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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 10-K
 
     
þ
  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2006
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. 0-10144
 
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
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
 
Title of Each Class
Common Stock, $.331/3 par value
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes o     No þ
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o     No þ
 
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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  þ
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).
 
Large Accelerated Filer o     Accelerated Filer þ     Non-Accelerated Filer 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
 
As of March 31, 2006, the aggregate market value of Dawson Geophysical Company common stock, par value $0.331/3 per share, held by non-affiliates (based upon the closing transaction price on Nasdaq) was approximately $192,095,255.
 
On November 24, 2006, there were 7,550,244 shares of Dawson Geophysical Company Common stock, $0.331/3 par value, outstanding.
 
As used in this report, the terms “we,” “our,” “us,” “Dawson” and the “Company” refer to Dawson Geophysical Company unless the context indicates otherwise.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
Portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for its 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on January 23, 2007, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 


 

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                 
        Page
 
  Business   2
  Risk Factors   7
  Unresolved Staff Comments   10
  Properties   10
  Legal Proceedings   10
  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders   10
 
  Market for Our Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters   10
  Selected Financial Data   11
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   11
  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk   17
  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data   17
  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure   17
  Controls and Procedures   18
  Other Information   18
 
  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant   18
  Executive Compensation   18
  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management   19
  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions   19
  Principal Accounting Fees and Services   19
 
  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K   19
  20
  F-1
   
 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 Certification of CEO Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
 Certification of CFO Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
 Certification of CEO Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b)
 Certification of CFO Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b)


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DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
 
FORM 10-K
For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2006
 
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Form 10-K, including without limitation statements under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business” regarding technological advancements and our financial position, business strategy and plans and objectives of our management for future operations, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). When used in this Form 10-K, 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 dependence upon energy industry spending, the volatility of oil and gas prices, weather interruptions, managing growth, inability to obtain land access rights of way, and the availability of capital resources. See “Risk Factors” for more information on these and other factors. 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.
 
Part I
 
Item 1.   BUSINESS
 
General
 
Dawson Geophysical Company is the leading provider of onshore seismic data acquisition services in the lower 48 United States as measured by the number of active data acquisition crews. Founded in 1952, we acquire and process 2-D, 3-D, and multi-component seismic data for our clients, ranging from major oil and gas companies to independent oil and gas operators, as well as, providers of multi-client data libraries. Our clients rely on seismic data to identify areas where subsurface conditions are favorable for the accumulation of hydrocarbons and to optimize the development and production of hydrocarbon reservoirs. During fiscal 2006, substantially all of our revenues were derived from 3-D seismic data acquisition operations.
 
As of September 30, 2006, we operated twelve 3-D seismic data acquisition crews in the lower 48 states of the United States and a seismic data processing center. We market and supplement our services from our headquarters in Midland, Texas and from additional offices in Houston, Denver and Oklahoma City. Our geophysicists perform data processing in our Midland and Houston offices and our field operations are supported from our field office facility in Midland. The results of a seismic survey conducted for a client belong to that client. To avoid potential conflicts of interest with our clients, we do not acquire seismic data for our own account nor do we participate in oil and gas ventures.
 
Since 2003, higher commodity prices have led to a significant increase in the level of spending for domestic exploration and development of oil and natural gas reserves. This resulted in greater demand for newly-acquired seismic data by many oil and gas companies. These factors and changes in the competitive landscape in our market in 2003 enabled us to expand our data acquisition and processing capacity by adding new personnel with technical and operational expertise to our existing highly skilled workforce. We believe these additions fortified our position as the leading provider of onshore seismic data acquisition services in the United States and resulted in increased market share in terms of the number of active crews operating. We accelerated this expansion during fiscal 2004 with the addition of three data acquisition crews, increased recording capacity company-wide and improvements to our data processing center. We continued this growth in 2005 with the addition of two seismic data acquisition


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crews, as well as, increased channel count. We added our twelfth data acquisition crew in June, 2006 and we provisionally fielded a thirteenth crew in October 2006. These expansions were in response to continued demand for our high-resolution 3-D seismic services as well as our clients’ recognition of our technical and operational expertise despite recent fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices.
 
Business Strategy
 
Our strategy is to maintain our leadership position in the U.S. onshore market. Key elements of our strategy include:
 
  •  Attracting and retaining skilled and experienced personnel for our data acquisition and processing operations;
 
  •  Providing integrated in-house services necessary in each phase of seismic data acquisition and processing, including project design, land access permitting, surveying and related support functions as well as continuing the enhancement of our in-house health, safety and environmental program;
 
  •  Maintaining the focus of our operations solely on the domestic onshore seismic market;
 
  •  Continuing to operate with conservative financial discipline;
 
  •  Updating our capabilities to incorporate advances in geophysical and supporting technologies; and
 
  •  Acquiring equipment to expand the recording channel capacity on each of our existing crews and equipping additional crews as customer demand dictates.
 
Business Description
 
Geophysical Services Overview.  Our business consists of the acquisition and processing of seismic data to produce an image of the earth’s subsurface. The seismic method involves the recording of reflected acoustic or sonic waves from below the ground. In our operations, we introduce acoustic energy into the ground by using an acoustic energy source, usually large vibrating machines or occasionally through the detonation of dynamite. We then record the subsequent reflected energy, or echoes, with recording devices placed along the earth’s surface. These recording devices, or geophones, are placed on the ground in groups of six or more and connected together as a single recording channel. We generally use multiple recording channels in our seismic surveys. Additional recording channels enhance the clarity of the seismic survey much in the same way as additional pixels add resolution to televisions and computer monitors.
 
We are able to collect seismic data using either 2-D or 3-D methods. The 2-D method involves the collection of seismic data in a linear fashion thus generating a single plane of subsurface seismic data. Recent technological advances in seismic equipment and computing allow us to economically acquire and process data by placing large numbers of energy sources and recording channels over a broad area. The industry refers to the technique of broad distribution of energy sources and recording channels as the 3-D seismic method. The 3-D method produces an immense volume of seismic data which produces more precise images of the earth’s subsurface. Geophysicists use computers to interpret 3-D seismic data volumes, generate geologic models of the earth’s subsurface, and identify subsurface anomalies which are favorable for the accumulation of hydrocarbons.
 
3-D seismic data are used in the exploration for new reserves and enable oil and gas companies to better delineate existing fields and to augment their reservoir management techniques. Benefits of incorporating high resolution 3-D seismic surveys into exploration and development programs include reducing drilling risk, decreasing oil and gas finding costs and increasing the efficiencies of reservoir location, delineation and management. In order to meet the requirements necessary to fully realize the benefits of 3-D seismic data, there is an increasing demand for improved data quality with greater subsurface resolution. We are prepared to meet such demands with the implementation of improved techniques and evolving technology. One such technique is better survey design integrating a greater number of recording channels, more dense energy source distribution and improved seismic data processing technologies. Our geophysicists perform these design tasks.


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We continue to pursue the use of multi-component seismic technologies, which utilize shear wave seismic data. Shear waves vary from the acoustic wave generally used in seismic surveys in the manner in which they travel through the earth. The use of shear waves in seismic surveys is relatively new in our industry, and it is believed that the analysis of shear wave data may allow for a more detailed model of the earth’s subsurface. Shear wave seismic data are acquired using both 2-D and 3-D methods. We have been involved in several shear wave projects. Our equipment includes energy sources and geophones capable of generating and recording shear waves. During fiscal 2006 we completed the data acquisition phase of a large 3-D multi-component project in West Texas utilizing both shear wave energy sources and geophones, our seventh and largest such project.
 
Data Acquisition.  The seismic survey begins at the time a client requests that we formulate a proposal to acquire seismic data on its behalf. Geophysicists then assist the client in designing the specifications of the proposed 3-D survey. If the client accepts our proposal, permit agents then obtain access rights of way from surface and mineral estate owners or lessees where the survey is to be conducted.
 
Utilizing electronic surveying equipment, survey personnel precisely locate the energy source and receiver positions from which the seismic data are collected. We primarily use vibrator energy sources which are mounted on vehicles, the majority of which weighs 62,000 pounds each, to generate seismic energy, but occasionally we detonate dynamite charges placed in drill holes below the earth’s surface. We use third party contractors for the drilling of holes and the purchasing, handling and disposition of dynamite charges.
 
We began fiscal 2004 with an operating capacity of six land-based seismic data acquisition crews with an aggregate recording channel count of approximately 25,000 and 52 vibrator energy source units. During fiscal 2004, we added three seismic data acquisition crews with an increase in channel count to approximately 38,000 channels and 70 vibrator energy source units. At fiscal year end 2005, we operated eleven crews, 75 vibrator energy source units, and had capacity in excess of 58,000 recording channels. As a result of our continued expansion, as of September 30, 2006, we operated twelve crews, 95 vibrator energy source units, and had capacity in excess of 70,000 recording channels, any of which may be configured to meet the demands of specific survey designs. We provisionally fielded a thirteenth crew in October, 2006. We intend to deploy this crew from time to time as demand and opportunity arise. Each crew consists of approximately 40 to 80 technicians, 25 vehicles with off-road capabilities, 60,000 geophones, a seismic recording system, energy sources, electronic cables and a variety of other equipment.
 
At fiscal year end 2005 we operated eleven Input/Output System Two® recording systems, six with radio capability and five cable-based systems. During fiscal 2006, we added our twelfth data acquisition crew equipped with a 5000 channel Aram ARIES cable based recording system. In September 2006, we added an additional 5000 channel Aram ARIES recording system which replaced an Input/Output System Two on an existing crew. All of our recording systems utilize similar type geophones and record equivalent seismic information but vary in the manner by which seismic data are transferred to the central recording unit.
 
As of September 30, 2006, we operated twelve seismic data acquisition crews. In October 2006, we provisionally fielded a thirteenth crew equipped with an existing Input/Output System Two cable based system. Of the thirteen crews in operation, six are equipped with Input/Output System Two RSR radio based recording systems, four with Input/Output System Two cable based recording systems, two with Aram ARIES cable based recording systems, and one WesternGeco (subsidiary of Schlumberger) Q-Land recording system under an agreement described below.
 
During fiscal 2006, we entered into an agreement with WesternGeco, a subsidiary of Schlumberger, to provide Q-Land seismic data acquisition services in the Lower 48 United States. The Q-Land system is a unique integrated acquisition and processing system that is producing superior imaging results throughout the Middle East and North Africa. The Q-Land system uses 30,000 channels of finely spaced point-receivers to correctly sample both signal and noise. By removing noise, the resolution of the subsurface is dramatically increased. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company will provide crew personnel, energy source units, necessary vehicles, land access permitting and surveying. WesternGeco will provide survey design, the seismic recording system with operators, and all Q-Land data processing services. Both companies will share marketing services. The Company deployed the Q-Land recording system on an existing crew and is currently conducting operations in West Texas on a multi-client


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data library program for WesternGeco. The Company will continue to deploy the Q-Land system on an existing crew or additional crews as demand for the technology dictates.
 
Client demand for more recording channels continues to increase as the industry strives for improved data quality with greater subsurface resolution. We believe our ability to deploy a large number of recording channels provides us with the competitive advantages of operational versatility and increased productivity, in addition to improved data quality. All of our crews are capable of recording in excess of 3,000 channels with the majority in excess of 5,000 channels.
 
Data Processing.  We currently operate a computer center located in Midland, Texas and provide additional processing services through our Houston office. Such data processing primarily involves the enhancement of seismic data by improving reflected signal resolution, removing ambient noise and establishing proper spatial relationships of geological features. The data are then formatted in such a manner that computer graphic technology may be employed for examination and interpretation of the data by the user.
 
We continue to improve data processing efficiency and accuracy with the addition of improved processing software and high-speed computer technology. We purchase, develop or lease, under non-exclusive licensing arrangements, seismic data processing software.
 
Our computer center processes seismic data collected by our crews, as well as by other geophysical contractors. In addition, we reprocess previously recorded seismic data using current technology to enhance the data quality. Our processing contracts may be awarded jointly with, or independently from, data acquisition services. Data processing services comprise a small portion of our overall revenues.
 
Integrated Services.  We maintain integrated in-house operations necessary to the development and completion of seismic surveys. Our experienced personnel have the capability to conduct or supervise the seismic survey design, permitting, surveying, data acquisition and processing functions for each seismic program. In-house support operations include a health, safety and environmental program as well as facilities for automotive repair, automotive paint and body repair, electronics repair, electrical engineering and software development. In addition, we maintain a fleet of tractor trailers to transport our seismic acquisition equipment to our survey sites. We believe that maintaining these functions in-house contributes to better quality control and improved efficiency in our operations. Our clients generally undertake to provide their own interpretation of the seismic data provided by us.
 
Equipment Acquisition and Capital Expenditures
 
We monitor and evaluate advances in geophysical technology and commit capital funds to purchase equipment we deem most promising in order to maintain our competitive position. Purchasing new assets and continually upgrading capital assets requires a continuing commitment to capital spending. For fiscal year 2006, we made capital expenditures of $40,377,000, in part to complete the outfitting of our twelfth data acquisition crew fielded in June 2006 equipped with a 5,000 channel Aram ARIES recording system, to continue expansion of existing crews, to add energy source units, and to replace an Input/Output System II recording system on an existing crew with an Aram ARIES recording system in September of 2006. The Board of Directors approved an initial fiscal 2007 capital budget of $20,000,000, of which, $4,900,000 was used as part of the purchase of the second Aram ARIES recording system and captured as an increase to the fiscal 2006 capital budget due to earlier than anticipated delivery and deployment of the system. The balance of the fiscal 2007 capital budget will be used to add to the Company’s energy source fleet, make technical improvements in various phases of the Company’s operations, and meet maintenance capital requirements. These additions will allow the Company to maintain its competitive position as it responds to client desire for higher resolution subsurface images.
 
Clients
 
Our services are marketed by supervisory and executive personnel who contact clients to determine geophysical needs and respond to client inquiries regarding the availability of crews or processing schedules. These contacts are based principally upon professional relationships developed over a number of years.
 
Our clients range from major oil companies to small independent oil and gas operators and also include providers of multi-client data libraries. The services we provide to our clients vary according to the size and needs of


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each client. We believe that the loss of any one of our clients would not have a material impact on our business. During 2006, sales to our two largest clients represented 24% and 11% of our revenues, respectively. The remaining balance of our fiscal 2006 revenue was derived from varied clients and none represented 10% or more of our fiscal 2006 revenues. Although 24% of our fiscal 2006 revenues were derived from one client, our evaluation indicates that our relationship is well founded for continued contractual commitments for the foreseeable future in multiple producing basins across the lower 48 states. The client representing 11% of our fiscal 2006 revenues represented 15% of our fiscal 2005 revenues and acts as an agent for other entities that are the actual purchasers of our services. Sales to each of the actual purchasers represented less than 10% of our total revenues. Because of our relatively large client base, our largest clients have varied from year to year. Current demand for our services indicates that the loss of any single client would not have a long term negative effect on our business.
 
In order to avoid potential conflicts of interest with our clients, we do not acquire data for our own account or for future sale, maintain any multi-client data library or participate in oil and gas ventures. The results of a seismic survey conducted for a client belong to that client. It is also our policy that none of our officers, directors or employees participate in any oil and gas venture. All of our clients’ information is maintained in strictest confidence.
 
Contracts
 
Our data acquisition services are conducted under master service contracts with our clients. These master service contracts define certain obligations for us and for our clients. A supplemental agreement setting forth the terms of a specific project, which may be cancelled by either party on short notice, is entered into for every data acquisition project. The supplemental agreements are either “turnkey” agreements that provide for a fixed fee to be paid to us for each unit of data acquired, or “term” agreements that provide for a fixed hourly, daily or monthly fee during the term of the project or projects. Turnkey agreements generally provide us more profit potential, but involve more risks because of the potential of crew downtime or operational delays. We attempt to negotiate on a project by project basis, some level of weather downtime protection within the turnkey agreements. Under the term agreements, we forego an increased profit potential in exchange for a more consistent revenue stream with improved protection from crew downtime or operational delays.
 
We currently operate under both turnkey and term supplemental agreements.
 
Competition
 
The acquisition and processing of seismic data for the oil and gas industry is a highly competitive business in the United States. Contracts for such services generally are awarded on the basis of price quotations, crew experience and availability of crews to perform in a timely manner, although factors other than price, such as crew safety performance history, technological and operational expertise are often determinative. Our competitors include companies with financial resources that are significantly greater than our own as well as companies of comparable and smaller size. Our primary competitors are Veritas DGC, Petroleum Geo Services, Geokinetics, Global Geophysical Services, and Tidelands Geophysical.
 
Employees
 
As of October 20, 2006, we employed approximately 1023 persons, of which 932 were engaged in providing energy sources and acquiring data. With respect to the remainder of our employees, 12 are engaged in data processing, 19 are administrative personnel, 52 are engaged in equipment maintenance and transport and 8 are officers. Of the employees listed above, 9 are geophysicists. Our employees are not represented by a labor union. We believe we have good relations with our employees.
 
Available Information
 
All of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports, filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on or after May 9, 1995 are available free of charge through our internet website, www.dawson3d.com, as soon as reasonably practical after we have electronically filed such material with, or furnished it to, the SEC. Information


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contained on our internet website is not incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition, the SEC maintains an internet site containing reports, proxy and information statements, and other information filed electronically at www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy this information, for a copying fee, at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 to obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room.
 
Item 1A.   RISK FACTORS
 
An investment in our common stock is subject to a number of risks discussed below. You should carefully consider these discussions of risk and the other information included in this Form 10-K. If any of the following risks were actually to occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
 
If oil and gas prices or the level of capital expenditures by oil and gas companies were to decline, demand for our services would decline and our results of operations would be adversely affected.
 
Demand for our services depends upon the level of spending by oil and gas companies for exploration, production, development and field management activities, which activities depend in part on oil and gas prices. Significant fluctuations in oil and gas exploration activities and commodity prices have adversely affected the demand for our services and our results of operations in years past and would do so again if prices for oil and gas were to decline. Because a greater portion of our clients are in the business of exploring for and producing natural gas, a sustained significant decline in the price of natural gas could have a more adverse affect on demand for our services. In particular, we incurred losses in fiscal years 2000 through 2003 as a result of decreased demand for seismic services during these years due to the effects of lower oil and gas prices. While in recent years the price of oil and natural gas has been historically high and exploration activities have been strong, there can be no assurance that the current level of energy prices will be sustained or that exploration and development activities by our clients will continue to be strong. Any significant decline in oil and gas related spending on behalf of our clients could cause us to alter our capital spending plans and would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Additionally, increases in oil and gas prices may not increase demand for our products and services or otherwise have a positive effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
 
Factors affecting the price of oil and gas include:
 
  •  level of demand for oil and gas;
 
  •  worldwide political, military and economic conditions, including the ability of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to set and maintain production levels and prices for oil;
 
  •  level of oil and gas production;
 
  •  government policies regarding the exploration for, and production and development of, oil and gas reserves;
 
  •  level of taxation relating to the energy industry, including taxation of consumption of energy sources; and
 
  •  weather conditions.
 
The markets for oil and gas have historically been volatile and are likely to continue to be so in the future.
 
The high fixed costs of our operations could result in operating losses.
 
Our business has high fixed costs.  As a result, any significant downtime or low productivity caused by reduced demand, weather interruptions, equipment failures, permit delays or other causes could adversely affect our results of operations.
 
Our revenues are subject to fluctuations that are beyond our control which could adversely affect our results of operations in any financial period.
 
Our operating results vary in material respects from quarter to quarter and will continue to do so in the future. Factors that cause variations include the timing of the receipt and commencement of contracts for data acquisition,


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permit delays, weather delays and crew productivity. Combined with our high fixed costs, these revenue fluctuations could produce unexpected adverse results of operations in any fiscal period.
 
