Q1 2026 Helix Energy Solutions Group Inc Earnings Call

April 23, 2026

Operator: Good morning, and welcome to today's conference call to discuss the combination of Helix Energy Solutions and Hornbeck Offshore, as well as Helix's Q1 2026 results. Please note this event is being recorded. At this time, all participants are in listen-only mode. Should you need assistance, please signal a conference specialist by pressing the star key followed by zero. After today's presentation, there will be a question and answer session. To ask a question, you may press star then one on a touch-tone phone. To withdraw your question, please press star then two. You can find today's investor presentation, as well as the press release regarding the transaction, at each company's investor relations website. The press release regarding Helix's Q1 2026 results can be found at Helix's investor relations website, as well as the earnings presentation.

Operator: Good morning, and welcome to today's conference call to discuss the combination of Helix Energy Solutions and Hornbeck Offshore, as well as Helix's Q1 2026 Results. Please note this event is being recorded. At this time, all participants are in listen-only mode. Should you need assistance, please signal a conference specialist by pressing the star key followed by zero. After today's presentation, there will be a question-and-answer session. To ask a question, you may press star then one on a touch-tone phone.

Speaker #3: Please note this event is being recorded. At this time, all participants are in listen-only mode. Should you need assistance, please signal a conference specialist by pressing the star key followed by zero.

Speaker #3: After today's presentation, there will be a question-and-answer session. To ask a question, you may press star, then one, on a touch-tone phone. To withdraw your question, please press star, then two.

Operator: To withdraw your question, please press star then two. You can find today's investor presentation, as well as the press release regarding the transaction, at each company's investor relations website. The press release regarding Helix's Q1 2026 results can be found at Helix's investor relations website, as well as the earnings presentation. I would now like to turn the call over to Erik Staffeldt, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Helix. Please go ahead.

Speaker #3: You can find today's investor presentation as well as the press release regarding the transaction at each company's investor relations website. The press release regarding HELIX's first quarter 2026 results can be found at HELIX's investor relations website, as well as the earnings presentation.

Speaker #3: I would now like to turn the call over to Erik Staffeldt, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Helix. Please go ahead.

Operator 2: I would now like to turn the call over to Erik Staffeldt, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Helix. Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: Thank you, and good morning. As highlighted in the forward-looking statements, we make during today's conference call are given in the context of today only and are subject to important risks as discussed in the presentation.

Erik Staffeldt: Thank you, and good morning. As highlighted, any forward-looking statements we make during today's conference call are given in the context of today only and are subject to important risks as discussed in the presentation. Actual results and events could differ materially from those discussed here. Please also refer to the additional information discussed on this slide as well as in our SEC filings. I'll now turn to a brief overview of Helix's Q1 2026 results. Helix's team delivered another well-executed quarter, safely and efficiently providing our customers with world-class service. Our Q1 results reflect expected seasonal levels during the winter in the North Sea and Gulf of Mexico shelf, impacting our Well Intervention, Robotics, and Shallow Water Abandonment segments, and they reflect the cost of the successful workover of Thunder Hawk Field.

Speaker #2: Actual results and events could differ materially from those discussed here. Please also refer to the additional information discussed on this slide as well as in our SEC filings.

Speaker #2: I'll now turn to a brief overview of Helix's first quarter 2026 results. Helix's team delivered another well-executed quarter, safely and efficiently providing our customers with world-class service.

Speaker #2: Our first quarter results reflect expected seasonal levels during the winter in the North Sea and Gulf of America shelf, impacting our well-intervention, robotics, and shallow-water abandonment segments, and they reflect the cost of the successful workover of Thunder Hawk field.

Speaker #2: Revenues for the first quarter were $288 million, with a gross profit of $9 million, resulting in a net loss of $13 million. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $32 million.

Erik Staffeldt: Revenues for Q1 were $288 million, with a gross profit of $9 million, resulting in a net loss of $13 million. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $32 million, with operating cash flow of $62 million, resulting in free cash flow of $59 million. Highlights for the quarter include strong utilization on the Q4000 performing well intervention work at improved rates, the successful workover and recommencement of production of our Thunder Hawk Field, a return to a two-vessel market in the North Sea with the Seawell reactivation and return to operations with good utilization expected in 2026, and strong cash flow generation of $59 million as I shared earlier.

Speaker #2: With operating cash flow of $62 million, resulting in free cash flow of $59 million. Highlights for the quarter include strong utilization on the Q4.

Speaker #2: Performing well-intervention work at improved rates. The successful workover and recommencement of production of our Thunder Hawk field. A return to a two-vessel market in the North Sea with the seawell reactivation and return to operations.

Speaker #2: Good utilization expected in 2026, and strong cash flow generation of $59 million, as I shared earlier. With that, our cash position and liquidity remain.

Erik Staffeldt: With that, our cash position and liquidity remain strong with $501 million of cash and $612 million of liquidity at the end of the quarter. Overall, our Q1 results were as expected, perhaps even marginally better than expected. The current macro environment remains uncertain, but we are seeing some positive developments in the markets we serve. Oil supply disruptions, increased commodity prices, and increased regulatory enforcement in the North Sea are providing positive catalysts that may drive increased activity by our customers for the balance of 2025 and into 2026 and into 2027. We also expect momentum to continue to build in the offshore market. With the results we delivered in Q1 and supported by our backlog and several key contracts, we are maintaining our guidance for 2026. Revenue of $1.2 billion to $1.4 billion, in line with 2025.

Speaker #2: Strong with $501 million of cash and $612 million of liquidity at the end of the quarter. Overall, our first quarter results were as expected, perhaps even marginally better than expected.

Speaker #2: The current macro environment remains uncertain, but we are seeing some positive developments in the markets we serve. Both supply disruptions, increased commodity prices, and increased regulatory enforcement in the North Sea are providing positive catalysts that may drive increased activity by our customers for the balance of 2025 and into 2026 and into 2027.

Speaker #2: We also expect momentum to continue to build in the offshore market. With the results we delivered in Q1, and supported by our backlog in several key contracts, we are maintaining our guidance for 2026.

Speaker #2: Revenue of $1.2 billion to $1.4 billion, in line with 2025. EBITDA of $230 to $290 million, impacted by the Thunder Hawk workover in Q1 and the upcoming sea HELIX-1 1 docking.

Erik Staffeldt: EBITDA of $230 to $290 million, impacted by the Thunderhawk workover in Q1 and the upcoming Siem Helix 1 docking. CapEx of $70 to $80 million, primarily a mix of mandatory maintenance on our vessels and intervention systems and fleet renewal by robotics ROVs. Free cash flow of $100 to $160 million. We expect continued meaningful free cash flow generation with variability driven by ultimate working capital movements. Key forecast drivers for our annual guidance include H2 utilization on the Q4000 and Q7000, late season North Sea intervention market, strong markets for our robotics fleets, and a stable shallow water abandonment segment.

Speaker #2: CapEx of $70 million, to $80 million. Primarily a mix of regulatory maintenance on our vessels and intervention systems and fleet renewal via robotics ROVs.

Speaker #2: Free cash flow of $100 to $160 million, we expect continued meaningful free cash flow generation with variability driven by ultimate working capital movements. Key forecast drivers for our annual guidance include second-half utilization on the Q4,000 and Q7,000.

Speaker #2: Late season North Sea intervention market. Strong markets for our robotics fleets. And a stable shallow-water abandonment segment. Our quarterly financial performance in 2026 is expected to follow the same cadence as previous year's results.

Erik Staffeldt: Our quarterly financial performance in 2026 is expected to follow the same cadence as previous year's results, with Q2 and Q3 being our most active quarters, and Q1 and Q4 impacted by winter weather. Our balance sheet is strong, $310 million of funded debt, $501 million of cash, and a strong cash flow generation expected in 2026. If you have any questions on our quarterly results, our outlook for 2026, please feel free to reach out to our team directly. With that, we will transition to the transaction announcement portion of the call. For that, I am joined by Bill Transier, Helix's Chairman of the Board, Scott Sparks, Helix's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Todd Hornbeck's Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer.

Speaker #2: With the second and third quarters being our most active quarters, and the first and fourth quarters impacted by winter weather, our balance sheet is strong: $310 million of funded debt, $501 million of cash, and strong cash flow generation expected in 2026.

Speaker #2: If you have any questions on our quarterly results or our outlook for 2026, please feel free to reach out to our team directly. With that, we will transition to the transaction announcement portion of the call.

Speaker #2: For that, I am joined by Bill Transier, HELIX's chairman of the board. Scotty Sparks, HELIX's executive vice president and chief operating officer. Todd Hornbeck, Hornbeck's chairman, president, and chief executive officer.

