followed 
by periods of high demand, short rig supply and increasing dayrates. Periods of excess drilling rig supply intensify the 
competition and often result in rigs being idle. There are numerous contract drilling companies in each of the markets 
where we operate, and an oversupply of drilling rigs can cause greater price competition. Contract drilling companies 
compete primarily on a regional basis, and the intensity of competition can vary significantly from region to region at any 
particular time. If demand for drilling services is better in a region where we operate, our competitors might respond by 
moving in suitable drilling rigs from other regions, reactivating previously stacked rigs or purchasing new drilling rigs. 
An influx of drilling rigs into a market from any source could rapidly intensify competition and make any improvement in 
the demand for our drilling rigs short-lived, which could in turn have a material adverse effect on our revenue, cash flow 
and earnings.

Our business results and the strength of our financial position are affected by our ability to strategically manage our 
capital expenditure program in a manner consistent with industry cycles and fluctuations in the demand for contract 
drilling services. If we do not effectively manage our capital expenditures or respond to market signals relating to the 
supply or demand for contract drilling and oilfield services, it could have a material adverse effect on our revenue, 
operations and financial condition.

New Capital Expenditures 
Periods of high demand often lead to higher capital expenditures on drilling rigs and other oilfield services equipment. 
The number of drilling rigs competing for work in markets where we operate has increased as the industry adds new 
and upgraded rigs. We expect new or newer rigs to continue to enter markets where we operate. The industry supply of 
drilling rigs may exceed actual demand because of the relatively long life span of oilfield services equipment as well as 
the typically long time from when a decision is made to upgrade or build new equipment to when the equipment is built 
and placed into service. Excess supply resulting from industry-wide capital expenditures could lead to lower demand for 
term drilling contracts and for our equipment and services. The additional supply of drilling rigs has served to intensify 
price competition in the past and could continue to do so. This could lead to lower rates in the oilfield services industry 
generally and lower utilization of existing rigs. If any of these factors materialize, it would have an adverse effect on our 
revenue, cash flow, earnings and asset valuation.

Technology
Complex drilling programs for the exploration and development of conventional and unconventional oil and natural gas 
reserves demand high performance drilling rigs. The ability of drilling rig service providers to meet this demand depends 
on continuous improvement of existing rig technology, such as drive systems, control systems, automation, mud 
systems and top drives, to improve drilling efficiency. Our ability to deliver equipment and services that meet customer 
demand is essential to our continued success. We cannot guarantee that our rig technology will continue to meet the 
needs of our customers, especially as rigs age and technology advances, or that our competitors will not develop 
technological improvements that are more advantageous, timely, or cost effective.

44 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Employees and Suppliers

Finding and Keeping Employees
We may not be able to find enough skilled labour to meet our needs, and this could limit growth. We may also have 
difficulty finding enough skilled and unskilled labour in the future if demand for our services increases. Shortages of 
qualified personnel have occurred in the past during periods of high demand. The demand for qualified rig personnel 
generally increases with stronger demand for land drilling services and as new and refurbished rigs are brought 
into service. Increased demand typically leads to higher wages that may or may not be reflected in any increases in 
service rates.

Other factors can also affect our ability to find enough workers to meet our needs. Our business requires skilled workers 
who can perform physically demanding work. Volatility in oil and natural gas activity and the demanding nature of the 
work, however, may prompt workers to pursue other kinds of jobs that offer a more desirable work environment and 
wages competitive to ours. Our success depends on our ability to continue to employ and retain skilled technical 
personnel and qualified rig personnel; if we are unable to, it could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

Our ability to provide reliable services depends on the availability of well-trained, experienced crews to operate our 
field equipment. We must also balance our need to maintain a skilled workforce with cost structures that fluctuate with 
activity levels. We retain the most experienced employees during periods of low utilization by having them fill lower level 
positions on field crews. Many of our businesses experience manpower shortages in peak operating periods, and we 
may experience more severe shortages as the industry adds more rigs, oilfield service companies expand, and new 
companies enter the business. 

We continually monitor crew availability. To retain and attract quality staff, we focus on providing a safe and productive 
work environment, opportunity for advancement, and added wage security. 

Relying on Suppliers
We source certain key rig components, raw materials, equipment and component parts from a variety of suppliers in 
Canada, the U.S. and internationally. We also outsource some or all construction services for drilling and service rigs, 
including new-build rigs, as part of our capital expenditure programs. 

To manage this risk, we maintain relationships with several key suppliers and contractors and place advance orders for 
components that have long lead times. We also have an inventory of key components, materials, equipment and parts. 

We may, however, experience cost increases, delays in delivery due to strong activity or financial hardship of suppliers 
or contractors, or other unforeseen circumstances relating to third parties. If our current or alternate suppliers are unable 
to deliver the necessary components, materials, equipment, parts and services we require for our businesses, including 
the construction of new-build drilling rigs, it can delay service to our customers and have a material adverse effect on our 
revenue, cash flow and earnings.

Health, Safety and the Environment
We are subject to various environmental, health and safety laws, rules, legislation and guidelines, which can impose 
material liability, increase our costs, or lead to lower demand for our services.

Standards for accident prevention in the oil and natural gas industry are governed by service company safety policies 
and procedures, accepted industry safety practices, customer-specific safety requirements, and health and safety 
legislation. Safety is a key factor that customers consider when selecting an oilfield service company. A decline in our 
safety performance could result in lower demand for services, and this could have a material adverse effect on our 
revenue, cash flow and earnings. 

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

45

Our operations are affected by numerous laws, regulations and guidelines relating to the protection of the environment, 
including those governing the management, transportation and disposal of hazardous substances and other waste 
materials. These include those relating to spills, releases, emissions and discharges of hazardous substances or 
other waste materials into the environment, requiring removal or remediation of pollutants or contaminants and 
imposing civil and criminal penalties for violations. Some of these apply to our operations and authorize the recovery 
of natural resource damages by the government, injunctive relief, and the imposition of stop, control, remediation and 
abandonment orders. In addition, our land drilling operations may be conducted in or near ecologically sensitive areas, 
such as wetlands that are subject to special protective measures, which may expose us to additional operating costs 
and liabilities for noncompliance with certain laws. Some environmental laws and regulations may impose strict and, 
in certain cases joint and several, liability. This means that in some situations we could be exposed to liability as a 
result of conduct that was lawful at the time it occurred, or conditions caused by prior operators or other third parties, 
including any liability related to offsite treatment or disposal facilities. The costs arising from compliance with these laws, 
regulations and guidelines may be material.

We maintain liability insurance, including insurance for certain environmental claims, but coverage is limited, and some 
of our policies exclude coverage for damages resulting from environmental contamination. We cannot assure that 
insurance will continue to be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, that the possible types of liabilities that 
we may incur will be covered by the insurance, or that the dollar amount of the liabilities will not exceed our policy limits. 
Even a partially uninsured claim, if successful and of sufficient magnitude, could have a material adverse effect on our 
business, results of operations and prospects.

The issue of energy and the environment has created intense public debate in Canada, the U.S. and around the world 
in recent years, and it is likely to continue to be a focus area for the foreseeable future, which could potentially have 
a significant impact on all aspects of the economy. The trend in environmental regulation has been to impose more 
restrictions and limitations on activities that may impact the environment. Any regulatory changes that impose additional 
environmental restrictions or requirements on us, or our customers, could increase our operating costs and potentially 
lead to lower demand for our services and have an adverse effect on us. For example, there is growing concern about 
the apparent connection between the burning of fossil fuels and climate change. Laws, regulations or treaties concerning 
climate change or greenhouse gas emissions can have an adverse impact on the demand for oil and natural gas, which 
could have a material adverse effect on us. 

Governments in Canada and the U.S. are also considering more stringent regulation or restriction of hydraulic fracturing, 
a technology used by most of our customers that involves the injection of water, sand and chemicals under pressure into 
rock formations to stimulate oil and natural gas production. 

Increasing regulatory restrictions could have a negative impact on the exploration of unconventional energy resources, 
which are only commercially viable with the use of hydraulic fracturing. Laws relating to hydraulic fracturing are in various 
stages of development at levels of governments in markets where we operate and the outcome of these developments 
and their effect on the regulatory landscape and the contract drilling industry is uncertain; however, hydraulic fracturing 
laws or regulations that cause a decrease in the completion of new oil and natural gas wells and an associated decrease 
in demand for our services could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial results.

46 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Financial 

Dividends May be Variable
The actual cash flow available for the payment of dividends to shareholders is a function of numerous factors, 
including our financial performance, debt covenants and obligations, working capital requirements, capital expenditure 
requirements, tax obligations, the impact of interest rates or foreign exchange rates, the growth of the general economy, 
the price of crude oil and natural gas, weather and number of common shares outstanding. Dividends may be 
increased, reduced, or eliminated entirely depending on our operations and the performance of our assets. 

We require sufficient cash flow to service and repay our debt. The market value of our common shares may deteriorate if 
we are unable to meet dividend expectations in the future, and that deterioration may be material. 

Credit Market Conditions
The ability to make scheduled debt repayments, refinance debt obligations, or access financing depends on our financial 
condition and operating performance, which may be affected by prevailing economic and competitive conditions and 
certain financial, business and other factors beyond our control. Volatility in the credit markets can increase costs 
associated with debt instruments due to increased spreads over relevant interest rate benchmarks, or affect our ability to 
access those markets or the ability of third parties we wish to do business with. We may be unable to maintain sufficient 
cash flow from operating activities to allow us to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our debt.

In addition, if there is continued or future volatility or uncertainty in the capital markets, access to financing may be 
uncertain, and this can have an adverse effect on the industry and our business, including future operating results. Our 
customers may curtail their drilling programs, which could result in reduced dayrates, lower demand for drilling rigs, 
well service rigs, directional drilling, turnkey jobs, and other wellsite services, or lower equipment utilization. In addition, 
certain customers may be unable to pay suppliers, including us, if they are unable to access the capital markets to fund 
their business operations.

Our Debt Facilities Contain Restrictive Covenants
Our revolving credit facility and each note indenture contain a number of covenants which, among other things, restrict 
us and some of our subsidiaries from conducting certain activities. In addition, we must satisfy and maintain certain 
financial ratio tests under the Secured Facility. Events beyond our control could affect our ability to meet these tests. If we 
breach any of the covenants, it could result in a default under the Secured Facility or any of the note indentures. If there 
is a default, the applicable lenders or note holders could decide to declare all amounts outstanding under the Secured 
Facility or any of the note indentures to be due and payable immediately, and terminate any commitments to extend 
further credit.

Access to Additional Financing
We will need sufficient cash flow in the future to service and repay our debt. Our ability to generate cash in the future is 
affected to some extent by general economic, financial, competitive and other factors that may be beyond our control. 
If we need to borrow funds in the future to service our debt, our ability will depend on covenants in our revolving credit 
facility, our note indentures and other debt agreements we may have in the future, and on our credit ratings. We may 
not be able to access sufficient amounts under the secured facility or from the capital markets in the future to pay our 
obligations as they mature or to fund other liquidity requirements. If we are not able to borrow a sufficient amount, or 
generate enough cash flow from operations to service and repay our debt, we will need to refinance our debt or we will 
be in default, and we could be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures or dispose of material 
assets. We may not be able to refinance or arrange alternative measures on favourable terms or at all. If we are unable to 
service, repay or refinance our debt, it could have a negative impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

We regularly assess our credit policies and capital structure, and have enough liquidity to meet our needs. See page 34 
for information about our liquidity.

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

47

Foreign Exchange
Our U.S. and international operations have revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other 
than the Canadian dollar (mostly in U.S. dollars and currencies that are pegged to the U.S. dollar). This means that 
changes in currency exchange rates affect our income statement, balance sheet and statement of cash flow.

   Translation into Canadian dollars – When preparing our consolidated financial statements, we translate the financial 

statements for foreign operations that don’t have a Canadian dollar functional currency into Canadian dollars. 
We translate assets and liabilities at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. We translate revenues 
and expenses using average exchange rates for the month of the transaction. We initially recognize gains or 
losses from these translation adjustments in other comprehensive income, and reclassify them from equity to 
net earnings on disposal or partial disposal of the foreign operation. Changes in currency exchange rates could 
materially increase or decrease our foreign currency-denominated net assets, which would increase or decrease 
shareholders’ equity. Changes in currency exchange rates will affect the amount of revenues and expenses we 
record for our U.S. and international operations, which will increase or decrease our net earnings. If the Canadian 
dollar strengthens against the U.S. dollar, the net earnings we record in Canadian dollars for our international 
operations will be lower. 

   Transaction Exposure – We have long-term debt denominated in U.S. dollars. We have designated our senior notes 
as a hedge against the net asset position of our U.S. operations. This debt is converted at the exchange rate in 
effect at the balance sheet dates with the resulting gains or losses included in the statement of comprehensive 
income. If the Canadian dollar strengthens against the U.S. dollar, we will incur a foreign exchange gain from the 
translation of this debt. Similarly, if the Canadian dollar weakens against the U.S. dollar, we will incur a foreign 
exchange loss from the translation of this debt. The vast majority of our international operations are transacted in 
U.S. dollars or U.S. dollar-pegged currencies. Transactions for our Canadian operations are primarily transacted 
in Canadian dollars; however, we occasionally purchase goods and supplies in U.S. dollars for our Canadian 
operations. However, the U.S. dollar denominated transactions and foreign exchange exposure would not typically 
have a material impact on our financial results.

Liabilities from Prior Reorganizations 
We have retained all liabilities of our predecessor companies, including liabilities relating to corporate and income 
tax matters.

International Operations
We conduct some of our business in Mexico and the Middle East. Our growth plans contemplate establishing operations 
in other foreign countries, including countries where the political and economic systems may be less stable than in 
Canada or the U.S. 

Our international operations are subject to risks normally associated with conducting business in foreign countries, 
including among others:

   an uncertain political and economic environment
   the loss of revenue, property and equipment as a result of expropriation, confiscation, nationalization, contract 

deprivation and force majeure

   war, terrorist acts or threats, civil insurrection, and geopolitical and other political risks 
   fluctuations in foreign currency and exchange controls
   restrictions on the repatriation of income or capital
   increases in duties, taxes and governmental royalties
   renegotiation of contracts with governmental entities
   changes in laws and policies governing operations of foreign-based companies
   compliance with anti-corruption and anti-bribery legislation in Canada, the U.S. and other countries
   trade restrictions or embargoes imposed by the U.S. or other countries.

48 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

If there is a dispute relating to our international operations, we may be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of foreign 
courts or may not be able to subject foreign persons to the jurisdiction of a court in Canada or the U.S.

Government-owned petroleum companies located in some of the countries where we operate now or in the future may 
have policies, or may be subject to governmental policies, that give preference to the purchase of goods and services 
from companies that are majority-owned by local nationals. As such, we may rely on joint ventures, license arrangements 
and other business combinations with local nationals in these countries, which may expose us to certain counterparty 
risks, including the failure of local nationals to meet contractual obligations or comply with local or international laws that 
apply to us. 

