NABORS INDUSTRIES LTD (NBR) Business

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

​

Nabors Industries, Ltd. (NYSE: NBR) was formed as a Bermuda exempted company on December 11, 2001. Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this annual report to “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company,” or “Nabors” mean Nabors Industries Ltd., together with our subsidiaries. References in this annual report to “Nabors Delaware” mean Nabors Industries, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Nabors.

​

Overview

​

Nabors owns and operates one of the world’s largest land-based drilling rig fleets and is a provider of offshore platform rigs in the United States and numerous international markets. Nabors also supplies performance software, tubular running services, managed pressure drilling services and innovative technologies for both its own rig fleet and those operated by third parties. In addition, Nabors manufactures advanced drilling equipment and provides drilling rig instrumentation. Also, Nabors has developed a portfolio of technologies designed to drive energy efficiency and emissions reductions for both itself and third-party customers.  One key component of Nabors’ strategy is to seamlessly integrate downhole hardware, surface equipment and software solutions into rig designs that drive industry-leading performance and increasing efficiencies. A second component is to leverage advanced drilling automation capabilities to set new standards for operational excellence and transform the industry.

​

With operations in over 20 countries, we are a global provider of drilling and drilling-related services for land-based and offshore oil and natural gas wells. As of December 31, 2025, Nabors’ fleet of drilling rigs and drilling-related equipment included:

​

​

​

The following table presents our average rigs working (a measure of activity and utilization over the year) for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023:

​

​

Average rigs working represents a measure of the number of equivalent rigs operating during a given period. For example, one rig operating 182.5 days during a 365-day period represents 0.5 average rigs working.

​

Our business consists of four reportable segments: U.S. Drilling, International Drilling, Drilling Solutions and Rig Technologies.

​

Additional information regarding the geographic markets in which we operate and our business segments can be found in Note 17—Segment Information in Part II, Item 8.—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

​

U.S. Drilling

​

Nabors operates one of the largest land-based drilling rig fleets in the U.S. We continue to drive innovation and integration in the industry. We are active in the major hydrocarbon basins across the Lower 48 market and Alaska as well as offshore in the Gulf of America. Our marketed U.S. fleet as of December 31, 2025 consists of 121 land rigs and 13 offshore platform rigs.

​

5

Table of Contents

Nabors has a long history of developing and deploying industry-leading breakthroughs, beginning with our first AC-powered land rig nearly 25 years ago. In 2025, we introduced our PACE®-X Ultra rig, an upgrade to our PACE®-X800 rig. The PACE®-X Ultra combines upgrades to the rig’s most important specifications. We believe it is the Lower 48 drilling industry’s most powerful rig. It is designed to enable operators to drill their longest, most challenging oil and gas wells.

​

In recent years we have developed and deployed a full suite of technology supporting Nabors and third-party rigs. Demonstrating Nabors technology leadership, we employ automation to improve safety, increase efficiencies and build agility for our customers. Also in 2025, Nabors deployed an upgraded version of its Rig Zone Robotics (RZR) rig floor automation module, on existing Nabors rigs. RZR fully automates tubular handling on the rig, removing rig crew from higher-risk manual operations. See “—Drilling Solutions” below for more information.

​

International Drilling

​

We operate in major international oil and gas markets, primarily in the Middle East and Latin America, most notably Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Argentina, Colombia and Mexico. Many of our rigs are designed to address the challenges of working in specific operating environments, such as desert climates, mountainous regions, and tropical zones.

​

As of December 31, 2025, our international fleet consisted of 121 land-based drilling rigs and 14 actively marketed platform rigs in the international offshore drilling markets.

​

Drilling Solutions

​

Nabors Drilling Solutions (“NDS”) offers specialized drilling technologies, such as proprietary drilling-bit steering systems and rig instrumentation software that enhance drilling performance and reliability, as well as wellbore placement.

​

Impactful NDS products and services include:

​

​

​

​

​

Nabors offers a full range of tubular running services (“TRS”). TRS primarily includes casing running, tubing running and torque monitoring. Nabors also offers managed pressure drilling (“MPD”) services that expand the capabilities of rigs to drill wells in otherwise challenging formations. Our proprietary software empowers the driller to deliver these services with consistency and repeatability. We integrate our TRS and MPD into the rig, eliminating the need for third party service providers and thereby improving efficiencies and reducing costs.

