NPK International - 10-Q quarterly report FY

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. We also may provide oral or written forward-looking statements in other materials we release to the public. The words “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying them. These forward-looking statements reflect the current views of our management; however, various risks, uncertainties and contingencies, including the risks identified in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and those set forth from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements, including the success or failure of our efforts to implement our business strategy.

We assume no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by securities laws. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q might not occur.

For further information regarding these and other factors, risks and uncertainties affecting us, we refer you to the risk factors set forth in Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and in Part II of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Newpark Resources, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, which we refer to as “we,” “our” or “us,” have been prepared in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X for interim financial statements required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and do not include all information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. Our fiscal year end is December 31 and our third quarter represents the three month period ending September 30. The results of operations for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary to present fairly our financial position as of September 30, 2009, the results of our operations for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 and 2008, and our cash flows for the first nine months of 2009 and 2008. All adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Our balance sheet at December 31, 2008 reflects the audited financial statements at that date.

Effective January 1, 2009, we modified the presentation of expenses on the Consolidated Statement of Operations, expanding the presentation to include separate line items for selling, general and administrative expenses, and other (income) expense, net. Prior to the modification, the Consolidated Statements of Operations included a line item for general and administrative expenses, which reflected only the expenses associated with our corporate office, while all operating segment expenses were reported within cost of revenues. Following this reclassification, selling, general and administrative expenses includes all expenses of this nature from our operating segments as well as our corporate office. As a result of this reclassification, $17.0 million and $43.6 million of expenses previously reported in cost of revenues for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, are now reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. For further information, see Note 1 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance, which established a new source of authoritative accounting principles applicable to nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP known as “The Codification”. The Codification does not change current U.S. GAAP, but is intended to simplify user access to all authoritative U.S. GAAP by providing all the authoritative literature related to a particular topic in one place. The Codification was effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009, and as of the effective date, all existing accounting standard documents were superseded.

In May 2009, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which provides general standards of accounting for and disclosures of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. The guidance also requires entities to disclose the date through which subsequent events were evaluated as well as the rationale for why that date was selected as well as evaluate subsequent events through the date of financial statement issuance. Accordingly, we have evaluated subsequent events through October 30, 2009, the date of this filing.

On January 1, 2009, we adopted new accounting guidance relating to changes in the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities. Entities are required to provide enhanced disclosures about (1) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (2) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for and (3) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. The adoption did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. See Note 5 “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for additional details on our derivative instruments and hedging activities.

On January 1, 2009, we adopted new accounting guidance regarding factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset. The objective of the new guidance is to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset. The adoption did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

On January 1, 2009, we adopted revised accounting guidance on the accounting for acquisitions of businesses. The revision changed the previous guidance, requiring that all acquired assets, liabilities, minority interest and certain contingencies be measured at fair value, and certain other acquisition-related costs be expensed rather than capitalized. The revised guidance applies to acquisitions that were effective after December 31, 2008, and application of the standard to acquisitions prior to that date was not permitted. The adoption did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

The following table presents the reconciliation of the numerator and denominator for calculating income per share:

For the third quarter of 2009, we had dilutive stock options and restricted stock of approximately 0.4 million shares. For the first nine months of 2009 we did not have any dilutive stock options or restricted stock. For the third quarter and first nine months of 2008, we had dilutive stock options and restricted stock of approximately 1.6 million shares and 1.4 million shares, respectively. The resulting net effect of stock options and restricted stock were used in calculating diluted income per share for this period.

On June 1, 2000, we completed the sale of 120,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Series B Preferred Stock”), and a warrant (the “Series B Warrant”) to purchase up to 1,900,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $10.075 per share, subject to anti-dilution adjustments. Prior to 2006, all outstanding shares of the Series B Preferred Stock were converted to common stock. The Series B Warrant was originally issued with a seven year life, expiring June 1, 2007. This warrant contains certain registration provisions, which, if not met, reduce the exercise price of the warrant by 2.5%, for each year we are not in compliance with the registration requirements, and extend the term of the warrant. Effective May 1, 2009, we became compliant with the registration requirements for the warrant. Previously, we were not in compliance with these requirements which resulted in adjustments to the exercise price and extended the term of the warrant. As of September 30, 2009, the Series B Warrant, as adjusted for certain anti-dilution provisions, remains outstanding and provides for the right to purchase up to approximately 2.1 million shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $8.93, and expires in February 2012.

