Excellent Quarter in a Further Strengthening Market PARIS, May 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Compagnie Generale de Geophysique (ISIN: 0000120164 - NYSE: GGY) published today its unaudited consolidated results for the first quarter of 2006. Q1 2006 highlights: - First quarter 2006 Group revenues of Euros 322 million (USD 384 million), up 66% in Euros and up 49% in USD compared to the first quarter of 2005. - Group operating result of Euros 85 million, a 26% operating margin, compared to Euros 15 million in Q1 2005. - Geophysical Services: Revenues of Euros 230 million (USD 274 million), up 95% in Euros and up 76% in USD compared to the first quarter of 2005 and operating income of Euros 62 million, representing a 27% operating margin. - Sercel: Revenues of Euros 122 million (USD 145 million), up 51% in Euros and up 36% in USD compared to the first quarter of 2005 and operating income of Euros 29 million representing a 24% operating margin. - Group net result of Euros 59 million compared to a net result of Euros 6 million in Q1 2005, before respectively Euros 12 million and Euros 15 million specific charges related to the IFRS specific accounting treatment of the 2004 convertible bond. - Group backlog of USD 975 million as of May 1st 2006, a 100% increase year on year. Comments and Perspectives : CGG Chairman & CEO, Robert Brunck, commented: "We benefited in this first quarter from a strong operating performance of both Sercel and Services, particularly in marine with an exceptional level of multi-client sales and an optimal utilization rate of our vessels. Given this strong beginning of the year compounded by a continued healthy geophysical market, which should grow by more than 20% in 2006, CGG should be in a position to reach as early as 2006 the financial targets initially set for 2007". Consolidated Statement of Earnings Million Euros IFRS Q1 2006 Q1 2005 Operating revenues 322.1 194.4 Gross profit 120.4 42.1 Operating profit (loss) 84.5 15.5 Equity in income (loss) of affiliates 2.7 3.8 Cost of financial debt (7.0) (5.4) Variance on derivative on convertible bonds (CB) (12.4) (15.0) Other financial income (loss) (1.7) 0.7 Income Taxes (19.6) (8.3) Net income before variance on derivative of CB 58.9 6.3 Variance on derivative of the convertible bonds (12.4) (15.0) Net income 46.5 (8.7) Net income (loss) per share / diluted in Euros 2.64 (0.75) Weighted average number of shares outstanding 17,118,524 11,742,580 Revenues: At Euros 322.1 million (USD 384 million), Group revenues for the first quarter of 2006 were up 66% in Euros and 49% in USD compared to the first quarter of 2005. Revenues per segment: Total revenues for Geophysical Services for the first quarter 2006 stood at Euros 229.6 million (USD 273.7 million), up 95% in Euros and 76% in USD compared to the first quarter of 2005. Land revenues were Euros 33.4 million (USD 39.8 million), up 48% in Euros and 33% in USD compared to the first quarter of 2005. Offshore revenues were Euros 161.5 million (USD 192.6 million), up 128% in Euros and 105% in USD compared to the first quarter of 2005. Total revenues for multi-clients stood at Euros 70.9 million (USD 84.6 million). Multi-client after-sales were Euros 60.3 million (USD 71.9 million), 3 times more than in the first quarter 2005. The net book value of the offshore seismic data library at the end of March 2006 stood at Euros 84.2 million. Processing and Reservoir revenues were Euros 34.7 million (USD 41.4 million), up 45% in Euros and 30% in USD compared to the first quarter of 2005. For the first quarter 2006, Sercel total sales were Euros 121.5 million (USD 144.8 million), up 51 % in Euros and 36% in USD, compared to the same period last year. External sales for the third quarter of 2006 were Euros 92.5 million (USD 110.3 million). Operating Income: Group operating profit for the first quarter of 2006 was Euros 84.5 million representing a 26.2% operating margin, compared to a Euros 15.5 million operating profit for the first quarter 2005 and a 8% operating margin. This operating profit does not take into account the Euros 2.7 million contribution from Argas. The Geophysical Services operating profit for the first quarter of 2006 was Euros 62.0 million representing a 27,0% operating margin compared to a Euros 1.6 million operating profit for the first quarter of 2005. During this quarter, 12 crews were in operation and the land acquisition strategic business unit has been profitable before the Argas contribution. The positioning of this activity in the Middle East was strengthened with the signature of a regional Joint Venture with our long-term partner in Argas. In marine acquisition, our vessel utilisation rate was high with limited transit and four of our vessels operating offshore India. The C-Orion was commissioned mid February and is now operating in an eight Sercel Seal streamers configuration. The Geo-Challenger will be operational mid May in a twelve Sercel Sentinel solid streamers configuration. The demand in multi-clients surveys was exceptionally high, especially