​

6

Table of Contents

Rig Technologies

​

Our Rig Technologies segment is primarily comprised of Canrig, which manufactures and sells advanced rig components including top drives, catwalks, wrenches, drawworks and other drilling related equipment such as robotic systems and downhole tools, which are installed on both onshore and offshore drilling rigs. Rig Technologies also provides aftermarket sales and services for the installed base of its equipment.

​

NDS and Rig Technologies’ portfolio of services and capabilities are available to third-party customers both in domestic and international markets.

​

Our Business Strategy

​

Our business strategy is to build shareholder value and enhance our competitive position by:

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

We believe we deploy the most capable and modern rig fleet in the Lower 48 market. Our customer base recognizes the advanced capabilities of our assets, the skill of our crews, our industry leading operational execution and the value added by our performance software and our services integration.

​

We believe our drilling technology portfolio positions us well to address the evolving market dynamic both in the United States and internationally. In recent years, we have added complementary services to our traditional rig offering, in many cases replacing third-party providers of these same services.

​

Drilling Contracts

​

Our drilling contracts are typically daywork contracts. A daywork contract generally provides for a basic rate per day when drilling (the dayrate for providing a rig and crew) and for lower rates when the rig is moving between drilling locations, or when drilling operations are interrupted or restricted by equipment breakdowns, adverse weather conditions or other conditions beyond our control. In addition, daywork contracts may provide a lump-sum fee for the mobilization and demobilization of the rig, which in most cases approximates our anticipated costs. While daywork contracts represent the bulk of our relationships, we also have footage contracts (in which the drilling contractor is paid on the basis of a rate per foot drilled) and turnkey contracts (in which the drilling contractor is paid for drilling a well to a specified depth for a fixed price). We also offer performance enhancing drilling services, performance software and equipment such as managed pressure services, directional drilling, rotary steering systems and measurement while drilling. These additional products and services are additive to our rig charges.

​

Our contracts for land-based and offshore drilling have durations that are single-well, multi-well or term. Term contracts generally have durations ranging from six months to five years. Under term contracts, our rigs are committed to one customer. Offshore workover projects are often contracted on a single-well basis. We generally receive drilling contracts through competitive bidding, although we occasionally enter into contracts by direct negotiation. Most of our single-well contracts are subject to termination by the customer on short notice, while multi-well contracts and term contracts may provide us with early termination compensation in certain circumstances. Such payments may not fully compensate us for the loss of a contract, and in certain circumstances the customer may not be obligated, able or willing to make an early termination payment to us. Contract terms and rates differ depending on a variety of factors, including competitive conditions, the geographical area, the geological formation to be drilled, the equipment and services to be

7

Table of Contents

supplied (including enhanced drilling services), the on-site drilling conditions, and the anticipated duration of the work to be performed.

​

Our Customers

​

Our customers include major international, national and independent oil and gas companies. One customer, Saudi Aramco, accounted for approximately 30%, 31% and 26% of our consolidated operating revenues during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which operating revenues are primarily included in the results of our International Drilling reportable segment. Our contracts with Saudi Aramco are on a per rig basis. These contracts are primarily operated through SANAD, our joint venture with Saudi Aramco. See Part I, Item 1A.—Risk Factors—The loss of one or a number of our large customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

​

Human Capital

​

As of December 31, 2025, Nabors employed approximately 13,900 employees worldwide, compared to approximately 12,400 employees as of December 31, 2024. Of the 2025 workforce, approximately 9,800 employees were located outside the United States, compared to approximately 8,800 in the prior year.

​

Diversity

​

Human capital management practices are designed to support the attraction, development, and retention of a qualified workforce. Workforce demographic data is monitored to inform these practices. Selected workforce composition information for 2025 is summarized below:

​

​

Talent Management

​

Nabors talent management practices include recruiting, development, and retention activities designed to support operational needs and workforce continuity. Recruiting initiatives in 2025 included:

​

​

Retention efforts in 2025 included the expansion of mentoring programs, employee engagement sessions focused on collaboration, and leadership feedback surveys to support workforce development and management effectiveness.

Learning and Development

​

Employee training and development programs support job performance, workplace safety, and compliance with applicable requirements. Training begins at onboarding and includes role-specific instruction, integrated safety expectations, and corporate ethics education.

