SDRL - Seadrill Partners announces launch of initial public offering

Hamilton, Bermuda, October 15, 2012 - Seadrill Partners LLC ("Seadrill Partners"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Seadrill Limited SDRL today announced that it has commenced an initial public offering (the "Offering") of 8,750,000 common units, representing limited liability company interests, pursuant to a registration statement on Form F-1 (including a prospectus) previously filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").  Seadrill Partners intends to grant the underwriters a 30-day over-allotment option to purchase up to 1,312,500 additional common units.  The common units being offered to the public have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "SDLP," subject to official notice of issuance. 

Based on the number of common units to be offered, Seadrill Limited will own a 78.8% limited liability company interest in Seadrill Partners following completion of the Offering (or a 75.7% limited liability company interest, if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional common units.) 

Seadrill Partners was formed by Seadrill Limited to own, operate and acquire offshore drilling rigs under long-term contracts.  Seadrill Partners' initial fleet will consist of two semi-submersible rigs (West Capricorn and West Aquarius), one drillship (West Capella) and one tender rig (West Vencedor).

The offering of the common units will be made only by means of a prospectus. A written prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, when available, may be obtained from the offices of:

Citigroup, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717., Email: BATProspectusdept@citi.com, Telephone: 800-831-9146

Morgan Stanley, Attention: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014, Email: prospectus@morganstanley.com, Telephone: 866-718-1649

Wells Fargo Securities, Attn: Equity Syndicate Dept., 375 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10152, Email: cmclientsupport@wellsfargo.com, Telephone: 800-326-5897.

A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the SEC, but has not yet become effective. The securities may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be accepted, prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities issuable pursuant to the registration statement, nor will there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

The statements in this press release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Such forward looking statements, based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Seadrill Partners' management, are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from the forward looking statements. The information set forth herein should be read in light of such risks. Seadrill Partners does not assume any obligation to update the information contained in this press release.

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


Media contact
Rune Magnus Lundetræ
Chief Financial Officer
Seadrill Management AS
+47 51 30 91 26

Analyst contact
Ragnvald Kavli
Investor Relations Manager
Seadrill Management AS
+47 51 30 96 27

 

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