Diamond Offshore Reports Fourth Quarter 2023 Results

    --  $362 Million in Contract Awards Year to Date 2024
    --  $245 Million in Total Backlog Added in Q4
    --  Rig Performance Bonus Earned in Senegal
    --  Ocean BlackHawk and Ocean Courage Commenced New Contracts in Q4

HOUSTON, Feb. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (NYSE: DO) today reported the following results for the fourth quarter of 2023:


                                                             
         
              Three Months Ended



     
              Thousands of dollars, except per share data             December 31, 2023                    September 30,
                                                                                                         2023



     Total revenues                                           $
         297,637                   $
        244,958



     Operating income                                                 44,915                             863



     Adjusted EBITDA                                                  72,340                          27,693



     Net loss                                                      (145,702)                      (145,016)



     Adjusted net loss                                             (145,702)                      (138,792)



     Loss per diluted share                                    $
         (1.42)                   $
        (1.42)



     Adjusted loss per diluted share                           $
         (1.42)                   $
        (1.36)

Bernie Wolford, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "2023 was a transformational year for Diamond Offshore. We marked our one-year anniversary of re-listing on the New York Stock Exchange, made measurable improvements in our capital structure, secured $485 million dollars in new contract awards throughout the year, safely completed Special Periodical Surveys on five rigs, and completed eight contract start-ups, including four contract commencements in the fourth quarter, one in each of the regions in which we operate. In the first quarter of 2024, as previously announced, we secured a two-year contract extension for the Ocean BlackLion in the Gulf of Mexico at a leading edge dayrate and secured additional P&A work for the Ocean Patriot to fill a portion of the gap prior to commencement of a long-term P&A campaign in 2025.

The recent $362 million in contract awards are in addition to our reported backlog of $1.4 billion as of January 1, which will result in notable average dayrate improvement as we transition to new contracts."

Revenue for the fourth quarter totaled $298 million compared to $245 million in the third quarter of 2023. The increase in revenue quarter-over-quarter was primarily driven by the Ocean BlackHawk's contract commencement in the Gulf of Mexico in the fourth quarter after completion of an MPD installation, Special Periodical Survey and contract preparation work and new contract commencements for the Ocean Patriot and Ocean Apex, partially offset by lower revenue for the Ocean Courage due to contract preparation activities related to its new multi-year contract in Brazil.

Contract drilling expense for the fourth quarter was $189 million, or a $7 million increase from the prior quarter, largely due to higher charter rental costs associated with the managed rigs and the annual bonus expense related to the drillships' BOP service agreement. The increase in expense was partially offset by the deferral of certain costs associated with contract preparation activities for the Ocean Courage, as the Company continued to prepare the rig for a new contract that commenced during the quarter, and the absence of costs associated with the Ocean Apex shipyard project in the third quarter.

General and administrative expenses were $19 million in the fourth quarter, or a $3 million increase compared to the prior quarter, primarily due to an adjustment in accrued expenses associated with the Company's incentive compensation plan.

Tax expense for the fourth quarter was $174 million as compared to a $125 million expense in the prior quarter. The non-cash tax expense in the fourth quarter reflected the expected continued normalization of the Company's tax expense and the reversal of the tax benefit recorded earlier in 2023.

Operational Highlights

Operationally, the Company's rigs continued to perform well, achieving revenue efficiency of approximately 95% across the fleet for the second successive quarter. This is a notable achievement given the unusually high amount of shipyard activity for the Company's fleet and the start-up of contracts during the quarter. Of note, both the Ocean BlackHawk and Ocean Courage completed contract preparation activities in the fourth quarter and are now operating under new contracts in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Brazil, respectively. Additionally, in the fourth quarter, the Company earned an additional bonus for efficient, injury-free operations in Senegal.

Additional Updates

The Company will discuss its earnings results and provide first quarter and full year 2024 guidance and an update on recovery operations for certain equipment from the Ocean GreatWhite during the earnings conference call.

CONFERENCE CALL

The earnings conference call has been scheduled for 8:00 a.m. CDT on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. A live webcast of the call will be available online on the Company's website www.diamondoffshore.com. Participants who want to join the call via telephone or want to participate in the question-and-answer session may register here to receive the dial-in numbers and unique PIN to access the call. An online replay will also be available on www.diamondoffshore.com following the call.

