Noble Corporation plc press release

NOBLE CORPORATION PLC ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER 2025 RESULTS

2025-10-27

NYSE - New York Stock Exchange · Oil · Natural Gas · United States · Corporate Finance

PR Newswire

Approximately $740 millionin new contract value since August fleet status report, backlog increased to $7.0 billion. $0.50per share cash dividend declared for Q4, bringing 2025 total shareholder capital returns to $340 million. Q3 Net Loss of $21 million, Loss per Share of $0.13, Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share of $0.19, Adjusted EBITDA of $254 million, net cash provided by operating activities of $277 million, and Free Cash Flow of $139 million. Guidance for 2025 narrowed as follows: Total Revenue of $3,225to $3,275 million($3,200to $3,300 millionpreviously); Adjusted EBITDA of $1,100to $1,125 million($1,075to $1,150 millionpreviously); and Capital Expenditures (net of reimbursements) of $425to $450 million($400to $450 millionpreviously).

HOUSTON, Oct. 27, 2025/PRNewswire/ -- Noble Corporation plc (NYSE: NE, "Noble" or the "Company") today reported third quarter 2025 results.

| | | Three Months Ended | | | | | | (in millions, except per share amounts) | | September 30, 2025 | | September 30, 2024 | | June 30, 2025 | | Total Revenue | | $ 798 | | $ 801 | | $ 849 | | Contract Drilling Services Revenue | | 757 | | 764 | | 812 | | Net Income (Loss) | | (21) | | 61 | | 43 | | Adjusted EBITDA* | | 254 | | 291 | | 282 | | Adjusted Net Income (Loss)* | | 30 | | 89 | | 20 | | Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share | | (0.13) | | 0.41 | | 0.27 | | Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share | | (0.13) | | 0.40 | | 0.27 | | Adjusted Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share* | | 0.19 | | 0.58 | | 0.13 | | | | | | | | | | _* A Non-GAAP supporting schedule is included with the statements and schedules in this press release._ | | | | | | |

Robert W. Eifler, President and Chief Executive Officer of Noble, stated_"We achieved solid operational performance and cash flow in the third quarter, while several key contract awards have enabled Noble to expand backlog compared to prior quarter and year ago levels. These contracting wins deepen our position in our customers' core basins and reflect Noble's commitment to driving value for our customers and shareholders in a capital disciplined energy environment."_

ThirdQuarter Results Contract drilling services revenue for the third quarter of 2025 totaled $757 millioncompared to $812 millionin the prior quarter, with the sequential decrease driven primarily by rig utilization. Utilization of the 35 marketed rigs was 65% in the third quarter of 2025 compared to 73% in the prior quarter. Contract drilling services costs for the third quarter were $480 million, down from $502 millionin the prior quarter. Net income (loss) decreased to $(21) millionin the third quarter of 2025, down from $43 millionin the prior quarter, and Adjusted EBITDA decreased to $254 millionin the third quarter of 2025, down from $282 millionin the prior quarter. Net cash provided by operating activities in the third quarter of 2025 was $277 million, capital expenditures were $138 million, and free cash flow (non-GAAP) was $139 million. Additionally, net disposal proceeds during the quarter totaled $87 million.

Balance Sheet & Capital Allocation The Company's balance sheet as of September 30, 2025, reflected total debt principal value of $2 billion and cash (and cash equivalents) of $478 million.

On October 27, 2025, Noble's Board of Directors approved an interim quarterly cash dividend on our ordinary shares of $0.50per share for the third quarter of 2025. The $0.50per share dividend is expected to be paid on December 18, 2025, to shareholders of record at close of business on December 4, 2025. Future quarterly dividends and other shareholder returns will be subject to, amongst other things, approval by the Board of Directors.

Operating Highlights and Backlog Noble's fleet of twenty-four marketed floaters was 67% contracted during the third quarter compared with 78% in the prior quarter. Recent backlog additions since last quarter have added over four rig years of total backlog, bringing total rig years of backlog added during 2025 to 22 rig years. Recent dayrate fixtures for Tier-1 drillships have remained in the low to mid $400,000s. Utilization of Noble's eleven marketed jackups was 60% in the third quarter versus 63% utilization during the prior quarter. Leading edge dayrates for harsh environment jackups in the North Sea have remained stable across a limited number of contract fixtures.

