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Valaris Ltd - Annual Report: 2017 (Form 10-K)



 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  Washington, D.C. 20549  
 
FORM 10-K

(Mark One)
ý
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE 
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017
 
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                  to                      
 
Commission File Number 1-8097
 
 Ensco plc
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
England and Wales
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
6 Chesterfield Gardens
London, England
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
98-0635229
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
W1J5BQ
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: +44 (0) 20 7659 4660
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Class A Ordinary Shares, U.S. $0.10 par value
4.50% Senior Notes due 2024
8.00% Senior Notes due 2024
7.75% Senior Notes due 2026
5.75% Senior Notes due 2044
5.20% Senior Notes due 2025
4.70% Senior Notes due 2021
 
Name of each exchange on which registered       
 
New York Stock Exchange
 
 
 

 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.        Yes ý       No  o
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.   Yes  o       No ý
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes ý       No  o





Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (S232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes  ý       No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (S229.405) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ý
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

Large accelerated filer
 
x
 
  
Accelerated filer
 
o
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-Accelerated filer
 
o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  
Smaller reporting company
 
o
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
 
o
 
o If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes o        No ý
 
The aggregate market value of the Class A ordinary shares (based upon the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange on June 30, 2017 of $5.16) of Ensco plc held by non-affiliates of Ensco plc at that date was approximately $1,548,237,000.
 
As of February 21, 2018, there were 436,009,156 Class A ordinary shares of Ensco plc issued and outstanding.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2018 General Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.




 
 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART I
ITEM 1.
 
 
ITEM 1A.
 
 
ITEM 1B.
 
 
ITEM 2.
 
 
ITEM 3.
 
 
ITEM 4.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART II
ITEM 5.
 


 
ITEM 6.
 
 
ITEM 7.
 
 
ITEM 7A.
 
 
ITEM 8.
 
 
ITEM 9.
 
 
ITEM 9A.
 
 
ITEM 9B.
 
 
 
 
 
PART III
ITEM 10.

 
ITEM 11.

 
ITEM 12.

 
ITEM 13.

 
ITEM 14.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART IV
ITEM 15.
 
 


 
ITEM 16.
 
 
 
 
SIGNATURES





FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
 
Statements contained in this report that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").  Forward-looking statements include words or phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project," "could," "may," "might," "should," "will" and similar words and specifically include statements regarding expected financial performance; dividends; expected utilization, day rates, revenues, operating expenses, contract terms, contract backlog, capital expenditures, insurance, financing and funding; expected work commitments, awards and contracts; the timing of availability, delivery, mobilization, contract commencement or relocation or other movement of rigs and the timing thereof; future rig construction (including construction in progress and completion thereof), enhancement, upgrade or repair and timing and cost thereof; the suitability of rigs for future contracts; the offshore drilling market, including supply and demand, customer drilling programs, stacking of rigs, effects of new rigs on the market and effects of declines in commodity prices; expected divestitures of assets; general market, business and industry conditions, trends and outlook; future operations; the impact of increasing regulatory complexity; our program to high-grade the rig fleet by investing in new equipment and divesting selected assets and underutilized rigs; expense management; and the likely outcome of litigation, legal proceedings, investigations or insurance or other claims or contract disputes and the timing thereof.

Such statements are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to vary materially from those indicated, including:
 
our ability to successfully integrate the business, operations and employees of Atwood Oceanics, Inc. ("Atwood") and to realize synergies and cost savings in connection with our acquisition of Atwood;

changes in future levels of drilling activity and capital expenditures by our customers, whether as a result of global capital markets and liquidity, prices of oil and natural gas or otherwise, which may cause us to idle or stack additional rigs;

changes in worldwide rig supply and demand, competition or technology, including as a result of delivery of newbuild drilling rigs;

downtime and other risks associated with offshore rig operations, including rig or equipment failure, damage and other unplanned repairs, the limited availability of transport vessels, hazards, self-imposed drilling limitations and other delays due to severe storms and hurricanes and the limited availability or high cost of insurance coverage for certain offshore perils, such as hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico or associated removal of wreckage or debris;

governmental action, terrorism, piracy, military action and political and economic uncertainties, including uncertainty or instability resulting from civil unrest, political demonstrations, mass strikes, or an escalation or additional outbreak of armed hostilities or other crises in oil or natural gas producing areas of the Middle East, North Africa, West Africa or other geographic areas, which may result in expropriation, nationalization, confiscation or deprivation of our assets or suspension and/or termination of contracts based on force majeure events;

risks inherent to shipyard rig construction, repair, modification or upgrades, unexpected delays in equipment delivery, engineering, design or commissioning issues following delivery, or changes in the commencement, completion or service dates;


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possible cancellation, suspension, renegotiation or termination (with or without cause) of drilling contracts as a result of general and industry-specific economic conditions, mechanical difficulties, performance or other reasons;

our ability to enter into, and the terms of, future drilling contracts, including contracts for our newbuild units and acquired rigs, for rigs currently idled and for rigs whose contracts are expiring;

any failure to execute definitive contracts following announcements of letters of intent, letters of award or other expected work commitments;

the outcome of litigation, legal proceedings, investigations or other claims or contract disputes, including any inability to collect receivables or resolve significant contractual or day rate disputes, any renegotiation, nullification, cancellation or breach of contracts with customers or other parties and any failure to execute definitive contracts following announcements of letters of intent;

governmental regulatory, legislative and permitting requirements affecting drilling operations, including limitations on drilling locations (such as the Gulf of Mexico during hurricane season);

new and future regulatory, legislative or permitting requirements, future lease sales, changes in laws, rules and regulations that have or may impose increased financial responsibility, additional oil spill abatement contingency plan capability requirements and other governmental actions that may result in claims of force majeure or otherwise adversely affect our existing drilling contracts, operations or financial results;

our ability to attract and retain skilled personnel on commercially reasonable terms, whether due to labor regulations, unionization or otherwise;

environmental or other liabilities, risks, damages or losses, whether related to storms or hurricanes (including wreckage or debris removal), collisions, groundings, blowouts, fires, explosions, other accidents, terrorism or otherwise, for which insurance coverage and contractual indemnities may be insufficient, unenforceable or otherwise unavailable;

our ability to obtain financing, service our indebtedness and pursue other business opportunities may be limited by our debt levels, debt agreement restrictions and the credit ratings assigned to our debt by independent credit rating agencies;

the adequacy of sources of liquidity for us and our customers;

tax matters, including our effective tax rates, tax positions, results of audits, changes in tax laws, treaties and regulations, tax assessments and liabilities for taxes;

delays in contract commencement dates or the cancellation of drilling programs by operators;

adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates, including their effect on the fair value measurement of our derivative instruments; and

potential long-lived asset impairments.

In addition to the numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions described above, you should also carefully read and consider "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Part I and "Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part II of this Form 10-K.  Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

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PART I

Item 1.  Business

General

Ensco plc is a global offshore contract drilling company. Unless the context requires otherwise, the terms "Ensco," "Company," "we," "us" and "our" refer to Ensco plc together with all its subsidiaries and predecessors.

We are one of the leading providers of offshore contract drilling services to the international oil and gas industry. We currently own and operate an offshore drilling rig fleet of 62 rigs, with drilling operations in most of the strategic markets around the globe. We also have three rigs under construction. Our rig fleet includes12 drillships, 11 dynamically positioned semisubmersible rigs, four moored semisubmersible rigs and 38 jackup rigs, including rigs under construction.  We operate the world's largest fleet amongst competitive rigs, including one of the newest ultra-deepwater fleets in the industry and a leading premium jackup fleet.

Our customers include many of the leading national and international oil companies, in addition to many independent operators. We are among the most geographically diverse offshore drilling companies, with current operations spanning 14 countries on six continents. The markets in which we operate include the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, the Mediterranean, the North Sea, the Middle East, West Africa, Australia and Southeast Asia.

We provide drilling services on a "day rate" contract basis. Under day rate contracts, we provide a drilling rig and rig crews for which we receive a daily rate that may vary throughout the duration of the contractual term. The day rate we earn can vary between the full day rate and zero rate, depending on the operations of the rig. 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. In addition, our customers may pay all or a portion of the cost of moving our equipment and personnel to and from the well site.

Ensco plc is a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales in 2009. Our principal executive office is located at 6 Chesterfield Gardens, London W1J5BQ, England, United Kingdom, and our telephone number is +44 (0) 20 7659 4660.  Our website is www.enscoplc.com.  Information contained on our website is not included as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this report.

Atwood Merger

On October 6, 2017 (the "Merger Date"), we completed a merger transaction (the "Merger") with Atwood Oceanics, Inc. ("Atwood") and Echo Merger Sub, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ensco plc. Pursuant to the merger agreement, Echo Merger Sub, LLC, merged with and into Atwood, with Atwood as the surviving entity and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Ensco plc. Total consideration delivered in the Merger consisted of 132.2 million of our Class A ordinary shares and $11.1 million of cash in settlement of certain share-based payment awards. The total aggregate value of consideration transferred was $781.8 million. Additionally, upon closing of the Merger, we utilized cash acquired of $445.4 million and cash on hand to extinguish Atwood's revolving credit facility, outstanding senior notes and accrued interest totaling $1.3 billion. The estimated fair values assigned to assets acquired net of liabilities assumed exceeded the consideration transferred, resulting in a bargain purchase gain of $140.2 million that was recognized during the fourth quarter.

Drilling Rig Construction and Delivery

We remain focused on our long-established strategy of high-grading our fleet, as evidenced by the recently completed Merger. During the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, we invested approximately $1.9 billion in the construction of new drilling rigs. We will continue to invest in the expansion and high-grading of our fleet or execute other strategic transactions to optimize our asset portfolio when we believe attractive opportunities exist.


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We believe our remaining capital commitments will primarily be funded from cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, operating cash flows and, if necessary, funds borrowed under our revolving credit facility. We may decide to access debt and/or equity markets to raise additional capital or increase liquidity as necessary.

Floaters

We previously entered into agreements with Samsung Heavy Industries to construct three ultra-deepwater drillships (ENSCO DS-8, ENSCO DS-9 and ENSCO DS-10). During 2015, we accepted delivery of ENSCO DS-8 and ENSCO DS-9. ENSCO DS-8 commenced drilling operations under a long-term contract in Angola during 2015 and ENSCO DS-9 is actively being marketed. During 2017, we executed a one-year contract with five one-year priced options for ENSCO DS-10. As a result of the contract award, we accelerated delivery of ENSCO DS-10, which had previously been deferred into 2019, and made the final milestone payment of $75.0 million. We expect ENSCO DS-10 to commence drilling operations offshore Nigeria in March 2018.

In connection with the Merger, we acquired two ultra-deepwater drillships, ENSCO DS-13 (formerly Atwood Admiral) and ENSCO DS-14 (formerly Atwood Archer), which are currently under construction in the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Ltd. ("DSME") yard in South Korea. ENSCO DS-13 and ENSCO DS-14 are scheduled for delivery in the third quarter of 2019 and second quarter of 2020, respectively. Upon delivery, the remaining milestone payments and accrued interest thereon may be financed through a promissory note with the shipyard for each rig. The promissory notes will bear interest at a rate of 5% per annum with a maturity date of December 31, 2022 and will be secured by a mortgage on each respective rig.

Jackups

During 2014, we entered into an agreement with Lamprell Energy Limited ("Lamprell") to construct two premium jackup rigs. ENSCO 140 and ENSCO 141 are significantly enhanced versions of the LeTourneau Super 116E jackup design and incorporate Ensco's patented Canti-Leverage AdvantageSM technology. ENSCO 140 and ENSCO 141 were delivered during 2016. Both rigs are expected to obtain drilling contracts for work commencing during 2018. As part of our agreement with Lamprell, these rigs will be warm stacked in the shipyard at no additional cost to us for up to two years from their respective delivery dates.

We previously entered into agreements with Keppel FELS ("KFELS") to construct four ultra-premium harsh environment jackup rigs (ENSCO 120, ENSCO 121, ENSCO 122 and ENSCO 123) and a premium jackup rig (ENSCO 110). ENSCO 120 and ENSCO 121 were delivered during 2013 and ENSCO 122 and ENSCO 110 were delivered during 2014 and 2015, respectively. During 2016, we agreed with the shipyard to delay delivery of ENSCO 123 until the first quarter of 2018. In December 2017, we agreed to further delay delivery of ENSCO 123 until the first quarter of 2019, and in January 2018, we paid $207.4 million of the $218.3 million unpaid balance with the remainder due upon delivery. ENSCO 123 is currently uncontracted and is actively being marketed.
 
Divestitures

Our business strategy has been to focus on ultra-deepwater floater and premium jackup operations and de-emphasize other assets and operations that are not part of our long-term strategic plan or that no longer meet our standards for economic returns. Consistent with this strategy, we sold nine jackup rigs, three dynamically positioned semisubmersible rigs, two moored semisubmersible rigs and two drillships during the three-year period ended December 31, 2017. We are marketing for sale ENSCO 7500, which was classified as held-for-sale in our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2017.

Following the Merger, we continue to focus on our fleet management strategy in light of the new composition of our rig fleet and are reviewing our fleet composition as we continue positioning Ensco for the future. As part of this strategy, we may act opportunistically from time to time to monetize assets to enhance shareholder value and improve our liquidity profile, in addition to selling or disposing of older, lower-specification or non-core rigs.


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Contract Drilling Operations        

Our business consists of three operating segments: (1) Floaters, which includes our drillships and semisubmersible rigs, (2) Jackups and (3) Other, which consists of management services on rigs owned by third-parties. Our two reportable segments, Floaters and Jackups, provide one service, contract drilling.

  Of our 65 rigs, 32 are located in the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific (including three rigs under construction), 14 are located in North and South America (including Brazil) and 19 are located in Europe and the Mediterranean.
 
Our drilling rigs drill and complete oil and natural gas wells. From time to time, our drilling rigs may be utilized as accommodation units or for non-drilling services, such as workovers and interventions, plug and abandonment and decommissioning work. Demand for our drilling services is based upon many factors beyond our control. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors - The success of our business largely depends on the level of activities in the oil and gas industry, which can be significantly affected by volatile oil and natural gas prices.”

Our drilling contracts are the result of negotiations with our customers, and most contracts are awarded upon competitive bidding. The terms of our drilling contracts can vary significantly, but generally contain the following commercial terms:

contract duration or term for a specific period of time or a period necessary to drill one or more wells, 

term extension options in favor of our customer, exercisable upon advance notice to us, at mutually agreed, indexed, fixed rates or current rate at the date of extension, 

provisions permitting early termination of the contract (i) if the rig is lost or destroyed, (ii) if operations are suspended for a specified period of time due to various events, including damage or breakdown of major rig equipment, unsatisfactory performance, or "force majeure" events or (iii) at the convenience (without cause) of the customer (in certain cases obligating the customer to pay us an early termination fee providing some level of compensation to us for the remaining term),

payment of compensation to us (generally in U.S. dollars although some contracts require a portion of the compensation to be paid in local currency) on a "day work" basis such that we receive a fixed amount for each day ("day rate") that the drilling unit is under contract (lower day rates generally apply for limited periods when operations are suspended due to various events, including during delays that are beyond our reasonable control, during repair of equipment damage or breakdown and during periods of re-drilling damaged portions of the well, and no day rate ("zero rate") generally applies when these limited periods are exceeded until the event is remediated, and during periods to remediate unsatisfactory performance or other specified conditions), 

payment by us of the operating expenses of the drilling unit, including crew labor and incidental rig supply and maintenance costs,

mobilization and demobilization requirements of us to move the drilling unit to and from the planned drilling site, and may include reimbursement of a portion of these moving costs by the customer in the form of an up-front payment, additional day rate over the contract term or direct reimbursement, and

provisions allowing us to recover certain labor and other operating cost increases, including certain cost increases due to changes in applicable law, from our customers through day rate adjustment or direct reimbursement for contracts with terms in excess of one year.    


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In general, recent contract awards have been subject to an extremely competitive bidding process. The intense pressure on operating day rates has resulted in rates that approximate direct operating expenses and contain other less favorable contractual and commercial terms, including reduced or no mobilization and/or demobilization fees; reduced day rates or zero day rates during downtime due to damage or failure of our equipment; reduced standby, redrill and moving rates and reduced periods in which such rates are payable; reduced caps on reimbursements for lost or damaged downhole tools; reduced periods to remediate downtime due to equipment breakdowns or failure to perform in accordance with the contractual standards of performance before the operator may terminate the contract; certain limitations on our ability to be indemnified from operator and third party damages caused by our fault, resulting in increases in the nature and amounts of liability allocated to us; and reduced or no early termination fees and/or termination notice periods.

Financial information regarding our operating segments and geographic regions is presented in Note 13 and Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements included in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." Additional financial information regarding our operating segments is presented in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

Backlog Information

Our contract drilling backlog reflects commitments, represented by signed drilling contracts, and was calculated by multiplying the contracted day rate by the contract period. The contracted day rate excludes certain types of lump sum fees for rig mobilization, demobilization, contract preparation, as well as customer reimbursables and bonus opportunities. Contract backlog was adjusted for drilling contracts signed or terminated after each respective balance sheet date but prior to filing each of our annual reports on Form 10-K on February 27, 2018 and February 28, 2017, respectively.

The following table summarizes our contract backlog of business as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
 
2017
 
2016
Floaters
$
1,578.3

 
$
2,154.9

Jackups
1,013.0

 
1,185.0

Other
229.7

 
281.4

Total
$
2,821.0

 
$
3,621.3


As of December 31, 2017, our backlog was $2.8 billion as compared to $3.6 billion as of December 31, 2016. Our floater backlog declined $576.6 million primarily due to revenues realized during 2017, partially offset by contract extensions and new contract awards. The remaining $223.7 million decline primarily related to our jackups segment and was largely due to revenues realized during 2017, contract concessions and contract terminations, partially offset by contract extensions and new contract awards.
    
The following table summarizes our contract backlog of business as of December 31, 2017 and the periods in which such revenues are expected to be realized (in millions):
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
and Beyond
 
 Total
Floaters
$
851.2

 
$
519.7

 
$
207.4

 
$

 
$
1,578.3

Jackups
499.1

 
214.6

 
137.5

 
161.8

 
1,013.0

Other
56.7

 
56.7

 
56.9

 
59.4

 
229.7

Total
$
1,407.0

 
$
791.0

 
$
401.8

 
$
221.2

 
$
2,821.0



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Our drilling contracts generally contain provisions permitting early termination of the contract (i) if the rig is lost or destroyed or (ii) by the customer if operations are suspended for a specified period of time due to breakdown of major rig equipment, unsatisfactory performance, "force majeure" events beyond the control of either party or other specified conditions.  In addition, our drilling contracts generally permit early termination of the contract by the customer for convenience (without cause), exercisable upon advance notice to us, and in some cases without making an early termination payment to us.  There can be no assurances that our customers will be able to or willing to fulfill their contractual commitments to us.  

The amount of actual revenues earned and the actual periods during which revenues are earned will be different from amounts disclosed in our backlog calculations due to a lack of predictability of various factors, including unscheduled repairs, maintenance requirements, newbuild rig delivery dates, weather delays, contract terminations or renegotiations and other factors.

See "Item 1A. Risk Factors - Our current backlog of contract drilling revenue may not be fully realized and may decline significantly in the future, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors - We may suffer losses if our customers terminate or seek to renegotiate our contracts, if operations are suspended or interrupted or if a rig becomes a total loss.”

Drilling Contracts and Insurance Program

Our drilling contracts provide for varying levels of allocation of responsibility for liability between our customer and us for loss or damage to each party's property and third-party property, personal injuries and other claims arising out of our drilling operations. We also maintain insurance for personal injuries, damage to or loss of property and certain business risks.
 
Our insurance policies typically consist of 12-month policy periods, and the next renewal date for a substantial portion of our insurance program is scheduled for May 31, 2018. Our insurance program provides coverage, subject to the policies' terms and conditions and to the extent not otherwise assumed by the customer under the indemnification provisions of the drilling contract, for third-party claims arising from our operations, including third-party claims arising from well-control events, named windstorms, sudden and accidental pollution originating from our rigs, wrongful death and personal injury. Third-party pollution claims could also arise from damage to adjacent pipelines and from spills of fluids maintained on the drilling unit. Generally, our program provides liability coverage up to $750.0 million, with a per occurrence deductible of $10.0 million or less. We retain the risk for liability not indemnified by the customer in excess of our insurance coverage.

Well-control events generally include an unintended flow from the well that cannot be contained by using equipment on site (e.g., a blowout preventer), by increasing the weight of drilling fluid or by diverting the fluids safely into production facilities. In addition to the third-party coverage described above, for claims relating to a well-control event, we also have $150.0 million of coverage available to pay costs of controlling and re-drilling of the well and third-party pollution claims.

Our insurance program also provides first party coverage to us for physical damage to, including total loss or constructive total loss of, our rigs, generally excluding damage arising from a named windstorm in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. This coverage is based on an agreed amount for each rig and has a per occurrence deductible for losses ranging from $15.0 million to $25.0 million. Due to the significant premium, high deductible and limited coverage, we decided not to purchase first party windstorm insurance for our rigs in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Accordingly, we have retained the risk for windstorm damage to our six jackups and six floaters in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

Our drilling contracts customarily provide that each party is responsible for injuries or death to their respective personnel and loss or damage to their respective property (including the personnel and property of each parties’ contractors and subcontractors) regardless of the cause of the loss or damage. However, in certain drilling contracts our customer’s responsibility for damage to its property and the property of its other contractors contains an exception to the extent the loss or damage is due to our negligence, which exception is usually subject to negotiated caps on a

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per occurrence basis, although in some cases we assume responsibility for all damages due to our negligence.  In addition, our drilling contracts typically provide for our customers to indemnify us, generally based on replacement cost minus some level of depreciation, for loss or damage to our down-hole equipment, and in some cases for a limited amount of the replacement cost of our subsea equipment, unless the damage is caused by our negligence, normal wear and tear or defects in our equipment.

Subject to the exceptions noted below, our customers typically assume most of the responsibility for and indemnify us from any loss, damage or other liability resulting from pollution or contamination arising from operations, including as a result of blowouts, cratering and seepage, when the source of the pollution originates from the well or reservoir, including costs for clean-up and removal of pollution and third-party damages. In most drilling contracts, we assume liability for third-party damages resulting from such pollution and contamination caused by our negligence, usually subject to negotiated caps on a per occurrence or per event basis. In addition, in substantially all of our contracts, the customer assumes responsibility and indemnifies us for loss or damage to the reservoir, for loss of hydrocarbons escaping from the reservoir and for the costs of bringing the well under control.  Further, subject to the exceptions noted below, most of our contracts provide that the customer assumes responsibility and indemnifies us for loss or damage to the well, except when the loss or damage to the well is due to our negligence, in which case most of our contracts provide that the customer's sole remedy is to require us to redrill the lost or damaged portion of the well at a substantially reduced rate and, in some cases, pay for some of the costs to repair the well.

Most of our drilling contracts incorporate a broad exclusion that limits the operator's indemnity for damages and losses resulting from our gross negligence and willful misconduct and for fines and penalties and punitive damages levied or assessed directly against us. This exclusion overrides other provisions in the contract that would otherwise limit our liability for ordinary negligence. In most of these cases, we are still able to negotiate a liability cap (although these caps are significantly higher than the caps we are able to negotiate for ordinary negligence) on our exposure for losses or damages resulting from our gross negligence. In certain cases, the broad exclusion only applies to losses or damages resulting from the gross negligence of our senior supervisory personnel. However, in some cases we have contractually assumed significantly increased exposure or unlimited exposure for losses and damages due to the gross negligence of some or all our personnel, and in most cases, we are not able to contractually limit our exposure for our willful misconduct.

Notwithstanding our negotiation of express limitations in our drilling contracts for losses or damages resulting from our ordinary negligence and any express limitations (albeit usually much higher) for losses or damages in the event of our gross negligence, under the applicable laws that govern certain of our drilling contracts, the courts will not enforce any indemnity for losses and damages that result from our gross negligence or willful misconduct. As a result, under the laws of such jurisdictions, the indemnification provisions of our drilling contracts that would otherwise limit our liability in the event of our gross negligence or willful misconduct are deemed to be unenforceable as being contrary to public policy, and we are exposed to unlimited liability for losses and damages that result from our gross negligence or willful misconduct, regardless of any express limitation of our liability in the relevant drilling contracts. Under the laws of certain jurisdictions, an indemnity from an operator for losses or damages of third parties resulting from our gross negligence is enforceable but an indemnity for losses or damages of the operator is not enforceable. In such cases, the contractual indemnity obligation of the operator to us would be enforceable with respect to third-party claims for losses of damages, such as may arise in pollution claims, but the contractual indemnity obligation of the operator to us with respect to injury or death to the operator's personnel, the operator’s damages to the well, to the reservoir and for the costs of well control would not be enforceable. Furthermore, although there is a lack of precedential authority for these types of claims in countries where the civil law is applied, in those situations where a fault based codified civil law system is applicable to our drilling contracts, as opposed to the common law system, the courts generally will not enforce a contractual indemnity clause that totally indemnifies us from losses or damages due to our gross negligence, but may enforce the contractual indemnity over and above a cap on our liability for gross negligence, assuming the cap requires us to accept a significant amount of liability.

Similar to gross negligence, regardless of any express limitations in a drilling contract regarding our liability for fines and penalties and punitive damages, the laws of most jurisdictions will not enforce an indemnity that indemnifies a party for a fine or penalty that is levied or punitive damages that are assessed directly against such party

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on the ground that it is against public policy to indemnify a party from a fine and penalty or punitive damages, especially where the purpose of such levy or assessment is to deter the behavior that resulted in the fine or penalty or punish such party for the behavior that warranted the assessment of punitive damages.

The above description of our insurance program and the indemnification provisions of our drilling contracts is only a summary as of the date hereof and is general in nature. In addition, our drilling contracts are individually negotiated, and the degree of indemnification we receive from operators against the liabilities discussed above can vary from contract to contract, based on market conditions and customer requirements existing when the contract was negotiated and the interpretation and enforcement of applicable law when the claim is adjudicated. Notwithstanding a contractual indemnity from a customer, there can be no assurance that our customers will be financially able to indemnify us or will otherwise honor a contractual indemnity obligation that is enforceable under applicable law. Our insurance program and the terms of our drilling contracts may change in the future.

In certain cases, vendors who provide equipment or services to us limit their pollution liability to a specific monetary cap, and we assume the liability above that cap. Typically, in the case of original equipment manufacturers, the cap is a negotiated amount based on mutual agreement of the parties considering the risk profiles and thresholds of each party. However, for smaller vendors, the liability is usually limited to the value, or double the value, of the contract.

We generally indemnify the customer for legal and financial consequences of spills of waste oil, fuels, lubricants, motor oils, pipe dope, paint, solvents, ballast, bilge, garbage, debris, sewage, hazardous waste and other liquids, the discharge of which originates from our rigs or equipment above the surface of the water and in some cases from our subsea equipment. Our contracts generally provide that, in the event of any such spill from our rigs, we are responsible for fines and penalties.

Major Customers

We provide our contract drilling services to major international, government-owned and independent oil and gas companies. During 2017, our five largest customers accounted for 66% of consolidated revenues. Total, BP and Petrobras, our largest customers, accounted for 22%, 15% and 11% of consolidated revenues, respectively.

Competition

The offshore contract drilling industry is highly competitive. Drilling contracts are, for the most part, awarded on a competitive bid basis. Price competition is often the primary factor in determining which contractor is awarded a contract, although quality of service, operational and safety performance, equipment suitability and availability, location of equipment, reputation and technical expertise also are factors.  There are numerous competitors with significant resources in the offshore contract drilling industry.

Governmental Regulation and Environmental Matters

Our operations are affected by political initiatives and by laws and regulations that relate to the oil and gas industry, including laws and regulations that have or may impose increased financial responsibility and oil spill abatement contingency plan capability requirements. Accordingly, we will be directly affected by the approval and adoption of laws and regulations curtailing exploration and development drilling for oil and natural gas for economic, environmental, safety or other policy reasons. It is also possible that these laws and regulations and political initiatives could adversely affect our operations in the future by significantly increasing our operating costs or restricting areas open for drilling activity.  See "Item 1A. Risk Factors- Increasing regulatory complexity could adversely impact the costs associated with our offshore drilling operations."


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Our operations are subject to laws and regulations controlling the discharge of materials into the environment, pollution, contamination and hazardous waste disposal or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment. Environmental laws and regulations specifically applicable to our business activities could impose significant liability on us for damages, clean-up costs, fines and penalties in the event of oil spills or similar discharges of pollutants or contaminants into the environment or improper disposal of hazardous waste generated in the course of our operations, which may not be covered by contractual indemnification or insurance, or for which indemnity is prohibited by applicable law and could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results and cash flows.  To date, such laws and regulations have not had a material adverse effect on our operating results, and we have not experienced an accident that has exposed us to material liability arising out of or relating to discharges of pollutants into the environment.  However, the legislative, judicial and regulatory response to any well-control incidents could substantially increase our customers' liabilities in respect of oil spills and also could increase our liabilities. In addition to potential increased liabilities, such legislative, judicial or regulatory action could impose increased financial, insurance or other requirements that may adversely impact the entire offshore drilling industry.

The International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation, the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage 1992, the U.K. Merchant Shipping Act 1995, Marpol 73/78 (the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships), the U.K. Merchant Shipping (Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation Convention) Regulations 1998, as amended, and other related legislation and regulations and the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 ("OPA 90"), as amended, the Clean Water Act and other U.S. federal statutes applicable to us and our operations, as well as similar statutes in Texas, Louisiana, other coastal states and other non-U.S. jurisdictions, address oil spill prevention, reporting and control and have significantly expanded potential liability, fine and penalty exposure across many segments of the oil and gas industry. Such statutes and related regulations impose a variety of obligations on us related to the prevention of oil spills, disposal of waste and liability for resulting damages. For instance, OPA 90 imposes strict and, with limited exceptions, joint and several liability upon each responsible party for oil removal costs as well as a variety of fines, penalties and damages. Similar environmental laws apply in our other areas of operation. Failure to comply with these statutes and regulations, including OPA 90, may subject us to civil or criminal enforcement action, which may not be covered by contractual indemnification or insurance, or for which indemnity is prohibited under applicable law, and could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results and cash flows.

High-profile and catastrophic events such as the 2010 Macondo well incident, have heightened governmental and environmental concerns about the oil and gas industry. From time to time, legislative proposals have been introduced that would materially limit or prohibit offshore drilling in certain areas.  We are adversely affected by restrictions on drilling in certain areas of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere, including the adoption of additional safety requirements and policies regarding the approval of drilling permits and restrictions on development and production activities in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico that have and may further impact our operations. 

As a result of Macondo, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement ("BSEE") issued a drilling safety rule in 2012 that included requirements for the cementing of wells, well-control barriers, blowout preventers, well-control fluids, well completions, workovers and decommissioning operations. BSEE also issued regulations requiring operators to have safety and environmental management systems ("SEMS") prior to conducting operations and requiring operators and contractors to agree on how the contractors will assist the operators in complying with the SEMS. In addition, in August 2012, BSEE issued an Interim Policy Document ("IPD") stating that it would begin issuing Incidents of Non-Compliance ("INC's") to contractors as well as operators for serious violations of BSEE regulations. Following federal court decisions successfully challenging the scope of BSEE’s jurisdiction over offshore contractors, this IPD has been removed from the list of IPDs on the BSEE website. If this judicial precedent stands, it may reduce regulatory and civil litigation liability exposures.

In late 2014, the United States Coast Guard ("USCG") proposed new regulations that would impose GPS equipment and positioning requirements for mobile offshore drilling units and jackup rigs operating in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and issued notices regarding the development of guidelines for cybersecurity measures used in the marine and offshore energy sectors for all vessels and facilities that are subject to the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 ("MTSA"), including our rigs. The regulations imposing GPS equipment and positioning requirements have

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not yet been issued.  On July 12, 2017, the USCG announced the availability of and requested comments on draft guidelines for addressing cyber risks at MTSA-regulated facilities. On July 28, 2016, BSEE adopted a new well-control rule that will be implemented in phases over the next several years (the "2016 Well Control Rule"). This new rule includes more stringent design requirements for well-control equipment used in offshore drilling operations. We are continuing to evaluate the cost and effect that these new rules will have on our operations. Based on our current assessment of the rules, we do not expect to incur significant costs to comply with the 2016 Well Control Rule. The 2016 Well Control Rule is currently under review by BSEE pursuant to Executive Order (“EO”) 13783 (“Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth”) and Section 7 of EO 13795 (“Implementing an America-First Offshore Energy Strategy”), to determine if the rule should be revised to encourage energy exploration and production on the Outer Continental Shelf, while still providing for safe and environmentally responsible exploration and production activities.
 
The continuing and evolving threat of cyber attacks will likely require increased expenditures to strengthen cyber risk management systems for MODUs and onshore facilities. For example, on May 11, 2017, President Trump issued EO 13800, entitled Strengthening the Cybersecurity of Federal Networks and Critical Infrastructure, which is intended to improve the nation's ability to defend against increasing and evolving cyber attacks, and in July 2017 the USCG issued proposed cybersecurity guidelines for port facilities and offshore facilities, including mobile offshore drilling units, that could be impacted by cyber attacks. We cannot currently estimate the future expenditures associated with increased regulatory requirements, which may be material, and we continue to monitor regulatory changes as they occur.
    
If new laws are enacted or other government actions are taken that restrict or prohibit offshore drilling in our principal areas of operation or impose additional regulatory (including environmental protection) requirements that materially increase the liabilities, financial requirements or operating or equipment costs associated with offshore drilling, exploration, development or production of oil and natural gas, our financial position, operating results and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.  See "Item 1A. Risk Factors - Compliance with or breach of environmental laws can be costly and could limit our operations." 

Non-U.S. Operations

Revenues from non-U.S. operations were 92%, 81% and 72% of our total consolidated revenues during 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Our non-U.S. operations and shipyard rig construction and enhancement projects are subject to political, economic and other uncertainties, including:

terrorist acts, war and civil disturbances, 

expropriation, nationalization, deprivation or confiscation of our equipment or our customer's property, 

repudiation or nationalization of contracts, 

assaults on property or personnel, 

piracy, kidnapping and extortion demands, 

significant governmental influence over many aspects of local economies and customers, 

unexpected changes in law and regulatory requirements, including changes in interpretation or enforcement of existing laws, 

work stoppages, often due to strikes over which we have little or no control,  

complications associated with repairing and replacing equipment in remote locations, 

limitations on insurance coverage, such as war risk coverage, in certain areas, 

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imposition of trade barriers, 

wage and price controls, 

import-export quotas, 

exchange restrictions, 

currency fluctuations, 

changes in monetary policies, 

uncertainty or instability resulting from hostilities or other crises in the Middle East, West Africa, Latin America or other geographic areas in which we operate, 

changes in the manner or rate of taxation, 

limitations on our ability to recover amounts due, 

increased risk of government and vendor/supplier corruption, 

increased local content requirements,

the occurrence or threat of epidemic or pandemic diseases or any government response to such occurrence or threat;

changes in political conditions, and 

other forms of government regulation and economic conditions that are beyond our control.

See "Item 1A. Risk Factors - Our non-U.S. operations involve additional risks not associated with U.S. operations."
Executive Officers
Officers generally serve for a one-year term or until successors are elected and qualified to serve. The table below sets forth certain information regarding our executive officers:
          Name
 
Age
 
Position         
Carl G. Trowell
 
49

 
President and Chief Executive Officer
P. Carey Lowe
 
59

 
Executive Vice President - Chief Operating Officer
Jonathan Baksht
 
42

 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Steven J. Brady
 
58

 
Senior Vice President - Eastern Hemisphere
John S. Knowlton
 
58

 
Senior Vice President - Technical
Gilles Luca
 
46

 
Senior Vice President - Western Hemisphere
Michael T. McGuinty
 
55

 
Senior Vice President - General Counsel and Secretary
 
Set forth below is certain additional information on our executive officers, including the business experience of each executive officer for at least the last five years:

Carl G. Trowell joined Ensco in June 2014 as President and Chief Executive Officer. He is also a member of the Board of Directors. Prior to joining Ensco, Mr. Trowell was President of Schlumberger Integrated Project Management (IPM) and Schlumberger Production Management (SPM) businesses that provide complex oil and gas

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project solutions ranging from field management, well construction, production and intervention services to well abandonment and rig management. He was promoted to this role after serving as President - Schlumberger WesternGeco Ltd. where he managed more than 6,500 employees with operations in 55 countries. Mr. Trowell began his professional career as a petroleum engineer with Shell before joining Schlumberger where he held a variety of international management positions including Geomarket Manager for North Sea operations and Global Vice President of Marketing and Sales. He has a strong background in the development and deployment of new technologies and has been a member of several industry advisory boards in this capacity. Mr. Trowell is on the advisory board of Energy Ventures, a venture capital company investing in oil and gas technology. In August 2016, Mr. Trowell became a non-executive director on the board of Ophir Energy plc. Mr. Trowell has a PhD in Earth Sciences from the University of Cambridge, a Master of Business Administration from The Open University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Imperial College London.

P. Carey Lowe joined Ensco in 2008 and serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to being appointed Chief Operating Officer in December 2015, Mr. Lowe served Ensco as Executive Vice President overseeing investor relations and communications, strategy and human resources. Prior to serving as Executive Vice President, he served Ensco as Senior Vice President - Eastern Hemisphere and Senior Vice President with responsibilities including the Deepwater Business Unit, safety, health and environmental matters, capital projects, engineering and strategic planning.  Prior to joining Ensco, Mr. Lowe served as Vice President - Latin America for Occidental Oil & Gas. He also served as President & General Manager, Occidental Petroleum of Qatar Ltd. from 2001 to 2007. Mr. Lowe held various drilling-related management positions with Sedco Forex and Schlumberger Oilfield Services from 1980 to 2000, including Business Manager - Drilling, North and South America and General Manager - Oilfield Services, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait. Following Schlumberger, he was associated with a business-to-business e-procurement company until he joined Occidental during 2001. Mr. Lowe holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Tulane University.

Jonathan Baksht joined Ensco in 2013 and was appointed to his current position of Senior Vice President - Chief Financial Officer in November 2015. Prior to his current position, Mr. Baksht served as Vice President - Finance and Vice President - Treasurer. Prior to joining Ensco, Mr. Baksht served as Senior Vice President - Investment Banking with Goldman Sachs & Co.  Prior to joining Goldman Sachs in 2006, he consulted on strategic initiatives for energy clients at Andersen Consulting.  Mr. Baksht holds a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.

Steven J. Brady joined Ensco in 2002 and was appointed to his current position of Senior Vice President – Eastern Hemisphere in December 2014. Prior to his current position, Mr. Brady served as Senior Vice President - Western Hemisphere, Vice President – Europe and Mediterranean, General Manager – Middle East and Asia Pacific, and in other leadership positions in the Eastern Hemisphere. In 2018, Mr. Brady was elected the Chairman of the Executive Committee for the International Association of Drilling Contractors. Prior to joining Ensco, Mr. Brady spent 18 years in various technical and managerial roles for ConocoPhillips in locations around the world. Mr. Brady holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering from Mississippi State University.

John S. Knowlton joined Ensco in 1998 and was appointed to his current position of Senior Vice President – Technical in May 2011. Prior to his current position, Mr. Knowlton served Ensco as Vice President – Engineering & Capital Projects, General Manager – North & South America, Operations Manager – Asia Pacific Rim, and Operations Manager overseeing the construction and operation of our first ultra-deepwater semisubmersible rig, ENSCO 7500. Before joining Ensco, Mr. Knowlton served in various domestic and international capacities with Ocean Drilling & Exploration Company and Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. Mr. Knowlton holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Tulane University.

Gilles Luca joined Ensco in 1997 and was appointed to his current position of Senior Vice President - Western Hemisphere in December 2014. Prior to his current position, Mr. Luca was Vice President - Business Development and Strategic Planning, Vice President - Brazil Business Unit and General Manager - Europe and Africa. He holds a Master Degree in Petroleum Engineering from the French Petroleum Institute and a Bachelor in Civil Engineering.

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Michael T. McGuinty joined Ensco in February 2016 as Senior Vice President - General Counsel and Secretary. Prior to joining Ensco, Mr. McGuinty served as General Counsel and Company Secretary of Abu Dhabi National Energy Company. Previously, Mr. McGuinty spent 18 years with Schlumberger where he held various senior legal management positions in the United States, Europe and the Middle East including Director of Compliance, Deputy General Counsel - Corporate and M&A and Director of Legal Operations. Prior to Schlumberger, Mr. McGuinty practiced corporate and commercial law in Canada and France. Mr. McGuinty holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Civil Law from McGill University and a Bachelor of Social Sciences from the University of Ottawa.

Employees

We employed approximately 5,400 personnel worldwide as of December 31, 2017.  The majority of our personnel work on rig crews and are compensated on an hourly basis.

Available Information

Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports that we file or furnish to the SEC in accordance with the Exchange Act, as amended, are available on our website at www.enscoplc.com. These reports also are available in print without charge by contacting our Investor Relations Department at 713-430-4607 as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file the information with, or furnish it to, the SEC.  The information contained on our website is not included as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this report.


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Item 1A.  Risk Factors
 
Risks Related to Our Business
 
There are numerous factors that affect our business and operating results, many of which are beyond our control. The following is a description of significant factors that might cause our future operating results to differ materially from those currently expected. The risks described below are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not specified herein, not currently known to us or currently deemed to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial position, operating results or cash flows.

The success of our business largely depends on the level of activity in the oil and gas industry, which can be significantly affected by volatile oil and natural gas prices.

The success of our business largely depends on the level of activity in offshore oil and natural gas exploration, development and production. Oil and natural gas prices, and market expectations of potential changes in these prices, significantly affect the level of drilling activity. Historically, when drilling activity and operator capital spending decline, utilization and day rates also decline and drilling may be reduced or discontinued, resulting in an oversupply of drilling rigs. The oversupply of drilling rigs will be exacerbated by the entry of newbuild rigs into the market. Oil and natural gas prices have historically been volatile, and have declined significantly from prices in excess of $100 since mid-2014 causing operators to reduce capital spending and cancel or defer existing programs, substantially reducing the opportunities for new drilling contracts. Oil prices have rebounded off the 12-year lows experienced during early 2016, and during 2017 have experienced the first increase in average prices since 2014, with prices ranging from a low of $44 to $67 per barrel. While commodity prices have improved, they have not improved to a level that supports increased rig demand sufficient to absorb existing rig supply and generate meaningful increases in day rates. We expect these trends to continue as long as commodity prices and rig supply remain at current levels. The lack of a meaningful recovery of oil and natural gas prices or further price reductions or volatility in prices, may cause our customers to maintain historically low levels or further reduce their overall level of activity, in which case demand for our services may further decline and revenues may continue to be adversely affected through lower rig utilization and/or lower day rates.  Numerous factors may affect oil and natural gas prices and the level of demand for our services, including:

regional and global economic conditions and changes therein,

oil and natural gas supply and demand,

expectations regarding future energy prices, 

the ability of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries ("OPEC") to reach further agreements to set and maintain production levels and pricing and to implement existing and future agreements, 

capital allocation decisions by our customers, including the relative economics of offshore development versus onshore prospects,

the level of production by non-OPEC countries, 

U.S. and non-U.S. tax policy, 

advances in exploration and development technology,

costs associated with exploring for, developing, producing and delivering oil and natural gas, 

the rate of discovery of new oil and gas reserves and the rate of decline of existing oil and gas reserves, 


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laws and government regulations that limit, restrict or prohibit exploration and development of oil and natural gas in various jurisdictions, or materially increase the cost of such exploration and development,

the development and exploitation of alternative fuels, 

disruption to exploration and development activities due to hurricanes and other severe weather conditions and the risk thereof, 

natural disasters or incidents resulting from operating hazards inherent in offshore drilling, such as oil spills, and

the worldwide military or political environment, including uncertainty or instability resulting from an escalation or additional outbreak of armed hostilities or other crises in oil or natural gas producing areas of the Middle East or geographic areas in which we operate, or acts of terrorism.

Despite significant declines in capital spending and cancelled or deferred drilling programs by many operators since 2015, oil and gas production has not yet been reduced by amounts sufficient to result in a rebound in pricing to levels seen prior to the current downturn, and we may not see sufficient supply reductions or a resulting rebound in pricing for an extended period of time. Further, the recent agreements of OPEC and certain non-OPEC countries to freeze and/or cut production may not be fully realized. The lack of actual production cuts or freezes, or the perceived risk that OPEC countries may not comply with such agreements, may result in depressed commodity prices for an extended period of time.

In addition, continued hostility in foreign countries and the occurrence or threat of terrorist attacks against the United States or other countries could create downward pressure on the economies of the United States and other countries. Moreover, higher commodity prices may not necessarily translate into increased activity, and even during periods of high commodity prices, customers may cancel or curtail their drilling programs, or reduce their levels of capital expenditures for exploration and production for a variety of reasons, including their lack of success in exploration efforts. Advances in onshore exploration and development technologies, particularly with respect to onshore shale, could also result in our customers allocating more of their capital expenditure budgets to onshore exploration and production activities and less to offshore activities. These factors could cause our revenues and profits to decline further, as a result of declines in utilization and day rates, and limit our future growth prospects. Any significant decline in day rates or utilization of our rigs, particularly our high-specification floaters, could materially reduce our revenues and profitability. In addition, these risks could increase instability in the financial and insurance markets and make it more difficult for us to access capital and obtain insurance coverage that we consider adequate or are otherwise required by our contracts.

The offshore contract drilling industry historically has been highly competitive and cyclical, with periods of low demand and excess rig availability that could result in adverse effects on our business.

Our industry is highly competitive, and our contracts are traditionally awarded on a competitive bid basis. Pricing, safety records and competency are key factors in determining which qualified contractor is awarded a job. Rig availability, location and technical capabilities also can be significant factors in the determination. If we are not able to compete successfully, our revenues and profitability may be reduced.

The offshore contract drilling industry historically has been very cyclical and is primarily related to the demand for drilling rigs and the available supply of drilling rigs.  Demand for rigs is directly related to the regional and worldwide levels of offshore exploration and development spending by oil and gas companies, which is beyond our control. Offshore exploration and development spending may fluctuate substantially from year-to-year and from region-to-region.
    
The supply of offshore drilling rigs has increased significantly in recent years. Delivery of newbuild drilling rigs has increased and will continue to increase rig supply and could curtail a strengthening, or trigger a further reduction, in utilization and day rates. Currently, there are approximately 135 competitive newbuild drillships, semisubmersibles

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and jackup rigs reported to be on order or under construction with delivery expected by the end of 2020.  Approximately 83 of these rigs are scheduled for delivery during 2018, representing an approximate 13% increase in the total worldwide fleet of competitive offshore drilling rigs since year-end 2017. Many of these offshore drilling rigs do not have drilling contracts in place. In addition, the supply of marketed offshore drilling rigs could further increase due to depressed market conditions resulting in an increase in uncontracted rigs as existing contracts expire. There are no assurances that the market in general or a geographic region in particular will be able to fully absorb the supply of new rigs in future periods.

The significant decline in oil and gas prices and resulting reduction in spending by our customers, together with the increase in supply of offshore drilling rigs in recent years, has resulted in an oversupply of offshore drilling rigs and a decline in utilization and day rates, a situation which may persist for many years.

Such a prolonged period of reduced demand and/or excess rig supply may require us to idle or scrap additional rigs and enter into low day rate contracts or contracts with unfavorable terms. There can be no assurance that the current demand for drilling rigs will increase in the future. Any further decline in demand for drilling rigs or a continued oversupply of drilling rigs could adversely affect our financial position, operating results or cash flows.

Our business will be adversely affected if we are unable to secure contracts on economically favorable terms.

Our ability to renew expiring contracts or obtain new contracts and the terms of any such contracts will depend on market conditions. We may be unable to renew our expiring contracts or obtain new contracts for the rigs under contracts that have expired or have been terminated, and the day rates under any new contracts or any renegotiated contracts may be substantially below the existing day rates, which could adversely affect our revenues and profitability.

Our three rigs under construction, which are scheduled for delivery between 2019 and 2020, are currently uncontracted. There is no assurance that we will secure drilling contracts for these rigs, or future rigs we construct or acquire, or that the drilling contracts we may be able to secure will be based upon rates and terms that will provide a reasonable rate of return on these investments. Our failure to secure contracts for these rigs at day rates and terms that result in a reasonable return upon completion of construction may result in a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results or cash flows.

