DryShips Announces Signing of Drilling Contract

DryShips Inc. (NASDAQ: DRYS) announced that its fully-owned subsidiary Ocean Rig UDW Inc has signed definitive documentation following the previously announced Letter of Award. The contract signed with Borders & Southern Petroleum plc is for a two well contract for exploration drilling offshore the Falkland Islands for a period of about 90 days, commencing in the fourth quarter of 2011, immediately after the completion of the current contract. The contract value is approximately $77m. There are three further optional wells that could extend the contract by 135 days.