ProPetro Holding Corp. 10-K

Item 1A. Risk Factors. The following is a description of significant factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report and presented elsewhere by management from time to time. Such factors may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. It is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, you should not consider any such list to be a complete statement of all our potential risks or uncertainties. Due to these, and other factors, past performance should not be considered an indication of future performance. Risks Inherent in Our Business and Industry Our business and financial performance depends on the historically cyclical oil and natural gas industry and particularly on the level of capital spending and E&P activity within the United States and in the Permian Basin, and a decline in prices for oil and natural gas may cause fluctuation in operating results or otherwise have an adverse effect on our revenue, cash flows, profitability and growth. Demand for most of our services depends substantially on the level of capital expenditures in the Permian Basin by companies in the oil and natural gas industry. As a result, our operations are dependent on the levels of capital spending and activity in oil and gas exploration, development and production. Demand for our services is largely dependent on oil and natural gas prices, and our customers’ well completion budgets and rig count. Prolonged low oil and gas prices would generally depress the level of oil and natural gas exploration, development, production, and well completion activity and would result in a corresponding decline in the demand for the completion services that we provide. Historically, oil prices and markets have been extremely volatile. Prices are affected by many factors beyond our control. The average WTI oil price per barrel was approximately $78 , $94 and $68 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. In 2023, the volatility and overall decline in oil and natural gas prices caused a reduction in our customers’ spending and associated drilling and completion activities, which has had and may continue to have an adverse effect on our revenue and cash flows, if the WTI oil price remains highly volatile or declines in the future. Many factors over which we have no control affect the supply of, and demand for our services, and our customers’ willingness to explore, develop and produce oil and natural gas, and therefore, influence prices for our services, including: • the actions by the members of OPEC+ with respect to oil production levels and announcements of potential changes in such levels, including the ability of the OPEC+ countries to agree on and comply with supply limitations; • the domestic and foreign supply of, and demand for, oil and natural gas; • the level of prices, and expectations about future prices, of oil and natural gas; • the level of global oil and natural gas E&P; • the cost of exploring for, developing, producing and delivering oil and natural gas; • the supply of and demand for drilling and hydraulic fracturing and wireline equipment, including the supply and demand for lower emissions hydraulic fracturing and wireline equipment; • cost increases and supply chain constraints related to our services; • the expected decline in rates of current production; • the price and quantity of foreign imports; • political and economic conditions in oil and natural gas producing countries and regions, including the United States, the Middle East, Africa, South America and Russia; • the actions taken by the United States and other countries on climate change or to transition away from fossil fuels; • the severity and duration of world health events and related economic repercussions; • speculative trading in crude oil and natural gas derivative contracts; • the level of consumer product demand; 11 • the discovery rates of new oil and natural gas reserves; • contractions in the credit market; • the strength or weakness of the U.S. dollar; • available pipeline and other transportation capacity; • the levels of oil and natural gas storage; • weather conditions and other natural disasters; • domestic and foreign tax policy; • domestic and foreign governmental approvals and regulatory requirements and conditions, including tighter emissions standards in the energy industry; • the continued threat of terrorism and the impact of military and other action, including military action in the Middle East; • political or civil unrest in the United States or elsewhere, including the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in the Israel-Gaza region and related instability in the Middle East, including from Houthi rebels in Yemen; • technical advances affecting energy consumption; • the proximity and capacity of oil and natural gas pipelines and other transportation facilities; • the price and availability of alternative fuels; • the ability of oil and natural gas producers to raise equity capital and debt financing; • merger and divestiture activity among oil and natural gas producers; and • overall domestic and global economic conditions. These factors and the volatility of the energy markets make it extremely difficult to predict future oil and natural gas price movements with any certainty. In 2022, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine, leading to armed hostilities and imposition of sanctions on Russian economic trades. Since October 2023, an ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Israel-Gaza region has led to armed hostilities. These events, which have impacted economic activity and disrupted global supply chain dynamics, have contributed to the unpredictable nature of crude oil prices. The cyclical nature of the oil and natural gas industry may cause our operating results to fluctuate. We derive our revenues from companies in the oil and natural gas E&P industry, a historically cyclical industry with levels of activity that are significantly affected by the levels and volatility of oil and natural gas prices. We have experienced, and may in the future experience, significant fluctuations in operating results as a result of the reactions of our customers to changes in oil and natural gas prices. For example, a decline in oil and gas prices, combined with adverse changes in the capital and credit markets, could cause many E&P companies to significantly reduce their 2020 and 2021 capital budgets and drilling activity. This could result in a significant decline in demand for oilfield services and could adversely impact the prices oilfield service companies can charge for their services. These factors have materially and adversely affected our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, a majority of the service revenue we earn is based upon a charge for a relatively short period of time (for example, a day, a week or a month) for the actual period of time the service is provided to our customers. By contracting services on a short‑term basis, we are exposed to the risks of a rapid reduction in market prices and utilization and resulting volatility in our revenues. The majority of our operations are located in the Permian Basin, making us vulnerable to risks associated with operating in one major geographic area. Our operations are geographically concentrated in the Permian Basin. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, approximately 98.1% , 98.3% and 98.7%, respectively, of our revenues were attributable to our operations in the Permian Basin. As a result of this concentration, we may be disproportionately exposed to the impact of regional supply and demand factors, 12 delays or interruptions of production from wells in the Permian Basin caused by significant governmental regulation, processing or transportation capacity constraints, market limitations, curtailment of production or interruption of the processing or transportation of oil and natural gas produced from the wells in these areas. In addition, the effect of fluctuations on supply and demand may become more pronounced within specific geographic oil and natural gas producing areas such as the Permian Basin, which may cause these conditions to occur with greater frequency or magnify the effects of these conditions. Due to the concentrated nature of our operations, we could experience any of the same conditions at the same time, resulting in a relatively greater impact on our revenue than they might have on other companies that have more geographically diverse operations. The IRA 2022 could accelerate the transition to a low carbon economy and could impose new costs on our customers’ operations. In August 2022, the president signed the IRA 2022 into law. The IRA 2022 provides for hundreds of billions of dollars in incentives for the development of renewable energy, clean hydrogen, clean fuels, electric vehicles and supporting infrastructure and carbon capture and sequestration, amongst other provisions. These incentives could further accelerate the transition of the economy away from the use of fossil fuels towards lower- or zero-carbon emissions alternatives, which could decrease demand for oil and gas and consequently adversely affect the business of our customers, thereby reducing demand for our services. In addition, the IRA 2022 imposes the first ever federal fee on the emission of GHG through a methane emissions charge. The IRA 2022 amends the federal CAA to impose a fee on the emission of methane from sources required to report their GHG emissions to the EPA, including those sources in the offshore and onshore petroleum and natural gas production and gathering and boosting source categories. The methane emissions charge will start in calendar year 2024 at $900 per ton of methane, increase to $1,200 in 2025, and be set at $1,500 for 2026 and each year after. Calculation of the fee is based on certain thresholds established in the IRA 2022. The methane emissions charge could increase our customers’ operating costs and adversely affect their businesses, thereby reducing demand for our services. Our business may be adversely affected by a deterioration in general economic conditions or a weakening of the broader energy industry. A prolonged economic slowdown or recession in the United States, adverse events relating to the energy industry or regional, national and global economic conditions and factors, particularly a further slowdown in the E&P industry, could negatively impact our operations and therefore adversely affect our results. The risks associated with our business are more acute during periods of economic slowdown or recession because such periods may be accompanied by decreased exploration and development spending by our customers, decreased demand for oil and natural gas and decreased prices for oil and natural gas. New technology may cause us to become less competitive. The oilfield service industry is subject to the introduction of new drilling and completion techniques and services using new technologies, some of which may be subject to patent or other intellectual property protections. As competitors and others use or develop new or comparable technologies in the future, we may lose market share or be placed at a competitive disadvantage. The transition to lower emissions equipment is capital intensive and could require us to convert all our conventional Tier II equipment to lower emissions equipment. If we are unable to quickly transition to lower emissions equipment, the demand for our services could be adversely impacted. For example, many E&P companies, including our customers, are transitioning to a lower emissions operating environment and may require us to invest in equipment with lower emissions profiles. Further, we may face competitive pressure to develop, implement or acquire and deploy certain technology improvements at a substantial cost, such as our FORCE SM electric-powered hydraulic fracturing fleets deployed in 2023, or the cost of implementing or purchasing a technology like FORCE SM may be substantially higher than anticipated, and we may not be able to successfully implement the technologies we may purchase. In 2022, we recorded an impairment of $57.5 million on our DuraStim® electric-powered equipment because they did not meet our expectations. Some of our competitors have greater financial, technical and personnel resources that may allow them to enjoy technological advantages and develop and implement new products on a timely basis or at an acceptable cost. We cannot be certain that we will be able to develop and implement new technologies or products on a timely basis or at an acceptable cost. Limits on our ability to develop, effectively use and implement new and emerging technologies could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, prospects or results of operations. Our operations require substantial capital and we may be unable to obtain needed capital or financing on satisfactory terms, or at all, which could limit our ability to grow. The oilfield service industry is capital intensive. In conducting our business and operations, we have made, and expect to continue to make, substantial capital expenditures. Our total capital expenditures incurred were approximately $310.0 million , $365.3 million and $165.