Transocean Ltd. Announces Additional Private Exchange Agreement Relating to Existing Exchangeable Bonds

Rhea-AI Summary

Transocean Ltd. (NYSE: RIG) announced an additional private exchange agreement for its 0.5% Existing Exchangeable Bonds due 2023. Transocean Inc. will exchange $40.9 million of these bonds for $24.6 million in new 2.5% Senior Guaranteed Exchangeable Bonds due 2027. Together with prior exchanges, this totals $396.6 million of Existing Bonds exchanged for $237.9 million of new bonds. The new bonds will carry an initial exchange rate of 162.1626 shares per $1,000 and an exchange price of approximately $6.17 per share. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.

Positive

• Successful execution of additional bond exchange agreement, enhancing capital structure.
• Reduction of existing bond liability by exchanging $40.9 million for new bonds worth $24.6 million.

Negative

• Significant amount of existing bonds ($396.6 million) being exchanged indicates potential liquidity pressures.

STEINHAUSEN, Switzerland, Aug. 10, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transocean Ltd. (NYSE: RIG) (“Transocean”) announced today that it has executed an additional private exchange agreement relating to the 0.5% Exchangeable Bonds due 2023 (the “Existing Exchangeable Bonds”) issued by Transocean Inc., Transocean’s wholly-owned subsidiary.

Pursuant to the additional private exchange agreement, Transocean Inc. agreed to exchange $40.9 million aggregate principal amount of its Existing Exchangeable Bonds for $24.6 million aggregate principal amount of new 2.5% Senior Guaranteed Exchangeable Bonds due 2027 (the “Senior Guaranteed Exchangeable Bonds”) to be issued by Transocean Inc. Collectively with its previously announced private exchange of Existing Exchangeable Bonds, Transocean Inc. has agreed to exchange $396.6 million aggregate principal amount of its Existing Exchangeable Bonds for $237.9 million aggregate principal amount of its Senior Guaranteed Exchangeable Bonds. The private exchanges are subject to customary closing conditions.

The Senior Guaranteed Exchangeable Bonds will be guaranteed by Transocean and three indirect holding company subsidiaries of Transocean Inc.: Transocean Mid Holdings 1 Limited (“Mid Holdings 1”), Transocean Mid Holdings 2 Limited (“Mid Holdings 2”) and Transocean Mid Holdings 3 Limited (“Mid Holdings 3”, and collectively with Mid Holdings 1 and Mid Holdings 2, the “Structurally Senior Guarantors”). The Structurally Senior Guarantors are owned by Transocean Holdings 1 Limited, Transocean Holdings 2 Limited and Transocean Holdings 3 Limited, which, following the previously announced internal reorganization transactions, will continue to own, directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding equity interests of the other subsidiaries of Transocean Inc., including Transocean Asset Holdings 1 Limited, Transocean Asset Holdings 2 Limited and Transocean Asset Holdings 3 Limited.

The Senior Guaranteed Exchangeable Bonds will have an initial exchange rate of 162.1626 Transocean common shares, par value $0.10 Swiss francs per share (“Common Shares”), per $1,000 original principal amount, subject to adjustment, and will be convertible into Common Shares, implying an initial exchange price of approximately $6.17 per share.

The Senior Guaranteed Exchangeable Bonds and Transocean’s Common Shares issuable upon exchange of the Senior Guaranteed Exchangeable Bonds have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold without registration under, or an applicable exemption from, the registration requirements. The Senior Guaranteed Exchangeable Bonds may not be publicly offered, directly or indirectly, in Switzerland within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”) (unless in circumstances falling within article 36 of the FinSA). This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. This press release does not constitute a prospectus within the meaning of the FinSA or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA.

About Transocean

Transocean is a leading international provider of offshore contract drilling services for oil and gas wells. The company specializes in technically demanding sectors of the global offshore drilling business with a particular focus on ultra-deepwater and harsh environment drilling services, and believes that it operates one of the most versatile offshore drilling fleets in the world.

Transocean owns or has partial ownership interests in, and operates a fleet of 39 mobile offshore drilling units consisting of 27 ultra-deepwater floaters and 12 harsh environment floaters. In addition, Transocean is constructing two ultra-deepwater drillships.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements as defined in applicable securities laws (collectively referred to as “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Transocean’s plans to exchange the Existing Exchangeable Bonds for Senior Guaranteed Exchangeable Bonds, evaluate strategic alternatives to manage its capital structure and transfer certain assets and liabilities of certain of its subsidiaries.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Transocean to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to vary include, but are not limited to, risks relating to the closing of the private exchange agreement, conditions in financial markets, investor response to the private exchange agreement, and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in Transocean’s reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Readers are cautioned against unduly relying on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and, except as required by law, Transocean undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise.

Analyst Contacts:
Bradley Alexander
+1 713-232-7515

Lexington May
+1 832-587-6515

Media Contact:
Pam Easton
+1 713-232-7647

FAQ

What does the recent bond exchange mean for Transocean (RIG)?

The bond exchange aims to improve Transocean's capital structure by reducing overall liabilities and extending maturities.

How much is Transocean exchanging in its private bond exchange?

Transocean is exchanging $40.9 million of Existing Exchangeable Bonds for $24.6 million of new bonds.

When will the new Senior Guaranteed Exchangeable Bonds mature?

The new Senior Guaranteed Exchangeable Bonds will mature in 2027.

What is the initial exchange rate of the new bonds issued by Transocean (RIG)?

The initial exchange rate is 162.1626 Transocean common shares per $1,000 principal amount.