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Valaris Ltd.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 4 May 2026: press release. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue fell on fewer operating days: Total operating revenues were $465.4 million. Revenues excluding reimbursables fell to $430.1 million from $502.2 million, mainly on fewer operating days across the floater and jackup fleets. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA declined to $67 million: Adjusted EBITDA was $66.7 million against $97.0 million in the fourth quarter. Revenue efficiency was 98% in both quarters. Source
  • Floater revenue fell to $193 million: Floater revenue excluding reimbursables was $192.6 million against $255.4 million in Q4. Drillship contract preparation and Q4 contract completions for DPS-1 and MS-1 weighed on the segment. Source
  • Drillship utilization fell to 38%: Total-fleet drillship utilization was 38% against 45% in Q4 2025. Active-fleet drillship utilization was 49% against 58%. Source
  • Total backlog reached $4.9 billion: Valaris total backlog was $4,929.1 million as of May 4, 2026, against $4,672.3 million on February 17, 2026. Management calls it its highest level in nearly a decade. Source
  • All-stock Transocean transaction pending: Management says the pending all-stock transaction with Transocean will benefit shareholders, customers and employees. It cites anticipated synergies and a share in a combined company able to operate any rig. Source

“We expect a meaningful improvement in our financial results through 2026, supported by strong project delivery and operational execution”

Anton Dibowitz, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Total operating revenuesFY 2026$2,125 - 2,205 million
Adjusted EBITDAFY 2026$485 - 565 million
Capital expendituresFY 2026$425 - 475 million
Upfront payments from customersFY 2026approximately $110 million
Full-year revenue secured by firm contractsFY 2026approximately 97%

What changed from last quarter

  • New: Multi-year contract extension for VALARIS DS-4 offshore Brazil, running into 2030. Source
  • New: Strategic collaboration agreement with Petronas Suriname and Halliburton on Petronas Suriname's offshore assets. Source

Quarter results and earnings

  • Revenue fell on fewer operating days: Total operating revenues were $465.4 million. Revenues excluding reimbursables fell to $430.1 million from $502.2 million, mainly on fewer operating days across the floater and jackup fleets. Source
  • Net result swung on tax line: Net loss was $18.0 million against net income of $716.8 million in Q4 2025, which carried a $680.4 million tax benefit. Q1 tax expense was $28.4 million. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA declined to $67 million: Adjusted EBITDA was $66.7 million against $97.0 million in the fourth quarter. Revenue efficiency was 98% in both quarters. Source
  • Diluted loss per share: Diluted loss per share was $0.24 on 69.2 million weighted-average diluted shares, against diluted earnings of $10.26 per share in Q4 2025. Source

Segment revenue and drivers

  • Floater revenue fell to $193 million: Floater revenue excluding reimbursables was $192.6 million against $255.4 million in Q4. Drillship contract preparation and Q4 contract completions for DPS-1 and MS-1 weighed on the segment. Source
  • Jackup revenue down on idle period: Jackup revenue excluding reimbursables was $195.8 million against $208.8 million. VALARIS 123 also took a lower day rate on a short-term accommodation contract. Source
  • ARO revenue fell on shipyard time: ARO revenue was $127.4 million against $139.6 million. Out-of-service time for shipyard projects was partly offset by more operating days for VALARIS 76. Source
  • Other revenue rose on ARO charters: Other revenue excluding reimbursables was $41.7 million against $38.0 million, on higher bareboat charter revenue from rigs leased to ARO. Source

“We remain positive on the outlook for offshore drilling, supported by improving market fundamentals”

Anton Dibowitz, President and Chief Executive Officer

Utilization and fleet status

  • Drillship utilization fell to 38%: Total-fleet drillship utilization was 38% against 45% in Q4 2025. Active-fleet drillship utilization was 49% against 58%. Source
  • Valaris active-fleet utilization eased: Active-fleet utilization across Valaris was 76%, against 82% in Q4 2025. Harsh-environment jackup active utilization was 99%. Source
  • Operating days declined across fleets: Total operating days were 2,515 against 2,855 in Q4 2025. Stacked fleet stood at 10 rigs. Source
  • Active rig count held steady: Total active fleet was 28 rigs at March 31, 2026, unchanged from 28 at December 31, 2025. Source

Backlog and contract wins

  • Total backlog reached $4.9 billion: Valaris total backlog was $4,929.1 million as of May 4, 2026, against $4,672.3 million on February 17, 2026. Management calls it its highest level in nearly a decade. Source
  • Over $500 million added since Q4: Management cites over $500 million of new contract backlog added since Q4 results. The reported total rose about $257 million between the two dates shown. Source
  • Drillship backlog rose to $3.3 billion: Drillship backlog was $3,319.8 million on May 4, 2026, against $3,030.8 million on February 17, 2026. Semisubmersible backlog was nil. Source
  • Jackup backlog edged higher: Jackup backlog was $1,135.6 million against $1,125.8 million in February. Harsh-environment backlog eased to $350.1 million from $367.2 million. Source

Costs and insurance

  • Contract drilling costs fell: Contract drilling expenses excluding reimbursables were $340.4 million against $380.3 million, mainly on fewer floater operating days and deferred contract preparation costs on certain rigs. Source
  • Middle East insurance added $8 million: Management cites an $8 million cost increase tied to Middle East conflicts, mainly incremental insurance for war-related risks on jackups the company operates in the region. Source
  • G&A eased on professional fees: General and administrative expenses were $25.3 million against $27.0 million, mainly on lower professional fees. Source
  • Merger costs of $14 million: Merger and integration expenses were $13.6 million, mainly professional fees for the pending Transocean business combination. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Capital expenditure fell to $101 million: Capital expenditures were $100.9 million on the cash flow statement, against $106.3 million in Q4 2025. Source
  • Operating cash flow of $75 million: Net cash provided by operating activities was $75.0 million, compared with $72.2 million in the fourth quarter 2025. Source
  • Cash fell to $578 million: Cash and cash equivalents were $578.3 million at March 31, 2026, down from $599.4 million, mainly on capital expenditures, partly offset by operating cash flow. Source
  • No share repurchases in quarter: The company made no share repurchases in the first quarter, against $25.0 million in the fourth quarter 2025. Source
  • Long-term debt little changed: Long-term debt was $1,086.8 million at March 31, 2026, against $1,086.0 million at December 31, 2025. Source

Transocean deal and strategy

  • All-stock Transocean transaction pending: Management says the pending all-stock transaction with Transocean will benefit shareholders, customers and employees. It cites anticipated synergies and a share in a combined company able to operate any rig. Source
  • Petronas Suriname collaboration signed: Valaris entered a strategic collaboration agreement with Petronas Suriname and Halliburton to support development of Petronas Suriname's offshore assets. Source
  • DS-4 contract runs into 2030: A multi-year extension for VALARIS DS-4 offshore Brazil secures continuous work for the rig into 2030. Source

Operations, safety and reliability

  • Revenue efficiency held at 98%: Total revenue efficiency was 98% in the first quarter, the same as in Q4 2025. Management describes safe and reliable operations for customers. Source
  • VALARIS 248 wins safety award: VALARIS 248 received the Chairman's Award for Jackup Rigs for its safety performance in 2025. Source
  • Three drillships set to restart: Management said three further drillships from the active fleet are on track to restart later this year, after DS-12 returned to operations. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Capital expenditure Source$101 million in Q1 2026 (cash flow statement $100.9 million)
Realized prices (average daily revenue) Source$171,000 per day, Valaris total, Q1 2026
Shareholder returns Source$0 share repurchases in Q1 2026

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Idle periods and fewer operating days reduced revenue and utilization in the floater and jackup fleets. Source
  • External: Management says Middle East conflicts have created near-term uncertainty. Source
  • Financial: Unfavorable currency movements and lower interest income raised other expense to $10 million. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Management said DS-12 returned to operations earlier than the planned schedule. Source
  • On track: Management said three additional drillships from the active fleet are on track to restart later this year. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.