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Description Of The Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Description Of The Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Business
 
We are a leading provider of offshore contract drilling services to the international oil and gas industry with operations in almost every major offshore market across six continents. We own the world's largest offshore drilling rig fleet, including one of the newest ultra-deepwater fleets in the industry and a leading premium jackup fleet. We currently own 53 rigs, including 13 drillships, four dynamically positioned semisubmersible rigs, one moored semisubmersible rig, 35 jackup rigs and a 50% equity interest in Saudi Aramco Rowan Offshore Drilling Company ("ARO"), our 50/50 unconsolidated joint venture with Saudi Aramco, which owns an additional eight rigs.

Our customers include many of the leading international and government-owned oil and gas companies, in addition to many independent operators. We are among the most geographically diverse offshore drilling companies with global operations. The markets in which we operate include the Gulf of Mexico, South America, the North Sea, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.

We provide drilling services on a day rate contract basis. Under day rate contracts, we provide an integrated service that includes the provision of a drilling rig and rig crews for which we receive a daily rate that may vary between the full rate and zero rate throughout the duration of the contractual term, depending on the operations of the rig. We also may receive lump-sum fees or similar compensation for the mobilization, demobilization and capital upgrades of our rigs. Our customers bear substantially all of the costs of constructing the well and supporting drilling operations as well as the economic risk relative to the success of the well.

Chapter 11 Cases

On August 19, 2020 (the “Petition Date”), Valaris plc (“Legacy Valaris” or “Predecessor”) and certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries (collectively, the “Debtors”) filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code ("Bankruptcy Code") in the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (the "Bankruptcy Court") The Debtors obtained joint administration of their chapter 11 cases under the caption In re Valaris plc, et al., Case No. 20-34114 (MI) (the “Chapter 11 Cases”).

In connection with the Chapter 11 Cases, on and prior to April 30, 2021 (the "Effective Date"), Legacy Valaris effectuated certain restructuring transactions, pursuant to which the successor company, Valaris, was formed and, through a series of transactions, Legacy Valaris transferred to a subsidiary of Valaris substantially all of the subsidiaries, and other assets, of Legacy Valaris.

References to the financial position and results of operations of the "Successor" or "Successor Company" relate to the financial position and results of operations of the Company after the Effective Date. References to the financial position and results of operations of the "Predecessor" or "Predecessor Company" refer to the financial position and results of operations of Legacy Valaris on and prior to the Effective Date. References to the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” in this Annual Report are to Valaris Limited, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, when referring to periods following the Effective Date, and to Legacy Valaris, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, when referring to periods prior to and including Effective Date.

See Note 2 – Chapter 11 Proceedings” for additional details regarding the Chapter 11 Cases.
Fresh Start Accounting

On the Effective Date, the Debtors emerged from the Chapter 11 Cases. Upon emergence from the Chapter 11 Cases, we qualified for and adopted fresh start accounting. The application of fresh start accounting resulted in a new basis of accounting, and the Company became a new entity for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, our financial statements and notes after the Effective Date are not comparable to our financial statements and notes on and prior to that date. Furthermore, the consolidated financial statements and notes have been presented with a black line division to delineate the lack of comparability between the Predecessor and Successor.

See “Note 2 – Chapter 11 Proceedings” and “Note 3 - Fresh Start Accounting” for additional details regarding the Chapter 11 Cases and fresh start accounting.

Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Valaris Limited, those of our wholly-owned subsidiaries and entities in which we hold a controlling financial interest. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Investments in operating entities in which we have the ability to exercise significant influence, but where we do not control operating and financial policies are accounted for using the equity method. Significant influence generally exists if we have an ownership interest representing between 20% and 50% of the voting stock of the investee. We account for our interest in ARO using the equity method of accounting and only recognize our portion of equity in earnings in our consolidated financial statements. ARO is a variable interest entity; however, we are not the primary beneficiary and therefore do not consolidate ARO.

Reclassification

Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Pervasiveness of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the related revenues and expenses and disclosures of gain and loss contingencies as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Foreign Currency Remeasurement and Translation

Our functional currency is the U.S. dollar. As is customary in the oil and gas industry, a majority of our revenues and expenses are denominated in U.S. dollars; however, a portion of the revenues earned and expenses incurred by certain of our subsidiaries are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. These transactions are remeasured in U.S. dollars based on a combination of both current and historical exchange rates. Most transaction gains and losses are included in Other, net, in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Certain gains and losses from the translation of foreign currency balances of our non-U.S. dollar functional currency subsidiaries are included in Accumulated other comprehensive income on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. Net foreign currency exchange loss was $3.5 million, and gains were $12.2 million, $8.1 million and $13.4 million, and were included in Other, net, in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, eight months ended December 31, 2021 (Successor), and four months ended April 30, 2021 (Predecessor), respectively.
Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

Highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase are considered cash equivalents. Highly liquid investments with maturities of greater than three months but less than one year at the date of purchase are classified as short-term investments.

There were no short-term investments as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Cash flows from purchases and maturities of short-term investments were classified as investing activities in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2022. To mitigate our credit risk, our investments in time deposits have historically been diversified across multiple, high-quality financial institutions.
    
Property and Equipment

All costs incurred in connection with the acquisition, construction, major enhancement and improvement of assets are capitalized, including allocations of interest incurred during periods that our drilling rigs are under construction or undergoing major enhancements and improvements. Costs incurred to place an asset into service are capitalized, including costs related to the initial mobilization of a newbuild drilling rig. Repair and maintenance costs are charged to contract drilling expense in the period in which they are incurred. Upon the sale or retirement of assets, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the balance sheet, and the resulting gain or loss is included in Other, net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Upon emergence, we elected to change our accounting policies and have identified the significant components of our drilling rigs and ascribed useful lives based on the expected time until the next required overhaul or the end of the expected economic lives of the components.

Our property and equipment is depreciated on a straight-line basis, after allowing for salvage values, over the estimated useful lives of our assets. Drilling rigs and related equipment are depreciated over estimated useful lives ranging from five to 35 years. Buildings and improvements are depreciated over estimated useful lives ranging from 10 to 30 years. Other equipment, including computer and communications hardware and software, is depreciated over estimated useful lives ranging from two to six years.

We evaluate the carrying value of our property and equipment, primarily our drilling rigs, on a quarterly basis to identify events or changes in circumstances ("triggering events") that indicate that the carrying value of such rigs may not be recoverable. For property and equipment used in our operations, recoverability generally is determined by comparing the carrying value of an asset to the expected undiscounted future cash flows of the asset. If the carrying value of an asset is not recoverable, the amount of impairment loss is measured as the difference between the carrying value of the asset and its estimated fair value. Property and equipment held-for-sale is recorded at the lower of net book value or fair value less cost to sell.

We recorded pre-tax, non-cash impairment losses related to long-lived assets of $34.5 million and $756.5 million, in the year ended December 31, 2022 (Successor) and the four months ended April 30, 2021 (Predecessor), respectively. See "Note 7 - Property and Equipment" for additional information on our impairment charges.
    
Operating Revenues and Expenses    
See "Note 4 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers" for information on our accounting policies for revenue recognition and certain operating costs that are deferred and amortized over future periods.
    
Income Taxes

We conduct operations and earn income in numerous countries. Current income taxes are recognized for the amount of taxes payable or refundable based on the laws and income tax rates in the taxing jurisdictions in which operations are conducted and income is earned.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the anticipated future tax effects of temporary differences between the financial statement basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rates in effect at year-end. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is recorded when it is more-likely-than-not that the benefit from the deferred tax asset will not be realized. We do not offset deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities attributable to different tax paying jurisdictions.

We operate in certain jurisdictions where tax laws relating to the offshore drilling industry are not well developed and change frequently. Furthermore, we may enter into transactions with affiliates or employ other tax planning strategies that generally are subject to complex tax regulations. As a result of the foregoing, the tax liabilities and assets we recognize in our financial statements may differ from the tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, in our tax returns. Our tax positions are evaluated for recognition as unrecognized tax benefits using a more-likely-than-not threshold, and those requiring recognition are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon effective settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. Interest and penalties relating to income taxes are included in Current income tax expense in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Our drilling rigs frequently move from one taxing jurisdiction to another based on where they are contracted to perform drilling services. The movement of drilling rigs among taxing jurisdictions may involve a transfer of drilling rig ownership among our subsidiaries through an intercompany rig sale. The pre-tax profit resulting from an intercompany rig sale is eliminated from our consolidated financial statements, and the carrying value of a rig sold in an intercompany transaction remains at historical net depreciated cost prior to the transaction. Our consolidated financial statements do not reflect the asset disposition transaction of the selling subsidiary or the asset acquisition transaction of the acquiring subsidiary. The income tax effects resulting from intercompany rig sales are recognized in earnings in the period in which the sale occurs.

In some instances, we may determine that certain temporary differences will not result in a taxable or deductible amount in future years, as it is more-likely-than-not we will commence operations and depart from a given taxing jurisdiction without such temporary differences being recovered or settled. Under these circumstances, no future tax consequences are expected and no deferred taxes are recognized in connection with such operations. We evaluate these determinations on a periodic basis and, in the event our expectations relative to future tax consequences change, the applicable deferred taxes are recognized or derecognized.

We do not provide deferred taxes on the undistributed earnings of certain subsidiaries because our policy and intention is to reinvest such earnings indefinitely. Should we make a distribution from these subsidiaries in the form of dividends or otherwise, we may be subject to additional income taxes.

Share-Based Compensation

We sponsor share-based compensation plans that provide equity compensation to our key employees, officers and non-employee directors. Our 2021 Management Incentive Plan (the “MIP”) allows our board of directors to authorize equity-based grants to be settled in cash, shares or a combination of shares and cash. Compensation expense for time-based equity awards to be settled in shares is measured at fair value on the date of grant and recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period (usually the vesting period). Compensation expense for performance awards is recognized over the requisite service period using the accelerated method and is reduced for forfeited awards in the period in which the forfeitures occur. For our performance awards that cliff vest and require the employee to render service through the vesting date, even though attainment of performance objectives might be earlier, our expense under the accelerated method would be a ratable expense over
the vesting period. Equity settled performance awards generally vest at the end of a three-year measurement period based on attainment of performance goals. The estimated probable outcome of attainment of the specified performance goals is based primarily on relative performance over the requisite performance period. Any subsequent changes in this estimate as it relates to performance objectives are recognized as a cumulative adjustment to compensation cost in the period in which the change in estimate occurs, except in the case of objectives based on a market condition, such as our stock price. Compensation cost for awards based on a market performance objective is recognized as long as the requisite service period is completed and will not be reversed even if the market-based objective is never satisfied. Any adjustments to the compensation cost recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for awards that are forfeited are recognized in the period in which the forfeitures occur. See "Note 10 - Share Based Compensation" for additional information on our share-based compensation.

Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefit Plans

We measure our actuarially determined obligations and related costs for our defined benefit pension and other post-retirement plans, retiree life and medical supplemental plan benefits by applying assumptions, the most significant of which include long-term rate of return on plan assets, discount rates and mortality rates. For the long-term rate of return, we develop our assumptions regarding the expected rate of return on plan assets based on historical experience and projected long-term investment returns, and we weight the assumptions based on each plan's asset allocation. For the discount rate, we base our assumptions on a yield curve approach. Actual results may differ from the assumptions included in these calculations. If gains or losses exceed 10% of the greater of the plan assets or plan liabilities, we amortize such gains or losses into income over either the period of expected future service of active participants, or over the expected average remaining lifetime of all participants. We recognize gains or losses related to plan curtailments at the date the plan amendment or termination is adopted which may precede the effective date.
    
Fair Value Measurements

We measure certain of our assets and liabilities based on a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy assigns the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities ("Level 1") and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs ("Level 3"). Level 2 measurements represent inputs that are observable for similar assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly, other than quoted prices included within Level 1.  See "Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements" for additional information on the fair value measurement of certain of our assets and liabilities.

Noncontrolling Interests

Third parties hold a noncontrolling ownership interest in certain of our non-U.S. subsidiaries. Noncontrolling interests are classified as equity on our Consolidated Balance Sheet, and net income attributable to noncontrolling interests is presented separately in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. All income attributable to noncontrolling interest was from continuing operations.

Cancellation of Predecessor Equity and Issuance of Warrants

On the Effective Date and pursuant to the plan of reorganization, the Legacy Valaris Class A ordinary shares were cancelled and all agreements, instruments and other documents evidencing, relating or otherwise connected with any of Legacy Valaris' equity interests outstanding prior to the Effective Date, including all equity-based awards, were also cancelled. Also, in accordance with the plan of reorganization, the Company issued 5.6 million warrants (the "Warrants") to the former holders of Legacy Valaris' equity to purchase common shares of Valaris Limited with a nominal value of $0.01 per share (the "Common Shares"). The Warrants are exercisable for one Common Share per Warrant at an initial exercise price of $131.88 per Warrant, in each case as may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to the applicable warrant agreement. The Warrants are exercisable for a period of seven years and will expire on April 29, 2028.
Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Basic and diluted earnings per share ("EPS") for the Predecessor was calculated in accordance with the two-class method. Weighted-average shares outstanding used in our computation of diluted EPS is calculated using the treasury stock method and for the Successor includes the effect of all potentially dilutive stock equivalents, including warrants, restricted stock unit awards and performance stock unit awards and for the Predecessor included the effect of all potentially dilutive stock options and excluded non-vested shares.

The following table is a reconciliation of the weighted-average shares used in our basic and diluted EPS computations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, eight months ended December 31, 2021 (Successor), and four months ended April 30, 2021 (Predecessor) (in millions):

SuccessorPredecessor
 Year Ended December 31, 2023Year Ended December 31, 2022Eight Months Ended December 31, 2021Four Months Ended April 30, 2021
Income (loss) attributable to our shares $865.4 $176.5 $(27.4)$(4,467.0)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic74.1 75.1 75.0 199.6 
Effect of stock equivalents1.1 0.5 — — 
Diluted75.2 75.6 75.0 199.6 

Anti-dilutive share awards totaling 147,000 and 192,000 were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (Successor), respectively.

Due to the net loss position, anti-dilutive shares totaling 600,000 and 300,000, for the eight months ended December 31, 2021 (Successor) and the four months ended April 30, 2021 (Predecessor), respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS.
We have 5,470,950 Warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2023 which are exercisable for one Common Share per Warrant at an initial exercise price of $131.88 per Warrant. The exercise of these Warrants into Common Shares would have a dilutive effect to the holdings of Valaris Limited's existing shareholders. These Warrants are anti-dilutive for all periods presented for the Successor.

The Predecessor previously had convertible senior notes due 2024 (the "2024 Convertible Notes") for which we had the option to settle in cash, shares or a combination thereof for the aggregate amount due upon conversion. On the Effective Date, pursuant to the plan of reorganization, all outstanding obligations under the 2024 Convertible Notes were cancelled and the holders thereunder received the treatment as set forth in the plan of reorganization. However, if the Legacy Valaris average share price had exceeded the exchange price during a respective predecessor reporting period, an assumed number of shares required to settle the conversion obligation in excess of the principal amount would have been included in our denominator for the computation of diluted EPS using the treasury stock method. The Legacy Valaris average share price did not exceed the exchange price during the four months ended April 30, 2021 (Predecessor).
     
New Accounting Pronouncements

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements

Business Combinations - In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-08, “Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers” (Update 2021-08”). ASU No. 2021-08 requires an entity (acquirer) to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with Topic 606 and provides practical expedients for acquirers when recognizing and measuring acquired contract assets and contract liabilities from revenue contracts in a business combination. The amendments also apply to contract assets and contract liabilities from other contracts to which the provisions of Topic 606 apply, such as contract liabilities for the sale of nonfinancial assets within the scope of Subtopic 610-20, Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets. The FASB issued the update to improve the accounting for acquired revenue contracts with customers in a business combination. Update 2021-08 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We adopted Update 2021-08 effective January 1, 2023 with no material impact to our financial statements upon adoption.

Reference Rate Reform - In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting ("Update 2020-04"), which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments in Update 2020-04 apply only to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The provisions in Update 2020-04 were effective upon issuance and could be applied prospectively to contract modifications made through December 31, 2022. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848, to extend the temporary accounting rules under Topic 848 from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2024. Our long-term notes receivable from ARO (the "Notes Receivable from ARO"), has generated interest income on a LIBOR-based rate since inception of the note. In 2023, we amended the terms of the Notes Receivable from ARO whereby beginning in 2024, interest income is calculated on a Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") based rate. The application of Update 2020-04 and ASU No. 2022-06 on this contract modification and the change in reference rates did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Accounting pronouncements to be adopted

Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures - In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures ("Update 2023-07"), which expands reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The amendments in Update 2023-07 require that a public entity disclose, on an annual and interim basis, significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to an entity's chief operating decision maker ("CODM"), a description of other segment items by reportable segment, and any additional measures of a segment's profit or loss used by the CODM when deciding how to allocate resources. Annual disclosures are required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim disclosures are required for periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Retrospective application is required for all prior periods presented, and early adoption is permitted. We are currently assessing the impact of the requirements on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures - In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures ("Update 2023-09"), which expands income tax disclosure requirements to include additional information related to the rate reconciliation of our effective tax rates to statutory rates as well as additional disaggregation of taxes paid. The amendments in Update 2023-09 also remove disclosures related to certain unrecognized tax benefits and deferred taxes. Update 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The amendments are required to be applied on a prospective basis, with an option to apply the guidance retrospectively. We are currently assessing the impact of the requirements on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
With the exception of the updated standards discussed above, there have been no accounting pronouncements issued and not yet effective that have significance, or potential significance, to our consolidated financial statements.