Nabors Announces Second Quarter 2023 Results

HAMILTON, Bermuda, July 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nabors Industries Ltd. ("Nabors" or the "Company") (NYSE: NBR) today reported second quarter 2023 operating revenues of $767 million, compared to operating revenues of $779 million in the first quarter. The net income attributable to Nabors shareholders for the quarter was $5 million, compared to $49 million in the first quarter. This equates to a loss of $0.31 per diluted share, compared to earnings per diluted share of $4.11 in the first quarter. The second quarter results included a gain, related to mark-to-market treatment of Nabors warrants, of $18 million, or $1.95 per diluted share, as compared to a gain of $34 million, or $3.48 per diluted share in the first quarter. The first quarter also included a $25 million, or $2.06 per diluted share, gain on the redemption of debt. Second quarter adjusted EBITDA was $235 million, compared to $240 million in the previous quarter.

Anthony G. Petrello, Nabors Chairman, CEO and President, commented, "Our global market activity was essentially in line with our expectations, with the exception of the Lower 48, where oil related drilling fell somewhat in addition to the already anticipated reduction in gas basins. Total adjusted EBITDA declined slightly, reflecting a decrease in U.S. rig count. Although leading edge pricing in the Lower 48 has peaked, daily revenue increased by $300 beyond the first quarter level.

"In our International segment, results benefitted from strong performance in the Middle East including the start of the third newbuild rig in Saudi Arabia. The remaining two rigs, of the initial five awards, are anticipated to commence operations over the balance of 2023. Construction of the second tranche of five units is progressing, with the first of those deployments expected to begin around the end of 2023. During the quarter we successfully deployed an additional rig in Argentina. We also were recently awarded four rigs in Algeria. Additionally, a unit in Colombia will restart operations in the third quarter.

"Revenue and adjusted EBITDA in our Drilling Solutions segment increased in the second quarter, despite the drilling activity headwinds in the Lower 48. On a global basis, third party revenue increased 18% sequentially, accelerating over the growth rate in the first quarter and validating our focus on this strategy. International revenue also increased as we expanded our footprint in Latin America and the Middle East.

"In the Rig Technologies segment, total revenue and adjusted EBITDA grew, driven by international sales of capital equipment and spare parts.

"On July 18, 2023, Nabors' affiliate Nabors Energy Transition Corporation II (NASDAQ: NETDU) completed the initial public offering of its common shares. NETDU represents another milestone in the implementation of Nabors' energy transition strategy."

Segment Results

The U.S. Drilling segment reported $141.4 million in adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2023. Nabors' average Lower 48 rig count totaled 82. Daily adjusted gross margin in the Lower 48 market averaged $16,890, up $200 from the prior quarter.

International Drilling adjusted EBITDA totaled $98.3 million, up nearly $10 million. Improved EBITDA across multiple markets more than offset the forecast decline in Colombia. International rig count averaged 77, up slightly from the previous quarter. Daily adjusted gross margin for the second quarter averaged $16,276, up almost 7% from the prior quarter.

Drilling Solutions adjusted EBITDA increased sequentially by 3% to $32.8 million. Growth was led by the Performance Software and Digitalization product lines.

In Rig Technologies, adjusted EBITDA totaled $6.4 million, compared to $5.0 million in the first quarter. Increases in capital equipment, part sales, and energy transition accounted for the sequential improvement in adjusted EBITDA.

Adjusted Free Cash Flow

Adjusted free cash flow totaled $27 million in the second quarter. Capital expenditures totaled $152 million, including $66 million supporting the newbuilds in Saudi Arabia, compared to $119 million in the first quarter, including $37 million supporting the SANAD newbuilds.

At the end of the second quarter, net debt was $2.074 billion.

William Restrepo, Nabors CFO, stated, "Our results in the second quarter mirrored the performance of our markets. Our International segment was solid, while our technology businesses also delivered sequential growth. These results helped offset the softening rig markets we had forecast in the Lower 48 and Colombia. We expected lower drilling activity in gas basins but admittedly, the reductions in oil related drilling we experienced were not anticipated. Despite that pause in the Lower 48, our operation in that market continued to generate superior economics, with record margins and substantial cash flow generation.

"Free cash flow in the quarter, although still positive, was impacted by somewhat lower than expected adjusted EBITDA, and higher than planned capital spending. Capex for the newbuild rigs in Saudi Arabia accounted for this variance, as our supplier reached progress milestones earlier than we planned. It is worth highlighting that while our SANAD JV consumed cash during the quarter, free cash flow for the remainder of our business reached almost $60 million. This incremental cash flow supported the redemption in June of approximately $52 million of notes due in September of 2023. At the same time, our revolving credit facility remained undrawn at the end of the second quarter.

"The drilling market should continue to weaken in the Lower 48 during the third quarter. But after a tough first half in the U.S., we are now starting to see signs that this market is bottoming in the third quarter with encouraging data points of incremental activity for the fourth quarter.

