C Christopher Gaut News

ENSCO International Incorporated announced that they will install a new communications system onboard all of its Gulf of Mexico jackup rigs. The company will provide VSAT, telephone, fax, broadband internet, data and email services, all through a secure onshore hub facility. C. Christopher Gaut, ENSCO Senior Vice President, commented on the new service, ``We believe this enhanced system will enable us to better meet the communication needs of our customers and other service providers on our rigs. Tom Chapman, ENSCO's Director of Information Technology, continued, ``Telecommunications on a mobile offshore structure presents some difficult challenges. Limited real estate, short well durations, and changes in infrastructure drive up costs for our customers.

C. Christopher Gaut, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer will resign his position at ENSCO effective the end of this month to join Halliburton Company as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Gaut has been with ENSCO over fifteen years and has served as the Company's Chief Financial Officer since 1988. Gaut's responsibilities will be reassigned to officers within ENSCO until a permanent successor is announced.

• Diamond Offshore Drilling Limited, completed the previously announced acquisition of the third-generation semisubmersible drilling rig Omega. The rig, purchased for $65 million, has been renamed Ocean Patriot. Diamond Offshore has a fleet of 47 offshore drilling rigs currently consists of 32 semisubmersibles, 14 jack-ups and one drillship. • Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc. received a letter of intent from Murphy Sabah Oil Company Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Murphy Oil Corporation, to operate the semisubmersible Ocean Rover offshore Malaysia for approximately 120 days following completion of its upgrade. Ocean Rover is expected to commence operations in Malaysia following delivery from the shipyard.