Nabors Announces Third Quarter 2024 Results

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Oct. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nabors Industries Ltd. ("Nabors" or the "Company") (NYSE:NBR) today reported third quarter 2024 operating revenues of $732 million, compared to operating revenues of $735 million in the second quarter. The net loss attributable to Nabors shareholders for the quarter was $56 million, compared to a net loss of $32 million in the second quarter. This equates to a loss of $6.86 per diluted share, compared to a loss per diluted share of $4.29 in the second quarter. The third quarter included net charges totaling approximately $25 million, primarily reflecting the redemption premium on the 2026 notes and market adjustments on investments. Third quarter adjusted EBITDA was $222 million, compared to $218 million in the previous quarter.

Highlights

Last week, Nabors announced the signing of an agreement to acquire Parker Wellbore. Parker's lines of business include the leading franchise in U.S. tubular rentals, Quail Tools, as well as international tubular rentals, well construction services (including casing running), and drilling rigs. Parker expects to generate EBITDA of $180 million this year. Nabors has identified synergies potential at an annualized run-rate of $35 million within 12 months of closing. Nabors will acquire all of Parker's issued and outstanding common stock in exchange for 4.8 million shares of Nabors common stock, subject to a share price collar. Nabors will also assume approximately $100 million in net debt.

Nabors Lower 48 rigs once again set notable performance milestones. A major operator in the Delaware Basin drilled three wells, each with four-mile laterals, utilizing a Nabors PACE®-X rig equipped with a Canrig® Sigma topdrive. Sigma's rated torque is the industry's highest and is ideal for the larger-diameter drill pipe run on these wells. The rig also employed an NDS technology package.

A large operator in the Eagle Ford drilled its longest well in the basin, incorporating a lateral length of more than four miles. The lateral was drilled in a single run without the use of rotary steerable systems. The rig was a Nabors PACE®-M1000, utilizing larger-diameter drill pipe.

A large operator in the Bakken completed a four-mile lateral in a single run in under 12 days, utilizing a Nabors PACE®-X rig. This well is the operator's first four-mile lateral, and the operator believes it is the quickest in the Bakken. The rig was equipped with a comprehensive package of NDS Smart technology.

Anthony G. Petrello, Nabors Chairman, CEO and President, commented, "We are excited as we move forward with our announced acquisition of Parker Wellbore. Our companies' portfolios are highly complementary. Parker's recent track record speaks for itself. Quail Tools, already the leader in its space, plays a key role as operators extend the lengths of their wellbore laterals. The transaction increases our scale, provides incremental growth and improves our leverage metrics.

"Our third quarter operating results matched our overall expectations. Higher average daily margins and an improved mix drove growth in our International Drilling segment. International growth also resulted in better performance for our Drilling Solutions segment.

"Daily margins in our International Drilling segment exceeded the $17,000 mark in the third quarter. We reached this milestone earlier than we expected. This result demonstrates the earnings power of our International segment. During the quarter we also started up previously awarded rigs. We have a path to substantial international growth with 13 rigs scheduled to deploy through early 2026 in the Middle East and Latin America. The opportunity set on top of those planned start-ups is also substantial.

"In the Lower 48 market, our leading-edge pricing remained stable, supporting daily rig margins that were essentially in line with our expectations. Our average rig count was just under the prior quarter. Although we have not yet seen the anticipated increases in gas-directed drilling or a recovery from reductions driven by E&P consolidation, we look forward to an improvement in Lower 48 drilling activity in 2025."

Segment Results

International Drilling adjusted EBITDA totaled $116.0 million, compared to $106.4 million in the second quarter. Average rig count increased to 85 from 84, driven by rig additions in Algeria and Saudi Arabia. Daily adjusted gross margin for the third quarter averaged $17,085, an increase of more than $1,000 compared to the prior quarter.

The U.S. Drilling segment reported third quarter adjusted EBITDA of $108.7 million, compared to $114.0 million in the second quarter. Nabors' third quarter Lower 48 average rig count totaled 68, versus 69 in the second quarter. Daily adjusted gross margin in the Lower 48 averaged $15,051, versus $15,598 in the prior quarter.

