Borr Drilling Announces Agreement to Acquire Five Premium Jack-Up Rigs

Core Viewpoint - Borr Drilling Limited has agreed to acquire five premium jack-up rigs from Noble Corporation for a total purchase price of $360 million, which is expected to enhance its fleet and operational capabilities [1][5]. Acquisition Details - The acquisition includes three Friede & Goldman JU-3000N design rigs and two Gusto MSC CJ50 design rigs, increasing Borr Drilling's fleet size from 24 to 29 rigs [1][2]. - Two of the acquired rigs will be chartered back to Noble Corporation on a bareboat basis for 12 months, providing earnings and cash flow certainty with expected total earnings of $29 million before debt service [3][5]. Financing Structure - The acquisition will be financed through an additional offering of $150 million of existing Senior Secured Notes, a $150 million seller's credit due in 2032, and an $85 million equity raise [4]. - The two rigs under bareboat charters will be included in the Senior Secured Notes' restricted group, while the remaining three rigs will be financed on a non-recourse basis [4]. Strategic Implications - The CEO of Borr Drilling emphasized that this acquisition represents a strategic and financial opportunity, expected to be immediately accretive to Adjusted EBITDA and reduce debt per rig [5]. - The expanded fleet is anticipated to deepen customer relationships and drive long-term value for shareholders [5]. Market Positioning - The acquisition is positioned to occur at a time when demand for jack-up rigs is showing signs of strengthening, enhancing Borr Drilling's competitive advantage in the market [5]. - The company is also initiating a process to list its shares on Euronext Growth Oslo, aiming for a dual listing on the Oslo Stock Exchange, driven by strong investor interest [6].