10-Q
Table of Contents    

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 1-12691
ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
DELAWARE
 
22-2286646
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)
2105 CityWest Blvd.
 
 
Suite 400
 
 
Houston, Texas
 
77042-2839
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
REGISTRANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (281) 933-3339
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): 
Large accelerated filer
 
ý
 
Accelerated filer
o
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
o  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ¨    No  ý
At October 23, 2015, there were 164,790,322 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding.


1

Table of Contents    

ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
 
 
PAGE
PART I. Financial Information
 
Item 1. Financial Statements
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
Footnotes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
 
 
PART II. Other Information
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 5. Other Information
Item 6. Exhibits

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Table of Contents    

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements

ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
(In thousands, except share data)
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
88,239

 
$
173,608

Accounts receivable, net
21,587

 
114,325

Unbilled receivables
32,387

 
22,599

Inventories
34,683

 
51,162

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
10,124

 
13,662

Total current assets
187,020

 
375,356

Deferred income tax asset
5,706

 
8,604

Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net
77,081

 
69,840

Multi-client data library, net
135,907

 
118,669

Goodwill
26,809

 
27,388

Intangible assets, net
5,306

 
6,788

Other assets
9,380

 
10,612

Total assets
$
447,209

 
$
617,257

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
$
6,612

 
$
7,649

Accounts payable
27,950

 
36,863

Accrued expenses
54,302

 
65,264

Accrued multi-client data library royalties
12,443

 
35,219

Deferred revenue
5,575

 
8,262

Total current liabilities
106,882

 
153,257

Long-term debt, net of current maturities
179,666

 
182,945

Other long-term liabilities
39,830

 
143,804

Total liabilities
326,378

 
480,006

Redeemable noncontrolling interest
1,200

 
1,539

Equity:
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 200,000,000 shares; outstanding 164,790,322 and 164,484,095 shares at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, net of treasury stock
1,648

 
1,645

Additional paid-in capital
892,007

 
887,749

Accumulated deficit
(753,987
)
 
(734,409
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(13,564
)
 
(12,807
)
Treasury stock, at cost, 849,539 shares
(6,565
)
 
(6,565
)
Total stockholders’ equity
119,539

 
135,613

Noncontrolling interest
92

 
99

Total equity
119,631

 
135,712

Total liabilities and equity
$
447,209

 
$
617,257

See accompanying Footnotes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Table of Contents    

ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
Service revenues
$
53,515

 
$
71,923

 
$
96,918

 
$
272,386

Product revenues
13,159

 
34,617

 
47,129

 
100,332

Total net revenues
66,674

 
106,540

 
144,047

 
372,718

Cost of services
47,883

 
60,285

 
132,234

 
200,697

Cost of products
7,683

 
17,032

 
26,628

 
47,716

Gross profit (loss)
11,108

 
29,223

 
(14,815
)
 
124,305

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Research, development and engineering
6,537

 
10,910

 
21,496

 
30,254

Marketing and sales
6,904

 
8,480

 
23,375

 
27,610

General, administrative and other operating expenses
10,541

 
15,182

 
40,566

 
48,334

Total operating expenses
23,982

 
34,572

 
85,437

 
106,198

Income (loss) from operations
(12,874
)
 
(5,349
)
 
(100,252
)
 
18,107

Interest expense, net
(4,854
)
 
(5,048
)
 
(14,086
)
 
(14,779
)
Equity in losses of investments

 
(5,558
)
 

 
(9,027
)
Other income (expense), net
(346
)
 
(622
)
 
98,035

 
73,970

Income (loss) before income taxes
(18,074
)
 
(16,577
)
 
(16,303
)
 
68,271

Income tax expense
2,082

 
8,345

 
3,597

 
14,261

Net income (loss)
(20,156
)
 
(24,922
)
 
(19,900
)
 
54,010

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
(227
)
 
381

 
322

 
(1,384
)
Net income (loss) attributable to ION
$
(20,383
)
 
$
(24,541
)
 
$
(19,578
)
 
$
52,626

Net income (loss) per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
(0.12
)
 
$
(0.15
)
 
$
(0.12
)
 
$
0.32

Diluted
$
(0.12
)
 
$
(0.15
)
 
$
(0.12
)
 
$
0.32

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
164,755

 
164,149

 
164,672

 
164,021

Diluted
164,755

 
164,149

 
164,672

 
164,326


See accompanying Footnotes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



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Table of Contents    

ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(UNAUDITED)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Net income (loss)
$
(20,156
)
 
$
(24,922
)
 
$
(19,900
)
 
$
54,010

Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes, as appropriate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(1,365
)
 
(2,632
)
 
(757
)
 
489

Equity interest in investees' other comprehensive income (loss)

 
738

 

 
(1,125
)
Other changes in other comprehensive income

 
28

 

 
54

Total other comprehensive loss, net of taxes
(1,365
)
 
(1,866
)
 
(757
)
 
(582
)
Comprehensive net income (loss)
(21,521
)
 
(26,788
)
 
(20,657
)
 
53,428

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
(227
)
 
381

 
322

 
(1,384
)
Comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to ION
$
(21,748
)
 
$
(26,407
)
 
$
(20,335
)
 
$
52,044


See accompanying Footnotes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


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Table of Contents    

ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
(19,900
)
 
$
54,010

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization (other than multi-client data library)
19,660

 
20,989

Amortization of multi-client data library
24,531

 
46,014

Stock-based compensation expense
4,174

 
7,058

Reductions of accrual for loss contingency related to legal proceedings
(101,978
)
 
(69,557
)
Equity in losses of investments

 
9,027

Gain on sale of Source product line

 
(6,522
)
Deferred income taxes
5,992

 
(1,536
)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
92,424

 
71,540

Unbilled receivables
(9,837
)
 
(8,036
)
Inventories
464

 
(4,272
)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and accrued royalties
(43,676
)
 
(31,324
)
Deferred revenue
(2,576
)
 
(4,153
)
Other assets and liabilities
(5,274
)
 
3,738

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
(35,996
)
 
86,976

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Cash invested in multi-client data library
(28,152
)
 
(57,340
)
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental assets
(17,601
)
 
(6,842
)
Repayment of advance to INOVA Geophysical

 
1,000

Net investment in and advances to OceanGeo B.V. prior to its consolidation

 
(3,074
)
Net proceeds from sale of Source product line

 
14,394

Other investing activities
1,262

 
928

Net cash used in investing activities
(44,491
)
 
(50,934
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Borrowings under revolving line of credit

 
15,000

Payments under revolving line of credit

 
(50,000
)
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt
(5,431
)
 
(11,737
)
Costs associated with issuance of debt
(146
)
 
(2,126
)
Acquisition of non-controlling interest

 
(6,000
)
Other financing activities
94

 
423

Net cash used in financing activities
(5,483
)
 
(54,440
)
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
601

 
189

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(85,369
)
 
(18,209
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
173,608

 
148,056

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
88,239

 
$
129,847

See accompanying Footnotes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


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Table of Contents    

ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
FOOTNOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1)    Basis of Presentation
The condensed consolidated balance sheet of ION Geophysical Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company” or “ION,” unless the context otherwise requires) at December 31, 2014 has been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements at that date. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2015, and the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for a full year or of future operations.
These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and applicable rules of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been omitted. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and Amendment No. 1 thereto on Form 10-K/A, which was filed on April 24, 2015 and contains the separate consolidated financial statements of INOVA Geophysical Equipment Limited (“INOVA Geophysical”) for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.
(2)    Restructurings
The recent decline in crude oil prices to five-year lows and the depressed level of natural gas prices have negatively impacted the economic outlook of the Company’s exploration and production (“E&P”) company customers, which has also negatively impacted the outlook for the Company’s seismic contractor customers. In response to the decline in crude oil prices, E&P companies have reduced their capital expenditures and shifted their spending from exploration to production-related activities on existing assets. Seismic spending is discretionary; therefore, E&P companies have disproportionately cut their spending on seismic-related services and products.
During the first three quarters of 2015, the Company continued its restructuring program by (i) focusing on centralizing the Company’s global data processing capabilities to two core geographical hubs in the U.S. and the U.K., (ii) reducing the Company’s marine repair infrastructure to two locations in the U.S. and U.A.E., and (iii) making further reductions in personnel across all of the Company’s segments in the third quarter 2015 that, combined with reductions starting in December 2014 and continuing through the first nine months of 2015, have reduced the Company’s full-time employee base by approximately 50%. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recognized the following charges and credits (in thousands):
 
Severance Charges(a)
 
Facility Charges(b)
 
Total
Cost of goods sold
$
3,981

 
$

 
$
3,981

Operating expenses
1,910

 
1,323

 
3,233

Other (income) expense

 
1,618

 
1,618

Income tax benefit
(119
)
 
(150
)
 
(269
)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
(172
)
 

 
(172
)
Consolidated total
$
5,600

 
$
2,791

 
$
8,391

(a) 
Represents severance charges related to 2015 restructurings, a portion of which relates to a noncontrolling interest.
(b) 
Represents facility charges related to 2015 restructurings.


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Table of Contents    

(3)    Segment Information
The Company operates through four business segments – Solutions, Systems, Software and Ocean Bottom Services. The Company measures segment operating results based on income (loss) from operations. In addition, the Company has an equity ownership interest in its INOVA Geophysical joint venture. As of December 31, 2014, the Company wrote down its investment in INOVA Geophysical to zero and has suspended recording its share of losses in the joint venture. If at a future date, the Company’s cumulative share of earnings during the period of suspension becomes greater than its share of losses during the same period, the Company will begin to record its share of earnings in the joint venture as long as its net equity method investment remains greater than zero.
The following table is a summary of segment information (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solutions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New Venture
$
26,650

 
$
18,446

 
$
35,315

 
$
76,499

Data Library
15,302

 
3,262

 
24,948

 
30,104

Total multi-client revenues
41,952

 
21,708

 
60,263

 
106,603

Data Processing
10,693

 
24,151

 
33,731

 
91,131

Total
$
52,645

 
$
45,859

 
$
93,994

 
$
197,734

Systems:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Towed Streamer
$
4,426

 
$
13,666

 
$
12,273

 
$
35,782

Other
2,864

 
11,029

 
15,460

 
36,166

Total
$
7,290

 
$
24,695

 
$
27,733

 
$
71,948

Software:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Software Systems
$
5,869

 
$
9,922

 
$
19,396

 
$
28,384

Services
870

 
1,088

 
2,924

 
3,198

Total
$
6,739

 
$
11,010

 
$
22,320

 
$
31,582

Ocean Bottom Services
$

 
$
24,976

 
$

 
$
71,454

Total
$
66,674

 
$
106,540

 
$
144,047

 
$
372,718

Gross profit (loss):






 
Solutions
$
11,294

 
$
5,927

 
$
(6,954
)
 
$
51,207

Systems
1,366

 
10,123

 
7,425

 
31,288

Software
4,399

 
8,326

 
14,197

 
23,388

Ocean Bottom Services
(5,951
)
 
4,847

 
(29,483
)
 
18,422

Total
$
11,108

 
$
29,223

 
$
(14,815
)
 
$
124,305

Gross margin:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solutions
21
%
 
13
%
 
(7
)%
 
26
%
Systems
19
%
 
41
%
 
27
 %
 
43
%
Software
65
%
 
76
%
 
64
 %
 
74
%
Ocean Bottom Services
%
 
19
%
 
 %
 
26
%
Total
17
%
 
27
%
 
(10
)%
 
33
%
Income (loss) from operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solutions
$
768

 
$
(5,960
)
 
$
(40,766
)
 
$
11,733

Systems
(1,295
)
 
2,917

 
(2,660
)
 
9,835

Software
2,444

 
6,227

 
7,874

 
16,985

Ocean Bottom Services
(7,289
)
 
1,677

 
(34,856
)
 
12,333

Corporate and other
(7,502
)
 
(10,210
)
 
(29,844
)
 
(32,779
)
Income (loss) from operations
(12,874
)
 
(5,349
)
 
(100,252
)
 
18,107

Interest expense, net
(4,854
)
 
(5,048
)
 
(14,086
)
 
(14,779
)
Equity in losses of investments

 
(5,558
)
 

 
(9,027
)
Other income (expense), net
(346
)
 
(622
)
 
98,035

 
73,970

Income (loss) before income taxes
$
(18,074
)
 
$
(16,577
)
 
$
(16,303
)
 
$
68,271

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Table of Contents    

(4)    Long-term Debt
Obligations (in thousands)
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Senior secured second-priority notes
 
$
175,000

 
$
175,000

Equipment capital leases
 
11,278

 
15,059

Revolving credit facility
 

 

Other debt
 

 
535

Total
 
186,278

 
190,594

Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations
 
(6,612
)
 
