UAE: Vantage Drilling Announces Closing of Offerings and Acquisition of Mandarin Drilling Corporation

Vantage Drilling Company announced today the closing of the previously announced concurrent offerings by Offshore Group Investment Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vantage (the “Issuer”), of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 11½% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2015 and the Company’s public offering of 52,272,727 of its ordinary shares (including full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option) at a public offering price of $1.10 per share (the “Offerings”).

The notes were issued at a public price equal to 96.361% of their face value and are unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior secured basis by Vantage and certain of its existing and future subsidiaries, including the subsidiaries of the Issuer. The notes accrue interest at 11.50% per year, payable on February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing on February 1, 2011. The notes will be secured by a first priority security interest in the Emerald Driller, the Sapphire Driller, the Topaz Driller and, upon its delivery, the Platinum Explorer. The notes and the guarantees will also be secured by certain other assets of the Issuer and the guarantors (other than Vantage) and by a pledge of the stock of the Issuer and the guarantors (other than Vantage). The notes mature on August 1, 2015.

The net proceeds from these Offerings are being used to acquire from F3 Capital the remaining 55% interest in Mandarin Drilling Corporation, which also closed on July 30, 2010, and to fund the remaining construction payments for the Platinum Explorer, to refinance certain of Vantage’s outstanding indebtedness, including the 13½% Senior Secured Notes issued by P2021 Rig. Co, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vantage, and its existing credit facility, and for general corporate purposes.

Jefferies & Company, Inc. and Johnson Rice & Company L.L.C. acted as joint book-running managers for the common stock offering. The common stock offering was made under Vantage’s effective shelf registration statement previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

About the Company

Vantage’s primary business is to contract drilling units, related equipment and work crews primarily on a dayrate basis to drill oil and natural gas wells. Vantage also provides construction supervision services for, and will operate and manage, drilling units owned by others. Through its fleet of eight owned and managed drilling units, Vantage is a provider of offshore contract drilling services globally to major, national and large independent oil and natural gas companies.

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Source: VantageDrilling, August 3, 2010: