News Details

Strong Operational Performance – 97% Revenue Efficiency in 4Q 2021 and 98% in FY 2021
Contract Backlog Increased to $2.4 Billion from $1.0 Billion at the Beginning of 2021
Approximately $330 Million of Contract Backlog Added Since Reporting 3Q 2021 Results
Four Floater Reactivation Projects in Progress for Contracts Beginning in 1H 2022
Operational Leverage to Improving Floater Market

HAMILTON, Bermuda--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Valaris Limited (NYSE: VAL) ("Valaris" or the "Company") today reported fourth quarter 2021 results.

President and Chief Executive Officer Anton Dibowitz said, “We focus every day on delivering safe, reliable and efficient operations to our customers. I would like to thank the Valaris team for continuing to deliver the strong performance that our customers have come to expect from us, achieving revenue efficiency of 97% during the fourth quarter and more than 98% over the course of 2021. We also improved our personal safety performance by 25% as compared to 2020. These accomplishments are particularly impressive considering the challenging working conditions faced by our offshore crews and support teams during the ongoing pandemic.”

Dibowitz added, “This strong operational performance has translated into contracting success, increasing our contract backlog to $2.4 billion from $1.0 billion at the beginning of 2021. Since our last quarterly report, we have added approximately $330 million of new backlog, including three-year contract extensions for four of our jackup rigs leased to ARO Drilling as well as floater contracts in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and offshore Australia.”

Dibowitz concluded, “We are in the midst of a transitional period that will extend into the second quarter of this year as we incur reactivation costs to ready three drillships and one semisubmersible for contracts that are expected to commence before the end of the second quarter. We anticipate that financial results will improve significantly as these reactivations are completed. Additionally, we have three uncontracted drillships remaining within our stacked fleet providing operational leverage to the improving floater market. We will be disciplined in exercising our operational leverage and will only return these assets to the active fleet for opportunities that provide meaningful returns.”

Fourth Quarter Review

Revenues decreased to $306 million in the fourth quarter 2021 from $327 million in the third quarter 2021. Excluding reimbursable items, revenues decreased to $269 million in the fourth quarter from $293 million in the third quarter primarily due to fewer operating days and lower average day rates for the jackup fleet.

Contract drilling expense increased to $286 million in the fourth quarter 2021 from $275 million in the third quarter 2021. Excluding reimbursable items, contract drilling expense increased to $264 million in the fourth quarter from $255 million in the third quarter. The sequential quarter increase was primarily due to higher rig reactivation costs, which increased to $37 million in the fourth quarter from $19 million in the third quarter, as we prepare several rigs for contracts that are expected to commence in the first half of 2022. This was partially offset by lower costs resulting from fewer operating days across the fleet in the fourth quarter.

Depreciation expense marginally increased to $25 million in the fourth quarter 2021 from $24 million in the third quarter 2021. General and administrative expense decreased to $18 million in the fourth quarter 2021 from $27 million in the third quarter 2021 primarily due to severance costs related to the departure of three senior executives during the third quarter.

Other income was $21 million in the fourth quarter 2021 compared to other expense of $3 million in the third quarter 2021. Fourth quarter other income included a $21 million gain on sale of assets related to the sale of jackups VALARIS 22, 37 and 142 compared to a gain on sale of assets of less than $1 million in the third quarter.

Tax benefit was $31 million in the fourth quarter 2021 compared to a tax expense of $53 million in the third quarter 2021. The fourth quarter tax provision included $30 million of discrete tax benefit primarily related to a reduction in liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits associated with tax positions taken in prior years and deferred tax benefits associated with Swiss tax reform. The third quarter tax provision included $39 million of discrete tax expense primarily related to changes in liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits associated with tax positions taken in prior years. Adjusted for discrete items, tax benefit of $1 million in the fourth quarter compared to tax expense of $14 million in the third quarter. The decrease in tax expense is primarily due to a reduction in valuation allowances on deferred tax assets.