ABOUT DIAMOND OFFSHORE

Diamond Offshore is a leader in offshore drilling, providing innovation, thought leadership and contract drilling services to solve complex deepwater challenges around the globe. Additional information and access to the Company's SEC filings are available at www.diamondoffshore.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements contained in this press release and made in the referenced conference call 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, but are not limited to, any statement that may project, indicate or imply future results, events, performance or achievements, including statements relating to future financial results; future recovery in the offshore contract drilling industry; expectations regarding the Company's plans, strategies and opportunities; expectations regarding the Company's business or financial outlook; future borrowing capacity and liquidity; expected utilization, dayrates, revenues, operating expenses, rig commitments and availability, cash flows, tax rates and accounting treatment, contract status, terms and duration, contract backlog, capital expenditures, insurance, financing and funding; the effect, impact, potential duration and other implications of the COVID-19 pandemic; the offshore drilling market, including supply and demand, customer drilling programs, repricings, stacking of rigs, effects of new rigs on the market and effect of the volatility of commodity prices; expected work commitments, awards and contracts; future operations; increasing regulatory complexity; general market, business and industry conditions, trends and outlook; and general political conditions, including political tensions, conflicts and war, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine and related sanctions. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or expected by management of the Company. A discussion of certain of the risk factors and other considerations that could materially impact these matters as well as the Company's overall business and financial performance can be found in Item 1A "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and the Company's other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and readers of this press release are urged to review those reports carefully when considering these forward-looking statements. Copies of these reports are available through the Company's website at www.diamondoffshore.com. These risk factors include, among others, risks associated with worldwide demand for drilling services, levels of activity in the oil and gas industry, renewing or replacing expired or terminated contracts, contract cancellations and terminations, maintenance and realization of backlog, competition and industry fleet capacity, impairments and retirements, operating risks, litigation and disputes, permits and approvals for drilling operations, the COVID-19 pandemic and related disruptions to the global economy, supply chain and normal business operations across sectors and countries, changes in tax laws and rates, regulatory initiatives and compliance with governmental regulations, casualty losses, and various other factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Given these risk factors and other considerations, investors and analysts should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.


                                             
              
            DIAMOND OFFSHORE DRILLING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


                                             
              
            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS


                                                               
          
                (Unaudited)


                                                  
              
            (In thousands, except per share data)






                                                                                                                                   Three Months Ended


                                                                                                                       December 31,                             September 30,


                                                                                                                                2023                          2023



     
                Revenues:



     Contract drilling                                                                                  $
             
              279,681                   $
        224,929



     Revenues related to reimbursable expenses                                                                                 17,956                          20,029



     Total revenues                                                                                                           297,637                         244,958



     
                Operating expenses:



     Contract drilling, excluding depreciation                                                                                188,803                         181,954



     Reimbursable expenses                                                                                                     17,304                          18,662



     Depreciation                                                                                                              27,705                          27,785



     General and administrative                                                                                                19,190                          16,649



     Gain on disposition of assets                                                                                              (280)                          (955)



     Total operating expenses                                                                                                 252,722                         244,095



     
                Operating income                                                                                             44,915                             863



     
                Other income (expense):



     Interest income                                                                                                            1,464                             161



     Interest expense                                                                                                        (14,847)                       (13,774)



     Foreign currency transaction (loss) gain                                                                                 (2,863)                            184



     Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt                                                                                                                (6,529)



     Other, net                                                                                                                  (54)                          (485)



     
                Income (loss) before income tax expense                                                                      28,615                        (19,580)



     
                Income tax expense                                                                                        (174,317)                      (125,436)



     
                Net loss                                                                            $
             
              (145,702)                $
        (145,016)



     
                Loss per share:



     
                Basic                                                                                  $
             
              (1.42)                   $
        (1.42)



     
                Diluted                                                                                $
             
              (1.42)                   $
        (1.42)



     
                Weighted-average shares outstanding, Basic                                                                  102,322                         102,215



     
                Weighted-average shares outstanding, Diluted                                                                102,322                         102,215


                                                    
             
         DIAMOND OFFSHORE DRILLING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


                                                         
          
            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


                                                                  
          
                (Unaudited)


                                                                 
          
                (In thousands)






                                                                                                                          December 31,       December 31,


                                                                                                                                   2023                2022



     
                ASSETS



     
                Current assets:



     Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                    $
       
             124,457    $
              63,041



     Restricted cash                                                                                                              14,231                34,293



     Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses                                                                     254,323               172,053



     Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                                                    63,412                48,695



     Asset held for sale                                                                                                           1,000



     Total current assets                                                                                                        457,423               318,082



     Drilling and other property and equipment, net of



     accumulated depreciation                                                                                                  1,156,368             1,141,908



     Other assets                                                                                                                 98,762                67,966



     Total assets                                                                                               $
       
             1,712,553 $
              1,527,956





     
                LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY



     Other current liabilities                                                                                    $
       
             296,150   $
              261,661



     Long-term debt                                                                                                              533,514               360,644



     Noncurrent finance lease liabilities                                                                                        113,201               131,393



     Deferred tax liability                                                                                                       10,966                   700



     Other liabilities                                                                                                           113,871                93,888



     Stockholders' equity                                                                                                        644,851               679,670



     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                                                 $
       
             1,712,553 $
              1,527,956


                                                   
              
                DIAMOND OFFSHORE DRILLING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


                                                   
              
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


                                                                            
              (Unaudited)


                                                                          
              (In thousands)




                                                                                                                                     Year Ended


                                                                                                                                   December 31,


                                                                                                                                            2023



             
                Operating activities:



             Net loss                                                                                                      $
      
             (44,706)



             Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in
      operating activities:



             Depreciation                                                                                                                 111,301



             Gain on disposition of assets                                                                                                (4,382)



             Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt                                                                                       6,529



             Deferred tax provision                                                                                                       (4,617)



             Stock-based compensation expense                                                                                              14,103



             Contract liabilities, net                                                                                                      4,580



             Contract assets, net                                                                                                         (2,434)



             Deferred contract costs, net                                                                                                (12,099)



             Collateral deposits                                                                                                         (11,857)



             Other assets, noncurrent                                                                                                       1,254



             Other liabilities, noncurrent                                                                                                  (709)



             Other                                                                                                                          2,900



             Net changes in operating working capital                                                                                    (48,083)



             Net cash provided by operating activities                                                                                     11,780





             
                Investing activities:



             Capital expenditures                                                                                                       (131,449)



             Proceeds from disposition of assets, net of disposal costs                                                                    11,105



             Deposits on asset sales                                                                                                          307



             Net cash used in investing activities                                                                                      (120,037)





             
                Financing activities:



             Proceeds from issuance of second lien notes                                                                                  550,000



             Borrowings under credit facility                                                                                              40,000



             Extinguishment of long-term debt                                                                                           (192,182)



             Repayments on exit facilities                                                                                              (214,000)



             Debt issuance costs and arrangement fees                                                                                    (17,242)



             Principal payments of finance lease liabilities                                                                             (16,965)



             Net cash provided by financing activities                                                                                    149,611





             
                Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash                                                         41,354



             Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period                                                               97,334



             Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period                                                      $
      
             138,688


                                            
       
              DIAMOND OFFSHORE DRILLING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


                                          
       
             AVERAGE DAYRATE, UTILIZATION AND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY


                                                       
              (Dayrate in thousands)




                                                      
              
                TOTAL FLEET


                                                    
              
                Fourth Quarter                                                        
          
     Third Quarter


                                                         
              
                2023                                                                               2023


         Average Dayrate      Utilization          Revenue                             Average Dayrate                 Utilization     Revenue
                                                  Efficiency                                                                          Efficiency
     (1)                             (2)                (3)                                       (1)                         (2)           (3)




                         $
     
             316                                                          69 %         94.9 %             $
             307   57 %                 94.9 %


     
     (1) Average dayrate is defined as total contract drilling revenue for all of the rigs in our fleet (including
              managed rigs) per revenue-earning day. A revenue-earning day is defined as a 24-hour period during which a
              rig earns a dayrate after commencement of operations and excludes mobilization, demobilization and contract
              preparation days.



     
     (2) Utilization is calculated as the ratio of total revenue-earning days divided by the total calendar days in
              the period for all rigs in our fleet (including managed and cold-stacked rigs).



     
     (3) Revenue efficiency is calculated as actual contract drilling revenue earned divided by potential revenue,
              assuming a full dayrate is earned.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)

To supplement the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements presented on a basis in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP), this press release provides investors with adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and loss on extinguishment of debt (or Adjusted EBITDA), which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes that this measure provides meaningful information about the Company's performance by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of the Company's ongoing operating results. This allows investors and others to better compare the Company's financial results across previous and subsequent accounting periods and to those of peer companies and to better understand the long-term performance of the Company. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, contract drilling revenue, contract drilling expense, operating income or loss, cash flows from operations or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.



     
                Reconciliation of Income (Loss) Before Income Tax Expense to Adjusted EBITDA:



     (In thousands)




                                                                                                                                                  Three Months Ended


                                                                                                                                   December 31,                              September 30,


                                                                                                                                             2023                                2023





     
                As reported income (loss) before income tax expense                                                        $
     
     28,615                        $
       (19,580)


                                                                          
              Interest expense                                          14,847                                13,774


                                                                          
              Interest income                                          (1,464)                                (161)


                                                                                     Foreign currency transaction loss (gain)                   2,863                                 (184)


                                                                                     Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt                                                        6,529


                                                                          
              Depreciation                                              27,705                                27,785


                                                                          
              Gain on disposition of assets                              (280)                                (955)


                                                                          
              Other, net                                                    54                                   485



     
                Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                            $
     
     72,340                          $
       27,693



     
                Reconciliation of As Reported Net Loss to Adjusted Net Loss:



     (In thousands)




                                                                                              Three Months Ended


                                                                                          December 31,                                September 30,


                                                                                2023                             2023



     
                As reported net loss                                              $
     
                (145,702)           $
     (145,016)



     Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt                                                                                  6,529



     Tax effect:


        Loss on extinguishment of
         long-term debt                                                                                            (305)





     
                Adjusted net loss                                                 $
     
                (145,702)           $
     (138,792)



     
                Reconciliation of As Reported Loss per Diluted Share to Adjusted Loss per Diluted Share:



     (In thousands)




                                                                                                                             Three Months Ended


                                                                                                                 December 31,                          September 30,


                                                                                                                          2023                     2022



     
                As reported loss per diluted share                                                       $
     
              (1.42)                $
      (1.42)



     Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt                                                                                                        0.06



     Tax effect:



     Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt



     
                Adjusted loss per diluted share                                                          $
     
              (1.42)                $
      (1.36)

Contact:
Kevin Bordosky
Senior Director, Investor Relations
(281) 647-4035

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SOURCE Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.