Press Release

HOUSTON, May 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (NYSE: DO) today reported a net loss of $256 million, or $1.86 per share, in the first quarter of 2015, compared to net income of $146 million, or $1.05 per share, in the first quarter of 2014.  Revenues in the first quarter of 2015 were $620 million, compared to revenues of $709 million in the first quarter of 2014.

Results for the quarter included a non-cash charge of $319 million after tax, or $2.33 per share, associated with the impairment of eight drilling units, three of which are to be retired and scrapped.  The units to be retired are the mid-water semisubmersibles Ocean Saratoga, Ocean Worker and Ocean Yorktown, which are all cold stacked in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.  Other rigs included in the impairment group are the mid-water semisubmersibles Ocean Ambassador, Ocean General, Ocean Lexington, Ocean Nomad and the drillship Ocean Clipper. 

The Company also recognized a charge during the quarter of $4 million after tax, or $0.03 per share, related to restructuring and employee separation-related costs.

"We have continued to implement cost savings measures while maintaining our focus on safe operations and delivering performance for our clients," said Marc Edwards, President and Chief Executive Officer.  "Our first-quarter safety statistics were the best that we have recorded."

"During the second quarter, our next two newbuild drillships will begin working in the Gulf of Mexico, and the yard will complete our fourth drillship, which will also be headed to the U.S., where all four of drillships will work on term contracts extending into 2019 or beyond," added Mr. Edwards.

In addition, the Company announced that it has declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.125 per share, payable on June 1, 2015 to shareholders of record as of May 15, 2015.

CONFERENCE CALL

A conference call to discuss Diamond Offshore's earnings results has been scheduled for 7:30 a.m. CDT today.   A live webcast of the call will be available online on the Company's website, www.diamondoffshore.com.  Those interested in participating in the question and answer session should dial 800-247-9979 or 973-321-1100, for international callers. The conference ID number is 22913137.  An online replay will also be available on www.diamondoffshore.com following the call.

ABOUT DIAMOND OFFSHORE

Diamond Offshore is a leader in offshore drilling, providing contract drilling services to the energy industry around the globe with a total fleet of 35 offshore drilling rigs, including two rigs under construction.  Diamond Offshore's fleet consists of 24 semisubmersibles, one of which is under construction, five dynamically positioned drillships, one of which is under construction, and six jack-ups. Additional information about the Company and access to the Company's SEC filings are available at www.diamondoffshore.com. Diamond Offshore is owned 53% by Loews Corporation (NYSE: L).

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements contained in this press release or made during the above conference call that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws.  Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning drilling rig deliveries, operations and timing; contract effectiveness, effective dates and estimated duration; plans regarding retirement and scrapping of drilling rigs; future impairments; future dividends; expectations of future backlog, revenue, operating costs and performance; future liquidity, financial condition, market conditions, commodity prices and strategic opportunities; revenue expected to result from backlog; future credit ratings; future dayrates, future status, start and end dates and future contracts and availability; future contract opportunities and termination rights; contract noncompliance by customers and other third parties; utilization, surveys, downtime and other aspects of the Company's drilling rigs; statements concerning customer discussions and outcomes thereof and the impact of these and related events on the Company's operations and revenues; rigs being upgraded or to be upgraded and rigs under construction; and other statements that are not of historical fact.  Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or expected by management of the Company.  A discussion of the important risk factors and other considerations that could materially impact these matters as well as the Company's overall business and financial performance can be found in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and readers of this press release are urged to review those reports carefully when considering these forward-looking statements.  Copies of these reports are available through the Company's website at www.diamondoffshore.com.  These risk factors include, among others, risks associated with worldwide demand for drilling services, level of activity in the oil and gas industry, renewing or replacing expired or terminated contracts, contract cancellations and terminations, maintenance and realization of backlog, competition and industry fleet capacity, impairments and retirements, declaration of dividends, operating risks, changes in tax laws and rates, regulatory initiatives and compliance with governmental regulations, construction of new builds, casualty losses, and various other factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control.  Given these risk factors, investors and analysts should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.  Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release.  The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.

Contact:
Darren Daugherty
Director, Investor Relations
(281) 492-5370

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SOURCE Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.