Transocean Ltd. Reports First Quarter 2021 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Transocean Ltd. (NYSE: RIG) reported a net loss of $99 million ($0.16 per diluted share) for Q1 2021, compared to a loss of $37 million in Q4 2020. Contract drilling revenues fell to $653 million from $690 million, attributed to the sale of a rig and fewer operational days. However, adjusted EBITDA increased to $245 million. Operating expenses decreased to $435 million. The contract backlog stands at $7.4 billion, with improved revenue efficiency of 97.4%. The CEO expressed optimism about increasing customer inquiries and favorable oil prices.

Positive

• Adjusted EBITDA increased to $245 million.
• Contract backlog at $7.4 billion.
• Revenue efficiency improved to 97.4%.
• Operating expenses decreased to $435 million.

Negative

• Net loss increased to $99 million from $37 million.
• Contract drilling revenues decreased to $653 million from $690 million.
• Cash flows from operations dropped to $96 million from $278 million.

• Total contract drilling revenues were $653 million (total adjusted contract drilling revenues of $709 million), compared with $690 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 (total adjusted contract drilling revenues of $747 million);
• Revenue efficiency⁽¹⁾ was 97.4%, compared with 97.2% in the prior quarter;
• Operating and maintenance expense was $435 million, compared with $465 million in the prior period;
• Net loss attributable to controlling interest was $99 million, $0.16 per diluted share, compared with net loss attributable to controlling interest of $37 million, $0.06 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2020;
• Adjusted EBITDA was $245 million, compared with adjusted EBITDA of $210 million in the prior quarter; and
• Contract backlog was $7.4 billion as of the April 2021 Fleet Status Report.

STEINHAUSEN, Switzerland, May 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transocean Ltd. (NYSE: RIG) today reported a net loss attributable to controlling interest of $99 million, $0.16 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

First quarter 2021 results included net favorable items of $18 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, as follows:

• $51 million, $0.08 per diluted share, gain on retirement of debt; and
• $27 million, $0.05 per diluted share, discrete tax items.

These favorable items were partially offset by:

• $60 million, $0.10 per diluted share, loss on disposal of assets.

After consideration of these net favorable items, first quarter 2021 adjusted net loss was $117 million, $0.19 per diluted share.

Contract drilling revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2021 decreased sequentially by $37 million to $653 million, primarily due to the sale in the first quarter of one harsh environment rig previously operating in the fourth quarter 2020, two fewer calendar days in the first quarter, and reduced activities for ultra-deepwater units, which were stacked or idle, in Asia and North America. These decreases were partially offset by a lower loss of revenue associated with shipyard during the quarter.

A non-cash revenue reduction of $56 million was recognized in the first quarter as a result of contract intangible amortization associated with the Songa and Ocean Rig acquisitions. This compares with $57 million in the prior quarter.

Operating and maintenance expense was $435 million, compared with $465 million in the prior quarter. The sequential decrease was primarily the result of decreased activity, lower in‑service maintenance cost, reduced shipyard activities, and lower allowance for excess materials and supplies.

General and administrative expense was $39 million, down from $50 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.  The decrease was primarily due to legal, professional and advisory fees incurred in the fourth quarter that were not repeated in the first quarter and, to a lesser extent, reduced personnel costs.

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized, was $115 million, compared with $117 million, in the prior quarter. Interest income was $3 million, compared with $2 million in the previous quarter.

The Effective Tax Rate⁽²⁾ was 17.8%, up from (147.9)% in the prior quarter. The increase was primarily due to various discrete items. The Effective Tax Rate excluding discrete items was (5.7)% compared to (39.9)% in previous quarter.

Cash flows provided by operating activities were $96 million, compared to $278 million in the prior quarter. This was primarily a result of reduced cash received from customers directly resulting from the reduced activity, combined with increased cash used due to the timing of interest payments and payroll-related payments.

First quarter 2021 capital expenditures of $59 million were primarily related to our newbuild drillships under construction. This compares with $47 million in the previous quarter.

“During the quarter, our dedicated team of professionals continued to deliver safe, reliable and efficient operations for our customers, producing 35% Adjusted EBITDA Margin, and some of the strongest operating statistics in company history,” said Jeremy Thigpen, President and Chief Executive Officer. “It is this consistently strong performance that differentiates us in the eyes of our customers and enables us to efficiently convert our industry leading $7.4 billion backlog into cash.”

