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Valaris Ltd.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue and net income reported: Total operating revenues were $539 million against $465 million in the first quarter. Net income was $47 million against a net loss of $18 million. Source
  • Revenue rose on drillship starts: Revenues excluding reimbursables rose to $502 million from $430 million, mainly from more operating days for the floater fleet as three drillships started contracts. Source
  • Drilling costs rose with new starts: Contract drilling expenses excluding reimbursables rose to $380 million from $340 million, mainly from operating costs of the three drillships that started contracts. Source
  • Conflicts cut EBITDA by $30 million: Middle East conflicts reduced Adjusted EBITDA by about $30 million, against $8 million in the first quarter, from war-risk insurance and project delays for VALARIS 250 and 116. Source
  • DS-12 and DS-10 returned on plan: Management said VALARIS DS-12 and DS-10 returned to work on schedule and on budget during the quarter, with both starting new contracts. Source
  • Total backlog fell to $4.6 billion: Valaris total contract backlog was $4,585.2 million at August 5, 2026, against $4,929.1 million at May 4, 2026, with drillship backlog lower. Source
  • Cash fell to $541 million: Cash and cash equivalents decreased to $541 million, mainly from capital expenditures, partly offset by operating cash flow and asset sale proceeds. Source
  • Transocean combination on track: The pending business combination with Transocean is on track to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, according to management. Source

“These achievements helped drive solid financial results despite the impact of the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East”

Anton Dibowitz, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Transocean combination closing Sourcefourth quarter 2026close in the fourth quarter of 2026New

What changed from last quarter

  • New: Two stacked jackups were sold in June and July 2026, for total cash proceeds of $74 million. Source
  • New: More than $160 million of North Sea jackup backlog was added, extending jackup contract coverage across 2026 and 2027. Source
  • New guidance: Management gave a timing for the Transocean combination closing, in the fourth quarter of 2026. Source
  • New guidance: Management stated that Middle East adverse impacts are expected to moderate in the second half of 2026. Source
  • Ended: Semisubmersible VALARIS DPS-1 was sold in April 2026 and is no longer held for sale. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue and net income reported: Total operating revenues were $539 million against $465 million in the first quarter. Net income was $47 million against a net loss of $18 million. Source
  • Revenue efficiency held at 98%: Revenue efficiency was 98% in the quarter and year to date. Source
  • Revenue rose on drillship starts: Revenues excluding reimbursables rose to $502 million from $430 million, mainly from more operating days for the floater fleet as three drillships started contracts. Source
  • Net income gain from asset sales: Net income included a $38 million gain on sale of assets, and other income of $30 million was mainly a gain on the sale of jackup VALARIS 104. Source

Segments and regions

  • Floater revenue rose on more days: Floater revenues excluding reimbursables reached $279 million from $193 million, as DS-17 started late in the first quarter and DS-12 and DS-10 started in the second quarter. Source
  • Jackup revenue fell on fewer days: Jackup revenues excluding reimbursables fell to $183 million from $196 million, mainly from fewer days for VALARIS 117 after its contract ended early in the second quarter. Source
  • ARO revenue level, costs lower: ARO revenues of $127 million were level with the first quarter, while ARO contract drilling expenses fell to $72 million after 2025 finalization adjustments. Source

“We remain positive on the outlook for offshore drilling”

Anton Dibowitz, President and Chief Executive Officer

Costs, margins and insurance

  • Drilling costs rose with new starts: Contract drilling expenses excluding reimbursables rose to $380 million from $340 million, mainly from operating costs of the three drillships that started contracts. Source
  • War-risk insurance costs added: Insurance cover for war-related risks on Middle East jackups cost a full quarter more, adding to drilling expenses in the second quarter. Source
  • Bad debt reversal offset expenses: A previously recognized bad debt expense was reversed after long-outstanding customer invoices were collected, partly offsetting drilling costs. Source
  • Higher G&A, lower merger costs: General and administrative expenses rose to $27 million from $25 million, while merger and integration expenses fell to $11 million from $14 million. Source
  • Tax expense rose on higher income: Tax expense was $34 million against $28 million; adjusted for discrete items it rose to $40 million from $26 million on higher income and a jurisdictional mix change. Source