We may not achieve the intended results from the Merger, and we may not be able to successfully integrate our operations with Atwood after the Merger. Failure to successfully integrate Atwood may adversely affect our future results, and consequently, the value of our shares.

We consummated the Merger with the expectation that it would result in various benefits, including, among others, the expansion of our asset base and creation of synergies. We closed the Merger on October 6, 2017, however, achieving the anticipated benefits of the Merger is subject to a number of uncertainties, including whether the Atwood business can be integrated in an efficient and effective manner.
 
While we have successfully merged companies into our operations in the past, the integration process could take longer than anticipated and could result in the loss of valuable employees, the disruption of our ongoing business, processes and systems or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures, practices, policies and compensation arrangements, any of which could adversely affect our ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the Merger. Our combined operations could be adversely affected by issues attributable to Atwood’s historical operations that arose or are based on events or actions that occurred prior to the completion of the Merger. In addition, integrating Atwood’s employees and operations will require the time and attention of management, which may negatively impact our business. Events outside of our control, including changes in regulation and laws, could adversely affect our ability to realize the expected benefits from the Merger.


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Our customers may be unable or unwilling to fulfill their contractual commitments to us, including their obligations to pay for losses, damages or other liabilities resulting from operations under the contract.

Certain of our customers are subject to liquidity risk and such risk could lead them to seek to repudiate, cancel or renegotiate our drilling contracts or fail to fulfill their commitments to us under those contracts. These risks are heightened in periods of depressed market conditions. Our drilling contracts provide for varying levels of indemnification from our customers, including with respect to well-control, reservoir liability and pollution. Our drilling contracts also provide for varying levels of indemnification and allocation of liabilities between our customers and us with respect to loss or damage to property and injury or death to persons arising from the drilling operations we perform. Under our drilling contracts, liability with respect to personnel and property customarily is generally allocated so that we and our customers each assume liability for our respective personnel and property. Our customers have historically assumed most of the responsibility for and indemnify us from any loss, damage or other liability resulting from pollution or contamination, including clean-up and removal and third-party damages arising from operations under the contract when the source of the pollution originates from the well or reservoir, including those resulting from blow-outs or cratering of the well. However, we generally assume a limited amount of liability for pollution damage caused by our negligence, which liability generally has caps for ordinary negligence, with much higher caps or unlimited liability where the damage is caused by our gross negligence. Notwithstanding a contractual indemnity from a customer, there can be no assurance that our customers will be financially able to assume their responsibility, or honor their indemnity to us, for such losses. In addition, under the laws of certain jurisdictions, such indemnities under certain circumstances are not enforceable if the cause of the damage was our gross negligence or willful misconduct. This could result in us having to assume liabilities in excess of those agreed in our contracts due to customer balance sheet or liquidity issues or applicable law.

We may suffer losses if our customers terminate or seek to renegotiate our contracts, if operations are suspended or interrupted or if a rig becomes a total loss.

In market downturns similar to the current environment, our customers may not be able to honor the terms of existing contracts, may terminate contracts even where there may be onerous termination fees, may seek to void or otherwise repudiate our contracts including by claiming we have breached the contract, or may seek to renegotiate contract day rates and terms in light of depressed market conditions. Since early 2015, we have renegotiated a number of contracts and received termination notices with respect to several of our rigs. Generally, our drilling contracts are subject to termination without cause or termination for convenience upon notice by the customer. In certain cases, our contracts require the customer to pay an early termination payment in the event of a termination for convenience (without cause). Such payment would provide some level of compensation to us for the lost revenue from the contract and in many cases would not fully compensate us for the lost revenue. Certain of our contracts permit termination by the customer without an early termination payment. Furthermore, financially distressed customers may seek to negotiate reduced termination payments as part of a restructuring package.

We are currently engaged in discussions with our customer for the ENSCO DS-8 drilling contract. Our experience with these discussions are that they can lead to a blend and extend arrangement, no change to the contract or termination according to the termination for convenience provisions of the contract. There can be no assurance that we will be able to come to an agreement with our customer to revise the commercial terms of the ENSCO DS-8 drilling contract or that the contract will not be terminated. If we negotiate a blend and extend arrangement with our ENSCO DS-8 customer, the contract term would be extended but the day rate would be reduced for all or some portion of the contract term. If we are unable to reach an agreement on revised mutually beneficial commercial terms, the parties will remain subject to the terms of the ENSCO DS-8 contract, which provide that if the contract were terminated by the customer for convenience, we would be paid daily termination fees through November 2020. For the first 90 days following any such termination, the daily termination fee paid by the customer would be equal to the then-current operating day rate. For the remaining term through November 2020, the daily termination fee would be equal to 75% of the then-current operating day rate. If the contract were terminated for convenience and the ENSCO DS-8 were re-contracted prior to November 2020 for a day rate less than the operating day rate, the customer would be obligated to compensate us for any difference between the re-contracted operating rate and the full operating day rate through the end of the ENSCO DS-8 contract. In accordance with these contract terms, if the drillship were to be re-contracted

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after such a termination, we would not anticipate that our financial results would be materially impacted during the re-contracted period. While we believe that the ENSCO DS-8's technical capabilities and operational excellence make the drillship a marketable asset, should the drillship not be re-contracted after a termination for convenience, the reduction in day rate over the remaining term of the contract would be substantially offset by a reduction in operating costs, and we would expect no more than a $15 million per annum EBITDA impact for the remaining term through November 2020.

Drilling contracts customarily specify automatic termination or termination at the option of the customer in the event of a total loss of the drilling rig and often include provisions addressing termination rights or reduction or cessation of day rates if operations are suspended or interrupted for extended periods due to breakdown of major rig equipment, unsatisfactory performance, "force majeure" events beyond the control of either party or other specified conditions.

If a customer cancels a contract or if we terminate a contract due to the customer’s breach and, in either case, we are unable to secure a new contract on a timely basis and on substantially similar terms, or if a contract is disputed or suspended for an extended period of time or renegotiated, it could materially and adversely affect our financial position, operating results or cash flows.

We may incur impairments as a result of future declines in demand for offshore drilling rigs.

We evaluate the carrying value of our property and equipment, primarily our drilling rigs, when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such rigs may not be recoverable. The offshore drilling industry historically has been highly cyclical, and it is not unusual for rigs to be idle or underutilized for significant periods of time and subsequently resume full or near full utilization when business cycles change. Likewise, during periods in which rig supply exceeds rig demand, competition may force us to contract our rigs at or near cash break-even rates for extended periods of time.

During 2017, we recognized a pre-tax, non-cash loss on impairment of $182.9 million related to two floaters and one jackup rig, all of which are older, less capable, non-core assets in our fleet. During the three years ended December 31, 2017, we have recorded pre-tax, non-cash losses on impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill of $3.1 billion. Further asset impairments may be necessary if market conditions remain depressed for longer than we expect. We have no goodwill on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements included in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for additional information.

The loss of a significant customer could adversely affect us.

We provide our services to major international, government-owned and independent oil and gas companies.  During 2017, our five largest customers accounted for 66% of our consolidated revenues in the aggregate, with our largest customer representing 22% of our consolidated revenues.  Our financial position, operating results or cash flows may be materially adversely affected if a major customer terminates its contracts with us, fails to renew its existing contracts with us, requires renegotiation of our contracts or declines to award new contracts to us.

Our current backlog of contract drilling revenue may not be fully realized and may decline significantly in the future, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results or cash flows.

As of December 31, 2017, our contract backlog was approximately $2.8 billion, which represents a decline of $800.3 million since December 31, 2016. This amount reflects the remaining contractual terms multiplied by the applicable contractual day rate. The contractual revenue may be higher than the actual revenue we receive because of a number of factors, including rig downtime or suspension of operations. Several factors could cause rig downtime or a suspension of operations, many of which are beyond our control, including:

the early termination, repudiation or renegotiation of contracts,


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breakdowns of equipment,

work stoppages, including labor strikes,

shortages of material or skilled labor,

surveys by government and maritime authorities,

periodic classification surveys,

severe weather, strong ocean currents or harsh operating conditions,

the occurrence or threat of epidemic or pandemic diseases or any government response to such occurrence or threat, and

force majeure events.

Our customers may seek to terminate, repudiate or renegotiate our drilling contracts for various reasons. Generally, our drilling contracts permit early termination of the contract by the customer for convenience (without cause), exercisable upon advance notice to us, and in certain cases without making an early termination payment to us. There can be no assurances that our customers will be able to or willing to fulfill their contractual commitments to us.

The decline in oil prices and the resulting downward pressure on utilization has caused and may continue to cause some customers to consider early termination of select contracts despite having to pay onerous early termination fees in certain cases. Customers may continue to request to renegotiate the terms of existing contracts, or they may request early termination or seek to repudiate contracts in some circumstances. Furthermore, as our existing contracts expire, we may be unable to secure new contracts for our rigs. Therefore, revenues recorded in future periods could differ materially from our current backlog. Our inability to realize the full amount of our contract backlog may have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results or cash flows.

We may have difficulty obtaining or maintaining insurance in the future on terms we find acceptable and our insurance coverage may not protect us against all of the risks and hazards we face, including those specific to offshore operations.

Our operations are subject to hazards inherent in the offshore drilling industry, such as blow-outs, reservoir damage, loss of production, loss of well-control, uncontrolled formation pressures, lost or stuck drill strings, equipment failures and mechanical breakdowns, punchthroughs, craterings, industrial accidents, fires, explosions, oil spills and pollution. These hazards can cause personal injury or loss of life, severe damage to or destruction of property and equipment, pollution or environmental damage, which could lead to claims by third parties or customers, suspension of operations and contract terminations. Our fleet is also subject to hazards inherent in marine operations, either while on-site or during mobilization, such as capsizing, sinking, grounding, collision, damage from severe weather and marine life infestations.  Additionally, a security breach of our information systems or other technological failure could lead to a material disruption of our operations, information systems and/or loss of business information, which could result in an adverse impact to our business.  Our drilling contracts provide for varying levels of indemnification from our customers, including with respect to well-control and subsurface risks. For example, most of our drilling contracts incorporate a broad exclusion that limits the customer's indemnity for damages and losses resulting from our gross negligence and willful misconduct and for fines and penalties and punitive damages levied or assessed directly against us. We also maintain insurance for personal injuries, damage to or loss of equipment and other insurance coverage for various business risks.

We generally identify the operational hazards for which we will procure insurance coverage based on the likelihood of loss, the potential magnitude of loss, the cost of coverage, the requirements of our customer contracts

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and applicable legal requirements. Although we maintain what we believe to be an appropriate level of insurance covering hazards and risks we currently encounter during our operations, no assurance can be given that we will be able to obtain insurance against all potential risks and hazards, or that we will be able to maintain the same levels and types of coverage that we have maintained in the past.

Furthermore, our insurance carriers may interpret our insurance policies such that they do not cover losses for all of our claims. Our insurance policies may also have exclusions of coverage for some losses. Uninsured exposures may include radiation hazards, certain loss or damage to property onboard our rigs and losses relating to shore-based terrorist acts or strikes.

If we are unable to obtain or maintain adequate insurance at rates and with deductibles or retention amounts that we consider commercially reasonable, we may choose to forgo insurance coverage and retain the associated risk of loss or damage.

If a significant accident or other event occurs and is not fully covered by insurance or contractual indemnity (or if our contractual indemnity is not enforceable under applicable law), it could adversely affect our financial position, operating results or cash flows.

The potential for U.S. Gulf of Mexico hurricane related windstorm damage or liabilities could result in uninsured losses and may cause us to alter our operating procedures during hurricane season, which could adversely affect our business.

Certain areas in and near the U.S. Gulf of Mexico experience hurricanes and other extreme weather conditions on a relatively frequent basis. Some of our drilling rigs in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico are located in areas that could cause them to be susceptible to damage and/or total loss by these storms, and we have a larger concentration of jackup rigs in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico than most of our competitors. We currently have six jackup rigs and six floaters in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Damage caused by high winds and turbulent seas could result in rig loss or damage, termination of drilling contracts for lost or severely damaged rigs or curtailment of operations on damaged drilling rigs with reduced or suspended day rates for significant periods of time until the damage can be repaired. Moreover, even if our drilling rigs are not directly damaged by such storms, we may experience disruptions in our operations due to damage to our customers' platforms and other related facilities in the area. Our drilling operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico have been impacted by hurricanes in the past, including the total loss of drilling rigs, with associated losses of contract revenues and potential liabilities.

Insurance companies incurred substantial losses in the offshore drilling, exploration and production industries as a consequence of hurricanes that occurred in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico during 2004, 2005 and 2008. Accordingly, insurance companies have substantially reduced the nature and amount of insurance coverage available for losses arising from named tropical storm or hurricane damage in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and have dramatically increased the cost of available windstorm coverage. The tight insurance market not only applies to coverage related to U.S. Gulf of Mexico windstorm damage or loss of our drilling rigs, but also impacts coverage for any potential liabilities to third parties associated with property damage, personal injury or death and environmental liabilities, as well as coverage for removal of wreckage and debris associated with hurricane losses. We have no assurance that the tight insurance market for windstorm damage, liabilities and removal of wreckage and debris will not continue into the foreseeable future.

We do not purchase windstorm insurance for hull and machinery losses to our floaters arising from windstorm damage in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico due to the significant premium, high deductible and limited coverage for windstorm damage. We opted out of windstorm insurance for our jackups in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico during 2009 and have not since renewed that insurance. We believe it is no longer customary for drilling contractors with similar size and fleet composition to purchase windstorm insurance for rigs in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico for the aforementioned reasons. Accordingly, we have retained the risk of loss or damage for our six jackups and six floaters arising from windstorm damage in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.


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We have established operational procedures designed to mitigate risk to our jackup rigs in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico during hurricane season, and these procedures may result in a decision to decline to operate on a customer-designated location during hurricane season notwithstanding that the location, water depth and other standard operating conditions are within a rig's normal operating range. Our procedures and the associated regulatory requirements addressing Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico during hurricane season, coupled with our decision to retain (self-insure) certain windstorm-related risks, may result in a significant reduction in the utilization of our jackup rigs in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

Our annual insurance policies are up for renewal effective May 31, 2018, and any retained exposures for property loss or damage and wreckage and debris removal or other liabilities associated with U.S. Gulf of Mexico tropical storms or hurricanes may have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results or cash flows if we sustain significant uninsured or underinsured losses or liabilities as a result of these storms or hurricanes.

Our non-U.S. operations involve additional risks not typically associated with U.S. operations.

Revenues from non-U.S. operations were 92%, 81% and 72% of our total revenues during 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Our non-U.S. operations and shipyard rig construction and enhancement projects are subject to political, economic and other uncertainties, including:

terrorist acts, war and civil disturbances, 

expropriation, nationalization, deprivation or confiscation of our equipment or our customer's property, 

repudiation or nationalization of contracts, 

assaults on property or personnel, 

piracy, kidnapping and extortion demands, 

significant governmental influence over many aspects of local economies and customers, 

unexpected changes in law and regulatory requirements, including changes in interpretation or enforcement of existing laws, 

work stoppages, often due to strikes over which we have little or no control,

complications associated with repairing and replacing equipment in remote locations, 

limitations on insurance coverage, such as war risk coverage, in certain areas,
 
imposition of trade barriers, 

wage and price controls, 

import-export quotas, 

exchange restrictions, 

currency fluctuations, 

changes in monetary policies, 

uncertainty or instability resulting from hostilities or other crises in the Middle East, West Africa, Latin America or other geographic areas in which we operate, 

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changes in the manner or rate of taxation, 

limitations on our ability to recover amounts due, 

increased risk of government and vendor/supplier corruption, 

increased local content requirements,

the occurrence or threat of epidemic or pandemic diseases or any government response to such occurrence or threat,

changes in political conditions, and 

other forms of government regulation and economic conditions that are beyond our control.

We historically have maintained insurance coverage and obtained contractual indemnities that protect us from some, but not all, of the risks associated with our non-U.S. operations such as nationalization, deprivation, expropriation, confiscation, political and war risks. However, there can be no assurance that any particular type of contractual or insurance protection will be available in the future or that we will be able to purchase our desired level of insurance coverage at commercially feasible rates.  Moreover, we may initiate a self-insurance program through one or more captive insurance subsidiaries.  In circumstances where we have insurance protection for some or all of the risks sometimes associated with non-U.S. operations, such insurance may be subject to cancellation on short notice, and it is unlikely that we would be able to remove our rig or rigs from the affected area within the notice period. Accordingly, a significant event for which we are uninsured, underinsured or self-insured, or for which we have not received an enforceable contractual indemnity from a customer, could cause a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results or cash flows.

In June 2016, the U.K. voted to exit from the E.U. (commonly referred to as “Brexit”). The impact of Brexit and the resulting U.K./E.U. relationship are uncertain for companies doing business both in the U.K. and the overall global economy. Approximately 9% of our total revenues were generated in the U.K. for the year ended December 31, 2017. Brexit, or similar events in other jurisdictions, can impact global markets, including foreign exchange and securities markets, which may have an adverse impact on our business and operations as a result of changes in currency exchange rates, tariffs, treaties and other regulatory matters.

We are subject to various tax laws and regulations in substantially all countries in which we operate or have a legal presence. We evaluate applicable tax laws and employ various business structures and operating strategies to obtain the optimal level of taxation on our revenues, income, assets and personnel. Actions by tax authorities that impact our business structures and operating strategies, such as changes to tax treaties, laws and regulations, or the interpretation or repeal of any of the foregoing or changes in the administrative practices and precedents of tax authorities, adverse rulings in connection with audits or otherwise, or other challenges may substantially increase our tax expense.

As required by law, we file periodic tax returns that are subject to review and examination by various revenue agencies within the jurisdictions in which we operate. We cannot predict or provide assurance as to the ultimate outcome of existing or future tax assessments.

Our non-U.S. operations also face the risk of fluctuating currency values, which may impact our revenues, operating costs and capital expenditures. We currently conduct contract drilling operations in certain countries that have experienced substantial fluctuations in the value of their currency compared to the U.S. dollar. In addition, some of the countries in which we operate have occasionally enacted exchange controls. Generally, we have contractually mitigated these risks by invoicing and receiving payment in U.S. dollars (our functional currency) or freely convertible currency and, to the extent possible, by limiting our acceptance of foreign currency to amounts which approximate

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our expenditure requirements in such currencies. However, not all of our contracts contain these terms and there is no assurance that our contracts will contain such terms in the future.

A portion of the costs and expenditures incurred by our non-U.S. operations, including certain capital expenditures, are settled in local currencies, exposing us to risks associated with fluctuation in the value of these currencies relative to the U.S. dollar. We use foreign currency forward contracts to reduce this exposure in certain cases. However, a relative weakening in the value of the U.S. dollar in relation to the local currencies in these countries may increase our costs and expenditures.

Our non-U.S. operations are also subject to various laws and regulations in countries in which we operate, including laws and regulations relating to the operation of drilling rigs and the requirements for equipment. We may be required to make significant capital expenditures to operate in such countries, which may not be reimbursed by our customers. Governments in some countries have become increasingly active in regulating and controlling the ownership of oil, natural gas and mineral concessions and companies holding concessions, the exploration of oil and natural gas and other aspects of the oil and gas industry in their countries. In some areas of the world, government activity has adversely affected the amount of exploration and development work performed by major international oil companies and may continue to do so. Moreover, certain countries accord preferential treatment to local contractors or joint ventures or impose specific quotas for local goods and services, which can increase our operational costs and place us at a competitive disadvantage. There can be no assurance that such laws and regulations or activities will not have a material adverse effect on our future operations.
    
The shipment of goods, services and technology across international borders subjects us to extensive trade laws and regulations. Our import activities are governed by specific customs laws and regulations in each of the countries where we operate. Moreover, many countries, including the United States, control the export and re-export of certain goods, services and technology and impose related export recordkeeping and reporting obligations. Governments also may impose express or de facto economic sanctions against certain countries, persons and other entities that may restrict or prohibit transactions involving such countries, persons and entities.

The laws and regulations concerning import activity, export recordkeeping and reporting, export control and economic sanctions are complex and constantly changing. These laws and regulations may be enacted, amended, enforced or interpreted in a manner materially impacting our operations. Shipments can be delayed and denied export or entry for a variety of reasons, some of which are outside our control and some of which may result from failure to comply with existing legal and regulatory regimes. Shipping delays or denials could cause unscheduled operational downtime, reduced day rates during such downtime and contract cancellations. Any failure to comply with applicable legal and regulatory trading obligations also could result in criminal and civil penalties and sanctions, such as fines, imprisonment, exclusion from government contracts, seizure of shipments and loss of import and export privileges.

Our employees, contractors and agents may take actions in violation of our policies and procedures designed to promote compliance with the laws of the jurisdictions in which we operate. Any such violation could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results or cash flows.


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Our drilling contracts with national oil companies may expose us to greater risks than we normally assume in drilling contracts with non-governmental customers.

We currently own and operate 18 rigs that are contracted with national oil companies. The terms of these contracts are often non-negotiable and may expose us to greater commercial, political and operational risks than we assume in other contracts, such as exposure to materially greater environmental liability, personal injury and other claims for damages (including consequential damages), or the risk that the contract may be terminated by our customer without cause on short-term notice, contractually or by governmental action, under certain conditions that may not provide us with an early termination payment. We can provide no assurance that the increased risk exposure will not have an adverse impact on our future operations or that we will not increase the number of rigs contracted to national oil companies with commensurate additional contractual risks. 

We may reduce or suspend our dividend in the future.

Our Board of Directors declared a $0.01 quarterly cash dividend per Class A ordinary share for each quarter during 2016 and 2017, a $0.14 reduction from the $0.15 dividend per share paid for each quarter during 2015. In the future, our Board of Directors may, without advance notice, further reduce or suspend our dividend in order to improve our financial flexibility and best position us for long-term success. The declaration and amount of future dividends is at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our profitability, liquidity, financial condition, market outlook, reinvestment opportunities, capital requirements, restrictions and limitations in our credit facility and other debt documents and other factors and restrictions our Board of Directors deems relevant. There can be no assurance that we will pay a dividend in the future.

Legal and regulatory proceedings could adversely affect us.

We are involved in litigation, including various claims, disputes and regulatory proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business, many of which are uninsured and relate to intellectual property, commercial, operational, employment, regulatory or other activities.
 
We operate in a number of countries throughout the world, including countries known to have a reputation for corruption and are subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (“FCPA”), the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") regulations, the U.K. Bribery Act ("UKBA"), other U.S. laws and regulations governing our international operations and similar laws in other countries.

During 2010, Pride and its subsidiaries resolved with the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and the SEC their previously disclosed investigations into potential violations of the FCPA. However, Pride received preliminary inquiries from governmental authorities of certain of the countries referenced in its settlements with the DOJ and SEC. We could face additional fines, sanctions and other penalties from authorities in these and other relevant jurisdictions, including prohibition of our participating in or curtailment of business operations in those jurisdictions and the seizure of our rigs or other assets. At this stage of such inquiries, we are unable to determine what, if any, legal liability may result. Our customers in those jurisdictions could seek to impose penalties or take other actions adverse to our interests. We could also face other third-party claims by directors, officers, employees, affiliates, advisors, attorneys, agents, stockholders, debt holders or other stakeholders. In addition, disclosure of the subject matter of the investigations and settlements could adversely affect our reputation and our ability to obtain new business or retain existing business from our current clients and potential clients, to attract and retain employees and to access the capital markets.

In 2015, we became aware of an internal audit report by Petrobras alleging irregularities in relation to a drilling services agreement Pride entered into for ENSCO DS-5. On January 4, 2016, we received a notice from Petrobras declaring the DS-5 drilling services contract between Petrobras and Ensco void effective immediately. Petrobras’ notice alleges that our former marketing consultant both received and procured improper payments from Samsung Heavy Industries for employees of Petrobras and that Pride had knowledge of this activity and assisted in the procurement of and/or facilitated these improper payments. Our Audit Committee appointed independent counsel to lead an investigation into the alleged irregularities. We cannot predict whether any governmental authority will open an investigation into Pride's involvement in this matter, or if a proceeding were opened, the scope or ultimate outcome

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of any such investigation. See "Item 3. Legal Proceedings - Brazil Internal Investigation" and "Item 3. Legal Proceedings - DSA Dispute" for further information on the investigation.

Any violation of the FCPA, OFAC regulations, the UKBA or other applicable anti-corruption laws, by us, our affiliated entities or their respective officers, directors, employees and agents could in some cases provide a customer with termination rights under a contract and result in substantial fines, sanctions, civil and/or criminal penalties and curtailment of operations in certain jurisdictions and could adversely affect our financial condition, operating results, cash flows or the availability of funds under our revolving credit facility. Further, we may incur significant costs and consume significant internal resources in our efforts to detect, investigate and resolve actual or alleged violations.

Increasing regulatory complexity could adversely impact the costs associated with our offshore drilling operations.

Increases in regulatory requirements, particularly in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, could significantly increase our costs.  In recent years, we have seen several significant regulatory changes that have affected the way we operate in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 and Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008 caused damage to a number of rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. Rigs that were moved off location by the storms damaged platforms, pipelines, wellheads and other drilling rigs. As a result of jackup rig fitness requirements during hurricane seasons issued by BSEE and its predecessor agency, jackup rigs in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico are required to operate with a higher air gap (the space between the water level and the bottom of the rig's hull) during hurricane season, effectively reducing the water depth in which they can operate. The guidelines also provide for enhanced information and data requirements from oil and gas companies operating in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

Following the 2010 Macondo well incident in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, the U.S. Department of the Interior issued Notices to Lessees (“NTLs"), implementing new requirements and/or guidelines that are applicable to drilling operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Current or future NTLs or other rules, directives and regulations may further impact our customers' ability to obtain permits and commence or continue deep or shallow water operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. In 2016, BSEE promulgated the 2016 Well Control Rule imposing new requirements for well-control and blowout prevention equipment that could increase our costs and cause delays in our operations due to unavailability of associated equipment. The 2016 Well Control Rule is currently under review by BSEE pursuant to EO 13783 (“Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth”) and Section 7 of EO 13795 (“Implementing an America-First Offshore Energy Strategy”), to determine if the rule should be revised to encourage energy exploration and production on the Outer Continental Shelf, while still providing for safe and environmentally responsible exploration and production activities.

Also, as a result of the Macondo well incident, BSEE and its predecessor agency promulgated regulations regarding SEMS. Although only operators are currently required to have a SEMS, the SEMS regulations require written agreements between operators and contractors regarding the contractors’ support of the operators' safety and environmental policies at the worksite, including requirements for personnel training and written safe work practices. In addition, BSEE has in the past stated that future rulemaking may require offshore drilling contractors to implement their own SEMS programs. The current SEMS regulations and the possibility of additional SEMS rules for contractors could expose us to increased costs.

In 2012, BSEE issued an IPD for use by BSEE inspectors in INCs to contractors operating under BSEE jurisdiction on the Outer Continental Shelf of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The stated purpose of the policy was to provide for consistency in application of BSEE enforcement authority by establishing guidelines for issuance of INCs to contractors in addition to operators. The policy indicated that BSEE’s enforcement actions would continue to focus primarily on lessees and operators, but that “in appropriate circumstances” BSEE also would issue INCs to contractors for “serious violations” of BSEE regulations. Following federal court decisions successfully challenging the scope of BSEE’s jurisdiction over offshore contractors, this IPD has been removed from the list of IPDs on the BSEE website. If this judicial precedent stands, it may reduce regulatory and civil litigation liability exposures.


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Since 2014, the United States Coast Guard has proposed new regulations that would impose GPS equipment and positioning requirements for mobile offshore drilling units and jackup rigs operating in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and issued notices regarding the development of guidelines for cybersecurity measures used in the marine and offshore energy sectors for all vessels and facilities that are subject to the MTSA, including our rigs. In 2016, BSEE adopted the 2016 Well Control Rule, which will be implemented in phases over the next several years. This new rule includes more stringent design requirements for well-control equipment used in offshore drilling operations. This rule is currently under review by BSEE and potentially could become less stringent as a result of such review. We are continuing to evaluate the cost and effect that these new rules will have on our operations. However, based on our current assessment of the rules, we do not expect to incur significant costs to comply with the rule. Implementation of further guidelines and regulations may subject us to increased costs and limit the operational capabilities of our rigs.

Any new or additional regulatory, legislative, permitting or certification requirements in the U.S., including laws and regulations that have or may impose increased financial responsibility, oil spill abatement contingency plan capability requirements, or additional operational requirements and certifications, could materially adversely affect our financial position, operating results or cash flows.

We anticipate that government regulation in other countries where we operate may follow the U.S. in regard to enhanced safety and environmental regulation, which could also result in governments imposing sanctions on contractors when operators fail to comply with regulations that impact drilling operations. Even if not a requirement in these countries, most international operating companies, and many others, are voluntarily complying with some or all of the U.S. inspections and safety and environmental guidelines when operating outside the U.S. Such additional governmental regulation and voluntary compliance by operators could increase the cost of our operations and expose us to greater liability.

Laws and governmental regulations may add to costs, limit our drilling activity or reduce demand for our drilling services.

Our operations are affected by political developments and by laws and regulations that relate directly to the oil and gas industry, including initiatives to limit greenhouse gas emissions. The offshore contract drilling industry is dependent on demand for services from the oil and gas industry. Accordingly, we will be directly affected by the approval and adoption of laws and regulations limiting or curtailing exploration and development drilling for oil and natural gas for economic, environmental, safety and other policy reasons. We may be exposed to risks related to new laws or regulations pertaining to climate change, carbon emissions or energy use that could reduce the use of oil or natural gas, thus reducing demand for hydrocarbon-based fuel and our drilling services. Governments also may pass laws or regulations encouraging or mandating the use of alternative energy sources, such as wind power and solar energy, which may reduce demand for oil and natural gas and our drilling services. Furthermore, we may be required to make significant capital expenditures or incur substantial additional costs to comply with new governmental laws and regulations. It is also possible that legislative and regulatory activity could adversely affect our operations by limiting drilling opportunities or significantly increasing our operating costs.

Geopolitical events, terrorist attacks, piracy and military action could affect the markets for our services and have a material adverse effect on our business and cost and availability of insurance.

Geopolitical events have resulted in military actions, terrorist, pirate and other armed attacks, civil unrest, political demonstrations, mass strikes and government responses. Military action by the United States or other nations could escalate, and acts of terrorism, piracy, kidnapping, extortion, acts of war, violence, civil war or general disorder may initiate or continue. Such acts could be directed against companies such as ours. Such developments have caused instability in the world’s financial and insurance markets in the past. In addition, these developments could lead to increased volatility in prices for oil and natural gas and could affect the markets for our services. Insurance premiums could increase and coverage for these kinds of events may be unavailable in the future. Any or all of these effects could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results or cash flows.


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Rig construction, upgrade and enhancement projects are subject to risks, including delays and cost overruns, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results or cash flows.

We currently have two ultra-deepwater drillships and one jackup rig under construction. In the future, we may construct additional rigs and continue to upgrade the capability and extend the service lives of our existing rigs. As a result of current market conditions, we may seek to delay delivery of our rigs under construction. We agreed with the shipyard constructing the ENSCO 123 to delay the delivery of the rig until the first quarter of 2019 and, prior to the closing of the Merger, Atwood agreed to delay the delivery of two ultra deepwater drillships into 2019 and 2020. During periods of heightened rig construction projects, shipyards and third-party equipment vendors may be under significant resource constraints to meet delivery obligations. Such constraints may lead to substantial delivery and commissioning delays, equipment failures and/or quality deficiencies. Furthermore, new drilling rigs may face start-up or other operational complications following completion of construction, upgrades or maintenance. Other unexpected difficulties, including equipment failures, design or engineering problems, could result in significant downtime at reduced or zero day rates or the cancellation or termination of drilling contracts.

Rig construction, upgrade, life extension and repair projects are subject to the risks of delay or cost overruns inherent in any large construction project, including the following:

failure of third-party equipment to meet quality and/or performance standards, 

delays in equipment deliveries or shipyard construction, 

shortages of materials or skilled labor, 

damage to shipyard facilities or construction work in progress, including damage resulting from fire, explosion, flooding, severe weather, terrorism, war or other armed hostilities, 

unforeseen design or engineering problems, including those relating to the commissioning of newly designed equipment, 

unanticipated actual or purported change orders, 

strikes, labor disputes or work stoppages, 

financial or operating difficulties of equipment vendors or the shipyard while constructing, enhancing, upgrading, improving or repairing a rig or rigs, 

unanticipated cost increases, 

foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations impacting overall cost, 

inability to obtain the requisite permits or approvals, 

client acceptance delays, 

disputes with shipyards and suppliers, 

latent damages or deterioration to hull, equipment and machinery in excess of engineering estimates and assumptions, 

claims of force majeure events, and 

additional risks inherent to shipyard projects in a non-U.S. location.


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With respect to our rigs under construction, if we were to secure contracts for such rigs, we would be subject to the risk of delays and other hazards impacting the viability of such contracts, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results or cash flows.

Failure to recruit and retain skilled personnel could adversely affect our operations and financial results.

We require skilled personnel to operate our drilling rigs and to provide technical services and support for our business. Historically, competition for the labor required for drilling operations and construction projects was intense as the number of rigs activated, added to worldwide fleets or under construction increased, leading to shortages of qualified personnel in the industry. During such periods of intensified competition, it is more difficult and costly to recruit and retain qualified employees, especially in foreign countries that require a certain percentage of national employees. If competition for labor were to intensify in the future, we could experience an increase in operating expenses, with a resulting reduction in net income, and our ability to fully staff and operate our rigs could be negatively affected.

We may be required to maintain or increase existing levels of compensation to retain our skilled workforce, especially if our competitors raise their wage rates. We also are subject to potential legislative or regulatory action that may impact working conditions, paid time off or other conditions of employment. If such labor trends continue, they could further increase our costs or limit our ability to fully staff and operate our rigs.

Unionization efforts and labor regulations in certain countries in which we operate could materially increase our costs or limit our flexibility.

Outside of the U.S., we are often subject to collective bargaining agreements that require periodic salary negotiations, which usually result in higher personnel expenses and other benefits. Efforts have been made from time to time to unionize other portions of our workforce. In addition, we have been subjected to strikes or work stoppages and other labor disruptions in certain countries. Additional unionization efforts, new collective bargaining agreements or work stoppages could materially increase our costs, reduce our revenues or limit our flexibility.

Certain legal obligations require us to contribute certain amounts to retirement funds or other benefit plans and restrict our ability to dismiss employees. Future regulations or court interpretations established in the countries in which we conduct our operations could increase our costs and materially adversely affect our business, financial position, operating results or cash flows.

Compliance with or breach of environmental laws can be costly and could limit our operations.

Our operations are subject to laws and regulations controlling the discharge of materials into the environment, pollution, contamination and hazardous waste disposal or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment. Environmental laws and regulations specifically applicable to our business activities could impose significant liability on us for damages, clean-up costs, fines and penalties in the event of oil spills or similar discharges of pollutants or contaminants into the environment or improper disposal of hazardous waste generated in the course of our operations. To date, such laws and regulations have not had a material adverse effect on our operating results, and we have not experienced an accident that has exposed us to material liability arising out of or relating to discharges of pollutants into the environment.  However, the legislative, judicial and regulatory response to a well incident could substantially increase our and our customers' liabilities.  In addition to potential increased liabilities, such legislative, judicial or regulatory action could impose increased financial, insurance or other requirements that may adversely impact the entire offshore drilling industry.
    
The International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation, the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage 1992, the U.K. Merchant Shipping Act 1995, Marpol 73/78 (the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships), the U.K. Merchant Shipping (Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation Convention) Regulations 1998, as amended, and other related legislation and regulations and the OPA 90, as amended, the Clean Water Act, and other U.S. federal statutes applicable to us and our operations, as well as similar statutes in Texas, Louisiana, other coastal states and other non-U.S. jurisdictions,

30



address oil spill prevention, reporting and control and have significantly expanded potential liability, fine and penalty exposure across many segments of the oil and gas industry.

Such statutes and related regulations impose a variety of obligations on us related to the prevention of oil spills, disposal of waste and liability for resulting damages. For instance, OPA 90 imposes strict and, with limited exceptions, joint and several liability upon each responsible party for oil removal costs as well as a variety of fines, penalties and damages. Although OPA 90 provides for certain limits of liability, such limits are not applicable where there is any safety violation or where gross negligence is involved. Failure to comply with these statutes and regulations, including OPA 90, may subject us to civil or criminal enforcement action, which may not be covered by contractual indemnification or insurance and could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results or cash flows. Further, remedies under the Clean Water Act and related legislation and OPA 90 do not preclude claims under state regulations or civil claims for damages to third parties under state laws.

High profile and catastrophic events, including the 2010 Macondo well incident, have heightened governmental and environmental concerns about the risks associated with offshore oil and gas drilling. We are adversely affected by restrictions on drilling in certain areas in which we operate, including policies and guidelines regarding the approval of drilling permits, restrictions on development and production activities, and directives and regulations that have and may further impact our operations. From time to time, legislative and regulatory proposals have been introduced that would materially limit or prohibit offshore drilling in certain areas, or that would increase the liabilities or costs associated with offshore drilling. If new laws are enacted, or if government actions are taken that restrict or prohibit offshore drilling in our principal areas of operation or that impose environmental or other requirements that materially increase the liabilities, financial requirements or operating or equipment costs associated with offshore drilling, exploration, development, or production of oil and natural gas, our financial position, operating results or cash flows could be materially adversely affected.

Our debt levels and debt agreement restrictions may limit our liquidity and flexibility in obtaining additional financing and in pursuing other business opportunities.
 
As of December 31, 2017, we had $4.8 billion in total debt outstanding, representing approximately 35.2% of our total capitalization. Our current indebtedness may have several important effects on our future operations, including:
 
a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations will be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest,
 
covenants contained in our debt arrangements require us to meet certain financial tests, which may affect our flexibility in planning for, and reacting to, changes in our business and may limit our ability to dispose of assets or place restrictions on the use of proceeds from such dispositions, withstand current or future economic or industry downturns and compete with others in our industry for strategic opportunities, and 

our ability to obtain additional financing to fund working capital requirements, capital expenditures, acquisitions, dividend payments and general corporate or other cash requirements may be limited.

Our ability to maintain a sufficient level of liquidity to meet our financial obligations will be dependent upon our future performance, which will be subject to general economic conditions, industry cycles and financial, business and other factors affecting our operations, many of which are beyond our control. Our future cash flows may be insufficient to meet all of our working capital requirements, debt obligations and contractual commitments, and any insufficiency could negatively impact our business.

To the extent we are unable to repay our debt as it becomes due with cash on hand or from other sources, we will need to refinance our debt, sell assets or repay the debt with the proceeds from equity offerings. Additional indebtedness or equity financing may not be available to us in the future for the refinancing or repayment of existing debt, or if available, such additional debt or equity financing may not be available on a timely basis, or on terms

31



acceptable to us and within the limitations specified in our then existing debt instruments. In addition, in the event we decide to sell additional assets, we can provide no assurance as to the timing of any asset sales or the proceeds that could be realized by us from any such asset sale.

Our revolving credit facility places restrictions on us and certain of our subsidiaries with respect to incurring additional indebtedness and liens, making dividends and other payments to shareholders, repurchasing our common stock, repurchasing or redeeming certain other indebtedness which matures after the revolving credit facility, entering into mergers and other matters. Our revolving credit facility also requires compliance with covenants to maintain specified financial and guarantee coverage ratios. These restrictions may limit our flexibility in obtaining additional financing and in pursuing various business opportunities.

In addition, our access to credit and capital markets depends on the credit ratings assigned to our credit facility and our notes by independent credit rating agencies. In recent years, we have experienced downgrades in our corporate credit rating and the credit rating of our senior notes. Our access to credit and capital markets may be more limited because we no longer have an investment grade credit rating. Any additional actual or anticipated downgrades in our corporate credit rating or the credit rating of our notes could further limit our ability to access credit and capital markets, or to restructure or refinance our indebtedness. Furthermore, future financings or refinancings may result in higher borrowing costs and require more restrictive terms and covenants, which may further restrict our operations. With our current credit ratings below investment grade, we have no access to the commercial paper market. Limitations on our ability to access credit and capital markets could have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations and liquidity.

We have historically made substantial capital expenditures to maintain our fleet to comply with laws and the applicable regulations and standards of governmental authorities and organizations, or to expand our fleet, and we may be required to make significant capital expenditures to maintain our competitiveness, which could adversely affect our financial condition, operating results or cash flows.

We have historically made substantial capital expenditures to maintain our fleet. These expenditures could increase as a result of changes in:

offshore drilling technology,

the cost of labor and materials,

customer requirements,

fleet size,

the cost of replacement parts for existing drilling rigs,

the geographic location of the drilling rigs,

length of drilling contracts,

governmental regulations and maritime self-regulatory organization and technical standards relating to safety, security or the environment, and

industry standards.


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Changes in offshore drilling technology, customer requirements for new or upgraded equipment and competition within our industry may require us to make significant capital expenditures in order to maintain our competitiveness. In addition, changes in governmental regulations, relating to safety or equipment standards, as well as compliance with standards imposed by maritime self-regulatory organizations, may require us to make additional unforeseen capital expenditures. As a result, we may be required to take our rigs out of service for extended periods of time, with corresponding losses of revenues, in order to make such alterations or to add such equipment. In the future, market conditions may not justify these expenditures or enable us to operate our older rigs profitably during the remainder of their economic lives.

Additionally, in order to expand our fleet, we may require additional capital in the future. If we are unable to fund capital with cash flows from operations or sales of non-core assets, we may be required to either incur additional borrowings or raise capital through the sale of debt or equity securities. Our ability to access the capital markets may be limited by our financial condition at the time, by changes in laws and regulations (or interpretation thereof) and by adverse market conditions resulting from, among others, general economic conditions, contingencies and uncertainties that are beyond our control. If we raise funds by issuing equity securities, existing shareholders may experience dilution. Our failure to obtain the funds for necessary future capital expenditures could have a material adverse effect on our business and on our financial position, operating results or cash flows.

Significant part or equipment shortages, supplier capacity constraints, supplier production disruptions, supplier
quality and sourcing issues or price increases could increase our operating costs, decrease our revenues and adversely impact our operations.

Our reliance on third-party suppliers, manufacturers and service providers to secure equipment, parts, components and sub-systems used in our operations exposes us to potential volatility in the quality, prices and availability of such items. Certain high-specification parts and equipment that we use in our operations may be available only from a small number of suppliers, manufacturers or service providers, or in some cases must be sourced through a single supplier, manufacturer or service provider. Recent industry consolidation has reduced the number of available suppliers. A disruption in the deliveries from such third-party suppliers, manufacturers or service providers, capacity constraints, production disruptions, price increases, quality control issues, recalls or other decreased availability of parts and equipment could adversely affect our ability to meet our commitments to customers, thus adversely impacting our operations and revenues and/or our operating costs.

Our long-term contracts are subject to the risk of cost increases, which could adversely impact our profitability.

In general, our costs increase as the demand for contract drilling services and skilled labor increases. While many of our contracts include cost escalation provisions that allow changes to our day rate based on stipulated cost increases or decreases, the timing and amount earned from these day rate adjustments may differ from our actual increase in costs and certain contracts do not allow for such day rate adjustments. During times of reduced demand, reductions in costs may not be immediate as portions of the crew may be required to prepare our rigs for stacking, after which time the crew members are assigned to active rigs or dismissed. Moreover, as our rigs are mobilized from one geographic location to another, the labor and other operating and maintenance costs can vary significantly. In general, labor costs increase primarily due to higher salary levels and inflation. Equipment maintenance expenses fluctuate depending upon the type of activity a drilling rig is performing and the age and condition of the equipment. Contract preparation expenses vary based on the scope and length of contract preparation required.


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Our information technology systems are subject to cybersecurity risks and threats.

We depend on technologies, systems and networks to conduct our offshore and onshore operations, to collect payments from customers and to pay vendors and employees.  The risks associated with cyber incidents and attacks to our information technology systems could include disruptions of certain systems on our rigs; other impairments of our ability to conduct our operations; loss of intellectual property, proprietary information or customer and vendor data; disruption of our or our customers' operations; and increased costs to prevent, respond to or mitigate cybersecurity events.  Despite our security measures, our information technology and infrastructure may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers or breached due to employee error, malfeasance or other disruptions. Any such breach could compromise our networks or our customers' and vendors' networks and the information stored there could be accessed, publicly disclosed, lost or stolen. Any such access, disclosure or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, disrupt our operations and damage our reputation, which could adversely affect our financial position, operating results or cash flows.    

The accounting method for our 2024 Convertible Notes could have a material effect on our reported financial results.
Under U.S. GAAP, we must separately account for the liability and equity components of convertible debt instruments, such as our 3.00% exchangeable senior notes due 2024 (the “2024 Convertible Notes”) in a manner that reflects the issuer’s economic interest cost. The equity component representing the conversion feature is recorded in additional paid-in capital within the shareholders’ equity section of our consolidated balance sheet. The carrying value of the debt component is recorded with a corresponding discount that will result in a significant amount of non-cash interest expense from the accretion of the discounted carrying value up to the principal amount over the term of the 2024 Convertible Notes. The equity component is not remeasured if we continue to meet certain conditions for equity classification under U.S. GAAP, including maintaining the ability to settle the 2024 Convertible Notes entirely in shares. During periods in which we are unable to meet the conditions for equity classification, the equity component or a portion thereof would be remeasured through earnings, which could adversely affect our operating results.

Upon conversion of the 2024 Convertible Notes, holders will receive cash, our Class A ordinary shares or a combination thereof, at our election. Our intent is to settle the principal amount of the 2024 Convertible Notes in cash upon conversion. If the conversion value exceeds the principal amount (i.e., our share price exceeds the exchange price on the date of conversion), we expect to deliver shares equal to our conversion obligation in excess of the principal amount. During each respective reporting period that our average share price exceeds the exchange price, an assumed number of shares required to settle the conversion obligation in excess of the principal amount will be included in the denominator for our computation of diluted earnings per share using the treasury stock method. If we are unable to demonstrate our intent to settle the principal amount in cash, or are otherwise unable to utilize the treasury stock method, our diluted earnings per share would be adversely affected. See Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements included in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for additional information on our 2024 Convertible Notes.

The IRS may not agree with the conclusion that we should be treated as a foreign corporation for U.S. federal tax purposes following the Merger.

Although Ensco plc is incorporated in the United Kingdom, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) may assert that we should be treated as a U.S. corporation (and, therefore, a U.S. tax resident) for U.S. federal income tax purposes following the Merger pursuant to Section 7874 of the Internal Revenue Code. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, a corporation is generally considered a U.S. “domestic” corporation (or U.S. tax resident) if it is organized in the United States, and a corporation is generally considered a “foreign” corporation (or non-U.S. tax resident) if it is not a U.S. domestic corporation. Because Ensco plc is an entity incorporated in England and Wales, it would generally be classified as a foreign corporation (or non-U.S. tax resident) under these rules. Section 7874 of the Internal Revenue Code provides an exception under which a foreign incorporated entity may, in certain circumstances, be treated as a U.S. domestic corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.


34



We would be treated as a U.S. domestic corporation (that is, as a U.S. tax resident) for U.S. federal income tax purposes following the Merger pursuant to Section 7874 of the Internal Revenue Code if the percentage (by vote or value) of our shares considered to be held by former holders of shares of Atwood common stock after the Merger by reason of holding shares of Atwood common stock for purposes of Section 7874 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Section 7874 Percentage”) was 80% or more.

The Section 7874 Percentage at the time of the Merger was less than 60%. The calculation of the Section 7874 Percentage, however, is complex, is subject to detailed regulations and is subject to factual uncertainties. As a result, the IRS could assert that the Section 7874 Percentage was greater than 80% and that we therefore are treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a U.S. domestic corporation (that is, as a U.S. tax resident) following the Merger. If the IRS successfully challenged our status as a foreign corporation, significant adverse tax consequences would result for us and for certain of our shareholders.

U.S. tax laws and IRS guidance could affect our ability to engage in certain acquisition strategies and certain internal restructurings.

Even if we are treated as a foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Section 7874 of the Internal Revenue Code and U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, including temporary Treasury Regulations, may adversely affect our ability to engage in certain future acquisitions of U.S. businesses in exchange for our equity, which may affect the tax efficiencies that otherwise might be achieved in such potential future transactions.

