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Noble Corporation plc Reports First Quarter 2017 Results

May 4, 2017

LONDON, May 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Noble Corporation plc (NYSE: NE) today reported results for the three months ended March 31, 2017, which included the following developments:

  • $650 million in new contract awards
  • 93 percent utilization in jackup fleet and total fleet utilization of 69 percent
  • Fleet total downtime of only 2.8 percent continued impressive trend of strong operational execution
  • Nine percent reduction in contract drilling service costs when compared to fourth quarter 2016, despite an increase in fleet operating days
  • $142 million in net cash from operating activities
  • Recognition of previously announced non-cash, discrete tax item totaling $260 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, resulting from internal reorganization intended to enhance liquidity

For the first quarter of 2017, the Company reported a net loss attributable to Noble Corporation of $302 million, or $1.24 per diluted share, on revenues of $363 million. The quarterly results reflect the negative impact of a non-cash, discrete tax item totaling $260 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, following a previously announced internal reorganization that should enhance liquidity through a lower current tax expense. Excluding the impact of the non-cash, discrete tax item, the net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2017 would have been $42 million, or $0.17 per diluted share.

The first quarter 2017 results compared to a fourth quarter 2016 net loss attributable to the Company of $1.3 billion, or $5.36 per diluted share, on revenues of $410 million. Results for the fourth quarter of 2016 included a charge of $1.3 billion, or $5.34 per diluted share, relating to the impairment of five rigs and certain capital spares, partially offset by gains totaling $32 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, relating to the extinguishment of debt, a contract termination lump sum settlement and a discrete tax item. Excluding the impact of these items, the net loss for the fourth quarter of 2016 would have been $37 million, or $0.15 per diluted share.

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company reported net income attributable to Noble Corporation of $105 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, on revenues of $612 million. Results for the quarter included a favorable discrete tax item totaling $27 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, which when excluded, resulted in net income of $78 million, or $0.31 per diluted share.

A Non-GAAP supporting schedule is available following the financial information attached to this press release and at www.noblecorp.com providing a reconciliation for total revenues, net income (loss) attributable to Noble Corporation, income tax and diluted earnings per share for the first quarters of 2017 and 2016 and the fourth quarter 2016.

David W. Williams, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Noble Corporation plc, noted, "First quarter fleet performance was exemplary, with total downtime approaching historic lows, while operating cost management efforts continued to produce positive results, helping to preserve our operating margins in the quarter. Also, for the first time in several quarters, we experienced a quarterly increase in our contract backlog following the award of multi-year contracts for three of our jackups. Finally, total debt was reduced in the quarter with the repayment of $300 million in senior notes. These accomplishments fortify our solid industry position and further prepare Noble to address emerging opportunities that should materialize as the offshore industry recovers."

Contract drilling services revenues for the first quarter of 2017 totaled $355 million compared to $401 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, which included a $16 million contract termination lump sum settlement. Excluding the lump sum settlement, the eight percent decline was due primarily to unfavorable dayrate adjustments largely related to the Company's floating rig fleet, a reduction in demobilization revenues and an $8 million unfavorable quarterly revaluation adjustment of a derivative instrument relating to contingent payments associated with a contract cancellation settlement reached in May 2016 with Freeport-McMoRan. These items were partially offset by a full quarter of operations on the high-specification jackup rig Noble Lloyd Noble and lower total downtime across the fleet. Average fleet utilization improved in the first quarter to 69 percent, up from 62 percent in the preceding quarter. However, average daily revenues declined to $202,700 from $238,700 over the same period of comparison. Despite an increase in operating days, contract drilling services costs declined nine percent in the first quarter to $160 million compared to $177 million in the preceding quarter. The favorable result was driven largely by lower activity in the floating rig fleet and a reduction in demobilization and repair and maintenance expenses, partially offset by a full quarter of operations on the Noble Lloyd Noble. With the further decrease in contract drilling services costs, the operating margin for the first quarter remained healthy at 55 percent compared to 56 percent in the preceding quarter.

Net cash from operating activities for the first quarter of 2017 was $142 million while capital expenditures totaled $19 million. The Company continues to expect total capital expenditures for 2017 to be approximately $115 million, representing a substantial reduction when compared to the average capital spending level over the past three years. This planned reduction in capital expenditures, together with lower revised operating costs, is expected to result in a positive free cash flow position in 2017, before any debt repayments.

