Valaris Ltd 10-Q for FY2024 Q3
Valaris Ltd (VAL)
10-Q
2024-10-31
For: 2024-09-30
View Original
Added on
April 09, 2026
About this 10-Q
Valaris Ltd filed this 10-Q on October 31, 2024, covering the quarter ended September 30, 2024 (FY2024 Q3).
Headline figures
Quarter ended September 30, 2024, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Revenue
- $643.1M
- up 41.3% from $455.1M a year earlier
- Net income
- $64.6M
- up 400.8% from net income of $12.9M a year earlier
- Diluted EPS
- $0.88
- up 417.6% from $0.17 a year earlier
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2024
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||
For the transition period from __________ to__________
Commission File Number 1-8097
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |||||||||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |||||||||||||
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: +44 (0) 20 7659 4660
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Ticker Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ||||||||||||||||||
| Emerging growth company | ||||||||||||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes ☒ No ☐
As of October 24, 2024, there were 71,118,393 Common Shares of the registrant outstanding.
VALARIS LIMITED
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements contained in this report 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 (the "Exchange Act"). 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 and specifically include statements regarding expected financial performance; expected utilization, day rates, revenues, operating expenses, cash flows, contract status, terms and duration, contract backlog, capital expenditures, insurance, financing and funding; the offshore drilling market, including supply and demand, customer drilling programs, stacking of rigs, effects of new rigs on the market and effect of the volatility of commodity prices; expected work commitments, awards, contracts and letters of intent; the availability, delivery, mobilization, contract commencement or relocation or other movement of rigs and the timing thereof; rig reactivations, enhancement, upgrade or repair and timing and cost thereof; the suitability of rigs for future contracts; performance of our joint ventures, including our joint venture with Saudi Arabian Oil Company ("Saudi Aramco"); timing of the delivery of the Saudi Aramco Rowan Offshore Drilling Company ("ARO") newbuild rigs and the timing of additional ARO newbuild orders; divestitures of assets; general market, business and industry conditions, trends and outlook; general political conditions, including political tensions, conflicts and war; the impacts and effects of public health crises, pandemics and epidemics; future operations; the effectiveness of our cybersecurity programs; expectations regarding our sustainability targets and strategy; the impact of increasing regulatory complexity; the outcome of tax disputes, assessments and settlements; expense management; and the likely outcome of litigation, legal proceedings, investigations or insurance or other claims or contract disputes and the timing thereof.
Such statements are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to vary materially from those indicated, including:
•delays in contract commencement dates or cancellation, suspension, renegotiation or termination with or without cause of drilling contracts or drilling programs as a result of general or industry-specific economic conditions, regulatory changes, mechanical difficulties, performance, delays in the delivery of critical drilling equipment, failure of the customer to receive final investment decision (FID) for which the drilling rig was contracted or other reasons;
•changes in worldwide rig supply and demand, competition or technology, including as a result of delivery of newbuild drilling rigs or reactivation of stacked drilling rigs;
•general economic and business conditions, including recessions, inflation, volatility affecting the banking system and financial markets and adverse changes in the level of international trade activity;
•requirements to make significant expenditures in connection with rig reactivations, customer drilling requirements and to comply with governing laws or regulations in the regions we operate;
•loss of a significant customer or customer contract, as well as customer consolidation and changes to customer strategy, including focusing on renewable energy projects;
•our ability to attract and retain skilled personnel on commercially reasonable terms, whether due to labor regulations, rising wages, unionization, or otherwise, or to retain employees;
•the occurrence of cybersecurity incidents, attacks or other breaches to our information technology systems, including our rig operating systems;
•the adequacy of sources of liquidity for us and our customers;
•risks inherent to drilling rig reactivations, repair, modification or upgrades, unexpected delays in equipment delivery, engineering, design or commissioning issues following delivery, or changes in the commencement, completion or service dates;
•our ability to generate operational efficiencies from our shared services center and potential risks relating to the processing of transactions and recording of financial information;
1
•downtime and other risks associated with offshore rig operations, including rig or equipment failure, damage and other unplanned repairs, the limited availability of transport vessels, hazards, self-imposed drilling limitations and other delays due to severe storms and hurricanes and the limited availability or high cost of insurance coverage for certain offshore perils, such as hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico or associated removal of wreckage or debris;
•our customers cancelling or shortening the duration of our drilling contracts, cancelling future drilling programs and seeking pricing and other contract concessions from us;
•decreases in levels of drilling activity and capital expenditures by our customers, whether as a result of the global capital markets and liquidity, prices of oil and natural gas, changes in tax policy (such as the U.K.’s windfall tax on oil and gas producers in the British North Sea), climate change concerns or otherwise, which may cause us to idle, stack or retire additional rigs;
•impacts and effects of public health crises, pandemics and epidemics, the related public health measures implemented by governments worldwide, the duration and severity of the outbreak and its impact on global oil demand, the volatility in prices for oil and natural gas and the extent of disruptions to our operations;
•disruptions to the operations and business of our key customers, suppliers and other counterparties, including impacts affecting our supply chain and logistics;
•governmental action, terrorism, cyber-attacks, piracy, military action and political and economic uncertainties, including civil unrest, political demonstrations, mass strikes, or an escalation or additional outbreak of armed hostilities or other crises in oil or natural gas producing areas, which may result in expropriation, nationalization, confiscation or deprivation or destruction of our assets; suspension and/or termination of contracts based on force majeure events or adverse environmental safety events; or volatility in prices of oil and natural gas;
•disputes over production levels among members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and other oil and gas producing nations (“OPEC+”), which could result in increased volatility in prices for oil and natural gas that could affect the markets for our services;
•our ability to enter into, and the terms of, future drilling contracts, including contracts for newbuild rigs or acquired rigs, for rigs currently idled and for rigs whose contracts are expiring;
•any failure to execute definitive contracts following announcements of letters of intent, letters of award or other expected work commitments;
•the outcome of litigation, legal proceedings, investigations or other claims or contract disputes, including any inability to collect receivables or resolve significant contractual or day rate disputes, and any renegotiation, nullification, cancellation or breach of contracts with customers or other parties;
•internal control risk due to changes in management, hiring of employees, employee reductions and our shared service center;
•governmental regulatory, legislative and permitting requirements affecting drilling operations, including limitations on drilling locations, limitations on new oil and gas leasing in U.S. federal lands and waters, and regulatory measures to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions ("GHG");
•governmental policies that could reduce demand for hydrocarbons, including mandating or incentivizing the conversion from internal combustion engine powered vehicles to electric-powered vehicles;
•forecasts or expectations regarding the global energy transition, including consumer preferences for alternative fuels and electric-powered vehicles, as part of the global energy transition;
•increased scrutiny from regulators, market and industry participants, stakeholders and others in regard to our sustainability practices and reporting;
•our ability to achieve our sustainability aspirations, targets, goals and commitments, or the impact of any changes to such matters;
2
•potential impacts on our business resulting from climate-change or GHG legislation or regulations, and the impact on our business from climate-change related physical changes or changes in weather patterns;
•new and future regulatory, legislative or permitting requirements, future lease sales, changes in laws, rules and regulations that have or may impose increased financial responsibility, additional oil spill abatement contingency plan capability requirements and other governmental actions that may result in claims of force majeure or otherwise adversely affect our existing drilling contracts, operations or financial results;
•environmental or other liabilities, risks, damages or losses, whether related to storms, hurricanes or other weather-related events (including wreckage or debris removal), collisions, groundings, blowouts, fires, explosions, cyberattacks, terrorism or otherwise, for which insurance coverage and contractual indemnities may be insufficient, unenforceable or otherwise unavailable;
•tax matters, including our effective tax rates, tax positions, results of audits, changes in tax laws (including global minimum tax initiatives) and regulations, tax assessments and liabilities for taxes;
•our ability to realize the expected benefits of our joint venture with Saudi Aramco, including our ability to fund any required capital contributions or to enforce any payment obligations of the joint venture pursuant to outstanding shareholder notes receivable and benefits of our other joint ventures;
•the potentially dilutive impacts of warrants issued pursuant to the plan of reorganization;
•the costs, disruption and diversion of our management's attention associated with campaigns by activist securityholders; and
•adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
In addition to the numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions described above, you should also carefully read and consider "Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part I and "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Part II of this report, and "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 annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which is available on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission website at www.sec.gov. 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, except as required by law.
3
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.Financial Statements
4
VALARIS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In millions, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| OPERATING REVENUES | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| OPERATING EXPENSES | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contract drilling (exclusive of depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| EQUITY IN EARNINGS (LOSSES) OF ARO | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| OPERATING INCOME | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other, net | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current income tax expense (benefit) | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income tax expense (benefit) | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NET INCOME | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| NET (INCOME) LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO VALARIS | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| EARNINGS PER SHARE | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| WEIGHTED-AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
VALARIS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| NET INCOME | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net reclassification adjustment for amounts recognized in net income as a component of net periodic pension benefit | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| NET OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| COMPREHENSIVE (INCOME) LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO VALARIS | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
VALARIS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except par value amounts)
| September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Restricted cash | |||||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | |||||||||||
| Other current assets | |||||||||||
| Total current assets | |||||||||||
| PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, AT COST | |||||||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation | |||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | |||||||||||
| LONG-TERM NOTES RECEIVABLE FROM ARO | |||||||||||
| INVESTMENT IN ARO | |||||||||||
DEFERRED TAX ASSETS | |||||||||||
| OTHER ASSETS | |||||||||||
| $ | $ | ||||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||||||||||
| CURRENT LIABILITIES | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable - trade | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Accrued liabilities and other | |||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | |||||||||||
| LONG-TERM DEBT | |||||||||||
DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES | |||||||||||
| OTHER LIABILITIES | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities | |||||||||||
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 11) | |||||||||||
| VALARIS SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||||||||||
Common Shares, $ | |||||||||||
Preference shares, $ | |||||||||||
| Stock warrants | |||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | |||||||||||
| Retained earnings | |||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | |||||||||||
Treasury shares, at cost, | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total Valaris shareholders' equity | |||||||||||
| NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS | |||||||||||
| Total equity | |||||||||||
| $ | $ | ||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
7
VALARIS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| OPERATING ACTIVITIES | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Depreciation expense | |||||||||||
| Accretion of discount on the Notes Receivable from ARO | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Share-based compensation expense | |||||||||||
| Equity in losses (earnings) of ARO | ( | ||||||||||
| Deferred income tax expense | |||||||||||
| Net (gain) loss on sale of property | ( | ||||||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | |||||||||||
| Changes in contract liabilities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Changes in deferred costs | ( | ||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities | ( | ||||||||||
| Contributions to pension plans and other post-retirement benefits | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | |||||||||||
| INVESTING ACTIVITIES | |||||||||||
| Additions to property and equipment | ( | ( | |||||||||
Net proceeds from disposition of assets | |||||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| FINANCING ACTIVITIES | |||||||||||
| Payments for share repurchases | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Payments related to tax withholdings for share-based awards | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Issuance of Second Lien Notes | |||||||||||
Redemption of First Lien Notes | ( | ||||||||||
| Debt issuance costs | ( | ||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | ( | ||||||||||
| INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH | ( | ||||||||||
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | |||||||||||
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, END OF PERIOD | $ | $ | |||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
8
VALARIS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1 -Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
We prepared the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of Valaris Limited and its subsidiaries (the "Company," "Valaris," "our," "we" or "us") in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") included in the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The financial information included in this report is unaudited but, in our opinion, includes all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) that are necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The December 31, 2023 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet data was derived from our 2023 audited consolidated financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements requires us to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the related revenues and expenses and disclosures of gain and loss contingencies as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that will be realized for the year ending December 31, 2024, or for any future period. We recommend these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 22, 2024 (our "Annual Report").
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Please refer to "Note 1. Description of the Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" of our Consolidated Financial Statements from our Annual Report for the discussion of our significant accounting policies. Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
New Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting pronouncements to be adopted
Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures - In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures ("Update 2023-07"), which expands reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The amendments in Update 2023-07 require that a public entity disclose, on an annual and interim basis, significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to an entity's chief operating decision maker ("CODM"), a description of other segment items by reportable segment, and any additional measures of a segment's profit or loss used by the CODM when deciding how to allocate resources. Annual disclosures are required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim disclosures are required for periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Retrospective application is required for all prior periods presented, and early adoption is permitted. We will adopt Update 2023-07 in the period required and while it will require us to expand certain disclosures within the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements, we do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, operating results and cash flows.
