On a quarterly basis, we evaluate the carrying value of our property and equipment to identify events or changes in circumstances ("triggering events") that indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. For rigs whose carrying values are determined not to be recoverable, we record an impairment for the difference between their fair values and carrying values.

In June 2022, the drilling contract previously awarded to VALARIS DS-11 was terminated. As of the date of termination, we had incurred costs to upgrade the rig pursuant to the requirements of the contract. Costs incurred related to these capital upgrades were included in work-in-progress and upon termination were determined to be impaired. We recorded a pre-tax, non-cash loss on impairment in the second quarter of 2022 of $34.5 million. See "Note 4 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers" for additional information regarding the termination.

During the first quarter of 2021, as a result of challenging market conditions for certain of our floaters, we revised our near-term operating assumptions which resulted in a triggering event for purposes of evaluating impairment. We determined that the estimated undiscounted cash flows were not sufficient to recover the carrying values for certain rigs and concluded they were impaired as of March 31, 2021.

Based on the asset impairment analysis performed as of March 31, 2021, we recorded a pre-tax, non-cash loss on impairment in the first quarter of 2021 for certain floaters totaling $756.5 million, inclusive of $5.6 million of gains reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into loss on impairment associated with related cash flow hedges. We measured the fair value of these assets to be $26.0 million at the time of impairment by applying either an income approach, using projected discounted cash flows, or estimated sales price. These valuations were based on unobservable inputs that require significant judgments for which there is limited information, including, in the case of an income approach, assumptions regarding future day rates, utilization, operating costs and capital requirements. In instances where we applied an income approach, forecasted day rates and utilization took into account then current market conditions and our anticipated business outlook.

During the first quarter of 2020, the COVID-19 global pandemic and the response thereto negatively impacted the macro-economic environment and global economy. Global oil demand fell sharply at the same time global oil supply increased as a result of certain oil producers competing for market share which lead to a supply glut. As a consequence, Brent crude oil fell from around $60 per barrel at year-end 2019 to around $20 per barrel as of mid-April 2020. These adverse changes and impacts to our customer's capital expenditure plans in the first quarter resulted in further deterioration in our forecasted day rates and utilization for the remainder of 2020 and beyond. As a result, we concluded that a triggering event had occurred, and we performed a fleet-wide recoverability test. We determined that our estimated undiscounted cash flows were not sufficient to recover the carrying values of certain rigs and concluded they were impaired as of March 31, 2020.

Based on the asset impairment analysis performed as of March 31, 2020, we recorded a pre-tax, non-cash loss on impairment in the first quarter with respect to certain floaters, jackups and spare equipment totaling $2.8 billion. We measured the fair value of these assets to be $72.3 million at the time of impairment by applying either an income approach, using projected discounted cash flows, or estimated sales price. These valuations were based on unobservable inputs that require significant judgments for which there is limited information, including, in the case of an income approach, assumptions regarding future day rates, utilization, operating costs and capital requirements. In instances where we applied an income approach, forecasted day rates and utilization took into account then current market conditions and our anticipated business outlook at that time, both of which had been impacted by the adverse changes in the business environment observed during the first quarter of 2020.

During the second quarter of 2020, given the anticipated sustained market impacts arising from the decline in oil price and demand late in the first quarter, we revised our long-term operating assumptions which resulted in a triggering event for purposes of evaluating impairment and we performed a fleet-wide recoverability test. As a result, we recorded a pre-tax, non-cash impairment with respect to two floaters and spare equipment totaling $817.3 million. We measured the fair value of these assets to be $69.0 million at the time of impairment by applying an income approach or estimated scrap value. These valuations were based on unobservable inputs that require significant judgments for which there is limited information including, in the case of the income approach, assumptions regarding future day rates, utilization, operating costs and capital requirements.

Our business strategy has been to focus on ultra-deepwater floater and premium jackup operations and de-emphasize other assets and operations that are not part of our long-term strategic plan or that no longer meet our standards for economic returns. We continue to focus on our fleet management strategy in light of the composition of our rig fleet. While taking into account certain restrictions on the sales of assets under our Indenture dated April 30, 2021 that governs our First Lien Notes (the “Indenture”), as part of our strategy, we may act opportunistically from time to time to monetize assets to enhance stakeholder value and improve our liquidity profile, in addition to reducing holding costs by selling or disposing of lower-specification or non-core rigs. To this end, we continually assess our rig portfolio and actively work with rig brokers to market certain rigs. See “Note 8 – Debt" for additional information on restrictions on the sales of assets.

On a quarterly basis, we assess whether any long-lived assets meet the criteria established for held-for-sale classification on our balance sheet. Assets classified as held-for-sale are recorded at fair value, less costs to sell. We measure the fair value of our assets held-for-sale by applying a market approach based on unobservable third-party estimated prices that would be received in exchange for the assets in an orderly transaction between market participants or a negotiated sales price. We reassess the fair value of our held-for-sale assets on a quarterly basis and adjust the carrying value, as necessary. Any gains recognized on sales of assets are included in Other, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. No assets were classified as held-for-sale on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2022 (Successor) and December 31, 2021 (Successor).

During the year ended December 31, 2022 (Successor), we recognized an aggregate pre-tax gain of $130.5 million for the sales of VALARIS 113, VALARIS 114, VALARIS 36 and VALARIS 67. Additionally, we recognized pre-tax gains of $3.2 million and $7.0 million related to additional proceeds received for our 2021 sale of VALARIS 100 and 2020 sale of VALARIS 68, respectively, resulting from post-sale conditions of those sale agreements.

In September 2022, we reached an agreement to sell VALARIS 54 to a third party, the closing of which is subject to customary closing conditions, after completion of its current contract in March 2023. We expect to recognize a pre-tax gain on the sale of approximately $28 million during the first half of 2023.

During the second quarter of 2020, we classified the following rigs as held-for-sale: VALARIS 8500, VALARIS 8501, VALARIS 8502, VALARIS DS-3, VALARIS DS-5, VALARIS DS-6 and VALARIS 105. The carrying value of certain of these rigs was reduced to fair value, less costs to sell, based on their estimated sales price, and we recorded a pre-tax, non-cash loss on impairment totaling $15.0 million. These rigs were subsequently sold during the third quarter of 2020 for an aggregate pre-tax gain of $8.6 million. During the third quarter of 2020, we classified VALARIS 8504, VALARIS 84 and VALARIS 88 as held-for-sale. The fair value, less costs to sell, based on each rig's estimated sales price, was in excess of the respective carrying value. As a result, we concluded that there was no impairment of these rigs. These rigs were sold during the fourth quarter of 2020 for an aggregate pre-tax gain of $2.7 million.