HAMILTON, Norway, Feb. 21, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- SeaDrill Limited (SeaDrill) has accepted and counter-signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for employment of the jack-up newbuilding SeaDrill 3 (Hull B265) for delivery in May 2006. The rig will commence employment to Total Fina Elf immediately after delivery from the yard.
The LOI includes a period of two years work in Nigeria at a rate of U.S. $166,000 per day, with the possibility of a further extension of one year at a rate to be mutually agreed between the parties. Underlying the LOI is the intention to build up a closer relationship between Total Fina Elf and SeaDrill including the prospect for fixture of further rigs.
SeaDrill has also received a LOI for SeaDrill 6 (formerly known as Sakhalinskaya) for half a year. The employment is scheduled to start in October this year after completion of the work for Shell. The rate for this employment is U.S. $185,000 per day. The Board is currently evaluating the proposal.