Receivables consist of the following:

Inventories consist of the following:

Our derivative instruments consist of interest rate swap agreements entered into in January 2008 which effectively fix the underlying LIBOR rate on our borrowings under our term loan. The initial notional amount of the swap agreements totaled $50.0 million reducing by $10.0 million each December, matching the required principal payments under the term loan. As of September 30, 2009, $40.0 million remained outstanding on the term loan. As a result of the swap agreements, we will pay a fixed rate of 3.74% plus the applicable LIBOR margin.

The swap agreements represent a cash flow hedge, entered into for the purpose of fixing a portion of our borrowing costs and thereby decreasing the volatility of future cash flows. These agreements are valued based upon “level 2” fair value criteria, where the fair value of these instruments is determined using observable inputs, including quoted prices for similar assets/liabilities and market corroborated inputs as well as quoted prices in inactive markets. The fair value of the interest rate swap arrangements was a liability of $1.0 million and $1.3 million, net of tax as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, recorded within accrued liabilities.

Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, receivables, payables, debt, and certain derivative financial instruments. We believe the carrying values of these instruments approximated their fair values at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the estimated fair value of total debt was $134.9 million and $188.2 million, respectively, consistent with the carrying value included in our consolidated balance sheets as of these dates.

In connection with our announcement regarding an internal investigation commissioned by our Audit Committee in April 2006, and subsequent announcements, we were served with a number of shareholder class action and derivative lawsuits. These suits asserted claims against us and certain of our former officers and current and former directors alleging damages resulting from the loss of value in our common stock and, derivatively, for damages we allegedly suffered.

In April 2007, we announced that we reached a settlement of our pending derivative and class action litigation. The settlement received final approval from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana on October 9, 2007. This settlement resolved all pending shareholder class and derivative litigation against us, our former and current directors, and former officers. As part of the settlement, however, we preserved certain claims against our former Chief Executive Officer and former Chief Financial Officer for matters arising from invoicing irregularities at Soloco Texas, LP and the backdating of stock options.

By letter dated April 25, 2007, counsel for James D. Cole, our former Chief Executive Officer and former director, notified us that Mr. Cole was pursuing claims against us for breach of his employment agreement and other causes of action. Mr. Cole sought recovery of approximately $3.1 million purportedly due under his employment agreement and reimbursement of certain defense costs incurred in connection with the shareholder litigation, the SEC’s investigation, and our internal investigation. Mr. Cole also claimed $640,000 pursuant to the non-compete provision of his employment agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the employment contract, the matter was submitted to arbitration. We also submitted to the same arbitration proceedings the claims preserved against Mr. Cole arising from the derivative litigation referenced above. In the first quarter of 2009, we concluded a settlement agreement with Mr. Cole under which we have paid Mr. Cole a lump sum and released any claims we have against him arising from the derivative litigation. As part of the settlement, Mr. Cole, has released us from all remaining claims under his employment contract (including the non-compete provision) and his indemnity agreement.

On November 2, 2007, we were served with a lawsuit filed on behalf of Matthew Hardey, our former Chief Financial Officer, against Newpark Resources and Paul L. Howes, our current Chief Executive Officer. We removed this case to Federal Court (United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana). The lawsuit included a variety of allegations arising from our internal investigation and Mr. Hardey’s termination, including breach of contract, unfair trade practices, defamation, and negligence. On July 16, 2009, we executed a settlement agreement with Mr. Hardey pursuant to which Mr. Hardey has released Newpark and Mr. Howes from all claims including any claims under his employment contract and any present or future claims for indemnification and/or advancement of expenses relating to any ongoing investigations or actions. Likewise, Newpark has released Mr. Hardey from all claims we asserted against him, including claims that we were entitled to recover sums previously advanced to Mr. Hardey under his indemnification agreement and claims arising from the previously referenced derivative litigation. The court has dismissed this lawsuit.

We believe that the terms of the Cole and Hardey settlements, whether viewed individually or in the aggregate, do not have a material adverse effect on Newpark’s financial condition.

On March 12, 2007, we were advised that the SEC has opened a formal investigation into the matters disclosed in Amendment No. 2 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed on October 10, 2006. We have and will continue to cooperate fully with the SEC’s investigation. On July 16, 2009, the SEC filed a civil lawsuit against our former Chief Financial Officer, the former Chief Financial Officer of our Soloco business unit and one former vendor in connection with the transactions that were described in the Amended Form 10-K/A. Subsequently, the SEC announced that it reached a settlement of its claims against the former vendor. The company has not been named as a defendant.

Summarized operating results for our reportable segments is shown in the following table (net of inter-segment transfers):

Total assets related to our reportable segments are as follows:

Following the significant declines in revenues and operating income experienced in 2009, we have evaluated the carrying values of our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets as of September 30, 2009. The evaluation included consideration of the recent declines in revenues along with the impact of cost reduction programs and forecasted cash flow projections for each reporting unit. In completing this analysis, we determined that no reporting unit has a fair value below its net carrying value, as of September 30, 2009. However, our analysis estimated that the fair value of the Mats and Integrated Services reporting unit exceeded net carrying value by less than 10%. Therefore, continued deterioration in operating income and cash flows provided by this reporting unit could potentially result in required impairments in goodwill. As of September 30, 2009, the balance sheet for the Mats and Integrated Services reporting unit includes $14.9 million of goodwill.

In December 2007, we entered into a $225.0 million Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (“Credit Agreement”) which consisted of a $175.0 million revolving credit facility and a $50.0 million term loan. The Credit Agreement contains certain financial covenants including a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, a maximum consolidated leverage ratio, and a maximum funded debt-to-capitalization ratio. At June 30, 2009, we were not in compliance with the fixed charge coverage ratio and consolidated leverage ratio covenants. However, in July 2009, we entered into the First Amendment and Waiver to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (“First Amendment”). The First Amendment provided a waiver of the financial covenant violations as of June 30, 2009 and modified certain covenant requirements through June 30, 2010, after which time the covenants will return to those originally set forth in the Credit Agreement. The modified covenant requirements are as follows:

Historically, our performance for financial covenant compliance purposes was based on our trailing four fiscal quarter results. Under the First Amendment, financial covenant calculations will utilize annualized results beginning with the third quarter of 2009, and continuing through March 31, 2010, after which time the calculations will return to using trailing four fiscal quarter results.

We were in compliance with these covenants as of September 30, 2009, and expect to remain in compliance through September 30, 2010. The calculated financial performance for these covenants as of September 30, 2009, is as follows:

The First Amendment also reduced the revolving credit facility from $175.0 million to $150.0 million, and provided for adjustments in the interest rates and commitment fees under the credit facility. Under the Credit Agreement, as amended by the First Amendment, we can elect to borrow at an interest rate either based on LIBOR plus a margin based on our consolidated leverage ratio, ranging from 400 to 750 basis points, or at an interest rate based on the greatest of: (a) prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate in effect plus 50 basis points, or (c) the Eurodollar rate for a Eurodollar Loan with a one-month interest period plus 100 basis points, in each case plus a margin ranging from 300 to 650 basis points. The initial margins in effect for borrowings under the First Amendment reflect the highest margin rates for each loan type. These rates will remain in effect until we provide our consolidated leverage ratio calculation for the third quarter of 2009 to our lenders, at which time the applicable margin will be re-determined based on our consolidated leverage ratio. The First Amendment also increased the commitment fee rate payable under the credit facility, which is now fixed at 50 basis points. We expect to provide our consolidated leverage ratio in early November 2009 and anticipate the applicable margin on LIBOR borrowings to be reduced from 750 basis points to 425 basis points at that time. Following the First Amendment, the weighted average interest rate on the outstanding balances under our Credit Agreement including interest rate swaps was 8.99% and 3.46% as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.

In conjunction with the First Amendment, we capitalized $1.5 million for debt issuance costs paid during the third quarter of 2009.

The following discussion of our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and capital resources should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements contained in this report as well as our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. Our third quarter represents the three month period ending September 30, and our first nine months represents the nine month period ending September 30.

We are a diversified oil and gas industry supplier, and have three reportable segments: Fluids Systems and Engineering, Mats and Integrated Services, and Environmental Services. We provide these products and services principally to the exploration and production (“E&P”) industry in the U.S. Gulf Coast, West Texas, U.S. mid-continent, U.S. Rocky Mountains, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, United Kingdom (“U.K.”) and certain areas of Europe and North Africa. Further, we are expanding our presence outside the E&P sector through our Mats and Integrated Services segment, where we are marketing to utilities, municipalities and government sectors.