Middle East conflicts and impacts

  • Conflicts cut EBITDA by $30 million: Middle East conflicts reduced Adjusted EBITDA by about $30 million, against $8 million in the first quarter, from war-risk insurance and project delays for VALARIS 250 and 116. Source
  • Middle East impacts expected to moderate: Management expects the adverse impacts to moderate in the second half, as VALARIS 250 recommenced its charter in July. Source
  • VALARIS 250 and 116 timing: VALARIS 250 recommenced its bareboat charter in July, and VALARIS 116 is expected to recommence its charter in the third quarter. Source
  • Lower insurance cost expected: Insurance costs for war-related coverage are expected to be below the first half, reflecting the VALARIS 104 sale and longer-term premiums. Source

Fleet activity and restarts

  • DS-12 and DS-10 returned on plan: Management said VALARIS DS-12 and DS-10 returned to work on schedule and on budget during the quarter, with both starting new contracts. Source
  • Two more drillships due by year-end: Two additional drillships are set to commence new contracts before year-end, which management expects to drive further improvement over the rest of the year. Source
  • VALARIS 104 and 109 sold: VALARIS 104 and 109 were sold in June and July 2026 for total cash proceeds of $74 million, high-grading the stacked jackup fleet. Source
  • DPS-1 sold in April: The semisubmersible VALARIS DPS-1 was sold in April 2026, after being classified as held for sale at earlier quarter ends. Source

Backlog and contract demand

  • Total backlog fell to $4.6 billion: Valaris total contract backlog was $4,585.2 million at August 5, 2026, against $4,929.1 million at May 4, 2026, with drillship backlog lower. Source
  • North Sea jackup backlog added: The company added more than $160 million of backlog for the North Sea jackup fleet, extending contract coverage for jackups into 2027. Source
  • Deepwater pipeline described as robust: Management said the pipeline of deepwater contract opportunities remains robust, and it expects further awards across the industry. Source

Capital, cash and returns

  • Cash fell to $541 million: Cash and cash equivalents decreased to $541 million, mainly from capital expenditures, partly offset by operating cash flow and asset sale proceeds. Source
  • Capital spending rose to $106 million: Capital expenditures were $106 million, up from $101 million in the first quarter. Source
  • Operating cash flow lower in quarter: Operating cash flow was $13.1 million in the quarter against $75.0 million in the first quarter; six-month operating cash flow was $88.1 million. Source
  • No share repurchases this quarter: No share repurchases were made in the second or first quarter of 2026; repurchases of $25 million and $75 million occurred in the fourth and third quarters of 2025. Source

Strategy and combination

  • Transocean combination on track: The pending business combination with Transocean is on track to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, according to management. Source
  • Synergies and combined capabilities: Management expects the combination to deliver meaningful value through anticipated synergies and enhanced capabilities of the combined company. Source
  • No calls or guidance updates: Because of the pending combination, Valaris does not plan earnings calls or updates to forward-looking guidance. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 August 2026

  • Transocean close in fourth quarter: Management said the pending combination with Transocean is on track to close in the fourth quarter of 2026. Source
  • Two drillships start new contracts: Two additional drillships are set to commence new contracts before year-end. Source
  • VALARIS 116 returns to charter: VALARIS 116 is expected to resume its bareboat charter in the third quarter of 2026. Source
  • Middle East impacts to moderate: Management expects the adverse impacts from Middle East conflicts to moderate in the second half of 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Operating days, total fleet Source2,647
Utilization, Valaris total fleet Source61%
Average daily revenue, Valaris total Source$189,000
Capital expenditures Source$106 million
Share repurchases Sourcenone in second quarter 2026

Risks management discussed

  • External: Middle East conflicts reduced Adjusted EBITDA by about $30 million, including war-risk insurance and project delays for two jackups. Source
  • Operational: Repair and maintenance costs rose with planned shipyard projects, adding to drilling expenses. Source
  • Financial: War-risk insurance costs for jackups in the Middle East were a full quarter higher than in the first quarter. Source
  • Demand: Jackup average daily revenue fell on lower day rate accommodation services from certain North Sea rigs. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: Management said both drillships returned to work on schedule and on budget during the second quarter. Source
  • On track: The first quarter release said three additional drillships were on track to restart later this year; the second quarter release sets two for year-end.
  • On track: Management said the pending Transocean combination is on track to close in the fourth quarter of 2026. 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.