Thigpen added: “We are encouraged by the increasing number of customer inquiries for both harsh-environment and ultra-deepwater projects. And, as the global economy begins to emerge from the pandemic, we are optimistic that oil prices will remain constructive, driving an increase in contracting activity as we move through the year.”

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We present our operating results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”). We believe certain financial measures, such as Adjusted Contract Drilling Revenues, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income, which are non-GAAP measures, provide users of our financial statements with supplemental information that may be useful in evaluating our operating performance. We believe that such non-GAAP measures, when read in conjunction with our operating results presented under U.S. GAAP, can be used to better assess our performance from period to period and relative to performance of other companies in our industry, without regard to financing methods, historical cost basis or capital structure. Such non-GAAP measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

All non-GAAP measure reconciliations to the most comparative U.S. GAAP measures are displayed in quantitative schedules on the company’s website at: www.deepwater.com.

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 37 mobile offshore drilling units consisting of 27 ultra-deepwater floaters and 10 harsh environment floaters. In addition, Transocean is constructing two ultra-deepwater drillships.

For more information about Transocean, please visit: www.deepwater.com.

Conference Call Information

Transocean will conduct a teleconference starting at 9 a.m. EDT, 3 p.m. CEST, on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, to discuss the results. To participate, dial +1 334-323-0501 and refer to conference code 4181646 approximately 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

The teleconference will be simulcast in a listen-only mode at: www.deepwater.com, by selecting Investors, News, and Webcasts. Supplemental materials that may be referenced during the teleconference will be available at: www.deepwater.com, by selecting Investors, Financial Reports.

A replay of the conference call will be available after 12 p.m. EDT, 6 p.m. CEST, on Tuesday, May 4, 2021. The replay, which will be archived for approximately 30 days, can be accessed at +1 719-457-0820, passcode 4181646. The replay will also be available on the company’s website.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements described herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements could contain words such as "possible," "intend," "will," "if," "expect," or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions, and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. As a result, actual results could differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, estimated duration of customer contracts, contract dayrate amounts, future contract commencement dates and locations, planned shipyard projects and other out-of-service time, sales of drilling units, timing of the company’s newbuild deliveries, operating hazards and delays, risks associated with international operations, actions by customers and other third parties, the fluctuation of current and future prices of oil and gas, the global and regional supply and demand for oil and gas, the intention to scrap certain drilling rigs, the success of our business following prior acquisitions, the effects of the spread of and mitigation efforts by governments, businesses and individuals related to contagious illnesses, such as COVID-19, and other factors, including those and other risks discussed in the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and in the company's other filings with the SEC, which are available free of charge on the SEC's website at: www.sec.gov. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize (or the other consequences of such a development worsen), or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the company or to persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by reference to these risks and uncertainties. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur, or which we become aware of, after the date hereof, except as otherwise may be required by law. All non-GAAP financial measure reconciliations to the most comparative GAAP measure are displayed in quantitative schedules on the company’s website at: www.deepwater.com.

This press release, or referenced documents, do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and do not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”) or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of Transocean and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of Transocean.

Notes

(1)	Revenue efficiency is defined as actual contract drilling revenues, excluding revenues for contract terminations and reimbursements, for the measurement period divided by the maximum revenue calculated for the measurement period, expressed as a percentage. Maximum revenue is defined as the greatest amount of contract drilling revenues, excluding revenues for contract terminations and reimbursements, the drilling unit could earn for the measurement period, excluding amounts related to incentive provisions. See the accompanying schedule entitled “Revenue Efficiency.”
(2)	Effective Tax Rate is defined as income tax expense divided by income before income taxes. See the accompanying schedule entitled “Supplemental Effective Tax Rate Analysis.”

