Operator
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by, and I would like to welcome you to Arabian Drilling's first quarter 2026 results conference call on the 11th of May 2026. I will now pass the line to the Investor Relations and Communications Director, Mr.
Bassem ElShawy. Please go ahead, sir.
Bassem ElShawy
Thank you, Michael. Assalamu alaikum.
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you very much for joining us today in our first quarter 2026 earnings call.
We appreciate your time and continued interest in Arabian Drilling. This presentation contains forward-looking statements.
We encourage you to review and the accompanying disclaimer in this document for further information. As usual, I'm joined today by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Mr.
Fahad Al-Bani and Farid Mustafayev. Fahad will walk you through the financial and operations overview, followed by Farit's detailed review of our financial performance.
Over to you, Fahad.
Fahad Al-Bani
Thank you, Bassem. Assalamu alaikum and good afternoon, and thank you for participation in today call.
Our quarterly performance showed positive improvement across all key financial metrics. Revenue was broadly flat quarter-on-quarter, fully in line with our guidance.
EBITDA increased by 9.7%, reaching a margin of 35.2%. This is a direct result of higher utilization and improved operational efficiency.
As a result, we returned to positive net income of SAR 7.1 million for the quarter. Operating cash flow remained strong, while leverage stable at twofold.
Moving to the next slide. Compared to quarter one last year, revenue declined by 9.8%, primarily driven by a normalization of rig move activity compared to the same period in the prior year.
Additionally, lower utilization, particularly in the land segment, which also contributed to the decline. EBITDA declined in line with revenue, reflecting both the lower activity level and the absence of the exceptionally profitable long rig move activity seen in quarter 1 2025.
Net income decline was mainly driven by lower utilization levels, again, particularly in the land segment. Moving to the next slide.
Our backlog continues to reach new high. We closed the quarter at 12.5 billion SAR, representing 31% increase compared to last year.
Utilization increased to 81.7% versus the prior quarter, supported by the resumption of operations for two land and two offshore rigs. Our non-productive time and total recordable incident frequency metrics both remained below international and industry benchmark, reflecting consistent operational improvement and our continued focus on operational excellence.
We also saw high rig move activity and, importantly, improved rig move efficiency as a result of increased operational focus. We expect these efficiency gains to support better revenue quality going forward.
Turning to key development during the quarter, we successfully spud our first international contract in the GCC, marking a significant milestone for Arabian Drilling. In parallel, some offshore rigs were suspended due to the current regional situation, which we are closely monitoring with our clients and relevant authorities.
Finally, we have launched a company-wide cost optimization program with multiple initiatives across the organization. This program is expected to deliver meaningful and sustainable savings over time.
We will share a further details in due course. We are very pleased to see our backlog reach an all-time record of 12.5 billion, representing 31% year-on-year growth.
This reflects consistent demand for our services and the strength of our client relationships. With this backlog, our average contract duration has increased to 3.3 years, and our book-to-bill ratio stand at 3.7 times.
Utilization improved to 81.7% in quarter 1 2026, supported by the reactivation of two land and one offshore rig in Saudi Arabia, as well as the startup of our first international offshore rig in the GCC. However, due to the regional conditions affecting drilling operation in the Arabian Gulf, we expect lower utilization in the second quarter of 2026, driven by the temporary suspension of some offshore rigs.
Moving to contract renewal in 2026. Last year was particularly active in terms of contract expires, and we achieved 100% renewal success rate, securing all 24 rigs that were up for renewal.
This was a key driver behind the sustained growth of our backlog. Similarly, 2026 is expected to be another year for renewal.
During quarter one, we announced several contract extensions, reducing the number of contracts due for renewal this year from 21 to 18. As of today, we expect to renew 18 contracts in 2026, of which 11 relate to the gas LSK tender, with results expected to be announced in the second quarter 2026.
In the meantime, our client has exercised a 3-month extension option for these contracts, now extending their expiry to 31st of August 2026. The remaining contracts are progressing as planned, and we will provide further update in due course.
I will now hand it over to Farid, who will walk you through the financial results in more details.
Farid Mustafayev
Thank you, Fahad. Assalamu alaikum and good afternoon, everyone.
Starting with our quarter-on-quarter performance, revenue was broadly flat, down 0.3%, reflecting a 7 million impact from conflict-related offshore suspension in late March, as well as the absence of a long rig move in Q4. This was largely offset by the resumption of two land rigs and one offshore rig in Saudi Arabia, together with the startup of offshore activity in the GCC during the quarter.