Governments may pass laws that subject us to additional taxation or may challenge our tax positions, which could adversely affect our financial position, operating results or cash flows.

There is increasing uncertainty with respect to tax laws, regulations and treaties, and the interpretation and enforcement thereof that may affect our business. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (“OECD”) has issued its final reports on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting, which generally focus on situations where profits are earned in low-tax jurisdictions, or payments are made between affiliates from jurisdictions with high tax rates to jurisdictions with lower tax rates. Certain countries within which we operate have recently enacted changes to their tax laws in response to the OECD recommendations or otherwise and these and other countries may enact changes to their tax laws or practices in the future (prospectively or retroactively), which may have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results or cash flows. The recently enacted U.S. federal income tax reform legislation, informally known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, made substantial changes in the taxation of U.S. and multinational corporations, including a significant reduction in the statutory corporate income tax rate, a limitation on the ability of corporations to deduct interest expense, the imposition of tax on low taxed intangible income of foreign subsidiaries, and the imposition of a base erosion anti-abuse tax.

In addition, our tax positions are subject to audit by U.K., U.S. and other foreign tax authorities. Such tax authorities may disagree with our interpretations or assessments of the effects of tax laws, treaties or regulations or their applicability to our corporate structure or certain transactions we have undertaken. Even if we are successful in maintaining our tax positions, we may incur significant expenses in defending our positions and contesting claims asserted by tax authorities. If we are unsuccessful in defending our tax positions, the resulting assessments or rulings could significantly impact our consolidated income taxes in past or future periods.
    
As a result of these uncertainties, as well as changes in the administrative practices and precedents of tax authorities or other matters (such as changes in applicable accounting rules) that increase the amounts we have provided for income taxes or deferred tax assets and liabilities in our consolidated financial statements, we cannot provide any assurances as to what our consolidated effective income tax rate will be in future periods.  If we are unable to mitigate the negative consequences of any change in law, audit or other matters, this could cause our consolidated income taxes to increase and cause a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results or cash flows.


35



Our consolidated effective income tax rate may vary substantially from one reporting period to another.

We cannot provide any assurances as to what our future consolidated effective income tax rate will be because of, among other matters, uncertainty regarding the nature and extent of our business activities in any particular jurisdiction in the future and the tax laws of such jurisdictions, as well as potential changes in U.K., U.S. and other foreign tax laws, regulations or treaties or the interpretation or enforcement thereof, changes in the administrative practices and precedents of tax authorities or other matters (such as changes in applicable accounting rules) that increase the amounts we have provided for income taxes or deferred tax assets and liabilities in our consolidated financial statements. In addition, as a result of frequent changes in the taxing jurisdictions in which our drilling rigs are operated and/or owned, changes in the overall level of our income and changes in tax laws, our consolidated effective income tax rate may vary substantially from one reporting period to another. In periods of declining profitability, our income tax expense may not decline proportionately with income. Further, we may continue to incur income tax expense in periods in which we operate at a loss. Income tax rates imposed in the tax jurisdictions in which our subsidiaries conduct operations vary, as does the tax base to which the rates are applied. In some cases, tax rates may be applicable to gross revenues, statutory or negotiated deemed profits or other bases utilized under local tax laws, rather than to income. In some instances, the movement of drilling rigs among taxing jurisdictions will involve the transfer of ownership of the drilling rigs among our subsidiaries. If we are unable to mitigate the negative consequences of any change in law, audit, business activity or other matters, this could cause our consolidated effective income tax rate to increase and cause a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results or cash flows.

Transfers of our Class A ordinary shares may be subject to stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax (“SDRT”) in the U.K., which would increase the cost of dealing in our Class A ordinary shares.

Stamp duty and/or SDRT are imposed in the U.K. on certain transfers of chargeable securities (which include shares in companies incorporated in the U.K.) at a rate of 0.5% of the consideration paid for the transfer. Certain transfers of shares to depositary receipt facilities or clearance systems providers are charged at a higher rate of 1.5%.

Pursuant to arrangements that we entered into with the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), our Class A ordinary shares are eligible to be held in book entry form through the facilities of DTC. Transfers of shares held in book entry form through DTC will not attract a charge to stamp duty or SDRT in the U.K. A transfer of the shares from within the DTC system out of DTC and any subsequent transfers that occur entirely outside the DTC system will attract a charge to stamp duty at a rate of 0.5% of any consideration, which is payable by the transferee of the shares. Any such duty must be paid (and the relevant transfer document stamped by Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”)) before the transfer can be registered in the share register of Ensco plc. If a shareholder decides to redeposit shares into DTC, the redeposit will attract SDRT at a rate of 1.5% of the value of the shares.

We have put in place arrangements with our transfer agent to require that shares held in certificated form cannot be transferred into the DTC system until the transferor of the shares has first delivered the shares to a depository specified by us so that SDRT may be collected in connection with the initial delivery to the depository. Any such shares will be evidenced by a receipt issued by the depository. Before the transfer can be registered in our share register, the transferor will also be required to provide the transfer agent sufficient funds to settle the resultant liability for SDRT, which will be charged at a rate of 1.5% of the value of the shares.

Following decisions of the European Court of Justice and the U.K. First-tier Tax Tribunal, HMRC has announced that it will not seek to apply a charge to stamp duty or SDRT on the issuance of shares (or, where it is integral to the raising of new capital, the transfer of new shares) into a depositary receipt facility or clearance system provider, such as DTC. However, it is possible that the U.K. government may change or enact laws applicable to stamp duty or SDRT in response to this decision, which could have a material effect on the cost of trading in our shares.


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If our Class A ordinary shares are not eligible for continued deposit and clearing within the facilities of DTC, then transactions in our securities may be disrupted.

The facilities of DTC are widely-used for rapid electronic transfers of securities between participants within the DTC system, which include numerous major international financial institutions and brokerage firms. Currently, all trades of our Class A ordinary shares on the NYSE are cleared and settled on the facilities of DTC. Our Class A ordinary shares are, at present, eligible for deposit and clearing within the DTC system, pursuant to arrangements with DTC whereby DTC accepted our Class A ordinary shares for deposit, clearing and settlement services, and we agreed to indemnify DTC for any stamp duty and/or SDRT that may be assessed upon it as a result of its service as a clearance system provider for our Class A ordinary shares. However, DTC retains sole discretion to cease to act as a clearance system provider for our Class A ordinary shares at any time.

If DTC determines at any time that our shares are no longer eligible for deposit, clearing and settlement services within its facilities, our shares may become ineligible for continued listing on a U.S. securities exchange, and trading in such shares would be disrupted. In this event, DTC has agreed it will provide us advance notice and assist us, to the extent possible, with efforts to mitigate adverse consequences. While we would pursue alternative arrangements to preserve our listing and maintain trading, any such disruption could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our Class A ordinary shares.

Investor enforcement of civil judgments against us may be more difficult.

Because we are a public limited company incorporated under the Laws of England and Wales, investors could experience difficulty enforcing judgments obtained against us in U.S. courts. In addition, it may be more difficult (or impossible) to bring some types of claims against us in courts in England than it would be to bring similar claims against a U.S. company in a U.S. court.
 
We have less flexibility as a U.K. public limited company with respect to certain aspects of capital management than U.S. corporations due to increased shareholder approval requirements.

Directors of Delaware and other U.S. corporations may issue, without further shareholder approval, shares of common stock authorized in their certificates of incorporation that were not already issued or reserved.  The business corporation laws of Delaware and other U.S. states also provide substantial flexibility in establishing the terms of preferred stock. However, English law provides that a board of directors may only allot shares with the prior authorization of an ordinary resolution of the shareholders, which authorization must state the maximum amount of shares that may be allotted under it and specify the date on which it will expire, which must not be more than five years from the date on which the shareholder resolution is passed. An ordinary resolution was passed by shareholders at our last annual general meeting in 2017 to authorize the allotment of additional shares for a one-year term and this authority was further increased by shareholders at an additional general meeting in October 2017. As this authority will expire in August 2018, an ordinary resolution will be put to shareholders at our next annual shareholder meeting seeking their approval to renew the board's authority to allot shares for an additional one-year term.

English law also generally provides shareholders pre-emption rights over new shares that are issued for cash. However, it is possible, where the board of directors is generally authorized to allot shares, to exclude pre-emption rights by a special resolution of the shareholders or by a provision in the articles of association. Such exclusion of pre-emption rights will commonly cease to have effect at the same time as the general allotment authority to which it relates is revoked or expires. If the general allotment authority is renewed, the authority excluding pre-emption rights may also be renewed by a special resolution of the shareholders. A special resolution was passed, in conjunction with an allotment authority at our last annual general shareholder meeting in 2017, to disapply pre-emption rights for a one-year term and this authority was further increased by shareholders at an additional general meeting in October 2017. As this authority will expire in August 2018, special resolutions will be put to shareholders at our next annual shareholder meeting seeking their approval to renew the board's authority to disapply pre-emption rights for an additional one-year term.


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English law prohibits us from conducting "on-market purchases" as our shares will not be traded on a recognized investment exchange in the U.K. English law also generally prohibits a company from repurchasing its own shares by way of "off-market purchases" without the approval by a special resolution of the shareholders of the terms of the contract by which the purchase(s) is affected. Such approval may only last for a maximum period of five years after the date on which the resolution is passed. A special resolution was passed at our annual shareholder meeting in May 2013 to permit the us to make "off-market" purchases of our own shares pursuant to certain purchase agreements for a five-year term.

We can provide no assurances that situations will not arise where such shareholder approval requirements for any of these actions would deprive our shareholders of substantial benefits.

Our articles of association contain anti-takeover provisions.

Certain provisions of our articles of association have anti-takeover effects, such as the ability to issue shares under the Rights Plan (as defined therein). These provisions are intended to ensure that any takeover or change of control of the Company is conducted in an orderly manner, all shareholders of the Company are treated equally and fairly and receive an optimum price for their shares and the long-term success of the Company is safeguarded. Under English law, it may not be possible to implement these provisions in all circumstances.

The Company is not subject to the U.K.'s Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the “Code”).

The Code only applies to an offer for a public company that is registered in the U.K. (or the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man) and the securities of which are not admitted to trading on a regulated market in the U.K. (or the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man) if the company is considered by the takeover panel (the "Takeover Panel") to have its place of central management and control in the U.K. (or the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man). This is known as the "residency test." The test for central management and control under the Code is different from that used by the U.K. tax authorities. Under the Code, the Takeover Panel will look to where the majority of the directors of the company are residents for the purposes of determining where the company has its place of central management and control. Accordingly, the Takeover Panel has previously indicated that the Code does not apply to the Company and the Company's shareholders therefore do not have the benefit of the protections the Code affords, including, but not limited to, the requirement that a person who acquires an interest in shares carrying 30% or more of the voting rights in the Company must make a cash offer to all other shareholders at the highest price paid in the 12 months before the offer was announced.

English law requires that we meet certain additional financial requirements before declaring dividends and returning funds to shareholders.

Under English law, we are only able to declare dividends and return funds to our shareholders out of the accumulated distributable reserves on our statutory balance sheet. Distributable reserves are a company’s accumulated, realized profits, so far as not previously utilized by distribution or capitalization, less its accumulated, realized losses, so far as not previously written off in a reduction or reorganization of capital duly made. Realized profits are created through the remittance of profits of certain subsidiaries to our parent company in the form of dividends.

English law also provides that a public company can only make a distribution if, among other things (a) the amount of its net assets (that is, the total excess of assets over liabilities) is not less than the total of its called up share capital and non-distributable reserves and (b) if, and to the extent that, the distribution does not reduce the amount of its net assets to less than that total.
 
We may be unable to remit the profits of our subsidiaries in a timely or tax efficient manner. If at any time we do not have sufficient distributable reserves to declare and pay quarterly dividends, we may undertake a reduction in the capital of the Company, in addition to the reduction in capital taken in 2014, to reduce the amount of our share capital and non-distributable reserves and to create a corresponding increase in our distributable reserves out of which future distributions to shareholders can be made. To comply with English law, a reduction of capital would be subject

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to (a) approval of shareholders at a general meeting by special resolution; (b) confirmation by an order of the English Courts and (c) the Court order being delivered to and registered by the Registrar of Companies in England. If we were to pursue a reduction of capital of the Company as a course of action, and failed to obtain the necessary approvals from shareholders and the English Courts, we may undertake other efforts to allow the Company to declare dividends and return funds to shareholders.

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

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Item 2.  Properties

Contract Drilling Fleet

The following table provides certain information about the rigs in our drilling fleet by reportable segment as of February 20, 2018:
 
 
 
Rig Name
 
 
  Rig Type
 
 
Year Built/
Rebuilt
 
 
 
Design      
 
   Maximum
 Water Depth/
Drilling Depth
 
 
  Location   
 
 
Status    
Floaters
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ENSCO DS-3
Drillship
 
2010
 
Dynamically Positioned
 
10,000'/40,000'
 
Spain
Preservation stacked(1)
ENSCO DS-4
Drillship
 
2010
 
Dynamically Positioned
 
10,000'/40,000'
 
Nigeria
Under contract
ENSCO DS-5
Drillship
 
2011
 
Dynamically Positioned
 
10,000'/40,000'
 
Spain
Preservation stacked(1)
ENSCO DS-6
Drillship
 
2012
 
Dynamically Positioned
 
10,000'/40,000'
 
Egypt
Under contract
ENSCO DS-7
Drillship
 
2013
 
Dynamically Positioned
 
10,000'/40,000'
 
Spain
Under contract
ENSCO DS-8
Drillship
 
2015
 
Dynamically Positioned
 
10,000'/40,000'
 
Angola
Under contract
ENSCO DS-9
Drillship
 
2015
 
Dynamically Positioned
 
10,000'/40,000'
 
Singapore
Available
ENSCO DS-10
Drillship
 
2019
 
Dynamically Positioned
 
10,000'/40,000'
 
Nigeria
Under contract
ENSCO DS-11
Drillship
 
2013
 
Dynamically Positioned
 
12,000'/40,000'
 
Spain
Available
ENSCO DS-12
Drillship
 
2013
 
Dynamically Positioned
 
12,000'/40,000'
 
Mauritania/Senegal
Under contract
ENSCO DS-13
Drillship
 
2019
 
Dynamically Positioned
 
12,000'/40,000'
 
South Korea
Under construction(2)
ENSCO DS-14
Drillship
 
2020
 
Dynamically Positioned
 
12,000'/40,000'
 
South Korea
Under construction(2)
ENSCO 5004
Semisubmersible
 
1982/2001/2014
 
F&G Enhanced Pacesetter
 
1,500'/25,000'
 
Mediterranean
Under contract
ENSCO 5005
Semisubmersible
 
1982/2014
 
F&G Enhanced Pacesetter
 
1,500'/25,000'
 
Singapore
Preservation stacked(1)
ENSCO 5006
Semisubmersible
 
1999/2014
 
Bingo 8000
 
7,000'/25,000'
 
Australia
Under contract
ENSCO 6001
Semisubmersible
 
2000/2010/2014
 
Megathyst
 
5,600'/25,000'
 
Brazil
Under contract
ENSCO 6002
Semisubmersible
 
2001/2009/2015
 
Megathyst
 
5,600'/25,000'
 
Brazil
Under contract
ENSCO 7500
Semisubmersible
 
2000
 
Dynamically Positioned
 
8,000'/30,000'
 
Spain
Cold stacked
ENSCO 8500
Semisubmersible
 
2008
 
Dynamically Positioned
 
8,500'/35,000'
 
Gulf of Mexico
Preservation stacked(1)
ENSCO 8501
Semisubmersible
 
2009
 
Dynamically Positioned
 
8,500'/35,000'
 
Gulf of Mexico
Preservation stacked(1)
ENSCO 8502
Semisubmersible
 
2010/2012
 
Dynamically Positioned
 
8,500'/35,000'
 
Gulf of Mexico
Preservation stacked(1)
ENSCO 8503
Semisubmersible
 
2010
 
Dynamically Positioned
 
8,500'/35,000'
 
Gulf of Mexico
Under contract
ENSCO 8504
Semisubmersible
 
2011
 
Dynamically Positioned
 
8,500'/35,000'
 
Singapore
Under contract
ENSCO 8505
Semisubmersible
 
2012
 
Dynamically Positioned
 
8,500'/35,000'
 
Gulf of Mexico
Under contract
ENSCO 8506
Semisubmersible
 
2012
 
Dynamically Positioned
 
8,500'/35,000'
 
Gulf of Mexico
Preservation stacked(1)
ENSCO DPS-1
Semisubmersible
 
2012
 
Dynamically Positioned
 
10,000'/35,000'
 
Australia
Under contract
ENSCO MS-1
Semisubmersible
 
2011
 
Moored Ship
 
8200'/32,000'
 
Australia
Under contract
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jackups
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ENSCO 54
Jackup
 
1982/1997/2014
 
F&G L-780 MOD II-C
 
300'/25,000'
 
Saudi Arabia
Under contract
ENSCO 67
Jackup
 
1976/2005
 
MLT 84-CE
 
400'/30,000'
 
Indonesia
Under contract
ENSCO 68
Jackup
 
1976/2004
 
MLT 84-CE
 
400'/30,000'
 
Gulf of Mexico
Under contract
ENSCO 70
Jackup
 
1981/1996/2014
 
Hitachi K1032N
 
250'/30,000
 
United Kingdom
Preservation stacked(1)
ENSCO 71
Jackup
 
1982/1995/2012
 
Hitachi K1032N
 
225'/25,000'
 
United Kingdom
Preservation stacked(1)
ENSCO 72
Jackup
 
1981/1996
 
Hitachi K1025N
 
225'/25,000'
 
Netherlands
Under contract
ENSCO 75
Jackup
 
1999
 
MLT Super 116-C
 
400'/30,000'
 
Gulf of Mexico
Under contract
ENSCO 76
Jackup
 
2000
 
MLT Super 116-C
 
350'/30,000'
 
Saudi Arabia
Under contract
ENSCO 80
Jackup
 
1978/1995
 
MLT 116-CE
 
225'/30,000'
 
United Kingdom
Under contract
ENSCO 81
Jackup
 
1979/2003
 
MLT 116-C
 
350'/30,000'
 
Gulf of Mexico
Cold stacked
ENSCO 82
Jackup
 
1979/2003
 
MLT 116-C
 
300'/30,000'
 
Gulf of Mexico
Cold stacked
ENSCO 84
Jackup
 
1981/2005/2012
 
MLT 82-SD-C
 
250'/25,000'
 
Saudi Arabia
Under contract
ENSCO 87
Jackup
 
1982/2006
 
MLT 116-C
 
350'/25,000'
 
Gulf of Mexico
Under contract

40



 
 
Rig Name
 
 
  Rig Type
 
 
Year Built/
Rebuilt
 
 
 
Design      
 
   Maximum
 Water Depth/
Drilling Depth
 
 
  Location   
 
 
Status    
Jackups
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ENSCO 88
Jackup
 
1982/2004/2014
 
MLT 82-SD-C
 
250'/25,000'
 
Saudi Arabia
Under contract
ENSCO 92
Jackup
 
1982/1996
 
MLT 116-C
 
225'/25,000'
 
United Kingdom
Under contract
ENSCO 96
Jackup
 
1982/1997/2012
 
Hitachi 250-C
 
250'/25,000'
 
Saudi Arabia
Under contract
ENSCO 97
Jackup
 
1980/1997/2012
 
MLT 82 SD-C
 
250'/25,000'
 
Saudi Arabia
Under contract
ENSCO 100
Jackup
 
1987/2009
 
MLT 150-88-C
 
350'/30,000
 
United Kingdom
Under contract
ENSCO 101
Jackup
 
2000
 
KFELS MOD V-A
 
400'/30,000'
 
Netherlands
Under contract
ENSCO 102
Jackup
 
2002
 
KFELS MOD V-A
 
400'/30,000'
 
Gulf of Mexico
Under contract
ENSCO 104
Jackup
 
2002
 
KFELS MOD V-B
 
400'/30,000'
 
UAE
Under contract
ENSCO 105
Jackup
 
2002
 
KFELS MOD V-B
 
400'/30,000'
 
Singapore
Preservation stacked(1)
ENSCO 106
Jackup
 
2005
 
KFELS MOD V-B
 
400'/30,000'
 
Indonesia
Under contract
ENSCO 107
Jackup
 
2006
 
KFELS MOD V-B
 
400'/30,000'
 
Singapore
Under contract
ENSCO 108
Jackup
 
2007
 
KFELS MOD V-B
 
400'/30,000'
 
Singapore
Available
ENSCO 109
Jackup
 
2008
 
KFELS MOD V-Super B
 
350'/35,000'
 
Angola
Under contract
ENSCO 110
Jackup
 
2015
 
KFELS MOD V-B
 
400'/30,000'
 
Qatar
Under contract
ENSCO 111
Jackup
 
2003
 
KFELS MOD V-B
 
400'/36,000'
 
Malta
Cold stacked
ENSCO 112
Jackup
 
2008
 
MLT Super 116-E
 
350'/30,000'
 
Malta
Cold stacked
ENSCO 113
Jackup
 
2012
 
Pacific Class 400
 
400'/30,000'
 
Philippines
Cold stacked
ENSCO 114
Jackup
 
2012
 
Pacific Class 400
 
400'/30,000'
 
Philippines
Cold stacked
ENSCO 115
Jackup
 
2013
 
Pacific Class 400
 
400'/30,000'
 
Thailand
Under contract
ENSCO 120
Jackup
 
2013
 
KFELS Super A
 
400'/40,000'
 
United Kingdom
Under contract
ENSCO 121
Jackup
 
2013
 
KFELS Super A
 
400'/40,000'
 
United Kingdom
Under contract
ENSCO 122
Jackup
 
2014
 
KFELS Super A
 
400'/40,000'
 
Netherlands
Under contract
ENSCO 123
Jackup
 
2018
 
KFELS Super A
 
400'/40,000'
 
Singapore
Under construction(2)
ENSCO 140
Jackup
 
2016
 
Cameron Letourneau Super 116E
 
400'/30,000'
 
UAE
Available
ENSCO 141
Jackup
 
2016
 
Cameron Letourneau Super 116E
 
400'/30,000'
 
UAE
Available

(1) 
Prior to stacking, upfront steps are taken to preserve the rig. This may include a quayside power source to dehumidify key equipment and/or provide electric current to the hull to prevent corrosion. Also, certain equipment may be removed from the rig for storage in a temperature-controlled environment. While stacked, large equipment that remains on the rig is periodically inspected and maintained by Ensco personnel. These steps are designed to reduce time and lower cost to reactivate the rig when market conditions improve.

(2) 
Rig is currently under construction and is not contracted. The "year built" provided is based on the current construction schedule.

The equipment on our drilling rigs includes engines, drawworks, derricks, pumps to circulate drilling fluid, well control systems, drill string and related equipment. The engines power a top-drive mechanism that turns the drill string and drill bit so that the hole is drilled by grinding subsurface materials, which are then returned to the rig by the drilling fluid. The intended water depth, well depth and geological conditions are the principal factors that determine the size and type of rig most suitable for a particular drilling project.
 
Floater rigs consist of drillships and semisubmersibles. Drillships are purpose-built maritime vessels outfitted with drilling apparatus.  Drillships are self-propelled and can be positioned over a drill site through the use of a computer-controlled propeller or "thruster" (dynamic positioning) system.  Our drillships are capable of drilling in water depths of up to 12,000 feet and are suitable for deepwater drilling in remote locations because of their superior mobility and large load-carrying capacity.  Although drillships are most often used for deepwater drilling and exploratory well drilling, drillships can also be used as a platform to carry out well maintenance or completion work such as casing and tubing installation or subsea tree installations.
    

41



Semisubmersibles are mobile offshore drilling units with pontoons and columns that are partially submerged at the drilling location to provide added stability during drilling operations. Semisubmersibles are held in a fixed location over the ocean floor either by being anchored to the sea bottom with mooring chains (moored semisubmersible rig) or dynamically positioned by computer-controlled propellers or "thrusters" (dynamically positioned semisubmersible rig) similar to that used by our drillships.  Moored semisubmersibles are most commonly used for drilling in water depths of 4,499 feet or less.  However, ENSCO 5006 and ENSCO MS-1, which are moored semisubmersibles, are capable of deepwater drilling in water depths greater than 5,000 feet.  Dynamically positioned semisubmersibles generally are outfitted for drilling in deeper water depths and are well-suited for deepwater development and exploratory well drilling. Further, we have three hybrid semisubmersibles, ENSCO 8503, ENSCO 8504 and ENSCO 8505, which leverage both moored and dynamically positioned configurations. This hybrid design provides multi-faceted drilling solutions to customers with both shallow water and deepwater requirements.
 
Jackup rigs stand on the ocean floor with their hull and drilling equipment elevated above the water on connected leg supports. Jackups are generally preferred over other rig types in shallow water depths of 400 feet or less, primarily because jackups provide a more stable drilling platform with above water well-control equipment. Our jackups are of the independent leg design where each leg can be fixed into the ocean floor at varying depths and equipped with a cantilever that allows the drilling equipment to extend outward from the hull over fixed platforms enabling safer drilling of both exploratory and development wells. The jackup hull supports the drilling equipment, jacking system, crew quarters, storage and loading facilities, helicopter landing pad and related equipment and supplies.
 
Over the life of a typical rig, many of the major systems are replaced due to normal wear and tear or technological advancements in drilling equipment. We believe all our rigs are in good condition. As of February 27, 2018, we owned all rigs in our fleet. We also manage the drilling operations for two rigs owned by third-parties. 
 
We lease our executive offices in London, England in addition to office space in Houston, Aberdeen, Abu Dhabi, Australia, Dubai, Egypt, Holland, Indonesia, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand and Qatar. We own offices and other facilities in Louisiana, Angola, Australia and Brazil.

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

Brazil Internal Investigation

Pride International LLC, formerly Pride International, Inc. (“Pride”), a company we acquired in 2011, commenced drilling operations in Brazil in 2001. In 2008, Pride entered into a drilling services agreement with Petrobras (the "DSA") for ENSCO DS-5, a drillship ordered from Samsung Heavy Industries, a shipyard in South Korea ("SHI"). Beginning in 2006, Pride conducted periodic compliance reviews of its business with Petrobras, and, after the acquisition of Pride, Ensco conducted similar compliance reviews.

We commenced a compliance review in early 2015 after the release of media reports regarding ongoing investigations of various kickback and bribery schemes in Brazil involving Petrobras. While conducting our compliance review, we became aware of an internal audit report by Petrobras alleging irregularities in relation to the DSA. Upon learning of the Petrobras internal audit report, our Audit Committee appointed independent counsel to lead an investigation into the alleged irregularities. Further, in June and July 2015, we voluntarily contacted the SEC and the DOJ, respectively, to advise them of this matter and of our Audit Committee’s investigation. Independent counsel, under the direction of our Audit Committee, has substantially completed its investigation by reviewing and analyzing available documents and correspondence and interviewing current and former employees involved in the DSA negotiations and the negotiation of the ENSCO DS-5 construction contract with SHI (the "DS-5 Construction Contract").

To date, our Audit Committee has found no credible evidence that Pride or Ensco or any of their current or former employees were aware of or involved in any wrongdoing, and our Audit Committee has found no credible evidence linking Ensco or Pride to any illegal acts committed by our former marketing consultant who provided services to Pride and Ensco in connection with the DSA. We, through independent counsel, have continued to cooperate with

42



the SEC and DOJ, including providing detailed briefings regarding our investigation and findings and responding to inquiries as they arise. We entered into a one-year tolling agreement with the DOJ that expired in December 2016. We extended our tolling agreement with the SEC for 12 months until March 2018.

Subsequent to initiating our Audit Committee investigation, Brazilian court documents connected to the prosecution of former Petrobras directors and employees as well as certain other third parties, including our former marketing consultant, referenced the alleged irregularities cited in the Petrobras internal audit report. Our former marketing consultant has entered into a plea agreement with the Brazilian authorities. On January 10, 2016, Brazilian authorities filed an indictment against a former Petrobras director. This indictment states that the former Petrobras director received bribes paid out of proceeds from a brokerage agreement entered into for purposes of intermediating a drillship construction contract between SHI and Pride, which we believe to be the DS-5 Construction Contract. The parties to the brokerage agreement were a company affiliated with a person acting on behalf of the former Petrobras director, a company affiliated with our former marketing consultant, and SHI. The indictment alleges that amounts paid by SHI under the brokerage agreement ultimately were used to pay bribes to the former Petrobras director. The indictment does not state that Pride or Ensco or any of their current or former employees were involved in the bribery scheme or had any knowledge of the bribery scheme.

On January 4, 2016, we received a notice from Petrobras declaring the DSA void effective immediately. Petrobras’ notice alleges that our former marketing consultant both received and procured improper payments from SHI for employees of Petrobras and that Pride had knowledge of this activity and assisted in the procurement of and/or facilitated these improper payments. We disagree with Petrobras’ allegations. See "DSA Dispute" below for additional information.
    
In August 2017, one of our Brazilian subsidiaries was contacted by the Office of the Attorney General for the Brazilian state of Paraná in connection with a criminal investigation procedure initiated against agents of both SHI and Pride in relation to the DSA.  The Brazilian authorities requested information regarding our compliance program and the findings of our internal investigations. We are cooperating with the Office of the Attorney General and have provided documents in response to their request.  We cannot predict the scope or ultimate outcome of this procedure or whether any other governmental authority will open an investigation into Pride’s involvement in this matter, or if a proceeding were opened, the scope or ultimate outcome of any such investigation. If the SEC or DOJ determines that violations of the FCPA have occurred, or if any governmental authority determines that we have violated applicable anti-bribery laws, they could seek civil and criminal sanctions, including monetary penalties, against us, as well as changes to our business practices and compliance programs, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. Our customers, business partners and other stakeholders could seek to take actions adverse to our interests. Further, investigating and resolving such allegations is expensive and could consume significant management time and attention. Although our internal investigation is substantially complete, we cannot predict whether any additional allegations will be made or whether any additional facts relevant to the investigation will be uncovered during the course of the investigation and what impact those allegations and additional facts will have on the timing or conclusions of the investigation. Our Audit Committee will examine any such additional allegations and additional facts and the circumstances surrounding them.
    
DSA Dispute

As described above, on January 4, 2016, Petrobras sent a notice to us declaring the DSA void effective immediately, reserving its rights and stating its intention to seek any restitution to which it may be entitled. We disagree with Petrobras’ declaration that the DSA is void. We believe that Petrobras repudiated the DSA and have therefore accepted the DSA as terminated on April 8, 2016 (the "Termination Date"). At this time, we cannot reasonably determine the validity of Petrobras' claim or the range of our potential exposure, if any. As a result, there can be no assurance as to how this dispute will ultimately be resolved.

We did not recognize revenue for amounts owed to us under the DSA from the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2015 through the Termination Date as we concluded that collectability of these amounts was not reasonably assured. Additionally, our receivables from Petrobras related to the DSA from prior to the fourth quarter of 2015 are fully

43



reserved in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. In August 2016, we initiated arbitration proceedings in the U.K. against Petrobras seeking payment of all amounts owed to us under the DSA, in addition to any other amounts to which we are entitled, and intend to vigorously pursue our claims. Petrobras subsequently filed a counterclaim seeking restitution of certain sums paid under the DSA less value received by Petrobras under the DSA. There can be no assurance as to how this arbitration proceeding will ultimately be resolved.

In November 2016, we initiated separate arbitration proceedings in the U.K. against SHI for any losses we incur in connection with the foregoing Petrobras arbitration. SHI subsequently filed a statement of defense disputing our claim. In January 2018, the arbitration tribunal for the SHI matter issued an award on liability fully in Ensco’s favor.  SHI is liable to us for $10 million or damages that we can prove.  As the losses suffered by us will depend in part on the outcome of the Petrobras arbitration described above, the amount of damages to be paid by SHI will be determined after the conclusion of the Petrobras arbitration.  We are unable to estimate the ultimate outcome of recovery for damages at this time.

Pride FCPA Investigation

During 2010, Pride and its subsidiaries resolved their previously disclosed investigations into potential violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (the "FCPA") with the DOJ and SEC. The settlement with the DOJ included a deferred prosecution agreement (the "DPA") between Pride and the DOJ and a guilty plea by Pride Forasol S.A.S., one of Pride’s subsidiaries, to FCPA-related charges. During 2012, the DOJ moved to (i) dismiss the charges against Pride and end the DPA one year prior to its scheduled expiration; and (ii) terminate the unsupervised probation of Pride Forasol S.A.S. The Court granted the motions.

Pride has received preliminary inquiries from governmental authorities of certain countries referenced in its settlements with the DOJ and SEC. We could face additional fines, sanctions and other penalties from authorities in these and other relevant jurisdictions, including prohibition of our participating in or curtailment of business operations in certain jurisdictions and the seizure of rigs or other assets. At this stage of such inquiries, we are unable to determine what, if any, legal liability may result. Our customers in certain jurisdictions could seek to impose penalties or take other actions adverse to our business. We could also face other third-party claims by directors, officers, employees, affiliates, advisors, attorneys, agents, stockholders, debt holders or other stakeholders. In addition, disclosure of the subject matter of the investigations and settlements could adversely affect our reputation and our ability to obtain new business or retain existing business, to attract and retain employees and to access the capital markets.

We cannot currently predict what, if any, actions may be taken by any other applicable government or other authorities or our customers or other third parties or the effect any such actions may have on our financial position, operating results and cash flows.

Environmental Matters
 
We are currently subject to pending notices of assessment relating to spills of drilling fluids, oil, brine, chemicals, grease or fuel from drilling rigs operating offshore Brazil from 2008 to 2017, pursuant to which the governmental authorities have assessed, or are anticipated to assess, fines. We have contested these notices and appealed certain adverse decisions and are awaiting decisions in these cases. Although we do not expect final disposition of these assessments to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results and cash flows, there can be no assurance as to the ultimate outcome of these assessments. A $190,000 liability related to these matters was included in accrued liabilities and other on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017.
 
We currently are subject to a pending administrative proceeding initiated during 2009 by a Spanish government authority seeking payment in an aggregate amount of approximately $3.0 million, for an alleged environmental spill originating from ENSCO 5006 while it was operating offshore Spain. Our customer has posted guarantees with the Spanish government to cover potential penalties. Additionally, we expect to be indemnified for any payments resulting from this incident by our customer under the terms of the drilling contract. A criminal investigation of the incident was initiated during 2010 by a prosecutor in Tarragona, Spain, and the administrative proceedings have been suspended

44



pending the outcome of this investigation. We do not know at this time what, if any, involvement we may have in this investigation.
 
We intend to vigorously defend ourselves in the administrative proceeding and any criminal investigation. At this time, we are unable to predict the outcome of these matters or estimate the extent to which we may be exposed to any resulting liability. Although we do not expect final disposition of this matter to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results and cash flows, there can be no assurance as to the ultimate outcome of the proceedings.

Other Matters

In addition to the foregoing, we are named defendants or parties in certain other lawsuits, claims or proceedings incidental to our business and are involved from time to time as parties to governmental investigations or proceedings, including matters related to taxation, arising in the ordinary course of business. 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 do not expect these matters to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results and cash flows.

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures
 
    Not applicable.

45



PART II


Item 5.
Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information
The following table provides the high and low sales price of our Class A ordinary shares, par value U.S. $0.10 per share, for each period indicated during the last two fiscal years:
 
 
First
Quarter
 
 Second
Quarter
 
  Third
Quarter
 
 Fourth
Quarter
 
 
 Year
2017 High
 
$
11.73

 
$
9.30

 
$
5.96

 
$
6.24

 
$
11.73

2017 Low
 
$
8.32

 
$
5.05

 
$
4.14

 
$
4.90

 
$
4.14

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016 High
 
$
16.10

 
$
12.36

 
$
10.89

 
$
12.03

 
$
16.10

2016 Low
 
$
7.25

 
$
9.00

 
$
6.50

 
$
7.19

 
$
6.50


Our Class A ordinary shares are traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "ESV." Many of our shareholders hold shares electronically, all of which are owned by a nominee of DTC. We had 77 shareholders of record on February 1, 2018.
 
Dividends
 
The following table provides the quarterly cash dividend per share declared and paid during the last two fiscal years:
 
 
First
Quarter
 
 Second
Quarter
 
  Third
Quarter
 
 Fourth
Quarter
 
 
 Year
2017
 
$
.01

 
$
.01

 
$
.01

 
$
.01

 
$
.04

2016
 
$
.01

 
$
.01

 
$
.01

 
$
.01

 
$
.04

    
Our Board of Directors declared a $0.01 quarterly cash dividend for the first quarter of 2018. We currently intend to continue paying dividends for the foreseeable future. In October 2017, we amended our revolving credit facility, which prohibits us from paying dividends in excess of $0.01 per share per fiscal quarter. Dividends in excess of this amount would require the amendment or waiver of such provision.

The declaration and amount of future dividends is at the discretion of our Board of Directors and could change in future periods. In the future, our Board of Directors may, without advance notice, determine to reduce or suspend our dividend in order to improve our financial flexibility and best position us for long-term success. When evaluating dividend payment timing and amounts, our Board of Directors considers several factors, including our profitability, liquidity, financial condition, market outlook, reinvestment opportunities and capital requirements.

Exchange Controls

There are no U.K. government laws, decrees or regulations that restrict or affect the export or import of capital, including but not limited to, foreign exchange controls on remittance of dividends on our ordinary shares or on the conduct of our operations.


46



U.K. Taxation
 
The following paragraphs are intended to be a general guide to current U.K. tax law and what is understood to be HMRC practice applying as of the date of this report (both of which are subject to change at any time, possibly with retrospective effect) in respect of the taxation of capital gains, the taxation of dividends paid by us and stamp duty and SDRT on the transfer of our shares. In addition, the following paragraphs relate only to persons who for U.K. tax purposes are beneficial owners of the shares (“shareholders”).

These paragraphs may not relate to certain classes of holders or beneficial owners of shares, such as our employees or directors, persons who are connected with us, persons who could be treated for U.K. tax purposes as holding their shares as carried interest, insurance companies, charities, collective investment schemes, pension schemes, trustees or persons who hold shares other than as an investment, or U.K. resident individuals who are not domiciled in the U.K. or who are subject to split-year treatment.

These paragraphs do not describe all of the circumstances in which shareholders may benefit from an exemption or relief from taxation. It is recommended that all shareholders obtain their own taxation advice. In particular, any shareholders who are non-U.K. resident or domiciled are advised to consider the potential impact of any relevant double tax treaties, including the Convention between the United States of America and the United Kingdom for the Avoidance of Double Taxation with respect to Taxes on Income, to the extent applicable.

U.K. Taxation of Dividends
 
U.K. Withholding Tax - Dividends paid by us will not be subject to any withholding or deduction for, or on account of, U.K. tax, irrespective of the residence or the individual circumstances of the shareholders.

U.K. Income Tax - An individual shareholder who is resident in the U.K. may, depending on his or her individual circumstances, be subject to U.K. income tax on dividends received from us. An individual shareholder who is not resident in the U.K. will not be subject to U.K. income tax on dividends received from us, unless that shareholder carries on (whether alone or in partnership) any trade, profession or vocation through a branch or agency in the U.K. and shares are used by, or held by or for, that branch or agency. In these circumstances, the non-U.K. resident shareholder may, depending on his or her individual circumstances, be subject to U.K. income tax on dividends received from us.

The tax treatment of dividends paid by the Company to individual shareholders is as follows:

dividends paid by the Company will not carry a tax credit,

all dividends received by an individual shareholder from the Company (or from other sources) will, except to the extent that they are earned through an Individual Savings Account ("ISA"), self-invested pension plan or other regime which exempts the dividends from income tax, form part of the shareholder's total income for income tax purposes,

a nil rate of income tax will apply to the first £5,000 of taxable dividend income received by an individual shareholder in the tax year 2017/2018, which will reduce to £2,000 in the tax year 2018/2019 (the “Nil Rate Amount”), regardless of what tax rate would otherwise apply to that dividend income,

any taxable dividend income received by an individual shareholder in a tax year in excess of the Nil Rate Amount will be taxed at a special rate, as set out below, and

that tax will be applied to the amount of the dividend income actually received by the individual shareholder (rather than to a grossed-up amount).


47



Where a shareholder’s taxable dividend income for a tax year exceeds the Nil Rate Amount, the excess amount (the “Relevant Dividend Income”) will be subject to income tax:

at the rate of 7.5%, to the extent that the Relevant Dividend Income falls below the threshold for the higher rate of income tax,

at the rate of 32.5%, to the extent that the Relevant Dividend Income falls above the threshold for the higher rate of income tax but below the threshold for the additional rate of income tax, or

at the rate of 38.1%, to the extent that the Relevant Dividend Income falls above the threshold for the additional rate of income tax.

In determining whether and, if so, to what extent the Relevant Dividend Income falls above or below the threshold for the higher rate of income tax or, as the case may be, the additional rate of income tax, the shareholder’s total dividend income for the tax year in question (including the part within the Nil Rate Amount) will, as noted above, be treated as the highest part of the shareholder’s total income for income tax purposes.
    
U.K. Corporation Tax - Unless an exemption is available (as discussed below), a corporate shareholder that is resident in the U.K. will be subject to U.K. corporation tax on dividends received from us. A corporate shareholder that is not resident in the U.K. will not be subject to U.K. corporation tax on dividends received from us, unless that shareholder carries on a trade in the U.K. through a permanent establishment in the U.K. and the shares are used by, for or held by or for, the permanent establishment. In these circumstances, the non-U.K. resident corporate shareholder may, depending on its individual circumstances (and if no exemption is available), be subject to U.K. corporation tax on dividends received from us.

The main rate of corporation tax payable with respect to dividends received from us in the financial year 2017 is 19%, and will be 19% for the financial year 2018. If dividends paid by us fall within any of the exemptions from U.K. corporation tax set out in Part 9A of the U.K. Corporation Tax Act 2009, the receipt of the dividend by a corporate shareholder generally will be exempt from U.K. corporation tax. Generally, the conditions for one or more of those exemptions from U.K. corporation tax on dividends paid by us should be satisfied, although the conditions that must be satisfied in any particular case will depend on the individual circumstances of the relevant corporate shareholder.

Shareholders that are regarded as small companies should generally be exempt from U.K. corporation tax on dividends received from us, unless the dividends are received as part of a tax advantage scheme. Shareholders that are not regarded as small companies should generally be exempt from U.K. corporation tax on dividends received from us on the basis that the shares should be regarded as non-redeemable ordinary shares. Alternatively, shareholders that are not small companies should also generally be exempt from U.K. corporation tax on dividends received from us if they hold shares representing less than 10% of our issued share capital, would be entitled to less than 10% of the profits available for distribution to our equity-holders and would be entitled on a winding up to less than 10% of our assets available for distribution to such equity-holders. In certain limited circumstances, the exemption from U.K. corporation tax will not apply to such shareholders if a dividend is made as part of a scheme that has a main purpose of falling within the exemption from U.K. corporation tax.

U.K. Taxation of Capital Gains
 
U.K. Withholding Tax - Capital gains accruing to non-U.K. resident shareholders on the disposal of shares will not be subject to any withholding or deduction for or on account of U.K. tax, irrespective of the residence or the individual circumstances of the relevant shareholder.


48



U.K. Capital Gains Tax - A disposal of shares by an individual shareholder who is resident in the U.K. may, depending on his or her individual circumstances, give rise to a taxable capital gain or an allowable loss for the purposes of U.K. capital gains tax (“CGT”). An individual shareholder who temporarily ceases to be resident or ordinarily resident in the U.K. for a period of less than five years and who disposes of his or her shares during that period of temporary non-residence may be liable for CGT on a taxable capital gain accruing on the disposal on his or her return to the U.K. under certain anti-avoidance rules.

An individual shareholder who is not resident in the U.K. will not be subject to CGT on capital gains arising on the disposal of their shares, unless that shareholder carries on a trade, profession or vocation in the U.K. through a branch or agency in the U.K. and the shares were acquired, used in or for the purposes of the branch or agency or used in or for the purposes of the trade, profession or vocation carried on by the shareholder through the branch or agency. In these circumstances, the relevant non-U.K. resident shareholder may, depending on his or her individual circumstances, be subject to CGT on chargeable gains arising from a disposal of his or her shares. The rate of CGT in the tax year 2017/2018 is 10% for basic rate taxpayers and 20% for higher and additional rate taxpayers, and is expected to be the same in the tax year 2018/2019.

U.K. Corporation Tax - A disposal of shares by a corporate shareholder resident in the U.K. may give rise to a chargeable gain or an allowable capital loss for the purposes of U.K. corporation tax. A corporate shareholder not resident in the U.K. will not be liable for U.K. corporation tax on chargeable gains accruing on the disposal of its shares, unless that shareholder carries on a trade in the U.K. through a permanent establishment in the U.K. and the shares were acquired, used in or for the purposes of the permanent establishment or used in or for the purposes of the trade carried on by the shareholder through the permanent establishment. In these circumstances, the relevant non-U.K. resident shareholder may, depending on its individual circumstances, be subject to U.K. corporation tax on chargeable gains arising from a disposal of its shares.

The financial year for U.K. corporation tax purposes runs from April 1 to March 31. The main rate of U.K. corporation tax on chargeable gains is 19% in the financial year 2017 and 19% in the financial year 2018. Corporate shareholders will be entitled to an indexation allowance in computing the amount of a chargeable gain accruing on a disposal of the shares, which will provide relief for the effects of inflation by reference to movements in the U.K. retail price index.

If the conditions of the applicable shareholding exemption are satisfied in relation to a chargeable gain accruing to a corporate shareholder on a disposal of its shares, the chargeable gain will be exempt from U.K. corporation tax. The conditions of the substantial shareholding exemption that must be satisfied will depend on the individual circumstances of the relevant corporate shareholder. One of the conditions of the substantial shareholding exemption that must be satisfied is that the corporate shareholder must have held a substantial shareholding in the Company throughout a 12-month period beginning not more than six years before the day on which the disposal takes place. Ordinarily, a corporate shareholder will not be regarded as holding a substantial shareholding in us, unless it (whether alone, or together with other group companies) directly holds not less than 10% of our ordinary share capital.

U.K. Stamp Duty and SDRT
 
The discussion below relates to shareholders wherever resident but not to holders such as market makers, brokers, dealers and intermediaries, to whom special rules apply. Special rules also apply in relation to certain stock lending and repurchase transactions.

Transfer of Shares held in book entry form via DTC - A transfer of shares held in book entry (i.e., electronic) form within the facilities of the DTC will not be subject to U.K. stamp duty or SDRT.


49



Transfers of Shares out of, or outside of, DTC - Subject to an exemption for certain low value transactions, a transfer of shares from within the DTC system out of that system or any transfer of shares that occurs entirely outside the DTC system generally will be subject to a charge to ad valorem U.K. stamp duty (normally payable by the transferee) at 0.5% of the purchase price of the shares (rounded up to the nearest multiple of £5). SDRT generally will be payable on an unconditional agreement to transfer such shares at 0.5% of the amount or value of the consideration for the transfer. However, such liability for SDRT generally will be cancelled and any SDRT paid will be refunded if the agreement is completed by a duly-stamped transfer within six years of either the date of the agreement or, if the agreement was conditional, the date when the agreement became unconditional.

We have put in place arrangements to require that shares held outside the facilities of DTC cannot be transferred into such facilities (including where shares are re-deposited into DTC by an existing shareholder) until the transferor of the shares has first delivered the shares to a depository we specified, so that SDRT may be collected in connection with the initial delivery to the depository. Before such transfer can be registered in our books, the transferor will be required to put in the depository funds to settle the resultant liability for SDRT, which will be 1.5% of the value of the shares, and to pay the transfer agent such processing fees as may be established from time to time.

Following a decision of the European Court of Justice in 2009 and a decision of the U.K. First-Tier Tax Tribunal in 2012, HMRC has announced that it will not seek to apply the 1.5% charge to stamp duty or SDRT on the issuance of shares (or, where it is integral to the raising of new capital, the transfer of new shares) into depository receipt or clearance systems, such as DTC. Thus, the 1.5% U.K. stamp duty or SDRT charge will apply only to the transfer of existing shares to clearance services or depositary receipt systems in circumstances where the transfer is not integral to the raising of new capital (for example, where shares are re-deposited into DTC by an existing shareholder). Investors should, however, be aware that this area may be subject to further developments in the future.
    
The above statements are intended only as a general guide to the current U.K. stamp duty and SDRT position. Transfers to certain categories of persons are not liable to U.K. stamp duty or SDRT and transfers to others may be liable at a higher rate than discussed above.
 
