Third quarter 2000 revenues for the Company's contract drilling segment compared to the third quarter of 1999 increased by $72.8 million, or 108%, and operating margin increased by $52.5 million, or 383%. These increases are primarily due to higher average day rates, which increased 66% from the prior year quarter, and higher utilization, which increased to 76% in the third quarter of 2000 from 63% in the third quarter of 1999. Third quarter 2000 operating expenses for the contract drilling segment increased by $20.3 million, or 38%, from the prior year quarter due primarily to increased utilization. For the nine months ended September 30, 2000, revenues for the Company's contract drilling segment increased $81.5 million, or 32%, and operating margin increased $57.1 million, or 64%, from the prior year period. These increases are primarily due to higher average day rates, which increased 30% from the prior year period, and higher utilization, which increased to 72% in the current year period from 66% in the year earlier period. The impact of the increases in revenues and operating margin from the prior year period resulting from improved day rates was partially offset by the receipt of $20.4 million in lump sum early contract termination payments during the first quarter of 1999. Operating expenses for the contract drilling segment in the nine months ended September 30, 2000, increased by $24.4 million, or 15%, from the prior year period due primarily to increased utilization. North America Jackup Rigs For the third quarter of 2000, revenues for the Company's North America jackup rigs increased by $45.9 million, or 146%, and the operating margin increased by $42.4 million, or 1,696%, from the prior year quarter. These increases are primarily due to a 133% increase in average day rates and a slight increase in utilization as compared to the prior year quarter. Operating expenses increased by $3.5 million, or 12%, from the prior year quarter due primarily to higher utilization and increases in personnel related costs. For the nine months ended September 30, 2000, revenues for the Company's North America jackup rigs increased by $91.7 million, or 95%, and the operating margin increased by $80.7 million, or 492%, from the prior year period. These increases are primarily due to a 76% increase in average day rates and an increase in utilization to 99% in the current year period as compared to 90% in the prior year period. Operating expenses increased by $11.0 million, or 14%, from the prior year period due primarily to higher utilization. Europe Jackup Rigs Third quarter 2000 revenues for the Europe jackup rigs increased $12.5 million, or 149%, and the operating margin increased by $4.8 million, or 300%, from the prior year quarter. These increases are primarily due to an increase in utilization to 75% in the current year quarter from 38% in the prior year quarter. Operating expenses increased by $7.7 million, or 113%, from the prior year quarter due primarily to higher utilization and increases in personnel related costs. For the nine months ended September 30, 2000, revenues for the Europe jackup rigs decreased by $15.8 million, or 28%, and the operating margin decreased by $21.5 million, or 76%, from the prior year period. These decreases are due to a 31% decrease in average day rates and to the cessation of the bareboat charter of one jackup rig which was fully employed during the prior year period but was idle while undergoing an enhancement project during the current year period. The jackup rig that was under charter contributed $10.9 million to revenue and $9.9 million to operating margin in the prior year period. The decrease in revenue in the current year period was partially offset by improved utilization of the remaining rig fleet, which utilization contributed to increase operating expenses by $5.7 million, or 21%, from the prior year period. Asia Pacific Jackup Rigs For the third quarter of 2000, revenues for the Asia Pacific jackup rigs increased by $10.2 million, or 88%, and the operating margin increased by $3.3 million, or 79%, from the prior year quarter. These increases are due to an increase in utilization to 85% in the current year quarter from 42% in the prior year quarter. Operating expenses increased by $6.9 million, or 93%, in the current year quarter due primarily to increased utilization. For the nine months ended September 30, 2000, revenues for the Asia Pacific jackup rigs increased by $15.9 million, or 43%, and the operating margin increased by $6.8 million, or 54%, from the prior year period. These increases are due primarily to an increase in utilization to 70% in the current year period from 45% in the prior year period. Operating expenses increased by $9.1 million, or 37%, in the current year period due primarily to increased utilization. South America Barge Rigs Third quarter 2000 revenues for the South America barge rigs remained relatively flat, and operating margin increased by $.9 million, or 23%, from the prior year quarter. The increase in operating margin is primarily due to a decrease in operating expenses. Operating expenses decreased by $1.1 million, or 15%, from the prior year quarter due primarily to residual start-up costs incurred in the prior year in connection with three newly constructed barge rigs that commenced operations in March, April and June of 1999. For the nine months ended September 30, 2000, revenues for the South America barge rigs decreased by $7.9 million, or 19%, and operating margin decreased by $4.6 million, or 23%, from the prior year period. These decreases are due primarily to the receipt of lump-sum early contract termination payments totaling $18.4 million in the prior year period. The impact of the early contract termination payments in the prior year period was partially offset by a 19% increase in average day rates and by an increase in utilization to 33% in the current year period from 30% in the year earlier period. The increase in average day rates and utilization in the current year period is due primarily to full utilization of three newly constructed barge rigs that commenced operations in March, April and June of 1999. The six barge rigs which experienced early contract termination in January 1999 remained idle during the current year period. Operating expenses decreased by $3.3 million, or 16%, from the prior year period, due primarily to costs incurred in the prior year in connection with cold-stacking four barge rigs and to start-up costs incurred in the prior year in connection with three newly constructed barge rigs that commenced operations in March, April and June of 1999. Platform Rigs Third quarter revenues for the platform rigs increased by $4.4 million, or 88%, and operating margin increased by $1.1 million, or 79%, as compared to the prior year quarter. These increases are primarily attributable to a 17% increase in average day rates and an increase in utilization to 54% in the current year quarter as compared to 40% in the prior year quarter. Operating expenses increased by $3.3 million, or 92%, from the prior year quarter primarily due to increased utilization. For the nine months ended September 30, 2000, revenues for the platform rigs decreased by $2.4 million, or 9%, and operating margin decreased by $4.3 million, or 37%, from the prior year period. These decreases are due primarily to a lump sum contract cancellation payment received in the prior year period and to an increase in operating expenses in the current year period. Operating expenses for platform rigs increased by $1.9 million, or 13%, due primarily to slightly higher utilization and the lower cost associated with one platform rig while in the shipyard undergoing a refurbishment project during the nine months ended September 30, 1999. Marine Transportation The following is an analysis of the Company's marine transportation vessels as of September 30, 2000 and 1999: |