Analyst Contact:
Lexington May
+1 832-587-6515

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

TRANSOCEAN LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In millions, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
	Three months ended
	March 31,
	2021				2020
Contract drilling revenues	$	653			$	759
Costs and expenses
Operating and maintenance		435				540
Depreciation and amortization		187				206
General and administrative		39				43
		661				789
Loss on impairment		—				(168	)
Loss on disposal of assets, net		(59	)			(1	)
Operating loss		(67	)			(199	)
Other income (expense), net
Interest income		3				9
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized		(115	)			(160	)
Gain (loss) on retirement of debt		51				(57	)
Other, net		9				12
		(52	)			(196	)
Loss before income tax expense		(119	)			(395	)
Income tax benefit		(21	)			(4	)
Net loss		(98	)			(391	)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		1				1
Net loss attributable to controlling interest	$	(99	)		$	(392	)
Loss per share, basic and diluted	$	(0.16	)		$	(0.64	)
Weighted average shares, basic and diluted		617				614

TRANSOCEAN LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except share data)
(Unaudited)
	March 31,				December 31,
	2021				2020
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,066			$	1,154
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $2 at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020		511				583
Materials and supplies, net of allowance of $144 and $143 at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively		433				434
Restricted cash and cash equivalents		388				406
Other current assets		161				163
Total current assets		2,559				2,740
Property and equipment		23,020				23,040
Less accumulated depreciation		(5,541	)			(5,373	)
Property and equipment, net		17,479				17,667
Contract intangible assets		337				393
Deferred income taxes, net		11				9
Other assets		974				995
Total assets	$	21,360			$	21,804
Liabilities and equity
Accounts payable	$	189			$	194
Accrued income taxes		29				28
Debt due within one year		524				505
Other current liabilities		561				659
Total current liabilities		1,303				1,386
Long-term debt		7,096				7,302
Deferred income taxes, net		319				315
Other long-term liabilities		1,302				1,366
Total long-term liabilities		8,717				8,983
Commitments and contingencies
Shares, CHF 0.10 par value, 824,650,668 authorized, 142,363,647 conditionally authorized, 639,676,165 issued and 617,288,705 outstanding at March 31, 2021, and 824,650,660 authorized, 142,363,647 conditionally authorized, 639,676,165 issued and 615,140,276 outstanding at December 31, 2020		60				60
Additional paid-in capital		13,508				13,501
Accumulated deficit		(1,965	)			(1,866	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(267	)			(263	)
Total controlling interest shareholders’ equity		11,336				11,432
Noncontrolling interest		4				3
Total equity		11,340				11,435
Total liabilities and equity	$	21,360			$	21,804

TRANSOCEAN LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
	Three months ended
	March 31,
	2021				2020
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	$	(98	)		$	(391	)
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities:
Contract intangible asset amortization		56				48
Depreciation and amortization		187				206
Share-based compensation expense		7				8
Loss on impairment		—				168
Loss on disposal of assets, net		59				1
(Gain) loss on retirement of debt		(51	)			57
Deferred income tax expense		2				10
Other, net		7				18
Changes in deferred revenues, net		(37	)			5
Changes in deferred costs, net		3				(11	)
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities, net		(39	)			(167	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		96				(48	)
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures		(59	)			(107	)
Proceeds from disposal of assets, net		6				1
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates		—				(6	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(53	)			(112	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of issue costs		—				743
Repayments of debt		(139	)			(909	)
Other, net		(10	)			(9	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(149	)			(175	)
Net decrease in unrestricted and restricted cash and cash equivalents		(106	)			(335	)
Unrestricted and restricted cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		1,560				2,349
Unrestricted and restricted cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	1,454			$	2,014

TRANSOCEAN LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FLEET OPERATING STATISTICS
	Three months ended
	March 31,				December 31,				March 31,
Contract Drilling Revenues (in millions)	2021				2020				2020
Contract drilling revenues
Ultra-deepwater floaters	$	436			$	440			$	528
Harsh environment floaters		217				250				220
Midwater floaters		—				—				11
Total contract drilling revenues	$	653			$	690			$	759

	Three months ended
	March 31,				December 31,				March 31,
Average Daily Revenue (1)	2021				2020				2020
Ultra-deepwater floaters	$	371,600			$	342,100			$	332,600
Harsh environment floaters		377,800				357,500				303,100
Midwater floaters		—				—				112,600
Total fleet average daily revenue	$	373,700				347,500			$	314,900

	Three months ended
	March 31,				December 31,				March 31,
Utilization (2)	2021				2020				2020
Ultra-deepwater floaters		48	%			52	%			61	%
Harsh environment floaters		65	%			74	%			63	%
Midwater floaters		—	%			—	%			39	%
Total fleet average rig utilization		53	%			58	%			60	%

	Three months ended
	March 31,				December 31,				March 31,
Revenue Efficiency (3)	2021				2020				2020
Ultra-deepwater floaters		97	%			97	%			97	%
Harsh environment floaters		98	%			98	%			89	%
Midwater floaters		—	%			—	%			87	%
Total fleet average revenue efficiency		97	%			97	%			94	%
(1) Average daily revenue is defined as contract drilling revenues, excluding revenues for contract terminations, reimbursements and contract intangible amortization, earned per operating day. An operating day is defined as a calendar day during which a rig is contracted to earn a dayrate during the firm contract period after commencement of operations.
(2) Rig utilization is defined as the total number of operating days divided by the total number of rig calendar days in the measurement period, expressed as a percentage.
(3) Revenue efficiency is defined as actual contract drilling revenues, excluding revenues for contract terminations and reimbursements, for the measurement period divided by the maximum revenue calculated for the measurement period, expressed as a percentage.  Maximum revenue is defined as the greatest amount of contract drilling revenues, excluding revenues for contract terminations and reimbursements, the drilling unit could earn for the measurement period, excluding amounts related to incentive provisions.

TRANSOCEAN LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES AND RECONCILIATIONS
ADJUSTED NET INCOME (LOSS) AND ADJUSTED DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
(In millions, except per share data)
	YTD
	03/31/21
Adjusted Net Loss
Net loss attributable to controlling interest, as reported	$	(99	)
Loss on disposal of assets, net		60
Gain on retirement of debt		(51	)
Discrete tax items		(27	)
Net loss, as adjusted	$	(117	)
Adjusted Diluted Loss Per Share:
Diluted loss per share, as reported	$	(0.16	)
Loss on disposal of assets, net		0.10
Gain on retirement of debt		(0.08	)
Discrete tax items		(0.05	)
Diluted loss per share, as adjusted	$	(0.19	)

	YTD				QTD				YTD				QTD				YTD				QTD				YTD
	12/31/20				12/31/20				09/30/20				09/30/20				06/30/20				06/30/20				03/31/20
Adjusted Net Loss
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest, as reported	$	(567	)		$	(37	)		$	(530	)		$	359			$	(889	)		$	(497	)		$	(392	)
Restructuring costs		5				(1	)			6				5				1				1				—
Loss on impairment of assets		597				—				597				—				597				430				167
Loss on disposal of assets, net		61				—				61				61				—				—				—
Loss on impairment of investment in unconsolidated affiliates		62				3				59				—				59				59				—
(Gain) loss on restructuring and retirement of debt		(533	)			(137	)			(396	)			(449	)			53				(4	)			57
Discrete tax items		(91	)			(37	)			(54	)			(45	)			(9	)			10				(19	)
Net loss, as adjusted	$	(466	)		$	(209	)		$	(257	)		$	(69	)		$	(188	)		$	(1	)		$	(187	)
Adjusted Diluted Loss Per Share:
Diluted earnings (loss) per share, as reported	$	(0.92	)		$	(0.06	)		$	(0.86	)		$	0.51			$	(1.45	)		$	(0.81	)		$	(0.64	)
Restructuring costs		0.01				—				0.01				0.01				—				—				—
Loss on impairment of assets		0.97				—				0.97				—				0.97				0.70				0.28
Loss on disposal of assets, net		0.10				—				0.10				0.09				—				—				—
Loss on impairment of investment in unconsolidated affiliates		0.10				—				0.10				—				0.10				0.10				—
(Gain) loss on restructuring and retirement of debt		(0.87	)			(0.22	)			(0.65	)			(0.65	)			0.09				(0.01	)			0.09
Discrete tax items		(0.15	)			(0.06	)			(0.09	)			(0.07	)			(0.02	)			0.02				(0.03	)
Diluted loss per share, as adjusted	$	(0.76	)		$	(0.34	)		$	(0.42	)		$	(0.11	)		$	(0.31	)		$	—			$	(0.30	)

TRANSOCEAN LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES AND RECONCILIATIONS
ADJUSTED CONTRACT DRILLING REVENUES
EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST, TAXES, DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION AND RELATED MARGINS
(In millions, except percentages)
	YTD
	03/31/21
Contract drilling revenues	$	653
Contract intangible asset amortization		56
Adjusted Contract Drilling Revenues	$	709
Net loss	$	(98	)
Interest expense, net of interest income		112
Income tax benefit		(21	)
Depreciation and amortization		187
Contract intangible asset amortization		56
EBITDA		236
Loss on disposal of assets, net		60
Gain on retirement of debt		(51	)
Adjusted EBITDA	$	245
EBITDA margin		33	%
Adjusted EBITDA margin		35	%