(7,649
)
Non-current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations
 
$
179,666

 
$
182,945

Revolving Credit Facility
In August 2014, ION and its material U.S. subsidiaries, ION Exploration Products (U.S.A.), Inc., I/O Marine Systems, Inc. and GX Technology Corporation (collectively, the “Subsidiary Borrowers”), entered into a credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). For a complete discussion of the terms, available credit and security of this Credit Facility, see Footnote 6 to the Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
On August 4, 2015, the Company and the Subsidiary Borrowers amended the terms of the Credit Facility pursuant to a First Amendment to Revolving Credit and Security Agreement dated effective as of August 4, 2015 (the “First Amendment”). The First Amendment contemplated, among other things, (i) PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”) becoming the sole lender under the Credit Facility, (ii) the reduction of the maximum amount of the revolving line of credit under the Credit Facility from $80.0 million to $40.0 million, (iii) the elimination of the requirement that the Company not exceed a maximum senior secured leverage ratio, (iv) the amendment of the borrowing base formula under the Credit Facility and (v) the removal of the accordion features under the Credit Facility. For additional information regarding the terms of the First Amendment, see the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 6, 2015.
The borrowing base under the First Amendment will increase or decrease monthly using an amended formula based on certain eligible receivables, eligible inventory and other amounts, including a percentage of the net orderly liquidation value of the Company's multi-client data library (not to exceed $15.0 million for the multi-client data library data component).  The amended formula also removes the qualified cash component of up to $20.0 million. At September 30, 2015, the borrowing base under the Credit Facility was $40.0 million, and there was no outstanding indebtedness under the Credit Facility.
The Credit Facility as amended contains covenants that, among other things, restrict the Company, subject to certain exceptions, from incurring additional indebtedness (including capital lease obligations), repurchasing equity, paying dividends or distributions, granting or incurring additional liens on the Company’s properties, pledging shares of the Company’s subsidiaries, entering into certain merger or other change-in-control transactions, entering into transactions with the Company’s affiliates, making certain sales or other dispositions of the Company’s assets, making certain investments, acquiring other businesses and entering into sale-leaseback transactions with respect to the Company’s property.
The Credit Facility, as amended requires that ION and the Subsidiary Borrowers maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.1 to 1.0 as of the end of each fiscal quarter during the existence of a covenant testing trigger event. The fixed charge coverage ratio is defined as the ratio of (i) ION’s EBITDA, minus unfunded capital expenditures made during the relevant period, minus distributions (including tax distributions) and dividends made during the relevant period, minus cash taxes paid during the relevant period, to (ii) certain debt payments made during the relevant period. A covenant testing trigger event occurs upon (a) the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the Credit Facility or (b) the failure to maintain a measure of liquidity greater than (i) $5.0 million for five consecutive business days or (ii) $4.0 million on any given business day. Liquidity, as defined in the Credit Facility, is the Company’s excess availability to borrow ($40.0 million at September 30, 2015) plus the aggregate amount of unrestricted cash held by ION, the Subsidiary Borrowers and their domestic subsidiaries.
At September 30, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all of the covenants under the Credit Facility.
The Credit Facility as amended contains customary event of default provisions (including a “change of control” event affecting ION), the occurrence of which could lead to an acceleration of the Company’s obligations under the Credit Facility as amended.

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Senior Secured Second-Priority Notes
In May 2013, the Company sold $175.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.125% Senior Secured Second-Priority Notes due 2018 (“Notes”) in a private offering pursuant to an Indenture dated as of May 13, 2013. The Notes are senior secured second-priority obligations of the Company, are guaranteed by the Company’s material U.S. subsidiaries, GX Technology Corporation, ION Exploration Products (U.S.A.), Inc. and I/O Marine Systems, Inc. (“the Guarantors”), and mature on May 15, 2018. Interest on the Notes accrues at the rate of 8.125% per annum and will be payable semiannually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year during their term. In May 2014, the holders of the Notes exchanged their Notes for a like principal amount of registered Notes with the same terms. For a complete discussion of the terms and security of these Notes, see Footnote 6 to the Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
The Notes contain certain covenants that, among other things, limit or prohibit the Company’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to take certain actions or permit certain conditions to exist during the term of the Notes, including among other things, incurring additional indebtedness, creating liens, paying dividends and making other distributions in respect of the Company’s capital stock, redeeming the Company’s capital stock, making investments or certain other restricted payments, selling certain kinds of assets, entering into transactions with affiliates, and effecting mergers or consolidations. These and other restrictive covenants contained in the Indenture are subject to certain exceptions and qualifications. All of the Company’s subsidiaries are currently restricted subsidiaries.
As of September 30, 2015, the Company was in compliance with the covenants on the Notes.
On or after May 15, 2015, the Company may on one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes at the redemption prices set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and special interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on May 15th of the years indicated below:
Date
 
Percentage
2015
 
104.063%
2016
 
102.031%
2017 and thereafter
 
100.000%


(5)    Net Income (Loss) per Share
Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) applicable to common shares by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per common share is determined based on the assumption that dilutive restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards have vested and outstanding dilutive stock options have been exercised and the aggregate proceeds were used to reacquire common stock using the average price of such common stock for the period. The total number of shares issued or reserved for future issuance under outstanding stock options at September 30, 2015 and 2014 was 8,643,375 and 9,111,725, respectively, and the total number of shares of restricted stock and shares reserved for restricted stock units outstanding at September 30, 2015 and 2014 was 1,363,534 and 1,386,336, respectively. All outstanding stock options for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 were anti-dilutive.
The following table summarizes the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share (in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net income (loss) attributable to ION
$
(20,383
)
 
$
(24,541
)
 
$
(19,578
)
 
$
52,626

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
164,755

 
164,149

 
164,672

 
164,021

Effect of dilutive stock awards

 

 

 
305

Weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding
164,755

 
164,149

 
164,672

 
164,326

Basic net income (loss) per share
$
(0.12
)
 
$
(0.15
)
 
$
(0.12
)
 
$
0.32

Diluted net income (loss) per share
$
(0.12
)
 
$
(0.15
)
 
$
(0.12
)
 
$
0.32


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(6)    Income Taxes
The Company maintains a valuation allowance for substantially all of its deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance is calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740 “Income Taxes,” which requires that a valuation allowance be established or maintained when it is “more likely than not” that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized. In the event the Company’s expectations of future operating results change, the valuation allowance may need to be adjusted downward. As of September 30, 2015, the Company has no unreserved U.S. deferred tax assets.
The provision for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 has been calculated based on the actual tax expense incurred for those periods. Given the current uncertainty in expected income generated in various foreign jurisdictions, where tax rates can vary greatly, the Company’s actual tax rate is the best estimate of year-to-date tax expense. The Company’s effective tax rates for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were (11.5)% and (50.3)%, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were (22.1)% and 20.9%, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 were impacted by the change in valuation allowance related to the reduction of the Company’s legal contingency reserve as well as operating losses for which the Company cannot currently recognize a tax benefit. The Company’s income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 of $3.6 million primarily relates to income from the Company’s non-U.S. businesses. This foreign tax expense has not been offset by the tax benefits on losses within the U.S. and other jurisdictions, from which the Company cannot currently benefit; therefore negatively impacting the Company’s effective tax rate.
The Company has approximately $1.2 million of unrecognized tax benefits and does not expect to recognize significant increases in unrecognized tax benefits during the next 12-month period. Interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits are recorded in income tax expense.
As of September 30, 2015, the Company’s U.S. federal tax returns for 2012 and subsequent years remain subject to examination by tax authorities. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) examination for periods prior to 2012, although carryforward attributes that were generated prior to 2012 may still be adjusted upon examination by the IRS if they either have been or will be used in an open year. In the Company’s foreign tax jurisdictions, tax returns for 2009 and subsequent years generally remain open to examination.
(7)    Litigation
WesternGeco
In June 2009, WesternGeco L.L.C. (“WesternGeco”) filed a lawsuit against the Company in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. In the lawsuit, styled WesternGeco L.L.C. v. ION Geophysical Corporation, WesternGeco alleged that the Company had infringed several method and apparatus claims contained in four of its United States patents regarding marine seismic streamer steering devices.
The trial began in July 2012. A verdict was returned by the jury in August 2012, finding that the Company infringed the claims contained in the four patents by supplying its DigiFIN® lateral streamer control units and the related software from the United States and awarded WesternGeco the sum of $105.9 million in damages, consisting of $12.5 million in reasonable royalty and $93.4 million in lost profits.
In June 2013, the presiding judge entered a Memorandum and Order, ruling that WesternGeco is entitled to be awarded supplemental damages for the additional DigiFIN units that were supplied from the United States before and after the trial that were not included in the jury verdict due to the timing of the trial. In October 2013, the judge entered another Memorandum and Order, ruling on the number of DigiFIN units that are subject to supplemental damages and also ruling that the supplemental damages applicable to the additional units should be calculated by adding together the jury’s previous reasonable royalty and lost profits damages awards per unit, resulting in supplemental damages of $73.1 million.
In April 2014, the judge entered another Order, ruling that lost profits should not have been included in the calculation of supplemental damages in the October 2013 Memorandum and Order and reducing the supplemental damages award in the case from $73.1 million to $9.4 million. In the Order, the judge also further reduced the damages award in the case by $3.0 million to reflect a settlement and license that WesternGeco entered into with a customer of the Company that had purchased and used DigiFIN units that were also included in the damage amounts awarded against the Company.

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Table of Contents    

In May 2014, the judge signed and entered a Final Judgment in the amount of $123.8 million related to the case. The Final Judgment also included an injunction that enjoins the Company, its agents and anyone acting in concert with it, from supplying in or from the United States the DigiFIN product or any parts unique to the DigiFIN product, or any instrumentality no more than colorably different from any of these products or parts, for combination outside of the United States. The Company has conducted its business in compliance with the district court’s orders in the case, and the Company has reorganized its operations such that it no longer supplies the DigiFIN product or any parts unique to the DigiFIN product in or from the United States.
The Company and WesternGeco each appealed the Final Judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C. On July 2, 2015, the Court of Appeals reversed in part the judgment, holding the district court erred by including lost profits in the Final Judgment. Lost profits were $93.4 million and prejudgment interest was approximately $10.9 million of the $123.8 million Final Judgment. Pre-judgment interest on the lost profits portion will be treated in the same way as the lost profits. Post-judgment interest will likewise be treated in the same fashion. On July 29, 2015, WesternGeco filed a petition for rehearing en banc before the Court of Appeals. On October 30, 2015 the Court of Appeals denied WesternGeco’s petition for rehearing en banc. WesternGeco has up to 90 days to determine whether or not it will file a writ requesting the Supreme Court to review the case.
As previously disclosed, the Company had taken a loss contingency accrual of $124 million. As a result of the reversal by the Court of Appeals, as of June 30, 2015, the Company reduced the loss contingency accrual to its current amount of $22 million. The Company’s assessment of its potential loss contingency may change in the future due to developments in the case and other events, such as changes in applicable law, and such reassessment could lead to the determination that no loss contingency is probable or that a greater or lesser loss contingency is probable. Any such reassessment could have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
Prior to the reduction in damages by the Court of Appeals, the Company arranged with sureties to post an appeal bond at the trial court. The appeal bond is uncollateralized, but the terms of the appeal bond arrangements provide the sureties the contractual right for as long as the bond is outstanding to require the Company to post cash collateral. The Company has received a request for $11 million in collateral and they are in negotiations with the sureties. The appeal bond will remain outstanding during the pendency of appeals.
Other
The Company has been named in various other lawsuits or threatened actions that are incidental to its ordinary business. Litigation is inherently unpredictable. Any claims against the Company, whether meritorious or not, could be time-consuming, cause the Company to incur costs and expenses, require significant amounts of management time and result in the diversion of significant operational resources. The results of these lawsuits and actions cannot be predicted with certainty. Management currently believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse impact on the financial condition, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.
(8)    Other Income (Expense), Net
The following table is a summary of other income (expense), net (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Reductions of loss contingency related to legal proceedings (Footnote 7)
$

 
$

 
$
101,978

 
$
69,557

Facility restructuring charges (Footnote 2)
296

 

 
(2,791
)
 

Gain on sale of product line(a)

 

 

 
6,522

Other expense, net
(642
)
 
(622
)
 
(1,152
)
 
(2,109
)
Total other income (expense), net
$
(346
)
 
$
(622
)
 
$
98,035

 
$
73,970

(a) 
In May 2014, the Company sold its Source product line for approximately $14.4 million, net of transaction fees, recording a gain of approximately $6.5 million before taxes. As a part of this transaction, the Company reduced Goodwill on the Marine reporting unit by $5.1 million. The historical results of this product line have not been material to the Company’s results of operations.

