Noble Stanley Lafosse (ex. Pacific Sharav)

[escveritas]

PACIFIC SHARAV AWARDED A NEW 10-WELL CONTRACT IN U.S. GULF OF MEXICO



General

Rig Type: Drillship
Rig Design: Samsung 12000 Double Hull
Builder: Samsung Heavy Industries
Year Built / Upgraded: 2014
Classification: ABS, A1, Drillship, AMS, ACCU, DPS-3, EFP-AM
Flag: Liberia
MODU Code: 2009

LUXEMBOURG--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pacific Drilling S.A. (NYSE: PACD) (“Pacific Drilling” or the “Company”) today reported results for the second quarter of 2020. Net loss for second-quarter 2020 was $87.4 million or $1.16 per diluted share, compared to net loss of $61.0 million or $0.81 per diluted share in first-quarter 2020.

Pacific Drilling CEO Bernie Wolford commented, “In the second quarter, our crews and leadership continued to exemplify our commitment to safe and efficient operations, including adopting measures to manage risks associated with COVID-19 transmission, delivering exceptional results for our clients, efficiently preserving the value of our assets and significantly reducing overhead costs.”

Mr. Wolford continued, “Although oil prices began to rebound during the second quarter, clients have generally reduced their drilling investments, as evidenced by Equinor’s decision to cancel the previously exercised third firm well for Pacific Khamsin, and Murphy’s decision to cancel the two well Mexico contract for the Pacific Sharav. In both cases our clients chose to pay a termination fee rather than perform the drilling programs. We expect the current contract for Pacific Khamsin to end in September 2020. Despite these headwinds for 2020, we are actively pursuing opportunities for contracts and are proud to extend our relationship with Murphy through a new contract for Pacific Sharav for 10 firm wells and 5 option wells in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, which we expect to commence in the second quarter of 2021.”

Mr. Wolford concluded, “Although we currently see more contract opportunities for 2021, compared to 2020, contract durations remain relatively short, on average, and we expect excess rig supply to maintain downward pressure on dayrates. We have no debt maturities until 2023, and cash in excess of $252 million as of June 30, 2020. We project that we have sufficient liquidity to fund our cash needs over the next 12 months. However, due to current market conditions and our outlook for contracting opportunities through 2020 and 2021, we do not believe our current capital structure will be sustainable. We have engaged financial and legal advisors to assist us in evaluating various alternatives to address our longer-term liquidity outlook and capital structure, which may include a negotiated restructuring of our debt that is implemented under the protection of Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. We are currently engaged in discussions with a group of our creditors seeking to reach acceptable terms for a restructuring. Any such agreement that we may reach may include the equitization of all or certain of the Company’s indebtedness, which would place our common shareholders at significant risk of losing all of their interests in the Company. While we evaluate our strategic alternatives to address our liquidity outlook and current capital structure, we continue to deliver the safe, efficient and high-quality drilling services for which Pacific Drilling is recognized in our industry.”

[escveritas]

Noble Corporation Plc Provides Operational and Financial Update and Updates on Prior Guidance for Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2022

SUGAR LAND, Texas, Jan. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Noble Corporation plc ("Noble") (CSE: NOBLE, NYSE: NE) today provides an operational and financial update for the fourth quarter of 2022 as well as recent operational and contracting highlights and updates on its prior guidance for Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2022.

In accordance with Danish legal and stock exchange requirements, Noble announced that, although Noble has not completed its preparation of audited financial statements for the fourth quarter of 2022, it has determined, based on preliminary results, that it expects Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP financial measure) to be between $140 and $150 million, rather than between $155 and $175 million as previously disclosed. The reduction is primarily related to the previously reported mechanical issues on the Noble Regina Allen as discussed further below.

As of December 31, 2022 Noble's debt was $673 million and cash and cash equivalents was $470 million, resulting in a net debt balance of $203 million. During the fourth quarter, Noble executed on over $85 million of share repurchases (including the compulsory purchase of legacy Maersk Drilling shareholders in November and open market share repurchases conducted during December pursuant to Noble's previously announced share repurchase program).

Noble also provides the following operational and contracting updates:

• The drillship Noble Gerry de Souza is expected to commence a new contract in Nigeria with an undisclosed operator with a firm duration of nine months and with unpriced options extending into Q3 2024.

• The drillship Noble Stanley Lafosse has received a commitment from an undisclosed operator for a six-well work program in the US Gulf of Mexico. This scope is expected to commence around June 2023 and is expected to keep the rig busy until mid-2024. This contract also includes five, one-well operations options at mutually agreed dayrates. The firm backlog associated with the contract is estimated to be approximately $148 million.

• The drillship Noble Faye Kozak has been awarded a one-well contract with Kosmos in the US Gulf of Mexico with a minimum duration of 50 days at a dayrate of $450,000. This contract is scheduled to commence in Q2 or Q3 2023 in direct continuation of the rig's current work. Additionally, QuarterNorth Energy has exercised one option well, with one option well remaining.

• The drillship Noble Globetrotter I is expected to commence its previously disclosed contract with Petronas in Mexico in late January, later than previously anticipated due to permitting delays. Additionally, the rig has been awarded a new contract with an undisclosed operator for 70 days of plug & abandonment work in the US Gulf of Mexico, which is planned to commence in July 2023.

• As previously reported, the jackup Noble Regina Allen experienced a mechanical failure with the jacking system on one of its legs. The rig has been safely demobilized to a port in Trinidad with repair plans under development. The rig has been off dayrate since mid-December and its contract has been terminated due to extended downtime. While the rig has standard insurance coverage pertaining to repairs, there is no insurance for loss-of-hire. Noble's efforts are focused on repairing and positioning the rig for potential redeployment in the second half of 2023, although timing is uncertain.

Information regarding Adjusted EBITDA is based on preliminary unaudited information and management estimates for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2022 and is subject to change. We have provided a range, rather than a specific amount, for the preliminary results described above because we have not completed our preparation of audited financial statements for the fourth quarter of 2022 and, as a result, our final results upon completion of our closing procedures may vary from the preliminary estimates.