9
Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures - In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures ("Update 2023-09"), which expands income tax disclosure requirements to include additional information related to the rate reconciliation of our effective tax rates to statutory rates as well as additional disaggregation of taxes paid. The amendments in Update 2023-09 also remove disclosures related to certain unrecognized tax benefits and deferred taxes. Update 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The amendments are required to be applied on a prospective basis, with an option to apply the guidance retrospectively. We are currently assessing the impact of the requirements on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
Note 2 -Revenue from Contracts with Customers
Our drilling contracts with customers provide a drilling rig and drilling services on a day rate contract basis. Under day rate contracts, we provide a drilling rig and rig crews for which we receive a daily rate that may vary between the full rate and zero rate throughout the duration of the contractual term, depending on the operations of the rig. We also may receive lump-sum fees or similar compensation generally for the mobilization, demobilization, and capital upgrades of our rigs. Our customers bear substantially all of the costs of constructing the well and supporting drilling operations, as well as the economic risk relative to the success of the well.
Our drilling service provided under each drilling contract is a single performance obligation satisfied over time and comprised of a series of distinct time increments, or service periods. Total revenue is determined for each individual drilling contract by estimating both fixed and variable consideration expected to be earned over the contract term. Fixed consideration generally relates to activities such as mobilization, demobilization and capital upgrades of our rigs that are not distinct performance obligations within the context of our contracts and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract term. Variable consideration generally relates to distinct service periods during the contract term and is recognized in the period when the services are performed.
The remaining duration of our drilling contracts based on those in place as of September 30, 2024 was between approximately 1 month and 5 years.
Contract Assets and Liabilities
Contract assets represent amounts recognized as revenue but for which the right to invoice the customer is dependent upon our future performance. Once the previously recognized revenue is invoiced, the corresponding contract asset, or a portion thereof, is transferred to accounts receivable.
Contract liabilities generally represent fees received for mobilization, capital upgrades or in the case of our 50/50 unconsolidated joint venture with Saudi Aramco, represent the difference between the amounts billed under the bareboat charter arrangements and lease revenues earned. See “Note 3 – Equity Method Investment in ARO" for additional details regarding our balances with ARO.
Contract assets and liabilities are presented net on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets on a contract-by-contract basis. Current contract assets and liabilities are included in Other current assets and Accrued liabilities and other, respectively, and noncurrent contract assets and liabilities are included in Other assets and Other liabilities, respectively, on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
10
The following table summarizes our contract assets and contract liabilities (in millions):
| September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Current contract assets | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Noncurrent contract assets | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Current contract liabilities (deferred revenue) | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Noncurrent contract liabilities (deferred revenue) | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Changes in contract assets and liabilities during the period are as follows (in millions):
| Contract Assets | Contract Liabilities | ||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Revenue recognized in advance of right to bill customer | — | ||||||||||
| Increase due to revenue deferred during the period | — | ||||||||||
| Decrease due to amortization of deferred revenue that was included in the beginning contract liability balance | — | ( | |||||||||
| Decrease due to amortization of deferred revenue added during the period | — | ( | |||||||||
| Decrease due to transfer to receivables and payables during the period | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Balance as of September 30, 2024 | $ | $ | |||||||||
Deferred Contract Costs
Costs incurred for upfront rig mobilizations and certain contract preparations are attributable to our future performance obligation under each respective drilling contract. These costs are deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the contract term. Deferred contract costs are included in Other current assets and Other assets on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and totaled $54.6 million and $85.1 million as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, amortization of such costs totaled $41.2 million and $90.3 million, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, amortization of such cost totaled $25.0 million and $62.7 million, respectively.
Deferred Certification Costs
We must obtain certifications from various regulatory bodies in order to operate our drilling rigs and must maintain such certifications through periodic inspections and surveys. The costs incurred in connection with maintaining such certifications, including inspections, tests, surveys and drydock, and other compliance costs, are deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the corresponding certification periods. Deferred regulatory certification and compliance costs were included in Other current assets and Other assets on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and totaled $12.4 million and $14.5 million as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, amortization of such costs totaled $2.0 million and $7.6 million, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, amortization of such costs totaled $3.2 million and $9.4 million, respectively.
11
Future Amortization of Contract Liabilities and Deferred Costs
The table below reflects the expected future amortization of our contract liabilities and deferred costs recorded as of September 30, 2024. In the case of our contract liabilities related to our bareboat charter arrangements with ARO, the contract liability is not amortized and as such, the amount is reflected in the table below at the end of the current lease term. See "Note 3 - Equity Method Investment in ARO" for additional information on ARO and related arrangements.
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Remaining 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 and Thereafter | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of contract liabilities | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred costs | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Note 3 -Equity Method Investment in ARO
Background
ARO is a 50/50 unconsolidated joint venture between the Company and Saudi Aramco that owns and operates jackup drilling rigs in Saudi Arabia. As of September 30, 2024, ARO owns nine jackup rigs and leases nine rigs from us through bareboat charter arrangements (the "Lease Agreements") whereby substantially all operating costs are incurred by ARO.
The shareholder agreement governing the joint venture (the "Shareholder Agreement") specifies that ARO shall purchase 20 newbuild jackup rigs over an approximate 10 -year period. In January 2020, ARO ordered the first two newbuild jackups, the first of which, Kingdom 1, was delivered and commenced operations in the fourth quarter of 2023, and the second, Kingdom 2, was delivered in the second quarter of 2024 and commenced operations in the third quarter of 2024. In October 2024, ARO ordered the third newbuild jackup, Kingdom 3. ARO is expected to commit to order one additional newbuild jackup in the near term. In connection with these plans, we have a potential obligation to fund ARO for newbuild jackup rigs. See "Note 11 - Contingencies" for additional information.
Summarized Financial Information
The operating revenues of ARO presented below reflect revenues earned under drilling contracts with Saudi Aramco for the ARO-owned jackup rigs as well as the rigs leased from us. Contract drilling expense is inclusive of the bareboat charter fees for the rigs leased from us. See additional discussion below regarding these related-party transactions.
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Summarized financial information for ARO is as follows (in millions):
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contract drilling (exclusive of depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss on impairment (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other expense, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||
(1)In connection with Saudi Arabia’s announcement to limit oil production capacity and Saudi Aramco's suspension of certain drilling contracts, the VALARIS 143, VALARIS 147 and VALARIS 148 contracts were suspended during the nine months ended September 30, 2024. Pursuant to the requirements of the contracts, ARO had capitalized certain costs to maintain and upgrade these rigs, which were determined to be impaired due to the contract suspensions and subsequent terminations. As a result, ARO recorded a pre-tax, non-cash loss on impairment of $28.4 million in the third quarter of 2024. See "Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" for more information about the contract suspensions.
| September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Other current assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Non-current assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Non-current liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
Equity in Earnings (Losses) of ARO
We account for our interest in ARO using the equity method of accounting and only recognize our portion of ARO's net income (loss), adjusted for basis differences as discussed below, in Equity in earnings (losses) of ARO in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Our equity method investment in ARO was recorded at its estimated fair value in fresh start accounting upon emergence from bankruptcy in 2021. We computed the difference between the fair value of ARO's net assets and the carrying value of those net assets in ARO's U.S. GAAP financial statements ("basis differences") at that date. These basis differences primarily related to ARO's long-lived assets and the recognition of intangible assets associated with certain of ARO's drilling contracts that were determined to have favorable terms relative to market terms as of the measurement date.
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Basis differences are amortized over the remaining life of the assets or liabilities to which they relate and are recognized as an adjustment to the Equity in earnings (losses) of ARO in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The amortization of those basis differences is combined with our 50 % interest in ARO's net income (loss). A reconciliation of those components is presented below (in millions):
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 50% interest in ARO net loss | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Amortization of basis differences | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in earnings (losses) of ARO | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||
Related-Party Transactions
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, revenues recognized by us related to the Lease Agreements were $11.3 million and $42.9 million, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, revenues recognized by us related to the Lease Agreements were $19.1 million and $54.7 million, respectively.
Our balances related to the ARO lease agreements were as follows (in millions):
| September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
Amounts receivable (1) | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
Contract liabilities (2) | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
Accounts payable (2) | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
(1)Amounts receivable from ARO is included in Accounts receivable, net in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(2)The per day bareboat charter amount in the Lease Agreements is subject to adjustment based on actual performance of the respective rig and therefore, the corresponding contract liabilities are subject to adjustment during the lease term. Upon completion of the lease term, such amount becomes a payable to or a receivable from ARO. As a result of the Net Settlement Agreement, as defined below, a portion of our accounts payable to ARO was reduced by $50.7 million in June of 2024.
During 2017 and 2018, the Company contributed assets to ARO in exchange for a 10-year shareholder notes receivable due from ARO (the "Notes Receivable from ARO"). The Notes Receivable from ARO, as amended in December 2023, bear interest based on a one-year term SOFR, set as of the end of the year prior to the applicable year, plus 2.10 %. The Notes Receivable from ARO were adjusted to their estimated fair value in fresh start accounting upon emergence from bankruptcy in 2021 and the resulting discount to the principal amount is being amortized using the effective interest method to interest income over the remaining terms of the notes.
Under the Shareholder Agreement, a contract liability is created when amounts which the Company bills in accordance with its Lease Agreements are in excess of lease revenues earned. These contract liabilities are required to be settled in cash. In June 2024, the Company and ARO executed a net settlement agreement (the “Net Settlement Agreement”) whereby $50.7 million of accounts payable due to ARO, which related to lease revenue adjustments resulting from the actual performance of rigs leased to ARO between 2018 and early 2023, was net settled against a portion of the Notes Receivable from ARO retroactive to January 1, 2024. As a result of the Net Settlement Agreement, the aggregate principal balance of the Notes Receivable from ARO was reduced to $352.0 million and we recognized non-cash interest income of $13.9 million related to the discount attributable to the partial settlement in the second quarter of 2024.
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The principal amount and discount of the Notes Receivable from ARO were as follows (in millions):
| September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Principal amount | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Discount | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying value | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest receivable (1)(2) | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
(1)Our interest receivable from ARO is included in Accounts receivable, net in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(2)We collected our 2023 interest on the Notes Receivable from ARO in cash prior to December 31, 2023, and as such, there was no interest receivable from ARO as of December 31, 2023.
Interest income earned on the Notes Receivable from ARO was as follows (in millions):
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-cash amortization (1)(2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest income on the Notes Receivable from ARO | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Represents the amortization of the discount on the Notes Receivable from ARO using the effective interest method to interest income over the term of the notes.
(2)The nine months ended September 30, 2024, includes non-cash interest income of $13.9 million related to the discount attributable to the Net Settlement Agreement.
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Note 4 -Fair Value Measurements
The carrying values and estimated fair values of certain of our financial instruments were as follows (in millions):
| September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying Value | Estimated Fair Value | Carrying Value | Estimated Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
Second Lien Notes (1) | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
Notes Receivable from ARO (2)(3) | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
(1)The estimated fair value of the 8.375 % Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2030 (the "Second Lien Notes") was determined using quoted market prices, which are level 1 inputs.
(2)The estimated fair value of the Notes Receivable from ARO was estimated using an income approach to value the forecasted cash flows attributed to the Notes Receivable from ARO using a discount rate based on a comparable yield with a country-specific risk premium, which are considered to be level 2 inputs.
(3)As a result of the Net Settlement Agreement with ARO executed in June 2024, the aggregate principal balance of the Notes Receivable from ARO was reduced to $352.0 million. See "Note 3 - Equity Method Investment in ARO" for additional information.
The estimated fair values of our cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and trade payables approximated their carrying values as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
Note 5 -Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consisted of the following (in millions):
| September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Drilling rigs and equipment | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Work-in-progress | ||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | |||||||||||||
Assets sold
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recognized a pre-tax gain of $27.3 million for the sale of VALARIS 54.