In the international markets where we operate, we are subject to various laws and regulations that govern the operation 
and taxation of our businesses and the import and export of our equipment from country to country. There may be 
uncertainty about how these laws and regulations are imposed, applied or interpreted, and they could be subject to 
change. Since we derive a portion of our revenues from subsidiaries outside of Canada and the U.S., the subsidiaries 
paying dividends or making other cash payments or advances may be restricted from transferring funds in or out of the 
respective countries, or face exchange controls or taxes on any payments or advances. We have organized our foreign 
operations partly based on certain assumptions about various tax laws (including capital gains and withholding taxes), 
foreign currency exchange, and capital repatriation laws and other relevant laws of a variety of foreign jurisdictions. We 
believe these assumptions are reasonable; however, there is no assurance that foreign taxing or other authorities will 
reach the same conclusion. If these foreign jurisdictions change or modify the laws, we could suffer adverse tax and 
financial consequences.

While we have developed policies and procedures designed to achieve compliance with applicable international laws, 
we could be exposed to potential claims, economic sanctions, or other restrictions for alleged or actual violations of 
international laws related to our international operations, including anti-corruption and anti-bribery legislation, trade 
laws and trade sanctions. The Canadian government, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (SEC), the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control, and similar agencies and authorities in other jurisdictions 
have a broad range of civil and criminal penalties they may seek to impose against corporations and individuals for 
such violations, including injunctive relief, disgorgement, fines, penalties and modifications to business practices and 
compliance programs, among other things. While we cannot accurately predict the impact of any of these factors, if any 
of those risks materialize, it could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition, results 
of operations and cash flow.

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

49

Evaluation of  
Controls and Procedures

Management’s 
Discussion and
Analysis

Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Precision maintains internal control over financial reporting that is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding 
the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance 
with IFRS.

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as 
defined in Rules 13a – 15(f) and 15d – 15(f) under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 
Exchange Act) and under National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuer’s Annual and Interim Filings 
(NI 52-109).

Management, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), has conducted an 
evaluation of Precision’s internal control over financial reporting based on criteria established in Internal Control – 
Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission 
(COSO 2013).

Based on management’s assessment as at December 31, 2014, management has concluded that Precision’s internal 
control over financial reporting is effective.

The effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 was audited by KPMG LLP, an 
independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting 
Firm, which is included in this annual report.

Due to its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting is not intended to provide absolute assurance 
that a misstatement of Precision’s financial statements would be prevented or detected. Further, the evaluation of the 
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting was made as of a specific date, and continued effectiveness in 
future periods is subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Precision maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that information 
required to be disclosed in Precision’s interim and annual filings is reviewed, recognized and disclosed accurately and 
in the appropriate time period.

An evaluation, as of December 31, 2014, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of Precision’s disclosure 
controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a – 15(e) and 15d – 15(e) under the Exchange Act and NI 52-109, 
was carried out by management, including the CEO and the CFO. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO have 
concluded that the design and operation of Precision’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that 
information required to be disclosed in the reports that Precision files or submits under the Exchange Act or Canadian 
securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and 
forms therein.

It should be noted that while the CEO and CFO believe that Precision’s disclosure controls and procedures provide 
a reasonable level of assurance that they are effective, they do not expect that Precision’s disclosure controls and 
procedures will prevent all errors and fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived or operated, can provide 
only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.

50 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Corporate Governance

Management’s 
Discussion and
Analysis

At Precision, we believe that a strong culture of corporate governance and ethical behaviour in decision-making is 
fundamental to the way we do business. 

We have a strong Board made up of directors with a history of achievement and an effective mix of skills, knowledge, 
and business experience. The directors oversee the conduct of our business, provide oversight, and support our 
future growth. They also monitor regulatory developments in Canada and the U.S. to keep abreast of developments in 
governance and enhance transparency of our corporate disclosure.

You can find more information about our approach to governance in our management information circular, available 
on our website.

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

51

Management’s Report to the Shareholders

The accompanying consolidated financial statements and all information in this Annual Report are the responsibility of 
management. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with the accounting 
policies in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. When necessary, management has made informed judgments 
and estimates in accounting for transactions that were not complete at the balance sheet date. In the opinion of management, 
the consolidated financial statements have been prepared within acceptable limits of materiality, and are in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) appropriate in the circumstances. The financial information elsewhere in this 
Annual Report has been reviewed to ensure consistency with that in the consolidated financial statements.

Management has prepared Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A). The MD&A is based on the financial results of 
Precision Drilling Corporation (the Corporation) prepared in accordance with IFRS. The MD&A compares the audited financial 
results for the years ended December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2013. 

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over the Corporation’s financial reporting 
and is supported by an internal audit function that conducts periodic testing of these controls. Internal control over financial 
reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation 
of consolidated financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with IFRS. Because of its inherent limitations, 
internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined 
to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, 
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate 
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Under the supervision and with direction from our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer, 
management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting. 
Management’s evaluation of internal control over financial reporting was based on the Internal Control – Integrated Framework 
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO 2013). Based on this evaluation, 
management concluded that the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2014. 
Also management determined that there were no material weaknesses in the Corporation’s internal control over financial 
reporting as of December 31, 2014.

KPMG LLP (KPMG), an independent firm of Chartered Accountants, was engaged, as approved by a vote of shareholders 
at the Corporation’s most recent annual meeting, to audit the consolidated financial statements and provide an independent 
professional opinion.

KPMG completed an audit of the design and effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as 
of December 31, 2014, as stated in its report included herein, and expressed an unqualified opinion on the design and 
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014. 

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, which is comprised of five independent directors who are not employees of the 
Corporation, provides oversight to the financial reporting process. Integral to this process is the Audit Committee’s review and 
discussion with management and KPMG of the quarterly and annual financial statements and reports prior to their respective 
release. The Audit Committee is also responsible for reviewing and discussing with management and KPMG major issues 
as to the adequacy of the Corporation’s internal controls. KPMG has unrestricted access to the Audit Committee to discuss 
its audit and related matters. The consolidated financial statements have been approved by the Board of Directors and its 
Audit Committee.

Kevin A. Neveu 
President and Chief Executive Officer 
Precision Drilling Corporation 

Robert J. McNally 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 
Precision Drilling Corporation

March 6, 2015 

March 6, 2015

52 

Consolidated Financial Statements

Independent Auditors’ Report of Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Precision Drilling Corporation
We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Precision Drilling Corporation (the “Corporation”), 
which comprise the consolidated statements of financial position as at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the 
consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flow for the years then ended, 
and notes, comprising a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.

Management’s Responsibility for the Consolidated Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated financial statements in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and for such 
internal control as Management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that 
are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditors’ Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We conducted 
our audits in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and the standards of the Public Company 
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan 
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free from 
material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated 
financial statements. The procedures selected depend on our judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material 
misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, we 
consider internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements 
in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances. An audit also includes evaluating the 
appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by Management,  
as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained in our audits is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our 
audit opinion.

Opinion
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position 
of the Corporation as at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and its consolidated financial performance and its 
consolidated cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued 
by the International Accounting Standards Board.

Other Matter
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), 
the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the criteria established in Internal 
Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013), 
and our report dated March 6, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control 
over financial reporting.

Chartered Accountants

March 6, 2015 
Calgary, Canada

Precision Drilling Corporation  2014 Annual Report 

53

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Precision Drilling Corporation
We have audited Precision Drilling Corporation’s (the “Corporation”) internal control over financial reporting as of 
December 31, 2014, based on the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee  
of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013). The Corporation’s management is responsible for 
maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control  
over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report to the Shareholders. Our responsibility is to 
express an opinion on the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal 
control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of 
internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the 
design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such 
other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis 
for our opinion.

An entity’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the 
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally 
accepted accounting principles. An entity’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that 
(1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions 
of the assets of the entity; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation 
of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of 
the entity are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the entity; and (3) provide 
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the entity’s 
assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, 
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate 
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of 
December 31, 2014, based on the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee 
of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013).

We also have audited, in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and the standards of the Public 
Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated statements of financial position of the Corporation as 
of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, 
shareholders’ equity and cash flow for the years then ended, and our report dated March 6, 2015 expressed an unqualified 
opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

Chartered Accountants

March 6, 2015 
Calgary, Canada

54 

Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position 

(Stated in thousands of Canadian dollars)

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash

Accounts receivable

Income tax recoverable

Inventory

Total current assets

Non-current assets:

Income tax recoverable

Property, plant and equipment

Intangibles

Goodwill

Total non-current assets

Total assets

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Current liabilities:

December 31,
2014

December 31,
2013

$

491,481

$

598,063

55,138

9,170

1,153,852

3,297

3,928,826

3,302

219,719

80,606

549,697

–

12,378

642,681

58,435

3,561,734

3,917

312,356

4,155,144

3,936,442

$

5,308,996

$

4,579,123

(Note 22)

(Note 23)

(Note 4)

(Note 5)

(Note 6)

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

(Note 22)

$

493,038

$

332,838

Income tax payable

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities:

Share based compensation

Provisions and other

Long-term debt

Deferred tax liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Shareholders’ equity:

Shareholders’ capital

Contributed surplus

Retained earnings

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

(Note 13)

Total shareholders’ equity

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Approved by the Board of Directors:

(Note 8)

(Note 9)

(Note 10)

(Note 11)

7,184

500,222

14,252

14,837

1,852,186

486,133

2,367,408

4,060

336,898

14,431

17,836

1,323,268

487,347

1,842,882

(Note 12)

2,315,539

2,305,227

31,109

48,426

46,292

29,175

88,416

(23,475)

2,441,366

2,399,343

$

5,308,996

$

4,579,123

Allen R. Hagerman 
Director 

Robert L. Phillips 
Director

Precision Drilling Corporation  2014 Annual Report 

55

Consolidated Statements of Earnings 

Years ended December 31,
(Stated in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

Revenue

Expenses:

Operating

General and administrative

Earnings before income taxes, finance charges, foreign  

exchange, impairment of goodwill, loss on asset  

decommissioning and depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization

Loss on asset decommissioning

Operating earnings

Impairment of goodwill

Foreign exchange

Finances charges

Earnings before tax 

Income taxes:

Current

Deferred

Net earnings 

Earnings per share:

Basic

Diluted

(Note 22)

(Note 22)

(Note 4)

(Note 14)

(Note 11)

(Note 18)

2014

2013

$

2,350,538

$

2,029,977

1,405,827

144,341

1,248,637

142,507

800,370

448,669

126,699

225,002

95,170

(946)

109,701

21,077

10,172

(22,247)

(12,075)

33,152

0.11

0.11

$

$

$

$

$

$

638,833

333,159

–

305,674

–

(9,112)

93,248

221,538

45,017

(14,629)

30,388

191,150

0.69

0.66

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income 

2014

2013

$

33,152

$

191,150

171,092

109,195

(101,325)

(72,135)

$

102,919

$

228,210

Years ended December 31,
(Stated in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Net earnings 

Unrealized gain on translation of assets and liabilities  

of operations denominated in foreign currency

Foreign exchange loss on net investment hedge  

with U.S. denominated debt, net of tax

Comprehensive income

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

56 

Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow 

Years ended December 31,
(Stated in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Cash provided by (used in):

Operations:

Net earnings

Adjustments for:

  Long-term compensation plans

  Depreciation and amortization

  Loss on asset decommissioning

Impairment of goodwill

  Foreign exchange

  Finance charges

Income taxes

  Other

Income taxes paid

Income taxes recovered

Interest paid

Interest received

Funds provided by operations

Changes in non-cash working capital balances

(Note 22)

Investments:

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

(Note 4)

Proceeds on sale of property, plant and equipment

Changes in income tax recoverable

Changes in non-cash working capital balances

(Note 22)

Financing:

Repayment of long-term debt

Debt issue costs

Dividends paid

Increase in long-term debt

Issuance of common shares on the exercise of options

Issuance of common shares on the exercise of warrants

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

2014

2013

$

33,152

$

191,150

16,197

448,669

126,699

95,170

(3,971)

109,701

(12,075)

(6,033)

(15,601)

8,463

(103,816)

919

697,474

(17,315)

680,159

(856,690)

101,826

55,138

69,739

(629,987)

(30,670)

(10,166)

(73,142)

436,600

7,082

–

329,704

30,999

410,875

80,606

$

491,481

$

20,708

333,159

–

–

(9,216)

93,248

30,388

(3,754)

(109,326)

3,761

(89,156)

1,011

461,973

(33,887)

428,086

(535,804)

13,372

6,144

(10,247)

(526,535)

–

(883)

(58,113)

29,781

2,432

48,300

21,517

4,770

(72,162)

152,768

80,606

Precision Drilling Corporation  2014 Annual Report 

57

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity 

(Stated in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Balance at January 1, 2014

Net earnings for the period

Other comprehensive income for  

the period

Dividends

Shareholders’ 
capital

Contributed 
surplus

Accumulated 
other 
comprehensive 
income (loss) 
(Note 13)

Retained
earnings

Total equity

$ 2,305,227

$

29,175

$

(23,475)

$

88,416

$ 2,399,343

–

–

–

–

–

–

(3,230)

5,164

–

33,152

33,152

69,767

–

–

–

–

(73,142)

–

–

69,767

(73,142)

7,082

5,164

Share options exercised

(Note 12)

10,312

Share based compensation expense

(Note 8)

–

Balance at December 31, 2014

$ 2,315,539

$

31,109

$

46,292

$

48,426

$ 2,441,366

Shareholders’ 
capital

Contributed 
surplus

Accumulated 
other 
comprehensive 
loss (Note 13)

Retained 
earnings 
(deficit)

Total equity

$ 2,251,982

$

24,474

$

(60,535)

$

(44,621)

$ 2,171,300

(Stated in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Balance at January 1, 2013

Net earnings for the period

Other comprehensive income for  

the period

Dividends

–

–

–

–

–

–

Share options exercised

(Note 12)

3,707

(1,275)

Shares issued on redemption of  

non-management directors’ DSUs

Warrants exercised

Share based compensation expense

(Note 8)

1,238

48,300

–

(1,031)

–

7,007

–

191,150

191,150

37,060

–

–

–

–

–

–

(58,113)

–

–

–

–

37,060

(58,113)

2,432

207

48,300

7,007

Balance at December 31, 2013

$ 2,305,227

$

29,175

$

(23,475)

$

88,416

$ 2,399,343

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

58 

Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts are stated in thousands of Canadian dollars except share numbers and per share amounts)

NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS 

Precision Drilling Corporation (Precision or the Corporation) is incorporated under the laws of the Province of Alberta, Canada 
and is a provider of contract drilling and completion and production services primarily to oil and natural gas exploration and 
production companies in Canada, the United States and certain international locations. The address of the registered office is 
800, 525 – 8th Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 1G1. 

NOTE 2. BASIS OF PREPARATION

(a) Statement of Compliance
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). 

These consolidated financial statements were authorized for issue by the Board of Directors on March 6, 2015.

(b) Basis of Measurement
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared using the historical cost basis except as detailed in the 
Corporation’s accounting policies in Note 3 and are presented in thousands of Canadian dollars.

