NOBLE CORPORATION PLC ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER 2024 RESULTS AND ADDITIONAL SHARE REPURCHASE AUTHORIZATION
Closed Diamond acquisition on September 4th
Increased capital return program with additional share repurchase authorization of $400 million
Repurchased 6.9 million of shares in Q3 2024, $0.50 per share dividend declared for Q4 2024, bringing total FY 2024 cash returns to shareholders to over $525 million, including Q4 dividend
Q3 Net Income of $61 million, Diluted Earnings Per Share of $0.40, Adjusted EBITDA of $291 million, net cash provided by operating activities of $284 million, and Free Cash Flow of $165 million
Q4 2024 Guidance provided as follows: Total Revenue $850 to $890 million, Adjusted EBITDA $275 to $305 million, Capital Additions (net of reimbursements) $105 to $135 million
SUGAR LAND, Texas, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Noble Corporation plc (NYSE:NE, CSE:NOBLE, ", Noble", or the ", Company", )) today reported third quarter 2024 results.
Three Months Ended
(in millions, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2023
June 30,2024
Total Revenue
$ 801
$ 697
$ 693
Contract Drilling Services Revenue
764
671
661
Net Income (Loss)
61
158
195
Adjusted EBITDA*
291
283
271
Adjusted Net Income (Loss)*
89
127
105
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share
0.41
1.14
1.37
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share
0.40
1.09
1.34
Adjusted Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share*
0.58
0.87
0.72
* A Non-GAAP supporting schedule is included with the statements and schedules in this press release.
Robert W. Eifler, President and Chief Executive Officer of Noble Corporation plc, stated "We are excited to have closed on the Diamond acquisition during the third quarter, enabling us to start capturing the value from the transaction earlier than expected. Our strategy of pursuing rational and accretive growth in the high-end deepwater segment toward an ultimate objective of maximizing cash returns to shareholders is yielding tangible results, as evidenced by robust third quarter free cash flow and a sector leading dividend and buyback program. Despite a more muted near-term demand environment than we had envisioned coming into this year, Noble is uniquely well positioned to deliver customer and shareholder value through various market conditions."
Third Quarter ResultsContract drilling services revenue for the third quarter of 2024 totaled $764 million compared to $661 million in the second quarter of 2024, with the sequential increase driven primarily by an approximate four weeks of contribution from the legacy Diamond fleet. Marketed fleet utilization was 82% in the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 78% in the previous quarter. Contract drilling services costs for the third quarter of 2024 were $434 million, up from $336 million for the second quarter of 2024, with the sequential increase driven by the legacy Diamond fleet and partially offset by lower contract preparation and mobilization expenses. Net income decreased to $61 million in the third quarter of 2024, down from $195 million in the second quarter of 2024, and Adjusted EBITDA increased to $291 million in the third quarter of 2024, up from $271 million in the second quarter of 2024. Net cash provided by operating activities in the third quarter of 2024 was $284 million, net capital expenditures were $119 million, and free cash flow (non-GAAP) was $165 million.
Balance Sheet, Capital Allocation, and Increased Shareholder Return AuthorizationThe Company's balance sheet as of September 30, 2024, reflected total debt principal value of approximately $2.0 billion and cash (and cash equivalents) of $392 million.
The Company repurchased approximately 6.9 million shares in the third quarter for $250 million, bringing total repurchases executed under the original $400 million program to $360 million. On October 22, 2024, Noble's Board of Directors authorized an increased share repurchase authorization of up to an additional $400 million, subject to any applicable shareholder approval limits. This authorization does not have a fixed expiration, and may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time. The program does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of shares.
On November 5, 2024, Noble's Board of Directors approved an interim quarterly cash dividend on our ordinary shares of $0.50 per share for the fourth quarter of 2024. The $0.50 dividend is expected to be paid on December 19, 2024, to shareholders of record at close of business on December 5, 2024. The Company intends to continue to pay dividends on a quarterly basis, and the fourth quarter dividend represents $2.00 on an annualized basis. Future quarterly dividends and other shareholder returns will be subject to, amongst other things, approval by the Board of Directors and may be modified as market conditions dictate.
Operating Highlights and BacklogNoble's marketed fleet of twenty-five floaters was 81% contracted during the third quarter (including nine marketed floaters from the legacy Diamond fleet on a partial quarter basis from September 4, 2024), compared with 78% in the prior quarter. Industry leading edge dayrates for tier-1 drillships remain in the mid $400,000s to low $500,000s per day range. Contract fixtures for lower specification floaters have been limited in 2024, and are expected to reflect a softer utilization environment throughout 2025 due to continuing white space risk that is impacting all floater segments.
Utilization of Noble's thirteen marketed jackups improved to 83% in the third quarter, compared with 77% in the prior quarter. Leading edge harsh environment jackup dayrates remain in the mid $200,000s per day in Norway and $130,000 to $150,000 per day in the rest of the North Sea. The Northern Europe jackup market continues to indicate potential for a slight demand improvement in Norway for 2025, while policy and permitting factors present potential headwinds for the Southern North Sea.
Subsequent to last quarter's earnings press release, ExxonMobil Guyana awarded an additional 4.8 years of backlog under the Commercial Enabling Agreement (CEA), intended to extend the contract duration for each of our four drillships operating under the CEA from Q2 2027 to Q3 2028. Additionally, the Ocean Endeavor has been awarded an additional 130 days with Shell in the UK North Sea.