Our operations are subject to weather conditions which could adversely affect our results of operations.
 
Our seismic data acquisition operations could be adversely affected by inclement weather conditions. Delays associated with weather conditions could adversely affect our results of operations. See “Business — Contracts.”
 
Our operations are subject to delays related to obtaining land access rights of way from third parties which could affect our results of operations.
 
Our seismic data acquisition operations could be adversely affected by our inability to obtain timely right of way usage from both public and private land and/or mineral owners. Delays associated with obtaining such rights of way could negatively affect our results of operations.
 
We face intense competition in our business that could result in downward pricing pressure and the loss of market share.
 
The acquisition and processing of seismic data for the oil and gas industry is a highly competitive business in the United States. Some of our competitors have financial resources that are significantly greater than our own. Competition from these and other competitors could result in downward pricing pressure and the loss of market share. See “Business — Competition.”
 
If we do not manage our recent growth effectively our results of operations could be affected.
 
We have experienced substantial growth during the last three fiscal years, adding seven seismic data acquisition crews during this period. This growth has presented a challenge to our systems, processes, resources, personnel, management and other infrastructure and support mechanisms. If we do not manage these growth challenges effectively, our profitability and results of operations could be adversely affected, our management resources may be diverted and our future growth impeded.
 
We may be unable to attract and retain skilled and technically knowledgeable employees, which could adversely affect our business.
 
Our success depends upon attracting and retaining highly skilled professionals and other technical personnel. A number of our employees are highly skilled scientists and highly trained technicians, and our failure to continue to attract and retain such individuals could adversely affect our ability to compete in the seismic services industry. We may confront significant and potentially adverse competition for these skilled and technically knowledgeable personnel, particularly during periods of increased demand for seismic services. None of our employees are under employment contracts and we have no key man insurance.
 
Capital requirements for our operations are large. If we are unable to finance these requirements, our ability to continue our expansion and maintain our profitability could be affected.
 
Our sources of working capital are limited. We have historically funded our working capital requirements with cash generated from operations, cash reserves and short term borrowings from commercial banks. In the past, we have also funded our capital expenditures and other financing needs through public equity offerings. Our working capital requirements continue to increase, primarily due to the expansion of our infrastructure. If we were to expand our operations at a rate exceeding operating cash flow, or if current demand or pricing of geophysical services were to decrease substantially, additional financing could be required. If we were not able to obtain such financing when needed, our failure could have a negative impact on our ability to pursue our expansion and maintain our profitability. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources.”


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Technological change in our business creates risks of technological obsolescence and requirements for future capital expenditures. If we are unable to keep up with these technological advances, we may not be able to compete effectively.
 
Seismic data acquisition and data processing technologies historically have progressed rather rapidly and we expect this progression to continue. Our strategy is to regularly upgrade our data acquisition and processing equipment to maintain our competitive position. However, due to potential advances in technology and the related costs associated with such technological advances, we might not be able to fulfill this strategy, thus possibly affecting our ability to compete.
 
We operate under hazardous conditions that subject us to risk of damage to property or personal injuries and may interrupt our business.
 
Our business is subject to the general risks inherent in land-based seismic data acquisition activities. Our activities are often conducted in remote areas under extreme weather and other dangerous conditions. These operations are subject to risks of injury to personnel and equipment. Our crews are mobile, and equipment and personnel are subject to vehicular accidents. We use diesel fuel which is classified by the U.S. Department of Transportation as a hazardous material. These risks could cause us to experience equipment losses, injuries to our personnel and interruptions in our business.
 
In addition, we could be subject to personal injury or real property damage claims in the normal operation of our business. Such claims may not be covered under the indemnification provisions in our master service agreements to the extent that the damage was due to our negligence, gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
 
We do not carry insurance against certain risks that we could experience, including business interruption resulting from equipment losses or weather delays. We obtain insurance against certain property and personal casualty risks and other risks when such insurance is available and when our management considers it advisable to do so. Such coverage is not always available or applicable and, when available, is subject to unilateral cancellation by the insuring companies on very short notice.
 
Our industry is subject to governmental regulation which may adversely affect our future operations.
 
Our operations are subject to a variety of federal, state and local laws and regulations, including laws and regulations relating to protection of the environment and archeological sites. We are required to expend financial and managerial resources to comply with such laws and related permit requirements in our operations, and we anticipate that we will continue to be required to do so in the future. The fact that such laws or regulations change frequently makes it impossible for us to predict the cost or impact of such laws and regulations on our future operations. The adoption of laws and regulations that have the effect of reducing or curtailing exploration and production activities by energy companies could also adversely affect our operations by reducing the demand for our services.
 
Certain provisions of our charter and bylaws and our shareholder rights plan may make it difficult for a third party to acquire us, even in situations that may be viewed as desirable by shareholders.
 
Our articles of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that authorize the issuance of preferred stock and establish advance notice requirements for director nominations and actions to be taken at shareholder meetings. These provisions could discourage or impede a tender offer, proxy contest or other similar transaction involving control of us, even in situations that may be viewed as desirable by our shareholders. In addition, we have adopted a shareholder rights plan that would likely discourage a hostile attempt to acquire control of us.
 
Failure to maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could have a material adverse effect on our stock price.
 
If, in the future, we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, as such standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able to ensure that we can conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the


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Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Failure to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment could have a material adverse effect on the price of our common stock.
 
Item 1B.   UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
 
None.
 
Item 2.   PROPERTIES
 
Our principal facilities are summarized in the table below.
 
                 
    Owned or
      Building Area
Location
  Leased  
Purpose
  Square Feet
 
Midland, TX
  Leased   Executive offices and data processing     29,960  
Midland, TX
  Owned   Field office     58,472  
        Equipment fabrication        
        Maintenance and repairs        
 
We have operating leases in Houston, Denver and Oklahoma City for general office space. In November we executed an operating lease for general office purposes, maintenance and repairs in Lyon Township, Michigan.
 
Our operations are limited to one industry segment and the United States.
 
Item 3.   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.
 
Item 4.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
No matter has been submitted during the fourth quarter of the 2006 fiscal year to a vote of our security holders, through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise. However, please refer to our Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting to be held on January 23, 2007 (the “Proxy Statement”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, notifying security holders as to the election of Directors, adopting the Dawson Geophysical Company 2006 Stock and Performance Incentive Plan and selection of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm.
 
Part II
 
Item 5.   MARKET FOR OUR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
 
Our common stock trades on the Nasdaq Stock Market® under the symbol “DWSN.” The table below represents the high and low sales prices for the period shown.
 
                 
Quarter Ended
  High     Low  
 
December 31, 2004
  $ 27.66     $ 17.13  
March 31, 2005
  $ 25.62     $ 17.91  
June 30, 2005
  $ 25.40     $ 19.11  
September 30, 2005
  $ 32.99     $ 20.96  
December 31, 2005
  $ 32.44     $ 25.00  
March 31, 2006
  $ 34.74     $ 23.74  
June 30, 2006
  $ 39.06     $ 27.51  
September 30, 2006
  $ 32.85     $ 25.70  


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As of November 24, 2006, we had 183 common stockholders of record as reported by our transfer agent.
 
We have not paid cash dividends on our Common Stock since becoming a public company and have no plans to do so in the foreseeable future.
 
The following table summarizes certain information regarding securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans as of September 30, 2006.
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
                         
                Number of
 
                Securities Remaining
 
                Available for
 
    Number of
          Future Issuance
 
    Securities to
          Under Equity
 
    be Issued
          Compensation Plans
 
    Upon Exercise
    Weighted-Average Exercise
    (Excluding Securities
 
    of Outstanding
    Price of
    Reflected in
 
Plan Category
  Options     Outstanding Options     Column (a))  
    (a)     (b)     (c)  
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
    171,250     $ 9.12       300,550  
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
                 
Total
    171,250     $ 9.12       300,550  
 
Item 6.   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, and Dawson Geophysical Company’s financial statements and related notes included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”.
 
                                         
Years Ended September 30
  2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  
    (In thousands, except per share amounts)  
 
Operating revenues
  $ 168,550     $ 116,663     $ 69,346     $ 51,592     $ 36,078  
Net income (loss)
  $ 15,855     $ 10,016     $ 8,618     $ (899 )   $ (2,292 )
Net income (loss) per common share
  $ 2.11     $ 1.50     $ 1.55     $ (0.16 )   $ (0.42 )
Weighted average equivalent common shares outstanding
    7,518       6,706       5,559       5,485       5,463  
Total assets
  $ 149,418     $ 114,127     $ 56,759     $ 42,792     $ 44,291  
Long term debt-less current maturities
  $     $     $     $     $  
Stockholders’ equity
  $ 119,208     $ 101,904     $ 50,282     $ 40,662     $ 41,586  
 
In March 2005, we successfully completed a public offering of 1,800,000 shares of common stock such that weighted average equivalent common shares outstanding in 2005 reflect these additional shares for part of the year.
 
Item 7.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes to those statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Please see “Risk Factors” and “Disclosure Regarding Forward Looking Statements” elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
 
Overview
 
We are the leading provider of onshore seismic data acquisition services in the lower 48 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 gas companies. Demand for our


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services depends upon the level of spending by these oil and gas companies for exploration, production, development and field management activities, which activities depend, 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 continue to be the single most important factor affecting our business and results of operations.
 
Accordingly, 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 is a function of higher prices for oil and natural gas. As a result of the increase in domestic exploration spending, we have experienced an increased demand for our seismic data acquisition and processing services. While the markets for oil and natural gas have historically been volatile and are likely to continue to be so in the future and we can make no assurances as to future levels of domestic exploration or commodity prices, we believe opportunities exist for us to enhance our market position by responding to our client’s desire for higher resolution subsurface images. In addition, we continue to experience high demand for our services despite recent fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices.
 
We continue to focus on increasing the revenues from and profitability of our existing crews by upgrading our recording capacity, expanding the channel count on existing crews and adding to our energy source fleet. 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 successful efforts to negotiate more favorable weather protection provisions in our supplemental service agreements, to mitigate access permit delays and to improve overall crew productivity may contribute to growth in our revenues. Although our clients may cancel their supplemental service agreements with us on short notice, we believe we currently have a sufficient order book to sustain operations at full capacity well into calendar 2007 with our twelve crews.
 