(c) Use of Estimates and Judgments
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect 
the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingencies. These estimates and 
judgments are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under 
the circumstances. The estimation of anticipated future events involves uncertainty and, consequently, the estimates used in 
preparation of the consolidated financial statements may change as future events unfold, more experience is acquired, or the 
Corporation’s operating environment changes. Significant estimates and judgments used in the preparation of the financial 
statements are described in Note 3(r) and (s).

NOTE 3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

(a) Basis of Consolidation
These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Corporation and all of its subsidiaries and partnerships, 
substantially all of which are wholly-owned. The financial statements of the subsidiaries are prepared for the same period as the 
parent entity, using consistent accounting policies. All significant intercompany balances, transactions and any unrealized gains 
and losses arising from intercompany transactions, have been eliminated. 

Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Corporation. Control exists when Precision has the power to govern the financial 
and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. In assessing control, potential voting rights that 
currently are exercisable are taken into account. The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated 
financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.

Precision does not hold investments in any companies where it exerts significant influence and does not hold interests in any 
special-purpose entities.

The acquisition method is used to account for acquisitions of subsidiaries and assets that meet the definition of a business 
under IFRS. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the fair value of the assets given, equity instruments issued and liabilities 
incurred or assumed at the date of exchange. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in 
a business combination are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of the cost of acquisition 
over the fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired is recorded as goodwill. If the cost of 
acquisition is less than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognized immediately in 
the statement of earnings. Transaction costs, other than those associated with the issuance of debt or equity securities, that the 
Corporation incurs in connection with a business combination are expensed as incurred.

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

59

(b) Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less. 

(c) Inventory 
Inventory is primarily comprised of operating supplies and is carried at the lower of average cost, being the cost to acquire the 
inventory, and net realizable value. Inventory is charged to operating expenses as items are sold or consumed at the amount of 
the average cost of the item. 

(d) Property, Plant and Equipment 
Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. 

Cost includes an expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the asset. The cost of self-constructed assets 
includes the cost of materials and direct labour, any other costs directly attributable to bringing the assets to a working condition 
for their intended use and borrowing costs on qualifying assets.

The cost of replacing a part of an item of property, plant and equipment is recognized in the carrying amount of the item if it is 
probable that the future economic benefits embodied within the part will flow to the Corporation, and its cost can be measured 
reliably. The carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognized. The costs of the day-to-day servicing of property, plant and 
equipment (repair and maintenance) are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.

Property, plant, and equipment are depreciated as follows:

Expected Life

Salvage Value

Basis of Depreciation

Drilling rig equipment: 

– Power & Tubulars

– Dynamic 

– Structural

Seasonal, stratification and turnkey  

drilling equipment 

Service rig equipment 

Drilling rig spare equipment 

Service rig spare equipment

Rental equipment

Other equipment

Light duty vehicles

Heavy duty vehicles

Buildings

5 years

10 years

20 years

4 years

20 years

up to 15 years

up to 15 years

10 to 15 years

3 to 10 years

4 years

7 to 10 years

10 to 20 years

–

–

10%

0 to 20%

10%

–

–

0 to 25%

–

–

–

–

straight-line

straight-line

straight-line

straight-line

straight-line

straight-line

straight-line

straight-line

straight-line

straight-line

straight-line

straight-line

Gains and losses on disposal of an item of property, plant and equipment are determined by comparing the proceeds from 
disposal with the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment, and are recognized in the statements of earnings. 

The estimated useful lives, residual values and methods or depreciation are reviewed annually, and adjusted prospectively 
if appropriate.

60

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(e) Intangibles
Intangible assets that are acquired by the Corporation with finite lives are initially recorded at estimated fair value and 
subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment losses. 

Subsequent expenditures are capitalized only when it increases the future economic benefits of the specific asset to which 
it relates.

Amortization is recognized in profit and loss using the straight-line method based over the estimated useful lives of the respective 
assets as follows:

Customer relationships 
Patents 
Brand  

1 to 5 years
10 years
1 to 5 years

The estimated useful lives and methods of amortization are reviewed annually, and adjusted prospectively if appropriate.

(f) Goodwill 
Goodwill is the amount that results when the purchase price of an acquired business exceeds the sum of the amounts allocated 
to the assets acquired, less liabilities assumed, based on their fair values. 

If the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired exceeds the fair value of the consideration, Precision reassesses whether 
it has correctly identified and measured the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. If that excess remains after reassessment, 
Precision recognizes the resulting gain in profit or loss on the acquisition date.

After initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. For the purpose of impairment 
testing, goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, attributed to the cash generating unit or 
groups of cash generating units that are expected to benefit and as identified in the business combination.

(g) Impairment

(i) Financial Assets
A financial asset not carried at fair value through profit or loss is assessed at each reporting date to determine whether 
there is any objective evidence that it is impaired. A financial asset is tested for impairment if objective evidence indicates 
that one or more events have had a negative effect on the estimated future cash flows of that asset.

Objective evidence that financial assets are impaired can include default or delinquency by a debtor, restructuring of an 
amount due to the Corporation on terms that the Corporation would not consider otherwise, and indications that a debtor 
will enter bankruptcy. Precision considers evidence of impairment for receivables at both a specific asset and collective 
level. All individually significant receivables are assessed for specific impairment. All significant receivables found not to 
be specifically impaired are then collectively assessed for impairment by grouping together receivables with similar risk 
characteristics.

An impairment loss in respect of a financial asset measured at amortized cost is calculated as the difference between its 
carrying amount and the present value of the estimated future cash flows discounted at the original effective interest rate.

Individually significant financial assets are tested for impairment on an individual basis. The remaining financial assets are 
assessed collectively in groups that share similar credit risk characteristics.

All impairment losses are recognized in profit or loss. 

An impairment loss is reversed if the reversal can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment loss was 
recognized. For financial assets measured at amortized cost the reversal is recognized in profit or loss. 

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

61

(ii) Non-Financial Assets 
The carrying amounts of the Corporation’s non-financial assets, other than inventories and deferred tax assets, are 
reviewed at each reporting date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, 
then the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. For goodwill and other intangible assets that have indefinite lives or that 
are not yet available for use, an impairment test is completed at the same time each year. 

For the purpose of impairment testing, assets are grouped together into the smallest group of assets that generates 
cash inflows from continuing use that are largely independent of the cash inflows of other assets or groups of assets (the 
cash-generating unit or CGU). The recoverable amount of an asset or a CGU is the greater of its value in use and its fair 
value less costs to sell. 

In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a after tax discount 
rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. Value in use 
is generally computed by reference to the present value of the future cash flows expected to be derived from the cash 
generating unit.

An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an asset or its CGU exceeds its estimated recoverable amount. 
Impairment losses are recognized in profit or loss. Impairment losses recognized in respect of CGUs are allocated first to 
reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the CGU and then to reduce the carrying amounts of the other 
assets in the CGU on a pro rata basis.

An impairment loss in respect of goodwill is not reversed. In respect of other assets, impairment losses recognized in 
prior years are assessed at each reporting date for any indications that the loss has decreased or no longer exists. An 
impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that 
would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortization, if no impairment loss had been recognized.

(h) Borrowing Costs
Interest and borrowing costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of assets that take a 
substantial period of time to prepare for their intended use are capitalized as part of the cost of those assets. Capitalization 
ceases during any extended period of suspension of construction or when substantially all activities necessary to prepare the 
asset for its intended use are complete.

All other interest and borrowing costs are recognized in earnings in the period in which they are incurred.

(i) Income Taxes 
Income tax expense is recognized in net earnings except to the extent that it relates to items recognized directly in equity, in 
which case it is recognized in equity.

Current tax is the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable earnings or loss for the year, using tax rates enacted or 
substantively enacted at the reporting date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred tax is recognized using the liability method, providing for temporary differences between the carrying amounts 
of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. Deferred tax is not 
recognized on the initial recognition of assets or liabilities in a transaction that is not a business combination. In addition, 
deferred tax is not recognized for taxable temporary differences arising on the initial recognition of goodwill. Deferred tax is 
measured at the tax rates that are expected to be applied to temporary differences when they reverse, based on the laws that 
have been enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets 
and liabilities is recognized in net earnings in the period that includes the date of enactment or substantive enactment. Deferred 
tax assets and liabilities are offset if there is a legally enforceable right to offset and they relate to taxes levied by the same tax 
authority on the same taxable entity, or on different tax entities that are expected to settle current tax liabilities and assets on a 
net basis or their tax assets and liabilities will be realized simultaneously.

A deferred tax asset is recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the 
temporary difference can be utilized. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and are reduced to the extent that 
it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realized.

62

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(j) Revenue Recognition 
The Corporation’s services are generally sold based on service orders or contracts with a customer that include fixed or 
determinable prices based on daily, hourly or job rates. Customer contract terms do not include provisions for significant 
post-service delivery obligations. Revenue is recognized when services and equipment rentals are rendered and only when 
collectability is reasonably assured. The Corporation also provides services under turnkey contracts whereby it drills a well to 
an agreed upon depth under specified conditions for a fixed price, regardless of the time required or the problems encountered 
in drilling the well. Revenue from turnkey drilling contracts is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method based on 
costs incurred to date and estimated total contract costs. Anticipated losses, if any, on uncompleted contracts are recorded at 
the time the estimated costs exceed the contract revenue.

(k) Employee Benefit Plans 
Precision sponsors various defined contribution retirement plans for its employees. The Corporation’s contributions to defined 
contribution plans are expensed as employees earn the entitlement.

(l) Provisions 
Provisions are recognized when the Corporation has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, 
when it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and when 
a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. 

The amount recognized as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the end 
of the reporting period, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where a provision is measured 
using the cash flows estimated to settle the present obligation, its carrying amount is the present value of those cash flows.

(m) Share Based Incentive Compensation Plans 
The Corporation has established several cash settled share based incentive compensation plans for non-management 
directors, officers, and other eligible employees. As estimated by management, the fair values of the amounts payable to 
eligible participants under these plans are recognized as an expense with a corresponding increase in liabilities over the period 
that the participants become unconditionally entitled to payment. The recorded liability is re-measured at the end of each 
reporting period until settlement with the resultant change to the fair value of the liability recognized in net earnings for the 
period. When the plans are settled, the cash paid reduces the outstanding liability.

The Corporation has implemented an employee share purchase plan that allows eligible employees to purchase common 
shares through payroll deductions. Under this plan, contributions made by employees are matched to a specific percentage 
by the Corporation. The contributions made by the Corporation are expensed as incurred.

Prior to January 1, 2012, the Corporation had an equity settled deferred share unit plan whereby non-management directors 
of Precision could elect to receive all or a portion of their compensation in fully-vested deferred share units. Compensation 
expense was recognized based on the fair value price of the Corporation’s shares at the date of grant with a corresponding 
increase to contributed surplus. Upon redemption of the deferred share units into common shares, the amount previously 
recognized in contributed surplus is recorded as an increase to shareholders’ capital. The Corporation continues to have 
obligations under this plan.

A share option plan has been established for certain eligible employees. Under this plan the fair value of share purchase options 
is calculated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and that value is recorded as compensation 
expense over the grant’s vesting period with an offsetting credit to contributed surplus. A forfeiture rate is estimated on the 
grant date and is adjusted to reflect the actual number of options that vest. Upon exercise of the equity purchase option, the 
associated amount is reclassified from contributed surplus to shareholders’ capital. Consideration paid by employees upon 
exercise of the equity purchase options is credited to shareholders’ capital. 

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

63

(n) Foreign Currency Translation 
Transactions of the Corporation’s individual entities are recorded in the currency of the primary economic environment in which 
it operates (its functional currency). Transactions in currencies other than the entities’ functional currency are translated at rates 
in effect at the time of the transaction. At each period end, monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the prevailing period 
end rates. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are not retranslated. Gains 
and losses are included in net earnings except for gains and losses on translation of long-term debt designated as a hedge of 
foreign operations, which are deferred and included in accumulated other comprehensive income.

For the purpose of preparing the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements, the financial statements of each foreign 
operation that does not have a Canadian dollar functional currency are translated into Canadian dollars. Assets and liabilities 
are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated using average 
exchange rates for the month of the respective transaction. Gains or losses resulting from these translation adjustments are 
recognized initially in other comprehensive income and reclassified from equity to net earnings on disposal or partial disposal 
of the foreign operation.

(o) Per Share Amounts 
Basic per share amounts are calculated using the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted 
per share amounts are calculated by using the treasury stock method for equity based compensation arrangements. The 
treasury stock method assumes that any proceeds obtained on exercise of equity based compensation arrangements would 
be used to purchase common shares at the average market price during the period. The weighted average number of shares 
outstanding is then adjusted by the difference between the number of shares issued from the exercise of equity based 
compensation arrangements and shares repurchased from the related proceeds. 

(p) Financial Instruments 

(i) Non-Derivative Financial Assets
Financial assets are classified as either fair value through profit and loss, loans and receivables, held to maturity or 
available for sale. Financial liabilities are classified as either fair value through profit and loss or other financial liabilities. 
Non-derivative financial instruments are recognized initially at fair value plus, for instruments not at fair value through profit 
or loss, any directly attributable transaction costs. Transaction costs attributable to fair value through profit or loss items are 
expensed as incurred. Subsequent to initial recognition non-derivative financial instruments are measured based on their 
classification.

Accounts receivable are classified as “loans and receivables”. After their initial fair value measurement, they are 
measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. For the Corporation, the measured amount generally 
corresponds to historical cost.

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and long-term debt are classified as “other financial liabilities”. After their initial fair 
value measurement, they are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. For the Corporation, the 
measured amount generally corresponds to historical cost.

(ii) Derivative Financial Instruments
The Corporation may enter into certain financial derivative contracts in order to manage the exposure to market risks 
from fluctuations in interest rates or exchange rates. These instruments are not used for trading or speculative purposes. 
Precision has not designated its financial derivative contracts as effective accounting hedges, and thus has not applied 
hedge accounting, even though it considers certain financial contracts to be economic hedges. As a result, financial 
derivative contracts are classified as fair value through profit or loss and are recorded on the balance sheet at estimated 
fair value. Transaction costs are recognized in profit or loss when incurred.

Derivatives embedded in other instruments or host contracts are separated from the host contract and accounted for 
separately when their economic characteristics and risks are not closely related to the host contract. Embedded derivatives 
are recorded on the balance sheet at estimated fair value and changes in the fair value are recognized in earnings.

64

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(q) Hedge Accounting 
The Corporation utilizes foreign currency long-term debt to hedge its exposure to changes in the carrying values of the 
Corporation’s net investment in certain foreign operations as a result of changes in foreign exchange rates.