Erik Staffeldt: Also joining us for the question and answer portion of the call will be Jim Harp, Hornbeck's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and Adam Potter, Hornbeck's Senior Vice President of Finance. Now, before I kick it over to Bill, I do want to note we have slides supporting the following information on each company's investor relations website. So please feel free to refer to those as we go through the call. With that, Bill, over to you.

Speaker #2: Also joining us for the question-and-answer portion of the call will be Jim Hart, Hornbeck's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and Potter Adam, Hornbeck's Senior Vice President of Finance.

Speaker #2: Now, before I take it over to Bill, I do want to note we have five supporting the following information on each company's investor relations website.

Speaker #2: So please feel free to refer to those as we go through the call. With that, Bill, over to you.

William Transier: Thanks, Eric. By combining Helix and Hornbeck, we're bringing together two market leaders and establishing a premier integrated offshore services company poised to create value for current shareholders of both Hornbeck and Helix. There are many compelling benefits to this combination. First, the strategic combination will create a recognized leader in offshore operations with a diversified and expanded high-specification fleet of specialty vessels, supported by subsea robotics, well intervention, and technical service capabilities, including trenching subsea pipelines and cables. Also, the combined company will provide innovative and integrated subsea and marine transportation solutions to customers across deepwater energy, defense, and renewables, thereby expanding service offerings moving forward.

Bill Transier: Thanks, Eric. By combining Helix and Hornbeck, we're bringing together two market leaders and establishing a premier integrated offshore services company poised to create value for current shareholders of both Hornbeck and Helix. There are many compelling benefits to this combination. First, the strategic combination will create a recognized leader in offshore operations with a diversified and expanded high-specification fleet of specialty vessels, supported by subsea robotics, well intervention, and technical service capabilities, including trenching subsea pipelines and cables. Also, the combined company will provide innovative and integrated subsea and marine transportation solutions to customers across deepwater energy, defense, and renewables, thereby expanding service offerings moving forward.

Speaker #3: Thanks, Erik. By combining HELIX and Hornbeck, we're bringing together two market leaders and establishing a premier integrated offshore services company, poised to create value for current shareholders of both Hornbeck and HELIX.

Speaker #3: There are many compelling benefits to this combination. First, the strategic combination will create a recognized leader in offshore operations. With a diversified and expanded high-specification fleet of specialty vessels, supported by subsea robotics, well-intervention, and technical service capabilities including trenching subsea pipelines and cables.

Speaker #3: Also, the combined company will provide innovative and integrated subsea and marine transportation solutions to customers across deepwater energy, defense, and renewables. Thereby expanding service offerings moving forward.

William Transier: Further, combining Helix's well intervention and robotics vessels with Hornbeck's specialty and ultra-high specification offshore support vessels will allow us to offer a complementary end-to-end service offering that will materially expand the combined company's ability to meet a broader share of customers' deepwater needs spanning the offshore cycle. All of this, in combination with the significant annual revenue and cost synergies the transaction is expected to generate of $75 million or more within three years following the close, make for a strong combination rationale. We'll dig deeper into the strategic and financial benefits shortly, and I do want to cover the terms of the transaction in more detail too. First, I would be remiss if I didn't take the opportunity to acknowledge Owen Kratz, Helix's President and Chief Executive Officer, for the significant role he has held in building Helix into what it is today.

Bill Transier: Further, combining Helix's well intervention and robotics vessels with Hornbeck's specialty and ultra-high specification offshore support vessels will allow us to offer a complementary end-to-end service offering that will materially expand the combined company's ability to meet a broader share of customers' deepwater needs spanning the offshore cycle. All of this, in combination with the significant annual revenue and cost synergies the transaction is expected to generate of $75 million or more within three years following the close, make for a strong combination rationale. We'll dig deeper into the strategic and financial benefits shortly, and I do want to cover the terms of the transaction in more detail too. First, I would be remiss if I didn't take the opportunity to acknowledge Owen Kratz, Helix's President and Chief Executive Officer, for the significant role he has held in building Helix into what it is today.

Speaker #3: Further, combining HELIX's well-intervention and robotic vessels with Hornbeck's specialty and ultra-high-specification offshore support vessels, will allow us to offer a complementary end-to-end service offering that will materially expand the combined company's ability to meet a broader share of customers' deepwater needs spanning the offshore cycle.

Speaker #3: All of this, in combination with the significant annual revenue and cost synergies the transaction is expected to generate, of $75 million or more within three years following the close, make for a strong combination rationale.

Speaker #3: We'll dig deeper into the strategic and financial benefits shortly, and I do want to cover the terms of the transaction in more detail too.

Speaker #3: First, I would be remiss if I didn't take the opportunity to acknowledge Owen Kratz, HELIX's president and chief executive officer. For the significant role he has held in building HELIX into what it is today.

William Transier: Owen announced last year his plan to retire from Helix. I'm sure you saw his quote in the press release reiterating his support for the transaction. He has agreed to support Todd through the close of the deal and will remain available thereafter as needed. He, along with the entire executive management team, are committed to getting this combination across the line. With that, I'll turn to the highlights of the transaction. This is structured as an all-stock transaction, which will allow shareholders from both sides to participate in the significant upside potential of the combined company. The terms of the agreement, which are outlined in the press release we issued this morning, have been approved by the boards of directors of both companies.

Bill Transier: Owen announced last year his plan to retire from Helix. I'm sure you saw his quote in the press release reiterating his support for the transaction. He has agreed to support Todd through the close of the deal and will remain available thereafter as needed. He, along with the entire executive management team, are committed to getting this combination across the line. With that, I'll turn to the highlights of the transaction. This is structured as an all-stock transaction, which will allow shareholders from both sides to participate in the significant upside potential of the combined company. The terms of the agreement, which are outlined in the press release we issued this morning, have been approved by the boards of directors of both companies.

Speaker #3: Owen announced last year his plan to retire from Helix. I'm sure you saw his quote in the press release, reiterating his support for the transaction.

Speaker #3: He has agreed to support Todd through the close of the deal and will remain available thereafter as needed. He, along with the entire executive management team, is committed to getting this combination across the line.

Speaker #3: With that, I'll turn to the highlights of the transaction. This is structured as an all-stock transaction, which will allow shareholders from both sides to participate in the significant upside potential of the combined company.

Speaker #3: The terms of the agreement, which are outlined in the press release, we issued this morning, have been approved by the boards of directors of both companies.

William Transier: At closing, which we expect to occur in H2 2026, subject to approval by Helix shareholders, the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals, and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions, Helix shareholders will own approximately 45% of the combined company, and Hornbeck shareholders will have approximately 55% ownership. I will note the parties representing a significant majority of the ownership of Hornbeck, including Ares Management funds, have delivered written consents approving the transaction. Through this combination, we'll bring together two best-in-class teams with aligned cultures. Following the close, Todd Hornbeck will serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the combined company. The combined company's board of directors will comprise seven directors, three of whom will be from Helix and four from Hornbeck, including Todd. I will serve as chairman of the combined company's board.

Bill Transier: At closing, which we expect to occur in H2 2026, subject to approval by Helix shareholders, the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals, and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions, Helix shareholders will own approximately 45% of the combined company, and Hornbeck shareholders will have approximately 55% ownership. I will note the parties representing a significant majority of the ownership of Hornbeck, including Ares Management funds, have delivered written consents approving the transaction. Through this combination, we'll bring together two best-in-class teams with aligned cultures. Following the close, Todd Hornbeck will serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the combined company. The combined company's board of directors will comprise seven directors, three of whom will be from Helix and four from Hornbeck, including Todd. I will serve as chairman of the combined company's board.

Speaker #3: At closing, which we expect to occur in the second half of 2026, subject to approval by HELIX shareholders, the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals, and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions, HELIX shareholders will own approximately 45% of the combined company, and Hornbeck shareholders will have approximately 55% ownership.

Speaker #3: I will note the parties representing a significant majority of the ownership of Hornbeck, including Ares Management Funds, have delivered written consents approving the transaction.

Speaker #3: Through this combination, we'll bring together two best-in-class teams with aligned cultures. Following the close, Todd Hornbeck will serve as president and chief executive officer of the combined company, the combined company's board of directors will combine seven directors, three of whom will be from HELIX and four from Hornbeck, including Todd.

Speaker #3: I will serve as Chairman of the combined company's board. Post-closing, the combined company will operate under the Hornbeck Offshore Services name and trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol HOS, with the Helix brand to be retained for well-intervention services.

William Transier: Post-closing, the combined company will operate under the Hornbeck Offshore Services name and trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol HOS, with the Helix brand to be retained for well intervention services. The combined company's headquarters will be in Houston, Texas, and Covington, Louisiana. I also want to touch on why we're stronger and more competitive together as a combined company. In 2025, Helix had revenue and EBITDA of $1.3 billion and $272 million respectively, with more than $500 million in cash at the end of Q1. When you include Hornbeck's 2025 annual results, the combined company will increase revenue and EBITDA by 56% and 106% respectively. As well, we will have incremental growth drivers of 2 new build MPSVs and 23 vessels that will be available for reactivation.

Bill Transier: Post-closing, the combined company will operate under the Hornbeck Offshore Services name and trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol HOS, with the Helix brand to be retained for well intervention services. The combined company's headquarters will be in Houston, Texas, and Covington, Louisiana. I also want to touch on why we're stronger and more competitive together as a combined company. In 2025, Helix had revenue and EBITDA of $1.3 billion and $272 million respectively, with more than $500 million in cash at the end of Q1. When you include Hornbeck's 2025 annual results, the combined company will increase revenue and EBITDA by 56% and 106% respectively. As well, we will have incremental growth drivers of 2 new build MPSVs and 23 vessels that will be available for reactivation.

Speaker #3: The combined company’s headquarters will be in Houston, Texas, and Covington, Louisiana. I also want to touch on why we’re stronger and more competitive together as a combined company.

Speaker #3: In 2025, HELIX had revenue and EBITDA of $1.3 billion, and $272 million respectively. With more than $500 million in cash at the end of the first quarter.

Speaker #3: When you include Hornbeck's 2025 annual results, the combined company will increase revenue and EBITDA by 56% and 106%, respectively. As well, we will have incremental growth drivers of two new-built MPSVs and 23 vessels that will be available for reactivation.

William Transier: In summary, we believe this unique combination is a compelling opportunity to enhance value for Helix's shareholders and deliver sustainable long-term growth. Now Todd will provide you an overview of Hornbeck.

Bill Transier: In summary, we believe this unique combination is a compelling opportunity to enhance value for Helix's shareholders and deliver sustainable long-term growth. Now Todd will provide you an overview of Hornbeck.

Speaker #3: In summary, we believe this unique combination is a compelling opportunity to enhance value for HELIX's shareholders and deliver sustainable, long-term growth. Now, Todd will provide you an overview of Hornbeck.

Todd Hornbeck: Thank you, Bill. Let me start by sharing some background on Hornbeck. We're one of the preeminent market leading providers of ultra-high spec marine logistics services to a broad range of offshore energy, infrastructure, and defense customers. We have a leading deep water high and ultra-high spec fleet with geographic footprint across the US, Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil. Our focus at the end of the day is tailored logistics solutions that address a broad spectrum of unique customer life of field requirements, and we have proven operational capabilities and an unwavering commitment to safety and risk management, as Helix does as well.

Speaker #3: Thank you, Bill. Let me start by sharing some background on Hornbeck. We're one of the preeminent market-leading providers of ultra-high-spec marine logistics services, to a broad range of offshore energy, infrastructure, and defense customers.

Speaker #3: We have a leading deepwater high and ultra-high-spec fleet with geographic footprint across the U.S., Gulf of America, Mexico, the Caribbean, Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil.

Speaker #3: Our focus at the end of the day is tailored logistics solutions that address a broad spectrum of unique customer life-of-field requirements, and we have proven operational capabilities in an unwavering commitment to safety and risk management as HELIX does as well.

Todd Hornbeck: We've also included key highlights of the company by the numbers, including approximately 71 vessels in our current fleet, with 2 MPSVs under construction and expected to deliver in 2027, giving us a pro forma fleet of 73 vessels with a fair market value of $2.8 billion. We generated adjusted EBITDA of $288 million and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 40% for fiscal year 2025. I'd also like to note that if you have any additional questions about Hornbeck as a company and our financials, you can find that information in the appendix section of this presentation. We're also confident that this transaction maximizes value, provides the best long-term prospects to deliver superior returns for our combined investors. We are pleased that all stock...

Speaker #3: We've also included key highlights of the company by the numbers. Including approximately $71 vessels in our current fleet, with two MPSVs under construction and expected to deliver in 2027, given us a pro forma fleet of $73 vessels with a fair market value of $2.8 billion.

Speaker #3: We generated adjusted EBITDA of $288 million and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 40% for fiscal year 2025. I'd also like to note that if you have any additional questions about Hornbeck as a company and our financials, you can find that information in the appendix section of this presentation.

Speaker #3: We're also confident that this transaction maximizes value and provides the best long-term prospects to deliver superior returns for our combined investors. We are pleased that this is an all-stock consideration, which will allow HELIX and Hornbeck investors to participate in the upsides of this combination.

Todd Hornbeck: This is all stock consideration will allow Helix and Hornbeck investors to participate in the upside of this combination. With that, I'll turn it over to Scott Sparks, Helix's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, to walk you through the combined company's global presence and complementary business offerings.

Speaker #3: With that, I'll turn it over to Scotty Sparks, HELIX's executive vice president and chief operating officer to walk you through the combined company's global presence and complementary business offerings.

Scott Sparks: Thank you, Todd. Another important benefit of this transaction is the geographical alignment of our two companies. Helix's global presence in West Africa, Asia Pacific, and the North Sea regions, as well as the United States and Brazil, and Hornbeck's concentration in the Americas, including Brazil and Mexico, creates a combined global footprint spanning the key offshore basins worldwide. The combined company's footprint will include cabotage-protected markets and will have direct access to leading offshore customers, enabling the delivery of premier deepwater services through technologically advanced assets. This global presence translates into a diversified revenue stream, with approximately half of the combined company's revenue expected to come from the United States, followed by Brazil, and then the North Sea region. We also want to share more information on our combined customer base and how we expect to serve customers as a combined company.

Speaker #2: Thank you, Todd. Another important benefit of this transaction is the geographical alignment of our two companies. Helix’s global presence in West Africa, Asia-Pacific, and the North Sea regions, as well as the United States and Brazil, and Hornbeck's concentration in the Americas, including Brazil and Mexico, creates a combined global footprint spanning the key offshore basins worldwide.

Speaker #2: The combined company's footprint will include cabotage-protected markets and will have direct access to leading offshore customers, enabling the delivery of premier deepwater services through technologically advanced vessels.

Speaker #2: This global presence translates into a diversified revenue stream, with approximately half of the combined company's revenue expected to come from the United States, followed by Brazil and then the North Sea region.

Speaker #2: We also want to share more information on our combined customer base, and how we expect to serve customers as a combined company. We provide essential services to many of the key organizations and companies that fuel the global economy.

Scott Sparks: We provide essential services to many of the key organizations and companies that fuel the global economy. We see the integration of complementary service offerings increasing our combined company's relevance with customers and creating unique cross-selling opportunities that will drive growth and improve margins. Further, the combined fleet of vessels and specialty equipment will enable comprehensive suites of combined services as a one-stop shop for customers, while enhancing profitability through asset optimization and enhanced scale. Both companies have high-quality, blue-chip customers with whom we have developed strong in-depth relationships. Among our customers are global market-leading companies operating at the forefront of innovation in their respective fields. We are looking forward to delivering an enhanced offering of integrated solutions to our expanded customer base. I'll now turn it back to Todd to talk for our world-class deepwater fleet and our soon-to-be leading position in the advanced industry.

Speaker #2: We see the integration of complementary service offerings increasing our combined company's relevance with customers, and creating unique cross-selling opportunities that will drive growth and improve margins.

Speaker #2: Further, the combined fleet of vessels and specialty equipment will enable comprehensive suites of combined services as a one-stop shop for customers, while enhancing profitability through asset optimization and enhanced scale.

Speaker #2: Both companies have high-quality blue-chip customers with whom we have developed strong in-depth relationships. Among our customers are global market-leading companies, operating at the forefront of innovation in their respective fields.

Speaker #2: We are looking forward to delivering an enhanced offering of integrated solutions to our expanded customer base. While our turning back to Todd to talk for our world-class deepwater fleet and our soon-to-be leading position in the detergent industry.

Todd Hornbeck: Thank you, Scotty. Now, we mentioned a moment ago that together, Helix and Hornbeck will have a fleet of high-quality, deepwater, high-spec vessels. The combined company will focus on well intervention, subsea and specialty services, robotics, marine transportation, and emerging technologies to support the deepwater energy, defense, and renewables markets. The combined company will have the highest specification fleet of specialty vessels designed to support deepwater life-of-field services globally. It will be the only company capable of providing riser-based well intervention, subsea operations, and IRM, and surface vessel logistics support. Additionally, we are combining Helix's market-leading position in subsea trenching of pipeline and cable with Hornbeck's leading position in providing support to offshore energy development. It's also important to note that the combined company will have increased exposure to the defense industry through a cutting-edge fleet supporting military operations and related capabilities.

Speaker #1: Thank you, Scotty. Now, we'll mention a moment ago that together, Helix and Hornbeck will have a fleet of high-quality deepwater, high-spec vessels. The combined company will focus on well intervention, subsea, and specialty services: robotics, marine transportation, and emerging technologies to support the deepwater energy, defense, and renewables markets.

Speaker #1: The combined company will have the highest-specification fleet of specialty vessels designed to support deepwater life-of-field services globally. It will be the only company capable of providing riser-based well intervention, subsea operations, IRM, and surface vessel logistics support.

Speaker #1: Additionally, we are combining HELIX's market-leading position in subsea trenching of pipeline and cable with Hornbeck's leading position in providing support to offshore energy development.

Speaker #1: It's also important to note that the combined company will have increased exposure to the defense industry, through a cutting-edge fleet supporting military operations and related capabilities.

Todd Hornbeck: Together, Helix and Hornbeck will have operations that provide multiple types of defense services. This includes surface and subsea vessels, vessel management, and emerging technologies such as marine economy and artificial intelligence. These capabilities, along with advantages like trusted relationship with key officials and decades of experience in the industry, will position the combined company extremely well to increase revenue and defense customers. Now I'd like to transition to a central element of growth transactions, the combined company scale and growth platform, and the significant synergy potential. We're confident that the combined company will be poised for future growth and shareholder value creation with a strong balance sheet, low leverage, and a significant cash at the closing to advance the combined company's value-driven strategy.

Speaker #1: Together, Helix and Hornbeck will have operations that provide multiple types of defense services. This includes surface and subsea vessels, vessel management, and emerging technologies such as marine autonomy and artificial intelligence.

Speaker #1: These capabilities, along with advantages like trusted relationships with key officials and decades of experience in the industry, will position the combined company extremely well to increase revenue and defense customers.

Speaker #1: Now I'd like to transition to an essential element of growth transactions: the combined company's scale and growth platform, and the significant synergy potential. We're confident that the combined company will be poised for future growth and shareholder value creation, with a strong balance sheet, low leverage, and significant cash at closing to advance the combined company's value-driven strategy.

Todd Hornbeck: Importantly, this financial strength and projected substantial free cash flow generation will provide significant flexibility for organic growth and investments in the business or other strategic M&A to increase long-term shareholder value creation. The combined company scale life-of-field business is expected to mitigate through cycle earnings volatility, while also enabling flexible global asset deployment where the demand is strongest. As you'll see in the slide deck, another key part of why we're so confident in this combined company's strong financial profile going forward is the significant synergies opportunities this transaction presents. Specifically, we expect to realize $75 million or more in annual cost and revenue synergies just within three years following the transaction. The synergies are expected to result from combined and integrated service offerings, as well as expanded service offered to existing customers, driving revenue pull-through.

Speaker #1: Importantly, this financial strength and projected substantial free cash flow generation will provide significant flexibility for organic growth and investments in the business or other strategic M&A.

Speaker #1: To increase long-term shareholder value creation, the combined company's scale, life-of-field business, is expected to mitigate through cycle earnings volatility. While also enabling flexible global asset deployment where the demand is As you'll see in the slide deck, another key part of why we're so confident in this combined company's strong financial profile going forward is the significant synergies opportunities this transaction presents.

Speaker #1: Specifically, we expect to realize $75 million or more in annual cost and revenue synergies just within three years following the transaction. The synergies are expected to result from combined and integrated service offerings, as well as expanded services offered to existing customers, driving revenue pull-through. We also expect that the scale of the combined company's fleet will enable asset optimization, reducing reliance on third-party vessel charters and delivering efficiencies across maintenance, procurement, and operations.

Todd Hornbeck: The scale of the combined company's fleet will enable asset optimization, reducing reliance on third-party vessel charters and delivering efficiencies across maintenance, procurement, and operations. In short, we expect to operate more efficiently and benefit from growth opportunities post-closing. I'd now like to turn it back to Bill Transier to close us out.

Speaker #1: In short, we expect to operate more efficiently and benefit from growth opportunities post-closing. I'd now like to turn it back to Bill to close this out.

William Transier: I'll wrap things up by reiterating that we believe this transaction represents an incredibly exciting opportunity for Helix and Hornbeck, as well as both company shareholders, and other stakeholders. By bringing these two leaders together, we will create an even stronger combined company designed to innovate, execute with scale, and grow. I'd also like to take a moment just to thank the talented teams of both Helix and Hornbeck. This transaction reflects their continued hard work and dedication, and we would not have been able to reach this milestone without their efforts. I know I speak for the leadership teams of both companies when I say we are grateful for your many contributions. Thank you for joining us today. I'll now open the floor to questions. Operator, we'll take our first question now.

Bill Transier: I'll wrap things up by reiterating that we believe this transaction represents an incredibly exciting opportunity for Helix and Hornbeck, as well as both company shareholders, and other stakeholders. By bringing these two leaders together, we will create an even stronger combined company designed to innovate, execute with scale, and grow. I'd also like to take a moment just to thank the talented teams of both Helix and Hornbeck. This transaction reflects their continued hard work and dedication, and we would not have been able to reach this milestone without their efforts. I know I speak for the leadership teams of both companies when I say we are grateful for your many contributions. Thank you for joining us today. I'll now open the floor to questions. Operator, we'll take our first question now.

Speaker #1: I'll wrap things up by reiterating that we believe this transaction, represents an incredibly exciting opportunity for HELIX and Hornbeck, as well as both companies' shareholders and other stakeholders.

Speaker #1: By bringing these two leaders together, we will create an even stronger combined company designed to innovate, execute with scale, and grow. I'd also like to take a moment just to thank the talented teams of both HELIX and Hornbeck.

Speaker #1: This transaction reflects their continued hard work and dedication, and we would not have been able to reach this milestone without their efforts. I know I speak for the leadership teams of both companies when I say we are grateful for your many contributions.

Speaker #1: Thank you for joining us today. I'll now open the floor to questions. Operator, we'll take our first question now.

Operator: Thank you. At this time, I would like to remind everyone in order to ask a question, please press the number one on your telephone keypad. We will pause for just a moment to compile the Q&A roster. Your first question comes from the line of Keith Beckman with Pickering Energy Partners. Your line is open.

Speaker #3: Thank you. At this time, I would like to remind everyone in order to ask a question, please press the number one on your telephone keypad.

Speaker #3: We will just pause. We will pause for just a moment to compile the Q&A roster. And your first question comes from the line of Keith Beckman with Pickering Energy Partners.

Speaker #3: Your line is open.

Keith Beckman: Hey, thanks for taking my question and congratulations, guys.

Speaker #4: Hey, thanks for taking my question and congratulations, guys.

William Transier: Thank you.

Bill Transier: Thank you.

Todd Hornbeck: Thank you.

Speaker #1: Thank you.

Speaker #5: Thank you.

Keith Beckman: I just wanted to ask first, could you bucket the $75 million of synergies a little bit better, and then maybe that's over three years. What do you kind of expect the initial capture to be, maybe within the first six months to a year or so?

Speaker #4: So I just wanted to, I wanted to ask first, could you bucket the $75 million of synergies a little bit better, and then maybe that's over three years.

Speaker #4: What do you kind of expect the initial capture to be maybe within the first six months to a year or so?

William Transier: I think the capture will be revenue synergies and being able to combine these assets together to offer a full plentiful offering to the customers that should increase utilization across the board from ROVs to supply vessels, to subsea construction vessels, and well intervention. That combination and offering life of field services to be able to tackle the full field development or full field decommissioning is a real added value to the customer base.

Bill Transier: I think the capture will be revenue synergies and being able to combine these assets together to offer a full plentiful offering to the customers that should increase utilization across the board from ROVs to supply vessels, to subsea construction vessels, and well intervention. That combination and offering life of field services to be able to tackle the full field development or full field decommissioning is a real added value to the customer base.

Speaker #1: I think the capture will be revenue synergies and being able to combine these assets together to offer a full plentiful offering to the customers that should increase utilization across the board on ROVs and supply vessels, the subsea construction vessels, and well interventions.

Speaker #1: So that combination and offering life-of-field services to be able to take to the full field development or full field decommissioning is a real added value to the customer base.

Todd Hornbeck: Yeah. The crossover services that we pull together as one company provides some very good revenue synergies, but then there's also the size of the fleet provides good cost synergies with procurement, engineering, and all those things as we create a much bigger fleet on a global basis.

Speaker #5: Yeah, the crossover services that we've pulled together as one company provide some very good revenue synergies, but then there's also the size of the fleet provides good cost synergies with procurement and engineering and all those things as we create a much bigger fleet on a global basis.

Keith Beckman: Awesome, thanks. My second question, which is kind of, obviously Hornbeck has had an advantage in kind of cabotage protected markets on a lot of the OSVs in the Americas. Now with the merger of the two companies, is there any plan over time to move some of the vessels outside of cabotage markets and potentially go outside of the Americas, maybe West Africa, et cetera? Just any thoughts on that at all?

Speaker #4: Awesome, thanks. And then my second question was just kind of, obviously, Hornbeck has had an advantage in kind of cabotage-protected markets on a lot of the OSVs in the Americas.

Speaker #4: Now with the merger of the two companies, I mean, is there any plan over time to move some of the vessels outside of cabotage markets and potentially go outside of the Americas, maybe West Africa, etc.?

Speaker #4: Just any thoughts on that at all?

Todd Hornbeck: Our plan is we're going to be a growth company, and we plan to continue to grow every segment of the business. We're going to move the assets where they're most valuable to the company, and returns for the company. We do have assets that can move across the globe and are some of the largest and best assets in the industry. We're going to move where the business is.

Speaker #1: Our plan is we're going to be a growth company and we plan to continue to grow every segment of the business. But we're going to move the assets where they're most valuable to the company in returns for the company.

Speaker #1: So we do have assets that can move across the globe, and some of the largest and best assets in the industry. And we're going to move where the business is.

Keith Beckman: Awesome. Really appreciate you guys taking my questions and congratulations again.

Speaker #4: Awesome. Really appreciate you guys taking my questions and congratulations again.

Todd Hornbeck: Thank you.

Scott Sparks: Thanks.

Keith Beckman: Thanks.

Speaker #1: Thank you.

Speaker #5: Thanks.

Speaker #4: Thanks.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Ben Summers with BTIG. Your line is open.

Speaker #3: Your next question comes from the line of Ben Summers with BTIG. Your line is open.

Ben Summers: Hey. Good morning, and congrats on the announcement. My first question is just on the $2 billion of backlog that you guys mentioned in the presentation. Just kind of curious around the duration of this backlog and any color you can give on just the makeup across now the various business lines.

Speaker #6: Hey, good morning. And congrats on the announcement. So my first question is just on the $2 billion of backlog that you guys mentioned in the presentation.

Speaker #6: Just kind of curious around the duration of this backlog and then any color you can give on just the makeup across now the various business lines.

Speaker #5: So from HELIX reports their backlog and ours is close to a billion dollars covering a significant portion this year and into next year. So the HELIX portion of it is about a billion.

Scott Sparks: Helix reports their backlog, and ours is close to $1 billion, covering a significant portion this year and into next year. The Helix portion of it is about $1 billion.

Todd Hornbeck: Yep. Hornbeck's about $1 billion as well, and that includes our long-term contracts with the military, and the specialty vessels as well. As you know, we've been primarily a shorter-term player because the type of assets we have, been able to, on shorter term contracts, you get a lot better returns. This is the biggest backlog we've had, I think, in our history. Showing you where the market's going and a lot of opportunity also in our fleet to turn and market those vessels as well.

Speaker #4: Yeah. Hornbeck's about a billion as well. And that includes our long-term contracts with the military and the specialty vessels as well. As you know, we've been primarily a shorter-term player because of the type of assets we have.

Speaker #4: We've been able to own shorter-term contracts. He got a lot better returns. But this is the biggest backlog we've had, I think, in our history.

Speaker #4: It's showing you where the market's going. And a lot of opportunity also in our fleet to turn and market those vessels as well.

Ben Summers: Awesome. Thank you. Super helpful. I know you guys mentioned it in the prepared remarks, but just kind of on the strong balance sheet of the combined company. I guess, kind of any color on what you're seeing in the market, and then kind of just detailing a bit more on the potential growth opportunities or creation of shareholder value from that strong balance sheet.

Speaker #6: Awesome. Thank you. Super helpful. And then I know you guys mentioned it had been the prepared remarks, but just kind of on the strong balance sheet, the combined company.

Speaker #6: I guess kind of any color on what you're seeing in the market and then kind of just detailing a bit more on the potential growth opportunities or creation of shareholder value from that strong balance sheet?

Todd Hornbeck: Yes. I think we've got a superior balance sheet. A lot of cash on the balance sheet. Like I said, we're going to grow all the divisions between the ROV subsea group and well intervention and supply vessels. We're looking forward to growing it to be an international player worldwide, not just our main focus is right now or has been with the company, is about 50% of revenue coming out of the US Gulf or the Gulf of America. We see great opportunities of growth in Brazil, the whole South America, northern flank of South America with Colombia, Guyana, Suriname, and that whole region. Also West Africa is showing great signs of opportunity as well. With this balance sheet, we should be able to really move the company forward with a lot of opportunities, whether they're organic or acquisitions as well.

Speaker #1: Yes, I think we've got a superior balance sheet. A lot of cash on the balance sheet. Like I said, we're going to grow all the divisions between the ROV, Subsea group, and Well Intervention and Supply Vessels.

Speaker #1: So we're looking forward to growing it to be an international player, worldwide—not just our main focus right now, or has been with the company, is about 50% of revenue coming out of the US Gulf or the Gulf of America.

Speaker #1: But we see great opportunities of growth in Brazil, the whole South America, the northern flank of South America with Colombia and Guyana and Suriname and that whole region.

Speaker #1: Also West Africa showing great signs of opportunity as well. So with this balance sheet, we should be able to really move the company forward with a lot of opportunities whether they're organic or acquisitions as well.

Ben Summers: Great. Thank you, guys, and congrats again.

Speaker #6: Great. Thank you, guys, and congrats again.

Todd Hornbeck: Thanks.

Scott Sparks: Thank you.

Speaker #5: Thanks.

Speaker #4: Thank you.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of James Schumm with TD Cowen. Your line is open.

Speaker #3: Your next question comes from the line of James Schumm with TD Cowan. Your line is open.

James Schumm: Thanks. Good morning. Okay, the $75 million of synergies, did you say what the split was between revenue and cost synergies there?

Speaker #6: Thanks. Good morning. Okay. So the $75 million of synergies, did you say what the split was between revenue and cost synergies there? And then.

Todd Hornbeck: No, we haven't.

James Schumm: Can you just?

Todd Hornbeck: We're going to have more of that in the merger proxy. The majority of it probably will be from revenue synergies and cost efficiencies by putting the companies together, and streamlining our services.

Speaker #1: No, we haven't. We're going to have more—we're going to have more of that in the merger proxy. But the majority of it probably will be from revenue synergies and cost efficiencies by putting the companies together and streamlining our services.

Speaker #6: Can you just.

James Schumm: Okay, thanks.

Todd Hornbeck: The companies don't really overlap that much in services. That's what makes this combination such a strong combination putting together. Because where we didn't have robotics and all the tooling and whatnot, where we had the MPSVs, the heavy iron, Helix has all that. Where we were not in well intervention or decommissioning, when you're in that business as well, they need supply vessels, MPSVs, and all the things that we have. We don't overlap a lot, so that's what's great about this. We're going to be able to build all of that and retool the business model to be able to grow in all of those areas.

Speaker #1: The company is comfortable overlap that much in services. That's what makes this combination such a strong combination, putting together because where we didn't have robotics and all the tooling and whatnot, we had the MPSVs, the heavy iron.

Speaker #1: HELIX has all that. Where we were not in well intervention or decommissioning, when you're in that business as well, they need supply vessels MPSVs and all the things that we have.

Speaker #1: So we don't overlap a lot, so that's what's great about this. We're going to be able to build all of that and retool the business model to be able to grow in all of those areas.

James Schumm: Okay.

Scott Sparks: While we've done that, what we will be able to do is offer a very good bundled service. If you take a deep water field decommissioning program, we have the Helix assets that can do all of the deep water P&A and the well work. Now we have the construction assets to take away the subsea infrastructure. We have the supply boats to support the subsea infrastructure take away, and the wells P&A work. We can offer that to one client, take away their procurement costs, and give them one contract. That's quite compelling. There will always be some oil procurement companies out there that won't like that, but there'll be a bunch of oil companies out there that'll see the cost benefits of one contract and one service.

Speaker #5: Whilst we've done that, what we will be able to do is offer a very good bundled service, so if you take a deep water field decommissioning program, we have the HELIX assets that can do all of the deep water P&A and the well work.

Speaker #5: Now we have the construction assets to take away the subsea infrastructure. We have the supply boats to support the subsea infrastructure to take away and the wells P&A work.

Speaker #5: We can offer that to one client, take away their procurement costs, and give them one contract. So that's quite compelling. There will always be some oil procurement companies out there that won't like that, but there'll be a bunch of oil companies out there that see the cost benefits of one contract and one service.

James Schumm: Okay, great. Thank you. I haven't covered OSVs in 12 or 13 years. Can you help me? What's the capital intensity of this business now and just in terms of CapEx to sales?

Speaker #6: Okay, great. Thank you. And I haven't covered OSVs in 12 or 13 years. Can you help me? What's the capital intensity of this business now, just in terms of CapEx to sales?

Todd Hornbeck: I'll tell you, on the OSV side, we're strictly deep water, ultra deep water. We're the largest PSVs in the world. A lot of them are cabotage-protected in the US. We have a big presence in Brazil, Mexico, and the whole of South America. Right now the market is basically at equilibrium. By H2 of this year, just with the demand that's coming from the additional rigs coming online, we see that market getting very tight, and a lot of revenue growth there, our day rate expansion there as well. With the subsea construction market and you know how many trees and installations that are going in deep water over the next several years, those vessels also work very well in the subsea construction area and also in renewables in the defense market. Our defense market is really looking good, and you know why.

Speaker #1: Well, I'll tell you on the OSV side, we're strictly deep water, ultra deep water, with the largest PSVs in the world. So a lot of them are cabotage protected in the US, but we have a big presence in Brazil and Mexico and the whole South America.

Speaker #1: Right now, the market is basically at equilibrium. By the second half of this year, just with the demand that's coming from the additional rigs coming online, we see that market getting very tight.

Speaker #1: And a lot of revenue growth there or day rate expansion there as well. With the subsea construction market, and you know how many trees and installations that are going in deep water over the next several years, those vessels also work very, very well in the subsea construction area.

Speaker #1: And also in renewables and the defense market. Our defense market is really looking good. And you know why. Just read the paper. And they like the large PSVs to accommodate that business.

Todd Hornbeck: Just read the paper. They like the large PSVs to accommodate that business.

James Schumm: You have vessels that you can bring back into the market too?

Speaker #4: And you have vessels. And bring back into the market too. It won't cost you really minor capital.

Todd Hornbeck: Yes.

James Schumm: It won't cost you really minor capital.

Todd Hornbeck: Minor capital. Yeah. We've got 23 vessels that we can reactivate as this market goes undersupplied, whether it's renewables, defense, or drilling support, or subsea support. Those are vessels that have been preserved and in good shape, and at very low cost to reactivate to put in the market.

Speaker #1: Minor capital. Yeah. We've got 23 vessels that we can reactivate as this market goes under supplied. Whether it's renewables, defense, or drilling support or subsea support.

Speaker #1: And those are vessels that have been preserved, and in good shape, and very low cost to reactivate to put in the market.

James Schumm: Thanks, because I was just going to ask about the two new MPSVs that you have, like what the capital requirements are left on those. Are they substantial, or can you say?

Speaker #6: Thanks. Because I was just going to ask about the two new MPSVs that you have. What the capital requirements are left on those? Are they substantial or can you say?

Todd Hornbeck: We really don't have any capital requirements to talk about very much left. We have about $50 million, I think, left to spend on those vessels for delivery, but very low cost entry for those vessels. Their unique nature, they'll be the largest MPSVs in the US flag fleet. We're really excited about the robotics and the subsea infrastructure, and on everything that Helix is doing and folding that into that program. Defense markets, renewable markets, and deep water subsea construction markets are really anxious to get their hands on those vessels.

Speaker #1: We really don't have any capital requirements to talk about very much left. We have about 50 million, I think, left to spend on those vessels.

Speaker #1: For delivery, but very low cost entry for those vessels. Unique nature. They'll be the largest MPSVs in the US flight fleet. And we're really excited about the robotics and the subsea infrastructure and everything that HELIX is doing and folding that into the program.

Speaker #1: So defense markets, renewable markets, and deep water subsea construction markets are really anxious to get their hands on those vessels.

Scott Sparks: When those vessels hit in 2027, they're going to be the highest spec Jones Act vessels, and then we'll be combining Helix Robotics into those vessels as well. It'll be quite unique and ultra-high spec vessels for the Jones Act, Gulf of Mexico fleet.

Speaker #5: And when those vessels hit in '27, they're going to be the highest spec Jones X vessels. And then we'll be combining Helix robotics into those vessels as well.

Speaker #5: So it’ll be quite unique and ultra high-spec vessels for the Jones X Gulf of America fleet.

James Schumm: Great. Thanks a lot, gentlemen. Appreciate it. Congrats.

Speaker #6: Great. Thanks a lot, gentlemen. Appreciate it. Congrats.

Todd Hornbeck: All right. Thank you.

Scott Sparks: Thank you.

Speaker #1: All right. Thanks.

Speaker #5: Thank you.

Operator: Again, if you would like to ask a question, press star, then the number one on your telephone keypad. Your next question comes from the line of Don Christ with Johnson Rice. Your line is open.

Speaker #3: Again, if you would like to ask a question, press star, then the number one on your telephone keypad. And your next question comes from the line of Don Christ with Johnson Rice.

Speaker #3: Your line is open.

Don Christ: Morning, guys, and I'll echo my sentiments for a good deal. Congrats. Since I cover Helix, and have for a while, Scott Sparks, can you walk around the world and kind of talk about demand like you normally do on an earnings call? I know there's been a lot of rig contracts let recently that soaked up a lot of white space. Can you just kind of walk around the world and tell us how that is influencing activity for the Q4000 and Well Enhancer and Seawell going forward throughout the rest of the year?

Speaker #7: Good morning, guys. And I'll echo my sentiments for a good deal. Congrats. Since I cover HELIX and have for a while, Scotty, can you walk around the world and kind of talk about demand like you normally do on an earnings call?

Speaker #7: I know there's been a lot of rig contracts let recently that soaked up a lot of white space. And can you just kind of walk around the world and tell us how that is influencing activity for the 4,000 and well enhancer and seawell going forward throughout the rest of the year?

Scott Sparks: Sure. Yeah. Good morning, Don. Firstly, North Sea. As you know, last year we had some headwinds against us and had to stack one of the vessels. I'm happy to report now that we have both vessels out actively working, and we're expecting good utilization for the monohulls in the North Sea. We're seeing high demand for decommissioning in the North Sea and starting to see a slight improvement in rates. That dip that went with our last year is behind us, I'd like to think. In the Americas, we're seeing more production enhancement activity. We have the Q5000 out currently working for Shell. The Q4000 is out working for Oxy. And Oxy and others are looking to add more wells because of the obvious increase in the price of oil and looking to further enhance activity. The Q7000 has recently finished up with Shell in Brazil.

Speaker #5: Sure. Yeah. Good morning, Don. So firstly, the North Sea. As you know, last year, we had some headwinds against us. And had to stack one of the vessels.

Speaker #5: I'm happy to report now that we have both vessels out actively working. And we're expecting good utilization for the monohulls in the North Sea.

Speaker #5: We're seeing high demand for decommissioning in the North Sea, and starting to see a slight improvement in rates. So that dip that went with us last year is behind us.

Speaker #5: I'd like to think. Then in the America, we're seeing more production enhancement activity. We have the Q5,000 out currently working for Shell, the Q4,000s out working for Oxy.

Speaker #5: And Oxy and others are looking to add more wells because of the obvious increase in the price of oil, and are looking to further enhance activity.

Speaker #5: The Q7,000 has recently finished up with Shell in Brazil. Sorry, we'll finish up at the end of this month. And then we're very close to taking that vessel to Nigeria again.

Scott Sparks: Sorry, will finish up at the end of this month. Then we're very close to taking that vessel to Nigeria again, and that's looking good, very close to being contracted. Then we expect to take that vessel back to Brazil where there's high levels of activity and good tendering activity for that vessel. The two, Siem Helix 1 and Siem Helix 2, are on the long-term contracts in Brazil. Our Well Intervention segment looks very good at the moment with improving activity and increasing rates going forward. The Robotics side is very busy. As you know, our trenching side of the company is very active, high utilization, very much increased rates, increasing rates year over year.

Speaker #5: And that's looking good. Very close to being contracted. And then we expect to take that vessel back to Brazil where there's high levels of activity and good tendering activity for that vessel.

Speaker #5: The two SEAM HELIX 1 and SEAM HELIX 1 and SEAM HELIX 2 are on the long-term contracts in Brazil. So I won't intervention segment looks very good at the moment.

Speaker #5: We've improved activity and are increasing rates going forward. The robotics side is very busy. As you know, our Trenton size of the company is very, very active.

Speaker #5: High utilization, very much increased rates increasing rates year over year. We have work booked out in 26, 27 on trenching. Work booked out all the way to 2030 and bid activity in a very good pipeline of activity out to 2032 on the trenching side.

Scott Sparks: We have work booked out in 2026, 2027 on trenching, work booked out all the way to 2030, and bid activity and a very good pipeline of activity out to 2032 on the trenching side. Then the robotics business is strengthened, and bringing these two companies together, there's good opportunities for putting ROVs with high-class vessels in the Gulf of Mexico. I'm very confident by the end of this year, we'll have no ROVs available to the market. We might have to look at starting to place capital to increase spend on growth activity.

Speaker #5: And then the robotics business is strengthened and bringing these two companies together. There's a good opportunities for putting an ROVs with high-class vessels in the Gulf of America.

Speaker #5: So very confident by the end of this year, we'll have no ROVs available to the market. We might have to look at starting to place capital to increase spend on growth activity.

Don Christ: I appreciate that. Can you just comment on day rates? I know day rates for the offshore drillers have been kind of flat on these contract renewals, but are you seeing any urgency from customers seeing white space go away and urgency in contracting given recent events in the Middle East and oil price running up?

Speaker #1: I appreciate that. And can you just comment on day rates? I know day rates for the offshore drillers have been kind of flat on these contract renewals.

Speaker #1: But are you seeing any urgency from customers seeing white space go away and urgency in contracting, given recent events in the Middle East and oil prices running up?

Scott Sparks: We talk about this each quarter, Don, and I would say it's relatively flat at the moment in the Gulf. We are seeing increased rig activity that will lead into the end of 2026, 2027, to increased rates. We're definitely seeing an increase in rates and better activity in the North Sea, and we're stable and locked into long-term contracts in Brazil. It's a definitely increased and better environment than where we were two or three quarters ago.

Speaker #5: So, we talk about this each quarter, Don. And I would say it's relatively flat at the moment in the Gulf. We are seeing increased rig activity that will lead into end of '26, '27 to increased rates.

Speaker #5: We are definitely seeing an increase in rates and better activity in the North Sea. And we're stable and locked into long-term contracts in Brazil.

Speaker #5: So it's definitely increased, and it's a better environment than where we were two or three quarters ago.

Don Christ: Okay. I appreciate that. Todd, just one for you. Any changes in Mexico? I know you've had a presence there for a while, but not really worked for the government down there. But any improvement down there that can soak up any of the boats that came back to the US side of the Gulf of Mexico going back to Mexico anytime soon?

Speaker #1: Okay. I appreciate that. And Todd, , just one for you. Any changes in Mexico? I know you've had a presence there for a while.

Speaker #1: But not really worked for the government down there. But any improvement down there that can soak up any of the boats that came back to the US side of the Gulf of America going back to Mexico anytime soon?

Todd Hornbeck: Well, as you know, we've got a large component of Mexican flag vessels, in Mexico, and that's a cabotage-protected market. Yes, there's been upside. Even though the turmoil with Pemex that unfolded over the last few years, we were not levered to that company. Woodside just started the Trion project, and we have four long-term contracts with Woodside. That has started in earnest now in February. That will go for many years. We also have a 10-year commitment for all their marine support for supply vessels for the next 10 years, so for that development of that field. What we're seeing in Mexico, though, is a little bit of change in tone, with bringing IOCs back into the country. A couple of years ago under AMLO, they really wanted to get all the IOCs out and all the foreign companies out of Mexico.

Speaker #6: Well, as you know, we've got a large component of Mexican flag vessels in Mexico. And that's a cabotage protected market. And yes, there's been upside even though the turmoil with PMEX that unfolded over the last few years, we were not levered to that company.

Speaker #6: So Woodside just started the Triumph project. And we have four long-term contracts with Woodside. And that has started in earnest now in February. So that will go for many years.

Speaker #6: We also have a 10-year commitment for all the marine support for supply vessels for the next 10 years. So for that development of that field.

Speaker #6: What we're seeing in Mexico, though, is a little bit of change in tone. With bringing IOCs back years ago under AMLO, they really wanted to get all the IOCs out and all the foreign companies out of Mexico.

Todd Hornbeck: That's turned around. It looks like we're seeing green shoots starting to happen that other IOCs are interested in doing structures like Woodside had done there. It looks promising. I think over the next couple of years, we're going to see some growth in Mexico. Mexico is Mexico, so we've been down there a long time and done very well in that market.

Speaker #6: That's turned around. It looks like we're seeing green shoots starting to happen at other IOCs are interested in doing structures like Woodside had done there.

Speaker #6: So it looks promising. I think over the next couple of years, we're going to see some growth in Mexico. Mexico is Mexico. So we've been down there a long time and done very well in that market.

Don Christ: We appreciate the color. Congrats again, guys.

Speaker #1: I appreciate the caller. Congrats again, guys.

Todd Hornbeck: Thank you.

Scott Sparks: Thank you all.

Don Christ: Thank you.

Speaker #6: Thank you.

Speaker #3: Thank y'all.

Speaker #7: Thank you.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Josh Jayne with Daniel Energy Partners. Your line is open.

Speaker #8: And your next question comes from the line of Josh Jayne with Daniel or Daniel Energy Partners. Your line is open.

Josh Jayne: Good morning. Thanks for taking my question. The first one for me, Todd, maybe you could just go into a bit more detail on your views on OSP supply and demand. Ultimately, you mentioned some vessels going back to work. Maybe you could just elaborate on your views on the market, not only in the markets that you serve, but just opportunities elsewhere. It would just be good to hear your views today.

Speaker #7: Good morning. Thanks for taking my question. The first one for me, Todd, maybe you could just go into a bit more detail on the your views on OSP supply and demand.

Speaker #7: Ultimately, you mentioned some vessels going back to work. Maybe you could just elaborate on your views on the market. Not only in the markets that you serve, but just opportunities elsewhere.

Speaker #7: Just it would just be good to hear your views today.

Todd Hornbeck: Yeah, I think the market. Look, we're just really focused on the above 4,000 deadweight class all the way to 6,000. Ultra-deep water is where our bread and butter is. That market is traded very thinly now. A lot of capacity is term contracted because Petrobras soaked up a lot of tonnage, as we know. With the rigs in H2 coming back online, we see that market tightening. Our rates are, I can say leading-edge rates are in the mid-40s. They're kind of all over the board because it's been a little sloppy with the white space. Our rates seemed to held up very well. H2 is where we really see the growth opportunity and the market getting really, really tight for the supply and demand imbalance.

Speaker #6: Yeah. I think the market on the big look, we're just really focused on the above 4,000 deadweight class all the way to 6,000. So ultra deep waters, where our bread and butter is.

Speaker #6: And that market is traded very thinly now. A lot of capacity is term contracted because Petrobras soaked up a lot of tonnage, as we know.

Speaker #6: And with the rigs in the second half of the year coming back online, we see that marketing tightening our rates are I can say leading edge rates are in the mid-40s.

Speaker #6: But they're kind of all over the board because there's been a lot of little sloppy with the white space. But our rates seem to held up very well.

Speaker #6: The second half of the year is where we really see the growth opportunity. And the market getting really, really tight. For the supply and demand imbalance.

Todd Hornbeck: The subsea construction market, the renewables market, and our defense market is doing extremely well. We're servicing a lot of that market with the PSVs today. On our total revenue, about 70% of our revenue is coming from the specialty business, not from the drill bit. That's a testament of the type of equipment that we have.

Speaker #6: But the subsea construction market, the renewables market, and our defense market is doing extremely well. So we're servicing a lot of that market with the PSVs today.

Speaker #6: On our total revenue, about 70% of our revenue is coming from the specialty business, not from the drill bit. So that's a testament of the type of equipment that we have.

Josh Jayne: Then on the ROV side, it was alluded to a little bit in the last answer. Is this transaction, I know Helix has been a bit conservative to spend capital, but when we think about the tightness of the ROV business, is this the type of transaction that has the potential, just given the tightness of that market, to accelerate capital spending sort of over the next few years? Then could you update us on lead times for ROVs today? That's my final question. Thanks.

Speaker #7: And then on the ROV side, it was alluded to a little bit in the last answer. But is this transaction I know the company I know HELIX has been a bit conservative to spend capital.

Speaker #7: But when we think about the tightness of the ROV business, is this the type of transaction that has the potential, just given the tightness of that market, to accelerate capital spending sort of over the next few years?

Speaker #7: And then could you update us on lead times for ROVs today? That's my final question. Thanks.

Todd Hornbeck: I think Scotty can answer the lead times, but you're correct, that market is very tight. I think there's opportunities there. Besides, you can always build ROVs, and he'll tell you how long that takes and what the cost is. I think there may be opportunities out there now that we've put this together of ROV opportunities, and other opportunities in the company to do some acquisitive and grow our platform.

Speaker #1: Thanks, Scotty. You can answer the lead times. But you're correct, that market is very tight. But I think there are opportunities there—besides, you can always build ROVs.

Speaker #1: And that takes he'll tell you how long that takes and what the cost is. But I think there may be opportunities out there now that we've put this together of ROV opportunities and other opportunities in the company to do some acquisitive and grow our platform.

Scott Sparks: I think one of the good sides of the ROV business is we can scale up very quickly.

Speaker #5: I think one of the good sides of the ROV business is we can scale up very quickly. So to build a new ROV right now is a six-month lead time.

Todd Hornbeck: Mm-hmm.

Scott Sparks: To build a new ROV right now is a six-month lead time, and if we did a batch build every month after, we can have another ROV. We can scale up the ROV business very quickly. There's also Hornbeck at this time; they hire ROVs in, and now we'll be an internal cost to Hornbeck. We can scale up very quickly and

Speaker #5: And if we did a batch build every month after, we can have another ROV. So we can scale up the ROV business very quickly.

Speaker #5: There's also Hornbake at this time, they hire ROVs in. And now we'll be an internal cost to Hornbake. So we can scale up very quickly.

Todd Hornbeck: Mm-hmm

Scott Sparks: Bring the two services together.

Speaker #5: And bring the two services together.

Todd Hornbeck: Yeah, if we can't find adequate equipment out there on the ROV side and the tooling side, we can be in the market very, very quickly with what Scotty's saying, so.

Speaker #6: Yeah. If we can't find adequate equipment out there on the ROV side and the tooling side, we can be in the market very, very quickly with what Scotty's saying.

Speaker #6: So, it'll happen one way or the other, won't it?

Scott Sparks: Well-

Todd Hornbeck: It'll happen one way or the other, won't it?

Scott Sparks: Yeah. We're also seeing an increased demand for ROV activity in the renewables business in Taiwan and the Asia Pacific region as well. There's a lot of growth potential on the ROV side, the robotics side. We also have some plans. We, as a robotics company, have never been an IRM company, and as we bring these two companies together, we're definitely going to build an IRM division which leads to further growth as well.

Speaker #5: Yeah. And we're also seeing an increased demand for ROV activity in the renewables business in Taiwan and the APAC region as well. So there's a lot of growth potential in the ROV side of the robotics side.

Speaker #5: We also have some plans. We have, as a robotics company, have never been an IRM company. And as we bring these two companies together, we're definitely going to build an IRM division, which leads to further growth as well.

Josh Jayne: Understood. Congrats on the transaction. Thanks for taking my questions.

Speaker #7: Understood. Congrats on the transaction. Thanks for taking my questions. Thank you.

Todd Hornbeck: Thank you.

Scott Sparks: Thank you.

Todd Hornbeck: Thank you.

Scott Sparks: Thank you.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of James Schumm with TD Cowen. Your line is open.

Speaker #8: And your next question comes from the line of James Schumm with TD Cowan. Your line is open.

James Schumm: Hey, thanks. The Hornbeck net debt, did I calculate that right? Is that around $480 million?

Speaker #9: Hey, thanks. I just did the Hornbake net debt—did I calculate that right? Is that around $480 million?

William Transier: Yes.

Bill Transier: Yes.

Jim Harp: No. No, that's the gross debt.

Speaker #1: Yes.

Speaker #7: No. No, that's the gross debt.

William Transier: That's gross. It's about James. Tim, what is it?

Bill Transier: That's gross. It's about James. Tim, what is it?

Speaker #1: Go ahead, Jim.

Speaker #9: That's gross. It's about James.

Jim Harp: Yep. That's gross debt. Our cash is between $75 and $100, $80, $90, something like that. The $440 is gross debt.

Speaker #7: Jim, what is it?

Speaker #9: Yep. That's gross debt. Our cash is between 75 and 100, 80, 90, something like that. And the 440 is gross debt. The 4 I said 480.

James Schumm: I said $480. What's your net debt? Is it $380, or what's the net debt?

Speaker #9: So what do you have as what's your net debt? Is it 380, or what's the net debt?

Jim Harp: Actually, I forgot about that.

Speaker #7: Actually, I forgot about the.

William Transier: It's close to that. Yeah, around 380.

Bill Transier: It's close to that. Yeah, around 380.

Jim Harp: Yeah, around 380.

Speaker #6: Yeah, around 380.

James Schumm: Okay. Maybe just one for the Helix guys. How do you position this for your shareholders? Why is this a good deal for the Helix shareholders?

Speaker #9: Okay. And then maybe just one for the Helix guys. I mean, how do you position this for your shareholders? Why is this a good deal for the Helix shareholders?

William Transier: This is Bill. I'll take that on. First of all, if you can't feel the enthusiasm of these two guys across the table, they've been talking about their combined businesses. It represents a really kind of a unique opportunity for these companies to come together and do more than they could on a standalone basis. I think that's what Helix has been looking at for quite a while. It was a good company, well run by Hornbeck. Good capital structure. It was only so big, and the ability to kind of build scale, reduce cost of capital, and do some of the things that Scotty and Todd are talking about in terms of growing the business. It just makes for a better outcome going forward. A real growth company that can deliver significant shareholder value going down the road.

Bill Transier: This is Bill. I'll take that on. First of all, if you can't feel the enthusiasm of these two guys across the table, they've been talking about their combined businesses. It represents a really kind of a unique opportunity for these companies to come together and do more than they could on a standalone basis. I think that's what Helix has been looking at for quite a while. It was a good company, well run by Hornbeck. Good capital structure. It was only so big, and the ability to kind of build scale, reduce cost of capital, and do some of the things that Scotty and Todd are talking about in terms of growing the business. It just makes for a better outcome going forward. A real growth company that can deliver significant shareholder value going down the road.

Speaker #6: Well, this is Bill. I take that on. First of all, if you can't tell the enthusiasm of these two guys across the table been talking about their combined businesses, it represents a really kind of a unique opportunity for these companies to come together and do more than they could on a standalone basis.

Speaker #6: And I think that's what HELIX has been looking at for quite a while, is it was a good company, well-run, like Hornbake. Good capital structure.

Speaker #6: But it was only so big. And the ability to kind of build, scale, reduce cost of capital, and do some of the things that Scotty and are talking about in terms of growing the business, it just makes for a better outcome going forward, a real growth company that can deliver significant shareholder value going down the road.

Speaker #6: So I look at that as the compelling reasons why. And we're excited about it.

William Transier: I look at that as the compelling reasons why, and we're excited about it.

Bill Transier: I look at that as the compelling reasons why, and we're excited about it.

James Schumm: Okay. Thanks a lot, guys. Appreciate it.

Speaker #9: Okay. Thanks a lot, guys. Appreciate it.

Todd Hornbeck: Thank you.

William Transier: Thank you.

Bill Transier: Thank you.

Speaker #5: Thank you.

Speaker #6: Thank you.

Operator: Thank you. I'm not showing any further questions in the queue. I will now turn it back over to the company for closing remarks.

Speaker #8: Thank you. I'm not showing any further questions in the queue. I will now turn back over to the company for closing remarks.

Erik Staffeldt: Thank you for joining us today. We appreciate your interest in today's call that highlighted the exciting opportunity that the combination of Helix and Hornbeck creates for our investors and customers. Thank you.

Speaker #10: Thank you for joining us today. We appreciate your interest in today's call that highlighted the exciting opportunity that the combination of HELIX and Hornbake creates for our investors and customers.

Speaker #10: Thank you.

Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes today's call. Thank you all for joining. You may now disconnect.

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