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(9)    Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts
Inventories
The following table is a summary of inventories (in thousands):

September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Raw materials and subassemblies
$
36,530

 
$
41,461

Work-in-process
6,467

 
18,221

Finished goods
16,213

 
21,284

Reserve for excess and obsolete inventories
(24,527
)
 
(29,804
)
Total
$
34,683

 
$
51,162

The $5.3 million reduction in the reserve for excess and obsolete inventories was due to the scrapping of fully reserved inventory.
Other Long-term Liabilities
The following table is a summary of other long-term liabilities (in thousands):
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Accrual for loss contingency related to legal proceedings (Footnote 7)
$
22,000

 
$
123,770

Deferred rents
13,397

 
13,416

Facility restructuring accrual
3,298

 
3,353

Other long-term liabilities
1,135

 
3,265

Total
$
39,830

 
$
143,804

(10)    Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss
The following table is a summary of changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component (in thousands):
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
Total
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2014
 
$
(12,807
)
 
$
(12,807
)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)
 
(757
)
 
(757
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2015
 
$
(13,564
)
 
$
(13,564
)
 
 
 
 
 
(11)    Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Non-cash Activity
The following table is a summary of cash paid for Interest and Income taxes and non-cash items from investing and financing activities (in thousands):
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Cash paid during the period for:
 
 
 
Interest
$
8,036

 
$
9,087

Income taxes
$
7,614

 
$
12,008

Non-cash items from investing and financing activities:
 
 
 
Purchases of computer equipment financed through capital leases
$
1,178

 
$
5,768

Investment in multi-client data library financed through accounts payable
$
13,617

 
$
1,298

Conversion of investment in a convertible note to equity
$

 
$
3,151

Transfer of inventory to property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment
$
15,936

(a) 
$
3,039


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Table of Contents    

(a) 
This transfer of inventory to property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment relates to ocean bottom seismic equipment manufactured by the Company to be deployed in the acquisition of ocean bottom seismic data. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company purchased approximately $17.6 million of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, including approximately $14.3 million related to the manufacture of ocean bottom seismic equipment that will be used by the Ocean Bottom Services segment.
(12)    Acquisition of OceanGeo
In 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of OceanGeo B.V. (“OceanGeo”). OceanGeo specializes in seismic acquisition operations using ocean bottom cables deployed from vessels leased by OceanGeo. For a complete discussion of the acquisition of OceanGeo, see Footnote 3 to the Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
The following summarized unaudited pro forma consolidated income statement information for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, assumes that the OceanGeo acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of the period prior to the period the acquisition occurred. The Company has prepared these unaudited pro forma financial results for comparative purposes only. These unaudited pro forma financial results may not be indicative of the results that would have occurred if ION had completed the acquisition as of the beginning of that prior period or the results that may be attained in the future. Amounts presented below are in thousands, except for the per share amounts:
 
Pro forma Consolidated ION Income Statement Information
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
Net revenues
 
$
381,902

 
Income from operations
 
$
22,492

 
Net income
 
$
55,838

 
Net income attributable to ION
 
$
53,684

 
Basic and diluted net income per common share
 
$
0.33

OceanGeo did not record any revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 due to its vessels being idle while it attempts to secure a backlog of future orders.
(13)    Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Authoritative guidance on fair value measurements defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and stipulates the related disclosure requirements. The Company follows a three-level hierarchy, prioritizing and defining the types of inputs used to measure fair value.
The carrying amounts of the Company’s long-term debt as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were $186.3 million and $190.6 million, respectively, compared to its fair values of $108.9 million and $162.6 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The fair value of the long-term debt was calculated using an active market price, based on Level 1 inputs defined as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments. Due to their highly liquid nature, the amount of the Company’s other financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts and unbilled receivables, notes receivable, accounts payable, and accrued multi-client data library royalties, represent their approximate fair value.
(14)    Stock-based Compensation
Stock Appreciation Rights (“SARs”). On March 1, 2015, the Company issued 3,108,107 SAR awards to 16 individuals with an exercise price of $2.28. The vesting of these SARs is achieved through both a market condition and a service condition. The market condition is achieved, in part or in full, in the event that during the four-year period beginning on the date of grant the 20-day trailing volume-weighted average price of a share of common stock is (i) greater than 120% of the exercise price for the first 1/3 of the awards, (ii) greater than 125% of the exercise price for the second 1/3 of the awards and (iii) greater than 130% of the exercise price for the final 1/3 of the awards. The exercise condition restricts the ability of the holders to exercise awards until certain service milestones have been reached such that (i) no more than 1/3 of the awards may be exercised, if vested, on and after the first anniversary of the date of grant, (ii) no more than 2/3 of the awards may be exercised, if vested, on and after the second anniversary of the date of grant and (iii) all of the awards may be exercised, if vested, on and after the third anniversary of the date of grant. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recorded $0.6 million of share-based compensation expense attributable to SAR awards.

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Table of Contents    

Pursuant to ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation,” the SARs are considered liability awards and as such, these amounts are accrued in the liability section of the balance sheet. The Company calculated the fair value of each SAR award on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The following assumptions were used:
 
March 1, 2015
Risk-free interest rates
2.03%
Expected lives (in years)
2.7
Expected dividend yield
—%
Expected volatility
60.27%
(15)    Related Party Transactions
BGP Inc. (“BGP”) owned approximately 14.4% of the Company’s outstanding common stock as of September 30, 2015. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded revenues from BGP of $5.2 million and $5.1 million, respectively.
(16)    Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Revenue Recognition — In May 2014, the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) jointly issued new accounting guidance for recognition of revenue. This new guidance replaces virtually all existing U.S. GAAP and IFRS guidance on revenue recognition.
On July 9, 2015, the FASB voted to defer the effective date for its new revenue standard for public and nonpublic entities reporting under U.S. GAAP by one year. As a result, the new guidance is now effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. This new guidance applies to all periods presented. Therefore, when the Company issues its financial statements on Forms 10-Q and 10-K for periods included in its year ended December 31, 2018, its comparative periods that are presented from the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 must be retrospectively presented in compliance with this new guidance. The new guidance requires companies to make more estimates and use more judgment than under current accounting guidance. Public entities will be permitted to adopt the standard as early as the original public entity effective date (i.e, annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods therein). Early adoption prior to that date will not be permitted.
The FASB and IASB (collectively, the “Boards”) have discussed clarifying the guidance in their new revenue standards for: (1) licenses of intellectual property, (2) identifying performance obligations, (3) noncash consideration and (4) collectability. The Boards have also discussed whether to add practical expedients for the accounting for contract modifications at transition and the presentation of sales taxes, and the FASB separately discussed several technical corrections. The FASB and the IASB did not agree on the nature and breadth of all of the changes to be proposed. The Boards are expected to issue separate exposure drafts later this year.
The Company continues to evaluate (i) the two allowed adoption methods to determine which method it plans to use for retrospective presentation of comparative periods, (ii) the impact of proposed clarifications to the guidance on timing of the recognition of revenue within the Company’s various revenue streams, (iii) the Company’s option to adopt the new guidance either as of the originally proposed effective date or the proposed deferred effective date and (iv) whether the implementation of this new guidance will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations for the periods presented.
(17)    Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
In 2013, the Company sold $175.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its Notes. The Notes were issued by ION Geophysical Corporation and are guaranteed by the Company’s material U.S. subsidiaries, GX Technology Corporation, ION Exploration Products (U.S.A.), Inc. and I/O Marine Systems, Inc. (“the Guarantors”), all of which are 100-percent-owned subsidiaries. The Guarantors have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the payment obligations of ION Geophysical Corporation with respect to the Notes. The following condensed consolidating financial information presents the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for:
ION Geophysical Corporation and the Guarantors (in each case, reflecting investments in subsidiaries utilizing the equity method of accounting).
All other subsidiaries of ION Geophysical Corporation that are not Guarantors.
The consolidating adjustments necessary to present ION Geophysical Corporation’s results on a consolidated basis.

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Table of Contents    

This condensed consolidating financial information should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and footnotes.
 
September 30, 2015
Balance Sheet
ION Geophysical Corporation
 
The Guarantors
 
All Other Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
Total Consolidated
 
(In thousands)
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
25,470

 
$

 
$
62,769

 
$

 
$
88,239

Accounts receivable, net
6

 
11,017

 
10,564

 

 
21,587

Unbilled receivables

 
30,719

 
1,668

 

 
32,387

Inventories

 
12,578

 
22,105

 

 
34,683

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
2,638

 
1,971

 
6,160

 
(645
)
 
10,124

Total current assets
28,114

 
56,285

 
103,266

 
(645
)
 
187,020

Deferred income tax asset

 
8,296

 
200

 
(2,790
)
 
5,706

Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net
5,051

 
24,064

 
47,966

 

 
77,081

Multi-client data library, net

 
121,329

 
14,578

 

 
135,907

Investment in subsidiaries
684,815

 
232,637

 

 
(917,452
)
 

Goodwill

 

 
26,809

 

 
26,809

Intangible assets, net

 
4,956

 
350

 

 
5,306

Intercompany receivables
78,982

 

 

 
(78,982
)
 

Other assets
8,000

 
141

 
1,239

 

 
9,380

Total assets
$
804,962

 
$
447,708

 
$
194,408

 
$
(999,869
)
 
$
447,209

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
$

 
$
6,533

 
$
79

 
$

 
$
6,612

Accounts payable
1,763

 
20,508

 
5,679

 

 
27,950

Accrued expenses
16,282

 
25,546

 
12,526

 
(52
)
 
54,302

Accrued multi-client data library royalties

 
11,926

 
517

 

 
12,443

Deferred revenue

 
3,135

 
2,440

 

 
5,575

Total current liabilities
18,045

 
67,648

 
21,241

 
(52
)
 
106,882

Long-term debt, net of current maturities
175,000

 
4,626

 
40

 

 
179,666

Intercompany payables
491,902

 
69,852

 
9,130

 
(570,884
)
 

Other long-term liabilities
476

 
31,834

 
10,904

 
(3,384
)
 
39,830

Total liabilities
685,423

 
173,960

 
41,315

 
(574,320
)
 
326,378

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

 
1,200

 

 
1,200

Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock
1,648

 
290,460

 
19,138

 
(309,598
)
 
1,648

Additional paid-in capital
892,007

 
180,700

 
234,234

 
(414,934
)
 
892,007

Accumulated earnings (deficit)
(753,987
)
 
224,206

 
(23,589
)
 
(200,617
)
 
(753,987
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(13,564
)
 
5,663

 
(13,361
)
 
7,698

 
(13,564
)
Due from ION Geophysical Corporation

 
(427,281
)
 
(64,621
)
 
491,902

 

Treasury stock
(6,565
)
 

 

 

 
(6,565
)
Total stockholders’ equity
119,539

 
273,748

 
151,801

 
(425,549
)
 
119,539

Noncontrolling interests

 

 
92

 

 
92

Total equity
119,539

 
273,748

 
151,893

 
(425,549
)
 
119,631

Total liabilities and equity
$
804,962

 
$
447,708

 
$
194,408

 
$
(999,869
)
 
$
447,209


16

Table of Contents    

 
December 31, 2014
Balance Sheet
ION Geophysical Corporation
 
The Guarantors
 
All Other Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
Total Consolidated
 
(In thousands)
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
109,514

 
$

 
$
64,094

 
$

 
$
173,608

Accounts receivable, net
123

 
49,892

 
64,310

 

 
114,325

Unbilled receivables

 
18,548

 
4,051

 

 
22,599

Inventories

 
4,013

 
47,149

 

 
51,162

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
6,692

 
2,697

 
8,769

 
(4,496
)
 
13,662

Total current assets
116,329

 
75,150

 
188,373

 
(4,496
)
 
375,356

Deferred income tax asset
(7,852
)
 
6,675

 
749

 
9,032

 
8,604

Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net
6,412

 
33,065

 
30,363

 

 
69,840

Multi-client data library, net

 
96,423

 
22,246

 

 
118,669

Investment in subsidiaries
675,499

 
278,294

 

 
(953,793
)
 

Goodwill

 

 
27,388

 

 
27,388

Intangible assets, net

 
6,254

 
534

 

 
6,788

Intercompany receivables
29,979

 

 

 
(29,979
)
 

Other assets
10,191

 
147

 
274

 

 
10,612

Total assets
$
830,558

 
$
496,008

 
$
269,927

 
$
(979,236
)
 
$
617,257

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
$

 
$
6,965

 
$
684

 
$

 
$
7,649

Accounts payable
4,308

 
12,028

 
20,527

 

 
36,863

Accrued expenses
3,904

 
34,738

 
21,807

 
4,815

 
65,264

Accrued multi-client data library royalties

 
34,624

 
595

 

 
35,219

Deferred revenue

 
5,263

 
2,999

 

 
8,262

Total current liabilities
8,212

 
93,618

 
46,612

 
4,815

 
153,257

Long-term debt, net of current maturities
175,000

 
7,839

 
106

 

 
182,945

Intercompany payables
509,124

 
8,892

 
21,087

 
(539,103
)
 

Other long-term liabilities
2,609

 
130,985

 
10,489

 
(279
)
 
143,804

Total liabilities
694,945

 
241,334

 
78,294

 
(534,567
)
 
480,006

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

 
1,539

 

 
1,539

Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock
1,645

 
290,460

 
19,138

 
(309,598
)
 
1,645

Additional paid-in capital
887,749

 
180,700

 
234,234

 
(414,934
)
 
887,749

Accumulated earnings (deficit)
(734,409
)
 
208,846

 
26,981

 
(235,827
)
 
(734,409
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(12,807
)
 
6,229

 
(12,795
)
 
6,566

 
(12,807
)
Due from ION Geophysical Corporation

 
(431,561
)
 
(77,563
)
 
509,124

 

Treasury stock
(6,565
)
 

 

 

 
(6,565
)
Total stockholders’ equity
135,613

 
254,674

 
189,995

 
(444,669
)
 
135,613

Noncontrolling interests

 

 
99

 

 
99

Total equity
135,613

 
254,674

 
190,094

 
(444,669
)
 
135,712

Total liabilities and equity
$
830,558

 
$
496,008

 
$
269,927

 
$
(979,236
)
 
$
617,257


17

Table of Contents    

 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
Income Statement
ION Geophysical Corporation
 
The Guarantors
 
All Other Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
Total Consolidated
 
(In thousands)
Net revenues
$

 
$
41,768

 
$
25,072

 
$
(166
)
 
$
66,674

Cost of sales

 
31,712

 
24,020

 
(166
)
 
55,566

Gross profit

 
10,056

 
1,052

 

 
11,108

Total operating expenses
3,914

 
11,266

 
8,802

 

 
23,982

Loss from operations
(3,914
)
 
(1,210
)
 
(7,750
)
 

 
(12,874
)
Interest expense, net
(4,769
)
 
(107
)
 
22

 

 
(4,854
)
Intercompany interest, net
184

 
(806
)
 
622

 

 

Equity in losses of investments
(14,248
)
 
(12,141
)
 

 
26,389

 

Other income (expense)
326

 
(9
)
 
(663
)
 

 
(346
)
Net loss before income taxes
(22,421
)
 
(14,273
)
 
(7,769
)
 
26,389

 
(18,074
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
(2,038
)
 
65

 
4,055

 

 
2,082

Net loss
(20,383
)
 
(14,338
)
 
(11,824
)
 
26,389

 
(20,156
)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 
(227
)
 

 
(227
)
Net loss attributable to ION
(20,383
)
 
(14,338
)
 
(12,051
)
 
26,389

 
(20,383
)
Comprehensive net loss
$
(21,748
)
 
$
(15,543
)
 
$
(12,940
)
 
$
28,710

 
$
(21,521
)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 
(227
)
 

 
(227
)
Comprehensive net loss attributable to ION
$
(21,748
)
 
$
(15,543
)
 
$
(13,167
)
 
$
28,710

 
$
(21,748
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Income Statement
ION Geophysical Corporation
 
The Guarantors
 
All Other Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
Total Consolidated
 
(In thousands)
Net revenues
$

 
$
33,344

 
$
73,947

 
$
(751
)
 
$
106,540

Cost of sales

 
32,447

 
45,621

 
(751
)
 
77,317

Gross profit

 
897

 
28,326

 

 
29,223

Total operating expenses
7,599

 
15,357

 
11,616

 

 
34,572

Income (loss) from operations
(7,599
)
 
(14,460
)
 
16,710

 

 
(5,349
)
Interest expense, net
(4,931
)
 
(58
)
 
(59
)
 

 
(5,048
)
Intercompany interest, net
(90
)
 
566

 
(476
)
 

 

Equity in earnings (losses) of investments
(12,131
)
 
8,500

 

 
(1,927
)
 
(5,558
)
Other income (expense)
(17
)
 
21

 
(626
)
 

 
(622
)
Net income (loss) before income taxes
(24,768
)
 
(5,431
)
 
15,549

 
(1,927
)
 
(16,577
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
(227
)
 
800

 
7,772

 

 
8,345

Net income (loss)
(24,541
)
 
(6,231
)
 
7,777

 
(1,927
)
 
(24,922
)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 
381

 

 
381

Net income (loss) attributable to ION
(24,541
)
 
(6,231
)
 
8,158

 
(1,927
)
 
(24,541
)
Comprehensive net income (loss)
$
(26,407
)
 
$
(8,838
)
 
$
5,168

 
$
3,289

 
$
(26,788
)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 
381

 

 
381

Comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to ION
$
(26,407
)
 
$
(8,838
)
 
$
5,549

 
$
3,289

 
$
(26,407
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

18

Table of Contents    

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Income Statement
ION Geophysical Corporation
 
The Guarantors
 
All Other Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
Total Consolidated
 
(In thousands)
Net revenues
$

 
$
83,082

 
$
61,972

 
$
(1,007
)
 
$
144,047

Cost of sales

 
84,715

 
75,154

 
(1,007
)
 
158,862

Gross loss

 
(1,633
)
 
(13,182
)
 

 
(14,815
)
Total operating expenses
18,296

 
37,151

 
29,990

 

 
85,437

Loss from operations
(18,296
)
 
(38,784
)
 
(43,172
)
 

 
(100,252
)
Interest expense, net
(13,826
)
 
(279
)
 
19

 

 
(14,086
)
Intercompany interest, net
466

 
(2,208
)
 
1,742

 

 

Equity in earnings (losses) of investments
9,881

 
(45,091
)
 

 
35,210

 

Other income (expense)
268

 
101,961

 
(4,194
)
 

 
98,035

Net income (loss) before income taxes
(21,507
)
 
15,599

 
(45,605
)
 
35,210

 
(16,303
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
(1,929
)
 
239

 
5,287

 

 
3,597

Net income (loss)
(19,578
)
 
15,360

 
(50,892
)
 
35,210

 
(19,900
)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 
322

 

 
322

Net income (loss) applicable to ION
(19,578
)
 
15,360

 
(50,570
)
 
35,210

 
(19,578
)
Comprehensive net income (loss)
$
(20,335
)
 
$
14,794

 
$
(51,458
)
 
$
36,342

 
$
(20,657
)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 
322

 

 
322

Comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to ION
$
(20,335
)
 
$
14,794

 
$
(51,136
)
 
$
36,342

 
$
(20,335
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Income Statement
ION Geophysical Corporation
 
The Guarantors
 
All Other Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
Total Consolidated
 
(In thousands)
Net revenues
$

 
$
159,347

 
$
215,400

 
$
(2,029
)
 
$
372,718

Cost of sales

 
117,461

 
132,981

 
(2,029
)
 
248,413

Gross profit

 
41,886

 
82,419

 

 
124,305

Total operating expenses
24,138

 
45,938

 
36,122

 

 
106,198

Income (loss) from operations
(24,138
)
 
(4,052
)
 
46,297

 

 
18,107

Interest expense, net
(13,962
)
 
(148
)
 
(669
)
 

 
(14,779
)
Intercompany interest, net
(234
)
 
1,519

 
(1,285
)
 

 

Equity in earnings (losses) of investments
92,195

 
32,615

 
738

 
(134,575
)
 
(9,027
)
Other income (expense)
(1,231
)
 
73,504

 
1,697

 

 
73,970

Net income before income taxes
52,630

 
103,438

 
46,778

 
(134,575
)
 
68,271

Income tax expense
4

 
999

 
13,258

 

 
14,261

Net income
52,626

 
102,439

 
33,520

 
(134,575
)
 
54,010

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 
(1,384
)
 

 
(1,384
)
Net income applicable to ION
52,626

 
102,439

 
32,136

 
(134,575
)
 
52,626

Comprehensive net income
$
52,044

 
$
102,957

 
$
34,024

 
$
(135,597
)
 
$
53,428

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 
(1,384
)
 

 
(1,384
)
Comprehensive net income attributable to ION
$
52,044

 
$
102,957

 
$
32,640

 
$
(135,597
)
 
$
52,044

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

19

Table of Contents    

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Statement of Cash Flows
ION Geophysical Corporation
 
The Guarantors
 
All Other Subsidiaries
 
Total Consolidated
 
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$
(414,473
)
 
$
173,725

 
$
204,752

 
$
(35,996
)
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash invested in multi-client data library

 
(27,282
)
 
(870
)
 
(28,152
)
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment
(347
)
 
(1,162
)
 
(16,092
)
 
(17,601
)
Other investing activities

 
1,262

 

 
1,262

Net cash used in investing activities
(347
)
 
(27,182
)
 
(16,962
)
 
(44,491
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt

 
(4,798
)
 
(633
)
 
(5,431
)
Intercompany lending
330,828

 
(141,745
)
 
(189,083
)
 

Other financing activities
(52
)
 

 

 
(52
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
330,776

 
(146,543
)
 
(189,716
)
 
(5,483
)
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

 

 
601

 
601

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(84,044
)
 

 
(1,325
)
 
(85,369
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
109,514

 

 
64,094

 
173,608

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
25,470

 
$

 
$
62,769

 
$
88,239


20

Table of Contents    

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Statement of Cash Flows
ION Geophysical Corporation
 
The Guarantors
 
All Other Subsidiaries
 
Total Consolidated
 
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$
(40,896
)
 
$
63,588

 
$
64,284

 
$
86,976

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in multi-client data library

 
(57,192
)
 
(148
)
 
(57,340
)
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment
(1,501
)
 
(4,165
)
 
(1,176
)
 
(6,842
)
Repayment of advance to INOVA Geophysical
1,000

 

 

 
1,000

Net investment in and advances to OceanGeo B.V. prior to its consolidation

 

 
(3,074
)
 
(3,074
)
Net proceeds from sale of Source product line

 
9,881

 
4,513

 
14,394

Other investing activities
579

 

 
349

 
928

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
78

 
(51,476
)
 
464

 
(50,934
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Payments under revolving line of credit
(50,000
)
 

 

 
(50,000
)
Borrowings under revolving line of credit
15,000

 

 

 
15,000

Payments on notes payable and long-term debt

 
(4,470
)
 
(7,267
)
 
(11,737
)
Cost associated with issuance of notes
(2,126
)
 

 

 
(2,126
)
Intercompany lending
37,114

 
(7,642
)
 
(29,472
)
 

Acquisition of non-controlling interest

 

 
(6,000
)
 
(6,000
)
Other financing activities
423

 

 

 
423

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
411

 
(12,112
)
 
(42,739
)
 
(54,440
)
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

 

 
189

 
189

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(40,407
)
 

 
22,198

 
(18,209
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
124,701

 

 
23,355

 
148,056

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
84,294

 
$

 
$
45,553

 
$
129,847


21

Table of Contents    

(18)    Subsequent Events
On November 4, 2015, ION announced that its board of directors has authorized the Company to repurchase, from time to time from November 10, 2015 through November 10, 2017, up to $25 million in shares of its outstanding common stock. The stock repurchase program may be implemented through open market repurchases or privately negotiated transactions, at management’s discretion. The actual timing, number and value of shares repurchased under the program will be determined by management at its discretion and will depend on a number of factors including the market price of the Company’s shares of common stock and general market and economic conditions, applicable legal requirements and compliance with the terms of the Company’s outstanding indebtedness.


22

Table of Contents    

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Executive Summary
Our Business
In this Form 10-Q, “ION Geophysical,” “ION,” “the company” (or, “the Company”), “we,” “our,” “ours” and “us” refer to ION Geophysical Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, except where the context otherwise requires or as otherwise indicated.
The information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains references to trademarks, service marks and registered marks of ION and our subsidiaries, as indicated. Except where stated otherwise or unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “GeoVentures,” “DigiFIN,” “VectorSeis,” “Orca,” “GATOR,” “Calypso,” and “WiBand,” refer to GeoVentures®, DigiFIN®, VECTORSEIS®, ORCA®, GATOR®, Calypso® and WiBand® registered marks owned by ION or INOVA Geophysical, and the terms “VSO,” “Narwhal,” “Marlin” and “MexicoSPAN” refer to VSO™, Narwhal™, Marlin™ and MexicoSPAN™ trademarks and service marks owned by ION.
We are a global, technology-focused company that provides geoscience technology, services and solutions to the global oil and gas industry. Our offerings are designed to allow oil and gas exploration and production (“E&P”) companies to obtain higher resolution images of the Earth’s subsurface during exploration, exploitation and production operations to reduce their risk in exploration and reservoir development. We acquire and process seismic data from seismic surveys in regional data programs, which then become part of our multi-client data library. The seismic surveys for our data library business are pre-funded, or underwritten, in part by our customers, and, with the exception of our ocean bottom seismic (“OBS”) data acquisition company, OceanGeo B.V. (“OceanGeo”), we utilize an “Asset Lite” strategy by contracting with third party seismic data acquisition companies to shoot and acquire the seismic data, all of which is intended to minimize our risk exposure. We serve customers in all major energy producing regions of the world from strategically located offices across six continents.
Seismic imaging plays a fundamental role in hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir development by delineating structures, rock types and fluid locations in the subsurface. Our technologies, services and solutions are used by E&P companies to generate high-resolution images of the Earth’s subsurface to identify sources of hydrocarbons and pinpoint drilling locations for wells, which can be costly and involve high risk.
We provide our services and products through four business segments – Solutions, Systems, Software and Ocean Bottom Services. Our Ocean Bottom Services segment is comprised of OceanGeo, in which we increased our ownership to 100% in 2014. In addition, we have a 49% ownership interest in our INOVA Geophysical Equipment Limited joint venture (“INOVA Geophysical,” or “INOVA”). As of December 31, 2014, we wrote down our investment in INOVA Geophysical to zero, and therefore no longer record our share of losses in the joint venture. For details of our suspension of recording equity method losses, see Footnote 3Segment Information” of Footnotes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
For decades we have been engaged in providing innovative seismic data acquisition technology, such as full-wave imaging capability with VectorSeis products, the ability to record seismic data from basins that underlie ice fields in polar regions, and cableless seismic techniques. The advanced technologies we currently offer include our Orca and Gator command and control software systems, WiBand broadband data processing technology, Calypso OBS acquisition system, Narwhal ice management system, and other technologies, each of which is designed to deliver improvements in both image quality and productivity. In 2015, we introduced our new Marlin solution for optimizing simultaneous operations during marine seismic data acquisition. We have over 500 patents and pending patent applications in various countries around the world. Approximately 51% of our employees are involved in technical roles and over 26% of our employees have advanced degrees.
Solutions. Our Solutions business provides two distinct service activities that often work together.
Our GeoVentures services are designed to manage the entire seismic process, from survey planning and design to data acquisition and management, to final subsurface imaging and reservoir characterization. Our GeoVentures group focuses on the technologically intensive components of the image development process, such as survey planning and design, and data processing and interpretation, outsourcing the logistics components (such as field acquisition) to experienced seismic and other geophysical contractors.
Our GX Technology (“GXT”) group offers data processing and imaging services designed to help our E&P customers reduce exploration and production risk, evaluate and develop reservoirs, and increase production. GXT develops a series of subsurface images by applying its processing technology to data owned or licensed by its customers. We maintain approximately 15 petabytes of digital seismic data information storage in 4 global data centers, including two core data centers located in Houston and in the U.K.

23

Table of Contents    

Our Solutions business focuses on providing services for challenging environments, such as the Arctic frontier; complex and hard-to-image geologies, such as deepwater subsurface salt formations in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore West Africa and Brazil; unconventional reservoirs, such as those found in shale, tight gas and oil sands formations; and offshore basin-wide seismic data and imaging programs. Since 2002, our basin exploration seismic data programs have resulted in a substantial data library that covers significant portions of many of the frontier basins in the world, including offshore East and West Africa, India, South America, the Arctic, the deepwater Gulf of Mexico and Australia.
Software. Our Software business provides command and control software systems, related software and services for towed marine streamer and seabed operations, as well as survey design. Our Orca software is installed on towed streamer marine vessels worldwide, and our Gator software is a component of many re-deployable and permanent seabed monitoring systems.
In 2013, we introduced our Narwhal ice management system, and in 2015 we introduced our new Marlin solution. Both of these systems are part of our E&P software solutions for operations management and are designed to reduce risk and improve efficiency in seismic data acquisition and drilling operations in or near ice, such as in the Arctic, where the U.S. Geological Survey estimates that 13 percent of the remaining worldwide reserves are located.
Systems. Our Systems business is engaged in the manufacture of (i) re-deployable ocean bottom cable seismic data acquisition systems and shipboard recorders (for OceanGeo’s use in OBS data acquisition); (ii) marine towed streamer positioning and control systems; and (iii) analog geophone sensors.
Ocean Bottom Services. Through OceanGeo, we offer a fully integrated OBS solution that includes expert survey design, planning and optimization, to maximize seismic image quality, operational efficiency and safety; safe, efficient data acquisition by the experienced team at OceanGeo; superior imaging via OceanGeo’s exclusive use of our VSO systems; and data processing, interpretation and reservoir services, by our GXT group. 
INOVA Geophysical. Historically, we have conducted our land seismic equipment business through INOVA Geophysical, which is a joint venture with BGP Inc. (“BGP”). BGP is a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation, and is generally regarded as the world’s largest land geophysical service contractor. BGP owns a 51% equity interest in INOVA Geophysical, and we own the remaining 49% interest. INOVA manufactures cable-based and cableless seismic data acquisition systems, digital sensors, vibroseis vehicles (i.e., vibrator trucks) and source controllers for detonator and energy source business lines. As of December 31, 2014, we wrote down our investment in INOVA Geophysical to zero.
Macroeconomic Conditions
Demand for our services and products is cyclical and dependent upon activity levels in the oil and gas industry, particularly our customers’ willingness to invest capital in the exploration for oil and natural gas. Our customers’ capital spending programs are generally based on their outlook for near-term and long-term commodity prices, economic growth, commodity demand and estimates of resource production. As a result, demand for our services and products is largely sensitive to expected commodity prices, principally related to crude oil and natural gas.
In the past few years, crude oil prices have been volatile due to global economic uncertainties. Significant downward crude oil price volatility began early in the fourth quarter of 2014 and prices continued to drop throughout the remainder of 2014 and into the first quarter of 2015, with a partial recovery during the second quarter of 2015 offset by a continued decline in oil prices during the third quarter. The material decrease in crude oil prices can be attributed principally to significant production growth in the U.S. shale plays, strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to other foreign currencies, the increase in production by Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) and its indication not to cut production, offset somewhat by modest increases in global oil demand. The third quarter continued to decline due to mounting concerns about the Chinese economy as well as the potential supply increases related to the potential lifting of sanctions against Iran. These events have created concern in the marketplace that crude oil prices will trade in a relatively low-priced range for the foreseeable future. The average prices for West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) and Intercontinental Exchange Brent (“Brent”) crude oil decreased from an average of $73 per barrel and $76 per barrel, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2014 to an average of $46 per barrel and $50 per barrel, respectively, in the third quarter of 2015. These data points compare to an average price of $101 per barrel and $109 per barrel, respectively, in the first nine months of 2014.
Given the historical volatility of crude prices, there remains a risk that prices could continue to deteriorate due to high levels of domestic and OPEC crude oil production, slowing growth rates in various global regions and/or the potential for ongoing supply/demand imbalances. Alternatively, if the global supply of oil were to decrease due to reduced capital investment by our E&P customers or government instability in a major oil-producing nation and energy demand continues to increase in the U.S. and countries such as China and India, a recovery in WTI and Brent crude oil prices could occur. Regardless of the driver, crude oil price improvements will not occur without a rebalancing of global supply and demand, the timing of which is difficult to predict. If commodity prices do not improve or if they decline further, demand for our services and products could continue to decline.

24

Table of Contents    

Prices for natural gas in the U.S. averaged $2.80 per mmBtu in the first nine months of 2015 compared to $3.83 per mmBtu in the fourth quarter of 2014 and $4.57 per mmBtu in the first nine months of 2014. Natural gas prices declined due to strong production and a mild winter this year as compared to last year resulting in significant increases in natural gas inventories in the U.S. during the first nine months of 2015, from 11% below the five-year average as of the first nine months of 2014 to 4% above the five year average this year. Customer spending in the natural gas shale plays has been limited due to associated gas being produced from unconventional oil wells in North America. As a result of natural gas production growth outpacing demand in the U.S., natural gas prices continue to be weak relative to prices experienced from 2006 through 2008 and are expected to remain below levels considered economical for new investments in numerous natural gas fields. If natural gas production growth continues to surpass demand in the U.S. and/or the supply of natural gas were to increase, whether the supply comes from conventional or unconventional production or associated natural gas production from oil wells, prices for natural gas could remain constrained for an extended period.
Impact to Our Business
In the first nine months of 2015, E&P companies continued to reduce their capital expenditure budgets in light of the recent steep oil price decreases that began in the fourth quarter of 2014. Certain E&P companies are evaluating near-term oil prices, and how these prices will affect their return on new and existing projects before committing to spend substantial sums from their capital expenditure budgets. We believe E&P companies perceive projects with a longer time to payback, or profitability, as less attractive in the short-term. E&P companies have recently announced their intention to protect dividend payments even if that means reducing capital expenditures. Therefore, E&P companies are increasingly likely to reduce capital expenditures for projects in the early stages, or exploration phase, of the E&P lifecycle compared to prior years. In low oil price environments, oil companies tend to prioritize production-related activities and existing assets over exploration, and disproportionately cut spending on seismic services and products, which has a negative impact on the overall entire seismic industry, including our Company.
The recent reduction in exploration spending has had a significant impact on our results of operations for the first three quarters of 2015 in all of our segments, although we did see an increase in our Solution segment revenues for the third quarter of 2015 as compared to the third quarter of 2014. In our Solutions segment, we have seen continued softness in customer underwriting of our new venture programs and reductions in our data processing business. We continue to maintain high standards for underwriting new projects, and have delayed certain new venture programs accordingly. We invested $28.2 million in our multi-client data library during the first three quarters of 2015, compared to $57.3 million in the same period in 2014.
Although our business has traditionally been seasonal, with the strongest demand for our services and products often in the fourth quarter of our fiscal year, as of September 30, 2015, our Solutions segment backlog, which consists of commitments for (i) data processing work and (ii) both multi-client new venture projects and proprietary projects by our GeoVentures group underwritten by our customers, was $23.0 million, compared with backlog of $46.7 million at December 31, 2014 and $49.9 million at September 30, 2014. As a result of the weakness in exploration spending by E&P companies, our backlog over the last four quarters has been lower than historical levels and third quarter of 2015 backlog decreased as a result of MexicoSPAN nearing completion of acquisition. However, we experienced an increase in revenues in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the first and second quarters of 2015 as result of new ventures and data library revenues primarily related to the acquisition of our industry-funded MexicoSPAN and increased sales of our data libraries in South America. We anticipate that the majority of our current backlog will be recognized as revenue in the remainder of 2015 and early 2016. We now expect our full year investment in our multi-client data library to be in the range of $43 to $53 million in 2015.
In the first three quarters of 2015, our OBS segment was affected by potential E&P customers delaying or canceling decisions to commit capital to OBS projects, causing our vessels to remain idle since the fourth quarter of 2014. We have initiated actions within our OBS business to minimize costs, while maintaining our ocean bottom capabilities. We have cold-stacked the chartered vessels and our crew and have taken other actions that will reduce our OceanGeo cash burn rate to less than $3 million per quarter. Despite the extended market downturn and uncertainty, we see significant long-term potential for OceanGeo and our technologies to improve ocean bottom survey productivity, and we expect long-term demand for ocean bottom production surveys (4D) to increase.
Our traditional seismic contractor customers are also experiencing weakened demand due to the reduction in seismic spending by their customers. Since early 2014, seismic contractors have taken 22 seismic vessels, or about 18% of the fleet, out of the market, and we anticipate another 4 vessels will be taken out of service in 2015. As a result, our Systems segment continued to experience weak year-over-year sales as our revenue decreased primarily due to reduced sales of spares and repairs.
The marine seismic vessel market contraction has also reduced the available software market. Our Software segment net revenues decreased for the first three quarters of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014, primarily driven by reduced sales of Orca software licenses.

