The following information should be read in conjunction with the information contained in "Item 1. Business," "Item 1A. Risk Factors" and the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included under "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" elsewhere in this annual report.

Overview

Transocean Ltd. (together with its subsidiaries and predecessors, unless the context requires otherwise, "Transocean," the "Company," "we," "us" or "our") is a leading international provider of offshore contract drilling services for oil and gas wells. As of February 3, 2009, we owned, had partial ownership interests in or operated 136 mobile offshore drilling units. As of this date, our fleet consisted of 39 High-Specification Floaters (Ultra-Deepwater, Deepwater and Harsh Environment semisubmersibles and drillships), 28 Midwater Floaters, 10 High-Specification Jackups, 55 Standard Jackups and four Other Rigs. In addition, we had 10 Ultra-Deepwater Floaters under construction or contracted for construction.

We believe our mobile offshore drilling fleet is one of the most modern and versatile fleets in the world. Our primary business is to contract these drilling rigs, related equipment and work crews primarily on a dayrate basis to drill oil and gas wells. We specialize in technically demanding segments of the offshore drilling business with a particular focus on deepwater and harsh environment drilling services. We also provide oil and gas drilling management services on either a dayrate basis or a completed-project, fixed-price (or "turnkey") basis, as well as drilling engineering and drilling project management services, and we participate in oil and gas exploration and production activities.

In November 2007, we completed our merger transaction (the "Merger") with GlobalSantaFe Corporation ("GlobalSantaFe"). The Merger was accounted for as a purchase, with the Company as the acquirer for accounting purposes. At the time of the Merger, GlobalSantaFe owned, had partial ownership interests in, operated, had under construction or contracted for construction, 61 mobile offshore drilling units and other units utilized in the support of offshore drilling activities. The balance sheet data as of December 31, 2007 represents the consolidated statement of financial position of the combined company. The statement of operations and other financial data for the year ended December 31, 2007 include approximately one month of operating results and cash flows for the combined company.

In December 2008, Transocean Ltd. completed a transaction pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger among Transocean Ltd., Transocean Inc., which was our former parent holding company, and Transocean Cayman Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands that was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Transocean Ltd., pursuant to which Transocean Inc. merged by way of schemes of arrangement under Cayman Islands law with Transocean Cayman Ltd., with Transocean Inc. as the surviving company (the "Redomestication Transaction"). In the Redomestication Transaction, Transocean Ltd. issued one of its shares in exchange for each ordinary share of Transocean Inc. In addition, Transocean Ltd. issued 16 million of its shares to Transocean Inc. for future use to satisfy Transocean Ltd.'s obligations to deliver shares in connection with awards granted under our incentive plans, warrants or other rights to acquire shares of Transocean Ltd. The Redomestication Transaction effectively changed the place of incorporation of our parent holding company from the Cayman Islands to Switzerland. As a result of the Redomestication Transaction, Transocean Inc. became a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Transocean Ltd. In connection with the Redomestication Transaction, we relocated our principal executive offices to Vernier, Switzerland. We refer to the Redomestication Transaction and the relocation of our principal executive offices together as the "Redomestication."

Key measures of our total company results of operations and financial condition are as follows:

                                                       Years ended December 31,
                                                    2008                      2007                 Change
                                                (In millions, except average daily revenue and percentages)
Average daily revenue (a)(b)                   $      240,300           $        211,900       $       28,400
Utilization (b)(c)                                         90 %                       90 %                n/a
Statement of operations data
Operating revenues                             $       12,674           $          6,377       $        6,297
Operating and maintenance expenses                      5,355                      2,781                2,574
Operating income                                        5,357                      3,239                2,118
Net income                                              4,202                      3,131                1,071
Balance sheet data (at end of period)
Cash and cash equivalents                                 963                      1,241                 (278 )
Total assets                                           35,171                     34,364                  807
Total debt                                             14,186                     17,257               (3,071 )


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"n/a" means not applicable.

(a) Average daily revenue is defined as contract drilling revenue earned per revenue earning day. A revenue earning day is defined as a day for which a rig earns dayrate after commencement of operations.

(b) Excludes a drillship engaged in scientific geological coring activities, the Joides Resolution, that is owned by a joint venture in which we have a 50 percent interest and is accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

(c) Utilization is the total actual number of revenue earning days as a percentage of the total number of calendar days in the period.

We are currently experiencing high utilization and historically high dayrates across our fleet. Customers continue to express interest in multi-year contracts for our high-specification units. Recently, we have experienced weakness in our Midwater Floater fleet and in our Jackup fleet, as near-term customer demand has declined. We currently have two Midwater Floaters, including one that is held for sale, and four Jackups that are idle, and we expect to idle more rigs as they come off contracts. We expect the decline in commodity prices and the downturn in the global economy to continue to have a negative effect on dayrates and the level of contract activity in these markets, and that effect could be substantial. See "Item 1A. Risk Factors" for a discussion of some of the risks associated with a continued decline in commodity prices and an extended worldwide economic downturn.

Over the last few years, a shortage of qualified personnel in our industry drove up compensation costs and suppliers increased prices as their backlogs grow. We expect increasing unemployment, a stronger U.S. dollar and a continued decline in commodity prices to slow the rate of escalation in these costs or cause these costs to decrease over time.

Our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased from the prior year period primarily as a result of the addition of GlobalSantaFe's operations for a full year and higher dayrates. Our operating and maintenance expenses for the year increased primarily as a result of higher labor and rig maintenance costs in connection with such increased activity as well as inflationary cost increases and the addition of GlobalSantaFe's operations (see "-Outlook"). Total debt decreased as a result of repayments of borrowings under the Bridge Loan Facility during 2008. See "-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Sources and Uses of Liquidity."

We have established two reportable segments: (1) contract drilling services and
(2) other operations. The contract drilling segment consists of floaters, jackups and other rigs used in support of offshore drilling activities and offshore support services on a worldwide basis. Our fleet operates in a single, global market for the provision of contract drilling services. The location of our rigs and the allocation of resources to build or upgrade rigs are determined by the activities and needs of our customers. The other operations segment includes drilling management services and oil and gas properties. We provide drilling management services through Applied Drilling Technology Inc., our wholly owned subsidiary, and through ADT International, a division of one of our U.K. subsidiaries (together, "ADTI"). Drilling management services are provided primarily on a turnkey basis at a fixed bid amount. Oil and gas properties consist of exploration, development and production activities carried out through our oil and gas subsidiaries, Challenger Minerals Inc. and Challenger Minerals (North Sea) Limited (together, "CMI").

Significant Events

Redomestication-In December 2008, we completed the Redomestication Transaction. See "-Overview."

In December 2008, in connection with the Redomestication Transaction, we assumed Transocean-Cayman's obligations under the warrants that were previously exercisable for ordinary shares of Transocean-Cayman.

Also in December 2008, we guaranteed the obligations of Transocean-Cayman under the indenture relating to Transocean-Cayman's 1.625% Series A Convertible Senior Notes due 2037, 1.50% Series B Convertible Senior Notes due 2037 and 1.50% Series C Convertible Senior Notes due 2037 (together, the "Convertible Senior Notes") and 5.25% Senior Notes due 2013, 6.00% Senior Notes due 2018 and 6.80% Senior Notes due 2038. In addition, we assumed the obligation to deliver our shares, if any, upon conversion of the Convertible Senior Notes, in lieu of Transocean-Cayman ordinary shares. We also guaranteed the obligations of Transocean-Cayman under the indenture relating to Transocean-Cayman's 6.625% Notes due 2011, 5% Notes due 2013, 7.375% Senior Notes due 2018, 8% Debentures due 2027, 7.45% Notes due 2027, 7% Senior Notes due 2028 and 7.5% Notes due 2031.

Furthermore, in December 2008, we guaranteed the payment of the principal and the accrued and unpaid interest on commercial paper notes issued or to be issued under Transocean-Cayman's commercial paper program.

Impairment loss-During the year ended December 31, 2008, we recorded impairment losses of $320 million, of which $223 million was related to the goodwill and other intangible assets associated with our drilling management services reporting unit. Additionally, we recognized an impairment loss of $97 million associated with GSF Arctic II and GSF Arctic IV after having determined that the rigs were subject to impairment indicators resulting from the credit crisis and the rapid decline in commodity prices. We estimate the fair market value of the assets held for sale, goodwill and other intangibles based on our estimates and projections considering current market conditions and other factors.

