Noble Corporation plc Announces Second Quarter 2024 Results

•                      Announced acquisition of Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (“Diamond”), bolstering a leading position in deepwater; transaction expected to close by Q1 2025.

•                      Q2 Net Income of $195 million, Diluted Earnings Per Share of $1.34, Adjusted EBITDA of $271 million, net cash provided by operating activities of $107 million, and Free Cash Flow of $(26) million.

•                      As previously announced, Q3 dividend increased to $0.50 per share, establishing the current highest dividend payout in U.S. oilfield services sector.

•                      Guidance for Full Year 2024 Adjusted EBITDA narrowed to $950-$1,000 million (from $925-$1,025 million).

 

SUGAR LAND, TEXAS, July 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Noble Corporation plc (NYSE: NE, CSE: NOBLE, “Noble”, or the “Company”) today reported second quarter 2024 results.

		Three Months Ended
(in millions, except per share amounts)		June 30, 2024		June 30, 2023		March 31, 2024
Total Revenue		$ 693		$ 639		$ 637
Contract Drilling Services Revenue		661		606		612
Net Income (Loss)		195		66		95
Adjusted EBITDA*		271		188		183
Adjusted Net Income (Loss)*		105		56		66
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share		1.37		0.48		0.67
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share		1.34		0.45		0.66
Adjusted Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share*		0.72		0.38		0.45
* A Non-GAAP supporting schedule is included with the statements and schedules attached to this press release.

Robert W. Eifler, President and Chief Executive Officer of Noble Corporation plc, stated “Our second quarter results reflect a strong earnings improvement driven by key contract startups, resulting in a 48% sequential improvement in Adjusted EBITDA. To that end, the 25% increase to our quarterly dividend to $0.50 per share in Q3 further demonstrates Noble’s return of capital commitment. We are extremely excited to be progressing toward closing the highly accretive acquisition of Diamond, which represents a critical milestone in our First Choice journey through the formation of an industry leading deepwater fleet and a strong free cash generation and return of capital platform.”

Second Quarter Results

Contract drilling services revenue for the second quarter of 2024 totaled $661 million compared to $612 million in the first quarter of 2024, with the sequential increase driven by increased utilization. Marketed fleet utilization was 78% in the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to 72% in the previous quarter. Contract drilling services costs for the second quarter of 2024 were $336 million, down from $390 million the first quarter of 2024, with lower contract preparation and mobilization expenses. Net income increased to $195 million in the second quarter of 2024, up from $95 million in the first quarter of 2024, and Adjusted EBITDA increased to $271 million in the second quarter of 2024, up from $183 million in the first quarter of 2024. Net cash provided by operating activities in the second quarter of 2024 was $107 million, net capital expenditures were $133 million, and free cash flow (non-GAAP) was $(26) million driven by a significant working capital build.

Balance Sheet and Capital Allocation

The Company's balance sheet as of June 30, 2024, reflected total debt principal value of $635 million and cash (and cash equivalents) of $163 million. On June 10, 2024, Noble’s Board of Directors approved an interim quarterly cash dividend on our ordinary shares of $0.50 per share for the third quarter of 2024. This dividend is in addition to the $0.40 per share dividend previously announced which was paid on June 27, 2024, to shareholders of record at close of business on June 6, 2024. The $0.50 dividend is expected to be paid on September 26, 2024, to shareholders of record at close of business on September 12, 2024. The Company intends to continue to pay dividends on a quarterly basis, and the third quarter dividend represents $2.00 on an annualized basis. Future quarterly dividends and other shareholder returns will be subject to, amongst other things, approval by the Board of Directors and may be modified as market conditions dictate. The limited waiver of certain restrictions pursuant to the merger agreement with Diamond has provided Noble the flexibility to execute under its previously approved share repurchase program following the conclusion of the Diamond shareholder vote currently scheduled for August 27th, and subject to laws and regulations.

Operating Highlights and Backlog

Noble's marketed fleet of sixteen floaters was 78% contracted through the second quarter, compared with 76% in the prior quarter. Industry leading edge dayrates for tier-1 drillships remain firm in the high $400,000s to low $500,000s per day range, excluding discounted rates for longer term duration fixtures. Contract fixtures for lower specification sixth generation floaters have been limited, resulting in continued white space for these units and bifurcated dayrate expectations for tier-1 rigs and lower specification rigs in 2024 and 2025.

Utilization of Noble's thirteen marketed jackups improved to 77% in the second quarter, up from 67% utilization during the prior quarter. Leading edge harsh environment jackup dayrates are in the mid $200,000s per day in Norway and $130,000 to $150,000 per day in other North Sea. The Northern Europe jackup market is characterized by moderately improving demand visibility in Norway for 2025, contrasted with a more cautious near term outlook in the southern North Sea arising from policy and permitting uncertainty in the U.K.

Subsequent to last quarter’s earnings press release, new contracts for Noble’s fleet with total contract value of approximately $275 million (including mobilization payments) include the following:

•          Noble Stanley Lafosse received an extension from Murphy by the exercise of five option wells in the Gulf of Mexico, an additional scope of $177 million based on an estimated one year duration extending into February 2026.

•          Noble Innovator received an extension from BP in the UK North Sea by exercise of priced options for an estimated duration of approximately 8 months at a dayrate of $155,000.

•          Noble Resolve has been awarded a contract from Central European Petroleum for one well with estimated duration of 45 days offshore Poland at a dayrate of $140,000 plus mobilization and demobilization which is expected to commence in September 2024. The rig was also awarded a contract from an undisclosed operator in Spain for a 13-well P&A scope valued at approximately $40 million (including mobilization and demobilization) that is expected to commence in Q2 2025 for an estimated 170 days.

•          Noble Resilient was awarded a one-well intervention contract from Harbour Energy with an estimated 30-70 day duration commencing in July 2024.

 

•          Noble Regina Allen received an extension from TotalEnergies by the exercise of two priced option wells at $150,000 per day in Argentina with estimated duration of 60 days.

 

Noble's backlog as of July 31, 2024, stands at $4.2 billion.

 

Outlook

For the full year 2024, Noble is updating its guidance as follows: Total revenue increases and narrows to a range of $2,650 to $2,750 million (previously $2,550 to $2,700 million) with the increase primarily driven by higher reimbursable revenue and revenue from ancillary services; Adjusted EBITDA narrows to a range of $950 to $1,000 million (previously $925 to $1,025 million), and capital additions (net of reimbursements) remains the same with a range of $400 to $440 million.

Commenting on Noble’s outlook, Mr. Eifler stated, “Deepwater fundamentals remain firm, and key indicators continue to support meaningful additional growth over the course of this cycle. Although demand has been flat over the past twelve months and appears likely to remain approximately flat into mid 2025, we expect several sizeable development programs will drive another leg of growth from late 2025 and 2026. Notwithstanding this expected moderated EBITDA trajectory throughout this transition period with continuing white space impacts, Noble has now reached a free cash flow inflection point, and we intend to continue to drive shareholder value by directing essentially all free cash flow to dividends and share repurchases.”

Noble’s outlook does not include any impact of its pending acquisition of Diamond.

Due to the forward-looking nature of Adjusted EBITDA, management cannot reliably predict certain of the necessary components of the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measure. Accordingly, the Company is unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of such forward-looking non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measure without unreasonable effort. The unavailable information could have a significant effect on Noble’s full year 2024 GAAP financial results.

Conference Call

Noble will host a conference call related to its second quarter 2024 results on Thursday, August 1st, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Central Time. Interested parties may dial +1 800-715-9871 and refer to conference ID 31391 approximately 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Additionally, a live webcast link will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website. A webcast replay will be accessible for a limited time following the call.

For additional information, visit www.noblecorp.com or email [email protected].

Dividend Details

Dividends payable to Noble shareholders will generally be paid in U.S. dollars (USD). However, holders of shares in the form of share entitlements admitted to trading on NASDAQ Copenhagen will receive an equivalent dividend payment in Danish krone (DKK) as determined by the exchange rate on a specified date. The holders of such share entitlements bear the risk of fluctuations in USD and DKK exchange rates.

Forward-looking Statements

This communication includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this communication are forward looking statements, including those regarding future guidance, including revenue, adjusted EBITDA, the offshore drilling market and demand fundamentals, realization and timing of integration synergies, costs, the benefits or results of acquisitions or dispositions such as the acquisition of Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (the “Diamond Transaction”) free cash flow expectations, capital expenditure, capital additions, capital allocation expectations including planned dividends and share repurchases, contract backlog, rig demand, expected future contracts, anticipated contract start dates, major project schedules, dayrates and duration, fleet condition and utilization, realization and timing of insurance recoverables and 2024 financial guidance. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and actual results may differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. When used in this communication, or in the documents incorporated by reference, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “guidance,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “on track,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would,” “achieve,” “shall,” “target,” “will” and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that such expectations will prove to be correct. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this communication and we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason, except as required by law. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those detailed in Noble’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports Form 10-Q and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, risks related to the recently announced Diamond Transaction, including the risk that the transaction will not be completed on the timeline or terms currently contemplated, the risk that the benefits of the transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected, the risk that the costs of the acquisition will be significant and the risk that management attention will be diverted to transaction-related issues. We cannot control such risk factors and other uncertainties, and in many cases, we cannot predict the risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. You should consider these risks and uncertainties when you are evaluating us. With respect to our capital allocation policy, distributions to shareholders in the form of either dividends or share buybacks are subject to the Board of Directors’ assessment of factors such as business development, growth strategy, current leverage and financing needs. There can be no assurance that a dividend or buyback program will be declared or continued.

NOBLE CORPORATION plc AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2024		2023		2024		2023
Operating revenues
Contract drilling services		$ 660,710		$ 606,180		$ 1,273,135		$ 1,181,470
Reimbursables and other		32,134		32,355		56,793		67,119
		692,844		638,535		1,329,928		1,248,589
Operating costs and expenses
Contract drilling services		335,854		362,533		725,721		724,322
Reimbursables		23,331		24,796		41,011		50,802
Depreciation and amortization		90,770		71,324		177,468		141,266
General and administrative		39,669		32,352		65,630		62,389
Merger and integration costs		10,618		22,452		19,949		34,083
(Gain) loss on sale of operating assets, net		(17,357)		—		(17,357)		—
Hurricane losses and (recoveries), net		—		15,934		—		19,478
		482,885		529,391		1,012,422		1,032,340
Operating income (loss)		209,959		109,144		317,506		216,249
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized		(11,996)		(14,662)		(29,540)		(31,534)
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt, net		—		(26,397)		—		(26,397)
Interest income and other, net		(8,183)		(2,940)		(12,918)		(914)
Income (loss) before income taxes		189,780		65,145		275,048		157,404
Income tax benefit (provision)		5,228		671		15,441		16,475
Net income (loss)		$ 195,008		$ 65,816		$ 290,489		$ 173,879
Per share data
Basic:
Net income (loss)		$ 1.37		$ 0.48		$ 2.04		$ 1.27
Diluted:
Net income (loss)		$ 1.34		$ 0.45		$ 1.99		$ 1.19

 

NOBLE CORPORATION plc AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

		June 30, 2024		December 31, 2023
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 162,852		$ 360,794
Accounts receivable, net		637,034		548,844
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		186,979		152,110
Total current assets		986,865		1,061,748
Intangible assets		4,356		10,128
Property and equipment, at cost		4,853,998		4,591,936
Accumulated depreciation		(640,185)		(467,600)
Property and equipment, net		4,213,813		4,124,336
Other assets		382,100		311,225
Total assets		$ 5,587,134		$ 5,507,437
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable		$ 340,161		$ 395,165
Accrued payroll and related costs		68,179		97,313
Other current liabilities		228,658		149,202
Total current liabilities		636,998		641,680
Long-term debt		622,051		586,203
Other liabilities		340,842		307,451
Noncurrent contract liabilities		2,241		50,863
Total liabilities		1,602,132		1,586,197
Commitments and contingencies
Total shareholders’ equity		3,985,002		3,921,240
Total liabilities and equity		$ 5,587,134		$ 5,507,437

 

NOBLE CORPORATION plc AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024		2023
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ 290,489		$ 173,879
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flow from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	177,468		141,266
Amortization of intangible assets and contract liabilities, net	(42,850)		(84,737)
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt, net	—		26,397
(Gain) loss on sale of operating assets, net	(17,357)		—
Changes in components of working capital and other operating activities	(172,270)		(108,725)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	235,480		148,080
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(307,651)		(169,530)
Proceeds from insurance claims	8,528		—
Proceeds from disposal of assets, net	(690)		—
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(299,813)		(169,530)
Cash flows from financing activities
Issuance of debt	—		600,000
Borrowings on credit facilities	35,000		—
Repayments of debt	—		(673,411)
Debt extinguishment costs	—		(25,697)
Debt issuance costs	—		(24,914)
Warrants exercised	282		102
Share repurchases	—		(70,000)
Dividend payments	(116,581)		—
Taxes withheld on employee stock transactions	(53,627)		(8,355)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(134,926)		(202,275)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(199,259)		(223,725)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	367,745		485,707
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	$ 168,486		$ 261,982

 

NOBLE CORPORATION plc AND SUBSIDIARIES
OPERATIONAL INFORMATION
(Unaudited)

	Average Rig Utilization (1)
	Three Months Ended		Three Months Ended		Three Months Ended
	June 30, 2024		March 31, 2024		June 30, 2023
Floaters	70 %		64 %		76 %
Jackups	77 %		67 %		62 %
Total	73 %		65 %		70 %
	Operating Days
	Three Months Ended		Three Months Ended		Three Months Ended
	June 30, 2024		March 31, 2024		June 30, 2023
Floaters	1,138		1,101		1,305
Jackups	914		794		786
Total	2,052		1,895		2,091
	Average Dayrates
	Three Months Ended		Three Months Ended		Three Months Ended
	June 30, 2024		March 31, 2024		June 30, 2023
Floaters	$ 435,677		$ 433,608		$ 363,167
Jackups	155,585		144,187		128,885
Total	$ 310,962		$ 312,502		$ 275,066

(1) Average Rig Utilization statistics include all marketed and cold stacked rigs.

NOBLE CORPORATION plc AND SUBSIDIARIES
CALCULATION OF BASIC AND DILUTED NET INCOME/(LOSS) PER SHARE
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 

The following tables presents the computation of basic and diluted income (loss) per share:

		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2024		2023		2024		2023
Numerator:
Net income (loss)		$ 195,008		$ 65,816		$ 290,489		$ 173,879
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic		142,854		138,058		142,404		136,502
Dilutive effect of share-based awards		1,559		3,242		1,559		3,242
Dilutive effect of warrants		1,647		5,692		1,651		6,810
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted		146,060		146,992		145,614		146,554
Per share data
Basic:
Net income (loss)		$ 1.37		$ 0.48		$ 2.04		$ 1.27
Diluted:
Net income (loss)		$ 1.34		$ 0.45		$ 1.99		$ 1.19

 

NOBLE CORPORATION plc AND SUBSIDIARIES
NON-GAAP MEASURES AND RECONCILIATION

Certain non-GAAP measures and corresponding reconciliations to GAAP financial measures for the Company have been provided for meaningful comparisons between current results and prior operating periods. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s performance, financial position, or cash flows that excludes or includes amounts that are not normally included or excluded in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

The Company defines “Adjusted EBITDA” as net income (loss) adjusted for interest expense, net of amounts capitalized; interest income and other, net; income tax benefit (provision); and depreciation and amortization expense, as well as, if applicable, gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt, net; losses on economic impairments; amortization of intangible assets and contract liabilities, net; restructuring and similar charges; costs related to mergers and integrations; and certain other infrequent operational events. We believe that the Adjusted EBITDA measure provides greater transparency of our core operating performance. We prepare Adjusted Net Income (Loss) by eliminating from Net Income (Loss) the impact of a number of non-recurring items we do not consider indicative of our on-going performance. We prepare Adjusted Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share by eliminating from Diluted Earnings per Share the impact of a number of non-recurring items we do not consider indicative of our on-going performance. Similar to Adjusted EBITDA, we believe these measures help identify underlying trends that could otherwise be masked by the effect of the non-recurring items we exclude in the measure.

