USA: Seahawk Drilling, Inc. Announces Review of Strategic Alternatives

Seahawk Drilling, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a process to explore and consider possible strategic alternatives for enhancing shareholder value.

These alternatives could include, but are not limited to, transactions involving a sale of assets, a recapitalization, or a sale or merger of Seahawk. The Board of Directors and its Finance Committee, which is comprised solely of independent directors, are overseeing this process and Simmons & Company International has been retained as financial advisor to assist and advise Seahawk.

Seahawk’s liquidity and revenue generation have been adversely affected by the dramatic slow-down in the issuing of shallow water drilling permits in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico following the Macondo well blowout, the continued low prices for natural gas, the general economic slowdown and other factors discussed in Seahawk’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. However, the Board of Directors and management believe that Seahawk’s core strategy is sound and that there are opportunities for international expansion and domestic growth.

Seahawk President and Chief Executive Officer, Randall D. Stilley, said: “We have engaged Simmons to explore strategic alternatives after careful reflection and consideration by the Board of Directors, the Finance Committee, and management of the difference between Seahawk’s internal valuation of its assets and equity value and the current market value of Seahawk as indicated by our stock price, as well as our short-term and long-term liquidity needs. We are undertaking this evaluation to best realize the potential of our assets and maximize value to our shareholders.”

Seahawk has not set a definitive timetable for completion of its evaluation and there can be no assurance that this process will lead to the approval or completion of any transaction. Seahawk does not intend to disclose developments regarding this process unless and until its Board of Directors approves a specific transaction or otherwise concludes its review of strategic alternatives.

Seahawk is an offshore drilling company headquartered in Houston, Texas. Seahawk owns and operates a fleet of 20 jackup rigs that are located in the Gulf of Mexico. The company’s shares are traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol “HAWK.”

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Source: Seahawk, November 3, 2010: