R&B Falcon Reports 4Q Results

R&B Falcon Corporation reported net income for the fourth quarter of 1998 of $15.1 million, on revenues of $228.7 million as compared to a net loss of $124.1 million, on revenues of $266.7 million for the same period in 1997. Fleet utilization and average dayrates both declined when comparing the fourth quarter of 1998 to the third quarter of 1998. The drop and continued downward pressure on the price of oil has contributed to the results of operations. This has resulted in a decline in the contribution for domestic business units. Steven Webster, president and CEO, said, "Our fourth quarter results reflect a weakness in our domestic business units as a result of cutbacks in industry drilling activity. In addition, during the quarter we recognized one time expenses related to the cancellation of our Peregrine VI and Peregrine VIII projects and other non-recurring items which together negatively impacted operating income by $29.1 million."