OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL INC

Previous wording

We derive most of our revenue from customers in the offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production industry. The offshore oil and gas industry is a historically cyclical industry characterized by significant changes in the levels of exploration and development activities. Oil and gas prices, and market expectations of potential changes in those prices, significantly affect the levels of those activities. Worldwide political, economic and military events have contributed to oil and gas price volatility and are likely to continue to do so in the future. In addition, there is ongoing uncertainty regarding the long-term outlook for the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, as a result of a prior temporary ban on leasing of U.S. federal lands imposed by the current presidential administration. While the temporary ban has been lifted, the Biden administration resumed selling leases to drill for oil and gas on federal lands in April 2022, but with an 80% reduction in the number of acres offered and an increase in the royalties companies must pay to drill. In July 2023, the U.S. Department of the Interior (“DOI”) proposed updates to its onshore oil and gas leasing regulations which could further restrict oil and gas exploration and production on federal lands. DOI expects to issue a final rule in the spring of 2024. In August 2023, DOI proposed a scaled back offshore lease sale for certain areas in the Gulf of Mexico due to concerns related to an endangered whale population in the area. The exclusion of certain lease blocks from the sale was successfully challenged in court and DOI was ordered to hold the lease sale at its original scale. This decision was upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on November 14, 2023, and the sale was held on December 20, 2023. Any prolonged reduction in the overall level of offshore oil and gas exploration and development activities, whether resulting from changes in oil and gas prices, limitations on access to capital for such activities, governmental actions or regulatory developments or otherwise, could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations in our operating segments within our Energy business. Some factors that have affected and are likely to continue affecting oil and gas prices and the level of demand for our services and products include the following:

Current wording

We derive most of our revenue from customers in the offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production industry. The offshore oil and gas industry is a historically cyclical industry characterized by significant changes in the levels of exploration and development activities. Oil and gas prices, and market expectations of potential changes in those prices, significantly affect the levels of those activities. Worldwide political, economic and military events have contributed to oil and gas price volatility and are likely to continue to do so in the future. In addition, there is ongoing uncertainty regarding the long-term outlook for offshore drilling in the United States, including the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, as a result of a ban by the previous presidential administration pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act on future oil and gas leasing on the entire U.S. East coast, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California, and additional portions of the Northern Bering Sea in Alaska. Any prolonged reduction in the overall level of offshore oil and gas exploration and development activities, whether resulting from changes in oil and gas prices, limitations on access to capital for such activities, governmental actions or regulatory developments or otherwise, could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations in our operating segments within our Energy business. Some factors that have affected and are likely to continue affecting oil and gas prices and the level of demand for our services and products include the following:

Previous wording

Legislation to regulate greenhouse gas emissions has, from time to time, been introduced in the U.S. Congress and such legislation may be proposed or adopted in the future. In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) has adopted regulations addressing greenhouse gas emissions, including the EPA’s final methane rules, which impose several new methane emission requirements on the oil and gas industry, announced on December 2, 2023, during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in the United Arab Emirates (“COP28”). There also have been international efforts seeking legally binding reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, as well as non-binding efforts, including the non-binding agreement by more than 190 governments at COP28 to transition away from fossil fuels and encourage the growth and expansion of renewable energy. The United States was actively involved in the negotiations at the 21st Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris, which led to the creation of the “Paris Agreement.” The Paris Agreement requires the signatory countries to review and "represent a progression" in their nationally determined contributions, which set emissions reduction goals, every five years.

Current wording

Legislation to regulate greenhouse gas emissions has, from time to time, been introduced in the U.S. Congress and such legislation may be proposed or adopted in the future. In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) has adopted regulations addressing greenhouse gas emissions, including the EPA’s final methane rules, which impose several new methane emission requirements on the oil and gas industry, announced on December 2, 2023, during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in the United Arab Emirates (“COP28”) and published on March 8, 2024. There also have been international efforts seeking legally binding reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, as well as non-binding efforts, including the non-binding agreement by more than 190 governments at COP28 to transition away from fossil fuels and encourage the growth and expansion of renewable energy. The United States was actively involved in the negotiations at the 21st Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris, which led to the creation of the “Paris Agreement.” The Paris Agreement requires the signatory countries to review and "represent a progression" in their nationally determined contributions, which set emissions reduction goals, every five years.