Drilling Solutions adjusted EBITDA increased to $34.3 million, compared to $32.5 million in the second quarter. This growth was driven by higher revenue in international markets of approximately 8% and higher penetration of performance software on Nabors U.S. rigs.

Rig Technologies' adjusted EBITDA was $6.1 million, versus $7.3 million in the second quarter. The decrease was spread across several business lines in the U.S., mainly capital equipment, spare parts, and energy transition.

Adjusted Free Cash Flow

Adjusted free cash flow was $18 million in the third quarter compared to $57 million in the preceding quarter. Capital expenditures totaled $118 million, including $37 million supporting the newbuilds in Saudi Arabia. This compares to $138 million in the second quarter, including $56 million supporting the newbuilds. The third quarter included two and a half additional months of interest payments for the notes issued late last year, translating into $11.7 million of interest. The first coupon payment for the notes occurred eight months after the notes were issued. Total interest payments for the quarter were $82 million, compared to $31 million in the prior quarter.

William Restrepo, Nabors CFO, stated, "Last week we signed an agreement to acquire Parker Wellbore. The transaction is well aligned with our long-term strategy. It grows our capex-light NDS business, expands our international footprint, and helps us delever Nabors. Additionally, Parker is on track to earn meaningful EBITDA this year, totaling $180 million with attractive growth. Finally, Parker comes with low debt and it generates positive cash flow. This is before targeted annual synergies of $35 million. We are excited about the addition of Parker to the Nabors platform.

"Nabors' third quarter results met our outlook. Daily adjusted gross margin in our International Drilling segment expanded by more than $1,000. We reached the $17,000 daily margin target a quarter ahead of schedule, driven by exceptional performances in Saudi Arabia and Latin America, which both increased daily margins, by $1,200 and $1,300 respectively. We have three rigs scheduled to deploy in the fourth quarter, each with attractive economics. These deployments will be somewhat offset by the 12-month suspension of three lower-margin rigs in the Kingdom.

"Strength in the international markets also led to sequential growth in our Drilling Solutions business. We experienced an increase in international casing running jobs, augmented by greater deployment of performance software products, driving the segment's gross margin above 53%.

"In our Lower 48 drilling business, pricing discipline and strict expense control maintained our average daily margin above $15,000 and in line with our forecast. We expect relative stability in the fourth quarter in both margin and rig count. Our rig count forecast is dependent on stable oil prices, a similar level of churn, and stability in the overall market.

"Our capital spending target for the fourth quarter is now $230 million, with capital expenditures for SANAD newbuilds forecast at $105 million. The resulting annual capital spending forecast for 2024 is now $600 million, including $230 million related to the SANAD newbuilds. SANAD's rig supplier has improved its performance in reaching manufacturing milestones. We now expect earlier delivery of our rigs going forward. This has accelerated approximately $40 million of newbuild capital spending into 2024. We are targeting reductions in various markets to offset this increase.

"Given the SANAD newbuild capital expenditures moving forward to 2024, the recent rig suspensions in Saudi Arabia and the slightly lower U.S. activity in the fourth quarter, we now expect our full year free cash flow to close between $100 and $130 million."

Outlook

Nabors expects the following metrics for the fourth quarter of 2024:

U.S. Drilling               

Lower 48 average rig count of approximately 68 rigs

Lower 48 daily adjusted gross margin of $15,000

Alaska and Gulf of Mexico combined adjusted EBITDA up approximately $1.5 million versus the third quarter, with an additional rig starting work in Alaska

International

Average rig count of approximately 84 rigs

Daily adjusted gross margin of approximately $17,000

Drilling Solutions

Adjusted EBITDA of $36 to $37 million

Rig Technologies

Adjusted EBITDA of $9 to $10 million

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures of $230 million, with $105 million for the newbuilds in Saudi Arabia

Full-year capital expenditures of approximately $600 million, with $230 million for the SANAD newbuilds

This forecast includes accelerated timelines from SANAD's rig supplier totaling an estimated $40 million

Adjusted Free Cash Flow

Full-year adjusted free cash flow of $100 to $130 million

Mr. Petrello concluded, "The results from our International Drilling segment demonstrate the value we are building in this business. With our pending rig deployments across markets, our path to future growth is well defined. Our success is driven in large part from our advanced technology. We see the global client base increasingly embracing the benefits of our solutions."

