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Transocean Ltd

For the period ended Sep 30, 2024. Filed Oct 31, 2024.

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About this filing

A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.

Sep 30, 2024 · Filed Oct 31, 2024

RIG$5.24+2.7%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1—Business

Transocean Ltd. (together with its subsidiaries and predecessors, unless the context requires otherwise, “Transocean,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is a leading international provider of offshore contract drilling services for oil and gas wells. As of September 30, 2024, we owned or had partial ownership interests in and operated a fleet of 34 mobile offshore drilling units, consisting of 26 ultra-deepwater floaters andeight harsh environment floaters.

Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies

Presentation—We prepared our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S.”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Pursuant to such rules and regulations, these financial statements do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. for complete financial statements. The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods. Such adjustments are considered to be of a normal recurring nature unless otherwise noted. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2024, or for any future period. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, included in our annual report on Form 10K filed on February 21, 2024.

Accounting estimates—To prepare financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., we must make judgments by applying estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions, including those related to our income taxes, property and equipment, equity investments, contingencies, allowance for excess materials and supplies, assets held for sale, postemployment benefit plans and share-based compensation. We base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience and other factors that we believe are reasonable. Actual results could differ from such estimates.

Fair value measurements—We estimate fair value at an exchange price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Our valuation techniques require inputs that we categorize using a three-level hierarchy, from highest to lowest level of observable inputs, as follows: (1) significant observable inputs, including unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets (“Level 1”), (2) significant other observable inputs, including direct or indirect market data for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or identical assets or liabilities in less active markets (“Level 2”) and (3) significant unobservable inputs, including those that require considerable judgment for which there is little or no market data (“Level 3”). When a valuation requires multiple input levels, we categorize the entire fair value measurement according to the lowest level of input that is significant to the measurement even though we may have also utilized significant inputs that are more readily observable.

Note 3—Accounting Standards Updates

Recently issued accounting standards updates not yet adopted

Segment reporting—Effective for the year ending December 31, 2024, we will adopt the accounting standards update that requires incremental disclosures about a public entity’s reportable segments but does not change the definition or guidance for determining reportable segments. The update, which explicitly applies to entities such as us with a single reportable segment, requires disclosure of the significant expense categories and amounts that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision-maker and included in the reported measure of segment profit or loss. Additionally, the update requires disclosures about the individual or the group or committee identified as the chief operating decision-maker. We will provide the new disclosures, as required, in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2024 and interim periods thereafter with retrospective application to all periods presented, unless impracticable. Although our adoption of the update will require us to augment certain disclosures in the notes to consolidated financial statements, we do not expect such adoption to have a material effect on our consolidated statements of financial position, operations or cash flows.

Income taxes—Effective for the year ending December 31, 2025, we will adopt the accounting standards update that requires significant incremental disclosures intended to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures, particularly with regard to the rate reconciliation table and income taxes paid. The new guidance will be applied prospectively and permits, but does not require, retrospective application. We will provide the new disclosures, as required, in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2025. We continue to evaluate the requirements. Although our adoption will require us to augment certain disclosures in the notes to consolidated financial statements, we do not expect such adoption to have a material effect on our consolidated statements of financial position, operations or cash flows.

  • 6 -

Note 4—Unconsolidated Affiliates

Overview—In the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, we recognized income of $5 million and a loss of $14 million, respectively, recorded in other, net, associated with equity in earnings or losses of our equity investments. In the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recognized a loss of $5 million, which had no tax effect, recorded in other, net, associated with the impairment of certain equity investments upon determination that the carrying amount exceeded the estimated fair value and that the impairment was other than temporary. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the aggregate carrying amount of our equity investments in unconsolidated affiliates was $124 million and $216 million, respectively, recorded in other assets.

Acquisitions—At December 31, 2023, we held a 33.0 percent noncontrolling interest in Orion Holdings (Cayman) Limited (together with its subsidiary, “Orion”), the Cayman Islands company that owned the harsh environment floaterTransocean Norge, and the aggregate carrying amount of our investment in Orion was $86 million, recorded in other assets. In June 2024, we transferred noncash consideration with an aggregate fair value of $431 million, including $130 million aggregate principal amount of 8.00% senior notes due February 2027 (the “8.00% Senior Notes”) and 55.5 million Transocean Ltd. shares, to acquire the outstanding 67.0 percent ownership interest in Orion. As a result, Orion became our wholly owned subsidiary. We recorded the transaction using the asset acquisition method of accounting. See Note 6—Long-Lived Assets, Note 7—Debt and Note 11—Equity.