Equity Compensation Plans
 
For information on shares issued or to be issued in connection with our equity compensation plans, see "Part III, Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters."


50



Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
The following table provides a summary of our repurchases of our equity securities during the quarter ended December 31, 2017.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
  
 
 
 
 
Period
 
Total Number of Securities Purchased(1)
 
Average Price Paid per Security
 
Total Number of Securities Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (2)   
 
Approximate Dollar Value of Securities that May Yet Be Purchased Under Plans or Programs
October 1 - October 31 
 
2,850

 
$
5.54

 

 
$
2,000,000,000

November 1 - November 30
 
7,547

 
$
5.47

 

 
$
2,000,000,000

December 1 - December 31
 
5,541

 
$
5.79

 

 
$
2,000,000,000

Total 
 
15,938

 
$
5.59

 

 
 


(1)
During the quarter ended December 31, 2017, equity securities were repurchased from employees and non-employee directors by an affiliated employee benefit trust in connection with the settlement of income tax withholding obligations arising from the vesting of share awards.  Such securities remain available for re-issuance in connection with employee share awards.

(2)
During 2013, our shareholders approved a new share repurchase program. Subject to certain provisions under English law, including the requirement of Ensco plc to have sufficient distributable reserves, we may repurchase up to a maximum of $2.0 billion in the aggregate under the program, but in no case more than 35.0 million shares. The program terminates in May 2018. In October 2017, we amended our revolving credit facility, which prohibits us from repurchasing our shares, except in certain limited circumstances. Any share repurchases, outside of such limited circumstances would require the amendment or waiver of such provision.



51



Performance Chart    
    
The chart below presents a comparison of the five-year cumulative total return, assuming $100 invested on December 31, 2012 for Ensco plc, the Standard & Poor's MidCap 400 Index, and a self-determined peer group. Total return assumes the reinvestment of dividends, if any, in the security on the ex-dividend date. The Standard & Poor's MidCap 400 Index includes Ensco and has been included as a comparison. Since Ensco operates exclusively as an offshore drilling company, a self-determined peer group composed exclusively of major offshore drilling companies has been included as a comparison.*  

COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN(1) 
Among Ensco plc, the S&P MidCap 400 Index and Peer Group
marketforregistrants5yrgraph.jpg
(1)100 invested on 12/31/2012 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends.
Fiscal year ending December 31.

Copyright© 2018 S&P, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.

 
Fiscal Year Ended December 31,
 
2012
 
2013
 
2014
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017
Ensco plc
100.0

 
100.2

 
56.2

 
29.8

 
18.9

 
11.6

S&P MidCap 400
100.0

 
133.5

 
146.5

 
143.4

 
173.1

 
201.2

Peer Group
100.0

 
110.6

 
50.0

 
29.2

 
28.3

 
20.4

____________________________________
*Our self-determined peer group is weighted according to market capitalization and consists of the following companies: Transocean Ltd., Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc., Noble Corporation, SeaDrill Limited and Rowan Companies plc. Atwood Oceanics, Inc. which was included in our peer group in our 2016 Annual report on Form 10-K, was removed from our peer group for all years presented as a result of the Merger.

52



Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

The financial data below should be read in conjunction with "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
  
(in millions, except per share amounts)
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Revenues
$
1,843.0

 
$
2,776.4

 
$
4,063.4

 
$
4,564.5

 
$
4,323.4

Operating expenses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Contract drilling (exclusive of depreciation)
1,189.5

 
1,301.0

 
1,869.6

 
2,076.9

 
1,947.1

Loss on impairment
182.9

 

 
2,746.4

 
4,218.7

 

Depreciation
444.8

 
445.3

 
572.5

 
537.9

 
496.2

General and administrative
157.8

 
100.8

 
118.4

 
131.9

 
146.8

Operating income (loss)
(132.0
)

929.3


(1,243.5
)

(2,400.9
)

1,733.3

Other income (expense), net
(64.0
)
 
68.2

 
(227.7
)
 
(147.9
)
 
(100.1
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
109.2

 
108.5

 
(13.9
)
 
140.5

 
203.1

Income (loss) from continuing operations
(305.2
)
 
889.0


(1,457.3
)

(2,689.3
)

1,430.1

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net(1)
1.0

 
8.1

 
(128.6
)
 
(1,199.2
)
 
(2.2
)
Net income (loss)
(304.2
)
 
897.1


(1,585.9
)

(3,888.5
)

1,427.9

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
.5

 
(6.9
)
 
(8.9
)
 
(14.1
)
 
(9.7
)
Net income (loss) attributable to Ensco
$
(303.7
)
 
$
890.2


$
(1,594.8
)

$
(3,902.6
)

$
1,418.2

Earnings (loss) per share – basic
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Continuing operations
$
(.91
)
 
$
3.10

 
$
(6.33
)
 
$
(11.70
)
 
$
6.09

Discontinued operations

 
.03

 
(.55
)
 
(5.18
)
 
(.01
)
 
$
(.91
)
 
$
3.13


$
(6.88
)

$
(16.88
)

$
6.08

Earnings (loss) per share - diluted
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Continuing operations
$
(.91
)
 
$
3.10

 
$
(6.33
)
 
$
(11.70
)
 
$
6.08

Discontinued operations

 
.03

 
(.55
)
 
(5.18
)
 
(.01
)
 
$
(.91
)
 
$
3.13


$
(6.88
)

$
(16.88
)

$
6.07

Net income (loss) attributable to Ensco shares - Basic and Diluted
$
(304.1
)
 
$
873.6

 
$
(1,596.8
)
 
$
(3,910.5
)
 
$
1,403.1

Weighted-average shares outstanding
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic
332.5

 
279.1

 
232.2

 
231.6

 
230.9

Diluted
332.5

 
279.1

 
232.2

 
231.6

 
231.1

Cash dividends per share
$
.04

 
$
.04

 
$
.60

 
$
3.00

 
$
2.25

(1) 
See Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements included in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for information on discontinued operations.


53



 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
  
(in millions)
Consolidated Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Working capital
$
853.5

 
$
2,424.9

 
$
1,509.6

 
$
1,788.9

 
$
466.9

Total assets
14,625.9

 
14,374.5

 
13,610.5

 
16,023.3

 
19,446.8

Long-term debt
4,750.7

 
4,942.6

 
5,868.6

 
5,868.1

 
4,709.3

Ensco shareholders' equity
8,732.1

 
8,250.6

 
6,512.9

 
8,215.0

 
12,791.6

Cash flows from operating activities of continuing operations
259.4

 
1,077.4

 
1,697.9

 
2,057.9

 
1,811.2

 




54



Item 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

INTRODUCTION

Our Business
 
We are one of the leading providers of offshore contract drilling services to the international oil and gas industry. We currently own and operate an offshore drilling rig fleet of 62 rigs, with drilling operations in most of the strategic markets around the globe. We also have three rigs under construction. Our rig fleet includes 12 drillships, 11 dynamically positioned semisubmersible rigs, four moored semisubmersible rigs and 38 jackup rigs, including rigs under construction.  We operate the world's largest fleet amongst competitive rigs, including one of the newest ultra-deepwater fleets in the industry and a leading premium jackup fleet.
    
Our customers include many of the leading national and international oil companies, in addition to many independent operators. We are among the most geographically diverse offshore drilling companies, with current operations spanning 14 countries on six continents. The markets in which we operate include the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, the Mediterranean, the North Sea, the Middle East, West Africa, Australia and Southeast Asia.

We provide drilling services on a "day rate" contract basis. Under day rate contracts, we provide a drilling rig and rig crews for which we receive a daily rate that may vary throughout the duration of the contractual term. The day rate we earn can vary between the full day rate and zero rate, depending on the operations of the rig. 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. In addition, our customers may pay all or a portion of the cost of moving our equipment and personnel to and from the well site.

Atwood Merger

On May 29, 2017, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Atwood and Echo Merger Sub, LLC, our wholly-owned subsidiary, and on October 6, 2017 (the "Merger Date"), we completed our acquisition of Atwood pursuant to the Merger Agreement (the “Merger”).

The Merger is expected to strengthen our position as the leader in offshore drilling across a wide range of water depths around the world. The Merger significantly enhances the capabilities of our rig fleet and improves our ability to meet future customer demand with the highest-specification assets.
 
As a result of the Merger, Atwood shareholders received 1.60 Ensco Class A Ordinary shares for each share of Atwood common stock, representing a value of $9.33 per share of Atwood common stock based on a closing price of $5.83 per Class A ordinary share on October 5, 2017, the last trading day before the Merger Date. Total consideration delivered in the Merger consisted of 132.2 million of our Class A ordinary shares and $11.1 million of cash in settlement of certain share-based payment awards. The aggregate value of consideration transferred was $781.8 million. Additionally, upon closing of the Merger, we utilized cash acquired of $445.4 million and cash on hand to extinguish Atwood's revolving credit facility, outstanding senior notes and accrued interest totaling $1.3 billion. The estimated fair values assigned to assets acquired net of liabilities assumed exceeded the consideration transferred, resulting in a bargain purchase gain of $140.2 million that was recognized during the fourth quarter.

Our Industry

Operating results in the offshore contract drilling industry are highly cyclical and are directly related to the demand for drilling rigs and the available supply of drilling rigs. Low demand and excess supply can independently affect day rates and utilization of drilling rigs. Therefore, adverse changes in either of these factors can result in adverse changes in our industry. While the cost of moving a rig and the availability of rig-moving vessels may cause the balance of supply and demand to vary somewhat between regions, significant variations between regions are generally of a short-term nature due to rig mobility.


55



Drilling Rig Demand

Demand for drilling rigs is directly related to the regional and worldwide levels of offshore exploration and development spending by oil and gas companies.  Offshore exploration and development spending, which is beyond our control, may fluctuate substantially from year-to-year and from region-to-region.

The sustained decline in oil prices over the past several years from 2014 highs caused a significant decline in the demand for offshore drilling services as many projects became uneconomical, resulting in fewer market tenders in recent periods. Operators significantly reduced their capital spending budgets, including the cancellation or deferral of existing programs. Declines in capital spending levels, together with the oversupply of rigs, have resulted in significantly reduced day rates and utilization.

The contracting environment remained challenging for offshore drilling contractors during 2017. Although oil prices have rebounded significantly off the 12-year lows experienced during early 2016 to levels above $60 per barrel, we expect the recovery in demand to be gradual with different segments of the market recovering more quickly than others.
 
While the short-term dynamics of the market remain challenging, we have seen new opportunities for work increase as shallow water activity recovers and jackup utilization stabilizes. Moreover, new floater contracts have increased over the past year and contract terms are beginning to lengthen as customers take advantage of lower day rates. However, we believe further improvements in demand coupled with reductions in rig supply are necessary to generate meaningful increases in day rates.

The intense pressure on operating day rates in recent periods has resulted in rates that approximate direct operating expenses in certain instances. Therefore, we expect our results from operations to continue to decline into 2018 as current contracts with above market rates expire and new contracts are executed at lower rates.

Because many factors that affect the market for offshore exploration and development are beyond our control and because rig demand can change quickly, it is difficult for us to predict future industry conditions, demand trends or operating results. Periods of low rig demand often result in excess rig supply, which generally results in reductions in utilization and day rates. Conversely, periods of high rig demand often result in a shortage of rigs, which generally results in increased utilization and day rates.

Drilling Rig Supply

Drilling rig supply significantly exceeds drilling rig demand for both floaters and jackups. The decline in customer capital expenditure budgets over the past several years has led to a lack of contracting opportunities resulting in global fleet attrition. Since the beginning of the downturn, drilling contractors have retired approximately 100 floaters and 50 jackups. When demand for offshore drilling ultimately improves, we expect that newer, more capable rigs will be the first to obtain contract awards, increasing the likelihood that older, less capable rigs do not return to the global active fleet.

Approximately 30 floaters older than 30 years are idle, approximately 20 additional floaters older than 30 years have contracts expiring by the end of 2018 without follow-on work and a further nine floaters aged between 15 and 30 years have been idle for more than two years. Operating costs associated with keeping these rigs idle as well as expenditures required to recertify these aging rigs may prove cost prohibitive. Drilling contractors will likely elect to scrap or cold-stack some or all of these rigs.

Approximately 125 jackups older than 30 years are idle, and approximately 65 jackups that are 30 years or older have contracts expiring by the end of 2018 without follow-on work. Expenditures required to recertify these aging rigs may prove cost prohibitive and drilling contractors may instead elect to scrap or cold-stack these rigs. We expect jackup scrapping and cold-stacking to continue during 2018 and into 2019.


56



There are 43 newbuild drillships and semisubmersibles reported to be under construction, of which 22 are scheduled to be delivered before the end of 2018. Most newbuild floaters are uncontracted. Several newbuild deliveries have already been delayed into future years, and we expect that more uncontracted newbuilds will be delayed or cancelled.

There are 92 newbuild jackups reported to be under construction, of which 61 are scheduled to be delivered before the end of 2018. Most newbuild jackups are uncontracted. Over the past year, some jackup orders have been cancelled, and many newbuild jackups have been delayed. We expect that additional rigs may be delayed or cancelled given limited contracting opportunities.

Liquidity, Backlog and Debt Maturities

We have historically relied on our cash flow from continuing operations to meet liquidity needs and fund the majority of our cash requirements. We periodically rely on the issuance of debt and/or equity securities to supplement our liquidity needs. Based on our balance sheet, our contractual backlog and $2.0 billion available under our revolving credit facility, we expect to fund our short-term and long-term liquidity needs, including contractual obligations and anticipated capital expenditures, dividends and working capital requirements, from cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, operating cash flows and, if necessary, funds borrowed under our revolving credit facility or other future financing arrangements. During 2017 and in early 2018, we executed several transactions to maximize our liquidity.

Cash and Debt

As of December 31, 2017, we had $4.8 billion in total debt outstanding, representing 35.2% of our total capitalization. We also had $885.4 million in cash and short-term investments and $2.0 billion undrawn capacity under our credit facility. Adjusted on a pro forma basis for the January 2018 debt offering and subsequent debt repurchases discussed below, our December 31, 2017 cash and short-term investments totaled $1.2 billion and debt totaled $5.1 billion, or 36.7% of our total capitalization.
  
In January 2018, we issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of unsecured 7.75% senior notes due 2026 (the "2026 Notes"), net of debt issuance costs of $16.5 million. Net proceeds of $983.5 million from the 2026 Notes were partially used to fund the repurchase and redemption of $237.6 million principal amount of our 8.50% senior notes due 2019, $256.6 million principal amount of our 6.875% senior notes due 2020 and $156.2 million principal amount of our 4.70% senior notes due 2021. We expect to recognize a pre-tax loss on debt extinguishment of $18.2 million during the first quarter of 2018.

Following the January 2018 debt offering, repurchases and redemption, our only debt maturities until 2024 are $194.3 million during 2020 and $113.5 million during 2021.
    
Upon closing of the Merger, we utilized acquired cash of $445.4 million and cash on hand from the liquidation of short-term investments to repay Atwood's debt and accrued interest of $1.3 billion. We amended our credit facility upon closing to extend the final maturity date by two years. Previously, our credit facility had a borrowing capacity of $2.25 billion through September 2019 that declined to $1.13 billion through September 2020. Subsequent to the amendment, our borrowing capacity is $2.0 billion through September 2019 and declines to $1.3 billion through September 2020 and to $1.2 billion through September 2022. The credit facility, as amended, requires us to maintain a total debt to total capitalization ratio that is less than or equal to 60%.

In January 2017, through a private-exchange transaction, we repurchased $649.5 million of our outstanding debt with $332.5 million of cash and $332.0 million of newly issued 8.00% senior notes due 2024. During the remainder of the year, we repurchased $194.1 million aggregate principal amount of our outstanding debt on the open market for $204.5 million of cash and recognized an insignificant pre-tax gain, net of discounts, premiums and debt issuance costs.


57



Backlog

As of December 31, 2017, our backlog was $2.8 billion as compared to $3.6 billion as of December 31, 2016. Our backlog declined primarily due to revenues realized during the year, partially offset by new contract awards and contract extensions. As older, higher day rate contracts expire, we will likely experience further declines in backlog, which will result in a decline in revenues and operating cash flows during 2018. Contract backlog includes the impact of drilling contracts signed or terminated after each respective balance sheet date but prior to filing our annual reports on February 27, 2018 and February 28, 2017, respectively. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors - We might suffer losses if our customers terminate or seek to renegotiate our contracts, if operations are suspended or interrupted or if a rig becomes a total loss” regarding the ENSCO DS-8 contract.

Drilling Rig Construction and Delivery

We remain focused on our long-established strategy of high-grading our fleet, as evidenced by the recently completed Merger. During the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, we invested approximately $1.9 billion in the construction of new drilling rigs. We will continue to invest in the expansion and high-grading of our fleet or execute other strategic transactions to optimize our asset portfolio when we believe attractive opportunities exist.

We believe our remaining capital commitments will primarily be funded from cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, operating cash flows and, if necessary, funds borrowed under our revolving credit facility. We may decide to access debt and/or equity markets to raise additional capital or increase liquidity as necessary.

Floaters

We previously entered into agreements with Samsung Heavy Industries to construct three ultra-deepwater drillships (ENSCO DS-8, ENSCO DS-9 and ENSCO DS-10). During 2015, we accepted delivery of ENSCO DS-8 and ENSCO DS-9. ENSCO DS-8 commenced drilling operations under a long-term contract in Angola during 2015 and ENSCO DS-9 is actively being marketed. During 2017, we executed a one-year contract with five one-year priced options for ENSCO DS-10. As a result of the contract award, we accelerated delivery of ENSCO DS-10, which had previously been deferred into 2019, and made the final milestone payment of $75.0 million. We expect ENSCO DS-10 to commence drilling operations offshore Nigeria in March 2018.

In connection with the Merger, we acquired two ultra-deepwater drillships, ENSCO DS-13 (formerly Atwood Admiral) and ENSCO DS-14 (formerly Atwood Archer), which are currently under construction in the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Ltd. ("DSME") yard in South Korea. ENSCO DS-13 and ENSCO DS-14 are scheduled for delivery in the third quarter of 2019 and second quarter of 2020, respectively. Upon delivery, the remaining milestone payments and accrued interest thereon may be financed through a promissory note with the shipyard for each rig. The promissory notes will bear interest at a rate of 5% per annum with a maturity date of December 31, 2022 and will be secured by a mortgage on each respective rig.
 
Jackups

During 2014, we entered into an agreement with Lamprell Energy Limited ("Lamprell") to construct two premium jackup rigs. ENSCO 140 and ENSCO 141 are significantly enhanced versions of the LeTourneau Super 116E jackup design and incorporate Ensco's patented Canti-Leverage AdvantageSM technology. ENSCO 140 and ENSCO 141 were delivered during 2016. Both rigs are expected to obtain drilling contracts for work commencing during 2018. As part of our agreement with Lamprell, these rigs will be warm stacked in the shipyard at no additional cost to us for up to two years from their respective delivery dates.

We previously entered into agreements with Keppel FELS ("KFELS") to construct four ultra-premium harsh environment jackup rigs (ENSCO 120, ENSCO 121, ENSCO 122 and ENSCO 123) and a premium jackup rig (ENSCO 110). ENSCO 120 and ENSCO 121 were delivered during 2013 and ENSCO 122 and ENSCO 110 were delivered during 2014 and 2015, respectively. During 2016, we agreed with the shipyard to delay delivery of ENSCO 123 until

58



the first quarter of 2018. In December 2017, we agreed to further delay delivery of ENSCO 123 until the first quarter of 2019, and in January 2018, we paid $207.4 million of the $218.3 million unpaid balance with the remainder due upon delivery. ENSCO 123 is currently uncontracted and is actively being marketed.

Divestitures

Our business strategy has been to focus on ultra-deepwater floater and premium jackup operations and de-emphasize other assets and operations that are not part of our long-term strategic plan or that no longer meet our standards for economic returns. Consistent with this strategy, we sold nine jackup rigs, three dynamically positioned semisubmersible rigs, two moored semisubmersible rigs and two drillships during the three-year period ended December 31, 2017. We are marketing for sale ENSCO 7500, which was classified as held-for-sale in our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2017.

Following the Merger, we continue to focus on our fleet management strategy in light of the new composition of our rig fleet and are reviewing our fleet composition as we continue positioning Ensco for the future. As part of this strategy, we may act opportunistically from time to time to monetize assets to enhance shareholder value and improve our liquidity profile, in addition to selling or disposing of older, lower-specification or non-core rigs.

BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

Floaters

The floater contracting environment continues to be challenged by reduced demand, as well as excess supply. Floater demand has declined significantly in recent years due to lower commodity prices which have caused our customers to reduce capital expenditures, resulting in the cancellation and delay of drilling programs. During 2017, we began to see increased activity that is translating into near-term utilization; however, further improvements in demand and/or reductions in supply will be necessary before meaningful increases in day rates are realized.
    
During 2017, we executed contracts for ENSCO DS-4 and ENSCO DS-10 for two-year and one-year terms, respectively. The contracts contain a one-year priced option for ENSCO DS-4 and five one-year priced options for ENSCO DS-10. ENSCO DS-4 began drilling operations offshore Nigeria in August 2017. As a result of the ENSCO DS-10 contract award, we accelerated delivery to September 2017 and made the final milestone payment of $75.0 million, which was previously deferred into 2019. We expect ENSCO DS-10 to commence drilling operations offshore Nigeria in March 2018.

During 2017, we also executed a six-well contract for ENSCO DS-7 and a five-well contract for ENSCO 8504, which are expected to commence in March 2018 in the Mediterranean Sea and Vietnam, respectively. The ENSCO DS-7 contract contains two two-well priced options and the ENSCO 8504 contract contains an option for one well or eight top-hole sections. Additionally, we executed a one-well extension for ENSCO DS-12 (formerly Atwood Achiever) and executed new one-well contracts for ENSCO 8503 and ENSCO 8505.


59



Jackups

Demand for jackups has improved with increased tendering activity observed during 2017 following historic lows; however, day rates remain depressed due to the oversupply of rigs.

During 2017, we executed a four-year contract for ENSCO 92, three-year contracts for ENSCO 110 and ENSCO 120, a 400-day contract for ENSCO 102 and a one-year contract extension for ENSCO 67. Additionally, we entered into several short-term contracts and contract extensions for ENSCO 68, ENSCO 72, ENSCO 75, ENSCO 87, ENSCO 101, ENSCO 107, ENSCO 115 (formerly Atwood Orca), ENSCO 121 and ENSCO 122.
 
We also received notices of termination for convenience for the ENSCO 104 and ENSCO 71 contracts effective in May and August 2017, respectively, which were previously expected to end in January and July 2018, respectively. In January 2018, ENSCO 104 was re-contracted under a 485-day contract.
 
In addition, we sold five jackups for scrap value resulting in insignificant pre-tax gains.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table summarizes our consolidated results of operations for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 (in millions):
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Revenues
 
$
1,843.0

 
$
2,776.4

 
$
4,063.4

Operating expenses
 
 

 
 

 
 

Contract drilling (exclusive of depreciation)
 
1,189.5

 
1,301.0

 
1,869.6

Loss on impairment
 
182.9

 

 
2,746.4

Depreciation
 
444.8

 
445.3

 
572.5

General and administrative 
 
157.8

 
100.8

 
118.4

Operating income (loss)
 
(132.0
)
 
929.3

 
(1,243.5
)
Other income (expense), net 
 
(64.0
)
 
68.2

 
(227.7
)
Provision for income taxes 
 
109.2

 
108.5

 
(13.9
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations 
 
(305.2
)
 
889.0

 
(1,457.3
)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net 
 
1.0

 
8.1

 
(128.6
)
Net income (loss)
 
(304.2
)
 
897.1

 
(1,585.9
)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
.5

 
(6.9
)
 
(8.9
)
Net income (loss) attributable to Ensco
 
$
(303.7
)
 
$
890.2

 
$
(1,594.8
)
    
During 2017, excluding the impact of ENSCO DS-9 and ENSCO 8503 lump-sum termination payments totaling $205.0 million received during 2016, revenues declined by $728.4 million, or 28%, as compared to the prior year. The decline was primarily due to fewer floater days under contract, lower average day rates across our fleet and the sale of ENSCO 6004, ENSCO 6003, ENSCO 53 and ENSCO 52. The decline in revenues was partially offset by the commencement of ENSCO DS-4 drilling operations and the addition of Atwood rigs to the fleet during the fourth quarter.

Contract drilling expense declined by $111.5 million, or 9%, as compared to the prior year primarily due to rig stackings, sale of ENSCO 6004, ENSCO 6003, ENSCO 94, ENSCO 53, ENSCO 52 and ENSCO 56 and cost control initiatives that reduced personnel costs and other daily rig operating expenses. This decline was partially offset by rig reactivation costs, the commencement of ENSCO DS-4 drilling operations and the addition of Atwood rigs to the fleet.


60



During 2016, excluding the impact of ENSCO DS-9 and ENSCO 8503 lump-sum termination payments totaling $205.0 million received during the year and ENSCO DS-4 and ENSCO DS-9 lump-sum termination payments totaling $129.0 million received during 2015, revenues declined by $1.4 billion, or 35%, as compared to the prior year. The decline was primarily due to fewer days under contract across our fleet, lower average day rates, sale of ENSCO 6003, ENSCO 6004 and ENSCO DS-1, and lower revenues from ENSCO DS-5. The decline in revenues was partially offset by the commencement of ENSCO DS-8 drilling operations and revenue generated from semisubmersible rigs that were undergoing shipyard projects during 2015.

Contract drilling expense declined by $568.6 million, or 30%, as compared to the prior year primarily due to rig stackings and other cost control initiatives that reduced personnel costs and other daily rig operating expenses as well as the sale of ENSCO 6003, ENSCO 6004 and ENSCO DS-1. This decline was partially offset by ENSCO DS-8 contract drilling expense.

During 2017, we recognized a pre-tax, non-cash loss on impairment of $182.9 million related to certain older, less capable, non-core assets in our fleet. During the fourth quarter, we determined that the remaining useful life of certain non-core rigs would not extend substantially beyond their current contracts resulting in triggering events and the performance of recoverability tests. Our estimates of undiscounted cash flows over the revised estimated remaining useful lives were not sufficient to cover each asset’s carrying value. Accordingly, we concluded that two semisubmersibles and one jackup were impaired as of December 31, 2017.

During 2015, we recognized a pre-tax, non-cash loss on impairment of $2.6 billion, of which $2.5 billion was included in income (loss) from continuing operations and $148.6 million was included in income (loss) from discontinued operations, net, in our consolidated statement of operations. The impairments recognized during 2015 resulted from adverse changes in our business climate that led to the conclusion that triggering events had occurred across our fleet.
    
During 2017, excluding the impact of $51.6 million of acquisition and integration costs associated with the Merger, general and administrative expenses increased by $5.4 million, or 5%, as compared to 2016 primarily due to increased compensation costs for certain performance-based awards. General and administrative expenses declined by $17.6 million, or 15%, in 2016 as compared to 2015 primarily due to lower shore-based headcount levels and various other cost control initiatives.

Other income (expense), net, included an estimated gain on bargain purchase recognized in connection with the Merger of $140.2 million during 2017 and pre-tax gains and losses on debt extinguishment totaling $287.8 million and $33.5 million during 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Rig Counts, Utilization and Average Day Rates
   
The following table summarizes our offshore drilling rigs by reportable segment, rigs under construction and rigs held-for-sale as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Floaters(1)
 
24
 
19
 
22
Jackups(2)(3)
 
37
 
36
 
36
Under construction(1)(2)
 
3
 
2
 
4
Held-for-sale(3)(4)
 
1
 
2
 
6
Total
 
65
 
59
 
68

(1) 
During 2017, we added ENSCO DS-11, ENSCO DS-12, ENSCO DS-13, ENSCO DS-14, ENSCO DPS-1 and ENSCO MS-1 from the Merger. We also accepted delivery of ENSCO DS-10. ENSCO DS-13 and ENSCO DS-14 are under construction.

During 2016, we sold ENSCO DS-1, ENSCO 6003 and ENSCO 6004.

61




(2) 
During 2017, we added ENSCO 111, ENSCO 112, ENSCO 113, ENSCO 114 and ENSCO 115 from the Merger. We also sold ENSCO 86, ENSCO 99, ENSCO 52 and ENSCO 56.

During 2016, we accepted delivery of two high-specification jackup rigs (ENSCO 140 and ENSCO 141). Both rigs are expected to obtain drilling contracts for work commencing during 2018.

(3) 
During 2016, we classified ENSCO 53 and ENSCO 94 as held-for-sale.

(4) 
During 2017, we sold ENSCO 90.

During 2016, we sold ENSCO DS-2, ENSCO 6000, ENSCO 53, ENSCO 58, ENSCO 91 and ENSCO 94.

The following table summarizes our rig utilization and average day rates from continuing operations by reportable segment for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017:
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Rig Utilization(1)
 
 

 
 

 
 

Floaters
 
45%
 
54%
 
69%
Jackups
 
60%
 
60%
 
73%
Total
 
55%
 
58%
 
72%
Average Day Rates(2)
 
 
 
 

 
 
Floaters
 
$
327,736

 
$
359,758

 
$
416,346

Jackups
 
84,913

 
110,682

 
136,451

Total
 
$
158,484

 
$
192,427

 
$
233,325


(1) 
Rig utilization is derived by dividing the number of days under contract by the number of days in the period. Days under contract equals the total number of days that rigs have earned and recognized day rate revenue, including days associated with early contract terminations, compensated downtime and mobilizations. When revenue is earned but is deferred and amortized over a future period, for example when a rig earns revenue while mobilizing to commence a new contract or while being upgraded in a shipyard, the related days are excluded from days under contract.

For newly-constructed or acquired rigs, the number of days in the period begins upon commencement of drilling operations for rigs with a contract or when the rig becomes available for drilling operations for rigs without a contract.

(2) 
Average day rates are derived by dividing contract drilling revenues, adjusted to exclude certain types of non-recurring reimbursable revenues, lump-sum revenues and revenues attributable to amortization of drilling contract intangibles, by the aggregate number of contract days, adjusted to exclude contract days associated with certain mobilizations, demobilizations, shipyard contracts and standby contracts. 

Detailed explanations of our operating results, including discussions of revenues, contract drilling expense and depreciation expense by segment, are provided below.

Operating Income

Our business consists of three operating segments: (1) Floaters, which includes our drillships and semisubmersible rigs, (2) Jackups and (3) Other, which consists of management services on rigs owned by third parties. Our two reportable segments, Floaters and Jackups, provide one service, contract drilling.


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Segment information for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 is presented below (in millions).  General and administrative expense and depreciation expense incurred by our corporate office are not allocated to our operating segments for purposes of measuring segment operating income (loss) and were included in "Reconciling Items." 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
Floaters
 
Jackups
 
Other
 
Operating Segments Total
 
Reconciling Items
 
Consolidated Total
Revenues
$
1,143.5

 
$
640.3

 
$
59.2

 
$
1,843.0

 
$

 
$
1,843.0

Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Contract drilling
  (exclusive of depreciation)
624.2

 
512.1

 
53.2

 
1,189.5

 

 
1,189.5

  Loss on impairment
174.7

 
8.2

 

 
182.9

 

 
182.9

  Depreciation
297.4

 
131.5

 

 
428.9

 
15.9

 
444.8

  General and administrative

 

 

 

 
157.8

 
157.8

Operating income (loss)
$
47.2

 
$
(11.5
)
 
$
6.0

 
$
41.7

 
$
(173.7
)
 
$
(132.0
)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
Floaters
 
Jackups
 
Other
 
Operating Segments Total
 
Reconciling Items
 
Consolidated Total
Revenues
$
1,771.1

 
$
929.5

 
$
75.8

 
$
2,776.4

 
$

 
$
2,776.4

Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Contract drilling
  (exclusive of depreciation)
725.0

 
516.8

 
59.2

 
1,301.0

 

 
1,301.0

  Depreciation
304.1

 
123.7

 

 
427.8

 
17.5

 
445.3

  General and administrative

 

 

 

 
100.8

 
100.8

Operating income
$
742.0

 
$
289.0

 
$
16.6

 
$
1,047.6

 
$
(118.3
)
 
$
929.3


Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
Floaters
 
Jackups
 
Other
 
Operating Segments Total
 
Reconciling Items
 
Consolidated Total
Revenues
$
2,466.0

 
$
1,445.6

 
$
151.8

 
$
4,063.4

 
$

 
$
4,063.4

Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Contract drilling
  (exclusive of depreciation)
1,052.8

 
693.5

 
123.3

 
1,869.6

 

 
1,869.6

  Loss on impairment
1,778.4

 
968.0

 


 
2,746.4

 

 
2,746.4

  Depreciation
382.4

 
175.7

 

 
558.1

 
14.4

 
572.5

  General and administrative

 

 

 

 
118.4

 
118.4

Operating income (loss)
$
(747.6
)
 
$
(391.6
)
 
$
28.5

 
$
(1,110.7
)
 
$
(132.8
)
 
$
(1,243.5
)


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Floaters

During 2017, excluding the impact of ENSCO DS-9 and ENSCO 8503 lump-sum termination payments totaling $205.0 million received during 2016, revenues declined by $422.6 million, or 27%. The decline was primarily due to fewer days under contract across our fleet, sale of ENSCO 6003 and ENSCO 6004 and lower average day rates. The decline in revenues was partially offset by the commencement of ENSCO DS-4 drilling operations and the addition of Atwood rigs to the fleet.

Contract drilling expense declined by $100.8 million, or 14%, as compared to the prior year primarily due to rig stackings, sale of ENSCO 6004 and ENSCO 6003 and other cost control initiatives that reduced personnel costs and other daily rig operating expenses. This decline was partially offset by the addition of Atwood rigs to the fleet, rig reactivation costs and ENSCO DS-4 contract drilling expense.

We recognized a loss on impairment of $174.7 million related to two older, less capable, non-core assets in our fleet whereas we did not recognize any impairment in our floater segment in the prior year period.

Depreciation expense declined by $6.7 million, or 2%, compared to the prior year primarily due to the extension of useful lives for certain contracted rigs, partially offset by the addition of Atwood rigs.

During 2016, excluding the impact of ENSCO DS-9 and ENSCO 8503 lump-sum termination payments totaling $205.0 million received during the year and ENSCO DS-4 and ENSCO DS-9 lump-sum termination payments totaling $129.0 million received during 2015, revenues declined by $770.9 million, or 33%, primarily due to fewer days under contract across the fleet, lower average day rates and the sale of ENSCO 6003, ENSCO 6004 and ENSCO DS-1. This decline was partially offset by the commencement of ENSCO DS-8 drilling operations and revenue generated from rigs that were undergoing shipyard projects during 2015.

Contract drilling expense declined by $327.8 million, or 31%, as compared to the prior year primarily due to rig stackings and other cost control initiatives that reduced personnel costs and other daily rig operating expenses as well as the sale of ENSCO 6003, ENSCO 6004 and ENSCO DS-1. This decline was partially offset by ENSCO DS-8 contract drilling expense.

Depreciation expense declined by $78.3 million, or 20%, primarily due to lower depreciation expense on floaters that were impaired during 2015, partially offset by the addition of ENSCO DS-8 to the active fleet.
    
Jackups

During 2017, revenues declined by $289.2 million, or 31%, as compared to the prior year. The decline was primarily due to lower average day rates, fewer days under contract across our fleet, additional shipyard days and sale of ENSCO 53 and ENSCO 52.

Contract drilling expense declined by $4.7 million, or 1%, as compared to the prior year due to the sale of ENSCO 94, ENSCO 53, ENSCO 52 and ENSCO 56 and other cost control initiatives that reduced personnel costs and other daily rig operating expenses. This decline was partially offset by rigs that were stacked in 2016 and operated 2017 and related rig reactivation costs.

We recognized a loss on impairment of $8.2 million related to one older, less capable, non-core asset in our fleet whereas we did not recognize any impairment in our jackup segment in the prior year period.

Depreciation expense increased by $7.8 million, or 6%, as compared to the prior year primarily due to the addition of Atwood rigs, partially offset by the extension of useful lives for certain contracted rigs.

64




During 2016, revenues declined by $516.1 million, or 36%, as compared to the prior year. The decline in revenues was primarily due to lower average day rates and fewer days under contract across our fleet.

Contract drilling expense declined by $176.7 million, or 25%, as compared to the prior year due to rig stackings and other cost control initiatives that reduced personnel costs and other daily rig operating expenses. This decline was partially offset by deferred gain amortization on the sale of ENSCO 83, ENSCO 89 and ENSCO 98 during 2015.

Depreciation expense declined by $52.0 million, or 30%, as compared to the prior year primarily due to lower depreciation expense on jackups that were impaired during 2015. The decline was partially offset by the addition of ENSCO 110 to the active fleet.
    
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Goodwill

See Note 4 and Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements included in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for information on impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill, respectively.
    
Other Income (Expense), Net
 
The following table summarizes other income (expense), net, for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 (in millions):
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Interest income
 
$
25.8

 
$
13.8

 
$
9.9

Interest expense, net:

 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
 
(296.7
)
 
(274.5
)
 
(303.7
)
Capitalized interest
 
72.5

 
45.7

 
87.4

 
 
(224.2
)
 
(228.8
)
 
(216.3
)
Other, net
 
134.4

 
283.2

 
(21.3
)
 
 
$
(64.0
)
 
$
68.2

 
$
(227.7
)
 
Interest income during 2017 and 2016 increased as compared to the respective prior year periods as a result of higher average short-term investment balances.

Interest expense during 2017 increased by $22.2 million, or 8%, as compared to the prior year due to the issuance of convertible debt and exchange notes, partially offset by lower interest expense due to debt repurchases. Interest expense during 2016 declined by $29.2 million, or 10%, as compared to the prior year due to the reduction of $1.2 billion of debt through repurchases and exchange.

Interest expense capitalized during 2017 increased $26.8 million, or 59%, as compared to the prior year due to an increase in the amount of capital invested in newbuild construction. Interest expense capitalized during 2016 declined $41.7 million, or 48%, as compared to the prior year due to newbuild rigs placed into service during 2015 and 2016.

Other income (expense), net, included an estimated gain on bargain purchase recognized in connection with the Merger of $140.2 million during 2017 and pre-tax gains on debt extinguishment totaling $287.8 million during 2016. Other income (expense), net, included pre-tax losses on debt extinguishment totaling $33.5 million during 2015, partially offset by a $6.4 million gain on settlement of outstanding tax indemnification liabilities.
    
Our functional currency is the U.S. dollar, and 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

65



in U.S. dollars based on a combination of both current and historical exchange rates. Net foreign currency exchange gains and losses, inclusive of offsetting fair value derivatives, were $5.1 million of losses, $6.0 million of losses and $5.4 million of gains, and were included in other, net, in our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Net unrealized gains of $4.5 million, $1.8 million and $700,000 from marketable securities held in our supplemental executive retirement plans ("the SERP") were included in other, net, in our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The fair value measurement of our marketable securities held in the SERP is presented in Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements included in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
    
Provision for Income Taxes
 
Ensco plc, our parent company, is domiciled and resident in the U.K. Our subsidiaries conduct operations and earn income in numerous countries and are subject to the laws of taxing jurisdictions within those countries. The income of our non-U.K. subsidiaries is generally not subject to U.K. taxation. Income tax rates imposed in the tax jurisdictions in which our subsidiaries conduct operations vary, as does the tax base to which the rates are applied. In some cases, tax rates may be applicable to gross revenues, statutory or negotiated deemed profits or other bases utilized under local tax laws, rather than to net income.

Our drilling rigs frequently move from one taxing jurisdiction to another to perform contract drilling services. In some instances, the movement of drilling rigs among taxing jurisdictions will involve the transfer of ownership of the drilling rigs among our subsidiaries. As a result of frequent changes in the taxing jurisdictions in which our drilling rigs are operated and/or owned, changes in profitability levels and changes in tax laws, our annual effective income tax rate may vary substantially from one reporting period to another. In periods of declining profitability, our income tax expense may not decline proportionally with income, which could result in higher effective income tax rates. Further, we may continue to incur income tax expense in periods in which we operate at a loss.

U.S. Tax Reform

The U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“U.S. tax reform”) was enacted on December 22, 2017 and introduced significant changes to U.S. income tax law, including a reduction in the statutory income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018, a base erosion anti-abuse tax that effectively imposes a minimum tax on certain payments to non-U.S. affiliates and new and revised rules relating to the current taxation of certain income of foreign subsidiaries.
We recognized a net tax expense of $16.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2017 in connection with enactment of U.S. tax reform, consisting of a $38.5 million tax expense associated with the one-time transition tax on deemed repatriation of the deferred foreign income of our U.S. subsidiaries, a $17.3 million tax expense associated with revisions to rules over the taxation of income of foreign subsidiaries, a $20.0 million tax benefit resulting from the re-measurement of our deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2017 to reflect the reduced tax rate and a $19.3 million tax benefit resulting from adjustments to the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.

Due to the timing of the enactment of U.S. tax reform and the complexity involved in applying its provisions, we have made reasonable estimates of its effects and recorded such amounts in our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2017 on a provisional basis. As we continue to analyze applicable information and data, and interpret any additional guidance issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, the Internal Revenue Service and others, we may make adjustments to the provisional amounts throughout the one-year measurement period as provided by Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118. Our accounting for the enactment of U.S. tax reform will be completed during 2018 and any adjustments we recognize could be material. The ongoing impact of U.S. tax reform may result in an increase in our consolidated effective income tax rate in future periods. See Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements included in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for additional information.


66



Effective Tax Rate

During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we recorded income tax expense of $109.2 million and $108.5 million and income tax benefit of $13.9 million, respectively. Our consolidated effective income tax rates were (55.7)%, 10.9% and 0.9% during the same periods, respectively.
    
Our 2017 consolidated effective income tax rate includes $32.2 million associated with the impact of various discrete tax items, including $16.5 million of tax expense associated with U.S. tax reform and $15.7 million of tax expense associated with the exchange offers and debt repurchases, rig sales, a restructuring transaction, settlement of a previously disclosed legal contingency, the effective settlement of a liability for unrecognized tax benefits associated with a tax position taken in prior years and other resolutions of prior year tax matters.

Our 2016 consolidated effective income tax rate includes the impact of various discrete tax items, including a $16.9 million tax expense resulting from net gains on the repurchase of various debt during the year, the recognition of an $8.4 million net tax benefit relating to the sale of various rigs, a $5.5 million tax benefit resulting from a net reduction in the valuation allowance on U.S. foreign tax credits and a net $5.3 million tax benefit associated with liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits and other adjustments relating to prior years.

Our consolidated effective income tax rate for 2015 includes the impact of various discrete tax items, primarily related to a $192.5 million tax benefit associated with rig impairments and an $11.0 million tax benefit resulting from the reduction of a valuation allowance on U.S. foreign tax credits.

Excluding the impact of the aforementioned discrete tax items, our consolidated effective income tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were (96.0)%, 20.3% and 16.0%, respectively. The changes in our consolidated effective income tax rate excluding discrete tax items during the three-year period result primarily from changes in the relative components of our earnings from the various taxing jurisdictions in which our drilling rigs are operated and/or owned and differences in tax rates in such taxing jurisdictions.

Divestitures

Our business strategy has been to focus on ultra-deepwater floater and premium jackup operations and de-emphasize other assets and operations that are not part of our long-term strategic plan or that no longer meet our standards for economic returns. Consistent with this strategy, we sold nine jackup rigs, three dynamically positioned semisubmersible rigs, two moored semisubmersible rigs and two drillships during the three-year period ended December 31, 2017. We are marketing for sale ENSCO 7500, which was classified as held-for-sale in our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2017.

Following the Merger, we continue to focus on our fleet management strategy in light of the new composition of our rig fleet and are reviewing our fleet composition as we continue positioning Ensco for the future. As part of this strategy, we may act opportunistically from time to time to monetize assets to enhance shareholder value and improve our liquidity profile, in addition to selling or disposing of older, lower-specification or non-core rigs.



67



    
We sold the following rigs during the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 (in millions):
Rig
 
Date of Sale
 
Classification(1)
 
Segment(1)
 
Net Proceeds
 
Net Book Value(2)
 
Pre-tax Gain/(Loss)
ENSCO 52
 
August 2017
 
Continuing
 
Jackups
 
$
.8

 
$
.4

 
$
.4

ENSCO 86
 
June 2017
 
Continuing
 
Jackups
 
.3

 
.3

 

ENSCO 90
 
June 2017
 
Discontinued
 
Jackups
 
.3

 
.3

 

ENSCO 99
 
June 2017
 
Continuing
 
Jackups
 
.3

 
.3

 

ENSCO 56
 
April 2017
 
Continuing
 
Jackups
 
1.0

 
.3

 
.7

ENSCO 94
 
November 2016
 
Continuing
 
Jackups
 
.9

 
.3

 
.6

ENSCO 53
 
October 2016
 
Continuing
 
Jackups
 
.9

 
.3

 
.6

ENSCO DS-1
 
June 2016
 
Continuing
 
Floaters
 
5.0

 
2.3

 
2.7

ENSCO 6004
 
May 2016
 
Continuing
 
Floaters
 
.9

 
.9

 

ENSCO 6003
 
May 2016
 
Continuing
 
Floaters
 
.9

 
.9

 

ENSCO DS-2
 
May 2016
 
Discontinued
 
Floaters
 
5.0

 
4.0

 
1.0

ENSCO 91
 
May 2016
 
Continuing
 
Jackups
 
.8

 
.3

 
.5

ENSCO 58
 
April 2016
 
Discontinued
 
Jackups
 
.7

 
.3

 
.4

ENSCO 6000
 
April 2016
 
Discontinued
 
Floaters
 
.6

 
.8

 
(.2
)
ENSCO 5001
 
December 2015
 
Discontinued
 
Floaters
 
2.4

 
2.5

 
(.1
)
ENSCO 5002
 
June 2015
 
Discontinued
 
Floaters
 
1.6

 

 
1.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
22.4

 
$
14.2

 
$
8.2


(1) 
Classification denotes the location of the operating results and gain (loss) on sale for each rig in our consolidated statements of operations. For rigs' operating results that were reclassified to discontinued operations in our consolidated statements of operations, these results were previously included within the specified operating segment.
(2) 
Includes the rig's net book value as well as inventory and other assets on the date of the sale.

Discontinued Operations

Prior to 2015, individual rig disposals were classified as discontinued operations once the rigs met the criteria to be classified as held-for-sale. The operating results of the rigs through the date the rig was sold as well as the gain or loss on sale were included in results from discontinued operations, net, in our consolidated statement of operations. Net proceeds from the sales of the rigs were included in investing activities of discontinued operations in our consolidated statement of cash flows in the period in which the proceeds were received.

During 2015, we adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Update 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity ("Update 2014-08"). Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations should be presented as discontinued operations. As a result, individual assets that are classified as held-for-sale beginning in 2015 are not reported as discontinued operations and their operating results and gain or loss on sale of these rigs are included in contract drilling expense in our consolidated statements of operations. Rigs that were classified as held-for-sale prior to 2015 continue to be reported as discontinued operations.

68




During 2014, we committed to a plan to sell various non-core floaters and jackups. The operating results for these rigs and any related gain or loss on sale were included in results from discontinued operations, net, in our consolidated statements of operations. ENSCO 7500 continues to be actively marketed for sale and was classified as held-for-sale on our December 31, 2017 consolidated balance sheet.

In September 2014, we sold ENSCO 93, a jackup contracted to Pemex. In connection with this sale, we executed a charter agreement with the purchaser to continue operating the rig for the remainder of the Pemex contract, which ended in July 2015, less than one year from the date of sale. Our management services following the sale did not constitute significant ongoing involvement and therefore, the rig's operating results through the term of the contract and loss on sale were included in results from discontinued operations, net, in our consolidated statements of operations.

The following table summarizes income (loss) from discontinued operations for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 (in millions):
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Revenues
 
$

 
$

 
$
19.5

Operating expenses
 
1.5

 
3.1

 
39.5

Operating loss
 
(1.5
)
 
(3.1
)
 
(20.0
)
Income tax benefit
 
(2.1
)
 
(10.1
)
 
(7.7
)
Loss on impairment, net
 

 

 
(120.6
)
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net
 
.4

 
1.1

 
4.3

Income (loss) from discontinued operations
 
$
1.0

 
$
8.1

 
$
(128.6
)

On a quarterly basis, we reassess the fair values of our held-for-sale rigs to determine whether any adjustments to the carrying values are necessary.  We recorded a non-cash loss on impairment totaling $120.6 million (net of tax benefits of $28.0 million) for the year ended December 31, 2015 as a result of declines in the estimated fair values of our held-for-sale rigs. The loss on impairment was included in loss from discontinued operations, net, in our consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2015. We measured the fair value of held-for-sale rigs by applying a market approach, which was based on an unobservable third-party estimated price that would be received in exchange for the assets in an orderly transaction between market participants.

Income tax benefit from discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 included $2.1 million and $10.2 million of discrete tax benefits, respectively.
    
Debt and interest expense are not allocated to our discontinued operations.


69



LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
We have historically relied on our cash flow from continuing operations to meet liquidity needs and fund the majority of our cash requirements. We periodically rely on the issuance of debt and/or equity securities to supplement our liquidity needs. A substantial portion of our cash has been invested in the expansion and enhancement of our fleet of drilling rigs through newbuild construction, acquisitions and upgrade projects.

Based on our balance sheet, our contractual backlog and $2.0 billion available under our revolving credit facility, we expect to fund our short-term and long-term liquidity needs, including contractual obligations and anticipated capital expenditures, dividends and working capital requirements, from cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, operating cash flows and, if necessary, funds borrowed under our revolving credit facility or other future financing arrangements. During 2017 and in early 2018, we executed several transactions to maximize our liquidity.

In January 2018, we issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of unsecured 7.75% senior notes due 2026 at par, net of debt issuance costs of $16.5 million. Net proceeds of $983.5 million from the 2026 Notes were partially used to fund the repurchase and redemption of $237.6 million principal amount of our 8.50% notes due 2019, $256.6 million principal amount of our 6.875% notes due 2020 and $156.2 million principal amount of our 4.70% notes due 2021. We expect to recognize a pre-tax loss on debt extinguishment of $18.2 million during the first quarter of 2018.

Upon closing of the Merger, we utilized acquired cash of $445.4 million and cash on hand from the liquidation of short-term investments to repay Atwood's debt and accrued interest of $1.3 billion. We amended our credit facility upon closing to extend the final maturity date by two years. Previously, our credit facility had a borrowing capacity of $2.25 billion through September 2019 that declined to $1.13 billion through September 2020. Subsequent to the amendment, our borrowing capacity is $2.0 billion through September 2019 and declines to $1.3 billion through September 2020 and to $1.2 billion through September 2022. The credit facility, as amended, requires us to maintain a total debt to total capitalization ratio that is less than or equal to 60%.

In January 2017, through a private-exchange transaction, we repurchased $649.5 million of our outstanding debt with $332.5 million of cash and $332.0 million of newly issued 8.00% senior notes due 2024. During the remainder of the year, we repurchased $194.1 million aggregate principal amount of our outstanding debt on the open market for $204.5 million of cash and recognized an insignificant pre-tax gain, net of discounts, premiums and debt issuance costs.

During the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, our primary sources of cash were an aggregate $3.0 billion generated from operating activities of continuing operations, $1.9 billion in proceeds from the issuance of senior notes and $585.5 million in proceeds from an equity offering. Our primary uses of cash during the same period included $2.5 billion for the construction, enhancement and other improvement of our drilling rigs, including $1.9 billion invested in newbuild construction, $2.5 billion for the repurchase of outstanding debt, $871.6 million for the repayment of Atwood debt, net of cash acquired, and $166.6 million for dividend payments.
 
Explanations of our liquidity and capital resources for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 are set forth below.


70



Cash Flows and Capital Expenditures
 
Our cash flows from operating activities of continuing operations and capital expenditures on continuing operations for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 were as follows (in millions):

 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Cash flows from operating activities of continuing operations
 
$
259.4

 
$
1,077.4

 
$
1,697.9

Capital expenditures on continuing operations:
 
 

 
 

 
 

New rig construction
 
$
429.8

 
$
209.8

 
$
1,238.8

Rig enhancements
 
45.1

 
15.9

 
164.5

Minor upgrades and improvements
 
61.8

 
96.5

 
216.2

 
 
$
536.7

 
$
322.2

 
$
1,619.5

 
During 2017, excluding the impact of ENSCO DS-9 and ENSCO 8503 lump-sum termination payments totaling $205.0 million received during 2016, cash flows from continuing operations declined by $613.0 million, or 70%, as compared to the prior year.  The decline primarily resulted from a $823.0 million decline in cash receipts from contract drilling services, partially offset by a $190.4 million decline in cash payments related to contract drilling expenses and a $65.0 million decline in cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized.

During 2016, excluding the impact of ENSCO DS-9 and ENSCO 8503 lump-sum termination payments totaling $205.0 million received during the year and lump-sum payments associated with the ENSCO DS-4 and ENSCO DS-9 contract terminations totaling $129.0 million received during 2015, cash flows from continuing operations declined by $696.5 million, or 44%, as compared to the prior year.  The decline primarily resulted from a $1.4 billion decline in cash receipts from contract drilling services, partially offset by a $675.9 million decline in cash payments related to contract drilling expenses and a $34.4 million decline in cash paid for income taxes.

We remain focused on our long-established strategy of high-grading and expanding the size of our fleet. During the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, we invested $1.9 billion in the construction of new drilling rigs and an additional $225.5 million enhancing the capability and extending the useful lives of our existing fleet.
         
Based on our current projections, we expect capital expenditures during 2018 to include approximately $375 million for newbuild construction, approximately $40 million for rig enhancement projects and approximately $60 million for minor upgrades and improvements. Of the $375 million for newbuild construction, $207.4 million relating to ENSCO 123 was paid in January 2018. Depending on market conditions and opportunities, we may make additional capital expenditures to upgrade rigs for customer requirements and construct or acquire additional rigs.

Dividends

Our Board of Directors declared a $0.01 quarterly cash dividend per Class A ordinary share for each quarter during 2017. In October 2017, we amended our revolving credit facility, which prohibits us from paying dividends in excess of $0.01 per share per fiscal quarter. Dividends in excess of this amount would require the amendment or waiver of such provision. The declaration and amount of future dividends is at the discretion of our Board of Directors. In the future, our Board of Directors may, without advance notice, determine to reduce or suspend our dividend in order to improve our financial flexibility and best position us for long-term success. When evaluating dividend payment timing and amounts, our Board of Directors considers several factors, including our profitability, liquidity, financial condition, market outlook, reinvestment opportunities, capital requirements and limitations under our revolving credit facility.


71



Financing and Capital Resources
 
Our total debt, total capital and total debt to total capital ratios as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 are summarized below (in millions, except percentages):
 
Pro Forma 2017(1)
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Total debt
$
5,057.5

 
$
4,750.7

 
$
5,274.5

 
$
5,868.6

Total capital(2)
13,774.8

 
13,482.8

 
13,525.1

 
12,381.5

Total debt to total capital
36.7
%
 
35.2
%
 
39.0
%
 
47.4
%

(1) 
Pro Forma balances present total debt, total capital and the total debt to total capital ratio on an adjusted basis after giving effect to the January 2018 offering of senior notes due 2026, tender offers and redemption described below. In January 2018, total debt increased by $306.8 million as a result of the issuance of $1.0 billion of 7.75% senior notes due 2026 issued net of debt issuance costs of $16.5 million, partially offset by the debt repurchases and redemptions of our 8.5% senior notes due 2019, 6.875% senior notes due 2020 and 4.70% senior notes due 2021, which had an aggregate carrying value of $676.7 million, net of discounts, premiums and issuance costs. Total capital was adjusted by the aforementioned amount and the estimated net of tax loss on the repurchases and redemptions of $14.8 million.

(2) 
Total capital consists of total debt and Ensco shareholders' equity.

During 2017, our total debt and total capital declined by $523.8 million and $42.3 million, respectively. This resulted in the decline of our total debt to total capital ratio from 39.0% to 35.2% due to debt repurchases, a loss on impairment and the equity issued and bargain purchase gain recognized in connection with the Merger.

During 2016, our total debt declined by $594.1 million and our total capital increased by $1.1 billion. This resulted in the decline of our total debt to total capital ratio from 47.4% to 39.0% primarily due to debt repurchases and exchanges, the issuance of our 3.00% exchangeable senior notes due 2024 and our equity issuance.

 Convertible Senior Notes
 
     In December 2016, Ensco Jersey Finance Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ensco plc, issued $849.5 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured 2024 Convertible Notes in a private offering. The 2024 Convertible Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a senior, unsecured basis, by Ensco plc and are exchangeable into cash, our Class A ordinary shares or a combination thereof, at our election. Interest on the 2024 Convertible Notes is payable semiannually on January 31 and July 31 of each year. The 2024 Convertible Notes will mature on January 31, 2024, unless exchanged, redeemed or repurchased in accordance with their terms prior to such date. Holders may exchange their 2024 Convertible Notes at their option any time prior to July 31, 2023 only under certain circumstances set forth in the indenture governing the 2024 Convertible Notes. On or after July 31, 2023, holders may exchange their 2024 Convertible Notes at any time. The exchange rate is 71.3343 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes, representing an exchange price of $14.02 per share, and is subject to adjustment upon certain events. The 2024 Convertible Notes may not be redeemed by us except in the event of certain tax law changes.

The indenture governing the 2024 Convertible Notes contains customary events of default, including failure to pay principal or interest on such notes when due, among others. The indenture also contains certain restrictions, including, among others, restrictions on our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to create or incur secured indebtedness, enter into certain sale/leaseback transactions and enter into certain merger or consolidation transactions. See Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements included in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for additional information on our 2024 Convertible Notes.

72




Senior Notes

On January 26, 2018, we issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of unsecured 7.75% senior notes due 2026 at par, net of $16.5 million in debt issuance costs. Interest on the 2026 Notes is payable semiannually on February 1 and August 1 of each year commencing August 1, 2018.     

During 2017, we exchanged $332.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured 8.00% senior notes due 2024 (the “8% 2024 Notes”) for certain amounts of our outstanding senior notes due 2019, 2020 and 2021. Interest on the 8% 2024 Notes is payable semiannually on January 31 and July 31 of each year.

During 2015, we issued $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured 5.20% senior notes due 2025 (the “2025 Notes”) at a discount of $2.6 million and $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured 5.75% senior notes due 2044 (the “New 2044 Notes”) at a discount of $18.7 million in a public offering. Interest on the 2025 Notes is payable semiannually on March 15 and September 15 of each year. Interest on the New 2044 Notes is payable semiannually on April 1 and October 1 of each year.

During 2014, we issued $625.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured 4.50% senior notes due 2024 (the "2024 Notes") at a discount of $850,000 and $625.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured 5.75% senior notes due 2044 (the "Existing 2044 Notes" and together with the New 2044 Notes, the "2044 Notes") at a discount of $2.8 million. Interest on the 2024 Notes and the Existing 2044 Notes is payable semiannually on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The Existing 2044 Notes and the New 2044 Notes are treated as a single series of debt securities under the indenture governing the notes.

During 2011, we issued $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of unsecured 4.70% senior notes due 2021 (the “2021 Notes”) at a discount of $29.6 million in a public offering. Interest on the 2021 Notes is payable semiannually on March 15 and September 15 of each year.

Upon consummation of the Pride acquisition during 2011, we assumed outstanding debt comprised of $900.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured 6.875% senior notes due 2020$500.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured 8.5% senior notes due 2019 and $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured 7.875% senior notes due 2040 (collectively, the "Acquired Notes" and together with the 2021 Notes, 8% 2024 Notes, 2024 Notes, 2025 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2044 Notes, the "Senior Notes").  Ensco plc has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the performance of all Pride obligations with respect to the Acquired Notes.  See "Note 15 - Guarantee of Registered Securities" for additional information on the guarantee of the Acquired Notes. 
   
We may redeem the 8% 2024 Notes, 2024 Notes, 2025 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2044 Notes in whole at any time, or in part from time to time, prior to maturity. If we elect to redeem the 8% 2024 Notes, 2024 Notes, 2025 Notes and 2026 Notes before the date that is three months prior to the maturity date or the 2044 Notes before the date that is six months prior to the maturity date, we will pay an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest and a "make-whole" premium. If we elect to redeem the 8% 2024 Notes, 2024 Notes, 2025 Notes, 2026 Notes or 2044 Notes on or after the aforementioned dates, we will pay an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest, but we are not required to pay a "make-whole" premium.

We may redeem each series of the 2021 Notes and the Acquired Notes, in whole or in part, at any time at a price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and a "make-whole" premium.

The indentures governing the Senior Notes contain customary events of default, including failure to pay principal or interest on such notes when due, among others. The indentures governing the Senior Notes also contain certain restrictions, including, among others, restrictions on our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to create or incur secured indebtedness, enter into certain sale/leaseback transactions and enter into certain merger or consolidation transactions.

73




Debentures Due 2027

During 1997, Ensco International Incorporated issued $150.0 million of unsecured 7.20% Debentures due 2027 (the "Debentures") in a public offering. Interest on the Debentures is payable semiannually on May 15 and November 15 of each year. We may redeem the Debentures, in whole or in part, at any time prior to maturity, at a price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and a "make-whole" premium. The Debentures are not subject to any sinking fund requirements. During 2009, Ensco plc entered into a supplemental indenture to unconditionally guarantee the principal and interest payments on the Debentures. See "Note 15 - Guarantee of Registered Securities" for additional information on the guarantee of the Debentures. 

The Debentures and the indenture pursuant to which the Debentures were issued also contain customary events of default, including failure to pay principal or interest on the Debentures when due, among others. The indenture also contains certain restrictions, including, among others, restrictions on our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to create or incur secured indebtedness, enter into certain sale/leaseback transactions and enter into certain merger or consolidation transactions.

 Tender Offers and Open Market Repurchases

During 2017, we repurchased $194.1 million of our outstanding senior notes on the open market for an aggregate purchase price of $204.5 million with cash on hand and recognized an insignificant pre-tax gain, net of discounts, premiums and debt issuance costs.

During 2016, we launched cash tender offers for up to $750.0 million aggregate purchase price of our outstanding debt. We received tenders totaling $860.7 million for an aggregate purchase price of $622.3 million. We used cash on hand to settle the tendered debt. Additionally during 2016, we repurchased on the open market $269.9 million of outstanding debt for an aggregate purchase price of $241.6 million.

Our tender offers and open market repurchases during the two-year period ended December 31, 2017 were as follows (in millions):

Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
Aggregate Principal Amount Repurchased
 
Aggregate Repurchase Price(1)
8.50% Senior notes due 2019
$
54.6

 
$
60.1

6.875% Senior notes due 2020
100.1

 
105.1

4.70% Senior notes due 2021
39.4

 
39.3

Total
$
194.1

 
$
204.5


(1) 
Excludes accrued interest paid to holders of the repurchased senior notes.



74



Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
Aggregate Principal Amount Repurchased
 
Aggregate Repurchase Price (1)
8.50% Senior notes due 2019
$
62.0

 
$
55.7

6.875% Senior notes due 2020
219.2

 
181.5

4.70% Senior notes due 2021
817.0

 
609.0

4.50% Senior notes due 2024
1.7

 
.9

5.20% Senior notes due 2025
30.7

 
16.8

Total
$
1,130.6

 
$
863.9


(1) 
Excludes accrued interest paid to holders of the repurchased senior notes.

 Exchange Offers
    
During 2017, we completed exchange offers to exchange our outstanding 8.50% senior notes due 2019, 6.875% senior notes due 2020 and 4.70% senior notes due 2021 for 8.00% senior notes due 2024 and cash. The exchange offers resulted in the tender of $649.5 million aggregate principal amount of our outstanding notes that were settled and exchanged as follows (in millions):

 
Aggregate Principal Amount Repurchased
 
8% Senior Notes Due 2024 Consideration
 
Cash
Consideration
 
Total Consideration
8.50% Senior notes due 2019
$
145.8

 
$
81.6

 
$
81.7

 
$
163.3

6.875% Senior notes due 2020
129.8

 
69.3

 
69.4

 
138.7

4.70% Senior notes due 2021
373.9

 
181.1

 
181.4

 
362.5

Total
$
649.5

 
$
332.0

 
$
332.5

 
$
664.5


During the year ended December 31, 2017, we recognized a pre-tax loss on the exchange offers of approximately $6.2 million, consisting of a loss of $3.5 million that includes the write-off of premiums on tendered debt and $2.7 million of transaction costs.

 Debt to Equity Exchange

During 2016, we entered into a privately-negotiated exchange agreement whereby we issued 1,822,432 Class A ordinary shares, representing less than one percent of our outstanding shares, in exchange for $24.5 million principal amount of our 2044 Notes, resulting in a pre-tax gain from debt extinguishment of $8.8 million.

75




2018 Tender Offers and Redemption
    
Concurrent with the issuance of our 2026 Notes, we launched cash tender offers for up to $985.0 million aggregate purchase price on certain series of senior notes issued by us and Pride International LLC, our wholly-owned subsidiary. The tender offers expired February 7, 2018, and we repurchased $182.6 million of the 8.50% senior notes due 2019, $256.6 million of the 6.875% senior notes due 2020 and $156.2 million of the 4.70% senior notes due 2021. We subsequently issued a redemption notice for the remaining outstanding $55.0 million principal amount of the 8.50% senior notes due 2019. The following table sets forth the total principal amounts repurchased as a result of the tender offers and redemption (in millions):
 
Aggregate Principal Amount Repurchased
 
Aggregate Repurchase Price(1)
8.50% Senior notes due 2019
$
237.6

 
$
256.8

6.875% Senior notes due 2020
256.6

 
277.1

4.70% Senior notes due 2021
156.2

 
159.3

Total
$
650.4

 
$
693.2


(1) 
Excludes accrued interest paid to holders of the repurchased senior notes.

During the first quarter of 2018, we expect to recognize a pre-tax loss from debt extinguishment of approximately $18.2 million related to the tender offers, net of discounts, premiums, debt issuance costs and transaction costs.

76



Maturities

The descriptions of our senior notes above reflect the original principal amounts issued, which have subsequently changed as a result of our tenders, repurchases, exchanges and new debt issuances such that the maturities of our debt were as follows (in millions):
Senior Notes
Original Principal
 
2016 Tenders, Repurchases and Equity Exchange
 
2017 Exchange Offers
 
2017 Repurchases
 
Principal Outstanding at December 31, 2017(1)
 
2018 Tender Offers, Redemption and Debt Issuance
 
Remaining Principal
8.50% due 2019
$
500.0

 
$
(62.0
)
 
$
(145.8
)
 
$
(54.6
)
 
$
237.6

 
$
(237.6
)
 
$

6.875% due 2020
900.0

 
(219.2
)
 
(129.8
)
 
(100.1
)
 
450.9

 
(256.6
)
 
194.3

4.70% due 2021
1,500.0

 
(817.0
)
 
(373.9
)
 
(39.4
)
 
269.7

 
(156.2
)
 
113.5

3.00% due 2024
849.5

 

 

 

 
849.5

 

 
849.5

4.50% due 2024
625.0

 
(1.7
)
 

 

 
623.3

 

 
623.3

8.00% due 2024

 

 
332.0

 

 
332.0

 

 
332.0

5.20% due 2025
700.0

 
(30.7
)
 

 

 
669.3

 

 
669.3

7.75% due 2026

 

 

 

 

 
1,000.0

 
1,000.0

7.20% due 2027
150.0

 

 

 

 
150.0

 

 
150.0

7.875% due 2040
300.0

 

 

 

 
300.0

 

 
300.0

5.75% due 2044
1,025.0

 
(24.5
)
 

 

 
1,000.5

 

 
1,000.5

Total
$
6,549.5

 
$
(1,155.1
)
 
$
(317.5
)
 
$
(194.1
)
 
$
4,882.8

 
$
349.6

 
$
5,232.4


(1) 
The aggregate principal amount outstanding as of December 31, 2017 excludes net unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs of $132.1 million.

Revolving Credit    

In October 2017, we amended our revolving credit facility ("Credit Facility") to extend the final maturity date by two years. Previously, our Credit Facility had a borrowing capacity of $2.25 billion through September 2019 that declined to $1.13 billion through September 2020. Subsequent to the amendment, our borrowing capacity is $2.0 billion through September 2019 and declines to $1.3 billion through September 2020 and to $1.2 billion through September 2022. The credit agreement governing our revolving credit facility includes an accordion feature allowing us to increase the commitments expiring in September 2022 up to an aggregate amount not to exceed $1.5 billion.

Advances under the Credit Facility bear interest at Base Rate or LIBOR plus an applicable margin rate, depending on our credit ratings. We are required to pay a quarterly commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the $2.0 billion commitment, which is also based on our credit ratings.

In October 2017, Moody's announced a downgrade of our credit rating from B1 to B2, and Standard & Poor's downgraded our credit rating from BB to B+, which are both ratings below investment grade. In January 2018, Moody's downgraded our senior unsecured bond credit rating from B2 to B3. The Credit Facility amendment and the rating actions resulted in increases to the interest rates applicable to our borrowings and the quarterly commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the $2.0 billion commitment. The applicable margin rates are 3.00% per annum for Base Rate advances and 4.00% per annum for LIBOR advances. The quarterly commitment fee is 0.75% per annum on the undrawn portion of the $2.0 billion commitment.

The Credit Facility requires us to maintain a total debt to total capitalization ratio that is less than or equal to 60% and to provide guarantees from certain of our rig-owning subsidiaries sufficient to meet certain guarantee coverage ratios. The Credit Facility also contains customary restrictive covenants, including, among others, prohibitions on creating, incurring or assuming certain debt and liens (subject to customary exceptions, including a permitted lien

77



basket that permits us to raise secured debt up to the lesser of $750 million or 10% of consolidated tangible net worth (as defined in the Credit Facility)); entering into certain merger arrangements; selling, leasing, transferring or otherwise disposing of all or substantially all of our assets; making a material change in the nature of the business; paying or distributing dividends on our ordinary shares (subject to certain exceptions, including the ability to continue paying a quarterly dividend of $0.01 per share); borrowings, if after giving effect to any such borrowings and the application of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate amount of available cash (as defined in the Credit Facility) would exceed $150 million; and entering into certain transactions with affiliates.

The Credit Facility also includes a covenant restricting our ability to repay indebtedness maturing after September 2022, which is the final maturity date of our Credit Facility. This covenant is subject to certain exceptions that permit us to manage our balance sheet, including the ability to make repayments of indebtedness (i) of acquired companies within 90 days of the completion of the acquisition or (ii) if, after giving effect to such repayments, available cash is greater than $250 million and there are no amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility.

As of December 31, 2017, we were in compliance in all material respects with our covenants under the Credit Facility. We expect to remain in compliance with our Credit Facility covenants during 2018. We had no amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Our access to credit and capital markets depends on the credit ratings assigned to our debt. As a result of rating actions by these agencies, we no longer maintain an investment-grade status. Our current credit ratings, and any additional actual or anticipated downgrades in our credit ratings, could limit our available options when accessing credit and capital markets, or when restructuring or refinancing our debt. In addition, future financings or refinancings may result in higher borrowing costs and require more restrictive terms and covenants, which may further restrict our operations.
 
Other Financing

We filed an automatically effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on November 21, 2017, which provides us the ability to issue debt securities, equity securities, guarantees and/or units of securities in one or more offerings. The registration statement expires in November 2020.

During 2013, our shareholders approved a new share repurchase program. Subject to certain provisions under English law, including the requirement of Ensco plc to have sufficient distributable reserves, we may repurchase shares up to a maximum of $2.0 billion in the aggregate under the program, but in no case more than 35.0 million shares. As of September 30, 2017, no shares have been repurchased under the program. The program terminates in May 2018. In October 2017, we amended our revolving credit facility, which prohibits us from repurchasing our shares, except in certain limited circumstances. Any share repurchases, outside of such limited circumstances, would require the amendment or waiver of such provision.

From time to time, we and our affiliates may repurchase our outstanding senior notes in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, through tender offers, exchange offers or otherwise, or we may redeem senior notes, pursuant to their terms. In connection with any exchange, we may issue equity, issue new debt and/or pay cash consideration. Any future repurchases, exchanges or redemptions will depend on various factors existing at that time. There can be no assurance as to which, if any, of these alternatives (or combinations thereof) we may choose to pursue in the future. There can be no assurance that an active trading market will exist for our outstanding senior notes following any such transaction.


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Contractual Obligations

We have various contractual commitments related to our new rig construction and rig enhancement agreements, long-term debt and operating leases. We expect to fund these commitments from existing cash and short-term investments, future operating cash flows, borrowings under our revolving credit facility or other future financing arrangements.  The actual timing of our new rig construction and rig enhancement payments may vary based on the completion of various milestones, which are beyond our control.  The following table summarizes our significant contractual obligations as of December 31, 2017 and the periods in which such obligations are due (in millions):
 
Payments due by period
 
2018
 
2019
and
2020
 
2021
and
2022
 
Thereafter
 
Total
Principal payments on long-term debt(1)
$

 
$
688.5

 
$
269.7

 
$
3,924.6

 
$
4,882.8

Interest payments on long-term debt(1)
270.7

 
511.2

 
420.0

 
1,966.1

 
3,168.0

New rig construction agreements (2)
225.7

 
256.5

 

 

 
482.2

Operating leases
22.6

 
27.0

 
21.3

 
24.6

 
95.5

Total contractual obligations(3)
$
519.0

 
$
1,483.2

 
$
711.0

 
$
5,915.3

 
$
8,628.5

 
(1) 
Commitments related to principal and interest payments on our debt were not adjusted to give effect to the January 2018 issuance of 2026 Notes, tender offers and redemption described above. On a pro forma basis, giving effect to the aforementioned transactions, our principal payments on long-term debt are $194.3 million in 2020 and $113.5 million in 2021with the remaining $4.9 billion due in the thereafter period.

(2) 
The remaining milestone payments for ENSCO DS-13 (formerly Atwood Admiral) and ENSCO DS-14 (formerly Atwood Archer) bear interest at a rate of 4.5% per annum, which accrues during the holding period until delivery. Delivery is scheduled for September 2019 and June 2020 for ENSCO DS-13 and ENSCO DS-14, respectively. Upon delivery, the remaining milestone payments and accrued interest thereon may be financed through a promissory note with the shipyard for each rig. The promissory notes will bear interest at a rate of 5% per annum with a maturity date of December 31, 2022 and will be secured by a mortgage on each respective rig. The remaining milestone payments for ENSCO DS-13 and ENSCO DS-14 are included in the table above in the period in which we expect to take delivery of the rig. However, we may elect to execute the promissory notes and defer payment until December 2022.
a

(3) 
Contractual obligations do not include $178.0 million of unrecognized tax benefits, inclusive of interest and penalties, included on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017.  We are unable to specify with certainty the future periods in which we may be obligated to settle such amounts.



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Other Commitments

We have other commitments that we are contractually obligated to fulfill with cash under certain circumstances.  These commitments include letters of credit to guarantee our performance as it relates to our drilling contracts, contract bidding, customs duties, tax appeals and other obligations in various jurisdictions. Obligations under these letters of credit are not normally called, as we typically comply with the underlying performance requirement. As of December 31, 2017, we had not been required to make collateral deposits with respect to these agreements. The following table summarizes our other commitments as of December 31, 2017 (in millions):
 
Commitment expiration by period
 
2018
 
2019
and
2020
 
2021
and
2022
 
Thereafter
 
Total
Letters of credit
$
56.8

 
$
12.7

 
$

 
$
6.2

 
$
75.7


Liquidity
 
Our liquidity position as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 is summarized below (in millions, except ratios):
 
Pro Forma 2017(1)
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Cash and cash equivalents
$
721.6

 
$
445.4

 
$
1,159.7

 
$
121.3

Short-term investments
440.0

 
440.0

 
1,442.6

 
50.0

Working capital
1,142.1

 
853.5

 
2,424.9

 
1,509.6

Current ratio
2.5

 
2.1

 
3.8

 
2.9


(1) 
Pro Forma balances represent our cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, working capital and current ratio after giving effect to the January 2018 debt issuance and tender offers described above. Our cash and cash equivalents balance increased by $276.2 million due to the proceeds from the issuance of $1.0 billion of 7.75% senior notes due 2026, net of $16.5 million of issuance costs, partially offset by $707.3 million cash paid for repurchases and redemptions of our 8.5% senior notes due 2019, 6.875% senior notes due 2020 and 4.70% senior notes due 2021, inclusive of accrued interest and commissions. Our working capital balance increased by the aforementioned net cash proceeds and related reduction in accrued interest.

We expect to fund our short-term liquidity needs, including contractual obligations and anticipated capital expenditures, as well as dividends and working capital requirements, from our cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, operating cash flows and, if necessary, funds borrowed under our revolving credit facility.

We expect to fund our long-term liquidity needs, including contractual obligations, anticipated capital expenditures and dividends, from our operating cash flows and, if necessary, funds borrowed under our revolving credit facility or other future financing arrangements. We may decide to access debt and/or equity markets to raise additional capital or increase liquidity as necessary.

Notwithstanding our current liquidity position, if we experience significant further deterioration in demand for offshore drilling, our ability to maintain a sufficient level of liquidity to meet our financial obligations could be materially and adversely impacted. Further, our access to credit and capital markets depends on the credit ratings assigned to our debt by independent credit rating agencies. Our credit rating is no longer investment-grade. Our current credit ratings, and any additional actual or anticipated downgrades in our credit ratings, could limit our ability to access credit and capital markets, or to restructure or refinance our indebtedness. In addition, future financings or refinancings may result in higher borrowing costs and require more restrictive terms and covenants, which may further restrict our operations.


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Effects of Climate Change and Climate Change Regulation
 
Greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions have increasingly become the subject of international, national, regional, state and local attention. At the December 2015 Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ("UNFCC") held in Paris, an agreement was reached that requires countries to review and "represent a progression" in their intended nationally determined contributions to the reduction of GHG emissions, setting GHG emission reduction goals every five years beginning in 2020. This agreement, known as the Paris Agreement, entered into force on November 4, 2016 and, as of late 2017, had been ratified by 173 of the 197 parties to the UNFCC, including the United Kingdom, the United States and the majority of the other countries in which we operate. However, on August 4, 2017, the United States formally communicated to the United Nations its intent to withdraw from participation in the Paris Agreement, which entails a four year process. In response to the announced withdrawal plan, a number of state and local governments in the United States have expressed intentions to take GHG-related actions.
    
In an effort to reduce GHG emissions, governments have put in place or considered legislative and regulatory mechanisms to institute carbon pricing mechanisms, such as the European Union’s Emission Trading System, and to impose technical requirements to reduce carbon emissions. The Companies Act 2006 (Strategic and Directors' Reports) Regulations 2013 now requires all quoted U.K. companies, including Ensco plc, to report their annual GHG emissions in the Company's directors' report.

During 2009, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA") officially published its findings that emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other GHGs present an endangerment to human health and the environment because emissions of such gases are, according to the EPA, contributing to warming of the earth's atmosphere and other climatic changes. These EPA findings allowed the agency to proceed with the adoption and implementation of regulations to restrict GHG emissions under existing provisions of the Clean Air Act that establish Prevention of Significant Deterioration ("PSD") construction and Title V operating permit reviews for certain large stationary sources that are potential major sources of GHG emissions. Facilities required to obtain PSD permits for their GHG emissions are required to meet "best available control technology" standards established by the states or, in some cases, the EPA, on a case-by-case basis. The EPA has also adopted rules requiring annual monitoring and reporting of GHG emissions from specified sources in the United States, including, among others, certain onshore and offshore oil and natural gas production facilities. Although a number of bills related to climate change have been introduced in the U.S. Congress in the past, it appears unlikely that comprehensive federal climate legislation will be passed by Congress in the foreseeable future. If such legislation were to be adopted in the United States, such legislation could adversely impact many industries. In the absence of federal legislation, almost half of the states have begun to address GHG emissions, primarily through the development or planned development of emission inventories or regional GHG cap and trade programs.

Future regulation of GHG emissions could occur pursuant to future treaty obligations, statutory or regulatory changes or new climate change legislation in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Depending on the particular program, we, or our customers, could be required to control GHG emissions or to purchase and surrender allowances for GHG emissions resulting from our operations. It is uncertain whether any of these initiatives will be implemented. If such initiatives are implemented, we do not believe that such initiatives would have a direct, material adverse effect on our financial condition, operating results and cash flows in a manner different than our competitors.

Restrictions on GHG emissions or other related legislative or regulatory enactments could have an indirect effect in those industries that use significant amounts of petroleum products, which could potentially result in a reduction in demand for petroleum products and, consequently, our offshore contract drilling services. We are currently unable to predict the manner or extent of any such effect. Furthermore, one of the long-term physical effects of climate change may be an increase in the severity and frequency of adverse weather conditions, such as hurricanes, which may increase our insurance costs or risk retention, limit insurance availability or reduce the areas in which, or the number of days during which, our customers would contract for our drilling rigs in general and in the Gulf of Mexico in particular. We are currently unable to predict the manner or extent of any such effect.


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MARKET RISK
 
We use derivatives to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk. 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. We maintain a foreign currency exchange rate risk management strategy that utilizes derivatives to reduce our exposure to unanticipated fluctuations in earnings and cash flows caused by changes in foreign currency exchange rates.  

We utilize cash flow hedges to hedge forecasted foreign currency denominated transactions, primarily to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk on future expected contract drilling expenses and capital expenditures denominated in various foreign currencies. We predominantly structure our drilling contracts in U.S. dollars, which significantly reduces the portion of our cash flows and assets denominated in foreign currencies. As of December 31, 2017, we had cash flow hedges outstanding to exchange an aggregate $188.4 million for various foreign currencies.

We have net assets and liabilities denominated in numerous foreign currencies and use various strategies to manage our exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We occasionally enter into derivatives that hedge the fair value of recognized foreign currency denominated assets or liabilities, thereby reducing exposure to earnings fluctuations caused by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We do not designate such derivatives as hedging instruments. In these situations, a natural hedging relationship generally exists whereby changes in the fair value of the derivatives offset changes in the fair value of the underlying hedged items. As of December 31, 2017, we held derivatives not designated as hedging instruments to exchange an aggregate $131.1 million for various foreign currencies.
 
If we were to incur a hypothetical 10% adverse change in foreign currency exchange rates, net unrealized losses associated with our foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2017 would approximate $13.1 million. Approximately $13.1 million of these unrealized losses would be offset by corresponding gains on the derivatives utilized to offset changes in the fair value of net assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies.

We utilize derivatives and undertake foreign currency exchange rate hedging activities in accordance with our established policies for the management of market risk. We mitigate our credit risk relating to counterparties of our derivatives through a variety of techniques, including transacting with multiple, high-quality financial institutions, thereby limiting our exposure to individual counterparties and by entering into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) Master Agreements, which include provisions for a legally enforceable master netting agreement, with our derivative counterparties. The terms of the ISDA agreements may also include credit support requirements, cross default provisions, termination events or set-off provisions. Legally enforceable master netting agreements reduce credit risk by providing protection in bankruptcy in certain circumstances and generally permitting the closeout and netting of transactions with the same counterparty upon the occurrence of certain events.

We do not enter into derivatives for trading or other speculative purposes. We believe that our use of derivatives and related hedging activities reduces our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk and does not expose us to material credit risk or any other material market risk. All our derivatives mature during the next 18 months. See Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements included in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for additional information on our derivative instruments.


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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
 
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Our significant accounting policies are included in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements. These policies, along with our underlying judgments and assumptions made in their application, have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements. We identify our critical accounting policies as those that are the most pervasive and important to the portrayal of our financial position and operating results and that require the most difficult, subjective and/or complex judgments regarding estimates in matters that are inherently uncertain. Our critical accounting policies are those related to property and equipment, impairment of long-lived assets and income taxes.
 
Property and Equipment

As of December 31, 2017, the carrying value of our property and equipment totaled $12.9 billion, which represented 88% of total assets.  This carrying value reflects the application of our property and equipment accounting policies, which incorporate our estimates, judgments and assumptions relative to the capitalized costs, useful lives and salvage values of our rigs.
 
We develop and apply property and equipment accounting policies that are designed to appropriately and consistently capitalize those costs incurred to enhance, improve and extend the useful lives of our assets and expense those costs incurred to repair or maintain the existing condition or useful lives of our assets. The development and application of such policies requires estimates, judgments and assumptions relative to the nature of, and benefits from, expenditures on our assets. We establish property and equipment accounting policies that are designed to depreciate our assets over their estimated useful lives. The judgments and assumptions used in determining the useful lives of our property and equipment reflect both historical experience and expectations regarding future operations, utilization and performance of our assets. The use of different estimates, judgments and assumptions in the establishment of our property and equipment accounting policies, especially those involving the useful lives of our rigs, would likely result in materially different asset carrying values and operating results.
 
The useful lives of our drilling rigs are difficult to estimate due to a variety of factors, including technological advances that impact the methods or cost of oil and natural gas exploration and development, changes in market or economic conditions and changes in laws or regulations affecting the drilling industry. We evaluate the remaining useful lives of our rigs on a periodic basis, considering operating condition, functional capability and market and economic factors.

During 2017, we recognized a pre-tax, non-cash loss on impairment of $182.9 million related to certain older, less capable, non-core assets in our fleet. We estimate the aforementioned impairment will cause a decline in depreciation expense of approximately $27 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Our fleet of 24 floater rigs, excluding two rigs under construction and one rig held-or-sale, represented 58% of both the gross cost and net carrying amount of our depreciable property and equipment as of December 31, 2017.  Our floater rigs are depreciated over useful lives ranging from ten to 35 years.  Our fleet of 37 jackup rigs, excluding one rig under construction, represented 20% of the gross cost and 18% of the net carrying amount of our depreciable property and equipment as of December 31, 2017.  Our jackup rigs are depreciated over useful lives ranging from ten to 30 years. 


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The following table provides an analysis of estimated increases and decreases in depreciation expense from continuing operations that would have been recognized for the year ended December 31, 2017 for various assumed changes in the useful lives of our drilling rigs effective January 1, 2017:

Increase (decrease) in
useful lives of our
drilling rigs
 
Estimated (decrease) increase in
depreciation expense that would
have been recognized (in millions)
10%
 
$(36.4)
20%
 
(66.8)
(10%)
 
43.1
(20%)
 
93.1
    
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2015, we recorded pre-tax, non-cash losses on impairment of long-lived assets of $182.9 million and $2.6 billion, respectively. See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements included in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for additional information on our property and equipment.
    
We evaluate the carrying value of our property and equipment, primarily our drilling rigs, when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such rigs may not be recoverable. Generally, extended periods of idle time and/or inability to contract rigs at economical rates are an indication that a rig may be impaired. Impairment situations may arise with respect to specific individual rigs, groups of rigs, such as a specific type of drilling rig, or rigs in a certain geographic location.

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. The determination of expected undiscounted cash flow amounts requires significant estimates, judgments and assumptions, including utilization levels, day rates, expense levels and capital requirements, as well as cash flows generated upon disposition, for each of our drilling rigs. Due to the inherent uncertainties associated with these estimates, we perform sensitivity analysis on key assumptions as part of our recoverability test.

Our judgments and assumptions about future cash flows to be generated by our drilling rigs are highly subjective and based on consideration of the following:

global macroeconomic and political environment,
historical utilization, day rate and operating expense trends by asset class,
regulatory requirements such as surveys, inspections and recertification of our rigs,
remaining useful lives of our rigs,
expectations on the use and eventual disposition of our rigs,
weighted-average cost of capital,
oil price projections,
sanctioned and unsanctioned offshore project data,
offshore project break-even economic data,
global rig supply and construction orders,
global rig fleet capabilities and relative rankings, and
expectations of global rig fleet attrition.

We collect and analyze the above information to develop a range of estimated utilization levels, day rates, expense levels and capital requirements, as well as estimated cash flows generated upon disposition. The most subjective assumptions that impact our impairment analyses include projections of future oil prices and timing of

84



global rig fleet attrition, which, in large part, impact our estimates on timing and magnitude of recovery from the current industry downturn. However, there are numerous judgments and assumptions unique to the projected future cash flows of each rig that individually, and in the aggregate, can significantly impact the recoverability of its carrying value.

The highly cyclical nature of our industry cannot be reasonably predicted with a high level of accuracy and therefore differences between our historical judgments and assumptions and actual results will occur. We reassess our judgments and assumptions in the period in which significant differences are observed and may conclude that a triggering event has occurred and perform a recoverability test. We recognized impairment charges during 2014, 2015 and 2017 upon observation of significant unexpected changes in our business climate and estimated useful lives of certain assets.

There are numerous factors underlying the highly cyclical nature of our industry that are reasonably likely to impact our judgments and assumptions including, but not limited to, the following:

changes in global economic conditions,
production levels of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”),
production levels of non-OPEC countries,
advances in exploration and development technology,
offshore and onshore project break-even economics,
development and exploitation of alternative fuels,
natural disasters or other operational hazards,
changes in relevant law and governmental regulations,
political instability and/or escalation of military actions in the areas we operate,
changes in the timing and rate of global newbuild rig construction, and
changes in the timing and rate of global rig fleet attrition.

There is a wide range of interrelated changes in our judgments and assumptions that could reasonably occur as a result of unexpected developments in the aforementioned factors, which could result in materially different carrying values for an individual rig, group of rigs or our entire rig fleet, materially impacting our operating results.

Income Taxes
 
We conduct operations and earn income in numerous countries and are subject to the laws of numerous tax jurisdictions.  As of December 31, 2017, our consolidated balance sheet included a $20.2 million net deferred income tax asset, a $39.4 million liability for income taxes currently payable and a $178.0 million liability for unrecognized tax benefits, inclusive of interest and penalties.

The carrying values of deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflect the application of our income tax accounting policies and are based on estimates, judgments and assumptions regarding future operating results and levels of taxable income. Carryforwards and tax credits are assessed for realization as a reduction of future taxable income by using a more-likely-than-not determination. We do not offset deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities attributable to different tax paying jurisdictions.
 
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 would be subject to additional income taxes.

The carrying values of liabilities for income taxes currently payable and unrecognized tax benefits are based on our interpretation of applicable tax laws and incorporate estimates, judgments and assumptions regarding the use of tax planning strategies in various taxing jurisdictions. The use of different estimates, judgments and assumptions in connection with accounting for income taxes, especially those involving the deployment of tax planning strategies, may result in materially different carrying values of income tax assets and liabilities and operating results.

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We operate in several jurisdictions where tax laws relating to the offshore drilling industry are not well developed. In jurisdictions where available statutory law and regulations are incomplete or underdeveloped, we obtain professional guidance and consider existing industry practices before utilizing tax planning strategies and meeting our tax obligations.
 
Tax returns are routinely subject to audit in most jurisdictions and tax liabilities occasionally are finalized through a negotiation process. In some jurisdictions, income tax payments may be required before a final income tax obligation is determined in order to avoid significant penalties and/or interest. While we historically have not experienced significant adjustments to previously recognized tax assets and liabilities as a result of finalizing tax returns, there can be no assurance that significant adjustments will not arise in the future. In addition, there are several factors that could cause the future level of uncertainty relating to our tax liabilities to increase, including the following:

During recent years, the number of tax jurisdictions in which we conduct operations has increased, and we currently anticipate that this trend will continue.

In order to utilize tax planning strategies and conduct operations efficiently, our subsidiaries frequently enter into transactions with affiliates that are generally subject to complex tax regulations and are frequently reviewed and challenged by tax authorities.

We may conduct future operations in certain tax jurisdictions where tax laws are not well developed, and it may be difficult to secure adequate professional guidance.

Tax laws, regulations, agreements, treaties and the administrative practices and precedents of tax authorities change frequently, requiring us to modify existing tax strategies to conform to such changes.

We recognized the impact of the enactment of U.S. tax reform during the fourth quarter of 2017 on a provisional basis. During 2018, we may make adjustments to the provisional amounts throughout the one-year measurement period as provided by Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, as we continue to analyze applicable information and data, and interpret any additional guidance issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, the Internal Revenue Service and others. See Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements included in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for additional information.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

See Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for information on new accounting pronouncements.

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Information required under Item 7A. has been incorporated into "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Market Risk."



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Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

MANAGEMENT'S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f). Our internal control over financial reporting system is designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation and presentation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, as well as to safeguard assets from unauthorized use or disposition. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this evaluation, we have concluded that our internal control over financial reporting is effective as of December 31, 2017 to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Management's assessment of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 excluded the internal control over financial reporting of Atwood Oceanics, Inc. representing total assets of $2.0 billion and total revenues of $23.3 million included in the consolidated financial statements of Ensco plc and subsidiaries as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017.

KPMG LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm who audited our consolidated financial statements, has issued an audit report on our internal control over financial reporting. KPMG LLP's audit report on our internal control over financial reporting is included herein.
 

February 27, 2018

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 


To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
Ensco plc:
 
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Ensco plc and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 27, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ KPMG LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2002.
Houston, Texas

February 27, 2018




88



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
Ensco plc:

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Ensco plc and subsidiaries’ (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively, the “consolidated financial statements”), and our report dated February 27, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
The Company acquired Atwood Oceanics, Inc. during 2017, and management excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, Atwood Oceanics, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting associated with total assets of $2.0 billion and total revenues of $23.3 million included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of the Company also excluded an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Atwood Oceanics, Inc.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

89



Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 /s/ KPMG LLP

Houston, Texas
February 27, 2018

90



ENSCO PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except per share amounts)
 
  Year Ended December 31,    
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
OPERATING REVENUES
$
1,843.0

 
$
2,776.4

 
$
4,063.4

OPERATING EXPENSES
 

 
 

 
 

Contract drilling (exclusive of depreciation)
1,189.5

 
1,301.0

 
1,869.6

Loss on impairment
182.9

 

 
2,746.4

Depreciation
444.8

 
445.3

 
572.5

General and administrative
157.8

 
100.8

 
118.4

 
1,975.0

 
1,847.1

 
5,306.9

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
(132.0
)
 
929.3

 
(1,243.5
)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
 

 
 

 
 

Interest income
25.8

 
13.8

 
9.9

Interest expense, net
(224.2
)
 
(228.8
)
 
(216.3
)
Other, net
134.4

 
283.2

 
(21.3
)
 
(64.0
)
 
68.2

 
(227.7
)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
(196.0
)
 
997.5

 
(1,471.2
)
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
 

 
 

 
 

Current income tax expense
54.2

 
79.8

 
144.1

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
55.0

 
28.7

 
(158.0
)
 
109.2

 
108.5

 
(13.9
)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
(305.2
)

889.0


(1,457.3
)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET
1.0

 
8.1

 
(128.6
)
NET INCOME (LOSS)
(304.2
)
 
897.1

 
(1,585.9
)
NET (INCOME) LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
.5

 
(6.9
)
 
(8.9
)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSCO
$
(303.7
)
 
$
890.2

 
$
(1,594.8
)
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE - BASIC AND DILUTED
 

 
 

 
 

Continuing operations
$
(.91
)
 
$
3.10

 
$
(6.33
)
Discontinued operations

 
.03

 
(.55
)
 
$
(.91
)
 
$
3.13

 
$
(6.88
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSCO SHARES - BASIC AND DILUTED
$
(304.1
)
 
$
873.6

 
$
(1,596.8
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and Diluted
332.5

 
279.1

 
232.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH DIVIDENDS PER SHARE
$
.04

 
$
.04

 
$
.60


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

91



ENSCO PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in millions)

 
  Year Ended December 31,    
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
NET INCOME (LOSS)
$
(304.2
)
 
$
897.1

 
$
(1,585.9
)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in fair value of derivatives
8.5

 
(5.4
)
 
(23.6
)
Reclassification of net losses on derivative instruments from other comprehensive income into net income (loss)
.4

 
12.4

 
22.2

Other
.7

 
(.5
)
 
2.0

NET OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
9.6

 
6.5

 
.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(294.6
)
 
903.6

 
(1,585.3
)
COMPREHENSIVE (INCOME) LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
.5

 
(6.9
)
 
(8.9
)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSCO
$
(294.1
)
 
$
896.7

 
$
(1,594.2
)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.



92



ENSCO PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except share and par value amounts)
 
 December 31,
ASSETS
2017
 
2016
CURRENT ASSETS
 
 
 

    Cash and cash equivalents
$
445.4

 
$
1,159.7

Short-term investments
440.0

 
1,442.6

Accounts receivable, net
345.4

 
361.0

Other
381.2

 
316.0

Total current assets
1,612.0

 
3,279.3

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, AT COST
15,332.1

 
12,992.5

Less accumulated depreciation
2,458.4

 
2,073.2

Property and equipment, net
12,873.7

 
10,919.3

OTHER ASSETS, NET
140.2

 
175.9

 
$
14,625.9

 
$
14,374.5

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 

 
 

CURRENT LIABILITIES
 

 
 

Accounts payable - trade
$
432.6

 
$
145.9

Accrued liabilities and other
325.9

 
376.6

Current maturities of long-term debt

 
331.9

Total current liabilities
758.5

 
854.4

LONG-TERM DEBT
4,750.7

 
4,942.6

OTHER LIABILITIES
386.7

 
322.5

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES


 


ENSCO SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 

 
 

    Class A ordinary shares, U.S. $.10 par value, 447.0 million and 310.3 million
       shares issued as of December 31, 2017 and 2016
44.7

 
31.0

    Class B ordinary shares, £1 par value, 50,000 shares issued
       as of December 31, 2017 and 2016
.1

 
.1

Additional paid-in capital
7,195.0

 
6,402.2

Retained earnings
1,532.7

 
1,864.1

Accumulated other comprehensive income
28.6

 
19.0

Treasury shares, at cost, 11.1 million and 7.3 million shares as of
   December 31, 2017 and 2016
(69.0
)
 
(65.8
)
Total Ensco shareholders' equity
8,732.1

 
8,250.6

NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
(2.1
)
 
4.4

Total equity
8,730.0

 
8,255.0

 
$
14,625.9

 
$
14,374.5

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

93




ENSCO PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)
 
Year Ended December 31,  
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 

 
 

 
 

Net income (loss)
$
(304.2
)
 
$
897.1

 
$
(1,585.9
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations:
 

 
 

 
 

Depreciation expense
444.8

 
445.3

 
572.5

Loss on impairment
182.9

 

 
2,746.4

Bargain purchase gain
(140.2
)
 

 

Amortization, net
(61.6
)
 
(139.7
)
 
(165.0
)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
55.0

 
28.7

 
(158.0
)
Share-based compensation expense
41.2

 
39.6

 
40.2

(Gain) loss on debt extinguishment
2.6

 
(287.8
)
 
33.5

Discontinued operations, net
(1.0
)
 
(8.1
)
 
128.6

Other
(25.5
)
 
(38.3
)
 
(27.9
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition
65.4

 
140.6

 
113.5

Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations
259.4

 
1,077.4

 
1,697.9

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 

 
 

 
 

Maturities of short-term investments
2,042.5

 
2,212.0

 
1,357.3

Purchases of short-term investments
(1,040.0
)
 
(2,474.6
)
 
(1,780.0
)
Acquisition of Atwood, net of cash acquired
(871.6
)
 

 

Additions to property and equipment
(536.7
)
 
(322.2
)
 
(1,619.5
)
Net proceeds from disposition of assets
2.8

 
9.8

 
1.6

Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations
(403.0
)
 
(575.0
)
 
(2,040.6
)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 

 
 

 
 

Reduction of long-term borrowings
(537.0
)
 
(863.9
)
 
(1,072.5
)
Cash dividends paid
(13.8
)
 
(11.6
)
 
(141.2
)
Debt financing costs
(12.0
)
 
(23.4
)
 
(10.5
)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes

 
849.5

 
1,078.7

Proceeds from equity issuance

 
585.5

 

Premium paid on redemption of debt

 

 
(30.3
)
Other
(7.7
)
 
(7.1
)
 
(16.0
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(570.5
)
 
529.0

 
(191.8
)
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations
(.8
)
 
8.4

 
(8.7
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
.6

 
(1.4
)
 
(.3
)
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
(714.3
)
 
1,038.4

 
(543.5
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR
1,159.7

 
121.3

 
664.8

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR
$
445.4

 
$
1,159.7

 
$
121.3

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

94



ENSCO PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
1.  DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
    Business
 
We are one of the leading providers of offshore contract drilling services to the international oil and gas industry. We own and operate an offshore drilling rig fleet of 62 rigs spanning most of the strategic markets around the globe. Our rig fleet includes 12 drillships, 11 dynamically positioned semisubmersible rigs, four moored semisubmersible rigs and 38 jackup rigs, including three rigs under construction.   We operate the world's largest fleet amongst competitive rigs, including one of the newest ultra-deepwater fleets in the industry and a leading premium jackup fleet.

Our customers include many of the leading national and international oil companies, in addition to many independent operators. We are among the most geographically diverse offshore drilling companies, with current operations spanning 14 countries on six continents. The markets in which we operate include the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, the Mediterranean, the North Sea, the Middle East, West Africa, Australia and Southeast Asia.

We provide drilling services on a day rate contract basis. Under day rate contracts, we provide a drilling rig and rig crews for which we receive a daily rate that may vary throughout the duration of the contractual term. The day rate we earn can vary between the full day rate and zero rate, depending on the operations of the rig. 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. In addition, our customers may pay all or a portion of the cost of moving our equipment and personnel to and from the well site.

    Acquisition of Atwood Oceanics, Inc.

On October 6, 2017 (the "Merger Date"), we completed a merger transaction (the "Merger") with Atwood Oceanics, Inc. ("Atwood") and Echo Merger Sub, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ensco plc. Pursuant to the merger agreement, Echo Merger Sub, LLC merged with and into Atwood, with Atwood as the surviving entity and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Ensco plc. Total consideration delivered in the Merger consisted of 132.2 million of our Class A ordinary shares and $11.1 million of cash in settlement of certain share-based payment awards. The total aggregate value of consideration transferred was $781.8 million. Additionally, upon closing of the Merger, we utilized cash acquired of $445.4 million and cash on hand to extinguish Atwood's revolving credit facility, outstanding senior notes and accrued interest totaling $1.3 billion. The estimated fair values assigned to assets acquired net of liabilities assumed exceeded the consideration transferred, resulting in a bargain purchase gain of $140.2 million that was recognized during the fourth quarter.
 
Basis of Presentation—U.K. Companies Act 2006 Section 435 Statement

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which the Board of Directors consider to be the most meaningful presentation of our results of operations and financial position.  The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not constitute statutory accounts required by the U.K. Companies Act 2006 ("Companies Act"), which will be prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102, The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (“FRS 102”) and delivered to the Registrar of Companies in the U.K. following the annual general meeting of shareholders.  The U.K. statutory accounts are expected to include an unqualified auditor’s report, which is not expected to contain any references to matters on which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying the report or any statements under Sections 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act.
 

95



Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ensco plc, those of our wholly-owned subsidiaries and entities in which we hold a controlling financial interest. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. 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 U.S. 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, including certain gains and losses on our derivative instruments, are included in other, net, in our consolidated statement 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 gains and losses, inclusive of offsetting fair value derivatives, were $5.1 million of losses, $6.0 million of losses and $5.4 million of gains, and were included in other, net, in our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, 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.

Short-term investments consisted of time deposits with initial maturities in excess of three months but less than one year and totaled $440.0 million and $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Cash flows from purchases and maturities of short-term investments were classified as investing activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. To mitigate our credit risk, our investments in time deposits are 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 that are not reimbursed by the customer. Repair and maintenance costs are charged to contract drilling expense in the period in which they are incurred. Upon 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 contract drilling expense, unless reclassified to discontinued operations.

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 four to 35 years. Buildings and improvements are depreciated over estimated useful lives ranging from

96



seven to 30 years. Other equipment, including computer and communications hardware and software costs, is depreciated over estimated useful lives ranging from three to six years.

We evaluate the carrying value of our property and equipment for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets 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.

During 2017 and 2015, we recorded pre-tax, non-cash losses on impairment of long-lived assets of $182.9 million and $2.6 billion. See "Note 4 - Property and Equipment" for additional information on these impairments.

If the global economy deteriorates and/or our expectations relative to future offshore drilling industry conditions decline, it is reasonably possible that additional impairment charges may occur with respect to specific individual rigs, groups of rigs, such as a specific type of drilling rig, or rigs in a certain geographic location.
  
Operating Revenues and Expenses    

Our drilling contracts are performed on a day rate basis, and the terms of such contracts are typically for a specific period of time or the period of time required to complete a specific task, such as drill a well. Contract revenues and expenses are recognized on a per day basis, as the work is performed.

In connection with some contracts, we receive lump-sum fees or similar compensation for the mobilization of equipment and personnel prior to the commencement of drilling services or the demobilization of equipment and personnel upon contract completion. Fees received for the mobilization or demobilization of equipment and personnel are included in operating revenues. The costs incurred in connection with the mobilization and demobilization of equipment and personnel are included in contract drilling expense.

Mobilization fees received and costs incurred prior to commencement of drilling operations are deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the period that the related drilling services are performed. Demobilization fees and related costs are recognized as incurred upon contract completion. Costs associated with the mobilization of equipment and personnel to more promising market areas without contracts are expensed as incurred.

Deferred mobilization costs were included in other current assets and other assets, net, on our consolidated balance sheets and totaled $39.9 million and $43.9 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Deferred mobilization revenue was included in accrued liabilities and other, and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets and totaled $35.7 million and $62.1 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

In connection with some contracts, we receive up-front lump-sum fees or similar compensation for capital improvements to our drilling rigs. Such compensation is deferred and amortized to revenue over the period that the related drilling services are performed, and the cost is capitalized and depreciated over the useful life of the asset. Deferred revenue associated with capital improvements was included in accrued liabilities and other, and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets and totaled $87.4 million and $165.2 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

We may receive termination fees if certain drilling contracts are terminated by the customer prior to the end of the contractual term. Such compensation is recognized as revenues when services have been completed under the terms of the contract, the termination fee can be reasonably measured and collectability is reasonably assured.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, operating revenues included $185.0 million for the lump-sum consideration received in settlement and release of the ENSCO DS-9 customer's ongoing early termination obligations. The ENSCO DS-9 contract was terminated for convenience by the customer in July 2015, whereby the customer was

97



obligated to pay us monthly termination fees for two years under the termination provisions of the contract. Operating revenues in 2016 also included $20.0 million for the lump-sum consideration received in settlement of the ENSCO 8503 customer's remaining obligations under the contract.
    
For the year ended December 31, 2015, operating revenues included $129.0 million related to the lump-sum payments associated with the ENSCO DS-4 and ENSCO DS-9 contract terminations.

We must obtain certifications from various regulatory bodies in order to operate our drilling rigs and must maintain such certifications through periodic inspections and surveys. The costs incurred in connection with maintaining such certifications, including inspections, tests, surveys and drydock, as well as remedial structural work and other compliance costs, are deferred and amortized over the corresponding certification periods. Deferred regulatory certification and compliance costs were included in other current assets and other assets, net, on our consolidated balance sheets and totaled $15.3 million and $14.9 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
    
Derivative Instruments

We use derivatives to reduce our exposure to various market risks, primarily foreign currency exchange rate risk. See "Note 6 - Derivative Instruments" for additional information on how and why we use derivatives.

All derivatives are recorded on our consolidated balance sheet at fair value. Derivatives subject to legally enforceable master netting agreements are not offset on our consolidated balance sheet. Accounting for the gains and losses resulting from changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the use of the derivative and whether it qualifies for hedge accounting. Derivatives qualify for hedge accounting when they are formally designated as hedges and are effective in reducing the risk exposure that they are designated to hedge. Our assessment of hedge effectiveness is formally documented at hedge inception, and we review hedge effectiveness and measure any ineffectiveness throughout the designated hedge period on at least a quarterly basis.

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated as hedges of the variability in expected future cash flows associated with existing recognized assets or liabilities or forecasted transactions ("cash flow hedges") are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI").  Amounts recorded in AOCI associated with cash flow hedges are subsequently reclassified into contract drilling, depreciation or interest expense as earnings are affected by the underlying hedged forecasted transactions.

Gains and losses on a cash flow hedge, or a portion of a cash flow hedge, that no longer qualifies as effective due to an unanticipated change in the forecasted transaction are recognized currently in earnings and included in other, net, in our consolidated statement of operations based on the change in the fair value of the derivative. When a forecasted transaction becomes probable of not occurring, gains and losses on the derivative previously recorded in AOCI are reclassified currently into earnings and included in other, net, in our consolidated statement of operations.

We occasionally enter into derivatives that hedge the fair value of recognized assets or liabilities, but do not designate such derivatives as hedges or the derivatives otherwise do not qualify for hedge accounting. In these situations, a natural hedging relationship generally exists where changes in the fair value of the derivatives offset changes in the fair value of the underlying hedged items. Changes in the fair value of these derivatives are recognized currently in earnings in other, net, in our consolidated statement of operations.

Derivatives with asset fair values are reported in other current assets or other assets, net, on our consolidated balance sheet depending on maturity date. Derivatives with liability fair values are reported in accrued liabilities and other, or other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet depending on maturity date.


98



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 using a more-likely-than-not threshold, and those tax positions 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 statement 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 (“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. Prior to our adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory (“Update 2016-16”) on January 1, 2017, income taxes resulting from an intercompany rig sale, as well as the tax effect of any reversing temporary differences resulting from the sale, were deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining useful life of the rig. Subsequent to our adoption of Update 2016-16, 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. The U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“U.S. tax reform”) was enacted on December 22, 2017 and introduced significant changes to U.S. income tax law, including a reduction in the statutory income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018, a base erosion anti-abuse tax that effectively imposes a minimum tax on certain payments to non-U.S. affiliates and new and revised rules relating to the current taxation of certain income of foreign subsidiaries. See "Note 10 - Income Taxes" for additional information.

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Share-Based Compensation

We sponsor share-based compensation plans that provide equity compensation to our key employees, officers and non-employee directors. Our Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2012 LTIP”) allows our Board of Directors to authorize share grants to be settled in cash or shares. Compensation expense for share 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 share awards to be settled in cash is remeasured each quarter with a cumulative adjustment to compensation cost during the period based on changes in our share price. Any adjustments to the compensation cost recognized in our consolidated statement of operations for awards that are forfeited are recognized in the period in which the forfeitures occur. See "Note 8 - Benefit Plans" for additional information on our share-based compensation.

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 3 - 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 statement of operations. 

Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Ensco for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 was as follows (in millions):

 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Income (loss) from continuing operations
$
(305.2
)
 
$
889.0

 
$
(1,457.3
)
(Income) loss from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests
.5

 
(6.9
)
 
(8.8
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Ensco
$
(304.7
)
 
$
882.1

 
$
(1,466.1
)
    
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Ensco for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 was as follows (in millions):

 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
$
1.0

 
$
8.1

 
$
(128.6
)
Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 
(.1
)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Ensco
$
1.0

 
$
8.1

 
$
(128.7
)

Earnings Per Share
    
We compute basic and diluted earnings per share ("EPS") in accordance with the two-class method. Net income (loss) attributable to Ensco used in our computations of basic and diluted EPS is adjusted to exclude net income allocated to non-vested shares granted to our employees and non-employee directors. Weighted-average shares

100



outstanding used in our computation of diluted EPS is calculated using the treasury stock method and includes the effect of all potentially dilutive performance awards and excludes non-vested shares. In each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, our potentially dilutive instruments were not included in the computation of diluted EPS as the effect of including these shares in the calculation would have been anti-dilutive.
 
The following table is a reconciliation of income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Ensco shares used in our basic and diluted EPS computations for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 (in millions):

 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Ensco
$
(304.7
)
 
$
882.1

 
$
(1,466.1
)
Income from continuing operations allocated to non-vested share awards
(.4
)
 
(16.6
)
 
(2.0
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Ensco shares
$
(305.1
)
 
$
865.5

 
$
(1,468.1
)
    
Anti-dilutive share awards totaling 2.0 million, 500,000 and 800,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS.
     
During 2016, we issued our 3.00% exchangeable senior notes due 2024 (the "2024 Convertible Notes"). See "Note 5 - Debt" for additional information on this issuance. We have the option to settle the notes in cash, shares or a combination thereof for the aggregate amount due upon conversion. Our intent is to settle the principal amount of the 2024 Convertible Notes in cash upon conversion. If the conversion value exceeds the principal amount (i.e., our share price exceeds the exchange price on the date of conversion), we expect to deliver shares equal to the remainder of our conversion obligation in excess of the principal amount.

During each respective reporting period that our average share price exceeds the exchange price, an assumed number of shares required to settle the conversion obligation in excess of the principal amount will be included in our denominator for the computation of diluted EPS using the treasury stock method. Our average share price did not exceed the exchange price during the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

New Accounting Pronouncements
    
In August 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Update 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities ("Update 2017-12"), which will make more hedging strategies eligible for hedge accounting. It also amends presentation and disclosure requirements and changes how companies assess effectiveness. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect that Update 2017-12 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In October 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory (“Update 2016-16”), which requires entities to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transaction occurs as opposed to deferring tax consequences and amortizing them into future periods. We adopted Update 2016-16 on a modified retrospective basis effective January 1, 2017. As a result of modified retrospective application, we reduced prepaid taxes on intercompany transfers of property and related deferred tax liabilities resulting in the recognition of a cumulative-effect reduction in retained earnings of $14.1 million on our consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2017.
    
In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting ("Update 2016-09"), which simplifies several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. We adopted Update 2016-09 effective January 1, 2017. Our adoption of Update 2016-09 did not result in any cumulative effect

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on retained earnings and no adjustments have been made to prior periods. The new standard will cause volatility in our effective tax rates primarily due to the new requirement to recognize additional tax benefits or expenses in earnings related to the vesting or settlement of employee share-based awards, rather than in additional paid-in capital, during the period in which they occur. Furthermore, forfeitures are now recorded as they occur as opposed to estimating an allowance for future forfeitures.

During 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) ("Update 2014-09"), which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. Update 2014-09 is effective for annual and interim periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Subsequent to the issuance of Update 2014-09, the FASB issued several additional Accounting Standards Updates to clarify implementation guidance, provide narrow-scope improvements and provide additional disclosure guidance. Update 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP and may be adopted using a retrospective, modified retrospective or prospective with a cumulative catch-up approach. Due to the significant interaction between Update 2014-09 and Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842): Amendments to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("Update 2016-02"), we will adopt Update 2014-09 and Update 2016-02 concurrently with an effective date of January 1, 2018. A substantial portion of our revenues will be recognized under Update 2016-02; therefore, Update 2014-09 will not have a significant impact on our revenue recognition patterns. However, certain additional disclosures will be required upon adoption.

During 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-02, which requires an entity to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and to disclose key qualitative and quantitative information about the entity's leasing arrangements. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. During our evaluation of Update 2016-02, we concluded that our drilling contracts contain a lease component. In January 2018, the FASB issued a Proposed Accounting Standard Update to provide targeted improvements to Update 2016-02 which (1) provides for a new transition method whereby entities may elect to adopt the Update using a prospective with cumulative catch-up approach and, (2) provides lessors with a practical expedient to not separate non-lease components from the related lease components, by class of underlying asset. Application of the practical expedient would result in a combined single lease component that, provided specified conditions are met, would be classified as an operating lease for lessors. We expect to elect both provisions afforded under the Proposed Accounting Standard Update. We do not expect a significant cumulative-effect adjustment in the period of adoption, and we do not expect a significant change to our pattern of revenue recognition as compared to current GAAP. However, as a result of the adoption of Update 2016-12, we will be required to present increased disclosures of the nature of our leasing arrangements as well as certain other qualitative and quantitative disclosures. With respect to leases whereby we are the lessee, we expect to recognize lease liabilities and offsetting "right of use" assets ranging from approximately $70 million to $90 million.

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.
    
2. ACQUISITION OF ATWOOD

On May 29, 2017, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Atwood and Echo Merger Sub, LLC, our wholly-owned subsidiary, and on October 6, 2017 (the "Merger Date"), we completed our acquisition of Atwood pursuant to the Merger Agreement (the “Merger”). Atwood’s financial results are included in our consolidated results beginning on the Merger Date.

The Merger is expected to strengthen our position as the leader in offshore drilling across a wide range of water depths around the world. The Merger significantly enhances the capabilities of our rig fleet and improves our ability to meet future customer demand with the highest-specification assets. Revenues of Atwood from the Merger Date included in our consolidated statements of operations were $23.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Net loss of Atwood from the Merger Date included in our consolidated statements of operations was $70.1 million, inclusive of integration costs of $27.9 million, for the year ended December 31, 2017.

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Consideration

    As a result of the Merger, Atwood shareholders received 1.60 Ensco Class A Ordinary shares for each share of Atwood common stock, representing a value of $9.33 per share of Atwood common stock based on a closing price of $5.83 per Class A ordinary share on October 5, 2017, the last trading day before the Merger Date. Total consideration delivered in the Merger consisted of 132.2 million of our Class A ordinary shares and $11.1 million of cash in settlement of certain share-based payment awards. The total aggregate value of consideration transferred was $781.8 million. Additionally, upon closing of the Merger, we utilized cash acquired of $445.4 million and cash on hand to extinguish Atwood's revolving credit facility, outstanding senior notes and accrued interest totaling $1.3 billion. The estimated fair values assigned to assets acquired net of liabilities assumed exceeded the consideration transferred, resulting in a bargain purchase gain of $140.2 million that was recognized during the fourth quarter.

Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed
    
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Merger have been recorded at their estimated fair values as of the Merger Date under the acquisition method of accounting. When the fair value of the net assets acquired exceeds the consideration transferred in an acquisition, the difference is recorded as a bargain purchase gain in the period in which the transaction occurs. We have not finalized the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed; therefore, the fair value estimates set forth below are subject to adjustment during a one year measurement period subsequent to the Merger Date. The estimated fair values of certain assets and liabilities including inventory, long-lived assets and contingencies require judgments and assumptions that increase the likelihood that adjustments may be made to these estimates during the measurement period, and those adjustments could be material.

The provisional amounts for assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on preliminary estimates of their fair values as of the Merger Date and were as follows (in millions):
 
Estimated Fair Value
Assets:
 
Cash and cash equivalents(1)
$
445.4

Accounts receivable(2)
62.3

Other current assets
118.1

Property and equipment
1,762.0

Other assets
23.7

Liabilities:
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
64.9

Other liabilities
118.7

Net assets acquired
2,227.9

Less:
 
Merger consideration
(781.8
)
Repayment of Atwood debt
(1,305.9
)
Bargain purchase gain
$
140.2


(1) Upon closing of the Merger, we utilized acquired cash of $445.4 million and cash on hand from the liquidation of short-term investments to repay Atwood's debt and accrued interest of $1.3 billion.
(2) Gross contractual amounts receivable totaled $64.7 million as of the Merger Date.


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Bargain Purchase Gain

The estimated fair values assigned to assets acquired net of liabilities assumed exceeded the consideration transferred, resulting in a bargain purchase gain primarily due to depressed offshore drilling company valuations. Market capitalizations across the offshore drilling industry have declined significantly since mid-2014 due to the decline in commodity prices and the related imbalance of supply and demand for drilling rigs. The resulting bargain purchase gain was further driven by the decline in our share price from $6.70 to $5.83 between the last trading day prior to the announcement of the Merger and the Merger Date. The gain was included in other, net, in our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Merger-Related Costs

Merger-related costs were expensed as incurred and consisted of various advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other professional or consulting fees totaling $19.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. These costs are included in general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of operations.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment acquired in connection with the Merger consisted primarily of drilling rigs and related equipment, including four drillships (two of which are under construction), two semisubmersible rigs and five jackup rigs.  We recorded property and equipment acquired at its estimated fair value of $1.8 billion. We estimated the fair value of the rigs and equipment by applying an income approach, using projected discounted cash flows, or a market approach. We estimated remaining useful lives for Atwood's drilling rigs, which ranged from 16 to 35 years based on original estimated useful lives of 30 to 35 years.

Deferred Taxes

The Merger was executed through the acquisition of Atwood's outstanding common stock and, therefore, the historical tax bases of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities, net operating losses and other tax attributes of Atwood were assumed as of the Merger Date.  However, adjustments were recorded to recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the tax effects of differences between acquisition date fair values and tax bases of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Additionally, the interaction of our and Atwood's tax attributes that impacted the deferred taxes of the combined entity were also recognized as part of acquisition accounting. As of the Merger Date, an increase of $2.5 million to Atwood’s net deferred tax liability was recognized.     

Deferred tax assets and liabilities recognized in connection with the Merger were measured at rates enacted as of the Merger Date.  Tax rate changes, or any deferred tax adjustments for new tax legislation, following the Merger Date, including the recently enacted U.S. tax reform , will be reflected in our operating results in the period in which the change in tax laws or rate is enacted.

Intangible Assets and Liabilities

We recorded intangible assets totaling $33.3 million representing the estimated fair value of Atwood's firm drilling contracts in place at the Merger Date with favorable contract terms compared to then-market day rates for comparable drilling rigs. The various factors considered in the determination of these fair values were (1) the contracted day rate for each contract, (2) the remaining term of each contract, (3) the rig class and (4) the market conditions for each respective rig class at the Merger Date. The intangible assets were calculated based on the present value of the difference in cash flows over the remaining contract term as compared to a hypothetical contract with the same remaining term at an estimated then-current market day rate using a risk-adjusted discount rate and an estimated effective income tax rate.

Operating revenues included $16.1 million of asset amortization during the year ended December 31, 2017. The remaining balance of $17.2 million was included in other current assets and other assets, net, on our consolidated

104



balance sheet as of December 31, 2017. These balances will be amortized to operating revenues over the respective remaining drilling contract terms on a straight-line basis. Amortization for these intangible assets is estimated to be $11.4 million and $5.8 million for 2018 and 2019, respectively.

We recorded intangible liabilities of $60.0 million for the estimated fair value of unfavorable drillship construction contracts, which were determined by comparing the firm obligations for the remaining construction of ENSCO DS-13 and ENSCO DS-14 to the estimated current market rates for the construction of a comparable drilling rig. The unfavorable construction liability was calculated based on the present value of the difference in cash outflows for the remaining contractual payments as compared to a hypothetical contract with the same remaining contractual payments at estimated then-current market rates using a risk-adjusted discount rate and an estimated effective income tax rate. The liabilities will be amortized over the estimated life of ENSCO DS-13 and ENSCO DS-14 as a reduction of depreciation expense beginning on the date the rig is placed into service.

Pro Forma Impact of the Merger

The following unaudited supplemental pro forma results present consolidated information as if the Merger was completed on January 1, 2016. The pro forma results include, among others, (i) the amortization associated with acquired intangible assets and liabilities, (ii) a reduction in depreciation expense for adjustments to property and equipment and (iii) a reduction to interest expense resulting from the retirement of Atwood's revolving credit facility and 6.50% senior notes due 2020. The pro forma results do not include any potential synergies or non-recurring charges that may result directly from the Merger.

(in millions, except per share amounts)
Twelve Months Ended (Unaudited)
 
   2017(1)
 
2016
Revenues
$
2,243.0

 
$
3,622.1

Net income (loss)
(168.7
)
 
1,284.9

Earnings (loss) per share - basic and diluted
(.39
)
 
3.18

(1) Pro forma net income and earnings per share were adjusted to exclude an aggregate $80.7 million of merger-related and integration costs incurred by Ensco and Atwood during 2017.




105



3.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The following fair value hierarchy table categorizes information regarding our net financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):

 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
  (Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
As of December 31, 2017
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Supplemental executive retirement plan assets
$
30.9

 
$

 
$

 
$
30.9

Derivatives, net

 
6.8

 

 
6.8

Total financial assets
30.9

 
6.8

 

 
37.7

Total financial liabilities

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2016
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Supplemental executive retirement plan assets
$
27.7

 
$

 
$

 
$
27.7

Total financial assets
27.7

 

 

 
27.7

Derivatives, net

 
(8.8
)
 

 
(8.8
)
Total financial liabilities
$

 
$
(8.8
)
 
$

 
$
(8.8
)

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans

Our Ensco supplemental executive retirement plans (the "SERPs") are non-qualified plans that provide for eligible employees to defer a portion of their compensation for use after retirement. Assets held in the SERP were marketable securities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 1 inputs and were included in other assets, net, on our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.  The fair value measurements of assets held in the SERP were based on quoted market prices. Net unrealized gains of $4.5 million, $1.8 million and $700,000 from marketable securities held in our SERP were included in other, net, in our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
 
Derivatives

Our derivatives were measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 2 inputs as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.  See "Note 6 - Derivative Instruments" for additional information on our derivatives, including a description of our foreign currency hedging activities and related methodologies used to manage foreign currency exchange rate risk. The fair value measurements of our derivatives were based on market prices that are generally observable for similar assets or liabilities at commonly quoted intervals.


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Other Financial Instruments

The carrying values and estimated fair values of our debt instruments as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows (in millions):
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Carrying
Value
 
Estimated
  Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
Estimated
  Fair
Value
8.50% Senior notes due 2019
 
$
251.4

 
$
252.9

 
$
480.2

 
$
485.0

6.875% Senior notes due 2020
 
477.9

 
473.1

 
735.9

 
727.5

4.70% Senior notes due 2021
 
267.1

 
265.3

 
674.4

 
658.9

3.00% Exchangeable senior notes due 2024 (1)
 
635.7

 
757.1

 
604.3

 
874.7

4.50% Senior notes due 2024
 
619.3

 
527.1

 
618.6

 
536.0

8.00% Senior notes due 2024
 
337.9

 
333.8

 

 

5.20% Senior notes due 2025
 
663.6

 
571.4

 
662.8

 
582.3

7.20% Debentures due 2027
 
149.3

 
141.9

 
149.2

 
138.7

7.875% Senior notes due 2040
 
376.7

 
258.8

 
378.3

 
270.6

5.75% Senior notes due 2044
 
971.8

 
690.4

 
970.8

 
728.0

Total 
 
$
4,750.7

 
$
4,271.8

 
$
5,274.5

 
$
5,001.7


 (1)  
Our 2024 Convertible Notes were issued with a conversion feature. The 2024 Convertible Notes were separated into their liability and equity components on our consolidated balance sheet. The equity component was initially recorded to additional paid-in capital and as a debt discount, which will be amortized to interest expense. Excluding the unamortized discount, the carrying value of the 2024 Convertible Notes was $834.0 million and $830.1 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. See "Note 5 - Debt" for additional information on this issuance.

The estimated fair values of our senior notes and debentures were determined using quoted market prices. The decline in the carrying value of long-term debt instruments from December 31, 2016 to December 31, 2017 is primarily due to debt repurchases as discussed in "Note 5 - Debt". The estimated fair values of our cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, receivables, trade payables and other liabilities approximated their carrying values as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

4.  PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 consisted of the following (in millions):
 
 
2017
 
2016
Drilling rigs and equipment
 
$
12,272.4

 
$
11,067.4

Other
 
183.4

 
180.8

Work in progress
 
2,876.3

 
1,744.3

 
 
$
15,332.1

 
$
12,992.5

 
Work in progress as of December 31, 2017 primarily consisted of $2.0 billion related to the construction of ultra-deepwater drillships ENSCO DS-9, ENSCO DS-10, ENSCO DS-13 and ENSCO DS-14, $423.6 million related to the construction of ENSCO 140 and ENSCO 141 premium jackup rigs and $321.6 million related to the construction of ENSCO 123, an ultra-premium harsh environment jackup rig. ENSCO DS-9, ENSCO DS-10, ENSCO 140 and ENSCO 141 have been delivered by the respective shipyards but have not yet been placed into service as of December 31, 2017.


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Work in progress as of December 31, 2016 primarily consisted of $1.1 billion related to the construction of ultra-deepwater drillships ENSCO DS-9 and ENSCO DS-10, $415.4 million related to the construction of ENSCO 140 and ENSCO 141 premium jackup rigs and $85.2 million related to the construction of ENSCO 123, an ultra-premium harsh environment jackup rig.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

On a quarterly basis, we evaluate the carrying value of our property and equipment to identify events or changes in circumstances ("triggering events") that indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.     

During 2017, we recognized a pre-tax, non-cash loss on impairment of $182.9 million related to older, less capable, non-core assets in our fleet. During the fourth quarter, we determined that the remaining useful life of certain non-core rigs would not extend substantially beyond their current contracts, resulting in triggering events and the performance of recoverability tests. Our estimates of undiscounted cash flows over the revised estimated remaining useful lives were not sufficient to recover each asset’s carrying value. Accordingly, we concluded that two semisubmersibles and one jackup were impaired as of December 31, 2017.

During 2015, we recognized a pre-tax, non-cash loss on impairment of $2.6 billion, of which $2.5 billion was included in income (loss) from continuing operations and $148.6 million was included in income (loss) from discontinued operations, net, in our consolidated statement of operations. The impairments recognized during 2015 resulted from adverse changes in our business climate that led to the conclusion that triggering events had occurred across our fleet.
 
For rigs whose carrying values were determined not to be recoverable during 2017 and 2015, we recorded an impairment for the difference between their fair values and carrying values. We estimated the fair values of these rigs by applying either an income approach, using projected discounted cash flows, or a market approach. These valuations were based on unobservable inputs that require significant judgments for which there is limited information, including assumptions regarding future day rates, utilization, operating costs and capital requirements.

In instances where we applied an income approach, forecasted day rates and utilization took into account market conditions and our anticipated business outlook. In instances where we applied a market approach, the fair value was based on unobservable third-party estimated prices that would be received in exchange for the assets in an orderly transaction between market participants. We validated all third-party estimated prices using our forecasts of economic returns for the respective rigs or other market data.

If the global economy, our overall business outlook and/or our expectations regarding the marketability of one or more of our drilling rigs deteriorate further, we may conclude that a triggering event has occurred and perform a recoverability test that could lead to a material impairment charge in future periods.


108



5.  DEBT

The carrying value of our long-term debt as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 consisted of the following (in millions):
 
 
2017
 
2016
8.50% Senior notes due 2019
 
$
251.4

 
$
480.2

6.875% Senior notes due 2020
 
477.9

 
735.9

4.70% Senior notes due 2021
 
267.1

 
674.4

3.00% Exchangeable senior notes due 2024
 
635.7

 
604.3

4.50% Senior notes due 2024
 
619.3

 
618.6

8.00% Senior notes due 2024
 
337.9

 

5.20% Senior notes due 2025
 
663.6

 
662.8

7.20% Debentures due 2027
 
149.3

 
149.2

7.875% Senior notes due 2040
 
376.7

 
378.3

5.75% Senior notes due 2044
 
971.8

 
970.8

Total debt
 
4,750.7

 
5,274.5

Less current maturities(1)
 

 
(331.9
)
Total long-term debt
 
$
4,750.7

 
$
4,942.6


(1) 
In January 2017, we completed exchange offers to exchange our outstanding 8.50% senior notes due 2019, 6.875% senior notes due 2020 and 4.70% senior notes due 2021 for 8.00% senior notes due 2024 and cash. As of December 31, 2016, the aggregate amount of principal repurchased with cash, along with associated premiums, was classified as current maturities of long-term debt on our consolidated balance sheet.

 Convertible Senior Notes
 
     In December 2016, Ensco Jersey Finance Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ensco plc, issued $849.5 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured 2024 Convertible Notes in a private offering. The 2024 Convertible Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a senior, unsecured basis, by Ensco plc and are exchangeable into cash, our Class A ordinary shares or a combination thereof, at our election. Interest on the 2024 Convertible Notes is payable semiannually on January 31 and July 31 of each year. The 2024 Convertible Notes will mature on January 31, 2024, unless exchanged, redeemed or repurchased in accordance with their terms prior to such date. Holders may exchange their 2024 Convertible Notes at their option any time prior to July 31, 2023 only under certain circumstances set forth in the indenture governing the 2024 Convertible Notes. On or after July 31, 2023, holders may exchange their 2024 Convertible Notes at any time. The exchange rate is 71.3343 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes, representing an exchange price of $14.02 per share, and is subject to adjustment upon certain events. The 2024 Convertible Notes may not be redeemed by us except in the event of certain tax law changes.
    
Upon conversion of the 2024 Convertible Notes, holders will receive cash, our Class A ordinary shares or a combination thereof, at our election. Our intent is to settle the principal amount of the 2024 Convertible Notes in cash upon conversion. If the conversion value exceeds the principal amount (i.e., our share price exceeds the exchange price on the date of conversion), we expect to deliver shares equal to our conversion obligation in excess of the principal amount. During each respective reporting period that our average share price exceeds the exchange price, an assumed number of shares required to settle the conversion obligation in excess of the principal amount will be included in the denominator for our computation of diluted EPS using the treasury stock method. See "Note 1 - Description of the Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" for additional information regarding the impact to our EPS.

The 2024 Convertible Notes were separated into their liability and equity components and included in long-term debt and additional paid-in capital on our consolidated balance sheet, respectively. The carrying amount of the

109



liability component was calculated by measuring the estimated fair value of a similar liability that does not include an associated conversion feature. The carrying amount of the equity component representing the conversion feature was determined by deducting the fair value of the liability component from the principal amount of the 2024 Convertible Notes. The difference between the carrying amount of the liability and the principal amount is amortized to interest expense over the term of the 2024 Convertible Notes, together with the coupon interest, resulting in an effective interest rate of approximately 8% per annum. The equity component is not remeasured if we continue to meet certain conditions for equity classification.

The costs related to the issuance of the 2024 Convertible Notes were allocated to the liability and equity components based on their relative fair values. Issuance costs attributable to the liability component are amortized to interest expense over the term of the notes and the issuance costs attributable to the equity component were recorded to additional paid-in capital on our consolidated balance sheet.

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the 2024 Convertible Notes consist of the following (in millions):
Liability component:
 
2017
 
2016
Principal
 
$
849.5

 
$
849.5

Less: Unamortized debt discount and issuance costs
 
(213.8
)
 
(245.2
)
Net carrying amount
 
635.7

 
604.3

Equity component, net
 
$
220.0

 
$
220.0


During the year ended December 31, 2017, we recognized $25.5 million associated with coupon interest and $31.4 million associated with the amortization of debt discount and issuance costs. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we recognized $1.3 million associated with coupon interest and $1.5 million associated the amortization of debt discount and issuance costs.

The indenture governing the 2024 Convertible Notes contains customary events of default, including failure to pay principal or interest on such notes when due, among others. The indenture also contains certain restrictions, including, among others, restrictions on our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to create or incur secured indebtedness, enter into certain sale/leaseback transactions and enter into certain merger or consolidation transactions.

  Senior Notes

On January 26, 2018, we issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of unsecured 7.75% senior notes due 2026 at par. Interest on the 2026 Notes is payable semiannually on February 1 and August 1 of each year commencing August 1, 2018.     

During 2017, we exchanged $332.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured 8.00% senior notes due 2024 (the “8 % 2024 Notes”) for certain amounts of our outstanding senior notes due 2019, 2020 and 2021. Interest on the 8% 2024 Notes is payable semiannually on January 31 and July 31 of each year.
 
During 2015, we issued $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured 5.20% senior notes due 2025 (the “2025 Notes”) at a discount of $2.6 million and $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured 5.75% senior notes due 2044 (the “New 2044 Notes”) at a discount of $18.7 million in a public offering. Interest on the 2025 Notes is payable semiannually on March 15 and September 15 of each year. Interest on the New 2044 Notes is payable semiannually on April 1 and October 1 of each year.

During 2014, we issued $625.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured 4.50% senior notes due 2024 (the "2024 Notes") at a discount of $850,000 and $625.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured 5.75% senior notes due 2044 (the "Existing 2044 Notes" and together with the New 2044 Notes, the "2044 Notes") at a discount of $2.8 million. Interest on the 2024 Notes and the Existing 2044 Notes is payable semiannually on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The Existing 2044 Notes and the New 2044 Notes are treated as a single series of debt securities under the indenture governing the notes.

110




During 2011, we issued $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of unsecured 4.70% senior notes due 2021 (the “2021 Notes”) at a discount of $29.6 million in a public offering. Interest on the 2021 Notes is payable semiannually on March 15 and September 15 of each year.

Upon consummation of the Pride acquisition during 2011, we assumed outstanding debt comprised of $900.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured 6.875% senior notes due 2020$500.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured 8.5% senior notes due 2019 and $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured 7.875% senior notes due 2040 (collectively, the "Acquired Notes" and together with the 2021 Notes, 8% 2024 Notes, 2024 Notes, 2025 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2044 Notes, the "Senior Notes").  Ensco plc has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the performance of all Pride obligations with respect to the Acquired Notes.  See "Note 15 - Guarantee of Registered Securities" for additional information on the guarantee of the Acquired Notes. 
   
We may redeem the 8% 2024 Notes, 2024 Notes, 2025 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2044 Notes in whole at any time, or in part from time to time, prior to maturity. If we elect to redeem the 8% 2024 Notes, 2024 Notes, 2025 Notes and 2026 Notes before the date that is three months prior to the maturity date or the 2044 Notes before the date that is six months prior to the maturity date, we will pay an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest and a "make-whole" premium. If we elect to redeem the 8% 2024 Notes, 2024 Notes, 2025 Notes, 2026 Notes or 2044 Notes on or after the aforementioned dates, we will pay an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest but we are not required to pay a "make-whole" premium.

We may redeem each series of the 2021 Notes and the Acquired Notes, in whole or in part, at any time at a price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and a "make-whole" premium.

The indentures governing the Senior Notes contain customary events of default, including failure to pay principal or interest on such notes when due, among others. The indentures governing the Senior Notes also contain certain restrictions, including, among others, restrictions on our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to create or incur secured indebtedness, enter into certain sale/leaseback transactions and enter into certain merger or consolidation transactions.

  Debentures Due 2027

During 1997, Ensco International Incorporated issued $150.0 million of unsecured 7.20% Debentures due 2027 (the "Debentures") in a public offering. Interest on the Debentures is payable semiannually on May 15 and November 15 of each year. We may redeem the Debentures, in whole or in part, at any time prior to maturity, at a price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and a "make-whole" premium. The Debentures are not subject to any sinking fund requirements. During 2009, Ensco plc entered into a supplemental indenture to unconditionally guarantee the principal and interest payments on the Debentures. See "Note 15 - Guarantee of Registered Securities" for additional information on the guarantee of the Debentures. 

The Debentures and the indenture pursuant to which the Debentures were issued also contain customary events of default, including failure to pay principal or interest on the Debentures when due, among others. The indenture also contains certain restrictions, including, among others, restrictions on our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to create or incur secured indebtedness, enter into certain sale/leaseback transactions and enter into certain merger or consolidation transactions.

  Tender Offers and Open Market Repurchases

During 2017, we repurchased $194.1 million of our outstanding senior notes on the open market for an aggregate purchase price of $204.5 million with cash on hand and recognized an insignificant pre-tax gain, net of discounts, premiums and debt issuance costs.


111



During 2016, we launched cash tender offers for up to $750.0 million aggregate purchase price of our outstanding debt. We received tenders totaling $860.7 million for an aggregate purchase price of $622.3 million. We used cash on hand to settle the tendered debt. Additionally during 2016, we repurchased on the open market $269.9 million of outstanding debt for an aggregate purchase price of $241.6 million.

Our tender offers and open market repurchases during the two-year period ended December 31, 2017 were as follows (in millions):

Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
Aggregate Principal Amount Repurchased
 
Aggregate Repurchase Price(1)
8.50% Senior notes due 2019
$
54.6

 
$
60.1

6.875% Senior notes due 2020
100.1

 
105.1

4.70% Senior notes due 2021
39.4

 
39.3

Total
$
194.1

 
$
204.5


(1) 
Excludes accrued interest paid to holders of the repurchased senior notes.

Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
Aggregate Principal Amount Repurchased
 
Aggregate Repurchase Price (1)
8.50% Senior notes due 2019
$
62.0

 
$
55.7

6.875% Senior notes due 2020
219.2

 
181.5

4.70% Senior notes due 2021
817.0

 
609.0

4.50% Senior notes due 2024
1.7

 
.9

5.20% Senior notes due 2025
30.7

 
16.8

Total
$
1,130.6

 
$
863.9


(1) 
Excludes accrued interest paid to holders of the repurchased senior notes.

112



 
Exchange Offers
    
During 2017, we completed exchange offers to exchange our outstanding 8.50% senior notes due 2019, 6.875% senior notes due 2020 and 4.70% senior notes due 2021 for 8.00% senior notes due 2024 and cash. The exchange offers resulted in the tender of $649.5 million aggregate principal amount of our outstanding notes that were settled and exchanged as follows (in millions):

 
Aggregate Principal Amount Repurchased
 
8% Senior Notes Due 2024 Consideration
 
Cash
Consideration
 
Total Consideration
8.50% Senior notes due 2019
$
145.8

 
$
81.6

 
$
81.7

 
$
163.3

6.875% Senior notes due 2020
129.8

 
69.3

 
69.4

 
138.7

4.70% Senior notes due 2021
373.9

 
181.1

 
181.4

 
362.5

Total
$
649.5

 
$
332.0

 
$
332.5

 
$
664.5


During the year ended December 31, 2017, we recognized a pre-tax loss on the exchange offers of approximately $6.2 million, consisting of a loss of $3.5 million that includes the write-off of premiums on tendered debt and $2.7 million of transaction costs.

 Debt to Equity Exchange

During 2016, we entered into a privately-negotiated exchange agreement whereby we issued 1,822,432 Class A ordinary shares, representing less than one percent of our outstanding shares, in exchange for $24.5 million principal amount of our 2044 Notes, resulting in a pre-tax gain from debt extinguishment of $8.8 million.

2018 Tender Offers and Redemption

Concurrent with the issuance of the 2026 Notes in January 2018, we launched cash tender offers for up to $985.0 million aggregate purchase price on certain series of senior notes issued by us and Pride International LLC, our wholly-owned subsidiary. The tender offers expired February 7, 2018 and we repurchased $182.6 million of the 8.50% senior notes due 2019, $256.6 million of the 6.875% senior notes due 2020 and $156.2 million of the 4.70% senior notes due 2021. We subsequently issued a redemption notice for the remaining outstanding $55.0 million principal amount of the 8.50% senior notes due 2019. The following table sets forth the total principal amounts repurchased as a result of the tender offers and redemption (in millions):
 
Aggregate Principal Amount Repurchased
 
Aggregate Repurchase Price(1)
8.50% Senior notes due 2019
$
237.6

 
$
256.8

6.875% Senior notes due 2020
256.6

 
277.1

4.70% Senior notes due 2021
156.2

 
159.3

Total
$
650.4

 
$
693.2


(1) 
Excludes accrued interest paid to holders of the repurchased senior notes.
    
During the first quarter of 2018, we expect to recognize a pre-tax loss from debt extinguishment of approximately $18.2 million related to the tender offers, net of discounts, premiums, debt issuance costs and transaction costs.


113



Revolving Credit    

In October 2017, we amended our revolving credit facility ("Credit Facility") to extend the final maturity date by two years. Previously, our Credit Facility had a borrowing capacity of $2.25 billion through September 2019 that declined to $1.13 billion through September 2020. Subsequent to the amendment, our borrowing capacity is $2.0 billion through September 2019 and declines to $1.3 billion through September 2020 and to $1.2 billion through September 2022. The credit agreement governing our revolving credit facility includes an accordion feature allowing us to increase the commitments expiring in September 2022 up to an aggregate amount not to exceed $1.5 billion.

Advances under the Credit Facility bear interest at Base Rate or LIBOR plus an applicable margin rate, depending on our credit ratings. We are required to pay a quarterly commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the $2.0 billion commitment, which is also based on our credit ratings.

In October 2017, Moody's announced a downgrade of our credit rating from B1 to B2, and Standard & Poor's downgraded our credit rating from BB to B+, which are both ratings below investment grade. Subsequently, in January 2018, Moody's downgraded our senior unsecured bond credit rating from B2 to B3. The Credit Facility amendment and the rating actions resulted in increases to the interest rates applicable to our borrowings and the quarterly commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the $2.0 billion commitment. The applicable margin rates are 3.00% per annum for Base Rate advances and 4.00% per annum for LIBOR advances. The quarterly commitment fee is 0.75% per annum on the undrawn portion of the $2.0 billion commitment.

The Credit Facility requires us to maintain a total debt to total capitalization ratio that is less than or equal to 60% and to provide guarantees from certain of our rig-owning subsidiaries sufficient to meet certain guarantee coverage ratios. The Credit Facility also contains customary restrictive covenants, including, among others, prohibitions on creating, incurring or assuming certain debt and liens (subject to customary exceptions, including a permitted lien basket that permits us to raise secured debt up to the lesser of $750 million or 10% of consolidated tangible net worth (as defined in the Credit Facility)); entering into certain merger arrangements; selling, leasing, transferring or otherwise disposing of all or substantially all of our assets; making a material change in the nature of the business; paying or distributing dividends on our ordinary shares (subject to certain exceptions, including the ability to continue paying a quarterly dividend of $0.01 per share); borrowings, if after giving effect to any such borrowings and the application of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate amount of available cash (as defined in the Credit Facility) would exceed $150 million; and entering into certain transactions with affiliates.

