XML 31 R20.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.25.3

Commitments and contingencies | 9 Months Ended
--- | ---
Sep. 30, 2025
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |
Commitments and contingencies | Commitments and contingencies We recognize loss contingencies in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements where it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle an obligation and the amount is reasonably estimable. An adverse outcome in a matter described below could have an adverse effect on Seadrill's operating results, cash flows and financial position. Accruals for contingencies and uncertain tax positions related to matters described below, if any, are recorded in "Accrued expenses" within "Other current liabilities" and "Uncertain tax positions" within "Other non-current liabilities", respectively, in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Legal Proceedings SFL Hercules Ltd. On March 5, 2023, Seadrill was served with a claim from SFL Hercules Ltd., filed in the Oslo District Court in Norway, relating to our redelivery of the rig West Hercules to SFL Corporation Ltd. ("SFL") in December 2022. On February 6, 2025, the Oslo District Court delivered a judgment in favor of SFL Hercules Ltd. ordering Seadrill to pay SFL approximately $37 million plus interest and legal costs of approximately $11 million. Seadrill intends to vigorously contest the judgment and filed an appeal on March 5, 2025. The appeal proceedings are scheduled to commence on April 7, 2026. The ultimate amount due, if any, cannot be predicted at this time. As is customary in Norway, Seadrill issued a guarantee in the amount of NOK574 million in August 2025 (approximately $57 million as of September 30, 2025) to the Norwegian Enforcement Authorities as security for the judgment. The issued guarantee consists of NOK403 million ($40 million as of September 30, 2025) from our Revolving Credit Facility and NOK171 million ($17 million as of September 30, 2025) from our bilateral facility. Sonadrill fees claim In March 2023, Seadrill was served with a claim from an individual (the "Claimant") filed in the High Court of Justice, Business and Property Courts of England and Wales, King's Bench Division, Commercial Court (the "High Court"). The Claimant alleged breach of contract and unjust enrichment damages of approximately $72 million related to an alleged failure by the Company to pay the Claimant a fee for services in arranging the Sonadrill joint venture dating back to 2018. The case concluded on March 18, 2025. On July 11, 2025, the High Court rendered judgment in favor of the Claimant. In October 2025, the High Court ruled on the first tranche of damages for the period prior to October 2024, including interest and legal fees. The parties are continuing to make submissions to the High Court on the issue of the quantum of damages to be paid for the second tranche of damages incurred subsequent to October 2024; however, Seadrill presently estimates that its aggregate liability following the High Court's judgment, including all interest and legal fees, is unlikely to exceed $61 million, subject to finalization of calculations relating to second tranche interest. Seadrill has requested permission for an appeal to the Court of Appeal, but there can be no guarantee that will be granted. In October 2025, Seadrill paid the first tranche of damages of approximately $43 million. Nigerian Cabotage Act litigation In November 2015, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ("NMASA") issued a detention in respect of the rig West Capella for failure to comply with requirements of the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003 (the "Cabotage Act"), specifically, failure to pay a Cabotage fee of 2% on contract revenue. While the named party is Seadrill Mobile Units Nigeria Ltd (previously an Aquadrill entity, acquired by Seadrill upon the merger of Seadrill and Aquadrill) ("SMUNL"), the matter relates to three rigs: the West Capella, West Saturn and West Jupiter. SMUNL commenced proceedings in May 2016 against the Honourable Minister for Transportation, the Attorney General of the Federation and NMASA with respect to interpretation of the Cabotage Act. On June 14, 2019, the Federal High Court of Nigeria delivered a judgment (1) finding that: (a) Drilling operations fall within the definition of "Coastal Trade" or "Cabotage" under the Cabotage Act and (b) Drilling Rigs fall within the definition of "Vessels" under the Cabotage Act, and (2) directing SMUNL to deduct 2%, or approximately $69 million, of their contract value and remit the same to NMASA. On June 24, 2019, the Court of Appeals sitting in Lagos ("COA") issued a conflicting judgment in Transocean Support Services Nigeria & Ors v NIMASA & Anor, finding drilling rigs cannot be deemed vessels under the Cabotage Act pending appeal. SMUNL filed an appeal to the COA on July 22, 2019, and applied to the Federal High Court for an injunction pending appeal to prevent enforcement. Due to the volume of cases currently being handled by the COA, the Registry of the COA is yet to schedule the hearing date for the appeal. Although we intend to strongly pursue this appeal, we cannot predict the outcome of this case. Sete Brazil claim In or around 2010, Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. ("Petrobras") initiated a project in Brazil to construct a fleet of 28 offshore drilling rigs to support Petrobras (the "Sete Brazil Project"). A Brazilian company ("Sete Brazil") was formed in Brazil as a vehicle for the Sete Brazil Project. The Sete Brazil Project was unable to obtain financing and none of the 28 offshore drilling rigs was ever constructed. Sete Brazil was eventually declared bankrupt by the Brazilian courts in December 2024 although that bankruptcy is presently suspended. On January 6, 2025, Seadrill Brazil received notices from Petrobras asserting "delay penalties" against Seadrill Brazil relating to three drillships to be constructed under the Sete Brazil Project and operated in Brazil by Seadrill Brazil under contracts awarded in 2012. The aggregate amount of the delay penalties claimed by Petrobras as of the date of receipt of the notices was approximately $213 million, with the potential for further delay penalties, which could be significant, to