Weatherford Announces Successful Completion of Consent Solicitation

Rhea-AI Summary

Weatherford International announced its intention to redeem $105 million of its 11.00% Senior Notes due 2024. This redemption is scheduled for May 22, 2023, at a price of 102.750% of the principal amount, plus accrued interest. In conjunction with this, the company successfully completed a consent solicitation, receiving approvals from 97.62% of noteholders for proposed amendments to its 6.500% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2028. The completion of these activities is seen as a significant step in Weatherford's efforts to improve its capital structure, bringing gross debt levels below those of December 2019. CEO Girish Saligram emphasized the importance of this achievement in enhancing the company’s financial stability and expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their support.

Positive

• Successful completion of consent solicitation with 97.62% approval.
• Plans to redeem $105 million of Senior Notes, improving capital structure.
• Gross debt expected to drop below December 2019 levels.

Negative

• None.

Weatherford Announces Intention to Redeem Remaining $105 Million Principal Amount of 11.00% Senior Notes Due 2024

HOUSTON, April 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Weatherford International plc (NASDAQ: WFRD) (“Weatherford,” and together with its subsidiaries, the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our”) today announced that Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company and wholly owned subsidiary of Weatherford (“Weatherford Bermuda”), has successfully completed its previously announced consent solicitation (the “Consent Solicitation”) with respect to its outstanding 6.500% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2028 (the “Notes”) to approve certain amendments (the “Proposed Amendments”) to the indenture governing the Notes (the “Indenture”).

In connection with the Consent Solicitation, Weatherford Bermuda has received the consents from holders of 97.62% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding to the Proposed Amendments as described in the consent solicitation statement, dated April 12, 2023. The Consent Solicitation expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 19, 2023.

Accordingly, Weatherford Bermuda executed the second supplement to the Indenture, which became effective upon its execution.

Additionally, Weatherford today announced Weatherford Bermuda’s intention to redeem (the “Redemption”) the remaining $105,000,000 aggregate principal amount outstanding of its 11.00% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “2024 Notes”). Weatherford Bermuda expects to redeem the 2024 Notes on May 22, 2023 (the “Redemption Date”) at a redemption price of 102.750% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

Girish Saligram, President and Chief Executive Officer of Weatherford, commented, “The redemption of the 11% Senior Notes stub due 2024 is another important step in our capital structure improvement journey since emergence and will put our gross debt levels below December 2019 levels. A significant accomplishment which further evidences our commitment to continuously improve our capital structure. We are grateful to all our stakeholders, especially our banking partners and secured noteholders, for their support on this transaction.”

About Weatherford

Weatherford delivers innovative energy services that integrate proven technologies with advanced digitalization to create sustainable offerings for maximized value and return on investment. Our world-class experts partner with customers to optimize their resources and realize the full potential of their assets. Operators choose us for strategic solutions that add efficiency, flexibility, and responsibility to any energy operation. The Company operates in approximately 75 countries and has approximately 17,700 team members representing more than 110 nationalities and 345 operating locations. Visit weatherford.com for more information and connect with us on social media.

Contact:
Mohammed Topiwala
Vice President, Investor Relations and M&A
+1 713-836-7777
investor.relations@weatherford.com

For Media:

Kelley Hughes
Sr. Director, Communications & Employment Engagement
+1 713-836-4193
media@weatherford.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements concerning, among other things, the Company’s strategy and financing plans and goals, and are also generally identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “outlook,” “budget,” “intend,” “strategy,” “plan,” “guidance,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result” and similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs of Weatherford’s management and are subject to significant risks, assumptions, and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Redemption. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated in our forward-looking statements.

These risks and uncertainties are more fully described in Weatherford’s reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risk factors described in Weatherford’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any of the Company’s forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law, and we caution you not to rely on them unduly.

FAQ

What is Weatherford's plan for its 11.00% Senior Notes due 2024?

Weatherford intends to redeem the remaining $105 million of its 11.00% Senior Notes due 2024 on May 22, 2023.

When will Weatherford redeem its 11.00% Senior Notes?

The redemption of the 11.00% Senior Notes is scheduled for May 22, 2023.

What percentage of noteholders approved the amendments for Weatherford's Notes?

97.62% of noteholders approved the proposed amendments to the indenture governing the 6.500% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2028.

How does Weatherford's recent action affect its capital structure?

The redemption of the Senior Notes will improve Weatherford's capital structure and reduce its gross debt levels.