Expro Group Holdings (XPRO) Risk Analysis

The operating and financial restrictions in our RCF and any future financing agreements could restrict our ability to finance future operations or capital needs or otherwise pursue our business activities. These limit our and our subsidiaries' ability to, among other things, prepay certain indebtedness and pay dividends or buyback shares. Furthermore, our RCF contains financial covenants which if we fail to comply with could result in an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, would permit the exercise of remedies against us that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position. In addition, any borrowings under our RCF may be at variable rates of interest that expose us to interest rate risk. If interest rates were to increase, our debt service obligations on the variable rate indebtedness will increase even though the amount borrowed will remain the same, and our net income and cash flows will correspondingly decrease.

Some of our largest customers have consolidated in recent years and are using their size and purchasing power to achieve economies of scale and pricing concessions. This consolidation may result in reduced capital spending by such customers or the acquisition of one or more of our other primary customers, which may lead to decreased demand for our products and services. If we cannot maintain sales levels for customers that have consolidated or replace such revenue with increased business activities from other customers, this consolidation activity could have a significant negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We are unable to predict what effect consolidations in our industry may have on prices, capital spending by customers, selling strategies, competitive position, ability to retain customers or ability to negotiate favorable agreements with customers. The loss of one or more of our larger customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if a significant customer experiences liquidity constraints or other financial difficulties, it may be unable to make the payments required to us or may seek to renegotiate contracts, which could adversely affect our liquidity and profitability.

The markets for our services and products are characterized by continual technological developments. Substantial improvements in the scope and quality of the equipment in the markets in which we operate may occur over a short period of time. Alternative products and services have been and may in the future be developed which compete with or displace our products and services. If we are not able to develop commercially competitive products in a timely manner, our ability to service our customers' demands may be adversely affected. We may encounter resource constraints, technical barriers, or other difficulties that would delay introduction of new services and products in the future. Our competitors may introduce new products or obtain patents before we do and achieve a competitive advantage. Additionally, the time and expense invested in product development may not result in commercial applications. If we are not able to keep pace with technological advances in a timely and cost-effective manner, demand for our services and products may decline. It may also be possible for a third party to design around our patents. Patent rights have territorial limits. We may not be able to enforce our patents against infringement occurring in international waters and other "non-covered" territories. We do not have patents in every jurisdiction in which we conduct business and our patent portfolio will not protect all aspects of our business and may relate to obsolete or unusual methods, which would not prevent third parties from entering the same market. We attempt to limit access to and distribution of our technology and trade secrets by customarily entering into confidentiality agreements with our employees, customers and potential customers and suppliers. However, our rights in our confidential information, trade secrets, and confidential know-how will not prevent third parties from independently developing similar information. Publicly available information (for example, information in expired issued patents, published patent applications, and scientific literature) can also be used by third parties to independently develop technology. We cannot provide assurance that this independently developed technology will not be equivalent or superior to our proprietary technology. The weakening of protection of our trademarks, patents, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights could also adversely affect our business. In addition, we may become involved in legal proceedings from time to time to protect and enforce our intellectual property rights. Third parties from time to time may initiate litigation against us by asserting that the conduct of our business infringes, misappropriates or otherwise violates intellectual property rights. We may not prevail in any such legal proceedings related to such claims, and our products and services may be found to infringe, impair, misappropriate, dilute or otherwise violate the intellectual property rights of others. Any legal proceeding concerning intellectual property could be protracted and costly and is inherently unpredictable and could have a material adverse effect on our business, regardless of its outcome. Further, our intellectual property rights may not have the value that management believes them to have and such value may change over time as we and others develop new product designs and improvements.

