NABORS INDUSTRIES LTD (NBR) FY 2024 MD&A

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

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The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on, and should be read in conjunction with, our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included under Part II, Item 8.—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those set forth under Part I, Item 1A.—Risk Factors and elsewhere in this annual report. See “Forward-Looking Statements.”

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Management Overview

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We are a leading provider of advanced technology for the energy industry. With operations in over 15 countries, Nabors has established a global network of people, technology and equipment to deploy solutions that deliver safe, efficient and sustainable energy production. By leveraging its core competencies, particularly in drilling, engineering, automation, data science and manufacturing, Nabors aims to innovate the future of energy and enable the transition to a lower carbon world.

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Outlook

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The demand for our services and products is a function of spending by oil and gas companies for exploration, development and production activities. The level of exploration, development and production activities is to a large extent tied to the prices of oil and natural gas, which can fluctuate significantly, are highly volatile and tend to be highly sensitive to factors including supply and demand cycles and geopolitical uncertainties, particularly those impacting large hydrocarbon-producing countries. Certain oil and gas companies may also intentionally limit their capital spending as they focus on generating returns to shareholders as opposed to maximizing hydrocarbon production. Additionally, there has recently been an increasing number of customer consolidations within the industry especially in the United States. In some cases, these transactions may have an impact on overall rig demand, as the acquiring company may apply criteria that results in a different level of demand for drilling rigs than the previous two companies would have had on a stand-alone basis.

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Since late 2022 and continuing through the fourth quarter of 2024, global energy commodity markets have experienced high levels of volatility. In the U.S., operators generally reacted to these market conditions by reducing their drilling activity. Recent production actions announced by certain large international oil producers have been supportive of both oil prices and oil-focused activity broadly, especially in international markets. Natural gas prices, particularly in the United States, declined significantly through 2023 and into 2024, to levels which largely persisted into the fourth quarter of 2024 and which have caused operators to reduce natural gas directed activity.

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In early 2023 economic sentiment was overshadowed by a pervasive concern that a global recession would take hold. The U.S. Federal Reserve’s tightening of interest rates reduced capital availability in the U.S energy market. As these higher interest rates continued, rig counts in the U.S. Lower 48 continued to decline throughout the year. More recently, the U.S. Federal Reserve reduced interest rates. The impact of that decision should become evident in the coming quarters. Despite the reduction in rig count, rig pricing discipline remained intact, generally supportive of rig dayrates and daily rig margins.

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U.S. oil and gas production has proved resilient throughout 2024 in the face of reduced drilling activity. Internationally, we generally see an expansion of production capacity as well as the widespread development of unconventional resources driving an expected increase in oilfield activity broadly across those markets.

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Recent Developments

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2024 Credit Agreement

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On June 17, 2024, Nabors Delaware amended and restated its’ credit agreement (the “2024 Credit Agreement”). Under the 2024 Credit Agreement, the lenders have committed to provide to Nabors Delaware up to $350.0 million in revolving loans, and the issuing banks have committed to provide a standalone letter of credit tranche that permits Nabors Delaware to issue reimbursement obligations under letters of credit in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of $125.0 million. Letters of credit issued will not affect revolving loan capacity and vice versa. The 2024 Credit Agreement contains a $200.0 million uncommitted accordion feature that can be applied to increase the commitments under either the revolving loans or the letter of credit tranche, or both. The facility matures on the earlier of (a) June 17, 2029 and (b) to the extent 10% or more of the respective principal amount of any of the 7.375% Senior Priority Guaranteed Notes due May 2027 or 7.50% Senior Guaranteed Notes due January 2028 or 50% or more of the principal amount of the 1.75% Senior Exchangeable Notes due June 2029 remains outstanding on the date that is 90 days prior to the applicable maturity date for such Indebtedness, then such 90th day.

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8.875% Senior Guaranteed Notes due August 2031

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On July 22, 2024, Nabors issued $550.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.875% senior guaranteed notes, which are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Nabors and certain of Nabors’ indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries. Interest on the notes is payable on February 15 and August 15 of each year. The notes have a maturity date of August 15, 2031. Nabors used the net proceeds, along with cash on hand, to redeem all of its 7.25% senior guaranteed notes due January 2026.

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Acquisition of Parker Drilling Company

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On October 14, 2024, we and certain subsidiaries of ours entered into a merger agreement (the “Merger Agreement”) to acquire Parker Drilling Company (“Parker”), pursuant to which, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, we will acquire Parker for 4.8 million of our common shares, subject to a collar. The precise number of shares to be issued to Parker stockholders will be determined based upon the volume weighted average price of Nabors common shares on the NYSE for the 15 trading days ending the fifth day before the closing of the merger (“Closing Price”) and, if that Closing Price is below $42.70, Parker stockholders will also receive a cash component for their shares of Parker stock.  If the volume weighted average price is above $99.62, the merger consideration will consist of the number of shares equal to $478,176,000 divided by the Closing Price.

Parker provides drilling services across global energy markets. Through its Quail Tools subsidiary, Parker is the leading rental provider of high-performance downhole tubulars in the U.S. market. Internationally, Parker provides tubular rentals and repair services, with state-of-the-art facilities located in key geographies. Parker offers differentiated, casing and tubular running services in the U.S., the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. Its portfolio also includes a fleet of 17 drilling rigs in the U.S. and international markets, as well as Operations & Maintenance services primarily in Canada and Alaska.

The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions and receipt of required regulatory approvals.

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Financial Results

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Comparison of the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023

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Operating revenues in 2024 totaled $2.9 billion, representing a decrease of $75.9 million, or 3%, from 2023. For a more detailed description of operating results see Segment Results of Operations, below.

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Net loss from continuing operations attributable to Nabors common shareholders totaled $176.1 million for 2024 ($22.37 loss per diluted share) compared to a net loss from continuing operations attributable to Nabors common shareholders of $11.8 million ($5.49 loss per diluted share) in 2023, or a $164.3 million increase in the net loss. Adjusted operating income (loss) across our operating segments, declined by $16.9 million, or 2%.  A decline in U.S. activity was largely offset by increased activity in international markets, benefiting both our International Drilling and Drilling Solutions segments.  Approximately $78.0 million of the increase in net loss is attributable to lower mark-to-market gains related to the common share warrants, which decreased from $54.7 million in 2023 to $16.9 million in 2024, and the impact from gains or losses from debt repurchases, which resulted in a gain of $25.3 million in 2023 and losses of $14.9 million in 2024.  In addition, interest expense increased by approximately $25.6 million due to increasing interest rates.  See Segment Results of Operations and Other Financial Information below for additional discussion.

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General and administrative expenses in 2024 totaled $249.3 million, representing an increase of $5.2 million, or 2% from 2023. This is reflective of increases in workforce costs, general operating costs and inflationary pressures as market conditions have changed.

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Depreciation and amortization expense in 2024 was $633.4 million, representing a decrease of $11.9 million, or 2%, from 2023. The decrease is a result of a higher amount of older assets reaching the end of their useful lives.

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Segment Results of Operations

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During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, our business consisted of four reportable segments: U.S. Drilling, International Drilling, Drilling Solutions and Rig Technologies.

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Management evaluates the performance of our reportable segments using adjusted operating income (loss), which is our segment performance measure, because we believe that this financial measure reflects our ongoing profitability and performance. In addition, securities analysts and investors use this measure as one of the metrics on which they analyze our performance. Adjusted operating income (loss) represents income (loss) before income taxes, interest expense, earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates, investment income (loss), and other, net. A reconciliation of adjusted operating income to net income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes can be found in Note 17—Segment Information in Part II, Item 8.—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

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The following tables set forth certain information with respect to our reportable segments and rig activity:

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U.S. Drilling

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Operating revenues decreased by $179.5 million or 15% in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to a decrease in activity as reflected by an 13% decrease in the average number of rigs working, while pricing remained stable.

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International Drilling

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Operating revenues increased by $100.8 million or 7% in 2024 compared to 2023. The increase is primarily attributable to an 8% increase in the average rigs working, reflecting increased drilling activity as market conditions and demand for our international drilling services have increased since the prior year.

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Drilling Solutions

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Operating revenues increased by $12.3 million or 4% in 2024 compared to 2023 as an increase in demand for our international and third-party services offset a decline in results in the U.S. markets, which was driven by the reduction in drilling activity.

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Rig Technologies

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Operating revenues decreased by $41.1 million or 17% in 2024 compared to 2023 due to the overall decline in activity in the U.S. as mentioned previously. Adjusted operating income was relatively flat despite the 17% drop in operating revenues, due to a change in mix of business focusing more on the higher margin product lines.

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Other Financial Information

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Interest expense

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Interest expense for 2024 was $210.9 million, representing an increase of $25.6 million, or 14%, compared to 2023. The increase was primarily due to an increase in our effective interest rate levels on our outstanding debt throughout 2024 as compared to 2023.

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Other, net

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Other, net for the year ended December 31, 2024 was a loss of $106.8 million, compared to a gain of $0.7 million during 2023. During 2024, this loss was from $28.1 million in foreign currency losses, $14.9 million for losses on debt buybacks, $26.4 million from loss on sale of assets and $26.1 million from other than temporary impairment of securities. This loss was offset by $16.9 million of gain from mark-to-market gains related to the common share warrants. In comparison, during 2023, $54.7 million of the gain was from mark-to-market gains related to the common share warrants and $25.3 million was from gains on debt repurchases. The 2023 gain was offset by $37.3 million in foreign currency losses, $26.5 million for litigation reserves and $13.9 million from loss on sale of assets. (See Note 11 — Shareholders’ Equity in Part II, Item 8.—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for discussion of the common stock warrants).

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Income taxes

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Our worldwide income tax expense for 2024 was $56.9 million compared to $79.2 million for 2023. The decrease in tax expense was primarily attributable to tax expense of $11.8 million in 2023 related to an audit settlement, as well as changes in the amount and the geographic mix of our pre-tax earnings (losses) in the jurisdictions in which we operate.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

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Financial Condition and Sources of Liquidity

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Our primary sources of liquidity are cash and investments, availability under the 2024 Credit Agreement and cash generated from operations. As of December 31, 2024, we had cash and short-term investments of $397.3 million and working capital of $427.6 million. As of December 31, 2023, we had cash and short-term investments of $1.1 billion, which included proceeds from our offering of $650.0 million in aggregate principal of 9.125% senior priority guaranteed notes due 2030 that were used primarily to retire certain outstanding indebtedness during the first quarter of 2024 and working capital of $431.7 million.

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At December 31, 2024, we had no borrowings outstanding and $51.6 million of letters of credit outstanding under the 2024 Credit Agreement, which has a total borrowing capacity of $350.0 million and a separate letter of credit tranche that permits us to issue letters of credit with total reimbursement obligations not to exceed $125.0 million. Letters of credit issued will not affect revolving loan capacity and vice versa.

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The 2024 Credit Agreement requires us to maintain an interest coverage ratio (EBITDA/interest expense of 2.75:1.00) and a minimum guarantor value, requiring the guarantors (other than the Company) and their subsidiaries to own at least 90% of the consolidated property, plant and equipment of the Company. Additionally, the Company is subject to certain covenants (which are subject to certain exceptions) and include, among others, (a) a covenant restricting our ability to incur liens (subject to the additional liens basket of up to $150.0 million, among other exceptions), (b) a covenant restricting its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions with respect to its capital stock and to repurchase certain indebtedness, and (c) a covenant restricting the ability of the Company’s subsidiaries to incur debt (subject to the grower debt basket of up to $100.0 million). The facility matures on the earlier of (a) June 17, 2029 and (b) to the extent 10% or more of the respective principal amount of any of the 7.375% Senior Priority Guaranteed Notes due May 2027 or 7.50% Senior Guaranteed Notes due January 2028 or 50% or more of the principal amount of the 1.75% Senior Exchangeable Notes due June 2029 remains outstanding on the date that is 90 days prior to the applicable maturity date for such Indebtedness, then such 90th day.

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As of the date of this report, we were in compliance with all covenants under the 2024 Credit Agreement, including those regarding the required interest coverage ratio and minimum guarantor value, which were 4.40:1.00 and 99.79%, respectively, as of December 31, 2024. If we fail to perform our obligations under the covenants, the revolving credit commitments under the 2024 Credit Agreement could be terminated, and any outstanding borrowings under the facilities could be declared immediately due and payable. If necessary, we have the ability to manage our covenant compliance by taking certain actions including reductions in discretionary capital or other types of controllable expenditures, monetization of assets, amending or renegotiating the revolving credit agreement, accessing capital markets through a variety of alternative methods, or any combination of these alternatives. We expect to remain in compliance with all covenants under the 2024 Credit Agreement during the twelve-month period following the date of this report based on our current operational and financial projections. However, we can make no assurance of continued compliance if our

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current projections or material underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect. If we fail to comply with the covenants, the revolving credit commitment could be terminated, and any outstanding borrowings under the facility could be declared immediately due and payable.

