NOBLE CORPORATION PLC ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER 2024 RESULTS
Noble plc reported first quarter 2024 results with net income of $95 million, diluted earnings per share of $0.66, adjusted EBITDA of $183 million, and free cash flow of $(38) million. Major projects are on schedule for key contract commencements in Q2 and Q3. Full-year guidance for 2024 remains unchanged. The balance sheet shows total debt of $600 million and cash of $212 million. An interim dividend of $0.40 per share was approved for the second quarter of 2024. Noble's marketed fleet utilization improved, and new contracts worth $215 million were secured. Backlog as of May 6, 2024, stands at $4.4 billion. Outlook for 2024 includes total revenue of $2,550 to $2,700 million and adjusted EBITDA of $925 to $1,025 million.
Noble plc reported a 32% improvement in Adjusted EBITDA compared to the previous year, indicating strong operational performance.
Market fundamentals for offshore drilling, especially high-spec floaters, support a multi-year uptrend in dayrates and average term duration, contributing to a positive outlook for Noble.
New contracts worth approximately $215 million were secured for Noble's fleet, enhancing revenue potential and backlog.
Net income and Adjusted EBITDA decreased in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, potentially signaling a slowdown in financial performance.
Free cash flow was negative at $(38) million in the first quarter, indicating potential financial strain and constraints on liquidity.
While certain regions like the North Sea and Norway have stable jackup market conditions, other areas may present challenges, impacting fleet utilization and dayrates.
Insights
- Net Income of
, Diluted Earnings Per Share of$95 million , Adjusted EBITDA of$0.66 , cash provided by operating activities of$183 million , and Free Cash Flow of$129 million .$(38) million - 2024 major projects tracking on schedule ahead of key contract commencements in Q2 and Q3.
- Full year 2024 guidance maintained.
Three Months Ended | ||||||
(in millions, except per share amounts) | March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2023 | |||
Total Revenue | $ 637 | $ 610 | $ 643 | |||
Contract Drilling Services Revenue | 612 | 575 | 609 | |||
Net Income (Loss) | 95 | 108 | 150 | |||
Adjusted EBITDA* | 183 | 138 | 201 | |||
Adjusted Net Income (Loss)* | 66 | 27 | 56 | |||
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share | 0.67 | 0.80 | 1.06 | |||
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share | 0.66 | 0.74 | 1.03 | |||
Adjusted Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share* | 0.45 | 0.19 | 0.39 | |||
* 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 first quarter results reflect continued strong operational performance in a rising market, resulting in a
First Quarter Results
Contract drilling services revenue for the first quarter of 2024 totaled
Balance Sheet and Capital Allocation
The Company's balance sheet as of March 31, 2024, reflected total debt principal value of
Operating Highlights and Backlog
Noble's marketed fleet of sixteen floaters was
Utilization of Noble's thirteen marketed jackups improved to
Subsequent to last quarter's earnings press release, new contracts for Noble's fleet with total contract value of approximately
- Noble Venturer was awarded a three well contract for an estimated 150 days with Trident Energy in
Equatorial Guinea expected to commence in June 2024. Additionally, the Noble Venturer was awarded two wells, plus options, with Rhino Resources inNamibia at a dayrate of , excluding additional fees for MPD services, mobilization, and demobilization fees. These new contracts are scheduled to follow in direct continuation of the rig's current contract with Tullow which we expect will conclude early due in part to drilling efficiency outperformance.$410,000 - Noble Viking was awarded three wells (plus one well option) with Prime Energy in
the Philippines at a dayrate of , excluding additional fees for MPD services, mobilization, and demobilization fees.$499,000 - Noble Voyager was awarded a one well option exercised by Petronas in Suriname for a minimum term of 60 days at a dayrate of
.$470,000 - Noble Innovator was awarded a one well extension with BP in the
UK at a dayrate of . Two well-based options remain under the contract.$145,000
Noble's backlog as of May 6, 2024, stands at
Outlook
For the full year 2024, Noble is maintaining guidance as follows: Total revenue in a range of
Commenting on Noble's outlook, Mr. Eifler stated, "Offshore drilling fundamentals, especially for high-spec floaters, remain supportive of a continuing multi-year uptrend in both dayrates and average term duration, while near-term white space for lower-spec units persists as a 2024 headwind. Our outlook for an earnings and cash flow inflection in the second half of this year is well supported by several meaningful contract startups that are on schedule to commence over the next several months. As Noble progresses into this next stage of earnings growth, we will remain committed to returning the significant majority of free cash flow to shareholders via dividends and share repurchases."
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 first quarter 2024 results on Tuesday, May 7th, 2024, at 8:00 a.m.
For additional information, visit www.noblecorp.com or email investors@noblecorp.com.
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 and its predecessors have been engaged in the contract drilling of oil and gas wells since 1921. Noble performs, through its subsidiaries, contract drilling services with a fleet of offshore drilling units focused largely on ultra-deepwater and high specification jackup drilling opportunities in both established and emerging regions worldwide. Additional information on Noble is available at www.noblecorp.com.
Dividend Details
Dividends payable to Noble shareholders will generally be paid in
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, related costs to achieve, free cash flow expectations, capital expenditure, capital additions, capital allocation expectations including planned dividend and share repurchases, contract backlog, rig demand, expected future contracts, anticipated contract start dates, major project schedules, dayrates and duration, fleet condition and utilization, 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," "intend," "may," "might," "on track," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "would," "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
NOBLE CORPORATION plc AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | ||||
(In thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||
2024 | 2023 | |||
Operating revenues | ||||
Contract drilling services | $ 612,425 | $ 575,290 | ||
Reimbursables and other | 24,659 | 34,764 | ||
637,084 | 610,054 | |||
Operating costs and expenses | ||||
Contract drilling services | 389,867 | 361,789 | ||
Reimbursables | 17,680 | 26,006 | ||
Depreciation and amortization | 86,698 | 69,942 | ||
General and administrative | 25,961 | 30,037 | ||
Merger and integration costs | 9,331 | 11,631 | ||
Hurricane losses and (recoveries), net | — | 3,544 | ||
529,537 | 502,949 | |||
Operating income (loss) | 107,547 | 107,105 | ||
Other income (expense) | ||||
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized | (17,544) | (16,872) | ||
Interest income and other, net | (4,735) | 2,026 | ||
Income (loss) before income taxes | 85,268 | 92,259 | ||
Income tax benefit (provision) | 10,213 | 15,804 | ||
Net income (loss) | $ 95,481 | $ 108,063 | ||
Per share data | ||||
Basic: | ||||
Net income (loss) | $ 0.67 | $ 0.80 | ||
Diluted: | ||||
Net income (loss) | $ 0.66 | $ 0.74 |
NOBLE CORPORATION plc AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||
(In thousands) | ||||
(Unaudited) | ||||
March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||
ASSETS | ||||
Current assets | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 212,467 | $ 360,794 | ||
Accounts receivable, net | 590,226 | 548,844 | ||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 168,377 | 152,110 | ||
Total current assets | 971,070 | 1,061,748 | ||
Intangible assets | 7,367 | 10,128 | ||
Property and equipment, at cost | 4,707,614 | 4,591,936 | ||
Accumulated depreciation | (552,511) | (467,600) | ||
Property and equipment, net | 4,155,103 | 4,124,336 | ||
Other assets | 302,611 | 311,225 | ||
Total assets | $ 5,436,151 | $ 5,507,437 | ||
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | ||||
Current liabilities | ||||
Accounts payable | $ 365,982 | $ 395,165 | ||
Accrued payroll and related costs | 61,872 | 97,313 | ||
Other current liabilities | 175,521 | 149,202 | ||
Total current liabilities | 603,375 | 641,680 | ||
Long-term debt | 586,622 | 586,203 | ||
Other liabilities | 305,382 | 307,451 | ||
Noncurrent contract liabilities | 27,749 | 50,863 | ||
Total liabilities | 1,523,128 | 1,586,197 | ||
Commitments and contingencies | ||||
Total shareholders' equity | 3,913,023 | 3,921,240 | ||
Total liabilities and equity | $ 5,436,151 | $ 5,507,437 |
NOBLE CORPORATION plc AND SUBSIDIARIES | |||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | |||
(In thousands) | |||
(Unaudited) | |||
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||
2024 | 2023 | ||
Cash flows from operating activities | |||
Net income (loss) | $ 95,481 | $ 108,063 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flow from | |||
Depreciation and amortization | 86,698 | 69,942 | |
Amortization of intangible assets and contract liabilities, net | (20,353) | (53,728) | |
Changes in components of working capital and other operating | (33,137) | (187,357) | |
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 128,689 | (63,080) | |
Cash flows from investing activities | |||
Capital expenditures | (166,610) | (62,734) | |
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (166,610) | (62,734) | |
Cash flows from financing activities | |||
Repayments of debt | — | (152,215) | |
Warrants exercised | 6 | 21 | |
Share repurchases | — | (10,000) | |
Dividend payments | (59,418) | — | |
Taxes withheld on employee stock transactions | (53,431) | (8,327) | |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (112,843) | (170,521) | |
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (150,764) | (296,335) | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period | 367,745 | 485,707 | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period | $ 216,981 | $ 189,372 |
NOBLE CORPORATION plc AND SUBSIDIARIES | |||||
OPERATIONAL INFORMATION | |||||
(Unaudited) | |||||
Average Rig Utilization | |||||
Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | |||
March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | March 31, 2023 | |||
Floaters | 64 % | 63 % | 77 % | ||
Jackups | 67 % | 61 % | 70 % | ||
Total | 65 % | 62 % | 74 % | ||
Operating Days | |||||
Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | |||
March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | March 31, 2023 | |||
Floaters | 1,101 | 1,101 | 1,314 | ||
Jackups | 794 | 785 | 877 | ||
Total | 1,895 | 1,886 | 2,191 | ||
Average Dayrates | |||||
Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | |||
March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | March 31, 2023 | |||
Floaters | $ 433,608 | $ 437,827 | $ 331,705 | ||
Jackups | 144,187 | 147,954 | 97,940 | ||
Total | $ 312,502 | $ 317,150 | $ 238,130 |
Note: utilization statistics include all marketed and cold stacked rigs, including the Noble Explorer. |
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 March 31, | ||||
2024 | 2023 | |||
Numerator: | ||||
Net income (loss) | $ 95,481 | $ 108,063 | ||
Denominator: | ||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic | 141,954 | 134,751 | ||
Dilutive effect of share-based awards | 1,574 | 3,271 | ||
Dilutive effect of warrants | 1,703 | 7,971 | ||
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted | 145,231 | 145,993 | ||
Per share data | ||||
Basic: | ||||
Net income (loss) | $ 0.67 | $ 0.80 | ||
Diluted: | ||||
Net income (loss) | $ 0.66 | $ 0.74 |
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 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 March 31, | Three Months Ended | |||||
2024 | 2023 | December 31, 2023 | ||||
Net income (loss) | $ 95,481 | $ 108,063 | $ 149,700 | |||
Income tax (benefit) provision | (10,213) | (15,804) | (4,843) | |||
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized | 17,544 | 16,872 | 14,600 | |||
Interest income and other, net | 4,735 | (2,026) | (1,777) | |||
Depreciation and amortization | 86,698 | 69,942 | 82,933 | |||
Amortization of intangible assets and contract | (20,353) | (53,728) | (11,236) | |||
Merger and integration costs | 9,331 | 11,631 | 13,286 | |||
Hurricane losses and (recoveries), net | — | 3,544 | (41,823) | |||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ 183,223 | $ 138,494 | $ 200,840 | |||
Reconciliation of Income Tax Benefit (Provision) | ||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, | Three Months Ended | |||||
2024 | 2023 | December 31, 2023 | ||||
Income tax benefit (provision) | $ 10,213 | $ 15,804 | $ 4,843 | |||
Adjustments | ||||||
Amortization of intangible assets and contract | 58 | 3,501 | 6,508 | |||
Discrete tax items | (18,528) | (45,631) | (60,116) | |||
Total Adjustments | (18,470) | (42,130) | (53,608) | |||
Adjusted income tax benefit (provision) | $ (8,257) | $ (26,326) | $ (48,765) |
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 March 31, | Three Months Ended | |||||
2024 | 2023 | December 31, 2023 | ||||
Net income (loss) | $ 95,481 | $ 108,063 | $ 149,700 | |||
Adjustments | ||||||
Amortization of intangible assets and contract | (20,295) | (50,227) | (4,728) | |||
Merger and integration costs | 9,331 | 11,631 | 13,286 | |||
Hurricane losses and (recoveries), net | — | 3,544 | (41,823) | |||
Discrete tax items | (18,528) | (45,631) | (60,116) | |||
Total Adjustments | (29,492) | (80,683) | (93,381) | |||
Adjusted net income (loss) | $ 65,989 | $ 27,380 | $ 56,319 | |||
Reconciliation of Diluted EPS | ||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, | Three Months Ended | |||||
2024 | 2023 | December 31, 2023 | ||||
Unadjusted diluted EPS | $ 0.66 | $ 0.74 | $ 1.03 | |||
Adjustments | ||||||
Amortization of intangible assets and contract | (0.14) | (0.34) | (0.03) | |||
Merger and integration costs | 0.06 | 0.08 | 0.09 | |||
Hurricane losses and (recoveries), net | — | 0.02 | (0.29) | |||
Discrete tax items | (0.13) | (0.31) | (0.41) | |||
Total Adjustments | (0.21) | (0.55) | (0.64) | |||
Adjusted diluted EPS | $ 0.45 | $ 0.19 | $ 0.39 | |||
Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow | ||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, | Three Months Ended | |||||
2024 | 2023 | December 31, 2023 | ||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ 128,689 | $ (63,080) | $ 287,489 | |||
Capital expenditures, net of proceeds from | (166,610) | (62,734) | (122,641) | |||
Free cash flow | $ (37,921) | $ (125,814) | $ 164,848 |
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SOURCE Noble Corporation plc
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