e10vq
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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2009
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Transition Period From                      to                      
Commission File No. 001-34404
DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
     
Texas   75-0970548
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   identification No.)
508 West Wall, Suite 800, Midland, Texas 79701
(Principal Executive Office)
Telephone Number: 432-684-3000
     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 þ No o
     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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o No o
     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 o    Accelerated filer þ    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 o No þ
     Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
     
Title of Each Class   Outstanding at August 7, 2009
     
Common Stock, $.33 1/3 par value   7,822,994 shares
 
 

 


 

DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
INDEX
         
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    19  
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32.1
 EX-32.2

 


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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Nine Months Ended June 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
Operating revenues
  $ 52,319,000     $ 84,568,000     $ 197,160,000     $ 240,530,000  
Operating costs:
                               
Operating expenses
    46,374,000       60,457,000       151,126,000       176,111,000  
General and administrative
    1,761,000       1,649,000       6,324,000       5,192,000  
Depreciation
    6,521,000       6,317,000       19,651,000       17,722,000  
 
                       
 
    54,656,000       68,423,000       177,101,000       199,025,000  
 
                               
Income (loss) from operations
    (2,337,000 )     16,145,000       20,059,000       41,505,000  
Other income (expense):
                               
Interest income
    73,000       76,000       213,000       410,000  
Interest expense
          (116,000 )           (316,000 )
Other (expense) income
    (12,000 )     (141,000 )     298,000       (42,000 )
 
                       
Income (loss) before income tax
    (2,276,000 )     15,964,000       20,570,000       41,557,000  
 
                               
Income tax benefit (expense):
                               
Current
    963,000       (4,981,000 )     (7,163,000 )     (13,631,000 )
Deferred
    (313,000 )     (1,276,000 )     (1,129,000 )     (2,223,000 )
 
                       
 
    650,000       (6,257,000 )     (8,292,000 )     (15,854,000 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net income (loss)
  $ (1,626,000 )   $ 9,707,000     $ 12,278,000     $ 25,703,000  
 
                       
 
                               
Net income (loss) per common share
  $ (0.21 )   $ 1.27     $ 1.57     $ 3.35  
 
                       
 
                               
Net income (loss) per common share-assuming dilution
  $ (0.21 )   $ 1.26     $ 1.57     $ 3.33  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted average equivalent common shares outstanding
    7,810,592       7,668,651       7,802,186       7,665,253  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted average equivalent common shares outstanding
                               
-assuming dilution
    7,810,592       7,733,076       7,839,324       7,727,205  
 
                       
See accompanying notes to the financial statements (unaudited).

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DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
BALANCE SHEETS
                 
    June 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2008  
    (Unaudited)          
ASSETS
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 29,920,000     $ 8,311,000  
Short-term investments
    20,177,000        
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $795,000 in June 2009 and $55,000 in September 2008
    50,071,000       76,221,000  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    6,425,000       877,000  
Current deferred tax asset
    1,722,000       873,000  
 
           
 
               
Total current assets
    108,315,000       86,282,000  
 
               
Property, plant and equipment
    240,833,000       250,519,000  
Less accumulated depreciation
    (108,957,000 )     (103,180,000 )
 
           
 
               
Net property, plant and equipment
    131,876,000       147,339,000  
 
           
 
               
 
  $ 240,191,000     $ 233,621,000  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 10,825,000     $ 15,308,000  
Accrued liabilities:
               
Payroll costs and other taxes
    1,638,000       3,363,000  
Other
    10,308,000       14,869,000  
Deferred revenue
    2,366,000       993,000  
 
           
 
               
Total current liabilities
    25,137,000       34,533,000  
 
               
Deferred tax liability
    15,100,000       13,128,000  
 
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock-par value $1.00 per share; 5,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding
           
Common stock-par value $.33 1/3 per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized, 7,822,494 and 7,794,744 shares issued and outstanding in each period
    2,608,000       2,598,000  
Additional paid-in capital
    88,766,000       87,051,000  
Other comprehensive expense, net of tax
    (9,000 )      
Retained earnings
    108,589,000       96,311,000  
 
           
 
               
Total stockholders’ equity
    199,954,000       185,960,000  
 
           
 
               
 
  $ 240,191,000     $ 233,621,000  
 
           
See accompanying notes to the financial statements (unaudited).

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DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
                 
    Nine Months Ended June 30,  
    2009     2008  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net income
  $ 12,278,000     $ 25,703,000  
 
               
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation
    19,651,000       17,722,000  
Noncash compensation
    1,315,000       932,000  
Deferred income tax expense
    1,129,000       2,223,000  
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangement
    (4,000 )     (104,000 )
Provision for bad debts
    1,169,000       81,000  
Other
    32,000       59,000  
 
               
Change in current assets and liabilities:
               
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable
    21,500,000       (14,355,000 )
Increase in prepaid expenses
    (5,548,000 )     (288,000 )
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable
    (4,101,000 )     2,081,000  
Decrease in accrued liabilities
    (6,286,000 )     (1,172,000 )
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue
    1,373,000       (2,277,000 )
 
           
 
               
Net cash provided by operating activities
    42,508,000       30,605,000  
 
           
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Acquisition of short-term investments
    (20,192,000 )      
Proceeds from disposal of assets
    101,000       20,000  
Partial proceeds on fire insurance claim
    2,843,000        
Capital expenditures, net of noncash capital expenditures summarized below in noncash investing activities
    (4,062,000 )     (47,816,000 )
 
           
 
               
Net cash used in investing activities
    (21,310,000 )     (47,796,000 )
 
           
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    407,000       46,000  
Proceeds from line of credit
          15,000,000  
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangement
    4,000       104,000  
 
           
 
               
Net cash provided by financing activities
    411,000       15,150,000  
 
           
 
               
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    21,609,000       (2,041,000 )
 
               
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
    8,311,000       14,875,000  
 
           
 
               
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
  $ 29,920,000     $ 12,834,000  
 
           
 
               
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
               
Cash paid for interest expense
  $     $ 375,000  
Cash paid during the period for income taxes
  $ 13,137,000     $ 14,638,000  
 
               
NONCASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Accrued purchases of property and equipment
  $ (382,000 )   $ (90,000 )
Equipment purchase through reduction of insurance proceeds
  $ 638,000     $  
See accompanying notes to the financial statements (unaudited).

