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Precision Drilling Corporation

pd.un · TSX Energy
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Ticker pd.un
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Industry Oil & Gas Exploration & Production
Employees 5001-10,000
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FY2015 Annual Report · Precision Drilling Corporation
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Precision  
Drilling  
Corporation

2015
Annual 
Report

Precision

Management’s 
Discussion and Analysis

Consolidated Financial 
Statements and Notes

Precision

Precision Drilling 
Corporation 
2015

What’s Inside

  6  About Precision 

10  2015 Highlights and Outlook

15  Understanding our Business Drivers

15  The Energy Industry
19  A Competitive Operating Model
23  An Effective Strategy

25  2015 Results

26  2015 Compared with 2014
27  2014 Compared with 2013
28  Segmented Results
31  Quarterly Financial Results

35  Financial Condition

35  Liquidity
36  Capital Management
37  Sources and Uses of Cash
40  Capital Structure

41  Accounting Policies and Estimates

44  Risks in Our Business

51 

 Evaluation of Controls and Procedures

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

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2015 SHARE TRADING SUMMARY

The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX)

P D

Volume (millions)

Share Price (Cdn$)

$12

$9

$6

$3

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$
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i
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P
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r
a
h
S

0
Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Toronto (TSX: PD)
High: $9.43    Low: $4.47    Close December 31, 2015: $5.47    Volume Traded: 440,676,263

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)

P DS

Volume (millions)

Share Price (US$)

$12

$9

$6

$3

)
$
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$7.80    Low: US$3.28    Close December 31, 2015: US$3.94    Volume Traded: 848,119,400

)
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10

7.5

5.0

2.5

0

10

7.5

5.0

2.5

0

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MD&A

Management’s 
Discussion and
Analysis

Precision

Precision Drilling 
Corporation 
2015

This management’s discussion and analysis 
(MD&A) contains information to help you 
understand our business and financial 
performance. Information is as of March 4, 
2016. This MD&A focuses on our Consolidated 
Financial Statements and Notes 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. 

This MD&A contains statements about what we believe, intend and expect about developments, results and events 
that may or will occur in the future and are forward-looking within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and 
the safe harbor provisions of the United States (U.S.) Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, the 
forward-looking information and statements). 

Forward-looking information and statements in this MD&A:

   typically include words and phrases about the future, such as anticipate, could, should, can, expect, seek, may, 

intend, likely, will, plan, estimate and believe 

   are based on certain assumptions and analyses based on our experience, understanding of historical trends, 
current conditions and expected future developments, and other factors we believe are appropriate given the 
circumstances 

   can be affected by known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to 

differ materially from our expectations.

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

   our outlook on oil and natural gas prices 
   our expectations regarding drilling activity in North America and the demand for Tier 1 rigs
   our capital expenditure plans for 2016 
   the expected timing on the delivery of two new-build drilling rigs to Kuwait
   our 2016 strategic priorities
   the potential impact liquefied natural gas export development could have on North American drilling activity
   our expectations that new or newer rigs will enter the markets in which we currently operate         
   our ability to remain compliant with our financial debt covenants.

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 react to customers’ spending plans as a result of the decline in oil prices
   the status of current negotiations with our customers and vendors
   continued market demand for Tier 1 rigs
   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  2015 Annual Report 

3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information and statements. Actual results, 
performance or achievements could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of risks and 
uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following:

   fluctuations in the price and demand for oil and natural gas 
   fluctuations in the level of oil and natural gas exploration and development activities
   fluctuations in the demand for contract drilling, directional drilling, well servicing and ancillary oilfield services 
   liquidity of the capital markets to fund customer drilling programs 
   availability of cash flow, debt and equity sources to fund our capital and operating requirements, as needed 
   the impact of weather and seasonal conditions on operations and facilities 
   competitive operating risks inherent in contract drilling, directional drilling, well servicing and ancillary oilfield 

services 

   ability to improve our rig technology to improve drilling efficiency
   general economic, market or business conditions
   changes in laws or regulations 
   availability of qualified personnel, management or other key inputs 
   currency exchange fluctuations
   operating in foreign countries
   other unforeseen conditions that could affect the use of our services 
   other risks and uncertainties set out in this MD&A under the heading Risks in our Business.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive. Additional information on these and other 
factors that could affect our business, operations or financial results are included 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, 2015, 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, impairment of property, plant and equipment, loss on asset decommissioning, and depreciation and 
amortization), as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss), 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, and non-cash impairment, 
decommissioning, depreciation, and amortization charges.

Operating Earnings
We believe that operating earnings, as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss), 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 Statements 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  2015 Annual Report 

5

 
 
About Precision

Management’s 
Discussion and
Analysis

Precision Drilling Corporation provides onshore drilling and 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 recognized as the 

High Performance, High Value provider of 

onshore drilling and related services globally.

You can read about our strategic priorities 

for 2016 on page 24.

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 five 
distinguishing features:

   a competitive operating model that drives efficiency, quality and cost control
   a culture focused on safety and field performance
   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.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
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.

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
(cid:127) Drilling rig operations
   – Canada
   – U.S.
   – International
(cid:127) Directional drilling operations
   – Canada
   – U.S.

Completion and Production Services
(cid:127) Canada and U.S.
   – Service rigs
   – Equipment rentals
(cid:127) Canada
   – Snubbing and coil tubing
   – Camps and catering
   – Water systems

Business support systems
(cid:127) Sales and
   marketing

(cid:127) Procurement and 
   distribution

(cid:127) Manufacturing

(cid:127) Equipment maintenance
   and certification

(cid:127) Engineering

Corporate support
(cid:127) Information
   systems

(cid:127) Health, safety and 
   environment

(cid:127) Human
   resources

(cid:127) Finance

(cid:127) Legal and enterprise 
   risk management

 2015 Adjusted EBITDA by Operating Segment

2015 Revenue by Location

Contract
Drilling
Services
98%

Completion 
and Production 
Services
2%

14%

International

USA

48%

Canada

38%

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 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 third largest land drilling contractor in North America, servicing approximately 26% of the active land drilling 
market in Canada and 6% of the active U.S. market. We also have an international presence with operations in Mexico 
and the Middle East.

At December 31, 2015, our Contract Drilling Services segment consisted of:

  251 land drilling rigs, including:

  – 134 in Canada
  – 102 in the U.S.
  – 5 in Mexico
  – 4 in Saudi Arabia
  – 3 in Kuwait
  – 2 in the Kurdistan region of Iraq
  – 1 in the country of Georgia

   capacity for approximately 80 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.

One new-build, contracted drilling rig for Canada was delivered in February 2016. As at March 4, 2016, we had 236 
Tier 1 rigs, with 16 additional rigs that are good candidates to be upgraded to Tier 1 status. Our drilling fleet is comprised 
almost entirely of Tier 1 rigs. Tier 1 rigs are highly mobile and automated, which make them safer and more efficient 
in drilling directional and horizontal wells than older generation drilling rigs. Our Tier 1 rigs, or Super Series rigs, have 
a broad range of features to meet a diverse range of customer needs, from drilling shallow- to medium-depth wells 
to exploiting the deep, unconventional shale plays that have driven the North American energy production boom over 
the past decade. Available features include alternating current (AC) power, digitized control systems, integrated top 
drive, bi-directional pad walking or skidding systems for multi-pad well drilling, highly mechanized pipe handling, and 
high capacity mud pumps. Our Super Series fleet includes a number of smaller, fast-moving, hydraulically-powered 
mechanized rigs that are optimized for shallow- to medium-depth resource plays found across North America. 

Contract Drilling 
Revenue 

$ Millions

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

Contract Drilling    
Adjusted EBITDA

$ Millions

1,000

Contract Drilling 
Utilization Days

Utilization Days

80,000

800

600

400

200

0

60,000

40,000

20,000

0

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

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 in Canada and the U.S.

On an operating hour basis in 2015, we serviced approximately 11% of the well completion and workover service rig 
market demand in Canada and less than 1% of the market in the U.S.

At December 31, 2015, our Completion and Production Services segment consisted of:

   148 well completion and workover service rigs, including:

  – 140 in Canada
  – 8 in the U.S.

   11 snubbing units in Canada 
   4 coil tubing units in Canada
   approximately 2,400 oilfield rental items, including surface storage, small-flow wastewater treatment, power 

generation, and solids control equipment, primarily in Canada

  180 wellsite accommodation units in Canada
   46 drilling camps and four base camps in Canada 
   10 large-flow wastewater treatment units, 24 pump houses and eight potable water production units in Canada.

Completion and Production 
Revenue

Completion and Production 
Adjusted EBITDA

Completion and Production 
Service Rig Hours

$ Millions

400

300

200

100

0

$ Millions

150

100

50

0

Hours

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

0

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2015 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/

2015

(decrease) 

2014

% increase/
(decrease)

Revenue

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA % of revenue

Net earnings (loss)

Cash provided by operations

Funds provided by operations

Investing activities

  Capital spending

  Expansion 

  Upgrade 

  Maintenance and infrastructure 

  Proceeds on sale

  Net capital spending

Earnings (loss) per share ($)

  Basic

  Diluted

Dividends per share ($)

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

1,555,624

473,865

30.5%

(33.8)

(40.8)

(363,436)

(1,196.3)

517,016

357,090

361,425

48,487
48,798

(9,786)

448,924

(24.0)

(48.8)

(36.7)

(64.5)
(67.2)

(90.4)

(40.5)

(1.24)

(1.24)

0.28

(1,227.3)

(1,227.3)

12.0

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

% increase/

2015

(decrease) 

251

(19.8)

17,238

21,172

4,084

163

149,574

(47.5)

(39.6)

1.2

(7.9)

(45.2)

2014

313

32,810

35,075

4,036

177

273,194

% increase/

(decrease) 

(4.3)

7.5

15.9

13.5

(20.3)

(3.7)

2013

2,029,977

638,833

31.5%

191,150

428,086

461,973

282,145

141,132
112,527

(13,372)

522,432

0.69

0.66

0.21

2013

327

30,530

30,268

3,555

222

283,576

% increase/
(decrease)

(0.5)

(4.8)

265.1

(32.6)

(22.9)

(52.7)

8.5
(20.6)

(57.4)

(37.6)

263.2

266.7

320.0

% increase/

(decrease) 

1.9

(5.6)

(12.5)

70.4

3.7

(3.8)

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, 
2015

December 31, 
2014

December 31, 
2013

536,815

3.2

2,180,510

2,210,231

4,878,690

3,245,924

0.51

4.22

0.67

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

(1) Share price multiplied by the number of shares outstanding plus long-term debt minus working capital. See page 40 for more information. 
(2) Net of unamortized debt issue costs.

2015 OVERVIEW
Crude oil prices have decreased significantly since mid-2014, resulting in a severe, industry-wide downturn. Persistently 
low oil and natural gas prices have reduced our customers’ cash flows, causing them to scale back their capital 
budgets. As a result, drilling activity declined rapidly throughout most of 2015, negatively impacting our activity and 
resulting cash flow. 

For the year ended December 31, 2015, our net loss was $363 million, or $1.24 per diluted share, compared with net 
earnings of $33 million, or $0.11 per diluted share in 2014. During the year, we recorded asset decommissioning and 
asset impairment charges totalling $466 million that, after-tax, reduced net earnings by $329 million and net earnings per 
diluted share by $1.12.

Revenue in 2015 was $1,556 million, 34% lower than in 2014, mainly due to lower drilling activity in Canada and the 
United States. Contract Drilling Services revenue was down 32%, while Completion and Production Services revenue 
was down 46%. Our international drilling activity increased 1% with an average of 11 rigs working in 2015. 

Adjusted EBITDA in 2015 was $474 million, 41% lower than in 2014. Our Adjusted EBITDA margin was 30%, compared 
with 34% in 2014. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA margin was mainly the result of lower utilization in North America. 
Adjusted EBITDA margin for the year in our Contract Drilling Services segment was 40%, compared with 41% in the prior 
year, while Adjusted EBITDA margin from our Completion and Production Services segment was 5%, compared with a 
prior year margin of 17%. Extreme price competition from excess industry capacity and fixed costs allocated to fewer 
active rigs 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 helped us manage our Adjusted EBITDA margin.

We undertook a number of measures to manage our variable costs during the industry downturn, including reducing our 
capital and operating expenditures. In addition, we reduced our fixed cost structure by consolidating several of our North 
American operating facilities, streamlining management reporting structures, and reducing staff levels, which resulted in 
one-time costs of $21 million. 

Capital expenditures for the purchase of property, plant and equipment were $459 million in 2015, a decrease of 
$398 million over 2014. Capital spending for 2015 included $361 million for expansion capital, $49 million for upgrade 
capital and $49 million for the maintenance of existing assets and infrastructure. Expansion capital was primarily for the 
17 new-build drilling rigs from the 2014 new-build program.

In 2015, we high-graded our drilling rig fleet, as follows:

   added 17 Tier 1 new-build drilling rigs
   upgraded 10 drilling rigs
   decommissioned 79 legacy drilling rigs (48 in Canada, 30 in the U.S. and one in Mexico).

Three additional Tier 1 new-build drilling rigs are in various stages of completion; one rig was delivered in February 2016, 
and the other two are expected to be delivered in 2017.

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

11

 
 
 
 
Under IFRS, we are required to assess the carrying value of our assets in cash generating units when indicators of 
impairment exist. Due to the decrease in oil and natural gas well drilling in North America and the outlook for future 
activity, in 2015 we recognized $282 million impairment of property, plant and equipment and a goodwill impairment 
charge of $17 million associated with our rentals division. In addition, we incurred asset decommissioning charges 
of $166 million associated with 79 legacy drilling rigs due to their high maintenance costs, low demand, and highly 
competitive market.

Subsequent to year end, on February 11, 2016, we suspended our dividend as a result of a debt covenant restriction. 
See Financial Condition – Liquidity on page 35 for more information.

OUTLOOK

Contracts
Term customer contracts provide a base level of activity and revenue 
and, as of March 4, 2016, we had term contracts in place for an average 
of 58 rigs: 31 in Canada, 20 in the U.S. and seven internationally for 
2016, and an average of 30 rigs for 2017. 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 2015, we had an average of 105 
drilling rigs working under term contracts and revenue from these contracts was approximately 73% of our total contract 
drilling revenue for the year.

contract drilling revenue was generated  

In 2015, approximately 73% of our total 

from rigs under term contracts.