Fiscal 2006 Highlights
 
Our financial performance for fiscal 2006 significantly improved when compared to our financial performance for fiscal 2005 as a result of continuing high demand for our services due to increased exploration and development activity by domestic oil and gas companies and increases in oil and gas prices. As a result of continuing high demand:
 
  •  We deployed and operated the Company’s twelfth data acquisition crew equipped with an Aram ARIES recording system in June of 2006. We added a second Aram ARIES recording system in September.
 
  •  We continued to experience price improvements and more favorable contract terms in our agreements with clients.
 
  •  Our areas of operations during fiscal 2006 included South Texas, California, Utah, West Texas, the Fort Worth Basin of Texas, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Wyoming, Arkansas, West Virginia, New York, Mississippi, and New Mexico.
 
  •  We increased channel count in 2006, from approximately 58,000 to in excess of 70,000.
 
  •  We increased the size of the vibrator energy source fleet to 95 units.
 
  •  We commenced operations under an agreement with WesternGeco, a subsidiary of Schlumberger, to provide Q-Land seismic data acquisition services in the Lower 48 United States.
 
  •  We completed the data acquisition phase of a large 3-D multi-component seismic project in West Texas, our seventh such project in the last three years.
 
  •  We joined the Russell 3000 Index.


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Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2006 Versus Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2005
 
Operating Revenues.  Our operating revenues increased 44% from $116,663,000 in fiscal 2005 to $168,550,000 in fiscal 2006 as a result of continuing high demand for our services. As a result, we were able to field an additional data acquisition crew, expand the capabilities of our existing crews, obtain price improvements in the markets for our services and negotiate favorable contract provisions. We began fiscal 2006 with eleven data acquisition crews and added our twelfth crew in June 2006. Recorded in the fourth quarter revenues are unusually high third party charges primarily related to the use of helicopter support services, specialized survey technologies, and dynamite energy sources all of which are utilized in areas with limited access. The increase in these charges was driven by our continued geographic expansion in response to increased exploration activities in the Appalachian Basin, the Rocky Mountains, the Fayetteville Shale, and the Arkoma Basin. We are reimbursed for these expenses by our clients.
 
Operating Costs.  Our operating expenses increased 39% from $90,465,000 in fiscal 2005 to $125,848,000 in fiscal 2006 primarily due to the full year of service for the tenth and eleventh crews fielded in fiscal 2005 and to the start-up and ongoing expenses of the twelfth data acquisition crew deployed in June 2006. As discussed above, reimbursed expenses have a similar impact on operating costs.
 
General and administrative expenses were 2.9% of revenues in fiscal 2006, as compared to 3.9% of revenues in fiscal 2005. While the ratio of general and administrative expenses to revenue declined in fiscal 2006 due to the increase in revenues, the actual dollar amount increased. The increase of $318,000 from fiscal 2005 to fiscal 2006 reflects ongoing expenses necessary to support expanded field operations.
 
We recognized $13,338,000 of depreciation expense in fiscal 2006 as compared to $8,179,000 in fiscal 2005, reflecting the full year of depreciation expense from our fiscal 2005 capital expenditures. Our depreciation expense is expected to increase in fiscal 2007 as a result of our significant capital expenditures in fiscal 2006.
 
Our total operating costs for fiscal 2006 were $143,994,000, an increase of 40% from fiscal 2005 primarily due to the factors described above.
 
Taxes.  Our income tax expense was $9,358,000 in fiscal 2006 as compared to $4,506,000 in fiscal 2005. The increase in expense for 2006 from 2005 is primarily a result of our substantial increase in income before income taxes resulting in increased federal and state income taxes. Dawson fully utilized its federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards during 2006 and started remitting regular tax reduced by alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) credits.
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2005 Versus Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2004
 
Operating Revenues.  Our operating revenues increased 68% from $69,346,000 in fiscal 2004 to $116,663,000 in fiscal 2005 as a result of continuing high demand for our services. As a result of continuing high demand, we were able to field two additional data acquisition crews, obtain price improvements in the markets for our services and negotiate favorable contract provisions. We began fiscal 2005 with nine data acquisition crews. The tenth crew was added in January and the eleventh crew was fielded in May 2005.
 
Operating Costs.  Our operating expenses increased 63% from $55,618,000 in fiscal 2004 to $90,465,000 in fiscal 2005 primarily due to the start-up and ongoing expenses of the two new data acquisition crews added during the year and the full year of service for the eighth and ninth crews fielded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004.
 
General and administrative expenses were 3.9% of revenues in fiscal 2005, the same as in fiscal 2004. The fact that our percentage of general and administrative spending was the same as in fiscal 2005 despite the significant increase in our fiscal 2005 total revenues reflects the increases in these expenses necessary to support expanded field operations and to comply with Sarbanes-Oxley reporting requirements.
 
We recognized $8,179,000 of depreciation expense in fiscal 2005 as compared to $4,653,000 in fiscal 2004, reflecting the full year of depreciation expense from our fiscal 2004 capital expenditures. Our depreciation expense also increased in fiscal 2006 as a result of our significant capital expenditures in fiscal 2005.


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Our total operating costs for fiscal 2005 were $103,134,000, an increase of 64% from fiscal 2004 primarily due to the factors described above.
 
Taxes.  Our income tax expense was $4,506,000 in fiscal 2005 as compared to an income tax benefit of $1,536,000 in fiscal 2004. The fiscal 2005 expense was primarily due to recording income tax expense as a result of our continued profitability in 2005. The fiscal 2004 tax benefit was primarily due to a deferred income tax benefit from the elimination of a valuation allowance on our deferred tax asset generated from net operating loss carryforwards. The fiscal 2005 current tax expense reflects AMT calculated on net income not eligible for offset by AMT credit carryforwards. We anticipate we will recognize increased income tax expense in future years as we fully utilize our NOL carryforwards and AMT credit carryforwards.
 
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 $25,743,000 for fiscal 2006 and $12,300,000 for fiscal 2005. These amounts primarily reflect an increase in total revenues resulting from our expanded business and increase in accounts receivable in excess of payments of accounts payable.
 
Net cash used in investing activities was $21,031,000 in fiscal 2006 and $54,431,000 in fiscal 2005. These results primarily represent capital expenditures and activity in the short-term investment portfolio. Capital expenditures were funded with cash generated from operations, short-term investments, proceeds from the public stock offering discussed below and in addition during fiscal 2005 with cash from our revolving line of credit agreement.
 
Net cash provided by financing activities in fiscal 2006 was $549,000 representing proceeds from the exercise of stock options. In fiscal 2005 net cash provided by financing activities of $41,347,000 primarily reflects proceeds from the public stock offering.
 
Capital Expenditures.  For fiscal year 2006, we made capital expenditures of $40,377,000, in part to complete the outfitting of our twelfth data acquisition crew fielded in June 2006 equipped with a 5,000 channel Aram ARIES recording system, to continue expansion of existing crews, to add energy source units, and to replace an Input/Output System II recording system on an existing crew with an Aram ARIES recording system in September of 2006. The Board of Directors had approved an initial fiscal 2007 capital budget of $20,000,000, of which $4,900,000 was used as part of the purchase of the second Aram ARIES recording system and captured as an increase to the fiscal 2006 capital budget due to earlier than anticipated delivery and deployment of the system. The balance of the fiscal 2007 capital budget will be used to add to the Company’s energy source fleet, make technical improvements in various phases of the Company’s operations, and meet maintenance capital requirements. These additions will allow the Company to maintain its competitive position as it responds to client desire for higher resolution subsurface images.
 
We continually strive to supply our clients with technologically advanced 3-D 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, capital expenditures. We have also funded our capital expenditures and other financing needs through public equity offerings. As a result of our recent increased capital needs resulting from the continued expansion of our business, we obtained a $10 million revolving line of credit agreement in December 2004 and completed a public offering of our common stock in March 2005.


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On December 22, 2004, we entered into a revolving line of credit loan agreement with Western National Bank under which we may borrow, repay and reborrow, from time to time until January 18, 2007, up to $10 million. Our obligations under this agreement are secured by a security interest in our accounts receivable and related collateral. Interest on the outstanding amount under the line of credit loan agreement is payable monthly at a rate equal to the greater of (i) the Prime Rate or (ii) 5.0%. In connection with equipping and deploying our eighth and ninth data acquisition crews we borrowed $5 million under the loan agreement on January 12, 2005, and borrowed the remaining $5 million available under the loan agreement on February 1, 2005. As of March 31, 2005 we repaid the $10 million balance outstanding under the loan agreement and the associated interest as a partial use of proceeds from our public offering of 1,800,000 shares of our common stock. We did not borrow under the loan agreement during the remainder of fiscal 2005 or during fiscal 2006. The loan agreement contains customary covenants for credit facilities of this type, including limitations on distributions and dividends, disposition of assets and mergers and acquisitions. We are also obligated to meet certain financial covenants under the loan agreement, including maintaining a minimum tangible net worth (as defined in the loan agreement) of $40 million and maintaining specified ratios with respect to cash flow coverage, current assets and liabilities, and debt to tangible net worth. We expect to renew this revolving line of credit loan agreement for an additional year through January 2008 on the same terms and conditions.
 
On August 5, 2005, we filed a shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission covering the offer and sale from time to time of up to $75 million in debt securities, preferred and common stock, and warrants. The registration statement allows us to sell securities, after the registration statement has been declared effective by the SEC, 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 separately filed with the SEC at the time of the offering. We do not expect to make an offering in the foreseeable future. However, the filing will enable us to act quickly as opportunities arise.
 