in the Gulf of Mexico in preparation for the lease sale, which took place in March. CGG opened a new dedicated processing center in Mumbai during the quarter, increasing the total number of processing centers worldwide to 30. Sercel operating profit for the first quarter of 2006 was Euros 29.3 million, representing a 24.2 % operating margin compared to Euros 15.7 million for the first quarter 2005, and a 19.5% operating margin. This first quarter was characterized by a sustained demand for land equipment and by a strong increase in deliveries of marine equipments. Sercel has reinforced its leading position particularly as the provider of offshore acquisition systems and associated streamers to a large base of clients. Segment information Million Euros IFRS Q1 2006 Q1 2005 Operating revenues Services 229.9 117.6 Products 121.5 80.6 Elimination (29.3) (3.8) Total 322.1 194.4 Operating profit (loss) Services 62.0 1.6 Products 29.3. 15.7 Corporate & Elimination (6.8) (1.9) Total 84.5 15.4 Net Result: The Group net result for the first quarter of 2006 showed a profit of Euros 58.9 million before a Euros 12.4 million specific financial charge for the variance on derivative of the 2004 convertible bonds. The Group net result stood at Euros 46.5 million compared to Group net loss of Euros 8.7 million for the first quarter 2005. An option, exercisable on the day of May 12, 2006, to convert the bonds with right to a cash payment, will be submitted to the approval of the general meeting of CGG shareholders to be held today. Group Net Result Millions Euros IFRS Q1 2006 Q1 2005 Net income before variance on derivative of CB 58.9 6.3 Variance on derivative of the convertible bonds (CB) (12.4) (15.0) Net income (loss) 46.5 (8.7) Operating Result Before Depreciation and Amortization : The Operating Result Before Depreciation and Amortization, "ORBDA", previously denominated "Adjusted EBITDA" in our former financial reports is defined as operating income (loss) excluding non-recurring revenues (expenses) plus depreciation, amortization and additions (deductions) to valuation allowances of assets and add-back of dividends received from equity companies. The ORBDA for the first quarter 2006 was Euros 131.3 million, representing 40.7% of revenues and a 162% increase year on year. ORBDA Millions Euros IFRS Q1 2006 Q1 2005 ORBDA 131.3 50.1 Summary of cash-flows: Cash Flows Million Euros IFRS Q1 2006 Q1 2005 Net Cash before change in working capital 116.5 47.9 Net Cash provided by operating activities 82.2 17.8 Total purchases of tangible and intangible assets (56.1) (13.7) Investment in multi-clients surveys (10.4) (6.3) Balance Sheet items : As of March 31st 2006, net equity stood at Euros 744.1 million and net debt at Euros 269.4 million, representing a 36.2% gearing ratio. Equity and Net Debt Million Euros IFRS 31/03/2006 31/12/2005 Shareholders' equity 744.1 698.5 Net debt 269.4 297.2 Gearing ratio 36.2% 42.4% Backlog : The backlog as of May 1st 2006 stood at USD 975 million, up 100% compared to May 1st 2005. Contact: Christophe BARNINI, (+33)-1-64-47-38 -10/38-11 The information included herein contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the securities act of 1933 and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements reflect numerous assumptions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties as disclosed by the Company from time to time in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may vary materially. The Compagnie Generale de Geophysique group is a global participant in the oilfield services industry providing a wide range of seismic data acquisition. processing and geoscience services and software to clients in the oil and gas exploration and production business. It is also a global manufacturer of geophysical equipment through its subsidiary Sercel. - A detailed financial statement in French and English is available on our website: http://www.cgg.com/ . - Robert BRUNCK. Chairman and CEO, will comment on the results during the shareholders meeting which will take place today at the maison du barreau - 2 Rue Harlay - Paris 75001 - An English language conference call is scheduled today at 4:00 p.m. (Paris time) - 9:00 am (US CT) 10:00 am (US ET). To take part in the English language conference, simply dial ten to fifteen minutes prior to the scheduled start time. - International call-in +1-(719)-457-2679 - US call-in (800)-500-0177 - Replay +1-(719)-457-0820 & (888)-203-1112 - pass code 7146920 You will be asked for the title of the conference: "CGG Q1 2006 Results" and the name of the Chairman of the Board of Directors: "Robert Brunck". - Slides of the presentation for these conferences are posted on the company web site and can be downloaded prior to the conference. - This conference will be broadcast live on CGG's website http://www.cgg.com/ and replays will be available for a month thereafter. DATASOURCE: Compagnie Generale de Geophysique (CGG) CONTACT: Contact: Christophe BARNINI, (+33)-1-64-47-38 -10/38-11

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