73%

Pricing, Demand and Utilization
Global crude oil prices continued their decline throughout 2015. Persistent oversupply in the market was compounded 
by OPEC’s decision to not reduce production quotas, anticipation of Iran’s return to the global oil market, and fears 
of economic slowdown in China and other emerging economies. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil averaged 
US$48.77 per barrel in 2015, and closed the year at US$37.04 per barrel. 

To date in 2016, global crude oil prices have continued to deteriorate. Oversupply continues to be a concern as 
inventories remain high, delaying the effect of any supply/demand rebalancing. 

Natural gas prices remained depressed in 2015, due to increased production from unconventional resource 
development, higher than average storage levels, mild weather, and the lack of a developed export market from North 
America. Natural gas prices, referenced by the average Henry Hub on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) 
price, averaged US$2.60 per MMBtu in 2015, and closed the year at US$2.31 per MMBtu. 

Despite the industry-wide decline in natural gas drilling activity, U.S. production has continued to grow, keeping prices 
low. Looking ahead to 2016, natural gas pricing is expected to experience continued weakness as a result of a relatively 
mild winter to-date, and continued oversupply.

In 2015, the Canadian dollar weakened relative to the U.S. dollar, as crude oil prices moved lower and the U.S. 
Federal Reserve raised its interest rates for the first time in almost 10 years. The Canadian dollar averaged US$0.7820 
(Cdn$/US$1.2788) for 2015, and closed the year at US$0.7225 (Cdn$/US$1.3840). The weakening of the Canadian 
dollar relative to the U.S. dollar serves to partially offset the impact of lower U.S. dollar-denominated crude oil and natural 
gas prices for Canadian exploration and production companies.

12  Management’s Discussion and Analysis

 
During 2015, seasonally adjusted drilling activity consistently decreased in both Canada and the U.S. and this trend 
has continued into 2016. The oil rig count at March 4, 2016 was 58% lower in the U.S. than it was a year ago, and 67% 
lower in Canada. From peak levels achieved in November 2014, the overall North American land oil directed rig count on 
March 4, 2016 was down 77%. 

There is limited visibility with no market signals suggesting a rebound is imminent. In general, we expect lower drilling 
activity levels and pricing pressure on spot market rigs in North America as lower oil prices have caused producers to 
significantly reduce drilling budgets. We expect Tier 1 rigs to remain the preferred rigs of customers globally and that we 
will benefit from our fleet of Tier 1 rigs.

International
We currently have 15 rigs in Mexico and the Middle East, and we plan to deliver another two new-build rigs to Kuwait 
in 2017. 

Upgrading the Fleet
The industry trend toward more complex drilling programs has accelerated the retirement of older generation, less 
capable rigs. Over the past several years, we and some of our competitors have been upgrading the drilling rig fleet by 
building new rigs, upgrading existing rigs, and decommissioning lower capacity rigs. We believe this retooling of the 
industry-wide fleet has been making legacy rigs virtually obsolete in North America. 

After a six-year new-build program, the upgrading of a number of existing rigs, and the cumulative decommissioning of 
236 legacy rigs, our fleet now consists of 236 Tier 1 rigs with 16 additional rigs that are good candidates to be upgraded 
to Tier 1 status. 

Capital Spending
We expect capital spending in 2016 to be $202 million, including $156 million for expansion capital; $44 million for 
sustaining and infrastructure expenditures; and $2 million to upgrade existing rigs. We expect that the $202 million will 
be split $197 million in the Contract Drilling segment and $5 million in the Completion and Production Services segment. 
The expansion capital plan for 2016 includes the construction of two new-build drilling rigs to be delivered in 2017 for 
our customer in Kuwait. Precision’s sustaining and infrastructure capital plan is based upon currently anticipated activity 
levels for 2016.

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

13

 
i

%
n
g
r
a
M

50

40

30

20

10

0

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Revenue and 
Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

Adjusted EBITDA

Revenue

Source: Precision Drilling 

Funds From Operations

Note: 2009 was prepared under 
previous Canadian GAAP

2,500

2,000

s
n
o

i
l
l
i

M
$

1,500

1,000

500

0

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

s
n
o

i
l
l
i

M
$

Source: Precision Drilling

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Drilling Utilization Days

80,000

60,000

s
y
a
D

40,000

20,000

0

International

USA

Canada

Source: Precision Drilling

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

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. 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: crude oil, natural gas, and natural 
gas liquids.

Commodity Prices
Our customers’ cash flow to fund exploration and development is dependent on commodity prices: higher prices 
increase cash flow and encourage investment; when prices decline, the opposite is true.

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 were relatively strong between 2009 and 2014, 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 2016. 

Natural gas and natural gas liquids continue to be priced regionally. In North America, natural gas demand largely 
depends on the weather. Colder winter temperatures, and to a lesser extent, warmer summer temperatures, result 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 for 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 key driver of price continues to be increased production from unconventional shale gas drilling. Since the cold winter 
of 2014, prices for natural gas in North America have been depressed, as supplies of unconventional natural gas have 
increased and current inventory levels are viewed as adequate to keep North American markets well supplied. 

Average Oil and Natural Gas Prices

Oil 

  WTI (US$ per barrel)

Natural gas

  Canada

  AECO ($ per MMBtu)

  U.S.

  Henry Hub (US$ per MMBtu)

2015

48.77

2.70

2.60

2014

93.06

4.45

4.33

2013

98.02

3.18

3.73

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

15

 
 
 
WTI Oil Prices and 
Henry Hub Natural 
Gas Prices

12

t

u
B
M
M
/
$
S
U

8

4

Henry Hub Natural Gas Prices

WTI Oil Prices

Source: Precision Drilling 

0
Jan-11

Jan-12

Jan-13

Jan-14

Jan-15

Jan-16

120

80

40

0

l

e
r
r
a
b
/
$
S
U

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 and 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 Tier 1 drilling rigs, which garner premium contract rates.

Canadian Directional/
Horizontal Wells Drilled 
as a Percentage of Total 
Wells Drilled

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-11

Jan-12

Jan-13

Jan-14

Jan-15

Jan-16

16  Management’s Discussion and Analysis

These technical innovations have been a major factor in the increase in oil and natural gas production in 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

Natural Gas

Crude Oil 

Source: Energy Information Administration

0
Jan-11

Jan-12

Jan-13

Jan-14

Jan-15

Jan-16

10

8

6

4

2

0

l

)
d
/
s
b
b
M
M

(

l
i

O
e
d
u
r
C

Natural gas production in Canada has been flat because of lower natural gas directed drilling due to pricing pressure 
and Canada’s lack of an export market other than the U.S.

Canadian Production

20

16

12

8

4 

)
d
/
f
c
B

(

s
a
G

l

a
r
u
a
N

t

Natural Gas

Crude Oil

Source: Energy Information Administration, FEC

0
Jan-11

Jan-12

Jan-13

Jan-14

Jan-15

Jan-16

5

4

3

2

1

0

l

)
d
/
s
b
b
M
M

(

l
i

O
e
d
u
r
C

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Drilling Activity
The North American land drilling industry is almost a year and a half into a deep downturn, a result of lower commodity 
prices pushing customer spending down and decreasing drilling demand.

In 2015, the industry drilled 5,241 wells in western Canada, compared with 10,942 in 2014 and 10,903 in 2013. Total 
industry drilling operating days were 50% lower than 2014, at 64,880. Average industry drilling operating days per well 
was 12.4 compared with 12.0 in 2014. Average depth of a well increased 14%. 

Approximately 18,400 wells were started onshore in the U.S., compared with approximately 37,900 in 2014 and 35,700 
in 2013. 

In Canada, there has been strength in natural gas and natural gas liquids drilling activity related to deep basin drilling in 
northwestern Alberta and northeastern British Columbia, while in the U.S. the bias towards oil-directed drilling continues. 
In 2015, approximately 45% of the Canadian industry’s active rigs and 77% of the U.S. industry’s active rigs were drilling 
for oil targets, compared with 57% for Canada and 82% for the U.S. in 2014.

The graphs below show the shift in drilling activity to oil targets, in both the U.S. and Canada, since 2011. The difference 
in activity has narrowed with the rapid decline in the price of crude oil in late 2014. The Canadian drilling rig activity graph 
also shows how Canadian drilling activity fluctuates with the seasons, a market dynamic that generally 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-11

Jan-12

Jan-13

Jan-14

Jan-15

Jan-16

Natural Gas Rigs

Crude Oil Rigs

Source: Baker Hughes, Inc.

Canadian Drilling Rig Activity

600

i

g
n
k
r
o
W
s
g
R

i

400

200

0
Jan-11

Jan-12

Jan-13

Jan-14

Jan-15

Jan-16

Natural Gas Rigs

Crude Oil Rigs

Source: Baker Hughes, Inc.

18  Management’s Discussion and Analysis

 
 
A COMPETITIVE OPERATING MODEL
The contract drilling business is highly competitive, with numerous industry participants. We compete for 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 our 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
   managing operations effectively 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. 

Our Tier 1 rigs, or our Super Series rigs, have a broad range of features to meet a diverse range of customer needs, from 
drilling shallow- to medium-depth wells to exploiting the deep, unconventional shale plays that have driven the North 
American energy production boom over the past decade. Available features include alternating current (AC) power, 
digitized control systems, integrated top drive, bi-directional pad walking or skidding systems for multi-pad well drilling, 
highly mechanized pipe handling and high capacity mud pumps. Our Super Series fleet includes a number of smaller, 
fast-moving, hydraulically-powered mechanized rigs that are optimized for shallow- to medium-depth resource plays 
found across North America.

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 all major unconventional oil and natural gas basins. 

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 (to move, 
rig-up and rig-out) by utilizing walking and skidding systems, reducing the number of move loads per rig, and using 
mechanized equipment for safer and quicker rig component connections.

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

19

 
 
 
 
 
 
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. 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.

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. Included in our self-contained units are three patented L-frame units, which are more efficient in the 
rig up and rig out process than standard self-contained units.  

Four coil tubing units serve the Canadian market. 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. 

20  Management’s Discussion and Analysis

 
 
 
 
 
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 long-term contract. Historically an upgrade may have resulted in a change in tier classification. 

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 Drilling 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.

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 accommodate 
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 2016. In addition, our Houston facility accommodates our rig manufacturing group. 

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.

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

21

 
 
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 Total Recordable Incident Frequency (TRIF), an 
industry standard.  This statistic benchmarks our 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 for the potential for a more serious 
events. In 2015, 92% of our drilling rigs and 93% of our service rigs achieved Target Zero.  

Our safety vision for eliminating workplace 

incidents is a core belief that all injuries can 

be prevented.

Target Zero

We continuously review our rig designs and components and use advanced technologies to improve the life cycle, 
maintain safety and operational efficiency, reduce energy use, and manage our energy and resources.

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.

22  Management’s Discussion and Analysis

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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. 

2015 Strategic Priorities

2015 Results

Work with our customers to lower well costs
Work with our customers to create maximum efficiency and lower 
risks for development drilling programs.

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

Grow our integrated directional service. 

Utilized Tier 1 drilling rigs to further optimize pad drilling and alleviate 
inefficiencies in the process.

Worked with customers to offer creative bundling packages where 
Precision’s vertical integration can play a substantial role. 

Completed 412 integrated directional drilling jobs representing 74% of 
our total directional drilling jobs compared with 463 or 49% in 2014.

Maximize cost efficiency throughout the organization
Continue to leverage our scale to reduce costs while delivering 
High Performance.

Leveraged the Nisku Drilling Support Centre and Houston Technical 
Centre to lower costs in repair, maintenance, and new manufacturing 
operations.

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

Consolidated six facilities and distribution centres in North America in 
response to the industry downturn.

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

Achieved Target Zero for 92% of our drilling rigs and 93% of our 
service rigs.

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

Reinforce our competitive advantage
Gain market share.

High grade our active fleet by delivering new-build rigs and 
maximizing customer opportunities.

Deliver consistent, reliable, High Performance service.

Retain and continue to develop our people.

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

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

Adjust capital plans according to utilization and customer demand.

Gained market share in both Canada and the U.S. as measured by 
the percent of drilling days in Canada and the average active rigs in 
the U.S.

Delivered 17 new-build Super Series rigs to customers on long-term 
contracts and upgraded 10 existing drilling rigs to higher specification 
assets to deliver High Performance services to our customers.

Retired 79 legacy drilling rigs, completing the transformation of our 
fleet to essentially all Tier 1 rigs.

Achieved better than predetermined targets for mechanical downtime.

Exceeded employee retention goals across all targeted skill positions, 
and trained approximately 1,700 people in our training facilities.

Secured long-term contracts for two new-build drilling rigs to be 
deployed to Kuwait in 2017.

Reduced days sales outstanding by 14% compared with 2014. 

Incurred $21 million in restructuring charges through the year, which 
will yield annualized savings of approximately $100 million. 

Reduced maintenance and infrastructure capital by 67%, compared 
with prior year, as equipment utilization was lower and facility 
upgrades completed.

Amended financial ratio covenants under Senior Credit Facility to 
improve access to capital through the industry downturn.

Our corporate and competitive growth strategies are designed to optimize resource allocation and differentiate us 
from the competition, generating value for investors. Despite the downturn in industry activity, we see opportunities 
for long-term 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 our Completion and Production 
Services segment.

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

23

 
Strategic Priorities for 2016
1. Maintain strong liquidity to manage through an extended downturn – sustain adequate liquidity by generating 
positive operating cash flow, ensuring full access to the Senior Credit Facility, and begin a multi-year plan for net 
debt reduction. 

2. Sustain High Performance, High Value service offering – continue to deliver maximum efficiency and lower risks 
to support development drilling programs by operating the highest quality assets in the industry with well-trained, 
professional crews supported by robust systems that eliminate manual processes and improve automation throughout 
the Precision organization. 

