Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Significant accounting policies

v3.24.0.1
Significant accounting policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Significant accounting policies

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for annual financial information. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our company and all of our majority-owned subsidiaries that we control or variable interest entities for which we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, related revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of gain and loss contingencies at the date of the financial statements and during the periods presented. We base these estimates on historical results and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable, all of which form the basis for making estimates concerning the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily available from other sources. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Estimates are used for, but are not limited to, determining the following: allowance for credit losses; inventory net realizable values; recoverability of long-lived assets; revenue recognition on long-term contracts; valuation of goodwill; useful lives used in depreciation, depletion and amortization; income taxes and related valuation allowances; accruals for loss contingencies; stock-based compensation expense; and the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in acquisitions.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents include only investments with an original maturity of three months or less. We occasionally hold cash deposits in financial institutions that exceed federally insured limits. We monitor the credit ratings and our concentration of risk with these financial institutions on a continuing basis to safeguard our cash deposits.

Restricted Cash

Cash and cash equivalents that are restricted as to withdrawal or use under the terms of certain contractual agreements, or are reserved for a specific purpose, and not readily available for immediate or general use are recorded to restricted cash and included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in our consolidated balance sheets. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the consolidated statements of cash flows for the periods indicated:

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

25.3

 

 

$

35.1

 

Restricted cash included in prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

 

 

 

2.8

 

Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

 

$

25.3

 

 

$

37.9

 

As of December 31, 2023, we had no restricted cash. As of December 31, 2022, restricted cash consisted of cash used as collateral for our credit card program and to support our workers’ compensation obligations.

Allowance for Credit Losses

We establish an allowance for credit losses to reduce the carrying value of our accounts receivable based on a number of factors, including the length of time that accounts receivable are past due, our previous loss history, and the customer’s creditworthiness. Losses are charged against the allowance when the customer accounts are determined to be uncollectible.

The following table summarizes the rollforward of our allowance for credit losses:

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$

(2.6

)

 

$

(0.7

)

Provision for credit losses, net of recoveries

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(1.9

)

Write-offs

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

 

$

(2.7

)

 

$

(2.6

)

Inventories

Inventories, which consist of proppants and chemicals that are used in the hydraulic fracturing process and maintenance parts for oilfield services equipment, are carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Our inventory is recorded using the first-in, first-out method or average cost basis. As necessary, we record an adjustment to decrease the value of slow moving and obsolete inventory to its net realizable value. To determine the adjustment amount, we regularly review inventory quantities on hand and compare them to estimates of future product demand, market conditions, production requirements and technological developments.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant, and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation, which is generally provided by using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the individual assets. We manufacture our hydraulic fracturing units and the cost of this equipment, which includes direct and indirect manufacturing costs, is capitalized, and carried as construction in progress until it is completed and placed into service. Expenditures for renewals and betterments that extend the lives of our service equipment, which includes the replacement of significant components of service equipment, are capitalized and depreciated. Other repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.

When assets are disposed or retired, the cost and accumulated depreciation are netted against any sale proceeds, and the resulting gains or losses are included in the results of operations.

Other than those assets acquired in business combinations that were recorded at their fair values upon acquisition, our property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation, which is generally provided by using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the individual assets.

Land

 

Indefinite

Machinery and equipment

 

2 - 15 years

Office equipment, software, and other

 

3 - 7 years

Buildings and leasehold improvements

 

2 - 40 years

Depletion expense related to mining property and mine development are recorded as minerals are extracted, based on units of production and engineering estimates of mineable reserves. The impact of revisions to reserve estimates is recognized on a prospective basis.

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized, but is reviewed for each reporting unit for impairment annually during the fourth quarter or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Judgments regarding indicators of potential impairment are based on market conditions and operational performance of our business. We may assess our goodwill for impairment initially using a qualitative approach to determine whether conditions exist that indicate it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s carrying value is greater than its fair value, and if such conditions are identified, then a quantitative analysis will be performed to determine if there is any impairment.

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment were as follows:

 

Stimulation
Services

 

 

Proppant
Production

 

 

Manufacturing

 

 

Other

 

 

Total

 

Balance, December 31, 2022

 

$

153.3

 

 

$

5.5

 

 

$

 

 

$

81.7

 

 

$

240.5

 

Acquisition of Producers

 

 

7.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.2

 

Acquisition of Performance

 

 

 

 

 

75.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

75.7

 

Measurement period adjustments

 

 

9.2

 

 

 

(6.7

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.5

 

Balance, December 31, 2023

 

$

169.7

 

 

$

74.5

 

 

$

 

 

$

81.7

 

 

$

325.9

 

The measurement period adjustments for the stimulation services segment included an adjustment to finalize the estimate for contingent liabilities at the acquisition date for our U.S. Well Services acquisition and adjustments to working capital balances for our USWS, REV and Producers acquisitions.

