Ensco: Higher Dayrates and New Rigs Boost 1Q Earnings

Ensco plc, a U.S.-based drilling contractor, reported diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $1.36 in first quarter 2013, compared to $1.20 per share in first quarter 2012. Discontinued operations primarily related to rigs and other assets no longer on the Company’s balance sheet resulted in a loss of $0.05 per share a year ago. Diluted earnings per share increased 18% year to year to $1.36 from $1.15 in first quarter 2012.

Earnings increased $52 million to $317 million and operating income grew 17% to $402 million on record revenues of $1.150 billion in first quarter 2013. These increases were driven by a $28,000 increase in the average day rate and a 6% increase in floater rig days as new rigs were added to the active fleet.

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Rabun stated, “During the quarter, ENSCO 8506, the final rig in the ENSCO 8500 Series®, began work for Anadarko in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. ENSCO DS-6, our fourth Samsung DP3 drillship, commenced drilling operations for BP in Angola. In both cases, these ultra-deepwater assets started multi-year programs for repeat customers reinforcing the advantages that fleet standardization provides for us and our customers.”

Rabun added, “We also contracted two of our newbuild rigs during the quarter. ENSCO DS-7, our fifth Samsung ultra-deepwater drillship, was contracted to Total in Angola for three years. ENSCO 121, our second ENSCO 120 Series ultra-premium jackup, was contracted to Wintershall in the North Sea for two years. Given continued strong customer demand, we recently ordered ENSCO 110, a premium jackup with delivery scheduled for early 2015.”

Rabun concluded, “We were once again gratified to learn that our customers rated Ensco #1 in total customer satisfaction in the independent survey conducted by EnergyPoint Research. Receiving this designation for the third year in a row is recognition of the hard work and dedication of our offshore crews and onshore personnel worldwide.”

Revenues grew 13% to $1.150 billion in first quarter 2013 from $1.021 billion a year ago. The addition of ENSCO 8505, ENSCO 8506 and ENSCO DS-6 to the active fleet and an increase in average day rates for the jackups segment contributed to this increase.

Contract drilling expense was $561 million, up from $502 million in first quarter 2012. A growing active floater fleet drove this increase along with an increase in labor costs as expected.

Depreciation expense was $149 million, compared to $136 million a year ago. The $13 million increase was mostly due to more rigs in the active fleet. General and administrative expense was $38 million in first quarter 2013 and first quarter 2012.

Interest expense in first quarter 2013 was $39 million, net of $18 million of interest that was capitalized, compared to interest expense of $35 million in first quarter 2012, net of $23 million of interest that was capitalized.

Segment Highlights

Floaters

Floater revenues were $719 million in first quarter 2013, up 12% from $639 million a year ago. The commencement of ENSCO 8505, ENSCO 8506 and ENSCO DS-6 contributed to this growth. The average day rate increased to $380,000 from $350,000 in first quarter 2012 and the number of rig days increased 6% year to year due to the addition of three newbuild floaters. Utilization declined to 83% from 85% a year ago primarily due to previously reported downtime prompted by a vendor notice regarding inspection and replacement of connector bolts.

Floater contract drilling expense was $345 million in first quarter 2013, up from $313 million in first quarter 2012. A growing active floater fleet contributed to this increase along with a previously anticipated increase in labor costs.

Jackups

Jackup revenues grew 14% to $411 million, up from $360 million a year ago. The increase was due mostly to a $17,000 increase in the average day rate to $117,000, driven by a broad-based pickup in customer demand around the world. Utilization was 88% compared to 91% a year ago, resulting primarily from more planned shipyard days during first quarter 2013 versus first quarter 2012. Contract drilling expense increased $26 million to $200 million, due in part to an increase in labor costs as expected.

Other

Other is composed of managed drilling rig operations. Revenues decreased to $20 million from $22 million in first quarter 2012 due to a $10,000 decline in average day rates. Contract drilling expense was $16 million, unchanged from a year ago