Noble Corporation Plc (NE): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

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Noble Corporation Plc (NE) Information


A Brief History of Noble Corporation

Noble Corporation, a prominent player in the offshore drilling sector, has undergone significant transformations and expansions, particularly in 2024. The company has positioned itself as a leader in contract drilling services, driven by strategic acquisitions and operational enhancements.

Acquisition of Diamond Offshore Drilling

On September 4, 2024, Noble Corporation completed the acquisition of Diamond Offshore Drilling, a deal valued at approximately $1.5 billion. This acquisition included:

  • Cash paid to legacy Diamond shareholders: $583.2 million
  • Fair value of Noble shares transferred: $857.7 million
  • Replacement Diamond RSU Awards: $22.3 million
  • Cash paid for retention bonuses and short-term incentive plans: $9.5 million

This merger is expected to enhance Noble's operational capacity and market reach significantly.

Financial Performance Overview

As of September 30, 2024, Noble Corporation reported strong financial metrics:

Financial Metric 2024 (9 months) 2023 (9 months)
Net Income $351.7 million $332.2 million
Operating Revenues $2.1 billion $1.9 billion
Earnings per Share (Diluted) $2.37 $2.29
Total Debt $1.4 billion $1.2 billion
Total Shareholders' Equity $4.7 billion $3.9 billion

Operational Highlights

Noble's operational metrics for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, indicate a robust performance:

Operational Metric Floaters Jackups
Contract Drilling Services Revenues $1.6 billion $419.1 million
Average Dayrates $430,615 $153,648
Average Rig Utilization 69% 76%

Investment and Capital Expenditures

Noble Corporation has been proactive in investing in its assets, with capital expenditures totaling $374.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The breakdown includes:

  • Sustaining Capital: $214.2 million
  • Major Projects: $132.8 million
  • Rebillable Capital: $27.3 million

For the year ending December 31, 2024, capital additions are estimated to be between $480 million and $510 million, primarily funded through operational cash flows.

Debt Structure

Noble's debt strategy has evolved, with significant issuances in 2024:

  • 8.000% Senior Notes due 2030 issued totaling $1.4 billion
  • Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement with commitments of $550 million

As of September 30, 2024, the company maintained no borrowings under its revolving credit facility, indicating strong liquidity management.

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Noble Corporation's strategic focus on enhancing its drilling capabilities and expanding its market presence through acquisitions like Diamond Offshore is expected to drive growth. The company also maintains a contract drilling services backlog of approximately $6.5 billion, reflecting robust demand for its services in the offshore drilling market.



A Who Owns Noble Corporation Plc (NE)

Current Share Structure

As of September 30, 2024, Noble Corporation Plc had approximately 160.3 million A ordinary shares outstanding. This is an increase from approximately 140.8 million shares outstanding at December 31, 2023.

Major Shareholders

The ownership structure of Noble Corporation is characterized by a mix of institutional and retail investors. The following table summarizes the major shareholders as of the latest reporting period:

Shareholder Type Number of Shares Percentage of Total Shares
Institutional Investors ~70 million ~43.6%
Retail Investors ~90 million ~56.4%

Shareholder Transactions

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Noble Corporation repurchased approximately 6.9 million of its ordinary shares for a total of $250.0 million. These shares were subsequently cancelled, reducing the number of outstanding shares.

Warrants and Options

As of September 30, 2024, the company had the following outstanding warrants:

Warrant Type Number Outstanding Exercise Price
Tranche 1 Warrants 0.9 million $19.27
Tranche 2 Warrants 1.0 million $23.13
Tranche 3 Warrants 2.8 million $124.40
Diamond Warrants 7.5 million $29.22

Recent Transactions

On September 4, 2024, Noble issued 24,239,941 class A ordinary shares to former shareholders of Diamond Offshore Drilling, marking a significant transaction affecting ownership structure.

Shareholder Composition Trends

Over the past year, institutional ownership has fluctuated due to market conditions, with significant interest from large asset managers. The following table provides an overview of the changes in shareholder composition:

Ownership Type Percentage as of Dec 31, 2023 Percentage as of Sep 30, 2024
Institutional Investors ~42% ~43.6%
Retail Investors ~58% ~56.4%

Financial Performance Indicators

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Noble Corporation reported a net income of $351.7 million, equating to $2.37 per diluted share on operating revenues of $2.1 billion.