At December 31, 2022, we held a 20 percent noncontrolling interest in Liquila Ventures Ltd. (together with its subsidiaries, “Liquila”), the Bermuda company that was constructing the ultra-deepwater floaterDeepwater Aquila. Also, at December 31, 2022, Perestroika (Cyprus) Ltd. (“Perestroika”), an entity affiliated with one of our directors who, at the time, beneficially owned approximately 11 percent of our shares and currently owns approximately 10 percent of our shares, held a 13.33 percent ownership interest in Liquila. In September 2023, we issued 11.9 million Transocean Ltd. shares with an aggregate fair value of $99 million, including 2.0 million Transocean Ltd. shares with an aggregate fair value of $16.4 million to Perestroika, to acquire the outstanding 80 percent equity ownership interests in Liquila. As a result, Liquila became our wholly owned subsidiary. We recorded the transaction using the asset acquisition method of accounting. See Note 6—Long-Lived Assets and Note 11—Equity.

Contribution—In February 2023, we made a cash contribution of $10 million and a non-cash contribution of the ultra-deepwater floaterOcean Rig Olympia, which had been cold stacked, and related assets, with an estimated fair value of $85 million (see Note 6—Long-Lived Assets), in exchange for a noncontrolling ownership interest in Global Sea Mineral Resources NV (together with its subsidiaries, “GSR”), a Belgian company and leading developer of nodule collection technology engaged in the development and exploration of deep-sea polymetallic nodules that contain metals critical to the growing renewable energy market. We estimated the fair value of the rig using projected discounted cash flows, and our estimate required us to use significant unobservable inputs, representative of Level 3 fair value measurements, including assumptions related to the future performance of the rig, projected demand for its services, rig availability and dayrates.

Related party transactions—In the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, we received an aggregate cash payment of $11 million and $43 million, respectively, for services and equipment provided to, and prior to our acquisition of, Orion. In the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, we made an aggregate cash payment of $25 million and $1 million, respectively, to charterTransocean Norge and rent other equipment from, and prior to our acquisition of, Orion. Additionally, in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we and Orion agreed to the non-cash net settlement of a balance of $25 million of accounts receivable and payable.

Note 5—Revenues

Overview—Under most of our drilling contracts with customers, our drilling services represent a single performance obligation that is satisfied over time, the duration of which varies by contract. As of September 30, 2024, the drilling contract with the longest expected remaining duration, excluding unexercised options, extends through August 2029.

Disaggregation—Our contract drilling revenues, disaggregated by asset group and by country in which they were earned, were as follows (in millions):

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​ · ​ · Three months ended September 30, · ​ · Nine months ended September 30, · ​
​ · 2024 · ​ · 2023 · 2024 · ​ · 2023
​ · Ultra- · Harsh · ​ · ​ · Ultra- · Harsh · ​ · Ultra- · Harsh · ​ · ​ · Ultra- · Harsh · ​
​ · deepwater · environment · ​ · ​ · deepwater · environment · ​ · deepwater · environment · ​ · ​ · deepwater · environment · ​
​ · floaters · floaters · Total · ​ · floaters · floaters · Total · floaters · floaters · Total · ​ · floaters · floaters · Total
U.S.$395​$—​$395​$360​$—​$360$1,171​$—​$1,171​$1,077​$—​$1,077
Brazil​​204​​—​​204​​55​​—​​55​​509​​—​​509​​183​​—​​183​
Norway​​—​​172​​172​​—​​164​​164​​—​​486​​486​​—​​454​​454​
Other countries (a)​​69​​108​​177​​101​​33​​134​​163​​243​​406​​276​​101​​377​
Total contract drilling revenues$668​$280​$948​$516​$197​$713$1,843​$729​$2,572​$1,536​$555​$2,091

(a)The aggregate contract drilling revenues earned in other countries that individually represented less than 10 percent of total contract drilling revenues.

  • 7 -

Contract liabilities—Contract liabilities for our contracts with customers were as follows (in millions):

​​​​​​​​
​ · ​ · September 30, · ​ · December 31 · ​
​ · 2024 · 2023
Deferred contract revenues, recorded in other current liabilities$265​$165​
Deferred contract revenues, recorded in other long-term liabilities​​231​​233​
Total contract liabilities$496​$398​

Significant changes in contract liabilities were as follows (in millions):

​​​​​​​​
​ · ​ · Nine months ended September 30, · ​
​ · 2024 · 2023
Total contract liabilities, beginning of period​$398​$328​
Decrease due to recognition of revenues for goods and services​​(172)​​(149)​
Increase due to goods and services transferred over time​​270​​189​
Total contract liabilities, end of period​$496​$368​

Pre-operating costs—In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recognized pre-operating costs of $44 million and $92 million, respectively, recorded in operating and maintenance costs. In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recognized pre-operating costs of $17 million and $52 million, respectively, recorded in operating and maintenance costs. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the carrying amount of our unrecognized pre-operating costs to obtain contracts was $247 million and $221 million, respectively, recorded in other assets, significantly increased as a result of seven rigs mobilizing or preparing for contracts that commenced in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 or are expected to commence through the six months ending June 30, 2025.

