Detailed Narrative
Global Rig Count Dynamics
Despite a nearly 4% sequential and year-over-year decline in global rig count, including a 7% drop in the Middle East, DTI maintained resilient performance. The North American rig count, particularly in the US, showed recovery late in Q2 and into July, with bottom-hole assembly rigs outpacing the broader increase. This momentum is expected to support stronger results later in the year.
Eastern Hemisphere Momentum
Operations in the Eastern Hemisphere are gaining momentum, with improving utilization and a strengthening industry outlook. The ClearPath stabilizer technology is gaining traction in offshore markets, leading to anticipated new awards and a material step-up in European contribution in H2 2026, extending well into 2027. The company is investing ahead of this work by redeploying capital from more mature markets.
Commercial Terms and Market Share
DTI is winning business on stronger commercial terms and gaining market share due to its reliability, tool quality, and specialized equipment that meets the demands of high-performance wells. After several quarters of pricing compression, management believes this pressure has stabilized. This momentum, arriving late in Q2, positions the company well for the remainder of 2026.
Strategic Investments
The company is making strategic investments in its ClearPath technology to support Norwegian and other offshore opportunities. These investments will lead to elevated CapEx in the second half of the year, which will not taper as significantly as usual. These capital outlays are tied to long-term rental agreements and are expected to deliver strong returns, supporting durable revenue growth in H2 2026 and beyond.
HHEP Share Distribution
DTI's former sponsor, HHEP, completed its share distribution to its limited partners during the second quarter. This action resulted in approximately 90% of outstanding shares being held in the public float, positioning DTI as a fully independent public company with a broad ownership profile and significantly improved trading liquidity.