EX-99.3 5 d774292dex993.htm EX-99.3 EX-99.3

Exhibit 99.3

LOGO

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    FEBRUARY 28, 2024

Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for Enerflex Ltd. (“Enerflex” or the “Company”) should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements (the “Financial Statements”) for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the cautionary statements regarding forward-looking information in the “Forward-Looking Statements” section of this MD&A.

The MD&A focuses on information and material results from the Financial Statements and considers known risks and uncertainties relating to the energy sector. This discussion should not be considered exhaustive, as it excludes possible future changes that may occur in general economic, political, and environmental conditions. Additionally, other factors may or may not occur, which could affect industry conditions and/or Enerflex in the future. Additional information relating to the Company can be found in the Company’s Annual Information Form (“AIF”), Management Information Circular and Form 40-F, which are available on the Company’s website at www.enerflex.com and under the Company’s SEDAR+ and EDGAR profiles at www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov/edgar, respectively.

The financial information reported herein has been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) and is presented in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.

THE COMPANY

Enerflex is a leading global energy services company with vast experience deploying and servicing high-quality, sustainable energy infrastructure tailored to client needs – from individual, modularized products and services to integrated custom solutions. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Enerflex has approximately 4,800 employees worldwide, and the Company, its subsidiaries, and its interests in associates, and joint operations operate in over 70 locations globally, including Canada, the United States of America (“USA”), Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates (“UAE”), Bahrain, Oman, Egypt, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Indonesia, and Thailand.

A global group of engineers, manufacturers, technicians, and innovators, Enerflex is bound by a shared vision: Transforming Energy for a Sustainable Future. This vision is supported by a long-term strategy founded on: technical excellence in modularized energy solutions; profitable growth achieved through vertically integrated and geographically diverse product offerings; financial strength and discipline; and sustainable returns to shareholders. Through consistent execution of this strategy and regular evaluation of capital allocation priorities and decisions, Enerflex has managed a resilient business and created shareholder value over a history of more than 40 years.

Growing energy needs continue to demand better equipment, services, and solutions. So, Enerflex is building tomorrow from the ground up – innovating to make energy infrastructure more reliable, connected, and efficient for all.

On October 13, 2022, Enerflex and Exterran Corporation (“Exterran”) combined to meet these demands and become a premier integrated global provider of energy infrastructure and energy transition solutions. With a longstanding trusted reputation, and with a clear plan for future growth that leverages Enerflex’s technical expertise, the Company is well positioned to continue serving clients in key natural gas, energy transition, and treated water markets.

Exterran’s operations complemented Enerflex’s, and the combined company diversifies operations across key growth regions. This, along with Enerflex’s global energy infrastructure fleet of nearly two million horsepower, allows Enerflex to reach far beyond cyclical needs and thrive throughout the ups and downs of energy markets.

Building on its existing strategy, Enerflex has mapped out its path toward continued prosperity, expanding into key areas of projected future growth. This includes enhancing existing product offerings, including critical BOOM offerings which Enerflex owns, operates, and manages under contract to its clients’ operations; Engineered Systems, and the sale of customized modular natural gas-handling and low-carbon solutions, further enhanced by Exterran’s expanded capabilities which enable deeper removal of natural gas liquids (“NGLs”), oil processing technology, and water treatment applications; and After-Market Services, including installation, commissioning, O&M, and parts sales, along with global support for all product lines. It also includes leveraging the Company’s size, scope, and strong product offering in the treated water space, representing a large and growing market.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-1  


The Company’s vertically integrated suite of product offerings includes processing, cryogenic, compression, electric power, and treated water solutions, spanning all phases of a project’s lifecycle, from front-end engineering and design to after-market service. Enerflex has proven expertise in delivering low-carbon solutions, including carbon capture utilization and storage, electrification, and renewable natural gas (“RNG”), and hydrogen solutions, and the Company works closely with its clients to help facilitate global decarbonization efforts. The Company also has state-of-the-art fabrication and workshop facilities in Calgary; Houston, Texas, USA; Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, USA; and Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, delivering standard or custom long-life operating systems globally.

Overall, Enerflex’s scale of operations and depth of technical expertise provides an advantage over competitors, adding value in highly specialized areas and representing a solid ongoing investment with sustainable value generation.

NORTH AMERICA

 

   

The Energy Infrastructure (“EI”) product line in North America (“NAM”) provides natural gas compression infrastructure under contract to oil and natural gas clients in the USA under its Contract Compression operations, primarily operating in crude oil and liquids-rich plays, managing a fleet of low- to high-horsepower packages. These compressor packages are typically used in natural gas gathering systems, gas-lift, wellhead, and other applications primarily in connection with natural gas, NGLs, and oil production. In addition, power generation rental solutions are available in Canada.

   

The Engineered Systems (“ES”) product line consists of custom and standard compression packages for reciprocating and screw compressor applications from Enerflex’s manufacturing facilities located in Houston; Broken Arrow; and Calgary. In addition, the Company engineers, designs, manufactures, constructs, and installs modular natural gas processing equipment, low-carbon solutions, cryogenic systems, electric power solutions, and treated water solutions. Retrofit provides re-engineering, re-configuration, and re-packaging of compressors for various field applications.

   

Enerflex provides integrated turnkey (“ITK”) power generation, gas compression, and processing facilities.

   

The After-Market Services (“AMS”) product line provides after-market mechanical services and parts distribution, as well as maintenance solutions to the oil and natural gas industry.

LATIN AMERICA

 

   

The EI product line in Latin America (“LATAM”) provides natural gas compression and processing infrastructure under contract to oil and gas clients in the region. Enerflex has several operating Build-Own-Operate-Maintain (“BOOM”) facilities of varying size and scope in this region, providing clients with alternate solutions to meet their energy needs. These BOOM facilities provide for the receipt of contracted long-term lease payments and are treated as either operating or finance leases.

   

The region provides ES products, including ITK natural gas compression, processing, and electric power solutions, with local construction and installation capabilities. Most of the equipment deployed in the region is fabricated in Houston, Texas.

   

The AMS product line focuses on after-market mechanical services, parts, and components, as well as operations, maintenance, and overhaul services.

EASTERN HEMISPHERE

 

   

The Eastern Hemisphere (“EH”) segment comprises operations in the UK, UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Egypt, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Indonesia, and Thailand.

   

The EI product line provides natural gas compression, processing, and treated water infrastructure under contract to oil and gas clients in the region. Enerflex has several BOOM facilities of varying size and scope in this region providing clients with alternate solutions to meet their energy and produced water needs. These BOOM facilities provide for the receipt of contracted long-term lease payments and are treated as either operating or finance leases.

   

The region also provides engineering, design, procurement, project management, and construction services for compression, process, treated water and power generation equipment, as well as after-market service, parts, and operations and maintenance services for gas compression, processing, and treated water facilities in the region. Manufacturing capabilities are sourced from Enerflex’s facilities in Houston.

   

The Australia region is headquartered in Brisbane with additional locations throughout Queensland and Western Australia providing after-market services, equipment supply, parts supply, and general asset management. The Brisbane facility also packages power generation equipment for use across the region.

ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE

The EI product line includes infrastructure solutions under contract for natural gas processing, compression, treated water, and electric power equipment. Our infrastructure is deployed across the globe and provides comprehensive contract operations services to clients in each of those regions. Our EI product line provides clients with trained personnel, equipment, tools, materials, and supplies to meet their natural gas processing, compression, treated water, and power generation needs, as well as designing, sourcing, installing, operating, servicing, repairing, and maintaining equipment owned by the Company necessary

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-2  


to provide these services. These activities give rise to the receipt of future cash payments of varying terms, even though they have different accounting treatments depending on the terms of the lease.

AFTER-MARKET SERVICES

Enerflex’s AMS product line provides after-market mechanical services, parts distribution, operations and maintenance solutions, equipment optimization and maintenance programs, manufacturer warranties, exchange components, long-term service agreements, and technical services to our global clients. The product line operates through an extensive network of branch offices and generally provides its services at the client’s wellsite location using trained technicians and mechanics. Enerflex’s after-market service and support business includes distribution and remanufacturing facilities, with significant presence situated in active natural gas producing areas.

ENGINEERED SYSTEMS

The ES product line is comprised of the following product offerings: processing, compression, cryogenic, electric power, treated water, and low-carbon solutions, including carbon capture. Enerflex can combine one or more of these product offerings into an ITK solution, including civil works; piping and structural fabrication; and electrical, instrumentation, controls, and automation, as well as installation and commissioning. Enerflex’s ITK offerings allow clients to simplify their supply chain, eliminate interface risk, and reduce the concept-to-commissioning cycle time of major projects.

Compression packages range from low-specification field compressors to high-specification process compressors for onshore and offshore applications. The Company provides retrofit solutions, including re-engineering, re-configuration, and re-packaging of compressors for various field applications. Processing equipment includes, but is not limited to, dehydration and liquids recovery, refrigeration and cryogenic processing, oil and natural gas separators, and amine sweetening to remove hydrogen sulfide or carbon dioxide. Electric power units can be natural-gas fired or electric. The Company also delivers systems to treat water from engineering to manufacturing, construction, and commissioning ranging in volumes from approximately 158 m3 to 160,000 m3 of water per day.

The Company is exploring opportunities with clients to evaluate decarbonization, carbon capture technology, and supporting infrastructure for renewable energy by leveraging its expertise in providing modularized engineer-to-order process solutions.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-3  


SUMMARY RESULTS

 

    

Three months ended

December 31,

    

Twelve months ended

December 31,

 

($ thousands, except percentages)

   2023      2022      2023      2022  

Revenue

   $ 782,208      $ 689,839      $ 3,162,095      $ 1,777,798  

Gross margin

     163,082        126,814        617,146        322,716  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     102,271        156,741        395,875        301,242  

Foreign exchange loss1

     22,445        18,451        58,933        19,202  

Operating income (loss)

   $ 38,366      $ (48,378)      $ 162,338      $ 2,272  

Earnings before finance costs, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”)

     2,382        17,897        325,383        87,477  

Earnings before finance costs and income taxes (“EBIT”)2

     (67,959)        (44,747)        57,864        (40,810)  

Net loss

     (127,339)        (81,118)        (110,924)        (100,943)  

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     208,979        (16,330)        273,311        19,768  

Key Financial Performance Indicators (“KPIs”)3

           

ES bookings

   $ 327,240      $ 415,073      $   1,725,369      $   1,312,883  

ES backlog

       1,499,044          1,505,870        1,499,044        1,505,870  

Gross margin as a percentage of revenue

     20.8%        18.4%        19.5%        18.2%  

Gross margin before depreciation and amortization (“Gross margin before D&A”)

     216,422        177,235        823,017        430,700  

Adjusted EBITDA

     125,961        86,143        512,650        223,601  

Free cash flow4

     185,377        (43,251)        193,279        (27,052)  

Long-term debt

     1,214,918        1,390,325        1,214,918        1,390,325  

Net debt

     1,088,829        1,136,549        1,088,829        1,136,549  

Bank-adjusted net debt to EBITDA ratio

     2.3        3.3        2.3        3.3  

Return on capital employed (“ROCE”)5

     2.1%        (2.2)%        2.1%        (2.2)%  

 

1

The Company disaggregated foreign exchange loss from total selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) following continuing review of SG&A presentation by the Company’s management (“Management”). Please refer to Note 2(b) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details.

2

EBIT includes a $87 million goodwill impairment for the three and twelve-months ending December 31, 2023 (December 31, 2022 – nil and $48 million).

3

These KPIs are non-IFRS measures. Further detail is provided in the “Non-IFRS Measures” section of this MD&A.

4 Refer to the “Non-IFRS Measures” section of this MD&A for more information on free cash flow.

5 Determined by using the trailing 12-month period.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-4  


RESULTS OVERVIEW

 

 

Enerflex generated revenue of $782 million during the three months ended December 31, 2023, which is an increase of $92 million compared to the three months ended December 31, 2022, and is driven by continued strong performance from the Company’s recurring businesses. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, Enerflex recorded revenue of $3,162 million compared to $1,778 million in the same period of 2022, primarily due to increases in ES, higher EI activity in EH, increased AMS activities from parts sales and client maintenance, in addition to the contributions of having a full year of operations from the acquired Exterran business.

 

 

During the three months ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded gross margin of $163 million (20.8 percent), increasing from $127 million (18.4 percent) during the three months ended December 31, 2022. The increase is primarily due to higher EI revenues in all regions and ES revenue in NAM. Gross margin percentage increased in the same period from higher margin opening backlog and strong project execution in NAM, and increased contribution from AMS due to inflationary price adjustments, partially offset by lower gross margin percentage in EI, particularly in EH on lower margin yielding projects and increased transportation costs. Gross margin for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 was $617 million (19.5 percent), increasing from $323 million (18.2 percent) during the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to higher revenues from increased volumes of work, and the contribution from the acquired Exterran business. Gross margin percentage for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 was higher compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 from higher margin opening backlog and strong project execution in NAM, and increased contribution from AMS due to inflationary price adjustments, partially offset by lower gross margin percentage in EI, particularly in EH on lower margin yielding projects and increased transportation costs.

 

 

The Company recognized an $87 million goodwill impairment in the LATAM segment. This non-cash impairment was largely driven by the ongoing devaluation of the Argentine peso (“ARS”) and the restrictions on repatriating cash held in Argentina.

 

 

The Company recorded SG&A of $102 million during the three months ended December 31, 2023, a decrease from $157 million during the three months ended December 31, 2022, driven by synergies realized from the acquisition of Exterran (the “Transaction”), lower integration and transaction costs, and lower share-based compensation on mark-to-market movements. SG&A for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 was $396 million, compared to $301 million during the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to a full year impact of costs required to support the acquired Exterran business, including increases to total compensation, third party services, and information technology expenses, partially offset by decreases in share-based compensation and a bad debt recovery.

 

 

The Company recorded foreign exchange losses of $22 million and $59 million during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023, compared to foreign exchange losses of $18 million and $19 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to the ongoing devaluation of the ARS caused by high inflation. The Company also recorded losses from associated instruments of $17 million and $18 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 also due to the ongoing devaluation of the ARS. The Company did not have these instruments in 2022. To offset these losses, the Company earned interest income on cash and cash equivalents held in Argentina of $4 million and $27 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023, respectively, compared to interest income of $8 million during 2022. The losses from associated instruments and interest income are not reflected in operating income.

 

 

Enerflex reported operating income of $38 million during the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to an operating loss of $48 million during the three months ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to higher gross margins from increased revenue, and lower SG&A. The Company reported $162 million of operating income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $160 million from the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to increased revenue and an improved gross margin percentage, which was partially offset by increased SG&A.

 

 

The Company invested $24 million in capital expenditures in the fourth quarter of 2023, predominantly comprised of $18 million of maintenance property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”) capital expenditures across the Company’s global EI fleet, and $6 million of investments to expand the amount of electric driven equipment in the USA fleet based on client demand.

 

 

Enerflex continued to execute on its previously disclosed deleveraging plan throughout 2023. The Company repaid $164 million of long-term debt in the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, which was offset by the amortization of the deferred debt issuance costs. The Company continued to reduce its net funded debt to EBITDA (“bank-adjusted net debt to EBITDA”) ratio to less than 2.5 times by the end of 2023 through strong cash flow generation and the execution of its large ES backlog. Enerflex plans to continue to strengthen its financial position to ensure the Company has significant flexibility through industry cycles. At December 31, 2023, the Company’s senior secured net funded debt to EBITDA ratio was 0.7:1, compared to a maximum ratio of 2.5:1, and the Company’s bank-adjusted net debt to EBITDA ratio was 2.3:1, compared to a maximum ratio of 4.0:1, according to the Company’s debt covenants.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-5  


 

The Company recorded ES bookings of $327 million during the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to $415 million during the three months ended December 31, 2022. Enerflex continues to observe strong client activity levels in North America, notably for cryogenic natural gas processing facilities and for electric compression, as clients aim to decarbonize their operations. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, Enerflex secured $1,725 million of ES bookings, representing an increase of $412 million from the same period in 2022.

 

 

ES backlog at December 31, 2023 was $1.5 billion, remaining consistent with the $1.5 billion at December 31, 2022.

 

 

Subsequent to December 31, 2023, Enerflex declared a quarterly dividend of $0.025 per share, payable on May 1, 2024, to shareholders of record on March 13, 2024. The Board of Directors (the “Board”) will continue to evaluate dividend payments on an ongoing basis, based on the availability of cash flow, anticipated market conditions, and the general needs of the business.

ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATE

As previously announced, Mr. Preet Dhindsa has been appointed as Enerflex’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), effective March 1, 2024, overseeing the Company’s capital markets, corporate development, investor relations, financial reporting, internal audit, tax, and treasury functions and supporting Enerflex’s global strategic and capital allocation decisions. Mr. Dhindsa comes to Enerflex with more than 25 years of experience, primarily in the energy and financial services sectors. Prior to joining Enerflex in October 2023 as Interim CFO, Mr. Dhindsa served as Executive Vice President and CFO at ENMAX Corporation, a regulated utility with energy generation and retail lines of business, where he was accountable for the finance and information technology functions across operations in both Canada and the United States. Prior to that he was SVP & CFO, Global Banking & Markets at Scotiabank, where he managed international finance teams and critical regulatory relationships in Canada, the United States, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics & Statistics from Western University and a Graduate Diploma in Accounting from Wilfred Laurier University. Mr. Dhindsa is a Chartered Professional Accountant and Chartered Director.

ADJUSTED EBITDA

The Company defines EBITDA as earnings before finance costs, taxes, and depreciation and amortization. Enerflex’s financial results include items that are unique, and items that Management and users of the Financial Statements adjust for when evaluating results. The Company removes the impact of these items when calculating Adjusted EBITDA. The presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation from EBIT or EBITDA or as a replacement for measures prepared as determined under IFRS. Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similar non-IFRS measures disclosed by other issuers.

Enerflex believes the adjustment of items that are unique or not in the normal course of continuing operations increases the comparability across items within the Financial Statements or between periods of the Financial Statements. An example of items that are considered unique are restructuring, transaction and integration costs, while an example of an item that increases comparability includes share-based compensation, which fluctuates based on share price that can be influenced by external factors that are not directly relevant to the Company’s current operations. Items the Company has adjusted for in the past include, but are not limited to, restructuring, transaction, and integration costs; share-based compensation; severance costs associated with restructuring activities; government grants; impairments or gains on idle facilities; and impairment of goodwill. These items are considered either unique, non-recurring, or non-cash transactions, and not indicative of the ongoing normal operations of the Company.

The Company also adjusts for the impact of finance leases by eliminating the non-cash selling profit recognized when finance leases are put into service, and instead including lease payments received over the term of the related lease. The Company

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-6  


believes the adjustment for the impact of finance leases in its Adjusted EBITDA calculation provides a better understanding of Enerflex’s cash-generating capabilities and also improves comparability for similar EI assets with different contract terms.

 

Three months ended
December 31, 2023
 
 ($ thousands)    Total      North
America
    

Latin

America

     Eastern
Hemisphere
 

 EBIT

   $ (67,959)      $ 63,230      $ (109,017)      $ (22,172)  

 Depreciation and Amortization

     70,341        26,500        16,620        27,221  

 EBITDA

   $ 2,382      $ 89,730      $ (92,397)      $ 5,049  

 Restructuring, transaction and integration costs

     24,953        4,263        2,817        17,873  

 Share-based compensation

     (1,084)        (581)        (82)        (421)  

 Impairment of goodwill

     87,168        -        87,168        -  

 Impact of finance leases

     12,542        -        60        12,482  

 Adjusted EBITDA

   $   125,961      $ 93,412      $ (2,434)      $ 34,983  
Three months ended
December 31, 2022
 
 ($ thousands)    Total      North
America
    

Latin

America

     Eastern
Hemisphere
 

 EBIT

   $ (44,747)      $ (5,551)      $ (22,632    $ (16,564)  

 Depreciation and amortization

     62,644        23,211        18,565        20,868  

 EBITDA

   $ 17,897      $ 17,660      $ (4,067)      $ 4,304  

 Transaction and integration costs

     56,502        30,092        14,206        12,204  

 Share-based compensation

     11,683        6,921        2,622        2,140  

 Impact of finance leases

     61        21        663        (623)  

 Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 86,143      $ 54,694      $ 13,424      $ 18,025  

Twelve months ended
December 31, 2023

 

 ($ thousands)

     Total       
North
America
 
 
    

Latin

America

 

 

    
Eastern
Hemisphere
 
 

 EBIT

   $ 57,864      $ 172,978      $   (118,559)      $ 3,445  

 Depreciation and amortization

     267,519        95,063        62,158        110,298  

 EBITDA

   $ 325,383      $ 268,041      $ (56,401)      $ 113,743  

 Restructuring, transaction and integration costs

     60,873        16,380        14,033        30,460  

 Share-based compensation

     7,652        5,103        1,416        1,133  

 Impairment of goodwill

     87,168        -        87,168        -  

 Impact of finance leases

     31,574        -        1,877        29,697  

 Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 512,650      $   289,524      $ 48,093      $ 175,033  

Twelve months ended
December 31, 2022

 

 ($ thousands)

     Total       
North
America
 
 
    

Latin

America

 

 

    
Eastern
Hemisphere
 
 

 EBIT

   $ (40,810)      $ (28,414)      $ (14,550    $ 2,154  

 Depreciation and amortization

     128,287        63,973        34,344        29,970  

 EBITDA

   $ 87,477      $ 35,559      $ 19,794      $ 32,124  

 Transaction and integration costs

     70,554        40,288        15,790        14,476  

 Share-based compensation

     16,162        9,746        3,488        2,928  

 Impairment of goodwill

     48,000        48,000        -        -  

 Impact of finance leases

     1,408        181        663        564  

 Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 223,601      $ 133,774      $ 39,735      $ 50,092  

Refer to the section “Segmented Results” of this MD&A for additional information about results by geographic location.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-7  


ENGINEERED SYSTEMS BOOKINGS AND BACKLOG

Enerflex monitors its ES bookings and backlog as indicators of future revenue generation and business activity levels. Bookings are recorded in the period when a firm commitment or order is received from clients. Bookings increase backlog in the period they are received, while revenue recognized on ES products decreases backlog in the period the revenue is recognized.

The following tables set forth the ES bookings and backlog by reporting segment:

 

    

Three months ended

December 31,

    

Twelve months ended

December 31,

 
($ thousands)    2023      2022      2023      2022  

ES Bookings

                                   

North America

   $ 247,963      $ 352,566      $ 1,508,032      $ 1,213,254  

Latin America

     77,896        44,157        111,374        75,118  

Eastern Hemisphere

     1,381        18,350        105,963        24,511  

Total ES bookings

   $   327,240      $   415,073      $   1,725,369      $   1,312,883  

 

($ thousands)  

December 31,

2023

     December 31,
2022
 

ES Backlog

                

North America

  $ 1,232,663      $ 1,074,151  

Latin America

    103,994        52,825  

Eastern Hemisphere

    162,387        378,894  

Total ES backlog

  $   1,499,044      $   1,505,870  

Enerflex recorded bookings of $327 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, which were lower than the $415 million bookings during the three months ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to a cancellation of a CCUS project after the client was unable to secure required pipeline approvals. The project was originally booked in 2022. Despite the cancellation, Enerflex continues to observe strong client activity levels. Included in the Company’s bookings for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 were two large cryogenic natural gas processing facilities, reflecting Enerflex’s expanded product offerings stemming from the Transaction. Enerflex recorded bookings of $1,725 million during the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, increasing $412 million from the twelve months ended December 31, 2022.

The ES backlog of $1.5 billion at December 31, remained consistent with the $1.5 billion from December 31, 2022.

The global demand for natural gas remains robust, and Enerflex is well positioned to expand its ES business by serving the growing natural gas markets in the Company’s key operating regions. However, continued volatility in commodity prices and recessionary fears could affect the Company’s ability to secure future bookings.

SEGMENTED RESULTS

Enerflex has three reporting segments: NAM, LATAM, and EH, each of which are supported by Enerflex’s corporate function. Corporate overheads are allocated to the operating segments based on revenue. In assessing its operating segments, the Company considers geographic locations, economic characteristics, the nature of products and services provided, the nature of production processes, the types of clients for its products and services, and distribution methods used.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-8  


NORTH AMERICA SEGMENT RESULTS

 

    

Three months ended

December 31,

    

Twelve months ended

December 31,

 
($ thousands, except percentages)    2023      2022      2023      2022  

ES bookings

   $ 247,963      $ 352,566      $ 1,508,032      $ 1,213,254  

ES backlog

       1,232,663          1,074,151        1,232,663        1,074,151  

Segment revenue

   $ 479,004      $ 443,006      $   1,939,778      $ 1,303,885  

Intersegment revenue

     (11,901)        (22,333)        (33,168)        (93,778)  

Revenue

   $ 467,103      $ 420,673      $ 1,906,610      $   1,210,107  

EI

   $ 45,666      $ 36,673      $ 171,276      $ 141,900  

AMS

     100,671        88,688        385,814        298,333  

ES

     320,766        295,312        1,349,520        769,874  

Gross margin

     103,877        70,043        364,497        195,503  

Gross margin before D&A

     122,540        86,950        424,572        249,131  

Gross margin %

     22.2%        16.7%        19.1%        16.2%  

Gross margin before D&A %

     26.2%        20.7%        22.3%        20.6%  

SG&A

     42,298        78,605        194,870        179,862  

Foreign exchange loss

     82        519        398        872  

Operating income (loss)

     61,497        (9,081)        169,229        14,769  

EBIT

     63,230        (5,551)        172,978        (28,414)  

EBITDA

     89,730        17,660        268,041        35,559  

Adjusted EBITDA

     93,412        54,694        289,524        133,774  

Revenue as a % of consolidated revenue

     59.7%        61.0%        60.3%        68.1%  

Enerflex recorded ES bookings of $248 million in the NAM segment in the fourth quarter of 2023, which is a decrease of $105 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, primarily due to a cancellation of a CCUS project after the client was unable to secure required pipeline approvals. The project was originally booked in 2022. Bookings for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 were $1,508 million, representing a considerable increase of $295 million compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, reflecting sustained client activity levels in the energy sector. Accordingly, NAM’s ES backlog of $1,233 million at December 31, 2023 is expected to result in strong ES revenue generation over the near term.

Revenue of $467 million and $1,907 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 increased by $46 million and $697 million, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2022. The NAM segment continues to record strong revenue in all product lines in 2023, most significantly in ES, which saw elevated activity levels on a stronger opening backlog and sustained bookings activity. AMS revenues increased on strong parts sales, inflationary price adjustments, and an increased volume of work. EI revenue also increased from a larger fleet and the positive impacts of inflationary price adjustments.

Gross margin increased during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 compared to 2022, which is attributable to higher overall revenues, as well as improved margins on sold ES projects. Gross margin percentage increased during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 compared to same periods in 2022, primarily due to higher margin projects and strong project execution in ES.

SG&A was lower during the three months ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period last year, which is primarily due to lower Transaction costs in the current period compared to last year. SG&A was higher during the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period last year, which is primarily due to additional costs required to support the acquired Exterran business, as well as restructuring, transaction, and integration costs. These higher costs in the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 were partially offset by a one-time bad debt recovery of a $12 million receivable that had previously been written off.

At December 31, 2023, the USA Contract Compression fleet totaled approximately 419,000 horsepower. Average utilization of the fleet for the three months ended December 31, 2023 was 93 percent, decreasing from 95 from the three months ended December 31, 2022. Average utilization of the fleet for the 12 months ended December 31, 2023 was 94 percent, remaining consistent with the twelve months ended December 31, 2022.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-9  


LATIN AMERICA SEGMENT RESULTS

 

    

Three months ended

December 31,

    

Twelve months ended

December 31,

 
($ thousands, except percentages)    2023      2022      2023      2022  

ES bookings

   $ 77,896      $ 44,157      $ 111,374      $ 75,118  

ES backlog

     103,994        52,825        103,994        52,825  

Segment revenue

   $ 132,515      $ 98,964      $ 473,824      $ 221,628  

Intersegment revenue

     (522)        (399)        (1,295)        (434)  

Revenue

   $   131,993      $   98,565      $   472,529      $   221,194  

EI

   $ 86,111      $ 76,801      $ 335,532      $ 129,723  

AMS

     26,216        16,923        76,792        38,057  

ES

     19,666        4,841        60,205        53,414  

Gross margin

     29,544        26,453        115,569        50,015  

Gross margin before D&A

     41,304        44,494        174,688        81,681  

Gross margin %

     22.4%        26.8%        24.5%        22.6%  

Gross margin before D&A %

     31.3%        45.1%        37.0%        36.9%  

SG&A

     12,105        31,746        71,538        47,379  

Foreign exchange loss

     22,430        17,443        58,398        17,290  

Operating loss

     (4,991)        (22,736)        (14,367)        (14,654)  

EBIT

     (109,017)        (22,632)        (118,559)        (14,550)  

EBITDA

     (92,397)        (4,067)        (56,401)        19,794  

Adjusted EBITDA

     (2,434)        13,424        48,093        39,735  

Revenue as a % of consolidated revenue

     16.9%        14.3%        14.9%        12.4%  

LATAM’s ES bookings of $78 million and $111 million in the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023, are increased by $34 million and $36 million compared to the same periods of 2022 as the Company was able to secure a large project in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2023 increased by $33 million compared to the same period last year. The increase is primarily due to higher ES revenue on higher opening backlog. AMS revenue increased due to higher parts sales and increased volume of work. EI revenue increased primarily as a result of recovered demobilization costs. Revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, increased by $251 million from the comparative period, primarily due to higher EI revenue from the expanded fleet from Exterran and the sale of a BOOM and a finance lease contract during the year. There was an increase in AMS revenue resulting from a larger volume of work. Finally, ES revenues increased from a higher opening backlog inherited from Exterran.

Gross margin increased during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same periods in 2022 as a result of higher overall revenues from increased activity, partially offset by the devaluation of receivable balances related to certain revenue contracts and the associated cost of goods sold (“COGS”) denominated in ARS. Gross margin expanded during the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022 as a result of higher overall revenues from increased activity and the sale of a BOOM and finance lease contract during the year, partially offset by the devaluation of receivable balances related to certain revenue contracts and the associated COGS denominated in ARS. Gross margin percentage decreased for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022 as a result of the devaluation of the aforementioned receivable balances denominated in ARS, partially offset by the stronger parts sales. Gross margin percentage increased for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 when compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 as a result of the sale of the BOOM and finance lease contracts during the current year, partially offset by the devaluation of the aforementioned receivable balances denominated in ARS.

SG&A was lower during the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to one-time costs associated with the Transaction in 2022. SG&A was higher during the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, compared to 2022, as a result of additional costs required to support the acquired Exterran business, as well as restructuring, transaction, and integration costs.

Foreign exchange losses increased during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to ongoing devaluation of the ARS. The Company also recognized losses from associated instruments of $17 million and $18 million during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023. The losses were partially offset by $4 million and $27 million of interest income earned on cash and cash equivalents held in Argentina for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023. The losses from associated instruments and interest income are not reflected in operating income.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-10  


LATAM recognized an $87 million goodwill impairment during the three months ended December 31, 2023. The impairment was largely driven by the ongoing devaluation of the ARS having an adverse affect on future cash flows, as well as the restrictions on repatriating cash held in Argentina. This impairment represents the entire balance of goodwill allocated to the segment.

EASTERN HEMISPHERE SEGMENT RESULTS

 

    

Three months ended

December 31,

    

Twelve months ended

December 31,

 
($ thousands, except percentages)    2023      2022      2023      2022  

ES bookings

   $ 1,381      $ 18,350      $ 105,963      $ 24,511  

ES backlog

     162,387        378,894        162,387        378,894  

Segment revenue

   $   186,919      $ 173,022      $ 792,716      $ 349,247  

Intersegment revenue

     (3,807)        (2,421)        (9,760)        (2,750)  

Revenue

   $ 183,112      $   170,601      $   782,956      $ 346,497  

EI

   $ 76,816      $ 49,449      $ 270,894      $   109,464  

AMS

     52,595        39,915        189,592        107,270  

ES

     53,701        81,237        322,470        129,763  

Gross margin

     29,661        30,318        137,080        77,198  

Gross margin before D&A

     52,578        45,791        223,757        99,888  

Gross margin %

     16.2%        17.8%        17.5%        22.3%  

Gross margin before D&A %

     28.7%        26.8%        28.6%        28.8%  

SG&A

     47,868        46,390        129,467        74,001  

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

     67        489        (137      (1,040

Operating income (loss)

     (18,140)        (16,561)        7,476        2,157  

EBIT

     (22,172)        (16,564)        3,445        2,154  

EBITDA

     5,049        4,304        113,743        32,124  

Adjusted EBITDA

     34,983        18,025        175,033        50,092  

Revenue as a % of consolidated revenue

     23.4%        24.7%        24.8%        19.5%  

Bookings of $106 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 increased significantly compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 primarily as a result of an increased scope for an in-flight project acquired from Exterran. EH’s backlog decreased in the current period primarily due to revenue outpacing new bookings and a natural gas infrastructure project that commenced operations in the first quarter of 2023. The project is being accounted for as a finance lease.

Revenue increased by $13 million and $436 million during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2022. ES revenue was lower for the three months ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 as a result of the non-cash selling profit recognized from a natural gas infrastructure project which commenced operations in the fourth quarter of 2022 and did not repeat in 2023. ES revenue was higher for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, as a result of a strong opening backlog. EI revenues increased primarily from the contribution of a full year of a previously disclosed natural gas infrastructure project and two BOOM treated water facilities that were brought to commercial operation in the fourth quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023. AMS revenues increased from client maintenance activities and parts sales in all regions.

Gross margin for the three months ended December 31, 2023 was lower than the three months ended December 31, 2022 as a result of the non-cash selling profit recognized from a natural gas infrastructure project which commenced operations in the fourth quarter of 2022 and did not repeat in 2023, offset by increased revenue in EI and AMS. Gross margin for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 was higher than in the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to overall higher revenue from increased activity and higher margin ES projects being executed. Gross margin percentage for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 decreased when compared to the same periods last year, due to lower margin projects in EI, delays of certain projects in ES, and fees incurred that are related to exiting certain countries.