During the first quarter of 2017, the Company utilized cash on hand to repay $300 million of senior note maturities, reducing total debt to $4.0 billion at March 31, 2017.  The first quarter concluded with cash and cash equivalents totaling $520 million and an undrawn revolving credit facility of $2.445 billion, or total liquidity of approximately $3.0 billion.

Operating Highlights

For the first quarter of 2017, utilization of the Company's floating rig fleet was 46 percent compared to 43 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016, with the slight increase reflecting the removal of two semisubmersible rigs retired from service in December 2016. Operating days during the first quarter declined eight percent when compared to the preceding quarter following the completion of contracts on the drillships Noble Bob Douglas and Noble Bully I.  Average daily revenues in the first quarter declined to $363,100 from $429,400 during the preceding quarter, reflecting the completion of the two drillship contracts and a reduction in the dayrate on the Noble Globetrotter II from $434,000 to $185,000 following the commencement in December 2016 of an idle period in accordance with the previously disclosed contract amendment with Shell. The Noble Bob Douglas was mobilized during the first quarter to Suriname where it completed a one-well assignment in mid-April and is currently hot stacked in the southern Caribbean while the Company evaluates multiple near-term opportunities. Following the completion of the contract for the Noble Bully I, the rig was mobilized to the southern Caribbean where it will be cold stacked at an expected average daily cost of $10,000 to $15,000.

Utilization of the Company's 14-rig jackup fleet reached 93 percent in the first quarter of 2017, up from 86 percent in the preceding quarter. The improvement reflected a full quarter of operations on the Noble Houston Colbert and Noble Lloyd Noble following the commencement of contracts on both rigs in late fourth quarter 2016.  Average daily revenues in the first quarter improved to $123,200 compared to $108,900 in the preceding quarter, adjusted for a contract termination lump sum settlement on the Noble Tom Prosser. The Company added approximately 12 rig years in new contracts during the first quarter, equating to more than $650 million in revenue backlog, and closed the first quarter with all 14 jackups under contract, including 13 units currently executing drilling assignments.

At March 31, 2017, the Company's contract backlog totaled $3.5 billion with an estimated $2.0 billion relating to the floating rig fleet and $1.5 billion to the jackup rig fleet. Approximately 54 percent of the available rig operating days remaining in 2017 are committed to contracts, including 32 percent of the floating rig fleet and 77 percent of the jackup fleet. In 2018, 40 percent of available operating days are committed to contracts, including 29 percent and 50 percent of the floating and jackup rig days, respectively.

Outlook

Although the offshore drilling industry continues to address a fleet capacity imbalance, Williams offered a note of optimism, stating, "We believe improving conditions in the offshore drilling industry are becoming clearer. Client tenders for both jackups and floating rigs are on the rise and include emerging regions, as well as previously active areas that have largely been dormant over the past two years. Also, contract awards, especially in the jackup sector, are occurring with greater frequency, and field development activity is up, relative to the recent past, as project cost rationalization efforts lead to better program economics. Finally, we believe long-term oil market fundamentals are supportive of stable to higher crude oil prices, which with time will support an increase in rig demand.

"We remain committed to preserving our excellent competitive position in the industry by building upon our operational and financial accomplishments of the past two years. I am proud of the consistency of our operational performance and the unwavering internal support of cost management initiatives. Also, our success with securing contracts, our backlog which includes numerous higher margin contracts, as well as the geographic positioning of our fleet, should drive future success. And finally, I am pleased with the healthy liquidity position we have preserved through the worst of the industry recession, as well as the manageability of our debt profile. We believe Noble is in an enviable position relative to our peers, as investors begin to shift their attention to 2018 and 2019."

About Noble Corporation plc

Noble is a leading offshore drilling contractor for the oil and gas industry. The Company owns and operates one of the most modern, versatile and technically advanced fleets in the offshore drilling industry. Noble performs, through its subsidiaries, contract drilling services with a fleet of 28 offshore drilling units, consisting of 14 drillships and semisubmersibles and 14 jackups, focused largely on ultra-deepwater and high-specification jackup drilling opportunities in both established and emerging regions worldwide. Noble is a public limited company registered in England and Wales with company number 08354954 and registered office at Devonshire House, 1 Mayfair Place, London, W1J 8AJ England. Additional information on Noble is available at www.noblecorp.com.

