Company: NE-WTA
Filing Date: 2025-02-19
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0001628280-25-006184
Chunk: 66

Company: Noble Corp plc
Filing Date: 2025-02-19
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1A
Chunk 66
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 in operation and the cost level in each country or region where such drilling rigs are located. Equipment maintenance costs fluctuate depending upon the type of activity that the drilling rig is performing, the age and condition of the equipment, and the timing of the drilling rig special periodic surveys (SPS). While operating revenues may fluctuate as a function of changes in dayrate, costs for operating a rig may not be proportional to the dayrate received and may vary based on a variety of factors, including the scope and length of required rig preparations and the duration of the contractual period over which such expenditures are amortized. Any investments in our rigs may not result in an increased dayrate for or income from such rigs. A disproportionate change in the amount of operating and maintenance costs in comparison to dayrates could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Inflation may adversely affect our operating results.

Inflationary factors such as increases in labor costs, material costs, changes in tariff and sanctions regimes, and overhead costs may adversely affect our operating results and cash flows. We have experienced increases in the cost of labor and materials during 2023 and 2024, and inflationary pressures may continue into 2025. Inflation, including a continuation of inflation at the current rate, may have an adverse effect on our ability to maintain current levels of gross margin and general and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenue, if our dayrates do not increase sufficiently to cover these increased costs, as well as result in increases in our capital expenditures. Most of our contracts have dayrates that are fixed over the contract term. While some of our long-term contracts contain rate adjustment provisions, they can be based on market fluctuations rather than cost increases. To the extent a drilling contract provides for escalations attributable to inflation in our costs, those adjustments will lag the impact of inflationary pressures and may not reflect the full impact to us of any cost inflation. As drilling contracts with such provisions expire or are terminated, there can be no assurance that future drilling contracts will contain similar provisions, which may reduce our margins in inflationary environments. In addition, inflation is often, and has recently been, accompanied by higher interest rates. Such higher interest rates may affect our ability to enter into future traditional debt financing, as high inflation may result in an increase in the cost to borrow. Future increases in interest rates may negatively impact our cost of capital and ability to access capital markets.

Operational interruptions, maintenance, or repair work may delay commencement of operations or cause