(Nabors, 22.Oct.2024) — Nabors Industries Ltd. reported third quarter 2024 operating revenues of $732mn, compared to operating revenues of $735mn in the second quarter. The net loss attributable to Nabors shareholders for the quarter was $56mn, compared to a net loss of $32mn in the second quarter. This equates to a loss of $6.86 per diluted share, compared to a loss per diluted share of $4.29 in the second quarter. The third quarter included net charges totaling approximately $25mn, primarily reflecting the redemption premium on the 2026 notes and market adjustments on investments. Third quarter adjusted EBITDA was $222mn, compared to $218mn in the previous quarter.
Highlights
- Last week, Nabors announced the signing of an agreement to acquire Parker Wellbore. Parker’s lines of business include the leading franchise in U.S. tubular rentals – Quail Tools – as well as international tubular rentals, well construction services (including casing running), and drilling rigs. Parker expects to generate EBITDA of $180mn this year. Nabors has identified synergies potential at an annualized run-rate of $35mn within 12 months of closing. Nabors will acquire all of Parker’s issued and outstanding common stock in exchange for 4.8 million shares of Nabors common stock, subject to a share price collar. Nabors will also assume approximately $100mn in net debt.
- Nabors Lower 48 rigs once again set notable performance milestones. A major operator in the Delaware Basin drilled three wells, each with four-mile laterals, utilizing a Nabors PACE®-X rig equipped with a Canrig® Sigma topdrive. Sigma’s rated torque is the industry’s highest and is ideal for the larger-diameter drill pipe run on these wells. The rig also employed an NDS technology package.
- A large operator in the Eagle Ford drilled its longest well in the basin, incorporating a lateral length of more than four miles. The lateral was drilled in a single run without the use of rotary steerable systems. The rig was a Nabors PACE®-M1000, utilizing larger-diameter drill pipe.
- A large operator in the Bakken completed a four-mile lateral in a single run in under 12 days, utilizing a Nabors PACE®-X rig. This well is the operator’s first four-mile lateral, and the operator believes it is the quickest in the Bakken. The rig was equipped with a comprehensive package of NDS Smart technology.
Anthony G. Petrello, Nabors Chairman, CEO and President, commented, “We are excited as we move forward with our announced acquisition of Parker Wellbore. Our companies’ portfolios are highly complementary. Parker’s recent track record speaks for itself. Quail Tools, already the leader in its space, plays a key role as operators extend the lengths of their wellbore laterals. The transaction increases our scale, provides incremental growth and improves our leverage metrics.
“Our third quarter operating results matched our overall expectations. Higher average daily margins and an improved mix drove growth in our International Drilling segment. International growth also resulted in better performance for our Drilling Solutions segment.
“Daily margins in our International Drilling segment exceeded the $17,000 mark in the third quarter. We reached this milestone earlier than we expected. This result demonstrates the earnings power of our International segment. During the quarter we also started up previously awarded rigs. We have a path to substantial international growth with 13 rigs scheduled to deploy through early 2026 in the Middle East and Latin America. The opportunity set on top of those planned start-ups is also substantial.
“In the Lower 48 market, our leading-edge pricing remained stable, supporting daily rig margins that were essentially in line with our expectations. Our average rig count was just under the prior quarter. Although we have not yet seen the anticipated increases in gas-directed drilling or a recovery from reductions driven by E&P consolidation, we look forward to an improvement in Lower 48 drilling activity in 2025.”
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