Robotics
Robotics revenues increased $54.6 million, or 40%, in 2022 compared to 2021. The increase was due to higher vessel, trenching and ROV activities in 2022. Chartered vessel days increased to 1,401, which included 420 spot vessel days, in 2022 compared to 1,178, which included 477 spot vessel days, in 2021. Trenching days increased to 483 days in 2022 compared to 336 days in 2021. Overall ROV and trencher utilization increased to 53% in 2022 compared to 36% in 2021. Robotics operating income increased $24.2 million to $30.0 million in 2022 compared to $5.8 million in 2021. The increase in operating income was due to higher revenues during 2022.
Shallow Water Abandonment
Shallow Water Abandonment generated revenues of $124.8 million and income from operations of $22.2 million, which reflected the operating results of Helix Alliance since its acquisition on July 1, 2022. Liftboat, OSV and DSV utilization was 76%, Epic Hedron heavy lift barge utilization was 21% and utilization across marketable plug and abandonment (P&A) and coiled tubing systems was 2,324 days, or 62%, during the period from July 1, 2022 (date of acquisition) through December 31, 2022.
Production Facilities
Production Facilities revenues increased $13.0 million, or 19%, during 2022 compared to 2021. The increase was due to higher oil and gas prices and improved rates related to the Helix Fast Response System, offset in part by lower oil and gas production volumes in 2022. Production Facilities operating income increased $4.3 million during 2022 due primarily to increases in revenues, offset in part by higher costs compared to 2021.
Selling, General and Administrative and Other
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $76.8 million, or 8.8% of revenue, in 2022 compared to $63.4 million, or 9.4% of revenue, in 2021. The increase was primarily related to an increase in employee incentive and share-based compensation costs as well as increased general and administrative expenses related to Helix Alliance.
Net Interest Expense
Net interest expense decreased to $19.0 million in 2022 compared to $23.2 million in 2021. The decrease was primarily associated with lower funded debt, which decreased by $42.9 million during 2022, and lower fees associated with our credit facility compared to 2021.
Change in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration
The change in fair value of contingent consideration relates to the change in the fair value of the estimated earn-out payable in 2024 to the seller of the Alliance group of companies.
Other Income and Expenses
Other expense, net was $23.3 million in 2022 compared to $1.5 million in 2021. The change was primarily due higher foreign currency losses due to a weakening of the British pound in 2022 compared to 2021.
Cash Flows
Helix generated operating cash flows of $51.1 million in 2022 compared to $140.1 million in 2021. The decrease in operating cash flows in 2022 was due to working capital outflows and higher regulatory certification costs in 2022 compared to improvements in working capital 2021, which included tax refunds of $18.9 million related to the CARES Act. The decrease in operating cash flows was offset in part by higher operating income in 2022. Regulatory certification costs, which are considered part of Helix’s capital spending program but are classified in operating cash flows, were $35.1 million in 2022 compared to $9.6 million in 2021.
Capital expenditures increased to $33.5 million in 2022 compared to $8.3 million in 2021 due primarily to the acquisition of three subsea trenchers and our interest in two subsea intervention systems during 2022.
Free Cash Flow was $17.6 million in 2022 compared to $131.8 million in 2021. The decrease was due to lower operating cash flows and higher capital expenditures in 2022. (Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP measure. See reconciliation below.)