SG&A was higher during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same periods in 2022 due to fees incurred that are related to exiting certain countries as the Company continues to optimize its portfolio strategy, additional costs required to support the acquired Exterran business, as well as restructuring, transaction, and integration costs.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-11  


GROSS MARGIN BY PRODUCT LINE

Each of Enerflex’s regional business segments oversees the execution of all three product lines described in “The Company” section of this MD&A: EI, AMS, and ES.

The Company considers its EI and AMS product lines to be recurring in nature, given that revenues are typically contracted and extend into the future. The Company aims to diversify and expand EI and AMS offerings, which the Company believes offer longer-term stability in earnings compared to ES revenues, which historically have been dependent on the cyclical demand for new compression, processing, and electric power equipment. While individual EI and AMS contracts are subject to cancellation or have varying lengths, the Company does not believe these characteristics preclude these product lines from being considered recurring in nature.

The components of each product line’s gross margins are disclosed in the tables below.

 

Three months ended

December 31, 2023

 
 ($ thousands, except percentages)    Total      EI      AMS      ES  

 Revenue

   $ 782,208      $ 208,593      $ 179,482      $ 394,133  

 Cost of goods sold:

           

Operating expenses

     565,786        104,158        139,373        322,255  

Depreciation and amortization

     53,340        39,201        2,294        11,845  

 Gross margin

   $ 163,082      $ 65,234      $ 37,815      $ 60,033  

 Gross margin %

     20.8%        31.3%        21.1%        15.2%  

Three months ended

December 31, 2022

 
 ($ thousands, except percentages)    Total      EI      AMS      ES  

 Revenue

   $ 689,839      $ 162,923      $ 145,526      $ 381,390  

 Cost of goods sold:

           

Operating expenses

     512,604        64,843        116,636        331,125  

Depreciation and amortization

     50,421        43,205        2,831        4,385  

 Gross margin

   $ 126,814      $ 54,875      $ 26,059      $ 45,880  

 Gross margin %

     18.4%        33.7%        17.9%        12.0%  

Twelve months ended

December 31, 2023

 
 ($ thousands, except percentages)    Total      EI      AMS      ES  

 Revenue

   $   3,162,095      $ 777,702      $ 652,198      $   1,732,195  

 Cost of goods sold:

           

Operating expenses

     2,339,078        361,719        516,171        1,461,188  

Depreciation and amortization

     205,871        173,608        11,038        21,225  

 Gross margin

   $ 617,146      $   242,375      $   124,989      $ 249,782  

 Gross margin %

     19.5%        31.2%        19.2%        14.4%  

Twelve months ended

December 31, 2022

 
 ($ thousands, except percentages)    Total      EI      AMS      ES  

 Revenue

   $ 1,777,798      $ 381,087      $ 443,660      $ 953,051  

 Cost of goods sold:

           

Operating expenses

     1,347,098        151,570        362,058        833,470  

Depreciation and amortization

     107,984        88,239        10,355        9,390  

 Gross margin

   $ 322,716      $ 141,278      $ 71,247      $ 110,191  

 Gross margin %

     18.2%        37.1%        16.1%        11.6%  

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-12  


INCOME TAXES

The Company reported an income tax expense of $26 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to an income tax expense of $10 million in the same period of 2022. The increase is the result of major asset dispositions that created significant taxable gains, utilization of tax losses in foreign jurisdictions, and an increase in the exchange effect of foreign assets. The Company reported an income tax expense of $42 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, compared to an income tax expense of $21 million in the same period of 2022. The increase is primarily driven by contributions of having a full year of operations from the acquired Exterran business.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On January 31, 2022, the Local Labor Board of the State of Tabasco in Mexico (the “Labor Board”) awarded a former employee of Exterran MXN$2,152 million plus other benefits that could increase the award to MXN$2,431 million in connection with a dispute relating to the employee’s severance pay following termination of their employment in 2015.

Enerflex believes the order of the Labor Board is in error and has no credible basis in law or fact. In 2017, the Labor Board ruled that the former employee was entitled to approximately MXN$1.4 million as severance based on an appellate court’s determination that the employee’s salary was approximately MXN$3,500 per day. However, the Labor Board’s January 2022 order significantly increased the amount the employee is owed, ignoring the actual salary that had been established by the appellate court and, instead, basing it on a salary that the former employee never actually received while working for Exterran.

Enerflex has appealed the decision, and the appeal is pending before the courts in Mexico. In the meantime, the Company is pursuing all other available avenues to preserve its rights, including rights under the USMCA investment treaty arguing that the conduct of the Labor Board in Mexico amounts to violations of protections available under the North American Free Trade Agreement.

The Company is involved in litigation and claims associated with normal operations against which certain provisions may be made in the Financial Statements. Management is of the opinion that any resulting settlement arising from the litigation would not materially affect the consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity of the Company.

ENERFLEX STRATEGY

Enerflex’s Vision of Transforming Energy for a Sustainable Future is supported by a long-term strategy that is founded upon the following key pillars: technical excellence in modularized energy solutions; profitable growth achieved through vertically integrated and geographically diverse product offerings; financial strength and discipline; and sustainable returns to shareholders. Through consistent execution of this strategy and regular evaluation of the Company’s capital allocation priorities and decisions, Enerflex has managed a resilient business to create shareholder value over its 40-plus-year history.

Enerflex delivers energy infrastructure and energy transition solutions across the globe by leveraging its enhanced presence in growing natural gas markets. The Company’s vertically integrated suite of product offerings includes processing, cryogenic, compression, electric power, low-carbon, and treated water solutions, spanning all phases of a project’s lifecycle, from front-end engineering and design to after-market service. Enerflex has proven expertise in delivering low-carbon solutions, including carbon capture utilization and storage, electrification, RNG, and hydrogen solutions, and works closely with its client partners to help facilitate global decarbonization efforts.

Enerflex will continue to build an increasingly resilient and sustainable business through its EI and AMS product lines over the long term, stabilizing cash flows and reducing cyclicality in the business.

To support its overarching corporate strategy, Enerflex has developed region-specific strategies:

North America

In NAM, Enerflex provides natural gas solutions to support the development of upstream resources and the midstream infrastructure required to meet local demand. Enerflex benefits from a growing liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) export industry in the USA and anticipates that a future LNG export industry in Canada will provide additional opportunities for the Company.

 

   

EI: In the USA, Enerflex profitably invests in the organic expansion of its Contract Compression fleet by engineering, designing, fabricating, and operating compression units to clients on a contracted basis.

   

AMS: Enerflex services a large installed base of compression solutions across key resource plays in the USA and Canada, and looks to secure long-term service and maintenance contracts with clients.

   

ES: Enerflex engineers, designs, fabricates, and sells modularized processing, cryogenic, compression, electric power, and carbon capture solutions.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-13  


Latin America

In LATAM, Enerflex focuses primarily on long-term growth opportunities through energy infrastructure ownership.

 

   

EI: Enerflex targets long-term BOOM solutions and other infrastructure leases of varying size and scope to support the Company’s ongoing strategy to grow the recurring nature of its business.

   

AMS: Leveraging its large EI and ES footprint, Enerflex continues to grow its after-market service capabilities.

   

ES: Enerflex delivers electric power solutions to meet the rising need for reliable power, and engineers, designs, compression and processing solutions which require construction and installation support at site.

Eastern Hemisphere

Across the EH region, Enerflex focuses primarily on long-term growth opportunities through energy infrastructure ownership.

 

   

EI: Enerflex targets long-term BOOM solutions and other infrastructure leases of varying size and scope to support the Company’s ongoing strategy to grow the recurring nature of its business.

   

AMS: Leveraging its large EI and ES footprint to grow its after-market service capabilities.

   

ES: Enerflex delivers electric power solutions to meet the rising need for reliable power, and engineers, designs, and manufactures compression, processing and treated water solutions which require construction and installation support at site.

OUTLOOK

Operating results in 2024 will be underpinned by the highly contracted EI product line and the recurring nature of AMS, which together are expected to account for 55 percent to 65 percent of the Company’s gross margin before D&A.

Complementing Enerflex’s recurring revenue businesses is the ES product line, which carried a backlog of approximately CAD$1.5 billion (US$1.1 billion) as at December 31, 2023 and is expected to benefit from increasing natural gas production in our core regions. The Company expects the majority of its backlog to convert into revenue over the next 12 months.

Enerflex is targeting a disciplined capital program in 2024, with total capital expenditures of US$90 million to US$110 million. This includes a total of approximately US$70 million for maintenance and PP&E capital expenditures. Investing to expand our EI business in 2024 is discretionary and will be allocated to clients supported opportunities that are expected to generate attractive returns and deliver value to Enerflex shareholders.

Enerflex will continue to focus on debt reduction and lowering net finance costs in 2024, which will improve the Company’s ability to provide shareholder returns over the medium and long-term. The Company continues to evaluate its target long-term capital structure and capital allocation parameters and expect to provide more clarity in the coming months.

Long-term fundamentals for natural gas are robust, given its critical role in supporting global decarbonization efforts and future economic growth. Enerflex is poised for long-term growth as it continues to capitalize on the growing demand for low-carbon solutions, as well as its vertically integrated natural gas, treated water, and energy transition offerings.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-14  


INTEGRATION OF EXTERRAN CORPORATION

Enerflex is well advanced in the integration of Exterran, with the Company positioned to operate with increased scale and efficiency in 2024 and beyond. Since closing the Transaction, Enerflex has captured approximately US$62 million of annual run-rate synergies, exceeding the US$60 million of anticipated synergies within 18 months from Transaction close of October 13, 2022.

2023 GUIDANCE

Enerflex met or exceeded all of its full-year 2023 financial guidance metrics, as last provided with our third quarter results.

 

(US$ millions, except ratios and percentages)

   December 31, 2023      November 8, 20231  

Annual run-rate synergies2

     62        60  

Adjusted EBITDA2,3

     380        380 – 420  

Bank-adjusted net debt to EBITDA ratio3,4

     2.3x        <2.5x  

Capital expenditures and contract assets

                 

Maintenance capital expenditures

     29        40 – 50  

Contract assets related to the Cryogenic Facility5

     29        40 – 50  

PP&E and growth capital expenditures

     77        80 – 90  
     

 

 

 

Total

     135        160 – 190  

Other non-discretionary expenditures6

     179        180 – 210  

 

1

Refer to the November 8, 2023 news release entitled “Enerflex Ltd. Reports Third Quarter 2023 Financial and Operational Results”.

2 Synergy capture is subject to timing considerations of being realized within 12 to 18 months of Transaction close.

3 

Non-IFRS measure that is not a standardized financial measure under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar non-IFRS measures disclosed by other issuers. Refer to “Forward-Looking Statements” of this MD&A.

4 

Calculated in accordance with the Company’s debt covenants to a maximum of 4.0:1.

5

Formerly referred to as work-in-progress in the Company’s financial guidance. The Cryogenic Facility is being accounted for as a sale within the ES product line and presented as a contract asset on Enerflex’s consolidated statements of financial position.

6 

Includes net working capital, finance costs, cash income taxes, and dividends.

ENERGY TRANSITION

As the transition to a lower-carbon economy unfolds, Enerflex is collaborating with client partners to advance projects that decarbonize and electrify operations and support infrastructure for RNG, biofuels, and hydrogen solutions. In the USA, the Inflation Reduction Act has accelerated the development of numerous carbon capture projects, growing the future opportunity set for Enerflex given its expertise in delivering modularized engineered-to-order process solutions. Enerflex has also engaged in several projects to engineer, design, and manufacture carbon capture and other low-carbon applications, including piloting activities to accelerate the identification and implementation of best-in-class solutions.

Enerflex has observed that the pace of the market’s transition to a lower-carbon economy is not as rapid as initially expected which could be influenced by the prevailing trend of gas prices and the market’s perception of carbon-based energy. Enerflex will continue to evaluate and identify paths that will facilitate involvement in developing and growing markets expected to impact the energy transition landscape over the next several decades.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-15  


OUTLOOK BY SEGMENT

North America

Capital discipline continues to be at the forefront for North American upstream exploration and production companies. In the USA, Enerflex continues to observe strong demand for its products and services in the liquids-weighted Permian Basin. Enerflex anticipates that utilization rates for its contract compression fleet will remain elevated, demand for the Cryogenic product line will be strong, and sold margins on new ES bookings will remain healthy. Additionally, the Company expects increased AMS-related activities across the region will continue through 2024, including parts sales, overhauls, and retrofitting activities. However, Enerflex continues to monitor the impact on client activity levels as a result of weak near-term natural gas prices. In Canada, Enerflex’s market outlook is constructive, driven by the continued development of key resource plays and the potential for increasing activity to support LNG exports.

Latin America

With its expanded EI platform, Enerflex generates predictable recurring revenues in LATAM and will continue to manage regional geopolitical risks. Over time, the Company plans to increase its Contract Compression fleet utilization by re-contracting and redeploying idle fleet to meet rising local demand since many nations throughout the region have indicated a growing need for reliable and sustainable energy supply and a desire to reduce their overall dependency on imported natural gas. Enerflex’s presence and product offering is aligned with market drivers and the overall Company strategy.

Eastern Hemisphere

Enerflex’s near-term focus in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East is strong operational execution, delivering cost improvements within existing operations, and safely advancing the cryogenic facility project. The Company also continues to explore new markets and opportunities requiring modular solutions to bolster cash flows in the region. Over the long term, Enerflex expects ongoing demand for larger-scale energy infrastructure assets and ITK projects.

In Asia Pacific, a strong LNG export market, and recent legislation surrounding emissions-reduction targets in Australia, are expected to strengthen the demand for natural gas and energy transition solutions in the region.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-16  


DEFINITIONS

Enerflex measures its financial performance using several key financial performance indicators, some of which do not have standardized meanings as prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Refer to the Non-IFRS Measures section of this MD&A.

Engineered Systems Bookings and Backlog

Bookings and backlog are monitored by Enerflex as an indicator of future revenue and business activity levels for the ES product line. Bookings are recorded in the period when a firm commitment or order is received from clients. Bookings increase backlog in the period they are received. Revenue recognized on ES products decreases backlog in the period the revenue is recognized. Accordingly, backlog is an indication of revenue to be recognized in future periods using percentage-of-completion accounting. Revenue from contracts that have been classified as finance leases for newly built equipment is recorded as ES bookings. The full amount of revenue is removed from backlog at the commencement of the lease.

Recurring Revenue

Recurring revenue is defined as revenue from the EI and AMS product lines, as well as the impact of finance leases where Enerflex is the lessor by removing margin recognized on commencement and the non-cash interest income earned, and adding the cash received from the client. These revenue streams are typically contracted and extend into the future, rather than only being recognized as a single transaction. EI revenues relate to compression, processing, treated water, and electric power equipment. AMS revenues are derived from the ongoing maintenance of equipment that produces gas over the life of a field. Conversely, revenue from the Company’s ES product line are for the manufacturing and delivery of equipment and are non-recurring once the goods are delivered. While the contracts are subject to cancellation or have varying lengths, the Company does not believe that these characteristics preclude them from being considered recurring in nature.

Operating Income

Operating income assists the reader in understanding the net contributions made from the Company’s core businesses after considering SG&A and foreign exchange gains or losses. Each operating segment assumes responsibility for its operating results as measured by, amongst other factors, operating income, which is defined as income before income taxes, interest (or finance) costs (net of interest income), equity earnings or loss, gain or loss on sale of assets, and gain or loss on investments. Financing and related charges are not attributable to business segments on a meaningful basis. Business segments and income tax jurisdictions are not synonymous, and it is believed that the allocation of income taxes distorts the historical comparability of the operating performance of business segments.

EBIT

EBIT provides the results generated by the Company’s primary business activities prior to consideration of how those activities are financed or taxed in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates.

EBITDA

EBITDA provides the results generated by the Company’s primary business activities prior to consideration of how those activities are financed, how its assets are amortized, or how the results are taxed in various jurisdictions.

Net Debt to EBITDA

Net debt is defined as short- and long-term debt less cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period which is then divided by EBITDA for the trailing 12 months.

ROCE

ROCE is a measure to analyze operating performance and efficiency of the Company’s capital allocation process. The ratio is calculated by taking EBIT for the 12-month trailing period divided by capital employed. Capital employed is debt and equity less cash for the trailing four quarters.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-17  


NON-IFRS MEASURES

Enerflex measures its financial performance using several key financial performance indicators, some of which do not have standardized meanings as prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. These non-IFRS measures are also used by Management in its assessment of relative investments in operations and include ES bookings and backlog, recurring revenue, EBITDA, net debt to EBITDA ratio, bank-adjusted net debt to EBITDA ratio, gross margin before D&A, ROCE, and free cash flow and should not be considered as an alternative to net earnings or any other measure of performance under IFRS. The reconciliation of these non-IFRS measures to the most directly comparable IFRS measure is provided below where appropriate. ES bookings and backlog do not have a directly comparable IFRS measure.

 

    

Three months ended

December 31,

    

Twelve months ended

December 31,

 

 ($ thousands)

   2023      2022      2023      2022  

 EBIT, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

                                   

 EBIT

   $ (67,959)      $ (44,747)      $ 57,864      $ (40,810)  

 EBITDA

     2,382        17,897        325,383        87,477  

 Adjusted EBITDA1

     125,961        86,143        512,650        223,601  

 Recurring Revenue

           

 EI

   $ 208,593      $ 162,923      $ 777,702      $ 381,087  

 AMS

     179,482        145,526        652,198        443,660  

 Impact of finance leases

     12,542        11,036        49,416        18,939  

 Total recurring revenue

   $ 400,617      $ 319,485      $ 1,479,316      $ 843,686  

 % of total revenue

     51.2%        46.3%        46.8%        47.5%  

 ROCE

           

 Trailing 12-month EBIT

   $ 57,864      $ (40,810)      $ 57,864      $ (40,810)  

 Capital employed – beginning of period

           

 Net debt2

   $   1,239,997      $ 169,626      $ 1,136,549      $ 158,664  

 Shareholders’ equity

     1,546,975        1,419,844        1,542,908        1,353,754  
     $ 2,786,972      $ 1,589,470      $ 2,679,457      $ 1,512,418  

 Capital employed – end of period

           

 Net debt2

   $ 1,088,829      $   1,136,549      $   1,088,829      $ 1,136,549  

 Shareholders’ equity

     1,394,022        1,542,908        1,394,022        1,542,908  
     $ 2,482,851      $ 2,679,457      $ 2,482,851      $ 2,679,457  

 Average capital employed3

   $ 2,694,110      $ 1,848,678      $ 2,694,110      $   1,848,678  

 ROCE

     2.1%        (2.2)%        2.1%        (2.2)%  

 1 Refer to the “Adjusted EBITDA” section of this MD&A.

 2 Net debt is defined as short- and long-term debt less cash and cash equivalents.

 3 Based on a trailing four-quarter average.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-18  


GROSS MARGIN BEFORE D&A

The Company defines gross margin before D&A as gross margin excluding the impact of depreciation and amortization. The historical costs of assets may differ if they were acquired through acquisition or constructed, resulting in differing depreciation. Gross margin before D&A is useful to present operating performance of the business before the impact of depreciation and amortization that may not be comparable across assets.

BANK-ADJUSTED NET DEBT TO EBITDA RATIO

The Company defines net debt as short- and long-term debt less cash and cash equivalents at period end, which is then divided by EBITDA for the trailing 12 months. In assessing whether the Company is compliant with the financial covenants related to its debt instruments, certain adjustments are made to net debt and EBITDA to determine Enerflex’s bank-adjusted net debt to EBITDA ratio. These adjustments and Enerflex’s bank-adjusted net debt to EBITDA ratio are calculated in accordance with, and derived from, the Company’s financing agreements.

FREE CASH FLOW

The Company has introduced a new key performance indicator for free cash flow. Free cash flow may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies as it does not have a standardized meaning under IFRS. Management has adopted this non-IFRS measure to help users of the financial statements assess the level of free cash generated to fund other non-operating activities.

The Company defines free cash flow as cash provided by (used in) operating activities, less maintenance capital expenditures, mandatory debt repayments, lease payments and dividends paid, with proceeds on disposals of PP&E and EI assets added back. The following tables reconciles free cash flow to the most directly comparable IFRS measure, cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

    

Three months ended

December 31,

    

Twelve months ended

December 31,

 
 ($ thousands)    2023      2022      2023      2022  

 Cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital and other

   $ 65,024      $ (1,336)      $ 259,584      $ 91,086  

 Net change in working capital and other

     143,955        (14,994)        13,727        (71,318)  

 Cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ 208,979      $   (16,330)      $ 273,311      $   19,768  

 Less:

           

Maintenance capital and PP&E expenditures

     (17,587)        (22,801      (60,336)        (38,416)  

Mandatory debt repayments

     (13,226)        -        (26,746)        -  

Lease payments

     (3,935)        (4,801      (20,422)        (15,758)  

Dividends

     (3,097)        (2,243      (12,378)        (8,969)  

 Add:

           

Proceeds on disposals of PP&E and EI assets

     14,243        2,924        39,850        16,323  
         

 Free cash flow

   $   185,377      $ (43,251)      $   193,279      $ (27,052)  

The Company experienced positive movements in working capital during the three months ended December 31, 2023. This positive working capital change is primarily attributable to significant cash collections that impacted accounts receivable, contract assets and deferred revenues; use of inventories; and the sale of an asset that was accounted for as a finance lease. While the Company has been able to efficiently manage its working capital globally, it does not expect the magnitude of the recovery realized to be repeated.

The free cash flow for the three months ended December 31, 2023 does not include the impact of $34 million of unrealized foreign exchange losses on cash, and $18 million of unrealized losses on short-term investments. While the Company does not experience an outflow of cash associated with these unrealized losses on cash or short-term investments, these unrealized losses impact the cash available to fund other non-operating activities.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-19  


LIQUIDITY

The Company expects that cash flows from operations in 2023, together with cash and cash equivalents on hand and currently available credit facilities, will be sufficient to fund its requirements for investments in working capital and capital assets.

 

 ($ thousands)    December 31, 2023  

 Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 126,089  

 Short-term investments

     14,425  

 Total Revolving Credit Facility (US$700,000)

     925,820  

 Less:

  

Drawings on Revolving Credit Facility

     314,705  

Letters of Credit1

     137,982  

 Available for future drawings

   $       613,647  

1 This represents the letters of credit that the Company has funded with the Revolving Credit Facility. Additional letters of credit of $48 million (US$36 million) are funded from the US$70 million LC Facility. Refer to Note 20 “Long-Term Debt” of the Financial Statements for more information.

The Company continues to meet the covenant requirements of its funded debt, including the three year secured revolving credit facility (“Revolving Credit Facility”), the three year secured term loan (“Term Loan”) and senior secured notes (the “Notes”), with the senior secured net funded debt, which is comprised of the Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loan, to EBITDA ratio of 0.7:1, compared to a maximum ratio of 2.5:1, and a bank-adjusted net debt to EBITDA ratio of 2.3:1, compared to a maximum ratio of 4.0:1. The Company exited the year with an interest coverage ratio of 4.2:1 compared to a minimum ratio of 2.5:1. The interest coverage ratio is calculated by dividing the trailing 12-month EBITDA, as defined by the Company’s lenders, by interest expense over the same timeframe.

SUMMARIZED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW

 

    

Three months ended

December 31,

    

Twelve months ended

December 31,

 
 ($ thousands)    2023      2022      2023      2022  

 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

   $ 163,429      $ 198,787      $ 253,776      $ 172,758  

 Cash provided by (used in):

           

Operating activities

        208,979        (16,330)           273,311           19,768  

Investing activities

     (37,750)           54,184        (158,888)        43,248  

Financing activities

     (174,218)        20,730        (200,494)        11,854  

 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and
 cash equivalents denominated in foreign currencies

     (34,351)        (3,595)        (41,616)        6,148  

 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 126,089      $ 253,776      $ 126,089      $ 253,776  

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023, cash provided by operating activities was higher than the comparative periods, primarily driven by lower net loss when removing the non-cash impact of the goodwill impairment, and the net changes in working capital. Movements in the net change in working capital are explained in the “Financial Position” section of this MD&A.

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Cash used in investing activities for the three months ended December 31, 2023 was lower than the cash provided by investing activities in the same period last year, primarily due to the cash acquired from the Transaction, and reduced additions to PP&E and EI assets during the current period, partially offset by the purchase of short-term investments. Cash used in investing activities for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 is higher than the cash provided by investing activities in the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 due to the capital spending on the two BOOM water projects that slipped into 2023, and the purchase of short-term investments, partially offset by the cash acquired from the Transaction.

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Cash used in financing activities increased during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 compared to the cash provided by financing activities for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to repayments on the Term Loan and the net repayment on the Revolving Credit Facility, partially offset by net debt obtained as a result of the Transaction used to extinguish the assumed debt, and the related deferred transaction costs incurred to obtain the new debt.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-20  


CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AND EXPENDITURES FOR FINANCE LEASES

Enerflex distinguishes capital expenditures invested in EI assets as either maintenance or growth. Maintenance expenditures are necessary costs to continue utilizing existing EI assets, while growth expenditures are intended to expand the Company’s EI fleet. The Company may also incur costs related to the construction of EI assets determined to be finance leases. These costs are accounted for as work-in-progress (“WIP”) related to finance leases, and once the project is completed and enters service, it is reclassified to COGS.

During the three months ended December 31, 2023, Enerflex invested $24 million in capital expenditures, including maintenance of the Company’s global EI fleet, as well as small-scale investments to expand the fleet across all regions. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, Enerflex invested $143 million in capital expenditures, primarily for the completion of two large BOOM treated water facilities in the Middle East.

Capital expenditures and expenditures for finance leases are shown in the table below:

 

          

Three months ended

 

December 31,

          

Twelve months ended

 

December 31,

 
 ($ thousands)    2023     2022      2023     2022  

 Maintenance and PP&E

   $ 17,587     $ 22,801      $ 60,336     $ 38,416  

 Growth

     6,085          46,821           82,642       77,424  

 Total capital expenditures

        23,672       69,622        142,978           115,840  

 Expenditures for finance leases

     -       14,526        4,730       74,543  

 Total capital expenditures and expenditures for finance leases

   $ 23,672     $ 84,148      $ 147,708     $ 190,383  

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-21  


FINANCIAL POSITION

The following table outlines significant changes in the consolidated statements of financial position as at December 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022:

 

($ millions)  

 

Increase
(Decrease)

   Explanation

Current assets

  (16)   

Decrease in current assets is due to lower cash and cash equivalents, and the WIP related to finance leases transferred to COGS upon commencement of Enerflex’s natural gas infrastructure project in the Middle East, partially offset by increases in accounts receivable, contract assets, inventories, short-term investments, assets held for sale, and prepayments.

Property, plant and equipment

  (16)   

Decrease in PP&E is primarily due to depreciation and disposals, offset by investments.

Energy infrastructure assets

  (94)   

Decrease in EI assets is primarily due to depreciation, foreign exchange impacts, and disposals, offset by organic investments in the Company’s EI fleet.

Contract assets

  (44)   

Decrease in long-term contract assets is due to a large project in the Middle East that will commence operations in 2024 whereby the Company will begin invoicing the client. The amount expected to be invoiced was reclassified to the current contract assets.

Finance leases receivable

  (22)   

Decrease in the long-term portion of finance leases receivable is due to billings and payments from clients, and disposition of a finance lease receivable, partially offset by the recognition of a 10-year natural gas infrastructure project that commenced operations during the first quarter of 2023.

Intangibles

  (30)   

Decrease in intangibles is primarily due to amortization and foreign exchange impacts.

Goodwill

  (103)   

Decrease in goodwill is due to the impairment in LATAM which arose from the ongoing devaluation of the ARS, and the restrictions on repatriating cash held in Argentina; and the impact of foreign exchange.

Other assets

  (31)   

Decrease in other assets is primarily due to the preferred shares that the Company previously held which were redeemed during the year, and a portion of deferred costs reclassified to other current assets.

Current liabilities

  11   

Increase in current liabilities is primarily due to movements in deferred revenues, and the current portion of long-term debt and lease liabilities, partially offset by a decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities and provisions.

Long-term debt

  (201)   

Decrease in long-term debt is primarily due to the net repayment on the three-year Term Loan and the Revolving Credit Facility.

Total shareholders’ equity

  (149)   

Decrease in total shareholders’ equity is due to the net loss, unrealized losses on the translation of foreign operations, and dividends, offset by the impact of stock options.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-22  


QUARTERLY SUMMARY

 

 Three months ended
($ thousands, except per share amounts)
   Revenue1      Net earnings
(loss)2,3
     Earnings (loss)
per share –
basic
     Earnings (loss)
per share –
diluted
 

 December 31, 2023

   $ 782,208      $ (127,339)      $ (1.03)      $ (1.03)  

 September 30, 2023

     778,173        5,714        0.05        0.05  

 June 30, 2023

     776,670        (2,823)        (0.02)        (0.02)  

 March 31, 2023

     825,044            13,524             0.11             0.11  

 December 31, 2022

        689,839        (81,118)        (0.68)        (0.68)  

 September 30, 2022

     392,813        (32,808)        (0.37)        (0.37)  

 June 30, 2022

     372,077        13,352        0.15        0.15  

 March 31, 2022

     323,069        (369)        (0.00)        (0.00)  

1 The significant increase in revenue from September 30, 2022 to December 31, 2022 is due to the contribution from the acquired Exterran business. When looking at the comparative reported revenue on a quarter-over-quarter basis from 2022 to 2023, the increase is due to the contribution from the acquired Exterran business.

2 The following summarizes select changes in net earnings (loss):

i) During the three months ended September 30, 2022, the Company reported a $48 million non-cash goodwill impairment in the Canada segment

ii) During the three months ended December 31, 2022, the Company’s net loss was primarily due to the contribution from the acquired Exterran business and the significantly higher SG&A related to one-time Transaction costs and foreign exchange losses due to the ongoing devaluation of the ARS.

iii) During the three months ended December 31, 2023, the Company reported a $87 million non-cash goodwill impairment in the LATAM segment and foreign exchange losses due to the ongoing devaluation of the ARS.

3 Net earnings (loss) for all periods in the table above is the same as net earnings (loss) from continuing operations.

SELECTED ANNUAL INFORMATION

 

 Twelve months ended

($ thousands, except per share amounts)

   2023      2022      2021  

 Revenue1

   $ 3,162,095      $ 1,777,798      $ 960,156  

 Net loss2

     (110,924)        (100,943)        (18,455)  

 Loss per share - basic

     (0.90)        (1.04)        (0.21)  

 Loss per share - diluted

     (0.90)        (1.04)        (0.21)  

 Total assets3

     3,911,980        4,258,068           2,191,442  

 Total non-current financial liabilities4

        1,162,014           1,363,237        331,422  

 Cash dividends declared per share

     0.100        0.100        0.085  

1 The increases in revenue year-over-year from 2021 to 2022 and from 2022 to 2023 are due to the contribution from the acquired Exterran business.

2 Net loss for all periods in the table above is the same as net loss from continuing operations.

3 The increase in total assets from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022 is due to the assets acquired from Exterran.

4 The increase in total non-current financial liabilities from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022 is due to the debt issued to complete the Transaction.

RISK FACTORS

An investment in common shares in the capital of Enerflex (“Common Shares”) involves a number of risks. There are general risks associated with all business; industry specific risks inherent in Enerflex’s operations; and risks specific to Enerflex. This section describes the risks that Enerflex believes are most material to its business and operations. The risks identified in this MD&A are not a complete list of all the risks and potential risks applicable to Enerflex. Additional risks may arise as Enerflex’s business evolves. Risks currently perceived as immaterial may become material. While the Company has extensive policies and procedures in place to limit, manage and mitigate risks, including the Company’s enterprise risk management program, there is no assurance that Enerflex will be successful in preventing or minimizing the harm and potential harm that the following risks present.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-23  


General Business Risks

The business in which Enerflex operates is highly competitive

The business in which Enerflex operates is highly competitive with low barriers to entry for natural gas processing and compression services, contract compression, the processing and compression fabrication business, and the produced water business. Several companies target the same client partners as Enerflex in markets where margins can be low and contract negotiations can be challenging. Enerflex has several competitors in all aspects of its business, both domestically and abroad. Some of these competitors, particularly in the Energy Infrastructure and Engineered Systems product lines, are large, multi-national companies who may be able to adapt more quickly to technological changes within the industry or changes in economic and market conditions, more readily take advantage of acquisitions and other opportunities, and adopt more aggressive pricing policies. In addition, the Company could face significant competition from new entrants. Some of Enerflex’s existing competitors or new entrants may expand or fabricate new equipment that would create additional competition for the products, equipment, or services that Enerflex offers to clients. Further, the Company may not be able to take advantage of certain opportunities or make certain investments because of capital constraints, debt levels, and other obligations.

Any of these competitive pressures could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations. See “Competitive Conditions” of the Company’s AIF.

Enerflex’s liabilities are subject to fluctuations in interest rates

The Company’s liabilities include long-term debt that may be subject to fluctuations in interest rates. The Company’s 9.0 percent Notes outstanding at December 31, 2023, are at fixed interest rates and therefore will not be impacted by fluctuations in market interest rates. The Company’s Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan, however, are subject to changes in market interest rates. As at December 31, 2023, the Company had $487 million of indebtedness that is effectively subject to floating interest rates. Changes in economic conditions outside of Enerflex’s control could result in higher interest rates, thereby increasing Enerflex’s interest expense which may have a material adverse impact on Enerflex’s financial results, financial condition, or ability to declare and pay dividends.

For each one per cent change in the rate of interest on the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan, the change in interest expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, would be approximately $3 million. All interest charges are recorded in finance costs on the consolidated statements of earnings. Any increase in market interest rates could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial results, financial condition, or ability to declare and pay dividends. See “Dividends – Restrictions on Paying Dividends” of the Company’s AIF.

Gross margin and the profitability of Enerflex is subject to inflationary pressures

Strong economic conditions and competition for available personnel, materials, and major components may result in significant increases in the cost of obtaining such resources. To the greatest extent possible, Enerflex passes such cost increases on to its clients and attempts to reduce these pressures through proactive supply chain and human resource practices. Should these efforts not be successful, the gross margin and profitability of Enerflex could be adversely affected.

