THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2024 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2023
Revenues. Revenues of $377.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, decreased 20.7% compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease in revenues is primarily due to lower industry activity levels and competitive pricing, partially offset by financial results from the Company’s recent acquisition of Spinnaker.
During the first quarter of 2024, the average price of oil was 2.0% higher but the average price of natural gas was 19.2% lower, both as compared to the same period in the prior year. The average domestic rig count (Source: Baker Hughes, Inc.) for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was 18.0% lower than the same period in 2023.
The Technical Services segment revenues for the first quarter of 2024 decreased by 21.2% compared to the same period of the prior year due primarily to a decrease in Pressure Pumping revenues due to lower industry activity and more competitive pricing, partially offset by financial results from the Company’s recent acquisition of Spinnaker. Technical Services reported operating income of $32.0 million during the first quarter of 2024 compared to operating income of $103.5 million in the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in Technical Services operating income was primarily due to a decrease in pressure pumping activity, competitive pricing and reduced fixed cost absorption. Support Services segment revenues for the first quarter of 2024 decreased by 13.1% compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily due to lower activity levels within rental tools. Support Services reported operating income of $3.6 million for the first quarter of 2024 compared to operating income of $6.6 million for the first quarter of 2023. First quarter 2024 Support Services operating profit decreased by $3.0 million compared to the first quarter of the prior year due to lower activity levels and lower revenues over costs that are relatively fixed during the short term.
Cost of revenues. Cost of revenues decreased 9.4% to $276.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $305.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Cost of revenues decreased primarily due to reduced expenses consistent with lower activity levels, such as materials and supplies expenses, maintenance and repairs expenses and fuel costs. These costs decreased less than the revenue decrease given the fixed nature of some of these costs, including labor, and the timing of maintenance and repairs. In accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) Topic 11.B, cost of revenues presented on the Consolidated Statements of Operations excludes depreciation and amortization totaling $27.3 million for the first quarter of 2024 compared to $21.8 million for the first quarter of 2023.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $40.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $42.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, primarily due to a decrease in variable expenses consistent with lower activity levels, partially offset by operating expenses from recently acquired Spinnaker.
Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased 24.4% to $30.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $24.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Depreciation and amortization increased due to capital expenditures in the past year, coupled with additional depreciation from the acquisition of Spinnaker.
Gain on disposition of assets, net. Gain on disposition of assets, net was $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to a gain on disposition of assets, net of $2.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The gain on disposition of assets, net is generally comprised of gains and losses related to various property and equipment dispositions or sales to customers of lost or damaged rental equipment.
Other income, net. Other income, net was $767 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $761 thousand for the same period in the prior year.
Interest expense and interest income. Interest expense increased to $234 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $72 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Interest expense includes facility fees on the unused portion of the credit facility and the amortization of loan costs. Interest income increased to $3.0 million compared to $1.9 million in the prior year due to a higher average cash balance coupled with higher investment yields.
Income tax provision. Income tax provision was $8.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $21.7 million tax provision for the same period in 2023. The effective tax rate was 23.4%for the three months ended March 31, 2024,