About Nabors Industries

Nabors Industries (NYSE:NBR) is a leading provider of advanced technology for the energy industry. With presence in more than 20 countries, Nabors has established a global network of people, technology and equipment to deploy solutions that deliver safe, efficient and responsible energy production. By leveraging its core competencies, particularly in drilling, engineering, automation, data science and manufacturing, Nabors aims to innovate the future of energy and enable the transition to a lower-carbon world. Learn more about Nabors and its energy technology leadership: www.nabors.com.

Forward-looking Statements

The information included in this press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, as disclosed by Nabors from time to time in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result of these factors, Nabors' actual results may differ materially from those indicated or implied by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release reflect management's estimates and beliefs as of the date of this press release. Nabors does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements. 

Non-GAAP Disclaimer

This press release presents certain "non-GAAP" financial measures. The components of these non-GAAP measures are computed by using amounts that are determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). Adjusted operating income (loss) represents income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, interest expense, investment income (loss), and other, net. Adjusted EBITDA is computed similarly, but also excludes depreciation and amortization expenses. In addition, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted operating income (loss) exclude certain cash expenses that the Company is obligated to make. Net debt is calculated as total debt minus the sum of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.

Adjusted free cash flow represents net cash provided by operating activities less cash used for capital expenditures, net of proceeds from sales of assets. Management believes that adjusted free cash flow is an important liquidity measure for the company and that it is useful to investors and management as a measure of the company's ability to generate cash flow, after reinvesting in the company for future growth, that could be available for paying down debt or other financing cash flows, such as dividends to shareholders. Management believes that this non-GAAP measure is useful information to investors when comparing our cash flows with the cash flows of other companies.

Each of these non-GAAP measures has limitations and therefore should not be used in isolation or as a substitute for the amounts reported in accordance with GAAP. However, management evaluates the performance of its operating segments and the consolidated Company based on several criteria, including Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted operating income (loss), net debt, and adjusted free cash flow, because it believes that these financial measures accurately reflect the Company's ongoing profitability, performance and liquidity. Securities analysts and investors also use these measures as some of the metrics on which they analyze the Company's performance. Other companies in this industry may compute these measures differently. Reconciliations of consolidated adjusted EBITDA and adjusted operating income (loss) to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, net debt to total debt, and adjusted free cash flow to net cash provided by operations, which are their nearest comparable GAAP financial measures, are included in the tables at the end of this press release. We do not provide a forward-looking reconciliation of our outlook for Segment Adjusted EBITDA, Segment Gross Margin or Adjusted Free Cash Flow, as the amount and significance of items required to develop meaningful comparable GAAP financial measures cannot be estimated at this time without unreasonable efforts. These special items could be meaningful.

Investor Contacts:  William C. Conroy, CFA, Vice President of Corporate Development & Investor Relations, +1 281-775-2423 or via e-mail or Kara Peak, Director of Corporate Development & Investor Relations, +1 281-775-4954 or via email To request investor materials, contact Nabors' corporate headquarters in Hamilton, Bermuda at +441-292-1510 or via e-mail

No Offer or Solicitation

This communication is not intended to and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote of approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Important Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed transaction with Parker, Nabors will file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 to register the shares of Nabors capital stock to be issued in connection with the proposed transaction. The Registration Statement will include a joint proxy statement/prospectus of Nabors and Parker. The definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to the shareholders of each of Nabors and Parker seeking their approval of the proposed transaction and other related matters.

WE URGE INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 AND THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCLUDED WITHIN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PARKER, NABORS AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain these materials (when they are available) and other documents filed with the SEC by Nabors or Parker free of charge at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov, or from Nabors at its website, www.nabors.com, or from Parker at its website, www.parkerwellbore.com.