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DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
1. ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS
     Founded in 1952, the Company acquires and processes 2-D, 3-D and multi-component seismic data for its clients, ranging from major oil and gas companies to independent oil and gas operators as well as providers of multi-client data libraries.
2. OPINION OF MANAGEMENT
     Although the information furnished is unaudited, in the opinion of management of the Company, the accompanying financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented. The results of operations for the three months and the nine months ended June 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the fiscal year.
     Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted in this Form 10-Q report pursuant to certain rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These financial statements should be read with the financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.
Critical Accounting Policies
     The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires that certain assumptions and estimates be made that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Because of the use of assumptions and estimates inherent in the reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates.
     Concentrations of Credit Risk. Financial instruments which potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk, as defined by SFAS No. 105 (“SFAS 105”), “Disclosure of Information About Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk and Financial Instruments with Concentrations of Credit Risk,” at any given time may consist of cash and cash equivalents, money market funds and overnight investment accounts, short-term investments and trade accounts receivable. At June 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008, the Company had deposits in domestic banks in excess of federally insured limits. The Company believes the credit risk associated with these deposits is minimal. Money market funds seek to preserve the value of the investment, but it is possible to lose money investing in these funds. The Company invests funds overnight under a repurchase agreement with its bank which is collateralized by securities of the United States Federal agencies. The Company invests primarily in short-term U.S. Treasury Securities which are believed to be a low risk investment. The Company’s sales are to clients whose activities relate to oil and natural gas exploration and production. The Company generally extends unsecured credit to these clients; therefore, collection of receivables may be affected by the economic conditions of the oil and natural gas industry. The Company closely monitors extensions of credit and may negotiate payment terms that mitigate risk.
     Revenue Recognition. Services are provided under cancelable service contracts. These contracts are either “turnkey” or “term” agreements. Under both types of agreements, the Company recognizes revenues when revenue is realizable and services have been performed. Services are defined as the commencement of data acquisition or processing operations. Revenues are considered realizable when earned according to the terms of the service contracts. Under turnkey agreements, revenue is recognized on a per unit of data acquired rate as services are performed. Under term agreements, revenue is recognized on a per unit of time worked rate as services are performed. In the case of a cancelled service contract, revenue is recognized and the customer is billed for services performed up to the date of cancellation.
     The Company receives reimbursements for certain out-of-pocket expenses under the terms of the service contracts. Amounts billed to clients are recorded in revenue at the gross amount including out-of-pocket expenses that are reimbursed by the client.
     In some instances, customers are billed in advance of the services performed. In those cases, the Company recognizes the liability as deferred revenue.

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     Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. Management prepares its allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based on its review of past-due accounts, its past experience of historical write-offs and its current client base. While the collectibility of outstanding client invoices is continually assessed, the inherent volatility of the energy industry’s business cycle can cause swift and unpredictable changes in the financial stability of the Company’s clients.
     Impairment of Long-lived Assets. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment when triggering events occur suggesting deterioration in the assets’ recoverability or fair value. Recognition of an impairment charge is required if future expected net cash flows are insufficient to recover the carrying value of the assets and the fair value of the assets is below the carrying value of the assets. Management’s forecast of future cash flow used to perform impairment analysis includes estimates of future revenues and expenses based on the Company’s anticipated future results while considering anticipated future oil and natural gas prices which is fundamental in assessing demand for the Company’s services. If the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the estimated expected undiscounted future cash flows, the Company measures the amount of possible impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the assets to their fair value.
     Depreciable Lives of Property, Plant and Equipment. Property, plant and equipment are capitalized at historical cost and depreciated over the useful life of the asset. Management’s estimation of this useful life is based on circumstances that exist in the seismic industry and information available at the time of the purchase of the asset. As circumstances change and new information becomes available, these estimates could change.
     Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the balance sheet, and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in the results of operations for the period.
     Tax Accounting. The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 109 (“SFAS 109”), “Accounting for Income Taxes,” which requires the recognition of amounts of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and an asset and liability approach in recognizing the amount of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns. Management determines deferred taxes by identifying the types and amounts of existing temporary differences, measuring the total deferred tax asset or liability using the applicable tax rate and reducing the deferred tax asset by a valuation allowance if, based on available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Management’s methodology for recording income taxes requires judgment regarding assumptions and the use of estimates, including determining the annual effective tax rate and the valuation of deferred tax assets, which can create variances between actual results and estimates and could have a material impact on the Company’s provision or benefit for income taxes.
     Stock-Based Compensation. The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R) (“SFAS 123(R)”), “Share-Based Payment,” which requires companies to measure all employee stock-based compensation awards, including stock options and restricted stock, using the fair value method and recognize compensation cost, net of forfeitures, in its financial statements. The Company records compensation expense as operating or general and administrative expense as appropriate in the Statements of Operations on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.
     Reclassifications. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified in the current year in order to be consistent with the current year presentation.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
     In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 157 (“SFAS 157”), “Fair Value Measurements.” SFAS 157 clarifies that fair value is the amount that would be exchanged to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Further, the standard establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands certain disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 became effective for all financial assets and financial liabilities as of October 1, 2008, and upon adoption, SFAS 157 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position 157-2 (“FSP 157-2”), “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157,” which delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS 157-2 to have a material impact on its financial statements.
     In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159 (“SFAS 159”), “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” SFAS 159 provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value. As of June 30,