Previous wording

It is not possible at this time to predict the timing and effect of climate change or to predict the effect of the Paris Agreement (or similar international agreements) or whether additional greenhouse gas legislation, regulations or other measures will be adopted. However, more aggressive efforts by governments and non-governmental organizations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions appear likely and any such future laws and regulations could result in increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions applicable to our Energy business customers and/or us. For example, in August 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”) into law, which imposes a charge on methane emissions from certain petroleum and natural gas system facilities and could have an indirect impact on demand for the goods and services of our Energy business, and on December 2, 2023 during COP28, the EPA announced its final methane rules, which impose several new methane emission requirements on the oil and gas industry. Our business could also be impacted by governmental initiatives to incentivize the conservation of energy or the use of alternative energy sources. These initiatives to reduce energy consumption or incentivize a shift away from fossil fuels could reduce demand for hydrocarbons, thereby reducing demand for the goods and services of our Energy business, and adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Current wording

It is not possible at this time to predict the timing and effect of climate change or to predict the effect of the Paris Agreement (or similar international agreements) or whether additional greenhouse gas legislation, regulations or other measures will be adopted. However, more aggressive efforts by governments and non-governmental organizations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions may occur and any such future laws and regulations could result in increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions applicable to our Energy business customers and/or us. For example, in August 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”) into law, which imposes a charge on methane emissions from certain petroleum and natural gas system facilities and could have an indirect impact on demand for the goods and services of our Energy business, and on December 2, 2023 during COP28, the EPA announced its final methane rules, which impose several new methane emission requirements on the oil and gas industry. The EPA’s final methane rule was published on March 8, 2024. In November 2024, at the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Baku, Azerbaijan, the EPA announced its final rule implementing the waste emissions charge pursuant to the IRA. Additionally, laws or regulations requiring the collection, measurement and reporting of information and metrics related to climate-related matters (including greenhouse gas emissions) could increase our operating costs and as a result adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Previous wording

The adoption of additional climate change laws or regulations in the future could result in increased costs for our Energy business customers and us to (1) operate and maintain operating facilities, (2) install new emission controls or abatement technologies (such as CCS technologies) on operating facilities and (3) administer and manage greenhouse gas emissions programs. If we are unable to recover or pass through a significant level of our costs related to complying with climate change regulatory requirements imposed on us, they could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Further, such legislation or regulation could prevent customer projects from going forward, thereby potentially reducing the need for our products and services. In addition, to the extent financial markets and insurance carriers view climate change and the greenhouse gas emissions of our Energy business customer base as a financial risk, this could negatively impact our cost of and access to capital and insurance.

Current wording

The adoption of additional climate change laws or regulations in the future could result in increased costs for our Energy business customers and us to (1) operate and maintain operating facilities, (2) install new emission controls or abatement technologies (such as CCS technologies) in operating facilities and (3) administer and manage greenhouse gas emissions programs. If we are unable to recover or pass through a significant level of our costs related to complying with climate change regulatory requirements imposed on us, they could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Further, such legislation or regulation could prevent customer projects from going forward, thereby potentially reducing the need for our products and services. In addition, to the extent financial markets and insurance carriers view climate change and the greenhouse gas emissions of our Energy business customer base as a financial risk, this could negatively impact our cost of and access to capital and insurance.

Previous wording

Misconduct, fraud, non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations, or other improper activities by one or more of our employees, agents or partners could have a significant negative impact on our business and reputation. Such misconduct could include the failure to comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA"), which prohibits companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to non-U.S. officials, as well as the failure to comply with government procurement regulations, regulations on lobbying or similar activities, regulations pertaining to the internal controls over financial reporting and various other applicable laws or regulations, including the U.K. Bribery Act. We operate in some countries that international corruption monitoring groups have identified as having high levels of corruption. Our activities create the risk of unauthorized payments or offers of payments by one of our employees or agents that could be in violation of the FCPA or other applicable anti-corruption laws. The precautions we take to prevent and detect misconduct, fraud or non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations may not be effective, and we could face unknown risks or losses. Our failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations or acts of misconduct could subject us to fines, penalties or other sanctions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Current wording