Enerflex is susceptible to health and safety risks throughout its operations

Enerflex’s business is susceptible to health and safety risks inherent in manufacturing, construction, and operations. These risks include but are not limited to: explosions caused by natural gas leaks; fires; malfunctioning or improperly used tools and equipment; and vehicle collisions and other transportation incidents. Safety is a key factor that clients consider when selecting a service provider. A decline in the Company’s safety performance could result in lower demand for services, which could have a material adverse effect on Enerflex’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Failure to mitigate, prevent, or appropriately respond to a safety or health incident could result in injuries or fatalities among employees, contractors, visitors, or residents in communities near Company operations. Such incidents may lead to liabilities arising out of personal injuries or death, property damage, operational interruptions, and shutdown or abandonment of affected facilities, including government-imposed orders to remedy unsafe conditions or circumstances, penalties associated with the contravention of applicable health and safety legislation, and potential civil liability. Preventing or responding to accidents could require Enerflex to expend significant time and effort, as well as financial resources to remediate safety issues, compensate injured parties, and repair damaged facilities. Any of the foregoing could have an adverse impact on the Company’s operations, financial results, and reputation which could result in increased costs associated with Enerflex’s business.

Information technology and information security is of critical importance to Enerflex

The Company is dependent upon the availability, capacity, reliability, and security of information technology infrastructure and the Company’s ability to expand and continually update this infrastructure, to conduct daily operations. Information technology

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-24  


assets and protocols become increasingly important to Enerflex as it continues to expand internationally, provide information technology access to global personnel, develop web-based applications, to monitor products, and improve its business software applications. If any such programs or systems were to fail or create erroneous information in the Company’s hardware or software network infrastructure, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business activities and reputation.

Enerflex may be threatened by or subjected to cyberattack risks such as cyber-fraud, viruses, malware infections, or social engineering activities like phishing and employee impersonation, which may result in adverse outcomes including, but not limited to, the exposure of sensitive data, disruption of operations, and diminished operating results. In recent years, cyberattacks have become more prevalent and much harder to detect and defend against. These threats may arise from a variety of sources, all ranging in sophistication from an individual hacker to alleged state-sponsored attacks. A cyberattack may be generic, or it may be custom crafted to target the specific information technology used by Enerflex. The occurrence of any such cyberattacks could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition, operating results, and reputation.

The Company may be targeted by parties using fraudulent spoof and phishing emails to misappropriate Enerflex information, or the information of clients and suppliers, or to introduce viruses or other malware through “trojan horse” programs into computer networks of the Company, its clients, or suppliers. These phishing emails may appear upon a cursory review to be legitimate emails sent by an employee or representative of Enerflex, its clients, or suppliers. If a member of Enerflex or a member of one of its clients or suppliers fails to recognize that a phishing email has been sent or received and responds to or forwards the phishing email, the attack could corrupt the computer networks and/or access confidential information of Enerflex, its clients, employees, and/or suppliers, including passwords, through email or downloaded malware. In addition to spoof and phishing emails, network and storage applications may be subject to unauthorized access by hackers or breached due to operator error, malfeasance, or other system disruptions. It is often difficult to anticipate or immediately detect such incidents and the damage caused by them.

Security measures, such as incident monitoring, vulnerability testing, tabletop exercises, response planning, and employee education and training have been implemented to protect the Company’s information security and network infrastructure. However, the Company’s mitigation measures cannot provide absolute security, and the information technology infrastructure may be vulnerable to criminal cyberattacks or data security incidents due to employee or client error, malfeasance, or other vulnerabilities. Additionally, Enerflex is reliant on third-party service providers for certain information technology applications. While the Company conducts due-diligence and believes that these third-party service providers have adequate security measures, there can be no assurance that these security measures will prevent any cyber events or computer viruses from impacting the applications upon which Enerflex relies.

If Enerflex’s information technology systems were to fail and the Company was unable to recover in a timely way, the Company might be unable to fulfill critical business functions, which could damage the Company’s reputation and have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, and results of operations. A breach of Enerflex’s information security measures or controls could result in losses of material or confidential information, reputational consequences, financial damages, breaches of privacy laws, damage to assets, safety issues, operational downtime or delays, and revenue losses. The significance of any such event is difficult to quantify but may in certain circumstances be material to the Company and could have adverse effects on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.

The nature of Enerflex’s operations brings inherent litigation risk and liability claims

The Company’s operations entail inherent risks, including but not limited to equipment defects, malfunctions and failures, and natural disasters that could result in uncontrollable flows of natural gas, untreated water or well fluids, fires, and explosions. Some of the Company’s products are used in hazardous applications where an accident or a failure of a product could cause personal injury or loss of life, or damage to property, equipment, or the environment, as well as the suspension of the end-user’s operations. The Company seeks to mitigate its exposure to these risks through various means including contracting strategies, however, if the Company’s products were to be involved in any of these incidents, the Company could face litigation and may be held liable for those losses.

In the normal course of Enerflex’s operations, the Company may become involved in, named as a party to, or be the subject of various legal proceedings, including regulatory proceedings, tax proceedings, and legal actions related to contract disputes, property damage, environmental matters, employment matters, and personal injury. The Company may not be able to adequately protect itself contractually and insurance coverage may not be available or adequate in risk coverage or policy limits to cover all losses or liabilities that it may incur. Moreover, the Company may not be able to maintain insurance in the future at levels of risk coverage or policy limits that management deems adequate. Any claims made under the Company’s policies may cause its premiums to increase. Any future damages deemed to be caused by the Company’s products or services that are not covered by insurance, or that are in excess of policy limits or subject to substantial deductibles, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s projections, business, results of operations, and financial condition.

Defense and settlement costs associated with lawsuits and claims can be substantial, even with respect to lawsuits and claims that have no merit. Due to the inherent uncertainty of the litigation process, the resolution of any legal proceeding could have an adverse effect on Enerflex’s operating results or financial performance.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-25  


The ability of Enerflex to access capital on reasonable terms, if at all, may impact its business

Enerflex relies on its cash, as well as the credit and capital markets, to provide some of the capital required to continue operations. Significant instability or disruptions to the capital markets, including the credit markets, may impact the Company’s ability to access capital on reasonable commercial terms, if at all, and this in turn may result in adverse consequences including: making it more difficult to satisfy contractual obligations; increasing vulnerability to general adverse economic conditions and industry conditions; limiting the ability to fund future working capital, capital expenditures, or acquisitions; limiting the ability to refinance debt in the future or borrow additional funds to fund ongoing operations; and paying future dividends to shareholders.

The Company’s Revolving Credit Facility also contains a number of covenants and restrictions which Enerflex, and its subsidiaries, must comply with including, but not limited to, use of proceeds, limitations on the ability to incur additional indebtedness, transactions with affiliates, mergers and acquisitions, and the Company’s ability to sell assets. The Company’s ability to comply with these covenants and restrictions may be affected by events beyond its control, including prevailing economic, financial, and industry conditions. If market or other economic conditions deteriorate, the Company’s ability to comply with these covenants may be impaired. Failure to meet any of these covenants, financial ratios, or financial tests could result in events of default which require the Company to repay its indebtedness and could impair the Company’s ability to access the capital markets for financing. While Enerflex is currently in compliance with all covenants, financial ratios, and financial tests, there can be no assurance that it will be able to comply with these covenants, financial ratios, and financial tests in future periods. These events could restrict the Company’s and other guarantors’ ability to fund its operations, meet its obligations associated with financial liabilities, or declare and pay dividends. See “Dividends – Restrictions on Paying Dividends” of the Company’s AIF.

Public health crises may impact Enerflex’s business

The Company’s business, operations, and financial condition could be materially adversely affected by the outbreak of epidemics, pandemics, or other health crises. Such public health crises may adversely affect Enerflex, causing a slowdown or temporary suspension of Enerflex’s operations in geographic locations impacted by an outbreak, including due to: reduced global economic activity and a corresponding decrease in demand for oil and natural gas, which could result in producers being forced to shut-in production and serve to lower demand for the Company’s products and services; impaired supply chain as a result of mass quarantines, lockdowns, or border closures, thereby limiting the supply and increasing the cost of goods and services used in Enerflex’s operations; and restricted workforce as a result of quarantines and health impacts, rendering employees unable to work or travel.

Enerflex continues to adhere to all public health orders and governmental guidance and maintains communication with suppliers, clients, stakeholders, and other business partners to identify and monitor potential risks to Enerflex’s ongoing operations. Any outbreak of epidemics, pandemics, or other health crises could materially and adversely impact the Company’s business, operations, financial condition, and cash flows.

Industry Specific Risks

Energy prices, industry conditions, and the cyclical nature of the energy industry

The industry in which Enerflex operates is highly reliant on the levels of capital expenditures made by oil and gas producers and explorers. The capital expenditures of these companies, along with those midstream companies who service these oil and gas explorers and producers, impact the demand for Enerflex’s equipment and services. Capital expenditure decisions are based on various factors, including but not limited to: demand for hydrocarbons and prices of related products; exploration and development prospects in various jurisdictions; reserve production levels; oil and natural gas prices; regulatory compliance; and access to capital, none of which can be accurately predicted. Any downturn in commodity prices may lead to reduced levels of capital expenditures, which may negatively impact the demand for the products and services that Enerflex offers. Even the perception of lower oil or gas prices over the long term can result in a decision to cancel or postpone exploration and production capital expenditures, which may lead to reduced demand for products and services offered by Enerflex. If economic conditions or international markets decline unexpectedly and oil and gas producing clients decide to cancel or postpone major capital expenditures, the Company’s business may be adversely impacted.

The supply and demand for oil and gas is influenced by a number of factors, including political, economic, or military circumstances throughout the energy producing regions of the world. This has been highlighted with the Russian invasion of Ukraine which has had significant impacts on supply resulting in significant and rapid commodity price increases. The impact to the Enerflex business is difficult to predict and depends on many factors that are evolving and not within the control of Enerflex and such impact could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-26  


Enerflex’s operations are subject to foreign exchange risk

A significant percentage of Enerflex’s revenues and expenses are denominated in currencies other than Canadian dollars. The Company identifies and hedges significant transactional currency risks, and its hedging policy remains unchanged in the current year. Further information on Enerflex’s hedging activities is provided in Note 30 Financial Instruments in the Financial Statements.

Transaction Exposure – the Company sources the majority of its products and major components for its Canadian operations from the USA. Consequently, reported costs of inventory and the transaction prices charged to clients for equipment and parts are affected by the relative strength of the Canadian dollar. The Company also sells compression and processing packages in foreign currencies, primarily the US dollar. Most of Enerflex’s international orders are manufactured in the USA where the contracts are primarily denominated in US dollars. This minimizes the Company’s foreign currency exposure on these contracts.

The Company remains exposed to foreign exchange risk in light of the recent and ongoing devaluation of the Argentine peso. To mitigate this risk, Management has invested funds in country to earn interest income thereby partially offsetting the devaluation and continues to explore opportunities to further minimize the impacts of future devaluation.

The Company has implemented a hedging policy, applicable primarily to the Canadian operations, with the objective of securing the margins earned on awarded contracts denominated in currencies other than Canadian dollars. In addition, the Company may hedge input costs that are paid in a currency other than the home currency of the subsidiary executing the contract. The Company utilizes a combination of foreign denominated debt and currency forward contracts to meet its hedging objectives.

Translation Exposure – the Company’s earnings from and net investment in foreign subsidiaries are exposed to fluctuations in exchange rates. The Company is also exposed to the translation risk of monetary items in their local currency to their functional currency. The currencies with the most significant impact are the US dollar, Australian dollar, and Brazilian real.

Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated into Canadian dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates. Unrealized translation gains and losses are deferred and included in accumulated other comprehensive income. The cumulative currency translation adjustments are recognized in earnings when there has been a reduction in the net investment in the foreign operations.

Earnings from foreign operations are translated into Canadian dollars each period at average exchange rates for the period. As a result, fluctuations in the value of the Canadian dollar relative to these other currencies will impact reported net earnings. Such exchange rate fluctuations could be material year-over-year relative to the overall earnings or financial position of the Company.

ESG and investor sentiment particularly related to the oil and gas business

A number of factors, including the impact of oil and natural gas operations on the environment, the effects of the use of hydrocarbons on climate change, ecological damage relating to spills of petroleum products during production and transportation, and human rights, have affected certain investors’ sentiments towards investing in the oil and natural gas industry. As a result of these concerns, some institutional, retail, and governmental investors have announced that they are no longer willing to fund or invest in companies in the oil and natural gas industry or are reducing the amount of their investment over time. Any reduction in the investor base interested or willing to invest in the oil and natural gas industry may result in limiting Enerflex’s access to capital, increasing its cost of capital, and decreasing the price and liquidity of Enerflex’s securities.

In addition, practices and disclosures relating to environmental, social, and governance matters (“ESG”) matters (including but not limited to governance practices, climate change and emissions, diversity and inclusion, data security and privacy, ethical sourcing, and water, waste, and ecological management) are attracting increasing scrutiny by stakeholders. Certain stakeholders are requesting that issuers develop and implement more robust ESG policies and practices. Developing and implementing such policies and practices can involve significant costs and require a significant time commitment from the Board of Directors, Executive Management Team, and employees of Enerflex. Failing to implement the policies and practices, as requested, or expected by Enerflex’s stakeholders, may result in such investors reducing their investment in Enerflex, or not investing in Enerflex at all. The Company’s response to addressing ESG matters, and any negative perception thereof can also impact Enerflex’s reputation, business prospects, ability to hire and retain qualified employees, and vulnerability to activist shareholders. Such risks could adversely affect Enerflex’s business, future operations, and profitability.

Climate change and associated regulatory and policy changes could impact Enerflex’s business

Climate change policy is quickly evolving at regional, national, and international levels, and political and economic events may significantly affect the scope and timing of climate change measures that are ultimately put in place. While Enerflex does not currently exceed the applicable thresholds for emissions-reduction initiatives in its jurisdictions of operations, there is a global trend in recent periods towards greater regulation of greenhouse gas emissions. Although it is not possible at this time to predict how new laws or regulations would impact the Company’s business, any such future requirements imposing carbon pricing

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-27  


schemes, carbon taxes, or emissions-reduction obligations on the Company’s energy infrastructure, equipment, and operations could require it to incur costs to reduce emissions or to purchase emission credits or offsets, and may cause delays or restrictions in its ability to offer its products and services. Failure to comply with such laws and regulations could result in significant liabilities or penalties being imposed on Enerflex. There is also a risk that Enerflex could face claims initiated by third parties relating to climate change or related laws and regulations. Any such claims, laws, or regulations could also increase the costs of compliance for Enerflex’s clients, and thereby negatively impact demand for the Company’s products and services. The direct or indirect costs of such claims, and compliance with such laws or regulations, may have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects of the Company.

There has been public discussion that climate change may be associated with extreme weather conditions such as more intense hurricanes, flooding, droughts, forest fires, thunderstorms, tornados, and snow or ice storms, as well as rising sea levels and other acute (event-driven) and chronic (long-term) climate events. Another possible consequence of climate change is increased volatility in seasonal temperatures with some studies suggesting that climate change could cause some areas to experience temperatures substantially colder or warmer than their historical averages.

To the extent there are significant climate changes in the markets Enerflex serves or areas where Company assets reside, Enerflex could incur increased costs, its assets could be damaged, operations could be materially impacted (for instance, shut-down requirements), there may be health implications for its employees, and its clients may experience operational disruptions causing reduced demand for the Company’s products. At this time, the Company is unable to determine the extent to which climate change may affect its operations.

Demand for the Company’s products may also be affected by the development and demand for new technologies in response to global climate change. Many governments provide, or may in the future provide, tax incentives and other subsidies to support the use and development of alternative energy technologies. Technological advances and cost declines in alternative energy sources (such as hydrogen and renewables, electric grids, electric vehicles, and batteries) may reduce demand for hydrocarbons, which could lead to a lower demand for the Company’s low-carbon products and services although such initiatives may create opportunities for the Company given its expertise in providing electrification, hydrogen, and bioenergy (including renewable natural gas) solutions. If client preferences shift, the Company may also be required to develop new technologies, requiring significant investments of capital and resources, which may or may not be recoverable in the marketplace and which could result in certain products becoming less profitable or uneconomic. At this time, the Company is unable to determine the extent to which such technological risks may detrimentally impact its business prospects, financial condition, and operations.

The success of the energy transition is reliant on regulatory and policy incentives

In many cases, successful execution of projects within Enerflex’s Energy Transition business is reliant on regulatory and policy incentives such as the Section 45Q tax credit for CCUS, the Section 45V tax credit for clean hydrogen production, California low-carbon fuel standards, and many others. These incentives make the development of energy transition projects, equipment and facilities more competitive by providing tax credits or other financial incentives as well as (in some cases) accelerated depreciation for a portion of the development costs, decreasing the costs and risks associated with developing such projects, equipment or facilities. The elimination or loss of, or reduction in, such incentives could (i) decrease the attractiveness of such energy transition projects, equipment or facilities to potential clients, reducing the Company’s opportunities to commercialize the relevant projects, equipment or facilities, (ii) reduce the Company’s willingness to pursue or develop certain projects, equipment or facilities due to higher operating costs or decreased revenues related to such projects, equipment or facilities, (iii) cause the market for future energy transition projects, equipment or facilities to be smaller and/or (iv) result in increased financing costs and difficulty in obtaining financing on acceptable terms with respect to the Energy Transition business. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to pursue and achieve success in its Energy Transition business. Additionally, there are many geographies where relevant governments have not adopted or promulgated regulatory and policy incentives related to energy transition projects and applications. If such geographies do not adopt such regulatory and policy incentives, then Enerflex may not be able to participate in providing energy transition solutions to clients in such geographies unless and until such regulatory and policy incentives are adopted.