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2009, the Company has not elected the fair value option for any additional financial assets and liabilities beyond those already prescribed by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
     In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 (“FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1”), “Interim Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments.” FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 requires fair value disclosures in both interim and annual financial statements in order to provide more timely information about the effects of current market conditions on financial instruments. FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 became effective for the Company as of June 15, 2009. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on its financial statements.
     In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165 (“SFAS 165”), “Subsequent Events,” which establishes general standards of accounting for, and requires disclosure of, events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 165 for the quarter ended June 30, 2009. The adoption of SFAS 165 did not have a material impact on its financial statements. The Company has evaluated events subsequent to the balance sheet date (June 30, 2009) through the issue date of this Form 10-Q (August 7, 2009) and concluded that no subsequent events have occurred that require recognition in the Financial Statements or disclosure in the Notes to the Financial Statements.
     In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 168 (“SFAS 168”), “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles – a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162.” SFAS 168 provides for the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”) to become the single official source of authoritative, nongovernmental U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Codification did not change GAAP but reorganizes the literature. SFAS 168 is effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS 168 to have an impact on its financial statements.
3. SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
     The components of the Company’s short-term investments are as follows:    
                                 
    As of June 30, 2009 (in 000’s)  
                            Estimated Fair  
    Carrying Value     Unrealized Gains     Unrealized Losses     Value  
Short-term investments:
                               
U.S. Treasury bills
  $ 9,978     $     $ 3     $ 9,975  
U.S. Treasury notes
    10,214             12       10,202  
 
                       
 
                               
Total
  $ 20,192     $     $ 15 (a)   $ 20,177  
 
                       
 
(a)   Other comprehensive expense reflected on the Balance Sheet reflects unrealized losses net of the tax effect of approximately $6,000.
     The Company’s short-term investments have contractual maturities ranging from December 2009 to September 2010. These investments have been classified as available-for-sale. The Company had no short-term investments at September 30, 2008.
4. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
     At June 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008, the Company’s financial instruments included cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, trade receivables and accounts payable. Due to the short-term maturities of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and accounts payables, the carrying amounts approximate fair value at the respective balance sheet dates.
     The Company measures certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis, including short-term investments.

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The fair value measurements of these short-term investments were determined using the following inputs:
                                 
    As of June 30, 2009 (in 000’s)  
    Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using:  
            Quoted Prices in     Significant Other     Significant  
            Active Markets for     Observable     Unobservable  
            Identical Assets     Inputs     Inputs  
    Total     (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)  
Short-term investments:
                               
U.S. Treasury bills
  $ 9,975     $ 9,975     $     $  
U.S. Treasury notes
    10,202       10,202              
 
                       
Total
  $ 20,177     $ 20,177     $     $  
 
                       
     Investments in U.S. Treasury bills and notes classified as available-for-sale are measured using unadjusted quoted market prices (Level 1) at the reporting date provided by our investment custodian.
     The Company had no short-term investments at September 30, 2008.
5. DEBT
     The Company’s revolving line of credit loan agreement is with Western National Bank. On June 2, 2009, the Company renewed the existing agreement for a two-year term on substantially the same terms as the previous facility. In addition, based on the Company’s assessment of its current needs, the Company reduced the size of the facility to $20.0 million from $40.0 million. The agreement permits the Company to borrow, repay and reborrow, from time to time until June 2, 2011, up to $20.0 million based on the borrowing base calculation as defined in the agreement. The Company’s obligations under this agreement are secured by a security interest in its accounts receivable, equipment and related collateral. Interest on the facility accrues at an annual rate equal to either the 30-day London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), plus two and one-quarter percent or the Prime Rate, minus three-quarters percent as the Company directs monthly, subject to an interest rate floor of 4%. Interest on the outstanding amount under the loan agreement is payable monthly. The loan agreement contains customary covenants for credit facilities of this type, including limitations on disposition of assets, mergers and reorganizations. The Company is also obligated to meet certain financial covenants under the loan agreement, including maintaining specified ratios with respect to cash flow coverage, current assets and liabilities and debt to tangible net worth. The Company was in compliance with all covenants as of June 30, 2009 and August 7, 2009. The Company has not utilized the line of credit loan agreement since it paid off the entire outstanding balance of $20.0 million as of September 30, 2008.
6. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
     The Company’s stock-based compensation activity for the periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 is summarized below.
Incentive Stock Options:
     The Company estimates the fair value of each stock option on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The expected volatility is based on historical volatility over the expected term. As the Company has not historically declared dividends and does not anticipate declaring dividends in the future, the dividend yield used in the calculation is zero. The risk free rate is determined by reference to the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at or near the time of grant for the expected term of the award. The expected term is the anticipated average amount of time that an option is outstanding, assuming it will vest, and is determined based on historical experience of similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual term of the awards, vesting schedules and expectations of employee exercise behavior. Actual value realized, if any, is dependent on the future performance of the Company’s common stock and overall stock market conditions. There is no assurance the value realized by an optionee will be at or near the value estimated by

