Ensco Sees Decrease in 1Q11 Profits

Ensco Sees Decrease in 1Q11 Profits

Thursday, April 21, 2011
Ensco plc

Ensco reported diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.45 for first quarter 2011, compared to $1.12 per share in first quarter 2010. There were no discontinued operations in first quarter 2011. Earnings from discontinued operations in first quarter 2010 were $0.21 per share that included a $34 million pre-tax gain from the sale of two jackup rigs. Diluted earnings per share were $0.45 in first quarter 2011, compared to $1.33 per share in first quarter 2010.

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Rabun stated, "Our planned acquisition of Pride International is on track and we look forward to realizing the benefits of the combination for customers, employees and shareholders. We successfully completed our debt offering to fund the cash portion of the acquisition and have commenced integration planning to ensure a smooth transition."

Mr. Rabun added, "During the quarter we were honored to be ranked first among offshore drilling contractors in total customer satisfaction by EnergyPoint Research, an independent research firm that measures customer satisfaction in the global oilfield. We earned top scores in eleven separate categories. This recognition validates the commitment of our employees who serve our customers around the world each and every day."

Chief Operating Officer Bill Chadwick commented, "Ensco has a long-established strategy of high-grading our fleet by investing in new equipment. During the first quarter, we ordered two ultra-premium harsh environment jackups and secured options for two additional rigs of the same design with similar terms. The new jackup rigs will be capable of operating in water depths up to 400' and their unique design will significantly increase the area of operability in the Central North Sea and other harsh environment regions."

Mr. Chadwick added, "ENSCO 8503 successfully commenced drilling operations in French Guiana with Tullow under a sublet agreement and we contracted ENSCO 7500 with Petrobras in Brazil. Our rig crews in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico are performing extremely well and ENSCO 8501 has commenced operations under the first post-moratoria new deepwater well permit approved by regulators."

Revenues in first quarter 2011 were $362 million, compared to $449 million a year ago. Jackup segment revenues decreased $55 million and deepwater segment revenues declined $32 million.

Total operating expenses in first quarter 2011 increased 10% to $281 million, from $255 million last year. Contract drilling expense grew 5%. Depreciation expense rose by 15% driven by growth in the deepwater segment. General and administrative expense was $30 million, compared to $21 million in first quarter 2010, primarily due to increases in professional fees related to the Pride International acquisition.

Segment Highlights

Deepwater

Deepwater segment revenues were $98 million in first quarter 2011, down from $130 million a year ago. Revenue for ENSCO 7500 declined year to year since the rig was in a shipyard during first quarter 2011, but operated during first quarter 2010. This revenue decline was partially offset by the addition of new ultra-deepwater rigs to the fleet. In first quarter 2011, the average day rate was $304,000 and utilization was 77%, down from $411,000 and 99%, respectively, a year ago.

Contract drilling expense was $41 million in first quarter 2011, down from $45 million in first quarter 2010. The decrease was primarily due to lower expenses for ENSCO 7500 while in the shipyard, offset in part by the addition of ENSCO 8502 and ENSCO 8503 to the fleet.

Total Jackup Segments

Revenues from the jackup fleet totaled $263 million in first quarter 2011, down from $318 million a year ago. The decline was primarily due to a seven percentage point decrease in utilization to 72% and a $15,000 decline in the average day rate to $97,000. Contract drilling expense increased 10% year to year, mostly due to the acquisition of ENSCO 109 in July 2010.