The energy transition is highly reliant on technological advancements

The success of Enerflex’s Energy Transition business is reliant on technological advancement. While there are some technological applications for energy transition initiatives which are currently economically feasible based upon existing regulatory and policy incentives, there are also energy transition technology applications which are not yet economically feasible even when taking into account existing regulatory and policy incentives. Enerflex expects that, in a significant percentage of energy transition projects, technological advancement and improvement will be required before the relevant applications can become commercialized. If technological advancement and improvement is not successfully achieved on economically feasible terms, then widespread adoption of the relevant applications may not occur and Enerflex’s Energy Transition business may not be able to successfully commercialize relevant offerings and its ability to succeed may be adversely impacted.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-28  


The Energy Transition and the ability of Enerflex to succeed, has inherent risks

Enerflex’s ability to succeed in its Energy Transition business is dependent on the extent to which it can effectively execute new business strategies which are necessary in connection with energy transition initiatives. While Enerflex has identified diverse opportunities within the energy transition marketplace which are within or related to its core competencies, there is no guarantee or certainty that Enerflex will be able to achieve commercial success within these areas, if at all. While the energy transition presents such opportunities, given that commercial viability of most of these opportunities is reliant on regulatory and policy support and requires widespread adoption by relevant client partner bases which is currently not achieved, Enerflex cannot predict with certainty the extent to which it will be able to commercialize solutions pursued or conceived by its Energy Transition business. As with any new business initiative, Enerflex’s Energy Transition business involves inherent uncertainty and, while Enerflex believes it is well situated to participate in energy transition-related projects and initiatives, many factors outside of the control of the Company will influence whether these projects and initiatives achieve commercial success, if at all, including regulations and policy, widespread adoption of practices, advancement of technology, access to capital, and others. Failure to successfully execute the Company’s strategy for its Energy Transition business may result in Enerflex not being able to fully implement or realize the anticipated results or benefits of its Energy Transition business strategy and may further result in Enerflex not being able to meaningfully participate in the energy transition industry.

Corruption, sanctions, and trade compliance issues may impact the business of Enerflex

The Company is required to comply with Canadian, USA, and international laws and regulations regarding corruption, anti-bribery, sanctions, and trade compliance. Enerflex conducts business in many parts of the world that experience high levels of corruption, relies on third-party agents to act on the Company’s behalf in some jurisdictions where the Company does not have a presence, and is subject to various laws that govern the import and export of its equipment.

While Enerflex has developed policies, procedures, screening protocols, and training designed to achieve and maintain compliance with applicable laws, the Company could be exposed to investigations, claims, and other regulatory proceedings for alleged or actual violations of laws related to Company operations, including anti-corruption and anti-bribery legislation, trade laws, and sanctions laws. The Canadian government, the US Department of Justice, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the US Office of Foreign Assets Control, and similar agencies and authorities in other jurisdictions have a broad range of civil and criminal penalties they may seek to impose against companies and individuals for violations, including injunctive relief, disgorgement, fines, penalties, and modifications to business practices and compliance programs, among other things. While Enerflex cannot accurately predict the impact of any of these factors, if any of those risks materialize, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s reputation, business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flow.

Compliance with HSE regulations

The Company and many of its clients are subject to a variety of federal, provincial, state, local, and international laws and regulations relating to health, safety, and environment (“HSE”). Enerflex has developed policies, procedures, and standards designed to ensure compliance with HSE laws and regulations and to otherwise ensure that Enerflex’s operations are conducted in a manner that ensures the health and safety of stakeholders and the protection of the environment. Nevertheless, these laws and regulations are complex, subject to periodic revision, and are becoming increasingly stringent. The cost of compliance with these requirements may increase over time, thereby increasing the Company’s operating costs or negatively impacting the demand for the Company’s products and services. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in reputational damage, as well as the imposition of administrative, civil, and criminal enforcement measures, including assessment of monetary penalties, imposition of remedial requirements, and issuance of injunctions as to future compliance.

Compliance with environmental laws is a priority across Enerflex operations and in the manufacturing of the Company’s products, as the Company uses and stores hazardous substances in its operations. In addition, many of the Company’s current and former properties are or have been used for industrial purposes. Certain environmental laws may impose joint and several and strict liability for environmental contamination, which may render the Company liable for remediation costs, natural resource damages, and other damages as a result of Company conduct or the conduct of, or conditions caused by, prior owners or operators or other third parties. In addition, where contamination may be present, it is possible that neighbouring landowners and other third parties may file claims for personal injury, property damage, and recovery of response costs. Remediation costs and other damages arising as a result of environmental laws and regulations could be substantial and could negatively impact financial condition, profitability, and results of operations.

Enerflex may need to apply for or amend facility permits or licenses from time to time with respect to storm water, waste handling, or air emissions relating to manufacturing activities or equipment operations, which may subject Enerflex to new or revised permitting conditions. These permits and authorizations may contain numerous compliance requirements, including monitoring and reporting obligations and operational restrictions, such as emission limits, which may be onerous or costly to comply with. Given the large number of jurisdictions and facilities in which Enerflex operates, and the numerous environmental permits and other authorizations that are applicable to its operations, the Company may occasionally identify or be notified of technical violations of certain compliance requirements and could be subject to penalties related thereto.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-29  


The adoption of new HSE laws or regulations, or more vigorous enforcement of existing laws or regulations, may also negatively impact Enerflex’s clients and demand for the Company’s products and services, which in turn would have a negative impact on the Company’s financial results and operations.

The Company is also subject to various federal, provincial, state, and local laws and regulations relating to safety and health conditions in its manufacturing facilities and other operations. Those laws and regulations may also subject the Company to material financial penalties or liabilities for any noncompliance, as well as potential business disruption if any of its facilities, or a portion of any facility, is required to be temporarily closed as a result of any violation of those laws and regulations. Any such financial liability or business disruption could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s projections, business, results of operations, and financial condition.

Enerflex’s business requires significant levels of insurance

Enerflex’s operations are subject to risks inherent in the oil and natural gas services industry, such as equipment defects, malfunctions and failures, and natural disasters with resultant uncontrollable flows of oil and natural gas, fires, spills, and explosions. These risks could expose Enerflex to substantial liability for personal injury, loss of life, business interruption, property damage, pollution, and other liabilities. Enerflex carries prudent levels of insurance to protect the Company against these unforeseen events, subject to appropriate deductibles and the availability of coverage. However, there can be no assurance that any such insurance policies will cover all losses or liabilities that may arise from the operation of Enerflex’s business. An annual review of insurance coverage is completed to assess the risk of loss and risk mitigation alternatives.

Extreme weather conditions, natural occurrences, and terrorist activity have strained insurance markets leading to increases in insurance costs and limitations on coverage. It is anticipated that appropriate insurance coverage will be maintained in the future, but there can be no assurance that such insurance coverage will be available on commercially reasonable terms or on terms as favourable as Enerflex’s current arrangements. The occurrence of a significant event outside of the scope of coverage of the Enerflex insurance policies could have a material adverse effect on the results of the organization.

Seasonal factors associated with the oil and gas business impacts demand

Demand for natural gas fluctuates largely with the heating and electric power requirements caused by the changing seasons in North America. Hot summers and cold winters typically increase demand for, and the price of, natural gas. This increases clients’ cash flow, which can have a positive impact on Enerflex. At the same time, access to many western Canadian oil and natural gas properties is limited to the period when the ground is frozen so that heavy equipment can be transported to well locations. As a result, the first quarter of the year is generally accompanied by increased winter deliveries of equipment. Warm winters in western Canada, however, can both reduce demand for natural gas and make it difficult for producers to reach well locations. This restricts drilling and development operations, reduces the ability to supply natural gas production in the short-term, and can negatively impact the demand for Enerflex’s products and services.

Enerflex Specific Risks

The business and operations of Enerflex involve inherent project execution risk

Enerflex engineers, designs, manufactures, constructs, commissions, operates, and services systems that process and/or compress products in a gaseous state. Enerflex’s expertise encompasses field production facilities, gas compression and processing plants, gas lift compression, refrigeration systems, and electric power equipment, primarily serving the natural gas production industry. The Company participates in some projects that have a relatively larger size and scope than the majority of its projects, which may translate into more technically challenging conditions or performance specifications for its products and services. These projects typically specify delivery dates, performance criteria, and penalties for the failure to perform. The Company’s ability to profitably execute on these solutions for clients is dependent on numerous factors which include, but are not limited to: changes in project scope; the availability and timeliness of external approvals and other required permits; skilled labor availability and productivity; availability and cost of materials, parts, and services; the accuracy of design, engineering, and construction; the ability to safely access the job site; and the availability of contractors to support execution of the Company’s scope on these projects. Any failure to execute on these larger projects in a timely and cost-effective manner could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows of the Company.

Enerflex is exposed to the risks associated with international operations

Enerflex’s operations in countries outside of North America account for a significant amount of the Company’s revenue. Enerflex is exposed to risks inherent in conducting international operations, including, but not limited to: social, political, and economic instability; changes in foreign government policies, laws, regulations, and regulatory requirements, or the interpretation, application and/or enforcement thereof; tax increases or changes in tax laws or in the interpretation, application and/or enforcement thereof; difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations including logistical, safety, security, and communication challenges; difficulties, delays, and expenses that may be experienced or incurred in connection with the

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-30  


movement and clearance of personnel and goods through the customs and immigration authorities of multiple jurisdictions; recessions and other economic crises that may impact the Company’s cost of conducting business in those countries; the adoption of new, or the expansion of existing, trade restrictions, or embargoes; limitations on the Company’s ability to repatriate cash, funds, or capital invested or held in jurisdictions outside Canada; difficulty or expense of enforcing contractual rights due to the lack of a developed legal system or otherwise; confiscation, expropriation, or nationalization of property without fair compensation; and difficulties in engaging third-party agents to interface with clients or otherwise act on the Company’s behalf in certain jurisdictions.

In addition, Enerflex may expand the business to markets where the Company has not previously conducted business. The risks inherent in establishing new business ventures, especially in international markets where local customs, laws, and business procedures present special challenges, may affect Enerflex’s ability to be successful in these ventures.

To the extent Enerflex’s international operations are affected by unexpected or adverse economic, political, and other conditions, the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations may be adversely affected.

The ability to hire and retain personnel and contractors are critical to Enerflex’s business

The Company’s ability to attract and retain qualified personnel and provide the necessary organizational structure, programs, and culture to engage and develop employees is crucial to its growth and achieving its business results.

Enerflex’s Engineered Systems product line requires skilled engineers and design professionals to maintain client satisfaction through industry-leading design, build, and installation of the Company’s product offerings. Enerflex competes for these professionals, not only with other companies in the same industry, but with companies in other industries. In periods of high activity, demand for the skills and expertise of these professionals increases, making the hiring and retention of these individuals more difficult.

Enerflex’s After-Market Services product line relies on the skills and availability of trained and experienced tradespeople, mechanics, and technicians to provide efficient and appropriate services to Enerflex and its clients. Hiring and retaining such individuals is critical to the success of Enerflex’s business. Over recent years, there has been a reduction in the number of people pursuing skilled trades, making Enerflex’s access to skilled individuals more difficult and more competitive.

There are certain jurisdictions where Enerflex relies on third-party contractors to carry out the operation and maintenance of its equipment. The ability of third-party contractors to find and retain individuals with the proper technical background and training is critical to the continued success of the contracted operations in these jurisdictions. If Enerflex’s third-party contractors are unable to find and retain qualified operators, or the cost of these qualified operators increases substantially, the contract operations business could be materially impacted.

There are few barriers to entry in a number of Enerflex’s businesses, so retention of qualified staff is essential in order to differentiate Enerflex’s businesses and compete in its various markets. Enerflex’s success depends on key personnel and its ability to hire and retain skilled personnel. The loss of skilled personnel could delay the completion of certain projects or otherwise adversely impact certain operational and financial results.

Financial reductions or restrictions of Enerflex client partners may impact Enerflex’s contracted revenue

Many of Enerflex’s clients finance their exploration and development activities through cash flow from operations, incurrence of debt, or issuance of equity. If clients experience decreased cash flow from operations and limitations on their ability to incur debt or raise equity, then they may seek to preserve capital by pursuing price concessions on revenue contracts, cancelling contracts, or determining not to renew contracts. Under these circumstances, the Company may be unable to renew recurring revenue contracts with clients on favorable commercial terms, if at all. Terms of new contracts or renegotiated contracts may also transfer additional risk of liquidated damages, consequential loss, liability caps, and indemnities to the Company. These factors may lead to a reduction in revenue and net income, which reduction could have a material adverse effect on Enerflex’s business, financial condition, results from operations and cash flows.

The Contract Compression business has considerable contract-related risks

The duration of Enerflex’s Contract Compression arrangements with clients varies based on operating conditions and client needs. Initial contract terms typically are not long enough to enable the Company to recoup the cost of the equipment deployed in the Energy Infrastructure segment. Many of Enerflex’s North American Energy Infrastructure contracts have short initial terms, and after the initial term, are cancelable on short notice. While these contracts are frequently extended beyond their initial terms, Enerflex cannot accurately predict which of these contracts will be extended or renewed beyond the initial term or that any client will continue to contract with Enerflex. The inability to negotiate extensions or renew a substantial portion of the Company’s Energy Infrastructure contracts, the renewal of such contracts at reduced rates, the inability to contract for additional services with clients, or the loss of all or a significant portion of such contracts with any client could lead to a reduction in revenues and net income, which reduction could have a material adverse effect upon Enerflex’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-31  


Terrorism and terrorist-related activities may create instability and disruption

Terrorist activities, anti-terrorist efforts, and other armed conflicts may adversely affect the global economies and could prevent the Company from meeting its financial and other obligations to the extent such activities or conflicts impact operations. If any of these events occur, the resulting political instability and societal disruption could reduce overall demand for oil and natural gas, potentially putting downward pressure on demand for the Company’s products and services and causing a reduction in the Company’s revenues. In addition, the Company’s assets may be direct targets of terrorist attacks that could disrupt Enerflex’s ability to service its clients. The Company may be required by regulators, or by the future threat environment, to make investments in security that cannot be predicted. The implementation of security guidelines and measures and the maintenance of insurance, to the extent available, to address such activities could increase Enerflex’s costs. These types of events could materially adversely affect the Company’s business and results of operations.

Enerflex’s credit ratings may change

Credit ratings affect Enerflex’s financing costs, liquidity and operations over the long term. Credit ratings affect Enerflex’s ability to obtain short and long-term financing and the cost of this financing, and its ability to engage in certain business activities cost-effectively. If a rating agency downgrades Enerflex’s current corporate credit rating or the rating of its 9.0 percent Notes, or negatively changes its credit outlook, it could have an adverse effect on Enerflex’s financing costs and access to liquidity and capital.

Enerflex’s business is with client partners in the oil and gas business which brings credit risk

A substantial portion of Enerflex’s accounts receivable balances are with clients involved in the oil and natural gas industry. Many clients finance their exploration and development activities through cash flow from operations, the incurrence of debt, or the issuance of equity. During times when the oil or natural gas markets weaken, clients may experience decreased cash flow from operations, or a reduction in their ability to access capital. A reduction in borrowing bases under reserve-based credit facilities, the lack of availability of debt or equity financing or other factors that negatively impact clients’ financial condition may impair their ability to pay for products or services rendered.

Enerflex may extend credit to certain clients for products and services that it provides during its normal course of business. Enerflex monitors its credit exposure to its clients, but there can be no certainty that a credit-related loss will not materialize or have a material adverse impact on the organization. The financial failure of a client may impair the Company’s ability to collect on all or a portion of the accounts receivable balance from that client.

Availability of raw materials, component parts, or finished products is essential to Enerflex’s business

Enerflex purchases a broad range of materials and components in connection with its manufacturing and service activities. Some of the components used in Enerflex’s products are obtained from a single source or a limited group of suppliers. While Enerflex makes it a priority to maintain and enhance these strategic relationships in its supply chain, there can be no assurance that these relationships will continue. Reliance on suppliers involves several risks, including price increases, delivery delays, inferior component quality, and unilateral termination. Long-lead times for high demand components, such as engines, can result in project delays. While Enerflex has long standing relationships with recognized and reputable suppliers and original equipment manufactures, it does not have long-term contracts with all of them, and the partial or complete loss of certain of these sources could have a negative impact on Enerflex’s results of operations and could damage client relationships. Further, a significant increase in the price of one or more of these components could have a negative impact on Enerflex’s operational or financial results.

Though Enerflex is generally not dependent on any single source of supply, the ability of suppliers to meet performance, quality specifications, and delivery schedules is important to the maintenance of Enerflex client satisfaction. If the availability of certain original equipment manufacturer components and repair parts is constrained or delayed, certain of Enerflex’s operational or financial results may be adversely impacted.

