DryShips Signs Two Drilling Contracts: Corcovado, Leiv Eiriksson

DryShips Inc. (NASDAQ: DRYS) announced that its subsidiary Ocean Rig UDW Inc. has entered into firm contracts with Cairn Energy PLC for the Leiv Eiriksson and the Ocean Rig Corcovado for a period of approximately 6 months each.

The total contract value including mobilization for the Leiv Eiriksson is approximately $95m. The mobilization period will start in direct continuation from the agreed release date from Petrobras. The total contract value including mobilization and winterization of the Ocean Rig Corcovado is approximately $142m.
 
George Economou, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DryShips commented:  " Following the signing of these contracts we are only left with one open drillship, the Ocean Rig Mykonos, that delivers in the fourth quarter of 2011. We are working to secure employment for the Mykonos and also to further increase the contract backlog. Demand for our units has improved significantly and we hope to announce further contracts in the near future."