"On another positive note, we anticipate further strength in International markets, with early signs of growth developing into awards for incremental rigs. Drilling Solutions and Rig Technologies are also expected to increase sequentially.

"Despite the softness in the Lower 48 market and to a lesser extent in Colombia, we still expect to generate solid adjusted free cash flow for the full year and to continue reducing our net debt."

Outlook

Nabors expects the following metrics for the third quarter 2023:

U.S. Drilling

• Lower 48 average rig count of 74 - 76 rigs
• Lower 48 adjusted gross margin per day approaching $16,000
• Alaska and Gulf of Mexico adjusted EBITDA down by approximately $7 million due mainly to recertification-related work on the M400 offshore rig

International

• Rig count up by one to two rigs versus the second quarter average
• Adjusted gross margin per day of approximately $16,000 - $16,200

Drilling Solutions

• Adjusted EBITDA up by approximately 3% above the second quarter

Rig Technologies

• Adjusted EBITDA up by approximately $3 million vs the second quarter

Capital Expenditures

• Capital expenditures of $125 million, with approximately $48 million supporting newbuilds in Saudi Arabia

Adjusted Free Cash Flow

• Adjusted free cash flow for the third quarter of approximately $80 million and for the full year 2023 between $300 and $350 million

Mr. Petrello concluded, "Our second quarter results demonstrate the strength of our broad portfolio. With the current U.S. market trends, our International segment and technology businesses are even more impactful as we work to attain our free cash flow and leverage goals. As we look to the future, we believe that the worst should be behind us in the Lower 48 and we expect some recovery in the fourth quarter. Further, we anticipate International activity in all our segments to continue improving during the second half of this year. And we are pleased with the progress made in our energy transition businesses. We are excited about what's to come for Nabors in the second half and during 2024."

About Nabors Industries

Nabors Industries (NYSE: NBR) is a leading provider of advanced technology for the energy industry. With presence in more than 20 countries, Nabors has established a global network of people, technology and equipment to deploy solutions that deliver safe, efficient and responsible energy production. By leveraging its core competencies, particularly in drilling, engineering, automation, data science and manufacturing, Nabors aims to innovate the future of energy and enable the transition to a lower-carbon world. Learn more about Nabors and its energy technology leadership: www.nabors.com.

Forward-looking Statements

The information included in this press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, as disclosed by Nabors from time to time in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result of these factors, Nabors' actual results may differ materially from those indicated or implied by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release reflect management's estimates and beliefs as of the date of this press release. Nabors does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements.

Non-GAAP Disclaimer

This press release presents certain "non-GAAP" financial measures. The components of these non-GAAP measures are computed by using amounts that are determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). Adjusted operating income (loss) represents income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, interest expense, investment income (loss), and other, net. Adjusted EBITDA is computed similarly, but also excludes depreciation and amortization expenses. In addition, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted operating income (loss) exclude certain cash expenses that the Company is obligated to make. Net debt is calculated as total debt minus the sum of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.

Adjusted free cash flow represents net cash provided by operating activities less cash used for capital expenditures, net of proceeds from sales of assets. Management believes that adjusted free cash flow is an important liquidity measure for the company and that it is useful to investors and management as a measure of the company's ability to generate cash flow, after reinvesting in the company for future growth, that could be available for paying down debt or other financing cash flows, such as dividends to shareholders. Management believes that this non-GAAP measure is useful information to investors when comparing our cash flows with the cash flows of other companies.

Each of these non-GAAP measures has limitations and therefore should not be used in isolation or as a substitute for the amounts reported in accordance with GAAP. However, management evaluates the performance of its operating segments and the consolidated Company based on several criteria, including Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted operating income (loss), net debt, and adjusted free cash flow, because it believes that these financial measures accurately reflect the Company's ongoing profitability and performance. Securities analysts and investors also use these measures as some of the metrics on which they analyze the Company's performance. Other companies in this industry may compute these measures differently. Reconciliations of consolidated adjusted EBITDA and adjusted operating income (loss) to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, net debt to total debt, and adjusted free cash flow to net cash provided by operations, which are their nearest comparable GAAP financial measures, are included in the tables at the end of this press release. We do not provide a forward-looking reconciliation of our outlook for Segment Adjusted EBITDA, Segment Gross Margin or Adjusted Free Cash Flow, as the amount and significance of items required to develop meaningful comparable GAAP financial measures cannot be estimated at this time without unreasonable efforts. These special items could be meaningful.

Investor Contacts: William C. Conroy, CFA, Vice President of Corporate Development & Investor Relations, +1 281-775-2423 or via e-mail [email protected], or Kara Peak, Director of Corporate Development & Investor Relations, +1 281-775-4954 or via email [email protected]. To request investor materials, contact Nabors' corporate headquarters in Hamilton, Bermuda at +441-292-1510 or via e-mail [email protected]