ne-10q_20150930.htm

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

R

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended: September 30, 2015

OR

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from             to

Commission file number: 001-36211

 

Noble Corporation plc

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

England and Wales (Registered Number 08354954)

 

98-0619597

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. employer
identification number)

Devonshire House, 1 Mayfair Place, London, England, W1J8AJ

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: +44 20 3300 2300

Commission file number: 001-31306

 

Noble Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Cayman Islands

 

98-0366361

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. employer
identification number)

Suite 3D Landmark Square, 64 Earth Close, P.O. Box 31327 George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, KY1-1206

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (345) 938-0293

 

Indicate by check mark whether each registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  R    No  o

Indicate by check mark whether each registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  R    No  o

Indicate by check mark whether each registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Noble Corporation plc:

Large accelerated filer R

Accelerated filer £

Non-accelerated filer £

Smaller reporting company £

 

 

 

 

 

Noble Corporation:

Large accelerated filer £

Accelerated filer £

Non-accelerated filer R

Smaller reporting company £

Indicate by check mark whether each registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  o    No  R

Number of shares outstanding and trading at October 23, 2015: Noble Corporation plc —241,971,945

Number of shares outstanding: Noble Corporation — 261,245,693

Noble Corporation, a Cayman Islands company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Noble Corporation plc, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales, meets the conditions set forth in General Instructions H(1) (a) and (b) to Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the reduced disclosure format contemplated by paragraphs (b) and (c) of General Instruction H(2) of Form 10-Q.

 

 

 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Page

PART I

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1

 

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

Noble Corporation plc (Noble-UK) Financial Statements:

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014

 

3

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

 

4

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

 

5

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

 

6

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noble Corporation (Noble-Cayman) Financial Statements:

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014

 

8

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

 

9

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

 

10

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

 

11

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

37

Item 3

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

49

Item 4

 

Controls and Procedures

 

50

PART II

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1

 

Legal Proceedings

 

51

Item 2

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

51

Item 6

 

Exhibits

 

51

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

52

 

 

Index to Exhibits

 

53

This combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is separately filed by Noble Corporation plc, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (“Noble-UK”), and Noble Corporation, a Cayman Islands company (“Noble-Cayman”). Information in this filing relating to Noble-Cayman is filed by Noble-UK and separately by Noble-Cayman on its own behalf. Noble-Cayman makes no representation as to information relating to Noble-UK (except as it may relate to Noble-Cayman) or any other affiliate or subsidiary of Noble-UK. Since Noble-Cayman meets the conditions specified in General Instructions H(1)(a) and (b) to Form 10-Q, it is permitted to use the reduced disclosure format for wholly-owned subsidiaries of reporting companies as stated in General Instructions H(2). Accordingly, Noble-Cayman has omitted from this report the information called for by Item 3 (Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk) of Part I of Form 10-Q and the following items of Part II of Form 10-Q: Item 2 (Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds) and Item 3 (Defaults upon Senior Securities).

This report should be read in its entirety as it pertains to each Registrant. Except where indicated, the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes are combined. References in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to “Noble,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and words of similar meaning refer collectively to Noble-UK and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Noble-Cayman.

2


 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

164,430

 

 

$

68,510

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

530,401

 

 

 

569,096

 

Taxes receivable

 

 

66,852

 

 

 

107,490

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

174,194

 

 

 

183,466

 

Total current assets

 

 

935,877

 

 

 

928,562

 

Property and equipment, at cost

 

 

14,717,312

 

 

 

14,442,922

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(2,798,645

)

 

 

(2,330,413

)

Property and equipment, net

 

 

11,918,667

 

 

 

12,112,509

 

Other assets

 

 

203,474

 

 

 

245,751

 

Total assets

 

$

13,058,018

 

 

$

13,286,822

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

$

299,993

 

 

$

 

Accounts payable

 

 

207,892

 

 

 

265,389

 

Accrued payroll and related costs

 

 

90,052

 

 

 

102,520

 

Taxes payable

 

 

154,295

 

 

 

94,230

 

Interest payable

 

 

44,922

 

 

 

61,964

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

107,042

 

 

 

144,571

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

904,196

 

 

 

668,674

 

Long-term debt

 

 

4,188,727

 

 

 

4,869,020

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

46,366

 

 

 

120,589

 

Other liabilities

 

 

325,956

 

 

 

341,505

 

Total liabilities

 

 

5,465,245

 

 

 

5,999,788

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders' equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares; 241,970 and 247,501 shares outstanding

 

 

2,420

 

 

 

2,475

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

618,808

 

 

 

695,638

 

Retained earnings

 

 

6,320,833

 

 

 

5,936,035

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(72,032

)

 

 

(69,418

)

Total shareholders' equity

 

 

6,870,029

 

 

 

6,564,730

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

722,744

 

 

 

722,304

 

Total equity

 

 

7,592,773

 

 

 

7,287,034

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

13,058,018

 

 

$

13,286,822

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

3


 

NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contract drilling services

 

$

873,813

 

 

$

810,200

 

 

$

2,424,481

 

 

$

2,360,205

 

Reimbursables

 

 

22,858

 

 

 

18,595

 

 

 

70,087

 

 

 

67,558

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

896,671

 

 

 

828,796

 

 

 

2,494,568

 

 

 

2,427,764

 

Operating costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contract drilling services

 

 

293,067

 

 

 

385,674

 

 

 

934,024

 

 

 

1,109,456

 

Reimbursables

 

 

17,783

 

 

 

13,641

 

 

 

55,592

 

 

 

52,877

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

160,652

 

 

 

161,246

 

 

 

473,913

 

 

 

460,306

 

General and administrative

 

 

15,196

 

 

 

24,602

 

 

 

61,558

 

 

 

77,319

 

 

 

 

486,698

 

 

 

585,163

 

 

 

1,525,087

 

 

 

1,699,958

 

Operating income

 

 

409,973

 

 

 

243,633

 

 

 

969,481

 

 

 

727,806

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net of amount capitalized

 

 

(54,687

)

 

 

(37,751

)

 

 

(161,196

)

 

 

(114,494

)

Interest income and other, net

 

 

30,934

 

 

 

2,760

 

 

 

37,085

 

 

 

131

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

 

386,220

 

 

 

208,642

 

 

 

845,370

 

 

 

613,443

 

Income tax provision

 

 

(41,789

)

 

 

(40,782

)

 

 

(124,641

)

 

 

(110,625

)

Net income from continuing operations

 

 

344,431

 

 

 

167,860

 

 

 

720,729

 

 

 

502,818

 

Net (loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

(20,214

)

 

 

 

 

 

175,532

 

Net income

 

 

344,431

 

 

 

147,646

 

 

 

720,729

 

 

 

678,350

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

(18,624

)

 

 

(20,471

)

 

 

(57,488

)

 

 

(60,290

)

Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc

 

$

325,807

 

 

$

127,175

 

 

$

663,241

 

 

$

618,060

 

Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

325,807

 

 

$

147,389

 

 

$

663,241

 

 

$

442,528

 

(Loss)/income from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

(20,214

)

 

 

 

 

 

175,532

 

Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc

 

$

325,807

 

 

$

127,175

 

 

$

663,241

 

 

$

618,060

 

Per share data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

1.32

 

 

$

0.57

 

 

$

2.68

 

 

$

1.71

 

(Loss)/income from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

(0.08

)

 

 

 

 

 

0.68

 

Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc

 

$

1.32

 

 

$

0.49

 

 

$

2.68

 

 

$

2.39

 

Diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

1.32

 

 

$

0.57

 

 

$

2.68

 

 

$

1.71

 

(Loss)/income from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

(0.08

)

 

 

 

 

 

0.68

 

Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc

 

$

1.32

 

 

$

0.49

 

 

$

2.68

 

 

$

2.39

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

4


 

NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Net income

 

$

344,431

 

 

$

147,646

 

 

$

720,729

 

 

$

678,350

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

(2,694

)

 

 

(1,577

)

 

 

(4,568

)

 

 

1,143

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

 

(1,271

)

 

 

(6,925

)

 

 

(1,362

)

 

 

(273

)

Net pension plan loss (net of tax benefit of $386 for

   both the three and nine months ended

   September 30, 2014)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,409

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,409

)

Net pension plan curtailment and settlement expense

   (net of tax provision of $193 for both the three

   and nine months ended September 30, 2014)

 

 

 

 

 

358

 

 

 

 

 

 

358

 

Amortization of deferred pension plan amounts

   (net of tax provision of $575 and $253 for the three

   months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014,

   respectively, and $1,723 and $758 for the nine

   months ended September 30, 2015

   and 2014, respectively)

 

 

1,106

 

 

 

571

 

 

 

3,316

 

 

 

2,099

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net

 

 

(2,859

)

 

 

(8,982

)

 

 

(2,614

)

 

 

1,918

 

Net comprehensive income attributable to

   noncontrolling interests

 

 

(18,624

)

 

 

(20,471

)

 

 

(57,488

)

 

 

(60,290

)

Comprehensive income attributable to

   Noble Corporation plc

 

$

322,948

 

 

$

118,193

 

 

$

660,627

 

 

$

619,978

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

5


 

NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

720,729

 

 

$

678,350

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

473,913

 

 

 

696,380

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

(76,012

)

 

 

23,380

 

Amortization of share-based compensation

 

 

30,296

 

 

 

37,432

 

Net change in other assets and liabilities

 

 

103,299

 

 

 

(47,244

)

Net cash from operating activities

 

 

1,252,225

 

 

 

1,388,298

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(280,048

)

 

 

(1,747,495

)

Change in accrued capital expenditures

 

 

(43,440

)

 

 

(52,466

)

Proceeds from disposal of assets

 

 

2,535

 

 

 

 

Net cash from investing activities

 

 

(320,953

)

 

 

(1,799,961

)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in borrowings outstanding on bank credit facilities

 

 

(1,123,495

)

 

 

(569,489

)

Repayment of long-term debt

 

 

(350,000

)

 

 

(250,000

)

Issuance of senior notes

 

 

1,092,728

 

 

 

 

Long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore

 

 

 

 

 

1,726,750

 

Financing costs on long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore

 

 

 

 

 

(30,876

)

Cash balances of Paragon Offshore in Spin-off

 

 

 

 

 

(104,152

)

Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facilities

 

 

(16,070

)

 

 

(386

)

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests

 

 

(57,048

)

 

 

(64,339

)

Repurchases of shares

 

 

(100,630

)

 

 

(52,701

)

Dividend payments

 

 

(278,443

)

 

 

(290,643

)

Employee stock transactions

 

 

(2,394

)

 

 

1,395

 

Net cash from financing activities

 

 

(835,352

)

 

 

365,559

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

95,920

 

 

 

(46,104

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

 

68,510

 

 

 

114,458

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

164,430

 

 

$

68,354

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

6


 

NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Paid-in

 

 

Retained

 

 

Comprehensive

 

 

Noncontrolling

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Balance

 

 

Par Value

 

 

Capital

 

 

Earnings

 

 

Loss

 

 

Interests

 

 

Equity

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

 

 

253,448

 

 

$

2,534

 

 

$

810,286

 

 

$

7,591,927

 

 

$

(82,164

)

 

$

727,445

 

 

$

9,050,028

 

Employee related equity activity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of share-based

   compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37,432

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37,432

 

Issuance of share-based

   compensation shares

 

 

689

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

(9,049

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9,043

)

Exercise of stock options

 

 

131

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

2,644

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,647

 

Tax benefit of equity transactions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,258

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,258

)

Repurchases of shares

 

 

(2,010

)

 

 

(20

)

 

 

(52,681

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(52,701

)

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

618,060

 

 

 

 

 

 

60,290

 

 

 

678,350

 

Dividends paid to noncontrolling

   interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(64,339

)

 

 

(64,339

)

Dividends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(162,294

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(162,294

)

Spin-off of Paragon Offshore

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,413,499

)

 

 

34,478

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,379,021

)

Other comprehensive income, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,918

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,918

 

Balance at September 30, 2014

 

 

252,258

 

 

$

2,523

 

 

$

787,374

 

 

$

6,634,194

 

 

$

(45,768

)

 

$

723,396

 

 

$

8,101,719

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

 

 

247,501

 

 

$

2,475

 

 

$

695,638

 

 

$

5,936,035

 

 

$

(69,418

)

 

$

722,304

 

 

$

7,287,034

 

Employee related equity activity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of share-based

   compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30,296

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30,296

 

Issuance of share-based

   compensation shares

 

 

678

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

(4,157

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,150

)

Tax benefit of equity transactions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,401

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,401

)

Repurchases of shares

 

 

(6,209

)

 

 

(62

)

 

 

(100,568

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(100,630

)

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

663,241

 

 

 

 

 

 

57,488

 

 

 

720,729

 

Dividends paid to noncontrolling

   interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(57,048

)

 

 

(57,048

)

Dividends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(278,443

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(278,443

)

Other comprehensive loss, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,614

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,614

)

Balance at September 30, 2015

 

 

241,970

 

 

$

2,420

 

 

$

618,808

 

 

$

6,320,833

 

 

$

(72,032

)

 

$

722,744

 

 

$

7,592,773

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

7


 

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

164,240

 

 

$

65,780

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

530,401

 

 

 

569,096

 

Taxes receivable

 

 

66,323

 

 

 

107,289

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

150,858

 

 

 

139,669

 

Total current assets

 

 

911,822

 

 

 

881,834

 

Property and equipment, at cost

 

 

14,679,605

 

 

 

14,404,371

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(2,786,429

)

 

 

(2,318,220

)

Property and equipment, net

 

 

11,893,176

 

 

 

12,086,151

 

Other assets

 

 

200,273

 

 

 

222,254

 

Total assets

 

$

13,005,271

 

 

$

13,190,239

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

$

299,993

 

 

$

 

Accounts payable

 

 

205,438

 

 

 

261,012

 

Accrued payroll and related costs

 

 

86,112

 

 

 

91,487

 

Taxes payable

 

 

152,136

 

 

 

91,471

 

Interest payable

 

 

44,922

 

 

 

61,964

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

104,599

 

 

 

139,950

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

893,200

 

 

 

645,884

 

Long-term debt

 

 

4,188,727

 

 

 

4,869,020

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

46,366

 

 

 

120,589

 

Other liabilities

 

 

320,415

 

 

 

335,964

 

Total liabilities

 

 

5,448,708

 

 

 

5,971,457

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholder equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary shares; 261,246 shares outstanding

 

 

26,125

 

 

 

26,125

 

Capital in excess of par value

 

 

552,532

 

 

 

530,657

 

Retained earnings

 

 

6,327,194

 

 

 

6,009,114

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(72,032

)

 

 

(69,418

)

Total shareholder equity

 

 

6,833,819

 

 

 

6,496,478

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

722,744

 

 

 

722,304

 

Total equity

 

 

7,556,563

 

 

 

7,218,782

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

13,005,271

 

 

$

13,190,239

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

8


 

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contract drilling services

 

$

873,813

 

 

$

810,200

 

 

$

2,424,481

 

 

$

2,360,205

 

Reimbursables

 

 

22,858

 

 

 

18,595

 

 

 

70,087

 

 

 

67,558

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

896,671

 

 

 

828,796

 

 

 

2,494,568

 

 

 

2,427,764

 

Operating costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contract drilling services

 

 

292,479

 

 

 

383,911

 

 

 

930,925

 

 

 

1,097,694

 

Reimbursables

 

 

17,783

 

 

 

13,641

 

 

 

55,592

 

 

 

52,877

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

160,383

 

 

 

160,255

 

 

 

473,046

 

 

 

458,100

 

General and administrative

 

 

10,376

 

 

 

13,057

 

 

 

36,093

 

 

 

36,478

 

 

 

 

481,021

 

 

 

570,864

 

 

 

1,495,656

 

 

 

1,645,149

 

Operating income

 

 

415,650

 

 

 

257,932

 

 

 

998,912

 

 

 

782,615

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net of amount capitalized

 

 

(54,687

)

 

 

(37,751

)

 

 

(161,196

)

 

 

(114,494

)

Interest income and other, net

 

 

31,066

 

 

 

3,785

 

 

 

35,613

 

 

 

1,142

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

 

392,029

 

 

 

223,966

 

 

 

873,329

 

 

 

669,263

 

Income tax provision

 

 

(41,868

)

 

 

(40,674

)

 

 

(124,962

)

 

 

(110,207

)

Net income from continuing operations

 

 

350,161

 

 

 

183,292

 

 

 

748,367

 

 

 

559,056

 

Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

10,413

 

 

 

 

 

 

225,022

 

Net income

 

 

350,161

 

 

 

193,705

 

 

 

748,367

 

 

 

784,078

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

(18,624

)

 

 

(20,471

)

 

 

(57,488

)

 

 

(60,290

)

Net income attributable to Noble Corporation

 

$

331,537

 

 

$

173,234

 

 

$

690,879

 

 

$

723,788

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

9


 

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Net income

 

$

350,161

 

 

$

193,705

 

 

$

748,367

 

 

$

784,078

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

(2,694

)

 

 

(1,577

)

 

 

(4,568

)

 

 

1,143

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

 

(1,271

)

 

 

(6,925

)

 

 

(1,362

)

 

 

(273

)

Net pension plan loss (net of tax benefit of $386 for both

   the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,409

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,409

)

Net pension plan curtailment and settlement expense

   (net of tax provision of $193 for both the three and

   nine months ended September 30, 2014)

 

 

 

 

 

358

 

 

 

 

 

 

358

 

Amortization of deferred pension plan amounts (net of

   tax provision of $575 and $253 for the three months

   ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively,

   and $1,723  and $758 for the nine months ended

   September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively)

 

 

1,106

 

 

 

571

 

 

 

3,316

 

 

 

2,099

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net

 

 

(2,859

)

 

 

(8,982

)

 

 

(2,614

)

 

 

1,918

 

Net comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling

   interests

 

 

(18,624

)

 

 

(20,471

)

 

 

(57,488

)

 

 

(60,290

)

Comprehensive income attributable to Noble Corporation

 

$

328,678

 

 

$

164,252

 

 

$

688,265

 

 

$

725,706

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

10


 

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

748,367

 

 

$

784,078

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

473,046

 

 

 

694,175

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

(76,012

)

 

 

23,380

 

Capital contribution by parent - share-based compensation

 

 

21,875

 

 

 

26,715

 

Net change in other assets and liabilities

 

 

78,821

 

 

 

(58,662

)

Net cash from operating activities

 

 

1,246,097

 

 

 

1,469,686

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(280,048

)

 

 

(1,747,361

)

Change in accrued capital expenditures

 

 

(43,440

)

 

 

(52,466

)

Proceeds from disposal of assets

 

 

2,535

 

 

 

 

Net cash from investing activities

 

 

(320,953

)

 

 

(1,799,827

)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in borrowings outstanding on bank credit facilities

 

 

(1,123,495

)

 

 

(569,489

)

Repayment of long-term debt

 

 

