Ocean Rig Signs LoA for Deepwater Drillship with Total E&P Angola

Ocean Rig UDW Inc., a global provider of offshore deepwater drilling services, yesterday announced that it has signed definitive documentation, following the previously announced Letter of Award, for its ultra deepwater drillship “Ocean Rig Olympia”, with Total E&P Angola.

The contract is for a three-year period for drilling offshore West Africa, with an estimated backlog of approximately $652 million. The contract is expected to commence in direct continuation of the Ocean Rig Olympia’s existing contract in West Africa. The customer has the option to extend the contract for two periods of one year each, with the first option exercisable within one year from the commencement date under the drilling contract, and the second option exercisable within one year after the date of exercise of the first option.

Mr. George Economou, Chairman & CEO of the Company commented:

“We are pleased to build on the relationship with Total E&P which started with the Leiv Eiriksson contract for operations in the North Sea. With five high specification rigs open in 2013 we are well positioned to leverage the prevalent strong day rate environment for the deep water market.”

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Source: Ocean Rig UDW, May 11, 2012