The Credit Facility also includes a covenant restricting our ability to repay indebtedness maturing after September 2022, which is the final maturity date of our Credit Facility. This covenant is subject to certain exceptions that permit us to manage our balance sheet, including the ability to make repayments of indebtedness (i) of acquired companies within 90 days of the completion of the acquisition or (ii) if, after giving effect to such repayments, available cash is greater than $250 million and there are no amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility.

As of December 31, 2017, we were in compliance in all material respects with our covenants under the Credit Facility. We expect to remain in compliance with our Credit Facility covenants during 2017. We had no amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Our access to credit and capital markets depends on the credit ratings assigned to our debt. As a result of recent rating actions by these agencies, we no longer maintain an investment-grade status. Our current credit ratings, and any additional actual or anticipated downgrades in our credit ratings, could limit our available options when accessing credit and capital markets, or when restructuring or refinancing our debt. In addition, future financings or refinancings may result in higher borrowing costs and require more restrictive terms and covenants, which may further restrict our operations.


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Maturities

The descriptions of our senior notes above reflect the original principal amounts issued, which have subsequently changed as a result of our tenders, repurchases, exchanges and new debt issuances such that the maturities of our debt were as follows (in millions):
Senior Notes
Original Principal
 
2016 Tenders, Repurchases and Equity Exchange
 
2017 Exchange Offers
 
2017 Repurchases
 
Principal Outstanding at December 31, 2017(1)
 
2018 Tender Offers, Redemption and Debt Issuance
 
Remaining Principal
8.50% due 2019
$
500.0

 
$
(62.0
)
 
$
(145.8
)
 
$
(54.6
)
 
$
237.6

 
$
(237.6
)
 
$

6.875% due 2020
900.0

 
(219.2
)
 
(129.8
)
 
(100.1
)
 
450.9

 
(256.6
)
 
194.3

4.70% due 2021
1,500.0

 
(817.0
)
 
(373.9
)
 
(39.4
)
 
269.7

 
(156.2
)
 
113.5

3.00% due 2024
849.5

 

 

 

 
849.5

 

 
849.5

4.50% due 2024
625.0

 
(1.7
)
 

 

 
623.3

 

 
623.3

8.00% due 2024

 

 
332.0

 

 
332.0

 

 
332.0

5.20% due 2025
700.0

 
(30.7
)
 

 

 
669.3

 

 
669.3

7.75% due 2026

 

 

 

 

 
1,000.0

 
1,000.0

7.20% due 2027
150.0

 

 

 

 
150.0

 

 
150.0

7.875% due 2040
300.0

 

 

 

 
300.0

 

 
300.0

5.75% due 2044
1,025.0

 
(24.5
)
 

 

 
1,000.5

 

 
1,000.5

Total
$
6,549.5

 
$
(1,155.1
)
 
$
(317.5
)
 
$
(194.1
)
 
$
4,882.8

 
$
349.6

 
$
5,232.4


(1) 
The aggregate principal amount outstanding as of December 31, 2017 excludes net unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs of $132.1 million.

Interest Expense

Interest expense totaled $224.2 million, $228.8 million and $216.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, which was net of interest amounts capitalized of $72.5 million, $45.7 million and $87.4 million in connection with newbuild rig construction and other capital projects.  

6.  DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
   
We use derivatives to reduce our exposure to various market risks, primarily foreign currency exchange rate risk. We maintain a foreign currency exchange rate risk management strategy that utilizes derivatives to reduce our exposure to unanticipated fluctuations in earnings and cash flows caused by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We mitigate our credit risk relating to the counterparties of our derivatives by transacting with multiple, high-quality financial institutions, thereby limiting exposure to individual counterparties, and by entering into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) Master Agreements, which include provisions for a legally enforceable master netting agreement, with our derivative counterparties. See "Note 14 - Supplemental Financial Information" for additional information on the mitigation of credit risk relating to counterparties of our derivatives. We do not enter into derivatives for trading or other speculative purposes.
 
All derivatives were recorded on our consolidated balance sheets at fair value. Derivatives subject to legally enforceable master netting agreements were not offset on our consolidated balance sheets. Accounting for the gains and losses resulting from changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the use of the derivative and whether it qualifies for hedge accounting. See "Note 1 - Description of the Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" for additional information on our accounting policy for derivatives and "Note 3 - Fair Value Measurements" for additional information on the fair value measurement of our derivatives.
 

115



As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, our consolidated balance sheets included net foreign currency derivative assets of $6.8 million and liabilities of $8.8 million, respectively.  All of our derivatives mature within the next 18 months.  

Derivatives recorded at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 consisted of the following (in millions):
 
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Foreign currency forward contracts - current(1)
$
5.9

 
$
4.1

 
$
.2

 
$
11.4

Foreign currency forward contracts - non-current(2)
.5

 
.2

 
.1

 
.8

 
6.4

 
4.3

 
.3

 
12.2

Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Foreign currency forward contracts - current(1)
.9

 
.4

 
.2

 
1.3

 
.9

 
.4

 
.2

 
1.3

Total
$
7.3

 
$
4.7

 
$
.5

 
$
13.5


(1) 
Derivative assets and liabilities that have maturity dates equal to or less than 12 months from the respective balance sheet dates were included in other current assets and accrued liabilities and other, respectively, on our consolidated balance sheets. 

(2) 
Derivative assets and liabilities that have maturity dates greater than 12 months from the respective balance sheet dates were included in other assets, net, and other liabilities, respectively, on our consolidated balance sheets.

We utilize cash flow hedges to hedge forecasted foreign currency denominated transactions, primarily to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk associated with contract drilling expenses and capital expenditures denominated in various currencies.  As of December 31, 2017, we had cash flow hedges outstanding to exchange an aggregate $188.4 million for various foreign currencies, including $82.2 million for British pounds, $47.8 million for Australian dollars, $27.0 million for euros, $19.9 million for Brazilian reals, $10.4 million for Singapore dollars and $1.1 million for other currencies.

Gains and losses, net of tax, on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges included in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 were as follows (in millions):
 
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive
Income ("OCI")
on Derivatives
  (Effective Portion)  
 
Loss Reclassified from
 AOCI into Income
(Effective Portion)(1)
 
Gain (Loss) Recognized
in Income on
Derivatives (Ineffective
Portion and Amount
Excluded from
Effectiveness Testing)(2)
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Interest rate lock contracts(3) 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(.2
)
 
$
(.2
)
 
$
(.6
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

Foreign currency forward contracts(4)
8.5

 
(5.4
)
 
(23.6
)
 
(.2
)
 
(12.2
)
 
(21.6
)
 
(.7
)
 
1.9

 
(.1
)
Total
$
8.5

 
$
(5.4
)
 
$
(23.6
)
 
$
(.4
)
 
$
(12.4
)
 
$
(22.2
)
 
$
(.7
)
 
$
1.9

 
$
(.1
)
 
(1)
Changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges are recorded in AOCI.  Amounts recorded in AOCI associated with cash flow hedges are subsequently reclassified into contract drilling, depreciation or interest expense as earnings are affected by the underlying hedged forecasted transaction.

116




(2) 
Gains and losses recognized in income for ineffectiveness and amounts excluded from effectiveness testing were included in other, net, in our consolidated statements of operations.

(3) 
Losses on interest rate lock derivatives reclassified from AOCI into income (effective portion) were included in interest expense, net, in our consolidated statements of operations.

(4) 
During the year ended December 31, 2017, $1.1 million of losses were reclassified from AOCI into contract drilling expense and $900,000 of gains were reclassified from AOCI into depreciation expense in our consolidated statement of operations. During the year ended December 31, 2016, $13.1 million of losses were reclassified from AOCI into contract drilling expense and $900,000 of gains were reclassified from AOCI into depreciation expense in our consolidated statement of operations. During the year ended December 31, 2015, $22.5 million of losses were reclassified from AOCI into contract drilling and $900,000 of gains were reclassified from AOCI into depreciation expense in our consolidated statement of operations.

We have net assets and liabilities denominated in numerous foreign currencies and use various methods to manage our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk. We predominantly structure our drilling contracts in U.S. dollars, which significantly reduces the portion of our cash flows and assets denominated in foreign currencies. We occasionally enter into derivatives that hedge the fair value of recognized foreign currency denominated assets or liabilities but do not designate such derivatives as hedging instruments. In these situations, a natural hedging relationship generally exists whereby changes in the fair value of the derivatives offset changes in the fair value of the underlying hedged items. As of December 31, 2017, we held derivatives not designated as hedging instruments to exchange an aggregate $131.1 million for various foreign currencies, including $93.3 million for euros, $9.6 million for Brazilian reals, $7.4 million for Indonesian rupiah, $5.6 million for British pounds, $5.4 million for Australian dollars and $9.8 million for other currencies.

Net gains of $10.0 million, and net losses of $7.0 million and $17.3 million associated with our derivatives not designated as hedging instruments were included in other, net, in our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

As of December 31, 2017, the estimated amount of net gains associated with derivatives, net of tax, that will be reclassified to earnings during the next 12 months was as follows (in millions):

Net unrealized gains to be reclassified to contract drilling expense
 
$
3.1

Net realized gains to be reclassified to depreciation expense
 
.9

Net realized losses to be reclassified to interest expense
 
(.4
)
Net gains to be reclassified to earnings
 
$
3.6




117



7.  SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Activity in our various shareholders' equity accounts for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 was as follows (in millions):
 
 Shares 
 
Par Value
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
AOCI 
 
Treasury
Shares
 
Noncontrolling
Interest
BALANCE, December 31, 2014
240.6

 
$
24.2

 
$
5,517.5

 
$
2,720.4

 
$
11.9

 
$
(59.0
)
 
$
7.9

Net loss

 

 

 
(1,594.8
)
 

 

 
8.9

Dividends paid

 

 

 
(140.3
)
 

 

 

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 
(12.5
)
Shares issued under share-based compensation plans, net
2.3

 
.2

 

 

 

 
(.2
)
 

Tax expense from share-based compensation

 

 
(2.4
)
 

 

 

 

Repurchase of shares

 

 

 

 

 
(4.6
)
 

Share-based compensation cost

 

 
39.4

 

 

 

 

Net other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 
.6

 

 

BALANCE, December 31, 2015
242.9

 
24.4

 
5,554.5

 
985.3

 
12.5

 
(63.8
)
 
4.3

Net income

 

 

 
890.2

 

 

 
6.9

Dividends paid

 

 

 
(11.4
)
 

 

 

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 
(7.8
)
Equity Issuance
65.6

 
6.5

 
579.0

 

 

 

 

Equity for debt exchange
1.8

 
.2

 
14.8

 

 

 

 

Equity Component of convertible senior notes issuance, net

 

 
220.0

 

 

 

 

Contributions from noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 
1.0

Tax expense on share-based compensation

 

 
(3.4
)
 

 

 

 

Repurchase of shares

 

 

 

 

 
(2.0
)
 

Share-based compensation cost

 

 
37.3

 

 

 

 

Net other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 
6.5

 

 

BALANCE, December 31, 2016
310.3

 
31.1

 
6,402.2

 
1,864.1

 
19.0

 
(65.8
)
 
4.4

Net loss

 

 

 
(303.7
)
 

 

 
(.5
)
Dividends paid

 

 

 
(13.6
)
 

 

 

Cumulative-effect adjustment due to ASU 2016-16

 

 

 
(14.1
)
 

 

 

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 
(6.0
)
Equity issuance in connection with the Atwood Merger
132.2

 
13.2

 
757.5

 

 

 

 

Shares issued under share-based compensation plans, net
4.5

 
.5

 
(.4
)
 

 

 
(1.3
)
 

Repurchase of shares

 

 

 

 

 
(1.9
)
 

Share-based compensation cost

 

 
35.7

 

 

 

 

Net other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 
9.6

 

 

BALANCE, December 31, 2017
447.0

 
$
44.8

 
$
7,195.0

 
$
1,532.7

 
$
28.6

 
$
(69.0
)
 
$
(2.1
)

    


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In October 2017, as a result of the Merger, we issued 132.2 million of our Class A Ordinary shares, representing total equity consideration of $770.7 million based on a closing price of $5.83 per Class A ordinary share on October 5, 2017, the last trading day before the Merger Date.

In April, 2016, we closed an underwritten public offering of 65,550,000 Class A ordinary shares at $9.25 per share. We received net proceeds from the offering of $585.5 million.

In October 2016, we entered into a privately-negotiated exchange agreement whereby we issued 1,822,432 Class A ordinary shares, representing less than one percent of our outstanding Class A ordinary shares, in exchange for $24.5 million principal amount of our 2044 Notes, resulting in a pre-tax gain from debt extinguishment of $8.8 million.

As a U.K. company governed in part by the Companies Act, we cannot issue new shares (other than in limited circumstances) without being authorized by our shareholders. At our last annual general meeting, our shareholders authorized the allotment of 101.1 million Class A ordinary shares (or 202.2 million Class A ordinary shares in connection with an offer by way of a rights issue or other similar issue). On October 5, 2017, at our general shareholders meeting, our shareholders approved an increase to our allotment in the amount of 45.3 million Class A ordinary shares (or 90.2 million Class A ordinary shares in connection with an offer by way of rights issue or other similar issuance) to reflect the expected enlarged share capital of Ensco immediately following the completion of the Merger. The total allotment of 146.4 million Class A ordinary shares (or 292.4 million Class A ordinary shares in connection with an offer by way of rights issue or similar issuance) is authorized for a period up to the conclusion of our 2018 annual general meeting (or, if earlier, at the close of business on August 22, 2018).

Under English law, we are only able to declare dividends and return funds to our shareholders out of the accumulated distributable reserves on our statutory balance sheet. The declaration and amount of future dividends is at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our profitability, liquidity, financial condition, market outlook, reinvestment opportunities, capital requirements and other factors and restrictions our Board of Directors deems relevant. There can be no assurance that we will pay a dividend in the future.
    During 2013, our shareholders approved a share repurchase program. Subject to certain provisions under English law, including the requirement of Ensco plc to have sufficient distributable reserves, we may repurchase up to a maximum of $2.0 billion in the aggregate under the program, but in no case more than 35.0 million shares. The program terminates during 2018. As of December 31, 2017, there had been no share repurchases under this program.
    
8.  BENEFIT PLANS
 
Our shareholders approved the 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2012 LTIP”) effective January 1, 2012, to provide for the issuance of non-vested share awards, share option awards and performance awards (collectively "awards"). Under the 2012 LTIP, as amended, 32.0 million shares were reserved for issuance as awards to officers, non-employee directors and key employees who are in a position to contribute materially to our growth, development and long-term success. As of December 31, 2017, there were 18.2 million shares available for issuance as awards under the 2012 LTIP. Awards may be satisfied by newly issued shares, including shares held by a subsidiary or affiliated entity, or by delivery of shares held in an affiliated employee benefit trust at the Company's discretion.

In connection with the Merger, we assumed Atwood’s Amended and Restated 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Atwood LTIP”) and the options outstanding thereunder. As of December 31, 2017, there were 1.6 million shares remaining available for future issuance as awards under the Atwood LTIP, which may be granted to employees and other service providers who were not employed or engaged with Ensco prior to the Merger.

Non-Vested Share Awards and Cash-Settled Awards
 
Grants of share awards and share units (collectively "share awards") and share units to be settled in cash ("cash-settled awards"), generally vest at rates of 20% or 33% per year, as determined by a committee or subcommittee of

119



the Board of Directors at the time of grant. During 2017, we granted 5.0 million cash-settled awards and 1.4 million share awards to our employees and non-employee directors pursuant to the 2012 LTIP. Our non-vested share awards have voting and dividend rights effective on the date of grant, and our non-vested share units have dividend rights effective on the date of grant. Compensation expense for share awards 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 cash-settled awards is remeasured each quarter with a cumulative adjustment to compensation cost during the period based on changes in our share price. Our compensation cost is reduced for forfeited awards in the period in which the forfeitures occur.

The following table summarizes share award and cash-settled award compensation expense recognized during each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 (in millions):
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Contract drilling
$
18.3

 
$
19.9

 
$
19.5

General and administrative
14.5

 
16.6

 
17.8

 
32.8

 
36.5

 
37.3

Tax benefit
(4.8
)
 
(5.9
)
 
(4.8
)
Total
$
28.0

 
$
30.6

 
$
32.5


The following table summarizes the value of share awards and cash-settled awards granted and vested during each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017:
 
Share Awards
 
Cash-Settled Awards
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of share awards granted (per share)
$
7.90

 
$
10.42


$
23.95

 
$
6.27

 
$
9.64

 
$

Total fair value of share awards vested during the period (in millions)
$
8.6

 
$
8.8


$
18.0

 
$
3.9

 
$

 
$

    
The following table summarizes share awards and cash-settled awards activity for the year ended December 31, 2017 (shares in thousands):
 
Share Awards
 
Cash-settled Awards
 
Awards
 
Weighted-Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
Awards
 
Weighted-Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
Share awards and cash-settled awards as of December 31, 2016
3,073

 
$
26.02

 
3,060

 
$
9.64

Granted
1,433

 
7.90

 
4,968

 
6.27

Vested
(1,123
)
 
32.75

 
(614
)
 
9.64

Forfeited
(78
)
 
31.52

 
(325
)
 
7.77

Share awards and cash-settled awards as of December 31, 2017
3,305

 
$
16.06

 
7,089

 
$
7.37


As of December 31, 2017, there was $74.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to share awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.0 years.


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Share Option Awards

Share option awards ("options") granted to employees generally become exercisable in 25% increments over a four-year period or 33% increments over a three-year period and, to the extent not exercised, expire on either the seventh or tenth anniversary of the date of grant. The exercise price of options granted under the 2012 LTIP equals the market value of the underlying shares on the date of grant. As of December 31, 2017, options granted to purchase 896,279 shares with a weighted-average exercise price of $25.97 were outstanding under the 2012 LTIP and predecessor or acquired plans. Excluding options assumed under the Atwood LTIP, no options have been granted since 2011, and there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to options as of December 31, 2017.

Performance Awards

Under the 2012 LTIP, performance awards may be issued to our senior executive officers. Performance awards are subject to achievement of specified performance goals based on relative total shareholder return ("TSR") and relative return on capital employed ("ROCE"). The performance goals are determined by a committee or subcommittee of the Board of Directors. Awards are payable in either Ensco shares or cash upon attainment of relative TSR and ROCE performance goals. Performance awards granted during 2017 are payable in cash while performance awards granted in 2015 and 2016 are payable in Ensco shares.

Our performance awards granted during 2017 are classified as liability awards with compensation expense measured based on the estimated probability of attainment of the specified performance goals and recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. The estimated probable outcome of attainment of the specified performance goals is based on historical experience, and any subsequent changes in this estimate are recognized as a cumulative adjustment to compensation cost in the period in which the change in estimate occurs.

Performance awards generally vest at the end of a three-year measurement period based on attainment of performance goals. Our performance awards granted during 2015 and 2016 are classified as equity awards with compensation expense recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. The estimated probable outcome of attainment of the specified performance goals is based on historical experience, and any subsequent changes in this estimate for the relative ROCE performance goal are recognized as a cumulative adjustment to compensation cost in the period in which the change in estimate occurs.
    
The aggregate grant-date fair value of performance awards granted during 2017, 2016 and 2015 totaled $6.7 million, $6.1 million and $8.3 million, respectively. The aggregate fair value of performance awards vested during 2017, 2016 and 2015 totaled $2.9 million, $2.8 million and $4.6 million, respectively.

During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we recognized $8.4 million, $3.1 million and $2.9 million of compensation expense for performance awards, respectively, which was included in general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of operations.  As of December 31, 2017, there was $8.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested performance awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years.

Savings Plans

We have profit sharing plans (the "Ensco Savings Plan," the "Ensco Multinational Savings Plan" and the "Ensco Limited Retirement Plan"), which cover eligible employees, as defined within each plan.  The Ensco Savings Plan includes a 401(k) savings plan feature, which allows eligible employees to make tax-deferred contributions to the plan.  The Ensco Limited Retirement Plan also allows eligible employees to make tax-deferred contributions to the plan. Contributions made to the Ensco Multinational Savings Plan may or may not qualify for tax deferral based on each plan participant's local tax requirements.
 
We generally make matching cash contributions to the plans.  We match 100% of the amount contributed by the employee up to a maximum of 5% of eligible salary. Matching contributions totaled $12.2 million, $16.7 million and $18.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  Any additional discretionary

121



contributions made into the plans require approval of the Board of Directors and are generally paid in cash.  We recorded additional discretionary contribution provisions of $19.2 million and $27.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  Matching contributions and additional discretionary contributions become vested in 33% increments upon completion of each initial year of service with all contributions becoming fully vested subsequent to achievement of three or more years of service.  We have 1.0 million shares reserved for issuance as matching contributions under the Ensco Savings Plan.

9.  GOODWILL

Our business consists of three operating segments: (1) Floaters, which includes our drillships and semisubmersible rigs, (2) Jackups and (3) Other, which consists of management services on rigs owned by third-parties. Our two reportable segments, Floaters and Jackups, represent our reporting units. We have historically tested goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that a potential impairment exists. All of our goodwill was impaired as of December 31, 2015.

At the beginning of 2015, our goodwill balance was $276.1 million, net of accumulated impairment of $3.0 billion. During 2015, we recorded non-cash losses on impairment of $192.6 million and $83.5 million for the Jackups and Floaters reporting units, respectively, which were included in loss on impairment in our consolidated statement of operations.

As part of our annual 2015 goodwill impairment test, we considered the decline in oil prices, which resulted in significant capital spending reductions by our customers and corresponding deterioration in our forecasted day rates and utilization. Additionally, our stock price declined significantly from $35 at the end of 2014 to below $15 at the end of 2015. We concluded it was more-likely-than-not that the fair values of our reporting units were less than their carrying amounts.

We utilized an income approach that was based on a discounted cash flow model, which included present values of cash flows to estimate the fair value of our reporting units and was based on unobservable inputs that require significant judgments for which there was limited information. The future cash flows were projected based on our estimates of future day rates, utilization, operating costs, capital requirements, growth rates and terminal values. Forecasted day rates and utilization took into account market conditions and our anticipated business outlook.
    
We compared the estimated fair value of each reporting unit to the fair values of all assets and liabilities within the respective reporting unit to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill and recorded an impairment to goodwill for the difference.

10.  INCOME TAXES

We generated profits of $6.3 million and losses of $151.6 million and $578.2 million from continuing operations before income taxes in the U.S. and a loss of $202.3 million, profits of $1.1 billion and a loss of $893.0 million from continuing operations before income taxes in non-U.S. jurisdictions for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.


122



The following table summarizes components of our provision for income taxes from continuing operations for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 (in millions):
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Current income tax (benefit) expense:
 

 
 

 
 

U.S.
$
(2.2
)
 
$
(6.6
)
 
$
18.7

Non-U.S.
56.4

 
86.4

 
125.4

 
54.2

 
79.8

 
144.1

Deferred income tax expense (benefit):
 

 
 

 
 

U.S.
36.0

 
15.9

 
(180.4
)
Non-U.S.
19.0

 
12.8

 
22.4

 
55.0

 
28.7

 
(158.0
)
Total income tax expense (benefit)
$
109.2

 
$
108.5

 
$
(13.9
)
    
U.S. Tax Reform

U.S. tax reform was enacted on December 22, 2017 and introduced significant changes to U.S. income tax law, including a reduction in the statutory income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018, a base erosion anti-abuse tax that effectively imposes a minimum tax on certain payments to non-U.S. affiliates and new and revised rules relating to the current taxation of certain income of foreign subsidiaries. We recognized a net tax expense of $16.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2017 in connection with enactment of U.S. tax reform, consisting of a $38.5 million tax expense associated with the one-time transition tax on deemed repatriation of the deferred foreign income of our U.S. subsidiaries, a $17.3 million tax expense associated with revisions to rules over the taxation of income of foreign subsidiaries, a $20.0 million tax benefit resulting from the re-measurement of our deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2017 to reflect the reduced tax rate and a $19.3 million tax benefit resulting from adjustments to the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.

Due to the timing of the enactment of U.S. tax reform and the complexity involved in applying its provisions, we have made reasonable estimates of its effects and recorded such amounts in our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2017 on a provisional basis. As we continue to analyze applicable information and data, and interpret any additional guidance issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, the Internal Revenue Service and others, we may make adjustments to the provisional amounts throughout the one-year measurement period as provided by Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118. Our accounting for the enactment of U.S. tax reform will be completed during 2018 and any adjustments we recognize could be material. The ongoing impact of U.S. tax reform may result in an increase in our consolidated effective income tax rate in future periods.

    

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Deferred Taxes

The following table summarizes significant components of deferred income tax assets (liabilities) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
 
 
2017
 
2016
Deferred tax assets:
 
 
 
 

Net operating loss carryforwards
 
$
187.1

 
$
197.9

Foreign tax credits
 
132.3

 
91.7

Premiums on long-term debt
 
36.1

 
72.7

Deferred revenue
 
26.0

 
55.7

Employee benefits, including share-based compensation
 
20.7

 
30.6

Other
 
12.8

 
17.2

Total deferred tax assets
 
415.0

 
465.8

Valuation allowance
 
(278.8
)
 
(238.8
)
Net deferred tax assets
 
136.2

 
227.0

Deferred tax liabilities:
 
 

 
 

Property and equipment
 
(51.5
)
 
(103.3
)
Deferred U.S. tax on foreign income
 
(24.8
)
 
(15.2
)
Deferred transition tax
 
(13.7
)
 

Deferred costs
 
(9.1
)
 
(11.4
)
Intercompany transfers of property
 

 
(18.9
)
Other
 
(8.7
)
 
(8.4
)
Total deferred tax liabilities
 
(107.8
)
 
(157.2
)
Net deferred tax asset
 
$
28.4

 
$
69.8

     
The realization of substantially all of our deferred tax assets is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income during future periods in various jurisdictions in which we operate. Realization of certain of our deferred tax assets is not assured. We recognize a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets when it is more-likely-than-not that the benefit from the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The amount of deferred tax assets considered realizable could increase or decrease in the near term if our estimates of future taxable income change.

As of December 31, 2017, we had deferred tax assets of $132.3 million for U.S. foreign tax credits (“FTC”) and $187.1 million related to $844.1 million of net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards, which can be used to reduce our income taxes payable in future years.  The FTCs expire between 2022 and 2038.  NOL carryforwards, which were generated in various jurisdictions worldwide, include $429.2 million that do not expire and $414.9 million that will expire, if not utilized, beginning in 2018 through 2037.  Due to the uncertainty of realization, we have a $250.3 million valuation allowance on FTC and NOL carryforwards.
 

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Effective Tax Rate

Ensco plc, our parent company, is domiciled and resident in the U.K. Our subsidiaries conduct operations and earn income in numerous countries and are subject to the laws of taxing jurisdictions within those countries. The income of our non-U.K. subsidiaries is generally not subject to U.K. taxation. Income tax rates imposed in the tax jurisdictions in which our subsidiaries conduct operations vary, as does the tax base to which the rates are applied. In some cases, tax rates may be applicable to gross revenues, statutory or negotiated deemed profits or other bases utilized under local tax laws, rather than to net income.

Our drilling rigs frequently move from one taxing jurisdiction to another to perform contract drilling services. In some instances, the movement of drilling rigs among taxing jurisdictions will involve the transfer of ownership of the drilling rigs among our subsidiaries. As a result of frequent changes in the taxing jurisdictions in which our drilling rigs are operated and/or owned, changes in profitability levels and changes in tax laws, our annual effective income tax rate may vary substantially from one reporting period to another. In periods of declining profitability, our income tax expense may not decline proportionally with income, which could result in higher effective income tax rates. Further, we may continue to incur income tax expense in periods in which we operate at a loss.

Our consolidated effective income tax rate on continuing operations for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, differs from the U.K. statutory income tax rate as follows:
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
U.K. statutory income tax rate
19.2
 %
 
20.0
 %
 
20.2
 %
Non-U.K. taxes
(40.4
)
 
(7.9
)
 
(12.3
)
Valuation allowance
(18.0
)
 
2.6

 
(1.5
)
Goodwill and asset impairments
(17.1
)
 

 
(4.0
)
Bargain purchase gain
13.8

 

 

U.S. tax reform
(8.4
)
 

 

Debt repurchases
(2.8
)
 
(4.1
)
 

Other
(2.0
)
 
.3

 
(1.5
)
Effective income tax rate
(55.7
)%
 
10.9
 %
 
.9
 %

Our 2017 consolidated effective income tax rate includes $32.2 million associated with the impact of various discrete tax items, including $16.5 million of tax expense associated with U.S. tax reform and $15.7 million of tax expense associated with the exchange offers and debt repurchases, rig sales, a restructuring transaction, settlement of a previously disclosed legal contingency, the effective settlement of a liability for unrecognized tax benefits associated with a tax position taken in prior years and other resolutions of prior year tax matters.

Our 2016 consolidated effective income tax rate includes the impact of various discrete tax items, including a $16.9 million tax expense resulting from net gains on the repurchase of various debt during the year, the recognition of an $8.4 million net tax benefit relating to the sale of various rigs, a $5.5 million tax benefit resulting from a net reduction in the valuation allowance on U.S. foreign tax credits and a net $5.3 million tax benefit associated with liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits and other adjustments relating to prior years.

Our consolidated effective income tax rate for 2015 includes the impact of various discrete tax items, primarily related to a $192.5 million tax benefit associated with rig impairments and an $11.0 million tax benefit resulting from the reduction of a valuation allowance on U.S. foreign tax credits.

Excluding the impact of the aforementioned discrete tax items, our consolidated effective income tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were (96.0)%, 20.3% and 16.0%, respectively. The changes in our consolidated effective income tax rate, excluding discrete tax items, during the three-year period result primarily from changes in the relative components of our earnings from the various taxing jurisdictions in which our drilling rigs are operated and/or owned and differences in tax rates in such taxing jurisdictions.

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Unrecognized Tax Benefits

Our tax positions are evaluated for recognition using a more-likely-than-not threshold, and those tax positions 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.  As of December 31, 2017, we had $147.6 million of unrecognized tax benefits, of which $139.4 million was included in other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet and the remaining $8.2 million, which is associated with a tax position taken in tax years with NOL carryforwards, was presented as a reduction of deferred tax assets. As of December 31, 2016, we had $122.0 million of unrecognized tax benefits, of which $116.3 million was included in other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet and the remaining $5.7 million, which is associated with a tax position taken in tax years with NOL carryforwards, was presented as a reduction of deferred tax assets. If recognized, $130.3 million of the $147.6 million unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2017 would impact our consolidated effective income tax rate. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 is as follows (in millions):
 
 
2017
 
2016
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
122.0

 
$
140.6

   Increases in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of the Merger
 
22.2

 

   Increases in unrecognized tax benefits as a result
      of tax positions taken during the current year
 
5.4

 
7.6

   Increases in unrecognized tax benefits as a result
      of tax positions taken during prior years
 
.7

 
4.9

Settlements with taxing authorities
 
(10.2
)
 
(27.6
)
Lapse of applicable statutes of limitations
 
(.4
)
 
(.2
)
   Decreases in unrecognized tax benefits as a result
      of tax positions taken during prior years
 
(.2
)
 
(.5
)
Impact of foreign currency exchange rates
 
8.1

 
(2.8
)
Balance, end of year
 
$
147.6

 
$
122.0

   
Accrued interest and penalties totaled $38.6 million and $26.6 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and were included in other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Accrued interest and penalties included $7.7 million as a result of the Merger as of December 31, 2017. We recognized a net expense of $4.4 million, a net benefit of $3.8 million and a net expense of $3.9 million associated with interest and penalties during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Interest and penalties are included in current income tax expense in our consolidated statements of operations.
 
Our 2011 and subsequent years remain subject to examination for U.S. federal tax returns. Tax years as early as 2005 remain subject to examination in the other major tax jurisdictions in which we operated.

Statutes of limitations applicable to certain of our tax positions lapsed during 2017, 2016 and 2015, resulting in net income tax benefits, inclusive of interest and penalties, of $1.1 million, $0.6 million and $7.6 million, respectively.
  
Absent the commencement of examinations by tax authorities, statutes of limitations applicable to certain of our tax positions will lapse during 2018.  Therefore, it is reasonably possible that our unrecognized tax benefits will decline during the next 12 months by $3.6 million, inclusive of $1.0 million of accrued interest and penalties, all of which would impact our consolidated effective income tax rate if recognized.

Intercompany Transfer of Drilling Rigs
 
In October 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory (“Update 2016-16”), which requires entities to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transaction occurs as opposed

126



to deferring tax consequences and amortizing them into future periods. We adopted Update 2016-16 on a modified retrospective basis effective January 1, 2017. As a result of modified retrospective application, we reduced prepaid taxes on intercompany transfers of property and related deferred tax liabilities resulting in the recognition of a cumulative-effect reduction in retained earnings of $14.1 million on our consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2017.
    
As of December 31, 2016, the unamortized balance associated with deferred charges for income taxes incurred in connection with intercompany transfers of drilling rigs totaled $33.0 million and was included in other assets, net, on our consolidated balance sheet. Current income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 included $4.1 million and $2.6 million, respectively, of amortization of income taxes incurred in connection with intercompany transfers of drilling rigs.
 
As of December 31, 2016, the unamortized balance associated with the deferred tax liability for reversing temporary differences of transferred drilling rigs totaled $18.9 million, respectively, and was included in other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet.  Deferred income tax benefit for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 included benefits of $2.3 million and $1.8 million, respectively, of amortization of deferred reversing temporary differences associated with intercompany transfers of drilling rigs.
 
Undistributed Earnings
    
Dividend income received by Ensco plc from its subsidiaries is exempt from U.K. taxation. We do not provide deferred taxes on undistributed earnings of certain subsidiaries because our policy and intention is to reinvest such earnings indefinitely. Each of the subsidiaries for which we maintain such policy has sufficient net assets, liquidity, contract backlog and/or other financial resources available to meet operational and capital investment requirements, which allows us to continue to maintain our policy of reinvesting the undistributed earnings indefinitely.

The deferred foreign income of our U.S. subsidiaries was deemed to be repatriated under U.S. tax reform, and we recognized a $38.5 million tax expense associated with the repatriation on a provisional basis. We are currently analyzing the potential non-U.S. tax liabilities that would arise on an actual repatriation, and we have not changed our prior assertion regarding the foreign earnings of our U.S. subsidiaries. We will record the tax effects of any change in our prior assertion upon completion of our analysis during the measurement period provided in Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 and disclose any unrecognized deferred tax liability associated with our assertion, if practicable.

11.  DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Our business strategy has been to focus on ultra-deepwater floater and premium jackup operations and de-emphasize other assets and operations that are not part of our long-term strategic plan or that no longer meet our standards for economic returns. Consistent with this strategy, we sold nine jackup rigs, three dynamically positioned semisubmersible rigs, two moored semisubmersible rigs and two drillships during the three-year period ended December 31, 2017. We are marketing for sale ENSCO 7500, which was classified as held-for-sale in our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2017.

Following the Merger, we continue to focus on our fleet management strategy in light of the new composition of our rig fleet and are reviewing our fleet composition as we continue positioning Ensco for the future. As part of this strategy, we may act opportunistically from time to time to monetize assets to enhance shareholder value and improve our liquidity profile, in addition to selling or disposing of older, lower-specification or non-core rigs.

Prior to 2015, individual rig disposals were classified as discontinued operations once the rigs met the criteria to be classified as held-for-sale. The operating results of the rigs through the date the rig was sold as well as the gain or loss on sale were included in results from discontinued operations, net, in our consolidated statement of operations.

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Net proceeds from the sales of the rigs were included in investing activities of discontinued operations in our consolidated statement of cash flows in the period in which the proceeds were received.

During 2015, we adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Update 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity ("Update 2014-08"). Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations should be presented as discontinued operations. As a result, individual assets that are classified as held-for-sale beginning in 2015 are not reported as discontinued operations and their operating results and gain or loss on sale of these rigs are included in contract drilling expense in our consolidated statements of operations. Rigs that were classified as held-for-sale prior to 2015 continue to be reported as discontinued operations.

During 2014, we committed to a plan to sell various non-core floaters and jackups. The operating results for these rigs and any related gain or loss on sale were included in income (loss) from discontinued operations, net, in our consolidated statements of operations. ENSCO 7500 continues to be actively marketed for sale and was classified as held-for-sale on our December 31, 2017 consolidated balance sheet.

In September 2014, we sold ENSCO 93, a jackup contracted to Pemex. In connection with this sale, we executed a charter agreement with the purchaser to continue operating the rig for the remainder of the Pemex contract, which ended in July 2015, less than one year from the date of sale. Our management services following the sale did not constitute significant ongoing involvement and therefore, the rig's operating results through the term of the contract and loss on sale were included in results from discontinued operations, net, in our consolidated statements of operations.

The following rig sales were included in discontinued operations during the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 (in millions):
Rig
 
Date of Sale
 
Segment(1)
 
Net Proceeds
 
Net Book Value(2)
 
Pre-tax Gain/(Loss)
ENSCO 90
 
June 2017
 
Jackups
 
$
.3

 
$
.3

 
$

ENSCO DS-2
 
May 2016
 
Floaters
 
5.0

 
4.0

 
1.0

ENSCO 58
 
April 2016
 
Jackups
 
.7

 
.3

 
.4

ENSCO 6000
 
April 2016
 
Floaters
 
.6


.8

 
(.2
)
ENSCO 5001
 
December 2015
 
Floaters
 
2.4

 
2.5

 
(.1
)
ENSCO 5002
 
June 2015
 
Floaters
 
1.6

 

 
1.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
10.6

 
$
7.9

 
$
2.7


(1) The rigs' operating results were reclassified to discontinued operations in our consolidated statements of operations for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 and were previously included within the specified operating segment.

(2) Includes the rig's net book value as well as inventory and other assets on the date of the sale.


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The following table summarizes income (loss) from discontinued operations for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 (in millions):
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Revenues
$

 
$

 
$
19.5

Operating expenses
1.5

 
3.1

 
39.5

Operating loss
(1.5
)
 
(3.1
)
 
(20.0
)
Income tax benefit
(2.1
)
 
(10.1
)
 
(7.7
)
Loss on impairment, net

 

 
(120.6
)
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net
.4

 
1.1

 
4.3

Income (loss) from discontinued operations
$
1.0

 
$
8.1

 
$
(128.6
)

On a quarterly basis, we reassess the fair values of our held-for-sale rigs to determine whether any adjustments to the carrying values are necessary.  We recorded a non-cash loss on impairment totaling $120.6 million (net of tax benefits of $28.0 million), for the year ended December 31, 2015, as a result of declines in the estimated fair values of our held-for-sale rigs. The loss on impairment was included in loss from discontinued operations, net, in our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2015. We measured the fair value of held-for-sale rigs by applying a market approach, which was based on an unobservable third-party estimated price that would be received in exchange for the assets in an orderly transaction between market participants.

Income tax benefit from discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 included $2.1 million and $10.2 million of discrete tax benefits, respectively.

Debt and interest expense are not allocated to our discontinued operations.

12.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Leases

We are obligated under leases for certain of our offices and equipment.  Rental expense relating to operating leases was $29.0 million, $32.6 million and $50.9 million during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Future minimum rental payments under our noncancellable operating lease obligations are as follows: $22.6 million during 2018; $15.3 million during 2019; $11.7 million during 2020; $10.5 million during 2021; $10.8 million during 2022 and $24.6 million thereafter.

Capital Commitments

The following table summarizes the cumulative amount of contractual payments made as of December 31, 2017 for our rigs under construction and estimated timing of our remaining contractual payments (in millions): 
 
 
Cumulative Paid(1)
 
2018 and 2019
 
2020 and 2021
 
Thereafter
 
Total(2)
ENSCO 123(3)
 
$
67.1

 
$
218.3

 
$

 
$

 
$
285.4

ENSCO DS-14(4)
 

 
15.0

 
165.0

 

 
180.0

ENSCO DS-13(4)
 

 
83.9

 

 

 
83.9

 
 
$
67.1

 
$
317.2

 
$
165.0

 
$

 
$
549.3


(1)
Cumulative paid represents the aggregate amount of contractual payments made from commencement of the construction agreement through December 31, 2017. Contractual payments made by Atwood prior to the Merger for ENSCO DS-13 (formerly Atwood Admiral) and ENSCO DS-14 (formerly Atwood Archer) are excluded.


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(2)
Total commitments are based on fixed-price shipyard construction contracts, exclusive of costs associated with commissioning, systems integration testing, project management, holding costs and interest.

(3) 
In January 2018, we paid $207.4 million of the $218.3 million unpaid balance. The remaining $10.9 million is due upon delivery. The $207.4 million milestone payment was invoiced and included in accounts payable - trade as of December 31, 2017 on our consolidated balance sheet.

(4) 
The remaining milestone payments for ENSCO DS-13 and ENSCO DS-14 bear interest at a rate of 4.5% per annum, which accrues during the holding period until delivery. Delivery is scheduled for September 2019 and June 2020 for ENSCO DS-13 and ENSCO DS-14, respectively. Upon delivery, the remaining milestone payments and accrued interest thereon may be financed through a promissory note with the shipyard for each rig. The promissory notes will bear interest at a rate of 5% per annum with a maturity date of December 31, 2022 and will be secured by a mortgage on each respective rig. The remaining milestone payments for ENSCO DS-13 and ENSCO DS-14 are included in the table above in the period in which we expect to take delivery of the rig. However, we may elect to execute the promissory notes and defer payment until December 2022.

The actual timing of these expenditures may vary based on the completion of various construction milestones, which are, to a large extent, beyond our control.
 
Brazil Internal Investigation

Pride International LLC, formerly Pride International, Inc. (“Pride”), a company we acquired in 2011, commenced drilling operations in Brazil in 2001. In 2008, Pride entered into a drilling services agreement with Petrobras (the "DSA") for ENSCO DS-5, a drillship ordered from Samsung Heavy Industries, a shipyard in South Korea ("SHI"). Beginning in 2006, Pride conducted periodic compliance reviews of its business with Petrobras, and, after the acquisition of Pride, Ensco conducted similar compliance reviews.

We commenced a compliance review in early 2015 after the release of media reports regarding ongoing investigations of various kickback and bribery schemes in Brazil involving Petrobras. While conducting our compliance review, we became aware of an internal audit report by Petrobras alleging irregularities in relation to the DSA. Upon learning of the Petrobras internal audit report, our Audit Committee appointed independent counsel to lead an investigation into the alleged irregularities. Further, in June and July 2015, we voluntarily contacted the SEC and the DOJ, respectively, to advise them of this matter and of our Audit Committee’s investigation. Independent counsel, under the direction of our Audit Committee, has substantially completed its investigation by reviewing and analyzing available documents and correspondence and interviewing current and former employees involved in the DSA negotiations and the negotiation of the ENSCO DS-5 construction contract with SHI (the "DS-5 Construction Contract").

To date, our Audit Committee has found no credible evidence that Pride or Ensco or any of their current or former employees were aware of or involved in any wrongdoing, and our Audit Committee has found no credible evidence linking Ensco or Pride to any illegal acts committed by our former marketing consultant who provided services to Pride and Ensco in connection with the DSA. We, through independent counsel, have continued to cooperate with the SEC and DOJ, including providing detailed briefings regarding our investigation and findings and responding to inquiries as they arise. We entered into a one-year tolling agreement with the DOJ that expired in December 2016. We extended our tolling agreement with the SEC for 12 months until March 2018.

Subsequent to initiating our Audit Committee investigation, Brazilian court documents connected to the prosecution of former Petrobras directors and employees as well as certain other third parties, including our former marketing consultant, referenced the alleged irregularities cited in the Petrobras internal audit report. Our former marketing consultant has entered into a plea agreement with the Brazilian authorities. On January 10, 2016, Brazilian authorities filed an indictment against a former Petrobras director. This indictment states that the former Petrobras director received bribes paid out of proceeds from a brokerage agreement entered into for purposes of intermediating a drillship construction contract between SHI and Pride, which we believe to be the DS-5 Construction Contract. The

130



parties to the brokerage agreement were a company affiliated with a person acting on behalf of the former Petrobras director, a company affiliated with our former marketing consultant, and SHI. The indictment alleges that amounts paid by SHI under the brokerage agreement ultimately were used to pay bribes to the former Petrobras director. The indictment does not state that Pride or Ensco or any of their current or former employees were involved in the bribery scheme or had any knowledge of the bribery scheme.

On January 4, 2016, we received a notice from Petrobras declaring the DSA void effective immediately. Petrobras’ notice alleges that our former marketing consultant both received and procured improper payments from SHI for employees of Petrobras and that Pride had knowledge of this activity and assisted in the procurement of and/or facilitated these improper payments. We disagree with Petrobras’ allegations. See "DSA Dispute" below for additional information.
    
In August 2017, one of our Brazilian subsidiaries was contacted by the Office of the Attorney General for the Brazilian state of Paraná in connection with a criminal investigation procedure initiated against agents of both SHI and Pride in relation to the DSA.  The Brazilian authorities requested information regarding our compliance program and the findings of our internal investigations. We are cooperating with the Office of the Attorney General and have provided documents in response to their request.  We cannot predict the scope or ultimate outcome of this procedure or whether any other governmental authority will open an investigation into Pride’s involvement in this matter, or if a proceeding were opened, the scope or ultimate outcome of any such investigation. If the SEC or DOJ determines that violations of the FCPA have occurred, or if any governmental authority determines that we have violated applicable anti-bribery laws, they could seek civil and criminal sanctions, including monetary penalties, against us, as well as changes to our business practices and compliance programs, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. Although our internal investigation is substantially complete, we cannot predict whether any additional allegations will be made or whether any additional facts relevant to the investigation will be uncovered during the course of the investigation and what impact those allegations and additional facts will have on the timing or conclusions of the investigation. Our Audit Committee will examine any such additional allegations and additional facts and the circumstances surrounding them.

DSA Dispute

As described above, on January 4, 2016, Petrobras sent a notice to us declaring the DSA void effective immediately, reserving its rights and stating its intention to seek any restitution to which it may be entitled. We disagree with Petrobras’ declaration that the DSA is void. We believe that Petrobras repudiated the DSA and have therefore accepted the DSA as terminated on April 8, 2016 (the "Termination Date"). At this time, we cannot reasonably determine the validity of Petrobras' claim or the range of our potential exposure, if any. As a result, there can be no assurance as to how this dispute will ultimately be resolved.
  
We did not recognize revenue for amounts owed to us under the DSA from the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2015 through the Termination Date, as we concluded that collectability of these amounts was not reasonably assured. Additionally, our receivables from Petrobras related to the DSA from prior to the fourth quarter of 2015 are fully reserved in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 . In August 2016, we initiated arbitration proceedings in the U.K. against Petrobras seeking payment of all amounts owed to us under the DSA, in addition to any other amounts to which we are entitled, and intend to vigorously pursue our claims. Petrobras subsequently filed a counterclaim seeking restitution of certain sums paid under the DSA less value received by Petrobras under the DSA. There can be no assurance as to how this arbitration proceeding will ultimately be resolved.

In November 2016, we initiated separate arbitration proceedings in the U.K. against SHI for any losses we incur in connection with the foregoing Petrobras arbitration. SHI subsequently filed a statement of defense disputing our claim. In January 2018, the arbitration tribunal for the SHI matter issued an award on liability fully in Ensco’s favor.  SHI is liable to us for $10 million or damages that we can prove.  As the losses suffered by us will depend in part on the outcome of the Petrobras arbitration described above, the amount of damages to be paid by SHI will be determined after the conclusion of the Petrobras arbitration.  We are unable to estimate the ultimate outcome of recovery for damages at this time.

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  Other Matters

In addition to the foregoing, we are named defendants or parties in certain other lawsuits, claims or proceedings incidental to our business and are involved from time to time as parties to governmental investigations or proceedings, including matters related to taxation, arising in the ordinary course of business. 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 do not expect these matters to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results and cash flows.

In the ordinary course of business with customers and others, we have entered into letters of credit to guarantee our performance as it relates to our drilling contracts, contract bidding, customs duties, tax appeals and other obligations in various jurisdictions. Letters of credit outstanding as of December 31, 2017 totaled $75.7 million and are issued under facilities provided by various banks and other financial institutions. Obligations under these letters of credit and surety bonds are not normally called, as we typically comply with the underlying performance requirement. As of December 31, 2017, we had not been required to make collateral deposits with respect to these agreements.

13.  SEGMENT INFORMATION

    Our business consists of three operating segments: (1) Floaters, which includes our drillships and semisubmersible rigs, (2) Jackups and (3) Other, which consists of management services on rigs owned by third-parties. Our two reportable segments, Floaters and Jackups, provide one service, contract drilling.

Segment information for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 is presented below (in millions).  General and administrative expense and depreciation expense incurred by our corporate office are not allocated to our operating segments for purposes of measuring segment operating income and were included in "Reconciling Items." We measure segment assets as property and equipment.

Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
Floaters
 
Jackups
 
Other
 
Operating Segments Total
 
Reconciling Items
 
Consolidated Total
Revenues
$
1,143.5

 
$
640.3

 
$
59.2

 
$
1,843.0

 
$

 
$
1,843.0

Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Contract drilling
  (exclusive of depreciation)
624.2

 
512.1

 
53.2

 
1,189.5

 

 
1,189.5

  Loss on impairment
174.7

 
8.2

 

 
182.9

 

 
182.9

  Depreciation
297.4

 
131.5

 

 
428.9

 
15.9

 
444.8

  General and administrative

 

 

 

 
157.8

 
157.8

Operating income
$
47.2

 
$
(11.5
)
 
$
6.0

 
$
41.7

 
$
(173.7
)
 
$
(132.0
)
Property and equipment, net
$
9,650.9

 
$
3,177.6

 
$

 
$
12,828.5

 
$
45.2

 
$
12,873.7

Capital expenditures
$
470.3

 
$
62.1

 
$

 
$
532.4

 
$
4.3

 
$
536.7


132




Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
Floaters
 
Jackups
 
Other
 
Operating Segments Total
 
Reconciling Items
 
Consolidated Total
Revenues
$
1,771.1

 
$
929.5

 
$
75.8

 
$
2,776.4

 
$

 
$
2,776.4

Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Contract drilling
  (exclusive of depreciation)
725.0

 
516.8

 
59.2

 
1,301.0

 

 
1,301.0

  Depreciation
304.1

 
123.7

 

 
427.8

 
17.5

 
445.3

  General and administrative

 

 

 

 
100.8

 
100.8

Operating income (loss)
$
742.0

 
$
289.0

 
$
16.6

 
$
1,047.6

 
$
(118.3
)
 
$
929.3

Property and equipment, net
$
8,300.4

 
$
2,561.0

 
$

 
$
10,861.4

 
$
57.9

 
$
10,919.3

Capital expenditures
$
110.3

 
$
206.2

 
$

 
$
316.5

 
$
5.7

 
$
322.2


Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
Floaters
 
Jackups
 
Other
 
Operating Segments Total
 
Reconciling Items
 
Consolidated Total
Revenues
$
2,466.0

 
$
1,445.6

 
$
151.8

 
$
4,063.4

 
$

 
$
4,063.4

Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Contract drilling
  (exclusive of depreciation)
1,052.8

 
693.5

 
123.3

 
1,869.6

 

 
1,869.6

  Loss on impairment
1,778.4

 
968.0

 


 
2,746.4

 

 
2,746.4

  Depreciation
382.4

 
175.7

 

 
558.1

 
14.4

 
572.5

  General and administrative

 

 

 

 
118.4

 
118.4

Operating income (loss)
$
(747.6
)
 
$
(391.6
)
 
$
28.5

 
$
(1,110.7
)
 
$
(132.8
)
 
$
(1,243.5
)
Property and equipment, net
$
8,535.6

 
$
2,481.2

 
$

 
$
11,016.8

 
$
71.0

 
$
11,087.8

Capital expenditures
$
1,176.6

 
$
434.7

 
$

 
$
1,611.3

 
$
8.2

 
$
1,619.5

 
Information about Geographic Areas
 
As of December 31, 2017, our Floaters segment consisted of ten drillships, ten dynamically positioned semisubmersible rigs and four moored semisubmersible rigs deployed in various locations. Additionally, our Floaters segment included two ultra-deepwater drillships under construction in South Korea and one semisubmersible rig held-for-sale.  Our Jackups segment consisted of 38 jackup rigs, of which 37 were deployed in various locations and one was under construction in Singapore.  
 
As of December 31, 2017, the geographic distribution of our drilling rigs by operating segment was as follows:
 
Floaters

 
Jackups

 
Total

North & South America
8
 
6
 
14
Europe & the Mediterranean
6
 
12
 
18
Middle East & Africa
4
 
11
 
15
Asia & Pacific Rim
6
 
8
 
14
Asia & Pacific Rim (under construction)
2
 
1
 
3
Held-For-Sale
1
 
 
1
Total
27
 
38
 
65


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We provide management services on two rigs owned by third-parties not included in the table above. 

For purposes of our long-lived asset geographic disclosure, we attribute assets to the geographic location of the drilling rig as of the end of the applicable year. For new construction projects, assets are attributed to the location of future operation if known or to the location of construction if the ultimate location of operation is undetermined.

Information by country for those countries that account for more than 10% of our long-lived assets as well as the United Kingdom, our country of domicile, was as follows (in millions):
 
Long-lived Assets
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Singapore
$
2,859.3

 
$
1,388.4

 
$
832.9

United States
2,764.9

 
2,898.3

 
4,731.8

Spain
2,004.2

 
2,334.5

 
757.0

Angola
795.9

 
821.7

 
1,471.1

United Kingdom
609.4

 
409.0

 
462.4

Other countries
3,840.0

 
3,067.4

 
2,832.6

Total
$
12,873.7

 
$
10,919.3

 
$
11,087.8


14.  SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Consolidated Balance Sheet Information

Accounts receivable, net, as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 consisted of the following (in millions):
 
 
2017
 
2016
Trade
 
$
335.4

 
$
358.4

Other
 
33.6

 
24.5

 
 
369.0

 
382.9

Allowance for doubtful accounts
 
(23.6
)
 
(21.9
)
 
 
$
345.4

 
$
361.0



134



Other current assets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 consisted of the following (in millions):
 
 
2017
 
2016
Inventory
 
$
278.8

 
$
225.2

Prepaid taxes
 
43.5

 
30.7

Deferred costs
 
29.7

 
32.4

Prepaid expenses
 
14.2

 
7.9

Other
 
15.0

 
19.8

 
 
$
381.2

 
$
316.0

    
Other assets, net, as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 consisted of the following (in millions):
 
 
2017
 
2016
Deferred tax assets
 
$
38.8

 
$
69.3

Deferred costs
 
37.4

 
35.7

Supplemental executive retirement plan assets
 
30.9

 
27.7

Intangible assets
 
15.7

 
0.3

Prepaid taxes on intercompany transfers of property
 

 
33.0

Other
 
17.4

 
9.9

 
 
$
140.2

 
$
175.9


      Accrued liabilities and other as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 consisted of the following (in millions):
 
 
2017
 
2016
Personnel costs
 
$
112.0

 
$
124.0

Accrued interest
 
83.1

 
71.7

Deferred revenue
 
73.0

 
116.7

Taxes
 
46.4

 
40.7

Derivative liabilities
 
.4

 
12.7

Other
 
11.0

 
10.8

 
 
$
325.9

 
$
376.6


Other liabilities as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 consisted of the following (in millions):
 
 
2017
 
2016
Unrecognized tax benefits (inclusive of interest and penalties)
 
$
178.0

 
$
142.9

Intangible liabilities
 
59.6

 

Deferred revenue
 
51.2

 
120.9

Supplemental executive retirement plan liabilities
 
32.0

 
28.9

Deferred tax liabilities
 
18.5

 
5.2

Personnel costs
 
18.1

 
13.5

Deferred rent
 
17.1

 
9.4

Other
 
12.2

 
1.7

 
 
$
386.7

 
$
322.5

 

135



Accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 consisted of the following (in millions):
 
 
2017
 
2016
Derivative instruments
 
$
22.5

 
$
13.6

Currency translation adjustment
 
7.8

 
7.6

Other
 
(1.7
)
 
(2.2
)
 
 
$
28.6

 
$
19.0


Consolidated Statement of Operations Information

Repair and maintenance expense related to continuing operations for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 was as follows (in millions):
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Repair and maintenance expense
 
$
188.7

 
$
151.1

 
$
270.1


Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Information
 
Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations attributable to the net change in operating assets and liabilities for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 was as follows (in millions):
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Decrease in accounts receivable
 
$
83.2

 
$
222.4

 
$
246.1

(Increase) decrease in other assets
 
(14.0
)
 
44.0

 
25.7

Decrease in liabilities
 
(3.8
)
 
(125.8
)
 
(158.3
)
 
 
$
65.4

 
$
140.6

 
$
113.5


During 2017, the net change in operating assets and liabilities declined by $75.2 million as compared to the prior year. The net change during 2017 was primarily due to a decline in accounts receivable due to lower revenues from contract drilling services, partially offset by an increase in prepaid taxes primarily due to the U.S. tax reform and a decline in liabilities related to lower operating levels across the fleet.

During 2016, the net change in operating assets and liabilities increased by $27.1 million as compared to the prior year. The net change during 2016 was primarily due to a decline in accounts receivable related to lower revenues from contract drilling services and a decline in prepaid taxes and other assets due to collections during the year, partially offset by a decline in liabilities related to lower operating levels across the fleet.
    
Cash paid for interest and income taxes for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 was as follows (in millions):
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Interest, net of amounts capitalized
 
$
199.8

 
$
264.8

 
$
249.3

Income taxes
 
62.8

 
56.4

 
97.3


Capitalized interest totaled $72.5 million, $45.7 million and $87.4 million during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Capital expenditure accruals totaling $234.3 million, $11.5 million and $60.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, were excluded from investing activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows.  In January 2018, we paid $207.4 million of the $218.3 million unpaid balance for ENSCO 123. The $207.4 million milestone payment was invoiced and included in accounts payable - trade as of December 31, 2017 on our consolidated balance sheet.


136



Amortization, net, includes amortization of deferred mobilization revenues and costs, deferred capital upgrade revenues, intangible amortization and other amortization.

Other includes amortization of debt discounts and premiums, deferred financing costs, deferred charges for income taxes incurred on intercompany transfers of drilling rigs and other items.

Concentration of Risk

We are exposed to credit risk relating to our receivables from customers, our cash and cash equivalents and investments and our use of derivatives in connection with the management of foreign currency exchange rate risk. We mitigate our credit risk relating to receivables from customers, which consist primarily of major international, government-owned and independent oil and gas companies, by performing ongoing credit evaluations. We also maintain reserves for potential credit losses, which generally have been within our expectations. We mitigate our credit risk relating to cash and investments by focusing on diversification and quality of instruments. Cash equivalents and short-term investments consist of a portfolio of high-grade instruments. Custody of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments is maintained at several well-capitalized financial institutions, and we monitor the financial condition of those financial institutions.  

We mitigate our credit risk relating to counterparties of our derivatives through a variety of techniques, including transacting with multiple, high-quality financial institutions, thereby limiting our exposure to individual counterparties and by entering into ISDA Master Agreements, which include provisions for a legally enforceable master netting agreement, with our derivative counterparties. See "Note 6 - Derivative Instruments" for additional information on our derivative activity.

The terms of the ISDA agreements may also include credit support requirements, cross default provisions, termination events or set-off provisions. Legally enforceable master netting agreements reduce credit risk by providing protection in bankruptcy in certain circumstances and generally permitting the closeout and netting of transactions with the same counterparty upon the occurrence of certain events.

Consolidated revenues by customer for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Total(1)
 
22
%
 
13
%
 
9
%
BP (2)
 
15
%
 
12
%
 
18
%
Petrobras(3)
 
11
%
 
9
%
 
14
%
Other
 
52
%
 
66
%
 
59
%
 

100
%

100
%
 
100
%

(1) 
For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, all Total revenues were attributable to the Floater segment.

(2) 
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2015, 78% and 81%, respectively, of the revenues provided by BP were attributable to our Floaters segment and the remaining revenues were attributable to our Other segment. For the year ended December 31, 2016, 76%, 17% and 7% of the revenues provided by BP were attributable to our Floaters, Other and Jackups segments, respectively.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, excluding the impact of ENSCO DS-4 lump-sum termination payments of $110.6 million, revenues from BP represented 15% of total revenue.

(3) 
For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, all Petrobras revenues were attributable to our Floaters segment.


137



For purposes of our geographic disclosure, we attribute revenues to the geographic location where such revenues are earned. Consolidated revenues by region, including the United Kingdom, our country of domicile, for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were as follows (in millions):
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Angola(1)
 
$
445.7

 
$
552.1

 
$
586.5

Egypt(2)
 
214.8

 
141.2

 

Australia(3)
 
206.7

 
222.8

 
223.2

Brazil(2)
 
196.2

 
298.0

 
468.5

Saudi Arabia(4)
 
171.8

 
210.6

 
255.2

United Kingdom(4)
 
164.6

 
246.2

 
400.7

U.S. Gulf of Mexico(5)
 
149.8

 
531.7

 
1,151.5

Other
 
293.4

 
573.8

 
977.8

 
 
$
1,843.0

 
$
2,776.4

 
$
4,063.4


(1) 
For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, 88%, 87% and 88% of the revenues earned in Angola, respectively, were attributable to our Floaters segment with the remaining revenues attributable to our Jackups segment.

(2) 
For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, all revenues were attributable to our Floaters segment.

(3) 
For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, 87%, 95% and 100% of the revenues earned in Australia, respectively, were attributable to our Floaters segment with the remaining revenues attributable to our Jackups segment.

(4) 
For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, all revenues were attributable to our Jackups segment.

(5) 
For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, 29%, 82% and 86% of the revenues earned in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, respectively, were attributable to our Floaters segment. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, 31%, 7% and 9% of revenues were attributable to our Jackups segment.

15.  GUARANTEE OF REGISTERED SECURITIES

In connection with the Pride acquisition, Ensco plc and Pride entered into a supplemental indenture to the indenture dated as of July 1, 2004 between Pride and the Bank of New York Mellon, as indenture trustee, providing for, among other matters, the full and unconditional guarantee by Ensco plc of Pride’s 8.5% senior notes due 2019, 6.875% senior notes due 2020 and 7.875% senior notes due 2040, which had an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $1.0 billion as of December 31, 2017. The Ensco plc guarantee provides for the unconditional and irrevocable guarantee of the prompt payment, when due, of any amount owed to the holders of the notes.
 
Ensco plc is also a full and unconditional guarantor of the 7.2% Debentures due 2027 issued by Ensco International Incorporated in November 1997, which had an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $150.0 million as of December 31, 2017.
 
Pride International LLC (formerly Pride International, Inc.) and Ensco International Incorporated are 100% owned subsidiaries of Ensco plc. All guarantees are unsecured obligations of Ensco plc ranking equal in right of payment with all of its existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.

The following tables present our condensed consolidating statements of operations for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017; our condensed consolidating statements of comprehensive income (loss) for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017; our condensed consolidating balance sheets as

138



of December 31, 2017 and 2016; and our condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, in accordance with Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X. 

ENSCO PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended December 31, 2017
(in millions)
 
Ensco plc
 
ENSCO International Incorporated
 
Pride International LLC
 
Other Non-guarantor Subsidiaries of Ensco  
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
Total  
OPERATING REVENUES
$
52.9

 
$
163.3

 
$

 
$
1,941.2

 
$
(314.4
)
 
$
1,843.0

OPERATING EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contract drilling (exclusive of depreciation)
50.0

 
149.9

 

 
1,304.0

 
(314.4
)
 
1,189.5

Loss on impairment

 

 

 
182.9

 

 
182.9

Depreciation

 
15.9

 

 
428.9

 

 
444.8

General and administrative
45.4

 
50.8

 

 
61.6

 

 
157.8

OPERATING LOSS
(42.5
)
 
(53.3
)
 

 
(36.2
)
 

 
(132.0
)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET
(6.8
)
 
(110.5
)
 
(71.7
)
 
110.5

 
14.5

 
(64.0
)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
(49.3
)
 
(163.8
)

(71.7
)

74.3


14.5


(196.0
)
INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 
45.0

 

 
64.2

 

 
109.2

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET

 

 

 
1.0

 

 
1.0

EQUITY EARNINGS IN AFFILIATES, NET OF TAX
(254.4
)
 
129.6

 
84.2

 

 
40.6

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)
(303.7
)
 
(79.2
)

12.5


11.1


55.1


(304.2
)
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

 

 

 
.5

 

 
.5

NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSCO
$
(303.7
)
 
$
(79.2
)

$
12.5


$
11.6


$
55.1


$
(303.7
)


139



ENSCO PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended December 31, 2016
(in millions)
 
Ensco plc
 
ENSCO International Incorporated
 
Pride International LLC
 
Other Non-guarantor Subsidiaries of Ensco  
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
Total  
OPERATING REVENUES
$
27.9

 
$
144.4

 
$

 
$
2,897.4

 
$
(293.3
)
 
$
2,776.4

OPERATING EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Contract drilling (exclusive of depreciation)
27.3

 
144.8

 
.1

 
1,422.1

 
(293.3
)
 
1,301.0

Depreciation

 
17.2

 
.4

 
427.7

 

 
445.3

General and administrative
36.2

 
.2

 

 
64.4

 

 
100.8

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
(35.6
)

(17.8
)

(0.5
)

983.2




929.3

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET
152.9

 
(79.0
)
 
(76.6
)
 
7.8

 
63.1

 
68.2

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
117.3


(96.8
)

(77.1
)

991.0


63.1


997.5

INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)

 
.7

 
(.6
)
 
108.4

 

 
108.5

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET

 

 

 
8.1

 

 
8.1

EQUITY EARNINGS IN AFFILIATES, NET OF TAX
772.9

 
205.7

 
125.7

 

 
(1,104.3
)
 

NET INCOME
890.2


108.2


49.2


890.7


(1,041.2
)

897.1

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

 

 

 
(6.9
)
 

 
(6.9
)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSCO
$
890.2


$
108.2


$
49.2


$
883.8


$
(1,041.2
)

$
890.2



140



ENSCO PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended December 31, 2015
(in millions)
 
Ensco plc
 
ENSCO International Incorporated 
 
Pride International LLC
 
Other Non-guarantor Subsidiaries of Ensco
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
Total  
OPERATING REVENUES
$
31.7

 
$
163.5

 
$

 
$
4,199.4

 
$
(331.2
)
 
$
4,063.4

OPERATING EXPENSES
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Contract drilling (exclusive of depreciation)
29.2

 
163.5

 

 
2,008.1

 
(331.2
)
 
1,869.6

Loss on impairment

 

 

 
2,746.4

 

 
2,746.4

Depreciation
.1

 
13.8

 

 
558.6

 

 
572.5

General and administrative
51.5

 
.2

 

 
66.7

 

 
118.4

OPERATING LOSS
(49.1
)

(14.0
)
 


(1,180.4
)




(1,243.5
)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET
(169.5
)
 
(28.6
)
 
(71.5
)
 
41.9

 

 
(227.7
)
LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
(218.6
)

(42.6
)
 
(71.5
)

(1,138.5
)




(1,471.2
)
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)

 
(190.6
)
 

 
176.7

185.4


 
(13.9
)
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET

 

 

 
(128.6
)
 

 
(128.6
)
EQUITY LOSS IN AFFILIATES, NET OF TAX
(1,376.2
)
 
(1,672.8
)
 
(1,771.5
)
 

 
4,820.5

 

NET LOSS
(1,594.8
)

(1,524.8
)
 
(1,843.0
)

(1,443.8
)


4,820.5


(1,585.9
)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

 

 

 
(8.9
)
 

 
(8.9
)
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSCO
$
(1,594.8
)

$
(1,524.8
)
 
$
(1,843.0
)

$
(1,452.7
)


$
4,820.5


$
(1,594.8
)





141



ENSCO PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Year Ended December 31, 2017
(in millions)
 
 Ensco plc
 
ENSCO International Incorporated
 
Pride International LLC
 
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries of Ensco
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET INCOME (LOSS)
$
(303.7
)
 
$
(79.2
)
 
$
12.5

 
$
11.1

 
$
55.1

 
$
(304.2
)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in fair value of derivatives

 
8.5

 

 

 

 
8.5

Reclassification of net losses on derivative instruments from other comprehensive income into net income (loss)

 
.4

 

 

 

 
.4

Other

 

 

 
.7

 

 
.7

NET OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 
8.9

 

 
.7

 

 
9.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(303.7
)
 
(70.3
)
 
12.5

 
11.8

 
55.1

 
(294.6
)
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

 

 

 
.5

 

 
.5

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSCO
$
(303.7
)
 
$
(70.3
)
 
$
12.5

 
$
12.3

 
$
55.1

 
$
(294.1
)



142



ENSCO PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Year Ended December 31, 2016
(in millions)
 
 
Ensco plc
 
ENSCO International Incorporated
 
Pride International LLC
 
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries of Ensco
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET INCOME
$
890.2

 
$
108.2

 
$
49.2

 
$
890.7

 
$
(1,041.2
)
 
$
897.1

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in fair value of derivatives

 
(5.4
)
 

 

 

 
(5.4
)
Reclassification of net losses on derivative instruments from other comprehensive income into net income

 
12.4

 

 

 

 
12.4

Other

 

 

 
(.5
)
 

 
(.5
)
NET OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 
7.0

 

 
(.5
)
 

 
6.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
890.2

 
115.2

 
49.2

 
890.2

 
(1,041.2
)
 
903.6

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

 

 

 
(6.9
)
 

 
(6.9
)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSCO
$
890.2

 
$
115.2

 
$
49.2

 
$
883.3

 
$
(1,041.2
)
 
$
896.7





143



ENSCO PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Year Ended December 31, 2015
(in millions)
 
 
Ensco plc
 
ENSCO International Incorporated
 
Pride International LLC
 
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries of Ensco
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET LOSS
$
(1,594.8
)
 
$
(1,524.8
)
 
$
(1,843.0
)
 
$
(1,443.8
)
 
$
4,820.5

 
$
(1,585.9
)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in fair value of derivatives

 
(23.6
)
 

 

 

 
(23.6
)
Reclassification of net gains on derivative instruments from other comprehensive income into net loss

 
22.2

 

 

 

 
22.2

Other

 

 

 
2.0

 

 
2.0

NET OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 
(1.4
)
 

 
2.0

 

 
.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(1,594.8
)
 
(1,526.2
)
 
(1,843.0
)
 
(1,441.8
)
 
4,820.5

 
(1,585.3
)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

 

 

 
(8.9
)
 

 
(8.9
)
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSCO
$
(1,594.8
)
 
$
(1,526.2
)
 
$
(1,843.0
)
 
$
(1,450.7
)
 
$
4,820.5

 
$
(1,594.2
)




144



ENSCO PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2017
(in millions)
 
Ensco plc
 
ENSCO
International Incorporated
 
Pride International LLC
 
Other
Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries of Ensco
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 
Total
                          ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CURRENT ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
185.2

 
$

 
$
25.6

 
$
234.6

 
$

 
$
445.4

Short-term investments
440.0

 

 

 

 

 
440.0

Accounts receivable, net 
6.9

 
.4

 

 
338.1

 

 
345.4

Accounts receivable from
  affiliates
351.8

 
492.7

 

 
424.3

 
(1,268.8
)
 

Other

 
8.8

 

 
372.4

 

 
381.2

 Total current assets
983.9

 
501.9

 
25.6

 
1,369.4

 
(1,268.8
)
 
1,612.0

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, AT COST
1.8

 
120.8

 

 
15,209.5

 

 
15,332.1

Less accumulated depreciation
1.8

 
77.1

 

 
2,379.5

 

 
2,458.4

Property and equipment, net  

 
43.7

 

 
12,830.0

 

 
12,873.7

DUE FROM AFFILIATES
3,002.1

 
2,618.0

 
165.1

 
3,736.1

 
(9,521.3
)
 

INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES
9,098.5

 
3,591.9

 
1,106.6

 

 
(13,797.0
)
 

OTHER ASSETS, NET 
12.9

 
5.0

 

 
226.5

 
(104.2
)
 
140.2

 
$
13,097.4

 
$
6,760.5

 
$
1,297.3

 
$
18,162.0

 
$
(24,691.3
)
 
$
14,625.9

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Accounts payable and accrued
  liabilities
$
55.4

 
$
39.0

 
$
21.7

 
$
642.4

 
$

 
$
758.5

Accounts payable to affiliates
67.3

 
458.3

 
12.4

 
730.8

 
(1,268.8
)
 

Current maturities of long-term
  debt

 

 

 

 

 

Total current liabilities
122.7

 
497.3

 
34.1

 
1,373.2

 
(1,268.8
)
 
758.5

DUE TO AFFILIATES 
1,402.9

 
3,559.2

 
753.9

 
3,805.3

 
(9,521.3
)
 

LONG-TERM DEBT 
2,841.8

 
149.2

 
1,106.0

 
653.7

 

 
4,750.7

OTHER LIABILITIES

 
3.1

 

 
487.8

 
(104.2
)
 
386.7

ENSCO SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
8,730.0

 
2,551.7

 
(596.7
)
 
11,844.1

 
(13,797.0
)
 
8,732.1

NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

 

 

 
(2.1
)
 

 
(2.1
)
Total equity (deficit)
8,730.0

 
2,551.7

 
(596.7
)
 
11,842.0

 
(13,797.0
)
 
8,730.0

      
$
13,097.4

 
$
6,760.5

 
$
1,297.3

 
$
18,162.0

 
$
(24,691.3
)
 
$
14,625.9


145



ENSCO PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2016
(in millions)
 
Ensco plc
 
ENSCO
International Incorporated
 
Pride International LLC
 
Other
Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries of Ensco
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 
Total
                          ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CURRENT ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Cash and cash equivalents
$
892.6

 
$

 
$
19.8

 
$
247.3

 
$

 
$
1,159.7

Short-term investments
1,165.1

 
5.5

 

 
272.0

 

 
1,442.6

Accounts receivable, net 
6.8

 

 

 
354.2

 

 
361.0

Accounts receivable from
  affiliates
486.5

 
251.2

 

 
152.3

 
(890.0
)
 

Other
.1

 
6.8

 

 
309.1

 

 
316.0

 Total current assets
2,551.1

 
263.5

 
19.8

 
1,334.9

 
(890.0
)
 
3,279.3

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, AT COST
1.8

 
121.0

 

 
12,869.7

 

 
12,992.5

Less accumulated depreciation
1.8

 
63.8

 

 
2,007.6

 

 
2,073.2

Property and equipment, net  

 
57.2

 

 
10,862.1

 

 
10,919.3

DUE FROM AFFILIATES
1,512.2

 
4,513.8

 
1,978.8

 
7,234.3

 
(15,239.1
)
 

INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES
8,557.7

 
3,462.3

 
1,061.3

 

 
(13,081.3
)
 

OTHER ASSETS, NET 

 
81.5

 

 
181.1

 
(86.7
)
 
175.9

 
$
12,621.0

 
$
8,378.3

 
$
3,059.9

 
$
19,612.4

 
$
(29,297.1
)
 
$
14,374.5

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Accounts payable and accrued
     liabilities
$
44.1

 
$
45.2

 
$
28.3

 
$
404.9

 
$

 
$
522.5

Accounts payable to affiliates
38.8

 
208.4

 
5.9

 
636.9

 
(890.0
)
 

Current maturities of long-term
  debt
187.1

 

 
144.8

 


 

 
331.9

Total current liabilities
270.0

 
253.6

 
179.0

 
1,041.8

 
(890.0
)
 
854.4

DUE TO AFFILIATES 
1,375.8

 
5,367.6

 
2,040.7

 
6,455.0

 
(15,239.1
)
 

LONG-TERM DEBT 
2,720.2

 
149.2

 
1,449.5

 
623.7

 

 
4,942.6

OTHER LIABILITIES

 
2.9

 


 
406.3

 
(86.7
)
 
322.5

ENSCO SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 
8,255.0

 
2,605.0

 
(609.3
)
 
11,081.2

 
(13,081.3
)
 
8,250.6

NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

 

 

 
4.4

 

 
4.4

Total equity (deficit)
8,255.0

 
2,605.0

 
(609.3
)
 
11,085.6

 
(13,081.3
)
 
8,255.0

      
$
12,621.0

 
$
8,378.3

 
$
3,059.9

 
$
19,612.4

 
$
(29,297.1
)
 
$
14,374.5




146



ENSCO PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Year Ended December 31, 2017
(in millions)
 
Ensco plc
 
ENSCO International Incorporated  
 
Pride International LLC
 
Other Non-guarantor Subsidiaries of Ensco
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
Total
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

   Net cash (used in) provided by
     operating activities of continuing operations
$
(18.2
)
 
$
(117.6
)
 
$
(100.1
)
 
$
495.3

 
$

 
$
259.4

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maturities of short-term investments
1,748.0

 
5.5

 

 
289.0

 

 
2,042.5

Purchases of short-term investments
(1,022.9
)
 

 

 
(17.1
)
 

 
(1,040.0
)
Purchase of affiliate debt
(316.3
)
 

 

 

 
316.3

 

Acquisition of Atwood Oceanics, Inc.

 

 

 
(871.6
)
 

 
(871.6
)
Additions to property and equipment 

 

 

 
(536.7
)
 

 
(536.7
)
Net proceeds from disposition of assets

 

 

 
2.8

 

 
2.8

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities of continuing operations 
408.8

 
5.5

 

 
(1,133.6
)
 
316.3

 
(403.0
)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 


Advances from (to) affiliates
(848.9
)
 
112.1

 
105.9

 
630.9

 

 

Reduction of long-term
  borrowings
(220.7
)
 

 

 

 
(316.3
)
 
(537.0
)
Cash dividends paid
(13.8
)
 

 

 

 

 
(13.8
)
Debt financing costs
(12.0
)
 

 

 

 

 
(12.0
)
Other
(2.6
)
 

 

 
(5.1
)
 

 
(7.7
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(1,098.0
)
 
112.1

 
105.9

 
625.8

 
(316.3
)
 
(570.5
)
Net cash used in discontinued operations

 

 

 
(.8
)
 

 
(.8
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 
.6

 

 
0.6

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
(707.4
)
 


5.8


(12.7
)



(714.3
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR
892.6

 

 
19.8

 
247.3

 

 
1,159.7

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR
$
185.2

 
$


$
25.6


$
234.6


$


$
445.4


147



ENSCO PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Year Ended December 31, 2016
(in millions)
 
Ensco plc
 
ENSCO International Incorporated 
 
Pride International LLC
 
Other Non-guarantor Subsidiaries of Ensco
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
Total
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

   Net cash (used in) provided by
     operating activities of continuing operations
$
(101.3
)
 
$
(46.5
)
 
$
(116.9
)
 
$
1,342.1

 
$

 
$
1,077.4

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Purchases of short-term investments
(2,047.1
)
 
(5.5
)
 

 
(422.0
)
 

 
(2,474.6
)
Maturities of short-term investments
2,062.0

 

 

 
150.0

 

 
2,212.0

Additions to property and
  equipment 

 

 

 
(322.2
)
 

 
(322.2
)
Net proceeds from disposition of assets

 

 

 
9.8

 

 
9.8

Purchase of affiliate debt
(237.9
)
 

 

 

 
237.9

 

Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations 
(223
)
 
(5.5
)
 

 
(584.4
)
 
237.9

 
(575.0
)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Reduction of long-term
  borrowings
(626.0
)
 

 

 

 
(237.9
)
 
(863.9
)
Proceeds from debt issuance

 

 

 
849.5

 

 
849.5

Proceeds from equity issuance
585.5

 

 

 

 

 
585.5

Debt financing costs
(23.4
)
 

 

 

 

 
(23.4
)
Cash dividends paid
(11.6
)
 

 

 

 

 
(11.6
)
Advances from (to) affiliates
1,200.6

 
52.0

 
134.7

 
(1,387.3
)
 

 

Other
(2.2
)
 

 

 
(4.9
)
 

 
(7.1
)
      Net cash provided by (used in)
         financing activities
1,122.9

 
52.0


134.7


(542.7
)

(237.9
)
 
529.0

Net cash provided by discontinued operations

 

 

 
8.4

 


8.4

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 
(1.4
)
 

 
(1.4
)
INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
798.6

 


17.8


222.0




1,038.4

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR
94.0

 

 
2.0

 
25.3

 

 
121.3

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR
$
892.6

 
$


$
19.8


$
247.3


$

 
$
1,159.7


148



ENSCO PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Year Ended December 31, 2015
(in millions)
 
Ensco plc
 
ENSCO International Incorporated
 
Pride International LLC
 
Other Non-guarantor Subsidiaries of Ensco    
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
Total
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

   Net cash (used in) provided by
     operating activities of continuing operations
$
(71.1
)
 
$
2.0

 
$
(114.0
)
 
$
1,881.0

 
$

 
$
1,697.9

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 


Purchases of short-term investments
(1,780.0
)
 

 

 

 

 
(1,780.0
)
Additions to property and equipment 

 

 

 
(1,619.5
)
 

 
(1,619.5
)
Maturities of short-term investments
1,312.0

 


 

 
45.3

 

 
1,357.3

Net proceeds from disposition of assets
.3

 

 

 
1.3

 

 
1.6

   Net cash used in investing activities of
   continuing operations  
(467.7
)
 




(1,572.9
)


 
(2,040.6
)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 


Proceeds from debt issuance
1,078.7

 

 

 

 

 
1,078.7

Reduction of long-term borrowing
(1,072.5
)
 

 

 

 

 
(1,072.5
)
Cash dividends paid 
(141.2
)
 

 

 

 

 
(141.2
)
Premium paid on redemption of debt
(30.3
)
 

 

 

 

 
(30.3
)
Debt financing costs
(10.5
)
 

 

 

 

 
(10.5
)
Advances from (to) affiliates
526.2

 
(2.0
)
 
25.2

 
(549.4
)
 

 

Other
(5.0
)
 

 

 
(11.0
)
 

 
(16.0
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
345.4

 
(2.0
)

25.2


(560.4
)


 
(191.8
)
Net cash used in discontinued operations

 

 

 
(8.7
)
 

 
(8.7
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 
(.3
)
 

 
(.3
)
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
(193.4
)
 


(88.8
)

(261.3
)


 
(543.5
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR
287.4

 

 
90.8

 
286.6

 

 
664.8

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END
       OF YEAR
$
94.0

 
$


$
2.0


$
25.3


$

 
$
121.3


149



16.  UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA

The following tables summarize our unaudited quarterly condensed consolidated income statement data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in millions, except per share amounts):

2017
 
First 
Quarter  
 
Second
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
Fourth 
Quarter
 
Year
Operating revenues
 
$
471.1

 
$
457.5

 
$
460.2

 
$
454.2

 
$
1,843.0

Operating expenses
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Contract drilling (exclusive of depreciation)(1)
 
278.1

 
291.3

 
285.8

 
334.3

 
1,189.5

Loss on impairment(2)
 

 

 

 
182.9

 
182.9

Depreciation
 
109.2

 
107.9

 
108.2

 
119.5

 
444.8

General and administrative(3)
 
26.0

 
30.5

 
30.4

 
70.9

 
157.8

Operating income (loss)
 
57.8

 
27.8

 
35.8

 
(253.4
)
 
(132.0
)
Other income (expense), net(4)
 
(57.7
)
 
(53.2
)
 
(40.4
)
 
87.3

 
(64.0
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
 
.1

 
(25.4
)
 
(4.6
)
 
(166.1
)
 
(196.0
)
Income tax expense(5)
 
24.1

 
19.3

 
23.4

 
42.4

 
109.2

Loss from continuing operations
 
(24.0
)
 
(44.7
)
 
(28.0
)
 
(208.5
)
 
(305.2
)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net
 
(.6
)
 
.4

 
(.2
)
 
1.4

 
1.0

Net loss
 
(24.6
)
 
(44.3
)
 
(28.2
)
 
(207.1
)
 
(304.2
)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(1.1
)
 
(1.2
)
 
2.8

 

 
.5

Net loss attributable to Ensco
 
$
(25.7
)
 
$
(45.5
)
 
$
(25.4
)
 
$
(207.1
)
 
$
(303.7
)
Loss per share – basic and diluted
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 


Continuing operations
 
$
(.09
)
 
$
(.15
)
 
$
(.08
)
 
$
(.49
)
 
$
(.91
)
Discontinued operations
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
$
(.09
)
 
$
(.15
)
 
$
(.08
)
 
$
(.49
)
 
$
(.91
)

(1) 
Fourth quarter included $7.0 million of integration costs associated with the Merger. See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part II for additional information.

(2) 
Fourth quarter included an aggregate loss of $182.9 million associated with the impairment of certain rigs. See "Note 4 - Property and Equipment" for additional information.

(3) 
Fourth quarter included integration costs of $30.9 million and merger-related costs consisting of various advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other professional or consulting fees totaling $11.5 million. See "Note 2 - Acquisition of Atwood" for additional information.

(4) 
Fourth quarter included a bargain purchase gain of $140.2 million related to the Merger. See "Note 2 - Acquisition of Atwood" for additional information.

(5) 
Fourth quarter included net discrete tax expense of $16.5 million in connection with enactment of U.S. tax reform. See "Note 10 - Income taxes" for additional information.

150




2016
 
First 
Quarter
 
Second
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
Fourth 
Quarter
 
Year
Operating revenues(1)
 
$
814.0

 
$
909.6

 
$
548.2

 
$
504.6

 
$
2,776.4

Operating expenses
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Contract drilling (exclusive of depreciation)
 
363.7

 
350.2

 
298.1

 
289.0

 
1,301.0

Depreciation
 
113.3

 
112.4

 
109.4

 
110.2

 
445.3

General and administrative
 
23.4

 
27.4

 
25.3

 
24.7

 
100.8

Operating income
 
313.6

 
419.6

 
115.4

 
80.7

 
929.3

Other income (expense), net(2)
 
(64.6
)
 
209.9

 
(30.9
)
 
(46.2
)
 
68.2

Income from continuing operations before income taxes
 
249.0

 
629.5

 
84.5

 
34.5

 
997.5

Income tax expense (benefit)
 
71.4

 
36.7

 
(3.5
)
 
3.9

 
108.5

Income from continuing operations
 
177.6

 
592.8

 
88.0

 
30.6

 
889.0

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net
 
(.9
)
 
(.2
)
 
(.7
)
 
9.9

 
8.1

Net income
 
176.7

 
592.6

 
87.3

 
40.5

 
897.1

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(1.4
)
 
(2.0
)
 
(2.0
)
 
(1.5
)
 
(6.9
)
Net income attributable to Ensco
 
$
175.3

 
$
590.6

 
$
85.3

 
$
39.0

 
$
890.2

Earnings per share – basic and diluted
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 


Continuing operations
 
$
.74

 
$
2.04

 
$
.28

 
$
.10

 
$
3.10

Discontinued operations
 

 

 

 
.03

 
.03

 
 
$
.74

 
$
2.04

 
$
.28

 
$
.13

 
$
3.13


(1) 
Second quarter includes lump-sum termination payments for ENSCO DS-9 and ENSCO 8503 totaling $205.0 million. See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part II for additional information.

(2) 
Second quarter included pre-tax gains on debt extinguishment totaling $287.8 million. See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part II for additional information.

    




151



Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

    Not applicable.
 

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures

CONCLUSION REGARDING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, are effective.
 
During the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2017, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
    
Management's assessment of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 excluded the internal control over financial reporting of Atwood Oceanics, Inc. representing total assets of $2.0 billion and total revenues of $23.3 million included in the consolidated financial statements of Ensco plc and subsidiaries as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017.
    
See "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.


Item 9B.  Other Information

    Not applicable.


152




PART III


Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information required by this item with respect to our directors, corporate governance matters, committees of the Board of Directors and Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is contained in our Proxy Statement for the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders ("Proxy Statement") to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.

The information required by this item with respect to our executive officers is set forth in "Executive Officers" in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The guidelines and procedures of the Board of Directors are outlined in our Corporate Governance Policy. The committees of the Board of Directors operate under written charters adopted by the Board of Directors. The Corporate Governance Policy and committee charters are available on our website at www.enscoplc.com in the Corporate Governance section and are available in print without charge by contacting our Investor Relations Department at 713-430-4607.

We have a Code of Business Conduct Policy that applies to all employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. The Code of Business Conduct Policy is available on our website at www.enscoplc.com in the Corporate Governance section and is available in print without charge by contacting our Investor Relations Department. We intend to disclose any amendments to or waivers from our Code of Business Conduct Policy by posting such information on our website. Our Proxy Statement contains governance disclosures, including information on our Code of Business Conduct Policy, the Ensco Corporate Governance Policy, the director nomination process, shareholder director nominations, shareholder communications to the Board of Directors and director attendance at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders.


Item 11.  Executive Compensation

    The information required by this item is contained in our Proxy Statement and incorporated herein by reference.


153




Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters

The following table summarizes certain information related to our compensation plans under which our shares are authorized for issuance as of December 31, 2017:

Plan category
 
Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
 
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
 
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected
in column (a))(1)
 
 
(a)
 
(b)
 
(c)
Equity compensation
     plans approved by
      security holders
 
84,933

 
$
54.93

 
18,248,276

Equity compensation
     plans not approved by
     security holders(2)
 
811,346

 
22.94

 
1,556,056

Total
 
896,279

 
$
25.97

 
19,804,332


(1)
Under the 2012 LTIP, 18.2 million shares remained available for future issuances of non-vested share awards, share option awards and performance awards as of December 31, 2017.
(2)
In connection with the Pride acquisition, we assumed Pride's option plan and the outstanding options thereunder. As of December 31, 2017, options to purchase 56,240 shares at a weighted-average exercise price of $34.95 per share were outstanding under this plan. No shares are available for future issuance under this plan, no further options will be granted under this plan and the plan will be terminated upon the earlier of the exercise or expiration date of the last outstanding option. Additional information required by this item is included in our Proxy Statement and incorporated herein by reference.

In connection with the Atwood acquisition, we assumed Atwood’s Amended and Restated 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Atwood LTIP”) and the options outstanding thereunder.  As of December 31, 2017, options to purchase 755,106 shares at a weighted-average exercise price of $22.04 per share were outstanding under this plan.  There were also 1.6 million shares remaining available for future issuance, which we may grant to employees and other service providers who were not employed or engaged with us prior to the Atwood acquisition.

The Atwood LTIP, which we adopted in connection with the Merger, provides for discretionary equity compensation awards.  Awards may be granted in the form of share options, restricted share awards, share appreciation rights and performance share or unit awards.  All future awards granted under the Atwood LTIP will be subject to such terms and conditions, including vesting terms, as may be determined by the plan administrator at the time of grant.  Following the Atwood acquisition, the Atwood LTIP is administered by and all award decisions will be made on a discretionary basis by our Compensation Committee or Board of Directors.

Additional information required by this item is included in our Proxy Statement and incorporated herein by reference.


Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

    The information required by this item is contained in our Proxy Statement and incorporated herein by reference.



154



Item 14.  Principal Accounting Fees and Services

    The information required by this item is contained in our Proxy Statement and incorporated herein by reference.


155



PART IV



Item 15.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(a)
The following documents are filed as part of this report:
 
 
1.  Financial Statements
 
 
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
2.  Financial Statement Schedules:
 
 
The schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the SEC are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable or provided elsewhere in the financial statements and, therefore, have been omitted.
 
 
 3.  Exhibits
        Exhibit
        Number
 
 
Exhibit
 
 
 
2.1
 
 
 
 
3.1
 
 
 
 
3.2
 
 
 
 
3.3
 

4.1
 
 
 
 
4.2
 
 
 
 
4.3
 
 
 
 
4.4
 

156



 
 
 
4.5
 
 
 
 
4.6
 
 
 
 
4.7
 
 
 
 
4.8
 
 
 
 
4.9
 
 
 
 
4.10
 
 
 
 
4.11
 
 
 
 
4.12
 
 
 
 
4.13
 
 
 
 
4.14
 
4.15
 
 
 
 
4.16
 
 
 
 
4.17
 
 
 
 
4.18
 
 
 
 
4.19
 
 
 
 
4.20
 
 
 
 
4.21
 
 
 
 
4.22
 

 
 
 

157



4.23
 
 
 
 
4.23
 
 
 
 
4.23
 
 
 
 
10.1
 
 
 
 
10.2
 
 
 
 
10.3
 
 
 
 
10.4
 
 
 
 
10.5
 
 
 
 
10.6
 
 
 
 
10.7
 
 
 
 
+10.8
 
 
 
 
+10.9
 
 
 
 
+10.10
 
 
 
 
+10.11
 
 
 
 
+10.12
 
 
 
 

158



+10.13
 
 
 
 
+10.14
 
 
 
 
+10.15
 
 
 
 
+10.16
 
 
 
 
+10.17
 
 
 
 
+10.18
 
 
 
 
+10.19
 
 
 
 
+10.20
 
 
 
 
+10.21
 
 
 
 
+10.22
 
 
 
 
+10.23
 
 
 
 
+10.24
 
 
 
 
+10.25
 
 
 
 
+10.26
 
 
 
 
+10.27
 
 
 
 
+10.28
 
 
 
 

159



+10.29
 
 
 
 
+10.30
 
 
 
 
+10.31
 
 
 
 
+10.32
 
 
 
 
+10.33
 
 
 
 
+10.34
 
 
 
 
+10.35
 
 
 
 
+10.36
 
 
 
 
+10.37
 
 
 
 
+10.38
 
 
 
 
+10.39
 
 
 
 
+10.40
 
 
 
 
+10.41
 
 
 
 
+10.42
 
 
 
 
+10.43
 
 
 
 
+10.44
 
 
 
 
+10.45
 
 
 
 

160



+10.46
 
 
 
 
+10.47
 
 
 
 
+10.48
 
 
 
 
+10.49
 
 
 
 
+10.50
 
 
 
 
+10.51
 
 
 
 
+10.52

 
 
 
 
+10.53
 
 
 
 
+10.54
 
 
 
 
*12.1
 
 
 
 
*21.1
 
 
 
 
*23.1
 
 
 
 
*31.1
 
 
 
 
*31.2
 
 
 
 
**32.1
 
 
 
 
**32.2
 
 
 
 
*101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
*101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
 
 
 
*101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
 
 
 
*101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
 
 
 
*101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
 
 
 
*101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
 
 
 

161



*
**
+     
 
Filed herewith.
Furnished herewith.
Management contracts or compensatory plans and arrangements required to be filed as exhibits pursuant to Item 15(b) of this report.

Certain agreements relating to our long-term debt have not been filed as exhibits as permitted by paragraph (b)(4)(iii)(A) of Item 601 of Regulation S-K since the total amount of securities authorized under any such agreements do not exceed 10% of our total assets on a consolidated basis. Upon request, we will furnish to the SEC all constituent agreements defining the rights of holders of our long-term debt not filed herewith.

Item 16.  Form 10-K Summary

    None.

162



SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, on February 27, 2018.
                       Ensco plc
                       (Registrant)
 
By   /s/         CARL G. TROWELL                                      
                     Carl G. Trowell
                     President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.

                Signatures
 
                Title
 
           Date
 
 
 
 
 
/s/     CARL G. TROWELL                 
          Carl G. Trowell
 
President and Chief Executive Officer and Director
 
February 27, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
/s/     PAUL E. ROWSEY III                 
          Paul E. Rowsey III
 
Chairman
 
February 27, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
/s/     J. RODERICK CLARK              
          J. Roderick Clark 
 
Director
 
February 27, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
/s/     ROXANNE J. DECYK              
          Roxanne J. Decyk
 
Director
 
February 27, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
/s/     MARY E. FRANCIS CBE    
          Mary E. Francis CBE
 
Director
 
February 27, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
/s/     C. CHRISTOPHER GAUT          
         C. Christopher Gaut
 
Director
 
February 27, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
/s/     JACK E. GOLDEN               
          Jack E. Golden
 
Director
 
February 27, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
/s/     GERALD W. HADDOCK           
         Gerald W. Haddock
 
Director
 
February 27, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
/s/     FRANCIS S. KALMAN           
         Francis S. Kalman
 
Director
 
February 27, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
/s/     KEITH O. RATTIE               
          Keith O. Rattie
 
Director
 
February 27, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
/s/     PHIL D. WEDEMEYER               
          Phil D. Wedemeyer
 
Director
 
February 27, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
/s/     JONATHAN H. BAKSHT          
          Jonathan H. Baksht
 
Senior Vice President and
    Chief Financial Officer
    (principal financial officer)
 
February 27, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
/s/     TOMMY E. DARBY  
          Tommy E. Darby
 
Controller (principal accounting officer)
 
February 27, 2018



163