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We continue to monitor the global economy, the demand for crude oil and natural gas and the resultant impact on the capital spending plans and operations of our E&P customers in order to plan our business. We remain confident that, despite current marketplace challenges that we describe above, we have positioned ourselves to take advantage of the next upturn in the energy cycle by reducing our cost structure, shifting our focus toward E&P solutions and away from equipment sales, and by diversifying our offerings across the E&P lifecycle.
It is our view that technologies that provide a competitive advantage through improved imaging, lower costs or higher productivity will continue to be valued in our marketplace. We believe that our newest technologies, such as Calypso, WiBand, Orca and Narwhal, will continue to attract customer interest, because those technologies are designed to deliver enhanced image quality, efficiency and cost savings.
Restructurings
Due to the current economic conditions described above, including significant reductions in E&P capital expenditures, in the first three quarters of 2015, we continued to implement cost cutting initiatives by (i) focusing on centralizing our global data processing capabilities to two core geographical hubs in the U.S. and the U.K., (ii) reducing our marine repair facilities to two locations in the U.S. and U.A.E., (iii) making further reductions in personnel across all of our segments in the third quarter of 2015 that combined with reductions starting in December 2014, and continuing through the first nine months of 2015 have reduced our full-time employee base by approximately 50% and (iv) reducing salaries by 10% for the majority of our employees for the remainder of 2015. Including actions we began taking in December 2014, we expect that these actions will result in annualized savings of approximately $80 million. See Footnote 2Restructurings” of Footnotes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
WesternGeco Litigation
On July 2, 2015, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C. reversed in part the district court’s judgment, holding the district court erred by including lost profits in the Final Judgment. Lost profits were $93.4 million and prejudgment interest was approximately $10.9 million of the $123.8 million Final Judgment. Pre-judgment interest on the lost profits portion will be treated in the same way as the lost profits. Post-judgment interest will likewise be treated in the same fashion. On July 29, 2015, WesternGeco filed a petition for rehearing en banc before the Court of Appeals. On October 30, 2015 the Court of Appeals denied WesternGeco’s petition for rehearing en banc. WesternGeco has up to 90 days to determine whether or not it will file a writ requesting the Supreme Court to review the case.
As a result of the reversal by the Court of Appeals, as of June 30, 2015, we have reduced our prior loss contingency accrual by approximately $102 million, resulting in a current loss contingency accrual of $22 million. Prior to the reduction in damages by the Court of Appeals, we arranged with sureties to post an appeal bond at the trial court. The appeal bond is uncollateralized, but the terms of the appeal bond arrangements provide the sureties the contractual right for as long as the bond is outstanding to require us to post cash collateral. We have received a request for $11 million in collateral and are in negotiations with the sureties. The appeal bond will remain outstanding during the pendency of appeals. See Footnote 7Litigation” of Footnotes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Key Financial Metrics
The table below provides an overview of key financial metrics for our company as a whole and our four business segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the same period of 2014 (in thousands). 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solutions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New Venture
$
26,650

 
$
18,446

 
$
35,315

 
$
76,499

Data Library
15,302

 
3,262

 
24,948

 
30,104

Total multi-client revenues
41,952

 
21,708

 
60,263

 
106,603

Data Processing
10,693

 
24,151

 
33,731

 
91,131

Total
$
52,645

 
$
45,859

 
$
93,994

 
$
197,734

Systems:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Towed Streamer
$
4,426

 
$
13,666

 
$
12,273

 
$
35,782

Other
2,864

 
11,029

 
15,460

 
36,166

Total
$
7,290

 
$
24,695

 
$
27,733

 
$
71,948

Software:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Software Systems
$
5,869

 
$
9,922

 
$
19,396

 
$
28,384


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Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Services
870

 
1,088

 
2,924

 
3,198

Total
$
6,739

 
$
11,010

 
$
22,320

 
$
31,582

Ocean Bottom Services
$

 
$
24,976

 
$

 
$
71,454

Total
$
66,674

 
$
106,540

 
$
144,047

 
$
372,718

Gross profit (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solutions
$
11,294

 
$
5,927

 
$
(6,954
)
 
$
51,207

Systems
1,366

 
10,123

 
7,425

 
31,288

Software
4,399

 
8,326

 
14,197

 
23,388

Ocean Bottom Services
(5,951
)
 
4,847

 
(29,483
)
 
18,422

Total
$
11,108

 
$
29,223

 
$
(14,815
)
 
$
124,305

Gross margin:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solutions
21
 %
 
13
 %
 
(7
)%
 
26
 %
Systems
19
 %
 
41
 %
 
27
 %
 
43
 %
Software
65
 %
 
76
 %
 
64
 %
 
74
 %
Ocean Bottom Services
 %
 
19
 %
 
 %
 
26
 %
Total
17
 %
 
27
 %
 
(10
)%
 
33
 %
Income (loss) from operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solutions
$
768

 
$
(5,960
)
 
$
(40,766
)
 
$
11,733

Systems
(1,295
)
 
2,917

 
(2,660
)
 
9,835

Software
2,444

 
6,227

 
7,874

 
16,985

Ocean Bottom Services
(7,289
)
 
1,677

 
(34,856
)
 
12,333

Corporate and other
(7,502
)
 
(10,210
)
 
(29,844
)
 
(32,779
)
Total
$
(12,874
)
 
$
(5,349
)
 
$
(100,252
)
 
$
18,107

Operating margin:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solutions
1
 %
 
(13
)%
 
(43
)%
 
6
 %
Systems
(18
)%
 
12
 %
 
(10
)%
 
14
 %
Software
36
 %
 
57
 %
 
35
 %
 
54
 %
Ocean Bottom Services
 %
 
7
 %
 
 %
 
17
 %
Corporate and other
(11
)%
 
(10
)%
 
(21
)%
 
(9
)%
Total
(19
)%
 
(5
)%
 
(70
)%
 
5
 %
We intend that the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations will provide information that will assist in understanding our consolidated financial statements, the changes in certain key items in those financial statements from period to period, and the primary factors that accounted for those changes.
For a discussion of factors that could impact our future operating results and financial condition, see (i) Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and (ii) Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in Part II of this Form 10-Q.
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Our overall total net revenues of $66.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 (the “Current Quarter”) decreased by $39.8 million, or 37%, compared to total net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2014 (the “Comparable Quarter”). Our overall gross profit percentage for the Current Quarter was 17%, compared to 27%, for the Comparable Quarter. For the Current Quarter, our loss from operations was $12.9 million, compared to loss from operations of $5.3 million for the Comparable Quarter.
Net loss for the Current Quarter was $20.4 million, or $(0.12) per share, compared to net loss of $24.5 million, or $(0.15) per share, for the Comparable Quarter. The Current Quarter results were impacted by special items totaling $3.5 million, primarily related to restructuring charges. Excluding these impacts, our net loss for the Current Quarter was $16.9 million, or $(0.10) per share, as adjusted.

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Net Revenues, Gross Profits and Gross Margins
Solutions — Net revenues for the Current Quarter increased by $6.7 million, or 15%, to $52.6 million, compared to $45.9 million for the Comparable Quarter. The increase in revenues was primarily due to new ventures and data library revenues primarily related to the acquisition of our industry funded MexicoSPAN program and increased sales of our data libraries in South America. Gross profit increased by $5.4 million to $11.3 million, representing a 21% gross margin, compared to $5.9 million, which represented a 13% gross margin, in the Comparable Quarter. The increase in gross profit and margin was due to the increase in revenues.
Systems — Net revenues for the Current Quarter decreased by $17.4 million, or 70%, to $7.3 million, compared to $24.7 million for the Comparable Quarter. The decrease in revenues in the Current Quarter was principally due to reduced activity by seismic contractors as they have taken vessels out of service resulting in a reduction in repairs and purchases of spares. Gross profit decreased by $8.7 million to $1.4 million, representing a 19% gross margin, for the Current Quarter, compared to $10.1 million, representing a 41% gross margin, for the Comparable Quarter. The decrease in gross profit and margin is the result of decreased revenues.
Software — Net revenues for the Current Quarter decreased $4.3 million, or 39%, to $6.7 million, compared to a $11.0 million for the Comparable Quarter. Gross profit for the Current Quarter decreased $3.9 million to $4.4 million, compared to $8.3 million, for the Comparable Quarter. The decrease in revenues was due to a decrease in Orca licensing revenues in the Current Quarter as a result of seismic contractors taking seismic vessels out of service and to a lesser extent the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates. Gross margin of 65% in the Current Quarter decreased from the 76% gross margin in the Comparable Quarter primarily due to the decline in revenues in the Current Quarter.
Ocean Bottom Services — Net revenues for the Current Quarter were zero, compared to $25.0 million for the Comparable Quarter. Gross profit (loss) for the Current Quarter was $(6.0) million, compared to gross profit of $4.8 million for the Comparable Quarter. OceanGeo did not record any revenues during the Current Quarter due to its vessels remaining idle while it attempts to secure a backlog of future orders.
Operating Expenses
Research, Development and Engineering — Research, development and engineering expense was $6.5 million for the Current Quarter, a decrease of $4.4 million compared to $10.9 million for the Comparable Quarter. During the current down-cycle in E&P exploration spending, we have been selective in spending on research and development (“R&D”) projects in order to reduce expenses without sacrificing our ability to develop our technologies. As discussed above, despite the extended market downturn and uncertainty, we see significant long-term potential for OceanGeo and our technologies to improve ocean bottom survey productivity, and we expect long-term demand for ocean bottom production surveys (4D) to increase.
Marketing and Sales — Marketing and sales expense was $6.9 million for the Current Quarter, a decrease of $1.6 million compared to $8.5 million for the Comparable Quarter. During the current down-cycle in E&P exploration spending, we have also reduced our payroll and marketing expenses.
General, Administrative and Other Operating Expenses — General, administrative and other operating expenses of $10.5 million for the Current Quarter, a decrease of $4.7 million compared to $15.2 million for the Comparable Quarter. This decrease in expenses was primarily related to reduced expenses in the Current Quarter due to restructuring actions taken in 2014 and 2015.
Other Items
Interest Expense, net — Interest expense, net, was $4.9 million for the Current Quarter compared to $5.0 million for the Comparable Quarter. Interest expense in both quarters is primarily related to the Notes. For additional information, please refer to “— Liquidity and Capital Resources — Sources of Capital” below.
Equity in Losses of Investments — We account for our investment in INOVA Geophysical as an equity method investment. As of December 31, 2014, the carrying value of our investment in INOVA Geophysical was zero. Therefore, we did not record a share of earnings or losses related to INOVA’s losses for the Current Quarter. For details of our suspension of recording equity method losses, see Footnote 3Segment Information” of Footnotes to Consolidated Financial Statements. For the Comparable Quarter, we recognized total equity losses of approximately $5.6 million.
Income Tax Expense — Income tax expense for the Current Quarter was $2.1 million compared to $8.3 million for the Comparable Quarter. Our effective tax rates for the Current Quarter and Comparable Quarter were (11.5)% and (50.3)%, respectively. Income tax expense for the Current Quarter primarily relates to income from our non-U.S. businesses. The effective tax rate was negatively impacted by the change in valuation allowance related to operating losses for which we cannot currently recognize a tax benefit.

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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Our overall total net revenues of $144.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 (the “Current Period”) decreased by $228.7 million, or 61%, compared to total net revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 (the “Comparable Period”). Our overall gross profit (loss) percentage for the Current Period was (10)%, compared to 33%, for the Comparable Period. For the Current Period, our income (loss) from operations was $(100.3) million, compared to $18.1 million, for the Comparable Period.
Net loss for the Current Period was $19.6 million, or $(0.12) per share, compared to a net income of $52.6 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, in the Comparable Period. The Current Period results were positively impacted by special items totaling $93.6 million, primarily related to an additional partial reversal of a litigation reserve. The Comparable Period was impacted by a reduction in our loss contingency accrual and included a non-recurring gain on the sale of our Source product line. Excluding the impact of these special items, adjusted net loss for the Current Period was $113.2 million, or $(0.69) per share, compared to adjusted net loss of $23.1 million, or $(0.14) per share, in the Comparable Period.
Net Revenues, Gross Profits and Gross Margins
Solutions — Net revenues for the Current Period decreased by $103.7 million, or 52%, to $94.0 million, compared to $197.7 million for the Comparable Period. Revenues for our multi-client businesses within Solutions decreased due to the continued softness of exploration spending. Data processing revenues were also impacted by the softness in exploration spending and by $15.0 million of revenues recognized in the first quarter of 2014 that related to work performed for a customer in 2013.
Gross profit (loss) decreased by $58.2 million to a gross loss of $(7.0) million, representing a (7)% gross margin, compared to a gross profit of $51.2 million, representing a 26% gross margin, in the Comparable Period. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to the decline in revenues and the additional $15.0 million of revenues recognized in the first quarter of 2014 which related to work performed for a customer in 2013.
Systems — Net revenues for the Current Period decreased by $44.2 million, or 61%, to $27.7 million, compared to $71.9 million for the Comparable Period. Gross profit decreased by $23.9 million to $7.4 million, representing a 27% gross margin, for the Current Period compared to $31.3 million, representing a 43% gross margin, for the Comparable Period. This decrease in revenues in the Current Period was principally due to reduced activity by seismic contractors as they have taken vessels out of service resulting in a reduction in repairs and purchases of spares. Gross profits and gross margin decreased due to the significant reduction in revenues in the Current Period compared to the Comparable Period.
Software — Net revenues for the Current Period decreased by $9.3 million, or 29%, to $22.3 million, compared to $31.6 million for the Comparable Period. Gross profit for the Current Period decreased by $9.2 million to $14.2 million, compared to $23.4 million in the Comparable Period. The decrease in revenues was due to a decrease in Orca licensing revenues occurring in the Current Period and, to a lesser extent the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates. Gross margin of 64% in the Current Period decreased from the 74% gross margin in the Comparable Period primarily due to the decline in revenues in the Current Period.
Ocean Bottom Services — Net revenues for the Current Period were zero compared to $71.5 million for the Comparable Period. Gross profit (loss) for the Current Period was $(29.5) million compared to gross profit of $18.4 million for the Comparable Period. OceanGeo did not record any revenues during the Current Period due to its vessels remaining idle while it attempts to secure a backlog of future orders.
Operating Expenses
Research, Development and Engineering — Research, development and engineering expense was $21.5 million for the Current Period, a decrease of $8.8 million compared to $30.3 million for the Comparable Period. As stated previously, we have been selective in spending on R&D projects in order to reduce expenses without sacrificing our ability to develop our technologies. As discussed above, we see significant long-term potential for our technologies to improve ocean bottom survey productivity, and we expect long-term demand for ocean bottom production surveys (4D) to increase.
Marketing and Sales — Marketing and sales expense was $23.4 million for the Current Period, a decrease of $4.2 million compared to $27.6 million for the Comparable Period. During the current down-cycle in E&P exploration spending, we have also reduced our payroll and marketing expenses.
General, Administrative and Other Operating Expenses — General, administrative and other operating expenses were $40.6 million for the Current Period, a decrease of $7.7 million compared to $48.3 million for the Comparable Period. This decrease in expenses was primarily related to the inclusion of $3.1 million of bad debt expense in the Comparable Period related to a customer bankruptcy while the Current Period included $2.1 million of bad debt recoveries. Excluding the impact of bad debt expenses and recoveries, our general, administrative and other operating expenses decreased $2.5 million, which was primarily the result of the restructuring actions taken in 2014 and 2015 that reduced expenses in the Current Period.