Our operating results depend, to a large extent, on oil and gas drilling activity levels in the markets we serve, as well as the depth of drilling, which governs the revenue potential of each well. The drilling activity in turn, depends on oil and gas commodity pricing, inventory levels and product demand.

The economic environment, the instability in the credit markets and declines in oil and natural gas commodity prices significantly impacted North American drilling activity during the first half of 2009. This decline in E&P spending negatively impacted our 2009 operating results as compared to the results achieved during 2008. After significantly declining in the first half of 2009, North American drilling activity began to stabilize and improve modestly during the third quarter of 2009.

Rig count data is the most widely accepted indicator of drilling activity. Average North American rig count data for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, as compared to the comparable periods of the prior year is as follows:

In response to the significant declines in activity and the increasing price competition, we have executed cost reduction programs including workforce reductions, reduced discretionary spending, salary reductions for substantially all North American employees including executive officers, the temporary elimination of 401(k) matching for U.S. employees, as well as reductions in capital expenditures in North America. As part of this cost reduction program, we have reduced our North American workforce by 534 employees during the first nine months of 2009 in addition to eliminating substantially all contract employee positions. As a result of these workforce reductions, operating results for the first nine months of 2009 include $4.5 million of charges associated with employee termination and related exit costs, substantially all of which was incurred during the first half of the year.

Following the significant declines in revenues and operating income experienced in 2009, we have evaluated the carrying values of our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets as of September 30, 2009. The evaluation included consideration of the recent declines in revenues along with the impact of cost reduction programs and forecasted cash flow projections for each reporting unit. In completing this analysis, we determined that no reporting unit has a fair value below its net carrying value, as of September 30, 2009. However, our analysis estimated that the fair value of the Mats and Integrated Services reporting unit exceeded net carrying value by less than 10%. Therefore, continued deterioration in operating income and cash flows provided by this reporting unit could potentially result in required impairments in goodwill. As of September 30, 2009, the balance sheet for the Mats and Integrated Services reporting unit includes $14.9 million of goodwill.

Summarized results of operations for the third quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of 2008 are as follows:

Revenues were $118.2 million in the third quarter of 2009, reflecting a 48% decline from the $226.2 million reported in the third quarter 2008. This decline in revenues is primarily driven by the 52% decline in North American drilling activity, as previously noted. North American revenues accounted for 67% and 83% of total revenues for the third quarter of 2009 and 2008, respectively. Additional information regarding these declines is provided within the operating segment results below.

Cost of revenues were $104.0 million in the third quarter of 2009, reflecting a 44% decline from the $184.4 million reported in the third quarter of 2008. This decline is primarily driven by the 52% decline in North American drilling activity, as noted above. Additional information regarding these declines is provided within the operating segment results below.

Selling, general and administrative expenses declined $9.2 million to $14.7 million in the third quarter of 2009 from $23.8 million for the comparable period of 2008. The decrease includes $0.8 million in fluids systems and engineering, $1.1 million in mat and integrated services, $0.4 million in environmental services, and $6.9 million in the corporate office. The decline includes $3.5 million of legal and selling costs associated with the abandoned sale of the environmental services business which were recorded in the corporate office in the third quarter of 2008. The remainder of the decrease is attributable to the impact of cost reduction programs implemented during the first half of 2009, as well as lower performance-based employee incentive costs in the 2009 period.

Other income, net increased by $2.4 million to $2.7 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to $0.3 million for the third quarter of 2008. The third quarter of 2009 includes $2.3 million of income associated with the settlement of business interruption insurance claims within our environmental services business resulting from hurricanes and storms in 2008.

Interest expense, net totaled $3.4 million for the third quarter of 2009 compared to $2.5 million for the third quarter of 2008. The increase in interest expense is primarily attributable to higher interest rates following the First Amendment and Waiver to the Amended Credit Agreement (“First Amendment”), which was entered into in July 2009. Following the First Amendment, the weighted average borrowing rate under our credit facilities was 8.99% at September 30, 2009, compared to a weighted average borrowing rate of 5.60% at September 30, 2008. See additional discussion regarding the First Amendment in Liquidity and Capital Resources below.

The provision for income taxes for the third quarter of 2009 was a $0.3 million benefit compared to $5.1 million of expense for the third quarter of 2008. The tax benefit in the third quarter of 2009 is the result of favorable tax adjustments associated with the completion of our 2008 tax filings within the U.S.

Summarized financial information for our reportable segments is shown in the following table (net of inter-segment transfers):

Total revenues for this segment consisted of the following:

North America revenues decreased 60% to $61.1 million for the third quarter of 2009, as compared to $151.8 million for the third quarter of 2008. Drilling fluids and engineering revenues decreased 57% which is largely attributable to the 52% decline in industry drilling activity noted above, along with increased pricing pressure resulting from the depressed activity levels. North American completion fluids and services and wholesale industrial minerals revenues were down a combined 69%, also driven by the lower industry activity and pricing pressure.

Brazil revenues in the third quarter of 2009 were also negatively impacted by the strengthening US dollar, as revenues in this region were up 107% in local currency terms, reflecting the ramp-up in activity under contracts entered into during 2008. Mediterranean revenues decreased 9% compared to the third quarter of 2008, including a 5% decline resulting from the impact of the strengthening US dollar.

Operating income for this segment decreased $23.1 million for the third quarter of 2009 on an $89.6 million decrease in revenues, compared to the third quarter of 2008. Of this change, North American operations generated a $22.0 million decline in operating income on a $90.8 million decrease in revenues. This decrease in operating income is primarily attributable to the rapid decline in North American drilling activity over the past year, and the related increase in pricing pressure from competition.

Operating income from international operations decreased $1.1 million on a $1.2 million increase in revenues. The decline in operating income is primarily attributable to the Mediterranean operations, resulting from the $3.0 million decline in revenues. Operating income from Brazil was relatively unchanged from the prior year, as the effect of the increasing revenues was offset by increases in operating costs, as this business continues to ramp-up and prepare for future work under existing contracts.

Total revenues for this segment consisted of the following:

The $10.4 million decrease in mat rental and integrated services revenues in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of 2008 is primarily attributable to declines in the U.S. market served by this segment. The decline in revenue is further impacted by the increased pricing competition following the declines in market activity, and timing of projects from customers outside the E&P industry.

Mat sales primarily consist of export sales of composite mats to various international markets, as well as to non-oilfield industries domestically. Mat sales decreased by $4.6 million in the third quarter of 2009 from the third quarter of 2008, as demand for these products is down from the E&P and utility industries, as well as governmental sectors in the current economic environment.

Mats and integrated services operating income decreased by $2.0 million for the third quarter of 2009 on a $15.0 million decrease in revenues compared to the third quarter of 2008. The decline in operating income is primarily the result of the lower revenues and pricing pressures, partially offset by a $6.8 million reduction in operating expenses, resulting from cost reduction programs in 2009, including workforce reductions of 142 employees.

Total revenues for this segment consisted of the following:

E&P waste revenues in the Gulf Coast region decreased 33% to $6.7 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of 2008. Volumes processed by this region declined 39%, reflective of the decline in Gulf Coast rig activity during this period. This decline in volumes processed was partially offset by changes in sales mix and pricing increases.

E&P waste revenues in West Texas decreased by 77% to $0.7 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of 2008. Volumes processed by this region declined 60% during this period.

NORM and industrial waste revenues increased by 133% to $3.8 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared to the third quarter of 2008. This increase was driven by higher volumes processed, as activity levels tend to fluctuate significantly from period to period based on the timing of customer projects.

Environmental services operating income increased by $2.2 million on a $3.4 million decline in revenues in the third quarter of 2009, compared to the third quarter of 2008. The increase in operating income is primarily attributable to $2.3 million of income associated with the settlement of business interruption insurance claims, resulting from hurricanes and storms in 2008. The remaining $0.1 million decline in operating income is attributable to the lower revenues, partially offset by operating expense reductions, including a $2.0 million reduction in transportation costs, a $0.3 million decline in equipment rental expenses and a $0.7 million reduction in personnel expenses.

Summarized results of operations for the first nine months of 2009 compared to the first nine months of 2008 are as follows:

Revenues were $354.7 million in the first nine months of 2009, reflecting a 44% decline from the $631.4 million reported in the first nine months of 2008. This decline in revenues is primarily driven by the 43% decline in North American drilling activity, as previously noted. North American revenues accounted for 72% and 84% of total revenues for the first nine months of 2009 and 2008, respectively. Additional information regarding these declines is provided within the operating segment results below.