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. We have historically financed capital expenditures primarily with funding from cash on hand, cash flow from operations, equipment and vendor financing and 13 borrowings under our credit facility. We may be unable to generate sufficient cash from operations and other capital resources to maintain planned or future levels of capital expenditures which, among other things, may prevent us from acquiring new equipment (including equipment with a lower emissions profile) or properly maintaining our existing equipment. Any disruptions or volatility in the global financial markets may lead to an increase in interest rates or a contraction in credit availabil ity impacting our ability to finance our operations. Our borrowing base was $152.0 million as of December 31, 2023 . If our customer activity levels decline in the future resulting in a decrease in our eligible accounts receivable, our borrowing base could decline. This could put us at a competitive disadvantage or interfere with our growth plans. Further, our actual capital expenditures could exceed our capital expenditure budget. In the event our capital expenditure requirements at any time are greater than the amount of liquidity we have available, we could be required to seek additional sources of capital, which may include debt financing, joint venture partnerships, sales of assets, offerings of debt or equity securities or other means. We may not be able to obtain any such alternative source of capital. We may be required to curtail or eliminate contemplated activities. If we can obtain alternative sources of capital, the terms of such alternative may not be favorable to us. In particular, the terms of any debt financing may include covenants that significantly restrict our operations. Our inability to grow as planned may reduce our chances of maintaining and improving profitability. Concerns over general economic, business or industry conditions may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition. Concerns over global economic conditions, geopolitical issues (including the Russia-Ukraine war and conflicts in the Israel-Gaza region), public health crises, interest rates, inflation, the availability and cost of credit in the United States and foreign financial markets have contributed to increased economic uncertainty and diminished expectations for the global economy. These factors, combined with volatility in commodity prices, business and consumer confidence and unemployment rates, could precipitate an economic slowdown. Concerns about global economic growth have had a significant adverse impact on global financial markets and commodity prices. T he historically unpredictable nature of oil and natural gas prices, and particularly the volatility over the past two years have caused a reduction in our customers’ spending and associated drilling and completion activities, which had and may continue to have an adverse effect on our revenue and cash flows. If the economic climate in the United States or abroad deteriorates or remains uncertain, worldwide demand for petroleum products could diminish, which could impact the price at which oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids can be sold, which could affect the ability of our customers to continue operations and adversely impact our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition. Our indebtedness and liquidity needs could restrict our operations and adversely affect our financial condition. Our business is capital intensive and our existing and future indebtedness, whether incurred in connection with acquisitions, operations or otherwise, may adversely affect our operations and limit our growth, and we may have difficulty making debt service payments on such indebtedness as payments become due. Our level of indebtedness may affect our operations in several ways, including the following: • increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions; • the covenants that are contained in the agreements governing our indebtedness could limit our ability to borrow funds, dispose of assets, pay dividends and make certain investments; • our debt covenants could also affect our flexibility in planning for, and reacting to, changes in the economy and in our industry; • any failure to comply with the financial or other debt covenants, including covenants that impose requirements to maintain certain financial ratios, could result in an event of default, which could result in some or all of our indebtedness becoming immediately due and payable; • our level of debt could impair our ability to obtain additional financing, or obtain additional financing on favorable terms in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, research and development efforts, potential strategic acquisitions or other general corporate purposes; • placing us at a competitive disadvantage relative to competitors that have less debt; and • our business may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations to enable us to meet our obligations under our indebtedness. 14 Furthermore, interest rates on future indebtedness could be higher than current levels, causing our financing costs to increase accordingly. Changes in interest rates, either positive or negative, may affect the yield requirements of investors who invest in our shares, and a rising interest rate environment could have an adverse impact on the price of our shares, our ability to issue equity or incur debt. Restrictions in our ABL Credit Facility and any future financing agreements may limit our ability to finance future operations or capital needs or capitalize on potential acquisitions and other business opportunities. The operating and financial restrictions and covenants in our credit facility and any future financing agreements could restrict our ability to finance future operations or capital needs or to expand or pursue our business activities. For example, our ABL Credit Facility restricts or limits our ability to: • grant liens; • incur additional indebtedness; • engage in a merger, consolidation or dissolution; • enter into transactions with affiliates; • sell or otherwise dispose of assets, businesses and operations; • materially alter the character of our business as currently conducted; and • make acquisitions, investments and capital expenditures. Furthermore, our ABL Credit Facility contains certain other operating and financial covenants. Our ability to comply with the covenants and restrictions contained in the ABL Credit Facility may be affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions. If market or other economic conditions deteriorate, our ability to comply with these covenants may be impaired. If we violate any of the restrictions, covenants, ratios or tests in our ABL Credit Facility, a significant portion of our indebtedness may become immediately due and payable and our lenders’ commitment to make further loans to us may terminate. Further, our borrowing base, as redetermined monthly, has a borrowing base of the sum of 85.0% to 90.0% of eligible accounts receivable and 80% of eligible unbilled accounts (up to a maximum of 25% of the borrowing base), in each case, depending on the credit ratings of our accounts receivable counterparties, less customary reserves (the “Borrowing Base”). Changes to our operational activity levels or customer concentration levels have an impact on our total eligible accounts receivable, which could result in significant changes to our borrowing base and therefore our availability under our ABL Credit Facility. If our customer activity declines in the future, our borrowing base could decline. If our borrowing base is reduced below the amount of our outstanding borrowings, we will be required to re pay the excess borrowings immediately on demand by the lenders. We might not have, or be able to obtain, sufficient funds to make these accelerated payments. Any subsequent replacement of our ABL Credit Facility or any new indebtedness could have similar or greater restrictions. Please read " Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Credit Facility and Other Financing Arrangements. " We may record losses or impairment charges related to goodwill and long-lived assets including intangible assets. Changes in future market conditions and prolonged periods of low utilization, changes in technology or the sale of assets below their carrying value may cause us to experience losses in our results of operations. These events could result in the recognition of impairment charges or losses from asset sales that negatively impact our financial results. Significant impairment charges or losses from asset sales as a result of a decline in market conditions or otherwise could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in future periods. For example, in 2021, we recorded loss on disposal of asset $3.5 million in connection with the sale of our two turbines . In 2022, we recorded impairment charges of $57.5 million in connection with our DuraStim® electric powered hydraulic fracturing equipment . If oil and natural gas prices trade at depressed price levels, and our equipment remains idle or under-utilized, the estimated fair value of such equipment may decline, which will result in additional impairment expense in the future. Our operations are subject to unforeseen interruptions and hazards inherent in the oil and natural gas industry, for which we may not be adequately insured and which could cause us to lose customers and substantial revenue. Our operations are exposed to the risks inherent to our industry, such as equipment defects, vehicle accidents, worksite injuries to our or third-party personnel, fires, explosions, blowouts, surface cratering, uncontrollable flows of gas or well fluids, pipe or pipeline failures, abnormally pressured formations and various environmental hazards, such as oil spills and releases of, and 15 exposure to, hazardous substances. For example, our operations are subject to risks associated with hydraulic fracturing, including any mishandling, surface spillage or potential underground migration of fracturing fluids, including hydrochloric acid and other chemical additives. In addition, our operations are exposed to potential natural disasters, including blizzards, tornadoes, storms, floods, other adverse weather conditions and earthquakes. The occurrence of any of these events could result in substantial losses to us due to injury or loss of life, severe damage to or destruction of property, natural resources and equipment, pollution or other environmental damage, cleanup responsibilities, regulatory investigations and penalties or other damage resulting in curtailment or suspension of our operations or the loss of customers. The cost of managing such risks may be significant. The frequency and severity of such incidents will affect operating costs, insurability and relationships with customers, employees and regulators. In particular, our customers may elect not to purchase our services if they view our environmental or safety record as unacceptable, which could cause us to lose customers and substantial revenues. Our insurance may not be adequate to cover all losses or liabilities we may suffer. We are also self-insured up to $10 million per occurrence for certain losses arising from or attributable to fire and/or explosion at wellsites that do not have qualified fire suppression measures. Furthermore, we may be unable to maintain or obtain insurance of the type and amount we desire at reasonable rates. As a result of market conditions, premiums and deductibles for certain of our insurance policies have increased and could escalate further. In addition, sub‑limits have been imposed for certain risks. In some instances, certain insurance could become unavailable or available only for reduced amounts of coverage. If we were to incur a significant liability for which we are not fully insured, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, we may not be able to secure additional