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Note 6 -Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefits
We have defined-benefit pension plans and retiree medical plans that provide post-retirement health and life insurance benefits.
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest cost | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Expected return on plan assets | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of net gain | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
Net periodic pension and retiree medical income (1) | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||
(1)Included in Other, net, in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Note 7 -Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Weighted-average shares outstanding used in our computation of diluted EPS is calculated using the treasury stock method and includes the effect of all potentially dilutive stock equivalents, including warrants, restricted stock unit awards and performance stock unit awards.
The following table is a reconciliation of the weighted-average shares used in our basic and diluted EPS computations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (in millions):
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Income attributable to our shares | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of stock equivalents | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Anti-dilutive share awards totaling 150,000 and 126,000 were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively.
Anti-dilutive share awards totaling 35,000 and 104,000 were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.
We had 5,470,950 warrants outstanding (the "Warrants") as of September 30, 2024 to purchase common shares of Valaris Limited (the "Common Shares"), which are exercisable for one Common Share per Warrant at an initial exercise price of $131.88 per Warrant and expire on April 29, 2028. The exercise of these Warrants into Common Shares would have a dilutive effect to the holdings of Valaris Limited's existing shareholders. These warrants are anti-dilutive for all periods presented.
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Note 8 -Debt
First Lien Notes
On April 3, 2023, the Company issued a notice of conditional redemption to the holders of our Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2028 (the "First Lien Notes") at a redemption price equal to 104.0 % of the aggregate $550.0 million principal amount of the First Lien Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date (the “Redemption Price”). On April 19, 2023, in connection with the issuance of our Second Lien Notes discussed below, the Company discharged its obligations under the indenture governing the First Lien Notes and deposited the Redemption Price with Wilmington Savings Fund Society, as trustee under such indenture. The First Lien Notes were redeemed on May 3, 2023 for an aggregate redemption price of $571.8 million (excluding accrued and unpaid interest). We accounted for the redemption as an extinguishment of debt and reported a corresponding loss of $29.2 million in the second quarter of 2023, which is included in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Second Lien Notes
On April 19, 2023, the Company and Valaris Finance Company LLC (“Valaris Finance”), a wholly-owned subsidiary, issued and sold, at par, $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of Second Lien Notes (the "Initial Second Lien Notes") in a private placement conducted pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). On August 21, 2023, the Company and Valaris Finance issued, at 100.75 % of par, an additional $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of Second Lien Notes (the "Additional Notes") in a private placement conducted pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Initial Second Lien Notes and the Additional Notes form a single series and are collectively referred to as the "Second Lien Notes."
The Second Lien Notes were issued under the Indenture, dated as of April 19, 2023 (the "Indenture"), and will mature on April 30, 2030. The Second Lien Notes bear an interest rate of 8.375 % per annum and interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 30 and October 30 of each year.
As of September 30, 2024, we were in compliance in all material respects with our covenants under the Indenture.
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility
On April 3, 2023, the Company entered into a senior secured revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement, which is scheduled to mature on April 3, 2028, provides for commitments permitting borrowings of up to $375.0 million (which may be increased, subject to the agreement of lenders to provide such additional commitments and the satisfaction of certain conditions, by an additional $200.0 million pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement) and includes a $150.0 million sublimit for the issuance of letters of credit. Valaris Finance and certain other subsidiaries of the Company guarantee the Company's obligations under the Credit Agreement, and the lenders have a first priority lien on the assets securing the Credit Agreement.
Amounts borrowed under the Credit Agreement are subject to an interest rate per annum equal to, at our option, either (a) a base rate determined as the greatest of (i) a prime rate, (ii) the federal funds rate plus 0.5 % and (iii) Term SOFR (as defined in the Credit Agreement) for a one month interest period plus 1.1 % (such base rate to be subject to a 1 % floor) or (b) Term SOFR plus 0.10 % (subject to a 0 % floor), plus, in each case of clauses (a) and (b) above, an applicable margin ranging from 1.50 % to 3.00 % and 2.50 % to 4.00 %, respectively, based on the credit ratings that are one notch higher than the corporate family ratings provided by Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”) and Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) with respect to Valaris Limited.
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Additionally, we are required to pay a quarterly commitment fee to the lenders under the Credit Agreement with respect to the average daily unutilized commitments thereunder at a rate ranging from 0.375 % to 0.75 % depending on the credit ratings that are one notch higher than the corporate family ratings provided by S&P and Moody’s with respect to Valaris Limited. With respect to each letter of credit issued pursuant to the Credit Agreement, we are required to pay a letter of credit fee equal to the applicable margin in effect for Term SOFR loans and a fronting fee in an amount to be mutually agreed between us and the issuer of such letter of credit.
As of September 30, 2024, we were in compliance in all material respects with our covenants under the Credit Agreement. We had no amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2024.
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Note 9 -Shareholders' Equity
Activity in our various shareholders' equity accounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were as follows (in millions):
| Shares Issued | Par Value | Additional Paid-in Capital | Warrants | Retained Earnings | AOCI | Treasury Shares | Non-controlling Interest | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE, December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation cost | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net changes in pension and other postretirement benefits | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares withheld for taxes on vesting of share-based awards | — | — | ( | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net other comprehensive income | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE, March 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation cost | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net changes in pension and other postretirement benefits | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares withheld for taxes on vesting of share-based awards | — | — | ( | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net other comprehensive loss | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE, June 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation cost | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net changes in pension and other postretirement benefits | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued under share-based compensation plans, net | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of Common Shares | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares withheld for taxes on vesting of share-based awards | — | — | ( | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchase of noncontrolling ownership interest in a non-U.S. subsidiary (1) | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sale of noncontrolling ownership interest in a non-U.S. subsidiary (1) | — | — | ( | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net other comprehensive income | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BALANCE, September 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)During the third quarter of 2024, the Company purchased the 51 % noncontrolling interest related to a certain non-U.S. subsidiary and concurrently transferred the 51 % noncontrolling interest to new partners. The net transactions did not result in a change to our ownership or controlling interest in the non-U.S. subsidiary.
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| Shares Issued | Par Value | Additional Paid-in Capital | Warrants | Retained Earnings | AOCI | Treasury Shares | Non-controlling Interest | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BALANCE, December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation cost | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net changes in pension and other postretirement benefits | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net other comprehensive loss | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BALANCE, March 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation cost | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of Common Shares | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net changes in pension and other postretirement benefits | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares withheld for taxes on vesting of share-based awards | — | — | ( | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net other comprehensive loss | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE, June 30, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation cost | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued under share-based compensation plans, net | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of Common Shares | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net changes in pension and other postretirement benefits | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares withheld for taxes on vesting of share-based awards | — | — | ( | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net other comprehensive income | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BALANCE, September 30, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Share Repurchase Program
Our board of directors has authorized a share repurchase program (the "Share Repurchase Program") under which we may purchase up to $600.0 million of our outstanding Common Shares. The Share Repurchase Program does not have a fixed expiration, may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time and any repurchases made pursuant to the Share Repurchase Program are subject to compliance with applicable covenants and restrictions under our financing agreements.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, we repurchased 1.8 100.0 57.02 1.2 million shares at an aggregate cost of approximately $85.0 million for an average price of $73.30 per share. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we repurchased 2.3 million shares at an aggregate cost of approximately $150.0 million for an average price of $66.24 per share. As of September 30, 2024, we had approximately $300.0 million available for share repurchases pursuant to the Share Repurchase Program.
Note 10 -Income Taxes
Historically, we calculated our provision for income taxes during interim reporting periods by applying the estimated annual effective tax rate for the full fiscal year to pre-tax income or loss, excluding discrete items, for the reporting period. We determined that since small changes in estimated pre-tax income or loss would result in significant changes in the estimated annual effective tax rate, the historical method would not provide a reliable estimate of income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, and therefore, we used a discrete effective tax rate method to calculate income taxes for each of these periods. We will continue to evaluate income tax estimates under the historical method in subsequent quarters and employ a discrete effective tax rate method if warranted.
Discrete income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $0.5 million and was primarily attributable to changes in liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits associated with tax positions taken in prior years, partially offset by the resolution of prior period tax matters. Discrete income tax benefit of $70.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily attributable to changes in liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits associated with tax positions taken in prior years, including the reversal of a liability associated with tax assessments received from the Luxembourg tax authorities in the second quarter of 2024, and the resolution of other prior period tax matters. Excluding the aforementioned discrete tax items, income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $23.8 million and $77.2 million, respectively.
Discrete income tax benefit of $2.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily attributable to the resolution of prior period tax matters, partially offset by changes in liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits associated with tax positions taken in prior years. Discrete income tax benefit of $39.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily attributable to changes in liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits associated with tax positions taken in prior years and the resolution of other prior period tax matters. Excluding the aforementioned discrete tax items, income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $12.7 million and $47.1 million, respectively.
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Luxembourg Tax Assessments
In December 2023, one of the Company’s Luxembourg subsidiaries received tax assessments for fiscal years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023. In February 2024, the Luxembourg tax authorities rescinded the portion of the assessment relating to 2023, resulting in a revised aggregate tax assessment of approximately €60.0 million (approximately $65.0 million converted at then-current exchange rates). We recorded a liability for uncertain tax positions for this amount during the fourth quarter of 2023 and contested the validity and amount of the assessments. In April 2024, we received a favorable decision from the Luxembourg tax authorities stating that the assessments for the 2019-2021 tax years are not enforceable. As a result, we reversed this liability for the previously issued assessments and recognized a tax benefit of approximately $65.0 million during the second quarter of 2024.
Tax Legislation
Note 11 -Contingencies
ARO Newbuild Funding Obligations
In connection with our 50/50 unconsolidated joint venture, we have a potential obligation to fund ARO for newbuild jackup rigs. The Shareholder Agreement specifies that ARO shall purchase 20 newbuild jackup rigs over an approximate 10-year period. The joint venture partners intend for the newbuild jackup rigs to be financed out of available cash on hand and from ARO's operations and/or funds available from third-party financing. The first newbuild jackup, Kingdom 1, was delivered and commenced operations in the fourth quarter of 2023, and the second, Kingdom 2, was delivered in the second quarter of 2024 and commenced operations in the third quarter of 2024. In January 2020, ARO paid 25 % of the purchase price from cash on hand for each of the two newbuilds, and in October 2023, entered into a $359.0 million term loan to finance the remaining payments due upon delivery and for general corporate purposes. The term loan matures in eight years following the related drawdown under the term loan and requires equal quarterly amortization payments during the term, with a 50 % balloon payment due at maturity. The term loan bears interest based on the three-month SOFR plus a margin ranging from 1.25 % to 1.4 %. Our Notes Receivable from ARO are subordinated and junior in right of payment to ARO’s term loan. Additionally, in the second quarter of 2024, ARO entered into a revolving credit facility which provides for borrowings of up to $100.0 million. There were no amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility as of September 30, 2024. In the event ARO has insufficient cash or is unable to obtain third-party financing, each partner may periodically be required to make additional capital contributions to ARO, up to a maximum aggregate contribution of $1.25 billion from each partner to fund the newbuild program. Beginning with the delivery of the second newbuild, each partner's commitment is reduced by the lesser of the actual cost of each newbuild rig or $250.0 million, on a proportionate basis. Following the delivery of Kingdom 2, our commitment to fund the newbuild program has been reduced to $1.1 billion. In October 2024, ARO ordered the third newbuild jackup, Kingdom 3, for a purchase price of approximately $300.0 million, and paid the 25 % down payment from cash on hand. The final payment will be due upon delivery of the rig.
23
Letters of Credit
In the ordinary course of business with customers and others, we have entered into letters of credit to guarantee our performance as it relates to our drilling contracts, contract bidding, customs duties, tax appeals and other obligations in various jurisdictions. Letters of credit outstanding as of September 30, 2024 totaled $29.8 million and are issued under facilities provided by various banks and other financial institutions, but none were issued under the Credit Agreement. Obligations under these letters of credit are not normally called, as we typically comply with the underlying performance requirements. As of September 30, 2024, we had collateral deposits in the amount of $11.2 million with respect to these agreements.
