Disciplined Execution, Durable Momentum: Nabors 1Q 2026

"Drilling Solutions' ("NDS") international business delivered sequential growth in the first quarter, with contributions across multiple product lines, including Performance Software, Managed Pressure Drilling, and Surface & Tubulars, which includes drilling equipment rentals. Our focus on NDS's international markets continues to gain traction. These markets account for approximately 65% of the segment's EBITDA, up from 31% in the first quarter of 2023, underscoring the increasing scale and profitability of our international footprint."

Segment Results

International Drilling adjusted EBITDA was $121 million in the first quarter, compared to $131 million in the fourth quarter of 2025. Average rig count declined slightly, as contract expirations were largely offset by recent startups and new deployments. Daily adjusted gross margin for the first quarter was $16,880, reflecting increased costs in the Middle East related to staffing and logistics, as well as higher operating expenses and activity interruptions in certain markets.

The U.S. Drilling segment reported first quarter adjusted EBITDA of $88 million, compared to $93 million in the previous quarter. Results in the Lower 48 improved with average rig count increasing 9% sequentially, reflecting stronger activity and improving fleet utilization. As expected, results from the Offshore and Alaska operations declined sequentially.

Drilling Solutions adjusted EBITDA was $39 million, compared to $41 million in the fourth quarter of 2025. Growth in international markets was offset by lower third-party activity in the U.S., mainly attributable to the decline in the U.S. third-party rig count.

Rig Technologies adjusted EBITDA was less than $1 million, compared to $5 million in the previous quarter. Aftermarket revenue declined sequentially, reflecting lower customer activity.  Sales were constrained by logistical challenges in the Middle East.

Adjusted Free Cash Flow

Consolidated adjusted free cash flow was negative $48 million in the first quarter, compared to negative $61 million in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting a $13 million improvement year-over-year. This was driven primarily by lower cash interest payments.

On a sequential basis, adjusted free cash flow declined from the fourth quarter primarily due to typical seasonal activity patterns and timing of receivables and payables, as well as higher cash interest payments in the first quarter. Fourth quarter of 2025 results also benefited from settlements of certain outstanding claims. Historically, the Company generates its strongest free cash flow in the fourth quarter.

Miguel Rodriguez, Nabors CFO, stated, "In the first quarter we delivered free cash flow above our expectations. On a consolidated basis, we exceeded our midpoint target by more than $35 million, reflecting consistent execution and stronger working capital performance than planned. This outperformance was primarily related to the Nabors businesses outside of the SANAD joint venture.

"Our full-year outlook for rig count in the Lower 48 has strengthened. We now expect to exit the second quarter with approximately 69 rigs running and to sustain that level through year-end 2026. Even with this higher activity, we expect to maintain our measured capital allocation approach, with full-year capital spending in the previously guided range of $730 to $760 million, including $360 to $380 million for the SANAD newbuilds.

"Our focus remains on further strengthening the balance sheet, while our consistent growth strategy supports long-term shareholder value creation."

Outlook

Nabors expects the following metrics for the second quarter of 2026:

U.S. Drilling               

• Lower 48 average rig count of 67 - 68 rigs
• Lower 48 daily adjusted gross margin of approximately $13,300
• Alaska and Gulf of America combined adjusted EBITDA of approximately $15 million

International

• Average rig count of 93 - 95 rigs
• Daily adjusted gross margin of approximately $17,400 - $17,500

Drilling Solutions

• Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $39 million

Rig Technologies

• Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $3 million

Capital Expenditures

• Capital expenditures of $180 - $190 million, including $75 - $80 million for newbuilds in Saudi Arabia

Adjusted Free Cash Flow

• Adjusted free cash flow of approximately $10 million, including free cash consumption at SANAD of approximately $10 million

Mr. Petrello concluded, "Looking ahead to the remainder of the year, we see continued growth opportunities across both our U.S. and International Drilling businesses. This outlook is supported by contracted rig additions in each segment, which provide increased visibility into activity levels. Our disciplined approach to improving free cash flow is reflected in our first-quarter results, and we are positioned to deliver further improvements as we execute throughout the year."

About Nabors Industries

Nabors Industries (NYSE: NBR) is a leading provider of advanced technology for the energy industry. With presence in more than 20 countries, Nabors has established a global network of people, technology and equipment to deploy solutions that deliver safe, efficient and responsible energy production. By leveraging its core competencies, particularly in drilling, engineering, automation, data science and manufacturing, Nabors aims to innovate the future of energy and enable the transition to a lower-carbon world. Learn more about Nabors and its energy technology leadership: www.nabors.com.

Forward-looking Statements

The information included in this press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, as disclosed by Nabors from time to time in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result of these factors, Nabors' actual results may differ materially from those indicated or implied by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release reflect management's estimates and beliefs as of the date of this press release. Nabors does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements. 

Non-GAAP Disclaimer

This press release presents certain "non-GAAP" financial measures. The components of these non-GAAP measures are computed by using amounts that are determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). Adjusted operating income (loss) represents income (loss) before income taxes, interest expense, investment income (loss), gain on disposition of Quail Tools, gain on bargain purchase, and other, net. Adjusted EBITDA is computed similarly, but also excludes depreciation and amortization expenses. Adjusted gross margin represents adjusted operating income (loss) plus general and administrative costs, research and engineering costs and depreciation and amortization. In addition, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted operating income (loss) exclude certain cash expenses that the Company is obligated to make. Net debt is calculated as total debt minus the sum of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. 

Adjusted free cash flow represents net cash provided by operating activities less cash used for capital expenditures, net of proceeds from sales of assets, and before cash paid for acquisition-related costs. Management believes that adjusted free cash flow is an important liquidity measure for the company and that it is useful to investors and management as a measure of the company's ability to generate cash flow, after reinvesting in the company for future growth, that could be available for paying down debt or other financing cash flows, such as dividends to shareholders. Adjusted free cash flow does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures. Adjusted free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, cash flow from operations reported in accordance with GAAP.

Each of these non-GAAP measures has limitations and therefore should not be used in isolation or as a substitute for the amounts reported in accordance with GAAP. However, management evaluates the performance of its operating segments and the consolidated Company based on several criteria, including Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted operating income (loss), net debt, and adjusted free cash flow, because it believes that these financial measures accurately reflect the Company's ongoing profitability, performance and liquidity. Securities analysts and investors also use these measures as some of the metrics on which they analyze the Company's performance. Other companies in this industry may compute these measures differently. Reconciliations of consolidated adjusted EBITDA and adjusted operating income (loss) to income (loss) before income taxes, net debt to total debt, and adjusted free cash flow to net cash provided by operations, which are their nearest comparable GAAP financial measures, are included in the tables at the end of this press release. We do not provide a forward-looking reconciliation of our outlook for Segment Adjusted EBITDA, Segment Gross Margin or Adjusted Free Cash Flow, as the amount and significance of items required to develop meaningful comparable GAAP financial measures cannot be estimated at this time without unreasonable efforts. These special items could be meaningful. 

Investor Contacts:  William C. Conroy, CFA, Vice President of Corporate Development & Investor Relations, +1 281-775-2423 or via e-mail william.conroy@nabors.com, or Kara Peak, Director of Corporate Development & Investor Relations, +1 281-775-4954 or via email kara.peak@nabors.com. To request investor materials, contact Nabors' corporate headquarters in Hamilton, Bermuda at +441-292-1510 or via e-mail mark.andrews@nabors.com

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SOURCE Nabors Industries Ltd.