Valaris Announces Contract Awards and Fleet Status Updates

Rhea-AI Summary

Valaris Limited (NYSE: VAL) announced new contracts and extensions, contributing to a contract backlog of $181 million. Key highlights include two-year extensions with BP for rigs in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, a one-well extension with TotalEnergies in Brazil, and a three-year contract with Saudi Aramco for the VALARIS 140 jackup rig. Additionally, the VALARIS DS-11 contract for an eight-well project has been transferred from TotalEnergies to Equinor without significant alterations. Valaris also retired rig VALARIS 67 from its fleet.

Positive

• Total contract backlog increased to $181 million.
• Two-year contract extensions with BP enhance long-term revenue.
• New contract with Saudi Aramco reflects strong demand in the offshore sector.

Negative

• The sale and retirement of VALARIS 67 reduces fleet capacity.

HAMILTON, Bermuda--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Valaris Limited (NYSE: VAL) (“Valaris” or the “Company”) announced today new contracts and contract extensions, with associated contract backlog of $181 million, awarded subsequent to issuing the Company’s most recent fleet status report on February 21, 2022.

• Two-year contract extensions with BP in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico for managed rigs Mad Dog and Thunder Horse. The contract extensions were effective on January 27, 2022.

• One-well contract extension with TotalEnergies EP Brazil, offshore Brazil for drillship VALARIS DS-15. The option well is in direct continuation of the current firm program and has an estimated duration of 100 days.

• ARO Drilling awarded a three-year contract with Saudi Aramco for standard duty modern jackup VALARIS 140. This contract relates to the previously disclosed three-year bareboat charter agreement between Valaris and ARO Drilling. Contract backlog associated with the bareboat charter agreement is included in the total contract backlog of $181 million awarded subsequent to issuing the Company’s most recent fleet status report on February 21, 2022.

• The previously disclosed contract awarded to VALARIS DS-11 for an eight-well contract for a deepwater project in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico has been novated from TotalEnergies to Equinor. No material changes to the contract resulted from the novation, including with respect to the termination provisions in the event the project does not receive final investment decision (FID).

• VALARIS 67 has been sold and retired from the offshore drilling fleet.

About Valaris Limited

Valaris Limited (NYSE: VAL) is the industry leader in offshore drilling services across all water depths and geographies. Operating a high-quality rig fleet of ultra-deepwater drillships, versatile semisubmersibles and modern shallow-water jackups, Valaris has experience operating in nearly every major offshore basin. Valaris maintains an unwavering commitment to safety, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction, with a focus on technology and innovation. Valaris Limited is a Bermuda exempted company (Bermuda No. 56245). To learn more, visit our website at www.valaris.com.

Cautionary Statements

Statements contained in this press release 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. Forward-looking statements include words or phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," “likely,” "plan," "project," "could," "may," "might," “should,” “will” and similar words. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to vary materially from those indicated, including the COVID-19 outbreak and global pandemic and the related public health measures implemented by governments worldwide; the cancellation, suspension, renegotiation or termination of drilling contracts and programs, including drilling contracts which grant the customer termination rights if final investment decision (FID) is not received with respect to projects for which the drilling rig is contracted; oil and natural gas price volatility, customer demand for drilling rigs; downtime and other risks associated with offshore rig operations; severe weather or hurricanes; changes in worldwide rig supply, competition and technology; risks inherent to shipyard rig reactivation, upgrade, repair or maintenance; our ability to enter into, and the terms of, future drilling contracts; suitability of rigs for future contracts; governmental regulatory, legislative and permitting requirements affecting drilling operations; our ability to obtain financing, fund capital expenditures and pursue other business opportunities; the effects of our emergence from bankruptcy on the Company's business, relationships, comparability of our financial results and ability to access financing sources; actions taken by regulatory authorities or other third parties, including related to the COVID-19 global pandemic; increased scrutiny of Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) practices and reporting responsibilities; changes in customer strategy; future levels of offshore drilling activity; governmental action, civil unrest and political and economic uncertainties; terrorism, piracy and military action; environmental or other liabilities, risks or losses; debt agreement restrictions that may limit our liquidity and flexibility; failure to satisfy our debt obligations; and cybersecurity risks and threats. In addition to the numerous factors described above, you should also carefully read and consider “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part I and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II of our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, which is available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov or on the Investor Relations section of our website at www.valaris.com. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220406005951/en/

Investor & Media Contact:

Tim Richardson

Director - Investor Relations

+1-713-979-4619

Source: Valaris Limited

FAQ

What is the current contract backlog for Valaris Limited as of April 2022?

Valaris Limited's current contract backlog is $181 million.

What new contracts were announced by Valaris Limited on April 6, 2022?

Valaris announced contracts with BP, TotalEnergies, and Saudi Aramco, including contract extensions and new awards.

What are the details of the contract with Saudi Aramco for Valaris Limited?

Valaris was awarded a three-year contract for the VALARIS 140 jackup rig by Saudi Aramco.

Has Valaris Limited's contract with TotalEnergies changed recently?

Yes, the contract for the VALARIS DS-11 was novated from TotalEnergies to Equinor without material changes.

What rigs are involved in the new contracts announced by Valaris Limited?

The contracts involve rigs including VALARIS 140, VALARIS DS-11, and others managed for BP.