Transocean Ltd. (NYSE: RIG) (SIX: RIGN) has announced that it has closed on the previously disclosed transaction to sell 38 shallow water drilling rigs to Shelf Drilling Holdings, Ltd. ("Shelf Drilling").
Shelf Drilling is a newly-formed company sponsored equally by Castle Harlan, CHAMP Private Equity and Lime Rock Partners.
Steven Newman, President and CEO of Transocean remarked: "This transaction improves Transocean's long-term competitiveness by effectively repositioning the company as a more focused operator of high-specification drilling equipment." Newman continued, "For the former Transocean employees that are embarking on this exciting opportunity with Shelf Drilling, I extend my sincere thanks for your service to the company and wish you great success in this new venture."
The $1.05 billion sales price includes approximately $855 million in cash, subject to working capital and other closing adjustments, and $195 million in seller financing, which is in the form of preference shares issued by an affiliate of Shelf Drilling. As previously disclosed, Transocean will provide various transition support services to Shelf Drilling for a period of time subsequent to the closing of the transaction.