3. Position for an eventual rebound – concurrent with right-sizing the organization for the extended downturn, we will 
take steps to prepare for a rebound:

 a. Asset integrity – maintain high quality and integrity of our Tier 1 drilling fleet by utilizing spare equipment, avoiding 
fleet cannibalization and maintaining rigorous equipment standards.

 b. People – retain field leadership within the organization, maintain relationships with former crew members and 
continue to develop leadership and skills of workers within our organization.

 c. Ample liquidity – maintain strong liquidity to fund working capital requirements and other short term commitments 
that arise when activity levels increase.

24  Management’s Discussion and Analysis

 
 
 
2015 Results

Management’s 
Discussion and
Analysis

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

Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) Summary

Year ended December 31 (thousands of dollars)

2015

2014

2013

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

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

Operating earnings (loss)

Impairment of goodwill

Foreign exchange

Finance charges

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

Income taxes

Net earnings (loss)

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

1,378,336

186,317

(9,029)

1,555,624

546,719

10,240

(83,094)

473,865

486,655

166,486

281,987

(461,263)

17,117

(33,251)

121,043

(566,172)

(202,736)

(363,436)

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

2015

2014

2013

589,759

759,472

226,129

(19,736)

1,555,624

2,077,077

2,096,214

705,399

4,878,690

1,077,814

1,096,918

195,487

(19,681)

2,350,538

2,434,774

2,244,867

629,355

5,308,996

1,002,199

901,246

137,681

(11,149)

2,029,977

2,082,958

2,006,519

489,646

4,579,123

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

25

 
 
 
 
 
2015 COMPARED WITH 2014
Net loss in 2015 was $363 million, or $1.24 per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $33 million, or $0.11 per 
diluted share, in 2014. During the year, we recorded a pre-tax asset decommissioning charge, impairment of property, 
plant and equipment and goodwill write down totalling $466 million that reduced after-tax net earnings by $329 million 
and net earnings per diluted share by $1.12 compared with a pre-tax asset decommissioning charge and goodwill 
write down totalling $222 million that reduced net earnings by $182 million and net earnings per diluted share by 
$0.62 in 2014.

Revenue was $1,556 million, 34% lower than 2014. The decrease was the result of lower activity from our North 
American operations.

Adjusted EBITDA in 2015 was $474 million, 41% lower than 2014, primarily because of lower activity levels in all of our 
North American based operations. Activity, as measured by drilling utilization days, decreased 48% in Canada and 40% 
in the U.S., and increased 1% internationally compared with 2014. 

Impairment
Under IFRS, we are required to assess the carrying value of our assets in cash generating units (CGUs) containing 
goodwill annually and CGUs when indicators of impairment exist. As a result of continued low commodity prices 
and their impact on current and future industry activity, we completed an impairment test for all of our CGUs as at 
December 31, 2015. The test involves determining a value in use based on a multi-year discounted cash flow approach 
with cash flow assumptions based on historical and expected future results. The resulting value in use is then compared 
to the carrying value of the CGU. As a result of these tests, it was determined that property, plant and equipment was 
impaired by US$73 million in our U.S. contract drilling business, by US$49 million in our international contract drilling 
business, and by US$26 million in our Mexico contract drilling business.

As a result of similar tests during the third quarter of 2015, it was determined that property, plant and equipment in our 
Canadian well service business were impaired by $73 million and property, plant and equipment in our U.S. completion 
and production business were impaired by $7 million. In addition, goodwill associated with our rentals cash generating 
unit was impaired for its full value of $17 million. These impairment adjustments were reflected in our third quarter 2015 
financial statements. 

Foreign Exchange
We recognized a foreign exchange gain of $33 million in 2015 (2014 – $1 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 $121 million, an increase of $11 million compared with 2014. The increase is the result of the 
impact of the weaker Canadian dollar on our U.S. dollar denominated interest and the issuance, in June 2014, of 
US$400 million 5.25% senior notes due in 2024, partially offset by an increase of $14 million in interest income from the 
settlement of an income tax dispute. 

Income Taxes
Income taxes were a recovery of $203 million, $191 million higher than the $12 million recovery booked in 2014 mainly 
due to lower operating results from the loss on asset decommissioning and impairment charges in the year.

In April 2015, we received payment from the Ontario Minister of Revenue of $69 million representing $55 million owed 
to us on a reassessment of income tax, recorded as an income tax recoverable on the Consolidated Statements of 
Financial Position, plus interest of $14 million. 

26  Management’s Discussion and Analysis

2014 COMPARED WITH 2013
Net earnings in 2014 were $33 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, compared with $191 million, or $0.66 per diluted 
share, in 2013. During the year, we recorded a pre-tax asset decommissioning charge and goodwill write down totalling 
$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 with 2013. 

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 was the result of the 
issuance, in June 2014, of 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. 

Income Taxes
Income taxes were a recovery of $12 million, $42 million lower than 2013 mainly due to lower operating results from asset 
decommissioning charges in the year.

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

27

 
Segmented Results

CONTRACT DRILLING SERVICES

Financial Results
Adjusted EBITDA and operating earnings (loss) 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

  Restructuring

Adjusted EBITDA

Depreciation and amortization

Loss on asset decommissioning

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

2015

1,378,336

777,280

43,427

10,909
546,720

439,621

165,109

202,414

% of 
revenue

56.4

3.1

0.8
39.7

31.9

12.0

14.7

2014

2,017,110

1,147,826

47,794

–
821,490

381,465

97,947

–

Operating earnings (loss)

(260,064)

(18.9)

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

2015 Compared with 2014
Revenue from Contract Drilling Services was $1,378 million, 32% lower than 2014, mainly due to lower activity in North 
America, partially offset by higher average day rates in North America as a greater proportion of our drilling rigs were 
working under term contract. 

Operating expenses were 56% of revenue, compared with 57% in 2014. On a per utilization day basis, operating costs 
for the drilling rig divisions in Canada and the United States were higher than the prior year by 5% primarily because 
of fixed costs spread across lower activity partially offset by cost saving initiatives. Internationally, operating costs on 
a per utilization basis were lower than the prior year by 6% primarily due to certain rigs being on standby. General and 
administrative expenses for 2015 were lower than 2014 as result of cost saving initiatives undertaken during 2015, 
partially offset by the impact of the weakening Canadian dollar on our U.S. dollar denominated costs. Restructuring costs 
incurred in 2015 were primarily severance related to right size the business for current activity levels.

Operating loss was $260 million, compared with operating earnings of $342 million in 2014. Operating results were 
negatively impacted by the impairment of property, plant and equipment; the decommissioning of certain drilling rigs 
and spare equipment; the decrease in activity in our North American operating segments; and depreciation from capital 
asset additions in 2015 and 2014. Excluding asset impairment and decommissioning charges, operating earnings would 
have been $108 million in 2015 compared with $440 million in 2014. 

Capital expenditures in 2015 were $459 million:
   $361 million – to expand our asset base
   $49 million – to upgrade existing equipment 
   $49 million – on maintenance and infrastructure. 

Most of the expansion capital was on 18 new-build rigs, as part of our rig build program; 17 of these were completed 
and placed into service by December 31, 2015; the remaining rig was placed into service in February 2016. 

Two new-build rigs to be delivered in early 2017 for our customer in Kuwait were started in 2015; most of the expansion 
capital related to these rigs to be incurred in 2016.

28  Management’s Discussion and Analysis

 
 
 
Operating Statistics

Year ended December 31

Number of drilling rigs (year-end)

Drilling utilization days (operating and moving)

  Canada

  U.S.

International

Drilling revenue per utilization day

  Canada (Cdn$)

  U.S. (US$)

International (US$)

Drilling statistics (Canadian operations only)

  Wells drilled

  Average days per well

  Metres drilled (hundreds)

  Average metres per well

2015

251

17,238

21,172

4,084

23,670

25,901

43,491

1,351

11.4

3,224

2,386

% increase/
 (decrease)

(19.8)

(47.5)

(39.6)

1.2

6.4

6.5

(0.9)

(56.3)

21.3

(45.0)

25.8

2014

313

32,810

35,075

4,036

22,250

24,330

43,885

3,091

9.4

5,864

1,897

% increase/
(decrease)

(4.3)

7.5

15.9

13.5

0.6

3.2

17.2

(3.7)

11.9

5.2

9.3

2013

327

30,530

30,268

3,555

22,108

23,575

37,445

3,211

8.4

5,576

1,736

% increase/
(decrease)

1.9

(5.6)

(12.5)

70.4

5.1

(0.5)

21.4

4.1

(10.6)

6.6

2.4

Canadian Drilling
Revenue from Canadian drilling was down $322 million, or 44%, from 2014. Drilling rig activity, as measured by utilization 
days, was down 51%.

Adjusted EBITDA was $181 million, 48% lower than 2014, because of lower drilling activity partially offset by cost 
reduction initiatives. 

Depreciation expense for the year was $12 million higher than 2014 because of depreciation expense associated with 
new equipment. 

Drilling Statistics – Canada
In 2015, we completed three new-build rigs, transferred five rigs to Canada from the U.S., and decommissioned 48 
legacy rigs, bringing our Canadian 2015 year-end net rig count to 134 (2014 – 174).

The industry drilling rig fleet decreased as well – there were approximately 721 rigs at the end of 2015 compared with 
797 at the end of 2014. Our operating day utilization was 24% (2014 – 42%), compared with industry utilization of 23% 
(2014 – 44%).

Our average dayrates in Canada increased 6% in 2015 with the addition of new-build and upgraded rigs to our fleet 
resulting in a better rig mix. 

U.S. Drilling
Revenue from U.S. drilling was lower than 2014 by US$304 million, or 36%. Drilling rig activity, as measured by utilization 
days, was down 40% while average revenue per day was up 7%. 

Adjusted EBITDA was US$235 million, 35% lower than US$359 million in 2014, mainly because of lower industry activity. 

Depreciation expense for the year was $3 million higher than 2014 because of depreciation expense associated with 
new equipment. 

Drilling Statistics – U.S.
In 2015, we completed 13 new-build rigs, transferred five rigs to our Canadian fleet, and decommissioned 30 rigs, 
leaving our U.S. year-end net rig count at 102 (2014 – 124). In 2015, we averaged 58 rigs working, a 40% decrease from 
96 rigs in 2014. The industry drilling fleet declined as well, averaging 944 active land rigs in 2015, down 48% from 1,806 
rigs in 2014.

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

29

 
 
 
Our average dayrates in the U.S. increased 7% in 2015 with the addition of new-build and upgraded rigs to our fleet 
resulting in a better rig mix. Turnkey utilization days decreased 52% over 2014 and accounted for approximately 2% of 
our U.S. rig utilization compared with 3% in 2014.

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

2015

2014

Precision

Industry (1)

Precision

Industry (1)

80

57

51

45

58

1,353

873

829

720

944

94

93

97

100

96

1,724

1,802

1,842

1,856

1,806

COMPLETION AND PRODUCTION SERVICES

Financial Results
Adjusted EBITDA and operating earnings (loss) 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

  Restructuring

Adjusted EBITDA

Depreciation and amortization

Loss on asset decommissioning

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

2015

186,317

156,089

16,355

3,634
10,239

32,396

1,377

79,573

% of 
revenue

83.8

8.7

2.0
5.5

17.4

0.7

42.7

2014

343,556

268,129

17,473

–
57,954

58,621

28,752

–

% of
revenue

78.0

5.1

–
16.9

17.1

8.4

–

2013

323,353

242,768

19,553

–
61,032

32,630

–

–

Operating earnings (loss)

(103,107)

(55.3)

(29,419)

(8.6)

28,402

% of
revenue

75.1

6.0

–
18.9

10.1

–

–

8.8

Revenue from Completion and Production Services was $186 million in 2015, 46% lower than 2014, mainly because of 
lower activity and pricing across all of our product lines. 

Operating loss was $103 million in 2015, compared with a loss of $29 million in 2014, because of lower activity and the 
charge for impairment of property, plant and equipment. In 2014, we incurred an asset decommissioning charge of 
$29 million and a loss on disposal of our U.S. coil tubing assets of $14 million. 

Operating expenses were 84% of revenue, 6% higher than 2014, mainly because of lower activity and lower revenue rates. 

Depreciation, excluding the loss on disposal of our coil tubing assets in the prior year, was 28% less than 2014 because 
of a lower asset base from asset decommissioning, impairments and disposals. 

Capital expenditures were $3 million, entirely on maintenance of existing assets and infrastructure.

Revenue from Precision Well Servicing in Canada was $100 million, down $89 million from 2014 as activity was down 
43% and average revenue rates were down 7%.

Revenue from our U.S. based completion and production businesses was US$33 million, 57% lower than 2014. The 
decrease was the result of lower activity and the sale of our U.S. based coil tubing assets in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Revenue from Precision Rentals was $24 million, 42% lower than 2014. The decrease was due to lower activity and lower 
revenue rates from the competitive market.

Revenue from Precision Camp Services was $20 million, 46% lower than 2014, because of a decrease in base camp 
activity. Precision operated four base camps and 46 drill camps during 2015. 

30  Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Operating Results

Year ended December 31

Number of service rigs (end of year)

Service rig operating hours

Revenue per operating hour

2015

163

149,754

784

% increase/
 (decrease)

(7.9)

(45.2)

(13.6)

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

In 2015, we decommissioned nine service rigs and three snubbing units. 

Service rig hours declined 45% as industry activity declined. Service rig rates decreased 14% as bidding for work 
became more competitive. 

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)

2015

2014

2013

Revenue

Expenses

  Operating

  General and administrative

  Restructuring

Adjusted EBITDA

Depreciation and amortization

Operating earnings (loss)

–

–

76,994

6,100

(83,094)

14,998

(98,092)

–

–

79,074

–

(79,074)

8,583

(87,657)

–

–

75,863

–

(75,863)

8,312

(84,175)

Our Corporate and Other 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 $77 million in 2015, $2 million less than 2014. The decrease is mainly related to 
cost cutting initiatives taken in 2015, partially offset foreign exchange translation on U.S. dollar based costs. In 2015, 
corporate general and administrative costs were 5.0% of consolidated revenue compared with 3.4% in 2014 and 3.7% 
in 2013.