The measurement period adjustment for the Proppant production segment related to adjustments to working capital balances for our Performance Proppant, Monahans, and Monarch acquisitions.

As of December 31, 2023, there were no indefinite-lived intangible assets recorded in our consolidated balance sheets.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We evaluate property, plant, and equipment, operating lease right-of-use assets, and definite-lived intangible assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability is assessed based on the undiscounted future cash flows generated by the asset or asset group. If the carrying amount of an asset or asset group is not recoverable, we recognize an impairment loss equal to the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds fair value. We estimate fair value based on the income, market, or cost valuation techniques.

Leases

At the inception of an arrangement or contract, we determine whether it is a lease or contains a lease. Lease classification is determined, and the lease is recognized and measured, at the lease commencement date. A right-of-use asset and the corresponding lease liability are recorded based on the present value of the remaining lease payments over the lease term. We do not include renewal or termination options in our assessment of the lease term unless the exercise of those options is deemed to be reasonably certain. We do not recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability for leases with a term of 12 months or less. Operating lease expenses are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Assets and lease

liabilities related to finance leases are classified as property, plant and equipment and debt on our consolidated balance sheets.

Revenue Recognition

Our products and services are sold based upon contracts with our customers. We recognize revenue as we satisfy our performance obligations by transferring control over a service or product to a customer. Payment terms are specified in each customer agreement and are typically a specific number of days following satisfaction of the performance obligation. We assess our customers’ ability and intention to pay based on factors such as their financial condition and our historical payment experience with them. The following are descriptions of the principal activities of each reportable segment from which we generate our revenue.

Stimulation Services. We generate revenue through the provision of hydraulic fracturing services, which involves the injection of water, sand and chemicals under high pressure into formations to optimize hydrocarbon flow paths during the completion phase of wellbores. Our contracts with customers are generally short term in nature and have a single performance obligation, which is satisfied over time. We generate a field ticket, which our customer signs, that includes charges for services performed and any inputs consumed during the service. The signing of the field ticket by the customer represents their acceptance of the service and agreement to the amounts to which we have the right to invoice and recognize as revenue. We have elected the practical expedient permitting the exclusion of disclosing the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for Stimulation Services contracts as these contracts have original contract terms of one year or less or we have the right to invoice for services performed.

Proppant Production. We generate revenue through the sale of frac sand to oilfield service providers and E&P companies. The performance obligation is satisfied and revenue is recognized at the point-in-time that control of the product is transferred to the customer, generally upon shipment from our facility. Certain of our contracts contain multiple performance obligations to provide a minimum quantity of products to our customers in future periods. For these contracts, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation at estimated selling prices and we recognize revenue as we satisfy these performance obligations. At December 31, 2023, the aggregate amount of transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations was $247.2 million, and the Company expects to perform these obligations and recognize revenue of $145.7 million in 2024, $43.5 million in 2025, $43.5 million in 2026, and $14.5 million in 2027.

Manufacturing. We generate revenue through sales of equipment used to perform oilfield services. The performance obligation is satisfied and revenues are recognized at the point-in-time that control of goods are transferred to the customer, generally upon shipment from our manufacturing facility.

Our contract assets are classified as accounts receivable in our consolidated balance sheets. Accounts receivable consist of invoiced amounts or amounts for which we have a right to invoice based on services completed or products delivered.

Our current and non-current contract liabilities are classified as other current liabilities and other liabilities, respectively, in our consolidated balance sheets. Our contract liabilities consist of deferred revenues from advance consideration received from customers related to future performance of service or delivery of products and off-market contract liabilities from unfavorable contracts recognized in connection with our business acquisitions in the Proppant Production segment.

We believe that disaggregating our revenue by reportable segment (see “Note 15 – Business Segments”) provides the information necessary to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of our revenues and cash flows.

Taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are accounted for on a net basis and are therefore excluded from revenues in the consolidated statements of operations.

Business Combinations

Business combinations are accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. Under this method, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recognized at their respective fair values as of the date of acquisition. The excess, if any, of the acquisition price over the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill if the definition of a business is met. For significant acquisitions, we utilize third-party appraisal firms to assist us in determining the fair values for certain assets acquired and liabilities assumed using discounted cash flows and other applicable valuation techniques. We record any acquisition related costs as expenses when incurred.

Adjustments to the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are made until we obtain all relevant information regarding the facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date (the “measurement period”), not to exceed one year from the date of the acquisition. We recognize measurement-period adjustments in the period in which we determine the

amounts, including the effect on earnings of any amounts we would have recorded in previous periods if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date.

We measure asset acquisitions based on their cost to us, including transaction costs. Acquisition costs or consideration transferred in an asset acquisition are assumed to be equal to the fair value of the net assets acquired. If the consideration transferred is cash, measurement is based on the amount of cash paid to the seller, as well as transaction costs incurred. Consideration given in the form of non-monetary assets, liabilities incurred or equity interests issued is measured based on either their cost to us or the fair value of the net assets acquired, whichever is more clearly evident. The cost of an asset acquisition is allocated to the net assets acquired based on their estimated relative fair values. Goodwill is not recognized in an asset acquisition.

The estimation of the fair values of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations or asset acquisitions requires significant judgment. Our fair value estimates require us to use significant observable and unobservable inputs. The estimates of fair value are also subject to significant variability, are sensitive to changes in market conditions, and are reasonably likely to change in the future. A significant change in the observable and unobservable inputs and determination of fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired could significantly impact our consolidated financial statements.

Variable Interest Entities

We evaluate our ownership, contractual and other interest in entities to determine if they are variable interest entities (“VIE”). We evaluate whether we have a variable interest in those entities and the nature and extent of those interests. Based on our evaluation, if we determine we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we consolidate the entity in our financial statements.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at a measurement date. We apply the following fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels and bases of categorization within the hierarchy upon the lowest level input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement:

Level 1: The use of quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Other than quoted prices included in Level 1, inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
Level 3: The use of significant unobservable inputs that typically require the use of management’s estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing.

Our current assets and liabilities contain financial instruments, the most significant of which are trade accounts receivable and payable. We believe the carrying value of our current assets and liabilities approximate fair value. Our fair value assessment incorporates a variety of considerations, including: (i) the short-term duration of the instruments and (ii) our historical incurrence of and expectations of future credit losses. The book value of our floating rate debt approximates fair value because of its floating rate structure.

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based compensation is measured on the grant date and fair value is recognized as expense over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the award. We recognize forfeitures as they occur rather than estimating expected forfeitures. For equity-classified awards with graded vesting based solely on the satisfaction of a service condition, we recognize compensation cost as a single award on a straight-line basis.

The fair value of time-based and performance-based restricted stock units is determined based on the number of units granted and the closing price of our Class A Common Stock on the date of grant. Stock-based awards with market conditions are valued using a Monte Carlo simulation analysis.

Income Taxes

Before May 17, 2022, the ProFrac Predecessor entities were organized as limited liability companies or a limited partnership and were treated as either a disregarded entity or a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, whereby the ordinary business income or loss and certain deductions were passed-through and reported on the members’ income tax returns. As such, we were not required to account for U.S. federal income taxes in the consolidated financial statements. Certain state income-based taxes are imposed on us which are reflected as income tax expense or benefit in historical periods.

In connection with the IPO in May 2022, the Company reorganized and ProFrac LLC became partially owned by ProFrac Corp., a U.S. Internal Revenue Code Subchapter C corporation (“C-Corporation”). ProFrac Corp. is a taxable entity and is required to account for income taxes under the asset and liability method for periods subsequent to May 17, 2022.

Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled pursuant to the provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rate is recognized in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts more-likely-than-not to be realized.

We record uncertain tax positions, if any, in accordance with ASC 740 on the basis of a two-step process in which (1) we determine whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. We had no uncertain tax positions during the periods presented.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

On January 1, 2022, we adopted the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842, Leases, which amended existing guidance to require lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and related lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet for the rights and obligations created by long-term leases and to disclose additional quantitative and qualitative information about leasing arrangements. We adopted this guidance using the current period adjustment approach on January 1, 2022 using the transition method that allows a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption.

Our application of this standard did not significantly impact our results of operations or cash flows. As of January 1, 2022, we recognized right-of-use assets and liabilities of approximately $35.8 million from operating leases on our consolidated balance sheet. See “Note 7 – Leases” for additional disclosures related to our adoption of this ASC.

During 2022, we adopted FASB ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This ASU introduces a new accounting model, the Current Expected Credit Losses model (“CECL”), which requires recognition of credit losses and additional disclosures related to credit risk. The CECL model utilizes a lifetime expected credit loss measurement objective for the recognition of credit losses for loans and other receivables at the time the financial asset is originated or acquired. The expected credit losses are adjusted each period for changes in expected lifetime credit losses. This model replaces the multiple existing impairment models previously used under GAAP, which generally require that a loss be incurred before it is recognized. The new standard also applies to financial assets arising from revenue transactions such as contract assets and accounts receivable.

On January 1, 2022, we adopted FASB ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which removed specific exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 under GAAP. The new guidance also improves the application of income tax-related guidance and simplifies GAAP for franchise taxes that are partially based on income, transactions with a government that result in a step up in the tax basis of goodwill, separate financial statements of legal entities that are not subject to tax, and enacted changes in tax laws in interim periods. We adopted this guidance using a prospective method of transition, which did not result in a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued Standards Not Yet Adopted

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which enhances the disclosures required for operating segments in the Company's annual and interim consolidated financial statements. This ASU is effective retrospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on our disclosures.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which is intended to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures. This ASU provides for enhanced income tax information primarily through changes to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. This ASU is effective for the Company prospectively to all annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on our disclosures.