Our business depends on the level of activity in oil and gas exploration, development and production in market sectors worldwide. Oil and gas prices and market expectations of potential changes in these prices significantly affect this level of activity. However, higher commodity prices do not necessarily translate into increased drilling or well construction and completion activity, since customers' expectations of future commodity prices typically drive demand for our services and products. In addition, the effects of world events, such as the Russian war in Ukraine and heightened tensions resulting from ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, have and may continue to materially impact the demand for crude oil and natural gas, which has contributed further to price volatility. Prices are also impacted by decisions made by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries ("OPEC") plus the countries of Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Russia, South Sudan and Sudan (together with OPEC, "OPEC+") to either increase or cut production of oil and gas as well as their compliance with those decisions. Global economic conditions have a significant impact on oil and natural gas prices, and any stagnation or deterioration in these conditions could result in less demand for our products and services and could cause our customers to reduce their planned capital spending. Adverse global economic conditions also may cause our customers, vendors and/or suppliers to lose access to the financing necessary to sustain or increase their current level of operations, fulfill their commitments and/or fund future operations and obligations. Even during periods of high prices for oil and natural gas, companies exploring for oil and gas may cancel or curtail programs, seek to renegotiate contract terms, including the price of our products and services, or reduce their levels of capital expenditures for exploration and production for a variety of reasons. These risks are greater during periods of low or declining commodity prices. As a result of declining commodity prices, certain of our customers may be unable to pay their vendors and service providers, including us. A prolonged reduction in oil and natural gas prices may require us to record asset impairments. Such a potential impairment charge could have a material adverse impact on our operating results. The availability of quality drilling prospects, exploration success, relative production costs, the stage of reservoir development and political and regulatory environments also affect the demand for our services and products. Worldwide military, political, economic and public health events have in the past contributed to volatility in demand and prices for oil and gas and continue to do so at present. Demand for our offshore services and products substantially depends on the level of activity in offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production. The level of offshore activity is historically cyclical and characterized by large fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in a variety of factors, including oil and gas prices. Other factors that influence the demand for offshore services can include: - hurricanes, ocean currents and other adverse weather conditions;- terrorist attacks and piracy;- failure of offshore equipment and facilities;- local and international political and economic conditions and policies and regulations related to offshore drilling;- territorial disputes involving sovereignty over offshore oil and gas fields;- unavailability of offshore drilling rigs in the markets that we operate;- the cost of offshore exploration for, and production and transportation of, oil and gas;- successful exploration for, and production and transportation of, oil and gas from onshore sources;   - the technical specifications of wells including depth of wells and complexity of well design;   - demand for, availability of and technological viability of alternative sources of energy;   - technological advances affecting energy exploration, production, transportation and consumption;- the availability and rate of discovery of new oil and gas reserves in offshore areas;- the availability of infrastructure to support oil and gas operations; and   - the ability of oil and gas companies to generate or otherwise obtain funds on economically advantageous terms for exploration and production. While the impact of these factors is difficult to predict, any one or more of these factors could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The concentration of our customers in the energy industry may impact our overall exposure to credit risk as customers may be similarly affected by prolonged changes in economic and industry conditions. Further, laws in some jurisdictions in which we operate could make collection difficult or time consuming. We conduct ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and do not generally require collateral in support of our trade receivables. While we maintain reserves for potential credit losses, we cannot assure you that such reserves will be sufficient to meet write-offs of uncollectible receivables or that our losses from such receivables will be consistent with our expectations. In addition, customers experiencing financial difficulty may delay payment for our products and services. Such delays, even if accounts are ultimately paid in full, could reduce our cash resources available and materially and adversely impact our credit available from suppliers and financial institutions.

Increasing focus on Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") factors has led to enhanced interest in, and review of performance results by investors, banks, institutional lenders and other stakeholders, and the potential for reputational risk. Regulatory requirements related to ESG or sustainability reporting have been issued in the European Union ("EU") that apply to financial market participants, with implementation and enforcement starting in 2021. In the U.S., several states have enacted or proposed such regulations related to pension investments or for the responsible investment of public funds. In addition, several U.S. states have adopted or proposed mandatory reporting related to GHG emissions or climate-related risk. As a result of varying rules adopted by jurisdictions in which we operate (and the reversal of such rules), we are increasingly subject to an overlapping patchwork of laws and regulations, including disclosure requirements, which may increase the costs of compliance and the risk of violations. We expect regulatory requirements related to ESG matters to continue to expand globally. The Company is committed to transparent and comprehensive reporting of our sustainability performance. If we are not able to meet future sustainability reporting requirements of regulators or current and future expectations of investors, customers or other stakeholders, our business and ability to raise capital may be adversely affected.

The transition of the global energy sector from primarily a fossil fuel-based system to renewable energy sources could affect our customers' levels of expenditure. Reduced activity in our areas of operation because of decreased capital spending could have a negative long-term impact on our business. Our business will need to adapt to changing customer preferences and government requirements. If the energy transition occurs faster than anticipated or in a manner we do not anticipate, demand for our services and products could be adversely affected. In addition, if we fail or are perceived to not effectively implement an energy transition strategy, or if investors, banks or institutional lenders shift funding away from companies in fossil fuel-related industries, our access to capital or the market for our securities could be negatively impacted.