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

2015 – Quarters Ended 
(thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

March 31  

June 30  

September 30  

December 31

Revenue

Adjusted EBITDA

Net earnings (loss)

  per basic share

  per diluted share

Funds provided by operations

Cash provided by operations

Dividends per share

512,120

163,384

24,033

0.08

0.08

155,186

215,138

0.07

334,462

88,355

(29,817)

(0.10)

(0.10)

53,173

169,877

0.07

364,089

111,031

(86,700)

(0.30)

(0.30)

99,228

61,049

0.07

344,953

111,095

(270,952)

(0.93)

(0.93)

49,503

70,952

0.07

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

31

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

March 31  

June 30  

September 30  

December 31

Revenue

Adjusted EBITDA

Net earnings (loss)

  per basic share

  per diluted share

Funds provided by operations

Cash provided by operations

Dividends per share

672,249

237,274

101,557

0.35

0.35

231,393

170,127

0.06

475,174

129,695

(7,174)

(0.02)

(0.02)

97,805

228,412

0.06

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

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 2015 Compared with Fourth Quarter 2014
In the fourth quarter, we recorded a net loss of $271 million, or net loss per diluted share of $0.93, compared with a 
net loss of $114 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2014. We incurred asset decommissioning 
and impairment charges totalling $369 million that, after-tax, reduced net earnings by $254 million and net earnings per 
diluted share by $0.87. 

Revenue in the fourth quarter was $345 million or 44% lower than the fourth quarter of 2014, mainly due to lower drilling 
activity in the U.S., Canada and internationally. Revenue from our Contract Drilling Services and Completion and 
Production Services segments both decreased over the comparative prior year period by 42% and 53%, respectively. 

Adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter this quarter of $111 million or 53% lower than the fourth quarter of 2014. Our 
activity for the quarter, as measured by drilling rig utilization days, decreased 51% in Canada, 55% in the U.S. and 23% 
internationally, compared with the fourth quarter of 2014.

Our Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue was 32% this quarter, compared with 38% in the fourth quarter 
of 2014. The decrease in adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue was mainly due to decreases in activity and 
profitability in our Contract Drilling Services segment and restructuring costs incurred in the current quarter.

As a percentage of revenue, operating costs were 56% in the fourth quarter of 2015 and 58% in the same quarter of 
2014. Our portfolio of term customer contracts and a highly variable operating cost structure, helped us manage our 
Adjusted EBITDA margin. 

Contract Drilling Services
Revenue from Contract Drilling Services was $306 million this quarter, or 42% lower than the fourth quarter of 2014, 
while adjusted EBITDA decreased by 43% to $134 million. The decreases were mainly due to lower drilling rig utilization 
days in our Canadian, U.S. and international contract drilling businesses partially offset by higher average day rates in 
all markets.

Drilling rig utilization days in Canada (drilling days plus move days) were 4,176 during the fourth quarter of 2015, a 
decrease of 51% compared with 2014, primarily due to the decrease in industry activity resulting from lower commodity 
prices. Drilling rig utilization days in the U.S. were 4,109, or 55% lower than the same quarter of 2014 as U.S. activity was 
down due to lower industry activity. Drilling rig utilization days in our international business were 822, or 23% lower than 
the same quarter of 2014, as activity declines in the Kurdistan region of Iraq were partially offset by adding a contracted 
rig in Kuwait in 2015.

32  Management’s Discussion and Analysis

 
Compared with the same quarter in 2014, drilling rig revenue per utilization day was up 13% in Canada, up 2% in the U.S. 
and up 10% internationally. In Canada, the day rate increase was the result of rig mix, as we operated proportionately 
more Tier 1 rigs compared with the prior year, and one-time payments from customers due to contractual shortfalls. The 
increase in average day rates for the U.S. was primarily due to a higher percentage of revenue being generated from 
Tier 1 rigs and higher idle-but-contracted payments in the quarter relative to the prior year comparative quarter. The 
average international day rate is up due to the recognition of an early termination payment of US$6 million in the quarter 
and the addition of a new-build contracted rig in Kuwait. 

In Canada, 53% of utilization days in the quarter were generated from rigs under term contract, compared with 42% in 
the fourth quarter of 2014. In the U.S., 64% of utilization days were generated from rigs under term contract in the fourth 
quarter of 2015, compared with 69% in the fourth quarter of 2014. At the end of the quarter, we had 37 drilling rigs under 
contract in Canada, 27 in the U.S. and nine internationally. 

Operating costs were 52% of revenue for the quarter, which was three percentage points lower than the prior year 
period. On a per utilization day basis, operating costs for the drilling rig division in Canada were lower than the prior year 
primarily because of crew wage reduction and cost saving initiatives. In the U.S., operating costs for the quarter on a per 
day basis were slightly higher from the fourth quarter of 2014 primarily as a result of having fixed costs spread across 
lower activity, partially offset by no turnkey activity in the current quarter. 

General and administrative costs were higher than the prior year by $2 million due to the impact of the weakening 
Canadian dollar on our U.S. dollar denominated costs in 2015 offset by a recovery of share based compensation in the 
fourth quarter of 2014. 

Restructuring costs of $2 million in the quarter related to cost cutting measures taken in response to the persistent 
downturn in industry activity levels.

Depreciation expense in the quarter was 11% higher than in the fourth quarter of 2014 due to the addition of new-build 
rigs deployed in 2014 and 2015 and the impact of the weakening Canadian dollar compared with the U.S. dollar and the 
associated impact on our U.S. denominated depreciation expense. 

Due to the significant decrease in industry activity resulting from the decline in oil and natural gas prices, we completed 
an impairment test of our businesses in our Contract Drilling Services segment in the fourth quarter of 2015. The 
recoverable amount of property, plant and equipment and goodwill was determined using a multi-year discounted 
cash flow approach with cash flow assumptions based on historical and expected future results. As a result of this 
test, it was determined that property, plant and equipment were impaired by US$73 million in our U.S. contract drilling 
business, by US$49 million in our international contract drilling business, and by US$26 million in our Mexico contract 
drilling business. 

During the fourth quarter, the Contract Drilling Services segment recognized a loss of $165 million related to the 
decommissioning of 79 drilling rigs, comprised of 48 in Canada, 30 in the United States, and one in Mexico, along with 
certain spare equipment. Low commodity prices combined with the entry of new-build drilling rigs in the market have 
effectively rendered legacy assets obsolete. 

Completion and Production Services
Revenue from Completion and Production Services was down $48 million, or 53%, compared with the fourth quarter of 
2014 due to lower activity levels in all service lines and lower average rates. In response to lower oil prices, customers 
curtailed spending including well completion and production programs. Our well servicing activity in the quarter was 
down 45% from the fourth quarter of 2014. Revenue was also negatively impacted by the sale of our U.S. coil tubing 
operations in the fourth quarter of last year. Approximately 87% of our fourth quarter Canadian service rig activity was 
oil related. 

During the quarter, Completion and Production Services generated 87% of its revenue from Canadian and 13% from 
U.S. operations.

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

33

 
Average service rig revenue per operating hour in the fourth quarter was $760 or $136 lower than the fourth quarter of 
2014. The decrease was primarily the result of industry pricing pressure and the sale of our U.S. coil tubing assets, which 
generally received a higher rate per hour. 

Adjusted EBITDA was $16 million lower than the fourth quarter of 2014 due to declines in activity and pricing and 
$2 million in restructuring costs in the current quarter. 

Operating costs as a percentage of revenue increased to 86% in the fourth quarter of 2015, from 78% in the fourth 
quarter of 2014. 

General and administrative costs were $1 million higher than the prior year due to a recovery of share based 
compensation in the fourth quarter of 2014, partially offset by cost saving initiatives.

Restructuring costs of $2 million in the quarter related to cost cutting measures taken during the quarter in response to 
the persistent decline in industry activity levels.

Depreciation in the quarter was 75% lower than the fourth quarter of 2014 because of a lower asset base after 
decommissioning equipment in the fourth quarter of 2014, the recording of an impairment charge in the third quarter of 
2015, and the disposal of our U.S. coil tubing assets part way through the fourth quarter of 2014.

Corporate and Other
The Corporate and Other segment had an adjusted EBITDA loss of $22 million for the fourth quarter of 2015, $8 million 
more than the 2014 comparative period due primarily to restructuring charges of $3 million incurred in the current year 
quarter and higher share based incentive compensation. 

Net financial charges for the quarter were $34 million, an increase of $4 million from the fourth quarter of 2014, driven 
by the impact of the weaker Canadian dollar on our U.S. dollar denominated interest partially offset by customer related 
interest income of $2 million in the current quarter. We had a foreign exchange gain of $1 million during the fourth 
quarter of 2015 due to the weakening of the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar, which affected the net U.S. dollar 
denominated monetary position in the Canadian dollar-based companies.

Capital expenditures were $66 million in the fourth quarter compared with $338 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. 
Spending in the fourth quarter of 2015 included:
  $39 million to expand our asset base
  $6 million to upgrade existing equipment 
  $21 million on maintenance and infrastructure. 

34  Management’s Discussion and Analysis

 
 
 
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 capital expenditures 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 2015, due to the continued decline in global oil prices and uncertain industry outlook, we amended certain financial 
covenants under our syndicated senior secured revolving credit facility (as amended, the Senior Credit Facility) 
to provide for temporary covenant relief, and reduced the size of the Senior Credit Facility to US$550 million from 
US$650 million. See Sources and Uses of Cash – Financing Activity on page 37 for more information.

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 
Senior Credit Facility and certain other indebtedness. 

As at December 31, 2015, our liquidity was supported by a cash balance of $445 million, our Senior Credit Facility of 
US$550 million, operating facilities totalling approximately $60 million, and a US$40 million secured facility for letters of 
credit. Our ability to draw on our Senior Credit Facility is governed by financial covenants. See Sources and Uses of Cash 
– Covenants on page 39.

At December 31, 2015, including letters of credit, we had approximately  
$2,330 million (2014 – $1,942 million) outstanding under our secured and 
unsecured credit facilities and $26 million in unamortized debt issue 
costs. Our Senior Credit Facility includes financial ratio covenants that 
are tested quarterly. 

Key Ratios

We ended 2015 with a long-term debt to 

long-term debt plus equity ratio of 0.51, and 
a ratio of long-term debt to cash provided by 

operations of 4.22.

We ended 2015 with a long-term debt to long-term debt plus equity ratio of 0.51 (2014 – 0.43) and a ratio of long-term 
debt to cash provided by operations of 4.22 (2014 – 2.72). 

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

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 
relative to the shareholder returns of our peers.

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

35

 
 
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 40)

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, 
2015

December 31, 
2014

December 31, 
2013

536,815

3.2

2,180,510

2,210,231

4,878,690

3,245,924

0.51

4.22

4.60

0.67

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

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. On March 3, 2016, Moody’s downgraded our corporate credit rating 
from Ba2 to B2 and senior unsecured credit rating from Ba2 to B3.

Corporate credit rating

Senior Credit Facility rating

Senior unsecured credit rating

Moody’s  

B2

S&P

BB+

Not rated  

Not rated

B3

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 can materially 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. 

Hedge of Investments in U.S. Operations
We utilize foreign currency long-term debt to hedge our exposure to changes in the carrying values of our net investment 
in certain foreign operations as a result of changes in foreign exchange rates.

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. dollar denominated foreign operations, and now all of our U.S. dollar senior notes 
are designated as a net investment hedge.

Effective April 30, 2015, a portion of our U.S. dollar denominated debt that was previously treated as a hedge of our net 
investment in our U.S. operations was designated as a hedge of the investment in our international operations that have 
a U.S. dollar functional currency.

36  Management’s Discussion and Analysis

 
 
 
 
 
 
To be accounted for as a hedge, the foreign currency denominated long-term debt must be designated and documented 
as such and must be effective at inception and on an ongoing basis. We recognize the effective amount of this hedge 
(net of tax) in other comprehensive income. We recognize ineffective amounts 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)

2015

517,016

(541,102)

(24,086)

(84,044)

61,408

(46,722)

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)

Cash from Operations
In 2015, we generated cash from operations of $517 million compared with $680 million in 2014. The decrease is 
primarily the result of lower operating results due to the industry downturn, partially offset by lower income taxes paid 
in 2015.

Investing Activity
We made growth and sustaining capital investments of $459 million in 2015:

  $361 million in expansion capital 
  $49 million in upgrade capital 
  $49 million in maintenance and infrastructure capital.

The $459 million in capital expenditures in 2015 was split between segments as follows:

  $452 million in Contract Drilling Services 
  $2 million in Completion and Production Services
  $5 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 $10 million in 2015.

Financing Activity
On March 27, 2015, we amended certain financial covenants under the credit agreement governing our Senior Credit 
Facility to, among other things, temporarily increase the maximum consolidated total debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio (as 
defined in the debt agreement) to 6:1 from 4:1 and temporarily reduce the minimum interest coverage ratio to 2.5:1 from 
2.75:1, in each case until December 31, 2016. 

On October 27, 2015, we further amended the credit agreement, whereby we reduced the size of the Senior Credit 
Facility to US$550 million from US$650 million and eliminated the consolidated total debt to adjusted EBITDA financial 
covenant ratio in its entirety. We further decreased the minimum interest coverage ratio to 2:1 from 2.5:1 for a temporary 
period up to and including December 31, 2017, which will revert to 2.5:1 thereafter until the maturity date of the facility. 
We also reduced the maximum consolidated senior debt to adjusted EBITDA financial covenant ratio to 2.5:1 from 3:1 
and added a new debt covenant whereby we agreed to not incur or assume more than US$250 million in new unsecured 
debt other than where the new unsecured debt is used to refinance existing unsecured debt or the new debt is assumed 
through an acquisition.

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As at March 4, 2016, we were in compliance with all covenants and expect to remain compliant throughout 2016 in our 
Senior Credit Facility, which remains undrawn except for US$46 million in outstanding letters of credit. 

In May 2015, we increased the size of our demand letter of credit facility to US$40 million from US$25 million to provide 
additional availability to issue letters of credit for international opportunities. 

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 
Senior Credit Facility and certain other indebtedness. 

As at March 4, 2016, our operating facility of $40 million with Royal Bank of Canada was undrawn except for $24 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 US$40 million with HSBC Canada had US$5 million available.

Debt 
As at December 31, 2015, we had a cash balance of $445 million and available capacity under our secured facilities of 
$754 million.

As at December 31, 2015, we had $2,207 million outstanding under our senior unsecured notes.

Amount

Availability

Used for

Maturity

Senior Credit Facility (secured)

US$550 million
(extendible, revolving term credit facility 
with US$250 million accordion feature)

Operating facilities (secured)

$40 million

Undrawn, except US$46 million in 
outstanding letters of credit

General corporate purposes

June 3, 2019

Undrawn, except $25 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$40 million

Senior notes (unsecured)

Undrawn, except US$25 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

38  Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Covenants

Senior Credit Facility
The Senior Credit Facility requires that we comply with certain financial covenants including a leverage ratio of 
consolidated senior debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization as defined in the agreement 
(Adjusted EBITDA) of less than 2.5:1. For purposes of calculating the leverage ratio, consolidated senior debt only 
includes secured indebtedness. Adjusted EBITDA as defined in our Senior Credit Facility agreement differs from 
Adjusted EBITDA as defined under Additional GAAP Measures by the exclusion of bad debt expense and certain 
foreign exchange amounts. As at December 31, 2015, our consolidated senior debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio was 
negative 0.55:1. 

Under the Senior Credit Facility, we are required to maintain an Adjusted EBITDA coverage ratio, calculated as Adjusted 
EBITDA to interest expense for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters, of greater than 2:1, which reverts to 2.5:1 
for periods ending after December 31, 2017 until the maturity date of the facility. As at December 31, 2015, our Adjusted 
EBITDA coverage ratio was 4.26:1.

In addition, the Senior 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, 2015, we were in compliance with the 
covenants of the Senior Credit Facility.

Senior Notes
The senior notes require that we comply with certain financial covenants including an Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in 
the note agreements) to interest coverage ratio of greater than 2:1 for the four most recent consecutive fiscal quarters. 
In the event that our Adjusted EBITDA to interest coverage ratio is less than 2:1 for the four most recent consecutive 
fiscal quarters, the senior notes restricts our ability to incur additional indebtedness. The senior notes contain a 
restricted payments covenant that limits our ability to make payments in the nature of dividends, distributions and 
repurchases from shareholders. This restricted payment basket grows by, among other things, 50% of consolidated net 
earnings, and decreases by 100% of consolidated net losses as defined in the note agreements, and payments made 
to shareholders. Based on our consolidated financial results for the period ended December 31, 2015, the restricted 
payments basket was negative $152 million, therefore prohibiting us from making any further dividend payments until the 
restricted payments basket once again becomes positive. As a result, we announced the suspension of our dividend on 
February 11, 2016.

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; 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, 2015, we were in compliance with the covenants of the senior notes.

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

39

 
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, 2015 
(thousands of dollars)

Long-term debt (1)
Interest on long-term debt (1)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (1)
Operating leases (1)(2)
Contractual incentive plans (3)(1)

Total

Less than  
1 year

–

137,647

118,095

19,003

18,189

292,934

Payments due (by period)

1-3 years

–

275,294

59,679

27,541

49,264

411,778

4-5 years

1,099,600

244,551

80,991

17,013

–

More than  
5 years

1,107,200

147,107

–

7,369

–

Total

2,206,800

804,599

258,765

70,926

67,453

1,442,155

1,261,676

3,408,543

(1)  U.S. dollar denominated balances are translated at the period end exchange rate of Cdn$1.00 equals US$0.7225.
(2)  The balance due within one year relates to the costs committed to complete the two rigs scheduled for delivery in Kuwait in early 2017. The remaining balance 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.

(3)  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 the five-day weighted average share price on the TSX of $5.57 at 
December 31, 2015.

CAPITAL STRUCTURE

Shares outstanding

Deferred shares outstanding

Share options outstanding

March 4,  
2016

December 31, 
2015

December 31, 
2014

December 31, 
2013

292,912,090

292,912,090

292,819,921

291,979,671

195,743

195,743

13,260,470

10,750,833

226,010

8,560,088

221,112

8,074,694

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.

Effective for the first quarter of 2016, we suspended the quarterly dividend. See Covenants – Senior Notes on page 39 
for more information.

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, 
2015

December 31, 
2014

December 31, 
2013

292,912,090

292,819,921

291,979,671

5.47

1,602,229

2,180,510

(536,815)

3,245,924

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

40  Management’s Discussion and Analysis

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. 

Our significant accounting policies are described 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 reviewed for impairment periodically 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 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 projecting 
cash flows and selecting 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 we 
believe the estimates are reasonable and consistent with current conditions, internal planning, and expected future 
operations, such estimations are subject to significant uncertainty and judgment. 

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

41

 
 
 
 
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.

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 expenses 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.

ACCOUNTING POLICIES ADOPTED JANUARY 1, 2015
There were no new accounting policies adopted by Precision with an initial application date of January 1, 2015.

ACCOUNTING POLICIES NOT YET ADOPTED

IFRS 9, Financial Instruments 
In November 2009, the International Accounting Standards Board (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. 

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, which 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. 

42  Management’s Discussion and Analysis

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 16, Leases 
In January 2016, the IASB issued IFRS 16 to replace the guidance currently found in IAS 17. The new standard requires 
lessees to recognize a lease liability reflecting future lease payments and a right of use asset for virtually all lease 
contracts. In addition, IFRS 16 has updated the definition of a lease and introduced new disclosure requirements. IFRS 
16 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019, with earlier application permitted in certain 
circumstances. We have yet to determine the impact this new standard will have on the financial statements.

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

43

 
Risks in our Business

Management’s 
Discussion and
Analysis

Our key business risks are summarized below. Additional information and other risks in business are discussed in our 
AIF, available 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 oilfield services business. 

Weather conditions, governmental regulation (in Canada and elsewhere), levels of consumer demand, the availability 
of pipeline capacity, U.S. and Canadian natural gas storage levels, and other factors beyond our control can also 
affect the supply of and demand for oil and natural gas and lead to future price volatility. A prolonged reduction in oil 
and natural gas prices would likely depress the level of exploration and production activity. This would likely result in a 
corresponding decline in the demand for our services and could have a material adverse effect on our revenue, cash 
flow and profitability.

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, and a significant decline in demand could have a material adverse effect on 
our financial condition.

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. 

44  Management’s Discussion and Analysis

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 activity depends at least 
in part, on the severity and duration of the winter season.

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. 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, which would have an adverse 
effect on our revenue, cash flow, earnings and asset valuation.

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

45

 
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.

Employees and Suppliers

Finding and Keeping Employees
Our future success and growth depends partly on the expertise and experience of our key management. There is no 
assurance that we will be able to retain key management. Losing these individuals could have a material adverse effect 
on our operations and financial condition.

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 if the industry adds more rigs, oilfield service companies expand, and new 
companies enter the business. 

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.

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 overseas. 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 an inventory of key 
components, materials, equipment and parts. We also place advance orders for components that have long lead times. 

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.

46  Management’s Discussion and Analysis

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. 

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, 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 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 subject of energy and the environment has created intense public debate around the world in recent years. Debate 
is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, and 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.

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

47

 
Financial 

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. 
Many of our customers require reasonable access to credit facilities and debt capital markets to finance their oil and 
gas drilling activity. If the availability of credit to our customers is reduced, they may reduce their drilling and production 
expenditures, 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. Any such reduction in spending by our 
customers could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition. 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 Senior 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 Senior Credit 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 Senior Credit 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 Senior Credit 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 may need to obtain additional debt or equity financing in the future to support ongoing operations, undertake capital 
expenditures, repay existing or future debt, or pursue acquisitions or other business combination transactions. Volatility 
or uncertainty in the credit markets may increase costs associated with issuing debt or equity, and there is no assurance 
that we will be able to access additional financing when we need it, or on terms we find acceptable or favourable. If 
we are unable to obtain financing to support ongoing operations or to fund capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt 
repayments, or other business combination transactions, it could limit growth and may have a material adverse effect on 
our revenue, cash flow and profitability.

We will need sufficient cash flows 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 Senior 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 Senior Credit 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.

48  Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Credit ratings affect our financing costs, liquidity and operations over the long term and are intended as an independent 
measure of the credit quality of long-term debt. Credit ratings affect our ability to obtain short and long-term financing 
and the cost of this financing, and our ability to engage in certain business activities cost-effectively. If a rating agency 
reduces its current rating on our debt, or downgrades us, or we experience a negative change in our ratings outlook, 
it could have an adverse effect on our financing costs and access to liquidity and capital.

We regularly assess our credit policies and capital structure, and have enough liquidity to meet our needs. See Financial 
Condition – Liquidity on page 35 for information.

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 can 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 do not 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 from our 
U.S. and 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. and foreign 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, and we maintain U.S. dollar cash in our Canadian operations. 

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

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

49

 
 
 
International Operations
We conduct some of our business in Mexico and the Middle East. Our growth plans contemplate establishing operations 
in other international regions, 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.

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.

50  Management’s Discussion and Analysis

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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, 2015, 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, 2015 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, 2015, 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.

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 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, 2015 and December 31, 2014. 

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 of, 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, 2015. 
Also management determined that there were no material weaknesses in the Corporation’s internal control over financial 
reporting as of December 31, 2015.

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, 2015, as stated in its report included in this Annual Report, and expressed an unqualified opinion on the design 
and effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015. 

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 4, 2016 

March 4, 2016

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, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the 
consolidated statements of earnings (loss), comprehensive income (loss), 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, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 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, 2015, 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 4, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control 
over financial reporting.

Chartered Professional Accountants

March 4, 2016 
Calgary, Canada

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 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, 2015, 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, 2015, 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, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and the related consolidated statements of earnings (loss), comprehensive 
income (loss) , changes in equity and cash flow for the years then ended, and our report dated March 4, 2016 expressed an 
unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

Chartered Professional Accountants

March 4, 2016 
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,
2015

December 31,
2014

$

444,759

$

311,595

–

24,245

780,599

491,481

598,063

55,138

9,170

1,153,852

2,917

3,297

3,883,332

3,928,826

3,363

208,479

3,302

219,719

4,098,091

4,155,144

$

4,878,690

$

5,308,996

(Note 22)

(Note 23)

(Note 4)

(Note 5)

(Note 6)

  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

(Note 22)

$

235,948

$

493,038

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 (deficit)

  Accumulated other comprehensive income

(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)

7,836

243,784

15,201

14,520

2,180,510

303,466

2,513,697

7,184

500,222

14,252

14,837

1,852,186

486,133

2,367,408

(Note 12)

2,316,321

2,315,539

35,800

(397,013)

166,101

31,109

48,426

46,292

2,121,209

2,441,366

$

4,878,690

$

5,308,996

Allen R. Hagerman 
Director 

Robert L. Phillips 
Director

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

55

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss)

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

Revenue

Expenses:

  Operating

  General and administrative

  Restructuring

Earnings before income taxes, finance charges, foreign  

 exchange, impairment of goodwill, impairment of property, 

plant and equipment, loss on asset decommissioning and 

depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization

Loss on asset decommissioning

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

Operating earnings (loss)

Impairment of goodwill

Foreign exchange

Finances charges

Earnings (loss) before tax 

Income taxes:

  Current

  Deferred

Net earnings (loss)

Earnings per share:

  Basic

  Diluted

(Note 22)

(Note 22)

(Note 4)

(Note 4)

(Note 14)

(Note 11)

(Note 18)

2015

2014

$

1,555,624

$

2,350,538

924,340

136,776

20,643

1,405,827

144,341

–

473,865

486,655

166,486

281,987

(461,263)

17,117

(33,251)

121,043

(566,172)

11,276

(214,012)

(202,736)

(363,436)

(1.24)

(1.24)

$

$

$

$

$

$

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

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

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

Net earnings (loss)

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 (loss)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

56 

Consolidated Financial Statements

2015

2014

$

(363,436)

$

33,152

444,464

171,092

(324,655)

(101,325)

$

(243,627)

$

102,919

 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow 

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

Cash provided by (used in):

Operations:

  Net earnings (loss)

  Adjustments for:

  Long-term compensation plans

  Depreciation and amortization

  Loss on asset decommissioning

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

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

Income taxes recovered

  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

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.

2015

2014

$

(363,436)

$

33,152

15,594

486,655

166,486

281,987

17,117

(36,994)

121,043

(202,736)

(4,408)

(13,560)

1,770

(130,325)

17,897

357,090

159,926

517,016

(458,710)

9,786

55,138

(147,316)

(541,102)

–

(2,134)

(82,003)

–

93

(84,044)

61,408

(46,722)

491,481

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

–

124,877

(629,987)

(30,670)

(10,166)

(73,142)

436,600

7,082

329,704

30,999

410,875

80,606

$

444,759

$

491,481

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

57

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity 

(Stated in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Shareholders’ 
capital
(Note 12)

Contributed 
surplus

Accumulated 
other 
comprehensive 
income 
(Note 13)

Retained 
earnings 
(deficit)

Total equity

Balance at January 1, 2015

$ 2,315,539

$

31,109

$

46,292

$

48,426

$ 2,441,366 

Net loss for the period

Other comprehensive income for  

the period

Dividends

Share options exercised

(Note 12)

Shares issued on redemption of  
non-management directors’ DSUs

Share based compensation expense

(Note 8)

–

–

–

142

640

–

–

–

–

(49)

(324)

5,064

–

(363,436)

(363,436)

119,809

–

–

–

–

–

(82,003)

–

–

–

119,809

(82,003)

93

316

5,064

Balance at December 31, 2015

$ 2,316,321

$

35,800

$

166,101

$ (397,013)

$ 2,121,209

(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 

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
The 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 4, 2016.

(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 and 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  2015 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: 

  – 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 to the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment, and are recognized in the consolidated statements 
of earnings (loss). 

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

(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 they increase the future economic benefits of the specific asset to which 
they relate.

60 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Amortization is recognized in profit and loss using the straight-line method 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 (CGU) 
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. 

(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). 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. 

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

61

 
In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using an 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.

(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.

62 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(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. 

(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.

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

63

 
(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.

(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.

64 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(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 reviewed for impairment 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.

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. 

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

65

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

(i) IFRS 9, Financial Instruments 
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 which 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 permitted. The Corporation does not expect that the implementation of IFRS 15 will have a material effect 
on the financial statements.

(iii) IFRS 16, Leases
In January 2016, the IASB issued IFRS 16 to replace the guidance currently found in IAS 17. The new standard requires 
lessees to recognize a lease liability reflecting future lease payments and a right of use asset for virtually all lease contracts. 
In addition IFRS 16 has updated the definition of a lease and introduced new disclosure requirements. IFRS 16 is effective 
for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019, with earlier application permitted in certain circumstances. The 
Corporation has yet to determine the impact this new standard will have on the financial statements.

NOTE 4. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 

2015

2014

$

$

$

6,949,846 

(3,066,514)

3,883,332 

3,279,188

$

$

$

97,000

97,346

24,840

90,419

258,952

35,587

5,898,980

(1,970,154)

3,928,826 

3,182,090

104,492

97,887

24,682

89,539

397,556

32,580

$

3,883,332 

$

3,928,826 

Cost

Accumulated depreciation

Rig equipment

Rental equipment

Other equipment

Vehicles

Buildings

Assets under construction

Land

66 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Cost

Balance,  
  December 31, 2013

  Additions

  Disposals

  Effect of foreign  

 currency exchange 
differences

Balance,  
  December 31, 2014

  Additions

  Disposals

Rig 
Equipment

Rental
Equipment

Other 
Equipment

Vehicles

Buildings

Assets 
Under 
Construction

Land

Total

  $  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

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

  Asset decommissioning    

(637,486)    

–    

–    

–    

309,670    

104    

1,451    

204    

3,363    

143,918    

(61,506)    

(8,143)    

(3,049)    

(2,881)    

(90)    

–    

–    

–    

–    

–    

458,710

(75,669)

–    

(637,486)

  Reclassifications

298,930    

747    

12,426    

2,738    

(1,154)    

(313,687)    

–    

–

  Effect of foreign  

 currency exchange 
differences

Balance,  
  December 31, 2015

    1,243,242    

4,154    

11,337    

3,634    

8,772    

31,165    

3,007     1,305,311

  $ 6,069,179   $  171,220   $  240,192   $ 

43,552   $  131,164    $  258,952   $ 

35,587   $ 6,949,846

Accumulated Depreciation

Rig 
Equipment

Rental
Equipment

Other 
Equipment

Vehicles

Buildings

Assets 
Under 
Construction

Land

Total

Balance,  
  December 31, 2013

  $  1,478,237   $ 

61,492   $  106,724   $ 

26,618   $ 

25,458   $ 

–    $ 

–    $  1,698,529

  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    

85,393    

450    

1,444    

454    

432    

    1,734,239    

69,866    

120,140    

15,175     

30,734    

  Depreciation expense

440,548    

10,272    

21,755    

4,984    

8,497    

  Disposals

(53,271)    

(7,533)    

(2,988)    

(2,635)    

(61)    

  Asset decommissioning    

(471,000)    

281,720    

(12)    

–    

197    

27    

–    

70    

(8)    

–    

–    

31    

–    

–    

(38)    

  Reclassifications

  Effect of foreign  

 currency exchange 
differences

Balance,  
  December 31, 2014

Impairment loss

  Reclassifications

  Effect of foreign  

 currency exchange 
differences

Balance,  
  December 31, 2015

–    

–    

–    

–    

–    

–     

–    

–    

–    

–    

–    

–    

–    

431,455

(87,803)

–    

(160,200)

–    

–

–    

88,173

–     1,970,154

–    

–    

486,056

(66,488)

–    

(471,000)

–    

–    

281,987

–

857,767    

1,391    

3,877    

1,157    

1,613    

–    

–    

865,805

  $ 2,789,991   $ 

74,220   $  142,846   $ 

18,712   $ 

40,745   $ 

–    $ 

–   $ 3,066,514

In 2015, the Corporation incurred a $166.5 million (2014 – $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 $165.1 million (2014 – $97.9 million) to the Contract Drilling Services segment and 
$1.4 million (2014 – $28.8 million) to the Completion and Production Services segment. 

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

67

 
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
 
   
   
 
 
   
Impairment Test
Precision reviews the carrying value of its long-lived assets at each reporting period for indicators of impairment. During the 
period ended September 30, 2015 the Corporation determined that low commodity prices and the associated impact on current 
and future business and industry activity levels was an indicator of impairment and performed a comprehensive assessment 
of the carrying values of property, plant and equipment for the directional drilling, well servicing, camp and catering, oilfield 
equipment rental, wastewater treatment and U.S. completion and production CGUs.

The recoverable amount of each CGU was determined using a value in use calculation based on five-year cash flow projections. 
The cash flow projections were based on future expected outcomes taking into account existing term contracts, past experience 
and management’s expectation of future market conditions with no terminal value growth rate. Cash flow information was 
derived primarily from strategic plans approved by management, which were developed based on benchmark commodity 
prices and industry supply-demand fundamentals.

Cash flows used in the calculation were discounted using a discount rate specific to each CGU. Discount rates are derived from 
Precision’s weighted average cost of capital, adjusted for risk factors specific to each CGU. The after-tax discount rates used in 
determining the recoverable amount for the CGUs ranged from 12.9% to 14.4%.

As a result of the impairment test completed as at September 30, 2015, Precision recorded a property, plant and equipment 
impairment charge related to its well servicing and U.S. completion and production CGUs of $72.8 million, and $7.0 million 
respectively. These CGUs are all part of the Completion and Production Services segment.

Due to continued weakness in commodity prices and the associated decline in industry activity levels during the period 
ended December 31, 2015, the Corporation performed a comprehensive assessment of the carrying values all CGUs. The 
recoverable amount of each CGU was determined using a methodology consistent with the September 30, 2015 calculation 
with updated assumptions.

Cash flows used in the calculation were discounted using discount rates derived from Precision’s weighted average cost of 
capital, adjusted for risk factors specific to each CGU. The after-tax discount rates used in determining the recoverable amount 
for the CGUs ranged from 11.7% to 14.2%.

As a result of the impairment test completed as at December 31, 2015, Precision recorded a property, plant and equipment 
impairment charge related to its U.S. drilling, international drilling, and Mexico drilling CGUs of $99.8 million, $66.9 million and 
$35.8 million respectively. These CGUs are all part of the Contract Drilling Services segment. The calculation of the recoverable 
amount is sensitive to the discount rate and cash flow projections. A 0.5% increase in the discount rate for U.S. drilling, 
international drilling and Mexico drilling CGUs would result in an additional impairment charge of approximately $99 million. In 
addition, a 10% decrease in the annual cash flow projections within U.S. drilling, international drilling, and Mexico drilling CGUs 
would result in an additional impairment charge of approximately $83 million. 

In prior years, property, plant and equipment related to the Mexico operations were aggregated into the international CGU. 
During the period ended December 31, 2015, these assets began to be managed and operated independently of the other 
international drilling operations and have been treated as a standalone CGU for purposes of the 2015 recoverability calculation.

68 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

NOTE 5. INTANGIBLES 

Cost

Accumulated amortization

Loan commitment fees related to Senior Credit Facility

Cost

2015

11,131 

(7,768)

3,363 

3,363

$

$

$

$

$

$

Customer 
Relationships

Patents and
Brands

Loan 
 Commitment 
Fees

 2014

8,997 

(5,695)

3,302

3,302

Total

Balance, December 31, 2013

$

3,525 

$

53

$

8,643

$

12,221 

  Additions

  Effect of foreign currency exchange differences

  Removal of fully amortized assets

Balance, December 31, 2014

  Additions

Balance, December 31, 2015

$

Accumulated Amortization

–

47

(3,572)

– 

–

– 

$

–

–

(53)

– 

–

– 

354

–

–

8,997

2,134

354

47

(3,625)

8,997 

2,134

$

11,131 

$

11,131 

Balance, December 31, 2013

  Amortization expense

  Effect of foreign currency exchange differences

  Removal of fully amortized assets

Balance, December 31, 2014

  Amortization expense

Balance, December 31, 2015

Customer 
Relationships

Patents and
Brands

$

2,909 

$

619

44

(3,572)

– 

–

– 

$

$

37 

16

–

(53)

– 

–

– 

Loan 
Commitment  
Fees

$

5,358 

$

337

–

–

5,695 

2,073

$

7,768 

$

Total

8,304 

972

44

(3,625)

5,695 

2,073

7,768 

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

69

 
NOTE 6. GOODWILL 

Balance, December 31, 2013

Impairment charge

  Exchange adjustment

Balance, December 31, 2014

Impairment charge

  Exchange adjustment

Balance, December 31, 2015

$

312,356 

(95,170)

2,533

219,719 

(17,117)

5,877

$

208,479 

During the period ended September 30, 2015 the Corporation determined the low commodity prices and the associated impact 
on current and future business and industry levels was an indicator of impairment. Accordingly, Precision determined that the 
carrying value of the goodwill allocated to the oilfield equipment rental CGU exceeded its recoverable amount and recognized 
impairment loss of $17.0 million for the period ended September 30, 2015. The impairment charge resulted in the entire goodwill 
balance of the CGU being written off. The oilfield equipment rental CGU is 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. 

Key assumptions used in the calculation of value in use for the oilfield equipment rental CGU included a discount rate of 
13.4%, terminal value growth rate of nil and no projected annual cash flow growth over the next five years. Projected cash flow 
was based on future expected outcomes taking into account existing term contracts, past experience, and management’s 
expectation of future market conditions. Cash flow information was derived primarily from strategic plans approved by 
management, which were developed based on benchmark commodity prices and industry supply-demand fundamentals.

Of the remaining carrying value of goodwill, $172.3 million is associated with the Canada contract drilling CGU. The Corporation 
performed its annual goodwill impairment test at December 31, 2015 for this CGU, and determined that no impairment was 
required. The key assumptions used in the calculation of value in use included a discount rate of 11.7% (2014 – 10.5%), terminal 
value growth rate of nil and no projected annual cash flow growth over the next five years. Projected cash flow was based 
on future expected outcomes taking into account existing term contracts, past experience, and management’s expectation 
of future market conditions. Cash flow information was derived primarily from strategic plans approved by management, 
which were developed based on benchmark commodity prices and industry supply-demand fundamentals. A discount 
rate higher than 13.5% would have resulted in an impairment of goodwill for this CGU, with each 0.5% increase resulting 
in approximately $55 million of additional impairment charges. In addition, the U.S. directional drilling CGU had a goodwill 
balance of $36.1 million at December 31, 2015. The Corporation performed its annual goodwill impairment test at December 
31, 2015 for this CGU, and determined that no impairment was required. The key assumptions used in the calculation of value 
in use included a discount rate of 13.24% (2014 – 14.0%) and nil terminal value growth rate. Projected cash flow was based 
on future expected outcomes taking into account past experience and management’s expectation of future market conditions. 
Cash flow information was derived primarily from strategic plans approved by management, which were developed based on 
benchmark commodity prices and industry supply-demand fundamentals. A discount rate higher than 15.32% would have 
resulted in an impairment of goodwill for this CGU, with each 0.5% increase resulting in approximately $1.8 million of additional 
impairment charges.

NOTE 7. BANK INDEBTEDNESS 

At December 31, 2015, Precision had available $40.0 million (2014 – $40.0 million) and US$15.0 million (2014 – US$15.0 million) 
under secured operating facilities, and a secured US$40.0 million (2014 – 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, 2015 and 2014, no amounts 
had been drawn on any of the facilities. Availability of the $40.0 million and US$40.0 million facility were reduced by outstanding 
letters of credit in the amount of $24.8 million (2014 – $20.5 million) and US$24.6 million (2014 – US$8.1 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$40.0 million facilities at the bank’s prime lending rate. 

70 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
 
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, 2013

$ 

13,538 

$ 

12,962 

$ 

246 

$ 

1,854 

$ 

28,600

Expensed (recovered) during the period

Payments

Balance, December 31, 2014

Expensed (recovered) during the period

Payments and redemptions

Balance, December 31, 2015

Current

Long-term

7,618

(10,572)

10,584 

6,825

(6,950)

10,459 

6,638 

3,821

$ 

$ 

5,220

(4,413)

13,769

11,648

(5,793)

19,624

10,627

8,997

$ 

$ 

$ 

10,459 

$ 

19,624

(95)

(70)

81 

(75)

–

6

6

–

6

135

–

1,989

709

(315)

2,383

–

2,383

$ 

$ 

12,878

(15,055)

 26,423 

19,107

(13,058)

32,472

17,271

15,201

$ 

$ 

$ 

2,383

$ 

32,472

$ 

$ 

$ 

(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, 2013

  Granted

Issued as a result of cash dividends

  Redeemed

  Forfeitures

December 31, 2014

  Granted

Issued as a result of cash dividends

  Redeemed

  Forfeitures

December 31, 2015

RSUs 
Outstanding

PSUs 
Outstanding

2,113,495

1,387,293

52,369

(1,016,242)

(290,219)

2,246,696

2,151,100

132,233

(1,128,011)

(505,200)

2,437,928

1,704,188

76,994

(439,256)

(329,821)

3,450,033

2,639,400

218,339

(905,355)

(503,962)

2,896,818

4,898,455

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(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, 2015 and 2014 the intrinsic value of these awards was $nil.

Share Appreciation Rights

December 31, 2013

Exercised

Forfeited

December 31, 2014

Forfeited

December 31, 2015

Range of Exercise Prices (US$):

 $  15.22 – 15.99

16.00 – 17.38

 $  15.22 – 17.38

Outstanding

Range of  
Exercise Price 
(US$)

Weighted  
Average Exercise 
Price (US$)

588,162

$    9.26 – 17.38

(31,506)

(112,915)

9.26 –   9.26

9.26 – 17.38

443,741

13.26 – 17.38

(100,609)

13.26 – 13.26

343,132

$  15.22 – 17.38

$  14.71

9.26

13.85

$  15.32

13.26

$  15.93

Exercisable

588,162

443,741

343,132

Total SARs Outstanding and Exercisable

Weighted  
Average Exercise  
Price (US$)

$          15.47

17.38

$          15.93

Weighted Average 
Remaining 
Contractual Life 
(Years)

1.71

0.13

1.33

Number

261,064

82,068

343,132

(c) Non-Management Directors 
Effective January 1, 2012, Precision instituted a new deferred share unit (DSU) plan for non-management directors whereby fully 
vested DSUs are granted quarterly based on an election by the non-management director to receive all or a portion of his or 
her compensation in DSUs. These DSUs are redeemable in cash or for an equal number of common shares upon the director’s 
retirement. The redemption of DSUs 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 DSUs 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, 2013

  Granted

Issued as a result of cash dividends

December 31, 2014

  Granted

Issued as a result of cash dividends

  Redeemed

December 31, 2015

72 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Outstanding

188,575

85,183

4,829

278,587

173,115

13,602

(37,276)

428,028

 
 
Equity Settled Plans

(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, 2013

Issued as a result of cash dividends

December 31, 2014

Issued as a result of cash dividends

  Redeemed

December 31, 2015

Outstanding

221,112

4,898

226,010

8,626

(38,393)

195,743

(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, 12,650,339 options have been granted. Under this plan, the 
exercise price of each option equals the fair market value 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.

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

Canadian share options

December 31, 2013

  Granted

  Exercised

  Forfeitures

December 31, 2014

  Granted

  Exercised

  Forfeitures

Options 
Outstanding

Range of 
Exercise Prices

4,900,886

$

5.22 – 14.50

$

881,700

(530,738)

(97,534)

5,154,314

1,447,400

(16,000)

(417,118)

10.15 – 14.31

5.85 – 11.16

5.85 – 10.67

5.22 – 14.50

7.32 –   7.32

5.85 –   5.85

5.85 – 14.50

December 31, 2015

6,168,596

$

5.22 – 14.50

$

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise Price

9.14

10.24

8.07

9.62

9.43

7.32

5.85

9.56

8.93

U.S. share options

December 31, 2013

  Granted

  Exercised

  Forfeitures

December 31, 2014

  Granted

  Forfeitures

December 31, 2015

Options 
Outstanding

Range of 
Exercise Prices 
(US$)

3,173,808

$

4.95 – 15.21

$

827,300

(309,512)

(285,822)

3,405,774

1,344,900

(168,437)

9.18 –   9.18

4.95 – 10.96

4.95 – 14.58

4.95 – 15.21

5.79 –   5.79

4.95 – 15.21

4,582,237

$

4.95 – 15.21

$

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise Price
(US$)

9.32

9.18

8.26

9.77

9.35

5.79

9.37

8.30

Options 
Exercisable

2,676,865

3,185,500

3,870,673

Options 
Exercisable

1,438,335

1,795,639

2,468,185

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

73

 
 
 
The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share options exercised in 2015 was $8.49 (2014 – $12.98) for the 
Canadian share options and US$nil (2014 – US$12.07) for the U.S. share options.

The range of exercise prices for options outstanding at December 31, 2015 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

468,102

2,188,675

1,038,684

2,473,135

Weighted  
Average  
Exercise Price

$                5.85

7.76

9.02

10.52

6,168,596

$                8.93

Weighted Average 
Remaining 
Contractual Life 
(Years)

0.35

4.37

4.12

3.43

3.64

Number

468,102

772,007

689,770

1,940,794

Weighted  
Average  
Exercise Price

$                5.85 

8.56

9.02

10.59

3,870,673

$                9.33

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

1,433,268

$                5.74 

1,315,228

738,800

1,094,941

8.56

9.18

10.77

4,582,237

$                8.30

5.76

3.14

5.10

2.66

4.16

Weighted  
Average  
Exercise Price
(US$)

Number

88,368

$                4.95

1,033,614

251,262

1,094,941

8.44

9.18

10.77

2,468,185

$                9.42

The per option weighted average fair value of the share options granted during 2015 was $1.60 (2014 – $3.17) estimated on 
the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: average risk-free interest rate 
of 1% (2014 – 1%), average expected life of four years (2014 – four years), expected forfeiture rate of 5% (2014 – 5%) and 
expected volatility of 44% (2014 – 46%). Included in net earnings (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2015 is an expense 
of $5.1 million (2014 – $5.2 million).

Employee Share Purchase Plan
The Corporation has 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 2015, the Corporation recorded compensation 
expense of $0.8 million (2014 – $0.5 million).

74 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 9. PROVISIONS AND OTHER

Balance December 31, 2013

Expensed during the year

Payment of deductibles and uninsured claims

Effects of foreign currency exchange differences

Balance December 31, 2014

Expensed during the year

Payment of deductibles and uninsured claims

Effects of foreign currency exchange differences

Balance December 31, 2015

Current

Long-term

Workers’ 
Compensation

$

24,186

5,215

(11,272)

1,852

19,981

4,983

(10,014)

3,879

$

18,829 

December 31, 
2015

December 31, 
2014

$

$

4,309 

14,520

18,829 

$

$

5,144 

14,837

19,981 

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. 

NOTE 10. LONG-TERM DEBT 

Senior 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

2015

$

–

$

899,600

553,600

553,600

200,000

2014

–

754,065

464,040

464,040

200,000

2,206,800

1,882,145

(26,290)

(29,959)

$

2,180,510

$

1,852,186

(a) Senior Credit Facility
The senior secured revolving credit facility (as amended, the Senior Credit Facility) provides Precision with senior secured 
financing for general corporate purposes, including for acquisitions, of up to US$550.0 million with a provision for an increase 
in the facility of up to an additional US$250.0 million. The Senior 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 Senior Credit Facility, on certain assets of certain subsidiaries organized in 
a jurisdiction outside of Canada or the U.S. 

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

75

 
On March 27, 2015, we amended certain financial covenants under the credit agreement governing our Senior Credit Facility to, 
among other things, temporarily increase the maximum consolidated total debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio (as defined in the debt 
agreement) to 6:1 from 4:1 and temporarily reduce the minimum interest coverage ratio to 2.5:1 from 2.75:1, in each case until 
December 31, 2016. 

On October 27, 2015, we further amended the credit agreement, whereby we reduced the size of the Senior Credit Facility 
to US$550.0 million from US$650.0 million and eliminated the consolidated total debt to adjusted EBITDA financial covenant 
ratio in its entirety. We further decreased the minimum interest coverage ratio to 2:1 from 2.5:1 for a temporary period up to 
and including December 31, 2017, which will revert to 2.5:1 thereafter until the maturity date of the facility. We also reduced 
the maximum consolidated senior debt to adjusted EBITDA financial covenant ratio to 2.5:1 from 3:1 and added a new debt 
covenant whereby we agreed not incur or assume more than US$250.0 million in new unsecured debt other than where the new 
unsecured debt is used to refinance existing unsecured debt or the new debt is assumed through an acquisition.

In addition, 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, 2015, Precision was in compliance with the 
covenants of the Senior Credit Facility.

The Senior 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 Senior Credit Facility is June 3, 2019. 

Under the Senior Credit Facility, amounts can be drawn in U.S. dollars and/or Canadian dollars and, as at December 31, 2015 
and 2014 no amounts were drawn under this facility. Up to US$200.0 million of the Senior Credit Facility is available for letters 
of credit denominated in U.S and/or Canadian dollars and as at December 31, 2015 outstanding letters of credit amounted to 
US$46.4 million (2014 – US$25.6 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. 

(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 Senior 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. 

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.

76 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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 senior 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. 

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.

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 Senior 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.

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

77

 
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 Senior 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 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.

All issues of our senior notes require that we comply with certain financial covenants including an Adjusted EBITDA (as defined 
in the note agreements) to interest coverage ratio of greater than 2:1 for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters. In the 
event that this ratio is less than 2:1 for the most recent consecutive fiscal quarters, the senior notes restrict our ability to incur 
additional indebtedness. The senior notes also contain a restricted payments covenant that limits our ability to make payments 
in the nature of dividends, distributions and repurchases from shareholders (restricted payments basket). The restricted 
payment basket grows by, among other things, 50% of consolidated net earnings, and decreases by 100% of consolidated net 
losses (as defined in the note) and payments made to shareholders. As at December 31, 2015, the restricted payments basket 
was negative $152 million, therefore prohibiting us from making any further dividend payments until the restricted payments 
basket once again becomes positive. No dividends have been paid subsequent to December 31, 2015.

At December 31, 2015, Precision was in compliance with the covenants of the senior notes.

Long-term debt obligations at December 31, 2015 will mature as follows:

2019

2020

Thereafter

$

200,000

899,600

1,107,200

$

2,206,800

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, 2015

Parent

Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Consolidating 
Adjustments

Total

$

330,758 

$

43,039 

$

70,962 

$

–

3

$

444,759 

335,840

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

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

3,993

1,537,538

4,888,294

2,917

88,238

3,363

–

6,855,101

43,149 

2,957,753

2,180,510

217,188

5,398,600

1,456,500

$

$

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

$

$

–

–

–

–

228,333

2,943,153

61

–

103,511

71,689

–

–

3,343,623

451,294

(4,552,380)

(4,888,355)

–

177

–

–

$

$

–

208,479

6,766,688 

135,613 

1,460,838

–

116,925

1,713,376

5,053,312

$

$

$

$

697,456

$

(9,440,555) 

65,022

$

–

133,789

(4,552,380)

–

(926)

197,885

499,572

–

–

(4,552,380)

(4,888,175)

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)

–

–

2,917

3,883,332

3,363

208,479

4,878,690 

243,784 

–

2,180,510

333,187

2,757,481

2,121,209

–

–

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

$

6,855,100

$

6,766,688

$

697,457 

$

(9,440,555) 

$

4,878,690 

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

Parent

Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Consolidating 
Adjustments

Total

$

337,848

$

97,980

$

55,653

$

–

3

$

491,481

662,371

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

6,798,973

$

6,845,988

$

683,960

$

(9,019,925)

$

5,308,996

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

79

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Earnings (Loss) for the Year ended December 31, 2015

Revenue

Operating expense

General and administrative expense

Restructuring

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

Depreciation and amortization

Loss on asset decommissioning

Impairment of property, plant and  
  equipment

Operating loss

Impairment of goodwill

Foreign exchange

Finance charges

Equity in loss of subsidiaries

Loss before tax

Income taxes

Net loss

$

Parent

118 

118

22,395

6,100

Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Consolidating 
Adjustments

Total

$

1,358,162 

$

226,128 

$

(28,784) 

$

1,555,624 

792,590

104,051

14,543

160,416

10,330

–

(28,784)

–

–

924,340

136,776

20,643

(28,495)

14,360

–

–

(42,855)

–

(34,836)

137,093

264,257

(409,369)

(46,123)

446,978

425,518

166,264

215,048

(359,852)

17,117

1,549

(2,213)

–

(376,305)

(165,375)

55,382

46,586

222

66,939

(58,365)

–

36

(13,837)

–

(44,564)

8,762

–

191

–

–

(191)

–

–

–

(264,257)

264,066

–

473,865

486,655

166,486

281,987

(461,263)

17,117

(33,251)

121,043

–

(566,172)

(202,736)

$

(363,246) 

$

(210,930) 

$

(53,326) 

$

264,066 

$

(363,436) 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Earnings 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 before tax

Income taxes

Net earnings

$

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

$

98,378

$

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

80 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
 
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Year ended December 31, 2015

Net loss

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Comprehensive income (loss)

Parent

(363,246) 

(324,655)

(687,901) 

$

$

Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Consolidating 
Adjustments

$

$

(210,930) 

361,512

150,584 

$

$

(53,326)

82,439

29,110 

$

$

264,066 

513

264,580 

$

$

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) 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)

$

$

Total

(363,436) 

119,809

(243,627) 

Total

33,152

69,767

102,919

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flow for the Year ended December 31, 2015

Parent

Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Consolidating 
Adjustments

Total

$

(217,212) 

$

694,956 

$

39,272 

$

–

$

517,016 

256,781

(84,044)

(520,175)

(244,775)

(15,297)

(17,636)

(262,411)

262,411

37,835

15,053

8,970

(7,090)

(54,941)

15,309

337,848

97,980

55,653

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

$

330,758

$

43,039

$

70,962

$

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

Parent

Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

Consolidating 
Adjustments

Total

$

(142,565) 

$

815,939

$

6,785

$

–

$

680,159

101,403

329,704

(478,613)

(267,482)

(139,018)

153,723

(113,759)

113,759

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

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

22,146

5,097

3,756

310,688

74,941

25,246

27,160

23,039

30,407

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

$

337,848

$

97,980

$

55,653

$

(541,102)

(84,044)

61,408

(46,722)

491,481

$

444,759

(629,987)

329,704

30,999

410,875

80,606

$

491,481

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 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 (loss) 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

Increase in deferred tax balances due to enacted tax rate increases

2015

(566,172)

26%

(147,205)

$

$

$

$

7,193

(206)

(40,166)

(39,170)

3,303

560

399

12,556

2014

21,077

25%

5,269

26,829

(1,123)

(33,356)

(12,695)

3,932

(3,980)

3,049

–

Income tax recovery

$

(202,736)

$

(12,075)

Effective July 1, 2015 the Alberta corporate income tax rate increased from 10% to 12% resulting in an increase in the Federal 
and provincial statutory rate to 26% in 2015 (2014 – 25%). 

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

$

637,106 

$

730,742 

2015

2014

  Partnership deferrals

  Debt issue costs

  Other

Deferred income tax assets:

  Losses (expire from time to time up to 2035)

  Long-term incentive plan

  Other

Net deferred income tax liability

12,604

5,802

4,668

55,848

4,905

1,921

660,180

793,416

335,966

12,477

8,271

284,776

13,939

8,568

$

303,466 

$

486,133

Included in the net deferred tax liability is $101.6 million (2014 – $235.8 million) of tax-effected temporary differences related to 
the Corporation’s U.S. operations. 

Deferred tax assets are recognized only to the extent that it is probable that the assets can be recovered. At December 31, 2015, 
the Corporation had $16.0 million (2014 – $9.8 million) of deferred tax assets, primarily related to international operations, that 
were not recognized. These temporary differences that give rise to the deferred tax assets begin to expire in 2016.