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Other Items
Interest Expense, net — Interest expense, net, was $14.1 million for the Current Period compared to $14.8 million for the Comparable Period. Interest expense in both quarters is primarily related to the Notes. For additional information, please refer to “— Liquidity and Capital Resources — Sources of Capital” below.
Equity in Losses of Investments — We account for our investment in INOVA Geophysical as an equity method investment. As of December 31, 2014, the carrying value of our investment in INOVA Geophysical was zero. Therefore, we did not record a share of earnings or losses related to INOVA’s losses for the Current Period. For details of our suspension of recording equity method losses, see Footnote 3Segment Information” of Footnotes to Consolidated Financial Statements. For the Comparable Period, we recorded total equity losses of approximately $9.0 million.
Other Income, Net — Other income for the Current Period was $98.0 million compared to other income of $74.0 million for the Comparable Period. This difference was primarily due to the reduction in our loss contingency accrual recorded in the Current Period being $102.0 million compared to the reduction in our loss contingency accrual recorded in the Comparable Period of $69.6 million. Additionally, we sold our Source product line for $14.4 million recording a gain of $6.5 million, before taxes, in the Comparable Period.
The following table reflects the significant items of other income (expense), net as follows (in thousands):
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Reductions of loss contingency related to legal proceedings (Footnote 7)
$
101,978

 
$
69,557

Facility restructuring charges (Footnote 2)
(2,791
)
 

Gain on sale of Source product line

 
6,522

Other expense, net
(1,152
)
 
(2,109
)
Total other income (expense), net
$
98,035

 
$
73,970

Income Tax Expense — Income tax expense for the Current Period was $3.6 million compared to $14.3 million for the Comparable Period. Our effective tax rates for the Current Period and Comparable Period were (22.1)% and 20.9%, respectively. Our income tax expense for the Current Period primarily relates to income from our non-US businesses. Our effective tax rate for the Current Period was negatively impacted by the change in valuation allowance related to operating losses for which we cannot currently recognize a tax benefit. See further discussion of establishment of the deferred tax valuation allowance at Footnote 6Income Taxes of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources of Capital
As of September 30, 2015, we had $88.2 million of cash on hand and an undrawn borrowing base of $40.0 million under the Credit Facility (as defined below). Our cash requirements include working capital requirements and cash required for our debt service payments, multi-client seismic data acquisition activities and capital expenditures. As of September 30, 2015, we had working capital of $80.1 million. Working capital requirements are primarily driven by (i) our manufacture of OBS equipment to be used in our Ocean Bottom Services segment ($14.3 million in the Current Period), (ii) our investment in our multi-client data library ($28.2 million in the Current Period) and, to a lesser extent, (iii) our inventory purchase obligations. Also, our headcount has traditionally been a significant driver of our working capital needs. Because a significant portion of our business is involved in the planning, processing and interpretation of seismic data services, one of our largest investments is in our employees, which involves cash expenditures for their salaries, bonuses, payroll taxes and related compensation expenses. As noted above, in December 2014 and the Current Period, we have reduced our workforce by approximately 50%, and reduced salaries by 10% for a majority of our employees for the remainder of 2015 and closed selected facilities. We expect these actions will result in annualized cash savings of approximately $80 million.
Our working capital requirements may change from time to time depending upon many factors, including our operating results and adjustments in our operating plan in response to industry conditions, competition and unexpected events. In recent years, our primary sources of funds have been cash flows generated from operations, existing cash balances, debt and equity issuances and borrowings under our revolving credit facilities.
Credit Facility, including Revolving Line of Credit — In August 2014, we and our material U.S. subsidiaries, GX Technology Corporation, ION Exploration Products (U.S.A.), Inc. and I/O Marine Systems, Inc. (the “Subsidiary Borrowers”), entered into a credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). For a complete discussion of the terms, available credit and security of this Credit Facility, see Footnote 6 to the Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

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On August 4, 2015, we and our Subsidiary Borrowers amended the terms of the Credit Facility pursuant to a First Amendment to Revolving Credit and Security Agreement dated effective as of August 4, 2015 (the “First Amendment”). The First Amendment provided for, among other things, (i) the assignment of all of the commitments of the lenders under the Credit Facility to PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”), with PNC becoming the sole lender under the Credit Facility, (ii) the reduction of the maximum amount of the revolving line of credit under the Credit Facility from $80.0 million to $40.0 million, (iii) the elimination of the requirement that we not exceed a maximum senior secured leverage ratio, (iv) the amendment of the borrowing base formula under the Credit Facility and (v) the removal of the accordion features under the Credit Facility. For additional information regarding the terms of the First Amendment, see our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 6, 2015.
The borrowing base under the First Amendment will increase or decrease monthly using an amended formula based on certain eligible receivables, eligible inventory and other amounts, including a percentage of the net orderly liquidation value of our multi-client data library (not to exceed $15.0 million for the multi-client data library data component).  The amended formula also removes the qualified cash component of up to $20.0 million. At September 30, 2015, the borrowing base under the Credit Facility was $40.0 million, and there was no outstanding indebtedness under the Credit Facility.
The interest rate on revolving credit borrowings under the Credit Facility, as amended by the First Amendment, will be, at our option, (i) an alternate base rate equal to the highest of (a) the prime rate of PNC, (b) a federal funds effective rate plus 0.50% or (c) a LIBOR-based rate plus 1.00%, plus an applicable interest margin of 2.50% (increased from 1.50%), or (ii) a LIBOR-based rate, plus an applicable interest margin of 3.50% (increased from 2.50%). If we had borrowed any funds on September 30, 2015, we would have incurred interest at an annual rate of approximately 2.69%. The revolving credit indebtedness under the Credit Facility is scheduled to mature on the earlier of (x) August 22, 2019 or (y) the date which is 90 days prior to the maturity date of the Notes (or such later due date if the Notes have been refinanced).
The Credit Facility requires us to maintain compliance with various covenants. At September 30, 2015, we were in compliance with all of the covenants under the Credit Facility. For further information regarding our Credit Facility and the First Amendment, see Footnote 4Long-term Debt” of Footnotes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Senior Secured Second-Priority Notes — In May 2013, we sold $175.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.125% Senior Secured Second-Priority Notes due 2018 (the “Notes”) in a private offering. The Notes are senior secured second-priority obligations guaranteed by our material U.S. subsidiaries, GX Technology Corporation, ION Exploration Products (U.S.A.), Inc. and I/O Marine Systems, Inc. and mature on May 15, 2018. Interest on the Notes accrues at the rate of 8.125% per annum and is payable semiannually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year during their term. In May 2014, the holders of the Notes exchanged their Notes for a like principal amount of registered Notes with the same terms.
On or after May 15, 2015, we may on one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes at the redemption prices set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and special interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on May 15th of the years indicated below:
Date
 
Percentage
2015
 
104.063%
2016
 
102.031%
2017 and thereafter
 
100.000%
The Indenture governing the Notes requires us to maintain compliance with various covenants. At September 30, 2015, we were in compliance with all of the covenants under the Indenture. For further information regarding the Notes, see Footnote 4Long-term Debt” of Footnotes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
For additional information regarding the terms of the Notes and related Indenture and Intercreditor Agreement, see our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 13, 2013.
Meeting our Liquidity Requirements
As of September 30, 2015, our total outstanding indebtedness (including capital lease obligations) was approximately $186.3 million, consisting of approximately $175.0 million outstanding Notes and $11.3 million of equipment capital leases. As of September 30, 2015, there was no outstanding indebtedness under our Credit Facility.
For the Current Period, total capital expenditures, including the manufacture of OBS equipment and investments in our multi-client data library, were $45.8 million. As discussed above, we began investing in MexicoSPAN early in the third quarter of 2015. This project is well funded by several of our major E&P customers. We expect investments in our multi-client data library in the fourth quarter of this year to be in the range of $15 million to $25 million. Our full year investment in our multi-client data library has been significantly reduced in 2015 compared to 2014 due to the uncertainty in the E&P industry and their reduced capital expenditures budgets for 2015. See “Executive Summary – Macroeconomic Conditions” above.

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We believe that the First Amendment to our Credit Facility and the decision by the Court of Appeals related to the WesternGeco lawsuit will improve our liquidity position and give us more flexibility in how we invest cash into our businesses. Subject to a payment obligation in the amount of the loss contingency we have established with respect to our ongoing WesternGeco litigation (as discussed below), we believe that our existing cash balance, cash to be generated from our increased revenues in the third quarter and our borrowing availability under our Credit Facility will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for at least the next 12 months. However, under the current market conditions (as discussed above), there is still uncertainty as to the levels of exploration spending by our E&P customers in the fourth quarter of 2015 and into 2016, which could negatively impact our cash generated by operations.
As set forth below, a potential future requirement to satisfy a payment obligation with respect to the WesternGeco litigation in excess of our loss contingency accrual could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and, as a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Loss Contingency – WesternGeco Lawsuit
As of September 30, 2015, we have a loss contingency of $22 million accrued related to the legal proceedings with WesternGeco. As described at Part II, Item 1. “Legal Proceedings,” there are possible scenarios involving an outcome in the WesternGeco lawsuit that could materially and adversely affect our liquidity. Prior to the reduction in damages by the Court of Appeals, we arranged with sureties to post an appeal bond at the trial court. The appeal bond is uncollateralized, but the terms of the appeal bond arrangements provide the sureties the contractual right for as long as the bond is outstanding to require us to post cash collateral. We have received a request for $11 million in collateral and are in negotiations with the sureties.
We may not ultimately prevail in the final appeals process and we could be required to pay damages up to the amount of the loss contingency accrual plus any additional amount ordered by the court. Our assessment of our potential loss contingency may change in the future due to developments at the appellate court and other events, such as changes in applicable law, and such reassessment could lead to the determination that no loss contingency is probable or that a greater loss contingency is probable, which could have a material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Amounts of estimated loss contingency accruals as disclosed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or elsewhere are based on currently available information and involve elements of judgment and significant uncertainties. Actual losses may exceed or be less than these accrual amounts.
Cash Flow from Operations
In the Current Period, we consumed $36.0 million in our operating activities compared to a net generation of $87.0 million in the Comparable Period. Due to the reduction in seismic spending from E&P customers, as discussed above, we experienced significantly reduced revenues, which resulted in a significant use of cash from operations in the Current Period.
Cash Flow from Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities was $44.5 million for the Current Period, compared to $50.9 million for the Comparable Period. The principal use of cash in our investing activities during the Current Period was $28.2 million cash invested in our multi-client data library and $17.6 million of capital expenditures on property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment. This increase in capital expenditures on property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment includes $14.3 million related to the manufacture of OBS equipment to be placed in service in our Ocean Bottom Services segment.
The principal use of cash in our investing activities during the Comparable Period was $57.3 million cash invested in our multi-client data library, $6.8 million for capital expenditures related to property, plant and equipment, and a net investment in OceanGeo of $3.1 million. Subtracted from these sums were the proceeds from the sale of our Source product line for $14.4 million.
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $5.5 million for the Current Period, compared to $54.4 million of cash used in financing activities in the Comparable Period. The primary use of cash in our financing activities during the Current Period was for payments on equipment capital leases.
The net cash flow used in financing activities during the Comparable Period was primarily related to the $35.0 million of net repayments on our revolving line of credit, and $11.7 million of payments of long-term debt.