	YTD				QTD				YTD				QTD				YTD				QTD				YTD
	12/31/20				12/31/20				09/30/20				09/30/20				06/30/20				06/30/20				03/31/20
Contract drilling revenues	$	3,152			$	690			$	2,462			$	773			$	1,689			$	930			$	759
Contract intangible asset amortization		215				57				158				57				101				53				48
Adjusted Contract Drilling Revenues	$	3,367			$	747			$	2,620			$	830			$	1,790			$	983			$	807
Net income (loss)	$	(568	)		$	(39	)		$	(529	)		$	359			$	(888	)		$	(497	)		$	(391	)
Interest expense, net of interest income		554				115				439				139				300				149				151
Income tax expense (benefit)		27				23				4				(24	)			28				32				(4	)
Depreciation and amortization		781				189				592				190				402				196				206
Contract intangible asset amortization		215				57				158				57				101				53				48
EBITDA		1,009				345				664				721				(57	)			(67	)			10
Restructuring costs		5				(1	)			6				5				1				1				—
Loss on impairment of assets		597				—				597				—				597				429				168
Loss on disposal of assets, net		61				—				61				61				—				—				—
(Gain) loss on restructuring and retirement of debt		(533	)			(137	)			(396	)			(449	)			53				(4	)			57
Loss on impairment of investment in unconsolidated affiliates		62				3				59				—				59				59				—
Adjusted EBITDA	$	1,201			$	210			$	991			$	338			$	653			$	418			$	235
EBITDA margin		30	%			46	%			25	%			87	%			(3	)%			(7	)%			1	%
Adjusted EBITDA margin		36	%			28	%			38	%			41	%			36	%			43	%			29	%

TRANSOCEAN LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL EFFECTIVE TAX RATE ANALYSIS
(In millions, except tax rates)
	Three months ended
	March 31,				December 31,				March 31,
	2021				2020				2020
Loss before income taxes	$	(119	)		$	(16	)		$	(395	)
Restructuring costs		—				(1	)			—
Loss on impairment of assets		—				—				168
Loss on disposal of assets, net		60				—				—
Loss on impairment of investment in unconsolidated affiliates		—				3				—
(Gain) loss on retirement of debt		(51	)			(137	)			57
Adjusted loss before income taxes	$	(110	)		$	(151	)		$	(170	)
Income tax expense (benefit)	$	(21	)		$	23			$	(4	)
Restructuring costs		—				—				—
Loss on impairment of assets		—				—				1
Loss on disposal of assets, net		—				—				—
Loss on impairment of investment in unconsolidated affiliates		—				—				—
(Gain) loss on retirement of debt		—				—				—
Changes in estimates (1)		27				37				19
Adjusted income tax expense	$	6			$	60			$	16
Effective Tax Rate (2)		17.8	%			(147.9	)%			1.1	%
Effective Tax Rate, excluding discrete items (3)		(5.7	)%			(39.9	)%			(9.5	)%
(1) Our estimates change as we file tax returns, settle disputes with tax authorities, or become aware of changes in laws and other events that have an effect on our (a) deferred taxes, (b) valuation allowances on deferred taxes and (c) other tax liabilities.
(2) Our effective tax rate is calculated as income tax expense divided by income before income taxes.
(3) Our effective tax rate, excluding discrete items, is calculated as income tax expense, excluding various discrete items (such as changes in estimates and tax on items excluded from income before income taxes), divided by income before income tax expense, excluding gains and losses on sales and similar items pursuant to the accounting standards for income taxes related to estimating the annual effective tax rate.

FAQ

What were Transocean's Q1 2021 revenues?

Transocean reported contract drilling revenues of $653 million for Q1 2021.

What is the net loss reported by RIG for Q1 2021?

Transocean reported a net loss attributable to controlling interest of $99 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, for Q1 2021.

How did Transocean's adjusted EBITDA perform in Q1 2021?

The adjusted EBITDA for Transocean increased to $245 million in Q1 2021.

What is Transocean's current contract backlog?

Transocean's contract backlog stands at $7.4 billion as of the April 2021 Fleet Status Report.

How did operating expenses change in Q1 2021 compared to Q4 2020?

Operating expenses decreased to $435 million in Q1 2021, down from $465 million in Q4 2020.