Noble Corporation plc (NYSE: NE, “Noble” or the “Company”) today reported second quarter 2025 results.
Robert W. Eifler, President and Chief Executive Officer of Noble, stated “Our second quarter results reflect resilient earnings and free cash flow delivery against a backdrop of elevated macro volatility. We have successfully achieved our integration targets and meaningfully expanded backlog in the first half of 2025, positioning Noble to continue to deliver differentiated shareholder capital returns going forward.”
Second Quarter Results
Contract drilling services revenue for the second quarter of 2025 totaled $812 million compared to $832 million in the prior quarter, with the sequential decrease driven primarily by rig utilization. Marketed fleet utilization was 70% in the second quarter of 2025 compared to 78% in the prior quarter. Contract drilling services costs for the second quarter were $502 million, up from $462 million in the prior quarter. Net income decreased to $43 million in the second quarter of 2025, down from $108 million in the prior quarter, and Adjusted EBITDA decreased to $282 million in the second quarter of 2025, down from $338 million in the prior quarter. Net cash provided by operating activities in the second quarter of 2025 was $216 million, capital expenditures were $117 million offset by proceeds from insurance claims of $7 million, and free cash flow (non-GAAP) was $107 million.
Balance Sheet & Capital Allocation
The Company’s balance sheet as of June 30, 2025, reflected total debt principal value of $2 billion and cash (and cash equivalents) of $338 million.
On August 5, 2025, Noble’s Board of Directors approved an interim quarterly cash dividend on our ordinary shares of $0.50 per share for the third quarter of 2025. The $0.50 per share dividend is expected to be paid on September 25, 2025, to shareholders of record at close of business on September 4, 2025. Future quarterly dividends and other shareholder returns will be subject to, amongst other things, approval by the Board of Directors.
Operating Highlights and Backlog
Noble’s marketed fleet of twenty-five floaters was 75% contracted during the second quarter, compared with 80% in the prior quarter. Recent backlog additions since last quarter have added approximately three rig years of total backlog, bringing total rig years of backlog added for the year to more than 18 years. Recent dayrate fixtures for Tier-1 drillships have been in the low to mid $400,000s, with 6th generation floater fixtures between the low $300,000s to mid $400,000s.
Utilization of Noble’s thirteen marketed jackups was 61% in the second quarter, versus 74% utilization during the prior quarter. Leading edge dayrates for harsh environment jackups in the North Sea have remained somewhat stable across limited fixtures, while near-term utilization visibility is trending lower.
Subsequent to last quarter’s earnings press release, new contracts with total contract value of approximately $380 million (including additional services and mobilization payments, but excluding unexercised extension options) include the following:
• Noble Stanley Lafosse received a five-well extension with its current customer in the U.S. Gulf, extending the rig until approximately August 2027. An additional option remains for five wells at mutually agreed rates.
• Noble Viking received a contract from TotalEnergies for one well in Papua New Guinea expected to commence in Q4 2025, plus three option wells in the region. The firm contract will span approximately 47 days with an estimated value of $34.2 million, including mobilization and demobilization fees and MPD usage, but excluding any variable performance bonus.
• Noble Globetrotter I has been awarded a two-well contract with OMV in Bulgaria scheduled to commence in Q4 2025 with an estimated duration of approximately four months valued at $82 million, including mobilization and demobilization fees.
• Noble Innovator received a six-well contract with bp in the UK for the Northern Endurance Partnership CCS project expected to commence in Q3 2026 at a dayrate of $150,000 with a minimum duration of 387 days, plus options.
• Noble Resilient was awarded a 92-day, plus options, contract with Inch Cape Offshore for accommodation services in the UK scheduled to commence in August 2025 valued at $6.5 million.
• Noble Intrepid received a two-well contract with bp in the UK for the Northern Endurance Partnership CCS project expected to commence in Q2 2026 at a dayrate of $150,000 with an estimated duration of 160 days, plus options.
Backlog as of August 5, 2025 stands at $6.9 billion. Backlog excludes mobilization and demobilization revenue.
The sale of the cold stacked drillships Pacific Scirocco and Pacific Meltem closed in June and July, respectively, for combined gross proceeds of $41 million. Additionally, we have entered into a definitive agreement to sell the cold stacked jackup Noble Highlander for $65 million which is expected to close in Q3. The Noble Globetrotter II and Noble Reacher are held for sale.
Outlook
For the full year 2025, Noble updates guidance as follows: Total Revenue guidance is reduced to a range of $3,200 to $3,300 million (previously $3,250 to $3,450 million); Adjusted EBITDA is increased to a range of $1,075 to $1,150 million (previously $1,050 to $1,150 million), and Capital Expenditures (net of reimbursements) have been increased to a range of $400 to $450 million (previously $375 to $425 million) due to capital associated with recent long term contract awards.
Commenting on Noble’s outlook, Mr. Eifler stated, “Our strong first half financial results support a raising of the midpoint of the full year Adjusted EBITDA guidance range despite a persisting near term softness in spot market contracting activity and increased instances of contract extension options lapsing due to upstream capital restraint. Looking forward, the deepwater market is characterized by tangible, encouraging indicators of increasing demand levels by late 2026 and into 2027, especially throughout South America and Africa. In the meantime, we continue to manage our costs and marketed capacity judiciously.”
Full Report
Source: Noble Corporation