Noble's current backlog as of November 5, 2024 stands at $6.2 billion.
OutlookFor the fourth quarter of 2024, Noble is providing guidance as follows: Total revenue in the range of $850 to $890 million; Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $275 to $305 million, and capital additions (net of reimbursements) in the range of $105 to $135 million.
Commenting on Noble's outlook, Mr. Eifler stated, "We remain encouraged by the high level of tangible contract opportunities in our commercial pipeline which is expected to drive a backlog inflection sometime next year. In the meantime, Noble is poised to generate robust cash flow amid sub-optimal utilization over the near term. We remain committed to returning essentially all free cash flow to shareholders and are pleased to announce a second $400 million share repurchase authorization."
Due to the forward-looking nature of Adjusted EBITDA, management cannot reliably predict certain of the necessary components of the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measure. Accordingly, the Company is unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of such forward-looking non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measure without unreasonable effort. The unavailable information could have a significant effect on Noble's fourth quarter 2024 GAAP financial results.
Conference CallNoble will host a conference call related to its third quarter 2024 results on Wednesday, November 6th, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Central Time. Interested parties may dial +1 800-715-9871 and refer to conference ID 31391 approximately 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Additionally, a live webcast link will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website. A webcast replay will be accessible for a limited time following the call.
For additional information, visit www.noblecorp.com or
About Noble Corporation plcNoble is a leading offshore drilling contractor for the oil and gas industry. The Company owns and operates one of the most modern, versatile, and technically advanced fleets in the offshore drilling industry. Noble and its predecessors have been engaged in the contract drilling of oil and gas wells since 1921. Noble performs, through its subsidiaries, contract drilling services with a fleet of offshore drilling units focused largely on ultra-deepwater and high specification jackup drilling opportunities in both established and emerging regions worldwide. Additional information on Noble is available at www.noblecorp.com.
Dividend Details and Return of Capital DisclaimersDividends payable to Noble shareholders will generally be paid in U.S. dollars (USD). However, holders of shares in the form of share entitlements admitted to trading on NASDAQ Copenhagen will receive an equivalent dividend payment in Danish krone (DKK) as determined by the exchange rate on a specified date. The holders of such share entitlements bear the risk of fluctuations in USD and DKK exchange rates.
On October 22, 2024, the Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program of up to $400 million commencing immediately after completion of the prior $400 million share repurchase. All shares purchased under the share repurchase programs are cancelled. The share repurchase programs take place within the limitations of the general authority previously granted by shareholders, or any authorization to be granted at a future general meeting of the Company. As of today, the repurchase programs do not have fixed expirations, and may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time. The programs do not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of shares.
Forward-looking StatementsThis communication includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this communication are forward looking statements, including those regarding future guidance, including revenue, adjusted EBITDA, the offshore drilling market and demand fundamentals, realization and timing of integration synergies, costs, the benefits or results of acquisitions or dispositions such as the acquisition of Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (the "Diamond Transaction"), free cash flow expectations, capital expenditures, capital additions, capital allocation expectations, including planned dividends and share repurchases, contract backlog, rig demand, expected future contracts, anticipated contract start dates, major project schedules, dayrates and duration, any asset sales, access to capital, fleet condition and utilization, timing and amount of insurance recoveries and 2024 financial guidance. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and actual results may differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. When used in this communication, or in the documents incorporated by reference, the words "guidance," "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "on track," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "would," "achieve," "shall," "target," "will" and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that such expectations will prove to be correct. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this communication and we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason, except as required by law. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those detailed in Noble's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports Form 10-Q and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, risks related to the recently completed Diamond Transaction, including the risk that the benefits of the transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected. We cannot control such risk factors and other uncertainties, and in many cases, we cannot predict the risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. You should consider these risks and uncertainties when you are evaluating us. With respect to our capital allocation policy, distributions to shareholders in the form of either dividends or share buybacks are subject to the Board of Directors' assessment of factors such as business development, growth strategy, current leverage and financing needs. There can be no assurance that a dividend or buyback program will be declared or continued.
NOBLE CORPORATION plc AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Operating revenues
Contract drilling services
$ 763,543
$ 671,004
$ 2,036,678
$ 1,852,474
Reimbursables and other
37,006
26,446
93,799
93,565
800,549
697,450
2,130,477
1,946,039
Operating costs and expenses
Contract drilling services
434,192
354,199
1,159,913
1,078,521
Reimbursables
28,185
16,682
69,196
67,484
Depreciation and amortization
109,879
77,146
287,347
218,412
General and administrative
43,596
33,039
109,226
95,428
Merger and integration costs
69,214
12,966
89,163
47,049
(Gain) loss on sale of operating assets, net
—
—
(17,357)
—
Hurricane losses and (recoveries), net
—
2,642
—
22,120
685,066
496,674
1,697,488
1,529,014
Operating income (loss)
115,483
200,776
432,989
417,025
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized
(24,951)
(13,005)
(54,491)
(44,539)
Gain on bargain purchase
—
5,005
—
5,005
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt, net
—
—
—
(26,397)
Interest income and other, net
2,292
17,206
(10,626)
16,292
Income (loss) before income taxes
92,824
209,982
367,872
367,386
Income tax benefit (provision)
(31,608)
(51,659)
(16,167)
(35,184)
Net income (loss)
$ 61,216
$ 158,323
