NEWS RELEASE Exhibit 99.1 For further information contact: Kerry J. Chauvin Joseph "Duke" Gallagher Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer (504) 872-2100 (504) 872-2100 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1998 GULF ISLAND FABRICATION, INC. REPORTS THIRD QUARTER AND YEAR-TO-DATE 1998 EARNINGS Houma, LA - Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc. (NASDAQ: GIFI) today reported pro forma net income of $5.3 million ($.45 diluted EPS) on revenue of $51.9 million for its third quarter ended September 30, 1998, compared to pro forma net income of $3.7 million ($.32 diluted EPS) on revenue of $36.3 million for the third quarter of 1997. Pro forma net income for the first nine months of 1998 was $14.7 million ($1.25 diluted EPS) on revenue of $149.4 million, compared to pro forma net income of $9.2 million ($.89 diluted EPS) on revenue of $101.6 million for the first nine months of 1997. Pro forma net income gives effect to federal and state income taxes as if the company had been a C Corporation for tax purposes during all the periods presented. Pro forma net income excludes the non-recurring charge of $1.1 million to record the cumulative deferred income tax provision upon the election on April 4, 1997 to convert from S Corporation status to C Corporation status. On October 6, 1997 the Company's Board of Directors authorized a two- for-one stock split effected in the form of a stock dividend that was distributed on October 28, 1997 to shareholders of record on October 21, 1997. All share and per share data presented reflects the stock split. At September 30, 1998, the company had a revenue backlog of $53.3 million and a labor backlog of approximately 1.0 million manhours remaining to work. "We had a great third quarter and are quite pleased with our results over the first nine months of the year," said Kerry Chauvin, Gulf Island's Chief Executive Officer. "Despite our Company's excellent performance, however, the downturn in our industry brought on by continued low oil prices and a downturn in natural gas prices as well, will impact our ability to maintain these high levels of performance beyond year end. The dollar value of projects available in the market is significantly below last year's levels and our backlog is being similarly eroded. Competition for available projects has become more intense and future margins will likely be diminished. Cost reduction measures will be undertaken as appropriate to meet these conditions. In the longer term, demand for our services will largely depend upon prices for oil and gas, which are difficult to predict. At some point however, it is expected that these should recover as supplies are reduced and our customers are forced to replace them." Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc., based in Houma, Louisiana, is a leading fabricator of offshore drilling and production platforms and other specialized structures used in the development and production of offshore oil and gas reserves. The Company also offers offshore interconnect pipe hook-up, inshore marine construction, and steel warehousing and sales. With the acquisition of Southport, Inc., effective January 1, 1998, the Company also provides the fabrication of living quarters for offshore platforms for the oil and gas industry. Information in this press release concerning future industry conditions and future company operations and performance are forward-looking statements based on current expectations and assumptions. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, the prices of crude oil and natural gas, the timing of new projects and the Company's ability to obtain them, and competitive factors in the industry. Changes in these factors could result in changes in the Company's performance and could cause the actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. GULF ISLAND FABRICATION, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED) (in thousands, except per share data)