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Commitments and contingencies | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2026
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |
Commitments and contingencies | Commitments and contingencies W e 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. In March 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. In February 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, based on foreign exchange rates at the time of the judgment. Seadrill intends to vigorously contest the judgment and filed an appeal in March 2025. The appeal proceedings commenced in April 2026, and we expect the court to issue judgment in the second half of 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 $59 million as of March 31, 2026) to the Norwegian Enforcement Authorities as security for the judgment. The issued guarantee consists of NOK403 million (approximately $41 million as of March 31, 2026) from our Revolving Credit Facility and NOK171 million (approximately $18 million as of March 31, 2026) from our Bilateral Facility (as defined herein). 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 in March 2025. In July 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, and Seadrill paid the first tranche of damages of $43 million. 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's request for permission for an appeal to the Court of Appeal was not granted. 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. In June 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. In June 2019, the Court of Appeals sitting in Lagos ("COA") issued a conflicting judgment in Transocean Support Services Nigeria & Ors v NIMASA & Anor, finding drilling units cannot be deemed vessels under the Cabotage Act pending appeal. SMUNL filed an appeal to the COA in July 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 units 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 units was ever constructed. Sete Brazil was eventually declared bankrupt by the Brazilian courts in December 2024 although that bankruptcy is presently suspended. In January 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 March 31, 2026. 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. Petrobras has indicated that the mediation could commence in the third quarter of 2026, but there could be further delays. 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 dispute with Brazil’s tax authority relating to assessment of income tax, penalties, and interest for years 2009 and 2010 and is litigating the matter in Brazil’s courts. The trial court ruled in favor of Seadrill Brazil, but the Federal Regional Court reversed the lower court decision in September 2023 and upheld the tax authority’s assessment. In the first quarter of 2024, Seadrill Brazil filed an appeal in Brazil’s Superior Court of Justice, and we continue to vigorously defend our position. The ultimate timing and outcome of this litigation cannot be determined. As of March 31, 2026, the assessed income tax, penalties, interest accruing on the asserted tax underpayment, and other amounts the courts potentially may award Brazil’s government, together, totaled approximately $83 million. In connection with its judicial appeal against the tax authority’s assessment for years 2009 and 2010, Seadrill Brazil has entered into an agreement for an insurance bond of BRL435 million ($83 million as of March 31, 2026). Additionally, Seadrill Brazil has brought administrative appeals against assessments of additional income tax, indirect taxes, penalties, and interest for years 2012, 2016, and 2017. The assessments for these subsequent years raise issues similar to those that are the subject of the disputed assessments for 2009 and 2010, but the 2012 assessment involves other factual and legal issues as well. The timing and outcome of these administrative appeals and of any subsequent judicial review cannot be determined. As of March 31, 2026, the assessed taxes, penalties, and interest for 2012, 2016, and 2017 totaled, in aggregate, approximately $89 million. Other matters Other tax audits and disputed assessments of income and other taxes, including applicable penalties and interest, remain outstanding as of March 31, 2026 and continue to be monitored and evaluated by the Company. These tax audit and assessment claims are attributable principally to Ghana, Mexico, Norway, and the United States. We continue to vigorously defend our tax positions and currently consider the ultimate resolution of tax audit and assessment claims will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results and cash flows. We operate in various countries in the world. We recognize uncertain tax positions if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit by relevant tax authorities, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. While we believe we have the required support for the positions taken on our tax returns, we cannot predict with certainty as to the ultimate outcome of any existing or future assessments. Other material disputes or litigation 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 previous managed rig arrangements with Sonadrill. As of March 31, 2026, we had 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, in the aggregate, across the three rigs operating in the joint venture on two active and two historic contracts.

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