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the Black-Scholes model. Options granted by the Company vest in equal installments annually over four years from the date of grant. Options granted in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 expire ten years from the date of grant. Options granted prior to fiscal 2009 expire five years from the date of grant. Compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis as the options vest.
     The Company granted 152,000 stock option awards to officers and employees during the quarter ended December 31, 2008. No options were granted during the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009 or the nine months ended June 30, 2008. The intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 was $199,000 and $389,000 for 22,750 and 6,500 shares, respectively.
     Stock options issued under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans are incentive stock options. No tax deduction is recorded when options are awarded. If an exercise and sale of vested options results in a disqualifying disposition, a tax deduction for the Company occurs. For the nine months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 there were $4,000 and $104,000, respectively, in excess tax benefits from disqualifying dispositions of options.
     The Company recognized compensation expense associated with stock option awards of $222,000 and $59,000 during the nine months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. This amount is included in operating expenses and general and administrative costs in the Statements of Operations.
Stock Awards:
     No restricted stock awards have been granted during the nine months ended June 30, 2009. The Company granted 38,500 restricted shares during the first nine months of fiscal 2008. The weighted average grant date fair value of the fiscal 2008 awards was $67.25. The fair value of the restricted stock granted equals the market price on the grant date. The restricted shares vest after three years.
     The Company’s tax benefit with regard to restricted stock awards is consistent with the tax election of the recipient of the award. Historically no elections under IRC Section 83(b) have been made for restricted stock awards granted by the Company. As a result, the compensation expense for restricted stock has generated a deferred tax asset for the Company equal to the tax effect of the amount of compensation expense recorded.
     The Company recognized compensation expense related to restricted stock awards of $1,002,000 in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 and $449,000 in the first nine months of fiscal 2008. This amount is included in operating expenses and general and administrative costs in the Statements of Operations.
     The Company granted 5,000 shares with immediate vesting to outside directors in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 and 3,000 shares with immediate vesting as compensation to outside directors in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. The grant date fair value for these shares equaled $18.19 and $69.64 in each quarter, respectively. The Company granted 3,500 shares with immediate vesting to employees as compensation during the nine months ended June 30, 2008. The weighted average grant date fair value for these shares equaled $61.57. No shares with immediate vesting were granted during the second or third quarters of fiscal 2009. These compensation amounts are included in operating expenses and general and administrative costs in the Statements of Operations.
     The Company recognized compensation expense, as well as the related tax benefit associated with these stock awards of $91,000 in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 and $424,000 in the first nine months of fiscal 2008. This amount is included in wages in the Statements of Operations.
7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
     On March 14, 2008, a wildfire in West Texas burned a remote area in which one of the Company’s data acquisition crews was operating. The fire destroyed approximately $2.9 million net book value of the Company’s equipment, all of which was covered by the Company’s property insurance, net of the deductible. In addition to the loss of equipment, a number of landowners in the fire area suffered damage to their grazing lands, livestock, fences and other improvements. The Company is currently repairing damage incurred by such landowners as a result of the fire. The Company currently estimates the likely amount of the landowner damages will be less than $1.8 million. The Company believes any damages paid will be covered by the Company’s general liability insurance. In February 2009, the Company received the remaining insurance proceeds for equipment losses sustained by the Company during the fire and for the Company’s debris pick-up costs. The Company recorded an immaterial gain on the receipt of such insurance proceeds in the second quarter of fiscal 2009.

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     From time to time, the Company is a party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Although the Company cannot predict the outcomes of any such legal proceedings, management believes that the resolution of pending legal actions will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity as the Company believes it is adequately indemnified and insured.
     The Company experiences contractual disputes with its clients from time to time regarding the payment of invoices or other matters. While the Company seeks to minimize these disputes and maintain good relations with its clients, the Company has in the past and may in the future, experience disputes that could affect its results of operations in any period.
     During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, one of the Company’s clients filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. As of June 30, 2009, this client had an accounts receivable balance with the Company of approximately $1.0 million. The Company increased its allowance for doubtful accounts during the second fiscal quarter to cover exposures related to this bankruptcy. During the third quarter of fiscal 2009, management performed an additional review of the Company’s current past due accounts. As a result of such review, management made only a nominal adjustment to the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts.
     The Company has non-cancelable operating leases for office space in Midland, Houston, Denver, Oklahoma City and Lyon Township, Michigan.
     The following table summarizes payments due in specific periods related to the Company’s contractual obligations with initial terms exceeding one year as of June 30, 2009.
                                         
    Payments Due by Period (in 000’s)  
            Less than                     More than  
    Total     1 Year     1-3 Years     3-5 Years     5 Years  
Operating lease obligations
  $ 1,355     $ 585     $ 739     $ 31     $  
 
                             
     Some of the Company’s operating leases contain predetermined fixed increases of the minimum rental rate during the initial lease term. For these leases, the Company recognizes the related expense on a straight-line basis and records the difference between the amount charged to expense and the rent paid as deferred rent. Rental expense under the Company’s operating leases with initial terms exceeding one year was $429,000 and $388,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
     As of June 30, 2009, the Company recognized unused letters of credit totaling $3,580,000. The Company’s letters of credit principally back obligations associated with the Company’s self-insured retention on workers’ compensation claims.
8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
     The Company has evaluated events subsequent to the balance sheet date (June 30, 2009) through the issue date of this Form 10-Q (August 7, 2009) and concluded that no subsequent events have occurred that require recognition in the Financial Statements or disclosure in the Notes to the Financial Statements.
9. NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
     The Company accounts for earnings per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128 (“SFAS 128”), “Earnings per Share.” Basic net income per share is computed by dividing the net income for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing the net income for the period by the weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding during the period.

