Hercules Offshore Agrees to Sell Majority of Inland Fleet for $45M in Cash

Hercules Offshore, Inc.

announced that it has entered into an agreement for the sale of eleven inland barge rigs, which includes three active rigs, eight cold stacked rigs, and related assets ("Inland Asset Package") for cash proceeds of approximately $45 million. Excluded from the Inland Asset Package are the Hercules 27, for which the Company has a separate agreement to sell the rig to a third party for $5 million, the Hercules 52, and the Hercules 9.  The Company will also retain existing working capital within the Inland segment.  Closing will be staggered based on the expiration dates of existing contracts on the three active rigs and is subject to the completion of certain customary closing conditions. The initial closing will include ten of the rigs and is expected in late second quarter 2013, at which time the Company will receive $35 million, and closing on the final rig is expected in early third quarter 2013, at which time the Company will receive the remaining balance of $10 million. The Company expects to record a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $40 million as a result of the sale in the second quarter 2013.