​

Nabors has implemented a cloud-based Human Capital Management system across approximately 25 countries, supporting workforce planning and operational processes. The Company also operates a centralized North America Training Center in Houston, Texas, providing structured, hands-on learning opportunities for field roles and supporting operational excellence.

​

8

Table of Contents

Key training programs include RigLEAD leadership development for rig managers and superintendents; mentor development initiatives; and a competency assurance management system designed to assess skills and identify development needs.

​

Educational Assistance

​

In 2009, our former Chairman and CEO, Eugene M. Isenberg, established the Isenberg Education Fund Scholarship Program to provide educational assistance to high-achieving individuals demonstrating strong academic performance, community service, and financial need. The program is available to eligible employees and their family members. In 2025, 77% of applicants met program requirements and received financial awards for fall semester education.

​

Health, Welfare and Retirement

​

Nabors provides health and welfare benefits that are generally consistent with industry standards and local market practices. In the United States, eligible employees and their dependents may participate in medical, dental and vision insurance; life insurance; short- and long-term disability coverage; health and dependent care flexible spending accounts; and a 401(k)-retirement plan with Company matching contributions.

​

Wellness initiatives in 2025 included mental health programming, health education sessions, and stress management workshops.

​

Workplace Health and Safety

​

Safety programs are designed to support the prevention of workplace injuries and incidents. Our approach to workplace health and safety is guided by three pillars:

​

Board Oversight of Human Capital Management

​

The Board of Directors provides oversight of the Company’s human capital management practices. The Compensation Committee oversees matters related to executive compensation, succession planning, employee benefits and diversity-related programs. The Technology and Safety Committee oversees employee safety, health and wellness matters.

​

Seasonality

​

Our operations are subject to seasonal factors. Specifically, our drilling operations in Alaska generally experience reduced levels of activity and financial results during the second quarter of each year, due to the annual spring thaw. In addition, our U.S. offshore market can be impacted during summer months by tropical weather systems in the Gulf of America. Global climate change could lengthen these periods of reduced activity, but currently we cannot estimate the degree to which these activities may be affected. Our overall financial results reflect the seasonal variations experienced in these operations, but seasonality does not materially impact the remaining portions of our business.

​

Research and Development

​

We make investments in R&D to develop new products, services, solutions and software in support of our business and the businesses of our customers.

9

Table of Contents

​

Patents

​

We own a significant number of patents important to our business and we expect to continue to file patent applications to protect our investments in new products and services. While the patents may collectively be material to our company, we do not believe any single patent is material to our business.

​

Industry/Competitive Conditions

​

To a large degree, our businesses depend on the level of capital spending by oil and gas companies for exploration, development and production activities. The level of exploration, development and production activities is, to a large extent, tied to the prices of oil and natural gas, which can fluctuate significantly and are highly volatile. Relatedly, customers may have difficulty accessing capital markets due to poor historical returns for their investments and certain institutional investors choosing not to invest in fossil fuel industries. A decrease or prolonged decline in the price of oil or natural gas or in the exploration, development and production activities of our customers could result in a corresponding decline in the demand for our services or a reduction in dayrates and utilization, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. See Part I, Item 1A.—Risk Factors— Fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices could adversely affect drilling activity and our revenues, cash flows and profitability, —Our customers and thereby our business and profitability could be adversely affected by low oil prices or turmoil in the global economy, and—Our drilling contracts may in certain instances be renegotiated, suspended or terminated without an early termination payment and Item 7.— Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

​

The markets in which we provide our services are highly competitive. We believe that competitive pricing is a significant factor in determining which service provider is awarded a job in these markets and customers are increasingly sensitive to pricing during periods of market instability. Historically, the number of available rigs and drilling-related equipment has exceeded demand in many of the markets in which we operate, resulting in strong price competition. This is due in part to the fact that most rigs and drilling-related equipment can be moved from one region to another in response to changes in the levels of exploration, development and production activities and market conditions, which may result in an oversupply of rigs and drilling-related equipment in certain areas.

​

Competition has increased based on the supply of existing and new rigs across all our markets. Most available contracts for our services are currently awarded on a bid basis, which further increases competition based on price.

​

In addition to price, other competitive factors in the markets we serve are the overall quality of service and safety record, the technical specification and condition of equipment, the availability of skilled personnel, the ability to offer ancillary services and the environmental and technological friendliness of our products and services. Our drilling business is subject to certain additional competitive factors. For example, we believe our ability to deliver rigs with new technology and features and, in certain international markets, our experience operating in similar environments and strong customer relationships have been significant factors in the selection of Nabors for the provision of drilling services. We expect that the market for our drilling services will continue to be highly competitive. See Part I, Item 1A.—Risk Factors—We operate in a highly competitive industry with excess drilling capacity, which may adversely affect our results of operations.

​

The global market for drilling and related products and services is competitive. Certain competitors are present in more than one of the markets in which we operate, although no one competitor operates in all such markets. Our strategy combines advanced drilling rig designs —complete with integrated surface equipment, software, and downhole tools— with operational performance, industry-leading safety, and an innovative technology roadmap.

​

Significant competitors in our U.S. Drilling segment include Helmerich & Payne Inc., Patterson-UTI Energy Inc., Cactus Drilling Co., Precision Drilling Corp., and Ensign Energy Services Inc. In the U.S. Lower 48 land drilling market, we also compete with numerous smaller or regional drilling contractors. In our International segment, significant competitors with operations in multiple countries include Helmerich & Payne Inc., as well as many contractors with regional or local rig operations.

​

10

Table of Contents

Our Drilling Solutions segment competes with services provided by NOV Inc., Pason Systems Inc., Baker Hughes Co., Halliburton Co., SLB N.V., Expro Group Holdings NV, Weatherford International plc., as well as several of our drilling competitors and smaller, specialized service providers.

​

Our Rig Technologies segment competes primarily with NOV Inc., Forum Energy Technologies, Inc., Helmerich & Payne Inc., and several smaller rig equipment suppliers.

​

Acquisitions and Divestitures

​

We have grown from a land drilling business centered in the U.S. Lower 48, Canada and Alaska to an international business with land and offshore operations in major oil and gas markets around the world. This growth was fueled in part by strategic acquisitions. While we continuously consider and review strategic opportunities, including acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, alliances and other strategic transactions, there can be no assurance that such opportunities will continue to be available, that the pricing will be economical or that we will be successful in completing and realizing the expected benefits of such transactions in the future.

​

We may sell a subsidiary or group of assets outside of our core markets or business if it is strategically or economically advantageous for us to do so.

​

On March 11, 2025, we completed our acquisition (the “Parker acquisition”) of Parker Drilling Company (“Parker”) resulting in Parker becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Nabors. Parker provides drilling services across global energy markets. Total consideration for the acquisition included cash consideration of $0.6 million and the issuance of 4.8 million shares of our common stock, which based on the closing price of our common stock of $37.50 on March 11, 2025, valued the purchase price consideration of the transaction at approximately $180.6 million.

​

On August 20, 2025, we sold Quail Tools, LLC (“Quail Tools”), a subsidiary of the Company, to Superior Energy Services, Inc. Quail Tools was part of the Company’s acquisition of Parker. Consideration comprised cash of $375.0 million and a seller note of $250.0 million, which was prepaid in full in 2025.

​

Sustainability

​

Sustainability is an essential part of the corporate culture at Nabors and an integral part of our strategic plans. We know that our success is directly linked to implementing and executing a broad range of sustainable practices. Through technological innovation, environmental impact planning, corporate safety initiatives and community relations activities, Nabors understands that how we conduct business is as important as our results. Corporate responsibility guides every aspect of our daily activities and is the key to our continued success.

​

Environmental Compliance

​

We do not anticipate that compliance with currently applicable environmental laws and regulations and controls will significantly change our competitive position, capital spending or earnings during 2026. We believe we are in material compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations and that the cost of such compliance is not material to our business or financial condition. For a more detailed description of the environmental laws and regulations applicable to our operations, see Part I, Item 1A.—Risk Factors—Changes to or noncompliance with laws and regulations or exposure to environmental liabilities could adversely affect our results of operations.

​

Energy Transition

​

Nabors has a growing portfolio of technologies designed to drive energy efficiency and emissions reductions for the Company and its customers.  Our portfolio of energy transition related technologies includes real-time emissions monitoring quantification and reporting and analytics software, engine management controls, energy storage systems, and hydrogen technologies, as well as solutions that enable use of high-line power and dual-fuels.

​

In addition, Nabors has invested in venture opportunities in several high potential markets addressing carbon reduction. Our initial investments focus on alternative energy sources such as geothermal, hydrogen, energy storage and carbon capture, including utilization and sequestration technologies and emissions monitoring.

​