82 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
 
 
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, 2013

$  749,760

$  34,938

$ 

6,569

$ (285,438)

$ 

2,966

$  (14,800)

$ 

(6,648)

$  487,347

Recognized in net earnings

(65,223)

20,910

(4,626)

24,655

1,939

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

Recognized in net loss

   (181,734)

(43,244)

2,788

2,973

897

3,310

998

   (214,012)

Effect of foreign currency  
  exchange differences

88,098

–

(41)

(54,163)

–

(1,848)

(701)

31,345

Balance, December 31, 2015 $ 637,106

$  12,604 

$ 

4,668 

$ (335,966)

$ 

5,802

$  (12,477)

$ 

(8,271)

$ 303,466

On December 31, 2015, Precision had $19.6 million (2014 – $32.7 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, 2015 was interest and penalties of $8.3 million (2014 – $11.4 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

2015

2014

$

32,700

$

30,930

850

2,492

(13,932)

(722)

$

19,618

$

32,700

It is anticipated that approximately $nil (2014 – $8.0 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.

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, 2013

  Options exercised  – cash consideration 

– reclassification from contributed surplus 

Balance, December 31, 2014

  Options exercised  – cash consideration 

– reclassification from contributed surplus 

Issued on redemption of non-management directors’ DSUs

Number

Amount

291,979,671

$

2,305,227

840,250

–

7,082

3,230

292,819,921

$

2,315,539

16,000

–

76,169

93

49

640

Balance, December 31, 2015

292,912,090

$

2,316,321

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

83

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
(c) Dividends
During 2015, the Corporation approved and paid dividends of $0.28 per common share (2014 – $0.25) for total payments of 
$82 million (2014 – $73 million). On February 11, 2016, Precision announced the suspension of its dividend.

NOTE 13. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

December 31, 2013

Other comprehensive income

December 31, 2014

Other comprehensive income

December 31, 2015

NOTE 14. FINANCE CHARGES

Interest:

  Long-term debt

  Other

Income

Amortization of debt issue costs

Finance charges

Unrealized 
Foreign Currency 
Translation Gains

Foreign Exchange 
Loss on Net 
Investment Hedge 

Accumulated 
Other 
Comprehensive 
Income (Loss)

$

48,330 

$

(71,805)

$

(23,475)

171,092

219,422 

444,464

(101,325)

(173,130) 

(324,655)

69,767

46,292 

119,809

$

663,886 

$

(497,785)

$

166,101

2015

2014

$

132,526

$

106,837

635

(17,861)

5,743

368

(987)

3,483

$

121,043

$

109,701

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 2015 was $12.8 million (2014 – $15.1 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

Termination benefits

$

$

2015

7,926

2,963

4,287

2,021

2014

9,193

3,241

3,235

–

$

17,197

$

15,669

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

2015

2014

19,003

$

19,143 

44,554

7,369

70,926 

$

44,913

11,005

75,061

$

$

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 statements of 
earnings (loss):

Operating leases

Sub-lease recoveries

2015

21,440

(687)

20,753 

$

$

2014

21,516 

(870)

20,646

$

$

Capital Commitments
At December 31, 2015, the Corporation had commitments to purchase property, plant and equipment totalling $261.8 million 
(2014 – $418.3 million). Payments of $121.1 million for these commitments are expected to be made in 2016, $59.7 million in 
2018, and $81.0 million in 2019.

NOTE 18. PER SHARE AMOUNTS 

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

Net earnings (loss) – basic and diluted

(Stated in thousands)

Weighted average shares outstanding – basic

Effect of stock options and other equity compensation plans

Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted

2015

2014

$

(363,436)

$

33,152

2015

292,878

–

292,878

2014

292,533

1,271

293,804

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 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.

(260,064)

(103,107)

Depreciation and amortization

Loss on asset decommissioning

439,261

165,109

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

202,414

32,396

1,377

79,573

(98,092)

14,998

–

–

2015

Revenue

Operating loss

Total assets

Goodwill

Capital expenditures

2014

Revenue

Operating earnings (loss)

Depreciation and amortization

Loss on asset decommissioning

Total assets

Goodwill

Capital expenditures

Contract 
Drilling 
Services

Completion 
and 
Production 
Services

Corporate 
and Other

Inter-
Segment 
Eliminations

Total

$

1,378,336

$

186,317

$

–

$

(9,029)

$

1,555,624

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(461,263)

486,655

166,486

281,987

4,878,690

208,479

458,710

4,204,872

228,918

444,900

–

2,651

–

5,241

208,479

450,818

Contract 
Drilling 
Services

Completion 
and 
Production 
Services

Corporate 
and Other

Inter-
Segment 
Eliminations

Total

$

2,017,110

$

343,556

$

–

$

(10,128)

$

2,350,538

342,078

381,465

97,947

4,425,531

202,751

821,713

(29,419)

(87,657)

58,621

28,752

412,423

16,968

24,401

8,583

–

471,042

–

10,576

–

–

–

–

–

–

225,002

448,669

126,699

5,308,996

219,719

856,690

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

2015

Revenue

Total assets

2014

Revenue

Total assets

Canada

United States

International

Inter-
Segment 
Eliminations

Total

$

589,759

$

759,472

$

226,129

$

(19,736)

$

1,555,624

2,077,077

2,096,214

705,399

–

4,878,690

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

During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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, and by 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. Precision’s most significant customer accounted for $18.2 million of the trade 
receivables amount at December 31, 2015 (2014 – $22.7 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 aging of trade receivables at December 31 was as follows:

2015

2014

$

6,413 

$

11,703 

4,101

(1,576)

(305)

456

115

(5,645)

–

240

$

9,089 

$

6,413

Not past due

Past due 0-30 days

Past due 31-120 days

Past due more than 120 days

2015

2014

Gross

Provision for 
Impairment

Gross

Provision for 
Impairment

$

112,219 

$

50,446

25,540

9,417

$

197,622 

$

–

–

–

9,089

9,089 

$

219,000 

$

108,946

47,365

11,141

$

386,452

$

–

–

–

6,413

6,413

(b) Interest Rate Risk 
As at December 31, 2015 and 2014, all of Precision’s long-term debt, with the exception of the Senior 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 (2014 – $nil).

(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  2015 Annual Report 

87

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

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

$

$

$

2015

2014

Canadian 
Operations (1) 

Foreign 
Operations

Canadian 
Operations (1)

Foreign 
Operations

$

150,512 

$

78,014 

$

272,981

$

115,716

–

(10,296)

–

140,216 

1,402

–

$

$

$

155,386

(107,807)

(10,491)

115,102 

– 

1,151

–

(18,165)

–

254,816 

2,548

–

$

$

$

270,984

(270,863)

(12,790)

103,047 

– 

1,030

$

$

$

(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, 2015:

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Thereafter

Total

Long-term debt

$ 

– 

$ 

–

$ 

–

$  200,000

$  899,600

$ 1,107,200

$ 2,206,800

Interest on long-term debt (1)

    137,647

    137,647

    137,647

    127,355

    117,196

    147,107

    804,599

Commitments

Total

    140,101

15,123

72,097

90,346

7,658

7,369

    332,694

$  277,748

$  152,770

$  209,744

$  417,701

$ 1,024,454

$ 1,261,676

$ 3,344,093

(1)  Interest has been calculated based on debt balances, interest rates, and foreign exchange rates in effect as at December 31, 2015 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, 2015 
was approximately $1,736 million (2014 – $1,668 million).

Financial assets and liabilities recorded or disclosed at fair value in the consolidated statements of financial position 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, 2015 and 2014, these ratios were as follows: 

Long-term debt

Shareholders’ equity

Total capitalization

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

$

$

2015

2,180,510 

2,121,209

4,301,719 

0.51 

$

$

2014

1,852,186

2,441,366

4,293,552

0.43

As at December 31, 2015, liquidity remained sufficient as Precision had $444.8 million (2014 – $491.5 million) in cash and 
access to the US$550.0 million Senior Credit Facility (2014 – US$650.0 million) and $116.1 million (2014 – $86.4 million)  
secured operating facilities. As at December 31, 2015, no amounts (2014 – US$nil) were drawn on the Senior Credit Facility  
with availability reduced by US$46.4 million (2014 – US$25.6 million) in outstanding letters of credit. Availability of the 
$40.0 million and US$40.0 million secured operating facilities was reduced by outstanding letters of credit of $24.8 million  
(2014 – $20.5 million) and US$24.6 million (2014 – US$8.1 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

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

2015

2014

$

333,379 

$

(20,986) 

(12,575)

(308,194)

12,610 

159,926 

(147,316) 

$

$

$

$

$

$

3,946

124,602

107,562

(17,315) 

124,877

2015

2014

$

188,533 

$

380,039 

72,375

50,687

147,616

70,408

$

311,595 

$

598,063 

2015

2014

$

82,481 

$

295,468 

61,201

92,266

86,496

111,074

$

235,948 

$

493,038 

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

89

 
 
Precision presents expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings (loss) by function with the exception of depreciation 
and amortization and loss on asset decommissioning and impairment of property, plant and equipment, which are presented 
by nature. Operating expense and general and administrative expense would include $920.1 million and $15.0 million 
(2014 – $566.7 million and $8.6 million), respectively, of depreciation and amortization and loss on asset decommissioning and 
impairment of property, plant and equipment 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

  Restructuring

2015

2014

$

638,945 

$

930,402

$

$

418,643

24,171

1,081,759 

924,340 

136,776

20,643

$

$

601,724

18,042

1,550,168

1,405,827

144,341

–

$

1,081,759 

$

1,550,168

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 $2.9 million. This amount is included in the estimated 
amount pertaining to the long-term income tax recoverable on the balance sheet. 

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 %

2015

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

2014

100 

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

91

 
Precision  
Drilling  
Corporation

Supplemental Information

Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) 

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

$  1,555.6

$  2,350.5

$  2,029.9

$  2,040.7

$  1,951.0

1,405.8

1,248.6

1,243.3

1,131.0

924.3

136.8

20.6

473.9

486.7

166.5

282.0

144.3

–

800.4

448.7

126.7

–

142.5

–

638.8

333.1

–

–

(461.3)

225.0

305.7

17.1

(33.3)

121.0

(566.1)

(202.7)

(363.4)

95.1

(0.9)

109.7

21.1

(12.1)

33.2

–

(9.1)

93.3

221.5

30.3

191.2

126.6

–

124.9

–

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

$ 

$ 

(1.24)

(1.24)

$ 

$ 

0.11

0.11

$ 

$ 

0.69

0.66

$ 

$ 

0.19

0.18

$ 

$ 

0.70

0.67

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

Revenue

Expenses:

  Operating

  General and administrative

  Restructuring

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

  Depreciation and amortization

  Loss on decommissioning

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

Operating earnings (loss)

Impairment of goodwill

Foreign exchange

Finance charges

Earnings before income taxes

Income taxes

Net earnings (loss)

Earnings (loss) per share:

  Basic

  Diluted

92 

Supplemental Information

 
 
Additional Selected Financial Information

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

Return on sales – % (1)

Return on assets – % (2)

Return on equity – % (3)

Working capital

Current ratio

2015

(23.4)

(7.0)

(15.3)

2014

2013

2012

2011

1.4

0.7

1.3

9.4

4.3

8.4

2.6

1.2

2.4

9.9

4.9

9.5

$ 

536.8

$ 

653.6

$ 

305.8

$ 

278.0

$ 

610.4

3.2

2.3

1.9

1.7

2.4

Property, plant and equipment and intangibles

$  3,886.7 

$  3,932.1 

$  3,565.7

$  3,249.0

$  2,948.8

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 (loss)

$  4,878.7

$  5,309.0

$  4,579.1

$  4,300.3

$  4,427.9

$  2,180.5

$  1,852.2

$  1,323.3

$  1,218.8

$  1,239.6

$  2,121.2

$  2,441.4

$  2,399.3

$  2,171.3

$  2,132.6

0.51

(3.8)

448.9

473.9

30.5

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

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

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

(461.3)

$ 

225.0

$ 

305.7

$ 

170.8

$ 

328.7

Operating earnings (loss) – % of revenue

(29.7)

9.6

15.1

8.4

16.8

Cash flow from continuing operations

$ 

517.0

$ 

680.2

$ 

428.1

$ 

635.3

$ 

532.8

Cash flow from continuing operations per share:

  Basic

  Diluted

Book value per share (5)

Price earnings (loss) ratio (6)

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

1.77

1.77

7.24

(4.4)

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

14.41

43.26

15.00

Basic weighted average shares outstanding (000s)

292,878

292,533

277,583

276,276

275,899

(1) Return on sales was calculated by dividing earnings (loss) from continuing operations by total revenue.
(2) Return on assets was calculated by dividing net earnings (loss) by quarter average total assets.
(3) Return on equity was calculated by dividing net earnings (loss) by quarter average total shareholders’ equity.
(4) Interest coverage was calculated by dividing operating earnings (loss) 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 (loss) per share.

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 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
Computershare Trust Company  
of Canada
Calgary, Alberta

TRANSFER POINT
Computershare Trust Company NA
Canton, Massachusetts

2015 TRADING PROFILE

Toronto (TSX: PD)
High: $9.43
Low: $4.47
Close: $5.47
Volume Traded: 440,676,263

New York (NYSE: PDS)
High: US$7.80
Low: US$3.28
Close: US$3.94
Volume Traded: 848,119,400

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

lost share certificates
 transferring shares to another 
person

  estate settlement.

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)
Email: service@computershare.com

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 2015 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

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 

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

Steven W. Krablin (1)(3)
Spring, Texas, USA

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

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

Kevin A. Neveu
Houston, Texas, USA

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

Doug B. Evasiuk
Senior Vice President,
Sales and Marketing

Veronica Foley 
Vice President, Legal and  
Corporate Secretary

Robert J. McNally
Executive Vice President and  
Chief Financial Officer

Darren J. Ruhr
Senior Vice President, 
Corporate Services

Gene C. Stahl
President, Drilling Operations

Precision Drilling Corporation  2015 Annual Report 

95

 
Precision Drilling Corporation

Suite 800, 525 – 8th Avenue SW

Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 1G1

Telephone: 403.716.4500

Email: info@precisiondrilling.com

www.precisiondrilling.com