Atwood Oceanics Announces Delivery of Atwood Advantage

Atwood Oceanics

announced today the delivery of the Atwood Advantage from the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. (DSME) shipyard in South Korea.  The Atwood Advantage has departed the DSME shipyard and commenced its drilling services contract with Noble Energy, Inc.    Following its mobilization to the U. S. Gulf of Mexico, the Atwood Advantage will conduct a three year drilling program with Noble Energy.     Rob Saltiel, Atwood Oceanics President and CEO, commented, "We are very pleased to take delivery of the Atwood Advantage, the first of four 'A-Class' ultra-deepwater drillships that we are building at the DSME shipyard in South Korea.   I appreciate the excellent collaboration between DSME and Atwood in constructing and commissioning this state-of-the-art vessel."  Atwood Oceanics, Inc. is a global offshore drilling contractor engaged in the drilling and completion of exploratory and developmental oil and gas wells. The company currently owns 14 mobile offshore drilling units and is constructing three 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 L.