Misconduct, fraud, non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations, or other improper activities by one or more of our employees, agents or partners could have a significant negative impact on our business and reputation. Such misconduct could include the failure to comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA"), which prohibits companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to non-U.S. officials, as well as the failure to comply with government procurement regulations, regulations on lobbying or similar activities, regulations pertaining to the internal controls over financial reporting and various other applicable laws or regulations, including the U.K. Bribery Act. We operate in some countries that international corruption monitoring groups have identified as having high levels of corruption. Our activities create the risk of unauthorized payments or offers of payments by one of our employees or agents that could be in violation of the FCPA or other applicable anti-corruption laws. The precautions we take to prevent and detect misconduct, fraud or non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations may not be effective, and we could face unknown risks or losses. In December 2024, the Chinese government placed restrictions on and sanctioned our company and certain executives in response to recent U.S. announcements of military sales and aid to Taiwan and in response to the recent approval of the U.S. government’s annual defense spending. We will continue to follow U.S. Government guidance as it relates to sales to Taiwan and do not currently expect a material impact to our business from these actions. Our failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations or acts of misconduct could subject us to fines, penalties or other sanctions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Previous wording

Our business is affected by changes in public policy and by federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations, including those relating specifically to the offshore oil and gas industry. Offshore oil and gas exploration and production operations are affected by tax, environmental, safety and other laws, by changes in those laws, application or interpretation of existing laws, and changes in related administrative regulations. It is possible that such new laws and regulations, or changes to the application or interpretation of existing laws and regulations, may in the future add significantly to our operating costs or those of our customers or otherwise directly or indirectly affect our operations.

Current wording

Our business is affected by changes in public policy and by federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations, including those relating specifically to the offshore oil and gas industry. Offshore oil and gas exploration and production operations are affected by tax, environmental, safety and other laws, by changes in those laws, application or interpretation of existing laws, and changes in related administrative regulations. It is possible that such new laws and regulations, or changes to the application or interpretation of existing laws and regulations, may significantly increase our operating costs and those of our customers, or otherwise directly or indirectly affect our operations.

Previous wording

On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed the IRA into law. The IRA contains several revisions to the Internal Revenue Code, including a 15% corporate minimum tax for taxpayers with adjusted financial statement income in excess of $1.0 billion and a 1% excise tax on corporate stock repurchases made after December 31, 2022. We continue to analyze the potential impact of the IRA on our consolidated financial statements and to monitor guidance to be issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Current wording

On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed the IRA into law. The IRA contains several revisions to the Internal Revenue Code, including a 15% corporate minimum tax for taxpayers with adjusted financial statement income in excess of $1.0 billion and a 1% excise tax on corporate stock repurchases made after December 31, 2022. We continue to analyze the potential impact of the IRA on our consolidated financial statements and to monitor guidance issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Previous wording

A financial crisis or economic recession could have an adverse impact on our business and our financial condition. In particular, the cost of capital could increase substantially and the availability of funds from the capital markets could diminish significantly. Since the global recession in 2008, credit and capital markets have, from time to time, experienced volatility. Our ability to access the capital markets in the future could be restricted or available on terms we do not consider favorable. Limited access to the capital markets could adversely impact our ability to take advantage of business opportunities or react to changing economic and business conditions and could adversely impact our ability to continue our growth strategy. Ultimately, we could be required to reduce our future capital expenditures substantially and such a reduction could have a material adverse effect on our business and our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. A financial crisis or economic recession could also affect our suppliers and our customers, causing them to fail to meet their obligations to us, which could have a material adverse effect on our revenue, income from operations and cash flows.

Current wording

A financial crisis or economic recession could have an adverse impact on our business and our financial condition. In particular, the cost of capital could increase substantially and the availability of funds from the capital markets could diminish significantly. Credit and capital markets have, from time to time, experienced volatility. Our ability to access the capital markets in the future could be restricted or available on terms we do not consider favorable. Limited access to the capital markets could adversely impact our ability to take advantage of business opportunities or react to changing economic and business conditions and could adversely impact our ability to continue our growth strategy. If one or more of the lenders under our revolving credit facility were to become unable or unwilling to perform their obligations under that facility, our borrowing capacity could be reduced. Our inability to borrow under our revolving credit facility could limit our ability to fund our future operations and growth. Ultimately, we could be required to reduce our future capital expenditures substantially and such a reduction could have a material adverse effect on our business and our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. A financial crisis or economic recession could also affect our suppliers and our customers, causing them to fail to meet their obligations to us, which could have a material adverse effect on our revenue, income from operations and cash flows.

