North and South America Jackup Rigs
North and South America jackup rig revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 increased by $10.0 million, or 8%, compared to the prior year quarter. The increase in revenues was due to an increase in utilization to 100% from 82% in the comparable prior year quarter, partially offset by a 14% decrease in average day rates. Both the increase in utilization and decline in average day rates were a function of significant supply and demand imbalance that existed during the latter half of the prior year. As oil and gas companies shifted their focus to deepwater projects during 2007, jackup rig utilization declined rapidly and we subsequently dropped day rates to obtain contracts. As a result of both decreased rig supply and increased customer demand, utilization levels improved significantly during 2008. Contract drilling expense increased by $6.1 million, or 14%, compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to increased personnel costs and the impact of increased utilization. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2008, North and South America jackup rig revenues decreased by $25.5 million, or 9%, compared to the prior year period. The decrease in revenues was primarily due to a 19% decrease in average day rates and the relocation of ENSCO 105 from the region, partially offset by an increase in utilization to 96% from 84% in the comparable prior year period. Both the decrease in average day rates and increase in utilization were primarily attributable to the supply and demand imbalance that existed throughout the prior year and improvement in market conditions during the first half of 2008, as discussed in the previous paragraph. Revenues also declined as a result of ENSCO 105, which generated $7.1 million of revenues and incurred $2.0 million of contract drilling expense during the first quarter of 2007 prior to mobilization from the Gulf of Mexico to Tunisia. Contract drilling expense increased by $9.1 million, or 10%, compared to the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to increased personnel costs and the impact of increased utilization, partially offset by decreased mobilization expense and the relocation of ENSCO 105 during the comparable prior year period. North America Semisubmersible Rigs Revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 for ENSCO 7500 increased by $14.6 million, or 81%, and contract drilling expense increased by $3.1 million, or 47%, as compared to the prior year quarter. The increase in revenues was primarily due to an increase in average day rate to $365,496 from $200,188 in the comparable prior year quarter, as ENSCO 7500 began earning a significantly higher day rate during February 2008. The increase in contract drilling expense is primarily due to increased repair and maintenance expense and personnel costs. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2008, revenues for ENSCO 7500 increased by $21.5 million, or 60%, and contract drilling expense increased by $5.5 million, or 43%, as compared to the prior year period. The increase in revenues was due to an increase in average day rate to $323,215 from $197,977 in the comparable prior year period, as ENSCO 7500 began earning a significantly higher day rate during February 2008. The increase in contract drilling expense was primarily due to increased personnel costs and repair and maintenance expense. Beginning in the second quarter of 2007, ENSCO 7500 staffing levels were increased to facilitate training in preparation for delivery of our ENSCO 8500 Series® rigs. Depreciation Depreciation expense for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 increased by $1.6 million, or 3%, as compared to the prior year quarter. The increase was primarily attributable to depreciation associated with ENSCO 83 and ENSCO 93 capital enhancement and upgrade projects completed during the second quarter of 2007 and first quarter of 2008, respectively. |