Norway: Aker Drilling Contemplating New Bond Issue

Aker Drilling ASA is contemplating the issue of up to NOK 1,500 million in a new senior, unsecured bond in the Norwegian bond market with maturity in February 2016.

The proceeds will be used to refinance the outstanding bond issue AKD02 with ISIN NO001057171.4, repay existing subordinated loans to Aker ASA and for general corporate purposes.

Aker Drilling ASA offers a conditional buy-back of outstanding bonds under AKD02 at price 104.50. It is a condition that bondholders that would like to take advantage of the buy-back offer subscribe for a minimum of the corresponding nominal face value in the contemplated new bond DnB NOR Markets, Nordea Markets, Pareto Securities and SEB Merchant Banking are acting as arrangers of the new bond issue.

About Aker Drilling

Aker Drilling is an offshore drilling contractor, with two of the world‘s largest, most advanced and most robust semisubmersible drilling units. Both Aker Spitsbergen and Aker Barents are on long-term drilling contracts on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

Experience and focus on health, safety and the environment characterise both the management and the operations organisation. The group has its head office in Stavanger.

Robust and advanced rigs

Aker Drilling is a fully integrated drilling contractor with two sixth-generation Aker H6-e rigs. These semi-submersible units are built for safe and efficient operation year-round in harsh environment and deep waters worldwide – including Arctic regions.

The design of these rigs represents a pioneering advance on the well-established Aker H-3 and Aker H-4.2 concepts, which have been developed over several decades. Also created to meet tomorrow‘s requirements, this solution features large and flexible drilling and storage capacities as well as ultra-modern equipment. The rigs have excellent motion characteristics in harsh environments, which ensure efficient operation under weather conditions which compel other units to shut down. That makes a significant contribution to meeting oil company requirements for cost-efficiency.

Expertise and values

The group has constructed a competent organisation based on solid values. Together with ultra-modern rigs, Aker Drilling can thereby offer the highest standards of safety for people and the environment.

Its rigs have attracted great interest from the market, and this response confirms that Aker Drilling has succeeded in meeting oil company requirements.

Aker Drilling ASA is 100% owned by Aker ASA via Aker Capital AS.

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Source: Aker Drilling, January  24, 2011;