To be accounted for as a hedge, the foreign currency long-term debt must be designated and documented as a hedge, and 
must be effective at inception and on an ongoing basis. The documentation defines the relationship between the foreign 
currency long-term debt and the net investment in the foreign operations, as well as the Corporation’s risk management 
objective and strategy for undertaking the hedging transaction. The Corporation formally assesses, both at inception and on an 
ongoing basis whether the changes in fair value of the foreign currency long-term debt is highly effective in offsetting changes in 
fair value of the net investment in the foreign operations. The portion of gains or losses on the hedging item that is determined 
to be an effective hedge is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax, and is limited to the translation gain or loss 
on the net investment, while the ineffective portion is recorded in earnings. If the hedging relationship is terminated or ceases to 
be effective, hedge accounting is not applied to subsequent gains or losses. The amounts recognized in other comprehensive 
income are reclassified to net earnings when corresponding exchange gains or losses arising from the translation of the foreign 
operation are recorded in net earnings.

(r) Critical Accounting Judgments

(i) Depreciation and Amortization
Precision’s property, plant and equipment and its intangible assets are depreciated and amortized based on estimates of 
useful lives and salvage values. These estimates consider data and information from various sources including vendors, 
industry practice and Precision’s own historical experience and may change as more experience is gained, market 
conditions shift or new technological advancements are made.

Determination of which parts of the drilling rig equipment represent significant cost relative to the entire rig and identifying 
the consumption patterns along with the useful lives of these significant parts, are matters of judgment. This determination 
can be complex and subject to differing interpretations and views, particularly when rig equipment comprises individual 
components for which different depreciation methods or rates are appropriate. 

(ii) Income Taxes
Uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation of complex tax regulations, changes in tax laws, and the amount 
and timing of future taxable income. Differences arising between the actual results and the assumptions made, or future 
changes to such assumptions, could necessitate future adjustments to taxable income and expense already recorded. 
The Corporation establishes provisions, based on reasonable estimates, for possible consequences of audits by the tax 
authorities of the respective countries in which it operates. The amount of such provisions is based on various factors, such 
as experience of previous tax audits and differing interpretations of tax regulations by the taxable entity and the responsible 
tax authority.

(s) Critical Accounting Assumptions and Estimates

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets, which include property, plant and equipment, intangibles and goodwill, comprise the majority of 
Precision’s assets. The carrying value of these assets is periodically reviewed for impairment or whenever events or 
changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. For property, plant and equipment, 
this requires Precision to forecast future cash flows to be derived from the utilization of these assets based on assumptions 
about future business conditions and technological developments. Significant, unanticipated changes to these 
assumptions could require a provision for impairment in the future.

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

65

For goodwill, we conduct impairment tests annually in the fourth quarter or whenever there is change in circumstance 
that indicates that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The recoverability of goodwill requires a calculation of 
the recoverable amount of the CGU or groups of CGUs to which goodwill has been allocated. A CGU is the smallest 
identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets 
or groups of assets. Judgment is required in the aggregation of assets into CGUs. The recoverability calculation requires 
an estimation of the future cash flows from the CGU or group of CGUs and judgment is required in determining the 
appropriate discount rate. We use observable market data inputs to develop a discount rate that we believe approximates 
the discount rate from market participants. 

In deriving the underlying projected cash flows, assumptions must also be made about future drilling activity, margins 
and market conditions over the long-term life of the assets or CGUs. Precision cannot predict if an event that triggers 
impairment will occur, when it will occur or how it will occur, or how it will affect reported asset amounts. Although estimates 
are reasonable and consistent with current conditions, internal planning and expected future operations, such estimations 
are subject to significant uncertainty and judgment. 

(t) Accounting Policies Adopted January 1, 2014
The Corporation adopted the following new and revised accounting standards, including any consequential amendments. 
Changes in accounting policies adopted by the Corporation were made in accordance with the applicable transitional 
provisions as provided in those standards and amendments.

The adoption of these standards on January 1, 2014 had no impact on the amounts recorded in the Corporation’s financial 
statements. 

(i) IAS 32, Financial Instruments: Presentation 
On January 1, 2014, the Corporation implemented certain amendments to IAS 32 which require the Corporation to provide 
clarification on the requirements for offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities on the statement of financial position.

(ii) IAS 36, Impairment of Assets 
On January 1, 2014, the Corporation implemented certain amendments to IAS 36 which require that the Corporation 
disclose, if appropriate, the recoverable amount of an asset or cash generating unit, and the basis for the determination of 
fair value less costs of disposal or value-in-use of the asset, when an impairment loss is recognized or when an impairment 
loss is subsequently reversed.

(iii) IFRIC 21, Levies
On January 1, 2014, the Corporation implemented IFRIC 21 which provides an interpretation on IAS 37, Provisions, 
Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets, with respect to the accounting for levies imposed by governments. IAS 37 
sets out criteria for the recognition of a liability, one of which is the requirement for the entity to have a present obligation 
as a result of a past event. The interpretation clarifies that the obligating event is the activity described in the relevant 
legislation that triggers the payment of the levy. 

(u) Accounting Standards, Interpretations and Amendments to Existing Standards not yet Effective

(i) IFRS 9, Financial Instruments 
In November 2009, the IASB issued IFRS 9, replacing IAS 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. 
IFRS 9 will be issued in three phases. The first phase, which has already been issued, addresses the accounting for 
financial assets and financial liabilities. The second phase will address impairment of financial instruments, while the third 
phase will address hedge accounting. IFRS 9 uses a single approach to determine whether a financial asset is measured 
at amortized cost or fair value, and replaces the multiple category and measurement models in IAS 39. The approach 
in IFRS 9 focuses on how an entity manages its financial instruments in the context of its business model, as well as the 
contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial assets. The new standard also requires a single impairment method to 
be used, replacing the multiple impairment methods currently provided in IAS 39. 

66

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Requirements for financial liabilities were added to IFRS 9 in October 2010. Although the classification criteria for financial 
liabilities will not change under IFRS 9, the fair value option may require different accounting for changes to the fair value of 
a financial liability resulting from changes to an entity’s own credit risk. 

In December 2013, new hedge accounting requirements were incorporated into IFRS 9 that increase the scope of items 
that can qualify as a hedged item and change the requirements of hedge effectiveness testing that must be met to use 
hedge accounting. 

In July 2014, the IASB issued final amendments to IFRS 9, replacing earlier versions of IFRS 9. These amendments to 
IFRS 9 introduce a single, forward-looking ‘expected loss’ impairment model for financial assets that will require more 
timely recognition of expected credit losses, and a fair value through other comprehensive income category for financial 
assets that are debt instruments. 

The amendments to IFRS 9 are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 and are available for 
earlier adoption. The Corporation does not expect that the implementation of IFRS 9 will have a material effect on the 
financial statements. 

(ii) IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers
In May 2014, the IASB issued IFRS 15 to address how and when to recognize revenue as well as requiring entities to 
provide users of financial statements with more informative, relevant disclosures in order to understand the nature, 
amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The standard provides 
a principles based five-step model to be applied to all contracts with customers. This five-step model involves identifying 
the contract(s) with a customer; identifying the performance obligations in the contract; determining the transaction price; 
allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and recognizing revenue when (or as) the 
entity satisfies a performance obligation.

Application of this new standard is mandatory for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017, with 
earlier application is permitted. The Corporation does not expect that the implementation of IFRS 15 will have a material 
effect on the financial statements.

(iii) IFRS 11, Joint Arrangements 
In May 2014, the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 11 to address the accounting for acquisitions of interests in joint 
operations. The amendments address how a joint operator should account for the acquisition of an interest in a joint 
operation in which the activity of the joint operation constitutes a business. IFRS 11, as amended, now requires that such 
transactions be accounted for using the principles related to business combinations accounting as outlined in IFRS 3, 
Business Combinations. The amendments are to be applied prospectively and are effective for annual periods beginning 
on or after January 1, 2016, with earlier application permitted. The Corporation does not expect that these amendments will 
have an impact on the financial statements.

(iv) IAS 16, Property, Plant and Equipment and IAS 38, Intangible Assets 
In May 2014, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38 to clarify acceptable methods of depreciation and 
amortization. The amended IAS 16 eliminates the use of a revenue-based depreciation method for items of property, plant 
and equipment. Similarly, amendments to IAS 38 eliminate the use of a revenue-based amortization model for intangible 
assets except in certain specific circumstances. The amendments are to be applied prospectively and are effective for 
annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016, with earlier application permitted. The Corporation does not expect 
that these amendments will have an impact on the financial statements.

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

67

NOTE 4. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 

Cost

Accumulated depreciation

Rig equipment

Rental equipment

Other equipment

Vehicles

Buildings

Assets under construction

Land

Cost

Balance,  
December 31, 2012

Additions

Disposals

Reclassifications

Effect of foreign  

 currency exchange 
differences

Balance,  
December 31, 2013

Additions

Disposals

2014

2013

$

$

$

5,898,980

(1,970,154)

3,928,826 

3,182,090

104,492

$

$

$

5,260,263

(1,698,529)

3,561,734

3,033,159

108,453

97,887

24,682

89,539

397,556

32,580

78,670

42,993

49,506

219,433

29,520

$

3,928,826 

$

3,561,734 

Rig 
Equipment

Rental
Equipment

Other 
Equipment

Vehicles

Buildings

Assets 
Under 
Construction

Land

Total

$  3,986,743  $  152,351  $  171,637

$ 

63,196  $ 

72,069

$  133,791

$ 

28,594

$  4,608,381

143,252    

6,346    

1,651    

3,588    

(52,659)    

(1,126)    

(2,971)    

(5,324)    

–    

–    

–    

380,788    

179    

535,804

270,615    

10,508    

14,141    

4,900    

825    

(300,989)    

–    

–    

(62,080)

–

163,445    

1,866    

936    

3,251    

2,070    

5,843    

747    

178,158

    4,511,396    

169,945     

185,394    

69,611     

74,964    

219,433    

29,520     5,260,263

144,169    

2,939    

5,504    

4,356    

5,320    

692,560    

1,842    

856,690

Asset decommissioning    

(286,898)    

–    

–    

–    

(155,002)    

(1,587)    

(4,853)    

(43,084)    

(69)    

–    

–    

–    

–    

(204,595)

–    

(286,898)

Reclassifications

Effect of foreign  

 currency exchange 
differences

Balance,  
December 31, 2014

453,862    

1,650    

27,990    

7,335    

36,968    

(527,805)    

–    

–

248,802    

1,411    

3,992    

1,639    

3,090    

13,368    

1,218    

273,520

$ 4,916,329 $  174,358  $  218,027  $ 

39,857  $  120,273  $  397,556  $ 

32,580  $ 5,898,980

68

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
Accumulated Depreciation

Rig 
Equipment

Rental
Equipment

Other 
Equipment

Vehicles

Buildings

Assets 
Under 
Construction

Land

Total

Balance,  
December 31, 2012

$  1,167,252

$ 

61,000

$ 

93,279

$ 

22,437

$ 

21,484

$ 

–

$ 

–

$  1,365,452

Depreciation expense

295,807    

9,695    

15,518    

8,299    

3,774    

Disposals

Reclassifications

Effect of foreign  

 currency exchange 
differences

Balance,  
December 31, 2013

(43,423)    

(1,007)    

(2,937)    

(5,069)    

8,314    

(8,557)    

273    

(20)    

–    

(10)    

50,287    

361    

591    

971    

210    

    1,478,237    

61,492    

106,724    

26,618    

25,458    

Depreciation expense

392,565    

10,789    

16,815    

6,468    

4,818    

Disposals

(63,305)    

(1,364)    

(4,845)    

(18,270)    

Asset decommissioning    

(160,200)    

–    

1,549    

(1,501)    

–    

2    

–    

(95)    

(19)    

–    

45    

–    

–    

–    

–    

–    

–    

–    

–    

–    

–    

–    

–    

333,093

(52,436)

–

–    

52,420

–     1,698,529

–    

–    

431,455

(87,803)

–    

(160,200)

–    

–

Reclassifications

Effect of foreign  

 currency exchange 
differences

Balance,  
December 31, 2014

85,393    

450    

1,444    

454    

432    

–    

–    

88,173

$ 1,734,239  $ 

69,866  $  120,140  $ 

15,175  $ 

30,734 $ 

– $ 

– $ 1,970,154

In 2014, the Corporation incurred a $126.7 million loss on the decommissioning of certain drilling and service rigs and ancillary 
equipment. The assets were decommissioned due to the inefficient nature of the assets and the high cost to maintain. The 
charge was allocated $97.9 million (2013 – $nil) to the Contract Drilling Services segment and $28.8 million (2013 – $nil) to the 
Completion and Production Services segment. 

Effective January 1, 2014, the Corporation changed the method for depreciating its drilling and service rig equipment from 
unit-of-production to straight-line. Precision believes that due to technological developments within the industry, straight-line 
depreciation better reflects the allocation of the cost of the assets over their expected lives. The change in depreciation 
method resulted in $42.7 million of additional depreciation over what would have been expensed had the previous method 
been continued.

NOTE 5. INTANGIBLES 

Cost

Accumulated amortization

Customer relationships

Patents and brands

Loan commitment fees related to revolving credit facility

2014

8,997 

(5,695)

3,302 

– 

–

$

$

$

3,302

3,302 

$

 2013

12,221 

(8,304)

3,917 

616

16

3,285

3,917

$

$

$

$

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

69

   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
Cost

Balance, December 31, 2012

$

4,575 

$

53 

$

7,760 

$

12,388 

Customer 
Relationships

Patents and
Brands

Loan
 Commitment 
Fees

Total

Additions

Effect of foreign currency exchange differences

Removal of fully amortized assets

Balance, December 31, 2013

  Additions

  Effect of foreign currency exchange differences

Removal of fully amortized assets

–

78

(1,128)

 3,525 

–

47

(3,572)

–

–

–

 53 

–

–

(53)

883

–

–

 8,643 

354

–

–

Balance, December 31, 2014

$

– 

$

– 

$

8,997

$

Accumulated Amortization

Balance, December 31, 2012

  Amortization expense

  Effect of foreign currency exchange differences

  Removal of fully amortized assets

Balance, December 31, 2013

  Amortization expense

  Effect of foreign currency exchange differences

  Removal of fully amortized assets

Customer 
Relationships

Patents and
Brands

Loan 
Commitment  
Fees

$

2,685 

$

32 

$

3,570 

$

1,294

58

(1,128)

 2,909 

619

44

(3,572)

5

–

–

 37 

16

–

(53)

1,788

–

–

 5,358 

337

–

–

Balance, December 31, 2014

$

– 

$

– 

$

5,695 

$

883

78

(1,128)

 12,221 

354

47

(3,625)

8,997 

Total

6,287 

3,087

58

(1,128)

 8,304 

972

44

(3,625)

5,695 

NOTE 6. GOODWILL 

Balance, December 31, 2012

  Exchange adjustment

Balance, December 31, 2013

Impairment charge

  Exchange adjustment

Balance, December 31, 2014

$

310,552 

1,804

 312,356 

(95,170)

2,533

$

219,719 

In connection with the annual test for goodwill impairment, the Corporation determined that the carrying value of the goodwill 
allocated to the Canadian well servicing and the wastewater treatment CGUs exceeded their recoverable amounts and 
recognized impairment losses of $88.9 million and $6.2 million, respectively. These impairment charges resulted in the entire 
goodwill balance of these CGUs being written off. Both CGUs are included in the Completion and Production Services segment. 
The recoverable amount was based on its value in use determined by discounting expected future cash flows to be generated 
from the continuing use of the assets within the CGU. 