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Our ability to access capital markets or to otherwise obtain sufficient financing may be affected by our senior unsecured debt ratings as provided by the major credit rating agencies in the United States and our historical ability to access these markets as needed. While there can be no assurances that we will be able to access these markets in the future, we believe that we will be able to access capital markets or otherwise obtain financing in order to satisfy any payment obligation that might arise upon maturity, exchange or purchase of our notes and our debt facilities, loss of availability of our revolving credit facilities and our A/R Agreements (see—Accounts Receivable Purchase and Sales Agreements, below), and that any cash payment due, in addition to our other cash obligations, would not ultimately have a material adverse impact on our liquidity or financial position. The major U.S. credit rating agencies have previously downgraded our senior unsecured debt rating to non-investment grade. These and any further ratings downgrades could adversely impact our ability to access debt markets in the future, increase the cost of future debt, and potentially require us to post letters of credit for certain obligations. See Part I, Item 1A.—Risk Factors—A downgrade in our credit rating could negatively impact our cost of and ability to access capital markets or other financing sources.

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We had seven letter-of-credit facilities with various banks outstanding as of December 31, 2024. Availability under these facilities was as follows:

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We are a holding company and therefore rely exclusively on repayments of interest and principal on intercompany loans that we have made to our operating subsidiaries and income from dividends and other cash flows from our operating subsidiaries. There can be no assurance that our operating subsidiaries will generate sufficient net income to pay us dividends or sufficient cash flows to make payments of interest and principal to us. See Part I., Item 1A.—Risk Factors—As a holding company, we depend on our operating subsidiaries and investments to meet our financial obligations.

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Accounts Receivable Purchase and Sales Agreements

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On September 13, 2019, we entered into an accounts receivables sales agreement (the “A/R Sales Agreement”) and an accounts receivables purchase agreement (the “A/R Purchase Agreement” and, together with the A/R Sales Agreement, the “A/R Agreements”), whereby the originators, all of whom are our subsidiaries, sold or contributed, and will on an ongoing basis continue to sell or contribute, certain of their domestic trade accounts receivables to a wholly-owned, bankruptcy-remote special purpose entity (“SPE”). The SPE in turn, sells, transfers, conveys and assigns to third-party financial institutions (“Purchasers”), all the rights, title and interest in and to its pool of eligible receivables.

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Over the term of the facility, we entered into a number of amendments. Most recently, on April 1, 2024, we entered into the Fourth Amendment to the A/R Purchase Agreement, which among other things, extended the term of the A/R Purchase Agreement to the earliest of (i) April 1, 2027 and (ii) the date that is ninety (90) calendar days prior to the occurrence of the maturity date under and as defined in the 2024 Credit Agreement.

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The amount available for purchase under the A/R Agreements fluctuates over time based on the total amount of eligible receivables generated during the normal course of business after excluding excess concentrations and certain other ineligible receivables. The maximum purchase commitment of the Purchasers under the A/R Agreements is $250.0 million and the amount of receivables purchased by the third-party Purchasers as of December 31, 2024 was $130.0 million.

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The originators, Nabors Delaware, the SPE, and the Company provide representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities under the A/R Agreements and the Indemnification Guarantee. See further details at Note 3—Accounts Receivable Purchase and Sales Agreements.

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Other Indebtedness

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See Note 9—Debt, in Part II, Item 8.—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for further details about our financing arrangements, including our debt securities.

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Future Cash Requirements

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Our current cash and investments, projected cash flows from operations, proceeds from equity or debt issuances, the A/R Agreements and the facilities under our 2024 Credit Agreement are expected to adequately finance our purchase commitments, capital expenditures, acquisitions, scheduled debt service requirements, and all other expected cash requirements for at least the next 12 months. However, we can make no assurances that our current operational and financial projections will prove to be correct. A sustained period of highly depressed oil and natural gas prices could have a significant effect on our customers’ capital expenditure spending and therefore our operations, cash flows and liquidity.

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Purchase commitments outstanding on December 31, 2024 totaled approximately $323.8 million, primarily for rig-related enhancements, sustaining capital expenditures, operating expenses, and purchases of inventory. $323.6 million of the outstanding commitments are expected to be paid in 2025. Purchase commitments include agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms, including fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable pricing provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction. We can reduce planned expenditures if necessary or increase them if market conditions and new business opportunities warrant it. The level of our outstanding purchase commitments and our expected level of capital expenditures for 2024 represent a number of capital programs that are currently underway or planned.

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As of December 31, 2024, we had approximately $2.5 billion of net book value of long-term debt outstanding with $2.5 billion in aggregate principal. We have expected aggregate future interest payments of $894.5 million related to the outstanding debt with $193.3 million due in the next twelve months. See Note 9—Debt in Part II, Item 8.—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for additional details. Our obligations for operating leases total $34.6 million with $8.6 million of the obligations coming due in the upcoming year. See Note 19—Leases in Part II, Item 8.—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for additional details.

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We may from time to time seek to retire or purchase our outstanding debt through cash purchases or exchanges for equity or debt securities, both in open-market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors and may involve material amounts.

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We are a party to transactions, agreements or other contractual arrangements defined as “off-balance sheet arrangements” that could have a material future effect on our financial position, results of operations, liquidity and capital resources. The most significant of these off-balance sheet arrangements include the A/R Agreements (see —Accounts Receivable Purchase and Sales Agreements, above) and certain agreements and obligations under which we provide financial or performance assurance to third parties. Certain of these financial or performance assurances serve as guarantees, including standby letters of credit issued on behalf of insurance carriers in conjunction with our workers’ compensation insurance program and other financial surety instruments such as bonds. In addition, we have provided indemnifications, which serve as guarantees, to some third parties. These guarantees include indemnification provided by us to our share transfer agent and our insurance carriers. We are not able to estimate the potential future maximum payments that might be due under our indemnification guarantees, if any. Management believes the likelihood that we would be required to perform or otherwise incur any material losses associated with any of these guarantees is remote.

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The following table summarizes the total maximum amount of financial guarantees issued by Nabors:

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Cash Flows

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Our cash flows depend, to a large degree, on the level of spending by oil and gas companies for exploration, development and production activities. Sustained decreases in the price of oil or natural gas could have a material impact on these activities and could also materially affect our cash flows. Certain sources and uses of cash, such as the level of discretionary capital expenditures or acquisitions, purchases and sales of investments, loans, issuances and repurchases of debt and of our common shares are within our control and are adjusted as necessary based on market conditions. We discuss our 2024 and 2023 cash flows below.

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Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $581.4 million during 2024, compared to net cash provided of $637.9 million during 2023. Operating cash flows are our primary source of capital and liquidity.  Cash from operating results (before working capital changes) totaled $682.7 million during 2024, a decrease of $27.8 million when compared to $710.5 million in 2023. This was due to the decrease in activity across our business in 2024 compared to 2023. Changes in working capital items such as collection of receivables, other deferred revenue arrangements and payments of operating payables are significant factors affecting operating cash flows and can be volatile in periods of increasing or decreasing activity levels. Changes in working capital items used $101.2 million in cash flows during 2024 and used $72.6 million in cash flows during 2023.

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Investing Activities. Net cash used for investing activities totaled $555.5 million during 2024 compared to net cash used of $570.4 million in 2023. Our primary use of cash for investing activities is for capital expenditures related to rig-related enhancements, new construction and equipment, and sustaining capital expenditures. During 2024 and 2023, we used cash for capital expenditures totaling $567.9 million and $540.9 million, respectively. We received $15.5 million in proceeds from sales of assets during 2024 compared to $14.1 million in 2023. We also invested $7.7 million in companies that focus on energy transition related technologies in 2024 compared to $21.3 million in 2023.

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Financing Activities. Net cash used for financing activities totaled $662.1 million during 2024. During 2024, we received net proceeds of $539.0 million from issuance of long-term debt and repaid $1.2 billion of outstanding long-term debt.

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Net cash provided by financing activities totaled $592.6 million during 2023. During 2023, we received net proceeds of $881.7 million from issuance of long-term debt and repaid $298.5 million of outstanding long-term debt. We received $305.0 million from the public offering of NETC II and made distributions of $286.4 million from the Trust Account to NETC stockholders. Cash in these trusts can only be used in connection to the business combination or winding down of the SPAC and is not available to us for general operations.

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Other Matters

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

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See Note 2—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in Part II, Item 8.—Financial Statements and

Supplementary Data.

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Critical Accounting Estimates

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The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date and the amounts of revenues and expenses recognized during the reporting period. We analyze our estimates based on our historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. However, actual results could differ from our estimates. The following is a discussion of our critical accounting estimates. Management considers an accounting estimate to be critical if:

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For a summary of all our significant accounting policies, see Note 2—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in Part II, Item 8.—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

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Depreciation of Property, Plant and Equipment. The drilling and drilling services industries are very capital intensive. Property, plant and equipment represented 63% of our total assets as of December 31, 2024, and depreciation and amortization constituted 21% of our total costs and other deductions in 2024.

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Depreciation for our primary operating assets, drilling rigs, is calculated based on the units-of-production method. For each day a rig is operating, we depreciate it over an approximate 4,927-day period, with the exception of our jackup rigs which are depreciated over an 8,030-day period, in each case after provision for salvage value. For each day a rig asset is not operating, it is depreciated over an assumed depreciable life of 20 years, with the exception of our jackup rigs, where a 30-year depreciable life is typically used, after provision for salvage value.

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Depreciation on our buildings, oilfield hauling and mobile equipment, aircraft equipment, and other machinery and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset after provision for salvage value (buildings—10 to 30 years; aircraft equipment—5 to 20 years; oilfield hauling and mobile equipment and other machinery and equipment—3 to 10 years).

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These depreciation periods and the salvage values of our property, plant and equipment were determined through an analysis of the useful lives of our assets and based on our experience with the salvage values of these assets. Periodically, we review our depreciation periods and salvage values for reasonableness given current conditions. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is therefore based upon estimates of the useful lives and salvage value of those assets. Estimation of these items requires significant management judgment. Accordingly, management believes that accounting estimates related to depreciation expense recorded on property, plant and equipment are critical.

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There have been no factors related to the performance of our portfolio of assets, changes in technology or other factors indicating that these estimates do not continue to be appropriate. Accordingly, for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, no significant changes have been made to the depreciation rates applied to property, plant and equipment, the underlying assumptions related to estimates of depreciation, or the methodology applied. However, certain events could occur that would materially affect our estimates and assumptions related to depreciation. Unforeseen changes in operations or technology could substantially alter management’s assumptions regarding our ability to realize the return on our investment in operating assets and therefore affect the useful lives and salvage values of our assets.

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Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. As discussed above, the drilling and drilling services industries are very capital intensive. We review our assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If the estimated undiscounted future cash flows are not sufficient to support the asset’s recorded value, an impairment charge is recognized to the extent the carrying amount of the long-lived asset exceeds its estimated fair value determined utilizing either a discounted cash flows or market approach model. Management considers a number of factors such as estimated future cash flows from the assets, appraisals and current market value analysis in determining fair value. The determination of future cash flows requires the estimation of utilization, dayrates, operating margins, sustaining capital and remaining economic life. Such estimates can change based on market conditions, technological advances in the industry or changes in regulations governing the industry. The appraisals require estimation based on location, working status, asset condition and market conditions. Significant and unanticipated changes to the assumptions could result in future impairments. A significantly prolonged period of lower oil and natural gas prices could continue to adversely affect the demand for and prices of our services, which could result in future impairment charges. As the determination of whether impairment charges should be recorded on our long-lived assets is subject to significant management judgment, and an impairment of these assets could result in a material charge on our consolidated statements of income (loss), management believes that accounting estimates related to impairment of long-lived assets are critical.

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Assumptions in the determination of future cash flows are made with the involvement of management personnel at the operational level where the most specific knowledge of market conditions and other operating factors exists. For 2024, 2023 and 2022, no significant changes have been made to the methodology utilized to determine future cash flows.

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For an asset classified as held for sale, we consider the asset impaired when its carrying amount exceeds fair value less its cost to sell. Fair value is determined by calculating the expected sales price less any costs to sell.

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Income Taxes. We operate in a number of countries and our tax returns filed in those jurisdictions are subject to review and examination by tax authorities within those jurisdictions. We are currently contesting tax assessments in a number of countries and may contest future assessments. We believe the ultimate resolution of the outstanding assessments, for which we have not made any accrual, will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements. We recognize uncertain tax positions that we believe have a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being sustained. We cannot predict or provide assurance as to the ultimate outcome of any existing or future assessments.

