HAMILTON, Bermuda, Jan. 20, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- SeaDrill Limited ("SeaDrill") (Other OTC:SDRLF) (Oslo:SDRL) is pleased to announce that Carnegie and Pareto on behalf of SeaDrill have received acceptances close to 50% of the SME shares (class A shares).
SeaDrill has decided that in the event it receives acceptances of more than 50%, SeaDrill will acquire the shares tendered and close the Voluntary Offer immediately, before the expiry of the announced acceptance period.
It is important to note that it will not be possible to accept the Voluntary Offer thereafter.
The closing of the Voluntary Offer will in such case be announced through the Oslo Boers information system.
Smedvig shareholders who want to accept the Voluntary Offer before closing of the offer need to submit their acceptances to Carnegie, by fax +47 22 00 99 60, hand delivery or post.
SeaDrill is a Bermuda-based company incorporated 10 May 2005 with an offshore drilling fleet consisting of three jack-ups rigs, two FPSOs, four new build jack-up rigs and three new build semi-submersibles. The Company has further options for one new build jack-up rig as well as three more new build semi-submersibles. SeaDrill holds major shareholding positions in Mosvold Drilling Ltd and PT Apexindo Pratama Duta Tbk.
Smedvig is a leading offshore drilling contractor headquartered in Stavanger, Norway. The Company offers drilling and well services within three main markets: mobile units, tender rigs and well services.