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The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share:
                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
    2009   2008   2009   2008
NUMERATOR:
                               
Net income and numerator for basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share-income available to common shareholders
  $ (1,626,000 )   $ 9,707,000     $ 12,278,000     $ 25,703,000  
 
                       
DENOMINATOR:
                               
Denominator for basic net income (loss) per common share-weighted average common shares
    7,810,592       7,668,651       7,802,186       7,665,253  
Effect of dilutive securities-employee stock options and restricted stock grants
          64,425       37,138       61,952  
 
                       
Denominator for diluted net income (loss) per common share-adjusted weighted average common shares and assumed conversions
    7,810,592       7,733,076       7,839,324       7,727,205  
 
                       
Net income (loss) per common share
  $ (0.21 )   $ 1.27     $ 1.57     $ 3.35  
 
                       
Net income (loss) per common share-assuming dilution
  $ (0.21 )   $ 1.26     $ 1.57     $ 3.33  
 
                       
ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
     The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q.
Forward Looking Statements
     Statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Form 10-Q that relate to forecasts, estimates or other expectations regarding future events, including without limitation, statements under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” regarding technological advancements and our financial position, business strategy and plans and objectives of our management for future operations, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. When used in this Form 10-Q, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of our management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including but not limited to the volatility of oil and natural gas prices, disruptions in the global economy, dependence upon energy industry spending, limited number of customers, credit risk related to our customers, cancellations of service contracts, high fixed cost of operations, weather interruptions, inability to obtain land access rights of way, industry competition, managing growth, the availability of capital resources and operational disruptions. A discussion of these factors, including risks and uncertainties, is set forth under “Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008 and in our other reports filed from time to time with the SEC. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategies and liquidity. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. We assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.
Overview
     We are the leading provider of onshore seismic data acquisition services in the lower 48 states of the United States as measured by the number of active data acquisition crews. Substantially all of our revenues are derived from the seismic data acquisition services we provide to our clients, mainly domestic oil and natural gas companies. Demand for our services depends upon the level of spending by these companies for exploration, production, development and field management activities, which depends, in part, on oil and natural gas prices. Significant fluctuations in domestic oil and natural gas exploration activities and commodity prices have affected the demand for our services and our results of operations in years past and such fluctuations continue today to be the single most

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important factor affecting our business and results of operations. In the past few years, substantially all of our clients have been focused on the exploration for and production of natural gas. However, in recent months an increasing number of our clients have been focused on oil exploration due to strong oil prices.
     Our return to profitability in fiscal 2004 after several years of losses was directly related to an increase in the level of exploration for domestic oil and natural gas reserves by the petroleum industry since 2003. The increased level of exploration was a function of higher prices for oil and natural gas. As a result of the increase in domestic exploration spending, we experienced an increased demand for our seismic data acquisition and processing services during this period, particularly from entities seeking natural gas reserves. Since August 2008, the price of oil and natural gas has declined significantly due to reduced demand from the global economic slowdown. As a result of declining oil and natural gas prices, the majority of our clients have reduced their exploration and development activities and with it their capital expenditures. All of these factors have had and continue to have a negative impact on demand for our services and our industry in general, particularly on demand from those clients seeking natural gas. Since the beginning of our 2009 fiscal year, several large projects have been delayed or reduced in size and a number of projects have been cancelled. These demand reductions began to affect data acquisition crew scheduling and utilization in the second fiscal quarter. As a result, we reduced our crew count by four crews during the second fiscal quarter and an additional two crews in the third fiscal quarter. As a result of these crew reductions, we anticipate that we will operate ten crews through the end of fiscal 2009.
     Due to the reductions in the number of active data acquisition crews and lower utilization rates, we have experienced a reduction in operating revenues and operating costs since the beginning of calendar 2009, and we anticipate that such reductions will continue to the end of calendar 2009, and possibly beyond, depending on future market prices for oil and natural gas and the level of domestic exploration spending. The markets for oil and natural gas have been very volatile and are likely to continue to be volatile in the future, and we can make no assurances as to future levels of domestic exploration, commodity prices, or demand for our services. A significant sustained drop in oil prices and a continued weakness in natural gas prices or the inability of our clients to secure funding for new exploration projects would have a further negative impact on demand for our services. Because a majority of our current clients are focused on the exploration for and production of natural gas, continued weakness in the price of natural gas in particular has had and may continue to have a negative effect on the demand for our services. However, in recent months we have experienced an increase in demand for our services in several oil producing basins and approximately 30% of our active crews are working in oil producing regions.
     In light of current market difficulties, we are focusing our efforts on reducing costs, limiting capital expenditures to necessary maintenance requirements and maintaining our financial strength. Equipment and key personnel from crews taken out of service will be redeployed on remaining crews as needed or otherwise remain available for rapid expansion of crew count as demand and market conditions dictate in the future. While our revenues are mainly affected by the level of client demand for our services, our revenues are also affected by the pricing for our services that we negotiate with our clients and the productivity of our data acquisition crews, including factors such as crew downtime related to inclement weather, delays in acquiring land access permits or equipment failure. Consequently, our efforts to negotiate favorable contract terms in our supplemental service agreements, to mitigate access permit delays and to improve overall crew productivity may partially offset the impact of anticipated revenue reductions. Although our clients may cancel their service contracts on short notice, our current order book reflects commitment levels sufficient to maintain operation of our ten data acquisition crews through the end of fiscal 2009.
Results of Operations
     Operating Revenues. Our operating revenues for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 decreased 18% to $197,160,000 from $240,530,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 2008. For the three months ended June 30, 2009, operating revenues totaled $52,319,000 as compared to $84,568,000 for the same period of fiscal 2008, a 38% decrease. The decrease in revenues during the third quarter of fiscal 2009 was primarily the result of a reduction in active crew count during the second quarter of fiscal 2009 (four crews) and the third quarter of fiscal 2009 (two crews), a more competitive pricing environment and substantially lower utilization rates for remaining crews. Revenues in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 continued to include relatively high third-party charges related to the use of helicopter support services, specialized survey technologies and dynamite energy sources. The sustained level of these charges is driven by our continued operations in areas with limited access in the Appalachian Basin, Arkansas and Louisiana. We are reimbursed for these expenses by our clients.
     Operating Costs. Operating expenses for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 totaled $151,126,000 as compared to $176,111,000 for the same period of fiscal 2008, a decrease of 14%. Operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2009 decreased 23% to $46,374,000 as compared to $60,457,000 for the same period of fiscal 2008. These decreases are primarily due to reductions in field personnel and other expenses of operating the six data acquisition crews taken out of service during the second and third quarters of fiscal 2009. As discussed above, reimbursed expenses have a similar impact on operating costs.

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     General and administrative expenses were 3% of revenues in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 as compared to 2% of revenues in the same period of 2008. For the quarter ended June 30, 2009, general and administrative expenses were approximately 3% of revenues as compared to 2% for the comparable quarter of fiscal 2008. The increase of general and administrative expenses in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 reflects management’s decision to increase our allowance for doubtful accounts. We increased the allowance for doubtful accounts based on management’s review of our current past due accounts and client base. During the second quarter, we were made aware that two former clients and one current client with an accounts receivable balance of approximately $1.0 million had filed for reorganization under bankruptcy protection. These facts significantly influenced management’s decision to increase our allowance for doubtful accounts during the second quarter. The increase in the allowance for doubtful accounts was partially offset by a release of reserves of approximately $450,000 as a result of a partial payment in connection with the settlement of a previously disputed invoice. During the third quarter of fiscal 2009, management performed an additional review of our current past due accounts. As a result of such review, management made only a nominal adjustment to our allowance for doubtful accounts.
     Depreciation for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 totaled $19,651,000 compared to $17,722,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2008. We recognized $6,521,000 of depreciation expense in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to $6,317,000 in the comparable quarter of fiscal 2008. The increase in depreciation expense during the fiscal 2009 nine month period is the result of the significant capital expenditures we made during fiscal 2008. Due to market conditions, capital expenditures in fiscal 2009 have been limited to necessary maintenance capital requirements. As a result of these decreases in capital expenditures, depreciation expense is expected to remain relatively unchanged in the final quarter of this fiscal year.
     Our total operating costs for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 were $177,101,000, a decrease of 11% from the first nine months of fiscal 2008. For the quarter ended June 30, 2009, our operating expenses were $54,656,000, representing a 20% decrease from the comparable quarter of fiscal 2008. These decreases in the first nine months and for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 were primarily due to the factors described above.
     Taxes. We provide for income taxes during interim periods based on our estimate of the effective tax rate for the year. Discrete items and changes in our estimate of the annual effective tax rate are recorded in the period in which they occur. We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as part of income tax expense.
     Income tax expense was $8,292,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 and $15,854,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2008. The effective tax rate for the income tax provision for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 was approximately 40% and 38%, respectively. The increase in effective tax rate between periods was primarily due to changes in tax rates as a result of the varying states in which we operate from year to year.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
     Introduction. Our principal sources of cash are amounts earned from the seismic data acquisition services we provide to our clients. Our principal uses of cash are the amounts used to provide these services, including expenses related to our operations and acquiring new equipment. Accordingly, our cash position depends (as do our revenues) on the level of demand for our services. Historically, cash generated from our operations along with cash reserves and short-term borrowings from commercial banks have been sufficient to fund our working capital requirements, and to some extent, our capital expenditures.
     Cash Flows. Net cash provided by operating activities was $42,508,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 and $30,605,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 2008. These amounts primarily reflect our revenues and the effects of depreciation resulting from our significant capital expenditures over the last few years, while the working capital components in fiscal 2009 include a decrease in accounts receivable. The decrease in accounts receivable primarily reflects the decrease in our revenues, as the number of days in receivables has not significantly changed over the last twelve months.
     Net cash used in investing activities was $21,310,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 and $47,796,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2008. In fiscal 2008, the net cash used in investing activities primarily represents capital expenditures made with cash generated from operations. Due to market conditions, our capital expenditures in fiscal 2009 have been limited to necessary maintenance capital requirements rather than investing in additional equipment as in the past few years. In fiscal 2009, cash generated from operations in excess of capital expenditures was used in the acquisition of short-term investments during the quarter ended June 30, 2009. Our short-term investments consist of four U.S. Treasury instruments of approximately $5,000,000 each, with maturity dates ranging from December 2009 to September 2010. In fiscal 2009, we collected proceeds from an insurance claim on our equipment

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burned in a March 2008 wildfire. See Note 7 to our Notes to Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information regarding the wildfire.
     Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended June 30, 2008 was $15,150,000 and reflects proceeds from the exercise of stock options, the excess tax benefits from disqualifying dispositions and $15,000,000 of proceeds drawn during the period on our line of credit. For the nine months ended June 30, 2009, net cash provided by financing activities again reflects proceeds from the exercise of stock options and the excess tax benefits from disqualifying dispositions. We paid the balance of our revolving line of credit at September 30, 2008 and did not have any additional borrowings during the nine months ended June 30, 2009.
     Capital Expenditures. Capital expenditures during the first nine months of fiscal 2009 were $4,318,000. During the first quarter of fiscal 2009, we purchased an ARAM ARIES II recording system equipped with channels from existing crews and replacement vehicles. The ARAM ARIES II system replaced an I/O MRX II recording system on an existing crew. We maintained the operation of the I/O MRX II system on a small 2-D crew during the second quarter of fiscal 2009.
     Our Board of Directors previously approved a fiscal 2009 capital budget of $20,000,000. However, due to current market conditions, we have limited, and plan to continue to limit, our capital expenditures to necessary maintenance capital requirements rather than investing in additional equipment as in the past few years.
     We continually strive to supply our clients with technologically advanced 3-D seismic data acquisition recording systems and data processing capabilities. We maintain equipment in and out of service in anticipation of increased future demand for our services.
     Capital Resources. Historically, we have primarily relied on cash generated from operations, cash reserves and short-term borrowings from commercial banks to fund our working capital requirements and, to some extent, our capital expenditures. We have also funded our capital expenditures and other financing needs from time to time through public equity offerings.
     Our revolving line of credit loan agreement is with Western National Bank. On June 2, 2009, we renewed the existing agreement for a two-year term on substantially the same terms as the previous facility. In addition, based on our assessment of our current needs, we reduced the size of the facility to $20.0 million from $40.0 million. The agreement permits us to borrow, repay and reborrow, from time to time until June 2, 2011, up to $20.0 million based on the borrowing base calculation as defined in the agreement. Our obligations under this agreement are secured by a security interest in our accounts receivable, equipment and related collateral. Interest on the facility accrues at an annual rate equal to either the 30-day London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), plus two and one-quarter percent or the Prime Rate, minus three-quarters percent as we direct monthly, subject to an interest rate floor of 4%. Interest on the outstanding amount under the loan agreement is payable monthly. The loan agreement contains customary covenants for credit facilities of this type, including limitations on disposition of assets, mergers and reorganizations. We are also obligated to meet certain financial covenants under the loan agreement, including maintaining specified ratios with respect to cash flow coverage, current assets and liabilities and debt to tangible net worth. We were in compliance with all covenants as of June 30, 2009 and August 7, 2009. We have not utilized the line of credit loan agreement since we paid off the entire outstanding balance of $20.0 million as of September 30, 2008.
     On March 31, 2009, we filed a shelf registration statement with the SEC covering the periodic offer and sale of up to $100.0 million in debt securities, preferred and common stock and warrants. The registration statement allows us to sell securities in one or more separate offerings with the size, price and terms to be determined at the time of sale. The terms of any securities offered would be described in a related prospectus to be filed separately with the SEC at the time of the offering. The filing of the shelf registration statement will enable us to act quickly as opportunities arise.
     The following table summarizes payments due in specific periods related to our contractual obligations with initial terms exceeding one year as of June 30, 2009.
                                         
    Payments Due by Period (in 000’s)  
            Within                     After  
    Total     1 Year     1-3 Years     3-5 Years     5 Years  
Operating lease obligations
  $ 1,355     $ 585     $ 739     $ 31     $  
 
                             
     We believe that our capital resources and cash flow from operations are adequate to meet our current operational needs. We believe we will be able to finance our fiscal 2009 capital requirements through cash flow from operations and, if necessary, through

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borrowings under our revolving line of credit. However, our ability to satisfy our working capital requirements and to fund future capital requirements will depend principally upon our future operating performance, which is subject to the risks inherent in our business including the demand for our seismic services from clients.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
     We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.
Critical Accounting Policies
     The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires us to make certain assumptions and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Because of the use of assumptions and estimates inherent in the reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates.
     Concentrations of Credit Risk. Financial instruments which potentially expose us to concentrations of credit risk, as defined by SFAS No. 105 (“SFAS 105”), “Disclosure of Information About Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk and Financial Instruments with Concentrations of Credit Risk,” at any given time may consist of cash and cash equivalents, money market funds and overnight investment accounts, short-term investments and trade accounts receivable. At June 30, 2009 and 2008, we had deposits in domestic banks in excess of federally insured limits. We believe the credit risk associated with these deposits is minimal. Money market funds seek to preserve the value of the investment, but it is possible to lose money investing in these funds. We invest funds overnight under a repurchase agreement with our bank which is collateralized by securities of the United States Federal agencies. We invest primarily in short-term U.S. Treasury Securities which we believe are a low risk investment. Our sales are to clients whose activities relate to oil and natural gas exploration and production. We generally extend unsecured credit to these clients; therefore, collection of receivables may be affected by the economic conditions of the oil and natural gas industry. We closely monitor extensions of credit and may negotiate payment terms that mitigate risk.
     Revenue Recognition. Our services are provided under cancelable service contracts. These contracts are either “turnkey” or “term” agreements. Under both types of agreements, we recognize revenues when revenue is realizable and services are performed. Services are defined as the commencement of data acquisition or processing operations. Revenues are considered realizable when earned according to the terms of the service contracts. Under turnkey agreements, revenue is recognized on a per unit of data acquired rate, as services are performed. Under term agreements, revenue is recognized on a per unit of time worked rate, as services are performed. In the case of a cancelled service contract, we recognize revenue and bill our client for services performed up to the date of cancellation.
     We also receive reimbursements for certain out-of-pocket expenses under the terms of our service contracts. We record amounts billed to clients in revenue at the gross amount, including out-of-pocket expenses that are reimbursed by the client.
     In some instances, we bill clients in advance of the services performed. In those cases, we recognize the liability as deferred revenue.
     Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. We prepare our allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based on our review of past-due accounts, our past experience of historical write-offs and our current customer base. While the collectibility of outstanding client invoices is continually assessed, the inherent volatility of the energy industry’s business cycle can cause swift and unpredictable changes in the financial stability of our customers.