Adjusted EBITDA of $3 million in the fourth quarter 2021 compared to $30 million in the third quarter 2021. Adjusted EBITDAR of $40 million in the fourth quarter 2021 compared to $49 million in the third quarter 2021.

Segment Review

Floaters

Floater revenues decreased to $101 million in the fourth quarter 2021 from $104 million in the third quarter 2021. Excluding reimbursable items, revenues decreased to $89 million in the fourth quarter from $94 million in the third quarter. The sequential quarter decline was primarily due to VALARIS MS-1 starting a short-term contract at a lower day rate during the fourth quarter and fewer operating days for VALARIS DPS-5, which completed a contract during the fourth quarter and is currently undergoing a five-year survey prior to starting a new contract that is expected to commence in the first quarter 2022. This was partially offset by more operating days for VALARIS DS-12, which was idle for a majority of the third quarter.

Contract drilling expense increased to $114 million in the fourth quarter 2021 from $92 million in the third quarter 2021. Excluding reimbursable items, contract drilling expense increased to $106 million in the fourth quarter from $84 million in the third quarter. The sequential quarter increase was primarily due to higher rig reactivation costs, which increased to $34 million in the fourth quarter from $1 million in the third quarter, as we prepare drillships VALARIS DS-4, DS-9 and DS-16 as well as semisubmersible VALARIS DPS-1 for new contracts that are expected to commence in the first half of 2022.

Approximately $428 million of backlog as of February 21, 2022 is attributable to a contract awarded to drillship VALARIS DS-11 for an eight-well contract for a deepwater project in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico expected to commence in mid-2024. In February 2022, the customer decided not to sanction and therefore withdraw from the project associated with this contract. As of the date hereof, the customer has not terminated the contract, but may do so upon the payment of an early termination fee should the project not receive a final investment decision (FID). The project has not received FID. We are in discussions with the customer and its partner on the project to determine next steps.

Jackups

Jackup revenues decreased to $172 million in the fourth quarter 2021 from $186 million in the third quarter 2021. Excluding reimbursable items, revenues decreased to $152 million in the fourth quarter from $168 million in the third quarter. The sequential quarter decline was primarily due to idle time between contracts for VALARIS Norway, Viking and 144 as well as a decline in the average day rate for the harsh environment jackup fleet primarily due to VALARIS Norway moving from drilling operations offshore Norway to accommodation mode in the UK North Sea. This was partially offset by higher revenues from VALARIS 76, which returned to operations late in the third quarter following a suspension period.

Contract drilling expense decreased to $128 million in the fourth quarter 2021 from $142 million in the third quarter 2021. Excluding reimbursable items, contract drilling expense decreased to $117 million in the fourth quarter from $134 million in the third quarter. The sequential quarter decline was primarily due to lower rig reactivation costs, which decreased to $3 million in the fourth quarter from $18 million in the third quarter mostly related to reactivation costs for VALARIS 249, and lower costs due to fewer operating days across the jackup fleet in the fourth quarter.

ARO Drilling

Revenues decreased to $105 million in the fourth quarter 2021 from $118 million in the third quarter 2021 primarily due to fewer operating days across the fleet as two leased rigs completed contracts in the third quarter. Contract drilling expense decreased to $89 million in the fourth quarter from $94 million in the third quarter. EBITDA was $11 million in the fourth quarter compared to $18 million in the third quarter.

Other

Revenues decreased to $33 million in the fourth quarter 2021 from $36 million in the third quarter 2021 due to lower bareboat charter revenues resulting from VALARIS 22 and 37 completing lease contracts with ARO Drilling in the third quarter, and subsequently being retired from the fleet. Contract drilling expense of $15 million in the fourth quarter was in line with the third quarter. EBITDA was $17 million in the fourth quarter compared to $22 million in the third quarter.

Fresh Start Accounting

Valaris emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on April 30, 2021 (the "Effective Date"). Upon emergence, Valaris applied fresh start accounting which resulted in Valaris becoming a new reporting entity for accounting and financial reporting. Accordingly, our financial statements and notes after the Effective Date are not comparable to our financial statements and notes prior to that date. As required by GAAP, results for the second quarter must be presented separately for the predecessor period from April 1, 2021, through April 30, 2021 (the "Predecessor" period) and the successor period from May 1, 2021, through June 30, 2021 (the "Successor" period). However, the Company has combined certain results of the Predecessor and Successor periods ("Combined" results) as non-GAAP measures to compare the combined second quarter with other quarters since we believe it provides the most meaningful basis to analyze our results. The Predecessor and Successor results for the second quarter are more fully discussed in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2021 filed with the SEC on August 3, 2021.

As previously announced, Valaris will hold its fourth quarter 2021 earnings conference call at 9:00 a.m. CST (10:00 a.m. EST and 3:00 p.m. London) on Tuesday, February 22, 2022. An updated investor presentation will be available on the Valaris website after the call.

About Valaris Limited

Valaris Limited (NYSE: VAL) is the industry leader in offshore drilling services across all water depths and geographies. Operating a high-quality rig fleet of ultra-deepwater drillships, versatile semisubmersibles, and modern shallow-water jackups, Valaris has experience operating in nearly every major offshore basin. Valaris maintains an unwavering commitment to safety, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction, with a focus on technology and innovation. Valaris Limited is a Bermuda exempted company. To learn more, visit the Valaris website at www.valaris.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include words or phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "likely," "plan," "project," "could," "may," "might," "should," "will" and similar words and specifically include statements regarding expected financial performance; expected utilization, day rates, revenues, operating expenses, rig commitments and availability, cash flow, contract status, terms and duration, contract backlog, capital expenditures, insurance, financing and funding; the effect, impact, potential duration and other implications of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; impact of our emergence from bankruptcy; the offshore drilling market, including supply and demand, customer drilling programs, stacking of rigs, effects of new rigs on the market and effects of declines in commodity prices; expected work commitments, awards and contracts; effective tax rates; letters of intent; scheduled delivery dates for rigs; performance of our joint venture with Saudi Aramco; the timing of delivery, mobilization, contract commencement, availability, relocation or other movement of rigs; future rig reactivations; expected divestitures of assets; general market, business and industry conditions, trends and outlook; future operations; increasing regulatory complexity; the outcome of tax disputes; assessments and settlements; and expense management. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to vary materially from those indicated, including the COVID-19 outbreak and global pandemic and the related public health measures implemented by governments worldwide, which may, among other things, impact our ability to staff rigs and rotate crews; cancellation, suspension, renegotiation or termination of drilling contracts and programs, including drilling contracts which grant the customer termination rights if final investment decision (FID) is not received with respect to projects for which the drilling rig is contracted; potential additional asset impairments; failure to satisfy our debt obligations; our ability to obtain financing, service our debt, fund capital expenditures and pursue other business opportunities; adequacy of sources of liquidity for us and our customers; the effects of our emergence from bankruptcy on the Company's business, relationships, comparability of our financial results and ability to access financing sources; actions by regulatory authorities, or other third parties; actions by our security holders; commodity price fluctuations and volatility, customer demand, new rig supply, downtime and other risks associated with offshore rig operations; severe weather or hurricanes; changes in worldwide rig supply and demand, competition and technology; consumer preferences for alternative fuels; increased scrutiny of our Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") practices and reporting responsibilities; changes in customer strategy; future levels of offshore drilling activity; governmental action, civil unrest and political and economic uncertainties; terrorism, piracy and military action; risks inherent to shipyard rig reactivation, upgrade, repair, maintenance or enhancement; our ability to enter into, and the terms of, future drilling contracts; suitability of rigs for future contracts; the cancellation of letters of intent or letters of award or 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; governmental regulatory, legislative and permitting requirements affecting drilling operations; our ability to attract and retain skilled personnel on commercially reasonable terms; environmental or other liabilities, risks or losses; debt restrictions that may limit our liquidity and flexibility; and cybersecurity risks and threats. In addition to the numerous factors described above, you should also carefully read and consider "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Part I and "Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part II of our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as updated in our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or on the Investor Relations section of our website at www.valaris.com. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.