70

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
Key assumptions used in the calculation of value in use for the Canadian well servicing CGU included a discount rate of 12.5%, 
terminal value growth rate of nil % and average projected annual cash flow growth over the next five years of 16%. No terminal 
value growth rate was used due to the finite lives of the underlying assets of the CGU. Projected cash flow was based on future 
expected outcomes taking into account past experience and management expectation of future market conditions. A 10% 
change in the key assumptions would not change the amount of the impairment loss recognized.

Key assumptions used in the calculation of value in use for the wastewater treatment CGU included a discount rate of 13.0%, 
terminal value growth rate of nil % and no projected annual cash flow growth over the next five years. No terminal value growth 
rate was used due to the finite lives of the underlying assets of the CGU. Projected cash flow was based on future expected 
outcomes taking into account past experience and management expectation of future market conditions. A 10% change in the 
key assumptions would not change the amount of the impairment loss recognized.

Of the remaining carrying value of goodwill, $172.3 million is associated with the Canadian contract drilling CGU. Upon 
performance of the annual test for goodwill impairment for this CGU, it was determined that no impairment was required. The 
key assumptions used in the calculation of value in use included a discount rate of 10.5%, terminal value growth rate of nil% 
and average projected growth of annual cash flows over the next five years of 3%. There was no terminal value growth rate used 
due to the finite lives of the underlying assets of the CGU. The growth rate was based on future expected outcomes taking into 
account past experience and management expectation of future market conditions. A discount rate higher than 18.5% would 
have resulted in an impairment of goodwill.

NOTE 7. BANK INDEBTEDNESS 

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, Precision had available $40.0 million and US$15.0 million under secured operating 
facilities, and a secured US$25.0 million facility for the issuance of letters of credit and performance and bid bonds to support 
international operations. As at December 31, 2014 and 2013, no amounts had been drawn on any of the facilities. Availability 
of the $40.0 million and US$25.0 million facility were reduced by outstanding letters of credit in the amount of $20.5 million 
(2013 – $17.3 million) and US$8.1 million (2013 – US$0.2 million), respectively. The facilities are primarily secured by charges on 
substantially all present and future property of Precision and its material subsidiaries. Advances under the $40.0 million facility 
are available at the bank’s prime lending rate, U.S. base rate, U.S. LIBOR plus applicable margin, or Banker’s Acceptance 
plus applicable margin, or in combination, and under the US$15.0 million and US$25.0 million facilities at the bank’s prime 
lending rate. 

NOTE 8. SHARE BASED COMPENSATION PLANS 

Liability Classified Plans

Restricted 
Share Units

Performance 
Share Units

Share 
Appreciation 
Rights

Non-
Management 
Directors’ DSUs

Total

Balance, December 31, 2012

$ 

9,685

$ 

13,778

$ 

Expensed (recovered) during the period

Payments

Balance, December 31, 2013

Expensed (recovered) during the period

Payments and redemptions

Balance, December 31, 2014

Current

Long-term

11,622

(7,769)

13,538

7,618

(10,572)

10,584

6,847

3,737

$ 

$ 

8,137

(8,953)

12,962

5,220

(4,413)

13,769

5,243

8,526

$ 

$ 

$ 

10,584

$ 

13,769

$ 

$ 

$ 

497

(251)

–

246

(95)

(70)

81

81

–

81

$ 

816

$ 

24,776

1,245

(207)

1,854

135

–

1,989

–

1,989

$ 

$ 

20,753

(16,929)

28,600

12,878

(15,055)

26,423

12,171

14,252

$ 

$ 

$ 

1,989

$ 

26,423

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a) Restricted Share Units and Performance Share Units
Precision has two cash settled share based incentive plans for officers and other eligible employees. Under the Restricted 
Share Unit (RSU) incentive plan, shares granted to eligible employees vest annually over a three-year term. Vested shares 
are automatically paid out in cash at a value determined by the fair market value of the shares at the vesting date. Under the 
Performance Share Unit (PSU) incentive plan, shares granted to eligible employees vest at the end of a three-year term. Vested 
shares are automatically paid out in cash in the first quarter following the vested term at a value determined by the fair market 
value of the shares at the vesting date and based on the number of performance shares held multiplied by a performance factor 
that ranges from zero to two times. The performance factor is based on Precision’s share price performance compared to a 
peer group over the three-year period. A summary of the RSUs and PSUs outstanding under these share based incentive plans 
is presented below:

December 31, 2012

Granted

Issued as a result of cash dividends

Redeemed

Forfeitures

December 31, 2013

Granted

Issued as a result of cash dividends

Redeemed

Forfeitures

December 31, 2014

RSUs 
Outstanding

PSUs 
Outstanding

1,880,250

1,295,739

51,113

(869,744)

(243,863)

2,113,495

1,387,293

52,369

(1,016,242)

(290,219)

1,948,952

1,258,650

54,623

(696,171)

(128,126)

2,437,928

1,704,188

76,994

(439,256)

(329,821)

2,246,696

3,450,033

(b) Share Appreciation Rights
The Corporation has a U.S. dollar denominated Share Appreciation Rights (SAR) plan under which eligible participants were 
granted SARs that entitle the rights holder to receive cash payments calculated as the excess of the market price over the 
exercise price per share on the exercise date. The SARs vest over a period of five years and expire 10 years from the date of 
grant. At December 31, 2014, the intrinsic value of these awards was $nil (2013 – $7,000).

Share Appreciation Rights

Outstanding

Range of 
Exercise Price 
(US$)

Weighted 
Average Exercise 
Price (US$)

678,242

$    9.26 – 17.38

(90,080)

13.26 – 17.38

588,162

$    9.26 – 17.38

(31,506)

(112,915)

9.26 –   9.26

9.26 – 17.38

443,741

$  13.26 – 17.38

$  14.81

15.42

$  14.71

9.26

13.85

$  15.32

Exercisable

678,242

588,162

443,741

Total SARs Outstanding and Exercisable

Weighted 
Average Exercise 
Price (US$)

$          13.26

15.47

17.38

$          15.32

Weighted Average 
Remaining 
Contractual Life 
(Years)

0.10

2.71

1.13

1.82

Number

100,609

261,064

82,068

443,741

December 31, 2012

Forfeited

December 31, 2013

Exercised

Forfeited

December 31, 2014

Range of Exercise Prices (US$):

 $  13.26 – 14.99

 15.00 – 15.99

 16.00 – 17.38

 $  13.26 – 17.38

72

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(c) Non-Management Directors 
Effective January 1, 2012, Precision instituted a new deferred share unit plan for non-management directors whereby fully 
vested deferred share units are granted quarterly based on an election by the non-management director to receive all or a 
portion of his or her compensation in deferred share units. These deferred share units are redeemable in cash or for an equal 
number of common shares upon the director’s retirement. The redemption of deferred share units in cash or common shares 
is solely at Precision’s discretion. Non-management directors can receive a lump sum payment or two separate payments any 
time up until December 15 of the year following retirement. If the non-management director does not specify a redemption date, 
the deferred share units will be redeemed on a single date six months after retirement. The cash settlement amount is based on 
the weighted average trading price for Precision’s shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange for the five days immediately prior to 
payout. A summary of the DSUs outstanding under this share based incentive plan is presented below:

Deferred Share Units

December 31, 2012

Granted

Issued as a result of cash dividends

Redeemed

December 31, 2013

Granted

Issued as a result of cash dividends

December 31, 2014

Equity Settled Plans

Outstanding

101,964

105,338

2,836

(21,563)

188,575

85,183

4,829

278,587

(d) Non-Management Directors
Prior to January 1, 2012, Precision had a deferred share unit plan for non-management directors. Under the plan, fully vested 
deferred share units were granted quarterly based on an election by the non-management director to receive all or a portion of 
his or her compensation in deferred share units. These deferred share units are redeemable into an equal number of common 
shares any time after the director’s retirement. A summary of this share based incentive plan is presented below:

Deferred Share Units

December 31, 2012

Issued as a result of cash dividends

Redeemed

December 31, 2013

Issued as a result of cash dividends

December 31, 2014

Outstanding

335,946

5,459

(120,293)

221,112

4,898

226,010

(e) Option Plan
The Corporation has a share option plan under which a combined total of 16,569,134 options to purchase common shares 
are reserved to be granted to employees. Of the amount reserved, 11,066,588 options have been granted. Under this plan, 
the exercise price of each option equals the fair market of the option at the date of grant determined by the weighted average 
trading price for the five days preceding the grant. The options are denominated in either Canadian or U.S. dollars, and vest 
over a period of three years from the date of grant, as employees render continuous service to the Corporation, and have a term 
of seven years.

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

73

A summary of the status of the equity incentive plan is presented below:

Canadian share options

December 31, 2012

Granted

Exercised

Forfeitures

December 31, 2013

Granted

Exercised

Forfeitures

Options 
Outstanding

Range of 
Exercise Prices

4,013,797

$

5.22 – 14.50

$

1,237,500

(172,158)

(178,253)

4,900,886

881,700

(530,738)

(97,534)

7.82 –   9.02

5.85 – 10.67

5.85 – 14.50

5.22 – 14.50

10.15 – 14.31

5.85 – 11.16

5.85 – 10.67

December 31, 2014

5,154,314

$

5.22 – 14.50

$

U.S. share options

December 31, 2012

Granted

Exercised

Forfeitures

December 31, 2013

Granted

Exercised

Forfeitures

Options 
Outstanding

Range of 
Exercise Prices 
(US$)

2,399,980

$

4.95 – 15.21

$

1,025,100

(189,887)

(61,385)

3,173,808

827,300

(309,512)

(285,822)

8.99 –   9.28

4.95 – 10.55

7.14 – 15.21

4.95 – 15.21

9.18 –   9.18

4.95 – 10.96

4.95 – 14.58

December 31, 2014

3,405,774

$

4.95 – 15.21

$

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise Price

9.13

8.99

7.43

9.77

9.14

10.24

8.07

9.62

9.43

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise Price
(US$)

9.23

9.00

5.89

10.82

9.32

9.18

8.26

9.77

9.35

Options 
Exercisable

1,846,603

2,676,865

3,185,500

Options 
Exercisable

935,035

1,438,335

1,795,639

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share options exercised in 2014 was $12.98 (2013 – $10.11) for the 
Canadian share options and US$12.07 (2013 – US$9.90) for the U.S. share options.

The range of exercise prices for options outstanding at December 31, 2014 is as follows:

Canadian share options

Total Options Outstanding

Options Exercisable

Range of Exercise Prices:

$  5.22 –   6.99

7.00 –   8.99

9.00 –   9.99

10.00 – 14.50

$  5.22 – 14.50

Number

487,102

842,609

1,123,084

2,701,519

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise Price

$                5.85

8.55

9.02

10.51

5,154,314

$                9.43

Weighted Average 
Remaining 
Contractual Life 
(Years)

1.35

2.22 

5.12

4.43

3.93

Number

487,102

820,055

367,442

1,510,901

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise Price

$                5.85 

8.57

9.02

10.64

3,185,500

$                9.19

74

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. share options

Total Options Outstanding

Options Exercisable

Range of Exercise Prices (US$):

Number

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise Price
(US$)

Weighted Average 
Remaining 
Contractual Life 
(Years)

$  4.95 –   6.99

7.00 –   8.99

9.00 –   9.99

10.00 – 15.21

$  4.95 – 15.21

95,868

$                4.95 

1,394,295

780,000

1,135,611

8.57

9.18

10.79

3,405,774

$                9.35 

1.35

4.17

6.10

3.66

4.36

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise Price
(US$)

Number

95,868

$                4.95

768,046

4,998

926,727

8.25

9.11

10.80

1,795,639

$                9.39

The per option weighted average fair value of the share options granted during 2014 was $3.17 (2013 – $3.26) estimated on  
the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumption: average risk-free interest rate 1% 
(2013 – 1%), average expected life of four years (2013 – four years), expected forfeiture rate of 5% (2013 – 5%) and expected 
volatility of 46% (2013 – 53%). Included in net earnings for the year ended December 31, 2014 is an expense of $5.2 million 
(2013 – $7.0 million).

Employee share purchase plan
In 2014, the Corporation implemented an employee share purchase plan to encourage employees to become Precision 
shareholders and to attract and retain people. Under the plan, eligible employees can contribute up to 10% of their regular base 
salary through payroll deduction with Precision matching 20% of the employee’s contribution. These contributions are used to 
purchase the Corporation’s shares in the open market. No vesting conditions apply. During 2014, the Corporation recorded 
compensation expense of $0.5 million (2013 – $nil).

NOTE 9. PROVISIONS AND OTHER

Balance December 31, 2012

Expensed during the year

Payment of deductibles and uninsured claims

Effects of foreign currency exchange differences

Balance December 31, 2013

Expensed during the year

Payment of deductibles and uninsured claims

Effects of foreign currency exchange differences

Balance December 31, 2014

Current

Long-term

Workers’ 
Compensation

$

26,601

4,350

(8,546)

1,781

24,186

5,215

(11,272)

1,852

$

19,981

December 31,
2014

December 31,
2013

$

$

5,144 

14,837

19,981 

$

$

6,350

17,836

24,186

Precision maintains a provision for the deductible and uninsured portions of workers’ compensation and general liability claims. 
The amount accrued for the provision for losses incurred varies depending on the number and nature of the claims outstanding 
at the balance sheet dates. In addition, the accrual includes management’s estimate of the future cost to settle each claim such 
as future changes in the severity of the claim and increases in medical costs. Precision uses third parties to assist in developing 
the estimate of the ultimate costs to settle each claim, which is based on historical experience associated with the type of each 
claim and specific information related to each claim. The specific circumstances of each claim may change over time prior to 
settlement and, as a result, the estimates made as of the balance sheet dates may change. 

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

75

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 10. LONG-TERM DEBT 

Secured revolving credit facility

Unsecured senior notes:

6.625% Senior Notes due 2020 (US$650.0 million)

6.5% Senior Notes due 2021 (US$400.0 million)

5.25% Senior Notes due 2024 (US$400.0 million)

6.5% Senior Notes due 2019

Less net unamortized debt issue costs

2014

2013

$

–

$

29,781

754,065

464,040

464,040

200,000

1,882,145

691,340

425,440

–

200,000

1,346,561

(29,959)

(23,293)

$

1,852,186

$

1,323,268

(a) Secured Revolving Credit Facility
The secured revolving credit facility provides Precision with senior secured financing for general corporate purposes, including 
for acquisitions, of up to US$650.0 million with a provision for an increase in the facility of up to an additional US$250.0 million. 
The secured revolving credit facility is secured by charges on substantially all of Precision’s present and future assets and the 
present and future assets of its material U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries and, if necessary in order to adhere to covenants under 
the revolving credit facility, on certain assets of certain subsidiaries organized in a jurisdiction outside of Canada or the U.S. 
The secured revolving credit facility requires that Precision comply with certain financial covenants including leverage ratios of 
consolidated senior debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization as defined in the agreement (EBITDA) 
of less than 3:1 and consolidated total debt to EBITDA of less than 4:1 for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters; 
and an interest coverage ratio of greater than 2.75:1 for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters. As well, the revolving 
credit facility contains certain covenants that place restrictions on Precision’s ability to incur or assume additional indebtedness; 
dispose of assets; make or pay dividends, share redemptions or other distributions; change its primary business; incur liens on 
assets; engage in transactions with affiliates; enter into mergers, consolidations or amalgamations; and enter into speculative 
swap agreements. At December 31, 2014, Precision was in compliance with the covenants of the revolving credit facility.

The revolving credit facility has a term of five years, with an annual option on Precision’s part to request that the lenders extend, 
at their discretion, the facility to a new maturity date not to exceed five years from the date of the extension request. The current 
maturity date of the revolving credit facility is June 3, 2019. 

Under the revolving credit facility, amounts can be drawn in U.S. dollars and/or Canadian dollars and, as at December 31, 2014, 
no amounts (2013 – US$28.0 million) were drawn under this facility. Up to US$200.0 million of the revolving credit facility is 
available for letters of credit denominated in U.S and/or Canadian dollars and as at December 31, 2014 outstanding letters of 
credit amounted to US$25.6 million (2013 – US$28.6 million).

The interest rate on loans that are denominated in U.S. dollars is, at the option of Precision, either a margin over a U.S. base 
rate or a margin over LIBOR. The interest rate on loans denominated in Canadian dollars is, at the option of Precision, either a 
margin over the Canadian prime rate or a margin over the bankers’ acceptance rate; such margins will be based on the then 
applicable ratio of consolidated total debt to EBITDA. 

76

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(b) Unsecured Senior Notes
Precision has outstanding the following unsecured senior notes:

$200.0 million of 6.5% Senior Notes due 2019 
These notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.5% per annum and mature on March 15, 2019. Interest is payable 
semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year.

These notes are unsecured, ranking equally with existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, and have been 
guaranteed by current and future U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries that guaranteed the revolving credit facility. These notes 
contain certain covenants that limit Precision’s ability and the ability of certain subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness 
and issue preferred stock; create liens; make restricted payments; create or permit to exist restrictions on the ability of 
Precision or certain subsidiaries to make certain payments and distributions; engage in amalgamations, mergers or 
consolidations; make certain dispositions and transfers of assets; and engage in transactions with affiliates. If the notes 
receive an investment grade rating by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investors Service and Precision and its subsidiaries 
are not in default under the indenture governing the notes, then Precision will not be required to comply with particular 
covenants contained in the indenture. 

Prior to March 15, 2015, Precision may redeem these notes in whole or in part at 100.0% of their principal amount, plus 
accrued interest and the greater of 1.0% of the principal amount of the note to be redeemed and the excess, if any, of the 
present value of the March 15, 2015 redemption price plus required interest payments through March 15, 2015 (calculated 
using the Government of Canada rate plus 100 basis points) over the principal amount of the note. As well, Precision may 
redeem these notes in whole or in part at any time on or after March 15, 2015 and before March 15, 2017, at redemption 
prices ranging between 103.250% and 101.625% of their principal amount plus accrued interest. Any time on or after 
March 15, 2017, these notes can be redeemed for their principal amount plus accrued interest. Upon specified change of 
control events, each holder of a note will have the right to sell to Precision all or a portion of its notes at a purchase price in 
cash equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued interest to the date of purchase.

US$650.0 million of 6.625% Senior Notes due 2020
These notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.625% per annum and mature on November 15, 2020. Interest is payable 
semi-annually on May 15 and November 15 of each year.

These notes are unsecured, ranking equally with existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, and have been 
guaranteed by current and future U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries that guaranteed the revolving credit facility. These notes 
contain certain covenants that limit Precision’s ability and the ability of certain subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness 
and issue preferred stock; create liens; make restricted payments; create or permit to exist restrictions on the ability of 
Precision or certain subsidiaries to make certain payments and distributions; engage in amalgamations, mergers or 
consolidations; make certain dispositions and transfers of assets; and engage in transactions with affiliates. If the notes 
receive an investment grade rating by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investors Service and Precision and its subsidiaries 
are not in default under the indenture governing the notes, then Precision will not be required to comply with particular 
covenants contained in the indenture. 

Prior to November 15, 2015, Precision may redeem the 6.625% Senior Notes due 2020 in whole or in part at 106.625% of 
their principal amount, plus accrued interest. As well, Precision may redeem these notes in whole or in part at any time 
on or after November 15, 2015 and before November 15, 2018, at redemption prices ranging between 103.313% and 
101.104% of their principal amount plus accrued interest. Any time on or after November 15, 2018, these notes can be 
redeemed for their principal amount plus accrued interest. Upon specified change of control events, each holder of a note 
will have the right to sell to Precision all or a portion of its notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal 
amount, plus accrued interest to the date of purchase.

US$400.0 million of 6.5% Senior Notes due 2021 
These notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.5% per annum and mature on December 15, 2021. Interest is payable 
semi-annually on June 15 and December 15 of each year.

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

77

These notes are unsecured, ranking equally with existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, and have been 
guaranteed by current and future U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries that guaranteed the revolving credit facility. These notes 
contain certain covenants that limit Precision’s ability and the ability of certain subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness 
and issue preferred stock; create liens; make restricted payments; create or permit to exist restrictions on the ability of 
Precision or certain subsidiaries to make certain payments and distributions; engage in amalgamations, mergers or 
consolidations; make certain dispositions and transfers of assets; and engage in transactions with affiliates. If the notes 
receive an investment grade rating by Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s Investors Service and Precision and its subsidiaries 
are not in default under the indenture governing the notes, then Precision will not be required to comply with particular 
covenants contained in the indenture.

Prior to December 15, 2016, Precision may redeem these notes in whole or in part at 100.0% of their principal amount, 
plus accrued interest and the greater of 1.0% of the principal amount of the note to be redeemed and the excess, if any, 
of the present value of the December 15, 2016 redemption price plus required interest payments through December 15, 
2016 (calculated using the United States Treasury rate plus 50 basis points) over the principal amount of the note. As well, 
Precision may redeem these notes in whole or in part at any time on or after December 15, 2016 and before December 15, 
2019, at redemption prices ranging between 103.250% and 101.083% of their principal amount plus accrued interest. Any 
time on or after December 15, 2019, these notes can be redeemed for their principal amount plus accrued interest. Upon 
specified change of control events, each holder of a note will have the right to sell to Precision all or a portion of its notes at 
a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued interest to the date of purchase.

US$400.0 million of 5.25% Senior Notes due 2024 
These notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 5.25% per annum and mature on November 15, 2024. Interest is payable 
semi-annually on May 15 and November 15 of each year.

These notes are unsecured, ranking equally with existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, and have been 
guaranteed by current and future U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries that guaranteed the revolving credit facility. These notes 
contain certain covenants that limit Precision’s ability and the ability of certain subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness 
and issue preferred stock; create liens; make restricted payments; create or permit to exist restrictions on the ability of 
Precision or certain subsidiaries to make certain payments and distributions; engage in amalgamations, mergers or 
consolidations; make certain by Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s Investors Service and Precision and its subsidiaries are not 
in default under the indenture governing the notes, then Precision will not be required to comply with particular covenants 
contained in the indenture.

Prior to May 15, 2017, Precision may redeem up to 35% of the 5.25% Senior Notes due 2024 with the net proceeds of 
certain equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 105.25% of the principal amount plus accrued interest. Prior to 
May 15, 2019, Precision may redeem these notes in whole or in part at 100.0% of their principal amount, plus accrued 
interest and the greater of 1.0% of the principal amount of the note to be redeemed and the excess, if any, of the present 
value of the May 15, 2019 redemption price plus required interest payments through May 15, 2019 (calculated using the 
United States Treasury rate plus 50 basis points) over the principal amount of the note. As well, Precision may redeem 
these notes in whole or in part at any time on or after May 15, 2019 and before May 15, 2022, at redemption prices ranging 
between 102.625% and 100.875% of their principal amount plus accrued interest. Any time on or after May 15, 2022, these 
notes can be redeemed for their principal amount plus accrued interest. Upon specified change of control events, each 
holder of a note will have the right to sell to Precision all or a portion of its notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% 
of the principal amount, plus accrued interest to the date of purchase.

Long-term debt obligations at December 31, 2014 will mature as follows:

2019

Thereafter

$

200,000

1,682,145

$

1,882,145

78

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(c) Guarantor Disclosures
The following presents supplemental condensed consolidating financial information for the parent corporation, guarantor 
subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries, respectively.

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Financial Position as at December 31, 2014

Parent

Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Consolidating 
Adjustments

Total

Assets

Cash 

Other current assets

Intercompany receivables

Investments in subsidiaries

Income tax recoverable

Property, plant and equipment

Intangibles

Goodwill

Total assets

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

Current liabilities

Intercompany payables and debt

Long-term debt

Other long-term liabilities

Total liabilities

Shareholders’ equity

$

337,848

$

97,980

$

55,653

$

–

3

$

491,481

662,371

3,923

364,958

6,026,160

3,297

59,485

3,302

–

6,798,973

49,622

2,628,522

1,852,186

47,713

4,578,043

2,220,930

$

$

513,465

2,555,200

61

–

144,980

73,404

–

–

3,459,563

409,923

–

–

(2,993,562)

(6,026,221)

–

(145)

–

–

$

$

–

219,719

6,845,988

384,452

169,855

–

473,415

1,027,722

5,818,266

$

$

$

$

683,960

$

(9,019,925)

66,148

$

–

195,185

(2,993,562)

–

(5,906)

255,427

428,533

–

–

(2,993,562)

(6,026,363)

–

–

3,297

3,928,826

3,302

219,719

5,308,996

500,222

–

1,852,186

515,222

2,867,630

2,441,366

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

6,798,973

$

6,845,988

$

683,960

$

(9,019,925)

$

5,308,996

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Financial Position as at December 31, 2013

Parent

Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Consolidating 
Adjustments

Total

Assets

Cash

Other current assets

Intercompany receivables

Investments in subsidiaries

Income tax recoverable

Property, plant and equipment

Intangibles

Goodwill

Total assets

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

Current liabilities

Intercompany payables and debt

Long-term debt

Other long-term liabilities

Total liabilities

Shareholders’ equity

$

27,160

$

23,039

$

30,407

$

3,592

424,178

5,904,795

–

56,501

3,286

–

6,419,512

40,624

2,442,373

1,323,268

263,410

4,069,675

2,349,837

$

$

456,574

2,342,467

69

–

3,261,610

631

312,356

6,396,746

240,052

202,986

–

262,308

705,346

5,691,400

$

$

–

3

$

80,606

562,075

101,906

74,795

(2,841,440)

–

(5,904,864)

58,435

243,858

–

–

–

(235)

–

–

$

$

$

$

509,401

$

(8,746,536)

56,222

$

–

196,081

(2,841,440)

–

(6,104)

246,199

263,202

–

–

(2,841,440)

(5,905,096)

–

–

58,435

3,561,734

3,917

312,356

4,579,123

336,898

–

1,323,268

519,614

2,179,780

2,399,343

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

6,419,512

$

6,396,746

$

509,401

$

(8,746,536)

$

4,579,123

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

79

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Earnings (Loss) for the Year ended December 31, 2014

Revenue

Operating expense

General and administrative expense

Earnings (loss) before income taxes,  
 finance charges, foreign exchange, 
impairment of goodwill, loss on asset 
decommissioning and depreciation 
and amortization

Depreciation and amortization

Loss on asset decommissioning

Operating earnings (loss)

Impairment of goodwill

Foreign exchange

Finance charges

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

Earnings (loss) before tax

Income taxes

Net earnings (loss)

$

Parent

172

98

26,798

Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Consolidating 
Adjustments

Total

$

2,179,259

$

195,487

$

(24,380)

$

2,350,538

1,281,955

107,028

148,154

10,515

(24,380)

1,405,827

–

144,341

(26,724)

8,106

–

(34,830)

–

5,274

109,628

(206,095)

56,363

23,050

790,276

415,973

126,699

247,604

95,170

(8,450)

87

–

160,797

(37,581)

$

33,313

$

198,378

$

36,818

24,430

–

12,388

–

2,230

(14)

–

10,172

2,456

7,716

–

160

–

(160)

–

–

–

206,095

(206,255)

–

800,370

448,669

126,699

225,002

95,170

(946)

109,701

–

21,077

(12,075)

$

(206,255)

$

33,152

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Earnings (Loss) for the Year ended December 31, 2013

Revenue

Operating expense

$

General and administrative expense

Earnings (loss) before income taxes,  
  finance charges, foreign exchange,  
  and depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization

Operating earnings (loss)

Foreign exchange

Finance charges

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

Earnings (loss) before tax

Income taxes

Net earnings (loss)

Parent

143

273

29,174

(29,304)

7,393

(36,697)

(3,356)

92,112

(360,468)

235,015

43,615

Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Consolidating 
Adjustments

Total

$

1,912,750

$

137,681

$

(20,597) 

$

2,029,977 

1,148,786

101,407

120,175

11,926

662,557

309,939

352,618

(5,198)

1,141

–

356,675

(15,431)

5,580

15,576

(9,996)

(558)

(5)

–

(9,433)

2,204

(20,597)

1,248,637

–

–

251

(251)

–

–

360,468

(360,719)

–

142,507

638,833

333,159

305,674

(9,112)

93,248

–

221,538

30,388

$

191,400

$

372,106

$

(11,637)

$

(360,719)

$

191,150

80

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Year ended December 31, 2014

Net earnings

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Comprehensive income (loss)

Parent

33,313

(101,325)

(68,012)

$

$

Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Consolidating 
Adjustments

$

$

198,378

141,519

339,897

$

$

7,716

29,324

37,040

$

$

(206,255)

249

(206,006)

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Year ended December 31, 2013

Net earnings

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Comprehensive income (loss)

Parent

191,400

(72,135)

119,265

$

$

Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Consolidating 
Adjustments

$

$

372,106

98,105

470,211

$

$

(11,637)

10,720

(917)

$

$

(360,719)

370

(360,349)

Total

33,152

69,767

102,919

Total

191,150

37,060

228,210

$

$

$

$

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flow for the Year ended December 31, 2014 

Parent

Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Consolidating 
Adjustments

Total

Cash provided by (used in):

Operations

Investments

Financing

Effects of exchange rate changes on  

cash and cash equivalents

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents,  

beginning of year

$

(142,565) 

$

815,939

$

6,785

$

–

$

680,159

101,403

329,704

22,146

310,688

(478,613)

(267,482)

5,097

74,941

(139,018)

153,723

3,756

25,246

27,160

23,039

30,407

(113,759)

113,759

–

–

–

–

(629,987)

329,704

30,999

410,875

80,606

$

491,481

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

$

337,848

$

97,980

$

55,653

$

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flow for the Year ended December 31, 2013

Cash provided by (used in):

Operations

Investments

Financing

Effects of exchange rate changes on  

cash and cash equivalents

Increase (decrease) in cash and  

cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents,  

beginning of year

Parent

Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Consolidating 
Adjustments

Total

$

(207,558)

$

693,757

$

(58,113)

$

–

$

428,086

96,685

21,517

1,807

(87,549)

(458,810)

(229,688)

2,071

7,330

(68,951)

134,229

892

8,057

114,709

15,709

22,350

(95,459)

95,459

–

–

–

–

(526,535)

21,517

4,770

(72,162)

152,768

$

80,606

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

$

27,160

$

23,039

$

30,407

$

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

81

NOTE 11. INCOME TAXES 

The provision for income taxes differs from that which would be expected by applying statutory Canadian income tax rates.  
A reconciliation of the difference, at December 31, is as follows:

Earnings before income taxes 

Federal and provincial statutory rates

Tax at statutory rates 

Adjusted for the effect of:

Non-deductible expenses 

Non-taxable capital gains

Income taxed at lower rates

Impact of foreign tax rates

Withholding taxes

Taxes related to prior years

Other

Income tax expense (recovery)

$

$

$

$

2014

21,077

25%

5,269

26,829

(1,123)

(33,356)

(12,695)

3,932

(3,980)

3,049

2013

221,538

25%

55,385

4,097

(626)

(31,118)

(5,957)

3,343

4,738

526

$

(12,075)

$

30,388

The net deferred tax liability is comprised of the tax effect of the following temporary differences:

Deferred income tax liability:

Property, plant and equipment and intangibles

$

730,742

$

749,760

2014

2013

Partnership deferrals

Debt issue costs

Other

Deferred income tax assets:

Losses (expire from time to time up to 2034)

Long-term incentive plan

Other

Net deferred income tax liability

55,848

4,905

1,921

34,938

2,966

6,569

793,416

794,233

284,776

13,939

8,568

285,438

14,800

6,648

$

486,133

$

487,347

Included in the net deferred tax liability is $235.8 million (2013 – $257.8 million) of tax effected temporary differences related to 
the Corporation’s United States operations. 