insurance or bonding that might be required by new governmental regulations. This may cause us to restrict our operations, which might severely impact our financial position. Since hydraulic fracturing activities are part of our operations, they are covered by our insurance against claims made for bodily injury, property damage and cleanup costs stemming from a sudden and accidental pollution event. However, we may not have coverage if we are unaware of the pollution event and unable to report the " occurrence " to our insurance company within the time frame required under our insurance policy. In addition, these policies do not provide coverage for all liabilities, and the insurance coverage may not be adequate to cover claims that may arise, or we may not be able to maintain adequate insurance at rates we consider reasonable. A loss not fully covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. A terrorist attack, armed conflict or political or civil unrest could harm our business. Terrorist activities, anti‑terrorist efforts, other armed conflicts and political or civil unrest, including the Russia-Ukraine war and conflicts in the Israel-Gaza region, could adversely affect the U.S. and global economies and could prevent us from meeting financial and other obligations. We could experience loss of business, delays or defaults in payments from payors or disruptions of fuel supplies and markets if pipelines, production facilities, processing plants, refineries or transportation facilities are direct targets or indirect casualties of an act of terror or war. Such activities could reduce the overall demand for oil and natural gas, which, in turn, could also reduce the demand for our services. Terrorist activities, the threat of potential terrorist activities, political or civil unrest and any resulting economic downturn could adversely affect our results of operations, impair our ability to raise capital or otherwise adversely impact our ability to realize certain business strategies. We may be subject to claims for personal injury and property damage, which could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. We operate with most of our customers under master service agreements ( " MSAs " ). We endeavor to allocate potential liabilities and risks between the parties in the MSAs. Generally, under our MSAs, including those relating to our hydraulic fracturing services, we assume responsibility for, including control and removal of, pollution or contamination which originates above surface and originates from our equipment or services. Our customer assumes responsibility for, including control and removal of, all other pollution or contamination which may occur during operations, including that which may result from seepage or any other uncontrolled flow of drilling fluids. We may have liability in such cases if we are negligent or commit willful acts. Generally, our customers also agree to indemnify us against claims arising from their employees’ personal injury or death to the extent that, in the case of our hydraulic fracturing operations, their employees are injured or their properties are damaged by such operations, unless resulting from our gross negligence or willful misconduct. Similarly, we generally agree to indemnify our customers for liabilities arising from personal injury to or death of any of our employees, unless resulting from gross negligence or willful misconduct of the customer. In addition, our customers generally agree to indemnify us for loss or destruction of customer‑owned property or equipment and in turn, we agree to indemnify our customers for loss or destruction of property or equipment we own. Losses due to catastrophic events, such as blowouts, are generally the responsibility of the customer. However, despite this general allocation of risk, we might not succeed in enforcing such contractual allocation, might incur an unforeseen liability falling outside the scope of such allocation or may be required to enter into an MSA with terms 16 that vary from the above allocations of risk. Litigation arising from a catastrophic occurrence at a location where our equipment and services are being used may result in us being named as a defendant in lawsuits asserting large claims. As a result, we may incur substantial losses which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operation. We are subject to cyber security risks. A cyber incident could occur and result in information theft, data corruption, operational disruption and/or financial loss. The oil and natural gas industry has become increasingly dependent on digital technologies to conduct certain processing activities. For example, we depend on digital technologies to perform many of our services and process and record operational and accounting data. At the same time, cyber incidents, including deliberate attacks or unintentional events, have increased. The frequency and magnitude of cybersecurity attacks is increasing and attackers have become more sophisticated. Cybersecurity attacks are similarly evolving and include without limitation use of malicious software, surveillance, credential stuffing, spear phishing, social engineering, use of deepfakes (i.e., highly realistic synthetic media generated by artificial intelligence), attempts to gain unauthorized access to data, and other electronic security breaches that could lead to disruptions in critical systems, unauthorized release of confidential or otherwise protected information and corruption of data. We may be unable to anticipate, detect or prevent future attacks, particularly as the methodologies used by attackers change frequently or are not identifiable until deployed. We may also be unable to investigate or remediate incidents as attackers are increasingly using techniques and tools designed to circumvent controls, to avoid detection, and to remove or obfuscate forensic evidence. The U.S. government has issued public warnings indicating that energy assets might be specific targets of cyber security threats. Our technologies, systems and networks, and those of our vendors, suppliers and other business partners, may become the target of cyberattacks or information security breaches that could result in the unauthorized release, gathering, monitoring, misuse, loss or destruction of proprietary information, personal information and other data, or other disruption of our business operations. In addition, certain cyber incidents, such as unauthorized surveillance, may remain undetected for an extended period. Our systems and insurance coverage (if any) for protecting against cyber security risks, including cyberattacks, may not be sufficient and may not protect against or cover all of the losses (including potential reputational loss) we may experience as a result of the realization of such risks. As cyber incidents continue to evolve, we may be required to expend additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate the effects of cyber incidents. We utilize technologies, controls and procedures, as well as internal staff and external service providers to protect our systems and data, to identify and remediate vulnerabilities and to monitor and respond to threats. However, there can be no assurance that such measures will be sufficient to prevent security breaches from occurring. No security measure is infallible. If we or the third parties with whom we interact were to experience a successful attack, the potential consequences to our business, workforce and the communities in which we operate could be significant, including financial losses, regulatory fines, loss of business, an inability to settle transactions or maintain operations, litigation costs, remediation costs, disruptions related to investigation, and significant damage to our reputation. We may grow through acquisitions and our failure to properly plan and manage those acquisitions may adversely affect our performance. We have completed and may in the future pursue, asset acquisitions or acquisitions of businesses. Any acquisition of assets or businesses involves potential risks, including the failure to realize expected profitability, growth or accretion; environmental or regulatory compliance matters or liability; title or permit issues; the incurrence of significant charges, such as impairment of goodwill, property and equipment or intangible assets or restructuring charges; and the incurrence of unanticipated liabilities and costs for which indemnification is unavailable or inadequate. The process of upgrading acquired assets to our specifications and integrating acquired assets or businesses may also involve unforeseen costs and delays or other operational, technical and financial difficulties and may require a significant amount of time and resources and may divert management’s attention from existing operations or other priorities. For example, in 2023, we acquired the assets and operations of Par Five, and we are in the process of fully integrating all parts of the acquired business into our operations. We must plan and manage any acquisitions effectively to achieve revenue growth and maintain profitability in our evolving market. Any failure to manage acquisitions effectively or integrate acquired assets or businesses into our existing operations successfully, or to realize the expected benefits from an acquisition or minimize any unforeseen operational difficulties, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, prospects or results of operations. We may be adversely affected by the effects of inflation. 17 The U.S. inflation rate steadily increased in 2021 and 2022 before decreasing to a moderate level in 2023. Inflation in wages, materials, parts, equipment and other costs has the potential to adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial position by increasing our overall cost structure, particularly if we are unable to achieve commensurate increases in the prices we charge our customers for our products and services. In addition, the existence of inflation in the economy has the potential to result in higher interest rates, which could result in higher borrowing costs, supply shortages, increased costs of labor, weakening exchange rates and other similar effects. Sustained levels of high inflation have likewise caused the U.S. Federal Reserve and other central banks to increase interest rates multiple times in 2023 and the U.S. Federal Reserve may continue to raise benchmark interest rates into 2024 in an effort to curb inflationary pressure on the costs of goods and services across the U.S., which could have the effects of raising the cost of capital and depressing economic growth, either of which—or the combination thereof—could hurt the financial and operating results of our business. To the extent elevated inflation remains, we may experience further cost increases for our operations, including labor costs and equipment. We cannot predict any future trends in the rate of inflation and a significant increase in inflation, to the extent we are unable to timely pass-through the cost increases to our customers, would negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. Adverse developments affecting the financial services industry, such as events or concerns involving liquidity, defaults or non-performance by financial institutions or transactional counterparties, could adversely affect the Company’s current and projected business operations and its financial condition and results of operations. Events involving limited liquidity, defaults, non-performance or other adverse developments that affect financial institutions, transactional counterparties or other companies in the financial services industry or the financial services industry generally, concerns or rumors about such events or other similar risks, have in the past and may in the future lead to acute or market-wide liquidity problems. In addition, if any of the Company’s customers, suppliers or other business counterparties are unable to access funds held by such a financial institution, such parties’ ability to pay their obligations to the Company or to enter into new commercial arrangements requiring additional payments to the Company could be adversely affected. Inflation and rapid increases in interest rates have led to a decline in the trading value of previously issued government securities with interest rates below current market interest rates. Although the U.S. Department of Treasury, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") and Federal Reserve Board have announced a program to mitigate the risk of potential losses on the sale of such instruments, widespread demands for customer withdrawals or other needs of financial institutions for immediate liquidity may exceed the capacity of such program. Additionally, the Company maintains cash balances at third-party financial institutions in excess of the FDIC standard insurance limits, and there is no guarantee that the U.S. Department of Treasury, FDIC and Federal Reserve Board will provide access to uninsured funds in the future in the event of the closure of such banks or financial institutions, or that they would do so in a timely fashion. Access to funding sources and other credit arrangements in amounts adequate to finance the Company’s business operations could be significantly impaired by the foregoing factors that affect the Company, any financial institutions with which the Company enters into credit agreements or arrangements directly, or the financial services industry or economy in general. These factors could include, among others, events such as liquidity constraints or failures, the ability to perform obligations under various types of financial, credit or liquidity agreements or arrangements, disruptions or instability in the financial services industry or financial markets, or concerns or negative expectations about the prospects for companies in the financial services industry. The results of events or concerns that involve one or more of these factors could include a variety of material and adverse impacts on the Company’s current and projected business operations and the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. These risks include, but may not be limited to, the following: • delayed access to deposits or other financial assets or the uninsured loss of deposits or other financial assets; • inability to enter into credit facilities or other working capital resources; • potential or actual breach of contractual obligations that require the Company to maintain letters of credit or other credit support arrangements; or • termination of cash management arrangements and/or delays in accessing or actual loss of funds subject to cash management arrangements. In addition, investor concerns regarding the U.S. or international financial systems could result in less favorable commercial financing terms, including higher interest rates or costs and tighter financial and operating covenants, or systemic limitations on access to credit and liquidity sources, thereby making it more difficult for the Company to acquire financing on acceptable 18 terms or at all. Any decline in available funding or access to cash and liquidity resources could, among other risks, adversely impact the Company’s ability to meet operating expenses or other obligations, financial or otherwise, result in breaches of the Company’s financial and/or contractual obligations, or result in violations of federal or state wage and hour laws. In addition, any further deterioration in the macroeconomic economy or financial services industry could lead to losses or defaults by the Company’s customers, vendors or suppliers. Any of these impacts, or any other impacts resulting from the factors described above or other related or similar factors, could have material adverse impacts on the Company’s liquidity and their current and/or projected business operations and financial condition and results of operations. Risks Related to Customers, Suppliers and Competition Reliance upon a few large customers may adversely affect our revenue and operating results. The majority of our revenue is generated from our hydraulic fracturing services. Due to the large percentage of our revenue historically derived from our hydraulic fracturing services with recurring customers and the limited availability of our fracturing units, we have had some degree of customer concentration. Our top ten customers represented approximately 85.5% , 91.2% and 91.4% of our consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. It is likely that we will depend on a relatively small number of customers for a significant portion of our revenue in the future. If a major customer fails to pay us, revenue would be impacted and our operating results and financial condition could be harmed. Additionally, if we were to lose any material customer, we may not be able to redeploy our equipment at similar utilization or pricing levels and such loss could have an adverse effect on our business until the equipment is redeployed at similar utilization or pricing levels. Endeavor Energy Resources and XTO Energy accounted for 19.7% and 18.2% , respectively, of our revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023. If either of these customers were to significantly reduce or discontinue our services, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. There have been many recent mergers and acquisitions in the oil and gas industry. In October 2023, Pioneer entered into a merger agreement with Exxon Mobil Corporation. Mergers and acquisitions involving our customers could negatively impact our future business with them or positively impact our business by providing us access to potential new customers. We face significant competition that may cause us to lose market share, and competition in our industry has intensified during the industry downturn. The oilfield service industry is highly competitive and has relatively few barriers to entry. The principal competitive factors impacting sales of our services are price, reputation and technical expertise, equipment and service quality and health and safety standards. The market is also fragmented and includes numerous small companies capable of competing effectively in our markets on a local basis, as well as several large companies that possess substantially greater financial and other resources than we do. Our larger competitors’ greater resources could allow those competitors to compete more effectively than we can. For instance, our larger competitors may offer services at below‑market prices or bundle ancillary services at no additional cost to our customers. We compete with large national and multi‑national companies that have longer operating histories, greater financial, technical and other resources and greater name recognition than we do. Several of our competitors provide a broader array of services and have a stronger presence in more geographic markets. In addition, we compete with several smaller companies capable of competing effectively on a regional or local basis. Some jobs are awarded on a bid basis, which further increases competition based on price. Pricing is often the primary factor in determining which qualified contractor is awarded a job. The competitive environment may be further intensified by tighter emissions standards in the energy industry and mergers and acquisitions among oil and natural gas companies or other events that have the effect of reducing the number of available customers. As a result of competition, we may lose customers or customer work and lose market share or be unable to maintain or increase prices for our present services or to acquire additional business opportunities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Our competitors may be able to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies and services and changes in customer requirements. The amount of equipment available may exceed demand, which could result in active price competition. In addition, some E&P companies have commenced completing their wells using their own hydraulic fracturing equipment and personnel. Any increase in the development and utilization of in‑house fracturing capabilities by our customers could decrease the demand for our services and have a material adverse impact on our business. Pressure on pricing for our services resulting from the industry downturn has impacted, and may continue to impact, our ability to maintain utilization and pricing for our services or implement price increases. During periods of declining pricing for our services, we may not be able to reduce our costs accordingly, which could further adversely affect our results of operations. 19 Also, we may not be able to successfully increase prices without adversely affecting our utilization levels. The inability to maintain our utilization and pricing levels, or to increase our prices as costs increase, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, competition among oilfield service and equipment providers is affected by each provider’s reputation for safety and quality. We cannot assure that we will be able to maintain our competitive position. We are exposed to the credit risk of our customers, and any material nonpayment or nonperformance by our customers could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. We are subject to the risk of loss resulting from nonpayment or nonperformance by our customers. Our credit procedures and policies may not be adequate to fully eliminate customer credit risk. If we fail to adequately assess the creditworthiness of existing or future customers or unanticipated deterioration in their creditworthiness, any resulting increase in nonpayment or nonperformance by them and our inability to re‑market or otherwise use the production could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In weak economic environments, we may experience increased delays and failures to pay due to, among other reasons, a reduction in our customers’ cash flow from operations and their access to the credit markets or other sources of capital. The unpredictable nature of oil and gas prices in recent years and other factors may have negatively impacted the financial condition and liquidity of some of our customers, and future declines or continued volatility could impact their ability to meet their financial obligations to us. If our customers delay paying or fail to pay us a significant amount of our outstanding receivables, it could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, results of operations, and financial condition. Our business depends upon the ability to obtain specialized equipment, parts and key raw materials, including sand and chemicals, from third‑party suppliers, and we may be vulnerable to delayed deliveries and future price increases. We purchase specialized equipment, parts and raw materials (including, for example, frac sand, chemicals and fluid ends) from third party suppliers and affiliates. In some cases, our customers are responsible for supplying necessary raw materials (including frac sand), parts and/or equipment. At times during the business cycle, there is a high demand for hydraulic fracturing and other oilfield services and extended lead times to obtain equipment and raw materials needed to provide these services. For example, in 2021 and 2022, there was significant disruption in supply chains around the world caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that impacted our operations. Should our current suppliers (or our customers’ suppliers where applicable) be unable or unwilling to provide the necessary equipment, parts or raw materials or otherwise fail to deliver the products timely and/or in the quantities required, any resulting delays in the provision of our services could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, future price increases for this type of equipment, parts and raw materials could negatively impact our ability to purchase new equipment, to update or expand our existing fleets, to timely repair equipment in our existing fleets or meet the current demands of our customers. We may be required to pay fees to certain of our Sand Suppliers based on minimum volumes under long-term contracts regardless of actual volumes received. We enter into purchase agreements with the Sand Suppliers to secure supply of sand in the normal course of our business. The agreements with the Sand Suppliers require that we purchase minimum volume of sand, based primarily on a certain percentage of our sand requirements from our customers or in certain situations based on predetermined fixed minimum volumes, otherwise certain penalties (shortfall fees) may be charged. The shortfall fee represents liquidated damages and is either a fixed percentage of the purchase price for the mi nimum volumes or a fixed price per ton of unpurchased volumes. Our current agreements with Sand Suppliers expire at different times prior to December 31, 2025. Disruption of our supply chain could adversely impact our ability to provide our services. Our suppliers use multiple forms of transportation to bring their products to market, including truck, ocean and air-cargo shipments. Disruption to the timely supply of raw materials, parts and finished goods or increases in the cost of transportation services, including due to general inflationary pressures, cost of fuel and labor, labor disputes, governmental regulation or governmental restrictions limiting specific forms of transportation, could have an adverse effect on our ability to provide our services, which would adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial position. Risks Related to Employees We rely on a few key employees whose absence or loss could adversely affect our business. 20 Many key responsibilities within our business have been assigned to a small number of employees. The loss of their services could adversely affect our business. In particular, the loss of the services of one or more members of our executive team, such as our Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Chief Commercial Officer and General Counsel could disrupt our operations. We do not maintain " key person " life insurance policies on any of our employees. As a result, we are not insured against any losses resulting from the death of our key employees. If we are unable to employ a sufficient number of skilled and qualified workers, our capacity and profitability could be diminished and our growth potential could be impaired. The delivery of our services requires skilled and qualified workers with specialized skills and experience who can perform physically demanding work. As a result of the volatility of the oilfield service industry and the demanding nature of the work, workers may choose to pursue employment in fields that offer a less challenging work environment at wage rates that are competitive. Our ability to be productive and profitable will depend upon our ability to employ and retain skilled workers. In addition, our ability to expand our operations depends in part on our ability to increase the size of our skilled workers. As a result of the physical nature of our operations, we have experienced difficulties in attracting and retaining skilled workers. If demand for our services increases, we may experience difficulty in hiring or re-hiring skilled and unskilled workers in the future to meet that demand. At times, the demand for skilled workers in our geographic areas of operations is high, and the supply is limited. As a result, competition for experienced oilfield service personnel is intense, and we face significant challenges in competing for crews and management with large and well‑established competitors. A significant increase in the wages paid by competing employers could result in a reduction of our skilled labor force, increases in the wage rates that we must pay, or both. Furthermore, if we are unable to adjust wages to account for rapidly rising inflationary cost, there could be a reduction in the available skilled labor force we could attract or retain. If any of these events were to occur, our capacity and profitability could be diminished and our growth potential could be impaired. Risks Related to Regulatory Matters We are subject to environmental laws and regulations, and future compliance, claims, and liabilities relating to such matters may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows. The nature of our operations, including the handling, storing, transporting and disposing of a variety of fluids and substances, including hydraulic fracturing fluids, which can contain substances such as hydrochloric acid, and other regulated substances, air emissions and wastewater discharges exposes us to some risks of environmental liability, including the release of pollutants from oil and natural gas wells and associated equipment to the environment. The cost of compliance with these laws can be significant. Failure to properly handle, transport or dispose of these materials or otherwise conduct our operations in accordance with these and other environmental laws could expose us to substantial liability for administrative, civil and criminal penalties, cleanup and site restoration costs and liability associated with releases of such materials, damages to natural resources and other damages, as well as potentially impair our ability to conduct our operations. Such liability is commonly on a strict, joint and several liability basis, without regard to fault. Liability may be imposed as a result of our conduct that was lawful at the time it occurred or the conduct of, or conditions caused by, prior operators or other third parties. Neighboring landowners and other third parties may file claims against us for personal injury or property damage allegedly caused by the release of pollutants into the environment. Environmental laws and regulations have changed in the past, and they may change in the future and become more stringent. For example, the current government has made climate change a focus of its administration. For more information, see our risk factor titled, “Our and our customers’ operations are subject to a series of risks arising out of the threat of climate change that could result in increased operating costs, limit the areas in which oil and natural gas production may occur, and reduce demand for the products and services we provide.” Separately, current and future claims and liabilities may have a material adverse effect on us because of potential adverse outcomes, defense costs, diversion of management resources, unavailability of insurance coverage and other factors. The ultimate costs of these liabilities are difficult to determine and may exceed any reserves we may have established. If existing environmental requirements or enforcement policies change, we may be required to make significant unanticipated capital and operating expenditures. Our and our customers’ operations are subject to a series of risks arising out of the threat of climate change that could result in increased operating costs, limit the areas in which oil and natural gas production may occur, and reduce demand for the products and services we provide. The threat of climate change continues to attract considerable attention in the United States and in foreign countries. Numerous proposals have been made and could continue to be made at the international, national, regional and state levels of government to monitor and limit existing emissions of GHGs as well as to restrict or eliminate future GHG emissions. As a result, our 21 operations as well as the operations of our oil and natural gas E&P customers are subject to a series of regulatory, political, litigation, and financial risks associated with the production and processing of fossil fuels and emission of GHGs. In the United States, no comprehensive climate change legislation has been implemented at the federal level, though recently passed laws such as the IRA 2022 advance numerous climate-related objectives. Additionally, following the U.S. Supreme Court finding that GHG emissions constitute a pollutant under the CAA, the EPA has adopted regulations that, among other things, establish construction and operating permit reviews for GHG emissions from certain large stationary sources, require the monitoring and annual reporting of GHG emissions from certain petroleum and natural gas system sources in the United States, implement New Source Performance Standards directing the reduction of certain pollutants from certain new, modified, or reconstructed facilities in the oil and natural gas sector, and together with the DOT, implementing GHG emissions limits on vehicles manufactured for operation in the United States. In September 2020, the government revised prior regulations to rescind certain methane standards and remove the transmission and storage segments from the source category for certain regulations. However, subsequently, the U.S. Congress approved, and the president signed into law, a resolution under the Congressional Review Act to repeal the September 2020 revisions to the methane standards, effectively reinstating the prior standards. Additionally, in November 2021, the EPA finalized a rule that established OOOOb more stringent new source and OOOOc first-time existing source standards of performance for methane and volatile organic compound emissions for oil and gas facilities. Under the final rule, states will have two years to prepare and submit their plans to impose methane emissions controls on existing sources. The presumptive standards under the final rule are generally the same for both new and existing sources, including enhanced leak detection using optical gas imaging and subsequent repair equipment, and reduction of emissions by 95% through capture and control systems. The rule also revises requirements for fugitive emissions monitoring and repair as well as equipment leaks and the frequency of monitoring surveys, establishes a " super-emitter " response program to timely mitigate emissions events as detected by governmental agencies or qualified third parties, triggering certain investigation and repair requirements, and provides additional options for the use of advanced monitoring to encourage the deployment of innovative technologies to detect and reduce methane emissions. It is likely that these requirements will be subject to legal challenge. Failure to comply with these new methane rules may result in substantial fines and penalties for non-compliance, as well as injunctive relief. Additionally, various states and groups of states have adopted or are considering adopting legislation, regulations or other regulatory initiatives that are focused on such areas such as GHG cap and trade programs, carbon taxes, reporting and tracking programs, and restriction of emissions. At the international level, the United Nations-sponsored Paris Agreement, requires member states to submit non-binding, individually-determined reduction goals known as NDCs every five years after 2020. Following the president’s executive order in January 2021, the United States rejoined the Paris Agreement and, in April 2021, established a goal of reducing economy-wide net GHG emissions 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030. Additionally, at the 26th Conference of the Parties ("COP26") in Glasgow in November 2021, the United States and the European Union jointly announced the launch of the Global Methane Pledge; an initiative committing to a collective goal of reducing global methane emissions by at least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030, including "all feasible reductions" in the energy sector. At the 27th Conference of the Parties in November 2022, countries reiterated the agreements from COP26 and were called upon to accelerate efforts toward the phase out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. The U.S. also announced, in conjunction with the European Union and other partner countries, that it would develop standards for monitoring and reporting methane emissions to help create a market for low methane-intensity natural gas. At the 28th Conference of the Parties (“COP28”) in December 2023, countries reached an agreement to tackle climate change by transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems in a just, orderly and equitable manner. The agreement set global targets to triple the capacity of renewable energy like wind and solar power, and to double the rate of energy efficiency improvements, both by 2030, and also called on countries to accelerate low- and zero-emission technologies like carbon capture and storage. Although no firm commitment or timeline to transition away from fossil fuels was made at COP28, there can be no guarantees that countries will not seek to implement plans to transition away from fossil fuels in the future. Additionally, the agreements could result in increased pressure among financial institutions and various stakeholders to reduce or otherwise impose more stringent limitations on funding for and increase potential opposition to the production and use of fossil fuels. However, the impacts of these actions are unclear at this time. Additionally, various states and groups of states have adopted or are considering adopting legislation, regulations or other regulatory initiatives that are focused on such areas GHG cap and trade programs, carbon taxes, reporting and tracking programs, and restriction of emissions. At the international level, the United Nations-sponsored Paris Agreement, requires member states to submit non-binding, individually-determined reduction goals known as NDC’s every five years after 2020. Following the president’s executive order in January 2021, the United States rejoined the Paris Agreement and, in April 2021, established a goal of reducing economy-wide net GHG emissions 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030. Additionally, at the COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021, the United States and the European Union jointly announced the launch of a Global Methane Pledge; an initiative committing to a collective goal of reducing global methane emissions by at least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030, including “all feasible reductions” in the energy sector. However, the impacts of these actions are unclear at this time. 22 Governmental, scientific, and public concern over the threat of climate change arising from GHG emissions has resulted in increasing political risks in the United States, including climate-change-related pledges made by certain candidates for public office. On January 27, 2021, the president issued an executive order that commits to substantial action on climate change, calling for, among other things, the increased use of zero-emissions vehicles by the federal government, the elimination of subsidies provided to the fossil fuel industry, and an increased emphasis on climate-related risk across government agencies and economic sectors. The executive order also suspended the issuance of new leases for oil and gas development on federal land; for more information, see our risk factor titled " Federal and state legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing could result in increased costs and additional operating restrictions or delays. " Other actions that the current government may take include the imposition of more restrictive requirements for the development of pipeline infrastructure or liquefied natural gas export facilities, or more restrictive GHG emissions limitations for oil and gas facilities. For example, on January 26, 2024, the president announced a temporary pause on pending decisions on new exports of LNG to countries that the United States does not have free trade agreements with, pending Department of Energy review of the underlying analyses for authorizations. The pause is intended to provide time to integrate certain considerations, including potential energy cost increases for consumers and manufacturers and the latest assessment of the impact of GHG emissions, to ensure adequate guards against health risks are in place.Litigation risks are also increasing as a number of parties have sought to bring suit against certain oil and natural gas companies operating in the United States in state or federal court, alleging among other things, that such companies created public nuisances by producing fuels that contributed to climate change or that such companies have been aware of the adverse effects of climate change but failed to adequately disclose those impacts to their investors or customers. There are also increasing financial risks for companies in the fossil fuel sector as shareholders currently invested in fossil-fuel energy companies concerned about the potential effects of climate change may elect in the future to shift some or all of their investments into non-fossil fuel related sectors. Institutional lenders who provide financing to fossil-fuel energy companies also have become more attentive to sustainable lending practices and some of them may elect not to provide funding for fossil fuel energy companies. For example, at COP26, the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero ("GFANZ") announced that commitments from over 450 firms across 45 countries had resulted in over $130 trillion in capital committed to net zero goals. The various sub-alliances of GFANZ generally require participants to set short-term, sector-specific targets to transition their financing, investing, and/or underwriting activities to net zero emissions by 2050. There is also a risk that financial institutions will be required to adopt policies that have the effect of reducing the funding provided to the fossil fuel sector. In late 2020, the Federal Reserve announced that it has joined the Network for Greening the Financial System ("NGFS"), a consortium of financial regulators focused on addressing climate-related risks in the financial sector. Subsequently, the Federal Reserve has issued a statement in support of the efforts of the NGFS to identify key issues and potential solutions for the climate-related challenges most relevant to central banks and supervisory authorities. Limitation of investments in and financings for fossil fuel energy companies could result in the restriction, delay or cancellation of drilling programs or development or production activities. In January 2023, the Federal Reserve launched a pilot climate scenario analysis exercise, with six of the United States’ largest banks participating to enhance the ability of firms and supervisors to measure and manage climate-related financial risk. Additionally, the SEC released a final rule on climate-related disclosures on March 6, 2024, requiring the disclosure of certain climate-related risks and financial impacts, as well as GHG emissions. Large accelerated filers will be required to incorporate the applicable climate-related disclosures into their filings beginning in fiscal year 2025, with additional requirements relating to the disclosure of Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions, if material, and attestation reports for certain large accelerated filers subsequently phasing in. Similarly, certain states have enacted or are otherwise considering disclosure requirements for certain climate-related risks. While we are still assessing our obligations under the rule, enhanced climate-related disclosure requirements could increase our operating costs and lead to reputational or other harm with customers, regulators, or other stakeholders to the extent our disclosures do not meet their own standards or expectations. Consequently, we are also exposed to increased litigation risks relating to alleged climate-related damages resulting from our operations, statements alleged to have been made by us or others in our industry regarding climate change risks, or in connection with any future disclosures we may make regarding reported emissions, particularly given the inherent uncertainties and estimation required with respect to calculating and reporting GHG emissions. We also cannot predict how financial institutions and investors might consider any information disclosed under any such requirements when making investment decisions, and as a result it is possible that we could face increases with respect to the costs of, or restrictions imposed on, our access to capital. The adoption and implementation of new or more stringent international, federal or state legislation, regulations or other regulatory initiatives that impose more stringent standards for GHG emissions from the oil and natural gas sector or otherwise restrict the areas in which this sector may produce oil and natural gas or generate GHG emissions could result in increased costs of compliance or costs of consuming, and thereby reduce demand for, oil and natural gas, which could reduce demand for our services and products. Additionally, political, litigation and financial risks may result in our oil and natural gas customers restricting or cancelling production activities, incurring liability for infrastructure damages as a result of climatic changes, or 23 impairing their ability to continue to operate in an economic manner, which also could reduce demand for our services and products. One or more of these developments could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, climate change may result in various physical risks, such as the increased frequency or intensity of extreme weather events or changes in the meteorological and hydrological patterns, that could adversely impact us, our customers’ and our suppliers’ operations. Such physical risks may result in damage to our customers’ facilities or otherwise adversely impact our operations, such as if facilities are subject to water use curtailments in response to drought, or demand for our customers’ products, such as to the extent warmer winters reduce the demand for energy for heating purposes, which may ultimately reduce demand for the products and services we provide. Such physical risks may also impact our suppliers, which may adversely affect our ability to provide our products and services. Extreme weather conditions can interfere with our operations and increase our costs, and damage resulting from extreme weather may not be fully insured. Federal and state legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing could result in increased costs and additional operating restrictions or delays. Our hydraulic fracturing operations are a significant component of our business, and it is an important and common practice that is used to stimulate production of hydrocarbons, particularly oil and natural gas, from tight formations, including shales. The process, which involves the injection of water, sand and chemicals under pressure into formations to fracture the surrounding rock and stimulate production, is typically regulated by state oil and natural gas commissions. However, federal agencies have asserted regulatory authority over certain aspects of the process. For example, the EPA has previously issued a series of rules under the CAA that establish new emission control requirements for emissions of volatile organic compounds and methane from certain oil and natural gas production and natural gas processing operations and equipment. Separately, the BLM finalized a rule governing hydraulic fracturing on federal lands but this rule was subsequently rescinded. Although several of these rulemakings have been rescinded, modified or subjected to legal challenges, new or more stringent regulations may be promulgated by the government. For example, the BLM recently proposed a rule that would limit flaring from well sites on federal lands, as well as allow the delay or denial of permits if BLM finds that an operator’s methane waste minimization plan is insufficient. In January 2021, the president issued an executive order suspending new leasing activities, but not operations under existing leases, for oil and gas E&P on non-Indian federal lands pending completion of a comprehensive review and reconsideration of federal oil and gas permitting and leasing practices that take into consideration potential climate and other impacts associated with oil and gas activities on such lands and waters. Although the leasing pause was effectively halted by a permanent injunction in August 2022, in response to the executive order, the DOI issued a report recommending various changes to the federal leasing program, though many such changes would require Congressional action. In July 2023, the BLM proposed a rule to update the fiscal terms of federal oil and gas leases, which would increase fees, rents, royalties, and bonding requirements. The rule would also add new criteria for BLM to consider when determining whether to lease nominated land, including the presence of important habitats or wetlands, the presence of historical properties or sacred sites, and recreational use of the land. BLM anticipates a final action on the proposal in Spring 2024. As a result, we cannot predict the final scope of regulations or restrictions that may apply to oil and gas operations on federal lands. However, any regulations that ban or effectively ban such operations may adversely impact demand for our products and services. Further, legislation to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to repeal the exemption for hydraulic fracturing (except when diesel fuels are used) from the definition of “underground injection” and require federal permitting and regulatory control of hydraulic fracturing, as well as legislative proposals to require disclosure of the chemical constituents of the fluids used in the fracturing process, have been proposed in previous sessions of Congress. Several states and local jurisdictions in which we or our customers operate also have adopted or are considering adopting regulations that could restrict or prohibit hydraulic fracturing in certain circumstances, impose more stringent operating standards and/or require the disclosure of the composition of hydraulic fracturing fluids. Federal and state governments have also investigated whether the disposal of produced water into underground injection wells has caused increased seismic activity in certain areas. In response to concerns regarding induced seismicity, regulators in some states have imposed, or are considering imposing, additional requirements in the permitting of produced water disposal wells or otherwise to assess any relationship between seismicity and the use of such wells. For example, Oklahoma has issued rules for wastewater disposal wells in 2014 that imposed certain permitting and operating restrictions and reporting requirements on disposal wells in proximity to faults and also, from time to time, has implemented plans directing certain wells where seismic incidents have occurred to restrict or suspend disposal well operations. In particular, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission released well completion seismicity guidelines for operators in the SCOOP and STACK require hydraulic fracturing operations to be suspended following earthquakes of certain magnitudes in the vicinity. In addition, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission’s Oil and Gas Conservation Division has previously issued an order limiting future increases in the volume of oil and natural gas wastewater injected into the ground in an effort to reduce the number of earthquakes in the state. The TRRC has adopted similar rules and, in September 2021, issued a notice to disposal well operators in the Gardendale Seismic Response 24 Area near Midland, Texas to reduce daily injection volumes following multiple earthquakes above a 3.5 magnitude over an 18 month period. The notice also required disposal well operators to provide injection data to TRRC staff to further analyze seismicity in the area. Subsequently, the TRRC ordered the indefinite suspension of all deep oil and gas produced water injection wells in the area, effective December 31, 2021. The Gardendale Seismic Response area has since been expanded in response to an additional earthquake in December 2022, covering 17 additional wells. In December 2023, a further 23 deep disposal well permits were suspended in the Northern Culberson-Reeves Seismic Response Area. While we cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these actions, any action that temporarily or permanently restricts the availability of disposal capacity for produced water or other oilfield fluids may increase our customers’ costs or require them to suspend operations, which may adversely impact demand for our products and services. Increased regulation of hydraulic fracturing and related activities could subject us and our customers to additional permitting and financial assurance requirements, more stringent construction specifications, increased monitoring, reporting and recordkeeping obligations, and plugging and abandonment requirements. New requirements could result in increased operational costs for us and our customers, and reduce the demand for our services. Increasing trucking regulations may increase our costs and negatively impact our results of operations. In connection with our business operations, including the transportation and relocation of our hydraulic fracturing equipment and shipment of frac sand, we operate trucks and other heavy equipment. As such, we operate as a motor carrier in providing certain of our services and therefore are subject to regulation by the DOT and by various state agencies. These regulatory authorities exercise broad powers, governing activities such as the authorization to engage in motor carrier operations, driver licensing, insurance requirements, financial reporting and review of certain mergers, consolidations and acquisitions, and transportation of hazardous materials. Our trucking operations are subject to possible regulatory and legislative changes that may increase our costs. Some of these possible changes include increasingly stringent environmental regulations, changes in the hours of service regulations which govern the amount of time a driver may drive or work in any specific period, onboard black box recorder device requirements or limits on vehicle weight and size. Interstate motor carrier operations are subject to safety requirements prescribed by the DOT. To a large degree, intrastate motor carrier operations are subject to state safety regulations that mirror federal regulations. Matters such as the weight and dimensions of equipment are also subject to federal and state regulations. From time to time, various legislative proposals are introduced, including proposals to increase federal, state, or local taxes, including taxes on motor fuels, which may increase our costs or adversely impact the recruitment of drivers. We cannot predict whether, or in what form, any increase in such taxes applicable to us will be enacted. Certain motor vehicle operators require registration with the DOT. This registration requires an acceptable operating record. The DOT periodically conducts compliance reviews and may revoke registration privileges based on certain safety performance criteria that could result in a suspension of operations. Increased attention to ESG matters, conservation measures, commercial development and technological advances could reduce demand for oil and natural gas and our services. Fuel conservation measures, alternative fuel requirements, increasing consumer demand for alternatives to oil and natural gas, increased attention to climate change and other ESG matters, and technological advances in fuel economy and energy generation devices could reduce demand for oil and natural gas, resulting in reduced demand for oilfield services. The impact of the changing demand for oil and natural gas services and products may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The commercial development of economically‑viable alternative energy sources and related products (such as electric vehicles, wind, solar, geothermal, tidal, fuel cells and biofuels) could have a similar effect. The IRA 2022 appropriates significant federal funding for renewable energy initiatives, which could accelerate the use and commercial viability of alternative energy sources and decrease demand for oil and natural gas. The IRA 2022 has incentivized the further development of and investment in clean energy through the use of tax credits, and future legislation could expand these benefits for alternative energy sources. In addition, certain U.S. federal income tax deductions currently available with respect to oil and natural gas exploration and development, including the allowance of percentage depletion for oil and natural gas properties, may be eliminated as a result of proposed legislation. Any future decreases in the rate at which oil and natural gas reserves are discovered or developed, whether due to the passage of legislation, increased governmental regulation leading to limitations, or prohibitions on exploration and drilling activity, including hydraulic fracturing, or other factors, could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition, even in a stronger oil and natural gas price environment. 25 Moreover, while we may create and publish voluntary disclosures regarding ESG matters from time to time, certain statements in those voluntary disclosures may be based on hypothetical expectations and assumptions that may or may not be representative of current or actual risks or events or forecasts of expected risks or events, including the costs associated therewith. Such expectations and assumptions are necessarily uncertain and may be prone to error or subject to misinterpretation given the long timelines involved and the lack of an established single approach to identifying, measuring and reporting on many ESG matters. Additionally, we may announce various targets or product and service offerings in an attempt to improve our ESG profile. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet any such targets or that such targets or offerings will have the intended results on our ESG profile, including but not limited to as a result of unforeseen costs, consequences or technical difficulties associated with such targets or offerings. Also, despite any voluntary actions, we may receive pressure from certain investors, lenders or other groups to adopt more aggressive climate or other ESG-related goals or policies, but we cannot guarantee that we will be able to implement such goals because of potential costs or technical or operational obstacles. In addition, organizations that provide information to investors on corporate governance and related matters have developed ratings processes for evaluating companies on their approach to ESG matters. Such ratings are used by some investors to inform their investment and voting decisions. Unfavorable ESG ratings and recent activism directed at shifting funding away from companies with energy-related assets could lead to increased negative investor sentiment toward us and our industry and to the diversion of investment to other industries, which could have a negative impact on our stock price and our access to and costs of capital. Additionally, to the extent ESG matters negatively impact our reputation, we may not be able to compete as effectively to recruit or retain employees, which may adversely affect our operations. Certain of our completion services, particularly our hydraulic fracturing services, are substantially dependent on the availability of water. Restrictions on our or our customers’ ability to obtain water may have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Water is an essential component of unconventional shale oil and natural gas production during both the drilling and hydraulic fracturing processes. Over the past several years, certain of the areas in which we and our customers operate have experienced extreme drought conditions and competition for water in such areas is growing. In addition, some state and local governmental authorities have begun to monitor or restrict the use of water subject to their jurisdiction for hydraulic fracturing to ensure adequate local water supply. For instance, some states require E&P companies to report certain information regarding the water they use for hydraulic fracturing and to monitor the quality of groundwater surrounding some wells stimulated by hydraulic fracturing. Generally, our water requirements are met by our customers from sources on or near their sites, but there is no assurance that our customers will be able to obtain a sufficient supply of water from sources in these areas. Our or our customers’ inability to obtain water from local sources or to effectively utilize flowback water could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Risks Related to our Tax Matters Our ability to use our NOLs may be limited. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act included a reduction to the maximum deduction allowed for net operating losses generated in tax years after December 31, 2017, and the elimination of carrybacks of net operating losses. As of December 31, 2023, we had approximately $296.6 million of U.S. federal NOLs, some of which will begin to expire in 2035. Approximately $87.7 million of our U.S. federal NOLs relate to pre-2018 periods. As of December 31, 2023, our state net operating losses were approximately $48.1 million and will begin to expire in 2030. Utilization of these NOLs depends on many factors, including our future income, which cannot be assured. In addition, Section 382 ( " Section 382 " ) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the " Code " ), generally imposes an annual limitation on the amount of taxable income that may be offset by NOLs when a corporation has undergone an " ownership change " (as determined under Section 382). Generally, a change of more than 50% in the ownership of a corporation’s stock, by value, over a three‑year period constitutes an ownership change for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Any unused annual limitation may, subject to certain limitations, be carried over to later years. We may experience ownership changes, which may result in annual limitation under Section 382 determined by multiplying the value of our stock at the time of the ownership change by the applicable long‑term tax‑exempt rate as defined in Section 382, increased under certain circumstances as a result of recognizing built‑in gains in our assets existing at the time of the ownership change. The limitations arising from ownership changes may prevent utilization of our NOLs prior to their expiration. Future ownership changes or regulatory changes could further limit our ability to utilize our NOLs. To the extent we are not able to offset our future income with our NOLs, this could adversely affect our operating results and cash flows if we attain profitability. 26 Changes to applicable tax laws and regulations or exposure to additional income tax liabilities could adversely affect our operating results and cash flows. We are subject to various complex and evolving U.S. federal, state and local tax laws. U.S. federal, state and local tax laws, policies, statutes, rules, regulations or ordinances could be interpreted, changed, modified or applied adversely to us, in each case, possibly with retroactive effect. Any significant variance in our interpretation of current tax laws or a successful challenge of one or more of our tax positions by the Internal Revenue Service or other tax authorities could increase our future tax liabilities and adversely affect our operating results and cash flows. Risks Inherent to an Investment in our Common Stock We have identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting with regard to segregation of certain accounting duties and management review controls. We may identify additional material weaknesses in the future or otherwise fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, which may result in material misstatements of our financial statements, cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations, investors may lose confidence in our financial reporting, and our stock price may decline as a result or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. In connection with the preparation of our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, we identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, resulting from our failure to maintain adequate segregation of duties or sufficient compensating management review controls to effectively mitigate an inadequate system access control configuration in our accounting system in which manual journal entry approvers can modify the entries before posting. This deficiency is solely related to manual journal entries and has no impact on system-generated journal entries flowing through our accounting system and other feeder systems. Due to this control deficiency, other manual-dependent controls were deemed ineffective. This material weakness could result in a misstatement of the aforementioned account balances or disclosures that would result in a material misstatement of the annual or interim consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected. Notwithstanding such material weakness, our management believes that our financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K present fairly, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). We have taken steps to remediate this material weakness and plan to take additional steps to further improve our overall internal control environment. We have implemented a segregation of duties conflict process by limiting access of certain employees of the Company who are owners of management review controls; tested whether this access resulted in any inappropriate entries being recorded or revised and concluded that no such instances occurred; implemented a technical solution to ensure that access to our system of records adequately limits incompatible duties and strengthened our monitoring and review controls over journal entry processing; and implemented control activities related to additional independent reviews of manual entries posted in the accounting system and are currently evaluating additional procedures to further strengthen the Company’s overall segregation of duties. These actions are subject to ongoing management review and the oversight of our Audit Committee and Board. The material weakness described above or any newly identified material weakness could limit our ability to prevent or detect a misstatement of our accounts or disclosures that could result in a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements. We cannot assure you that the measures we have taken to date, or any measures we may take in the future, will be sufficient to remediate the control deficiencies that led to the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting described above or to avoid potential future material weaknesses. Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and prevent fraud. If we are unable to successfully remediate our existing or any future material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, or identify any additional material weaknesses that may exist, the accuracy and timing of our financial reporting may be adversely affected, we may be unable to maintain compliance with securities law requirements regarding timely filing of periodic reports in addition to applicable stock exchange listing requirements, we may be unable to prevent fraud, investors may lose confidence in our financial reporting, and our stock price may decline as a result. Certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation, and bylaws, as well as Delaware law, may discourage acquisition bids or merger proposals, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Our certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors (the " Board " ) to issue preferred stock without shareholder approval. If our Board elects to issue preferred stock, it could be more difficult for a third party to acquire us. In addition, some provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us, even if the change of control would be beneficial to our shareholders, including: 27 • limitations on the removal of directors; • limitations on the ability of our shareholders to call special meetings; • advance notice provisions for shareholder proposals and nominations for elections to the Board to be acted upon at meetings of shareholders; • providing that the Board is expressly authorized to adopt, or to alter or repeal our bylaws; and • establishing advance notice and certain information requirements for nominations for election to our Board or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by shareholders at shareholder meetings. Our business could be negatively affected as a result of the actions of activist shareholders. Publicly traded companies have increasingly become subject to campaigns by investors seeking to increase shareholder value by advocating corporate actions such as financial restructuring, increased borrowing, special dividends, stock repurchases, sales of assets or even sale of the entire company. Given our shareholder composition and other factors, it is possible such shareholders or future activist shareholders may attempt to effect such changes or acquire control over us. Responding to proxy contests and other actions by such activist shareholders or others in the future would be costly and time-consuming, disrupt our operations and divert the attention of our Board and senior management from the pursuit of business strategies, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, perceived uncertainties as to our future direction as a result of shareholder activism or changes to the composition of the Board may lead to the perception of a change in the direction of our business, instability or lack of continuity which may be exploited by our competitors, cause concern to our current or potential customers, and make it more difficult to attract and retain qualified personnel. If customers choose to delay, defer or reduce transactions with us or transact with our competitors instead of us because of any such issues, then our business, financial condition, revenues, results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected. Our certificate of incorporation designates the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by our shareholders, which could limit our shareholders’ ability to pursue actions in another judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or agents. Our certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers, employees or agents to us or our shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each such case subject to such Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein. The exclusive forum provision would not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. To the extent that any such claims may be based upon federal law claims, Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Furthermore, Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. The enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions in other companies’ certificates of incorporation or similar governing documents has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that a court could find the choice of forum provisions contained in our certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable, including with respect to claims arising under the U.S. federal securities laws. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock will be deemed to have notice of, and consented to, the provisions of our certificate of incorporation regarding exclusive forum. This choice of forum provision may limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or agents, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and such persons. Alternatively, if a court were to find these provisions of our certificate of incorporation inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. The market price of our common stock is subject to volatility. 28 The market price of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to, and the level of trading of our common stock may be affected by, numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include, among other things, our limited trading volume, the concentration of holdings or our common stock, actual or anticipated variations in our operating results and cash flow, the nature and content of our earnings releases, announcements or events that impact our products, customers, competitors or markets, business conditions in our markets and the general state of the securities markets, volatility in oil and gas prices and the market for energy-related stocks, as well as general economic and market conditions and other factors that may affect our future results, including those described in this report. Significant sales of our common stock, or the expectation of these sales, by significant shareholders, officers or directors could materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock. There may be future sales or other dilution of our equity, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. We are not restricted from issuing additional common stock, including securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent a right to receive, common stock. In addition, we may issue common stock as consideration in future mergers and acquisitions, as we did in the Silvertip Acquisition. Any issuance of additional shares of our common stock or convertible securities will dilute the ownership interest of our common stockholders. Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock or other equity-related securities in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could depress the market price of our common stock and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. We cannot predict the effect that future sales of our common stock or other equity-related securities would have on the market price of our common stock. There can be no assurance that our share repurchase program will be fully consummated or that such program will enhance the long-term value of our share price. On May 17, 2023, the Company's Board approved a share repurchase program that allows the Company to repurchase up to $100 million of the Company's common stock through and including May 31, 2024. There is no obligation for the Company to continue to repurchase or to repurchase any specific dollar amount of stock. The timing, as well as the number and value of shares repurchased under the program, will be determined by the Company at its discretion and will depend on a variety of factors, including management's assessment of the intrinsic value of the Company's common stock, the market price of the Company's common stock, general market and economic conditions, available liquidity, compliance with the Company's debt and other agreements, applicable legal requirements, and other considerations. The Company is not obligated to purchase any shares under the repurchase program, and the program may be suspended, modified, or discontinued at any time without prior notice. The repurchase program could affect the price of our stock and increase volatility in the market. We cannot guarantee that the repurchase program will be fully consummated or that such program will enhance the long-term value of our share price. In addition, repurchase regulations and taxes may add additional payment burden to the Company from our share repurchase program. For example, the current government has proposed increasing the amount of the excise tax from 1% to 4%. However, it is unclear whether such a change in the amount of the excise tax will be enacted and, if enacted, how soon any such change could take effect. 29