Asset dispositions-During 2008, we completed the sale of three of our Standard Jackups (GSF Adriatic III, GSF High Island I and GSF High Island VIII). See "-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Fleet Expansion and Dispositions."

Bank credit agreements-In March 2008, Transocean-Cayman entered into a term credit facility under the Term Credit Agreement dated March 13, 2008 (the "Term Loan") and borrowed $1.925 billion under the facility. In April 2008, Transocean-Cayman borrowed an additional $75 million under the Term Loan. In June 2008, Transocean-Cayman repaid the then outstanding balance under the Bridge Loan Facility and terminated the facility. See "-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Sources and Uses of Liquidity."

In November 2008, Transocean-Cayman entered into a new credit agreement for a 364-day, $1.08 billion revolving credit facility (the "364-Day Revolving Credit Facility") to replace its expiring $1.5 billion revolving credit agreement entered into in December 2007 ("Former 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility") and terminated the expiring agreement. Transocean-Cayman also amended its existing $2.0 billion revolving credit facility (the "Five-Year Revolving Credit Facility") and the Term Loan (together with the 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility and the Five-Year Revolving Credit Facility, the "Credit Facilities") in connection with the Redomestication Transaction. Upon completion of the Redomestication Transaction, Transocean-Cayman became our wholly-owned subsidiary, and we guaranteed Transocean-Cayman's obligations under the Credit Facilities.

Fleet expansion-In April 2008, we were awarded a drilling contract for Discoverer India. The Ultra-Deepwater Floater is expected to commence operations under a multi-year drilling contract during the fourth quarter of 2010. See "-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Fleet Expansion and Dispositions."

In June 2008, we reached an agreement with subsidiaries of Petrobras and Mitsui to acquire a newbuild Ultra-Deepwater Floater, Petrobras 10000, under a capital lease contract. In conjunction with the capital lease contract, we entered into a 10-year drilling contract with subsidiaries of Petrobras covering worldwide operations of the drillship with an option for Petrobras to extend the term of the drilling contract by up to an additional 10 years. See "-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Fleet Expansion and Dispositions."

Floating rate notes-In September 2006, Transocean-Cayman issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of floating rate notes, due September 2008 ("Floating Rate Notes"). In September 2008, Transocean-Cayman repaid the Floating Rate Notes at maturity.

Angola Deepwater Drilling Company-In September 2008, we acquired a 65 percent interest in Angola Deepwater Drilling Company Limited ("ADDCL"), a Cayman Islands joint venture company.

Outlook

Drilling market-We were successful in building contract backlog in 2008 within
all of our asset classes. Our contract backlog at February 3, 2009 was
approximately $38.7 billion. A summary of our rigs that, as of February 3, 2009,
had available uncommitted time in 2009 and 2010 is set forth below:

                     Uncommitted rigs              2009   2010
                     High-Specification Floaters      1      9
                     Midwater Floaters               10      6
                     High-Specification Jackups       5      5
                     Standard Jackups                26     18

We have been successful in building contract backlog within our High-Specification Floaters fleet with 39 of our 49 current and future High-Specification Floaters, including all of our newbuilds, contracted into or beyond 2011 as of February 3, 2009. These 39 units also include 25 of our 28 current and future Ultra-Deepwater Floaters. Our total contract backlog of approximately $38.7 billion as of February 3, 2009 includes an estimated $29.2 billion of backlog represented by our High-Specification Floaters. The deepwater market benefits from the limited supply of deepwater capable rigs available for contract. We believe the continued exploration successes in the deepwater offshore provinces of Brazil, Angola, India and U.S. Gulf of Mexico will continue to drive significant demand for the Ultra-Deepwater Floaters and support our long-term positive outlook for our High-Specification Floater fleet. With the expected demand for deepwater programs, we believe that the long-term outlook for deepwater capable rigs continues to be very favorable. We have a limited number of High-Specification Floaters coming available in 2009, which may result in limited or no new contracts in the near term. Additionally, the decline in commodity prices and the downturn in the global economy may have a near-term negative effect on dayrates in the High-Specification Floater fleet.

Our Midwater Floaters fleet, which includes 28 semisubmersible rigs, is 64 percent committed to contracts that extend into 2010. However, near-term customer demand has declined, resulting in a lack of tendering opportunities and the warm stacking of one of our midwater floaters and one midwater floater that is classified as held for sale. Weakness in the U.K. floater market, coupled with subletting of the existing rigs in this market and cancellations and delays in customer programs in other Midwater Floater markets, is expected to result in reduced dayrates and the stacking of additional rigs in this fleet in the near term.

We are also experiencing weakness in the jackup market. As of February 20, 2009, we had warm stacked two jackups and cold stacked two jackups. Considering the number of jackups that are under construction without customer contracts and the lack of customer demand, we expect dayrates and utilization to decrease in our jackup fleet. We believe the delivery of the uncontracted units will further adversely impact the market for jackups through 2009, and potentially beyond, and is expected to result in the stacking of additional rigs in the near term. With 31 of our 65 jackups completing their current contracts in 2009, our exposure to market weakness is significant.

The decline in commodity prices, together with the difficult conditions in the credit markets, has had a negative impact on our business. One of our clients has been placed into administration (a form of bankruptcy proceeding in the U.K.), and another has been unable to post the required escrow leading us to terminate the contract. Continued low commodity prices may lead to further decreases in demand across all rig classes and, as a result, lower dayrates and utilization for our rigs or further idling rigs in our fleet.

As of February 3, 2009, the percentage of contract days in our uncommitted fleet for 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 is as follows:

                Uncommitted fleet percentage   2009    2010    2011    2012
                High-Specification Floaters      2 %    10 %    31 %    47 %
                Midwater Floaters               20 %    41 %    77 %    87 %
                High-Specification Jackups      29 %    74 %    93 %   100 %
                Standard Jackups                29 %    69 %    85 %    98 %

We expect our total revenues to be lower in 2009 than in 2008. Although the commencement of new contracts with higher dayrates and the commencement of operations of five of our newbuilds and the Sedco 706 are expected to increase contract drilling revenues, both contract drilling intangible revenues and other revenues are expected to decline by a greater amount. These lower revenues are expected as a result of the reduction of non-drilling activity, the sale of three jackups in 2008, the anticipated sale of GSF Arctic II and GSF Arctic IV in 2009 and lost revenue associated with an expected increase in idle rigs.

We expect our total operating and maintenance costs in 2009 to decrease compared to 2008 due to lower operating costs associated with a number of jackups and midwater floaters that may be cold stacked during 2009, exchange rate changes, the anticipated sale of GSF Arctic II and GSF Arctic IV in 2009 and the sale of three jackups during 2008. In addition, we expect a reduction of support costs due to various overhead cost-reduction initiatives and an expected decrease in non-drilling activity. These decreases are expected to be partially offset in 2009 by an increase in operating and maintenance costs as a result of the commencement of operations of five of our deepwater newbuilds and the Sedco 706. Our actual operating and maintenance costs for 2009 remain uncertain given current economic and market conditions and could be significantly impacted by the actual level of activity and other factors.

We have nine existing contracts with fixed-price or capped options, and we expect that a number of these fixed price options will not be exercised by our customers in 2009 in light of the current market environment. Well-in-progress or similar provisions in our existing contracts may delay the start of higher dayrates in subsequent contracts, and some of the delays have been and could be significant.

Our operations are geographically dispersed in oil and gas exploration and development areas throughout the world. Rigs can be moved from one region to another, but the cost of moving a rig and the availability of rig-moving vessels may cause the supply and demand balance to vary somewhat between regions. However, significant variations between regions do not tend to persist long-term because of rig mobility. Consequently, we operate in a single, global offshore drilling market.

Insurance matters-We periodically evaluate our hull and machinery and third-party liability insurance limits and self-insured retentions. Effective May 1, 2008, we renewed our hull and machinery and third-party liability insurance coverages. Subject to large self-insured retentions, we carry hull and machinery insurance covering physical damage to the rigs for operational risks worldwide, and we carry liability insurance covering damage to third parties. However, we do not generally have commercial market insurance coverage for physical damage losses to our rigs due to hurricanes in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and war perils worldwide. Additionally, we do not carry insurance for loss of revenue. Also, for our subsidiaries ADTI and CMI, we generally self-insure operators' extra expense coverage. This coverage provides protection against expenses related to well control and redrill liability associated with blowouts. Generally, ADTI's clients assume, and indemnify ADTI for, liability associated with blowouts in excess of $50 million. In the opinion of management, adequate accruals have been made based on known and estimated losses related to such exposures.

Tax matters-We are a Swiss corporation and we operate through our various subsidiaries in a number of countries throughout the world. Our tax provision is based upon the tax laws, regulations and treaties in effect in and between the countries in which our operations are conducted and income is earned. Our effective tax rate for financial reporting purposes will fluctuate from year to year, as our operations are conducted in different taxing jurisdictions. We are subject to changes in tax laws, treaties and regulations in and between the countries in which we operate and earn income. A change in the tax laws, treaties or regulations in any of the countries in which we operate could result in a higher or lower effective tax rate on our worldwide earnings and, as a result, could have a material effect on our financial results.

Our income tax return filings in the major jurisdictions in which we operate worldwide are generally subject to examination for periods ranging from three to six years. We have agreed to extensions beyond the statute of limitations in two jurisdictions for up to 12 years. Tax authorities in certain jurisdictions are examining our tax returns and in some cases have issued assessments. We are defending our tax positions in those jurisdictions. While we cannot predict or provide assurance as to the final outcome of these proceedings, we do not expect the ultimate liability to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated statement of financial position or results of operations although it may have a material adverse effect on our consolidated cash flows.

With respect to our 2004 and 2005 U.S. federal income tax returns, U.S. taxing authorities previously proposed certain adjustments that, if sustained, would have resulted in a cash tax liability of approximately $413 million, exclusive of interest. The tax authorities have now withdrawn one of these proposed adjustments, which will significantly reduce the proposed assessment. The authorities continue to contend that one of our key subsidiaries maintains a permanent establishment in the U.S. and is, therefore, subject to U.S. taxation on certain earnings effectively connected to such U.S. business. Such tax treatment would not be expected to result in a material adverse effect on our consolidated statement of financial position, results of operations or cash flows with respect to 2004 and 2005 activities. With respect to years following 2005, U.S. taxing authorities may continue to pursue the argument that one of our key subsidiaries maintains a permanent establishment in the U.S. and is therefore subject to U.S. taxation on certain earnings effectively connected to such U.S. business. Since there is considerable uncertainty as to the activities that constitute being engaged in a trade or business within the U.S. (or maintaining a permanent establishment under an applicable treaty), we cannot be certain that the tax authorities will not be successful in their claim that we or any of our key subsidiaries is/are engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. (or, when applicable, maintains a permanent establishment in the U.S.). If we were or any of our key subsidiaries were considered to be engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. (when applicable, through a permanent establishment), we could be subject to U.S. corporate income and additional branch profits taxes on the portion of its earnings effectively connected to such U.S. business, in which case our effective tax rate on worldwide earnings with respect to years following 2005 could increase substantially, and our earnings and cash flows from operations could be materially and adversely affected. We believe our returns are materially correct as filed, and we will continue to vigorously defend against all such claims.

Certain of our Brazilian income tax returns for the years 2000 through 2004 are currently under examination. The Brazil tax authorities have issued tax assessments totaling $84 million, plus a 75 percent penalty and $63 million of interest through December 31, 2008. The U.S. dollar amount of the assessments decreased during 2008 due to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. We believe our returns are materially correct as filed, and we are vigorously contesting these assessments. We filed a protest letter with the Brazilian tax authorities on January 25, 2008, and we are currently engaged in the appeals process.

Norwegian civil tax and criminal authorities are investigating various transactions undertaken by our subsidiaries in 2001 and 2002. The authorities have issued a tax assessment of approximately $59 million, plus interest, related to a 2001 dividend payment. We plan to appeal this tax assessment. We may be required to provide some form of financial security, in an amount up to $122 million, for these assessed amounts as this dispute is appealed and addressed by the Norwegian courts. Furthermore, the authorities have also issued notifications of their intent to issue tax assessments of approximately $225 million, plus interest, related to certain restructuring transactions, approximately $6 million, plus interest, related to certain foreign exchange deductions, and approximately $144 million, plus interest, related to the migration of a subsidiary that was previously subject to tax in Norway. The authorities have indicated that they plan to seek penalties of 60 percent on all matters. We have and will continue to respond to all information requests from the Norwegian authorities. We plan to vigorously contest any assertions by the Norwegian authorities in connection with the various transactions being investigated.

During the year ended December 31, 2008, our long-term liability for unrecognized tax benefits related to these Norwegian tax issues decreased by . . .