Patent Litigation
In December 2022, a subsidiary of Transocean Ltd. commenced an arbitration proceeding against us alleging breach of a license agreement related to certain dual-activity drilling patents. We are unable to estimate our ultimate liability, if any, resulting from this proceeding at this time, but do not believe it will have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. We do not believe that we have breached the license agreement and intend to defend ourselves vigorously against this claim.
Brazil Administrative Proceeding
In July 2023, we received notice of an administrative proceeding initiated against us in Brazil. Specifically, the Federal Court of Accounts ("TCU") is seeking from us, Samsung Heavy Industries (“SHI”) and others, on a joint and several basis, a total of approximately BRL 601.0 million (approximately $110.0 million at the current quarter-end exchange rates) in damages that TCU asserts arose from the overbilling to Petrobras in 2015 in relation to the drilling services agreement with Petrobras for VALARIS DS-5 (the “DSA”). As fully disclosed in our prior periodic reports, the DSA was previously the subject of (1) investigations by the SEC and the U.S. Department of Justice, each of which closed their investigation of us in 2018 without any enforcement action, (2) an arbitration proceeding against SHI in which we prevailed resulting in SHI making a $200.0 million cash payment to us in December 2019, and (3) a settlement with Petrobras normalizing our business relations in August 2018. We plan to vigorously defend ourselves against the allegations made by the TCU. We are unable to estimate our potential exposure, if any, at this time. In May 2024, the Brazilian prosecutor issued an opinion recommending that the TCU close this matter against us. While this matter is still pending, we believe the likelihood of loss is remote.
Other Matters
In addition to the foregoing, we are named defendants or parties in certain other lawsuits, claims or proceedings incidental to our business and are involved from time to time as parties to governmental investigations or proceedings, including matters related to taxation, arising in the ordinary course of business. Although the outcome of such lawsuits or other proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty and the amount of any liability that could arise with respect to such lawsuits or other proceedings cannot be predicted accurately, we do not expect these matters to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results and cash flows.
Note 12 -Segment Information
Our business consists of four operating segments: (1) Floaters, which includes our drillships and semisubmersible rigs, (2) Jackups, (3) ARO and (4) Other, which consists of management services on rigs owned by third parties and the activities associated with our arrangements with ARO under the Lease Agreements. Floaters, Jackups and ARO are also reportable segments.
24
Our onshore support costs included within Contract drilling expenses are not allocated to our operating segments for purposes of measuring segment operating income (loss) and as such, those costs are included in “Reconciling Items.” Further, General and administrative expense and Depreciation expense incurred by our corporate office are not allocated to our operating segments for purposes of measuring segment operating income (loss) and are included in "Reconciling Items." We measure segment assets as Property and equipment, net.
The full operating results included below for ARO are not included within our consolidated results and thus are deducted under "Reconciling Items" and replaced with our equity in earnings of ARO. See "Note 3 - Equity Method Investment in ARO" for additional information on ARO and related arrangements. Similarly, the Property and equipment, net balances presented below for ARO are not included within our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and thus are also deducted under "Reconciling Items."
Segment information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, are presented below (in millions):
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024
| Floaters | Jackups | ARO | Other | Reconciling Items | Consolidated Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contract drilling (exclusive of depreciation) | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss on impairment | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in losses of ARO | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
| Floaters | Jackups | ARO | Other | Reconciling Items | Consolidated Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contract drilling (exclusive of depreciation) | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in earnings of ARO | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
25
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
| Floaters | Jackups | ARO | Other | Reconciling Items | Consolidated Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contract drilling (exclusive of depreciation) | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss on impairment | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in losses of ARO | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
| Floaters | Jackups | ARO | Other | Reconciling Items | Consolidated Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contract drilling (exclusive of depreciation) | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in earnings of ARO | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Information about Geographic Areas
As of September 30, 2024, the geographic distribution of our and ARO's drilling rigs was as follows:
| Floaters | Jackups | Other | Total Valaris | ARO | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Middle East & Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
North & South America | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Europe | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asia & Pacific Rim | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
We provide management services in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico on two rigs owned by a third party not included in the table above.
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Note 13 -Supplemental Financial Information
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Information
Accounts receivable, net, consisted of the following (in millions):
| September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Trade | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Income tax receivables | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| Allowance for doubtful accounts | ( | ( | |||||||||
| $ | $ | ||||||||||
Other current assets consisted of the following (in millions):
| September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Prepaid taxes | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Deferred costs | |||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| $ | $ | ||||||||||
Accrued liabilities and other consisted of the following (in millions):
| September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Current contract liabilities (deferred revenues) | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Personnel costs | |||||||||||
| Income and other taxes payable | |||||||||||
| Accrued interest | |||||||||||
| Lease liabilities | |||||||||||
| Accrued claims | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| $ | $ | ||||||||||
Other liabilities consisted of the following (in millions):
| September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Unrecognized tax benefits (inclusive of interest and penalties) | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Pension and other post-retirement benefits | |||||||||||
Lease liabilities | |||||||||||
| Noncurrent contract liabilities (deferred revenues) | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| $ | $ | ||||||||||
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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Information
Other, net consisted of the following (in millions):
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net foreign currency exchange gains (losses) | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net periodic pension and retiree medical income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net gain (loss) on sale of property | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Information
Our restricted cash consists primarily of $11.2 million and $12.6 million of collateral on letters of credit at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. See "Note 11 - Contingencies" for more information regarding our letters of credit.
We received U.S. income tax refunds totaling $35.9 million during the third quarter of 2024 primarily related to an Internal Revenue Service examination of one of our subsidiaries' 2009-2012 tax returns.
Concentration of Risk
Credit Risk - We are exposed to credit risk relating to our cash and cash equivalents and receivables from customers. Our cash and cash equivalents are primarily held by various well-capitalized and credit-worthy financial institutions. We monitor the credit ratings of these institutions and limit the amount of exposure to any one institution and therefore, do not believe a significant credit risk exists for these balances. We mitigate our credit risk relating to receivables from customers, which consist primarily of major international, government-owned and independent oil and gas companies, by performing ongoing credit evaluations. We also maintain reserves for potential credit losses, which generally have been within our expectations.
Customer Concentration - Consolidated revenues with customers that individually contributed 10% or more of revenue in either of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:
| Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 | Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Floaters | Jackups | Other | Total | Floaters | Jackups | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BP plc ("BP") | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equinor ASA ("Equinor") | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Eni S.p.A ("Eni") | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other customers (1) | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| % | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
28
| Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Floaters | Jackups | Other | Total | Floaters | Jackups | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BP | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equinor | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eni | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other customers (1) | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| % | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Geographic Concentration - For purposes of our geographic disclosure, we attribute revenues to the geographic location where such revenues are earned. Consolidated revenues for locations that individually had 10% or more of revenue were as follows (in millions):
| Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 | Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Floaters | Jackups | Other | Total | Floaters | Jackups | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brazil | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Gulf of Mexico | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Angola | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other countries (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Floaters | Jackups | Other | Total | Floaters | Jackups | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brazil | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Gulf of Mexico | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Angola | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other countries (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
29
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in "Item 1. Financial Statements" and with our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. The following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of our annual report and elsewhere in this quarterly report. See “Forward-Looking Statements.”
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Our Business
We are a leading provider of offshore contract drilling services to the international oil and gas industry with operations in almost every major offshore market across six continents. We own the world's largest offshore drilling rig fleet, including one of the newest ultra-deepwater fleets in the industry and a leading premium jackup fleet. We currently own 53 rigs, including 13 drillships, four dynamically positioned semisubmersible rigs, one moored semisubmersible rig, 35 jackup rigs and a 50% equity interest in ARO, our 50/50 unconsolidated joint venture with Saudi Aramco, which owns an additional nine rigs.
Our Industry
Operating results in the offshore contract drilling industry are highly cyclical and are directly related to the demand for and the available supply of drilling rigs. Low demand and excess supply can independently affect day rates and utilization of drilling rigs. Therefore, adverse changes in either of these factors can result in adverse changes in our industry. While the cost of moving a rig may cause the balance of supply and demand to vary somewhat between regions, significant variations between most regions are generally of a short-term nature due to rig mobility.
Demand for offshore drilling is impacted by fundamental supply and demand dynamics for crude oil. Since late 2022, Brent crude oil prices have been largely trading in a range between $70 and $90 per barrel, with OPEC+ members managing supply in an effort to keep the market in balance. Importantly, longer-dated Brent crude oil prices have remained stable, with the five-year forward price around $70 per barrel, a level at which more than 90% of undeveloped offshore reserves are expected to be profitable. As a result, we believe the constructive oil price environment is supportive of continued investment in long-cycle offshore projects.
Rig attrition in the industry over the last decade, particularly for floaters, has resulted in a smaller global fleet of rigs that is available to meet customer demands. In addition, demand for offshore drilling services has improved as evidenced by increased global utilization and day rates for offshore drilling rigs. Consequently, our outlook for the offshore drilling business is positive.
Inflationary pressures remain elevated and have resulted in increased personnel costs as well as in the prices of goods and services required to operate our rigs or execute capital projects. We expect that our costs will continue to rise in the near term and although certain of our long-term contracts contain provisions for escalating costs, we cannot predict with certainty our ability to successfully claim recoveries of higher costs from our customers under these contractual stipulations. Despite the inflationary trends, we continue to see recovery in our industry.
30
Backlog
Our contract drilling backlog reflects commitments represented by signed drilling contracts and is calculated by multiplying the contracted operating day rate by the contract period. The contracted day rate excludes certain types of lump sum fees for rig mobilization, demobilization, contract preparation, as well as customer reimbursables and bonus opportunities. Our backlog excludes ARO's backlog but includes backlog from our rigs leased to ARO at the contractual rates, which are subject to adjustment under the terms of the shareholder agreement governing the joint venture (the "Shareholder Agreement").
The ARO backlog presented below is 100% of ARO's backlog and is inclusive of backlog on both ARO owned rigs and rigs leased from us. As an unconsolidated 50/50 joint venture, when ARO realizes revenue from its backlog, 50% of the earnings thereon would be reflected in our results in equity in earnings of ARO in our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The earnings from ARO backlog with respect to rigs leased from us will be net of, among other things, payments to us under bareboat charters for those rigs. See "Note 3 - Equity Method Investment in ARO" to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in "Item 1. Financial Statements" for additional information.
The following table summarizes our and ARO's contract backlog of business as of October 30, 2024 and February 15, 2024 (in millions):
| October 30, 2024 | February 15, 2024 | ||||||||||
Floaters (1) | $ | 2,395.7 | $ | 2,531.7 | |||||||
Jackups (2) | 1,398.7 | 1,167.4 | |||||||||
Other (3) | 310.4 | 222.3 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 4,104.8 | $ | 3,921.4 | |||||||
ARO (4) | $ | 1,581.3 | $ | 2,138.1 | |||||||
(1)The decrease for Floaters is primarily due to revenues realized, partially offset by a multi-year contract award for VALARIS DS-17 offshore Brazil and two six-month contract extensions for VALARIS DS-9 offshore Angola, which resulted in incremental aggregate backlog of approximately $560.0 million.
(2)The increase for Jackups is due to various contract awards and extensions executed for incremental aggregate backlog of approximately $600.0 million, including a three-year contract extension for VALARIS 118, which resulted in incremental aggregate backlog of approximately $168.0 million, and a contract award for VALARIS 144, which resulted in incremental aggregate backlog of approximately $144.0 million. These increases were partially offset by revenues realized.
(3)Other includes the backlog for our managed rig services and the bareboat charter backlog for the jackup rigs leased to ARO in order for ARO to fulfill certain of its drilling contracts with Saudi Aramco. The increase in Other is due to three-year contract extensions for our managed rigs, which resulted in incremental aggregate backlog of approximately $245.0 million, partially offset by revenues realized and a reduction of backlog of approximately $35.0 million attributable to the VALARIS 143 contract, which was terminated effective May 2024, and the VALARIS 147 and VALARIS 148 contracts which were terminated effective October 2024.
(4)The decrease in ARO backlog is due to revenues realized and a reduction of backlog of approximately $125.0 million attributable to the termination of the VALARIS 143, VALARIS 147 and VALARIS 148 contracts.