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Audit claims of approximately $122.3 million attributable to income tax have been assessed against us. We have contested, or intend to contest, these assessments, including through litigation if necessary, and we believe the ultimate resolution, for which we have not made any accrual, will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements. Tax authorities may issue additional assessments or pursue legal actions as a result of tax audits and we cannot predict or provide assurance as to the ultimate outcome of such assessments and legal actions.

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Applicable income and withholding taxes have not been provided on undistributed earnings of our subsidiaries. We do not intend to repatriate such undistributed earnings except for distributions upon which incremental income and withholding taxes would not be material.

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In certain jurisdictions we have recognized deferred tax assets and liabilities. Judgment and assumptions are required in determining whether deferred tax assets will be fully or partially utilized. When we estimate that all or some portion of certain deferred tax assets such as net operating loss carryforwards will not be utilized, we establish a valuation allowance for the amount ascertained to be unrealizable. We continually evaluate strategies that could allow for future utilization of our deferred assets. Any change in the ability to utilize such deferred assets will be accounted for in the period of the event affecting the valuation allowance. If facts and circumstances cause us to change our expectations regarding future tax consequences, the resulting adjustments could have a material effect on our financial results or cash flow.

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Litigation and Self-Insurance Reserves. Our operations are subject to many hazards inherent in the drilling and drilling services industries, including blowouts, cratering, explosions, fires, loss of well control, loss of or damage to the wellbore or underground reservoir, damaged or lost drilling equipment and damage or loss from inclement weather or natural disasters. Any of these and other hazards could result in personal injury or death, damage to or destruction of equipment and facilities, suspension of operations, environmental and natural resources damage and damage to the property of others. Our offshore operations are also subject to the hazards of marine operations including capsizing, grounding, collision and other damage from hurricanes and heavy weather or sea conditions and unsound ocean bottom conditions. Our operations are subject to risks of war or acts of terrorism, civil disturbances and other political events.

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Accidents may occur, we may be unable to obtain desired contractual indemnities, and our insurance may prove inadequate in certain cases. There is no assurance that our insurance or indemnification agreements will adequately protect us against liability from all the consequences of the hazards described above. Moreover, our insurance coverage generally provides that we assume a portion of the risk in the form of a deductible or self-insured retention.

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Based on the risks discussed above, it is necessary for us to estimate the level of our liability related to insurance and record reserves for these amounts in our consolidated financial statements. Reserves related to self-insurance are based on the facts and circumstances specific to the claims and our past experience with similar claims. The actual outcome of self-insured claims could differ significantly from estimated amounts. We maintain actuarially determined accruals in our consolidated balance sheets to cover self-insurance retentions for workers’ compensation, employers’ liability, general liability and automobile liability claims. These accruals are based on certain assumptions developed utilizing historical data to project future losses. Loss estimates in the calculation of these accruals are adjusted based upon actual claim settlements and reported claims. These loss estimates and accruals recorded in our financial statements for claims have historically been reasonable in light of the actual amount of claims paid.

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Because the determination of our liability for self-insured claims is subject to significant management judgment and in certain instances is based on actuarially estimated and calculated amounts, and because such liabilities could be material in nature, management believes that accounting estimates related to self-insurance reserves are critical.

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During 2024, 2023 and 2022, no significant changes were made to the methodology used to estimate insurance reserves. For purposes of earnings sensitivity analysis, if the December 31, 2024 reserves were adjusted by 10%, total costs and other deductions would change by $7.8 million, or 0.26%.

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Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed. In conjunction with accounting for acquisitions, it is necessary for us to estimate the values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations using various assumptions. These estimates may be affected by such factors as changing market conditions, technological advances in the industry or changes in regulations governing the industry. The most significant assumptions, and the ones requiring the most judgement, involve estimated fair value of property, plant and equipment, and the resulting amount of goodwill, if any. The determination of the fair value of assets and liabilities is based on the market for the assets and the settlement value of the liabilities. Unforeseen changes in operations or technology could substantially alter management’s assumptions and could result in lower estimates of values of acquired assets or future cash flows. This could result in impairment charges being recorded in our consolidated statements of income (loss). As the determination of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is subject to significant management judgement and a change in purchase price allocations could result in a material difference in amounts recorded in our consolidated financial statements, management believes that accounting estimates related to the valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are critical. Given the nature of the evaluation of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed and the application to specific assets and liabilities, it is not possible to reasonably quantify the impact of changes in these assumptions.

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