Previous wording

Our business strategy contemplates future acquisitions. Acquisitions of other businesses or assets present various risks and uncertainties.

Current wording

Our business strategy contemplates future acquisitions or dispositions. Acquisitions of other businesses or assets and dispositions of our current businesses or assets present various risks and uncertainties.

Previous wording

We may pursue growth through the acquisition of businesses or assets that will enable us to broaden our service and product offerings and expand into new markets. We may be unable to implement this element of our growth strategy if we cannot identify suitable businesses or assets, reach agreement on potential strategic acquisitions on acceptable terms or for other reasons. Moreover, acquisitions involve various risks, including:

Current wording

We may pursue growth through the acquisition of businesses or assets that will enable us to broaden our service and product offerings and expand into new markets, and, from time to time, we may also consider dispositions of non-strategic assets. We may be unable to implement this element of our growth strategy or our long-term strategy if we cannot identify suitable businesses or assets, reach agreement on potential strategic acquisitions on acceptable terms or for other reasons, or obtain the fair value of the assets or businesses we may sell. Moreover, acquisitions and dispositions involve various risks, including:

Previous wording

Threats to our IT and OT systems associated with cybersecurity risks, cyber incidents and cyberattacks continue to grow. Risks associated with these threats include disruptions of certain systems on our vessels or systems utilized to operate our ROVs; other impairments of our ability to conduct our operations; interruption of internal critical services; interruption of external critical services to customers; interruption of ability to bill or collect payment from customers; loss of or damage to intellectual property, proprietary information or employee or customer data; disruption of our customers’ operations; loss or damage to our employee or customer data delivery systems; damage to our reputation or customer or other business relationships; inability to comply with our contractual or regulatory obligations in a timely manner which could result in civil litigation, regulatory investigations or other enforcement actions by governmental authorities and associated costs, fines or penalties; and increased costs to prevent, respond to or mitigate cybersecurity incidents. If such a cyber incident were to occur, it could have a material adverse effect on our business and our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Current wording

We have experienced cyber incidents in the past and, although none have been material, we may experience cybersecurity incidents and security breaches in the future. Threats to our IT and OT systems associated with cybersecurity risks, cyber incidents and cyberattacks continue to grow in sophistication and scale. Risks associated with these threats include disruptions of certain systems on our vessels or systems utilized to operate our ROVs; other impairments of our ability to conduct our operations; interruption of internal critical services; interruption of external critical services to customers; interruption of our ability to bill or collect payment from customers; loss of or damage to intellectual property, proprietary information or employee or customer data; disruption of our customers’ operations; loss or damage to our employee or customer data delivery systems; damage to our reputation or customer or other business relationships; inability to comply with our contractual or regulatory obligations in a timely manner which could result in civil litigation, regulatory investigations or other enforcement actions by governmental authorities and associated costs, fines or penalties; increased costs to prevent, respond to or mitigate cybersecurity incidents; and diversion of management or work force attention. Such a cyber incident could have a material adverse effect on our business and our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Previous wording

In addition, certain cyberattacks and related incidents, such as reconnaissance or surveillance by threat actors, may remain undetected for an extended period notwithstanding our monitoring and detection efforts. As a result, we may be required to incur additional costs to modify or enhance our IT or OT systems to prevent or remediate any such attacks. While we continue to evaluate potential replacements or upgrades of existing systems, the implementation of new systems or upgrades to existing systems subjects us to inherent costs and risks associated with replacing or changing these systems, including potential disruption of our internal control structure, substantial capital expenditures, demands on management time and other risks. In addition, potential upgrades or updates may not result in productivity improvements at the levels anticipated, or at all. Moreover, the implementation of new, updated, or upgraded systems may cause disruptions in our business operations. Any such disruption, and any other system disruptions, if not anticipated and appropriately mitigated, could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

Current wording

In addition, certain cyberattacks and related incidents, such as reconnaissance or surveillance by threat actors, may remain undetected for an extended period notwithstanding our monitoring and detection efforts. The increased use of artificial intelligence by threat actors has amplified risks, as AI-driven cyberattacks can automate the discovery of vulnerabilities, generate highly convincing phishing attempts, and evade traditional detection methods. These capabilities may enable attackers to mount more effective and persistent campaigns against our infrastructure. As a result, we may be required to incur additional costs to modify or enhance our IT or OT systems to prevent or remediate any such attacks. While we continue to evaluate potential replacements or upgrades of existing systems, the implementation of new systems or upgrades to existing systems subjects us to inherent costs and risks associated with replacing or changing these systems, including potential disruption of our internal control structure, substantial capital expenditures, demands on management time and other risks. In addition, potential upgrades or updates may not result in productivity improvements at the levels anticipated, or at all. Moreover, the implementation of new, updated, or upgraded systems may cause disruptions in our business operations. Any such disruption, and any other system disruptions, if not anticipated and appropriately mitigated, could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

Previous wording

Finally, laws and regulations we may be subject to governing cybersecurity, such as obligations under the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure, pose increasingly complex compliance challenges, and failure to comply with these laws and regulations could result in fines, penalties, legal liability and damage to our reputation and customer or other business relationships.

Current wording

Finally, laws and regulations we may be subject to governing cybersecurity, such as obligations under the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act, pose increasingly complex compliance challenges, and failure to comply with these laws and regulations could result in fines, penalties, legal liability and damage to our reputation and customer or other business relationships.

Previous wording

Changes in data privacy and security laws, regulations and standards may adversely impact our business.

Current wording

Changes in data privacy and security laws, regulations and standards, and emerging laws, regulations and standards surrounding artificial intelligence (“AI”), may adversely impact our business.

Previous wording

Data privacy and security have become significant regulatory issues and the subject of rapidly evolving laws globally and in the United States. As a result, we may be subject to a growing patchwork of privacy regulation imposed by jurisdictions where we operate, including under the European Union’s and U.K.’s General Data Protection Regulation, Brazil’s General Data Protection Law and in the United States under various state privacy frameworks, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act. These regulatory frameworks apply to activities related to the collection, use, disclosure, and transfer of personal data that may be conducted by us or directly or indirectly through our vendors or subcontractors.

Current wording

Data privacy and security have become significant regulatory issues and the subject of rapidly evolving laws globally and in the United States. As a result, we are subject to a growing patchwork of privacy regulations imposed by jurisdictions where we operate, including under the European Union’s and U.K.’s General Data Protection Regulation, Brazil’s General Data Protection Law and in the United States under various state privacy frameworks, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act, the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, and many more. These regulatory frameworks apply to activities related to the collection, use, disclosure, and transfer of personal data that may be conducted by us or directly or indirectly through our vendors or subcontractors.

Previous wording

Our business and operations could become subject to future legislation, regulation, enforcement strategies and regulatory or judicial interpretations beyond those currently proposed, adopted or contemplated in the U.S. and abroad. Furthermore, the costs of compliance with, and other burdens imposed by, the laws, regulations, and policies that are applicable to our business may limit the use and adoption of, and reduce the overall demand for, our solutions.

Current wording

Our business and operations could become subject to future legislation, regulation, enforcement strategies and regulatory or judicial interpretations beyond those currently proposed, adopted or contemplated in the U.S. and abroad. Emerging regulatory trends, particularly regarding AI, present new challenges. Furthermore, the costs of compliance with, and other burdens imposed by, the laws, regulations, and policies, such as audits and data transfer restrictions that could be applicable to our business, may limit the use and adoption of, and reduce the overall demand for, our solutions.

Previous wording

Finally, if we acquire an entity that has violated or is not in compliance with applicable data privacy, security and protection laws or regulations (or contractual provisions), we may experience similar adverse consequences.

Current wording

Finally, if we acquire an entity that has violated or is not in compliance with applicable data privacy and, security laws or regulations (or contractual provisions), we may experience similar adverse consequences.