(350,000

)

 

 

(250,000

)

Issuance of senior notes

 

 

1,092,728

 

 

 

 

Long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore

 

 

 

 

 

1,726,750

 

Financing costs on long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore

 

 

 

 

 

(30,876

)

Cash balances of Paragon Offshore in Spin-off

 

 

 

 

 

(104,152

)

Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facilities

 

 

(16,070

)

 

 

(386

)

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests

 

 

(57,048

)

 

 

(64,339

)

Distributions to parent company, net

 

 

(372,799

)

 

 

(421,801

)

Net cash from financing activities

 

 

(826,684

)

 

 

285,707

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

98,460

 

 

 

(44,434

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

 

65,780

 

 

 

110,382

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

164,240

 

 

$

65,948

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

11


 

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital in

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Excess of

 

 

Retained

 

 

Comprehensive

 

 

Noncontrolling

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Balance

 

 

Par Value

 

 

Par Value

 

 

Earnings

 

 

Loss

 

 

Interests

 

 

Equity

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

 

 

261,246

 

 

$

26,125

 

 

$

497,316

 

 

$

7,986,762

 

 

$

(82,164

)

 

$

727,445

 

 

$

9,155,484

 

Distributions to parent company, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(421,801

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(421,801

)

Capital contribution by parent - share-based

   compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26,715

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26,715

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

723,788

 

 

 

 

 

 

60,290

 

 

 

784,078

 

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(64,339

)

 

 

(64,339

)

Spin-off of Paragon Offshore

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,467,657

)

 

 

34,478

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,433,179

)

Other comprehensive income, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,918

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,918

 

Balance at September 30, 2014

 

 

261,246

 

 

$

26,125

 

 

$

524,031

 

 

$

6,821,092

 

 

$

(45,768

)

 

$

723,396

 

 

$

8,048,876

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

 

 

261,246

 

 

$

26,125

 

 

$

530,657

 

 

$

6,009,114

 

 

$

(69,418

)

 

$

722,304

 

 

$

7,218,782

 

Distributions to parent company, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(372,799

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(372,799

)

Capital contribution by parent - share-based

   compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21,875

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21,875

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

690,879

 

 

 

 

 

 

57,488

 

 

 

748,367

 

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(57,048

)

 

 

(57,048

)

Other comprehensive loss, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,614

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,614

)

Balance at September 30, 2015

 

 

261,246

 

 

$

26,125

 

 

$

552,532

 

 

$

6,327,194

 

 

$

(72,032

)

 

$

722,744

 

 

$

7,556,563

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

12


NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unless otherwise indicated, dollar amounts in tables are in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

Note 1 — Organization and Basis of Presentation

Noble Corporation plc, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (“Noble-UK”), is a leading offshore drilling contractor for the oil and gas industry.  We perform contract drilling services with our global fleet of mobile offshore drilling units. As of the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our fleet consisted of 15 jackups, nine drillships and eight semisubmersibles, including one high-specification, harsh environment jackup under construction.

We report our contract drilling operations as a single reportable segment, Contract Drilling Services, which reflects how we manage our business, and the fact that all of our drilling fleet is dependent upon the worldwide oil and gas industry.  The mobile offshore drilling units comprising our offshore rig fleet operate in a global market for contract drilling services and are often redeployed to different regions due to changing demands of our customers, which consist largely of major independent and government owned/controlled oil and gas companies throughout the world.  As of September 30, 2015, our contract drilling services segment conducted operations in the United States, Brazil, Argentina, the North Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, West Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. Noble and its predecessors have been engaged in the contract drilling of oil and gas wells since 1921.

Noble Corporation, a Cayman Islands company (“Noble-Cayman”), is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Noble-UK, our publicly-traded parent company. Noble-UK’s principal asset is all of the shares of Noble-Cayman. Noble-Cayman has no public equity outstanding. The consolidated financial statements of Noble-UK include the accounts of Noble-Cayman, and Noble-UK conducts substantially all of its business through Noble-Cayman and its subsidiaries.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Noble-UK and Noble-Cayman have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as they pertain to Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The unaudited financial statements reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the financial position and results of operations for the interim periods, on a basis consistent with the annual audited consolidated financial statements. All such adjustments are of a recurring nature. The December 31, 2014 Consolidated Balance Sheets presented herein are derived from the December 31, 2014 audited consolidated financial statements. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, filed by both Noble-UK and Noble-Cayman. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

 

 

Note 2 — Spin-off of Paragon Offshore plc (“Paragon Offshore”)

On August 1, 2014, Noble-UK completed the separation and spin-off of a majority of its standard specification offshore drilling business (the “Spin-off”) through a pro rata distribution of all of the ordinary shares of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Paragon Offshore, to the holders of Noble’s ordinary shares. Our shareholders received one share of Paragon Offshore for every three shares of Noble owned as of July 23, 2014, the record date for the distribution. Through the Spin-off, we disposed of most of our standard specification drilling units and related assets, liabilities and business. Prior to the Spin-off, Paragon Offshore issued approximately $1.7 billion of long-term debt. We used the proceeds from this debt to repay certain amounts outstanding under our commercial paper program. Paragon Offshore recently announced that it had retained an investment banking firm and a law firm to “consider strategic alternatives related to its capital structure.” Depending on what “strategic alternative”, if any, that Paragon Offshore elects to pursue, our ability to collect amounts due to us from Paragon Offshore under the agreements below (see Note 14) could be adversely impacted and Paragon Offshore could become adverse to us in any potential litigation relating to the Spin-off.

Prior to the completion of the Spin-off, Noble and Paragon Offshore entered into a series of agreements to effect the separation and Spin-off and govern the relationship between the parties after the Spin-off.

Master Separation Agreement (“MSA”)

The general terms and conditions relating to the separation and Spin-off are set forth in the MSA. The MSA identifies the assets transferred, liabilities assumed and contracts assigned either to Paragon Offshore by us or by Paragon Offshore to us in the separation and describes when and how these transfers, assumptions and assignments would occur. The MSA provides for, among other things, Paragon Offshore’s responsibility for liabilities relating to its business and the responsibility of Noble for liabilities related to our, and in certain limited cases, Paragon Offshore’s business, in each case irrespective of when the liability arose. The MSA also contains indemnification obligations and ongoing commitments by us and Paragon Offshore.

13


NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unless otherwise indicated, dollar amounts in tables are in thousands, except per share data)

 

Employee Matters Agreement (“EMA”)

The EMA allocates liabilities and responsibilities between us and Paragon Offshore relating to employment, compensation and benefits and other employment related matters.

Tax Sharing Agreement (“TSA”)

The TSA provides for the allocation of tax liabilities and benefits between us and Paragon Offshore and governs the parties’ assistance with tax-related claims.

Transition Services Agreements

Under two transition services agreements, we agreed to continue, for a limited period of time, to provide various interim support services to Paragon Offshore, and Paragon Offshore agreed to provide various interim support services to us, including providing operational and administrative support for our remaining Brazilian operations.

 

 

Note 3 — Discontinued Operations

Paragon Offshore, which had been reflected as continuing operations in our consolidated financial statements prior to the Spin-off, meets the criteria for being reported as discontinued operations and was reclassified as such in our results of operations. The results of discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 include the historical results of Paragon Offshore, including $31 million and $49 million, respectively, of non-recurring costs incurred by Noble related to the Spin-off.

Prior to the Spin-off, Paragon Offshore issued approximately $1.7 billion of debt consisting of:

 

·

$1.08 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two separate tranches, comprising $500 million of 6.75% Senior Notes due 2022 and $580 million of 7.25% Senior Notes due 2024; and

 

·

$650 million of a senior secured term credit agreement, at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.75%, subject to a LIBOR floor of 1%, which has an initial term of seven years.

We allocated interest expense on this debt, which is directly related to Paragon Offshore, to discontinued operations. For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we allocated approximately $4 million of interest expense related to such debt.

The following table provides the components of net income from discontinued operations, net of tax for Noble-UK for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2014

 

 

2014

 

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contract drilling services

 

$

136,548

 

 

$

993,253

 

Reimbursables

 

 

2,398

 

 

 

21,899

 

Labor contract drilling services

 

 

2,946

 

 

 

19,304

 

Other

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

Operating revenues from discontinued operations

 

$

141,893

 

 

$

1,034,458

 

(Loss) income from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) income from discontinued operations

   before income taxes

 

$

(3,292

)

 

$

229,482

 

Income tax provision

 

 

(16,922

)

 

 

(53,950

)

Net (loss) income from discontinued operations

 

$

(20,214

)

 

$

175,532

 

 

 

14


NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unless otherwise indicated, dollar amounts in tables are in thousands, except per share data)

 

Note 4 — Consolidated Joint Ventures

We maintain a 50 percent interest in two joint ventures, each with a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc (“Shell”), that own and operate the two Bully-class drillships. We have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of the joint ventures. Accordingly, we consolidate the entities in our consolidated financial statements after eliminating intercompany transactions. Shell’s equity interests are presented as noncontrolling interests on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Bully joint ventures approved and paid dividends totaling $114 million and $129 million, respectively. Of these amounts, 50 percent were paid to our joint venture partner.

The combined carrying amount of the Bully-class drillships at both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 totaled $1.4 billion.  These assets were primarily funded through partner equity contributions.  Cash held by the Bully joint ventures was approximately $52 million at September 30, 2015 as compared to approximately $47 million at December 31, 2014.

 

 

15


NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unless otherwise indicated, dollar amounts in tables are in thousands, except per share data)

 

Note 5 — Share Data

Earnings per share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for Noble-UK:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

325,807

 

 

$

147,389

 

 

$

663,241

 

 

$

442,528

 

Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards

 

 

(7,143

)

 

 

(2,286

)

 

 

(14,661

)

 

 

(7,053

)

Income from continuing operations to common

   shareholders

 

 

318,664

 

 

 

145,103

 

 

 

648,580

 

 

 

435,475

 

(Loss)/income from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

(20,214

)

 

 

 

 

 

175,532

 

Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards

 

 

 

 

 

314

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,798

)

(Loss)/income from discontinued operations, net of tax to

   common shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

(19,900

)

 

 

 

 

 

172,734

 

Net income attributable to Noble-UK

 

 

325,807

 

 

 

127,175

 

 

 

663,241

 

 

 

618,060

 

Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards

 

 

(7,143

)

 

 

(1,972

)

 

 

(14,661

)

 

 

(9,851

)

Net income to common shareholders - basic

 

$

318,664

 

 

$

125,203

 

 

$

648,580

 

 

$

608,209

 

Diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

325,807

 

 

$

147,389

 

 

$

663,241

 

 

$

442,528

 

Earnings allocated to unvested share-based

   payment awards

 

 

(7,143

)

 

 

(2,285

)

 

 

(14,661

)

 

 

(7,050

)

Income from continuing operations to common

   shareholders

 

 

318,664

 

 

 

145,104

 

 

 

648,580

 

 

 

435,478

 

(Loss)/income from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

(20,214

)

 

 

 

 

 

175,532

 

Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards

 

 

 

 

 

313

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,796

)

(Loss)/income from discontinued operations, net of

   tax to common shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

(19,901

)

 

 

 

 

 

172,736

 

Net income attributable to Noble-UK

 

 

325,807

 

 

 

127,175

 

 

 

663,241

 

 

 

618,060

 

Earnings allocated to unvested share-based

   payment awards

 

 

(7,143

)

 

 

(1,972

)

 

 

(14,661

)

 

 

(9,846

)

Net income to common shareholders - diluted

 

$

318,664

 

 

$

125,203

 

 

$

648,580

 

 

$

608,214

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding - basic

 

 

241,970

 

 

 

253,842

 

 

 

242,204

 

 

 

254,006

 

Incremental shares issuable from assumed exercise

   of stock options

 

 

 

 

 

107

 

 

 

 

 

 

114

 

Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted

 

 

241,970

 

 

 

253,949

 

 

 

242,204

 

 

 

254,120

 

Weighted average unvested share-based

   payment awards

 

 

5,424

 

 

 

3,999

 

 

 

5,475

 

 

 

4,114

 

Earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

 

1.32

 

 

$

0.57

 

 

 

2.68

 

 

$

1.71

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

(0.08

)

 

 

 

 

 

0.68

 

Net income attributable to Noble-UK

 

 

1.32

 

 

$

0.49

 

 

 

2.68

 

 

$

2.39

 

Diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

 

1.32

 

 

$

0.57

 

 

 

2.68

 

 

$

1.71

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

(0.08

)

 

 

 

 

 

0.68

 

Net income attributable to Noble-UK

 

 

1.32

 

 

$

0.49

 

 

 

2.68

 

 

$

2.39

 

Dividends per share

 

$

0.375

 

 

$

0.375

 

 

$

1.125

 

 

$

1.125

 

 

16


NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unless otherwise indicated, dollar amounts in tables are in thousands, except per share data)

 

Only those items having a dilutive impact on our basic earnings per share are included in diluted earnings per share. For the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, approximately 1.7 million and 1.3 million shares underlying stock options, respectively, were excluded from the diluted earnings per share as such stock options were not dilutive.

Share capital

As of September 30, 2015, Noble-UK had approximately 242.0 million shares outstanding and trading as compared to approximately 247.5 million shares outstanding and trading at December 31, 2014. The decrease in shares outstanding is primarily related to the repurchase of 6.2 million shares pursuant to our approved share repurchase program, discussed below. Our Board of Directors may increase our share capital through the issuance of up to 53 million authorized shares (at current nominal value of $0.01 per share) without obtaining shareholder approval.

Our most recent quarterly dividend payment to shareholders, totaling approximately $93 million (or $0.375 per share), was declared on July 24, 2015 and paid on August 10, 2015 to holders of record on August 3, 2015.

Share repurchases

Under UK law, the Company is only permitted to purchase its own shares by way of an “off-market purchase” in a plan approved by shareholders. In December 2014, we received shareholder approval to repurchase up to 37,000,000 ordinary shares, or approximately 15 percent of our outstanding ordinary shares at the time of the shareholder approval. Any repurchases are expected to be funded using cash on hand, cash from operations or borrowings under our Credit Facilities. The authority to make such repurchases will expire on the later of April 2016 or the end of the Company’s 2016 annual general meeting of shareholders, at which time we could seek shareholder approval for further repurchases. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we repurchased 6.2 million of our ordinary shares covered by this authorization for a total cost of approximately $101 million. During the three months ended September 30, 2015, we did not repurchase any of our shares.

 

 

Note 6 — Receivables from Customers

At September 30, 2015, we had receivables of approximately $14 million related to the Noble Max Smith that are being disputed by our former customer, Petróleos Mexicanos (“Pemex”). These receivables have been classified as long-term and are included in “Other assets” on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. The disputed amounts relate to lost revenues for downtime that occurred after our rig was damaged when one of Pemex’s supply boats collided with our rig in 2010. In January 2012, we filed a lawsuit against Pemex in a Mexican court seeking recovery of these amounts.  While we can make no assurances as to the outcome of this dispute, we believe we are entitled to the disputed amounts.

 

 

Note 7 — Property and Equipment

Property and equipment, at cost, as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 for Noble-UK consisted of the following:

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Drilling equipment and facilities

 

$

13,767,751

 

 

$

13,254,240

 

Construction in progress

 

 

714,913

 

 

 

969,985

 

Other

 

 

234,648

 

 

 

218,697

 

Property and equipment, at cost

 

$

14,717,312

 

 

$

14,442,922

 

 

Capital expenditures, including capitalized interest, totaled $280 million and $1.7 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Capitalized interest was $7 million and $18 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, as compared to $11 million and $39 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Capital expenditures related to Paragon Offshore for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 totaled $150 million.  Depreciation expense for Paragon Offshore that was classified as discontinued operations totaled $35 million and $236 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

17


NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unless otherwise indicated, dollar amounts in tables are in thousands, except per share data)

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2015, we sold for scrap the previously retired semisubmersible rigs, the Noble Driller and the Noble Jim Thompson. In connection with the sale of these rigs, we received proceeds of approximately $3 million.

 

 

Note 8 — Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Senior unsecured notes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.45% Senior Notes due August 2015

 

$

 

 

$

350,000

 

3.05% Senior Notes due March 2016

 

 

299,993

 

 

 

299,982

 

2.50% Senior Notes due March 2017

 

 

299,947

 

 

 

299,920

 

4.00% Senior Notes due March 2018

 

 

249,559

 

 

 

 

7.50% Senior Notes due March 2019

 

 

201,695

 

 

 

201,695

 

4.90% Senior Notes due August 2020

 

 

499,252

 

 

 

499,151

 

4.625% Senior Notes due March 2021

 

 

399,667

 

 

 

399,627

 

3.95% Senior Notes due March 2022

 

 

399,332

 

 

 

399,264

 

5.95% Senior Notes due April 2025

 

 

448,790

 

 

 

 

6.20% Senior Notes due August 2040

 

 

399,896

 

 

 

399,895

 

6.05% Senior Notes due March 2041

 

 

397,709

 

 

 

397,681

 

5.25% Senior Notes due March 2042

 

 

498,331

 

 

 

498,310

 

6.95% Senior Notes due April 2045

 

 

394,549

 

 

 

 

Total senior unsecured notes

 

 

4,488,720

 

 

 

3,745,525

 

Credit facilities & commercial paper program

 

 

 

 

 

1,123,495

 

Total debt

 

 

4,488,720

 

 

 

4,869,020

 

Less: Current maturities of long-term debt

 

 

(299,993

)

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

$

4,188,727

 

 

$

4,869,020

 

 

Credit Facilities and Commercial Paper Program

We currently have two credit facilities with an aggregate maximum capacity of $2.7 billion, which are comprised of a five year $2.4 billion senior unsecured credit facility that matures in January 2020 and a $225 million 364-day senior unsecured credit facility that matures in January 2016 (together, the “Credit Facilities”).

We have a commercial paper program that allows us to issue up to $2.4 billion in unsecured commercial paper notes. Amounts issued under the commercial paper program are supported by the unused capacity under our Credit Facilities and, therefore, are classified as long-term on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. The outstanding amounts of commercial paper reduce availability under our Credit Facilities.

The $2.4 billion facility provides us with the ability to issue up to $500 million in letters of credit. The issuance of letters of credit under the facility reduces the amount available for borrowing. At September 30, 2015, we had no letters of credit issued under the facility.

Senior Unsecured Notes

In March 2015, our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, Noble Holding International Limited (“NHIL”), issued $1.1 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes in three separate tranches, comprised of $250 million of 4.00% Senior Notes due 2018, $450 million of 5.95% Senior Notes due 2025, and $400 million of 6.95% Senior Notes due 2045. The weighted average coupon of all three tranches is 5.87%. The interest rate on these senior notes may be increased if the credit rating applicable to the notes is downgraded below certain specified levels. The net proceeds of approximately $1.08 billion, after expenses, were used to repay indebtedness outstanding under our Credit Facilities and commercial paper program.

18


NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unless otherwise indicated, dollar amounts in tables are in thousands, except per share data)

 

In August 2015, we repaid our $350 million 3.45% Senior Notes using cash on hand.

Our $300 million 3.05% Senior Notes mature during the first quarter of 2016.  We anticipate using cash on hand to repay the outstanding balances; therefore, we have classified these balances as “Current maturities of long-term debt” on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2015.

Covenants

The Credit Facilities are guaranteed by NHIL and Noble Holding Corporation (“NHC”). The covenants and events of default under the two Credit Facilities are substantially similar, and each facility contains a covenant that limits our ratio of debt to total tangible capitalization, as defined in the Credit Facilities, to 0.60. At September 30, 2015, our ratio of debt to total tangible capitalization was approximately 0.37. We were in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Facilities as of September 30, 2015.

In addition to the covenants from the Credit Facilities noted above, the indentures governing our outstanding senior unsecured notes contain covenants that place restrictions on certain merger and consolidation transactions, unless we are the surviving entity or the other party assumes the obligations under the indenture, and on the ability to sell or transfer all or substantially all of our assets.  In addition, there are restrictions on incurring or assuming certain liens and on entering into sale and lease-back transactions.  At September 30, 2015, we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants.  We continually monitor compliance with the covenants under our notes and expect to remain in compliance during the remainder of 2015.

Fair Value of Debt

Fair value represents the amount at which an instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties. The estimated fair value of our senior notes was based on the quoted market prices for similar issues or on the current rates offered to us for debt of similar remaining maturities (Level 2 measurement). All remaining fair value disclosures are presented in Note 12.

The following table presents the estimated fair value of our total debt as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively:

 

 

 

September 30, 2015

 

 

December 31, 2014

 

 

 

Carrying

 

 

Estimated

 

 

Carrying

 

 

Estimated

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Value

 

 

Fair Value

 

Senior unsecured notes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.45% Senior Notes due August 2015

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

350,000

 

 

$

354,992

 

3.05% Senior Notes due March 2016

 

 

299,993

 

 

 

298,322

 

 

 

299,982

 

 

 

302,515

 

2.50% Senior Notes due March 2017

 

 

299,947

 

 

 

278,625

 

 

 

299,920

 

 

 

287,014

 

4.00% Senior Notes due March 2018

 

 

249,559

 

 

 

232,223

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.50% Senior Notes due March 2019

 

 

201,695

 

 

 

210,152

 

 

 

201,695

 

 

 

212,068

 

4.90% Senior Notes due August 2020

 

 

499,252

 

 

 

424,989

 

 

 

499,151

 

 

 

471,095

 

4.625% Senior Notes due March 2021

 

 

399,667

 

 

 

311,237

 

 

 

399,627

 

 

 

363,837

 

3.95% Senior Notes due March 2022

 

 

399,332

 

 

 

299,013

 

 

 

399,264

 

 

 

346,425

 

5.95% Senior Notes due April 2025

 

 

448,790

 

 

 

350,787

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.20% Senior Notes due August 2040

 

 

399,896

 

 

 

259,655

 

 

 

399,895

 

 

 

350,351

 

6.05% Senior Notes due March 2041

 

 

397,709

 

 

 

255,602

 

 

 

397,681

 

 

 

343,653

 

5.25% Senior Notes due March 2042

 

 

498,331

 

 

 

302,314

 

 

 

498,310

 

 

 

385,181

 

6.95% Senior Notes due April 2045

 

 

394,549

 

 

 

282,243

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total senior unsecured notes

 

 

4,488,720

 

 

 

3,505,162

 

 

 

3,745,525

 

 

 

3,417,131

 

Credit facilities & commercial paper program

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,123,495

 

 

 

1,123,495

 

Total debt

 

$

4,488,720

 

 

$

3,505,162

 

 

$

4,869,020

 

 

$

4,540,626

 

 

 

19


NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unless otherwise indicated, dollar amounts in tables are in thousands, except per share data)

 

Note 9 — Income Taxes

At September 30, 2015, the reserves for uncertain tax positions totaled $143 million (net of related tax benefits of $13 million). If the September 30, 2015 reserves are not realized, the provision for income taxes would be reduced by $143 million. At December 31, 2014, the reserves for uncertain tax positions totaled $116 million (net of related tax benefits of $1 million).

It is reasonably possible that our existing liabilities related to our reserve for uncertain tax positions may fluctuate in the next 12 months primarily due to the completion of open audits or the expiration of statutes of limitation.  However, we cannot reasonably estimate a range of changes in our existing liabilities due to various uncertainties, such as the unresolved nature of various audits.

 

 

Note 10 — Employee Benefit Plans

Pension costs include the following components for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

 

Non-U.S.

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Non-U.S.

 

 

U.S.

 

Service cost

 

$

862

 

 

$

2,149

 

 

$

1,016

 

 

$

2,541

 

Interest cost

 

 

653

 

 

 

2,300

 

 

 

1,022

 

 

 

2,714

 

Return on plan assets

 

 

(942

)

 

 

(3,286

)

 

 

(1,397

)

 

 

(3,846

)

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

26

 

 

 

36

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

56

 

Recognized net actuarial loss

 

 

80

 

 

 

1,539

 

 

 

119

 

 

 

651

 

Curtailment expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

241

 

Settlement expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

310

 

Net pension expense

 

$

679

 

 

$

2,738

 

 

$

758

 

 

$

2,667

 

 

Included in net pension expense for the three months ended September 30, 2014 for our non-U.S. and U.S. plans was approximately $0.2 million each related to Paragon Offshore that was classified as discontinued operations.

Pension costs include the following components for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

 

Non-U.S.

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Non-U.S.

 

 

U.S.

 

Service cost

 

$

2,582

 

 

$

6,447

 

 

$

3,869

 

 

$

7,623

 

Interest cost

 

 

1,927

 

 

 

6,899

 

 

 

3,950

 

 

 

8,142

 

Return on plan assets

 

 

(2,779

)

 

 

(9,859

)

 

 

(5,088

)

 

 

(11,538

)

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

79

 

 

 

107

 

 

 

(12

)

 

 

168

 

Recognized net actuarial loss

 

 

235

 

 

 

4,618

 

 

 

748

 

 

 

1,953

 

Curtailment expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

241

 

Settlement expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

310

 

Net pension expense

 

$

2,044

 

 

$

8,212

 

 

$

3,467

 

 

$

6,899

 

 

Included in net pension expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 for our non-U.S. and U.S. plans was approximately $2 million and $1 million, respectively, related to Paragon Offshore that was classified as discontinued operations.

During both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, we made contributions to our pension plans totaling approximately $2 million.

 

 

Note 11 — Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

We periodically enter into derivative instruments to manage our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. We have documented policies and procedures to monitor and control the use of derivative instruments. We do not engage in derivative transactions for speculative or trading purposes, nor are we a party to leveraged derivatives.

20


NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unless otherwise indicated, dollar amounts in tables are in thousands, except per share data)

 

For foreign currency forward contracts, hedge effectiveness is evaluated at inception based on the matching of critical terms between derivative contracts and the hedged item. Any change in fair value resulting from ineffectiveness is recognized immediately in earnings.

Cash Flow Hedges

Several of our regional shorebases, including our North Sea, Australian and Brazilian operations, have a significant amount of their cash operating expenses payable in local currencies. To limit the potential risk of currency fluctuations, we periodically enter into forward contracts, which settle monthly in the operations’ respective local currencies. All of these contracts have a maturity of less than 12 months. The forward contract settlements in the remainder of 2015 represent approximately 60 percent of these forecasted local currency requirements. The notional amount of the forward contracts outstanding, expressed in U.S. Dollars, was approximately $23 million at September 30, 2015. Total unrealized losses related to these forward contracts were approximately $1 million as of September 30, 2015 and were recorded as part of “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” (“AOCL”).

Financial Statement Presentation

The following table, together with Note 12, summarizes the financial statement presentation and fair value of our derivative positions as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated fair value

 

 

 

Balance sheet

classification

 

September 30,

2015

 

 

December 31,

2014

 

Asset derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flow hedges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term foreign currency forward contracts

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

$

45

 

 

$

 

Liability derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flow hedges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term foreign currency forward contracts

 

Other current liabilities

 

$

1,407

 

 

$

 

 

To supplement the fair value disclosures in Note 12, the following summarizes the recognized gains and losses of cash flow hedges and non-designated derivatives through AOCL or through “contract drilling services” expense for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

 

 

 

Gain/(loss)

recognized through

AOCL

 

 

Gain/(loss)

reclassified from

AOCL to "contract

drilling services"

expense

 

 

Gain/(loss) recognized

through "contract

drilling services"

expense

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Cash flow hedges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

$

(747

)

 

$

(2,125

)

 

$

(615

)

 

$

1,852

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

To supplement the fair value disclosures in Note 12, the following summarizes the recognized gains and losses of cash flow hedges and non-designated derivatives through AOCL or through “contract drilling services” expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

 

 

 

Gain/(loss)

recognized through

AOCL

 

 

Gain/(loss)

reclassified from

AOCL to "contract

drilling services"

expense

 

 

Gain/(loss) recognized

through "contract

drilling services"

expense

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Cash flow hedges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

$

(143

)

 

$

(4,904

)

 

$

(1,219

)

 

$

4,631

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

21


NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unless otherwise indicated, dollar amounts in tables are in thousands, except per share data)

 

Note 12 — Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following tables present the carrying amount and estimated fair value of our financial instruments recognized at fair value on a recurring basis:

 

 

 

September 30, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated Fair Value Measurements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quoted

 

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prices in

 

 

Other

 

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active

 

 

Observable

 

 

Unobservable

 

 

 

Carrying

 

 

Markets

 

 

Inputs

 

 

Inputs

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

(Level 1)

 

 

(Level 2)

 

 

(Level 3)

 

Assets -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marketable securities

 

$

6,275

 

 

$

6,275

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

      Foreign currency forward contracts

 

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

 

45

 

 

 

 

Liabilities -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Foreign currency forward contracts

 

$

1,407

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,407

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated Fair Value Measurements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quoted

 

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prices in

 

 

Other

 

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active

 

 

Observable

 

 

Unobservable

 

 

 

Carrying

 

 

Markets

 

 

Inputs

 

 

Inputs

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

(Level 1)

 

 

(Level 2)

 

 

(Level 3)

 

Assets -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marketable securities

 

$

6,175

 

 

$

6,175

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

The foreign currency forward contracts have been valued using actively quoted prices and quotes obtained from the counterparties to the contracts. Our cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable are by their nature short-term. As a result, the carrying values included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets approximate fair value.

 

 

22


NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unless otherwise indicated, dollar amounts in tables are in thousands, except per share data)

 

Note 13 — Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following tables set forth the components of, and changes in the accumulated balances for each component of, AOCL for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. All amounts within the tables are shown net of tax.

 

 

 

Gains /

 

 

Defined

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Losses) on

 

 

Benefit

 

 

Foreign

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flow

 

 

Pension

 

 

Currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hedges(1)

 

 

Items(2)

 

 

Items

 

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

 

$

 

 

$

(58,598

)

 

$

(23,566

)

 

$

(82,164

)

Activity during period:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications

 

 

4,358

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,143

 

 

 

5,501

 

Amounts reclassified from AOCL

 

 

(4,631

)

 

 

1,048

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,583

)

Net other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

(273

)

 

 

1,048

 

 

 

1,143

 

 

 

1,918

 

Spin-off of Paragon Offshore(3)

 

 

 

 

 

21,772

 

 

 

12,706

 

 

 

34,478

 

Balance at September 30, 2014

 

$

(273

)

 

$

(35,778

)

 

$

(9,717

)

 

$

(45,768

)

Balance at December 31, 2014

 

$

 

 

$

(58,440

)

 

$

(10,978

)

 

$

(69,418

)

Activity during period:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications

 

 

(2,581

)

 

 

 

 

 

(4,568

)

 

 

(7,149

)

Amounts reclassified from AOCL

 

 

1,219

 

 

 

3,316

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,535

 

Net other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

(1,362

)

 

 

3,316

 

 

 

(4,568

)

 

 

(2,614

)

Balance at September 30, 2015

 

$

(1,362

)

 

$

(55,124

)

 

$

(15,546

)

 

$

(72,032

)

 

(1)

Gains / (losses) on cash flow hedges are related to foreign currency forward contracts. Reclassifications from AOCL are recognized through “contract drilling services” expense on our Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 11 for additional information.

(2)

Defined benefit pension items relate to actuarial changes, the amortization of prior service costs and curtailment and settlement expenses. Reclassifications from AOCL are recognized as expense on our Consolidated Statements of Income through either “Contract drilling services” or “General and administrative”. See Note 10 for additional information.

(3)

Reclassifications for the Spin-off of Paragon Offshore represent accumulated balances in AOCL that were transferred as part of the Spin-off.

 

 

Note 14 — Commitments and Contingencies

The Noble Homer Ferrington was under contract with a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation (“Exxon”), which entered into an assignment agreement with British Petroleum plc (“BP”) for a two-well farmout of the rig in Libya after successfully drilling two wells with the rig for Exxon. In August 2010, BP attempted to terminate the assignment agreement claiming that the rig was not in the required condition, and Exxon informed us that we must look to BP for payment of the dayrate during the assignment period. In August 2010, we initiated arbitration proceedings under the drilling contract against the Libyan operating subsidiaries of both BP and Exxon (the “Defendants”). The arbitration panel issued an award in our favor for dayrate revenues plus interest and fees. During the third quarter of 2015, BP paid us $150 million and Exxon paid us $27 million under the award, of which approximately $137 million was recognized as contract drilling services revenues, $30 million as interest income, and $10 million for the reimbursement of costs and fees as a reduction of contract drilling services costs.

In December 2014, one of our subsidiaries reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) regarding our drillship, the Noble Discoverer, and the Kulluk in respect of violations of applicable law discovered in connection with a 2012 coast guard inspection in Alaska and our own subsequent internal investigation. Under the terms of the agreement, the subsidiary pled guilty to oil record book, ballast record and required hazardous condition reporting violations with respect to the Noble Discoverer and an oil record book violation with respect to the Kulluk. The subsidiary paid $8.2 million in fines and $4 million in community service payments, and was placed on probation for four years, provided that we may petition the court for early dismissal of probation after three years. If during the term of probation, the subsidiary fails to adhere to the terms of the plea agreement, the DOJ may withdraw from the plea agreement and would be free to prosecute the subsidiary on all charges arising out of its investigation, including any charges dismissed pursuant to the terms of the plea agreement, as well as potentially other charges. We also implemented a comprehensive environmental compliance plan in connection with the settlement.

23


NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unless otherwise indicated, dollar amounts in tables are in thousands, except per share data)

 

We have used a commercial agent in Brazil in connection with our Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (“Petrobras”) drilling contracts.  We understand that this agent has represented a number of different companies in Brazil over many years, including several offshore drilling contractors. This agent has pled guilty in Brazil in connection with the award of a drilling contract to a competitor and has implicated a Petrobras official as part of a wider investigation of Petrobras’ business practices.  We are not aware of any improper activity by Noble in connection with contracts that Noble has entered into with Petrobras, and we have not been contacted by any authorities regarding such contracts or the investigation into Petrobras’ business practices.

We are from time to time a party to various lawsuits that are incidental to our operations in which the claimants seek an unspecified amount of monetary damages for personal injury, including injuries purportedly resulting from exposure to asbestos on drilling rigs and associated facilities. At September 30, 2015, there were 45 asbestos related lawsuits in which we are one of many defendants. These lawsuits have been filed in the United States in the states of Louisiana and Mississippi. We intend to vigorously defend against the litigation. We do not believe the ultimate resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

We are a defendant in certain claims and litigation arising out of operations in the ordinary course of business, the resolution of which, in the opinion of management, will not be material to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. There is inherent risk in any litigation or dispute and no assurance can be given as to the outcome of these claims.

We operate in a number of countries throughout the world and our tax returns filed in those jurisdictions are subject to review and examination by tax authorities within those jurisdictions. During the first quarter of 2014, the IRS began its examination of our tax reporting in the U.S. for the taxable years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011. We believe that we have accurately reported all amounts in our 2010 and 2011 tax returns. We believe the ultimate resolution of the outstanding assessments in the U.S., for which we have not made any accrual, will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements. We recognize uncertain tax positions that we believe have a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being sustained. We cannot predict or provide assurance as to the ultimate outcome of any existing or future assessments.

Audit claims of approximately $96 million attributable to income, customs and other business taxes have been assessed against us in Mexico and Brazil, as detailed below. Tax assessments of approximately $47 million have been made against Noble entities in Mexico, of which approximately $34 million relates to Paragon Offshore assets that operated through Noble-retained entities in Mexico prior to the Spin-off. Paragon Offshore has received tax assessments of approximately $203 million against Paragon Offshore entities in Mexico, of which approximately $47 million relates to Noble assets that operated through Paragon Offshore-retained entities in Mexico prior to the Spin-off. In Brazil, Paragon Offshore has received tax assessments of approximately $116 million, of which $36 million relates to Noble assets that operated through a Paragon Offshore-retained entity in Brazil prior to the Spin-off. Under the TSA, Paragon Offshore must indemnify us for all assessed amounts that are related to Paragon Offshore’s Mexico assets, approximately $34 million as noted above, and we must indemnify Paragon Offshore for all assessed amounts that are related to Noble’s Mexico and Brazil assets, approximately $47 million and $36 million, respectively, as noted above, if and when such payments become due.

We have contested, or intend to contest or cooperate with Paragon Offshore where it is contesting, the assessments described above, including through litigation if necessary, and we believe the ultimate resolution, for which we have not made any accrual, will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements. Tax authorities may issue additional assessments or pursue legal actions as a result of tax audits and we cannot predict or provide assurance as to the ultimate outcome of such assessments and legal actions or our ability to collect indemnities from Paragon Offshore under the TSA.

On January 23, 2015, Noble received an official notification of a ruling from the Second Chamber of the Supreme Court in Mexico. The ruling settled an ongoing dispute in Mexico relating to the classification of a Noble subsidiary’s business activity and the applicable rate of depreciation under the Mexican law applicable to the activities of that subsidiary. The ruling did not result in any additional tax liability to Noble. Additionally, the ruling is only applicable to the Noble subsidiary named in the ruling and, therefore, does not establish the depreciation rate applicable to the assets of other Noble subsidiaries. We will continue to contest future assessments received. Any claim by the tax authorities relating to this depreciation issue would be related to the businesses transferred to Paragon Offshore in the Spin-off and, therefore, would be subject to indemnification by Paragon Offshore under the TSA.

24


NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unless otherwise indicated, dollar amounts in tables are in thousands, except per share data)

 

We have been notified by Petrobras that it is currently challenging assessments by Brazilian tax authorities of withholding taxes associated with the provision of drilling rigs for its operations in Brazil during 2008 and 2009. Petrobras has also notified us that if Petrobras must ultimately pay such withholding taxes, it will seek reimbursement from us for the portion allocable to our drilling rigs. The amount of withholding tax that Petrobras indicates may be allocable to Noble drilling rigs is R$79 million (approximately $19 million). We believe that our contract with Petrobras requires Petrobras to indemnify us for these withholding taxes. We will, if necessary, vigorously defend our rights.

We maintain certain insurance coverage against specified marine perils, which includes physical damage and loss of hire. The rigs in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico are self-insured for named windstorm perils. In addition, we maintain a physical damage deductible on our rigs of $25 million per occurrence. The loss of hire coverage applies only to our rigs operating under contract with a dayrate equal to or greater than $200,000 a day and is subject to a 45-day waiting period for each unit and each occurrence.

Although we maintain insurance in the geographic areas in which we operate, pollution, reservoir damage and environmental risks generally are not fully insurable. Our insurance policies and contractual rights to indemnity may not adequately cover our losses or may have exclusions of coverage for some losses. We do not have insurance coverage or rights to indemnity for all risks, including loss of hire insurance on most of the rigs in our fleet. Uninsured exposures may include expatriate activities prohibited by U.S. laws and regulations, radiation hazards, certain loss or damage to property on board our rigs and losses relating to shore-based terrorist acts, strikes or cyber risks. If a significant accident or other event occurs and is not fully covered by insurance or contractual indemnity, it could materially adversely affect our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Additionally, there can be no assurance that those parties with contractual obligations to indemnify us will necessarily be financially able to indemnify us against all these risks.

We carry protection and indemnity insurance covering marine third party liability exposures, which also includes coverage for employer’s liability resulting from personal injury to our offshore drilling crews.  Our protection and indemnity policy currently has a standard deductible of $10 million per occurrence, with maximum liability coverage of $750 million.

In connection with our capital expenditure program, we had outstanding commitments, including shipyard and purchase commitments of approximately $676 million at September 30, 2015.

We have entered into agreements with certain of our executive officers, as well as certain other employees. These agreements become effective upon a change of control of Noble-UK (within the meaning set forth in the agreements) or a termination of employment in connection with or in anticipation of a change of control, and remain effective for three years thereafter. These agreements provide for compensation and certain other benefits under such circumstances.

 

 

Note 15 — Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-08, which amends FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 205, “Presentation of Financial Statements” and ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment.” This ASU alters the definition of a discontinued operation to cover only asset disposals that are a strategic shift with a major effect on an entity’s operations and finances, and calls for more extensive disclosures about a discontinued operation’s assets, liabilities, income and expenses.  The guidance is effective for all disposals, or classifications as held-for-sale, of components of an entity that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014. This standard was not early adopted in connection with the Spin-off. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures.

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, which amends ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The amendments in this ASU are intended to provide a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues, improve comparability of revenue recognition practices and improve disclosure requirements. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, which defers the effective date of the new guidance by one year to interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We are evaluating what impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures.

25


NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unless otherwise indicated, dollar amounts in tables are in thousands, except per share data)

 

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, which amends ASC Topic 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation.” The guidance requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition and should not be reflected in the estimate of the grant-date fair value of the award. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The guidance can be applied prospectively for all awards granted or modified after the effective date or retrospectively to all awards with performance targets outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements and to all new or modified awards thereafter. We are evaluating what impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, which amends ASC Subtopic 205-40, “Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to continue as a Going Concern.” The amendments in this ASU provide guidance related to management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The amendments are effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. We are evaluating what impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures.

In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, which amends ASC Subtopic 225-20, “Income Statement – Extraordinary and Unusual Items.” The amendment in this ASU eliminates from GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. The amendments in this update are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. We are evaluating what impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02 which amends ASC Subtopic 810, “Consolidations.” This amendment affects reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. Specifically, the amendments modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are VIEs or voting interest entities; eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership; affect the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The standard may be applied retrospectively or through a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption. We are evaluating what impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures.

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03 which amends ASC Subtopic 835-30, “Interest – Imputation of Interest.” The guidance requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct reduction from the associated debt liability. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The new guidance will be applied on a retrospective basis. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15 which amends ASC Subtopic 835-30, “Interest – Imputation of Interest.” The guidance allows a debt issuance cost related to a line-of-credit to be presented in the balance sheet as an asset and subsequently amortized ratably over the term of the line-of credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. We are evaluating what impact the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-04 which amends ASC Topic 715, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits.” The guidance gives an employer whose fiscal year end does not coincide with a calendar month end the ability, as a practical expedient, to measure defined benefit retirement obligations and related plan assets as of the month end that is closest to its fiscal year end. The ASU also provides a similar practical expedient for interim remeasurements of significant events. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating what impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-12 which amends ASC Topic 960, “Plan Accounting-Defined Benefit Pension Plans”, ASC Topic 962, “Defined Contribution Pension Plans”, and ASC Topic 965, “Health and Welfare Benefit Plans”. There are three parts to the ASU that aim to simplify the accounting and presentation of plan accounting. Part I of this ASU requires fully benefit-responsive investment contracts to be measured at contract value instead of the current fair value measurement. Part II of this ASU requires investments (both participant-directed and nonparticipant-directed investments) of employee benefit plans be grouped only by general type, eliminating the need to disaggregate the investments in multiple ways. Part III of this ASU provides a similar measurement date practical expedient for employee benefit plans as available in ASU No. 2015-04, which allows employers to

26


NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unless otherwise indicated, dollar amounts in tables are in thousands, except per share data)

 

measure defined benefit plan assets on a month-end date that is nearest to the year’s fiscal year-end when the fiscal period does not coincide with a month-end. Parts I and II of the new guidance should be applied on a retrospective basis. Part III of the new guidance should be applied on a prospective basis. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. We are evaluating what impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures.

 

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, which amends Topic 805, “Business Combinations.” This amendment eliminates the requirement to retrospectively account for adjustments made to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination at the acquisition date with a corresponding adjustment to goodwill, and revise comparative information for prior periods presented in financial statements. Those adjustments are required when new information about circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date would have affected the measurement of the amount initially recognized. This update requires an entity to recognize these adjustments in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. An acquirer must record the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. An entity must present separately on the face of the income statement, or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment had been recognized as of the acquisition date. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. We are evaluating what impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures.

 

 

Note 16 — Supplemental Financial Information

Consolidated Balance Sheets Information

Deferred revenues from drilling contracts totaled $204 million and $263 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Such amounts are included in either “Other current liabilities” or “Other liabilities” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, based upon our expected time of recognition. Related expenses deferred under drilling contracts totaled $87 million at September 30, 2015 as compared to $94 million at December 31, 2014, and are included in either “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” or “Other assets” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, based upon our expected time of recognition.

In April 2015, we agreed to contract dayrate reductions for five rigs working for Saudi Arabian Oil Company (“Aramco”), which are effective from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015. In accordance with accounting guidance, we are recognizing the reductions on a straight-line basis over the remaining life of the existing Aramco contracts. At September 30, 2015, revenues recorded in excess of billings as a result of this recognition totaled $53 million, and are included in either “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” or “Other assets” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, based upon our expected time of recognition.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Information

The net effect of changes in other assets and liabilities on cash flows from operating activities is as follows. Amounts for 2014 are shown net of Paragon Offshore, which was distributed to shareholders in a non-cash transaction.

 

 

 

Noble-UK

 

 

Noble-Cayman

 

 

 

Nine months ended

 

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Accounts receivable

 

$

38,695

 

 

$

(15,968

)

 

$

38,695

 

 

$

(15,968

)

Other current assets

 

 

48,548

 

 

 

(65,075

)

 

 

28,415

 

 

 

(71,784

)

Other assets

 

 

61,610

 

 

 

(51,887

)

 

 

41,314

 

 

 

(51,871

)

Accounts payable

 

 

(20,666

)

 

 

74,349

 

 

 

(18,743

)

 

 

33,909

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

(2,733

)

 

 

(23,882

)

 

 

11,295

 

 

 

(4,294

)

Other liabilities

 

 

(22,155

)

 

 

35,219

 

 

 

(22,155

)

 

 

51,346

 

 

 

$

103,299

 

 

$

(47,244

)

 

$

78,821

 

 

$

(58,662

)

 

 

27


NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unless otherwise indicated, dollar amounts in tables are in thousands, except per share data)

 

Note 17 — Information about Noble-Cayman

Guarantees of Registered Securities

Noble-Cayman, or one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries of Noble-Cayman, are a co-issuer or full and unconditional guarantor or otherwise obligated as of September 30, 2015 as follows:

 

 

 

Issuer

 

 

Notes

 

(Co-Issuer(s))

 

Guarantor

$300 million 3.05% Senior Notes due 2016

 

NHIL

 

Noble-Cayman

$300 million 2.50% Senior Notes due 2017

 

NHIL

 

Noble-Cayman

$250 million 4.00% Senior Notes due 2018

 

NHIL

 

Noble-Cayman

$202 million 7.50% Senior Notes due 2019

 

NHC

 

Noble-Cayman

 

 

Noble Drilling Holding, LLC ("NDH")

 

 

 

 

Noble Drilling Services 6 LLC ("NDS6")

 

 

$500 million 4.90% Senior Notes due 2020

 

NHIL

 

Noble-Cayman

$400 million 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021

 

NHIL

 

Noble-Cayman

$400 million 3.95% Senior Notes due 2022

 

NHIL

 

Noble-Cayman

$450 million 5.95% Senior Notes due 2025

 

NHIL

 

Noble-Cayman

$400 million 6.20% Senior Notes due 2040

 

NHIL

 

Noble-Cayman

$400 million 6.05% Senior Notes due 2041

 

NHIL

 

Noble-Cayman

$500 million 5.25% Senior Notes due 2042

 

NHIL

 

Noble-Cayman

$400 million 6.95% Senior Notes due 2045

 

NHIL

 

Noble-Cayman

 

The following condensed consolidating financial statements of Noble-Cayman, NHC, NDH, NHIL, NDS6 and all other subsidiaries present investments in both consolidated and unconsolidated affiliates using the equity method of accounting.

 

 

 

28


 

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

September 30, 2015

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noble -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subsidiaries

 

 

Consolidating

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cayman

 

 

NHC

 

 

NDH

 

 

NHIL

 

 

NDS6

 

 

of Noble

 

 

Adjustments

 

 

Total

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

4

 

 

$

 

 

$

135

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

164,101

 

 

$

 

 

$

164,240

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,816

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

516,585

 

 

 

 

 

 

530,401

 

Taxes receivable

 

 

 

 

 

12,124

 

 

 

26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

54,173

 

 

 

 

 

 

66,323

 

Short-term notes receivable from

   affiliates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

119,476

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

171,925

 

 

 

(291,401

)

 

 

 

Accounts receivable from affiliates

 

 

617,430

 

 

 

451,674

 

 

 

124,763

 

 

 

832,288

 

 

 

67,170

 

 

 

3,256,189

 

 

 

(5,349,514

)

 

 

 

Prepaid expenses and other current

   assets

 

 

1,756

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,857

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

144,245

 

 

 

 

 

 

150,858

 

Total current assets

 

 

619,190

 

 

 

463,798

 

 

 

263,073

 

 

 

832,288

 

 

 

67,170

 

 

 

4,307,218

 

 

 

(5,640,915

)

 

 

911,822

 

Property and equipment, at cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,846,298

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,833,307

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,679,605

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(330,361

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,456,068

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,786,429

)

Property and equipment, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,515,937

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,377,239

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,893,176

 

Notes receivable from affiliates

 

 

3,304,653

 

 

 

 

 

 

236,921

 

 

 

1,614,802

 

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

1,516,702

 

 

 

(6,678,078

)

 

 

 

Investments in affiliates

 

 

5,306,418

 

 

 

1,413,824

 

 

 

2,973,478

 

 

 

9,384,951

 

 

 

6,951,400

 

 

 

 

 

 

(26,030,071

)

 

 

 

Other assets

 

 

6,369

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,264

 

 

 

26,788

 

 

 

424

 

 

 

159,428

 

 

 

 

 

 

200,273

 

Total assets

 

$

9,236,630

 

 

$

1,877,622

 

 

$

4,996,673

 

 

$

11,858,829

 

 

$

7,023,994

 

 

$

16,360,587

 

 

$

(38,349,064

)

 

$

13,005,271

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term notes payables from

   affiliates

 

$

 

 

$

171,925

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

119,476

 

 

$

(291,401

)

 

$

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

299,993

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

299,993

 

Accounts payable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,251

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

200,187

 

 

 

 

 

 

205,438

 

Accrued payroll and related costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

78,108

 

 

 

 

 

 

86,112

 

Accounts payable to affiliates

 

 

837,540

 

 

 

67,191

 

 

 

2,274,884

 

 

 

87,104

 

 

 

5,706

 

 

 

2,077,089

 

 

 

(5,349,514

)

 

 

 

Taxes payable

 

 

 

 

 

35,743

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

116,393

 

 

 

 

 

 

152,136

 

Interest payable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44,292

 

 

 

630

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44,922

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

103

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,824

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

99,672

 

 

 

 

 

 

104,599

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

837,643

 

 

 

274,859

 

 

 

2,292,963

 

 

 

431,389

 

 

 

6,336

 

 

 

2,690,925

 

 

 

(5,640,915

)

 

 

893,200

 

Long-term debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,987,032

 

 

 

201,695

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,188,727

 

Notes payable to affiliates

 

 

1,545,239

 

 

 

 

 

 

460,227

 

 

 

1,169,180

 

 

 

124,216

 

 

 

3,379,216

 

 

 

(6,678,078

)

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

46,366

 

 

 

 

 

 

46,366

 

Other liabilities

 

 

19,929

 

 

 

 

 

 

26,361

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

274,125

 

 

 

 

 

 

320,415

 

Total liabilities

 

 

2,402,811

 

 

 

274,859

 

 

 

2,779,551

 

 

 

5,587,601

 

 

 

332,247

 

 

 

6,390,632

 

 

 

(12,318,993

)

 

 

5,448,708

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total shareholder equity

 

 

6,833,819

 

 

 

1,602,763

 

 

 

2,217,122

 

 

 

6,271,228

 

 

 

6,691,747

 

 

 

8,810,922

 

 

 

(25,593,782

)

 

 

6,833,819

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,159,033

 

 

 

(436,289

)

 

 

722,744

 

Total equity

 

 

6,833,819

 

 

 

1,602,763

 

 

 

2,217,122

 

 

 

6,271,228

 

 

 

6,691,747

 

 

 

9,969,955

 

 

 

(26,030,071

)

 

 

7,556,563

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

9,236,630

 

 

$

1,877,622

 

 

$

4,996,673

 

 

$

11,858,829

 

 

$

7,023,994

 

 

$

16,360,587

 

 

$

(38,349,064

)

 

$

13,005,271

 

 

 

 

29


 

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

December 31, 2014

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noble-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subsidiaries

 

 

Consolidating

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cayman

 

 

NHC

 

 

NDH

 

 

NHIL

 

 

NDS6

 

 

of Noble

 

 

Adjustments

 

 

Total

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

5

 

 

$

 

 

$

254

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

65,521

 

 

$

 

 

$

65,780

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37,655

 

 

 

2,336

 

 

 

 

 

 

529,105

 

 

 

 

 

 

569,096

 

Taxes receivable

 

 

 

 

 

63,373

 

 

 

752

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

43,164

 

 

 

 

 

 

107,289

 

Short-term notes receivable from

   affiliates

 

 

123,449

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,077,965

 

 

 

 

 

 

333,966

 

 

 

171,925

 

 

 

(1,707,305

)

 

 

 

Accounts receivable from affiliates

 

 

2,019,319

 

 

 

374,012

 

 

 

192,771

 

 

 

157,164

 

 

 

125,834

 

 

 

4,191,406

 

 

 

(7,060,506

)

 

 

 

Prepaid expenses and other current

   assets

 

 

14,274

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,764

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

123,631

 

 

 

 

 

 

139,669

 

Total current assets

 

 

2,157,047

 

 

 

437,385

 

 

 

1,311,161

 

 

 

159,500

 

 

 

459,800

 

 

 

5,124,752

 

 

 

(8,767,811

)

 

 

881,834

 

Property and equipment, at cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,040,168

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,364,203

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,404,371

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(278,147

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,040,073

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,318,220

)

Property and equipment, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,762,021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,324,130

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,086,151

 

Notes receivable from affiliates

 

 

3,304,654

 

 

 

 

 

 

236,921

 

 

 

1,980,391

 

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

1,581,429

 

 

 

(7,108,395

)

 

 

 

Investments in affiliates

 

 

4,567,335

 

 

 

1,318,239

 

 

 

2,921,452

 

 

 

8,266,444

 

 

 

6,290,918

 

 

 

 

 

 

(23,364,388

)

 

 

 

Other assets

 

 

2,908

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,212

 

 

 

19,826

 

 

 

517

 

 

 

192,791

 

 

 

 

 

 

222,254

 

Total assets

 

$

10,031,944

 

 

$

1,755,624

 

 

$

6,237,767

 

 

$

10,426,161

 

 

$

6,756,235

 

 

$

17,223,102

 

 

$

(39,240,594

)

 

$

13,190,239

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term notes payables from

   affiliates

 

$

 

 

$

171,925

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

371,720

 

 

$

1,163,660

 

 

$

(1,707,305

)

 

$

 

Accounts payable

 

 

600

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,130

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

250,282

 

 

 

 

 

 

261,012

 

Accrued payroll and related costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,738

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

83,749

 

 

 

 

 

 

91,487

 

Accounts payable to affiliates

 

 

606,224

 

 

 

63,602

 

 

 

3,513,705

 

 

 

61,982

 

 

 

16,869

 

 

 

2,798,124

 

 

 

(7,060,506

)

 

 

 

Taxes payable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

91,471

 

 

 

 

 

 

91,471

 

Interest payable

 

 

499

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

57,053

 

 

 

4,412

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

61,964

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

15,651

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,409

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

110,890

 

 

 

 

 

 

139,950

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

622,974

 

 

 

235,527

 

 

 

3,544,982

 

 

 

119,035

 

 

 

393,001

 

 

 

4,498,176

 

 

 

(8,767,811

)

 

 

645,884

 

Long-term debt

 

 

1,123,495

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,543,830

 

 

 

201,695

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,869,020

 

Notes payable to affiliates

 

 

1,769,068

 

 

 

 

 

 

598,715

 

 

 

1,169,180

 

 

 

192,216

 

 

 

3,379,216

 

 

 

(7,108,395

)

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

120,589

 

 

 

 

 

 

120,589

 

Other liabilities

 

 

19,929

 

 

 

 

 

 

29,093

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

286,942

 

 

 

 

 

 

335,964

 

Total liabilities

 

 

3,535,466

 

 

 

235,527

 

 

 

4,172,790

 

 

 

4,832,045

 

 

 

786,912

 

 

 

8,284,923

 

 

 

(15,876,206

)

 

 

5,971,457

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total shareholder equity

 

 

6,496,478

 

 

 

1,520,097

 

 

 

2,064,977

 

 

 

5,594,116

 

 

 

5,969,323

 

 

 

7,812,656

 

 

 

(22,961,169

)

 

 

6,496,478

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,125,523

 

 

 

(403,219

)

 

 

722,304

 

Total equity

 

 

6,496,478

 

 

 

1,520,097

 

 

 

2,064,977

 

 

 

5,594,116

 

 

 

5,969,323

 

 

 

8,938,179

 

 

 

(23,364,388

)

 

 

7,218,782

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

10,031,944

 

 

$

1,755,624

 

 

$

6,237,767

 

 

$

10,426,161

 

 

$

6,756,235

 

 

$

17,223,102

 

 

$

(39,240,594

)

 

$

13,190,239

 

 

 

 

30


 

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noble-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subsidiaries

 

 

Consolidating

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cayman

 

 

NHC

 

 

NDH

 

 

NHIL

 

 

NDS6

 

 

of Noble

 

 

Adjustments

 

 

Total

 

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contract drilling services

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

37,659

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

856,145

 

 

$

(19,991

)

 

$

873,813

 

Reimbursables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,662

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,196

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,858

 

Total operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

42,321

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

874,341

 

 

 

(19,991

)

 

 

896,671

 

Operating costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contract drilling services

 

 

850

 

 

 

3,630

 

 

 

32,370

 

 

 

14,850

 

 

 

 

 

 

260,770

 

 

 

(19,991

)

 

 

292,479

 

Reimbursables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,414

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,369

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,783

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,690

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

139,693

 

 

 

 

 

 

160,383

 

General and administrative

 

 

192

 

 

 

1,866

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,524

 

 

 

 

 

 

794

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,376

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

 

1,042

 

 

 

5,496

 

 

 

61,474

 

 

 

22,374

 

 

 

 

 

 

410,626

 

 

 

(19,991

)

 

 

481,021

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

(1,042

)

 

 

(5,496

)

 

 

(19,153

)

 

 

(22,374

)

 

 

 

 

 

463,715

 

 

 

 

 

 

415,650

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) of unconsolidated

   affiliates

 

 

334,441

 

 

 

130,794

 

 

 

70,445

 

 

 

344,840

 

 

 

132,616

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,013,136

)

 

 

 

Interest expense, net of amounts

   capitalized

 

 

(17,914

)

 

 

(1,342

)

 

 

(3,204

)

 

 

(58,129

)

 

 

(7,522

)

 

 

(37,611

)

 

 

71,035

 

 

 

(54,687

)

Interest income and other, net

 

 

16,052

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

22,837

 

 

 

17,876

 

 

 

2,283

 

 

 

43,049

 

 

 

(71,035

)

 

 

31,066

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

331,537

 

 

 

123,960

 

 

 

70,925

 

 

 

282,213

 

 

 

127,377

 

 

 

469,153

 

 

 

(1,013,136

)

 

 

392,029

 

Income tax provision

 

 

 

 

 

(53,518

)

 

 

(1,198

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,848

 

 

 

 

 

 

(41,868

)

Net Income

 

 

331,537

 

 

 

70,442

 

 

 

69,727

 

 

 

282,213

 

 

 

127,377

 

 

 

482,001

 

 

 

(1,013,136

)

 

 

350,161

 

Net income attributable to

   noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(32,733

)

 

 

14,109

 

 

 

(18,624

)

Net income attributable to Noble

   Corporation

 

 

331,537

 

 

 

70,442

 

 

 

69,727

 

 

 

282,213

 

 

 

127,377

 

 

 

449,268

 

 

 

(999,027

)

 

 

331,537

 

Other comprehensive loss, net

 

 

(2,859

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,859

)

 

 

2,859

 

 

 

(2,859

)

Comprehensive income attributable to

   Noble Corporation

 

$

328,678

 

 

$

70,442

 

 

$

69,727

 

 

$

282,213

 

 

$

127,377

 

 

$

446,409

 

 

$

(996,168

)

 

$

328,678

 

 

 

 

31


 

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noble-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subsidiaries

 

 

Consolidating

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cayman

 

 

NHC

 

 

NDH

 

 

NHIL

 

 

NDS6

 

 

of Noble

 

 

Adjustments

 

 

Total

 

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contract drilling services

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

176,987

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

2,349,537

 

 

$

(102,043

)

 

$

2,424,481

 

Reimbursables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,578

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

54,509

 

 

 

 

 

 

70,087

 

Total operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

192,565

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,404,046

 

 

 

(102,043

)

 

 

2,494,568

 

Operating costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contract drilling services

 

 

5,457

 

 

 

20,223

 

 

 

79,612

 

 

 

61,078

 

 

 

 

 

 

866,598

 

 

 

(102,043

)

 

 

930,925

 

Reimbursables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,195

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

42,397

 

 

 

 

 

 

55,592

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

58,741

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

414,305

 

 

 

 

 

 

473,046

 

General and administrative

 

 

1,131

 

 

 

8,926

 

 

 

 

 

 

24,918

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1,117

 

 

 

 

 

 

36,093

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

 

6,588

 

 

 

29,149

 

 

 

151,548

 

 

 

85,996

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1,324,417

 

 

 

(102,043

)

 

 

1,495,656

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

(6,588

)

 

 

(29,149

)

 

 

41,017

 

 

 

(85,996

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

1,079,629

 

 

 

 

 

 

998,912

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) of unconsolidated

   affiliates

 

 

738,742

 

 

 

197,773

 

 

 

162,486

 

 

 

883,323

 

 

 

475,715

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,458,039

)

 

 

 

Interest expense, net of amounts

   capitalized

 

 

(63,800

)

 

 

(3,590

)

 

 

(9,769

)

 

 

(167,017

)

 

 

(21,491

)

 

 

(65,553

)

 

 

170,024

 

 

 

(161,196

)

Interest income and other, net

 

 

22,525

 

 

 

4,835

 

 

 

49,824

 

 

 

59,666

 

 

 

5,096

 

 

 

63,691

 

 

 

(170,024

)

 

 

35,613

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

690,879

 

 

 

169,869

 

 

 

243,558

 

 

 

689,976

 

 

 

459,319

 

 

 

1,077,767

 

 

 

(2,458,039

)

 

 

873,329

 

Income tax provision

 

 

 

 

 

(87,203

)

 

 

(2,974

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(34,785

)

 

 

 

 

 

(124,962

)

Net Income

 

 

690,879

 

 

 

82,666

 

 

 

240,584

 

 

 

689,976

 

 

 

459,319

 

 

 

1,042,982

 

 

 

(2,458,039

)

 

 

748,367

 

Net income attributable to

   noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(90,557

)

 

 

33,069

 

 

 

(57,488

)

Net income attributable to Noble

   Corporation

 

 

690,879

 

 

 

82,666

 

 

 

240,584

 

 

 

689,976

 

 

 

459,319

 

 

 

952,425

 

 

 

(2,424,970

)

 

 

690,879

 

Other comprehensive loss, net

 

 

(2,614

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,614

)

 

 

2,614

 

 

 

(2,614

)

Comprehensive income attributable to

   Noble Corporation

 

$

688,265

 

 

$

82,666

 

 

$

240,584

 

 

$

689,976

 

 

$

459,319

 

 

$

949,811

 

 

$

(2,422,356

)

 

$

688,265

 

 

 

 

32


 

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noble-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subsidiaries

 

 

Consolidating

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cayman

 

 

NHC

 

 

NDH

 

 

NHIL

 

 

NDS6

 

 

of Noble

 

 

Adjustments

 

 

Total

 

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contract drilling services

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

81,834

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

866,699

 

 

$

(138,333

)

 

$

810,200

 

Reimbursables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,495

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,100

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,595

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Total operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

83,329

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

883,800

 

 

 

(138,333

)

 

 

828,796

 

Operating costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contract drilling services

 

 

3,571

 

 

 

9,239

 

 

 

27,593

 

 

 

25,489

 

 

 

 

 

 

456,352

 

 

 

(138,333

)

 

 

383,911

 

Reimbursables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,112

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,529

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,641

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,922

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

143,333

 

 

 

 

 

 

160,255

 

General and administrative

 

 

397

 

 

 

2,348

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,530

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,782

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,057

 

Total operating costs and

   expenses

 

 

3,968

 

 

 

11,587

 

 

 

45,627

 

 

 

32,019

 

 

 

 

 

 

615,996

 

 

 

(138,333

)

 

 

570,864

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

(3,968

)

 

 

(11,587

)

 

 

37,702

 

 

 

(32,019

)

 

 

 

 

 

267,804

 

 

 

 

 

 

257,932

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) of unconsolidated

   affiliates

 

 

(2,716,832

)

 

 

(20,299

)

 

 

(130,556

)

 

 

283,190

 

 

 

182,350

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,402,147

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates - discontinued

   operations, net of tax

 

 

10,413

 

 

 

(3,921

)

 

 

(10,045

)

 

 

2,021

 

 

 

124

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,408

 

 

 

 

Total income (loss) of

   unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

(2,706,419

)

 

 

(24,220

)

 

 

(140,601

)

 

 

285,211

 

 

 

182,474

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,403,555

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net of amounts

   capitalized

 

 

(22,352

)

 

 

(1,042

)

 

 

(8,729

)

 

 

(40,423

)

 

 

(10,573

)

 

 

(3,109,995

)

 

 

3,155,363

 

 

 

(37,751

)

Interest income and other, net

 

 

2,905,973

 

 

 

 

 

 

208,241

 

 

 

21,240

 

 

 

1,249

 

 

 

22,445

 

 

 

(3,155,363

)

 

 

3,785

 

Income from continuing operations

   before income taxes

 

 

173,234

 

 

 

(36,849

)

 

 

96,613

 

 

 

234,009

 

 

 

173,150

 

 

 

(2,819,746

)

 

 

2,403,555

 

 

 

223,966

 

Income tax provision

 

 

 

 

 

(11,352

)

 

 

(766

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(28,556

)

 

 

 

 

 

(40,674

)

Net income from continuing

   operations

 

 

173,234

 

 

 

(48,201

)

 

 

95,847

 

 

 

234,009

 

 

 

173,150

 

 

 

(2,848,302

)

 

 

2,403,555

 

 

 

183,292

 

Net income from discontinued

   operations, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,413

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,413

 

Net Income

 

 

173,234

 

 

 

(48,201

)

 

 

95,847

 

 

 

234,009

 

 

 

173,150

 

 

 

(2,837,889

)

 

 

2,403,555

 

 

 

193,705

 

Net income attributable to

   noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(31,612

)

 

 

11,141

 

 

 

(20,471

)

Net income attributable to Noble

   Corporation

 

 

173,234

 

 

 

(48,201

)

 

 

95,847

 

 

 

234,009

 

 

 

173,150

 

 

 

(2,869,501

)

 

 

2,414,696

 

 

 

173,234

 

Other comprehensive loss, net

 

 

(8,982

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8,982

)

 

 

8,982

 

 

 

(8,982

)

Comprehensive income

   attributable to Noble Corporation

 

$

164,252

 

 

$

(48,201

)

 

$

95,847

 

 

$

234,009

 

 

$

173,150

 

 

$

(2,878,483

)

 

$

2,423,678

 

 

$

164,252

 

 

 

 

33


 

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noble-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subsidiaries

 

 

Consolidating

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cayman

 

 

NHC

 

 

NDH

 

 

NHIL

 

 

NDS6

 

 

of Noble

 

 

Adjustments

 

 

Total

 

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contract drilling services

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

244,451

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

2,328,611

 

 

$

(212,857

)

 

$

2,360,205

 

Reimbursables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,748

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

62,810

 

 

 

 

 

 

67,558

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Total operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

249,199

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,391,422

 

 

 

(212,857

)

 

 

2,427,764

 

Operating costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contract drilling services

 

 

16,257

 

 

 

29,725

 

 

 

88,683

 

 

 

86,819

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,089,067

 

 

 

(212,857

)

 

 

1,097,694

 

Reimbursables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,605

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

49,272

 

 

 

 

 

 

52,877

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

47,267

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

410,833

 

 

 

 

 

 

458,100

 

General and administrative

 

 

1,304

 

 

 

7,351

 

 

 

 

 

 

21,754

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

6,068

 

 

 

 

 

 

36,478

 

Total operating costs and

   expenses

 

 

17,561

 

 

 

37,076

 

 

 

139,555

 

 

 

108,573

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1,555,240

 

 

 

(212,857

)

 

 

1,645,149

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

(17,561

)

 

 

(37,076

)

 

 

109,644

 

 

 

(108,573

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

836,182

 

 

 

 

 

 

782,615

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) of unconsolidated

   affiliates

 

 

(2,325,832

)

 

 

90,411

 

 

 

(9,789

)

 

 

703,700

 

 

 

466,521

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,074,989

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) of unconsolidated

   affiliates - discontinued

   operations, net of tax

 

 

225,022

 

 

 

49,146

 

 

 

94,515

 

 

 

183,347

 

 

 

6,249

 

 

 

 

 

 

(558,279

)

 

 

 

Total income (loss) of

   unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

(2,100,810

)

 

 

139,557

 

 

 

84,726

 

 

 

887,047

 

 

 

472,770

 

 

 

 

 

 

516,710

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net of amounts

   capitalized

 

 

(70,702

)

 

 

(2,005

)

 

 

(21,703

)

 

 

(126,914

)

 

 

(26,477

)

 

 

(3,134,741

)

 

 

3,268,048

 

 

 

(114,494

)

Interest income and other, net

 

 

2,912,861

 

 

 

 

 

 

234,990

 

 

 

68,208

 

 

 

1,879

 

 

 

51,252

 

 

 

(3,268,048

)

 

 

1,142

 

Income from continuing

   operations before income taxes

 

 

723,788

 

 

 

100,476

 

 

 

407,657

 

 

 

719,768

 

 

 

448,171

 

 

 

(2,247,307

)

 

 

516,710

 

 

 

669,263

 

Income tax provision

 

 

 

 

 

(49,945

)

 

 

(2,972

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,547

)

 

 

(55,743

)

 

 

 

 

 

(110,207

)

Net income from continuing

   operations

 

 

723,788

 

 

 

50,531

 

 

 

404,685

 

 

 

719,768

 

 

 

446,624

 

 

 

(2,303,050

)

 

 

516,710

 

 

 

559,056

 

Net income from discontinued

   operations, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

(18,655

)

 

 

6,634

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

237,043

 

 

 

 

 

 

225,022

 

Net Income

 

 

723,788

 

 

 

31,876

 

 

 

411,319

 

 

 

719,768

 

 

 

446,624

 

 

 

(2,066,007

)

 

 

516,710

 

 

 

784,078

 

Net income attributable to

   noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(95,253

)

 

 

34,963

 

 

 

(60,290

)

Net income attributable to Noble

   Corporation

 

 

723,788

 

 

 

31,876

 

 

 

411,319

 

 

 

719,768

 

 

 

446,624

 

 

 

(2,161,260

)

 

 

551,673

 

 

 

723,788

 

Other comprehensive income,

   net

 

 

1,918

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,918

 

 

 

(1,918

)

 

 

1,918

 

Comprehensive income

   attributable to Noble

   Corporation

 

$

725,706

 

 

$

31,876

 

 

$

411,319

 

 

$

719,768

 

 

$

446,624

 

 

$

(2,159,342

)

 

$

549,755

 

 

$

725,706

 

 

 

 

34


 

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noble-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subsidiaries

 

 

Consolidating

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cayman

 

 

NHC

 

 

NDH

 

 

NHIL

 

 

NDS6

 

 

of Noble

 

 

Adjustments

 

 

Total

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash from operating activities

 

$

(33,578

)

 

$

(28,115

)

 

$

141,329

 

 

$

(210,734

)

 

$

(20,085

)

 

$

1,397,280

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,246,097

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(80,743

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(242,745

)

 

 

 

 

 

(323,488

)

Proceeds from disposal of assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,535

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,535

 

Notes receivable from affiliates

 

 

124,951

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

608,771

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(733,722

)

 

 

 

Net cash from investing activities

 

 

124,951

 

 

 

 

 

 

(80,743

)

 

 

608,771

 

 

 

 

 

 

(240,210

)

 

 

(733,722

)

 

 

(320,953

)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in borrowings outstanding

   on bank credit facilities

 

 

(1,123,495

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,123,495

)

Repayment of long-term debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(350,000

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(350,000

)

Issuance of senior notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,092,728

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,092,728

 

Debt issuance costs on senior notes

   and credit facilities

 

 

(6,450

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9,620

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(16,070

)

Dividends paid to noncontrolling

   interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(57,048

)

 

 

 

 

 

(57,048

)

Distributions to parent company, net

 

 

(372,799

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(372,799

)

Advances (to) from affiliates

 

 

2,020,141

 

 

 

28,115

 

 

 

(60,705

)

 

 

(1,131,145

)

 

 

20,085

 

 

 

(876,491

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable to affiliates

 

 

(608,771

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(124,951

)

 

 

733,722

 

 

 

 

Net cash from financing activities

 

 

(91,374

)

 

 

28,115

 

 

 

(60,705

)

 

 

(398,037

)

 

 

20,085

 

 

 

(1,058,490

)

 

 

733,722

 

 

 

(826,684

)

Net change in cash and cash

   equivalents

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(119

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

98,580

 

 

 

 

 

 

98,460

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning

   of period

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

254

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

65,521

 

 

 

 

 

 

65,780

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

4

 

 

$

 

 

$

135

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

164,101

 

 

$

 

 

$

164,240

 

 

 

 

35


NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noble-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subsidiaries

 

 

Consolidating

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cayman

 

 

NHC

 

 

NDH

 

 

NHIL

 

 

NDS6

 

 

of Noble

 

 

Adjustments

 

 

Total

 

Cash flows from operating

   activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash from operating

   activities

 

$

2,858,748

 

 

$

(127,706

)

 

$

370,512

 

 

$

(211,228

)

 

$

(29,835

)

 

$

(1,390,805

)

 

$

 

 

$

1,469,686

 

Cash flows from investing

   activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,245,121

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(554,706

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,799,827

)

Notes receivable from

   affiliates

 

 

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

273,744

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(273,794

)

 

 

 

Net cash from investing

   activities

 

 

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,245,121

)

 

 

273,744

 

 

 

 

 

 

(554,706

)

 

 

(273,794

)

 

 

(1,799,827

)

Cash flows from financing

   activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in borrowings

   outstanding on bank credit

   facilities

 

 

(569,489

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(569,489

)

Repayment of long-term

   debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(250,000

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(250,000

)

Debt issuance costs on

   senior notes and credit

   facilities

 

 

(386

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(386

)

Long-term borrowings

   of Paragon Offshore

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,726,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,726,750

 

Financing costs on long-

   term borrowings of

   Paragon Offshore

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(30,876

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(30,876

)

Cash balances of Paragon

   Offshore in Spin-off

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(104,152

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(104,152

)

Dividends paid to

   noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(64,339

)

 

 

 

 

 

(64,339

)

Distributions to parent

   company, net

 

 

(421,801

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(421,801

)

Advances (to) from

   affiliates

 

 

(1,593,374

)

 

 

127,706

 

 

 

874,565

 

 

 

187,480

 

 

 

29,835

 

 

 

373,788

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable to affiliates

 

 

(273,744

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(50

)

 

 

273,794

 

 

 

 

Net cash from financing

   activities

 

 

(2,858,794

)

 

 

127,706

 

 

 

874,565

 

 

 

(62,520

)

 

 

29,835

 

 

 

1,901,121

 

 

 

273,794

 

 

 

285,707

 

Net change in cash and

   cash equivalents

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

(44

)

 

 

(4

)

 

 

 

 

 

(44,390

)

 

 

 

 

 

(44,434

)

Cash and cash equivalents,

   beginning of period

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

402

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

109,975

 

 

 

 

 

 

110,382

 

Cash and cash equivalents,

   end of period

 

$

5

 

 

$

 

 

$

358

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

65,585

 

 

$

 

 

$

65,948

 

 

 

 

36


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion is intended to assist you in understanding our financial position at September 30, 2015, and our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed by Noble Corporation plc, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (“Noble-UK”), and Noble Corporation, a Cayman Islands company (“Noble-Cayman”).

As a result of the spin-off of Paragon Offshore plc, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (“Paragon Offshore”), on August 1, 2014, the results of operations for Paragon Offshore are reported as discontinued operations in this report. The terms “earnings” and “loss” as used in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” refer to income/(loss) from continuing operations. Income/ (loss) from continuing operations is representative of the Company’s current business operations and focus.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this report, including those regarding rig demand, the offshore drilling market, oil prices, contract backlog, fleet status, our financial position, business strategy, impairments, level of debt, repayment of debt, costs, expense management, timing or number of share repurchases, borrowings under our credit facilities or other instruments, sources of funds, completion, delivery dates and acceptance of our newbuild rigs, future capital expenditures, contract commitments, dayrates, contract amendments, commencements, extensions, renewals, renegotiations or terminations, contract tenders, the outcome of any dispute, litigation, audit or investigation, plans and objectives of management for future operations, foreign currency requirements, results of joint ventures, indemnity and other contract claims, construction and upgrade of rigs, industry conditions, access to financing, credit ratings, the collectability of indemnifiable amounts from Paragon Offshore or the possible effects on us of the potential pursuit by Paragon Offshore of strategic alternatives related to its capital structure, impact of competition, governmental regulations and permitting, availability of labor, worldwide economic conditions, taxes and tax rates, indebtedness covenant compliance, dividend levels and distributable reserves, timing or results of acquisitions or dispositions, and timing for compliance with any new regulations are forward-looking statements. When used in this report, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “should” 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 report on Form 10-Q and we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason, except as required by law. We have identified factors including but not limited to operating hazards and delays, risks associated with operations outside the U.S., actions by regulatory authorities, credit rating agencies, customers, joint venture partners, contractors, lenders and other third parties, market conditions, legislation and regulations affecting drilling operations, costs and difficulties relating to the integration of businesses, factors affecting the level of activity in the oil and gas industry, supply and demand of drilling rigs, factors affecting the duration of contracts, the actual amount of downtime, factors that reduce applicable dayrates, violations of anti-corruption laws, hurricanes and other weather conditions and the future price of oil and gas that could cause actual plans or results to differ materially from those included in any forward-looking statements. These factors include those referenced or described in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). 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.

Executive Overview

We are a leading offshore drilling contractor for the oil and gas industry.  We perform contract drilling services with our global fleet of mobile offshore drilling units. As of the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our fleet consisted of 15 jackups, nine drillships and eight semisubmersibles, including one high-specification, harsh environment jackup under construction.

We report our contract drilling operations as a single reportable segment, Contract Drilling Services, which reflects how we manage our business, and the fact that all of our drilling fleet is dependent upon the worldwide oil and gas industry.  The mobile offshore drilling units comprising our offshore rig fleet operate in a global market for contract drilling services and are often redeployed to different regions due to changing demands of our customers, which consist largely of major independent and government owned/controlled oil and gas companies throughout the world.  As of September 30, 2015, our contract drilling services segment conducted operations in the United States, Brazil, Argentina, the North Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. Noble and its predecessors have been engaged in the contract drilling of oil and gas wells since 1921.

37


 

Outlook

The business environment for offshore drillers during the first nine months of 2015 remained challenging. The rig capacity imbalance, caused in part by the addition of newbuild units and rigs completing current contracts increased while customer demand for these rigs has decreased. Beginning in June 2014, the price of oil, a key factor in determining customer activity levels, began to decline rapidly, with the Brent crude price declining from approximately $112 per barrel on June 30, 2014 to approximately $49 per barrel on September 30, 2015. In this environment, operators have curtailed drilling programs, especially exploration activity, resulting in a dramatic reduction in dayrates for new contracts as well as lower rig utilization. The industry has responded by accelerating the pace of rig retirements and reducing the supply of marketed rigs across the worldwide fleet.

We expect that the business environment for the remainder of 2015 and 2016 will remain challenging and could potentially deteriorate further. The present level of global economic activity, high levels of U.S. onshore oil production, the potential increase of oil supply from Iran and a lack of production cuts within the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries are contributing to an uncertain oil price environment, leading to a persistent disruption in our customers’ exploration and production spending plans. Current and expected demand from customers over the remainder of 2015 and 2016 is not expected to support the current supply of offshore drilling rigs resulting from capital expenditures that the offshore drilling industry has undertaken in recent years. We cannot give any assurances as to when these conditions in the offshore drilling market will improve, or when there will be higher demand for contract drilling services or a decline in the supply of available drilling rigs. While current market conditions persist, we will continue to focus on operating efficiency, cost control and operating margin preservation, which could include the stacking or scrapping of additional drilling rigs.

We believe in the long-term fundamentals for the industry, especially for those contractors with a modern fleet of high-specification rigs like ours. Also, we believe the ultimate market recovery will benefit from any sustained under-investment by customers during this current market phase.

Consistent with our policy, we evaluate property and equipment for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Further declines in the offshore drilling market, or lack of recovery in market conditions, to the extent actual results do not meet our estimated assumptions, may lead to potential impairments in the future.

Results and Strategy

Our business strategy focuses on deepwater drilling and high-specification jackups and the deployment of our drilling rigs in important oil and gas basins around the world. 

We have actively expanded our offshore deepwater drilling and high-specification jackup capabilities in recent years through the construction of rigs. Currently, we have one newbuild project remaining, the heavy-duty, harsh environment jackup, Noble Lloyd Noble, which is scheduled to commence operations under a four-year contract in the North Sea during the third quarter of 2016. Although we plan to focus on capital preservation and liquidity based on current market conditions, we also plan to continue to evaluate opportunities to enhance our fleet to achieve greater technological capability, which we believe will lead to increased drilling efficiencies and an enhanced ability to execute the increasingly more complex drilling programs required by our customers.

While we cannot predict the future level of demand or dayrates for our services, or future conditions in the offshore contract drilling industry, we believe we are strategically well positioned.

Spin-off of Paragon Offshore plc

On August 1, 2014, Noble-UK completed the separation and spin-off of a majority of its standard specification offshore drilling business (the “Spin-off”) through a pro rata distribution of all of the ordinary shares of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Paragon Offshore, to the holders of Noble’s ordinary shares. Our shareholders received one share of Paragon Offshore for every three shares of Noble owned as of July 23, 2014, the record date for the distribution. Through the Spin-off, we disposed of most of our standard specification drilling units and related assets, liabilities and business. Prior to the Spin-off, Paragon Offshore issued approximately $1.7 billion of long-term debt. We used the proceeds from this debt to repay certain amounts outstanding under our commercial paper program. Paragon Offshore recently announced that it had retained an investment banking firm and a law firm to “consider strategic alternatives related to its capital structure.” Depending on what “strategic alternative”, if any, that Paragon Offshore elects to pursue, our ability to collect amounts due to us from Paragon Offshore under the agreements below (see Note 14) could be adversely impacted and Paragon Offshore could become adverse to us in any potential litigation relating to the Spin-off. The results of operations for Paragon Offshore prior to the Spin-off date and incremental Spin-off related costs have been classified as discontinued operations for

38


 

all periods presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. For additional information regarding the Spin-off, see Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in this report.

Contract Drilling Services Backlog

We maintain a backlog (as defined below) of commitments for contract drilling services. The following table sets forth, as of September 30, 2015, the amount of our contract drilling services backlog and the percent of available operating days committed for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ending December 31,

 

 

 

Total

 

 

2015 (1)

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2018

 

 

2019-2023

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Contract Drilling Services Backlog

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Semisubmersibles/Drillships (2) (5)

 

$

6,205

 

 

$

584

 

 

$

1,813

 

 

$

1,107

 

 

$

702

 

 

$

1,999

 

Jackups

 

 

1,878

 

 

 

147

 

 

 

712

 

 

 

465

 

 

 

293

 

 

 

261

 

Total (3)

 

$

8,083

 

 

$

731

 

 

$

2,525

 

 

$

1,572

 

 

$

995

 

 

$

2,260

 

Percent of Available Days Committed (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Semisubmersibles/Drillships

 

 

 

 

 

 

80

%

 

 

58

%

 

 

35

%

 

 

24

%

 

 

14

%

Jackups

 

 

 

 

 

 

74

%

 

 

76

%

 

 

48

%

 

 

25

%

 

 

2

%

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

78

%

 

 

67

%

 

 

41

%

 

 

24

%

 

 

8

%

 

(1)

Represents a three-month period beginning October 1, 2015.

(2)

The drilling contracts with Royal Dutch Shell, plc (“Shell”) for the Noble Globetrotter I, Noble Globetrotter II, Noble Clyde Boudreaux, Noble Don Taylor and the Noble Jim Day provide opportunities for us to earn performance bonuses based on key performance indicators as defined by the contracts.  Our backlog includes an amount equal to 25 percent of potential performance bonuses for these rigs, or approximately $109 million.

(3)

Some of our drilling contracts provide the customer with certain termination rights and, in certain cases, these termination rights require minimal or no notice or financial penalties. However, as of October 23, 2015, we have not received any notification of contract cancellations.

(4)

Percent of available days committed is calculated by dividing the total number of days our rigs are operating under contract for such period, or committed days, by the product of the total number of our rigs, including cold stacked rigs, and the number of calendar days in such period. Committed days do not include the days that a rig is stacked or the days that a rig is expected to be out of service for significant overhaul, repairs or maintenance. Percentages take into account additional capacity from the estimated dates of deployment of our newbuild rigs that are scheduled to commence operations during 2016.

(5)

Noble and a subsidiary of Shell are involved in joint ventures that own and operate both the Noble Bully I and the Noble Bully II. Under the terms of the joint venture agreements, each party has an equal 50 percent share in both rigs. As of September 30, 2015, the combined amount of backlog for these rigs totals approximately $1.4 billion, all of which is included in our backlog. Noble’s proportional interest in the backlog for these rigs totals $676 million.

Our contract drilling services backlog reflects estimated future revenues attributable to both signed drilling contracts and letters of intent that we expect to result in binding drilling contracts.  A letter of intent is generally subject to customary conditions, including the execution of a definitive drilling contract.  It is possible that some customers that have entered into letters of intent will not enter into signed drilling contracts. As of September 30, 2015, our contract drilling services backlog did not include any letters of intent.

We calculate backlog for any given unit and period by multiplying the full contractual operating dayrate for such unit by the number of days remaining in the period.  The reported contract drilling services backlog does not include amounts representing revenues for mobilization, demobilization and contract preparation, which are not expected to be significant to our contract drilling services revenues, amounts constituting reimbursables from customers or amounts attributable to uncommitted option periods under drilling contracts or letters of intent.

The amount of actual revenues earned and the actual periods during which revenues are earned may be materially different than the backlog amounts and backlog periods set forth in the table above due to various factors, including, but not limited to, shipyard and maintenance projects, unplanned downtime, achievement of bonuses, weather conditions and other factors that result in applicable dayrates lower than the full contractual operating dayrate.  In addition, amounts included in the backlog may change because drilling contracts may be varied or modified by mutual consent or customers may exercise termination rights contained in some of our drilling contracts or decline to enter into a drilling contract after executing a letter of intent.  As a result, our backlog as of any particular date may not be indicative of our actual operating results for the periods for which the backlog is calculated. See Part I, Item 1A, “Risk

39


 

Factors – We can provide no assurance that our current backlog of contract drilling revenue will be ultimately realized” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

As of September 30, 2015, Shell and Freeport-McMoRan Inc. represented approximately 60 percent and 11 percent of our backlog, respectively.

Results of Operations

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

Net income from continuing operations attributable to Noble-UK for the three months ended September 30, 2015 (the “Current Quarter”) was $326 million, or $1.32 per diluted share, on operating revenues of $897 million, compared to net income from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2014 (the “Comparable Quarter”) of $147 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, on operating revenues of $829 million. The Current Quarter results include amounts from the Noble Homer Ferrington arbitration award from British Petroleum plc and a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation. The arbitration award totaled approximately $177 million, of which $137 million was recognized as contract drilling services revenues, $30 million as interest income, and $10 million for the reimbursement of costs and fees as a reduction of contract drilling services costs.

As a result of Noble-UK conducting all of its business through Noble-Cayman and its subsidiaries, the financial position and results of operations for Noble-Cayman, and the reasons for material changes in the amount of revenue and expense items between the Current Quarter and the Comparable Quarter, would be the same as the information presented below regarding Noble-UK in all material respects, except operating income for Noble-Cayman for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $6 million and $14 million higher, respectively, than operating income for Noble-UK for the same periods. The operating income difference is primarily a result of executive costs directly attributable to Noble-UK for operations support and stewardship related services. In addition, we had non-recurring costs of $31 million during the Comparable Quarter related to the Spin-off, which we recognized as part of discontinued operations at the Noble-UK level.

Rig Utilization, Operating Days and Average Dayrates

Operating results from continuing operations for our contract drilling services segment are dependent on three primary metrics: rig utilization, operating days and dayrates. The following table sets forth the average rig utilization, operating days and average dayrates for our rig fleet for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

 

 

 

Average Rig

 

 

Operating

 

 

Average

 

 

 

Utilization (1)

 

 

Days (2)

 

 

Dayrates

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

% Change

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

% Change

 

Jackups

 

 

84

%

 

 

91

%

 

 

1,005

 

 

 

951

 

 

 

6

%

 

$

159,745

 

 

$

182,128

 

 

 

-12

%

Semisubmersibles (3)

 

 

59

%

 

 

67

%

 

 

432

 

 

 

674

 

 

 

-36

%

 

 

698,512

 

 

 

435,782

 

 

 

60

%

Drillships

 

 

100

%

 

 

100

%

 

 

828

 

 

 

712

 

 

 

16

%

 

 

497,147

 

 

 

482,053

 

 

 

3

%

Total

 

 

82

%

 

 

85

%

 

 

2,265

 

 

 

2,337

 

 

 

-3

%

 

$

385,755

 

 

$

346,699

 

 

 

11

%

 

(1)

We define utilization for a specific period as the total number of days our rigs are operating under contract, divided by the product of the total number of our rigs, including cold stacked rigs, and the number of calendar days in such period. Information reflects our policy of reporting on the basis of the number of available rigs in our fleet, excluding newbuild rigs under construction.

(2)

Information reflects the number of days that our rigs were operating under contract.

(3)

Includes the contract drilling services revenue portion of the Noble Homer Ferrington arbitration award during the Current Quarter. Exclusive of the arbitration award, the average dayrate for the three months ended September 30, 2015 was $382,545.

40


 

Contract Drilling Services

The following table sets forth the operating results from continuing operations for our contract drilling services segment for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30

 

 

Change

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

$

 

 

%

 

Operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contract drilling services

 

$

873,813

 

 

$

810,200

 

 

$

63,613

 

 

 

8

%

Reimbursables (1)

 

 

22,858

 

 

 

18,514

 

 

 

4,344

 

 

 

23

%

Other

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

(1

)

 

**

 

 

 

$

896,671

 

 

$

828,715

 

 

$

67,956

 

 

 

8

%

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contract drilling services

 

$

293,067

 

 

$

385,674

 

 

$

(92,607

)

 

 

-24

%

Reimbursables (1)

 

 

17,783

 

 

 

12,979

 

 

 

4,804

 

 

 

37

%

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

155,180

 

 

 

156,213

 

 

 

(1,033

)

 

 

-1

%

General and administrative

 

 

15,196

 

 

 

24,552

 

 

 

(9,356

)

 

 

-38

%

 

 

 

481,226

 

 

 

579,418

 

 

 

(98,192

)

 

 

-17

%

Operating income

 

$

415,445

 

 

$

249,297

 

 

$

166,148

 

 

 

67

%

 

(1)

We record reimbursements from customers for out-of-pocket expenses as operating revenues and the related direct costs as operating expenses. Changes in the amount of these reimbursables generally do not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

**

Not a meaningful percentage.

Operating Revenues. Changes in contract drilling services revenues for the Current Quarter as compared to the Comparable Quarter were driven by an increase in average dayrates, partially offset by a decrease in operating days. The 11 percent increase in average dayrates increased revenues by $89 million, which was partially offset by the 3 percent decrease in operating days which decreased revenues by $25 million.

The increase in contract drilling services revenues was related to our drillships and semisubmersibles, which generated $69 million and $8 million more revenue, respectively, than in the Comparable Quarter. This was partially offset by decreased revenues related to our jackups, which generated $13 million less revenue in the Current Quarter.

The increase in drillship revenues was driven by a 16 percent increase in operating days and a 3 percent increase in average dayrates, resulting in a $56 million and a $13 million increase in revenues, respectively, from the Comparable Quarter. The increase in both average dayrates and operating days was the result of the newbuilds Noble Sam Croft and the Noble Tom Madden, which commenced their contracts in July 2014 and November 2014, respectively.

The increase in semisubmersible revenues was attributable to the recognition of $137 million of dayrate revenues related to the Noble Homer Ferrington arbitration award during the Current Quarter. Excluding the arbitration award, semisubmersible revenues decreased by $129 million, driven by a 36 percent decline in operating days and a 12 percent decline in average dayrates, resulting in a $106 million and $23 million decline in revenues, respectively, from the Comparable Quarter. The decrease in both operating days and average dayrates was primarily attributable to the retirement of the Noble Jim Thompson and the Noble Driller as a result of our decision to discontinue marketing these rigs based on current market conditions. Additionally, the Noble Max Smith and Noble Paul Romano were operational during the Comparable Quarter but were off contract during the Current Quarter. This was partially offset by the Noble Amos Runner, which operated during the Current Quarter but was in the shipyard undergoing regulatory inspections and maintenance during the Comparable Quarter.

The 12 percent decrease in average dayrates on our jackups resulted in a $23 million decrease in revenues from the Comparable Quarter. The decrease in average dayrates was driven by unfavorable dayrate changes on contracts across the jackup fleet. This was partially offset by the 6 percent increase in operating days, which increased revenues by $10 million. The increase in operating days was the result of the commencement of the newbuild, Noble Sam Turner, in August 2014 and the Noble David Tinsley, which was fully operational during the Current Quarter but was off contract during the Comparable Quarter. This was partially offset by the Noble Mick O’Brien, which was off contract during the Current Quarter but experienced full utilization during the Comparable Quarter.

41


 

Operating Costs and Expenses. Contract drilling services operating costs and expenses decreased $93 million for the Current Quarter as compared to the Comparable Quarter.  This was due to decreased costs of $33 million related to the retirement of the Noble Jim Thompson, the Noble Driller and the Noble Paul Wolff and $26 million related to idle or stacked rigs. This was partially offset by crew-up and operating expenses for our newbuild rigs as they commenced, or prepared to commence, operating under contracts, which added approximately $27 million in expense in the Current Quarter. Additionally, we received $10 million for the reimbursement of costs and fees related to the Noble Homer Ferrington arbitration award during the Current Quarter that were previously recognized through contract drilling services operating costs and expenses. The remaining $51 million decrease in costs was driven by a $12 million decrease in mobilization and transportation expenses related to certain rig moves during the Comparable Quarter, an $11 million decrease in repair and maintenance costs, an $11 million decrease in labor costs, a $9 million decrease in other rig-related expenses, a $6 million decrease in operations support costs and a $2 million decrease in insurance costs related to our policy renewal in March 2015.

The decrease in depreciation and amortization in the Current Quarter from the Comparable Quarter was primarily attributable to retirement of the three semisubmersible rigs discussed above.

Other Income and Expenses

General and administrative expenses. Overall, general and administrative expenses decreased $9 million in the Current Quarter as compared to the Comparable Quarter primarily as a result of decreased legal and other professional fees.

Interest Expense, net of amount capitalized. Interest expense, net of amount capitalized, increased $17 million in the Current Quarter as compared to the Comparable Quarter. The increase is a result of the issuance of $1.1 billion of senior notes in March 2015, coupled with a reduction in capitalized interest in the Current Quarter as compared to the Comparable Quarter as a result of the completion of construction on two of our newbuild drillships and one of our newbuild jackups.  During the Current Quarter, we capitalized approximately 11 percent of total interest charges versus approximately 23 percent during the Comparable Quarter.

Interest Income and Other, Net. Interest income and other, net increased $28 million in the Current Quarter as compared to the Comparable Quarter. The increase is primarily the result of $30 million of interest income recognized in connection with the Noble Homer Ferrington arbitration award during the Current Quarter.

Income Tax Provision. Our income tax provision increased $1 million in the Current Quarter, of which $29 million related to the Noble Homer Ferrington arbitration award. Excluding the arbitration award, a $28 million decrease in our income tax provision was driven by a lower effective tax rate in the Current Quarter due to the geographic mix of pre-tax income, the effect of lower downtime coupled with cost reduction measures, as well as various discrete items.

Discontinued Operations. Net loss from discontinued operations for the Comparable Quarter was $20 million. Revenues reported within discontinued operations were $142 million during the Comparable Quarter. Operating income included within discontinued operations was $1 million during the Comparable Quarter. There was no activity related to discontinued operations during the Current Quarter.

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

Net income from continuing operations attributable to Noble-UK for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 (the “Current Period”) was $663 million, or $2.68 per diluted share, on operating revenues of $2.5 billion, compared to net income from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 (the “Comparable Period”) of $443 million, or $1.71 per diluted share, on operating revenues of $2.4 billion. The Current Period results include amounts from the Noble Homer Ferrington arbitration award. The arbitration award totaled approximately $177 million, of which $137 million was recognized as contract drilling services revenues, $30 million as interest income, and $10 million for the reimbursement of costs and fees as a reduction of contract drilling services costs.

As a result of Noble-UK conducting all of its business through Noble-Cayman and its subsidiaries, the financial position and results of operations for Noble-Cayman, and the reasons for material changes in the amount of revenue and expense items between the Current Period and the Comparable Period, would be the same as the information presented below regarding Noble-UK in all material respects, except operating income for Noble-Cayman for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $29 million and $55 million higher, respectively, than operating income for Noble-UK for the same periods. The operating income difference is primarily a result of executive costs directly attributable to Noble-UK for operations support and stewardship related services. In addition, we had non-recurring costs of $49 million during the Comparable Period related to the Spin-off, which we recognized as part of discontinued operations at the Noble-UK level.

42


 

Rig Utilization, Operating Days and Average Dayrates

Operating results from continuing operations for our contract drilling services segment are dependent on three primary metrics: rig utilization, operating days and dayrates. The following table sets forth the average rig utilization, operating days and average dayrates for our rig fleet for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

 

 

 

Average Rig

 

 

Operating

 

 

Average

 

 

 

Utilization (1)

 

 

Days (2)

 

 

Dayrates

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

% Change

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

% Change

 

Jackups

 

 

86

%

 

 

92

%

 

 

2,989

 

 

 

2,691

 

 

 

11

%

 

$

167,937

 

 

$

174,718

 

 

 

-4

%

Semisubmersibles (3)

 

 

62

%

 

 

74

%

 

 

1,379

 

 

 

2,230

 

 

 

-38

%

 

 

491,951

 

 

 

425,645

 

 

 

16

%

Drillships

 

 

100

%

 

 

100

%

 

 

2,457

 

 

 

1,979

 

 

 

24

%

 

 

506,341

 

 

 

475,459

 

 

 

6

%

Other

 

N/A

 

 

 

0

%

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

**

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

**

 

Total

 

 

84

%

 

 

87

%

 

 

6,825

 

 

 

6,900

 

 

 

-1

%

 

$

355,246

 

 

$

342,059

 

 

 

4

%

 

(1)

We define utilization for a specific period as the total number of days our rigs are operating under contract, divided by the product of the total number of our rigs, including cold stacked rigs, and the number of calendar days in such period. Information reflects our policy of reporting on the basis of the number of available rigs in our fleet, excluding newbuild rigs under construction.

(2)

Information reflects the number of days that our rigs were operating under contract.

(3)

Includes the contract drilling services revenue portion of the Noble Homer Ferrington arbitration award during the Current Period. Exclusive of the arbitration award, the average dayrate for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $393,052.

**

Not a meaningful percentage.

Contract Drilling Services

The following table sets forth the operating results from continuing operations for our contract drilling services segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

Change

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

$

 

 

%

 

Operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contract drilling services

 

$

2,424,481

 

 

$

2,360,205

 

 

$

64,276

 

 

 

3

%

Reimbursables (1)

 

 

70,087

 

 

 

65,307

 

 

 

4,780

 

 

 

7

%

Other

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

(1

)

 

**

 

 

 

$

2,494,568

 

 

$

2,425,513

 

 

$

69,055

 

 

 

3

%

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contract drilling services

 

$

934,024

 

 

$

1,109,456

 

 

$

(175,432

)

 

 

-16

%

Reimbursables (1)

 

 

55,592

 

 

 

51,579

 

 

 

4,013

 

 

 

8

%

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

456,967

 

 

 

446,425

 

 

 

10,542

 

 

 

2

%

General and administrative

 

 

61,558

 

 

 

76,826

 

 

 

(15,268

)

 

 

-20

%

 

 

 

1,508,141

 

 

 

1,684,286

 

 

 

(176,145

)

 

 

-10

%

Operating income

 

$

986,427

 

 

$

741,227

 

 

$

245,200

 

 

 

33

%

 

(1)

We record reimbursements from customers for out-of-pocket expenses as operating revenues and the related direct costs as operating expenses. Changes in the amount of these reimbursables generally do not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

**

Not a meaningful percentage.

Operating Revenues. Changes in contract drilling services revenues for the Current Period as compared to the Comparable Period were driven by a 4 percent increase in average dayrates, partially offset by a 1 percent decrease in operating days. The 4 percent increase in average dayrates increased revenues by approximately $90 million, while the 1 percent decrease in operating days decreased revenues by $26 million.

43


 

The increase in contract drilling services revenues relates to our drillships and jackups, which generated approximately $303 million and $32 million more revenue, respectively, in the Current Period. This was partially offset by decreased revenues related to our semisubmersibles, which declined $271 million from the Comparable Period.

The increase in drillship revenues was driven by a 24 percent increase in operating days and a 6 percent increase in average dayrates, resulting in a $227 million and a $76 million increase in revenues, respectively, from the Comparable Period. The increase in both average dayrates and operating days was the result of the newbuilds Noble Sam Croft and the Noble Tom Madden, which commenced their contracts in July 2014 and November 2014, respectively.

The increase in jackup revenues was driven by an 11 percent increase in operating days, resulting in a $52 million increase in revenues from the Comparable Period. The increase in operating days was the result of the commencements of the following newbuilds: Noble Regina Allen, Noble Houston Colbert and Noble Sam Turner in January 2014, March 2014 and August 2014, respectively. Additionally, the Noble David Tinsley experienced full utilization in the Current Period but was off contract for a majority of the Comparable Period. This was partially offset by the Noble Mick O’Brien, which was off contract during the Current Period but experienced full utilization during the Comparable Period. The 4 percent decline in average dayrates resulted in a $20 million decrease in revenues driven by unfavorable dayrate changes on contracts across the jackup fleet.

During the Current Period, we recognized $137 million of dayrate revenues related to the Noble Homer Ferrington arbitration award. Excluding the arbitration award, semisubmersible revenues decreased by $408 million driven by a 38 percent decline in operating days and an 8 percent decline in average dayrates, resulting in a $363 million and a $45 million decline in revenues, respectively, from the Comparable Period. The decrease in both operating days and average dayrates was primarily attributable to the retirement of the Noble Jim Thompson, the Noble Driller and the Noble Paul Wolff as a result of our decision to retire and scrap these rigs based on current market conditions. Additionally, the Noble Max Smith and the Noble Paul Romano were operational during the Comparable Period but were off contract during the Current Period. This was partially offset by the Noble Amos Runner, which operated during the Current Period but was in the shipyard undergoing regulatory inspections and maintenance during a portion of the Comparable Period.

Operating Costs and Expenses. Contract drilling services operating costs and expenses decreased $175 million for the Current Period as compared to the Comparable Period. This was due to decreased costs of $92 million related to the retirement of the Noble Jim Thompson, the Noble Driller and the Noble Paul Wolff and $83 million related to idle or stacked rigs. This was partially offset by crew-up and operating expenses for our newbuild rigs as they commenced, or prepared to commence, operating under contracts, which added approximately $119 million in expense in the Current Period. Additionally, we received $10 million for the reimbursement of costs and fees related to the Noble Homer Ferrington arbitration award during the Current Period that were previously recognized through contract drilling services operating costs and expenses. The remaining $109 million decrease in costs was driven by a $38 million decrease in mobilization and transportation expenses related to certain rig moves during the Comparable Period, a $28 million decrease in labor costs, a $17 million decrease in other rig-related expenses, a $12 million decrease in operations support costs, a $9 million decrease in repair and maintenance costs and a $5 million decrease in insurance costs related to our policy renewal in March 2015.

The increase in depreciation and amortization in the Current Period from the Comparable Period was primarily attributable to assets placed in service, including the newbuilds noted above, partially offset by the retirement of the three semisubmersible rigs discussed above.

Other Income and Expenses

General and administrative expenses. Overall, general and administrative expenses decreased $16 million in the Current Period as compared to the Comparable Period primarily as a result of decreased legal and other professional fees.

 

Interest Expense, net of amount capitalized. Interest expense, net of amount capitalized, increased $47 million in the Current Period as compared to the Comparable Period. The increase is a result of the issuance of $1.1 billion of senior notes in March 2015, coupled with a reduction in capitalized interest in the Current Period as compared to the Comparable Period due primarily to the completion of construction on four of our newbuild jackups and two of our newbuild drillships. During the Current Period, we capitalized approximately 10 percent of total interest charges versus approximately 25 percent during the Comparable Period.

 

Interest Income and Other, Net. Interest income and other, net increased $37 million in the Current Period as compared to the Comparable Period. The increase is primarily the result of $30 million of interest income recognized in connection with the Noble Homer Ferrington arbitration award, coupled with $5 million of interest received on an IRS tax refund for the years 2006 and 2007 during the Current Period.

44


 

Income Tax Provision. Our income tax provision increased $14 million in the Current Period, of which $29 million related to the Noble Homer Ferrington arbitration award. Excluding the arbitration award, our income tax provision decreased by $15 million. A 21 percent decrease in the worldwide effective tax rate generated a $25 million decrease in income tax expense. The decrease in the worldwide effective tax rate was primarily a result of the geographic mix of pre-tax income, the effect of lower downtime coupled with cost reduction measures, as well as various discrete items. This was partially offset by a 9 percent increase in pre-tax earnings during the Current Period, which increased income tax expense by $10 million.

Discontinued Operations. Net income from discontinued operations for the Comparable Period was $176 million. Revenues reported within discontinued operations were $1.0 billion during the Comparable Period. Operating income included within discontinued operations was $233 million during the Comparable Period. There was no activity related to discontinued operations during the Current Period.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

Cash flows from discontinued operations are combined with cash flows from continuing operations within each cash flow statement category on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Net cash from operating activities was $1.3 billion in the Current Period and $1.4 billion in the Comparable Period. We had working capital of $32 million and $260 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Net cash used in investing activities in the Current Period was $321 million as compared to $1.8 billion in the Comparable Period. The variance primarily relates to lower newbuild expenditures, coupled with expenditures for Paragon Offshore in the Comparable Period.

Net cash used in financing activities in the Current Period was $835 million as compared to net cash provided from financing activities of $366 million in the Comparable Period. During the Current Period, our primary uses of cash included the repayment of our $350 million 3.45% Senior Notes in August 2015, coupled with shareholder dividend payments of approximately $278 million, the repurchase of 6.2 million shares during the period for $101 million, and dividends paid to noncontrolling interests of approximately $57 million. Our total debt as a percentage of total debt plus equity was 37.2 percent at September 30, 2015 as compared to 40.1 percent at December 31, 2014. Although we issued $1.1 billion of Senior Notes in March 2015, this amount was substantially offset by a net reduction in indebtedness outstanding on our Credit Facilities and commercial paper program during the Current Period as a result of the application of proceeds from the senior note offering.

Our principal source of capital in the Current Period was cash generated from operating activities coupled with the $1.1 billion Senior Notes offering in March 2015. Cash generated during the Current Period was primarily used for the following:

 

·

repay indebtedness outstanding under our Credit Facilities and commercial paper program;

 

·

normal recurring operating expenses;

 

·

repayment of our $350 million 3.45% Senior Notes;

 

·

payment of our quarterly dividends;

 

·

capital expenditures; and

 

·

repurchase 6.2 million shares.

Our currently anticipated cash flow needs, both in the short-term and long-term, may include the following:

 

·

normal recurring operating expenses;

 

·

committed and discretionary capital expenditures;

 

·

repayment of maturing debt;

 

·

payment of dividends; and

 

·

repurchase of shares.

We currently expect to fund these cash flow needs with cash generated by our operations, cash on hand, borrowings under our existing or future credit facilities and commercial paper program, potential issuances of long-term debt, or asset sales.  However, to

45


 

adequately cover our expected cash flow needs, we may require capital in excess of the amount available from these sources, and we may seek additional sources of liquidity and/or delay or cancel certain discretionary capital expenditures or other payments as necessary.

At September 30, 2015, we had a total contract drilling services backlog of approximately $8.1 billion. Our backlog as of September 30, 2015 includes a commitment of 78 percent of available days for the remainder of 2015 and 67 percent of available days for 2016. For additional information regarding our backlog, see “Contract Drilling Services Backlog.”

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures, including capitalized interest, totaled $280 million and $1.7 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Capital expenditures during the first nine months of 2015 consisted of the following:

 

·

$221 million for sustaining capital, major projects, subsea related expenditures and upgrades and replacements to drilling equipment;

 

·

$41 million on newbuilds, including costs for the Noble Lloyd Noble and trailing costs on our recently completed newbuilds; and

 

·

$18 million in capitalized interest.

Our total capital expenditure estimate for 2015 is approximately $450 million, which includes capitalized interest that may fluctuate as a result of the timing of completion of ongoing projects.

In connection with our capital expenditure program, as of September 30, 2015, we had outstanding commitments, including shipyard and purchase commitments, for approximately $676 million, all of which we expect to spend within the next twelve months.

From time to time we consider possible projects that would require expenditures that are not included in our capital budget, and such unbudgeted expenditures could be significant. In addition, we will continue to evaluate acquisitions of drilling units from time to time. Other factors that could cause actual capital expenditures to materially exceed plan include delays and cost overruns in shipyards (including costs attributable to labor shortages), shortages of equipment, latent damage or deterioration to hull, equipment and machinery in excess of engineering estimates and assumptions, changes in governmental regulations and requirements and changes in design criteria or specifications during repair or construction.

Dividends

Our most recent quarterly dividend payment to shareholders, totaling approximately $93 million (or $0.375 per share), was declared on July 24, 2015 and paid on August 10, 2015 to holders of record on August 3, 2015.

On October 23, 2015, our Board of Directors approved the payment of a quarterly dividend to shareholders of $0.15 per share. The payment is expected to total approximately $37 million, based on the number of shares currently outstanding.

The declaration and payment of dividends require authorization of the Board of Directors of Noble-UK and such dividends on issued share capital may be paid only out of Noble-UK’s “distributable reserves” on its statutory balance sheet. Noble-UK is not permitted to pay dividends out of share capital, which includes share premiums. The amount, or continuance, of future dividends will depend on our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, future business prospects, contractual restrictions, anticipated capital needs and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors and we may decide to change our dividend at any time.

Share Repurchases

In December 2014, we received shareholder approval to repurchase up to 37,000,000 additional ordinary shares, or approximately 15 percent of our outstanding ordinary shares at the time of the shareholder approval. Any repurchases are expected to be funded using cash on hand, cash from operations or short-term borrowings under our credit facilities. The authority to make such repurchases will expire on the later of April 2016 or the end of the Company’s 2016 annual general meeting of shareholders, at which time we could seek shareholder approval for further repurchases.

In January 2015, we repurchased 6.2 million of our ordinary shares at an average price of $16.10 per share, excluding commissions and stamp tax. Including these items, the average price paid per share during January 2015 was $16.21. There can be no

46


 

assurance as to the timing or amount of any such further repurchases. However, we intend to take a cautious approach to future share repurchases at least until market conditions in the offshore drilling business stabilize.

Credit Facilities and Senior Unsecured Notes

Credit Facilities and Commercial Paper Program

We currently have two credit facilities with an aggregate maximum capacity of $2.7 billion, which are comprised of a five year $2.4 billion senior unsecured credit facility that matures in January 2020 and a $225 million 364-day senior unsecured credit facility that matures in January 2016 (together, the “Credit Facilities”).

We have a commercial paper program, which allows us to issue up to $2.4 billion in unsecured commercial paper notes. Amounts issued under the commercial paper program are supported by the unused capacity under our Credit Facilities and, therefore, are classified as long-term on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. The outstanding amounts of commercial paper reduce availability under our Credit Facilities.

Our total debt related to the Credit Facilities and commercial paper program was $1.1 billion at December 31, 2014. At September 30, 2015, we had no amounts outstanding under the Credit Facilities and commercial paper program, therefore, we had $2.7 billion of available capacity under the Credit Facilities.

The $2.4 billion facility provides us with the ability to issue up to $500 million in letters of credit. The issuance of letters of credit under the facility reduces the amount available for borrowing. At September 30, 2015, we had no letters of credit issued under the facility.

Senior Unsecured Notes

Our total debt related to senior unsecured notes was $4.5 billion at September 30, 2015 as compared to $3.7 billion at December 31, 2014. The increase in senior unsecured notes outstanding is a result of the issuance of $1.1 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes in March 2015, which we issued through our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, Noble Holding International Limited (“NHIL”). These senior notes were issued in three separate tranches, consisting of $250 million of 4.00% Senior Notes due 2018, $450 million of 5.95% Senior Notes due 2025, and $400 million of 6.95% Senior Notes due 2045. The weighted average coupon of all three tranches is 5.87%.  The interest rate on these senior notes may be increased if the credit rating applicable to the notes is downgraded below certain specified levels. The net proceeds of approximately $1.08 billion, after expenses, were used to repay indebtedness outstanding under our Credit Facilities and commercial paper program.

In August 2015, we repaid our $350 million 3.45% Senior Notes using cash on hand.

Our $300 million 3.05% Senior Notes mature during the first quarter of 2016.  We anticipate using cash on hand to repay the outstanding balances; therefore, we have classified these balances as “Current maturities of long-term debt” on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2015.

Covenants

The Credit Facilities are guaranteed by NHIL and Noble Holding Corporation (“NHC”). The covenants and events of default under the two Credit Facilities are substantially similar, and each facility contains a covenant that limits our ratio of debt to total tangible capitalization, as defined in the Credit Facilities, to 0.60. At September 30, 2015, our ratio of debt to total tangible capitalization was approximately 0.37. We were in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Facilities as of September 30, 2015.

In addition to the covenants from the Credit Facilities noted above, the indentures governing our outstanding senior unsecured notes contain covenants that place restrictions on certain merger and consolidation transactions, unless we are the surviving entity or the other party assumes the obligations under the indenture, and on the ability to sell or transfer all or substantially all of our assets.  In addition, there are restrictions on incurring or assuming certain liens and entering into sale and lease-back transactions.  At September 30, 2015, we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants.  We continually monitor compliance with the covenants under our notes and expect to remain in compliance during the remainder of 2015.

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New Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-08, which amends FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 205, “Presentation of Financial Statements” and ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment.” This ASU alters the definition of a discontinued operation to cover only asset disposals that are a strategic shift with a major effect on an entity’s operations and finances, and calls for more extensive disclosures about a discontinued operation’s assets, liabilities, income and expenses.  The guidance is effective for all disposals, or classifications as held-for-sale, of components of an entity that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014. This standard was not early adopted in connection with the Spin-off. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures.

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, which amends ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The amendments in this ASU are intended to provide a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues, improve comparability of revenue recognition practices and improve disclosure requirements. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, which defers the effective date of the new guidance by one year to interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We are evaluating what impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, which amends ASC Topic 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation.” The guidance requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition and should not be reflected in the estimate of the grant-date fair value of the award. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The guidance can be applied prospectively for all awards granted or modified after the effective date or retrospectively to all awards with performance targets outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements and to all new or modified awards thereafter. We are evaluating what impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, which amends ASC Subtopic 205-40, “Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to continue as a Going Concern.” The amendments in this ASU provide guidance related to management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The amendments are effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. We are evaluating what impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures.

In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, which amends ASC Subtopic 225-20, “Income Statement – Extraordinary and Unusual Items.” The amendment in this ASU eliminates from GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. The amendments in this update are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. We are evaluating what impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02 which amends ASC Subtopic 810, “Consolidations.” This amendment affects reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. Specifically, the amendments modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are VIEs or voting interest entities; eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership; affect the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The standard may be applied retrospectively or through a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption. We are evaluating what impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures.

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03 which amends ASC Subtopic 835-30, “Interest – Imputation of Interest.” The guidance requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct reduction from the associated debt liability. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The new guidance will be applied on a retrospective basis. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15 which amends ASC Subtopic 835-30, “Interest – Imputation of Interest.” The guidance allows a debt issuance cost related to a line-of-credit to be presented in the balance sheet as an asset and subsequently amortized ratably over the term of the line-of credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. We are evaluating what impact the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures.

48


 

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-04 which amends ASC Topic 715, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits.” The guidance gives an employer whose fiscal year end does not coincide with a calendar month end the ability, as a practical expedient, to measure defined benefit retirement obligations and related plan assets as of the month end that is closest to its fiscal year end. The ASU also provides a similar practical expedient for interim remeasurements of significant events. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating what impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-12 which amends ASC Topic 960, “Plan Accounting-Defined Benefit Pension Plans”, ASC Topic 962, “Defined Contribution Pension Plans”, and ASC Topic 965, “Health and Welfare Benefit Plans”. There are three parts to the ASU that aim to simplify the accounting and presentation of plan accounting. Part I of this ASU requires fully benefit-responsive investment contracts to be measured at contract value instead of the current fair value measurement. Part II of this ASU requires investments (both participant-directed and nonparticipant-directed investments) of employee benefit plans be grouped only by general type, eliminating the need to disaggregate the investments in multiple ways. Part III of this ASU provides a similar measurement date practical expedient for employee benefit plans as available in ASU No. 2015-04, which allows employers to measure defined benefit plan assets on a month-end date that is nearest to the year’s fiscal year-end when the fiscal period does not coincide with a month-end. Parts I and II of the new guidance should be applied on a retrospective basis. Part III of the new guidance should be applied on a prospective basis. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. We are evaluating what impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, which amends Topic 805, “Business Combinations.” This amendment eliminates the requirement to retrospectively account for adjustments made to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination at the acquisition date with a corresponding adjustment to goodwill, and revise comparative information for prior periods presented in financial statements. Those adjustments are required when new information about circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date would have affected the measurement of the amount initially recognized. This update requires an entity to recognize these adjustments in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. An acquirer must record the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. An entity must present separately on the face of the income statement, or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment had been recognized as of the acquisition date. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. We are evaluating what impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures.

 

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk is the potential for loss due to a change in the value of a financial instrument as a result of fluctuations in interest rates, currency exchange rates or equity prices, as further described below.

Interest Rate Risk

We are subject to market risk exposure related to changes in interest rates on borrowings under the Credit Facilities and commercial paper program. Interest on borrowings under the Credit Facilities is at an agreed upon percentage point spread over LIBOR, or a base rate stated in the agreements. At September 30, 2015, we had no borrowings outstanding under our Credit Facilities and commercial paper program, which is supported by the Credit Facilities.

Access to our commercial paper program is dependent upon our credit ratings.  A decline in our credit ratings below investment grade would prohibit us from accessing the commercial paper market.  If we were unable to access the commercial paper market, we would likely transfer any outstanding borrowings to our Credit Facilities.  Our Credit Facilities have interest rates that are generally higher than those found in the commercial paper market, which would result in increased interest expense in the future.

In addition, our Credit Facilities and certain of our senior unsecured notes have provisions which vary the applicable interest rates based upon our credit ratings. If our credit ratings were to decline to certain specified levels, the interest expense under our Credit Facilities and certain of our senior unsecured notes would increase.

We maintain certain debt instruments at a fixed rate whose fair value will fluctuate based on changes in interest rates and market perceptions of our credit risk. The fair value of our total debt was $3.5 billion and $4.5 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The decrease in the fair value of debt relates to the overall decline of our sector in the marketplace coupled with the repayment of our $350 million 3.45% Senior Notes, which matured in August 2015.

49


 

Foreign Currency Risk

Although we are a U.K. company, we define foreign currency as any non-U.S. denominated currency. Our functional currency is primarily the U.S. Dollar, which is consistent with the oil and gas industry. However, outside the United States, a portion of our expenses are incurred in local currencies. Therefore, when the U.S. Dollar weakens (strengthens) in relation to the currencies of the countries in which we operate, our expenses reported in U.S. Dollars will increase (decrease).

We are exposed to risks on future cash flows to the extent that local currency expenses exceed revenues denominated in local currency that are other than the functional currency. To help manage this potential risk, we periodically enter into derivative instruments to manage our exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, and we may conduct hedging activities in future periods to mitigate such exposure. These contracts are primarily accounted for as cash flow hedges, with the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the hedge recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” (“AOCL”). Amounts recorded in AOCL are reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods that the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the hedged item is recorded directly to earnings. We have documented policies and procedures to monitor and control the use of derivative instruments. We do not engage in derivative transactions for speculative or trading purposes, nor are we a party to leveraged derivatives.

Our North Sea, Australian and Brazilian operations have a significant amount of their cash operating expenses payable in local currencies. To limit the potential risk of currency fluctuations, we periodically enter into forward contracts, which settle monthly in the operations’ respective local currencies. All of these contracts have a maturity of less than 12 months. The forward contract settlements in the remainder of 2015 represent approximately 60 percent of these forecasted local currency requirements. The notional amount of the forward contracts outstanding, expressed in U.S. dollars, was approximately $23 million at September 30, 2015. Total unrealized losses related to these forward contracts were approximately $1 million as of September 30, 2015 and were recorded as part of AOCL. A 10 percent change in the exchange rate for the local currencies would change the fair value of these forward contracts by approximately $2 million.

Market Risk

We have a U.S. noncontributory defined benefit pension plan that covers certain salaried employees and a U.S. noncontributory defined benefit pension plan that covers certain hourly employees, whose initial date of employment is prior to August 1, 2004 (collectively referred to as our “qualified U.S. plans”). These plans are governed by the Noble Drilling Employees’ Retirement Trust. The benefits from these plans are based primarily on years of service and, for the salaried plan, employees’ compensation near retirement. These plans are designed to qualify under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), and our funding policy is consistent with funding requirements of ERISA and other applicable laws and regulations. We make cash contributions, or utilize credits available to us, for the qualified U.S. plans when required. The benefit amount that can be covered by the qualified U.S. plans is limited under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) of 1986. Therefore, we maintain an unfunded, nonqualified excess benefit plan designed to maintain benefits for specified employees at the formula level in the qualified salary U.S. plan. We refer to the qualified U.S. plans and the excess benefit plan collectively as the “U.S. plans”.

In addition to the U.S. plans, each of Noble Drilling (Land Support) Limited and Noble Resources Limited, both indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Noble-UK, maintains a pension plan that covers all of its salaried, non-union employees, whose most recent date of employment is prior to April 1, 2014 (collectively referred to as our “non-U.S. plans”). Benefits are based on credited service and employees’ compensation, as defined by the plans.

Changes in market asset values related to the pension plans noted above could have a material impact upon our Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and could result in material cash expenditures in future periods.

 

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

David W. Williams, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Noble-UK, and James A. MacLennan, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Noble-UK, have evaluated the disclosure controls and procedures of Noble-UK as of the end of the period covered by this report. On the basis of this evaluation, Mr. Williams and Mr. MacLennan have concluded that Noble-UK’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2015. Noble-UK’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Noble-UK in the reports that it files with or submits to the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

David W. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer of Noble-Cayman, and Dennis J. Lubojacky, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Noble-Cayman, have evaluated the disclosure controls and procedures of Noble-Cayman as of the end of

50


 

the period covered by this report. On the basis of this evaluation, Mr. Williams and Mr. Lubojacky have concluded that Noble-Cayman’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2015. Noble-Cayman’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Noble-Cayman in the reports that it files with or submits to the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There was no change in either Noble-UK’s or Noble-Cayman’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2015 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the internal control over financial reporting of each of Noble-UK or Noble-Cayman, respectively.

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Information regarding legal proceedings is set forth in Notes 6 and 14 to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Under UK law, the Company is only permitted to purchase its own shares by way of an “off-market purchase” in a plan approved by shareholders. In December 2014, we received shareholder approval to repurchase up to 37,000,000 ordinary shares, or approximately 15 percent of our outstanding ordinary shares at the time of the shareholder approval. Any repurchases are expected to be funded using cash on hand, cash from operations or short-term borrowings under our Credit Facilities. The authority to make such repurchases will expire on the later of April 2016 or the end of the Company’s 2016 annual general meeting of shareholders, at which time we could seek shareholder approval for further repurchases. The Company may only fund the purchase of its own shares out of distributable reserves or the proceeds of a new issue of shares made expressly for that purpose. The Company currently has adequate distributable reserves to fund its currently approved repurchase plan. If any premium above the nominal value of the purchased shares is paid, it must be paid out of distributable reserves.  Any shares purchased by the Company out of distributable reserves may be held as treasury shares or cancelled at the Company’s election. During the three months ended September 30, 2015, there were no repurchases by Noble-UK of its shares.

 

 

Item 6. Exhibits

The information required by this Item 6 is set forth in the Index to Exhibits accompanying this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Noble Corporation plc, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales

 

/s/ David W. Williams

 

November 4, 2015

David W. Williams

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

Date

 

 

 

/s/ James A. MacLennan

 

 

James A. MacLennan

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

Noble Corporation, a Cayman Islands company

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ David W. Williams

 

November 4, 2015

David W. Williams

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

Date

 

 

 

/s/ Dennis J. Lubojacky

 

 

Dennis J. Lubojacky

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

 

 

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Index to Exhibits

 

Exhibit

 

 

Number

 

Exhibit

 

 

 

2.1

 

Merger Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2013, between Noble Corporation, a Swiss corporation (“Noble-Swiss”) and Noble Corporation Limited (“Noble-UK”) (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Noble-Swiss’ Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 1, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

2.2

 

Agreement and Plan of Merger, Reorganization and Consolidation, dated as of December 19, 2008, among Noble Corporation, a Swiss corporation (“Noble-Swiss”), Noble Corporation, a Cayman Islands company (“Noble-Cayman”), and Noble Cayman Acquisition Ltd. (filed as Exhibit 1.1 to Noble-Cayman’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 22, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

2.3

 

Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger, Reorganization and Consolidation, dated as of February 4, 2009, among Noble-Swiss, Noble-Cayman and Noble Cayman Acquisition Ltd. (filed as Exhibit 2.2 to Noble-Cayman’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 4, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

2.4

 

Master Separation Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2014, between Noble-Cayman and Paragon Offshore plc. (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Noble-UK’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 5, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

3.1

 

Composite Copy of Articles of Association of Noble-UK, as of June 10, 2014 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Noble-UK’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

3.2

 

Memorandum and Articles of Association of Noble-Cayman (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Noble-Cayman’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 30, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

4.1

 

Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of January 26, 2015, among Noble-Cayman and Noble International Finance Company, a Cayman Islands company, as borrowers; JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and a swingline lender; Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as a swingline lender; the lenders party thereto; Barclays Bank PLC, Citibank, N.A., DNB Bank ASA New York Branch, HSBC Bank USA, N.A., SunTrust Bank and Wells Fargo, as co-syndication agents; BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch and Mizuho Bank, Ltd, as co-documentation agents; and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Barclays Bank PLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., DNB Markets, Inc., HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as joint lead arrangers and joint lead bookrunners (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Noble-UK’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 29, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

4.2

 

364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of January 29, 2015, among Noble-Cayman and Noble International Finance Company, a Cayman Islands company, as borrowers; JPMorgan, as administrative agent; the lenders party thereto; Barclays Bank PLC, Citibank, N.A. and HSBC Bank USA, N.A., as co-syndication agents; BNP Paribas, as documentation agent; and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Barclays Bank PLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., and HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., as joint lead arrangers and joint lead bookrunners (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Noble-UK’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 29, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

4.3

 

Indenture, dated as of March 16, 2015, among Noble Holding International Limited, as Issuer, and Wells Fargo N.A., as Trustee, relating to 4.000% senior notes due 2018, 5.950% senior notes due 2025 and 6.95% senior notes due 2045 of Noble Holding International Limited (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Noble-UK’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 16, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

4.4

 

First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 16, 2015, among Noble Holding International Limited, as Issuer, Noble Corporation, as Guarantor, and Wells Fargo N.A., as Trustee, relating to 4.000% senior notes due 2018, 5.950% senior notes due 2025 and 6.95% senior notes due 2045 of Noble Holding International Limited (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Noble-UK’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 16, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

10.1

 

Tax Sharing Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2014, between Noble-UK and Paragon Offshore plc. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Noble-UK’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 5, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

10.2

 

Employee Matters Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2014, between Noble-Cayman and Paragon Offshore plc. (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Noble-UK’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 5, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

10.3

 

Transition Services Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2014, between Noble-Cayman and Paragon Offshore plc. (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Noble-UK’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 5, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

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10.4

 

Transition Services Agreement (Brazil), dated as of July 31, 2014, among Paragon Offshore do Brasil Limitada, Paragon Offshore (Nederland) B.V., Paragon Offshore plc, Noble-Cayman, Noble Dave Beard Limited and Noble Drilling (Nederland) II B.V. (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to Noble-UK’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 5, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

10.5*

 

Noble Corporation 2015 Short Term Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to Noble-UK’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

10.6*

 

Noble Corporation 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan, effective May 1, 2015 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Noble-UK’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 29, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

10.7*

 

Amended and Restated Form of Noble-UK 2013 Performance-Vested Restricted Stock Unit Award under the Noble-UK 1991 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Noble-UK’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 16, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

10.8*

 

Amended and Restated Form of Noble-UK 2014 Performance-Vested Restricted Stock Unit Award under the Noble-UK 1991 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Noble-UK’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 16, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of David W. Williams pursuant to the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), for Noble-UK and for Noble-Cayman.

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of James A. MacLennan pursuant to the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Rule 13a- 14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), for Noble-UK.

 

 

 

31.3

 

Certification of Dennis J. Lubojacky pursuant to the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Rule 13a- 14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), for Noble-Cayman.

 

 

 

32.1+

 

Certification of David W. Williams pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, for Noble-UK and for Noble-Cayman.

 

 

 

32.2+

 

Certification of James A. MacLennan pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, for Noble-UK.

 

 

 

32.3+

 

Certification of Dennis J. Lubojacky pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, for Noble-Cayman.

 

 

 

101

 

Interactive Data File

 

*

Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

+

Furnished in accordance with Item 601(b)(32)(ii) of Regulation S-K.

 

 

54