Note 6—Long-Lived Assets

Construction work in progress—The changes in our construction work in progress were as follows (in millions):

​​​​​​​​
​ · ​ · Nine months ended · ​
​ · ​ · September 30, · ​
​ · 2024 · 2023
Construction work in progress, beginning of period$522​$1,195​
​​​​​​​​
Capital expenditures​​​​​​​
Newbuild construction program​​135​​145​
Other equipment and construction projects​​90​​62​
Total capital expenditures​​225​​207​
Non-cash capital additions acquired in exchange for issuance of shares of Transocean Ltd.​​—​​126​
Changes in accrued capital additions​​(12)​​6​
​​​​​​​​
Property and equipment placed into service​​​​​​​
Newbuild construction program​​(547)​​(1,157)​
Other equipment and construction projects​​(119)​​(57)​
Construction work in progress, end of period$69​$320​

Acquisitions—In June 2024, we acquired $517 million of property and equipment associated withTransocean Norge, together with $5 million of cash and cash equivalents and $4 million of accounts receivable from us. In September 2023, we acquired $126 million of property and equipment associated withDeepwater Aquila, together with $7 million of cash and cash equivalents, and we assumed $19 million of accounts payable to us. See Note 4—Unconsolidated Affiliates, Note 7—Debt and Note 11—Equity.

Impairments—In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recognized a loss of $629 million ($617 million or $0.64 per diluted share, net of tax) and $772 million ($755 million or $0.82 per diluted share, net of tax), respectively, associated with the impairment of the ultra-deepwater floatersDeepwater Nautilus,Development Driller III andDiscoverer Inspiration, together with related assets, which we determined were impaired at the time that we classified the assets as held for sale. In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recognized a loss of $5 million ($0.01 per diluted share) and $58 million ($0.08 per diluted share), respectively, which hadno tax effect, associated with the impairment of the harsh environment floatersPaul B. Loyd, Jr. andTransocean Leader, together with related assets, which we determined were impaired at the time that we classified the assets as held for sale.

We measured the impairment of the rigs and related assets as the amount by which the carrying amount exceeded the estimated fair value less costs to sell. We estimated the fair value of the assets using significant other observable inputs, representative of Level 2 fair value measurements, including binding contracts for the sale of the rigs and related assets.

Disposals—In February 2024, we completed the sale ofPaul B. Loyd, Jr. andTransocean Leader, together with related assets, for aggregate net cash proceeds of $49 million, including $6 million received as a deposit in the year ended December 31, 2023. In July 2024, we completed the sale ofDeepwater Nautilus and related assets for aggregate net cash proceeds of $53 million, including $5 million received as a deposit in June 2024. In the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, we received aggregate net cash proceeds of $3 million

  • 8 -

and $4 million, respectively and recognized an aggregate net loss of $10 million and $4 million, respectively, associated with the disposal of assets unrelated to rig sales.

In February 2023, in connection with our investment in a noncontrolling ownership interest in GSR, we made a non-cash contribution of the cold-stackedOcean Rig Olympia and related assets. In the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recognized a loss of $169 million ($0.23 per diluted share), which hadno tax effect, associated with the disposal of the rig and related assets. See Note 4—Unconsolidated Affiliates.

Assets held for sale—At September 30, 2024, the aggregate carrying amount of our assets held for sale, includingDevelopment Driller III andDiscoverer Inspiration, together with related assets, was $345 million. The transactions contemplated by the binding purchase and sale agreements, executed in September 2024, for these rigs and related assets are subject to customary closing conditions, including the buyers’ ability to secure financing for the purchases. We have extended the originally agreed closing dates and remain in discussions with the buyers.

At December 31, 2023, the aggregate carrying amount of our assets held for sale, includingPaul B. Loyd, Jr. andTransocean Leader, together with related assets, was $49 million.

Note 7—Debt

Overview

Outstanding debt—The aggregate principal amounts and aggregate carrying amounts, including the contractual interest payments of previously restructured debt, a bifurcated compound exchange feature, and unamortized debt-related balances, such as discounts, premiums and issue costs, were as follows (in millions):

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​ · ​ · Principal amount · ​ · ​ · Carrying amount
​ · ​ · September 30, · ​ · December 31, · ​ · September 30, · ​ · December 31,
​ · 2024 · 2023 · 2024 · 2023
7.25% Senior Notes due November 2025​$—​$354​​$—​$352​
4.00% Senior Guaranteed Exchangeable Bonds due December 2025​​234​​234​​​226​​221​
7.50% Senior Notes due January 2026​​—​​569​​​—​​567​
11.50% Senior Guaranteed Notes due January 2027​​—​​687​​​—​​938​
6.875% Senior Secured Notes due February 2027​​330​​413​​​328​​409​
8.00% Senior Notes due February 2027​​655​​612​​​653​​609​
7.45% Notes due April 2027​​52​​52​​​52​​52​
8.00% Debentures due April 2027​​22​​22​​​22​​22​
4.50% Shipyard Loans due September 2027​​359​​420​​​336​​384​
8.375% Senior Secured Notes due February 2028​​525​​525​​​517​​518​
7.00% Notes due June 2028​​261​​261​​​263​​264​
8.00% Senior Secured Notes due September 2028​​295​​325​​​291​​321​
8.25% Senior Notes due May 2029​​900​​—​​​886​​—​
4.625% Senior Guaranteed Exchangeable Bonds due September 2029​​259​​259​​​344​​486​
8.75% Senior Secured Notes due February 2030​​999​​1,116​​​980​​1,094​
7.50% Notes due April 2031​​396​​396​​​395​​395​
8.50% Senior Notes due May 2031​​900​​—​​​886​​—​
6.80% Senior Notes due March 2038​​610​​610​​​605​​605​
7.35% Senior Notes due December 2041​​177​​177​​​176​​176​
Total debt​​6,974​​7,032​​​6,960​​7,413​
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Less debt due within one year​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
11.50% Senior Guaranteed Notes due January 2027​​—​​—​​​—​​71​
6.875% Senior Secured Notes due February 2027​​83​​83​​​81​​81​
4.50% Shipyard Loans due September 2027​​120​​90​​​107​​75​
8.375% Senior Secured Notes due February 2028​​100​​—​​​97​​—​
8.00% Senior Secured Notes due September 2028​​60​​30​​​59​​30​
8.75% Senior Secured Notes due February 2030​​117​​117​​​113​​113​
Total debt due within one year​​480​​320​​​457​​370​
Total long-term debt$6,494​$6,712​$6,503​$7,043​
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Scheduled maturities—At September 30, 2024, scheduled maturities of our debt were as follows (in millions):

​​​​​
​ · Total
Twelve months ending September 30,​​​​
2025​$480​
2026​​767​
2027​​1,293​
2028​​664​
2029​​1,276​
Thereafter​​2,494​
Total principal amount of debt​​6,974​
Total unamortized debt-related balances, net​​(211)​
Bifurcated compound exchange feature, at estimated fair value​​197​
Total carrying amount of debt​$6,960​

Credit agreement

Secured Credit Facility—We have a secured revolving credit facility established under a bank credit agreement (as amended from time to time, the “Secured Credit Facility”), which is scheduled to mature on June 22, 2028. In April 2024, we amended the Secured Credit Facility to, among other things, (a) extend the maturity date from June 22, 2025 to June 22, 2028 and (b) reduce the borrowing capacity from $600 million to $576 million through June 22, 2025, and thereafter reduce the borrowing capacity to $510 million through June 22, 2028. Throughout the term of the Secured Credit Facility, we pay a facility fee on the amount of the underlying commitment, which ranges from 0.375 percent to 1.00 percent based on the credit rating of the Secured Credit Facility. We may borrow under the Secured Credit Facility at a forward-looking term rate based on the secured overnight financing rate (“Term SOFR”) plus a margin and a Term SOFR spread adjustment of 0.10 percent. The Secured Credit Facility is subject to permitted extensions and certain early maturity triggers, including if on any date the aggregate amount of scheduled principal repayments of indebtedness, with certain exceptions, due within 91 days thereof is equal to or in excess of $325 million and available cash is less than $250 million. The Secured Credit Facility permits us to increase the aggregate amount of commitments by up to $250 million. The Secured Credit Facility is guaranteed by Transocean Ltd. and certain wholly owned subsidiaries.

The Secured Credit Facility contains covenants that, among other things, include maintenance of a minimum guarantee coverage ratio of 3.0 to 1.0, a minimum collateral coverage ratio of 2.1 to 1.0, a maximum debt to capitalization ratio of 0.60 to 1.00 and minimum liquidity of $200 million. The Secured Credit Facility also restricts the ability of Transocean Ltd. and certain of our subsidiaries to, among other things, merge, consolidate or otherwise make changes to the corporate structure, incur liens, incur additional indebtedness, enter into transactions with affiliates and permits, subject to certain conditions, the ability to pay dividends and repurchase our shares. In order to utilize the Secured Credit Facility, we must, at the time of the borrowing request, be in full compliance with the terms and conditions of the Secured Credit Facility and make certain representations and warranties, including with respect to compliance with laws and solvency, to the lenders. Repayment of borrowings under the Secured Credit Facility are subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of an event of default. Under the agreements governing certain of our debt and finance lease, we are also subject to various covenants, including restrictions on creating liens, engaging in sale/leaseback transactions and engaging in certain merger, consolidation or reorganization transactions. A default under our public debt indentures, the agreements governing our senior secured notes, our finance lease contract or any other debt owed to unaffiliated entities that exceeds $125 million could trigger a default under the Secured Credit Facility and, if not waived by the lenders or otherwise cured, could cause us to lose access to the Secured Credit Facility. At September 30, 2024, based on the credit rating of the Secured Credit Facility as of that date, the facility fee was 0.625 percent. At September 30, 2024, we hadno borrowings outstanding, $12 million of letters of credit issued, and we had $564 million of available borrowing capacity under the Secured Credit Facility.

Exchangeable bonds

Exchange terms—At September 30, 2024, the (a) current exchange rates, expressed as the number of Transocean Ltd. shares per $1,000 note, (b) implied exchange prices per Transocean Ltd. share and (c) aggregate shares, expressed in millions, issuable upon exchange of our exchangeable bonds were as follows:

​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​
​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · Implied · ​ · ​ · ​
​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · Exchange · ​ · exchange · Shares · ​
​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · rate · ​ · price · issuable · ​
4.00% Senior Guaranteed Exchangeable Bonds due December 2025​​​​​190.4762​$5.25​​45​
4.625% Senior Guaranteed Exchangeable Bonds due September 2029​​​​​290.6618​$3.44​​75​

The exchange rates, presented above, are subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events. The 4.00% senior guaranteed exchangeable bonds due December 2025 may be exchanged by holders at any time prior to the close of business on the second business day immediately preceding the maturity date and, at our election, such exchange may be settled by delivering cash, Transocean Ltd. shares or a combination of cash and shares. The 4.625% senior guaranteed exchangeable bonds due September 2029 (the “4.625% Senior

  • 10 -

Guaranteed Exchangeable Bonds”) may be exchanged by holders at any time prior to the close of business on the second business day immediately preceding the maturity date or redemption date and, at our election, such exchange may be settled by delivering cash, Transocean Ltd. shares or a combination of cash and shares.

Effective interest rates and fair values—At September 30, 2024, the effective interest rates and estimated fair values of our exchangeable bonds were as follows (in millions, except effective interest rates):

​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​
​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · Effective · ​ · Fair · ​
​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · interest rate · ​ · value · ​
4.00% Senior Guaranteed Exchangeable Bonds due December 2025​​​​​​​​6.9%​$261​
4.625% Senior Guaranteed Exchangeable Bonds due September 2029​​​​​​​​18.3%​$418​

We estimated the fair values of the exchangeable debt instruments, including the exchange features, by employing a binomial lattice model using significant other observable inputs, representative of Level 2 fair value measurements, including the terms and credit spreads of our debt and the expected volatility of the market price for our shares.

Interest expense—We recognized interest expense for our exchangeable bonds as follows (in millions):

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​ · ​ · ​ · Three months ended · ​ · Nine months ended · ​
​ · ​ · ​ · September 30, · ​ · September 30, · ​
​ · ​ · 2024 · ​ · 2023 · ​ · 2024 · ​ · 2023 · ​
Contractual interest​$6​​6​$16​$19​
Amortization​​5​​5​​15​​15​
Bifurcated compound exchange feature​​(74)​​93​​(153)​​272​
Total​$(63)​​104​$(122)​$306​

The indenture governing the 4.625% Senior Guaranteed Exchangeable Bonds contains a compound exchange feature that, in addition to the exchange terms presented above, requires us to pay holders a make-whole premium of future interest through March 30, 2028, for exchanges exercised during a redemption notice period. Such compound exchange feature must be bifurcated from the host debt instrument since it is not considered indexed to our stock. Accordingly, we recognize changes to the estimated fair value of the bifurcated compound exchange feature, recorded as a component of the carrying amount of debt, with a corresponding adjustment to interest expense. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the carrying amount of the bifurcated compound exchange feature was $197 million and $350 million, respectively.

Exchanges—In April 2023, Perestroika exchanged $213 million aggregate principal amount of 2.50% senior guaranteed exchangeable bonds due January 2027 (the “2.50% Senior Guaranteed Exchangeable Bonds”) under the terms of the indenture governing such bonds at the applicable exchange rate of 162.1626 Transocean Ltd. shares per $1,000 note. As part of the transaction, we delivered 34.6 million Transocean Ltd. shares and $3 million cash consideration to such exchanging holder. The director’s beneficial ownership of our shares resulting from these transactions did not change.

In July 2023, the holders of the remaining outstanding $25 million aggregate principal amount of 2.50% Senior Guaranteed Exchangeable Bonds exchanged such bonds under the terms of the governing indenture at the applicable exchange rate of 162.1626 Transocean Ltd. shares per $1,000 note. As part of the transaction, we delivered 4.0 million Transocean Ltd. shares.

Debt issuance

Senior notes—In April 2024, we issued $900 million aggregate principal amount of 8.25% senior notes due May 2029 (the “8.25% Senior Notes”) and $900 million aggregate principal amount of 8.50% senior notes due May 2031 (the “8.50% Senior Notes”), and we received $1.77 billion aggregate cash proceeds, net of issue costs. The 8.25% Senior Notes and the 8.50% Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by Transocean Ltd. and certain of our wholly owned subsidiaries. On or prior to May 15, 2026 and 2027, respectively, we may redeem all or a portion of the 8.25% Senior Notes and the 8.50% Senior Notes, respectively, at a price equal to 100 percent of the aggregate principal amount plus a make-whole premium, and subsequently, at specified redemption prices.

In June 2024, as partial consideration to acquire the outstanding 67.0 percent ownership interest in Orion, we issued $130 million aggregate principal amount of 8.00% Senior Notes with an equivalent aggregate fair value as additional debt securities under the indenture governing such notes. See Note 4—Unconsolidated Affiliates, Note 6—Long-Lived Assets and Note 11—Equity.

Senior secured notes—In January 2023, we issued $525 million aggregate principal amount of 8.375% senior secured notes due February 2028 (the “8.375% Senior Secured Notes”), and we received $516 million aggregate cash proceeds, net of issue costs. The 8.375% Senior Secured Notes are secured by the assets and earnings associated with the ultra-deepwater floaterDeepwater Titan and the equity of the wholly owned subsidiary that owns or operates the collateral rig. Additionally, we are required to comply with certain covenants, including related to the debt and earnings attributable to the collateral rig, and maintain certain balances in a restricted cash account to satisfy debt service requirements. We may redeem all or a portion of the 8.375% Senior Secured Notes on or prior to February 1, 2025 at a price equal to 100 percent of the aggregate principal amount plus a make-whole premium, and subsequently, at specified redemption prices.

  • 11 -

In January 2023, we issued $1.175 billion aggregate principal amount of 8.75% senior secured notes due February 2030 (the “8.75% Senior Secured Notes”), and we received $1.148 billion aggregate cash proceeds, net of issue costs. The 8.75% Senior Secured Notes are secured by a lien on the ultra-deepwater floatersDeepwater Pontus,Deepwater Proteus andDeepwater Thalassa and the harsh environment floatersTransocean Enabler andTransocean Encourage, together with certain related assets. Additionally, we are required to comply with certain covenants, including related to the debt and earnings attributable to the collateral rigs, and maintain certain balances in a restricted cash account to satisfy debt service requirements. We may redeem all or a portion of the 8.75% Senior Secured Notes on or prior to February 15, 2026 at a price equal to 100 percent of the aggregate principal amount plus a make-whole premium, and subsequently, at specified redemption prices.

Early debt retirement

Tendered and redeemed notes—During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, we retired certain notes, for which the aggregate principal amounts, cash payments and recognized gain or loss were as follows (in millions):

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​ · ​ · Nine months ended September 30, · ​
​ · ​ · 2024 · ​ · 2023 · ​
​ · Tendered · Redeemed · Total · ​ · Redeemed · ​
5.375% Senior Secured Notes due May 2023​$—​$—​$—​$243​
5.875% Senior Secured Notes due January 2024​​—​​—​​—​​311​
7.75% Senior Secured Notes due October 2024​​—​​—​​—​​240​
6.25% Senior Secured Notes due December 2024​​—​​—​​—​​250​
6.125% Senior Secured Notes due August 2025​​—​​—​​—​​336​
7.25% Senior Notes due November 2025​​249​​105​​354​​—​
7.50% Senior Notes due January 2026​​—​​569​​569​​—​
11.50% Senior Guaranteed Notes due January 2027​​596​​91​​687​​—​
8.00% Senior Notes due February 2027​​—​​87​​87​​—​
Aggregate principal amount of debt retired​$845​$852​$1,697​$1,380​
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Aggregate cash payment​$886​$862​$1,748​$1,402​
Aggregate net gain, three-month period​$—​$21​$21​$—​
Aggregate net gain (loss), nine-month period​$144​$17​$161​$(32)​

Note 8—Income Taxes

Tax provision and rate—In the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, our effective tax rate was 11.3 percent and 0.9 percent, respectively, based on loss before income tax benefit. In the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the effect of various discrete period tax items was a net tax benefit of $178 million and $77 million, respectively. In the nine months ended September 30, 2024, such discrete items included changes to deferred taxes resulting from operational and structural changes related to rig movements and asset impairments, changes to valuation allowances and settlements of various uncertain tax positions. In the nine months ended September 30, 2023, such discrete items included settlements and expirations of various uncertain tax positions, changes to valuation allowances and changes to deferred taxes due to new rig operations. In the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, our effective tax rate, excluding discrete items, was 364.0 percent and (11.7) percent, respectively, based on loss before income tax benefit.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2024, as a result of operational and structural changes related to rig movements, we remeasured our deferred tax assets and liabilities related to Luxembourg, resulting in an increase of our net deferred tax asset from $8 million to $280 million, and such increase was substantially offset by an increase to our valuation allowance.

Tax positions and returns—We conduct operations through our various subsidiaries in countries throughout the world. Each country has its own tax regimes with varying nominal rates, deductions and tax attributes that are subject to changes resulting from new legislation, interpretation or guidance. From time to time, as a result of these changes, we may revise previously evaluated tax positions, which could cause us to adjust our recorded tax assets and liabilities. Tax authorities in certain jurisdictions are examining our tax returns and, in some cases, have issued assessments. We intend to defend our tax positions vigorously. Although we can provide no assurance as to the outcome of the aforementioned changes, examinations or assessments, we do not expect the ultimate liability to have a material adverse effect on our condensed consolidated statement of financial position or results of operations; however, it could have a material adverse effect on our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

Brazil tax investigations—In December 2005, the Brazilian tax authorities began issuing tax assessments with respect to our tax returns for the years 2000 through 2004. In May 2014, the Brazilian tax authorities issued an additional tax assessment for the years 2009 and 2010. We filed protests with the Brazilian tax authorities for the assessments and are engaged in the appeals process, and a portion of two cases were favorably closed. In the nine months ended September 30, 2024, our remaining exposure decreased by BRL 219 million, equivalent to $40 million, following our confirmation of the applicability of a law that allows taxpayers to reduce exposure associated with applicable penalties, interest and legal fees following the receipt and confirmation of a specific type of administrative determination, such as we received. As of September 30, 2024, the remaining aggregate tax assessment, including interest and penalties, was for corporate income

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tax of BRL 497 million, equivalent to $91 million, and indirect tax of BRL 89 million, equivalent to $16 million. We believe our returns are materially correct as filed, and we are vigorously contesting these assessments. An unfavorable outcome on these proposed assessments could have a material adverse effect on our condensed consolidated statement of financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Note 9—Loss Per Share

The computation of basic and diluted loss per share was as follows (in millions, except per share data):

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​ · ​ · Three months ended · ​ · ​ · Nine months ended · ​
​ · ​ · September 30, · ​ · ​ · September 30, · ​
​ · ​ · 2024 · ​ · 2023 · ​ · ​ · 2024 · ​ · 2023 · ​
​ · Basic · ​ · Diluted · ​ · Basic · ​ · Diluted · ​ · ​ · Basic · ​ · Diluted · ​ · Basic · ​ · Diluted
Numerator for loss per share​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Net loss attributable to controlling interest​$(494)​$(494)​$(220)​$(220)​​$(519)​$(519)​$(850)​$(850)​
Effect of convertible debt instruments, net of tax​​—​​(64)​​—​​—​​​—​​(81)​​—​​—​
Loss for per share calculation​$(494)​$(558)​$(220)​$(220)​​$(519)​$(600)​$(850)​$(850)​
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Denominator for loss per share​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Weighted-average shares outstanding​​879​​879​​774​​774​​​840​​840​​755​​755​
Effect of convertible debt instruments​​—​​75​​—​​—​​​—​​75​​—​​—​
Weighted-average shares for per share calculation​​879​​954​​774​​774​​​840​​915​​755​​755​
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Loss per share​$(0.56)​$(0.58)​$(0.28)​$(0.28)​​$(0.62)​$(0.65)​$(1.13)​$(1.13)​

We excluded from the computation certain shares issuable as follows because the effect would have been antidilutive (in millions):

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · Three months ended · ​ · Nine months ended · ​
​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · September 30, · ​ · September 30, · ​
​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · 2024 · ​ · 2023 · ​ · 2024 · ​ · 2023 · ​
Exchangeable bonds​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​45​​145​​45​​161​
Share-based awards​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​11​​19​​11​​18​
Warrants​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​5​​12​​7​​10​

Note 10—Contingencies

Legal proceedings

Asbestos litigation—In 2014, several of our subsidiaries were named, along with numerous other unaffiliated defendants, in complaints filed in Louisiana. The plaintiffs, former employees of some of the defendants, generally allege that the defendants used or manufactured asbestos-containing drilling mud additives for use in connection with drilling operations, claiming negligence, products liability, strict liability and claims allowed under the Jones Act and general maritime law. One of our subsidiaries has been named in similar complaints filed in Illinois, Missouri and California. As of September 30, 2024, seven plaintiffs have claims pending in Louisiana and 19 plaintiffs in the aggregate have claims pending in either Illinois, Missouri, or California, in which we have or may have an interest. We intend to defend these lawsuits vigorously, although we can provide no assurance as to the outcome. We historically have maintained broad liability insurance, although we can provide no assurance as to whether insurance will cover the liabilities, if any, arising out of these claims. Based on our evaluation of the exposure to date, we do not expect the liability, if any, resulting from these claims to have a material adverse effect on our condensed consolidated statement of financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

One of our subsidiaries was named as a defendant, along with numerous other companies, in lawsuits arising out of the subsidiary’s manufacture and sale of heat exchangers, and involvement in the construction and refurbishment of major industrial complexes alleging bodily injury or personal injury as a result of exposure to asbestos. As of September 30, 2024, the subsidiary was a defendant in approximately 332 lawsuits with a corresponding number of plaintiffs. For many of these lawsuits, we have not been provided sufficient information from the plaintiffs to determine whether all or some of the plaintiffs have claims against the subsidiary, the basis of any such claims, or the nature of their alleged injuries. The operating assets of the subsidiary were sold in 1989. In December 2021, the subsidiary and certain insurers agreed to a settlement of outstanding disputes that provide the subsidiary with cash. An earlier settlement, achieved in September 2018, provided the subsidiary with cash and an annuity that begins making payments in 2024. Together with a coverage-in-place agreement with certain insurers and additional coverage issued by other insurers, we believe the subsidiary has sufficient resources to respond to both the current lawsuits as well as future lawsuits of a similar nature. While we cannot predict or provide assurance as to the outcome of these matters, we do not expect the ultimate liability, if any, resulting from these claims to have a material adverse effect on our condensed consolidated statement of financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Other matters—We are involved in various regulatory matters and a number of claims and lawsuits, asserted and unasserted, all of which have arisen in the ordinary course of our business. We do not expect the liability, if any, resulting from these other matters to have a material adverse effect on our condensed consolidated statement of financial position, results of operations or cash flows. We cannot

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predict with certainty the outcome or effect of any of the litigation matters specifically described above or of any such other pending, threatened, or possible litigation or liability. We can provide no assurance that our beliefs or expectations as to the outcome or effect of any tax, regulatory, lawsuit or other litigation matter will prove correct, and the eventual outcome of these matters could materially differ from management’s current estimates.

Environmental matters

We have certain potential liabilities under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) and similar state acts regulating cleanup of hazardous substances at various waste disposal sites, including those described below. CERCLA is intended to expedite the remediation of hazardous substances without regard to fault. Potentially responsible parties (“PRPs”) for each site include present and former owners and operators of, transporters to and generators of the substances at the site. It is difficult to quantify the potential cost of environmental matters and remediation obligations. Liability is strict and can be joint and several.

One of our subsidiaries was named as a PRP in connection with a site located in Santa Fe Springs, California, known as the Waste Disposal, Inc. site. We and other PRPs agreed, under a participation agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) and the U.S. Department of Justice, to settle our potential liabilities by remediating the site. The remedial action for the site was completed in 2006. Our share of the ongoing operating and maintenance costs has been insignificant, and we do not expect any additional potential liabilities to be material. Resolutions of other claims by the EPA, the involved state agency or PRPs are at various stages of investigation. Nevertheless, based on available information with respect to all environmental matters, including all related pending legal proceedings, asserted legal claims and known potential legal claims that are likely to be asserted, we do not expect the ultimate liability, if any, resulting from such matters, to have a material adverse effect on our condensed consolidated statement of financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Note 11—Equity

Share capital currency change—In May 2024, at our annual general meeting, shareholders approved (a) redenominating the currency of our share capital from Swiss francs to U.S. dollars and (b) reducing the par value of our shares for purposes of such redenomination. As a result of the redenomination and reduction, made effective as of January 1, 2024, the par value of each of our shares was changed to $0.10 from CHF 0.10.

Share issuance—In June 2024, we issued 55.5 million Transocean Ltd. shares with an aggregate fair value of $297 million as partial consideration to acquire the outstanding 67.0 percent ownership interest in Orion. In September 2023, we issued 11.9 million Transocean Ltd. shares with an aggregate fair value of $99 million to acquire the outstanding 80.0 percent ownership interest in Liquila. See Note 4—Unconsolidated Affiliates, Note 6—Long-Lived Assets and Note 7—Debt.

Note 12—Financial Instruments

Overview—The carrying amounts and fair values of our financial instruments were as follows (in millions):

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​ · ​ · September 30, 2024 · ​ · December 31, 2023
​ · ​ · Carrying · ​ · Fair · ​ · Carrying · ​ · Fair
​ · amount · value · amount · value
Cash and cash equivalents$435​$435​$762​$762​
Restricted cash and cash equivalents​​365​​365​​233​​233​
Long-term loans receivable from unconsolidated affiliates​​10​​10​​6​​6​
Total debt​​6,960​​7,033​​7,413​​7,308​

Cash and cash equivalents—Our cash and cash equivalents are primarily invested in demand deposits, short-term time deposits and money market funds. The carrying amount of our cash and cash equivalents represents the historical cost, plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value because of the short maturities of the instruments.

Restricted cash and cash equivalents—Our restricted cash and cash equivalents, which are subject to restrictions due to collateral requirements, legislation, regulation or court order, are primarily invested in demand deposits and money market funds. The carrying amount of our restricted cash and cash equivalents represents the historical cost, plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value because of the short maturities of the instruments.

Long-term loans receivable from unconsolidated affiliates—The carrying amount of our long-term loans receivable from unconsolidated affiliates, recorded in other assets, represents the principal amount of the cash investment. We estimated the fair value of our long-term loans receivable from unconsolidated affiliates using significant unobservable inputs, representative of Level 3 fair value measurements, including the terms and credit spreads for the instruments.

Total debt—The carrying amount of our total debt represents the principal amount, contractual interest payments of previously restructured debt and unamortized discounts, premiums and issue costs. The carrying amount and fair value of our total debt includes amounts related to certain exchangeable debt instruments (see Note 7—Debt). We estimated the fair value of our total debt using significant

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other observable inputs, representative of Level 2 fair value measurements, including the terms and credit spreads for the instruments and, with respect to the exchangeable debt instruments, the expected volatility of the market price for our shares.

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