Noble Corp plc

Note 1 — Organization and Basis of Presentation

Noble Corporation plc, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (“Noble”, the “Company”, or “we”), is a leading offshore drilling contractor for the oil and gas industry. We provide contract drilling services to the international oil and gas industry with our global fleet of mobile offshore drilling units. Noble and its predecessors have been engaged in the contract drilling of oil and gas wells since 1921. As of the filing date of this report, our fleet of 40 drilling rigs consisted of 27 floaters and 13 jackups.

We report our contract drilling operations as a single reportable segment, Contract Drilling Services, which reflects how we manage our business. The mobile offshore drilling units comprising our offshore rig fleet operate in a global market for contract drilling services and are often redeployed to different regions due to changing demands of our customers, which consist primarily of large, integrated, independent, and government-owned or controlled oil and gas companies throughout the world.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Noble have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as they pertain to Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The unaudited financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis and reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the financial position and results of operations for the interim periods on a basis consistent with the annual audited consolidated financial statements. All such adjustments are of a recurring nature. The December 31, 2024, Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet presented herein is derived from the December 31, 2024, audited consolidated financial statements. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed by Noble. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Note 2 — Acquisitions

Business Combination with Diamond Offshore Drilling

On June 9, 2024, Noble entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the “Diamond Merger Agreement”) with Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (“Diamond”), Dolphin Merger Sub 1, Inc., and Dolphin Merger Sub 2, Inc., under which Noble would acquire Diamond in a stock plus cash transaction (the “Diamond Transaction”). On September 4, 2024 (“the Diamond Closing Date”), Noble completed its acquisition of Diamond. Pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the Diamond Merger Agreement, Diamond shareholders received 0.2316 shares of Noble, plus cash consideration of $5.65 per share for each share of Diamond. Total consideration for the acquisition was $1.5 billion, which included $610.3 million in cash paid and $879.9 million in non-cash consideration, primarily related to ordinary shares, par value $0.00001 per share (“Ordinary Shares”) issued to legacy Diamond shareholders and the replacement of each legacy Diamond performance-vesting and time-vesting restricted stock unit covering shares of Diamond. The Diamond Transaction was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting under ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations, with Noble being treated as the accounting acquirer.

Note 3 — Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Standards Adopted

There have been no new accounting standards adopted during the current quarter.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In November 2024, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2024-04, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20). The FASB issued the update to improve the relevance and consistency in application of the induced conversion guidance in Subtopic 470-20, Debt— Debt with Conversion and Other Options. When the terms of a convertible debt instrument are changed to induce conversion of the instrument, current generally accepted accounting principles provide guidance for determining whether the transaction should be accounted for as an induced conversion (as opposed to a debt extinguishment). The induced conversion guidance was written in the context of share-settled convertible debt before cash convertible instruments became prevalent in the marketplace. The Company does not expect this pronouncement to have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. The amendments in the update require disclosure, in the notes to financial statements, of specified information about certain costs and expenses. An entity is not precluded from providing additional voluntary disclosures that may provide investors with additional decision-useful information. The amendments in the update are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. The Company continues to evaluate the potential impact of this pronouncement.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09 ("ASU 2023-09"), Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires, among other things, the following for public business entities: (i) enhanced disclosures of specific categories of reconciling items included in the rate reconciliation, as well as additional information for any of these items meeting certain qualitative and quantitative thresholds, (ii) disclosure of the nature, effect, and underlying causes of each individual reconciling item disclosed in the rate reconciliation and the judgment used in categorizing them if not otherwise evident, and (iii) enhanced disclosures for income taxes paid, which includes federal, state, and foreign taxes, as well as for individual jurisdictions over a certain quantitative threshold. The amendments in ASU 2023-09 eliminate the requirement to disclose the nature and estimate of the range of the reasonably possible change in unrecognized tax benefits for the 12 months after the balance sheet date. The provisions of ASU 2023-09 are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024; early adoption is permitted. The Company continues to evaluate the potential impact of this pronouncement.

Note 4 — Income (Loss) Per Share

The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted income (loss) per share:

Only those items having a dilutive impact on our basic income (loss) per share are included in diluted income (loss) per share. The following table displays the share-based instruments that have been excluded from diluted income (loss) per share since the effect would have been anti-dilutive:

(1)Represents the total number of warrants outstanding which did not have a dilutive effect. In periods where the warrants are determined to be dilutive, the number of shares which will be included in the computation of diluted shares is determined using the Treasury Stock Method, adjusted for mandatory exercise provisions under the warrant agreements, if applicable.

Share Capital

As of March 31, 2025, Noble had approximately 158.8 million A Ordinary Shares outstanding as compared to approximately 158.9 million Ordinary Shares outstanding at December 31, 2024. In addition, as of March 31, 2025,0.9 million Tranche 1 Warrants,0.9 million Tranche 2 Warrants, and 2.8 million Tranche 3 Warrants were outstanding and exercisable. We also have 5.4 million Ordinary Shares authorized and reserved for issuance pursuant to equity awards under the Noble Corporation plc 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

Our most recent quarterly dividend payment to shareholders, totaling approximately $79.4 million (or $0.50 per share), was declared on February 17, 2025, and paid on March 20, 2025, to shareholders of record at close of business on March 5, 2025.

The declaration and payment of dividends require authorization of the Board of Directors, provided that such dividends on issued share capital may be paid only out of the Company’s “distributable reserves” as determined by reference to relevant statutory accounts in accordance with English law. The Company is not permitted to pay dividends out of share capital, which includes share premiums. The payment of future dividends will depend on our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, future business prospects, the availability of sufficient distributable reserves, contractual and indenture restrictions, and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.

Under English law, the Company is only permitted to purchase its own Ordinary Shares by way of an “off-market purchase” pursuant to a contract approved by shareholders (except where the purchase is for the purposes of, or pursuant to, any employees’ share scheme). Such purchases may be paid for either (i) out of Noble’s “distributable reserves” as determined by reference to relevant statutory accounts in accordance with English law or (ii) from the proceeds of a fresh issue of shares made for the purpose of financing the purchase. As of the date of this report, we have shareholder authority to repurchase up to 15% per annum of the issued share capital of the Company as of the beginning of each fiscal year for afive-year period commencing on September 28, 2022 (subject to an overall aggregate maximum of 20,601,161 Ordinary Shares). During the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, we repurchased 0.7 million andnone of our Ordinary Shares, respectively. All repurchased shares were subsequently cancelled.

Warrants

The tranche 1 warrants (the “Tranche 1 Warrants”) are exercisable forone Ordinary Share per warrant at an exercise price of $19.27 per warrant, the tranche 2 warrants (the “Tranche 2 Warrants”) are exercisable forone Ordinary Share per warrant at an exercise price of $23.13 per warrant, and the tranche 3 warrants (the “Tranche 3 Warrants”) are exercisable forone Ordinary Share per warrant at an exercise price of $124.40 per warrant.

Note 5 — Property and Equipment

Property and equipment, at cost, for Noble consisted of the following:

Capital additions, including capitalized interest, during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, totaled $89.5 million and $114.9 million, respectively.

As of March 31, 2025, the rigs Pacific Meltem and Pacific Scirocco qualified as held for sale and were included in “Other assets” on our Consolidated Balance Sheet at their carrying values of $22.7 million and $8.9 million, respectively.

Note 6 — Debt

Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement

In April 2023, Noble entered into the Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated April 18, 2023, and as amended on June 24, 2024 (the “2023 Revolving Credit Agreement”), by and among Noble Finance II LLC (“Noble Finance II”), Noble International Finance Company, Noble Drilling A/S, and certain additional subsidiaries of Noble Finance II as from time to time designated by Noble Finance II, as borrowers, the lenders and issuing banks party thereto from time to time, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, collateral agent, and security trustee. The revolving credit facility under the 2023 Revolving Credit Agreement (the “2023 Revolving Credit Facility”) provides for commitments of $550.0 million with maturity in 2028. The guarantors (the “Guarantors”) under the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility are the same subsidiaries of Noble Finance II that are or will be guarantors of the 2030 Notes (as defined below). As of March 31, 2025, we hadno borrowings outstanding and $19.8 million of letters of credit issued under the 2023 Revolving Credit Agreement.

On April 18, 2023, Noble Finance II, a wholly owned subsidiary of Noble, issued $600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 8.000% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “Initial 2030 Notes”). On August 22, 2024, Noble Finance II issued an additional $800.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 8.000% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “Additional 2030 Notes” and, together with the Initial 2030 Notes, the “2030 Notes”) at a premium of 103% bringing the total outstanding principal amount to $1.4 billion. The 2030 Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated April 18, 2023 (as supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Noble Indenture”), among Noble Finance II, certain subsidiaries of Noble Finance II party thereto, as guarantors, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, paying agent, and registrar.

The 2030 Notes are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Guarantors and will be unconditionally guaranteed on the same basis by certain of Noble Finance II’s future subsidiaries that guarantee certain indebtedness of Noble Finance II and the Guarantors, including the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility.

The 2030 Notes will mature on April 15, 2030, and interest on the 2030 Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on each April 15 and October 15, commencing October 15, 2023, to holders of record on the April 1 and October 1 immediately preceding the related interest payment date, at a rate of 8.000% per annum.

Diamond Second Lien Notes due 2030

On September 21, 2023, Diamond Foreign Asset Company and Diamond Finance, LLC (collectively referred to as the “Issuers”) issued $550.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.500% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due October 2030 (the “Diamond Second Lien Notes”) with interest payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning on April 1, 2024. The Diamond Second Lien Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior secured basis by Noble Offshore Drilling, Inc. (formerly known as Dolphin Merger Sub 2, Inc. and as successor by merger with Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.) (“NODI”) and each of its existing restricted subsidiaries (other than the Issuers) and by certain of NODI’s future restricted subsidiaries.

The Diamond Second Lien Notes obligate NODI and its subsidiaries to comply with an indenture dated as of September 21, 2023 (as supplemented and otherwise modified from time to time, the “Diamond Second Lien Indenture”), among the Issuers, NODI, certain of its subsidiaries party thereto, as guarantors, and HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as trustee and collateral agent. The Diamond Second Lien Indenture contains covenants that, among other things, restrict NODI’s ability and the ability of certain of its subsidiaries to: (i) incur additional debt and issue certain preferred stock; (ii) incur or create liens; (iii) make certain dividends, distributions, investments, and other restricted payments; (iv) sell or otherwise dispose of certain assets; (v) engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and (vi) merge, consolidate, amalgamate, or sell, transfer, lease, or otherwise dispose of all, or substantially all, of the assets of NODI and such subsidiaries taken as a whole. These covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications.

Diamond Credit Agreement

On September 4, 2024, in connection with the closing of the Diamond Transaction, Noble terminated Diamond’s $300.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility under the Diamond Credit Agreement (as defined herein). The revolving commitments under the Diamond Credit Agreement were scheduled to mature on April 22, 2026. At the time of the Diamond Transaction and the termination of the commitments under the Diamond Credit Agreement, Diamond hadno outstanding borrowings under the Diamond Credit Agreement.

Fair Value of Debt

Fair value represents the amount at which an instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties. The estimated fair value of our debt instruments was based on the quoted market prices for similar issues or on the current rates offered to us for debt of similar remaining maturities (Level 2 measurement). The fair value of the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility approximates its respective carrying amount as its interest rate is variable and reflective of market rates.

The following table presents the carrying value, net of unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts or premiums, and the estimated fair value of our total debt, not including the effect of unamortized debt issuance costs, respectively:

Note 7 — Revenue and Customers

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table provides information about contract drilling services revenue by rig types:

Contract Balances

Accounts receivable are recognized when the right to the consideration becomes unconditional based upon contractual billing schedules. Payment terms on invoiced amounts are typically 30 to 60 days. Customer contract assets and liabilities generally consist of deferred revenue and contract costs resulting from past transactions related to the provision of services under contracts with customers. Current contract asset and liability balances are included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” and “Other current liabilities,” respectively, and noncurrent contract assets and liabilities are included in “Other assets” and “Other liabilities,” respectively, on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Off-market customer contract assets and liabilities have been recognized in connection with the merger, pursuant to a Business Combination Agreement, dated November 10, 2021, as amended, by and among Noble, Noble Finco Limited (n/k/a Noble Corporation plc), Noble Newco Sub Limited, the Drilling Company of 1972 A/S, a Danish public limited liability company (“Maersk Drilling”), and the other parties thereto (the “Business Combination with Maersk Drilling”) and the Diamond Transaction, and are included in “Intangible assets” and “Noncurrent contract liabilities,” respectively.

The following table provides information about contract assets and contract liabilities from contracts with customers:

Significant changes in the remaining performance obligation contract assets and the contract liabilities balances for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, are as follows:

Contract Costs

Certain direct and incremental costs incurred for upfront preparation, initial rig mobilization, and modifications are costs of fulfilling a contract and are recoverable. These recoverable costs are deferred and amortized ratably to contract drilling expense as services are rendered over the initial term of the related drilling contract. Certain of our contracts include capital rig enhancements used to satisfy our performance obligations.

Off-market Customer Contract Assets and Liabilities

In connection with the Business Combination with Maersk Drilling, the Company recognized additional fair value adjustments of $23.0 million. As of March 2025, these intangible assets were fully amortized as a reduction of contract drilling services revenue from the closing date of the Business Combination with Maersk Drilling through the remainder of the contracts.

In connection with the Business Combination with Maersk Drilling and the Diamond Transaction, the Company recognized fair value adjustments of $237.7 million and $27.7 million, respectively, related to certain unfavorable customer contracts acquired. These liabilities will be amortized as an increase to contract drilling services revenue from the closing date of the Business Combination with Maersk Drilling and the Diamond Closing Date, respectively, through the remainder of the contracts.

Estimated future amortization over the expected remaining contract periods:

Note 8 — Income Taxes

At March 31, 2025, the Company had deferred tax assets of $323.9 million, net of valuation allowance. Additionally, the Company also had deferred tax liabilities of $5.2 million, inclusive of a valuation allowance of $17.5 million.

During the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company recognized additional discrete deferred tax benefits of $56.6 million related to releases and adjustments of valuation allowance for deferred tax benefits primarily in Luxembourg.

At March 31, 2024, the Company had deferred tax assets of $209.5 million, net of valuation allowance. Additionally, the Company also had deferred tax liabilities of $10.3 million, inclusive of a valuation allowance of $18.8 million.

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recognized additional discrete deferred tax benefits of $18.5 million related to releases and adjustments of valuation allowance for deferred tax benefits in Guyana, Nigeria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg.

In deriving the above net deferred tax benefits, the Company relied on sources of income attributable to the projected taxable income for the period covered by the Company’s relevant existing drilling contracts based on the assumption that the relevant rigs will be owned by the relevant rig owners during the relevant existing drilling contract periods. Given the mobile nature of the Company’s assets, we are not able to reasonably forecast the jurisdictions in which taxable income from future drilling contracts may arise. We also have limited objective positive evidence in historical periods. Accordingly, in determining the amount of additional deferred tax assets to recognize, we did not consider projected book income beyond the conclusion of existing drilling contracts. As new drilling contracts are executed or as current contracts are extended, we will reassess the amount of deferred tax assets that are realizable. Finally, once we have established sufficient objective positive evidence for historical periods, we may consider reliance on forecasted taxable income from future drilling contracts.

At March 31, 2025, the reserves for uncertain tax positions totaled $186.2 million (net of related tax benefits of $12.4 million). At December 31, 2024, the reserves for uncertain tax positions totaled $197.9 million (net of related tax benefits of $3.7 million).

It is reasonably possible that our existing liabilities related to our reserve for uncertain tax positions may fluctuate in the next 12 months primarily due to the completion of open audits, the expiration of statutes of limitation, or favorable resolutions to ongoing tax litigation.

During the three months ended March 31, 2025, our tax provision included tax benefits of $56.6 million related to releases of valuation allowance for deferred tax benefits primarily in Luxembourg and a net tax benefit of $10.0 million related to uncertain tax position movements. Such tax benefits are offset by tax expenses related to recurring quarterly accruals of $107.0 million mostly in Guyana, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and the United States.

Note 9 — Employee Benefit Plans

Pension costs (gain) include the following components:

During the three and three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, we madeno contributions to our pension plans. Effective December 31, 2016, employees and alternate payees accrue no future benefits under the US plans and, as such, Noble recognizedno service costs with the plans for the three and three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.

Note 10 — Commitments and Contingencies

Tax Matters

Audit claims of approximately $317.4 million at March 31, 2025, attributable to income and other business taxes remain outstanding and are under continued objection by Noble. Such audit claims are mostly attributable to Brazil. This remains under continued monitoring and evaluation on a quarterly basis as facts change and as audits and/or litigation continue to progress. We intend to vigorously defend our reported positions and currently believe the ultimate resolution of the audit claims will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements.

We operate in numerous countries throughout the world and our tax returns filed in those jurisdictions are subject to review and examination by tax authorities within those jurisdictions. We recognize uncertain tax positions that we believe have a greater than 50% likelihood of being sustained upon challenge by a tax authority. We cannot predict or provide assurance as to the ultimate outcome of any existing or future assessments.

Hurricane Ida Personal Injury Claims

As previously disclosed, in preparation for Hurricane Ida in the United States Gulf of America, also known as the United States Gulf of Mexico, in August 2021, the Noble Globetrotter II successfully secured the well it was drilling and detached from the blowout preventer without incident. However, during transit, the lower marine riser package and a number of riser joints separated from the rig, and certain other damage occurred. Due to the environmental conditions, a number of crew members were treated for injuries and released from medical care. We have had multiple parties, some of which are subject to a third-party contractual indemnity to our benefit, filed answers to the Limitation of Liability Action in the United States District Court Western District of Louisiana seeking damages related to physical and emotional harm allegedly suffered as a result of the Hurricane Ida incident. All parties have entered, or are expected to enter, into settlement and release agreements with respect to the claims. We have insurance for such claims with a deductible of $5.0 million, in addition to contractual indemnity for a portion of the third-party claims. Timing differences are likely to exist between the funding of any losses incurred and the receipt of insurance proceeds reflected in the Company’s financial statements.

Services Agreement

In February 2016, Diamond entered into aten-year agreement with a subsidiary of Baker Hughes Company (formerly named Baker Hughes, a GE company) to provide services with respect to certain blowout preventer and related well control equipment on our drillships. Such services include management of maintenance, certification, and reliability with respect to such equipment. Future commitments under the contractual services agreements are estimated to be approximately $24.7 million annually. Total future commitments are projected to be $61.4 million in the aggregate over the remaining term of the agreement, including a $37.0 million commitment for the purchase of consumables and capital spare parts owned and controlled by the vendor at the end of the service arrangement.

Letters of Credit and Surety Bonds

As of March 31, 2025, we had $19.8 million of letters of credit issued under the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility and an additional $141.3 million in letters of credit and surety bonds issued under bilateral arrangements which guarantee our performance as it relates to our drilling contracts, contract bidding, tax appeals, customs duties, and other obligations in various jurisdictions. We expect to comply with the underlying performance requirements and we expect obligations under these letters of credit and surety bonds will not be called.

Other Contingencies

We are a defendant in certain other claims and litigation arising out of operations in the ordinary course of business, including personal injury claims, the resolution of which, in the opinion of management, will not be material to our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. There is inherent risk in any litigation or dispute and no assurance can be given as to the outcome of these claims.

Note 11 — Supplemental Financial Information

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Information

Restricted cash

Noble’s restricted cash balance was $5.0 million as of March 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024. All restricted cash is recorded in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets.”

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Information

Operating cash activities

The net effect of changes in other assets and liabilities on cash flows from operating activities is as follows:

Non-cash investing and financing activities

Non-cash investing and financing activities excluded from unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows are as follows:

Note 12 — Information about Noble Finance II

Noble Finance II, a wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of Noble, is the issuer of the 2030 Notes and, one or more 100% wholly-owned, direct and indirect subsidiaries of Noble Finance II are the unconditional guarantors, or are otherwise obligated as of March 31, 2025, with respect to the 2030 Notes. See “Note 6 — Debt” for additional information.

The Noble Indenture contains a covenant that requires Noble Finance II to furnish to holders of the 2030 Notes certain financial information relating to Noble Finance II and its restricted subsidiaries. The obligation to furnish such information may be satisfied by providing financial information of Noble along with a description of the differences between such information and the financial information of Noble Finance II and its restricted subsidiaries on a standalone basis.

The summarized financial information below reflects the consolidated accounts of Noble Finance II: