Companies /Energy

Transocean Ltd

NYSE: RIG Oil & Gas Drilling
$5.74
â–² $0.14 (+2.50%) today
Markets closed · 10:38pm ET

Q1 2026 Earnings

Reported May 4, 2026, 5:28pm ET · SEC source
$0.06
Miss −27.88%
EPS · est. $0.08
$1.1B
Beat +4.68%
Revenue · est. $1.0B
−6.7%
Trailing market
RIG vs S&P since report
1 quarter
Consecutive EPS beats

Market Reaction

% change · around the report
−6%−3%0May 4May 5report 5:28pm ETearnings+1.2%−7.5%
−6%−3%0May 4May 5earnings+1.2%−7.5%
RIG −7.5%S&P 500 +1.2%
−6%−3%0+3%May 4May 5report 5:28pm ETearnings+2.2%−7.5%
−6%−3%0+3%May 4May 5earnings+2.2%−7.5%
RIG −7.5%NASDAQ +2.2%
−8%−4%0+4%May 4May 12report 5:28pm ETearnings+2.8%−2.5%
−8%−4%0+4%May 4May 12earnings+2.8%−2.5%
RIG −2.5%S&P 500 +2.8%
−10%−5%0+5%May 4May 12report 5:28pm ETearnings+5.1%−2.5%
−10%−5%0+5%May 4May 12earnings+5.1%−2.5%
RIG −2.5%NASDAQ +5.1%
−9.16%
Day of report
−0.32%
Next session
+4.64%
One week
−4.80%
30 days

S&P 500 over the same 30 days: +1.90%.

Did RIG Beat Earnings? Q1 2026 Results

Transocean posted a mixed first quarter for 2026, beating revenue expectations while falling short on earnings, as the offshore driller navigated a strengthening market backdrop against a still-heavy debt load. Contract drilling revenues of $1.08 billion topped the $1.03 billion consensus by 4.68% and rose 19.3% from $906 million a year ago, propelled by higher rig utilization, a fleet-wide revenue efficiency rate of 97.3%, and a total fleet average daily revenue of $475,600. GAAP earnings per diluted share came in at $0.06, missing the $0.08 consensus by 27.88%, though the GAAP figure was flattered by a $110 million discrete tax benefit; on an adjusted basis, the company recorded a net loss of $0.03 per share. Adjusted EBITDA of $440 million reflected a margin of 40.7%, a sharp expansion from 26.9% a year ago. Shares climbed roughly 10% following the report as investors focused on the $7.1 billion contracted backlog at implied average dayrates above $450,000, with management guiding full-year 2026 revenues of $3.80 billion to $3.90 billion and citing confidence in a multi-year offshore drilling upcycle.

Key Takeaways
  • Improved rig utilization increased to 86.7% from 63.4% year-over-year
  • Higher revenue efficiency of 97.3% vs. 95.5% year-over-year
  • Increased average daily revenues across the fleet to $475,600 from $443,600
  • Ultra-deepwater floater average daily revenue increased to $480,700 from $443,600
  • Harsh environment floater average daily revenue increased to $463,800 from $443,600
  • Harsh environment floater utilization reached 100.0% in Q1 2026

“The Transocean team delivered exceptional performance to start the year. During the quarter, we executed new or extended contracts on five rigs increasing our total backlog to $7.1 billion which, reflecting demand for our differentiated assets, contains an implied average dayrate of over $450,000. We also exceeded our revenue expectations for the quarter and achieved a strong adjusted EBITDA margin above 40%. We continued to enhance our financial flexibility by accelerating debt retirement, reducing interest expense and simplifying our balance sheet.”

Transocean CEO, on the earnings call

Forward Guidance & Outlook

For Q2 2026, Transocean guides contract drilling revenues of $930–$970 million with fleet-wide revenue efficiency of 96.50%. Selected costs and expenses guidance: operating and maintenance expense of $630–$660 million, general and administrative of $40–$45 million, interest expense of $113 million, and interest income of $5–$10 million. Capital expenditures are expected at $30–$40 million and cash taxes at $30 million. For full year 2026, contract drilling revenues are guided at $3,800–$3,900 million with revenue efficiency of 96.50%. Full-year operating and maintenance expense is expected at $2,250–$2,375 million, G&A of $170–$180 million, interest expense of $610 million, interest income of $25–$30 million. Full-year capital expenditures are guided at $150 million, cash taxes at $70–$75 million, and total liquidity is expected at $1,250–$1,350 million. Total backlog stands at approximately $7.1 billion as of May 4, 2026, with estimated average contract dayrates of $455,000 in Q2 2026, $462,000 in Q3 2026, $444,000 in Q4 2026, and $447,000 in Q1 2027. Management believes the industry is in the early days of a multi-year upcycle.

RIG YoY Financials

Q1 2026 vs Q1 2025 · SEC filings Q1 2025 Q1 2026
$0$300.0M$600.0M$900.0M$906.0M$1.1BRevenue$64.0M$287.0MOperating Income$24.5M$71.0MNet Income
$0$300.0M$600.0M$900.0MRevenueOperating IncomeNet Income

RIG Revenue by Segment

Ultra-deepwater floaters$748.0M+13.7%
Harsh environment floaters$333.0M+34.3%

Figures from SEC filings and company reports. Not investment advice.