Dividends and Shareholder Returns

Noble Corporation declared a quarterly dividend payment totaling approximately $81.6 million (or $0.50 per share) on June 10, 2024, paid to shareholders of record on September 12, 2024.



Noble Corporation Plc (NE) Mission Statement

Mission Overview

Noble Corporation Plc aims to provide superior drilling services while maintaining a strong commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and operational excellence. The company's mission reflects its dedication to delivering value to its customers, shareholders, and employees through innovative solutions and an unwavering focus on sustainability.

Core Values

  • Safety: Prioritizing the health and safety of employees and stakeholders.
  • Integrity: Conducting business with honesty and transparency.
  • Excellence: Striving for the highest standards in operations and service delivery.
  • Innovation: Embracing new technologies and methodologies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Sustainability: Committing to environmentally responsible practices in all operations.

Financial Performance

As of September 30, 2024, Noble Corporation reported a net income of $351.7 million, or $2.37 per diluted share, on operating revenues of $2.1 billion. This compares to a net income of $332.2 million, or $2.29 per diluted share, on operating revenues of $1.9 billion for the same period in 2023.

Contract Drilling Services

Noble's contract drilling services segment achieved the following results for the nine months ended September 30, 2024:

Metric 2024 2023 Change ($) Change (%)
Contract Drilling Services Revenues $2,036,678 million $1,852,474 million $184,204 million 10%
Operating Costs $1,159,913 million $1,078,521 million $81,392 million 8%
Operating Income $432,989 million $417,025 million $15,964 million 4%

Rig Utilization and Dayrates

The average rig utilization and dayrates for Noble's fleet for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, are summarized below:

Category Average Rig Utilization (%) Average Dayrates ($)
Floaters 69% $430,615
Jackups 76% $153,648
Total 71% $313,007

Backlog and Future Commitments

Noble Corporation has a total contract drilling services backlog of approximately $6.5 billion as of September 30, 2024, with commitments covering 70% of available days for the remainder of the year.

Capital Expenditures

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, total capital additions were $374.3 million. The breakdown of these expenditures is as follows:

Type of Capital Expenditure Amount ($ million)
Sustaining Capital $214.2
Major Projects $132.8
Rebillable Capital and Contract Modifications $27.3

Shareholder Returns

Noble Corporation declared a quarterly dividend of $0.50 per share on June 10, 2024, payable on September 26, 2024. The total dividend payments for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, amounted to approximately $198.2 million.

Debt Position

As of September 30, 2024, Noble's total debt stood at $1.98 billion, with a significant portion attributed to its 8.000% Senior Notes due 2030, amounting to $1.4 billion.



How Noble Corporation Plc (NE) Works

Company Overview

Noble Corporation Plc (NE) operates as a global provider of offshore drilling services. The company focuses on contract drilling services for the oil and gas industry, utilizing a fleet of advanced drilling rigs, which includes both floaters and jackups. As of September 30, 2024, Noble had a total of 28 floaters and 13 jackups in its fleet.

Financial Performance

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Noble reported:

  • Net income: $351.7 million
  • Operating revenues: $2.1 billion
  • Net income per diluted share: $2.37

In comparison, for the same period in 2023, the figures were:

  • Net income: $332.2 million
  • Operating revenues: $1.9 billion
  • Net income per diluted share: $2.29

Revenue Breakdown

Noble's revenue is generated from two primary segments: floaters and jackups. The following table summarizes the contract drilling services revenues and costs for both segments during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023:

Segment 2024 Revenue (Millions) 2023 Revenue (Millions) 2024 Cost (Millions) 2023 Cost (Millions)
Floaters $1,617.5 $1,519.3 $870.9 $816.3
Jackups $419.1 $333.1 $289.0 $262.2

Operational Metrics

Noble's operational efficiency is measured through key metrics such as average rig utilization, operating days, and average dayrates. The following table presents these metrics for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023:

Type Average Rig Utilization (2024) Average Rig Utilization (2023) Operating Days (2024) Operating Days (2023) Average Dayrates (2024) Average Dayrates (2023)
Floaters 69% 77% 3,658 3,966 $430,615 $366,560
Jackups 76% 65% 2,700 2,487 $153,648 $121,913

Cost Structure

Noble's operating costs and expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, were significant, with the following breakdown:

  • Total contract drilling services cost: $1.16 billion
  • Depreciation and amortization: $287.3 million
  • General and administrative expenses: $109.2 million
  • Merger and integration costs: $89.2 million

Cash Flow and Capital Expenditures

In terms of cash flow, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Noble reported:

  • Net cash provided by operating activities: $519.3 million
  • Net cash used in investing activities: $813.8 million
  • Net cash provided by financing activities: $331.9 million

Noble's capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, totaled $374.3 million, comprising:

  • $214.2 million for sustaining capital
  • $132.8 million for major projects
  • $27.3 million for rebillable capital

Debt and Equity Structure

As of September 30, 2024, Noble had total debt amounting to $1.98 billion, which included:

  • 8.000% Senior Notes due 2030: $1.4 billion
  • 8.500% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes: $580 million

The total shareholders' equity stood at approximately $4.68 billion.

Recent Developments

On September 4, 2024, Noble completed the acquisition of Diamond Offshore Drilling, which involved issuing 24.24 million class A ordinary shares and assuming outstanding warrants. This strategic move is expected to enhance Noble's operational capabilities and expand its market presence.

Backlog and Future Outlook

Noble's total contract drilling services backlog was approximately $6.5 billion as of September 30, 2024, with a commitment of 70% of available days for the remainder of 2024. This backlog indicates a robust demand for its drilling services moving forward.



How Noble Corporation Plc (NE) Makes Money

Revenue Generation from Contract Drilling Services

Noble Corporation Plc generates the majority of its revenue from contract drilling services, which includes the operation of floaters and jackups. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the company reported total operating revenues of $2.1 billion, an increase from $1.9 billion in the same period of 2023.

Segment Revenue (2024) Revenue (2023) Change ($) Change (%)
Floaters $1.6 billion $1.5 billion $84.0 million 5.6%
Jackups $419.1 million $333.1 million $72.8 million 21.8%
Total $2.1 billion $1.9 billion $184.4 million 9.7%

Average Dayrates and Rig Utilization

The average dayrates for Noble's rigs are a critical factor in its revenue. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the average dayrate for floaters was $430,615, while for jackups it was $153,648. This represents an increase from $366,560 and $121,913, respectively, in the prior year.

Type of Rig Average Dayrates (2024) Average Dayrates (2023) Change ($)
Floaters $430,615 $366,560 $64,055
Jackups $153,648 $121,913 $31,735

Operating Costs and Expenses

Operating costs for contract drilling services totaled $1.16 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $1.08 billion in the same period of 2023. This increase was driven primarily by additional costs associated with new rigs and rising labor and maintenance expenses.

Segment Operating Costs (2024) Operating Costs (2023) Change ($)
Floaters $870.9 million $816.3 million $54.6 million
Jackups $289.0 million $262.2 million $26.8 million
Total $1.16 billion $1.08 billion $81.4 million

Net Income and Earnings Per Share

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Noble reported a net income of $351.7 million, or $2.37 per diluted share, compared to a net income of $332.2 million, or $2.29 per diluted share for the same period in 2023.

Metric 2024 2023
Net Income $351.7 million $332.2 million
Earnings Per Share $2.37 $2.29

Contract Drilling Services Backlog

Noble's contract drilling services backlog as of September 30, 2024, was approximately $6.5 billion, indicating strong future revenue potential. This backlog includes commitments for 70% of available days for the remainder of 2024.

Year Contract Drilling Services Backlog
2024 $6.49 billion
2025 $2.57 billion 2026 $1.67 billion 2027 $1.01 billion 2028 $403.3 million

Cash Flow and Capital Expenditures

Noble's cash flow from operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $519.3 million, up from $286.8 million in the prior year. This increase reflects improved operational efficiency and collection of receivables.

Type Cash Flow (2024) Cash Flow (2023)
Operating Activities $519.3 million $286.8 million
Investing Activities ($813.8 million) ($268.1 million)
Financing Activities $331.9 million ($254.8 million)

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Resources:

  1. Noble Corporation Plc (NE) Financial Statements – Access the full quarterly financial statements for Q3 2024 to get an in-depth view of Noble Corporation Plc (NE)' financial performance, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
  2. SEC Filings – View Noble Corporation Plc (NE)' latest filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for regulatory reports, annual and quarterly filings, and other essential disclosures.