Forward-looking Disclosure Statement

Statements regarding contract backlog, future earnings, costs, expense management, revenue, rig demand, fleet condition, operational or financial performance, shareholder value, contract commitments, dayrates, contract commencements, contract extensions, renewals or renegotiations, letters of intent or award, industry fundamentals, customer relationships and requirements, strategic initiatives, future performance, growth opportunities, the offshore drilling market, market outlook, capital allocation strategies, our financial position, business strategy, taxes and tax rates, liquidity, competitive position, capital expenditures, financial flexibility, debt levels, debt repayment, the outcome of any dispute, litigation, audit or investigation, as well as any other statements that are not historical facts in this release, are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These include but are not limited to operating hazards and delays, risks associated with operations outside of the U.S., actions or claims by regulatory authorities, customers and other third parties, legislation and regulations affecting drilling operations, compliance with regulatory requirements, factors affecting the level of activity in the oil and gas industry, supply and demand of drilling rigs, factors affecting the duration of contracts, the actual amount of downtime, factors that reduce applicable dayrates, violations of anti-corruption laws, hurricanes and other weather conditions, market conditions, the future price of oil and gas and other factors detailed in the Company's most recent Form 10-K, Form 10-Q's and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated. 

Conference Call

Noble also has scheduled a conference call and webcast related to its first quarter 2017  results on Friday, May 5, 2017, at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time. Interested parties are invited to listen to the call by dialing 1-877-201-0168, or internationally 1-647-788-4901, using access code: 21883238, or by asking for the Noble Corporation plc conference call. Interested parties may also listen over the Internet through a link posted in the Investor Relations section of the Company's Website. 

A replay of the conference call will be available on Friday, May 5, 2017, beginning at 11:00 a.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time, through Monday, June 5, 2017, ending at 11:00 p.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time. The phone number for the conference call replay is 1-855-859-2056 or, for calls from outside of the U.S., 1-404-537-3406, using access code: 21883238.  The replay will also be available on the Company's Website following the end of the live call.

 

NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 

 (In thousands, except per share amounts) 

 (Unaudited) 










Three Months Ended




March 31, 




2017


2016

 Operating revenues 






 Contract drilling services 


$  354,659


$ 591,367


 Reimbursables 


8,304


20,606


 Other 


13


-




362,976


611,973

 Operating costs and expenses 






 Contract drilling services 


160,385


251,248


 Reimbursables 


5,146


16,006


 Depreciation and amortization 


135,718


149,719


 General and administrative 


15,880


19,540




317,129


436,513







 Operating income 


45,847


175,460







 Other income (expense) 






 Interest expense, net of amount capitalized 


(73,447)


(57,100)


 Interest income (expense) and other, net 


1,233


(730)

 Income (loss) before income taxes 


(26,367)


117,630


 Income tax benefit (provision) 


(257,407)


6,503

 Net income (loss) 


(283,774)


124,133


 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 


(17,920)


(18,648)

 Net income (loss) attributable to Noble Corporation plc 


$ (301,694)


$ 105,485







 Per share data: 






 Basic 


$       (1.24)


$       0.42


 Diluted 


$       (1.24)


$       0.42

 

NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 

 (In thousands) 

 (Unaudited) 










 March 31,  


 December 31, 




2017


2016

 ASSETS 





 Current assets 






 Cash and cash equivalents 


$      519,771


$           725,722


 Accounts receivable, net 


285,522


319,152


 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 


159,191


147,740

 Total current assets 


964,484


1,192,614







 Property and equipment, at cost 


12,381,850


12,364,888


 Accumulated depreciation 


(2,437,452)


(2,302,940)

 Property and equipment, net 


9,944,398


10,061,948







 Other assets 


97,084


185,555


 Total assets 


$ 11,005,966


$      11,440,117







 LIABILITIES AND  EQUITY 





 Current liabilities 






 Current maturities of long-term debt 


$      249,299


$           299,882


 Accounts payable 


83,782


108,224


 Accrued payroll and related costs 


34,958


48,383


 Other current liabilities 


181,874


176,804

 Total current liabilities 


549,913


633,293







 Long-term debt  


3,792,520


4,040,229

 Other liabilities 


481,708


299,150


 Total liabilities 


4,824,141


4,972,672







 Commitments and contingencies 











 Equity 






 Total shareholders' equity 


5,460,534


5,758,681


 Noncontrolling interests 


721,291


708,764


 Total equity 


6,181,825


6,467,445


 Total liabilities and equity 


$ 11,005,966


$      11,440,117

 

NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 

 (In thousands) 

 (Unaudited) 










Three Months Ended




March 31, 




2017


2016

 Cash flows from operating activities 






 Net income (loss) 


$ (283,774)


$ 124,133


 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: 






 Depreciation and amortization 


135,718


149,719


 Other changes in operating activities 


289,929


(101,414)


 Net cash provided by operating activities 


141,873


172,438







 Cash flows from investing activities 






 New construction 


-


(5,576)


 Capital expenditures 


(18,716)


(41,944)


 Capitalized interest 


-


(3,837)


 Other investing activities 


(19,393)


(34,936)


 Net cash used in investing activities 


(38,109)


(86,293)







 Cash flows from financing activities 






 Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facility


(42)


-


 Repayment of long-term debt 


(300,000)


(300,000)


 Dividend payments 


-


(37,546)


 Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests 


(5,393)


(21,513)


 Taxes withheld on employee stock transactions 


(4,280)


(3,133)


 Net cash used in financing activities 


(309,715)


(362,192)


 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents 


(205,951)


(276,047)

 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 


725,722


512,245

 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 


$  519,771


$ 236,198







 

NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL INFORMATION BY SEGMENT

(In thousands, except operating statistics)

 (Unaudited) 






















Three Months Ended March 31,


Three Months Ended December 31,



2017


2016


2016



Contract






Contract






Contract







Drilling






Drilling






Drilling







Services


Other


Total


Services


Other


Total


Services


Other


Total

 Operating revenues 



















 Contract drilling services 


$ 354,659


$            -


$ 354,659


$ 591,367


$            -


$ 591,367


$       400,879


$            -


$       400,879

 Reimbursables 


8,304


-


8,304


20,606


-


20,606


9,160


-


9,160

 Other 


-


13


13


-


-


-


117


-


117



$ 362,963


$         13


$ 362,976


$ 611,973


$            -


$ 611,973


$       410,156


$            -


$       410,156




















 Operating costs and expenses 



















 Contract drilling services 


$ 160,385


$            -


$ 160,385


$ 251,248


$            -


$ 251,248


$       176,810


$            -


$       176,810

 Reimbursables 


5,146


-


5,146


16,006


-


16,006


6,053


-


6,053

 Depreciation and amortization 


129,778


5,940


135,718


144,029


5,690


149,719


149,335


5,825


155,160

 General and administrative 


15,880


-


15,880


19,540


-


19,540


14,912


-


14,912

 Loss on impairment 


-


-


-


-


-


-


1,442,133


-


1,442,133



$ 311,189


$    5,940


$ 317,129


$ 430,823


$    5,690


$ 436,513


$   1,789,243


$    5,825


$    1,795,068




















 Operating income (loss) 


$   51,774


$ (5,927)


$   45,847


$ 181,150


$ (5,690)


$ 175,460


$ (1,379,087)


$ (5,825)


$ (1,384,912)




















 Operating statistics 



















 Jackups: 



















 Average Rig Utilization 


93%






84%






86%





 Operating Days 


1,170






981






1,050





Average Dayrate (1)


$ 123,154






$ 134,868






$      124,470





 Semisubmersibles: 



















 Average Rig Utilization 


17%






48%






13%





 Operating Days 


90






350






92





Average Dayrate


$ 131,015






$ 258,786






$      166,253





 Drillships: 



















 Average Rig Utilization 


68%






100%






73%





 Operating Days 


490






728






537





Average Dayrate 


$ 405,719






$ 506,141






$      474,462





 Total: 



















 Average Rig Utilization 


69%






79%






62%





 Operating Days 


1,750






2,059






1,679





Average Dayrate (1)


$ 202,674






$ 287,169






$      238,704











































(1) The fourth quarter of 2016 includes the contract cancellation of the Noble Tom Prosser. Exclusive of this item, the average dayrate for the fourth quarter of 2016 would have been $108,880 and $228,954 for jackups and the total fleet, respectively. 

 

NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

 CALCULATION OF BASIC AND DILUTED NET INCOME PER SHARE 

 (In thousands, except per share amounts) 

 (Unaudited) 






 The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share: 










Three Months Ended



March 31, 



2017


2016

 Numerator:  





 Basic 





 Net income (loss) attributable to Noble Corporation plc 


$ (301,694)


$ 105,485

Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards (1)


-


(3,822)

 Net income (loss) to common shareholders - basic 


$ (301,694)


$ 101,663






 Diluted 





 Net income (loss) attributable to Noble Corporation plc 


$ (301,694)


$ 105,485

Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards (1)


-


(3,822)

 Net income (loss) to common shareholders - diluted 


$ (301,694)


$ 101,663






 Denominator: 





 Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic 


244,222


242,826

Incremental shares issuable from assumed exercise of stock options


-


-

 Weighted average number of shares outstanding - diluted 


244,222


242,826

Weighted average unvested share-based payment awards (1)


-


9,129






 Earnings (loss) per share  





 Basic 


$       (1.24)


$       0.42

 Diluted 


$       (1.24)


$       0.42






(1) For the quarter ended March 31, 2017, we experienced a net loss from continuing operations. As such, unvested share-based payment awards were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation at March 31, 2017, as such awards were not dilutive.

 

Non-GAAP Reconciliation


Certain non-GAAP performance 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. In order to fully assess the financial operating results, management believes that the results of operations, adjusted to exclude the following items, which are included in the Company's press release issued on May 4, 2017, and discussed in the related conference call on May 5, 2017, are appropriate measures of the continuing and normal operations of the Company: 

                              (i)

In the first quarter of 2017, a discrete tax item;

                             (ii)

In the first quarter of 2016, a discrete tax item; and

                            (iii)

In the fourth quarter of 2016, the contract cancellation of the Noble Tom Prosser with Quadrant Energy, the impairment of five of our rigs and certain other capital spares, the early retirement of debt in connection with the Company's tender offers on its Senior Notes due in 2020, 2021 and 2022 and a fourth quarter discrete tax item.


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 cost, 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 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)















Reconciliation of Income tax benefit (provision)


Three Months Ended,





March 31,





2017


2016


Income tax benefit (provision)


$  (257,407)


$      6,503









Adjustments







Discrete tax items


(260,085)


27,284


Total Adjustments


(260,085)


27,284


Adjusted income tax benefit (provision)


$       2,678


$  (20,781)








Reconciliation of net income (loss) attributable to Noble Corporation plc


Three Months Ended





March 31,





2017


2016









Net income (loss) attributable to Noble Corporation plc


$  (301,694)


$  105,485









Adjustments







Discrete tax items


(260,085)


27,284


Total Adjustments


(260,085)


27,284


Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Noble Corporation plc


$    (41,609)


$    78,201








Reconciliation of diluted EPS


Three Months Ended





March 31,





2017


2016









Unadjusted diluted EPS


$        (1.24)


$        0.42



Discrete tax items


(1.07)


0.11


Adjusted diluted EPS


$        (0.17)


$        0.31

 

NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NON-GAAP MEASURES 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)















Three Months Ended,





December 31, 





2016

Reconciliation of total revenue





Contract drilling services revenue


$                      400,879



Reimbursables 


9,160



Other 


117


Total revenue 


$                      410,156







Adjustments





Noble Tom Prosser cancellation agreement


(16,375)


Total Adjustments


(16,375)


Adjusted total revenue 


$                      393,781










Three Months Ended,





December 31, 





2016

Reconciliation of Income tax provision




Income tax benefit (provision)


$                      149,473







Adjustments





Noble Tom Prosser cancellation agreement


(334)



Loss on impairment


144,103



Debt retirement


762



Discrete tax items


8,472


Total Adjustments


153,003


Adjusted income tax provision


$                         (3,530)










Three Months Ended





December 31, 





2016

Reconciliation of net income (loss) attributable to Noble Corporation plc




Net income (loss) attributable to Noble Corporation plc


$                  (1,302,850)







Adjustments





Noble Tom Prosser cancellation agreement


(16,041)



Loss on impairment


1,298,030



Gain on extinguishment of debt, net of tax


(7,510)



Discrete tax items


(8,472)


Total Adjustments


1,266,007


Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Noble Corporation plc


$                       (36,843)










Three Months Ended





December 31, 





2016

Reconciliation of diluted EPS




Unadjusted diluted EPS


$                           (5.36)



Noble Tom Prosser cancellation agreement


(0.07)



Loss on impairment


5.34



Gain on extinguishment of debt, net of tax


(0.03)



Discrete tax items


(0.03)


Adjusted diluted EPS


$                           (0.15)

 

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SOURCE Noble Corporation

Jeffrey L. Chastain, Vice President - Investor Relations and Corporate Communications, Noble Drilling Services Inc., 281-276-6383