The Company also discloses free cash flow as a non-GAAP liquidity measure. Free cash flow is calculated as Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less cash paid for capital expenditures. We believe Free Cash Flow is useful to investors because it measures our ability to generate or use cash. Once business needs and obligations are met, this cash can be used to reinvest in the company for future growth or to return to shareholders through dividend payments or share repurchases. We may have certain obligations such as non-discretionary debt service that are not deducted from the measure. Such business needs, obligations, and other non-discretionary expenditures that are not deducted from Free Cash Flow would reduce cash available for other uses including return of capital.

We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information about our financial performance, enhance the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects, and allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by our management team for financial and operational decision-making. We are presenting these non-GAAP financial measures to assist investors in seeing our financial performance through the eyes of management, and because we believe that these measures provide an additional tool for investors to use in comparing our core financial performance over multiple periods with other companies in our industry.

These non-GAAP adjusted measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, contract drilling revenue, contract drilling costs, contract drilling margin, average daily revenue, operating income, cash flows from operations, or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Please see the following non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations for a complete description of the adjustments.

NOBLE CORPORATION plc AND SUBSIDIARIES
NON-GAAP MEASURES AND RECONCILIATION
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Three Months Ended
		2024		2023		March 31, 2024
Net income (loss)		$ 195,008		$ 65,816		$ 95,481
Income tax (benefit) provision		(5,228)		(671)		(10,213)
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized		11,996		14,662		17,544
Interest income and other, net		8,183		2,940		4,735
Depreciation and amortization		90,770		71,324		86,698
Amortization of intangible assets and contract liabilities, net		(22,497)		(31,009)		(20,353)
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt, net		—		26,397		—
Merger and integration costs		10,618		22,452		9,331
(Gain) loss on sale of operating assets, net		(17,357)		—		—
Hurricane losses and (recoveries), net		—		15,934		—
Adjusted EBITDA		$ 271,493		$ 187,845		$ 183,223

 

Reconciliation of Income Tax Benefit (Provision)
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Three Months Ended
		2024		2023		March 31, 2024
Income tax benefit (provision)		$ 5,228		$ 671		$ 10,213
Adjustments
Amortization of intangible assets and contract liabilities, net		101		3,747		58
Gain (loss) on sale of operating assets, net		2,500		—		—
Discrete tax items		(63,067)		(47,601)		(18,528)
Total Adjustments		(60,466)		(43,854)		(18,470)
Adjusted income tax benefit (provision)		$ (55,238)		$ (43,183)		$ (8,257)

NOBLE CORPORATION plc AND SUBSIDIARIES

NON-GAAP MEASURES AND RECONCILIATION

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss)
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Three Months Ended
		2024		2023		March 31, 2024
Net income (loss)		$ 195,008		$ 65,816		$ 95,481
Adjustments
Amortization of intangible assets and contract liabilities, net		(22,396)		(27,262)		(20,295)
Merger and integration costs		10,618		22,452		9,331
(Gain) loss on sale of operating assets, net		(14,857)		—		—
Hurricane losses and (recoveries), net		—		15,934		—
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt, net		—		26,397		—
Discrete tax items		(63,067)		(47,601)		(18,528)
Total Adjustments		(89,702)		(10,080)		(29,492)
Adjusted net income (loss)		$ 105,306		$ 55,736		$ 65,989
Reconciliation of Diluted EPS
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Three Months Ended
		2024		2023		March 31, 2024
Unadjusted diluted EPS		$ 1.34		$ 0.45		$ 0.66
Adjustments
Amortization of intangible assets and contract liabilities, net		(0.15)		(0.19)		(0.14)
Merger and integration costs		0.06		0.15		0.06
(Gain) loss on sale of operating assets, net		(0.10)		—		—
Hurricane losses and (recoveries), net		—		0.11		—
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt, net		—		0.18		—
Discrete tax items		(0.43)		(0.32)		(0.13)
Total Adjustments		(0.62)		(0.07)		(0.21)
Adjusted diluted EPS		$ 0.72		$ 0.38		$ 0.45
Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Three Months Ended
		2024		2023		March 31, 2024
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$ 106,791		$ 211,160		$ 128,689
Capital expenditures, net of proceeds from insurance claims		(132,513)		(106,796)		(166,610)
Free cash flow		$ (25,722)		$ 104,364		$ (37,921)

 

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