The following table summarizes payments due in specific periods related to our contractual obligations as of November 15, 2006:
 
                                         
    Payments Due by Period
        Within
  1-3
  3-5
  After
    Total   1 Year   Years   Years   5 Years
    (In thousands)
 
Operating lease obligations
  $ 1,336     $ 376     $ 550     $ 367     $ 43  
                                         
 
We believe that our capital resources, including our short-term investments and cash flow from operations are adequate to meet our current operational needs. We believe we will be able to finance our capital requirements through our short-term investments and cash flow from operations, through borrowings under our revolving line of credit and from the shelf registration of common stock discussed above. 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.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
As of September 30, 2006, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements.
 
Effect of Inflation
 
We do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition during the past three years.
 
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.


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Revenue Recognition.  Our services are provided under cancelable service contracts. These contracts are either “turnkey” or “term” agreements. The Company recognizes revenues when services are performed under both types of agreements. Services are defined as the commencement of data acquisition or processing operations. 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 past experience of historical write-offs, our current customer base and our review of past due accounts. The inherent volatility of the energy industry’s business cycle can cause swift and unpredictable changes in the financial stability of our customers.
 
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 asset. Our forecast of future cash flows used to perform impairment analysis includes estimates of future revenues and future gross margins based on our historical results and analysis of future oil and gas prices which is fundamental in assessing demand for our services. If we are unable to achieve these cash flows, we would potentially have an impairment charge in the period.
 
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. The technology of the equipment used to gather data in the seismic industry has historically evolved such that obsolescence does not occur quickly. 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, “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 variance between actual results and estimates and could have a material impact on our provision or benefit for income taxes.
 
Stock Based Compensation.  On December 16, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123(R)”). SFAS 123(R) requires companies to measure all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair value method and recognize compensation cost in its financial statements. We adopted on a prospective basis SFAS 123(R) beginning October 1, 2005 for stock-based compensation awards granted after that date and for unvested awards outstanding at that date using the modified prospective application method. We recognize the fair value of stock-based compensation awards as operating or general and administrative expense as appropriate in the Statements of Operations on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.


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Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
 
In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections,” which supersedes APB Opinion No. 20, “Accounting Changes,” and SFAS No. 3, “Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements.” SFAS No. 154 changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of changes in accounting principles. The statement requires the retroactive application to prior periods’ financial statements of changes in accounting principles, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. SFAS No. 154 does not change the guidance for reporting the correction of an error in previously issued financial statements or the change in an accounting estimate. SFAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 154 to have a material impact on our financial statements.
 
In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109”. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures, and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. We are evaluating the financial statement impact of FIN 48 on the Company.
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). 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 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS 157 to have a material impact on our financial statements.
 
In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (“SAB 108”). SAB 108 provides guidance on how prior year misstatements should be taken into consideration when quantifying misstatements in current year financial statements for purposes of determining whether the current year’s financial statements are materially misstated. SAB 108 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2006. We are evaluating SAB 108 and do not expect the adoption of SAB 108 to have a material impact on our financial statements.
 
Item 7A.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
The primary sources of market risk include fluctuations in commodity prices which effect demand for and pricing of our services and interest rate fluctuations. At September 30, 2006, we had no indebtedness. Our short-term investments were fixed-rate and we do not necessarily intend to hold them to maturity, and therefore, the short-term investments expose us to the risk of earnings or cash flow loss due to changes in market interest rates. As of September 30, 2006, our short-term investments are stated at fair value with the offsetting unrecognized gain or loss reflected as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, other comprehensive income (loss). 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 8.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
The information required by this item appears on pages F-1 through F-18 hereof and are incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 9.   CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
 
None.


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Item 9A.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of September 30, 2006. Based on such evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2006.
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as of September 30, 2006 using the criteria set forth in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management has concluded that, as of September 30, 2006, our internal control over financial reporting was effective. Management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2006, has been audited by KPMG LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm who also audited our consolidated financial statements. Their attestation report appears on page F-3.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during the quarter ending September 30, 2006 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
 
Item 9B.   OTHER INFORMATION
 
None.
 
Part III
 
Item 10.   DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
 
The information required by this Item 10 with respect to Directors and Executive Officers is hereby incorporated by reference to the sections entitled “Election of Directors”, “Election of Directors”, “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance”, “Stockholder Proposals for Next Annual Meeting”, and “Other Matters” in our Proxy Statement , filed or to be filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K. Our code of ethics (as defined in Item 406 of Regulation S-K) was adopted by our Board of Directors May 25, 2004. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applies to our directors, officers and employees, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is posted on our website at http://www.dawson3d.com in the “Corporate Governance” area. Changes to and waivers granted with respect to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics related to officers identified above, and our other executive officers and directors that we are required to disclose pursuant to applicable rules and regulations of the SEC will also be posted on our website.
 
Item 11.   EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
The information required by this Item 11 is hereby incorporated by reference to the section of the Proxy Statement entitled “Management Compensation.”


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Item 12.   SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
The information required by this Item 12 with respect to security ownership of certain beneficial owners is hereby incorporated by reference to the section of the Proxy Statement entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.” The information required with respect to our equity compensation plans is set forth in Item 5 of this Form 10-K.
 
On July 13, 1999, our Board of Directors authorized and declared a dividend to the holders of record on July 23, 1999 of one Right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of our common stock. When exercisable, each Right will entitle the holder to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of our Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the “Preferred Shares”), at an exercise price of $50.00 per Right. The rights are not currently exercisable and will become exercisable only if a person or group acquires beneficial ownership of 20% or more of our outstanding common stock or announces a tender offer or exchange offer, the consummating of which would result in attaining the triggering percentage. We may redeem the Rights for $.01 per Right at any time prior to the tenth day after the first public announcement of a triggering acquisition.
 
Item 13.   CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
None.
 
Item 14.   PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
 
Information concerning principal accountant fees and services appears in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Fees Paid to the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Part IV
 
Item 15.   EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:
 
(1) Financial Statements.
 
The following financial statements of Dawson Geophysical Company appear on pages F-1 through F-18 and are incorporated by reference into Part II, Item 8:
 
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Balance Sheets
Statements of Operations
Stockholders’ Equity and Other Comprehensive Income
Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Financial Statements
 
(2) Financial Statement Schedules.
 
The following financial statement schedule appears on page F-18 and is hereby incorporated by reference:
 
Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the three years ended September 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004.
 
All other schedules are omitted because they are either not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.
 
(3) Exhibits.
 
The information required by this item 15(a)(3) is set forth in the Index to Exhibits accompanying this Annual Report of Form 10-K and is hereby incorporated by reference.


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Table of Contents

 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Midland, and the State of Texas, on the 4th day of December, 2006.
 
DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
 
  By: 
/s/  Stephen C. Jumper
Stephen C. Jumper
President and Chief
Executive Officer
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
/s/  L. Decker Dawson

L. Decker Dawson
  Chairman of the Board of Directors   12-4-06
         
/s/  Stephen C. Jumper

Stephen C. Jumper
  President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director
  12-4-06
         
/s/  Paul H. Brown

Paul H. Brown
  Director   12-4-06
         
/s/  Gary M. Hoover

Gary M. Hoover
  Director   12-4-06
         
/s/  Tim C. Thompson

Tim C. Thompson
  Director   12-4-06
         
/s/  Christina W. Hagan

Christina W. Hagan
  Executive Vice President, Secretary and
Chief Financial Officer
  12-4-06


20


Table of Contents

 
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
         
Financial Statements of Dawson Geophysical Company
  Page
 
  F-2
  F-4
  F-5
  F-6
  F-7
  F-8
Financial Statement Schedule:
   
  F-18


F-1


Table of Contents

 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Dawson Geophysical Company:
 
 
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Dawson Geophysical Company as of September 30, 2006 and 2005, and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and other comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2006. In connection with our audits of the financial statements, we also have audited financial statement schedule II. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Dawson Geophysical Company as of September 30, 2006 and 2005, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2006, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Dawson Geophysical Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated November 30, 2006 expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of, and the effective operation of, internal control over financial reporting.
 
As discussed in Note 1 to the Financial Statements, the Company adopted the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” in fiscal year 2006.
 
KPMG LLP
 
Dallas, Texas
November 30, 2006


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Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Dawson Geophysical Company:
 
We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, that Dawson Geophysical Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Dawson Geophysical Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In our opinion, management’s assessment that Dawson Geophysical Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2006, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Also, in our opinion, Dawson Geophysical Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the balance sheets of Dawson Geophysical Company as of September 30, 2006 and 2005, and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2006, and our report dated November 30, 2006 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements, with an explanatory paragraph as the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” in fiscal year 2006.
 
KPMG LLP
 
Dallas, Texas
November 30, 2006


F-3


Table of Contents

DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
 
BALANCE SHEETS
 
                 
    September 30,
    September 30,
 
    2006     2005  
 
ASSETS
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 8,064,000     $ 2,803,000  
Short-term investments
    6,437,000       20,326,000  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $148,000 in 2006 and $331,000 in 2005
    46,074,000       28,696,000  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    690,000       1,127,000  
Current deferred tax asset
    1,619,000       1,229,000  
                 
Total current assets
    62,884,000       54,181,000  
Property, plant and equipment
    160,740,000       124,478,000  
Less accumulated depreciation
    (74,206,000 )     (64,532,000 )
                 
Net property, plant and equipment
    86,534,000       59,946,000  
                 
    $ 149,418,000     $ 114,127,000  
                 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 16,280,000     $ 6,601,000  
Accrued liabilities:
               
Payroll costs and other taxes
    1,958,000       1,198,000  
Other
    4,195,000       2,182,000  
Deferred revenue
    863,000       190,000  
                 
Total current liabilities
    23,296,000       10,171,000  
                 
Deferred tax liability
    6,914,000       2,052,000  
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock-par value $1.00 per share; 5,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding
           
Common stock-par value $.331/3 per share; 50,000,000 and 10,000,000 shares authorized in each period; 7,549,244 and 7,484,044 shares issued and outstanding in each period
    2,517,000       2,495,000  
Additional paid-in capital
    82,370,000       80,987,000  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
    (33,000 )     (77,000 )
Retained earnings
    34,354,000       18,499,000  
                 
Total stockholders’ equity
    119,208,000       101,904,000  
                 
    $ 149,418,000     $ 114,127,000  
                 
 
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.


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Table of Contents

DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
 
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
                         
    Years Ended September 30,  
    2006     2005     2004  
 
Operating revenues
  $ 168,550,000     $ 116,663,000     $ 69,346,000  
Operating costs:
                       
Operating expenses
    125,848,000       90,465,000       55,618,000  
General and administrative
    4,808,000       4,490,000       2,675,000  
Depreciation
    13,338,000       8,179,000       4,653,000  
                         
      143,994,000       103,134,000       62,946,000  
Income from operations
    24,556,000       13,529,000       6,400,000  
Other income:
                       
Interest income
    582,000       507,000       177,000  
Other
    75,000       486,000       505,000  
                         
Income before income tax
    25,213,000       14,522,000       7,082,000  
Income tax expense:
                       
Current
    (4,886,000 )     (2,035,000 )     (96,000 )
Deferred
    (4,472,000 )     (2,471,000 )     1,632,000  
                         
      (9,358,000 )     (4,506,000 )     1,536,000  
                         
Net income
  $ 15,855,000     $ 10,016,000     $ 8,618,000  
                         
Net income per common share
  $ 2.11     $ 1.50     $ 1.55  
                         
Net income per common share-assuming dilution
  $ 2.09     $ 1.48     $ 1.53  
                         
Weighted average equivalent common shares outstanding
    7,518,372       6,705,791       5,558,646  
                         
Weighted average equivalent common shares outstanding-assuming dilution
    7,599,555       6,795,295       5,631,397  
                         
 
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.


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Table of Contents

DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
 
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
                                                 
                      Accumulated
             
    Common Stock     Additional
    Other
    Retained
       
    Number
          Paid-in
    Comprehensive
    Earnings
       
    of Shares     Amount     Capital     Income     (Deficit)     Total  
 
Balance September 30, 2003
    5,487,794     $ 1,829,000     $ 38,931,000     $ 37,000     $ (135,000 )   $ 40,662,000  
Net income
                                    8,618,000       8,618,000  
Other comprehensive income net of tax:
                                               
Unrealized loss on securities:
                                               
Unrealized holding losses arising during period
                            (126,000 )                
Less: Reclassification adjustment for gain included in net income
                            47,000                  
Income tax expense
                            14,000                  
                                                 
Other comprehensive income
                            (65,000 )             (65,000 )
                                                 
Comprehensive income
                                            49,215,000  
Issuance of common stock as compensation
    8,500       3,000       107,000                       110,000  
Exercise of stock options
    137,500       46,000       911,000                       957,000  
                                                 
Balance September 30, 2004
    5,633,794       1,878,000       39,949,000       (28,000 )     8,483,000       50,282,000  
Net income
                                    10,016,000       10,016,000  
Other comprehensive income net of tax:
                                               
Unrealized loss on securities:
                                               
Unrealized holding losses arising during period
                            (194,000 )                
Less: Reclassification adjustment for gain included in net income
                            100,000                  
Income tax expense
                            45,000                  
                                                 
Other comprehensive income
                            (49,000 )             (49,000 )
                                                 
Comprehensive income
                                            60,249,000  
Excess tax benefit of employee stock plan
                    243,000                       243,000  
Issuance of common stock-public offering
    1,800,000       600,000       40,396,000                       40,996,000  
Issuance of common stock as compensation
    3,500       1,000       73,000                       74,000  
Exercise of stock options
    46,750       16,000       326,000                       342,000  
                                                 
Balance September 30, 2005
    7,484,044       2,495,000       80,987,000       (77,000 )     18,499,000       101,904,000  
Net income
                                    15,855,000       15,855,000  
Other comprehensive income net of tax:
                                               
Unrealized loss on securities:
                                               
Unrealized holding gain arising during period
                            35,000                  
Less: Reclassification adjustment for gain included in net income
                            31,000                  
Income tax benefit
                            (22,000 )                
                                                 
Other comprehensive income
                            44,000               44,000  
                                                 
Comprehensive income
                                            117,803,000  
Excess tax benefit of employee stock plan
                    180,000                       180,000  
Stock based compensation expense
                    289,000                       289,000  
Issuance of common stock as compensation
    18,450       6,000       560,000                       566,000  
Exercise of stock options
    46,750       16,000       354,000                       370,000  
                                                 
Balance September 30, 2006
    7,549,244     $ 2,517,000     $ 82,370,000     $ (33,000 )   $ 34,354,000     $ 119,208,000  
                                                 
 
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.


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Table of Contents

DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
 
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                         
    Years Ended September 30,  
    2006     2005     2004  
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Net income
  $ 15,855,000     $ 10,016,000     $ 8,618,000  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation
    13,338,000       8,179,000       4,653,000  
Non-cash compensation
    855,000       74,000       110,000  
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
    4,472,000       2,471,000       (1,632,000 )
Excess tax benefit from share based payment arrangement
    (180,000 )            
Other
    119,000       270,000       135,000  
Change in current assets and liabilities:
                       
Increase in accounts receivable
    (17,378,000 )     (11,717,000 )     (7,266,000 )
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses
    437,000       (687,000 )     (153,000 )
Increase in accounts payable
    4,779,000       3,244,000       2,426,000  
Increase in accrued liabilities
    2,773,000       1,667,000       820,000  
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue
    673,000       (1,217,000 )     1,101,000  
                         
Net cash provided by operating activities
    25,743,000       12,300,000       8,812,000  
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Proceeds from disposal of assets
    453,000       191,000       40,000  
Capital expenditures, net of $4,900,000 noncash capital expenditures in 2006
    (35,477,000 )     (38,219,000 )     (13,889,000 )
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments
    8,993,000       16,334,000       2,973,000  
Proceeds from maturity of short-term investments
    5,000,000             7,550,000  
Acquisition of short-term investments
          (32,737,000 )     (6,245,000 )
                         
Net cash used in investing activities
    (21,031,000 )     (54,431,000 )     (9,571,000 )
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    369,000       343,000       957,000  
Proceeds from line of credit
          10,000,000        
Repayment on line of credit
          (10,000,000 )      
Proceeds from stock offering
          41,004,000        
Excess tax benefit from share based payment arrangement
    180,000              
                         
Net cash provided by financing activities
    549,000       41,347,000       957,000  
                         
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    5,261,000       (784,000 )     198,000  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
    2,803,000       3,587,000       3,389,000  
                         
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
  $ 8,064,000     $ 2,803,000     $ 3,587,000  
                         
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
                       
Cash paid for interest expense
  $     $ 65,000     $  
Cash paid during the period for income taxes
  $ 4,177,000     $ 1,882,000     $  
                         
NON CASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Unrealized loss on investments
  $ (10,000 )   $ (194,000 )   $ (42,000 )
                         
 
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.


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Table of Contents

DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Organization and Nature of Operations
 
Founded in 1952, the Company acquires and processes 2-D, 3-D seismic and multi-component seismic data for its clients, ranging from major oil and gas companies to independent oil and gas operations as well as providers of multi-client data libraries.
 
Cash Equivalents
 
For purposes of the financial statements, the Company considers demand deposits, certificates of deposit and all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an initial maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
 
Short-Term Investments
 
The Company accounts for its short-term investments in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities” (SFAS No. 115). In accordance with SFAS No. 115, the Company has classified its investment portfolio consisting of U.S. Treasury Securities as “available-for-sale” and records the net unrealized holding gains and losses as accumulated comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity. The cost of short-term investments sold is based on the specific identification method.
 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other current assets, accounts payable and other current liabilities approximate their fair values based on their short-term nature. The fair value of investments are based on quoted market prices.
 
Concentrations of Credit Risk
 
Financial instruments which potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk, as defined by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 105, “Disclosure of Information About Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk and Financial Instruments with Concentrations of Credit Risk,” consist primarily of trade accounts receivable and short-term investments. The Company’s sales are to clients whose activities relate to oil and gas exploration and production. However, accounts receivable are well diversified among many clients, and a significant portion of the receivables are from major oil companies, which management believes minimizes potential credit risk. The Company generally extends unsecured credit to these clients; therefore, collection of receivables may be affected by the economy surrounding the oil and gas industry. The Company closely monitors extensions of credit and may negotiate payment terms that mitigate risk. The Company invests primarily in short-term U.S. Treasury Securities which it believes are a low risk investment.
 
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.


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Table of Contents

 
DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment when triggering events occur suggesting a deterioration in the assets recoverability or fair value. Recognition of an impairment is required if future expected net cash flows are insufficient to recover the carrying value of the amounts. Management’s forecast of future cash flow used to perform impairment analysis includes estimates of future revenues and future gross margins. If the Company is unable to achieve these cash flows, the Company would potentially have an impairment charge in the period. No impairment charges were recognized in the Statement of Operations for the years ended September 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
Contracts for service are provided for under cancelable contracts. These contracts are either “turnkey” or “term” agreements. The Company recognizes revenues when services are performed under both types of agreements. Services are defined as the commencement of data acquisition or processing operations. 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 contract, revenue is recognized and the customer is billed for services performed up to the date of cancellation.
 
The Company also receives reimbursements for certain out-of-pocket expenses under the terms of its master contracts. Amounts billed to clients are recorded in revenue at the gross amount including out-of-pocket expenses which are reimbursed by the client.
 
In some instances, customers are billed in advance of services performed, and the Company recognizes the liability as deferred revenue.
 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
 
Management prepares its allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based on its past experience of historical write-offs, its current customer base and review of past due accounts. 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.
 
Income Taxes
 
The Company accounts for state and federal income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (SFAS No. 109). Under the asset and liability method of SFAS No. 109, deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Under SFAS No. 109, the effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
 
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
 
Preparation of the accompanying financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.


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Table of Contents

 
DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Stock-Based Compensation
 
On December 16, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123(R)”). SFAS 123(R) requires companies to measure all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair value method and recognize compensation cost in its financial statements. The Company adopted on a prospective basis SFAS 123(R) beginning October 1, 2005 for stock-based compensation awards granted after that date and for unvested awards outstanding at that date using the modified prospective application method. The Company recognizes the fair value of stock-based compensation awards as operating or general and administrative expense as appropriate in the Statements of Operations on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.
 
Prior to October 1, 2005, the Company accounted for stock-based compensation utilizing the intrinsic value method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”) and related interpretations. Under APB 25, no compensation expense was recognized for stock-based compensation. The following pro forma information, as required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”), as amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148 (“SFAS 148”), presents net income and earnings per share information as if the stock options issued since February 2, 1999 were accounted for using the fair value method. The fair value of stock options issued for each year was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
 
The SFAS 123 pro forma information for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 is as follows:
 
                 
    September  
    2005     2004  
 
Net income, as reported
  $ 10,016,000     $ 8,618,000  
Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in net income, net of tax
    74,000       110,000  
Deduct: Stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method (SFAS 123), net of tax
    (495,000 )     (426,000 )
                 
Net income, pro forma
  $ 9,595,000     $ 8,302,000  
                 
Basic:
               
Net income per common share, as reported
  $ 1.50     $ 1.55  
                 
Net income per common share, pro forma
  $ 1.43     $ 1.49  
                 
Diluted:
               
Net income per common share, as reported
  $ 1.48     $ 1.53  
                 
Net income per common share, pro forma
  $ 1.41     $ 1.47  
                 
 
The adoption of SFAS 123(R) in the first quarter of fiscal year 2006 resulted in prospective changes in the accounting for stock-based compensation awards including recording stock-based compensation expense related to stock options that became vested during each quarter on a prospective basis. Because the Company’s plans are incentive stock option plans, no tax deduction is recorded when options are granted. If an exercise and sale of vested options results in a disqualifying disposition, a tax deduction for the Company occurs. The excess tax benefit from the disqualifying disposition of options is reflected both in cash flows from operating activities and cash flows from financing activities in the Statements of Cash Flows.
 
The adoption of SFAS 123(R) resulted in the recognition of compensation expense of $289,000, or $0.04 per share in operating costs in the Statement of Operations for the twelve months ended September 30, 2006. In accordance with the modified prospective application method of SFAS 123(R), prior period amounts have not been restated to reflect the recognition of stock-based compensation costs. The total cost related to non-vested awards not


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Table of Contents

 
DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

yet recognized at September 30, 2006 totals approximately $266,000 which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average of 1.6 years.
 
In periods ending prior to October 1, 2005, the income tax benefits from the exercise of stock options were classified as net cash provided by operating activities pursuant to Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 00-15. However, for periods ending after December 31, 2005, pursuant to SFAS 123(R), the excess tax benefits are required to be reported in net cash provided by financing activities. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2006, excess tax benefits from disqualifying dispositions of options of $180,000 were reflected in both cash flows from operating activities and cash flows from financing activities in the Statements of Cash Flows.
 
The Company adopted the 2000 Incentive Stock Plan during fiscal 1999, which provides options to purchase 500,000 shares of authorized but unissued common stock of the Company. The option price is the market value of the Company’s common stock at date of grant. Options are exercisable 25% annually from the date of the grant and the options expire five years from the date of grant. The 2000 Plan provided that 50,000 of the 500,000 shares of authorized but unissued common stock may be awarded to officers, directors and employees of the Company for the purpose of additional compensation.
 
In fiscal 2004, the Company adopted the 2004 Incentive Stock Plan which provides 375,000 shares of authorized but unissued common stock of the Company. The 2004 Incentive Stock Plan operates like the 2000 Incentive Stock Plan except that of the 375,000 shares, up to 125,000 shares may be awarded to officers, directors, and employees of the Company for the purpose of additional compensation and up to 125,000 shares may be awarded with restrictions.
 
Options for 99,250, 80,500 and 55,500 shares were exercisable with weighted average exercise prices of $7.50, $7.02 and $7.42 as of September 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
 
Outstanding options at September 30, 2006 expire between April 2007 and November 2009 and have exercise prices ranging from $5.21 to $17.91.
 
There were no stock options granted during fiscal 2006. For stock options granted in fiscal 2005, the model assumed expected volatility of 44% and risk-free interest rate of 5.25%. The fair value of each stock option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The expected volatility is based on historical volatility over the expected vesting term of 48 months. As the Company has not declared dividends since it became a public entity, no dividend yield is used in the calculation. 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


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Table of Contents

 
DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

the value realized by an optionee will be at or near the value estimated by the Black-Scholes model. Option activity is summarized as follows:
 
                                 
                Weighted
       
                Average
       
          Number of
    Remaining
       
    Weighted
    Optioned
    Contractual
    Aggregate Intrinsic
 
    Average Price     Shares     Term in Years     Value ($000)  
 
Balance as of September 30, 2004
  $ 6.75       227,000                  
Granted
  $ 17.91       45,000                  
Cancelled or expired
  $ 5.21       (750 )                
Exercised
  $ 7.34       (46,750 )                
                                 
Balance as of September 30, 2005
  $ 8.87       224,500       2.65     $ 4,803  
Expired
  $ 9.27       (6,500 )                
Exercised
  $ 7.90       (46,750 )                
                                 
Balance as of September 30, 2006
  $ 9.12       171,250       2.22     $ 3,535  
                                 
Exercisable as of September 30, 2005
  $ 7.02       80,500       2.65     $ 1,871  
                                 
Exercisable as of September 30, 2006
  $ 7.50       99,250       2.22     $ 2,210  
                                 
 
The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during fiscal 2005 was $10.18. There were no options granted during fiscal 2006. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during fiscal years ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 were $1,029,484 and $838,383, respectively.
 
2.   Short-Term Investments
 
Investment in securities consists of U.S. Treasury Securities. At September 30, 2006, the Company has an unrealized loss on short-term investments of $33,000, which is $52,000 net of the tax effect of $19,000 and is in “Other comprehensive income, net of tax”.
 
The short-term investment held at September 30, 2006 has a contractual maturity of May, 2007.
 
3.   Property, Plant and Equipment
 
Property, plant and equipment, together with annual depreciation rates, consist of the following:
 
                         
    September 30        
    2006     2005     Useful Lives  
 
Land, building and other
  $ 3,843,000     $ 3,166,000       3 to 40 years  
Recording equipment
    110,874,000       86,766,000       5 to 10 years  
Vibrator energy sources
    29,189,000       21,548,000       10 to 15 years  
Vehicles
    16,609,000       12,452,000       2 to 10 years  
Other(a)
    225,000       546,000        
                         
      160,740,000       124,478,000          
Less accumulated depreciation
    (74,206,000 )     (64,532,000 )        
                         
Net property, plant and equipment
  $ 86,534,000     $ 59,946,000          
                         
 
 
(a) Other represents accumulated costs associated with equipment fabrication and modification not yet completed.


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Table of Contents

 
DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

4.   Debt
 
The Company has a revolving line of credit loan agreement with Western National Bank. This agreement permits the Company to borrow, repay and reborrow, from time to time until January 18, 2007, up to $10.0 million. The Company’s obligations under this agreement are secured by a security interest in the Company’s accounts receivable and related collateral. Interest on the outstanding amount under the line of credit loan agreement is payable monthly at a rate equal to the greater of (i) the Prime Rate or (ii) 5.0%. The loan agreement contains customary covenants for credit facilities of this type, including limitations on distributions and dividends, disposition of assets and mergers and acquisitions. There are certain financial covenants under the loan agreement, including maintaining a minimum tangible net worth (as defined in the loan agreement) of $40.0 million and maintaining specified ratios with respect to cash flow coverage, current assets and liabilities, and debt to tangible net worth. The Company is in compliance with all covenants and no funds were borrowed under this credit loan agreement during fiscal 2006.
 
5.   Employee Benefit Plans
 
The Company provides a 401(k) plan as part of its employee benefits package in order to retain quality personnel. During 2006, 2005 and 2004, the Company elected to match 100% of employee contributions up to a maximum of 5% of the participant’s gross salary. For fiscal 2007, the Company has elected to match 100% of the employee contributions up to a maximum of 6% of the participant’s gross salary and to offer a Roth 401(k) plan. The Company’s matching contributions for fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004 were approximately $724,000, $555,000 and $438,000, respectively.
 
6.   Income Taxes
 
The Company recorded income tax expense in the current year of $9,358,000 as compared to $4,506,000 in 2005. The increase in the provision for 2006 from 2005 is primarily a result of a substantial increase in income before income taxes resulting in increased federal and state income taxes. The Company fully utilized its federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards during 2006 and started remitting regular tax reduced by alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) credits.
 
Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations.
 
                         
    Year Ended September 30,  
    2006     2005     2004  
 
Current:
    4,886,000       2,035,000       96,000  
Deferred:
    4,472,000       2,471,000       (1,632,000 )
                         
Total
  $ 9,358,000     $ 4,506,000     $ (1,536,000 )
                         
 
The income tax provision (benefit) differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income from continuing operations before income taxes as follows:
 
                         
    Year Ended September 30,  
    2006     2005     2004  
 
Tax expense (benefit) computed at statutory rates
  $ 8,573,000     $ 4,900,000     $ 2,585,000  
Change in valuation allowance
    90,000       -0-       (4,232,000 )
State income tax
    569,000       113,000       200,000  
Other
    126,000       (507,000 )     (89,000 )
                         
Income tax expense (benefit)
  $ 9,358,000     $ 4,506,000     $ (1,536,000 )
                         


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Table of Contents

 
DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The principal components of the Company’s net deferred tax liability are as follows:
 
                 
    September 30,  
    2006     2005  
 
Deferred tax assets:
               
Net operating loss carryforwards
  $ 29,000     $ 1,111,000  
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards
    1,119,000       2,605,000  
Receivables
    52,000       118,000  
Other
    509,000       273,000  
                 
Total deferred tax assets
    1,709,000       4,107,000  
Less valuation allowance
    (90,000 )      
                 
Total gross deferred tax assets
    1,619,000       4,107,000  
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Property and equipment
    (6,914,000 )     (4,930,000 )
Total gross deferred tax liabilities
    (6,914,000 )     (4,930,000 )
                 
Net deferred tax asset (liability)
  $ (5,295,000 )   $ (823,000 )
                 
Current portion of net deferred tax asset/liability
  $ 1,619,000     $ 1,229,000  
Noncurrent portion of net deferred tax asset/liability
    (6,914,000 )     (2,052,000 )
                 
Total net deferred tax asset (liability)
  $ (5,295,000 )   $ (823,000 )
                 
 
As of September 30, 2006, the Company has utilized all its net operating loss carryforward for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As of September 30, 2006, the Company had individual state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $400,000. Most of these carryforwards are primarily available in states where the Company believes the assets cannot be deemed to be realizable with any degree of confidence. Based on management’s belief a $29,000 valuation allowance was established to offset these deferred tax assets. As of September 30, 2006 an additional valuation allowance of $61,000 was established against the Company’s deferred tax asset for capital loss carryforwards that the Company doesn’t deem realizable in the foreseeable future. The Company has alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards totaling approximately $1,119,000 to offset regular income tax, which have no scheduled expiration date.
 
7.   Net Income per Common Share
 
The Company accounts for earnings per share in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, “Earnings per Share” (SFAS 128). Unlike primary earnings per share, basic earnings per share excludes any dilutive effects of options, warrants and convertible securities.


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Table of Contents

 
DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share:
 
                         
    2006     2005     2004  
 
Numerator:
                       
Net income and numerator for basic and diluted net income per common share-income available to common shareholders
  $ 15,855,000     $ 10,016,000     $ 8,618,000  
                         
Denominator:
                       
Denominator for basic net income per common share-weighted average common shares
    7,518,372       6,705,791       5,558,646  
Effect of dilutive securities-employee stock options
    81,183       89,504       72,751  
                         
Denominator for diluted net income per common share-adjusted weighted average common shares and assumed conversions
    7,599,555       6,795,295       5,631,397  
                         
Net income per common share
  $ 2.11     $ 1.50     $ 1.55  
                         
Net income per common share-assuming dilution
  $ 2.09     $ 1.48     $ 1.53  
                         
 
8.   Major Customers
 
The Company operates in only one business segment, contract seismic data acquisition and processing services. The major customers in 2006, 2005, and 2004 varied and sales to these customers, as a percentage of operating revenues, for periods in which sales to these customers exceeded 10%, were as follows:
 
                         
    2006     2005     2004  
 
A
    24 %     10 %      
B
    11 %     15 %     17 %
C
          13 %      
D
                12 %
 
Although 24% of our fiscal 2006 revenues are derived from one client, our evaluation indicates that our relationship is well founded for continued contractual commitments for the foreseeable future in multiple producing basins across the lower 48 states. The Company’s client “B” in the table above acts as an agent for other entities that are the actual purchasers of the Company’s services. Sales to each of the actual purchasers represent less than 10% of the Company’s total revenues. Because of our relatively large client base, our largest clients have varied from year to year. Current demand for our services indicates that the loss of any single client would not have a long term negative effect on our business.
 
9.   Commitments and Contingencies
 
The Company is party to various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of its business, none of which management believes will result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operation, as the Company believes it is adequately indemnified and insured.
 
The Company has non-cancelable operating leases for office space in Midland, Houston, Denver, Oklahoma City and Lyon Township, Michigan.


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Table of Contents

 
DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The following table summarizes payments due in specific periods related to our contractual obligations as of November 15, 2006:
 
                                         
    Payments Due by Period
        Within
          After
    Total   1 Year   1-3 Years   3-5 Years   5 Years
    (In thousands)
 
Operating lease obligations
  $ 1,336     $ 376     $ 550     $ 367     $ 43  
                                         
 
10.   Rights Agreement
 
On July 13, 1999, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized and declared a dividend to the holders of record on July 23, 1999 of one Right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of the Company’s common stock. When exercisable, each Right will entitle the holder to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of a Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Company (the “Preferred Shares”) at an exercise price of $50.00 per Right. The rights are not currently exercisable and will become exercisable only if a person or group acquires beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock or announces a tender offer or exchange offer, the consummating of which would result in attaining the triggering percentage. The Rights are subject to redemption by the Company for $.01 per Right at any time prior to the tenth day after the first public announcement of a triggering acquisition.
 
If the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction after a person has acquired beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the Company’s common stock, each Right will entitle its holder to purchase, at the Right’s then current exercise price, a number of the acquired Company’s shares of common stock having a market value of two times such price. In addition, if a person or group acquires beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the Company’s common stock, each Right will entitle its holder (other than the acquiring person or group) to purchase, at the Right’s then current exercise price, a number of the Company’s shares of common stock having a market value of two times the exercise price.
 
Subsequent to the acquisition by a person or group of beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the Company’s common stock and prior to the acquisition of beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the Company’s common stock, the Board of Directors of the Company may exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by such acquiring person or group, which will have become null and void and nontransferable), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of the Company’s common stock (or one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share) per Right.
 
The Rights dividend distribution was made on July 23, 1999, payable to shareholders of record at the close of business on that date. The Rights will expire on July 23, 2009.
 
11.   Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
 
In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections,” which supersedes APB Opinion No. 20, “Accounting Changes,” and SFAS No. 3, “Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements.” SFAS No. 154 changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of changes in accounting principles. The statement requires the retroactive application to prior periods’ financial statements of changes in accounting principles, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. SFAS No. 154 does not change the guidance for reporting the correction of an error in previously issued financial statements or the change in an accounting estimate. SFAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 154 to have a material impact on its financial statements.
 
In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109”. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting


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Table of Contents

 
DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

for Income Taxes. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures, and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company is evaluating the impact of FIN 48 on its financial position and results of operations and financial condition.
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). 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 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS 157 to have a material impact on its financial statements.
 
In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (“SAB 108”). SAB 108 provides guidance on how prior year misstatements should be taken into consideration when quantifying misstatements in current year financial statements for purposes of determining whether the current year’s financial statements are materially misstated. SAB 108 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2006. The Company is evaluating SAB 108 and does not expect the adoption of SAB 108 to have a material impact on its financial statements.
 
12.   Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
 
                                 
    Quarter Ended  
    December 31     March 31     June 30     September 30  
 
Fiscal 2005:
                               
Operating revenues
  $ 21,559,000     $ 26,515,000     $ 31,500,000     $ 37,089,000  
Income from operations
  $ 2,451,000     $ 2,486,000     $ 4,826,000     $ 3,766,000  
Net income
  $ 1,600,000     $ 2,327,000     $ 3,357,000     $ 2,732,000  
Net income per common share
  $ 0.28     $ 0.37     $ 0.45     $ 0.37  
Net income per common share assuming dilution
  $ 0.28     $ 0.37     $ 0.45     $ 0.36  
Fiscal 2006:
                               
Operating revenues
  $ 35,493,000     $ 40,042,000     $ 41,524,000     $ 51,491,000  
Income from operations
  $ 3,252,000     $ 6,431,000     $ 6,636,000     $ 8,237,000  
Net income
  $ 2,300,000     $ 4,351,000     $ 4,241,000     $ 4,963,000  
Net income per common share
  $ .31     $ .58     $ .56     $ .66  
Net income per common share assuming dilution
  $ .30     $ .57     $ .56     $ .65  


F-17


Table of Contents

 
Schedule II
 
Dawson Geophysical Company
 
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
 
                                 
    Balance at
    Charged to
          Balance at
 
    Beginning
    Costs and
          End of
 
    of Period     Expenses     Deductions     Period  
 
Allowance for doubtful accounts*:
                               
Fiscal Year:
                               
2006
  $ 331,000     $ 20,000     $ 203,000     $ 148,000  
2005
    199,000       136,000       4,000       331,000  
2004
    127,000       100,000       28,000       199,000  
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets:
                               
Fiscal Year:
                               
2006
  $     $ 90,000     $     $ 90,000  
2005
                       
2004
    4,232,000       (4,232,000 )            
 
 
* Deductions related to allowance for doubtful accounts represent amounts that have been deemed uncollectible and written off by the Company.


F-18


Table of Contents

 
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
         
Number
 
Exhibit
 
  3 .1   Second Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company (filed on August 8, 2006 as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the third quarter ended June 30, 2006 (File No. 000-10144) and incorporated herein by reference).
  3 .2   Bylaws of the Company, as amended (filed on December 11, 2003 as Exhibit 3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003 (File No. 000-10144) and incorporated herein by reference).
  4 .1   Rights Agreement by and between the Company and Mellon Investor Services, LLC (f/k/a Chasemellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C.), as Rights Agent, dated July 13, 1999 (filed on December 11, 2003 as Exhibit 4 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003 (File No. 000-10144) and incorporated herein by reference).
  10 .1†   Dawson Geophysical Company 2004 Incentive Stock Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed March 12, 2004 (File No. 333-113576) and incorporated herein by reference).
  10 .2†   Dawson Geophysical Company 2000 Incentive Stock Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed August 3, 2001 (File No. 333-66666) and incorporated herein by reference).
  10 .3   Form of Master Geophysical Data Acquisition Agreement (filed on December 11, 2003 as Exhibit 10 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003 (File No. 000-10144) and incorporated herein by reference).
  10 .4   First Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated January 18, 2006, between the Company and Western National Bank (filed on May 10, 2006 as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 000-10144) and incorporated herein by reference).
  10 .5   Revolving Line of Credit Loan Agreement, dated January 18, 2006, between the Company and Western National Bank (filed on February 9, 2006 as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 000-10144) and incorporated herein by reference).
  23 .1*   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
  31 .1*   Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Dawson Geophysical 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 Dawson Geophysical 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 Dawson Geophysical 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. Pursuant to SEC Release 34-47551, this Exhibit is furnished to the SEC and shall not be deemed to be “filed.”
  32 .2*   Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Dawson Geophysical 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. Pursuant to SEC Release 34-47551, this Exhibit is furnished to the SEC and shall not be deemed to be “filed.”
 
 
* Filed herewith.
 
Identifies Exhibit that consists of or includes a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.