EBITDA increased by 9.7% quarter-on-quarter to 289 million, with margin at 35.2%. This was primarily driven by higher utilization, supported by the restart of two land and two offshore rigs, as well as continued improvements in operational efficiency, particularly in rig move execution.
Net income returned to positive at 7 million, compared to a net loss of 34 million in Q4 2025, excluding the one-off impairment. This improvements reflect the stronger EBITDA performance combined with lower G&A and financing costs, supported by both internal cost actions and a more favorable interest rate environment.
CapEx increased by 8%, mainly reflecting reactivation activities for rigs returning to operations during the quarter. Net debt decreased slightly, supported by scheduled loan repayments.
As a result, net debt to EBITDA remained stable at 2 times, while operating cash flow improved in line with EBITDA. Let's now turn to our year-on-year performance.
Revenue was 822 million, down 9.8% compared to Q1 last year. This was primarily driven by the non-repeat of the exceptionally long and high-margin rig move activity in Q1 2025, with Q1 2026 reflecting a more normalized level of rig move activity.
In addition, lower land rig utilization also contributed to the decline, following suspensions that occurred during Q2 and Q3 last year. EBITDA was 289 million, down 24.1% year-on-year.
This decrease was mainly driven by the revenue dynamics just described. Importantly, the long rig move activity in Q1 2025 carried significantly higher margins, which explains the more pronounced decline in EBITDA.
Net income was 7 million, representing a 90.6% decrease year-on-year. Profitability remains modest at current activity levels.
Nonetheless, we had some improvements during the quarter, supported by lower G&A, depreciation, and financing costs. Looking at other key metrics, capital expenditures decreased by 39.6%, reflecting the absence of the significant unconventional rig investment made in Q1 2025.
Net debt declined by 13.1% to 2.4 billion, supported by a higher cash balance and scheduled loan repayments. Net debt to EBITDA increased slightly to 2 times, remaining broadly stable and within our target range.
I will provide more detail on this later in the presentation. Operating cash flow declined by 22.3%, consistent with the movement in EBITDA.
Let's now turn to our segment performance across land and offshore operations. Left-hand side, comparing Q1 '26 with the prior quarter, revenue remained broadly flat with a stable mix, while EBITDA margins improved from 32% to 35%, supported by higher utilization and operational efficiencies.
On a year-on-year basis, we see a shift in the mix, with land contribution declining from 72% to 67%, alongside an overall revenue reduction of around 10%. This, combined with the change in activity mix, resulted in lower EBITDA margins.
The decline is primarily driven by the absence of the exceptional rig move activity seen in Q1 '25, as well as the impact of land rig suspensions during Q2 and Q3 2025. Just to mention, 5 of 10 currently idle land rigs were active in Q1 2025.
These drivers are reflected in the segment-level performance. On the right-hand side of the slide, land segment, quarter-on-quarter, revenue declined by 4%, mainly due to lower rig move activity, partially offset by the startup of two rigs.
Gross margin also softened, reflecting the absence of high-margin rig move activity seen in Q4. Year-on-year, land revenue declined by 17%, driven by two key factors: the absence of exceptional rig move activity in Q1 '25 and additional rig suspensions and out-of-contract rigs during Q2 and Q3.
As a result, profitability declined in line with the lower activity levels. Looking at offshore segment, quarter-on-quarter, revenue increased by 8%, supported by startup of two offshore rigs.
This also drove a strong improvement in margins from around 20% to above 30%, additionally supported by the absence of the demobilization costs recorded in Q4 '25. Year-on-year, offshore revenue growth reflects higher utilization, including the contribution from the service vessels added in Q2 2025.
Margins improved due to stronger activity levels and lower costs associated with idle offshore rigs following the departure of the chartered rig in Q4 2025. Let me bridge the movement in net income from Q4 '25 to Q1 '26.
Starting from adjusted net loss of 35 million in Q4, we delivered net income of 7 million in Q1, a 42 million improvement quarter-on-quarter despite the conflict impact. The bridge has three key drivers.
First, we had a net 13 million benefit from Q4 exceptionals not repeating, mainly the absence of the offshore demobilization cost, partially offset by non-repeating the long rig move benefit recorded in Q4. Second, we saw 11 million conflict-related headwind, reflecting lost revenue from offshore suspension towards the end of March and, as well, higher war risk insurance costs driven by the regional situation.
Finally, we delivered 40 million of operational improvement, driven primarily by rig startups and operational efficiencies, plus lower financing and G&A costs, partially offset by higher than planned maintenance. Overall, underlying performance improved materially despite the conflict headwind, returning us to positive net income in Q1.
Let's now take a closer look at the key movements impacting our cash position this quarter. Cash on hand remained broadly stable at 566 million despite several planned outflows during the quarter.
Working capital was a source of cash this quarter, primarily driven by an increase in payables, reflecting focus on DPO optimization, while we continue to maintain discipline on receivables. On capital allocation, CapEx was focused on rig reactivations alongside ongoing sustaining investments to support operational readiness.
Importantly, operational cash efficiency continues to strengthen, with a 1-day reduction in DSO translating into approximately 10 million of working capital release and a cumulative approximately 20-day improvement year-on-year. Overall, liquidity remains stable and well managed, supported by disciplined working capital execution.
Let me now wrap up the financial section with a look at our debt profile. Net debt decreased quarter-on-quarter, primarily supported by scheduled loan amortization.
On a year-on-year basis, net debt is down 13%, reflecting a combination of scheduled loan amortization alongside stronger cash levels. Importantly, leverage remains well controlled, with net debt to EBITDA broadly stable at around 2%, 2 times.
Overall, the balance sheet remains robust, providing continued financial flexibility to support operation, navigate near-term challenges, and fund planned growth. That concludes the financial update.
I will now hand over back to Fahad.
Fahad Al-Bani
Thank you, Farid. Let me now turn to our outlook for the second quarter of 2026.
Due to the ongoing regional uncertainties, we currently expect revenue to be lower by up to 12%. This impact is driven by the temporary suspension of certain offshore rigs, as well as the delayed start of one offshore rig that had been planned for early April.
As mentioned earlier, we view this as a temporary disruption and remain in close coordination with our clients. In the meantime, crews remain on standby and rigs are positioned to allow for timely resumption of operations once activity restarts.
At the same time, we are actively working to mitigate the impact of this disruption. As outlined earlier, we have launched a company-wide cost optimization program with initiatives spanning both structured costs measures and operational efficiencies, including rig move and maintenance activity, as well as the restructuring of selected internal services.
This program is expected to support a more efficient cost base over time. On capital allocation, we have adjusted our CapEx guidance from 750 million SAR to 700 million, ensuring alignment with the current activity outlook.
Now, let me conclude with a few key points. We continue to see 2026 as a recovery year, although the timing of a full offshore utilization is now expected to shift into the second half.
We are confident in our ability to renew all contracts due to expire in 2026. Securing these renewals will be also an additional driver for improving utilization.
The cost optimization program is an important lever to enhance efficiency and strengthen our cost base over the long term. Operational excellence and safety remain at the core of everything we do, and we remain focused on delivering consistent performance for our clients.
With that, we conclude today presentation, and I will now hand it over to Michael to open the floor for questions. Thank you.
Operator
Thank you very much for the presentation. We'll now be moving to the Q&A part of the call.
If you are dialed in by the telephone, please press star two on your keypad, that is star two on your keypad, and wait for your name to be called. You may also ask a voice or a text question if you are dialed in via the web.
Thank you. Our first question comes from Ms.
Julia Forde from Morgan Stanley. Please go ahead, your line is open.
Julia Forde
Thank you for the presentation and for taking my questions. I have two if I may.
The first one, on the recently suspended rigs, do you have any updates on when contracts could be resumed? Secondly, given the revenue guidance for the second quarter, how do you expect margins to behave?
Thank you.
Fahad Al-Bani
I think for the suspension, we don't have really clarity now in the event, but once we know really exactly when the rigs will be back to normal, we will announce this immediately. For the second
Farid Mustafayev
On the second question on the impact on margins from this offshore suspension, we typically don't provide specific guidance on EBITDA or margin levels. What we can say is that margins in the near term will continue to be influenced by activity levels, particularly due to this offshore utilization, as well as we're taking actions now on cost optimization and operational efficiency.
As activity normalizes, we would expect this to support the gradual recovery of our margins.
Julia Forde
Perfect. Thank you.
Operator
Thank you very much. Our next question comes from Mr.
Harish Achar from JPMorgan. Please go ahead.
Alex Kurtz
Thank you for the presentation and for the opportunity to ask some questions. I have two, and they're based around the land segment.
The first one is why did the land segment gross margin decline quarter-on-quarter? Then the second is on land utilization.
Do you think you can get that to 100% sometime in the near future?
Fahad Al-Bani
Actually, land margin pressured by lower rig move activities and 10 inactive rigs, actually. This is one of the reasons why you can see its drop.
Actually, current focus as we speak on improving rig move efficiency, this is will improve and optimizing the land feed. We are expecting improvement in the margin because we can see improvement in the rig move as we speak, and this is will come.
Mainly really because of the 10 inactive rigs.
Farid Mustafayev
On the second question, it was when we expect land utilization or offshore utilization to get to 100%? What was the question?
Alex Kurtz
It was the
Fahad Al-Bani
land utilization to get to 100%.
Farid Mustafayev
Land. As mentioned, we have right now 10 idle rigs, 5 suspended and 5 out of contract.
Obviously we're working hard on increasing the utilization, and we expect some changes with the contracts renewals during the year. We're not seeing a target of 100% achievable for this year.
Historically, if you look for the last several years, the high utilization rate for land rigs was in the range of 90-95%. That's what we're targeting.
However,
Fahad Al-Bani
just to add to what Farid said, there is ongoing tender and we are waiting for this, but with nothing is confirmed yet.
Alex Kurtz
Perfect. Thanks so much.
Operator
Thank you very much. Our next question comes from Ildar Khaziev from HSBC.
Please go ahead, sir, your line is open.
Fahad Al-Bani
Can't hear.
Operator
Ildar Khaziev from HSBC, please go ahead, your line is open in case you are muted. Thank you very much.
We will come back shortly. We have a text question regarding debt: The sukuk worth 2 billion riyals are due in February 2027.
What is your plan for repayment?
Farid Mustafayev
Yes, indeed, we have 5-year sukuk which is reaching maturity in February 2027. Obviously our plan is to refinance it on a timely basis.
We already have started working on this exercise for the last several months, we are in close engagement with multiple banks within Saudi Arabia. We expect to refinance it on time.
Our objectives is maintain our flexibility with keeping a permanent debt so that will add flexibility for our working capital, and obviously we will use this opportunity to further reduce and optimize our interest costs.
Operator
Thank you very much. Once again, opening the line for Mr.
Ildar Khaziev from HSBC. Please go ahead, your line is open.
Ildar Khaziev
Can you hear me? Hi.
Operator
Yes, we can hear you now. Please go ahead.
Ildar Khaziev
Thanks so much. Sorry for the issue previously.
I have a very simple question about the interest income. You have about half a billion of Saudi riyals on the balance sheet.
Why is the interest income has been so small, like between 2 to 3 million a quarter? I would expect that you would actually earn a bit more interest.
What explains this? Am I missing something?
Thank you.
Farid Mustafayev
We're using short-term investments, obviously, to make this interest income. Obviously the priority is not that.
Priority for us is to ensure operational flexibility, there is certain amount out of that number you just mentioned, 500+ million, at least we need to maintain always flexibility for 300 million, right? That is something that is used on a monthly basis, on a quarterly basis for payment of our salaries, our vendors, principle for the loans.
That's always we need to take into consideration. Excess over that amount we invest, but obviously we invest in free risk products, and we invest for short time, like it can be two weeks, one month, maximum two months.
As a result of that, the interest income is, represent that number what you just mentioned. At the same time, I can mention that year-to-date April, interest income increased significantly if you compare to last year.
We're obviously focusing on that as well, maximizing our advantage on liquidity basis.
Ildar Khaziev
I see. Thank you.
If I may, my second question is about land rig segment. As far as I understand, Aramco is currently trying to minimize production from offshore fields and maximize production from onshore fields, given the I think quality issues in the pipeline.
Are you observing any pickup in the land rig activity in general in Saudi Arabia? Is it happening if the demand getting stronger there, overall, if you look at the market?
Fahad Al-Bani
Actually we cannot, yani, know all Aramco plans as we speak, but we know now they are in the tender for LSK rigs, and it will be big tender for gas LSK. This is what is in the picture right now, but I'm sure Aramco they have plans.
Ildar Khaziev
How big is that tender? You said it's a gas tender, right?
Fahad Al-Bani
Yes, it's gas LSK tender.
Ildar Khaziev
How many rigs are they tendering?
Fahad Al-Bani
We don't have exactly the number, really, but I think it's a big tender, as we did not receive anything until now.
Ildar Khaziev
May I also ask, I think they have not been gas tenders for quite a while, I think since 2024, I believe. Is that correct?
They have been
Fahad Al-Bani
This is renew actually of gas LSK. This is renew, not a new tender.
It's a renew of tender of gas LSK rigs.
Ildar Khaziev
Oh, I see. Okay.
Thank you so much.
Operator
Thank you very much. Our next question comes from Leo Currie from UBS.
Please go ahead, sir, your line is open.
Leo Currie
Hi, guys. Can you hear me?
Operator
Yes, please go ahead.
Farid Mustafayev
Please go ahead.
Leo Currie
Hi there. Just maybe a broader question, but do you expect in the region a more active drilling program following the conflict resolution?
Fahad Al-Bani
Until now we did not have clear picture because we did not receive anything from the operating company as we speak, but if there is anything in the future, we will announce it. [unclear]
Leo Currie
Thank you.
Operator
Thank you very much. Our next question comes from Abdessamad Raghibi from Bernstein.
Please go ahead.
Abdessamad Raghibi
Yes, assalamu alaikum. Can you hear me?
Farid Mustafayev
Yes, Abdessamad. Yes, please go ahead.
Abdessamad Raghibi
All right. Thank you.
Aside from the short-term noise, I have a question on the medium-term impact of unconventional on your land margin. We are hearing a lot about accelerations.
I was just wondering what would be the incremental either positive or negative on your land margin going forward as more unconventional flows into your numbers?
Fahad Al-Bani
Sorry, just clarification: you are talking about the unconventional in particular?
Abdessamad Raghibi
Yes, just on unconventional. As more unconventional is flowing into your operation, how should we think about the margin accretion on your land segment?
Fahad Al-Bani
I think as what we mentioned before, there is a new improvement, actually, and there is a lot of new initiatives to optimize the cost and improve the efficiency in the same time. This is definitely will improve our margin actually from unconventional and conventional in both side.
I think in unconventional, because we have huge number of rigs in the unconventional, it will improve, but we cannot specify the number exactly, but I think in the future we will see some improvement in rig move in particular, because we can see the trend of rig move now is improving by almost 20% to 30% compared to last year. This is will help us to create and improve the margin of the unconventional.
Abdessamad Raghibi
Fair enough. Thank you.
Operator
Thank you very much. We have a follow-up question from Ildar from HSBC.
Please go ahead, sir.
Ildar Khaziev
Thank you again. I think I've seen in the financials a comment about canceled sale of one of the rigs, I think.
Could you please sort of comment on what happened and whether you are engaged in any other conversations, and what's the pipeline like for the disposals? Thank you.
Farid Mustafayev
Ildar, sorry, we couldn't hear exactly. What did you see in the financials?
Ildar Khaziev
Yes, I'm sorry. I've seen a comment in the financials stating that I think a sale of one of the older rigs was canceled.
Could you please comment on what happened and whether you are engaged in any of the other conversations, what the pipeline looks like for the disposals? Thank you.
Farid Mustafayev
No, we have not change our plans on selling that offshore rig. It's okay, I understand what you mean.
Basically with the first buyer, the deal didn't go ahead due to the regional situation, because it was difficult in current situation to move rig outside of the Gulf, right? That's why we canceled the agreement with them, but there was some non-refundable deposit that stayed, and we reported that, yes, in Q1 results, so that was the comment.
We have not changed our plans on selling that offshore rigs. At the moment, we're still looking at that.
We're looking at other options and other buyers. We have a second buyer, we're working on that.
Ildar Khaziev
Very clear. Thank you so much.
Operator
Thank you very much. We have a follow-up question from Mr.
Mohsin Al Sager: Do you expect cost of borrowing, the sukuk, to be higher or lower compared to the first issuance?
Farid Mustafayev
We are planning for having that lower, yes, and looks like this is quite doable, yes, we expect to reduce the cost going forward for sukuk.
Operator
Thank you very much. Perhaps we'll give another reminder: star two for any additional questions, that is star two.
You may also ask a voice or a text question if you're dialed in via the web. We'll give another few minutes or so for any follow-up questions.
It looks like there are no additional questions at this point, we'll be passing the line back to the management team for the concluding remarks.
Fahad Al-Bani
No, just I want to thank everybody for the questions, and inshallah things will improve in the future and we will have more discussion. Thank you.
Farid Mustafayev
Thank you very much.
Operator
Thank you very much. This concludes today's conference call.
We'll now be closing all the lines. Thank you and goodbye.
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