FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HOUSTON, August 9, 2017 – Atwood Oceanics, Inc. (NYSE: ATW) announced today that one of its subsidiaries agreed to a one well contract at an undisclosed day rate for operations offshore Northwest Africa with Kosmos Energy Ventures for the ultra-deepwater rig, the Atwood Achiever. The new contract will commence immediately following the completion of the well in progress under the existing contract and also includes six one-well priced options. As a result of this contract, the expected earliest availability of the Atwood Achiever is March 2018, assuming no options are exercised. If all six options were to be exercised, the drilling program would be expected to extend until approximately December 2018.
Rob Saltiel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Atwood Oceanics, commented, “We are pleased to extend our drilling operations for Kosmos Energy in Northwest Africa. Kosmos continues to be a valued client, and we appreciate their confidence in the Atwood Achiever.”
Atwood Oceanics, Inc. is a leading offshore drilling contractor engaged in the drilling and completion of exploratory and developmental wells for the global oil and gas industry. The Company owns 10 mobile offshore drilling units and is constructing two ultra-deepwater drillships. The Company was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Atwood Oceanics, Inc. common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ATW.”
Contact: Mark W. Smith
SVP and CFO
(281) 749-7840
Forward Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release with respect to the future, including the date through which the contract extends, are forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management’s reasonable judgment with respect to future events. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated as a result of various factors including: uncertainties related to the level of activity in offshore oil and gas exploration and development; oil and gas prices; competition and market conditions in the contract drilling industry; our ability to enter into and the terms of future contracts; possible cancelation or suspension of drilling contracts; the availability of qualified personnel; labor relations; operating hazards and risks; terrorism and political and other uncertainties inherent in foreign operations (including risk of war, civil disturbances, seizure or damage to equipment and exchange and currency fluctuations); the impact of governmental and industry laws and regulations; and environmental matters. These factors and others are described and discussed in our most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K, in our Forms 10-Q for subsequent periods and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Each forward looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement and we undertake no duty to update the content of this press release or any forward-looking statement contained herein to conform the statement to actual results or to reflect changes in our expectations.