Participants in the Solicitation

Nabors and certain of its directors, executive officers and other employees, and Parker and certain of its directors, executive officers and other employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies for security holder approvals to be obtained for the proposed transaction. A description of participants' direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the joint proxy statement/prospectus relating to the proposed transaction when it is filed with the SEC. Information regarding Nabors' directors and executive officers is available in its proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 25, 2024 in connection with its 2024 annual meeting of shareholders (the "Annual Meeting Proxy Statement") under "Proposal 1—Election of Directors— Director Nominees," "Proposal 1—Election of Directors—Other Executive Officers," "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" and "Share Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers." To the extent holdings of securities by potential Nabors participants (or the identity of such participants) have changed since the information printed in the Annual Meeting Proxy Statement, such information has been or will be reflected on Nabors' Statements of Change in Ownership on Forms 3 and 4 filed with the SEC. You may obtain free copies of these documents using the sources indicated above. Information regarding Parker's directors and executive officers is available on Parker's website as indicated above.

 

NABORS INDUSTRIES LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

June 30,

September 30,

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

2024

2023

2024

2024

2023

Revenues and other income:

Operating revenues 

$ 731,805

$ 733,974

$ 734,798

$ 2,200,307

$ 2,280,180

Investment income (loss)

11,503

10,169

8,181

29,885

31,778

Total revenues and other income

743,308

744,143

742,979

2,230,192

2,311,958

Costs and other deductions:

Direct costs

431,705

447,751

440,225

1,309,007

1,365,611

General and administrative expenses

63,976

62,182

62,154

187,881

187,144

Research and engineering

14,404

14,016

14,362

42,629

42,371

Depreciation and amortization

159,234

161,337

160,141

477,060

484,066

Interest expense

55,350

44,042

51,493

157,222

135,347

Other, net

41,608

35,546

12,079

69,795

(8,604)

Total costs and other deductions

766,277

764,874

740,454

2,243,594

2,205,935

Income (loss) before income taxes

(22,969)

(20,731)

2,525

(13,402)

106,023

Income tax expense (benefit)

10,118

10,513

15,554

41,716

59,976

Net income (loss)

(33,087)

(31,244)

(13,029)

(55,118)

46,047

Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

(22,738)

(17,672)

(19,226)

(67,295)

(41,128)

Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors

$  (55,825)

$  (48,916)

$  (32,255)

$   (122,413)

$        4,919

Earnings (losses) per share:

   Basic 

$      (6.86)

$      (6.26)

$      (4.29)

$       (15.69)

$         (2.79)

   Diluted 

$      (6.86)

$      (6.26)

$      (4.29)

$       (15.69)

$         (2.79)

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:

   Basic 

9,213

9,148

9,207

9,199

9,168

   Diluted 

9,213

9,148

9,207

9,199

9,168

Adjusted EBITDA

$ 221,720

$ 210,025

$ 218,057

$    660,790

$    685,054

Adjusted operating income (loss)

$   62,486

$   48,688

$   57,916

$    183,730

$    200,988

 

NABORS INDUSTRIES LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

September 30,

June 30,

December 31,

(In thousands)

2024

2024

2023

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and short-term investments

$        459,302

$    473,608

$    1,070,178

Accounts receivable, net

384,723

368,550

347,837

Other current assets

228,300

235,632

227,663

     Total current assets

1,072,325

1,077,790

1,645,678

Property, plant and equipment, net

2,766,411

2,813,148

2,898,728

Other long-term assets

714,900

724,755

733,559

     Total assets

$    4,553,636

$ 4,615,693

$    5,277,965

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Current debt

$                   -

$                -

$       629,621

Trade accounts payable

316,694

331,468

294,442

Other current liabilities

254,884

259,454

289,918

     Total current liabilities

571,578

590,922

1,213,981

Long-term debt

2,503,270

2,514,169

2,511,519

Other long-term liabilities

244,679

247,587

271,380

     Total liabilities

3,319,527

3,352,678

3,996,880

Redeemable noncontrolling interest in subsidiary

773,525

761,415

739,075

Equity: