ADNOC Drilling targets net profit goal of $1 billion in 2023, breaks revenue records for Q4 2022

World Oil Staff February 13, 2023

(WO) — ADNOC Drilling Company PJSC announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ending December 31, 2022.

ADNOC Drilling rig
courtesy of ADNOC Drilling

ADNOC Drilling’s revenue for the year increased to $2.67 billion, up a robust 18% compared to 2021. Year-on-year revenue growth was led by the Onshore and Oilfield Services (OFS) segments, while all segments achieved positive year-on-year performance as the company enables ADNOC’s accelerated production capacity target of 5 MMbpd by 2027.

The company achieved record revenue, EBITDA and net profit during the fourth quarter of 2022, while its bold fleet expansion program delivered the highest-ever number of operational rigs – bolstering growth and charting a clear course for further expansion in 2023 and beyond. The company’s accelerated rig acquisition program added 16 new drilling units in 2022, establishing one of the world’s largest drilling and well completion fleets consisting of 115 rigs.

Full year EBITDA was $1.23 billion, with a margin of over 46%, as ADNOC Drilling made excellent progress on the delivery of further cost efficiencies. Net profit for the twelve-month period was a record $802 million, up 33% year-on-year.

During the fourth quarter of 2022, ADNOC Drilling delivered its highest-ever quarterly revenue of $733 million, up 27% year-on-year, EBITDA of $353 million, up 35%, and net profit of $234 million, up 61%. This significant growth was driven primarily by new rigs entering the operational fleet.

Onshore

Revenue for the full year was $1.45 billion, up 27% over 2021, principally driven by new fleet additions. Year-on-year, 4Q22 revenue was up 29% to $379 million, largely driven by the resultant increase in drilling activity.

Offshore Jack-up

Revenue for the full year was $611 million, a 3% increase compared to 2021. The growth of the segment started accelerating towards the end of the year, with 4Q22 revenue of $180 million and EBITDA of $108 million, an increase of 23% and 30% respectively, reflecting new jackup rigs joining the operational fleet.

Offshore Island

Revenue for the full year versus 2021 was flat at $204 million. 4Q22 revenue was $51 million, up 34% compared to 4Q21. EBITDA decreased marginally, down 5% year-on-year due to one-off revenue claims in 2021 for standby Island Rigs.

Oilfield Services (OFS)

Revenue was $405 million for the full year, an increase of 23% compared to 2021. Record quarterly revenue of $123 million was achieved in Q4 2022 due to additional offshore unconventional activity during the quarter.

ADNOC Drilling reported a fleet utilization rate of 96% for the year ending December 31, 2022, delivering exceptional revenue efficiency. Cash from operations increased 29% year-on-year to $1.52 billion, supporting a free cash flow of $588 million. Full year 2022 capital expenditure increased by 62% to $942 million, as the company delivered on its ambitious plans to expand its fleet to meet customer demand.

ADOC Drilling’s year-ahead guidance for 2023

ADNOC Drilling initiates its first ever year-ahead guidance. The company expects total revenue between $3.0 to $3.2 billion, which represents year-on-year growth of up to 20%. EBITDA in a range between $1.35 to $1.5 billion, with a very healthy margin of 45% to 47%.

ADNOC Drilling also anticipates a new record net profit of $850 million to $1 billion, again continuing the growth from $600 million in 2021 to $800 million in 2022 and now to this new level in 2023. Capital expenditure is forecast to be in a range of $1.3 to $1.75 billion this year, while the company plans to maintain its leverage ratio target below 2.0x.

In light of the strong performance in 2022 and the company’s progressive dividend policy, the final dividend for 2022 is expected to increase by a minimum of 5%, in line with the highly competitive and progressive 5-for-5 dividend policy demonstrating a commitment to sustained value creation for shareholders.

Abdulrahman Abdulla Al Seiari, CEO of ADNOC Drilling, commented, “In addition to record net profit of $802 million for the year, I am particularly pleased with the over $10 billion of contract backlog we were awarded in the year by our long-term, highly supportive customers. These record results were enabled by our clear strategic objectives, the hard work of our highly-skilled and dedicated workforce, and our commitment to industry-leading health and safety standards.”

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