UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10‑Q

(Mark one)

☑  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017

OR

☐  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _____ to _____

 

 

Commission file number 000-53533

 

TRANSOCEAN LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes ☑   No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S‑T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes ☑   No ◻

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non‑accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and ”emerging growth company” in Rule 12b‑2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ☑   Accelerated filer ☐   Non‑accelerated filer (do not check if a smaller reporting company) ☐
Smaller reporting company ☐   Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b‑2 of the Exchange Act).   Yes ☐   No ☑

 

As of April 25, 2017, 391,045,417 shares were outstanding.

TRANSOCEAN LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10‑Q

QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART I.FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item I.Financial Statements

TRANSOCEAN LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In millions, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

TRANSOCEAN LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In millions)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

TRANSOCEAN LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

TRANSOCEAN LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(In millions)

(Unaudited)

 

 

TRANSOCEAN LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

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.  We specialize in technically demanding sectors of the offshore drilling business with a particular focus on deepwater and harsh environment drilling services.  Our mobile offshore drilling fleet is considered one of the most versatile fleets in the world.  We contract our drilling rigs, related equipment and work crews predominantly on a dayrate basis to drill oil and gas wells.  At March 31, 2017, we owned or had partial ownership interests in and operated 56 mobile offshore drilling units, including 30 ultra‑deepwater floaters, seven harsh environment floaters, three deepwater floaters, six midwater floaters and 10 high‑specification jackups.  At March 31, 2017, we also had four ultra‑deepwater drillships and five high‑specification jackups under construction or under contract to be constructed.

Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies

Presentation—We have 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 of 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 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 months ended March 31, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2017 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, 2016 and 2015 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016 included in our annual report on Form 10‑K filed on March 7, 2017.

Accounting estimates—To prepare financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., we are required to make 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 allowance for doubtful accounts, materials and supplies obsolescence, property and equipment, assets held for sale, income taxes, contingencies, share‑based compensation, defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefits.  We base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.  Actual results could differ from such estimates.

Fair value measurements—We estimate fair value at a price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the principal market for the asset or liability.  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 multiple input levels are required for a valuation, 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.

Capitalized interest—We capitalize interest costs for qualifying construction and upgrade projects and only capitalize interest costs during periods in which progress for the construction projects continues to be underway.  As of March 31, 2017, we had ceased capitalization of interest costs on four of our uncontracted newbuilds due to a pause in construction progress.  In the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, we capitalized interest costs of $30 million and $49 million, respectively, for construction work in progress.

Reclassifications—We have made certain reclassifications to prior period amounts to conform with the current period’s presentation.  Such reclassifications did not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated statement of financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Note 3—New Accounting Pronouncements

Recently adopted accounting standards

Stock compensation—Effective January 1, 2017, we adopted the accounting standards update that allows for simplification of the accounting for share‑based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows.  The update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those annual periods.  Our adoption did not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated statements of financial position, operations or cash flows or on the disclosures contained in our notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Recently issued accounting standards

Revenue from contracts with customers—Effective January 1, 2018, we will adopt the accounting standards update that requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  The update, which permits early adoption, is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period.  Given the interaction with the accounting standards update related to leases, we expect to adopt the updates concurrently, effective January 1, 2018, and we expect to apply the full retrospective approach to our adoption.  Our adoption, and the ultimate effect on our consolidated financial statements, will be based on an evaluation of the contract‑specific facts and circumstances, and such effect could introduce variability to the timing of our revenue recognition relative to current accounting standards.  We are evaluating the requirements to determine the effect such requirements may have on our condensed consolidated statements of financial position, operations and cash flows and on the disclosures contained in our notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Leases—Effective no later than January 1, 2019, we will adopt the accounting standards update that (a) requires lessees to recognize a right to use asset and a lease liability for virtually all leases, and (b) updates previous accounting standards for lessors to align certain requirements with the updates to lessee accounting standards and the revenue recognition accounting standards.  The update, which permits early adoption, is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those annual periods.  Under the updated accounting standards, we have determined that our drilling contracts contain a lease component, and our adoption, therefore, will require that we separately recognize revenues associated with the lease and services components.  Given the interaction with the accounting standards update related to revenue from contracts with customers, we expect to adopt the updates concurrently, effective January 1, 2018, and we expect to apply the modified retrospective approach to our adoption.  Our adoption, and the ultimate effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements, will be based on an evaluation of the contract‑specific facts and circumstances, and such effect could introduce variability to the timing of our revenue recognition relative to current accounting standards.  We are evaluating the requirements to determine the effect such requirements may have on our condensed consolidated statements of financial position, operations and cash flows and on the disclosures contained in our notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Income taxes—Effective no later than January 1, 2018, we will adopt the accounting standards update that requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra‑entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transaction occurs as opposed to deferring such recognition into future periods.  The update, which permits early adoption, is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods.  We do not expect that our adoption will have a material effect on our condensed consolidated statements of financial position, operations or cash flows or on the disclosures contained in our notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Statement of cash flows—Effective no later than January 1, 2018, we will adopt the accounting standards update that requires that amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning and end of period total amounts presented on the statement of cash flows.  The update, which permits early adoption, is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those annual periods.  Aside from presenting the restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents as a component of the beginning and ending cash balances on our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, we will remove the effect of proceeds from and deposits to restricted accounts from our cash flows provided by or used in operating and financing activities, as applicable.  For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, such changes would not have had a material effect on our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

Retirement benefits—Effective no later than January 1, 2018, we will adopt the accounting standards update that requires an employer to disaggregate the service cost component from the other components of net benefit cost related to defined benefit retirement plans and other postemployment benefit plans.  The update requires that the service cost component be presented in the same line item as other compensation costs for employees and the other components of net benefit cost in other income and expense on our condensed consolidated statements of operations.  The update also allows only the service cost component of net benefit cost to be eligible for capitalization.  The update, which permits early adoption, is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods.  We do not expect that our adoption will have a material effect on our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows or on the disclosures contained in our notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Note 4—Variable Interest Entities

Angola Deepwater Drilling Company Limited (“ADDCL”), a consolidated Cayman Islands company, is a variable interest entity for which we are the primary beneficiary.  The carrying amount of ADDCL, after eliminating the effect of intercompany transactions, was as follows (in millions):

 

Note 5—Drilling Fleet

Construction work in progress—For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the changes in our construction work in progress, including capital expenditures and other capital additions, were as follows (in millions):

 

Impairments—In the three months ended March 31, 2016, we recognized an aggregate loss of $3 million ($2 million, net of tax), associated with the impairment of the midwater floater Transocean John Shaw, along with related equipment, which was classified as an asset held for sale at the time of impairment.  We measured the impairment of the drilling units and related equipment 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 indicative market values for the drilling units and related equipment to be sold for scrap value.  If we commit to plans to sell additional rigs for values below the respective carrying amounts or commit to plans to recycle additional rigs and sell them for scrap value, we may be required to recognize additional losses associated with the impairment of such assets.  Such losses could be material.

Assets held for sale—At March 31, 2017, the aggregate carrying amount of our assets held for sale was $3 million, recorded in other current assets.  At December 31, 2016, the aggregate carrying amount of our assets held for sale was $6 million, including the midwater floater GSF Rig 140, along with related equipment, and certain corporate assets, recorded in other current assets.

Dispositions—During the three months ended March 31, 2017, in connection with our efforts to dispose of non‑strategic assets, we completed the sale of the midwater floater GSF Rig 140, along with related equipment.  In the three months ended March 31, 2017, we received aggregate net cash proceeds of $3 million and recognized an aggregate net gain of $2 million associated with the disposal of this asset.  In the three months ended March 31, 2017, we received cash proceeds of $1 million and recognized an aggregate net gain of less than $1 million associated with the disposal of assets unrelated to rig sales.

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, in connection with our efforts to dispose of non‑strategic assets, we completed the sale of the midwater floaters Falcon 100 and Sedneth 701, along with related equipment.  In the three months ended March 31, 2016, we received aggregate net cash proceeds of $3 million and recognized an aggregate net gain of $1 million associated with the disposal of these assets.  In the three months ended March 31, 2016, we received cash proceeds of $1 million and recognized an aggregate net gain of less than $1 million associated with the disposal of assets unrelated to rig sales.

Note 6—Income Taxes

Tax provision and rate—Transocean Ltd., a holding company and Swiss resident, is exempt from cantonal and communal income tax in Switzerland, but is subject to Swiss federal income tax.  Our provision for income taxes is based on the tax laws and rates applicable in the jurisdictions in which we operate and earn income.  In the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, our estimated effective tax rate, excluding discrete items, was 82.1 percent and 28.6 percent, respectively, based on estimated annual income from continuing operations before income taxes.  Our effective tax rate increased in the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016, primarily due to (a) changes in the relative blend of income from operations in certain jurisdictions and (b) valuation allowances on deferred tax assets for losses not expected to be realized.  We consider the tax effect, if any, of the excluded items as well as settlements of prior year tax estimates to be discrete period tax expenses or benefits.  In the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the effect of the various discrete period tax items was a net tax benefit of $77 million and net tax expense of $1 million, respectively.  For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, these discrete tax items, coupled with the excluded income and expense items noted above, resulted in an effective tax rate of (73.0) percent and 29.1 percent, respectively, based on income from continuing operations before income tax expense.

Tax returns—We file federal and local tax returns in several jurisdictions throughout the world.  With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to examinations of our U.S. and non‑U.S. tax matters for years prior to 2010.  Our tax returns in the major jurisdictions in which we operate, other than Norway and Brazil, which are mentioned below, are generally subject to examination for periods ranging from three to six years.  We have agreed to extensions beyond the statute of limitations in two major jurisdictions for up to 20 years.  Tax authorities in certain jurisdictions are examining our tax returns and in some cases have issued assessments.  We are defending our tax positions in those jurisdictions.  While we cannot predict or provide assurance as to the timing or the outcome of these proceedings, 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, although it may have a material adverse effect on our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

Norway tax investigations and trial—Norwegian civil tax authorities have challenged certain transactions undertaken by our subsidiaries in 1999, 2001 and 2002.  At March 31, 2017, the remaining outstanding civil tax assessment was for NOK 412 million, equivalent to approximately $48 million, plus interest, related to a 2001 dividend payment.  On June 26, 2014, the Norwegian district court in Oslo ruled that our subsidiary was liable for the civil tax assessment but waived all penalties and penalty interest.  On January 9, 2017, the Norwegian appeal court in Oslo ruled entirely in favor of the Transocean subsidiaries and overturned the district court with respect to the remaining question of principal tax obligations.  On February 10, 2017, the tax authorities filed an appeal with the Norwegian Supreme Court.  We intend to take all other appropriate action to continue to support our position that our Norwegian tax returns are materially correct as filed.  Although we are unable to predict the outcome of this matter, we do not expect the effect, if any, to have a material adverse effect on our condensed consolidated statement of financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Brazil tax investigations—In December 2005, the Brazilian tax authorities issued a tax assessment with respect to our tax returns for the years 2000 through 2004, which is currently for an aggregate amount of BRL 828 million, equivalent to approximately $265 million, including penalties and interest.  On January 25, 2008, we filed a protest letter with the Brazilian tax authorities for this tax assessment, and we are currently engaged in the appeals process.  On May 19, 2014, the Brazilian tax authorities issued a tax assessment with respect to our Brazilian income tax returns for the years 2009 and 2010, which is currently for an aggregate amount of BRL 141 million, equivalent to approximately $45 million, including penalties and interest.  On June 18, 2014, we filed a protest letter with the Brazilian tax authorities for this tax assessment.  We believe our returns are materially correct as filed, and we are vigorously contesting these assessments.  An unfavorable outcome on these proposed assessments could result in a material adverse effect on our condensed consolidated statement of financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Other tax matters—We conduct operations through our various subsidiaries in a number of countries throughout the world.  Each country has its own tax regimes with varying nominal rates, deductions, employee contribution requirements and tax attributes.  From time to time, we may identify changes to previously evaluated tax positions that could result in adjustments to our recorded assets and liabilities.  Although we are unable to predict the outcome of these changes, we do not expect the effect, if any, resulting from these adjustments to have a material adverse effect on our condensed consolidated statement of financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Note 7—Earnings Per Share

The numerator and denominator used for the computation of basic and diluted per share earnings from continuing operations were as follows (in millions, except per share data):

 

In the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, we excluded from the calculation 1.9 million and 3.2 million share‑based awards, respectively, since the effect would have been anti‑dilutive.

Note 8—Debt

Outstanding debt—The aggregate principal amounts and aggregate carrying amounts, net of debt‑related balances, including unamortized discounts, premiums, issue costs and fair value adjustments, of our debt were as follows (in millions):