SDRL - SEADRILL ANNOUNCES PRICING OF $1.0 BILLION UNSECURED NOTES DUE 2017

Hamilton, Bermuda, September 10, 2012 - Seadrill Limited (the "Company" or "Seadrill") SDRL, a global offshore drilling contractor, announced today the pricing of the offering of $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of 5.625% unsecured notes due 2017 (the "Notes") in a private offering within the United States to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and to certain other persons outside of the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act.  The sale of the Notes is expected to be consummated on September 14, 2012, subject to customary closing conditions. Seadrill intends to use the net proceeds of this offering to repay existing indebtedness.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes, nor shall there be any sale of the Notes in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful. Any offer of the Notes will be made only by means of a private offering memorandum.

The Notes have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements under the Securities Act.

Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements relate to Seadrill's expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. These statements may be identified by the use of words like "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "should," "seek," and similar expressions.  Forward-looking statements reflect Seadrill's current views and assumptions with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties.  These statements are based on various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including Seadrill management's examination of historical operating trends.  Factors that, in Seadrill's view, could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward looking statements contained in this press release are, among others, the following: (i) the competitive nature of the offshore drilling industry; (ii) oil and gas prices; (iii) technological developments; (iv) government regulations; (v) changes in economical conditions or political events; (vi) inability of Seadrill to obtain financing for the newbuilds or existing assets on favorable terms or at all; (vii) changes of the spending plan of our customers; (viii) changes in Seadrill's operating expenses including crew wages; (ix) insurance; (x) dry-docking; (xi) repairs and maintenance; (xii) failure of shipyards to comply with delivery schedules on a timely basis; (xii) and other important factors mentioned from time to time in our reports filed with the United States Security Exchange Commission and the Oslo Stock Exchange.

Contact:
Alf C. Thorkildsen:        
Chief Executive Officer and President Seadrill Management AS

Rune Magnus Lundetræ:
Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President Seadrill Management AS
+47 51 30 99 19

 

 

 

This information is subject of the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.