be assessed ratably over the remaining term of the drilling contracts for the three drillships. Petrobras indicated it may exercise set-off rights against certain amounts payable to Seadrill Brazil under its contracts with Petrobras for our five drillships (unrelated to the Sete Brazil Project) that are currently operating in Brazil, revenues related to which are included in our backlog as of September 30, 2025. No set-off right has been exercised to date. The contracts limit aggregate delay penalties to 10% of the total "estimated contract value", as defined in the contracts. The Sete Brazil Project contracts also provide an alternative remedy to Petrobras of "compensatory damages" based upon termination of the contracts for which we would have joint and several liability if such damages were awarded to Petrobras. Petrobras could seek delay penalties or compensatory damages but could not seek both under the contracts. We were copied on correspondence between Petrobras and Sete Brazil (and certain of its related companies) in which Petrobras alleged that it is entitled to collect compensatory damages of approximately $825 million from these companies. Petrobras has not indicated to us that they intend to pursue these claims against us or set off these claims against our current drilling contracts. We dispute liability and do not believe any damages are due to Petrobras from us, Sete Brazil or any of its related companies in connection with the Sete Brazil Project as either delay penalties or compensatory damages. Petrobras and Seadrill have agreed to participate in voluntary mediation, and Petrobras has committed to not exercise any set-off rights pending the outcome of the mediation. While Petrobras initially indicated that the mediation could commence in the third quarter of 2025, no date has been set and mediation is unlikely to begin before year-end. We cannot predict when the mediation will be completed, or what the outcome may be. Dialogue between the parties is ongoing. We are evaluating our legal options, which may include, among other things, seeking injunctive relief, seeking remedies against Petrobras under Seadrill’s prior U.S. Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, and asserting counterclaims for substantial damages against Petrobras in Brazilian courts. This matter is in its early stages, and we are not able to predict its timing or outcome. In addition, the nature, timing, calculation and ultimate amount of the purported penalties are subject to principles of contract interpretation before Brazilian courts. Seadrill intends to vigorously defend its position and pursue available remedies. Because we do not believe that it is probable that a loss with respect to the claims alleged by Petrobras has been incurred, and we cannot reasonably estimate the amount of any such loss, were it to be incurred, we have not accrued any amounts in respect thereof in our financial statements. Brazil tax audit Seadrill Serviços de Petróleo Ltda ("Seadrill Brazil") has a long-standing tax audit relating to years 2009 and 2010, which is being litigated through the Brazilian courts. The initial court ruled in favor of Seadrill Brazil, but the appellate court reversed the lower court decision in September 2023 and ruled in favor of the tax authorities, assessing a tax and interest thereon of approximately $79 million. We will vigorously defend our position and, in the first quarter of 2024, our appeal was admitted by the higher courts, but the ultimate timing and outcome of this litigation cannot be determined. There are additional open cases relating to years 2012, 2016, and 2017, where a similar principle is being contested but they are not as far advanced through the courts, for an aggregate assessed amount, including tax and interest, of approximately $84 million. In order to litigate the tax audit relating to years 2009 and 2010, Seadrill Brazil has entered into an agreement for an insurance bond of BRL436 million ($82 million as of September 30, 2025). Other matters In addition to the foregoing, from time to time we are a named defendant or party in certain other lawsuits, claims or proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business or in connection with our acquisition and disposal activities. Although the outcome of such lawsuits or other proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, and the amount of any liability that could arise with respect to such lawsuits or other proceedings cannot be predicted accurately, we currently do not expect these other matters to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results and cash flows. Guarantees We have issued performance guarantees for potential liabilities that may result from drilling activities under current or previously managed rig arrangements with Sonadrill. As of September 30, 2025, we have not recognized any liabilities for these guarantees as we do not consider it probable that the guarantees will be called. The guarantees provided on behalf of Sonadrill have been capped at $1.1 billion (December 31, 2024: $1.1 billion), in the aggregate, across the three rigs we manage for the joint venture on two active and two historic contracts.

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The entire disclosure for commitments and contingencies. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Topic 405 -SubTopic 30 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/405-30/tableOfContent Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 440 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482648/440-10-50-4 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Topic 450 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/450/tableOfContent Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 954 -SubTopic 440 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478522/954-440-50-1 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 440 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (c) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482648/440-10-50-4 Reference 6: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Topic 440 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/440/tableOfContent + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | dtr-types:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration