Willbros Continues Financial Turnaround, Reports Profit for Fourth Quarter 2007

HOUSTON, TX -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 02/27/08 -- Willbros Group, Inc. (NYSE: WG)

-- Both operating results and cash flow from continuing operations were positive in fourth quarter. -- Full year 2007 results included $22.0 million in charges for continuing operations and $10.3 million for discontinued operations related to agreements in principle to settle DOJ/SEC investigations. -- Full year net loss of $49.0 million compares to full year net loss of $105.4 million for 2006. -- Backlog at year end of $1.3 Billion, primarily in North America.

Willbros Group, Inc. (NYSE: WG) today reported its results for the fourth quarter and the full year 2007. On revenue of $947.7 million, from continuing operations, the net loss for the full year 2007 was $27.6 million, or $0.94 per share, as compared to a loss of $22.0 million, or $0.98 per share, in 2006. Full year results for continuing operations in 2007 included $22.0 million in government fines and penalties related to the agreements in principle to settle investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice and, for discontinued operations, $10.3 million in profit disgorgement and pre-judgment interest related to the investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Net loss from discontinued operations for the full year 2007 was $21.4 million, or $0.73 per share, compared to $83.4 million, or $3.72 per share, in 2006. Total net loss for the full year 2007 was $49.0 million, or $1.67 per share, compared to a net loss of $105.4 million, or $4.70 per share, in 2006.

Randy Harl, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Our 2007 annual results are vastly improved over 2006. We resolved many issues in 2007 which were negatively affecting the Company's performance. We now have the platform in place for Willbros to grow the size, scope and profitability of its business model. In 2007 we reduced the risk in the business model; added, with the InServ acquisition, the very robust downstream energy sector to our addressable market and improved our balance sheet and bank credit facility. These actions have positioned us to continue to deliver improving results, as we did in 2007. We are taking advantage of the most robust market for our services we have seen in years. Accordingly, in the second half of 2007, we generated much improved operating results and, with over seventy-five percent of our contract backlog cost reimbursable, we have more assurance that our 2008 results will meet our objectives. We have contract backlog over $1.3 billion, 94 percent of which is in North America, and the revenue from North America and Oman operations increased over 74 percent compared to 2006, with improved contract margins. An important milestone in 2007 was reaching agreements in principle with the SEC and DOJ to settle the previously disclosed investigations stemming from our former operations in Bolivia, Ecuador and Nigeria. Our markets in North America, where we are well positioned, continue to exhibit strength and recent market information indicates they are continuing to expand.

In summary, we reinvented the Company in 2007:

-- We improved our execution of projects and met the guidance we provided. -- We began generating positive cash flow from operations in the fourth quarter of 2007. -- We established a presence for mainline pipeline construction in Canada, an appealing and growing market. -- We transformed the company with the strategic acquisition of InServ, opening downstream energy markets to Willbros. -- We significantly improved our balance sheet by reducing our debt to equity ratio to .39 to one from 1.71 to one at the end of 2006. -- We entered into a new $150 million bank credit facility. -- We sold the Nigeria operations, vastly improving the Company's risk profile. -- We reached agreements in principle to settle the SEC and DOJ investigations. -- We replaced the backlog sold with the Nigeria operations with cost reimbursable work in North America.

As we enter the second century of the Willbros history, we believe the wind is at our back and the future of Willbros is a positive one with attractive growth opportunities."

Fourth Quarter 2007 Continuing Operations

The Company reported revenue from continuing operations of $337.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2007 compared to $191.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2006 which represented a 77 percent increase. The increase in revenue was due primarily to expanded activity in mainline pipeline construction in the United States, more construction activity in the oil sands region of Canada and 41 days of results from the addition of downstream services with the acquisition of InServ on November 20, 2007. Operating income in fourth quarter 2007 was $15.0 million compared to a loss of $1.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2006.

Net income from continuing operations from the fourth quarter of 2007 was $5.9 million, or $0.16 per fully diluted share, compared to a net loss of $3.4 million, or $0.14 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2006.

2007 Full Year Continuing Operations

The Company reported revenue from continuing operations of $947.7 million for the full year 2007 compared to $543.3 million in 2006, a 74 percent increase year over year. The increase in revenue was due to higher levels of activity in upstream and engineering segments and the addition of the downstream segment in November 2007. Increased construction and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) projects were underway in 2007, primarily in North America. G&A expenses were $68.1 million, 7.2 percent of revenue, in 2007, compared to $58.1 million, 10.7 percent of revenue, in 2006.

2007 Discontinued Operations

Discontinued operations reported a $21.4 million loss, or $0.73 per share for 2007 compared to a loss of $83.4 million or $3.72 per share, for the full year of 2006. For the three months ended December 31, 2007, discontinued operations reported a slight gain of $80 thousand compared to a loss of $37.2 million, or $1.47 per share for the fourth quarter 2006.

Backlog(1)

At December 31, 2007, Willbros reported backlog(1) from continuing operations of approximately $1.3 billion compared to $602 million at December 31, 2006. Backlog from continuing operations has increased by more than 100 percent since the end of 2006 and represents projects primarily in North America.

CONFERENCE CALL

In conjunction with the release, Willbros has scheduled a conference call, which will be broadcast live over the Internet on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time (8:00 a.m. Central).

What: Willbros Group, Inc. Fourth Quarter 2007 and Full Year Earnings Conference Call

When: Thursday, February 28, 2008 - 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time

Where: Live via phone by dialing 877-461-2815 and asking for the Willbros call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time

Where: Live over the Internet by logging onto www.willbros.com on the home page under Events.

A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available through March 13, 2008 and may be accessed by calling 800-408-3053 or 416-695-5800 and using the passcode 3253586. Also, an archive of the webcast will be available shortly after the call on www.willbros.com for a period of 12 months.

Willbros Group, Inc. is an independent contractor serving the oil, gas, power and refining and petrochemical industries, providing engineering and construction services to industry and government entities worldwide. For more information on Willbros, please visit our web site at www.willbros.com.

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, which address activities, events or developments the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, are forward-looking statements. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements, including those discussed above and such things as the potential for additional investigations; the possible losses arising from the discontinuation of operations and the sale of the Nigeria assets; fines and penalties by government agencies; the outcome of the current Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Foreign Assets Control and Department of Justice investigations; the identification of one or more other issues that require restatement of one or more prior period financial statements; the existence of material weaknesses in internal controls over financial reporting; availability of quality management; availability and terms of capital; changes in, or the failure to comply with, government regulations; ability to remain in compliance with, or obtain waivers under, the Company's loan agreements and indentures; the promulgation, application, and interpretation of environmental laws and regulations; future E&P capital expenditures, oil, gas, gas liquids, and power prices and demand, the amount and location of planned pipelines, the refinery crack spread and planned refinery outages and upgrades, the effective tax rate of the different countries where the work is being conducted, development trends of the oil, gas and power industries, changes in the political and economic environment of the countries in which the Company has operations, as well as other risk factors described from time to time in the Company's documents and reports filed with the SEC. The Company assumes no obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

WILLBROS GROUP, INC. (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

Three Months Ended Year Ended December 31, December 31, ------------------------ ------------------------ 2007 2006 2007 2006 ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------Statement of Operations Data Contract revenue Upstream O&G $ 262,204 $ 152,209 $ 744,308 $ 424,317 Downstream O&G 23,821 - 23,821 - Engineering 51,498 38,870 179,562 118,942 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- 337,523 191,079 947,691 543,259 Operating expenses Upstream O&G 246,633 154,665 722,433 439,798 Downstream O&G 23,151 - 23,151 - Engineering 52,691 37,671 171,199 115,492 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- 322,475 192,336 916,783 555,290 Operating income (loss) Upstream O&G 15,571 (2,456) 21,875 (15,481) Downstream O&G 670 - 670 - Engineering (1,193) 1,199 8,363 3,450 Government fines and penalties - - (22,000) - ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Operating income (loss) 15,048 (1,257) 8,908 (12,031) Other income (expense): Interest - net (984) (2,134) (3,103) (8,265) Other - net (1,458) 464 (3,477) 569 Loss on early extinguishment of debt - - (15,375) - ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- (2,442) (1,670) (21,955) (7,696) ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Income (loss) before income taxes 12,606 (2,927) (13,047) (19,727) Provision for income taxes 6,710 498 14,503 2,308 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Income (loss) from continuing operations 5,896 (3,425) (27,550) (22,035)

Income (loss) from discontinued operations 80 (37,166) (21,414) (83,402) ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Net income (loss) $ 5,976 $ (40,591) $ (48,964) $ (105,437) =========== =========== =========== ========== Basic income (loss) per share Continuing operations $ 0.17 $ (0.14) $ (0.94) $ (0.98) Discontinued operations - (1.47) (0.73) (3.72) ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- $ 0.17 $ (1.61) $ (1.67) $ (4.70) =========== =========== =========== ========== Diluted income (loss) per share Continuing operations $ 0.16 (0.14) $ (.94) (0.98) Discontinued operations - (1.47) (0.73) (3.72) ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- $ 0.16 $ (1.61) $ (1.67) $ (4.70) =========== =========== =========== ========== Cash Flow Data Continuing operations: Cash provided by (used in): Operating activities $ 3,166 $ 7,288 $ (19,463) $ (5,429) Investing activities (217,553) 14,368 (150,601) 40,804 Financing activities 249,804 43,709 221,359 51,550 Foreign exchange effects 89 380 2,297 139 Discontinued operations (1,329) (43,578) 1,651 (105,354)

Other Data (Continuing Operations) Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 34,768 25,321 29,259 22,441 Diluted 40,646 25,321 29,259 22,441 EBITDA $ 21,042 $ 2,457 $ 10,731 $ 968 Capital expenditures (12,237) 161 (35,634) (12,264)

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure

EBITDA (2) Net income (loss), continuing operations $ 5,896 $ (3,425) $ (27,550) $ (22,035) Interest - net 984 2,134 3,103 8,265 Income taxes 6,710 498 14,503 2,308 Depreciation and amortization 7,452 3,250 20,675 12,430 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- EBITDA $ 21,042 $ 2,457 $ 10,731 $ 968 =========== =========== =========== ========== Net income (loss) before special items (3) Net income (loss), continuing operations $ 5,896 $ (3,425) $ (27,550) $ (22,035) Government fines and penalties - - 22,000 - Loss on early extinguishment of debt - - 15,375 - ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Income (loss) before special items $ 5,896 $ (3,425) $ 9,825 $ (22,035) =========== =========== =========== ========== Basic income (loss) per share before special items Continuing operations $ 0.17 $ (0.14) $ (0.94) $ (0.98) Government fines and penalties - - 0.75 - Loss on early extinguishment of debt - - 0.53 - ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Income (loss) per share before special items $ 0.17 $ (0.14) $ 0.34 $ (0.98) =========== =========== =========== ========== -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance Sheet Data 12/31/2007 9/30/2007 6/30/2007 12/31/2006 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Cash and cash equivalents $ 92,886 $ 58,709 $ 107,762 $ 37,643 Working capital 201,348 122,286 112,823 170,825 Total assets 779,413 443,854 406,568 589,982 Total debt 152,346 139,372 141,466 167,139 Stockholders' equity 396,101 106,458 98,552 97,931

Backlog Data (1) By Reporting Segment: Upstream O&G $ 941,301 $ 428,839 Downstream O&G 199,646 - Engineering 164,494 173,433 ----------- ----------- $ 1,305,441 $ 602,272 =========== ========== By Geographic Area: North America 1,229,878 565,408 Middle East 75,563 36,864 ----------- ----------- $ 1,305,441 $ 602,272 =========== ========== (1) Backlog is anticipated contract revenue from projects for which award is either in hand or assured. (2) EBITDA is earnings before net interest, income taxes and depreciation and amortization. EBITDA as presented may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures reported by other companies. The Company believes EBITDA is a useful measure of evaluating its financial performance because of its focus on the Company's results from operations before net interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles. However, EBITDA is a common alternative measure of operating performance used by investors, financial analysts and rating agencies. A reconciliation of EBITDA to net income is included in the exhibit to this release. (3) Income (loss) before special items (and the related amounts per share), a non-GAAP financial measure, excludes special items that management believes affect the comparison of results for the periods presented. Management also believes results excluding these items are more comparable to estimates provided by securities analysts and therefore are useful in evaluating operational trends of the company and its performance relative to other engineering and construction companies.

CONTACT: Michael W. Collier Vice President, Investor Relations Willbros USA, Inc. (713) 403-8016

Connie Dever Director, Strategic Planning Willbros USA, Inc. (713) 403-8035

2008-02-27 18:49:27 0300152 MARKETWIRE