Subsea 7’s EBITDA Growth Soars with Backlog Liquidating – What This Means for Investors!

Off the coast of Orange County, California, a vibrant sunset paints the sky behind an offshore oil drilling rig, symbolizing the operations of Subsea 7, an engineering, procurement, and construction company known for building oil production structures worldwide. As a key player in major oil fields, Subsea 7 faces challenges in a cyclical industry, with concerns over debt highlighted in recent coverage. Despite this, the company is experiencing a boost in EBITDA from liquidating backlogs in a better quoting environment.

The company’s earnings breakdown reveals a strategic shift towards higher margin projects, such as major developments like Yggdrasil and contracts in Norway and Brazil. With a focus on increasing project scope and commitment from energy companies, Subsea 7 aims to capitalize on favorable quoting environments post-Ukraine war to drive growth.

While the Seaway segment struggles with margin growth, the renewables business sees a positive backlog development, aligning with global efforts towards renewable energy. Subsea 7’s capital allocation strategy involves reducing fixed capital intensity by outsourcing work to vessels and moving towards a more efficient vessel ownership structure.

In efforts to enhance fleet utilization and bolster margins, Subsea 7 is expanding its presence in key geographical areas like Brazil and Australia. By focusing on high-revenue projects and reducing capital base, the company aims to navigate industry economics and offset rising finance costs.

The bottom line for Subsea 7 lies in the combination of liquidating backlogs in an improved quoting environment and transitioning projects to higher margin stages, supporting EBITDA growth. Despite the capital-intensive nature of growth, the company faces risks in a cyclical industry with below-average economics and high costs. Looking ahead, Subsea 7 continues to navigate industry challenges while maintaining a competitive position in the market.