Semisubmersibles VALARIS DPS-3, DPS-5 and DPS-6
to be Retired from Global Drilling Supply Jackup VALARIS 75 Sold
for $24 Million Multi-Year Contract for Jackup VALARIS Stavanger in
the North Sea
Valaris Limited (NYSE: VAL) (“Valaris” or the “Company”) today
announced several fleet rationalization actions and issued a Fleet
Status Report.
Fleet Rationalization Actions
- The Company recently decided to retire three semisubmersibles
from its fleet: VALARIS DPS-5, which has been idle since last
working in third quarter 2024, as well as VALARIS DPS-3 and VALARIS
DPS-6, which have been stacked for several years. The Company
expects that these rigs will be removed from the global drilling
supply and repurposed for alternative uses or scrapped.
- Jackup VALARIS 75 has been sold for $24 million. VALARIS 75 is
a 25-year-old jackup that has been stacked in the U.S. Gulf for
five years. As part of the purchase and sale agreement, future
operations are restricted to the U.S. Gulf.
President and Chief Executive Officer Anton Dibowitz said, “We
are committed to prudently managing our fleet and will retire or
divest rigs when the expected future economic benefit for an asset
does not justify its costs. Consistent with this approach, we have
decided to high-grade our fleet by retiring three semisubmersibles:
VALARIS DPS-3, DPS-5 and DPS-6, for which we see limited
attractive, long-term contract opportunities, as well as selling
jackup VALARIS 75. These actions reduce costs for idle rigs,
benefit our cash flow and further focus our fleet on
high-specification assets.”
Fleet Status Report
The Company has also issued a Fleet Status Report, announcing
new contracts and contract extensions, with associated contract
backlog of approximately $120 million, awarded subsequent to
issuing the Company’s previous Fleet Status Report on October 30,
2024:
- 600-day priced contract extension with TotalEnergies in the UK
North Sea for jackup VALARIS Stavanger. The priced extension is
expected to commence in the third quarter 2025 in direct
continuation of the current program. The total contract value for
the priced extension is over $75 million.
- 100-day contract for jackup VALARIS 249 with BP offshore
Trinidad. The contract is expected to commence in the first quarter
2026 in direct continuation of the rig’s previous program with
another operator. The total contract value is approximately $16.8
million.
- One-well contract with Jadestone Energy offshore Australia for
jackup VALARIS 247. The contract is expected to commence in March
2025 in direct continuation of the rig’s current program with
another operator.
- Two-well priced option exercised by BP Indonesia for jackup
VALARIS 106. The option period has an estimated duration of 80 days
and is expected to commence in May 2025 in direct continuation of
the existing firm program. The operating day rate is $95,000.
- Short-term bareboat charter agreement extensions through
February 28, 2025, for jackups VALARIS 116, VALARIS 146 and VALARIS
250, which are leased to ARO Drilling (“ARO”). Valaris and ARO
remain in discussions with Saudi Aramco regarding longer-term
contract extensions for these rigs.
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 (Bermuda No. 56245). To learn more, visit our website at
www.valaris.com.
Cautionary 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,"
"outlook," "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 and the
attainment of requisite permits for such 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; scheduled delivery dates for rigs;
performance and expected benefits of our joint ventures, including
our joint venture with 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; the availability,
delivery, mobilization, contract commencement, availability,
relocation or other movement of rigs and the timing thereof; rig
reactivations; suitability of rigs for future contracts;
divestitures of assets; general economic, market, business and
industry conditions, including inflation and recessions, trends and
outlook; general political conditions, including political
tensions, conflicts and war; cybersecurity attacks and threats;
uncertainty around the use and impacts of artificial intelligence
applications; impacts and effects of public health crises,
pandemics and epidemics; future operations; ability to renew
expiring contracts or obtain new contracts, including for VALARIS
DS-13 and VALARIS DS-14; increasing regulatory complexity; targets,
progress, plans and goals related to sustainability matters; 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 cancellation, suspension, renegotiation
or termination of drilling contracts and programs; 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; future share repurchases;
actions by regulatory authorities, or other third parties; actions
by our security holders; internal control risk; commodity price
fluctuations and volatility, customer demand, loss of a significant
customer or customer contract, downtime and other risks associated
with offshore rig operations; adverse weather, including
hurricanes; changes in worldwide rig supply, including as a result
of reactivations and newbuilds; and demand, competition and
technology; supply chain and logistics challenges; consumer
preferences for alternative fuels and forecasts or expectations
regarding the global energy transition; increased scrutiny of our
sustainability targets, initiatives and reporting and our ability
to achieve such targets or initiatives; changes in customer
strategy; future levels of offshore drilling activity; governmental
action, civil unrest and political and economic uncertainties,
including recessions, volatility affecting the banking system and
financial markets, inflation, tariffs and adverse changes in the
level of international trade activity; 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; the use of artificial intelligence
by us, third-party service providers or our competitors; our
ability to attract and retain skilled personnel on commercially
reasonable terms; environmental or other liabilities, risks or
losses; compliance with our debt agreements and debt restrictions
that may limit our liquidity and flexibility, including in any
return of capital plans; cybersecurity risks and threats; and
changes in foreign currency exchange rates. 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, which is available on the Securities and Exchange
Commission'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.
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Investor & Media Contacts: Nick Georgas Vice President –
Treasurer and Investor Relations +1-713-979-4632
Tim Richardson Director – Investor Relations +1-713-979-4619
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