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BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Floaters
In recent years, the more constructive oil price environment has led to an improvement in contracting and tendering activity for floaters. The number of contracted benign environment floaters has increased to 123 at September 30, 2024 from a low of 101 in early 2021, contributing to an increase in global utilization, from 73% to 83%, for the industry's marketed fleet over the same period. This increase in activity is particularly evident for 6th and 7th generation drillships, such as those included in our floater fleet. Utilization for the global marketed 6th and 7th generation drillship fleet is currently at 86% and has been above 85% since early 2022, resulting in a meaningful improvement in day rates for this class of assets. While some customer demand for 2025 has been deferred to future periods, there is a strong pipeline of opportunities for benign environment floaters with anticipated contract commencements in 2026 and beyond.
From a supply perspective, as of September 30, 2024, the number of benign environment floaters including stacked rigs declined by 41% to 166 from a peak of 281 in late 2014. Across the stacked drillship fleet and newbuild drillships remaining at South Korean shipyards, we believe there are only nine uncontracted drillships remaining that are likely reactivation candidates over the next few years, including VALARIS DS-11, VALARIS DS-13 and VALARIS DS-14. We anticipate that future floater demand growth will further reduce available drillship capacity. Also, given the expected high construction cost and lack of shipyard capacity, we do not believe that market conditions are supportive of floater newbuild construction for the foreseeable future.
Jackups
Contracting and tendering activity for jackups has improved in recent years as a result of the more constructive oil price environment, and we have seen a corresponding increase in utilization. The number of contracted jackups has increased to 414 at September 30, 2024 from a low of 341 in early 2021, contributing to an increase in global utilization, from 78% to 93%, for the industry's marketed fleet over the same period, which has led to a meaningful increase in day rates for jackups.
In early 2024, Saudi Arabia announced that they plan to maintain maximum sustainable capacity at 12 million barrels per day. Since this announcement, Saudi Aramco has sent contract suspension notices to several offshore drillers to suspend its contracts, which included notice to ARO with respect to its drilling contracts for VALARIS 143, VALARIS 147 and VALARIS 148, for a total of 27 rigs, which represents 6% of the marketed jackup fleet. To date, eight of the 27 suspended rigs have been contracted in other regions. We believe that approximately half of these remaining suspended rigs are likely to be competitive in other higher-specification, benign environment regions and expect there to be sufficient incremental demand in these regions to absorb them in an orderly manner.
From a supply perspective, as of September 30, 2024, the number of jackups declined by 7% to 502 from a peak of 542 in early 2015. While the number of jackups has decreased less than floaters, 28% of the current jackup fleet is more than 40 years of age with limited useful lives remaining. Further, we believe that some of the jackups that are currently idle are not competitive, either due to their age or length of time stacked. Expenditures required to reactivate some of these rigs may prove cost prohibitive and drilling contractors may instead elect to scrap certain rigs. We believe there are only 13 newbuild jackups remaining at shipyards, of which nine are at Chinese shipyards, some of which are expected to be used locally in China.
32
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Management believes the comparison of the most recently completed quarter to the immediately preceding quarter provides more relevant information needed to understand and analyze the business. As such, as permitted under applicable SEC rules, we have elected to discuss any material changes in our results of operations by including a comparison of our most recently completed fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2024 (the "current quarter") to the immediately preceding fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2024 (the "preceding quarter"). We also continue to discuss any material changes in our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the corresponding period of the preceding fiscal year (the "prior year period"), as required under the applicable SEC rules.
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2024
The following table summarizes our Condensed Consolidated Results of Operations for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024 (in millions, except percentages):
| Three Months Ended | Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2024 | June 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 643.1 | $ | 610.1 | $ | 33.0 | 5 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contract drilling (exclusive of depreciation) | 462.1 | 438.7 | 23.4 | 5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | 31.7 | 29.7 | 2.0 | 7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 30.6 | 32.5 | (1.9) | (6) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 524.4 | 500.9 | 23.5 | 5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in losses of ARO | (23.8) | (0.3) | (23.5) | NM | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 94.9 | 108.9 | (14.0) | (13) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | (7.7) | 11.9 | (19.6) | (165) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Provision (benefit) for income taxes | 24.3 | (30.0) | 54.3 | (181) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | 62.9 | 150.8 | (87.9) | (58) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | 1.7 | (1.2) | 2.9 | (242) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Valaris | $ | 64.6 | $ | 149.6 | $ | (85.0) | (57) | % | |||||||||||||||
NM - Not meaningful
Revenue increased in the current quarter compared to the preceding quarter, primarily due to higher average daily revenues of $19.3 million, which were largely driven by a $12.6 million increase in mobilization revenues and certain floaters working under higher day rate contracts in the current quarter as compared to the preceding quarter. The increase in mobilization revenue is primarily attributable to amortization of a lump-sum mobilization fee for VALARIS 247 related to the commencement of a new contract during the current quarter after mobilizing from the United Kingdom to Australia earlier in the year. Further contributing to the increase in revenue were incremental operating days of $6.3 million and increased customer reimbursable revenues of $5.8 million in the current quarter.
Contract drilling expense increased in the current quarter compared to the preceding quarter primarily driven by a $17.0 million increase in mobilization costs, which is largely attributable to the amortization of mobilization costs for VALARIS 247, a $10.8 million increase in repairs and maintenance costs, primarily due to maintenance performed during special periodic surveys for certain rigs and leg repairs on VALARIS 249 during the current quarter, and increased customer reimbursable expenses of $3.7 million. These increases were partially offset by lower reactivation costs for VALARIS DS-7 of $8.0 million.
Other income, net, decreased primarily due to lower interest income of $13.5 million and a decrease of $6.0 million from foreign currency losses.
33
Discrete income tax expense for the current quarter was $0.5 million and was primarily attributable to changes in liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits associated with tax positions taken in prior years, partially offset by the resolution of prior period tax matters. Discrete income tax benefit for the preceding quarter was $63.9 million and was primarily attributable to changes in liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits associated with tax positions taken in prior years, including the reversal of a liability associated with tax assessments received from the Luxembourg tax authorities (see "Note 10 - Income Taxes" to our consolidated financial statements included in "Item 1. Financial Statements" for information on this matter), and the resolution of other prior period tax matters. Excluding the aforementioned discrete tax items, income tax expense was $23.8 million for the current quarter and $33.9 million for the preceding quarter.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
The following table summarizes our Condensed Consolidated Results of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (in millions, except percentages):
| Nine Months Ended | Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2024 | September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 1,778.2 | $ | 1,300.4 | $ | 477.8 | 37 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contract drilling (exclusive of depreciation) | 1,345.6 | 1,141.6 | 204.0 | 18 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | 88.2 | 73.6 | 14.6 | 20 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 89.6 | 75.0 | 14.6 | 19 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 1,523.4 | 1,290.2 | 233.2 | 18 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in earnings (losses) of ARO | (21.7) | 5.0 | (26.7) | NM | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 233.1 | 15.2 | 217.9 | NM | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | 13.3 | 30.7 | (17.4) | (57) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 7.2 | 7.6 | (0.4) | (5) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | 239.2 | 38.3 | 200.9 | NM | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | 0.5 | (8.1) | 8.6 | (106) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Valaris | $ | 239.7 | $ | 30.2 | $ | 209.5 | NM | ||||||||||||||||
NM - Not meaningful
Revenues increased primarily due to $328.7 million of incremental revenue earned for VALARIS DS-17, VALARIS DS-8 and VALARIS DS-7, which have commenced new contracts since mid-2023 following reactivations. For the remaining fleet, there were increases of $123.3 million from higher average daily revenue, primarily due to certain rigs working under higher day rate contracts during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the prior year period, and $24.4 million from higher customer reimbursable revenue.
Contract drilling expense increased primarily due to incremental costs of $94.8 million incurred for VALARIS DS-17, VALARIS DS-7 and VALARIS DS-8. For the remaining fleet, we had an increase in personnel-related costs of $33.8 million, partially driven by wage increases in certain regions and incentive compensation costs, higher reimbursable expenses of $22.5 million and a net increase in mobilization costs of $11.7 million, which is largely attributable to the amortization of mobilization costs for VALARIS 247 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and was partially offset by lower mobilization costs for various other rigs. Additionally, we incurred $8.7 million of incremental costs related to the stacking of VALARIS DS-13 and VALARIS DS-14.
Depreciation expense increased primarily due to new assets placed in service for certain rigs that underwent reactivation projects and capital upgrades.
34
General and administrative expenses increased primarily due to higher professional fees and compensation costs.
Other income, net, decreased primarily due to a $27.3 million net gain on the sale of VALARIS 54 recognized in the prior year period and a $15.5 million increase in interest expense, both of which were partially offset by a $29.2 million loss from the extinguishment of the Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2028 (the "First Lien Notes") recognized in the prior year period (see "Note 8 - Debt" to our consolidated financial statements included in "Item 1. Financial Statements" for information regarding this debt extinguishment).
Discrete income tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $70.0 million and was primarily attributable to changes in liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits associated with tax positions taken in prior years, including the reversal of a liability associated with tax assessments received from the Luxembourg tax authorities in the second quarter of 2024 (see "Note 10 - Income Taxes" to our consolidated financial statements included in "Item 1. Financial Statements" for information on this matter), and the resolution of other prior period tax matters. Discrete income tax benefit for the prior year period was $39.5 million and was primarily attributable to changes in liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits associated with tax positions taken in prior years and the resolution of other prior period tax matters. Excluding the aforementioned discrete tax items, income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $77.2 million and $47.1 million, respectively.
35
Rig Counts, Utilization and Average Daily Revenue
The following table summarizes the total and active offshore drilling rigs for Valaris and ARO as of the following dates:
| September 30, 2024 | June 30, 2024 | September 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Fleet | |||||||||||||||||
Floaters (1) | 18 | 18 | 16 | ||||||||||||||
Jackups (2) | 26 | 26 | 27 | ||||||||||||||
Other (3) | 9 | 9 | 8 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Fleet - Valaris | 53 | 53 | 51 | ||||||||||||||
ARO (4) | 9 | 9 | 7 | ||||||||||||||
Active Fleet (5) | |||||||||||||||||
Floaters | 13 | 13 | 13 | ||||||||||||||
Jackups (2) | 18 | 18 | 20 | ||||||||||||||
Other (3) | 9 | 9 | 8 | ||||||||||||||
| Active Fleet - Valaris | 40 | 40 | 41 | ||||||||||||||
ARO (4) | 9 | 9 | 7 | ||||||||||||||
(1)During the fourth quarter of 2023, we took delivery of VALARIS DS-13 and VALARIS DS-14.
(2)During the first and second quarters of 2024, we leased VALARIS 108 and VALARIS 76, respectively, to ARO. During the second quarter of 2024, the VALARIS 143 contract with ARO was terminated.
(3)This represents the jackup rigs leased to ARO through bareboat charter agreements whereby substantially all operating costs are incurred by ARO. Rigs leased to ARO operate under long-term contracts with Saudi Aramco. During the first and second quarters of 2024, we leased VALARIS 108 and VALARIS 76, respectively, to ARO. During the second quarter of 2024, the VALARIS 143 contract with ARO was terminated and the rig is now preservation stacked.
(4)This represents the jackup rigs owned by ARO, which are operating under long-term contracts with Saudi Aramco, including Kingdom 1 and Kingdom 2, which were delivered in the fourth quarter of 2023 and second quarter of 2024, respectively.
(5)Active fleet represents rigs that are not preservation stacked and includes rigs that are in the process of being reactivated.
We provide management services in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico on two rigs owned by a third-party that are not included in the table above.