Cost of revenues were $332.4 million in the first nine months of 2009, reflecting a 35% decline from the $514.7 million reported in the first nine months of 2008. This decline is primarily driven by the 43% decline in North American drilling activity, as previously noted above. Additional information regarding these declines is provided within the operating segment results below.

Selling, general and administrative expenses declined $14.7 million to $45.5 million in the first nine months of 2009 from $60.2 million for the comparable period of 2008. The decrease includes $4.7 million in fluids systems and engineering, $2.3 million in mat and integrated services, $0.8 million in environmental services, and $6.9 million in the corporate office. The decline includes $3.5 million of legal and selling costs associated with the abandoned sale of the environmental services business which were recorded in the corporate office in the third quarter of 2008. The remainder of the decrease is attributable to the impact of cost reduction programs implemented during 2009, as well as lower performance-based employee incentive costs in the 2009 period.

Other income, net increased by $2.4 million to $2.8 million in the first nine months of 2009 compared to $0.4 million for the first nine months of 2008. The 2009 period includes $2.3 million of income associated with the settlement of business interruption insurance claims within our environmental services business, resulting from hurricanes and storms in 2008.

Interest expense, net totaled $6.6 million for the first nine months of 2009 compared to $8.4 million for the first nine months of 2008. The decrease in interest expense is attributable to lower debt levels and interest rates in 2009, prior to the First Amendment of our credit agreement in July 2009. Following the July 2009 amendment, the weighted average borrowing rate under our credit facilities was 8.99% at September 30, 2009, compared to 3.64% at June 30, 2009 and 5.60% at September 30, 2008.

The provision for income taxes for the first nine months of 2009 was a $4.9 million benefit, reflecting an income tax rate of 19.3%, compared to $16.3 million of expense for the first nine months of 2008, reflecting an income tax rate of 33.7%. The low effective tax rate in the first nine months of 2009 is primarily due to the recording of valuation allowances against a previously recognized net operating loss carryforward tax asset in Canada, as well as current year losses generated in certain foreign countries, which serve to reduce the effective tax benefit rate in the period.

Summarized financial information for our reportable segments is shown in the following table (net of inter-segment transfers):

Total revenues for this segment consisted of the following:

North America revenues decreased 53% to $196.5 million for the first nine months of 2009, as compared to $415.1 million for the first nine months of 2008. Drilling fluids and engineering revenues decreased 49% which is largely attributable to the 43% decline in industry drilling activity noted above, along with increased pricing pressure resulting from the depressed activity levels. North American completion fluids and services and wholesale industrial minerals revenues were down a combined 61%, also driven by the lower industry activity and pricing pressure.

Brazil revenues increased 78% to $15.2 million in the first nine months of 2009, reflecting the ramp-up in activity under contracts entered into during 2008. Mediterranean revenues decreased 8% compared to the first nine months of 2008, primarily due to the impact of the strengthening US dollar, as revenue levels have remained relatively stable in local currency terms.

Operating income for this segment decreased $69.6 million for the first nine months of 2009 on a $219.7 million decrease in revenues, compared to the first nine months of 2008. Of this change, North American operations generated a $66.0 million decline in operating income on a $218.6 million decrease in revenues. This decrease in operating income is primarily attributable to the rapid decline in North American drilling activity in 2009, and the related increase in pricing pressure from competition. Further, the benefits of cost reduction initiatives taken during the first nine months of 2009 were reduced by the timing of the actions, along with $3.1 million of charges associated with employee termination and related costs, as the North American workforce of this business was reduced by 369 employees during this period. Operating income was further negatively impacted by lower gross profit on industrial mineral sales.

Operating income from international operations decreased $3.6 million on a $1.0 million decrease in revenues. Substantially all of this decrease in operating income is attributable to the Brazil operation, due to the increased operating costs being incurred, as this business continues to ramp-up and prepare for future work under existing contracts.

Total revenues for this segment consisted of the following:

The $29.4 million decrease in mat rental and integrated services revenues for the first nine months of 2009 is primarily attributable to declines in the U.S. market served by this segment. The decline in revenue is further impacted by the increased pricing competition following the declines in market activity, and timing of projects from customers outside the E&P industry.

Mat sales primarily consist of export sales of composite mats to various international markets, as well as to non-oilfield industries domestically. Mat sales decreased by $14.3 million in the first nine months of 2009 from the first nine month of 2008, as the demand for these products is down from the E&P and utility industries, as well as governmental sectors in the current economic environment.

Mats and integrated services operating income decreased by $12.7 million for the first nine months of 2009, on a $43.7 million decrease in revenues compared to the first nine months of 2008. The decrease in operating margin is primarily attributable to the declines in revenues and pricing pressures, as well as the delayed impact of cost reductions. The benefits of cost reduction initiatives taken during the first nine months of 2009, including workforce reductions of 142 employees, had a reduced impact to the 2009 operating results, due to the timing of the actions, along with $1.0 million of charges associated with employee termination costs and $1.1 million of non-cash write-downs of inventory.

Total revenues for this segment consisted of the following:

E&P waste revenues in the Gulf Coast region decreased 36% to $22.9 million in the first nine months of 2009 compared to the first nine months of 2008. Volumes processed by this region declined 47% during this period, reflective of the decline in Gulf Coast rig activity during this period. This decline in volumes processed was partially offset by changes in sales mix and pricing increases.

E&P waste revenues in West Texas decreased by 59% to $2.5 million in the first nine months of 2009 compared to the first nine months of 2008. The decline in revenues is driven by a 60% decrease in volumes processed during this period.

NORM and industrial waste revenues increased by 47% to $8.7 million in the first nine months of 2009, compared to the first nine months of 2008. This increase is driven by higher volumes processed, as activity levels tend to fluctuate significantly from period to period based on the timing of customer projects.

Environmental services operating income decreased by $2.0 million on a $13.3 million decline in revenues in the first nine months of 2009, compared to the first nine months of 2008. The 2009 period includes $2.3 million of income associated with the settlement of business interruption insurance claims resulting from hurricanes and storms in 2008. The remaining decline of $4.3 million is attributable to the lower revenue levels, partially offset by $9.0 million of operating expense reductions, including a $5.6 million reduction in transportation costs and a $1.7 million reduction in personnel expenses.

Net cash provided by operating activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 totaled $69.8 million. The net loss adjusted for non-cash items used $2.5 million of cash during the period, while decreases in working capital provided $72.2 million of cash. The decrease in working capital during the period includes $103.4 million from decreases in receivables and $28.2 million from decreases in inventories, partially offset by a $44.9 million decrease in accounts payable and $13.9 million decrease in accrued liabilities and other. All of these changes are primarily due to lower sales levels and lower purchasing and spending activities.

Net cash used in investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $16.0 million, consisting primarily of capital expenditures which included $11.6 million for our operations outside of North America. Net cash used in financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $54.4 million, reflecting net payments made on our revolving credit facilities during the period.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, our total debt balance was reduced by $53.2 million to $134.9 million at September 30, 2009. We anticipate that our debt levels will continue to decline modestly in the near-term, as working capital requirements for our operations continue to fluctuate with our sales activity. Further, capital expenditures are being reduced in response to the current market environment. Cash generated by operations including the anticipated decreases in working capital levels, along with availability under our existing credit agreement is expected to be adequate to fund our anticipated capital needs.

Our capitalization was as follows as of:

In December 2007, we entered into a $225.0 million Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (“Credit Agreement”) which consisted of a $175.0 million revolving credit facility and a $50.0 million term loan. The Credit Agreement contained certain financial covenants including a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, a maximum consolidated leverage ratio, and a maximum funded debt-to-capitalization ratio. At June 30, 2009, we were not in compliance with the fixed charge coverage ratio and consolidated leverage ratio covenants. However, in July 2009, we entered into the First Amendment, which provided a waiver of the financial covenant violations as of June 30, 2009 and modified certain covenant requirements in future periods, as follows:

Historically, our performance for financial covenant compliance purposes was based on our trailing four fiscal quarter results. Under the First Amendment, financial covenant calculations will utilize annualized results beginning with the third quarter of 2009, and continuing through March 31, 2010, after which time the calculations will return to using trailing four fiscal quarter results.

We were in compliance with these covenants as of September 30, 2009, and expect to remain in compliance through September 30, 2010. The calculated performance for these covenants as of September 30, 2009, is as follows: