STEINHAUSEN, Switzerland, Aug. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transocean Ltd. (NYSE: RIG) today reported financial results for the second quarter of 2026. The Company will host a conference call and webcast at 9 a.m. EDT, 3 p.m. CEST, on Thursday, August 6, 2026, with participation details included in this release. Supplemental schedules have been posted to the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.deepwater.com.
SECOND QUARTER 2026 KEY POINTS
- Contract drilling revenues were $966 million with strong revenue efficiency(1) of 97.0%.
- Net income was $170 million or $0.04 per diluted share.
- Adjusted EBITDA was $312 million, reflecting a margin of 32.2%.
- Net cash provided by operating activities was $236 million; net of capital expenditures of $24 million, free cash flow was $212 million.
- Ended the period with total liquidity of more than $1.3 billion, including the undrawn revolving credit facility.
- Added $292 million in contract backlog(2) at a weighted average dayrate of about $461,000.
“Transocean delivered a strong second quarter, supported by 97% revenue efficiency and solid adjusted EBITDA margins, resulting in excellent cash flow and improved liquidity,” said Keelan Adamson, Transocean’s CEO. “Our performance reflects our ongoing commitment to create value through the cycle by optimizing the value of our differentiated fleet, generating industry-leading free cash flow, and enhancing our capital structure.
“We expect to see demand for our highest specification rigs increase in the coming years with industry utilization for deepwater and harsh environment assets projected to move well into the 90% range during 2027. Our recent contract awards across Norway, Australia, the U.S. Gulf, and the Ivory Coast, together with the $1.0 billion Equinor agreement for three harsh environment semisubmersibles, show that customers continue to secure rig capacity. With our differentiated fleet, strong execution capabilities, and improving financial flexibility, we believe Transocean is well positioned to deliver long-term value for our shareholders.”
2Q26 FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Three months ended Three months ended June 30, March 31, sequential June 30, year-over-year 2026 2026 change 2025 change(In millions, except per share amounts and percentages) Contract drilling revenues$966 $1,081 $(115) $988 $(22)Revenue efficiency 97.0% 97.3 % 96.6 % Operating and maintenance expense$608 $606 $(2) $599 $(9)Net income (loss)$170 $71 $99 $(938) $1,108 Basic earnings (loss) per share$0.15 $0.06 $0.09 $(1.06) $1.21 Diluted earnings (loss) per share$0.04 $0.06 $(0.02) $(1.06) $1.10 Adjusted EBITDA$312 $440 $(128) $344 $(32)Adjusted EBITDA margin 32.2% 40.7 % 34.9 % Adjusted net income (loss)$158 $(28) $186 $19 $139 Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share$0.03 $(0.03) $0.06 $— $0.03 Net cash provided by operating activities$236 $164 $72 $128 $108 Free cash flow$212 $136 $76 $104 $108 Total debt, principal amount, end of period$5,107 $5,137 $(30) $6,654 $(1,547)- Contract drilling revenues were lower sequentially, primarily due to the expected decrease in rig utilization for this quarter.
- Interest expense, excluding the $134 million effect of the bifurcated exchange feature of the 4.625% Exchangeable Bonds due 2029, was $114 million compared to the $123 million in the prior quarter.
- Cash taxes paid, net of tax refunds of $22 million, were $10 million.
FLEET STATUS REPORT AND CONTRACT BACKLOG
- The Company today issued its Fleet Status Report. Since its May 2026 report, the Company added five new fixtures with an aggregate incremental backlog of approximately $292 million and a weighted average dayrate of about $461,000.
- As of August 5, 2026, the total backlog is approximately $6.7 billion. This figure excludes $1.0 billion of backlog for work with Equinor, which will be added subject to receipt of approvals from license partners.
The Fleet Status Report can be accessed on the Company’s website: www.deepwater.com.
2026 THIRD QUARTER AND FULL YEAR OUTLOOK
The following table includes guidance on key items for the third quarter and full year of 2026:
3Q26E FY26E(In millions, except percentages) Contract drilling revenues$920 – 960 $3,900 – 3,975Revenue efficiency, fleet wide (1) 96.5%96.5%
Selected costs and expenses Operating and maintenance expense$595 – 625 $2,325 – 2,400General and administrative$45 $170 – 180Interest expense$113 $475Interest income$5 – 10 $30 – 35 Capital expenditures$40 – 50 $150Cash taxes$25 – 30 $55 – 60Total liquidity — $1,250 – 1,350
CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION
Transocean will host a conference call at 9 a.m. EDT, 3 p.m. CEST, on Thursday, August 6, 2026. To participate, dial +1 785-424-1222 approximately 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time and refer to conference code 715943.
The call will be webcast in a listen-only mode at: www.deepwater.com, by selecting Investors, News, and Webcasts. Supplemental materials that may be referenced during the call will be available on the Company’s website at: www.deepwater.com, by selecting Investors, Financial Reports.
A replay of the call will be available after 12 p.m. EDT, 6 p.m. CEST, on Thursday, August 6, 2026. The replay, which will be archived for approximately 30 days, can be accessed at +1 402-220-7239, passcode 715943. The replay will also be available on the Company’s website.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
We present our financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”). We believe certain financial measures, such as Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Free Cash Flow and Net Debt, which are non-GAAP measures, provide users of our financial statements with supplemental information that may be useful in evaluating our operating performance. We believe that such non-GAAP measures, when read in conjunction with our financial statements presented under U.S. GAAP, can be used to better assess our performance from period to period and relative to performance of other companies in our industry, without regard to financing methods, historical cost basis or capital structure. Such non-GAAP measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
All non-GAAP measure reconciliations to the most comparative U.S. GAAP measures are displayed in quantitative schedules on the Company’s website at: www.deepwater.com.
ABOUT TRANSOCEAN
Transocean is a leading international provider of offshore contract drilling services for oil and gas wells. The Company specializes in technically demanding sectors of the global offshore drilling business with a particular focus on ultra-deepwater and harsh environment drilling services and operates the highest specification floating offshore drilling fleet in the world.
Transocean owns or has partial ownership interests in and operates a fleet of 27 mobile offshore drilling units, consisting of 20 ultra-deepwater drillships and seven harsh environment semisubmersibles.
For more information about Transocean, please visit: www.deepwater.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The statements described herein or in the Fleet Status Report 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. These statements could contain words such as “believe,” “primarily,” “should,” “outlook,” “future,” “schedule,” “progress,” “possible,” “will,” “expect,” “estimate,” “may,” “approximate,” “could,” “plan,” or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in the Fleet Status Report include, but are not limited to, statements involving estimated duration of customer contracts, contract dayrate amounts, future contract commencement dates and locations, planned shipyard projects and other out-of-service time, sales of drilling units, and the cost and timing of mobilizations and reactivations. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions, and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. As a result, actual results could differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the level of activity in offshore oil and gas exploration and development, exploration success by producers, operating hazards and delays, risks associated with international operations, actions by customers and other third parties, the fluctuation of current and future prices of oil and gas, the global and regional supply and demand for oil and gas, the intention to scrap certain drilling rigs, the effects of the spread of and mitigation efforts by governments, businesses and individuals related to contagious illnesses, and other factors, including our expectations regarding the timing, completion and anticipated benefits of the proposed business combination with Valaris Limited, an exempted company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of Bermuda, and those and other risks discussed in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and in the Company's other filings with the SEC, which are available free of charge on the SEC's website at: www.sec.gov. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or the other consequences of such a development worsen, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or to persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by reference to these risks and uncertainties. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, each of which speaks only as of the date of the particular statement. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or beliefs with regard to the statement or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based, except as required by law.
This press release, or referenced documents, do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and do not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”) or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of Transocean and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of Transocean.
NOTES
(1) Revenue efficiency is defined as actual operating revenues, excluding revenues for contract terminations and reimbursements, for the measurement period divided by the maximum revenue calculated for the measurement period, expressed as a percentage. Maximum revenue is defined as the greatest amount of contract drilling revenues the drilling unit could earn for the measurement period, excluding revenues for incentive provisions, reimbursements and contract terminations. See the accompanying schedule entitled “Revenue Efficiency.”
(2) Contract backlog is defined as the maximum contractual operating dayrate multiplied by the number of days remaining in the firm contract period, including certain performance-based provisions for which achievement is probable, and excluding provisions for mobilization, demobilization, contract preparation, other incentive provisions or reimbursement revenues, which are not expected to be material to our contract drilling revenues. The contract backlog represents the maximum contract drilling revenues that can be earned considering the reported operating dayrate in effect during the firm contract period.
ANALYST CONTACT:
Sarah Davidson
+1 713-232-7217
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kristina Mays
+1 713-232-7734
2025
2026
2025
Contract drilling revenues $966 $988 $2,047 $1,894 Costs and expenses Operating and maintenance 608 599 1,214 1,217 Depreciation and amortization 148 175 291 351 General and administrative 56 49 105 99 812 823 1,610 1,667 Loss on impairment of assets — (1,136) — (1,136)Gain (loss) on disposal of assets, net (2) 7 2 9 Operating income (loss) 152 (964) 439 (900) Other income (expense), net Interest income 12 10 22 18 Interest expense 20 (112) (256) (228)Loss on retirement of debt — — (11) — Other, net — (27) 7 (23) 32 (129) (238) (233) Income (loss) before income taxes 184 (1,093) 201 (1,133)Income tax expense (benefit) 14 (155) (40) (116)Net income (loss) $170 $(938) $241 $(1,017) Earnings (loss) per share Basic $0.15 $(1.06) $0.22 $(1.15)Diluted $0.04 $(1.06) $0.21 $(1.15) Weighted-average shares outstanding Basic 1,120 888 1,115 885 Diluted 1,202 888 1,125 885
2025
Assets Cash and cash equivalents $509 $620 Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $2 at June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025 604 540 Materials and supplies, net of allowance of $146 and $140 at June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively 379 378 Assets held for sale 1 24 Restricted cash and cash equivalents 286 377 Other current assets 133 142 Total current assets 1,912 2,081 Property and equipment 17,490 17,451 Less accumulated depreciation (5,147) (4,874)Property and equipment, net 12,343 12,577 Deferred tax assets, net 70 61 Other assets 842 923 Total assets $15,167 $15,642 Liabilities and equity Accounts payable $283 $242 Accrued income taxes 9 22 Debt due within one year 397 445 Other current liabilities 514 627 Total current liabilities 1,203 1,336 Long-term debt 4,722 5,212 Deferred tax liabilities, net 340 404 Other long-term liabilities 532 582 Total long-term liabilities 5,594 6,198 Commitments and contingencies Shares, $0.10 par value, 1,445 authorized, 141 conditionally authorized, 1,304 issued and 1,117 outstanding at June 30, 2026 and 1,204 authorized, 141 conditionally authorized, 1,204 issued and 1,102 outstanding at December 31, 2025 112 110 Additional paid-in capital 15,617 15,604 Accumulated deficit (7,219) (7,460)Accumulated other comprehensive loss (140) (146)Total equity 8,370 8,108 Total liabilities and equity $15,167 $15,642
2025
Cash flows from operating activities Net income (loss) $241 $(1,017)Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 291 351 Share-based compensation expense 15 16 Loss on impairment of assets — 1,136 Gain on disposal of assets, net (2) (9)Amortization of debt-related balances, net 20 25 (Gain) loss on adjustment to bifurcated compound exchange feature 19 (65)Loss on retirement of debt 11 — Deferred income tax benefit (73) (157)Other, net (1) 31 Changes in contract liabilities, net (83) (84)Changes in deferred costs, net 46 16 Changes in other operating assets and liabilities, net (84) (89)Net cash provided by operating activities 400 154 Cash flows from investing activities Capital expenditures (52) (84)Investment in equity of unconsolidated affiliates (2) — Proceeds from disposal of assets, net of costs to sell 26 10 Proceeds from disposal of investment in note receivable from unconsolidated affiliate 13 — Proceeds from disposal of investment in equity of unconsolidated affiliate — 4 Net cash used in investing activities (15) (70) Cash flows from financing activities Repayments of debt (586) (240)Other, net (1) (13)Net cash used in financing activities (587) (253) Net decrease in unrestricted and restricted cash and cash equivalents (202) (169)Unrestricted and restricted cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 997 941 Unrestricted and restricted cash and cash equivalents, end of period $795 $772
2026
2025
2026
2025
Income (loss) before income taxes $184 $17 $(1,093) $201 $(1,133) Acquisition and restructuring costs 12 7 — 19 — Loss on impairment of assets — — 1,136 — 1,136 Gain on disposal of assets, net — (4) — (4) — Loss on conversion of debt to equity — — 24 — 24 Loss on retirement of debt — 11 — 11 — Adjusted income before income taxes $196 $31 $67 $227 $27 Income tax expense (benefit) $14 $(54) $(155) $(40) $(116) Acquisition and restructuring costs — — — — — Loss on impairment of assets — — 8 — 8 Gain on disposal of assets, net (3) 1 — (2) — Loss on conversion of debt to equity — — — — — Loss on retirement of debt — 2 — 2 — Changes in estimates (1) 27 110 195 137 181 Adjusted income tax expense $38 $59 $48 $97 $73 Effective Tax Rate (2) 7.8 % (335.3)% 14.2 % (19.8)% 10.3 % Effective Tax Rate, excluding discrete items (3) 19.4 % 192.0 % 70.0 % 42.8 % 268.9 % (1) Our estimates change as we file tax returns, settle disputes with tax authorities, or become aware of changes in laws, operational changes and rig movements that have an effect on our (a) deferred taxes, (b) valuation allowances on deferred taxes and (c) other tax liabilities. (2) Our effective tax rate is calculated as income tax expense or benefit divided by income or loss before income taxes. (3) Our effective tax rate, excluding discrete items, is calculated as income tax expense or benefit, excluding various discrete items (such as changes in estimates and tax on items excluded from income or loss before income taxes), divided by income or loss before income taxes, excluding gains and losses on sales and similar items pursuant to the accounting standards for income taxes related to estimating the annual effective tax rate.