Emerges from Restructuring with Net Cash Position
Awarded More Than 20 New Contracts or Extensions Totaling Over $1.3 Billion of Backlog
VALARIS DS-11 Awarded Contract for 20K Project with Estimated Duration of Three-and-a-Half Years
VALARIS DS-18 Awarded Three-Year Contract
VALARIS DS-16 Awarded Two-Year Contract

President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Burke said, “On April 30, 2021, Valaris emerged from chapter 11 with a significantly strengthened capital structure, including a net cash position, $550 million of debt due in 2028 and an industry-leading cost structure that is scalable and adaptable to changing market conditions.”

Burke added, “During the three months since emergence, our customers awarded Valaris more than 20 new contracts or extensions with associated contract backlog totaling over $1.3 billion. This figure includes an eight-well contract, with an estimated duration of three-and-a-half years, for VALARIS DS-11, a two-year contract for VALARIS DS-16 and a 420-day contract for VALARIS DPS-1, which we announced in today's fleet status report, as well as a three-year contract for VALARIS DS-18 awarded in early June. These contract awards are a testament to the technical capabilities of our fleet and the excellent operational and safety performance of our crews, and I want to take the opportunity to recognize all the teams in Valaris that have contributed to this outstanding contracting success over the past several months.”

Burke concluded, “We are beginning to see early signs of a recovery in customer demand following the downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, evidenced by our contracting activity over the past few months. As a result, Valaris is well-positioned to benefit from the opportunities we see in the market today. We will continue to focus on winning work for our active fleet and returning some of our high-quality stacked rigs to work as suitable opportunities arise. I am extremely proud of what Valaris has achieved during the three months since our emergence from chapter 11, and I am excited to see what the future holds for the Company.”

Fresh Start Accounting

Valaris emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on April 30, 2021 (the "Effective Date"). Upon emergence, Valaris applied fresh start accounting which resulted in Valaris becoming a new reporting entity for accounting and financial reporting. Accordingly, our financial statements and notes after the Effective Date are not comparable to our financial statements and notes prior to that date. As required by GAAP, results for the quarter must be presented separately for the predecessor period from April 1, 2021, through April 30, 2021 (the "Predecessor" period) and the successor period from May 1, 2021, through June 30, 2021 (the "Successor" period). However, the Company has combined certain results of the Predecessor and Successor periods ("Combined" results) as non-GAAP measures to compare to prior periods since we believe it provides the most meaningful basis to analyze our results.

Second Quarter Highlights

Revenues were $203 million and $90 million for the Successor and Predecessor periods, respectively. Combined revenues declined to $293 million in the second quarter 2021 from $307 million in the first quarter. Excluding reimbursable items, Combined revenues declined to $261 million in the second quarter from $277 million in the prior quarter primarily due to lower revenues from the floater fleet as two drillships working in the first quarter were between contracts for most of the second quarter.

Contract drilling expense was $169 million and $86 million for the Successor and Predecessor periods, respectively. Combined contract drilling expense increased to $254 million in the second quarter 2021 from $252 million in the first quarter. Excluding reimbursable items, Combined contract drilling expense declined to $236 million in the second quarter from $237 million in the prior quarter primarily due to fewer operating days for the floater fleet. This was partially offset by additional operating days for the jackup fleet and higher rig reactivation costs as previously stacked rigs, primarily VALARIS JU-249 and VALARIS JU-121, underwent preparations for long-term contracts.

General and administrative expense was $13 million and $6 million for the Successor and Predecessor periods, respectively. Combined general and administrative expense declined to $19 million in the second quarter 2021 from $24 million in the prior quarter primarily due to lower personnel costs.

Tax expense was $15 million and tax benefit was $16 million for the Successor and Predecessor periods, respectively. Combined tax benefit was less than $1 million in the second quarter 2021 compared to tax expense of $32 million in the prior quarter. The Combined second quarter tax provision included $12 million of discrete tax benefit primarily related to fresh start accounting adjustments. The prior quarter tax provision included $20 million of discrete tax expense related to uncertain tax positions taken for prior years. Adjusted for discrete items, Combined tax expense of $12 million in the second quarter was in line with the prior quarter.

Combined adjusted EBITDA of $17 million in the second quarter 2021 compared to $28 million in the prior quarter. Combined adjusted EBITDAR of $41 million in the second quarter 2021 compared to $39 million in the prior quarter. Combined adjusted EBITDARPS of $58 million in the second quarter 2021 compared to $57 million in the prior quarter.

Segment Highlights

Floaters

Floater revenues were $50 million and $18 million for the Successor and Predecessor periods, respectively. Combined floater revenues declined to $68 million in the second quarter 2021 from $97 million in the prior quarter. Excluding reimbursable items, Combined revenues declined to $62 million in the second quarter from $88 million in the prior quarter primarily due to fewer operating days as two drillships that were working in the first quarter were between contracts for most of the second quarter.

Contract drilling expense was $45 million and $22 million for the Successor and Predecessor periods, respectively. Combined contract drilling expense declined to $67 million in the second quarter 2021 from $84 million in the prior quarter. Excluding reimbursable items, Combined contract drilling expense declined to $63 million in the second quarter from $81 million in the prior quarter primarily due to fewer operating days in the second quarter.

Jackups

Jackup revenues were $129 million and $60 million for the Successor and Predecessor periods, respectively. Combined jackup revenues increased to $188 million in the second quarter 2021 from $173 million in the prior quarter. Excluding reimbursable items, Combined revenues increased to $167 million in the second quarter from $157 million in the prior quarter. The sequential quarter increase was primarily due to an increase in average day rates, which were $99,000 in the second quarter compared to $95,000 in the prior quarter and a four percentage point increase in utilization to 54%.

Contract drilling expense was $96 million and $49 million for the Successor and Predecessor periods, respectively. Combined contract drilling expense increased to $144 million in the second quarter 2021 from $121 million in the prior quarter. Excluding reimbursable items, Combined contract drilling expense increased to $134 million in the second quarter from $114 million in the prior quarter primarily due to $19 million higher reactivation costs in the second quarter as we prepare rigs, primarily VALARIS JU-249 and VALARIS JU-121, for long-term contracts starting later in the year.

ARO Drilling

Revenues were $84 million and $41 million for the Successor and Predecessor periods, respectively. Combined revenues increased to $125 million in the second quarter 2021 from $123 million in the prior quarter. Combined contract drilling expense increased to $93 million in the second quarter from $86 million in the prior quarter primarily due to higher personnel costs. Combined EBITDA was $28 million in the second quarter compared to $33 million in the prior quarter.

Other

Revenues were $25 million and $12 million for the Successor and Predecessor periods, respectively. Combined revenues of $37 million in the second quarter 2021 were in line with the prior quarter and Combined contract drilling expense declined to $14 million in the second quarter from $15 million in the prior quarter.

About Valaris Limited

Valaris Limited (NYSE: VAL) is the industry leader in offshore drilling services across all water depths and geographies. Operating a high-quality rig fleet of ultra-deepwater drillships, versatile semisubmersibles, and modern shallow-water jackups, Valaris has experience operating in nearly every major offshore basin. Valaris maintains an unwavering commitment to safety, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction, with a focus on technology and innovation. Valaris Limited is a Bermuda exempted company. To learn more, visit the Valaris website at www.valaris.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include words or phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project," "could," "may," "might," "should," "will" and similar words and specifically include statements involving expected financial performance; expected utilization, rig commitments and availability, day rates, revenues, operating expenses including expenses related to reorganization items, cash flow, contract status, terms and duration, contract backlog, capital expenditures, insurance, financing and funding; the offshore drilling market, including supply and demand, customer drilling programs, stacking of rigs, effects of new rigs on the market and effects of declines in commodity prices; synergies and expected additional cost savings; effective tax rates; expected work commitments, letters of intent; scheduled delivery dates for rigs; performance of our joint venture with Saudi Aramco; the timing of delivery, mobilization, contract commencement, relocation or other movement of rigs; our intent to sell or scrap rigs; and general market, business and industry conditions, trends and outlook. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to vary materially from those indicated, including the effects of the chapter 11 cases on the Company's business, relationships, comparability of our financial results and ability to access financing sources, the COVID-19 outbreak and global pandemic, the related public health measures implemented by governments worldwide, which may, among other things, impact our ability to staff rigs and rotate crews; cancellation, suspension, renegotiation or termination of drilling contracts and programs, including drilling contracts which grant the customer termination rights if final investment decision (FID) is not received with respect to projects for which the drilling rig is contracted; potential additional asset impairments; our failure to satisfy our debt obligations; our ability to obtain financing, service our debt, fund negative cash flow and capital expenditures and pursue other business opportunities; adequacy of sources of liquidity for us and our customers; actions by regulatory authorities, rating agencies or other third parties; actions by our security holders; availability and terms of any financing; commodity price fluctuations, customer demand, new rig supply, downtime and other risks associated with offshore rig operations; severe weather or hurricanes; changes in worldwide rig supply and demand, competition and technology; future levels of offshore drilling activity; governmental action, civil unrest and political and economic uncertainties; terrorism, piracy and military action; risks inherent to shipyard rig construction, repair, maintenance or enhancement; our ability to enter into, and the terms of, future drilling contracts; the cancellation of letters of intent or letters of award or any failure to execute definitive contracts following announcements of letters of intent, letters of award or other expected work commitments; the outcome of litigation, legal proceedings, investigations or other claims or contract disputes; governmental regulatory, legislative and permitting requirements affecting drilling operations; our ability to attract and retain skilled personnel on commercially reasonable terms; environmental or other liabilities, risks or losses; debt restrictions that may limit our liquidity and flexibility; and cybersecurity risks and threats. In particular, the unprecedented nature of the current economic downturn, pandemic, and industry decline may make it particularly difficult to identify risks or predict the degree to which identified risks will impact the Company's business and financial condition. In addition to the numerous factors described above, you should also carefully read and consider “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part I and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II of our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as updated in our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or on the Investor Relations section of our website at www.valaris.com. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.