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Inflation and Seasonality
Inflation in recent years has not had a material effect on our costs of goods or labor, or the prices for our products or services. Traditionally, our business has been seasonal, with strongest demand often occurring in the fourth quarter of our fiscal year.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 for a complete discussion of our significant accounting policies and estimates. There have been no material changes in the Current Period regarding our critical accounting policies and estimates. For discussion of recent accounting pronouncements, see Footnote 16Recent Accounting Pronouncementsof Footnotes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Foreign Sales Risks
The majority of our foreign sales are denominated in United States dollars. Product revenues are allocated to geographical locations on the basis of the ultimate destination of the equipment, if known. If the ultimate destination of such equipment is not known, product revenues are allocated to the geographical location of initial shipment. Service revenues, which primarily relate to our GeoVentures and Data Processing divisions, are allocated based upon the billing location of the customer. For the Current Period and Comparable Period, international sales comprised 72% and 76%, respectively, of total net revenues. The total percentage of sales from foreign countries decreased in the Current Period compared to the Comparable Period due to our revenues in North America decreasing at a lower rate than the decrease in revenues that we experienced in the international markets.
The following table is a summary of net revenues by geographic area (in thousands):
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Net revenues by geographic area:
 
 
 
Latin America
$
44,522

 
$
93,216

North America
40,930

 
90,808

Asia Pacific
11,991

 
38,435

Europe
11,849

 
75,116

Middle East
14,875

 
32,629

Africa
10,475

 
39,707

Other
9,405

 
2,753

Total
$
144,047

 
$
372,664

Credit Risks
At September 30, 2015, we had two customers (Conoco and Pemex) with combined accounts and unbilled receivable balances greater than 10% of our total combined accounts and unbilled receivables balances. These customers’ receivable and unbilled balances represented 14% and 12%, respectively, of our net accounts receivable and unbilled receivables at September 30, 2015.
The loss of any one of these customers or a deterioration in our relationship with these customers could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Refer to Item 7A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 for a discussion regarding our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk. There have been no material changes to those disclosures during the Current Period.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file with or submit to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified by the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures are defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act, and they include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

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Our management carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2015. Based upon that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2015.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There was not any change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2015, which has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
WesternGeco
In June 2009, WesternGeco L.L.C. (“WesternGeco”) filed a lawsuit against us in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. In the lawsuit, styled WesternGeco L.L.C. v. ION Geophysical Corporation, WesternGeco alleged that we had infringed several method and apparatus claims contained in four of its United States patents regarding marine seismic streamer steering devices.
The trial began in July 2012. A verdict was returned by the jury in August 2012, finding that we infringed the claims contained in the four patents by supplying our DigiFIN® lateral streamer control units and the related software from the United States and awarded WesternGeco the sum of $105.9 million in damages, consisting of $12.5 million in reasonable royalty and $93.4 million in lost profits.
In June 2013, the presiding judge entered a Memorandum and Order, ruling that WesternGeco is entitled to be awarded supplemental damages for the additional DigiFIN units that were supplied from the United States before and after the trial that were not included in the jury verdict due to the timing of the trial. In October 2013, the judge entered another Memorandum and Order, ruling on the number of DigiFIN units that are subject to supplemental damages and also ruling that the supplemental damages applicable to the additional units should be calculated by adding together the jury’s previous reasonable royalty and lost profits damages awards per unit, resulting in supplemental damages of $73.1 million.
In April 2014, the judge entered another Order, ruling that lost profits should not have been included in the calculation of supplemental damages in the October 2013 Memorandum and Order and reducing the supplemental damages award in the case from $73.1 million to $9.4 million. In the Order, the judge also further reduced the damages award in the case by $3.0 million to reflect a settlement and license that WesternGeco entered into with a customer of ours that had purchased and used DigiFIN units that were also included in the damage amounts awarded against us.
In May 2014, the judge signed and entered a Final Judgment in the amount of $123.8 million. The Final Judgment also included an injunction that enjoins us, our agents and anyone acting in concert with us, from supplying in or from the United States the DigiFIN product or any parts unique to the DigiFIN product, or any instrumentality no more than colorably different from any of these products or parts, for combination outside of the United States. We have conducted our business in compliance with the district court’s orders in the case, and we have reorganized our operations such that we no longer supply the DigiFIN product or any part unique to the DigiFIN product in or from the United States.
We and WesternGeco each appealed the Final Judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C. On July 2, 2015, the Court of Appeals reversed in part the district court’s judgment, holding the district court erred by including lost profits in the Final Judgment. Lost profits were $93.4 million and prejudgment interest was approximately $10.9 million of the $123.8 million Final Judgment. Pre-judgment interest on the lost profits portion will be treated in the same way as the lost profits. Post-judgment interest will likewise be treated in the same fashion. On July 29, 2015, WesternGeco filed a petition for rehearing en banc before the Court of Appeals. On October 30, 2015 the Court of Appeals denied WesternGeco’s petition for rehearing en banc. WesternGeco has up to 90 days to determine whether or not it will file a writ requesting the Supreme Court to review the case.
As previously disclosed, we had taken a loss contingency accrual of $124 million. As a result of the reversal by the Court of Appeals, as of June 30, 2015, we have reduced our loss contingency accrual to its current amount of $22 million as of June 30, 2015. Our assessment of our potential loss contingency may change in the future due to developments in the case and other events, such as changes in applicable law, and such reassessment could lead to the determination that no loss contingency is probable or that a greater or lesser loss contingency is probable. Any such reassessment could have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
Prior to the reduction in damages by the Court of Appeals, we arranged with sureties to post an appeal bond at the trial court. The appeal bond is uncollateralized, but the terms of the appeal bond arrangements provide the sureties the contractual right for as long as the bond is outstanding to require us to post cash collateral. We have received a request for $11 million in collateral and are in negotiations with the sureties. The appeal bond will remain outstanding during the pendency of appeals.
For additional discussion about the effect of posting an appeal bond on our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations, see Item 2. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources – Loss Contingency – WesternGeco Lawsuit” in Part I of this Form 10-Q.

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Other Litigation
We have been named in various other lawsuits or threatened actions that are incidental to our ordinary business. Litigation is inherently unpredictable. Any claims against us, whether meritorious or not, could be time-consuming, cause us to incur costs and expenses, require significant amounts of management time and result in the diversion of significant operational resources. The results of these lawsuits and actions cannot be predicted with certainty. We currently believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
This report contains or incorporates by reference statements concerning our future results and performance and other matters that are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”). These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our or our industry’s results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “intend,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” or “continue” or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. Examples of other forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this report include statements regarding:
the expected outcome of the WesternGeco litigation and future potential adverse effects on our liquidity in the event that the decision of the Court of Appeals is reversed;
future oil and gas commodity prices;
future levels of capital expenditures of our customers for seismic activities;
the effects of current and future worldwide economic conditions (particularly in developing countries) and demand for oil and natural gas and seismic equipment and services;
future borrowing capacity on our Credit Facility based on future levels of our borrowing base;
the effects of current and future unrest in the Middle East, North Africa and other regions, including Ukraine;
the timing of anticipated revenues and the recognition of those revenues for financial accounting purposes;
the effects of ongoing and future industry consolidation, including, in particular, the effects of consolidation and vertical integration in the towed marine seismic streamers market;
the timing of future revenue realization of anticipated orders for multi-client survey projects and data processing work in our Solutions segment;
future levels of our capital expenditures;
future government regulations, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico;
expected net revenues, income from operations and net income;
expected gross margins for our services and products;
our Ocean Bottom Services chartered vessels remaining idle for an extended period;
future seismic industry fundamentals, including future demand for seismic services and equipment;
future benefits to our customers to be derived from new services and products;
future benefits to be derived from our investments in technologies, joint ventures and acquired companies;
future growth rates for our services and products;
the degree and rate of future market acceptance of our new services and products;
expectations regarding E&P companies and seismic contractor end-users purchasing our more technologically-advanced services and products;
anticipated timing and success of commercialization and capabilities of services and products under development and start-up costs associated with their development;
future cash needs and future availability of cash to fund our operations and pay our obligations;
potential future acquisitions;
future opportunities for new services and products and projected research and development expenses;

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expected continued compliance with our debt financial covenants;
expectations regarding realization of deferred tax assets; and
anticipated results with respect to certain estimates we make for financial accounting purposes.
These forward-looking statements reflect our best judgment about future events and trends based on the information currently available to us. Our results of operations can be affected by inaccurate assumptions we make or by risks and uncertainties known or unknown to us. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the forward-looking statements. Actual events and results of operations may vary materially from our current expectations and assumptions.
Information regarding factors that may cause actual results to vary from our expectations, referred to as “risk factors,” appears in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors,” as previously filed with the SEC. In addition to the risk factors appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, we believe the following risk factors should be considered carefully.
If we cannot meet the continued listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), the NYSE may delist our common shares, which would have an adverse impact on the trading volume, liquidity and market price of our common shares.
On August 11, 2015, we were notified by the NYSE that the average closing price of our common shares had fallen below $1.00 per share over a period of 30 consecutive trading days, which is the minimum average share price required by the NYSE under Section 802.01C of the NYSE Listed Company Manual. The notice has no immediate impact on the listing of our common shares, which will continue to be listed and traded on the NYSE during the six-month period described below, subject to our compliance with other listing standards, under the symbol “IO.”
We have six months following receipt of the NYSE’s notice to regain compliance with the NYSE’s minimum share price requirement. We can regain compliance at any time during the six-month cure period if on the last trading day of any calendar month during the cure period our common shares have a closing share price of at least $1.00 and an average closing share price of at least $1.00 over the 30 trading-day period ending on the last trading day of such month. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if we determine that we must cure the price condition by taking an action that will require approval of our stockholders, we may also regain compliance by: (i) obtaining the requisite stockholder approval by no later than our next annual meeting, (ii) implementing the action promptly thereafter and (iii) the price of our common shares promptly exceeding $1.00 per share, and the price remaining above that level for at least the following 30 trading days.
A delisting of our common shares from the NYSE would negatively impact us because it would: (i) reduce the liquidity and market price of our common shares; (ii) reduce the number of investors willing to hold or acquire our common shares, which could negatively impact our ability to raise equity financing; (iii) limit our ability to use a registration statement to offer and sell freely tradable securities, thereby preventing us from accessing the public capital markets, and (iv) impair our ability to provide equity incentives to our employees.
We may from time to time take steps to address the delisting and other issues including but not limited to (i) repurchasing outstanding equity, (ii) reverse stock splits, (iii) mergers, acquisitions or other strategic combinations or arrangements with other parties, or (iv) selected divestures or other sales of certain assets. Any stock repurchase undertaken may include open market repurchases, block trades and other purchases of outstanding equity and the implementation would depend on prevailing market conditions, liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. Any such repurchases could negatively affect our liquidity and any reverse splits undertaken could negatively impact shareholder value.
We may take steps to reduce or refinance outstanding debt, including the Notes, which could impact the market for our securities and negatively affect our liquidity.
We may from time to time take steps to reduce or refinance outstanding debt, including the Notes, or otherwise to reduce interest expense and other debt service obligations. These steps may include open market repurchases, redemptions, maturity extensions, exchange offers and other retirements, purchases or refinancing of outstanding debt, including the Notes, in whole or in part, in addition to making any required scheduled installment payments. The implementation of any such steps would depend on prevailing market conditions, liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. Any such repurchases or redemptions could negatively affect our liquidity.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
(c) During the three months ended September 30, 2015, in connection with the vesting of (or lapse of restrictions on) shares of our restricted stock held by certain employees, we acquired shares of our common stock in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations that were incurred on the vesting date. The date of acquisition, number of shares and average effective acquisition price per share were as follows: 

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Period
 
(a)
Total Number of
Shares Acquired
 
(b)
Average Price Paid Per Share
 
(c)
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Program
 
(d)
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Program
July 1, 2015 to July 31, 2015
 

 
$

 
Not applicable
 
Not applicable
August 1, 2015 to August 31, 2015
 

 
$

 
Not applicable
 
Not applicable
September 1, 2015 to September 30, 2015
 
2,296

 
$
0.52

 
Not applicable
 
Not applicable
Total
 
2,296

 
$
0.52

 
 
 
 
Item 5. Other Information
None.

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Item 6. Exhibits
31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
 
 
 
31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
 
 
 
32.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350.
 
 
 
32.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350.
 
 
 
101
 
The following materials are formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, (v) Footnotes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
 

 



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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
 
ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION
 
 
 
 
By
 
/s/ Steven A. Bate
 
 
 
Steven A. Bate
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Date: November 5, 2015

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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit No.
 
Description
 
 
 
31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
 
 
 
31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
 
 
 
32.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350.
 
 
 
32.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350.
 
 
 
101
 
The following materials are formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, (v) Footnotes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
 

 

 

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