We rely heavily on information systems to conduct and protect our business. These information systems are increasingly subject to sophisticated cybersecurity threats such as unauthorized access to data and systems, loss or destruction of data (including confidential customer information), computer viruses, ransomware, or other malicious code, phishing and cyberattacks, and other similar events. These threats arise from numerous sources, not all of which are within our control, including fraud or malice on the part of third parties, accidental technological failure, electrical or telecommunication outages, failures of computer servers or other damage to our property or assets, or outbreaks of hostilities or terrorist acts. Geopolitical tensions or conflicts, such as the Russian war in Ukraine and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, may further heighten the risk of cyberattacks. Although we utilize various procedures and controls to mitigate our exposure to such risk, cybersecurity attacks and other cyber incidents are evolving and unpredictable. There can be no assurance that the systems we have designed and implemented to prevent or limit the effects of cyber incidents or attacks will be sufficient in preventing all such incidents or attacks or avoiding a material impact on our systems when such incidents or attacks do occur. We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, cyber intrusions and attacks on our information systems and our operational technology. To our knowledge, none of these incidents or attacks have resulted in a material cybersecurity intrusion or data breach. If we were to be subject to a cyber incident or attack in the future, it could result in the disclosure of confidential or proprietary customer information, theft or loss of intellectual property, damage to our reputation with our customers and the market, failure to meet customer requirements or customer dissatisfaction, theft or exposure to litigation, damage to equipment (which could cause environmental or safety issues) and other financial costs and losses. A cyberattack or security breach could result in liability under data privacy laws, regulatory penalties, damage to our reputation or loss of confidence in us, or additional costs for remediation and modification or enhancement of our information systems to prevent future occurrences. In addition, as cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, we may be required to devote additional resources to continue to enhance our protective measures or to investigate or remediate any cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

Artificial intelligence ("AI") presents risks and challenges that could impact our business, including perceived breaches of privacy or security incidents related to the use of AI. We are integrating AI tools into our systems, and our third-party service providers, as well as our competitors, may also develop or use such tools. AI may become more important to our operations or to our future growth over time. There can be no assurance that we will realize the desired or anticipated benefits, or any benefits, and we may fail to properly implement such technology. In addition, the providers of our or our third-party service providers' AI tools may not meet existing or rapidly evolving regulatory or industry standards with respect to privacy and data protection, compliance, and transparency, among others, which could inhibit our or our service providers' ability to maintain an adequate level of functionality or service. Our service providers may also incorporate AI into their services without disclosing such use to us, or fail to disclose risks presented by their use of AI. There is a risk that AI tools used by us or by our service providers could produce inaccurate or unexpected results or behaviors that could harm our business, customers, or reputation. Our competitors or other third parties may incorporate AI in their business operations more quickly or more successfully than we do. Additionally, the complex and rapidly evolving landscape around AI may expose us to claims, inquiries, demands and proceedings by private parties and global regulatory authorities and subject us to legal liability as well as reputational harm. New laws and regulations are being adopted in the United States and in non-U.S. jurisdictions, and existing laws and regulations may be interpreted in ways that would affect our business operations and the way in which we use AI. Any of these outcomes could impair our ability to compete effectively, damage our reputation, result in the loss of our or our customers' property or information, and materially adversely affect our financial position, operating results or cash flows.

