As Oil Prices Drop, Rigs Go Off-Line
Transocean Ltd, the owner of the world's largest offshore drilling fleet, said it was likely to retire additional rigs as the company continued to face pressure due to slowdown in an oversupplied rig market. The drilling contractor's shares rose as much as 3 percent in early trading after the company reported better-than-expected quarterly results on Monday. The recent slide in oil prices has weighed on demand for offshore services as oil and gas producers cut costs. Day rates…
Transocean to Raise Money with Caledonia Offshore Offering
Transocean Ltd. (NYSE: RIG) (SIX: RIGN) announced that Transocean Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiary, intends to proceed with an unregistered offering of shares of Caledonia Offshore Drilling Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Transocean, in connection with an offering being made to eligible investors in Norway and to eligible institutional investors internationally. The proposed offering of shares, which represents a minority interest in Caledonia's share capital, is intended to raise between $125 million and $185 million, with the net proceeds received by Transocean. Caledonia also proposes to make an unregistered offering of second lien senior secured bonds issued by Caledonia. The proposed offering of second lien senior secured bonds is intended to raise $350 million.
Transocean to Create New Offshore Drilling Company
Transocean Ltd. says that it intends to pursue the creation of an entity comprising 8 of its UK North Sea midwater drilling rigs. The new entity, Caledonia Offshore Drilling Company (Caledonia) is expected to be established during the second half of 2014. Sedco 704, Sedco 711, Sedco 712, Sedco 714, Transocean John Shaw, Transocean Prospect, GSF Arctic III and J.W. McLean. Transocean explains that the UK North Sea remains an important market for them and the company is committed to maintaining its presence in the region. As such, various options for the separation of Caledonia are under consideration. Caledonia is expected to have a focused approach to assets and operations in the UK North Sea and it will continue to provide best-in-class service to customers.