Enerflex’s ability to continue to pay dividends in the future

The amount and frequency of future cash dividends paid by the Company, if any, is subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors and may vary depending on a variety of factors and conditions existing from time to time, including, among other things, significant declines and volatility in commodity prices, demand for Enerflex products and services, restricted cash flows, capital expenditure requirements, debt service requirements, operating costs, foreign exchange rates, the risk factors described in this MD&A, and the satisfaction of the liquidity and solvency tests imposed by applicable corporate law for the declaration and payment of dividends. Depending on these and various other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Enerflex, future cash dividends could be reduced or suspended entirely or made less frequently. The market value of Enerflex Common Shares may deteriorate if cash dividends are reduced or suspended.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-32  


Enerflex is required to establish and maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures

Enerflex is required by applicable laws to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures, including under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX). Under SOX requirements, Enerflex must furnish a report by management on, among other things, the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting. This assessment includes disclosure of any material weaknesses identified by management in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Under standards established by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, a material weakness is a deficiency or combination of deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting and exists when the design or operation of a control does not allow management or personnel, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis. If a material weakness is identified, there is a possibility that a material misstatement in annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected and corrected on a timely basis.

As more fully disclosed under “Internal Control Over Financial Reporting”, as of December 31, 2023, Enerflex had material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting, and as a result, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting were not effective as of December 31, 2023. The Company identified deficiencies in the following three components of internal control as defined by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) 2013 Framework: (i) control activities; (ii) information and communication; and (iii) monitoring components. Enerflex cannot provide assurance that there will not be additional material weaknesses and deficiencies identified in the future.

The material weaknesses did not result in any restatements of consolidated financial statements previously reported by Enerflex, there were no changes in previously released financial results and management has concluded that the Financial Statements included in this report present fairly, in all material respects, the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented, in conformity with IFRS. While there were no material accounting errors identified, a reasonable possibility exists that material misstatements in the Company’s financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis because of the material weaknesses.

With oversight of the Audit Committee of Enerflex’s Board of Directors, Management evaluated its control environment and designed a remediation plan to address the material weaknesses and enhance its internal control environment. Under this remediation plan, the Company: (i) enhanced, and will continue to dedicate, internal and external resources to adopt a detailed remediation plan to assess and document the adequacy of internal control over financial reporting; (ii) will continue to improve control processes as appropriate, including resolution of the material weaknesses identified to-date; (iii) will test and validate that controls are functioning as documented; (iv) will implement a continuous reporting and improvement process for internal control over financial reporting; and (v) will compile the system and process documentation necessary to perform the evaluation needed to comply with SOX.

Compliance with SOX necessitates that Enerflex incur substantial expense, train employees and expend significant Management efforts. Enerflex may not be able to remediate the material weaknesses identified to-date, or any future material weaknesses that may be identified, or complete its evaluation, testing and remediation in a timely manner. Therefore, the Company’s independent auditors may issue further adverse reports if it is not satisfied with the level at which Enerflex’s controls are designed, documented or operating. Consequently, the Company cannot provide assurance that its independent auditors will be able to attest to the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting in the future.

If Enerflex is unable to remediate the known material weaknesses, or if it identifies additional material weaknesses or deficiencies, it may be unable to produce accurate and timely financial statements in conformity with IFRS, which could lead to investors losing confidence in the Company’s financial disclosures, trigger an event of default under its credit agreements and harm its business, which could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of its common shares, could result in the Company being unable to comply with applicable securities laws and stock exchange listing requirements, or could restrict its future access to capital markets.

Changes in tax laws, interpretations, or rates may negatively impact Enerflex

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to income and other taxes in Canada, the USA, and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Changes in tax laws or interpretations thereof, or tax rates in the jurisdictions in which the Company or its subsidiaries do business could adversely affect the Company’s results from operations, returns to shareholders, and cash flow. Enerflex’s effective tax rates could also be affected by changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, or changes in tax laws or their interpretation. While management believes the Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance with current prevailing tax laws and requirements,

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-33  


one or more taxing jurisdictions could seek to impose incremental or new taxes on the Company or its subsidiaries, or the Company or its subsidiaries could be subject to assessment, reassessment, audit, investigation, inquiry, or judicial or administrative proceedings by any such taxing jurisdiction. The timing or impacts of any such assessment, reassessment, audit, investigation, inquiry, or judicial or administrative proceedings, or any future changes in tax laws, including the impacts of proposed regulations, cannot be predicted. Any adverse tax developments, including legislative changes, judicial holdings, or administrative interpretations, could have a material and adverse effect on the results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows of the Company.

Unionization efforts and labor regulations could materially increase Enerflex’s costs

Efforts may be made from time to time to unionize portions of the Company’s workforce. Enerflex may be subject to strikes or work stoppages and other labor disruptions in connection with unionization efforts or renegotiation of existing contracts with unions. Unionization efforts, if successful, new collective bargaining agreements or work stoppages could materially increase the Company’s labor costs, reduce its revenues and adversely impact its operations and cash flow.

The ability of Enerflex to pursue or complete future acquisitions

Enerflex may, from time to time, seek to expand its business and operations by acquiring or developing additional businesses or assets in existing or new markets. Enerflex expects to realize strategic opportunities and other benefits as a result of its acquisitions. However, there can be no assurances as to whether, or to what extent, such benefits or opportunities will be realized. Enerflex can not predict whether it will be able to successfully identify, acquire, develop, or profitably manage additional acquisitions, or successfully integrate any acquired business or assets into Enerflex’s business, or to adjust to an increased scope of operations as a result of such acquisitions. There is a risk that any future acquisitions could adversely impact Enerflex’s operations and results.

CAPITAL RESOURCES

On January 31, 2024, Enerflex had 123,956,865 Common Shares outstanding. Enerflex has not established a formal dividend policy and the Board anticipates setting the Company’s quarterly dividends based on the availability of cash flow, anticipated market conditions, and the general needs of the business. Subsequent to the fourth quarter of 2023, the Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.025 per share.

At December 31, 2023, the Company had combined drawings of $487 million against the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan (December 31, 2022 – $662 million). The weighted average interest rate on the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan at December 31, 2023 was 7.7 percent and 9.0 percent, respectively (December 31, 2022 – 7.0 percent and 7.8 percent, respectively).

The composition of the borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility, Term Loan, and the Notes were as follows:

 

($ thousands)    Maturity Date      December 31, 2023      December 31, 2022  

Drawings on the Revolving Credit Facility (US$700,000)

     October 13, 2025      $     314,705      $     459,202  

Drawings on the Term Loan (US$130,000)

     October 13, 2025        171,938        203,160  

Notes (US$625,000)

     October 15, 2027        826,625        846,500  
                1,313,268        1,508,862  

Deferred transaction costs and Notes discount

              (98,350)        (118,537)  
              $ 1,214,918      $ 1,390,325  

Current portion of long-term debt

      $ 52,904      $ 27,088  

Non-current portion of long-term debt

              1,162,014        1,363,237  

Long-term debt

            $   1,214,918      $   1,390,325  

At December 31, 2023, without considering renewal at similar terms, the Canadian dollar equivalent principal payments due over the next five years are $1,313 million, and nil thereafter.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-34  


CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS, COMMITTED CAPITAL INVESTMENT, AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

The Company’s contractual obligations are contained in the following table:

 

($ thousands)    Long-term
debt
     Leases     

Purchase

obligations

     Total  
         

2024

   $ 52,904      $ 29,346      $ 528,003      $ 610,253  

2025

     433,739        26,384        22,047        482,170  

2026

     -         19,475        937        20,412  

2027

     826,625        15,348        -         841,973  

2028

     -         24,537        -         24,537  

Thereafter

     -         7,569        -         7,569  
         

Total contractual obligations

   $   1,313,268      $   122,659      $   550,987      $   1,986,914  

The Company’s lease commitments are contracts related to premises, equipment, and service vehicles.

The majority of the Company’s purchase commitments relate to major components for the EI and ES product lines and to long-term information technology and communications contracts entered into in order to reduce the overall cost of services received.

The Company anticipates using its cash and cash equivalents, and available capacity under its Revolving Credit Facility to funds its contractual obligations.

The Company does not have off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, or capital expenditures.

RELATED PARTIES

Enerflex transacts with certain related parties during the normal course of business. Related parties include Roska DBO, and the Company’s 65 percent interest in a joint venture in Brazil.

All transactions occurring with related parties were in the normal course of business operations under the same terms and conditions as transactions with unrelated parties. A summary of the financial statement impacts of all transactions with all related parties is as follows:

 

Years ended December 31,    2023      2022  
     

Associate – Roska DBO

     

Revenue

   $   2,543      $   1,755  

Purchases

     -        4  

Accounts receivable

     12        22  

All related party transactions are settled in cash. There were no transactions with the joint venture in Brazil.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENT

The timely preparation of the MD&A requires that Management make estimates and assumptions and use judgment. Estimates, assumptions and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, uncertainties about the current economic environment including significant market volatility in commodity prices, high inflation, high interest rates, and increasing energy prices.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-35  


Uncertainty about these assumptions and estimates could however result in outcomes that require a material adjustment to the carrying amount of the asset or liability affected in future periods. In the process of applying the Company’s accounting policies, Management has made the following judgments, estimates, and assumptions, applicable to each of the Company’s reportable segments, which have a significant effect on the amounts recognized in the Financial Statements:

Revenue Recognition – Performance Obligation Satisfied Over Time

The Company reflects revenues relating to performance obligations satisfied over time using the percentage-of-completion approach of accounting. The Company uses the input method of percentage-of-completion accounting, whereby actual input costs as a percentage of estimated total costs is used as the basis for determining the extent to which performance obligations are satisfied. The input method of percentage-of-completion accounting provides a faithful depiction of the transfer of control to the client, as the Company is able to recover costs incurred relating to the satisfaction of the associated performance obligation. This approach to revenue recognition requires Management to make a number of estimates and assumptions surrounding the expected profitability of the contract, the estimated degree of completion based on cost progression, and other detailed factors. Although these factors are routinely reviewed as part of the project management process, changes in these estimates or assumptions could lead to changes in the revenues recognized in a given period.

Certain contracts also include aspects of variable consideration, such as liquidated damages on project delays. For these contracts, Management must make estimations as to the likelihood of the variable consideration being recognized or constrained, based on the status of each project, the potential value of variable consideration, communication received from the client, and other factors. Management continues to monitor these factors. Changes in estimated cost or revenue associated with a project, including variable consideration, could result in material changes to revenue and gross margin recognized on certain projects.

Revenue Recognition – Performance Obligation Satisfied at a Point in Time

The Company reflects revenues relating to performance obligations satisfied at a point in time when control – indicated by transfer of the legal title, physical possession, significant risks and rewards of ownership, or any combination of these indicators – is transferred to the client. When the Company is a lessor, and determines that a lease is a finance lease, the upfront sale of equipment is recognized at a point in time at lease commencement.

Provisions for Warranty

Provisions set aside for warranty exposures either relate to amounts provided systematically based on historical experience under contractual warranty obligations or specific provisions created in respect of individual client issues undergoing commercial resolution and negotiation. Amounts set aside represent Management’s best estimate of the likely settlement and the timing of any resolution with the relevant client.

Business Acquisitions

In a business acquisition, the Company may acquire assets and assume certain liabilities of an acquired entity. Estimates are made as to the fair value of PP&E, intangible assets, and goodwill, among other items. In certain circumstances, such as the valuation of PP&E and intangible assets acquired, the Company relies on independent third-party valuators. The determination of these fair values involves a variety of assumptions, including revenue growth rates, projected cash flows, client attrition rates, operating margins, discount rates, and economic lives.

PP&E, Energy Infrastructure Assets and Intangible Assets

PP&E, EI assets, and intangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated amortization and any impairment losses. Depreciation and amortization is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives of PP&E, EI assets, and intangible assets is reviewed on an annual basis. Assessing the reasonableness of the estimated useful lives of PP&E, EI assets, and intangible assets requires judgment and is based on currently available information. PP&E, EI assets, and intangible assets are also reviewed for potential impairment on an annual basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

Changes in circumstances, such as technological advances and changes to business strategy can result in actual useful lives differing significantly from estimates. The assumptions used, including rates and methodologies, are reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure they continue to be appropriate. Revisions to the estimated useful lives of PP&E, EI assets, and intangible assets constitutes a change in accounting estimate and are applied prospectively.

Right-of-Use Asset and Lease Liability

The Company determines the right-of-use asset and lease liability for each lease upon commencement. In calculating the right-of-use asset and lease liability, the Company is required to determine a suitable discount rate in order to calculate the present value of the contractual payments for the right to use the underlying asset during the lease term. In addition, the Company is required to assess the term of the lease, including if the Company is reasonably certain to exercise options to extend the lease or terminate the lease. Discount rates and lease assumptions are reassessed on a periodic basis.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-36  


Finance Lease Receivables

In calculating the value of the Company’s finance lease receivables, the Company is required to determine the fair value of the underlying assets included in the finance lease transaction, or, if lower, the present value of the lease payments discounted using a market rate of interest. The fair value of the underlying assets should reflect the amount that the Company would otherwise recognize on a sale of those assets.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Amounts included in allowance for doubtful accounts reflect the expected credit losses for trade receivables. The Company determines allowances based on Management’s best estimate of future expected credit losses, considering historical default rates, current economic conditions, and forecasts of future economic conditions. Future economic conditions, especially around the oil and gas industry, may have a significant impact on the collectability of trade receivables from clients and the corresponding expected credit losses. Management has implemented additional monitoring processes in assessing the creditworthiness of clients and believes the current provision appropriately reflects the best estimate of its future expected credit losses. Significant or unanticipated changes in economic conditions could impact the magnitude of future expected credit losses.

Impairment of Inventories

The Company regularly reviews the nature and quantities of inventory on hand and evaluates the net realizable value of items based on historical usage patterns, known changes to equipment or processes, and client demand for specific products. Significant or unanticipated changes in business conditions could impact the magnitude and timing of impairment recognized.

Impairment of Non-Financial Assets

Impairment exists when the carrying value of an asset or group of assets exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value-in-use. The fair value less costs to sell calculation is based on available data from binding sales transactions, in an arm’s length transaction of similar assets or observable market prices, less incremental costs for disposing of the asset. The value-in-use calculation is based on a discounted cash flow model, which requires the Company to estimate future cash flows and use judgment to determine a suitable discount rate to calculate the present value of those cash flows.

Impairment of Goodwill

The Company tests goodwill for impairment at least on an annual basis, or when there is any indication that goodwill may be impaired. This requires an estimation of the value-in-use of the groups of cash-generating units (“CGUs”) to which the goodwill is allocated. The Company has determined the group of CGUs to be its operating segments for purposes for its impairment assessment. Estimating the value-in-use requires an estimate of the expected future cash flows from each group of CGUs and use judgment to determine a suitable discount rate in order to calculate the present value of those cash flows. The methodology and assumptions used, as well as the results of the assessment performed are detailed in Note 15 Goodwill and Impairment Review of Goodwill of the Financial Statements.

Income Taxes

Uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation of complex tax regulations and the amount and timing of future taxable income. Given the wide range of international business relationships and the long-term nature and complexity of existing contractual agreements, differences arising between the actual results and the assumptions made, or future changes to such assumptions, could necessitate future adjustments to taxable income. The Company establishes provisions for uncertain tax positions, based on reasonable estimates, for possible consequences of audits by the tax authorities of the respective countries in which it operates. The amount of such provisions is based on various factors, such as experience of previous tax audits and differing interpretations of tax regulations by the taxable entity and the responsible tax authority. Such differences of interpretation may arise on a wide variety of issues depending on the conditions prevailing in the respective company’s domicile. The Company reviews the adequacy of these provisions at the end of each reporting period and adjusts them as required. However, it is possible that, at some future date, current income tax liabilities are in excess of the Company’s current income tax provision as a result of these audits, adjustments, or litigation with tax authorities. These differences could materially impact the Company’s assets, liabilities, and net income.

Deferred tax assets are recognized for all unused tax losses, carried forward tax credits, or other deductible temporary differences to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which these deferred tax assets can be utilized. Significant judgment is required to determine the amount of deferred tax assets that can be recognized, based upon the timing of reversal, expiry of losses and the level of future taxable profits together with future tax planning strategies. The basis for this estimate is Management’s cash flow projections. To the extent the Company determines the recoverability of deferred tax assets is unlikely, the deferred tax asset is not recognized. Management regularly assesses the unrecognized deferred tax asset to determine what portion can be recognized in response to changing economic conditions or recent events.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company employs the fair value method of accounting for stock options and phantom share entitlement. The determination of the share-based compensation expense for stock options and phantom share entitlement requires the use of estimates and

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-37  


assumptions based on exercise prices, market conditions, vesting criteria, length of employment, and past experiences of the Company. Changes in these estimates and future events could alter the determination of the provision for such compensation. Details concerning the assumptions used are described in Note 26 Share-Based Compensation of the Financial Statements.

Changes in Accounting Policies

Amendments to Existing Standards

The Company has reviewed amendments to existing accounting standards. The following amendments, effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2023, were adopted by the Company as of January 1, 2023. There were no adjustments that resulted from the adoption of these amendments on January 1, 2023.

 

(a)

IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements (“IAS 1”) and IFRS Practice Statement 2

Effective January 1, 2023, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1, which helps companies provide useful accounting policy disclosures. The key amendments include (a) requiring companies disclose their material accounting policies rather than focusing on significant accounting policies; (b) clarifying that accounting policies related to immaterial transactions, other events or conditions are themselves immaterial and as such need not be disclosed; and (c) clarifying that not all accounting policies that relate to material transactions, other events or conditions are themselves material to a company’s financial statements.

 

(b)

IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors (“IAS 8”)

Effective January 1, 2023, the definition of accounting estimates was amended under IAS 8. Under the amended definition, a change in an input or a change in a measurement technique are changes in accounting estimates if they do not result from the correction of prior period errors. The amendment further clarifies that accounting estimates are monetary amounts in the financial statements subject to measurement uncertainty.

 

(c)

IAS 12 Income Taxes (“IAS 12”)

 

  (i)

In May 2021, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 12, which narrows the scope of the initial recognition exception under IAS 12, so that it no longer applies to transactions that give rise to equal taxable and deductible temporary differences. Under the amendments, the initial recognition exception does not apply to transactions that, on initial recognition, give rise to equal taxable and deductible temporary differences. It only applies if the recognition of a related asset and liability give rise to taxable and deductible temporary differences that are not equal.

 

  (ii)

In May 2023, the IASB issued final amendments to International Tax Reform – Pillar Two Model Rules. The amendments introduced a temporary exception to entities from the recognition and disclosure of information about deferred tax assets and liabilities related to Pillar Two model rules. The Company is within the scope of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Pillar Two model rules, and under the legislation, the Company is liable to pay a top-up tax for the difference between its GLoBE effective tax rate per jurisdiction, and the 15 percent minimum rate. The Company’s subsidiaries have an effective tax rate that exceeds 15 percent, except for certain subsidiaries that operate in the UAE and Bahrain.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, earnings before income taxes from the UAE and Bahrain was approximately $37 million with an average tax rate of 0 percent as calculated in accordance with IAS 12. Management has determined that these jurisdictions are more likely than not to have additional current tax liability. Due to the complexities in applying the legislation and calculating GLoBE income, the quantitative impact of this legislation is not yet reasonably estimated.

New Accounting Pronouncements

The Company has reviewed new and revised accounting pronouncements that have been issued but are not yet effective.

 

(a)

IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements (“IAS 1”)

In October 2022, the IASB issued amendments to clarify that the classification of liabilities as current or non-current is based solely on a company’s right to defer settlement for at least twelve months at the reporting date. The right needs to

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-38  


exist at the reporting date and must have substance. In addition to the amendment from January 2020 where the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1, to provide a more general approach to the presentation of liabilities as current or non-current, only covenants with which a company must comply on or before the reporting date may affect this right. Covenants to be complied with after the reporting date do not affect the classification of a liability as current or non-current at the reporting date.

These amendments are effective January 1, 2024 and are to be applied retrospectively Management believes these amendments will have no significant impacts on the Company.

 

(b)

IFRS 16 Leases (“IFRS 16”)

In September 2022, the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 16 that add subsequent measurement requirements for lease liabilities arising from sale and leaseback transactions for seller-lessees. The amendment does not prescribe specific measurement requirements for lease liabilities but measures the lease liability in a way that it does not recognise any amount of the gain or loss that relates to the right of use retained.

These amendments are effective January 1, 2024 and are to be applied retrospectively Management believes these amendments will have no significant impacts on the Company.

 

(c)

IAS 21 The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates (“IAS 21”)

In August 2023, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 21 which specifies how an entity should assess whether a currency is exchangeable and how to estimate the spot exchange rate when a currency is not exchangeable.

Under the amendment, a currency is considered to be exchangeable into another currency when an entity is able to obtain the other currency within a time frame that allows for a normal administrative delay and through a market or exchange mechanism in which an exchange transaction would create enforceable rights and obligations. When a currency is not exchangeable, an entity estimates the spot rate as the rate at which an orderly transaction would take place between market participants at the measurement date that would reflect the prevailing economic conditions. An entity is required to disclose information that would enable users to evaluate when and how a currency’s lack of exchangeability affects financial performance, financial positions, and cash flows of an entity.

The amendments are effective January 1, 2025, with early adoption permitted. Management has not yet determined the full impact this amendment will have on the Company.

INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in Enerflex’s financial reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported to the Company’s Management, including its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating disclosure controls and procedures, Management recognizes that any system of controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Due to the inherent limitations of control systems, not all misstatements may be detected. For example, there may be faulty judgments in decision-making or breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the acts of individuals, by collusion of two or more people, or by Management override of the control. Controls and procedures can only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the desired control objectives have been met.

Management is also responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (“ICFR”). In conjunction with the Company’s listing on the New York Stock Exchange, Management undertook the implementation of a U.S. SOX Compliance program to augment the Company’s existing controls as required by Canadian regulations to which Enerflex remains subject. As part of this program in 2023, Management:

 

   

Established an internal SOX compliance team to manage overall program planning and execution;

 

   

Engaged an experienced third-party advisory firm with relevant subject matter expertise and significant resources to support Management and the internal SOX compliance team with the design, implementation and execution of several compliance initiatives;

 

   

Developed and refined internal control designs and processes;

 

   

Enhanced control framework documentation and risk assessment;

 

   

Trained control owners on the execution and documentation of internal controls;

 

   

Enhanced documentary evidence of controls;

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-39  


   

Planned and executed testing to assess the effectiveness of internal controls, communicate deficiencies to control owners, and develop and execute remediation plans; and

 

   

Established an Internal Control Steering Committee to drive SOX compliance program accountability throughout the Company.

Under the supervision, and with the participation, of Enerflex’s Management, including the CEO and Interim CFO, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness, of its ICFR as of December 31, 2023. In conducting this evaluation, Management used the criteria described in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO 2013 Framework). Based on the Company’s evaluation, Management concluded that its disclosure controls and procedures and its ICFR were not effective as of December 31, 2023.

The Company is required to report any material weaknesses in the design or operating effectiveness of ICFR. A material weakness is a deficiency (or a combination of deficiencies) in ICFR, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim consolidated financial statements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Enerflex identified control deficiencies that, in aggregate, constitute material weaknesses in three components of internal control as defined by the COSO 2013 Framework, specifically the control activities, information and communication, and monitoring components.

In 2023, the Company underwent significant expansion of operations and revenue growth following the acquisition of Exterran in October 2022. As a consequence of this transaction, Enerflex was required to be compliant with SOX by December 31, 2023. Despite efforts to achieve compliance with SOX by December 31, 2023, the Company was unable to assert that its system of internal control was effective as of December 31, 2023. Enerflex has identified the following four material weaknesses in ICFR that impact its financial statement accounts:

 

   

Lack of consistent written policies and control procedures designed to be sufficiently precise to prevent and detect errors that have the potential to aggregate to a material amount;

 

   

Insufficient evidencing and retention of documentation to support the review and approval of various controls;

 

   

An ineffective information and communication process resulting from insufficient design and operation of control activities and inconsistent validation of the accuracy and completeness of information used in the execution of internal controls, primarily related to reports used to extract information from financial reporting systems and spreadsheets that utilize the extracted data; and

 

   

As a consequence of the above material weaknesses the Company was unable to achieve effective monitoring, as controls did not operate over a sufficient period to enable an evaluation of operating effectiveness.

Due to the above, Management, including the CEO and Interim CFO, has concluded that the Company’s ICFR was not effective as of December 31, 2023.

The material weaknesses did not result in any restatements of consolidated financial statements previously reported by Enerflex and there were no changes in previously released financial results. Accordingly, Management has concluded that the Financial Statements included in this report present fairly, in all material respects, the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented, in conformity with IFRS. While there were no material accounting errors identified, there is a possibility that material misstatements in the Company’s Financial Statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis because of the material weaknesses.

Remediation Plan and Activities:

Management and the Board of Directors of the Company are committed to maintaining a strong internal control environment, including continued investment in the Company’s SOX Compliance Program and prompt remediation of the material weaknesses described above. With oversight of the Audit Committee of Enerflex’s Board of Directors, management has evaluated its control environment and designed a remediation plan to address the material weaknesses and enhance its internal control environment.

In addition to work underway as part of the Company’s 2024 SOX Compliance Program, the remediation plan includes the following activities:

 

   

Enhancing regional resources to support remediation of control activities and improve documentary evidence protocols at the control execution level;

 

   

Engaging additional experienced third-party advisors on various compliance initiatives, including monitoring of control remediation;

 

   

Improving the design of existing controls and supporting policies by enhancing process documentation and refining precision levels in policies and procedures to facilitate the detection and prevention of errors that have the potential to aggregate to a material amount;

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-40  


   

Training control owners to support compliance efforts with existing and enhanced policies that establish steps and procedures required to be performed in executing and documenting internal controls, particularly in relation to information used in controls;

 

   

Engaging individuals with project management expertise to ensure execution of the steps and procedures required to be performed in executing and documenting internal controls, in line with a project plan, a timeline and enhanced resources to evaluate the operating effectiveness of internal controls;

 

   

Establishing a cross-regional project management committee to improve information flow; and

 

   

Increasing the frequency of engagement between the internal controls and procedures implementation team, senior management, Enerflex’s external auditor and the Audit Committee to review progress on remediation activities.

As the Company continues to evaluate and work to improve its internal control over financial reporting, Management may determine it necessary to take additional measures to address control deficiencies. The control environment cannot be considered remediated until the applicable controls operate for a sufficient period and management has concluded, through testing, that the controls are operating effectively. Management is committed to implementing the remediation plan throughout 2024 and believes it has committed sufficient resources to remediate the material weaknesses as soon as possible.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting:

Management regularly reviews its system of ICFR and makes changes to the Company’s processes and systems to improve controls and increase efficiency including, but not limited to, the changes set forth under “Remediation Plan and Activities”, with a view to ensuring that the Company maintains an effective internal control environment. Other than is disclosed in this MD&A, there have been no significant changes in the design of the Company’s ICFR during the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, that would materially affect, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s ICFR.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent to December 31, 2023, Enerflex declared a quarterly dividend of $0.025 per share, payable on May 1, 2024, to shareholders of record on March 13, 2024. The Board will continue to evaluate dividend payments on a quarterly basis, based on the availability of cash flow, anticipated market conditions, and the general needs of the business.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This MD&A contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and “forward-looking statements” (and together with “forward-looking information”, “forward-looking information and statements”) within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to the respective Management expectations about future events, results of operations, and the future performance (both financial and operational) and business prospects of Enerflex. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking information and statements. The use of any of the words “anticipate”, “future”, “plan”, “contemplate”, “continue”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “propose”, “might”, “may”, “will”, “shall”, “project”, “should”, “could”, “would”, “believe”, “predict”, “forecast”, “pursue”, “potential”, “objective”, “capable”, and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking information and statements. In particular, this MD&A includes (without limitation) forward-looking information and statements pertaining to: the exploration and evaluation by the Company of decarbonization, carbon capture technology, and supporting infrastructure for renewable energy and the timing associated therewith; expectations for continuing strong client demand in North America particularly for cryogenic natural gas processing facilities and electric compression; that global demand for natural gas remains and will continue to be robust particularly in the Company’s key operating regions; the Company’s ability to secure future bookings; the expectations that NAM’s ES backlog of $1,233 million as December 31, 2023 will result in strong ES revenue generation over the near term; expectations to stabilize cash flows and reduce cyclicality in the business over the long term through the Company’s EI and AMS product lines; the development of a future LNG export industry in North America, that such industry will provide additional opportunities for the Company and the timing associated therewith; disclosures under the heading “Outlook” including: (i) that operating results in 2024 will be underpinned by the EI and AMS product lines, which together will account for 55 percent to 65 percent of the Company’s gross margin before depreciation and amortization; (ii) the ES product line and the expectation that it will benefit from increasing natural gas production in the Company’s core regions; (iii) the backlog of approximately $1.5 billion (US$1.1 billion) as at December 31, 2023, will be converted into revenue over the next 12 months; (iv) that the 2024 capital program will be disciplined with total capital expenditures of US$90 million to US$110 million, inclusive of approximately $70 million for maintenance and PP&E capital expenditures; (v) the quantum of, and timing associated with, the investment by the Company to expand the EI business and that such investments will be allocated to client supported opportunities and that such opportunities will generate attractive returns and deliver value to Enerflex shareholders; (vi) the continued focus by the Company on debt reduction and lowering net finance costs over 2024 and that such actions will provide shareholder returns over the medium and long-term; (vii) the continued evaluation of the Company’s target long-term capital structure and capital allocation parameters that the timing on which additional details will be provided; (viii) the ongoing

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-41  


integration of Exterran which is positioning the Company to operate with increased scale and efficiency in 2024 and beyond; and (ix) expectations that developing and growing markets will shape the energy transition landscape over the next several decades; disclosures under the heading “Outlook by Segment” including: (i) in North America, the potential for increased activity from opportunities to support LNG exports and the timing and quantum of such opportunities; expectations that utilization rates for the Company’s Contract Compression fleet will remain elevated, strong demand for the Cryogenic product line will continue and solid margins on new ES bookings will remain healthy; expectations for increases in AMS-related activities across the region; (ii) in Latin America, the growing need for reliable and sustainable energy and a desire to reduce overall dependency on imported natural gas through out the region, will facilitate increased contract compression fleet utilization rates through re-contracting and redeploying of the idle fleet; (iii) in the Eastern Hemisphere, expectations on new markets and opportunities that will require modular solutions which will improve cash flows in the region; expectations that over the long-term, there will be growing demand for larger-scale energy infrastructure assets and integrated turnkey projects; that a strong LNG export market and recent legislative amendments regarding emission-reduction targets in Australia, will strengthen demand for natural gas and energy transition solutions in the Asia Pacific region; expectations that the Company will use cash and cash equivalents, and available capacity under its Revolving Credit Facility to fund contractual obligations; the remediation plans and activities and the expectations that such plans and activities will remediate the material weaknesses and the timing associated therewith; and that the Board will set the Company’s quarterly dividends based on the availability of cash flow, anticipated market conditions, and the general needs of the business and that this will support expectations regarding the continued payment of the quarterly dividend of at least $0.025 per share.

This forward-looking information and statements are based on assumptions, estimates, and analysis made by Enerflex and its perception of trends, current conditions, and expected developments, as well as other factors that are believed by Enerflex to be reasonable and relevant in the circumstances. All forward-looking information and statements in this MD&A are subject to important risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, which are difficult to predict and which may affect Enerflex’s operations, including, without limitation: the impact of economic conditions including volatility in the price of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids; supply chain interruptions leading to delays in receiving materials and parts to produce equipment; interest rates and foreign exchange rates; industry conditions including supply and demand fundamentals for crude oil and natural gas, and the related infrastructure; new environmental, taxation, and other laws and regulations; the ability to complete the integration of Exterran and the timing and costs associated therewith; the ability to continue to build and improve on proven manufacturing capabilities and innovate into new product lines and new and emerging markets; increased competition; insufficient funds to support capital investments required to grow the business; the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management and difficulties in retaining qualified personnel; political unrest; and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Enerflex. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of assumptions and risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive. While Enerflex believes that there is a reasonable basis for the forward-looking information and statements included in this MD&A, as a result of such known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, actual results, performance, or achievements could differ and such differences could be material from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements. The forward-looking information and statements included in this MD&A should not be unduly relied upon as a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in these forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: the ability of Enerflex fully to realize the anticipated benefits of, and synergies from, the Transaction and the timing and quantum thereof; the interpretation and treatment of the Transaction by tax authorities; the success of business integration activities and the time and costs required to successfully integrate Exterran; the ability to maintain desirable financial ratios; the ability to access various sources of debt and equity capital, generally, and on acceptable terms, if at all; the ability to utilize tax losses in the future; the ability to maintain relationships with partners, including Legacy Exterran partners, and to successfully manage and operate the integrated business as a single and unified entity; risks associated with technology and equipment, including potential cyberattacks; the occurrence of unexpected events such as pandemics, war, terrorist threats, and the instability resulting therefrom; risks associated with existing and potential future lawsuits, shareholder proposals, and regulatory actions; and those factors referred to under the heading “Risk Factors” in Enerflex’s AIF for the year ended December 31, 2023.

This MD&A contains information that may constitute future-oriented financial information or financial outlook information (“FOFI”) about Enerflex and its prospective financial performance, financial position, or cash flows, all of which is subject to the same assumptions, risk factors, limitations, and qualifications as set forth above. Except as otherwise stated herein, the FOFI included in this MD&A was made and approved by management as of the date hereof. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise or inaccurate and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on FOFI. The Company’s actual results, performance and achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, FOFI. The inclusion of FOFI in this MD&A is to provide readers with a more complete perspective on the Company’s future operations and Management’s current expectations regarding the Company’s future performance. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

The forward-looking information and statements and FOFI contained herein is expressly qualified in its entirety by the above cautionary statement. The forward-looking information and statements included in this MD&A are made as of the date of this MD&A and, other than as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information and statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

     
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis       M-42