Third quarter 2001 revenues for the Company's contract drilling segment compared to the third quarter of 2000 increased by $69.9 million, or 50%, and operating margin increased by $62.9 million, or 95%. These increases are primarily attributable to higher average day rates for the Company's jackup rig fleet, which increased 41% from the prior year quarter, plus the impact of operating the Company's new semisubmersible rig, which was under construction during the prior year quarter. In addition, the Company received $15.3 million from the early termination of a long-term contract for one of the Company's barge rigs in South America. Operating expenses for the contract drilling segment increased by $7.0 million, or 9%, from the prior year quarter due primarily to operations of the Company's new semisubmersible rig and to higher personnel costs. For the nine months ended September 30, 2001, revenues for the Company's contract drilling segment increased $251.0 million, or 74%, and operating margin increased $200.9 million, or 138%, from the prior year period. These increases are primarily due to higher average day rates for the Company's jackup rig fleet, which increased 55% from the prior year period, and the impact of operating the Company's new semisubmersible rig, which was under construction during the prior year period. Operating expenses for the contract drilling segment increased by $50.1 million, or 26%, from the prior year period due primarily to higher personnel related costs and to operations of the Company's new semisubmersible rig. North America Jackup Rigs For the third quarter of 2001, revenues for the Company's North America jackup rigs increased by $2.1 million, or 3%, and the operating margin increased by $4.0 million, or 9%, from the prior year quarter. The increase in revenues and operating margin is primarily attributable to a 32% increase in average day rates, partially offset by a decrease in utilization to 77% in the current year quarter from 99% in the prior year quarter. Operating expenses decreased by $1.9 million, or 6%, from the prior year quarter primarily due to lower utilization. For the nine months ended September 30, 2001, revenues for the Company's North America jackup rigs increased by $80.4 million, or 43%, and the operating margin increased by $74.2 million, or 76%, from the prior year period. These increases are primarily due to a 62% improvement in average day rates, offset in part by a decrease in utilization to 88% in the current year period from 99% in the prior year period. Operating expenses increased by $6.2 million, or 7%, from the prior year period due primarily to higher personnel related costs. Europe Jackup Rigs Third quarter 2001 revenues for the Europe jackup rigs increased $28.0 million, or 134%, and the operating margin increased by $25.1 million, or 392%, from the prior year quarter. These increases are due primarily to higher average day rates, which increased 84% from the prior year quarter, and higher utilization, which increased to 96% in the current year quarter from 75% in the year earlier quarter. Operating expenses increased by $2.9 million, or 20%, from the prior year quarter due primarily to improved utilization. For the nine months ended September 30, 2001, revenues for the Europe jackup rigs increased by $79.4 million, or 199%, and the operating margin increased by $61.1 million, or 899%, from the prior year period. The increase in revenues and operating margin is primarily attributable to a 70% increase in average day rates and to an increase in utilization to 88% in the current year period from 53% in the prior year period. Operating expenses increased by $18.3 million, or 55%, from the prior year period due primarily to higher utilization. Asia Pacific Jackup Rigs Third quarter 2001 revenues for the Asia Pacific jackup rigs increased by $6.3 million, or 29%, and operating margin increased by $7.5 million, or 100%, from the prior year quarter. The increase in revenues and operating margin is primarily attributable to a 16% increase in average day rates and an increase in utilization, to 99% in the current year quarter from 85% in the year earlier quarter. Operating expenses decreased by $1.2 million, or 8%, in the current year quarter due primarily to fewer rig mobilizations in the current year quarter offset in part by increased utilization in the current year quarter. For the nine months ended September 30, 2001, revenues for the Asia Pacific jackup rigs increased by $20.5 million, or 39%, and the operating margin increased by $17.3 million, or 89%, from the prior year period. These increases are due primarily to an increase in utilization to 95% in the current year period from 70% in the prior year period. Operating expenses increased by $3.2 million, or 10%, in the current year period due primarily to higher utilization and a favorable resolution of personnel tax liabilities that resulted in a $2.5 million reduction in operating expenses in the prior year period. North America Semisubmersible Rig The Company completed construction of the ENSCO 7500, a dynamically positioned semisubmersible rig, in the fourth quarter of 2000. The rig completed sea trials and commenced drilling operations in the Gulf of Mexico in December 2000 under an approximate $190 million, three year contract. In the third quarter of 2001, ENSCO 7500 earned $14.7 million of revenue and contributed $10.2 million to the Company's operating margin while receiving an average day rate of approximately $177,000. For the nine months ended September 30, 2001, ENSCO 7500 earned $43.2 million of revenue and contributed $30.1 million to the Company's operating margin. South America Barge Rigs Third quarter 2001 revenues and the operating margin for the South America barge rigs include $15.3 million of revenue for the early termination of a long-term contract. Excluding the early contract termination revenue, revenues increased by $2.6 million, or 24%, and operating margin increased by $300,000, or 6%, from the prior year quarter. The increase in revenues is primarily attributable to a 6% increase in average day rates, which resulted from contractual rate adjustments that compensate the Company for certain cost increases, and higher utilization which improved to 41% in the current year quarter from 33% in the year earlier quarter. Operating expenses increased by $2.3 million, or 38%, from the prior year quarter which contributed to only a slight increase in operating margin. The increase in operating expenses is primarily due to increased utilization and higher personnel costs resulting from collective contracts with the unions representing petroleum industry personnel in Venezuela. For the nine months ended September 30, 2001, revenues for the South America barge rigs increased by $21.3 million, or 65%, and operating margin increased by $15.2, or 98%, from the prior year period. Excluding the $15.3 million of revenue for the early termination of a long-term contract, revenues for the current year period increased by $6.0 million, or 18%, and operating margin decreased by $100,000, or 1%, from the year earlier period. The increase in revenue as compared to the prior year period is due primarily to an 11% increase in average day rates, which resulted from contractual rate adjustments that compensate the Company for certain cost increases. The slight decrease in operating margin is primarily attributable to higher operating expenses, which increased by $6.1 million, or 35%, from the prior year period. The increase in operating expenses is due primarily to increased utilization and higher personnel costs resulting from collective contracts with the unions representing petroleum industry personnel in Venezuela. Platform Rigs Third quarter 2001 revenues for the platform rigs increased by $900,000, or 10%, and operating margin increased by $500,000, or 20%, as compared to the prior year quarter. The increase in revenues and operating margin is primarily due to an 8% increase in average day rates and an increase in utilization to 62% from 54% in the year earlier quarter. Operating expenses increased by $400,000, or 6%, from the prior year quarter primarily due to higher personnel related costs and increased utilization. For the nine months ended September 30, 2001, revenues for the platform rigs increased by $6.2 million, or 26%, and operating margin increased by $3.0 million, or 42%, from the prior year period. These increases are due primarily to a 16% increase in average day rates. Operating expenses for platform rigs increased by $3.2 million, or 19%, from the prior period due primarily to higher personnel related costs. Marine Transportation The following is an analysis of the Company's marine transportation vessels as of September 30, 2001 and 2000: |