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Operating results for our contract drilling services segment are largely dependent on two primary revenue metrics: utilization and day rates. The following table summarizes our and ARO's rig utilization and average daily revenue by reportable segment:
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2024 | June 30, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Rig Utilization - Total Fleet (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Floaters | 63 | % | 66 | % | 63 | % | 58 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Jackups | 60 | % | 58 | % | 57 | % | 58 | % | |||||||||||||||
Other (2) | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total Valaris | 69 | % | 69 | % | 67 | % | 66 | % | |||||||||||||||
| ARO | 66 | % | 82 | % | 79 | % | 92 | % | |||||||||||||||
Rig Utilization - Active Fleet (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Floaters | 87 | % | 92 | % | 88 | % | 76 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Jackups | 87 | % | 82 | % | 80 | % | 78 | % | |||||||||||||||
Other (2) | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total Valaris | 90 | % | 90 | % | 87 | % | 83 | % | |||||||||||||||
| ARO | 66 | % | 82 | % | 79 | % | 92 | % | |||||||||||||||
Average Daily Revenue (3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Floaters | $ | 359,000 | $ | 340,000 | $ | 338,000 | $ | 259,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Jackups | 133,000 | 120,000 | 121,000 | 104,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other (2) | 32,000 | 37,000 | 38,000 | 43,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total Valaris | $ | 171,000 | $ | 167,000 | $ | 164,000 | $ | 127,000 | |||||||||||||||
| ARO | $ | 103,000 | $ | 102,000 | $ | 103,000 | $ | 96,000 | |||||||||||||||
(1)Rig utilization for the total fleet and active fleet are derived by dividing the operating days by the number of days in the period for the total fleet and active fleet, respectively. Active fleet represents rigs that are not preservation stacked and includes rigs that are in the process of being reactivated. Operating days equals the total number of days that rigs have earned and recognized day rate revenue, including days associated with early contract terminations, compensated downtime and mobilizations and excluding suspension periods. When revenue is deferred and amortized over a future period, for example, when we receive fees while mobilizing to commence a new contract or while being upgraded in a shipyard, the related days are excluded from operating days.
(2)Includes our two management services contracts and our rigs leased to ARO under bareboat charter contracts.
(3)Average daily revenue is derived by dividing contract drilling revenues, adjusted to exclude certain types of non-recurring reimbursable revenues, revenues earned during suspension periods, revenues attributable to amortization of drilling contract intangibles and lump-sum revenues and amortization thereof, by the aggregate number of operating days.
Operating Income by Segment
Our business consists of four operating segments: (1) Floaters, which includes our drillships and semisubmersible rigs, (2) Jackups, (3) ARO and (4) Other, which consists of management services on rigs owned by third parties and the activities associated with our arrangements with ARO under the bareboat charter arrangements (the "Lease Agreements"). Floaters, Jackups and ARO are also reportable segments.
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Our onshore support costs included within Contract drilling expenses are not allocated to our operating segments for purposes of measuring segment operating income (loss) and as such, those costs are included in “Reconciling Items." Further, general and administrative expense and depreciation expense incurred by our corporate office are not allocated to our operating segments for purposes of measuring segment operating income (loss) and are included in "Reconciling Items."
Because ARO is a 50/50 unconsolidated joint venture, its full operating results included below are not included within our consolidated results and thus are deducted under "Reconciling Items" and replaced with our equity in earnings of ARO. See "Note 3 - Equity Method Investment in ARO" to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in "Item 1. Financial Statements" for additional information.
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2024
Segment information for the current quarter and preceding quarter is as follows (in millions):
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024
| Floaters | Jackups | ARO | Other | Reconciling Items | Consolidated Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 389.0 | $ | 213.7 | $ | 113.7 | $ | 40.4 | $ | (113.7) | $ | 643.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contract drilling (exclusive of depreciation) | 247.7 | 156.7 | 93.8 | 22.1 | (58.2) | 462.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss on impairment | — | — | 28.4 | — | (28.4) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | 14.8 | 11.4 | 21.1 | 2.9 | (18.5) | 31.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | — | — | 4.9 | — | 25.7 | 30.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in losses of ARO | — | — | — | — | (23.8) | (23.8) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | $ | 126.5 | $ | 45.6 | $ | (34.5) | $ | 15.4 | $ | (58.1) | $ | 94.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended June 30, 2024
| Floaters | Jackups | ARO | Other | Reconciling Items | Consolidated Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 383.9 | $ | 185.8 | $ | 124.2 | $ | 40.4 | $ | (124.2) | $ | 610.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contract drilling (exclusive of depreciation) | 257.4 | 123.2 | 94.1 | 19.6 | (55.6) | 438.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | 14.1 | 10.9 | 19.7 | 2.5 | (17.5) | 29.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | — | — | 5.5 | — | 27.0 | 32.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in losses of ARO | — | — | — | — | (0.3) | (0.3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 112.4 | $ | 51.7 | $ | 4.9 | $ | 18.3 | $ | (78.4) | $ | 108.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Floaters
Floater revenue remained relatively flat for the current quarter as compared to the preceding quarter, primarily due to the offsetting impacts of higher average daily revenue of $9.6 million and fewer operating days of $6.7 million. The increase in average daily revenue related primarily to certain rigs working under higher day rate contracts in the current quarter as compared to the preceding quarter, partially offset by a decrease of $4.3 million for mobilization revenue. The decrease in operating days was primarily due to the completion of contracts for VALARIS DPS-5 and VALARIS DS-10 during the quarter, partially offset by more operating days for VALARIS DS-7, which commenced a contract in late May after its reactivation.
38
Floater contract drilling expense decreased $9.7 million, or 4%, for the current quarter as compared to the preceding quarter, primarily driven by lower personnel-related costs of $8.7 million due to certain rigs completing their contracts during the current quarter and incremental headcount requirements for VALARIS DS-17 in the preceding quarter while working in Argentina. Further contributing to the decrease were lower reactivation costs related to VALARIS DS-7 of $8.0 million. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $4.9 million in repairs and maintenance costs as a result of scheduled maintenance for certain rigs in the current quarter.
Jackups
Jackup revenues increased $27.9 million, or 15%, for the current quarter as compared to the preceding quarter, primarily due to a $16.9 million increase in mobilization revenue, largely attributable to amortization of a lump-sum mobilization fee for VALARIS 247, which commenced a new contract in the current quarter after mobilizing from the United Kingdom to Australia earlier in the year. Further contributing to the higher revenues was a $10.8 million increase from incremental operating days in the current quarter, primarily due to VALARIS 247 and VALARIS STAVANGER, which were preparing for their current contracts in the preceding quarter, partially offset by unplanned downtime in the current quarter for leg repairs on VALARIS 249.
Jackup contract drilling expense increased $33.5 million, or 27%, for the current quarter as compared to the preceding quarter, primarily due to a $18.8 million increase in mobilization costs, which was largely attributable to the amortization of mobilization costs for VALARIS 247, a $5.3 million increase in repairs and maintenance costs, partially due to leg repairs for VALARIS 249 during the current quarter, and a $5.1 million increase in personnel-related costs as a result of more rigs working under contract in the current quarter.
ARO
The operating revenues of ARO reflect revenues earned under drilling contracts with Saudi Aramco for both the ARO-owned jackup rigs and the rigs leased from us. Contract drilling expenses are inclusive of the bareboat charter fees for the rigs leased from us. See "Note 3 - Equity Method Investment in ARO" to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in "Item 1. Financial Statements" for additional information on ARO.
ARO revenue decreased $10.5 million, or 8%, for the current quarter as compared to the preceding quarter, primarily due to lower revenue of $12.6 million following the contract termination for VALARIS 143 in the preceding quarter and contract suspensions for VALARIS 147 and VALARIS 148 in the current quarter, and a decrease of $2.5 million related to certain rigs which were undergoing maintenance projects or had unplanned downtime in the current quarter. These decreases were partially offset by incremental revenue of $4.0 million from the commencement of operations for Kingdom 2 during the current quarter.
ARO contract drilling expense remained relatively flat for the current quarter as compared to the preceding quarter, primarily due to lower bareboat charter lease expense, inclusive of certain adjustments, of $3.2 million as a result of the contract termination for VALARIS 143 in the preceding quarter and the suspensions for VALARIS 147 and VALARIS 148 in the current quarter, which was largely offset by higher personnel-related costs of $1.3 million and increased repairs and maintenance costs of $1.0 million in the current quarter.
During the current quarter, ARO recorded a non-cash loss on impairment of $28.4 million with respect to the contract termination for VALARIS 143 and contract suspensions for VALARIS 147 and VALARIS 148. See "Note 3 - Equity Method Investment in ARO" to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in "Item 1. Financial Statements" for information regarding the impairment.
39
Other
Other revenue remained flat in the current quarter as compared to the preceding quarter, primarily due to a $3.3 million increase in customer reimbursable revenue, which was largely offset by a $1.3 million decrease in revenue earned from lease agreements with ARO.
Other contract drilling expense increased $2.5 million, or 13%, for the current quarter as compared to the preceding quarter, primarily due to higher customer reimbursable expenses of $2.6 million.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Segment information for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 is as follows (in millions):
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
| Floaters | Jackups | ARO | Other | Reconciling Items | Consolidated Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 1,097.3 | $ | 551.8 | $ | 376.2 | $ | 129.1 | $ | (376.2) | $ | 1,778.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contract drilling (exclusive of depreciation) | 758.5 | 413.8 | 286.2 | 63.9 | (176.8) | 1,345.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss on impairment | — | — | 28.4 | — | (28.4) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | 42.1 | 32.7 | 59.8 | 6.7 | (53.1) | 88.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | — | — | 16.2 | — | 73.4 | 89.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in losses of ARO | — | — | — | — | (21.7) | (21.7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | $ | 296.7 | $ | 105.3 | $ | (14.4) | $ | 58.5 | $ | (213.0) | $ | 233.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
| Floaters | Jackups | ARO | Other | Reconciling Items | Consolidated Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 685.5 | $ | 480.3 | $ | 362.9 | $ | 134.6 | $ | (362.9) | $ | 1,300.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contract drilling (exclusive of depreciation) | 586.0 | 394.1 | 277.9 | 57.2 | (173.6) | 1,141.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | 40.8 | 28.8 | 46.4 | 3.8 | (46.2) | 73.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | — | — | 15.9 | — | 59.1 | 75.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in earnings of ARO | — | — | — | — | 5.0 | 5.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 58.7 | $ | 57.4 | $ | 22.7 | $ | 73.6 | $ | (197.2) | $ | 15.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Floaters
Floater revenue increased $411.8 million, or 60%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the prior year period, primarily due to incremental revenue of $328.7 million from VALARIS DS-17, VALARIS DS-8 and VALARIS DS-7, which have commenced new contracts since mid-2023 following reactivations. For the remaining floater fleet, there was a net increase of $82.6 million from higher average daily revenue, primarily due to certain floaters working under higher day rate contracts in the current period as compared to the prior year period.
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Floater contract drilling expense increased $172.5 million, or 29%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the prior year period, primarily due to incremental costs of $94.8 million incurred for VALARIS DS-17, VALARIS DS-8 and VALARIS DS-7 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024. For the remaining fleet, there were increases of $35.6 million in personnel-related costs, partially driven by wage increases in certain regions and incentive compensation costs, higher repair and maintenance costs of $16.8 million, primarily due to planned maintenance during the current year, and $8.7 million incurred related to the stacking of VALARIS DS-13 and VALARIS DS-14.
Jackups
Jackup revenues increased $71.5 million, or 15%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the prior year period, primarily due to net increases of $41.9 million from higher average daily revenue related to certain rigs working under contracts with higher day rates than the prior year period and increased mobilization revenue, $24.1 million from higher customer reimbursable revenue and $5.3 million from incremental operating days.
Jackup contract drilling expense increased $19.7 million, or 5%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the prior year period primarily due to higher customer reimbursable expenses of $22.7 million and increased mobilization costs of $18.7 million, primarily driven by the amortization of mobilization costs related to the commencement of a new contract for VALARIS 247. These increases were partially offset by a $20.8 million decrease in repairs and maintenance costs, largely attributable to maintenance for certain rigs during special periodic surveys performed in the prior year period.
ARO
ARO revenue increased $13.3 million, or 4%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the prior year period, primarily due to $51.6 million of incremental revenue from Kingdom 1 and Kingdom 2, which commenced operations in November 2023 and August 2024, respectively, and VALARIS 108, which we began leasing to ARO during the first quarter of 2024. This increase was partially offset by a decrease of $21.5 million related to the contract termination for VALARIS 143 in May 2024 and contract suspensions for VALARIS 147 and VALARIS 148 in August 2024, as well as a decrease of $13.9 million from unplanned downtime in the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
ARO contract drilling expense increased $8.3 million or 3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the prior year period, primarily due to $11.1 million of incremental operating costs related to the operation of Kingdom 1, Kingdom 2 and VALARIS 108 in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and higher personnel-related costs of $5.1 million for the remainder of the fleet. These increases were partially offset by lower bareboat charter lease expense, inclusive of certain adjustments, of $7.5 million as a result of the contract termination for VALARIS 143 and the suspensions for VALARIS 147 and VALARIS 148 in the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
ARO depreciation expense increased $13.4 million, or 29%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the prior year period, primarily due to the additions of Kingdom 1 and Kingdom 2 to the fleet.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, ARO recorded non-cash losses on impairment totaling $28.4 million with respect to the contract termination for VALARIS 143 and contract suspensions for VALARIS 147 and VALARIS 148. See "Note 3 - Equity Method Investment in ARO" to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in "Item 1. Financial Statements" for information regarding the impairment.
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Other
Other revenue decreased $5.5 million, or 4%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the prior year period, primarily due to lower revenue earned from lease agreements with ARO of $11.8 million, which was partially offset by higher average daily revenues earned by our managed rigs of $5.2 million as a result of contract extensions executed during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 at higher rates.
Other contract drilling expense increased $6.7 million, or 12%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the prior year period, primarily due to increased repairs and maintenance costs of $2.9 million and higher personnel-related costs of $2.4 million.
Other Income (Expense)
The following table summarizes other income (expense) (in millions):
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2024 | June 30, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | $ | 17.5 | $ | 31.0 | $ | 69.5 | $ | 74.2 | |||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net | (22.4) | (22.6) | (62.7) | (47.2) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net foreign currency exchange gains (losses) | (3.5) | 2.5 | 4.4 | 3.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net periodic pension and retiree medical income | 0.6 | 0.7 | 2.0 | 0.3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net gain (loss) on sale of property | (0.2) | — | (0.3) | 27.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt | — | — | — | (29.2) | |||||||||||||||||||
Other, net | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 1.3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| $ | (7.7) | $ | 11.9 | $ | 13.3 | $ | 30.7 | ||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2024
Interest income decreased $13.5 million, or 44%, for the current quarter compared to the preceding quarter, primarily due to the recognition of non-cash interest income of $13.9 million in the preceding quarter related to an adjustment to the discount on our outstanding 10-year shareholder notes receivable due from ARO (the "Notes Receivable from ARO"), which resulted from a partial net settlement agreement executed in the preceding quarter (the "Net Settlement Agreement"). See "Note 3 - Equity Method Investment in ARO" to our consolidated financial statements included in "Item 1. Financial Statements" for more information on this matter.
Net foreign currency exchange losses increased $6.0 million from a net gain of $2.5 million in the preceding quarter to a net loss of $3.5 million in the current quarter, primarily driven by unfavorable exchange rate movements in Brazilian reals, euros, British pounds and Mexican pesos.
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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Interest income decreased $4.7 million, or 6%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the prior year period, primarily due to a $13.1 million decrease in interest income on cash equivalents due to a lower average balance during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and a $4.4 million decrease in interest income earned on our outstanding Notes Receivable from ARO, which was driven by lower outstanding principal balances related to the Net Settlement Agreement and lower interest rates relative to the prior year period. These decreases were partially offset by an increase from the recognition of non-cash interest income of $13.9 million for an adjustment to the discount on our outstanding Notes Receivable from ARO, which resulted from the Net Settlement Agreement executed in the 2024 second quarter. See "Note 3 - Equity Method Investment in ARO" to our consolidated financial statements included in "Item 1. Financial Statements" for information on this matter.
Interest expense increased $15.5 million, or 33%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the prior year period, primarily due to higher interest expense of $25.7 million related to a higher principal debt balance in the nine months ended September 30, 2024. This increase was partially offset by higher capitalized interest of $10.2 million, primarily due to VALARIS DS-13 and VALARIS DS-14, which were delivered at the end of 2023.
Net foreign currency exchange gains increased $1.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the prior year period, primarily driven by favorable exchange rate movements in the Brazilian reals, Angolan kwanza and Mexican pesos, partially offset by unfavorable exchange rate movements in the Nigerian naira, British pounds, Norwegian kroner and Egyptian pounds.
We recognized a $29.2 million loss from the extinguishment of the First Lien Notes in the prior year period. See "Note 8 - Debt" to our consolidated financial statements included in "Item 1. Financial Statements" for information regarding this debt extinguishment.
Net gains on the sale of property decreased $28.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the prior year period, primarily due to sale of VALARIS 54 in the prior year period.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity
We expect to fund our short-term liquidity needs, including contractual obligations and anticipated capital expenditures, as well as working capital requirements, from cash and cash equivalents and cash flows from operations. Additionally, we have liquidity available under our senior secured revolving credit agreement, which matures in 2028 (the "Credit Agreement"). We expect to fund our long-term liquidity needs, including contractual obligations and anticipated capital expenditures, from cash and cash equivalents, cash flows from operations, as well as cash to be received from maturity of our Notes Receivable from ARO and from the distribution of earnings from ARO. We may rely on the issuance of debt and/or equity securities in the future to supplement our liquidity needs. However, the Indenture governing our Second Lien Notes, as defined below, dated as of April 19, 2023, (the "Indenture"), and the Credit Agreement contain covenants that limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness.
Our cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were $379.3 million and $620.5 million, respectively. We have no debt principal payments due until 2030 and had $375.0 million available for borrowing, including up to $150.0 million for the issuance of letters of credit, under the Credit Agreement as of October 25, 2024. See below and "Note 8 - Debt" to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in "Item 1. Financial Statements" for additional information on the Credit Agreement and the 8.375% Second Lien Notes due 2030 (the "Second Lien Notes").
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Financing
Second Lien Notes
On April 19, 2023, and August 21, 2023, the Company and Valaris Finance Company LLC ("Valaris Finance," together, the "Issuers") issued and sold $700.0 million and $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Secured Second Lien Notes, respectively (collectively referred to as the "Second Lien Notes"). The Second Lien Notes mature on April 30, 2030 and bear an interest rate of 8.375% per annum. See "Note 8 - Debt" to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in "Item 1. Financial Statements" for additional information on the Second Lien Notes.
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement
On April 3, 2023, the Company entered into the Credit Agreement, which provides for commitments permitting borrowings of up to $375.0 million (which may be increased, subject to the agreement of lenders to provide such additional commitments and the satisfaction of certain conditions, by an additional $200.0 million pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement) and includes a $150.0 million sublimit for the issuance of letters of credit. Valaris Finance and certain other subsidiaries guarantee our obligations under the Credit Agreement, and the lenders have a first priority lien on the assets securing the Credit Agreement. See "Note 8 - Debt" to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in "Item 1. Financial Statements" for additional information on the Credit Agreement.
Cash Flows and Capital Expenditures
Absent periods where we have significant financing or investing transactions or activities, such as debt or equity issuances, share repurchases, debt repayments, business combinations or asset sales, our primary sources and uses of cash are driven by cash generated from or used in operations and capital expenditures. Our net cash provided by or used in operating activities and capital expenditures were as follows (in millions):
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 230.8 | $ | 170.8 | |||||||
| Capital expenditures | $ | (343.4) | $ | (233.1) | |||||||
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we generated $230.8 million of cash flow from operating activities primarily due to operating income for the period of $233.1 million and U.S. income tax refunds totaling $35.9 million received during the third quarter of 2024, partially offset by changes in working capital. Our primary uses of cash were $343.4 million for maintenance and upgrades of our drilling rigs, reactivation costs and costs to mobilize the recently delivered VALARIS DS-13 and VALARIS DS-14 to their stacking location.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we generated $170.8 million of cash flow from operating activities primarily due to operating income for the period, the collection of $45.9 million for certain tax receivables and other changes in working capital. Our primary uses of cash were $233.1 million for the maintenance and upgrades of our drilling rigs, including reactivations.
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We continue to take a disciplined approach to reactivations of our stacked rigs, only reactivating them to the active fleet for opportunities that provide meaningful returns. Generally, most of the reactivation cost will be operating expenses, recognized in the income statement, related to de-preservation activities, including reinstalling key pieces of equipment and crew costs. Capital expenditures during reactivations include rig modifications, equipment overhauls and any customer required capital upgrades. Reactivation costs incurred for the recently delivered VALARIS DS-13 and VALARIS DS-14 would be capitalized as such activities would be required to prepare the rigs for their intended use. We would generally expect to be compensated for any customer-specific enhancements.
The costs of future reactivations may increase relative to our initial reactivation projects due to rising costs of labor and materials, the depletion of spares from our initial reactivation projects and as the rigs we reactivate have been preservation stacked for longer periods of time. Future reactivations could be subject to further increases in the cost of labor and materials and could take longer due to increased lead times for parts and supplies.
Based on our current projections, we expect capital expenditures during 2024 to approximate $465.0 million to $475.0 million primarily relating to maintenance and upgrade projects, including rig reactivation and associated contract-specific capital expenditures. We expect to receive aggregate upfront payments from our customers of approximately $55.0 million related to these projects. Depending on market conditions, contracting activity and future opportunities, we may reactivate additional rigs or make additional capital expenditures to upgrade rigs for customer requirements and acquire additional rigs.
We review from time to time possible acquisition opportunities relating to our business, which may include the acquisition of rigs or other businesses. The timing, size or success of any acquisition efforts and the associated potential capital commitments are unpredictable and uncertain. We may seek to fund all or part of any such efforts with cash on hand and proceeds from debt and/or equity issuances and may issue equity directly to the sellers. Our ability to obtain capital for additional projects to implement our growth strategy over the longer term will depend on our future operating performance, restrictions to incur additional debt in the Indenture and the Credit Agreement, financial condition and, more broadly, on the availability of equity and debt financing. Capital availability will be affected by prevailing conditions in our industry, the global economy, the global financial markets and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, any additional debt service requirements we take on could be based on higher interest rates and shorter maturities and could impose a significant burden on our results of operations and financial condition, and the issuance of additional equity securities could result in significant dilution to shareholders.
Investment in ARO and Notes Receivable from ARO
We consider our investment in ARO to be a significant component of our investment portfolio and an integral part of our long-term capital resources. We expect to receive cash from ARO in the future both from the maturity of our Notes Receivable from ARO and from the distribution of earnings from ARO.
The Notes Receivable from ARO, which are governed by the laws of Saudi Arabia, mature during 2027 and 2028. In the event that ARO is unable to repay the Notes Receivable from ARO when they become due, we would require the prior consent of our joint venture partner to enforce ARO’s payment obligations. In June 2024, the Company and ARO executed a Net Settlement Agreement whereby approximately $50.7 million of our accounts payable due to ARO relating to our bareboat charter arrangements were net settled against a portion of the principal of our Notes Receivable from ARO.
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The following table summarizes the maturity schedule of our Notes Receivable from ARO as of September 30, 2024 (in millions):
| Maturity Date | Principal Amount | ||||
| October 2027 | $ | 199.7 | |||
| October 2028 | 152.3 | ||||
| Total | $ | 352.0 | |||
The distribution of earnings to the joint-venture partners is at the discretion of the ARO board of managers, consisting of 50/50 membership of managers appointed by Saudi Aramco and managers appointed by us, with approval required by both shareholders. The timing and amount of any cash distributions to the joint venture partners cannot be predicted with certainty and will be influenced by various factors, including the liquidity position and long-term capital requirements of ARO. ARO has not made a cash distribution of earnings to its partners since its formation.
See "Note 3 - Equity Method Investment in ARO" to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in "Item 1. Financial Statements" for additional information on our investment in ARO and Notes Receivable from ARO.
Share Repurchase Program
Our board of directors has authorized a share repurchase program under which we may purchase up to $600.0 million of our outstanding common shares. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, we repurchased 1.8 million shares at an aggregate cost of approximately $100.0 million for an average price of $57.02 per share. As of September 30, 2024, we had approximately $300.0 million available for share repurchases pursuant to the program. See "Note 9 - Shareholders' Equity" to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in "Item 1. Financial Statements" for additional information on our share repurchase program.