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     Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. We review long-lived assets for impairment when triggering events occur suggesting deterioration in the assets’ recoverability or fair value. Recognition of an impairment charge is required if future expected net cash flows are insufficient to recover the carrying value of the assets and fair value of the assets is below the carrying value of the assets. Our forecast of future cash flows used to perform impairment analysis includes estimates of future revenues and expenses based on our anticipated future results while considering anticipated future oil and natural gas prices which is fundamental in assessing demand for our services. If the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the estimated expected undiscounted future cash flows, we measure the amount of possible impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the assets to their fair value.
     Depreciable Lives of Property, Plant and Equipment. Our property, plant and equipment are capitalized at historical cost and depreciated over the useful life of the asset. Our estimation of this useful life is based on circumstances that exist in the seismic industry and information available at the time of the purchase of the asset. As circumstances change and new information becomes available, these estimates could change. We amortize these capitalized items using the straight-line method.
     Tax Accounting. We account for our income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109 (“SFAS 109”), “Accounting for Income Taxes,” which requires the recognition of amounts of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and an asset and liability approach in recognizing the amount of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. We determine deferred taxes by identifying the types and amounts of existing temporary differences, measuring the total deferred tax asset or liability using the applicable tax rate and reducing the deferred tax asset by a valuation allowance if, based on available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Our methodology for recording income taxes requires judgment regarding assumptions and the use of estimates, including determining our annual effective tax rate and the valuation of deferred tax assets, which can create a variance between actual results and estimates and could have a material impact on our provision or benefit for income taxes.
     Stock-Based Compensation. We account for stock-based compensation awards in accordance with SFAS No. 123 (R) (“SFAS 123(R)”), “Share-Based Payment.” We measure all employee stock-based compensation awards using the fair value method and recognize compensation cost in our financial statements. We record compensation expense as operating or general and administrative expense as appropriate in the Statements of Operations on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
     In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157 (“SFAS 157”), “Fair Value Measurements.” SFAS 157 clarifies that fair value is the amount that would be exchanged to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Further, the standard establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands certain disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 became effective for all financial assets and financial liabilities as of October 1, 2008, and upon adoption, SFAS 157 did not have a material impact on our financial statements. In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position 157-2 (“FSP 157-2”), “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157,” which delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). We do not expect the adoption of SFAS 157-2 to have a material impact on our financial statements.
     In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159 (“SFAS 159”), “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” SFAS 159 provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value. As of June 30, 2009, we have not elected the fair value option for any additional financial assets and liabilities beyond those already prescribed by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
     In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 (“FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1”), “Interim Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments.” FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 requires fair value disclosures in both interim and annual financial statements in order to provide more timely information about the effects of current market conditions on financial instruments. FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 became effective for us as of June 15, 2009. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
     In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165 (“SFAS 165”), “Subsequent Events,” which establishes general standards of accounting for, and requires disclosure of, events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. We adopted the provisions of SFAS 165 for the quarter ended June 30, 2009. The adoption of SFAS 165 did not have a material impact on our financial statements. We have evaluated events subsequent to our balance sheet date (June 30, 2009) through the issue date of this Form 10-Q (August 7, 2009) and concluded that no subsequent events have occurred that require recognition in the Financial Statements or disclosure in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

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     In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 168 (“SFAS 168”), “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles — a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162.” SFAS 168 provides for the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”) to become the single official source of authoritative, nongovernmental U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Codification did not change GAAP but reorganizes the literature. SFAS 168 is effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS 168 to have an impact on our financial statements.
ITEM 3.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
     Our primary sources of market risk include fluctuations in commodity prices which affect demand for and pricing of our services as well as interest rate fluctuations. At June 30, 2009, we had no long-term indebtedness. Short-term investments held at June 30, 2009 consist of two U.S. Treasury bills and two U.S. Treasury notes of approximately $5,000,000 each for a total cost of $20,192,000, with contractual maturities ranging from December 2009 to September 2010. Our short-term investments are classified for accounting purposes as available-for-sale. We have not entered into any hedge arrangements, commodity swap agreements, commodity futures, options or other derivative financial instruments. We do not currently conduct business internationally, so we are not generally subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk.
ITEM 4.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
     Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based upon that evaluation, our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Executive Vice President, Secretary and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of June 30, 2009, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective, in all material respects, with regard to the recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, for information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act. Our disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Executive Vice President, Secretary and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
     Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There have not been any changes in our internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during the quarter ended June 30, 2009 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
     From time to time, we are a party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Although we cannot predict the outcomes of any such legal proceedings, our management believes that the resolution of pending legal actions will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
     During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, one of our clients filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. As of March 31, 2009, this client had an accounts receivable balance with the Company of approximately $1.0 million. As of June 30, 2009 no additional activity has occurred.
ITEM 1A.   RISK FACTORS
     In addition to the other information set forth in this Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, which could materially affect our financial condition or results of operations. There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in our 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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ITEM 6.   EXHIBITS
     The information required by this Item 6 is set forth in the Index to Exhibits accompanying this Form 10-Q and is hereby incorporated by reference.

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SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
         
  DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
 
 
DATE: August 7, 2009  By:   /s/ Stephen C. Jumper    
    Stephen C. Jumper   
    President and Chief Executive Officer   
 
     
DATE: August 7, 2009  By:   /s/ Christina W. Hagan    
    Christina W. Hagan   
    Executive Vice President, Secretary and Chief Financial Officer   
 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
     
Number   Exhibit
 
   
3.1
  Second Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended (filed on February 9, 2007 as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2006 (File No. 000-10144) and incorporated herein by reference and filed on November 28, 2007 as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-10144) and incorporated herein by reference).
 
   
3.1A
  Statement of Resolution Establishing Series of Shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Company (filed on July 9, 2009 as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-10144) and incorporated herein by reference).
 
   
3.2
  Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (filed on August 7, 2007 as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 (File No. 000-10144) and incorporated herein by reference).
 
   
4.1
  Rights Agreement effective as of July 23, 2009 between the Company and Mellon Investor Services LLC , as Rights Agent, which includes as Exhibit A the form of Statement of Resolution Establishing Series of Shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock setting forth the terms of the Preferred Stock, as Exhibit B the form of Rights Certificate and as Exhibit C the Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Stock (filed on July 9, 2009 as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-10144) and incorporated herein by reference). Pursuant to the Rights Agreement, Rights Certificates will not be mailed until after the Distribution Date (as defined in the Rights Agreement).
 
   
10.1
  Revolving Line of Credit Loan Agreement, dated June 2, 2009, between the Company and Western National Bank (filed on June 5, 2009 as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-10144) and incorporated herein by reference).
 
   
10.2
  Security Agreement, dated June 2, 2009, between the Company and Western National Bank (filed on June 5, 2009 as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-10144) and incorporated herein by reference).
 
   
31.1*
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
   
31.2*
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
   
32.1*
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
 
   
32.2*
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
 
*   Filed herewith.

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