The movement in temporary differences is as follows:

Property, 
Plant and 
Equipment 
and 
Intangibles

Other 
Deferred 
Income Tax 
Liabilities

Partnership 
Deferrals

Losses

Debt Issue
Costs

Long-Term 
Incentive 
Plan

Other 
Deferred 
Income Tax 
Assets

Net 
Deferred 
Income Tax 
Liability

Balance, December 31, 2012

$  686,833

$  60,906

$ 

4,260

$ (244,888)

$ 

1,561

$  (13,917)

$ 

(9,163)

$  485,592

Recognized in net earnings

28,176

(25,968)

2,312

(22,968)

1,405

(173)

2,587

(14,629)

Effect of foreign currency  
exchange differences

34,751

Balance, December 31, 2013

   749,760

Recognized in net earnings

(65,223)

–

34,938

20,910

(3)

(17,582)

6,569

   (285,438)

(4,626)

24,655

–

2,966

1,939

(710)

(72)

16,384

(14,800)

(6,648)

   487,347

1,856

(1,758)

(22,247)

Effect of foreign currency  
exchange differences

46,205

–

(22)

(23,993)

–

(995)

(162)

21,033

Balance, December 31, 2014 $ 730,742

$  55,848

$ 

1,921

$ (284,776)

$ 

4,905

$  (13,939)

$ 

(8,568)

$ 486,133

82

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
On December 31, 2014, Precision had $32.7 million (2013 – $30.9 million) of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, 
would have a favourable impact on Precision’s effective income tax rate in future periods. Precision classifies interest accrued 
on unrecognized tax benefits and income tax penalties as income tax expense. Included in the unrecognized tax benefit, as at 
December 31, 2014 was interest and penalties of $11.4 million (2013 – $10.1 million). 

Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits

Year ended December 31,

Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of year

Additions:

Prior year’s tax positions

Reductions:

Prior year’s tax positions

Unrecognized tax benefits, end of year

2014

2013

$

30,930

$

34,357

2,492

2,031

(722)

(5,458)

$

32,700

$

30,930

It is anticipated that approximately $8.0 million (2013 – $0.5 million) of unrecognized tax positions that relate to prior year 
activities will be realized during the next 12 months. Subject to the results of audit examinations by taxing authorities and/
or legislative changes by taxing jurisdictions, Precision does not anticipate further adjustments of unrecognized tax positions 
during the next 12 months that would have a material impact on the financial statements of Precision.

NOTE 12. SHAREHOLDERS’ CAPITAL 

(a) Authorized  – unlimited number of voting common shares  

–  unlimited number of preferred shares, issuable in series, limited to an amount equal to one half of the issued 

and outstanding common shares

(b) Issued

Common shares

Balance, December 31, 2012

Options exercised  – cash consideration 

– reclassification from contributed surplus 

Issued on redemption of non-management directors’ DSUs

Issued on exercise of warrants

Balance, December 31, 2013

Options exercised  – cash consideration 

– reclassification from contributed surplus 

Balance, December 31, 2014

Number

Amount

276,475,770

$

2,251,982

362,045

–

141,856

15,000,000

2,432

1,275

1,238

48,300

291,979,671

$

2,305,227

840,250

–

7,082

3,230

292,819,921

$

2,315,539

(c) Dividends
During 2014, the Corporation approved and paid dividends of $0.25 per common share (2013 – $0.21) for total payments of 
$73 million (2013 – $58 million). On February 12, 2015, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.07 per common share 
payable on March 12, 2015 to shareholders of record on February 27, 2015.

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

83

 
 
NOTE 13. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

December 31, 2012

Other comprehensive income

December 31, 2013

Other comprehensive income

December 31, 2014

NOTE 14. FINANCE CHARGES

Interest:

Long-term debt

Other

Income

Amortization of debt issue costs

Finance charges

Unrealized 
Foreign Currency 
Translation Gains 
(Losses)

Foreign Exchange 
Gain (Loss) on Net 
Investment Hedge 

Accumulated 
Other 
Comprehensive 
Income (Loss)

$

(60,865)

$

330 

$

(60,535)

109,195

48,330

171,092

(72,135)

(71,805) 

(101,325)

$

219,422

$

(173,130) 

$

37,060

(23,475)

69,767

46,292

2014

2013

$

106,837

$

88,516

368

(987)

3,483

1,356

(967)

4,343

$

109,701

$

93,248

NOTE 15. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS 

The Corporation has a defined contribution pension plan covering a significant number of its employees. Under this plan, 
the Corporation matches individual contributions up to 5% of the employee’s eligible compensation. Total expense under the 
defined contribution plan in 2014 was $15.1 million (2013 – $13.0 million).

NOTE 16. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

Compensation of Key Management Personnel
The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows:

Salaries and other benefits

Equity settled share based compensation

Cash settled share based compensation

$

2014

9,193

3,241

3,235

2013

6,752

3,433

8,051

15,669

$

18,236

$

$

Key management personnel are comprised of the directors and executive officers of the Corporation. Certain executive officers 
have entered into employment agreements with Precision that provide termination benefits of up to 24 months base salary plus 
up to two times targeted incentive compensation upon dismissal without cause.

84

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

NOTE 17. COMMITMENTS 

Operating Lease Commitments
The Corporation has commitments under various operating lease agreements, primarily for vehicles and office space. Terms 
of the office leases run for a period of one to 10 years while the vehicle leases are typically for terms of between three and four 
years. Expected non-cancellable operating lease payments are as follows:

Less than one year

Between one and five years

Later than five years

2014

19,143 

$

44,913

11,005

2013

16,833

41,258

15,714

75,061 

$

73,805 

$

$

One of the leased properties was sublet by the Corporation. 

The following amounts were recognized as expenses in respect of operating leases in the consolidated statement of earnings:

Operating leases

Sub-lease recoveries

2014

21,516

(870)

20,646

$

$

2013

19,578

(1,024)

18,554

$

$

Capital Commitments
At December 31, 2014, the Corporation had commitments to purchase property, plant and equipment totaling $418.3 million 
(2013 – $178.8 million). Payments of $189.6 million for these commitments are expected to be made in 2015 and $228.7 million 
in 2019.

NOTE 18. PER SHARE AMOUNTS 

The following tables reconcile the net earnings and weighted average shares outstanding used in computing basic and diluted 
earnings per share:

Net earnings – basic and diluted

(Stated in thousands)

Weighted average shares outstanding – basic

Effect of share warrants

Effect of stock options and other equity compensation plans

Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted

2014

2013

$

33,152

$

191,150

2014

292,533

–

1,271

2013

277,583

9,327

971

293,804

287,881

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

85

NOTE 19. SEGMENTED INFORMATION 

The Corporation operates primarily in Canada and the United States, in two industry segments; Contract Drilling Services and 
Completion and Production Services. Contract Drilling Services includes drilling rigs, directional drilling, procurement and 
distribution of oilfield supplies, and the manufacture, sale and repair of drilling equipment. Completion and Production Services 
includes service rigs, snubbing units, coil tubing units, oilfield equipment rental, camp and catering services, and wastewater 
treatment units.

2014

Revenue

Operating earnings

Depreciation and amortization

Loss on asset decommissioning

Total assets

Goodwill

Capital expenditures

2013

Revenue

Operating earnings

Depreciation and amortization

Total assets

Goodwill

Capital expenditures

Contract 
Drilling 
Services

Completion 
and 
Production 
Services

Corporate 
and Other

Inter-
Segment 
Eliminations

Total

$

2,017,110

$

343,556

$

–

$

(10,128)

$

2,350,538

(29,419)

(87,657)

342,078

381,465

97,947

4,425,531

202,751

821,713

Contract 
Drilling 
Services

58,621

28,752

412,423

16,968

24,401

Completion 
and 
Production 
Services

8,583

–

471,042

–

10,576

–

–

–

–

–

–

225,002

448,669

126,699

5,308,996

219,719

856,690

Corporate 
and Other

Inter-
Segment 
Eliminations

Total

$

1,719,910

$

323,353

$

–

$

(13,286)

$

2,029,977

361,447

292,217

3,837,919

200,217

446,566

28,402

32,630

590,992

112,139

83,470

(84,175)

8,312

150,212

–

5,768

–

–

–

–

–

305,674

333,159

4,579,123

312,356

535,804

The Corporation’s operations are carried on in the following geographic locations:

2014

Revenue

Total assets

2013

Revenue

Total assets

Canada

United States

International

Inter-
Segment 
Eliminations

Total

$

1,077,814

$

1,096,918

$

195,487

$

(19,681)

$

2,350,538

2,434,774

2,244,867

629,355 

–

5,308,996

Canada

United States

International

Inter-
Segment 
Eliminations

Total

$

1,002,199

$

901,246

$

137,681

$

(11,149)

$

2,029,977

2,082,958

2,006,519

489,646

–

4,579,123

During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, no one individual customer accounted for more than 10% of the 
Corporation’s total revenue. 

86

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

NOTE 20. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 

Financial Risk Management
The Board of Directors is responsible for identifying the principal risks of Precision’s business and for ensuring the 
implementation of systems to manage these risks. With the assistance of senior management, who report to the Board of 
Directors on the risks of Precision’s business, the Board of Directors considers such risks and discusses the management of 
such risks on a regular basis.

Precision has exposure to the following risks from its use of financial instruments:

(a) Credit Risk 
Accounts receivable includes balances from a large number of customers primarily operating in the oil and gas industry. 
The Corporation manages credit risk by assessing the creditworthiness of its customers before providing services and on an 
ongoing basis as well as monitoring the amount and age of balances outstanding. In some instances, the Corporation will 
take additional measures to reduce credit risk including obtaining letters of credit and prepayments from customers. When 
indicators of credit problems appear, the Corporation takes appropriate steps to reduce its exposure including negotiating with 
the customer, filing liens and entering into litigation. The Corporation views the credit risks on these amounts as normal for the 
industry. Precision’s most significant customer accounted for $22.7 million of the trade receivables amount at December 31, 
2014 (2013 – $19.6 million).

The movement in the allowance for doubtful accounts during the year was as follows:

Balance at January 1

Impairment loss recognized

Amounts written-off as uncollectible

Impairment loss reversed

Effect of movement in exchange rates

Balance at December 31

The ageing of trade receivables at December 31 was:

Not past due

Past due 0-30 days

Past due 31-120 days

Past due more than 120 days

2014

2013

$

11,703

$

12,187

115

(5,645)

–

240

325

(1,172)

(138)

501

$

6,413

$

11,703

2014

2013

Gross

Provision for 
Impairment

Gross

Provision for 
Impairment

$

219,000

$

108,946

47,365

11,141

$

386,452

$

–

–

–

6,413

6,413

$

177,141

$

98,529

28,897

21,584

$

326,151

$

–

–

–

11,703

11,703

(b) Interest Rate Risk 
As at December 31, 2014 and 2013, all of Precision’s long-term debt, with the exception of the secured revolving credit facility, 
bears fixed interest rates. As a result, Precision is not exposed to significant fluctuations in interest expense as a result of 
changes in interest rates. Based on the debt outstanding at the end of the year, a 100 basis point change in interest rates would 
change the annual interest expense by $nil (2013 – $0.3 million).

(c) Foreign Currency Risk 
The Corporation is primarily exposed to foreign currency fluctuations in relation to the working capital of its foreign operations 
and certain long-term debt facilities of its Canadian operations. The Corporation has no significant exposures to foreign 
currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The Corporation monitors its foreign currency exposure and attempts to minimize the 
impact by aligning appropriate levels of U.S. denominated debt with cash flows from U.S. based operations.

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

87

The following financial instruments were denominated in U.S. dollars:

2014

2013

Canadian 
Operations (1)

Foreign 
Operations

Canadian 
Operations (1)

Foreign 
Operations

Cash

Accounts receivable

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

Long-term liabilities, excluding long-term incentive plans

Net foreign currency exposure

Impact of $0.01 change in the U.S. dollar to Canadian dollar

exchange rate on net earnings

Impact of $0.01 change in the U.S. dollar to Canadian dollar

exchange rate on comprehensive income

$

$

$

$

272,981

$

115,716

$

–

(18,165)

–

254,816

2,548

–

$

$

$

270,984

(270,863)

(12,790)

103,047

– 

1,030

$

$

$

995

26

(13,385)

–

(12,364)

124

–

$

53,327 

290,995

(180,626)

(16,770)

146,926 

– 

1,469

$

$

$

(1)  Excludes U.S. dollar long-term debt that has been designated as a hedge of the Corporation’s net investment in certain self-sustaining foreign operations.

(d) Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the exposure of the Corporation to the risk of not being able to meet its financial obligations as they become 
due. The Corporation manages liquidity risk by monitoring and reviewing actual and forecasted cash flows to ensure there 
are available cash resources to meet these needs. The following are the contractual maturities of the Corporation’s financial 
liabilities as at December 31, 2014:

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Thereafter

Total

Long-term debt

$ 

– 

$ 

–

$ 

–

$ 

–

$  200,000

$ 1,682,145

$ 1,882,145

Interest on long-term debt (1)

    117,482

    117,482

    117,482

    117,482

    107,190

    221,546

    798,664

Commitments

Total

    208,799

14,743

12,713

10,065

    236,071

11,005

    493,396

$  326,281

$  132,225

$  130,195

$  127,547

$  543,261

$ 1,914,696

$ 3,174,205

(1)  Interest has been calculated based on debt balances, interest rates, and foreign exchange rates in effect as at December 31, 2014 and excludes amortization of long-term debt 

issue costs.