Subsequent to last quarter's earnings press release, new contracts with a total contract value of approximately $740 millioninclude the following:

_Noble BlackLion _and _Noble BlackHornet _were both awarded two-year contract extensions with bp in the U.S. Gulf, extending the rigs into September 2028and February 2029, respectively. These extensions are valued at $310 millionper rig, excluding MPD, and both have an additional one-year priced option. _Noble Venturer_received a contract from Amni International for one exploration well in Ghanaat a dayrate of $450,000. This contract is expected to follow in direct continuation of the rig's current program in Ghana. _Noble Resolute_was awarded a one-year contract from Eni in the North Sea at a dayrate of $125,000, expected to commence in December 2025. _Noble Interceptor_was awarded a contract for a 150-days accommodation scope in Norway, scheduled to commence in August 2026. Total contract value is $38.7 millionincluding mobilization and demobilization. _Noble Developer_had an option exercised by Petronas for one additional well in Suriname in early 2026.

Backlog as of October 27, 2025, stands at $7.0 billion. Backlog excludes mobilization and demobilization revenue. The previously announced sales of the jackup _Noble Highlander _and drillship _Pacific Meltem_closed in the third quarter, generating combined net proceeds of $87 million. Subsequently, the Noble Reacher, previously employed as an accommodation and intervention unit, was sold in October for $27.5 million. The _Noble Globetrotter II_remains held for sale.

Outlook For the full year 2025, Noble narrows guidance as follows: Total Revenue guidance in the range of $3,225to $3,275 million(previously $3,200to $3,300 million); Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $1,100to $1,125 million(previously $1,075to $1,150 million), and Capital Expenditures (net of reimbursements) in the range of $425to $450 million(previously $400to $450 million).

Commenting on Noble's outlook, Mr. Eifler stated, "Our recent backlog expansion and constructive customer dialogue continue to support the formation of a deepwater utilization recovery by late 2026 or early 2027. While we anticipate a moderately lower earnings and cash flow profile in H1 2026 compared to H2 2025, the foundation for an improving market and corresponding earnings inflection is well underway. In the meantime, Noble remains committed to our meaningful dividend program in expectation of providing a durable cash yield for our shareholders through the cycle."

Due to the forward-looking nature of Adjusted EBITDA and Capital Expenditures (net of reimbursements), management cannot reliably predict certain of the necessary components of the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measure, net income, and capital expenditures, respectively. Accordingly, the Company is unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of such forward-looking non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measure without unreasonable effort. The unavailable information could have a significant effect on Noble's full year 2025 GAAP financial results.

Conference Call Noble will host a conference call related to its third quarter 2025 results on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 8:00 a.m.U.S. Central Time. Interested parties may dial +1 800-715-9871 and refer to conference ID 31391 approximately 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Additionally, a live webcast link will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website. A webcast replay will be accessible for a limited time following the call.

About Noble Corporation plc Noble is a leading offshore drilling contractor for the oil and gas industry. The Company owns and operates one of the most modern, versatile, and technically advanced fleets in the offshore drilling industry. Noble and its predecessors have been engaged in the contract drilling of oil and gas wells since 1921. Noble performs, through its subsidiaries, contract drilling services with a fleet of offshore drilling units focused largely on ultra-deepwater and high specification jackup drilling opportunities in both established and emerging regions worldwide. Additional information on Noble is available at www.noblecorp.com.

Forward-looking Statements This communication includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this communication are forward looking statements, including those regarding 2025 guidance (including revenue, adjusted EBITDA and capital expenditures), the offshore drilling market and demand fundamentals, realization and timing of integration synergies, costs, the benefits or results of acquisitions or dispositions such as the acquisition of Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (the "Diamond Transaction"), free cash flow expectations, including estimates for 2026 free cash flow, capital expenditure expectations, capital allocation expectations, including planned dividends and share repurchases, contract backlog, including projections for the achievement of performance incentives, rig demand, expected future contracts, options or extensions on existing contracts, anticipated contract start dates, major project schedules, dayrates and duration, any asset sales, rig retirements or rig stacking, access to capital, fleet condition and utilization, and the timing and amount of insurance recoveries. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and actual results may differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. When used in this communication, or in the documents incorporated by reference, the words "guidance," "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "on track," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "would," "achieve," "shall," "target," "will" and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that such expectations will prove to be correct. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this communication and we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason, except as required by law. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those detailed in Noble's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports Form 10-Q and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We cannot control such risk factors and other uncertainties, and in many cases, we cannot predict the risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. You should consider these risks and uncertainties when you are evaluating us. With respect to our capital allocation policy, distributions to shareholders in the form of either dividends or share buybacks are subject to the Board of Directors' assessment of factors such as business development, growth strategy, current leverage and financing needs. There can be no assurance that a dividend or buyback program will be declared or continued.

Contract Backlog The duration and timing (including both starting and ending dates) of the customer contracts are estimates only, and customer contracts are subject to cancellation, suspension, delays for a variety of reasons, and for certain customers, reallocation of term among contracted rigs, including some beyond Noble's control. The contract backlog represents the maximum contract drilling revenues that can be earned when only considering the contractual operating dayrate in effect during the firm contract period. The actual average dayrate will depend upon a number of factors (e.g., rig downtime, suspension of operations, etc.) including some beyond Noble's control. The dayrates do not include revenue for mobilizations, demobilizations, upgrades, contract preparation, shipyards, or recharges, unless specifically otherwise stated. Dayrates do not generally include revenue for performance incentives, with the exception of approximately 40% assumed performance revenue realized on a combined basis under certain long-term contracts with Shell (US) and TotalEnergies (Suriname).

| NOBLE CORPORATION plc AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per share amounts) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | | | | | | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2025 | | 2024 | | Operating revenues | | | | | | | | | | Contract drilling services | | $ 757,405 | | $ 763,543 | | $ 2,401,910 | | $ 2,036,678 | | Reimbursables and other | | 40,612 | | 37,006 | | 119,246 | | 93,799 | | | | 798,017 | | 800,549 | | 2,521,156 | | 2,130,477 | | Operating costs and expenses | | | | | | | | | | Contract drilling services | | 479,894 | | 434,192 | | 1,444,420 | | 1,159,913 | | Reimbursables | | 30,547 | | 28,185 | | 90,691 | | 69,196 | | Depreciation and amortization | | 147,260 | | 109,879 | | 437,482 | | 287,347 | | General and administrative | | 33,301 | | 43,596 | | 103,485 | | 109,226 | | Merger and integration costs | | 2,145 | | 69,214 | | 22,367 | | 89,163 | | (Gain) loss on sale of operating assets, net | | (6,232) | | — | | (10,983) | | (17,357) | | Loss on Impairment | | 60,702 | | — | | 60,702 | | — | | | | 747,617 | | 685,066 | | 2,148,164 | | 1,697,488 | | Operating income (loss) | | 50,400 | | 115,483 | | 372,992 | | 432,989 | | Other income (expense) | | | | | | | | | | Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized | | (40,490) | | (24,951) | | (120,954) | | (54,491) | | Interest income and other, net | | 726 | | 2,292 | | 7,275 | | (10,626) | | Income (loss) before income taxes | | 10,636 | | 92,824 | | 259,313 | | 367,872 | | Income tax benefit (provision) | | (31,731) | | (31,608) | | (129,233) | | (16,167) | | Net income (loss) | | $ (21,095) | | $ 61,216 | | $ 130,080 | | $ 351,705 | | | | | | | | | | | | Per share data | | | | | | | | | | Basic: | | | | | | | | | | Net income (loss) | | $ (0.13) | | $ 0.41 | | $ 0.82 | | $ 2.43 | | Diluted: | | | | | | | | | | Net income (loss) | | $ (0.13) | | $ 0.40 | | $ 0.80 | | $ 2.37 |

| NOBLE CORPORATION plc AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands) (Unaudited) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | September 30, 2025 | | December 31, 2024 | | ASSETS | | | | | | Current assets | | | | | | Cash and cash equivalents | | $ 477,946 | | $ 247,303 | | Accounts receivable, net | | 678,286 | | 796,961 | | Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | 208,227 | | 344,600 | | Total current assets | | 1,364,459 | | 1,388,864 | | Property and equipment, at cost | | 6,981,861 | | 6,904,731 | | Accumulated depreciation | | (1,250,091) | | (868,914) | | Property and equipment, net | | 5,731,770 | | 6,035,817 | | Other assets | | 543,088 | | 540,087 | | Total assets | | $ 7,639,317 | | $ 7,964,768 | | LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | | | | | | Current liabilities | | | | | | Accounts payable | | $ 304,982 | | $ 397,622 | | Accrued payroll and related costs | | 98,777 | | 116,877 | | Other current liabilities | | 375,513 | | 425,863 | | Total current liabilities | | 779,272 | | 940,362 | | Long-term debt | | 1,976,919 | | 1,980,186 | | Other liabilities | | 349,012 | | 384,254 | | Noncurrent contract liabilities | | — | | 8,580 | | Total liabilities | | 3,105,203 | | 3,313,382 | | Commitments and contingencies | | | | | | Total shareholders' equity | | 4,534,114 | | 4,651,386 | | Total liabilities and equity | | $ 7,639,317 | | $ 7,964,768 |

| NOBLE CORPORATION plc AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) (Unaudited) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | | | | 2025 | | 2024 | | Cash flows from operating activities | | | | | | Net income (loss) | | $ 130,080 | | $ 351,705 | | Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flow from operating activities: | | | | | | Depreciation and amortization | | 437,482 | | 287,347 | | Amortization of intangible assets and contract liabilities, net | | (8,366) | | (46,580) | | (Gain) loss on sale of operating assets, net | | (10,983) | | (17,357) | | Loss on impairment | | 60,702 | | — | | Other operating activities

Other operating activities | | 155,638 | | (55,854) | | Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | | 764,553 | | 519,261 | | Cash flows from investing activities | | | | | | Capital expenditures | | (367,776) | | (434,653) | | Proceeds from insurance claims | | 22,201 | | 16,426 | | Cash paid in stock-based business combination, net | | — | | (400,458) | | Proceeds from disposal of assets, net | | 101,898 | | 4,885 | | Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | | (243,677) | | (813,800) | | Cash flows from financing activities | | | | | | Issuance of debt | | — | | 824,000 | | Borrowings on credit facilities | | — | | 35,000 | | Repayments of credit facilities | | — | | (35,000) | | Debt issuance costs | | — | | (10,002) | | Warrants exercised | | 41 | | 628 | | Share repurchases | | (20,000) | | (250,000) | | Dividend payments | | (240,442) | | (198,150) | | Withholding tax related to employee stock transactions | | (9,713) | | (57,167) | | Finance lease payments | | (18,525) | | — | | Other | | — | | 22,578 | | Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | (288,639) | | 331,887 | | Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | | 232,237 | | 37,348 | | Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period | | 252,279 | | 367,745 | | Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period | | $ 484,516 | | $ 405,093 |

| NOBLE CORPORATION plc AND SUBSIDIARIES OPERATIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Average Rig Utilization (1) | | | | | | | | Three Months Ended | | Three Months Ended | | Three Months Ended | | | | September 30, 2025 | | June 30, 2025 | | September 30, 2024 | | Floaters | | 65 % | | 70 % | | 72 % | | Jackups | | 54 % | | 61 % | | 83 % | | Total | | 61 % | | 67 % | | 76 % | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Operating Days | | | | | | | | Three Months Ended | | Three Months Ended | | Three Months Ended | | | | September 30, 2025 | | June 30, 2025 | | September 30, 2024 | | Floaters | | 1,488 | | 1,705 | | 1,418 | | Jackups | | 627 | | 724 | | 991 | | Total | | 2,115 | | 2,429 | | 2,409 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Average Dayrates | | | | | | | | Three Months Ended | | Three Months Ended | | Three Months Ended | | | | September 30, 2025 | | June 30, 2025 | | September 30, 2024 | | Floaters | | $ 423,489 | | $ 400,802 | | $ 424,199 | | Jackups | | 202,982 | | 176,503 | | 159,444 | | Total | | $ 358,126 | | $ 333,960 | | $ 315,295 | | | | | | | | |

| (1) Average Rig Utilization statistics include all marketed and cold stacked rigs. |

| NOBLE CORPORATION plc AND SUBSIDIARIES CALCULATION OF BASIC AND DILUTED NET INCOME/(LOSS) PER SHARE (In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | The following tables presents the computation of basic and diluted income (loss) per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Three Months Ended

September 30, | | Nine Months Ended

September 30, | | | | | | | | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2025 | | 2024 | | Numerator: | | | | | | | | | | Net income (loss) | | $ (21,095) | | $ 61,216 | | $ 130,080 | | $ 351,705 | | Denominator: | | | | | | | | | | Weighted average shares outstanding - basic | | 158,834 | | 149,727 | | 158,879 | | 144,863 | | Dilutive effect of share-based awards | | — | | 1,877 | | 1,999 | | 1,877 | | Dilutive effect of warrants | | — | | 1,334 | | 835 | | 1,502 | | Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted | | 158,834 | | 152,938 | | 161,713 | | 148,242 | | Per share data | | | | | | | | | | Basic: | | | | | | | | | | Net income (loss) | | $ (0.13) | | $ 0.41 | | $ 0.82 | | $ 2.43 | | Diluted: | | | | | | | | | | Net income (loss) | | $ (0.13) | | $ 0.40 | | $ 0.80 | | $ 2.37 |