Our services and products are provided in connection with potentially hazardous drilling, completion and production applications in the oil and gas industry where an accident can potentially have catastrophic consequences. Risks inherent to these applications, such as equipment malfunctions and failures, equipment misuse and defects, explosions, blowouts and uncontrollable flows of oil, gas or well fluids and natural disasters, on land or in deepwater or shallow water environments, can cause personal injury, loss of life, suspension of operations, damage to formations, damage to facilities, business interruption and damage to or destruction of property, surface water and drinking water resources, equipment, natural resources and the environment. We may face significant warranty, contract and other litigation claims and incur substantial fines, liabilities or losses as a result of these hazards. Our insurance and contractual indemnity protection may not be sufficient or effective to protect us under all circumstances or against all risks. The occurrence of a significant event, against which we are not fully insured or indemnified or the failure of a customer to meet its indemnification obligations to us, could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Certain of our product lines depend on a limited number of third party suppliers. As a result of this concentration in some of our supply chains, our business and operations have been and may in the future be negatively affected if our key suppliers were to experience significant disruptions affecting the price, quality, availability or timely delivery of their products. The partial or complete loss of any one of our key suppliers, or a significant adverse change in the relationship with any of these suppliers, through consolidation or otherwise, would limit our ability to manufacture or sell certain of our products and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are exposed to risks inherent in doing business in each of the countries in which we operate, including, but not limited to, the following: - political, social and economic instability;- potential expropriation, seizure or nationalization of assets, and trapped assets;- deprivation of contract rights;- inflationary pressures;   - increased operating costs;- inability to collect revenue due to shortages of convertible currency;- unwillingness of foreign governments to make new onshore and offshore areas available for drilling;- civil unrest and protests, strikes, acts of terrorism, war or other armed conflict;- import/export quotas;   - tariffs;- confiscatory taxation or other adverse tax policies;- continued application of foreign tax treaties;- currency exchange controls;- currency exchange rate fluctuations and devaluations;- restrictions on the repatriation of funds;   - pandemics, epidemics and other public health events; and - other forms of government regulation which are beyond our control. Instability and disruptions in the political, regulatory, economic and social conditions of the countries in which we conduct business, including economically and politically volatile areas such as Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East, could cause or contribute to factors that could have an adverse effect on the demand for the products and services we provide. Worldwide political, economic, and military events have contributed to oil and gas price volatility and are likely to continue to do so in the future. In particular, heightened levels of uncertainty related to the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine and heightened tensions resulting from the ongoing conflicts in Middle East could further disrupt financial and commodities markets. Depending on the market prices of oil and gas, oil and gas exploration and development companies may cancel or curtail their drilling or other programs, thereby reducing demand for our services. In addition, in some countries our local managers may be personally liable for the acts of the Company, and may be subject to prosecution, detention, and the assessment of monetary levies, fines or penalties, or other actions by local governments in their individual capacity. Any such actions taken against our local managers could cause disruption of our business and operations and could cause us to incur significant costs. While the impact of these factors is difficult to predict, any one or more of these factors could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Weather can have a significant impact on demand as consumption of energy is seasonal, and any variation from normal weather patterns, such as cooler or warmer summers and winters, can have a significant impact on demand. Adverse weather conditions, such as hurricanes and ocean currents in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico or typhoons in the Asia Pacific region, may interrupt or curtail our operations or our customers' operations, cause supply disruptions and result in a loss of revenue and damage to our equipment and facilities, which may or may not be insured. In addition, acute or chronic physical impacts of climate change, such as sea level rise, coastal storm surge, inland flooding from intense rainfall and hurricane-strength winds may damage our facilities. Extreme winter conditions in Canada, Russia, or the North Sea, or droughts in more arid regions in which we do business may interrupt or curtail our operations, or our customers' operations, and result in a loss of revenue. If the facilities we own are damaged by severe weather or any other disaster, accident, catastrophe or event, our operations could be significantly interrupted. Similar interruptions could result from damage to production or other facilities that provide supplies or other raw materials to our plants or other stoppages arising from factors beyond our control. These interruptions might involve significant damage to property, among other things, and repairs might take from a week or less for a minor incident to many months or more for a major interruption. In addition, a portion of our business involves the movement of people and certain parts and supplies to or from foreign locations. Any restrictions on travel or shipments to and from foreign locations, due to the occurrence of natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods or hurricanes, in these locations, could significantly disrupt our operations and decrease our ability to provide services to our customers. If a natural disaster were to impact a location where we have a high concentration of business and resources, our local facilities and workforce could be affected by such an occurrence or outbreak which could also significantly disrupt our operations and decrease our ability to provide services and products to our customers. Lastly, some scientists have concluded that increasing concentrations of GHGs in the Earth's atmosphere may produce climate changes that have significant physical effects on weather conditions, such as increased frequency and severity of storms, droughts, floods and other climatic events. If such climatic events were to occur more frequently or with greater intensity, they could adversely affect or delay demand for the oil or natural gas produced or cause us to incur significant costs in preparing for or responding to the effects of climatic events themselves. If any such events were to occur, they could have an adverse effect on the demand for our services and our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.