Fair Values
The carrying value of cash, accounts receivable, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximates their fair value due 
to the relatively short period to maturity of the instruments. The fair value of the unsecured senior notes at December 31, 2014 
was approximately $1,668 million (2013 – $1,403 million).

Financial assets and liabilities recorded or disclosed at fair value in the consolidated balance sheet are categorized based on 
the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. Hierarchical levels are based on the amount of 
subjectivity associated with the inputs in the fair determination and are as follows:

Level I—Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.

Level II—Inputs (other than quoted prices included in Level I) are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability 
through correlation with market data at the measurement date and for the duration of the instrument’s anticipated life.

Level III—Inputs reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability 
at the measurement date. Consideration is given to the risk inherent in the valuation technique and the risk inherent in the 
inputs to the model.

The estimated fair value of unsecured senior notes is based on level II inputs. The fair value is estimated considering the risk 
free interest rates on government debt instruments of similar maturities, adjusted for estimated credit risk, industry risk and 
market risk premiums. 

88

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   
   
   
   
NOTE 21. CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

The Corporation’s strategy is to carry a capital base to maintain investor, creditor and market confidence and to sustain 
future development of the business. The Corporation seeks to maintain a balance between the level of long-term debt and 
shareholders’ equity to ensure access to capital markets to fund growth and working capital given the cyclical nature of the 
oilfield services sector. The Corporation strives to maintain a conservative ratio of long-term debt to long-term debt plus equity. 
As at December 31, 2014 and 2013, these ratios were as follows: 

Long-term debt

Shareholders’ equity

Total capitalization

Long-term debt to long-term debt plus equity ratio

$

$

2014

1,852,186 

2,441,366

4,293,552 

0.43 

$

$

2013

1,323,268

2,399,343

3,722,611

 0.36

As at December 31, 2014, liquidity remained sufficient as Precision had $491.5 million (2013 – $80.6 million) in cash and 
access to a US$650.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility (2013 – US$850.0 million) and $86.4 million (2013 – 
$82.5 million) secured operating facilities. As at December 31, 2014, no amounts (2013 – US$28.0 million) were drawn on 
the US$650.0 million secured revolving credit facility with availability reduced by US$25.6 million (2013 – US$28.6 million) in 
outstanding letters of credit. Availability of the $40.0 million and US$25.0 million secured operating facilities was reduced by 
outstanding letters of credit of $20.5 million (2013 – $17.3 million) and US$8.1 million (2013 – US$ 0.2 million), respectively. 
There was no amount drawn on the US$15.0 million secured operating facility. 

NOTE 22. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION 

Components of changes in non-cash working capital balances are as follows:

Accounts receivable

Inventory

Income tax recoverable

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

Pertaining to:

Operations

Investments

The components of accounts receivable are as follows:

Trade

Accrued trade

Prepaids and other

The components of accounts payable and accrued liabilities are as follows:

Accounts payable

Accrued liabilities:

Payroll

Other

2014

2013

$

(20,986)

$

(23,110) 

3,946

(55,138)

124,602

52,424

(17,315)

69,739

$

$

$

$

$

$

1,658

–

(22,682)

(44,134) 

(33,887) 

(10,247) 

2014

2013

$

380,039

$

314,448 

147,616

70,408

152,768

82,481

$

598,063

$

549,697 

2014

2013

$

295,468

$

148,081 

86,496

111,074

81,586

103,171

$

493,038

$

332,838 

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

89

Precision presents expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings by function with the exception of depreciation and 
amortization and loss on asset decommissioning, which are presented by nature. Operating expense and general and 
administrative expense would include $566.7 million and $8.6 million (2013 – $324.8 million and $8.3 million), respectively, 
of depreciation and amortization and loss on asset decommissioning if the statements of earnings were presented purely by 
function. The following table presents operating and general and administrative expenses by nature:

Wages, salaries and benefits

Purchased materials, supplies and services

Share-based compensation

Allocated to:

Operating expense

General and administrative

2014

2013

$

930,402

$

773,901

601,724

18,042

1,550,168

1,405,827

144,341

1,550,168

$

$

$

589,394

27,849

1,391,144

1,248,637

142,507

1,391,144

$

$

$

NOTE 23. CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES

The business and operations of the Corporation are complex and the Corporation has executed a number of significant 
financings, business combinations, acquisitions and dispositions over the course of its history. The computation of income 
taxes payable as a result of these transactions involves many complex factors as well as the Corporation’s interpretation of 
relevant tax legislation and regulations. The Corporation’s management believes that the provision for income tax is adequate 
and in accordance with IFRS and applicable legislation and regulations. However, there are tax filing positions that have been 
and can still be the subject of review by taxation authorities who may successfully challenge the Corporation’s interpretation of 
the applicable tax legislation and regulations, with the result that additional taxes could be payable by the Corporation and the 
amount owed, with estimated interest but without penalties, could be up to $3 million. This amount is included in the estimated 
amount pertaining to the long-term income tax recoverable on the balance sheet of $3 million. 

On August 7, 2014, the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled in favour of Precision’s wholly owned subsidiary, Inter-Leasing, Inc., 
reversing a decision by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in June 2013, regarding the reassessment of Ontario income 
tax for Inter-Leasing, Inc.’s 2001 through 2004 taxation years. The Ontario Minister of Revenue made an application to the 
Supreme Court of Canada seeking leave to appeal this decision. On March 5, 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada denied 
the Ontario Minister of Revenue’s application for leave to appeal. The decision by the Supreme Court of Canada brought the 
appeal process to an end and Precision has reflected the $55 million paid to the Ontario tax authorities in 2008, related to the 
reassessed taxation years, as a current receivable. It is expected that this amount plus interest and costs will be received from 
the Ontario Minister of Revenue in 2015.

The Corporation, through the performance of its services, product sales and business arrangements, is sometimes named as 
a defendant in litigation. The outcome of such claims against the Corporation is not determinable at this time; however, their 
ultimate resolution is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Corporation. 

The Corporation has entered into agreements indemnifying certain parties primarily with respect to tax and specific third party 
claims associated with businesses sold by the Corporation. Due to the nature of the indemnifications, the maximum exposure 
under these agreements cannot be estimated. No amounts have been recorded for the indemnities as the Corporation’s 
obligations under them are not probable or estimable.

90

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

NOTE 24. SUBSIDIARIES

Significant Subsidiaries

Precision Limited Partnership

Precision Drilling Canada Limited Partnership

Precision Diversified Oilfield Services Corp.

Precision Directional Services Ltd.

Precision Drilling (US) Corporation

Precision Drilling Company LP

Precision Completion & Production Services Ltd.

Precision Directional Services, Inc.

Grey Wolf Drilling Limited

Grey Wolf Drilling (Barbados) Ltd.

Country of 
Incorporation

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

United States

United States

United States

United States

Cyprus

Barbados

Ownership Interest

2014

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

2013

100 

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

–

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

91

Precision  
Drilling  
Corporation

Supplemental Information

Consolidated Statements of Earnings 

General and administrative

144.3

142.5

126.6

124.9

1,405.8

1,248.6

1,243.3

1,131.0

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

$  2,350.5

$  2,029.9

$  2,040.7

$  1,951.0

$  1,429.7

800.4

448.7

126.7

225.0

95.1

(0.9)

109.7

21.1

(12.1)

33.2

638.8

333.1

–

305.7

–

(9.1)

93.3

221.5

30.3

191.2

670.8

307.5

192.5

170.8

52.5

3.8

86.8

27.7

(24.7)

52.4

695.1

251.5

114.9

328.7

–

(23.7)

111.6

240.8

47.3

193.5

886.8

108.0

434.9

210.1

–

224.8

–

(12.7)

211.3

26.2

(17.3)

43.5

$ 

$ 

0.11

0.11

$ 

$ 

0.69

0.66

$ 

$ 

0.19

0.18

$ 

$ 

0.70

0.67 

$ 

$ 

0.16

0.15

Years ended December 31,
(in millions of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

Revenue

Expenses:

Operating

Earnings before income taxes, finance charges, foreign exchange,  
impairment of goodwill, loss on asset decommissioning, and  
depreciation and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA)

Depreciation and amortization

Loss on decommissioning

Operating earnings

Impairment of goodwill

Foreign exchange

Finance charges

Earnings before income taxes

Income taxes

Net earnings

Earnings per share:

  Basic

  Diluted

92

Supplemental Information

Additional Selected Financial Information

Years ended December 31,
(in millions of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

Return on sales – % (1)

Return on assets – % (2)

Return on equity – % (3)

Working capital

Current ratio

PP&E and intangibles

Total assets

Long-term debt

Shareholders’ equity

Long-term debt to long-term debt plus equity

Interest coverage (4)

Net capital expenditures excluding business acquisitions

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA – % of revenue

Operating earnings

Operating earnings – % of revenue

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

1.4

0.7

1.3

9.4

4.3

8.4

2.6

1.2

2.4

9.9

4.9

9.5

3.0

1.3

2.2

$ 

653.6

$ 

305.8

$ 

278.0

$ 

610.4

$ 

458.0

2.3

1.9

1.7

2.4

3.1

$  3,932.1

$  3,565.7

$  3,249.0

$  2,948.8

$  2,538.8

$  5,309.0

$  4,579.1

$  4,300.3

$  4,427.9

$  3,564.5

$  1,852.2

$  1,323.3

$  1,218.8

$  1,239.6

$ 

804.5

$  2,441.4

$  2,399.3

$  2,171.3

$  2,132.6

$  1,932.8

0.43

2.1

754.9

800.4

34.1

$ 

$ 

0.36

3.3

522.4

638.8

31.5

$ 

$ 

0.36

2.0

836.6

670.8

32.9

$ 

$ 

0.37

2.9

710.4

695.1

35.6

$ 

$ 

0.29

1.1

163.6

434.9

30.4

$ 

$ 

$ 

225.0

$ 

305.7

$ 

170.8

$ 

328.7

$ 

224.8

9.6

15.1

8.4

16.8

15.7

Cash flow from continuing operations

$ 

680.2

$ 

428.1

$ 

635.3

$ 

532.8

$ 

306.3

Cash flow from continuing operations per share:

Basic

Diluted

Book value per share (5)

Price earnings ratio (6)

$ 

$ 

$ 

2.33

2.32

8.34

64.2

$ 

$ 

$ 

1.54

1.49

8.22

$ 

$ 

$ 

2.30

2.22

7.85

$ 

$ 

$ 

1.93

1.85

7.72

$ 

$ 

$ 

1.11

1.07

7.01

14.41

43.26

15.00

41.74

Basic weighted average shares outstanding (000s)

292,533

277,583

276,276

275,899

275,655

(1) Return on sales was calculated by dividing earnings from continuing operations by total revenue.
(2) Return on assets was calculated by dividing net earnings by quarter average total assets.
(3) Return on equity was calculated by dividing net earnings by quarter average total shareholders’ equity.
(4) Interest coverage was calculated by dividing operating earnings by net interest expense.
(5) Book value per share was calculated by dividing shareholders’ equity by shares outstanding.
(6) Price earnings ratio was calculated using year-end closing price divided by basic earnings per share.

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

93

Shareholder Information

STOCK EXCHANGE LISTINGS
Our shares are listed on the Toronto 
Stock Exchange under the trading 
symbol PD and on the New York 
Stock Exchange under the trading 
symbol PDS.

TRANSFER AGENT  
AND REGISTRAR
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of Canada
Calgary, Alberta

TRANSFER POINT
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Denver, Colorado

2014 TRADING PROFILE

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High: $15.65
Low: $6.11
Close: $7.06
Volume Traded: 360,004,415

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High: US$14.65
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Close: US$9.31
Volume Traded: 570,212,820

ACCOUNT QUESTIONS
Our transfer agent can help you 
with shareholder related services, 
including:
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 
 

lost share certificates
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person

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Computershare Trust Company 
of Canada 
100 University Avenue,
9th Floor, North Tower 
Toronto, Ontario, Canada 
M5J 2Y1 
Telephone: 1.800.564.6253 
(toll free in Canada and the U.S.)
1.514.982.7555 
(international direct dialing)
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ONLINE INFORMATION
To receive news releases by email, or 
to view this report online, please visit 
the Investor Relations section of our 
website at www.precisiondrilling.com.

You can find additional information 
about Precision, including our annual 
information form and management 
information circular, under our profile 
on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.
com and on the EDGAR website at 
www.sec.gov.

PUBLISHED INFORMATION
Please contact us if you would like 
additional copies of this annual 
report, or copies of our 2014 annual 
information form as filed with the 
Canadian securities commissions 
and under Form 40-F with the 
U.S. Securities and Exchange 
Commission:

Investor Relations
Suite 800, 525 – 8th Avenue SW 
Calgary, Alberta, Canada 
T2P 1G1 
Telephone: 403.716.4500 

94

Shareholder Information

Corporate Information

DIRECTORS
William T. Donovan (1)(2)
North Palm Beach, Florida, USA

Brian J. Gibson (1)(2)
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Allen R. Hagerman, FCA (1)(3)
Millarville, Alberta, Canada

Catherine J. Hughes (2)(3)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Stephen J. J. Letwin (2)(3)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Kevin O. Meyers (2)(3)
Anchorage, Alaska, USA

Patrick M. Murray (1)(3)
Dallas, Texas, USA

Kevin A. Neveu
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Robert L. Phillips (1)(2)(3)
West Vancouver, British Columbia, 
Canada

1.  Member of Audit Committee

2.   Member of Corporate Governance,  

Nominating and Risk Committee

3.   Member of Human Resources and  

Compensation Committee

OFFICERS
Kevin A. Neveu
President and 
Chief Executive Officer

Niels Espeland
President, International Operations

LEAD BANK
Royal Bank of Canada
Calgary, Alberta

AUDITORS
KPMG LLP
Calgary, Alberta

HEAD OFFICE
Suite 800, 525 – 8th Avenue SW 
Calgary, Alberta, Canada  
T2P 1G1 
Telephone: 403.716.4500 
Email: info@precisiondrilling.com
www.precisiondrilling.com 

Doug B. Evasiuk
Senior Vice President,
Sales and Marketing

Veronica Foley 
Vice President, Legal and  
Corporate Secretary

Kenneth J. Haddad
Senior Vice President,
Business Development

Robert J. McNally
Executive Vice President and  
Chief Financial Officer

Darren J. Ruhr
Senior Vice President, 
Corporate Services

Gene C. Stahl
President, Drilling Operations

Douglas J. Strong
President, Completion and 
Production Services

Precision Drilling Corporation 2014 Annual Report

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Precision 
Drilling 
Corporation

Suite 800, 525 – 8th Avenue SW 
Calgary, AB, Canada T2P 1G1 
Telephone: 403.716.4500 
Email: info@precisiondrilling.com
www.precisiondrilling.com