DryShips Inc. (NASDAQ: DRYS), a global provider of marine transportation services for drybulk cargoes and off-shore contract drilling oil services, announced that its fully-owned subsidiary Ocean Rig UDW Inc. has received a Letter of Intent for the Eirik Raude from a British exploration company. The Letter of Intent 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 USD 77 million. There are three further optional wells that could extend the contract by 135 days. The contract is subject to final documentation.
George Economou, Chairman and CEO of DryShips Inc. and interim CEO of Ocean Rig UDW Inc., said:
“We are pleased to secure employment for the Eirik Raude at an attractive rate well ahead of the completion of the current contract, scheduled for October 2011. The rate achieved reflects the unique nature of our two harsh weather semi-submersibles and a strengthening ultra deepwater drilling market. We see strong demand for these two rigs and also for our state of the art sixth generation drillships and are confident that all our available capacity in 2011 will secure employment at attractive rates.”