Note 11- Gain on Contract Settlements/Extinguishments, Net
During the third quarter of 2013, we received $45 million related to the settlement of all claims against the former shareholders of FDR Holdings, Ltd., which we acquired in July 2010, relating to alleged breaches of various representations and warranties contained in the purchase agreement.
During the second quarter of 2012, we received approximately $5 million from the settlement of a claim relating to the Noble David Tinsley, which had experienced a “punch-through” while being positioned on location in 2009. We had originally recorded a $17 million charge during 2009 related to this incident. Additionally, during the second quarter of 2012, we settled an action against certain vendors for damages sustained during Hurricane Ike. We recognized a net gain of approximately $28 million related to this settlement. We also resolved all outstanding matters with Anadarko Petroleum Company (“Anadarko”) related to the previously disclosed force majeure action, Hurricane Ike matters and receivables relating to the Noble Amos Runner.
In January 2011, we announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (“Petrobras”) regarding operations in Brazil. Under the terms of the MOU, we agreed to substitute the Noble Phoenix, then under contract with Shell in Southeast Asia, for the Noble Muravlenko. In connection with the cancellation of the contract on the Noble Phoenix, we recognized a non-cash gain of approximately $52.5 million during the first quarter of 2011, which represented the unamortized fair value of the in-place contract at acquisition. As a result of the substitution, we reached a decision not to proceed with the previously announced reliability upgrade to the Noble Muravlenko that was scheduled to take place in 2013, and therefore, incurred a non-cash charge of approximately $32.6 million related to the termination of outstanding shipyard contracts. The substitution was completed during the fourth quarter of 2012.
In February 2011, the outstanding balances of the Bully joint venture credit facilities, which totaled $693 million, were repaid in full and the credit facilities terminated using a portion of the proceeds from our February 2011 debt offering and equity contributions from our joint venture partner. In addition, the related interest rate swaps were settled and terminated concurrent with the repayment and termination of the credit facilities. As a result of these transactions, we recognized a gain of approximately $1.3 million during the first quarter of 2011.