USA: HSR Waiting Period for Ensco, Pride Merger Cut Short

Ensco plc  and Pride International, Inc.  today jointly announced that they have received notice from the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission granting early termination of the waiting period under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (HSR Act), with respect to the proposed merger previously announced on 7 February 2011 pursuant to which Ensco will acquire Pride in a cash and stock transaction.

Accordingly, the merger closing condition with respect to the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act has been satisfied. Completion of the merger remains subject to satisfaction or waiver of certain other conditions, including approval by the shareholders of both Ensco and Pride.

About Ensco

Ensco plc  brings energy to the world as a global provider of offshore drilling services to the petroleum industry. With a fleet of ultra-deepwater semisubmersible and premium jackup drilling rigs, Ensco serves customers with high-quality equipment, a well-trained workforce and a strong record of safety and reliability. Ensco plc is an English limited company  with its registered office and corporate headquarters located at 6 Chesterfield Gardens, London W1J 5BQ.

About Pride

Pride International, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, operates a fleet of 26 mobile offshore drilling units, consisting primarily of floating rigs (semisubmersibles and drillships) that address deepwater drilling programs around the world. The company has one of the youngest and most technologically advanced deepwater drilling fleets in the offshore industry, with five drillships, including three delivered since the beginning of 2010, six semisubmersible rigs and two managed deepwater rigs. Two additional deepwater drillships are currently under construction with expected deliveries in 2011 and 2013. The company’s fleet also includes six other semisubmersible rigs and seven jackup rigs. Pride International’s floating rig fleet operates primarily offshore Brazil and West Africa where the company has a long-standing presence.

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Source:Pride International  , April 1, 2011;