Other Commitments
We have other commitments that we are contractually obligated to fulfill with cash under certain circumstances. As of September 30, 2024, we were contingently liable for an aggregate amount of $29.8 million under outstanding letters of credit, which guarantee our performance as it relates to our drilling contracts, contract bidding, customs duties, tax appeals and other obligations in various jurisdictions. Obligations under these letters of credit are not normally called, as we typically comply with the underlying performance requirements. As of September 30, 2024, we had collateral deposits in the amount of $11.2 million with respect to these agreements.
In connection with our 50/50 unconsolidated joint venture, we have a potential obligation to fund ARO for newbuild jackup rigs. The Shareholder Agreement specifies that ARO shall purchase 20 newbuild jackup rigs over an approximate 10-year period. The first newbuild rig, Kingdom 1, was delivered in the fourth quarter 2023, and the second rig, Kingdom 2, was delivered in the second quarter of 2024. In October 2023, ARO entered into a $359.0 million term loan to finance the remaining payments due upon delivery of the two rigs and for general corporate purposes. The term loan matures in eight years following the related drawdown under the term loan and requires equal quarterly amortization payments during the term, with a 50% balloon payment due at maturity. Our Notes Receivable from ARO are subordinated and junior in right of payment to ARO’s term loan. Additionally, in the second quarter of 2024, ARO entered into a revolving credit facility which provides for borrowings of up to $100.0 million. There were no amounts outstanding under the credit facility as of September 30, 2024.
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In October 2024, ARO ordered the third newbuild jackup, Kingdom 3, for a purchase price of approximately $300.0 million, and paid the 25% down payment from cash on hand. The final payment will be due upon delivery of the rig. ARO is expected to commit to order one additional newbuild jackup in the near term. ARO intends for these newly ordered jackup rigs to be financed out of cash on hand or from operations or funds available from third-party financing. In the event ARO has insufficient cash or is unable to obtain third-party financing, each partner may periodically be required to make additional capital contributions to ARO, up to a maximum aggregate contribution of $1.25 billion from each partner to fund the newbuild program. Beginning with the delivery of the second newbuild, each partner's commitment is reduced by the lesser of the actual cost of each newbuild rig or $250.0 million on a proportionate basis. Following the delivery of Kingdom 2, our commitment to fund the newbuild program has been reduced to $1.1 billion. See "Note 3 - Equity Method Investment in ARO" to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in "Item 1. Financial Statements" for additional information on ARO.
Tax Assessments
In February 2024, one of our Malaysian subsidiaries received an unfavorable court decision regarding a tax assessment for the 2012-2017 tax years totaling approximately MYR 117.0 million (approximately $28.0 million converted at current period-end exchange rates), including a late payment penalty. In July 2024, we received a payment demand from the Malaysian tax authority for the full assessment amount. In order to further contest the assessment, we agreed to a seven-month payment plan which commenced in August 2024. As of September 30, 2024, we had approximately $21.0 million outstanding under the payment plan. We have not recorded a liability for uncertain tax positions as of September 30, 2024, related to this assessment based on a more-likely-than-not threshold. We believe our tax returns are materially correct as filed and will vigorously contest this assessment.
In December 2023, one of our Luxembourg subsidiaries received tax assessments for fiscal years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023. In February 2024, the Luxembourg tax authorities rescinded the portion of the assessment relating to 2023, resulting in a revised aggregate tax assessment of approximately €60.0 million (approximately $65.0 million converted at then-current exchange rates). We recorded a liability for uncertain tax positions for this amount in the fourth quarter of 2023 and contested the validity and amount of the assessments. In April 2024, we received a favorable decision from the Luxembourg tax authorities stating that the assessments for the 2019-2021 tax years are not enforceable. As a result, we reversed the uncertain tax position liability for the previously issued assessments and recognized a tax benefit of approximately $65.0 million in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations during the second quarter of 2024. See Note 10 – Income Taxes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in “Item 1. Financial Statements” for information on this matter.
During 2019, the Australian tax authorities issued aggregate tax assessments totaling approximately A$101.0 million (approximately $70.0 million converted at current quarter-end exchange rates) plus interest related to the examination of certain of our tax returns for the years 2011 through 2016. During the third quarter of 2019, we made a A$42.0 million payment (approximately $29.0 million at then-current exchange rates) to the Australian tax authorities to litigate the assessment. We have a $19.8 million liability for unrecognized tax benefits relating to these assessments as of September 30, 2024. We believe our tax returns are materially correct as filed, and we are vigorously contesting these assessments. Although the outcome of such assessments and related administrative proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not expect these matters to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results and cash flows.
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Divestitures
Our business strategy has been to focus on ultra-deepwater floater and premium jackup operations and de-emphasize other assets and operations that are not part of our long-term strategic plan or that no longer meet our standards for economic returns. We continue to focus on our fleet management strategy in light of the composition of our rig fleet. While taking into account certain restrictions on the sales of assets under our debt agreements, as part of our strategy, we may act opportunistically from time to time to monetize assets to enhance stakeholder value and improve our liquidity profile, in addition to reducing holding costs by selling or disposing of lower-specification or non-core rigs. See "Note 8 - Debt" to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 for additional information on restrictions on the sales of assets.
MARKET RISK
Interest Rate Risk
Our outstanding debt at September 30, 2024 consisted of our $1.1 billion aggregate principal amount of Second Lien Notes. We are subject to interest rate risk on our fixed-interest rate borrowings. Fixed rate debt, where the interest rate is fixed over the life of the instrument, exposes us to changes in market interest rates impacting the fair value of the debt.
Our Credit Agreement provides for commitments permitting borrowings of up to $375.0 million at September 30, 2024. As the interest rates for such borrowings are at variable rates, we are subject to interest rate risk. As of September 30, 2024, we had no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement.
Our Notes Receivable from ARO bear interest based on the one-year term SOFR rate, set as of the end of the year prior to the year applicable, plus 2.10%. As the Notes Receivable from ARO bear interest on the applicable SOFR rate determined at the end of the preceding year, the rate governing our interest income in 2024 has already been determined. A hypothetical 1% decrease to SOFR would decrease interest income for the year ended December 31, 2024 by $3.5 million based on the principal amount outstanding at September 30, 2024 of $352.0 million.
Foreign Currency Risk
Our functional currency is the U.S. dollar. As is customary in the oil and gas industry, a majority of our revenues and expenses are denominated in U.S. dollars; however, a portion of the revenues earned and expenses incurred by certain of our subsidiaries are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. We are exposed to foreign currency exchange risk to the extent the amount of our monetary assets denominated in the foreign currency differs from our obligations in the foreign currency or revenue earned differs from costs incurred in the foreign currency. We do not currently hedge our foreign currency risk.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Our significant accounting policies are included in Note 1 to our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, included in our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 22, 2024. These policies, along with our underlying judgments and assumptions made in their application, have a significant impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
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We identify our critical accounting policies as those that are the most pervasive and important to the portrayal of our financial position and operating results and that require the most difficult, subjective and/or complex judgments regarding estimates in matters that are inherently uncertain. Our critical accounting policies are those related to property and equipment, income taxes and pension and other post-retirement benefits. For a discussion of the critical accounting policies and estimates that we use in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates" in Part II of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 - Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in "Item 1. Financial Statements" for information on new accounting pronouncements.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Information required under this Item 3. has been incorporated herein from "Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Market Risk."
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures – We have established disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and made known to the officers who certify the Company’s financial reports and to other members of senior management and the board of directors as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Based on their evaluation as of September 30, 2024, our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are effective.
Changes in Internal Controls – There were no material changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Environmental Matters
We are currently subject to pending notices of assessment relating to spills of drilling fluids, oil, brine, chemicals, grease or fuel from drilling rigs operating offshore Brazil from 2008 to 2019, pursuant to which the governmental authorities have assessed, or are anticipated to assess, fines. We have contested these notices and appealed certain adverse decisions and are awaiting decisions in these cases. Although we do not expect final disposition of these assessments to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results and cash flows, there can be no assurance as to the ultimate outcome of these assessments. A $0.4 million liability related to these matters was included in Accrued liabilities and other on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2024 included in "Item 1. Financial Statements."
Other Matters
In addition to the foregoing, we are named defendants or parties in certain other lawsuits, claims or proceedings incidental to our business and are involved from time to time as parties to governmental investigations or proceedings, including matters related to taxation, arising in the ordinary course of business. Although the outcome of such lawsuits or other proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty and the amount of any liability that could arise with respect to such lawsuits or other proceedings cannot be predicted accurately, we do not expect these matters to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results or cash flows.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There are numerous factors that affect our business and results of operations, many of which are beyond our control. In addition to the other information presented in this quarterly report, you should 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 annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which contains descriptions of significant risks that may cause our actual results of operations in future periods to differ materially from those currently anticipated or expected.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Our board of directors has authorized a share repurchase program of up to $600.0 million. The share repurchase program does not have a fixed expiration, may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time and is subject to compliance with applicable covenants and restrictions under our financing agreements. The amount remaining for purchase was approximately $300.0 million as of September 30, 2024.
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The following table provides a summary of our repurchases of our equity securities during the quarter ended September 30, 2024 (in millions, except average price per share):
| Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Period | Total Number of Securities Purchased | Average Price Paid per Security | Total Number of Securities Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | Approximate Dollar Value of Securities that May Yet Be Purchased Under Plans or Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| July 1 - July 31 | — | $ | — | — | $ | 400.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| August 1 - August 31 | 0.2 | $ | 60.94 | 0.2 | $ | 385.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| September 1 - September 30 | 1.6 | $ | 56.42 | 1.6 | $ | 300.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 1.8 | $ | 57.02 | 1.8 | $ | 300.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Item 5. Other Information
On August 30, 2024, Gilles Luca, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, adopted a trading agreement intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act. Mr. Luca's trading plan provides for the sale, beginning December 2, 2024 through November 10, 2025, of up to 50,000 of our common shares. This represents the maximum number of shares that may be sold pursuant to the 10b5-1 arrangement. The actual number of shares sold will be dependent on the satisfaction of certain conditions set forth in the written plan.
No other director or officer of the Company adopted terminated
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Item 6. Exhibits
| Exhibit Number | Exhibit | ||||||||||
| *31.1 | |||||||||||
| *31.2 | |||||||||||
| **32.1 | |||||||||||
| **32.2 | |||||||||||
| *101.INS | XBRL Instance Document - The instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. | ||||||||||
| *101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | ||||||||||
| *101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | ||||||||||
| *101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | ||||||||||
| *101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | ||||||||||
| *101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | ||||||||||
| *104 | The cover page of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, formatted in Inline XBRL (included with Exhibit 101 attachments). | ||||||||||
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.
+ Management contract or compensatory plan and arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 6 of this report.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| Valaris Limited | |||||||||||
| Date: | October 31, 2024 | /s/ CHRISTOPHER T. WEBER | |||||||||
| Christopher T. Weber Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |||||||||||
/s/ MELISSA BARRON | |||||||||||
Melissa Barron Controller (principal accounting officer) | |||||||||||
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Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION
I, Anton Dibowitz, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2024 of Valaris Limited;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d.Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
| Dated: | October 31, 2024 | ||||||||||
| /s/ Anton Dibowitz | |||||||||||
Anton Dibowitz Director, President and Chief Executive Officer | |||||||||||
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Christopher T. Weber, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2024 of Valaris Limited;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d.Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
| Dated: | October 31, 2024 | ||||||||||
| /s/ Christopher T. Weber | |||||||||||
Christopher T. Weber Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |||||||||||
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Valaris Limited (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30, 2024 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Anton Dibowitz, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the "Act"), that, to my knowledge:
(1)The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"); and
(2)The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
| /s/ Anton Dibowitz | ||||||||
Anton Dibowitz Director, President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||
| October 31, 2024 | ||||||||
The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to § 906 of the Act and Rule 13a-14(b) promulgated under the Exchange Act and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.
Exhibit 32.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Valaris Limited (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30, 2024 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Christopher T. Weber, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the "Act"), that, to my knowledge:
(1)The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"); and
(2)The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
| /s/ Christopher T. Weber | ||||||||
Christopher T. Weber Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
| October 31, 2024 | ||||||||
The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to § 906 of the Act and Rule 13a-14(b) promulgated under the Exchange Act and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.