Transocean Sedco Forex Merger Establishes World's Largest Offshore Driller

Transocean Offshore Inc. has completed its merger with Sedco Forex, which was spun-off from Schlumberger Limited. The resulting company, Transocean Sedco Forex Inc., is now the world's largest offshore drilling contractor and third-largest oilfield services company in terms of equity market capitalization, based on closing market prices on Dec. 30. In the merger, approximately 109.6 million ordinary shares of Transocean Offshore are being issued to stockholders of Schlumberger. The number of new shares issued is equivalent to 0.1936 shares of Transocean Sedco Forex for each outstanding Schlumberger share. Following the merger, Schlumberger stockholders hold about 52% of the approximately 210.1 million outstanding shares of Transocean Sedco Forex. Schlumberger has no ownership interest in Transocean Sedco Forex. Shares of the company begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "RIG.'' Victor E. Grijalva, appointed Chairman of the Board of Transocean Sedco Forex, stated, "The offshore drilling industry now has a unique and powerful leader, capable of offering comprehensive drilling services throughout the world. Transocean Sedco Forex possesses critical mass in all seven major operating regions of the world, allowing it to create additional offshore drilling efficiencies that should benefit our global customer base.'' Expanding on the operational strengths and benefits of the company, J. Michael Talbert, appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Transocean Sedco Forex, commented, "Transocean Sedco Forex is now the model offshore drilling contractor, offering each of our stakeholders substantial benefits. Customers will benefit from the most modern, versatile and geographically diverse fleet, totaling 74 mobile offshore drilling units, which includes the industry's largest fleet of deepwater drilling rigs and unmatched expertise in technically challenging drilling environments. Investors will realize superior trading liquidity, with a current market capitalization approaching $7 billion.'' In addition to Mr. Grijalva and Mr. Talbert, other appointments to the Transocean Sedco Forex executive management team include: o Jean P. Cahuzac, Executive Vice President and President of Europe, Middle East and Africa operating regions o W. Dennis Heagney, Executive Vice President and President of Asia and the Americas operating regions o Jon C. Cole, Executive Vice President, Marketing o Robert L. Long, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer o Donald R. Ray, Senior Vice President, Technical Services o Eric B. Brown, Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary o Barbara S. Koucouthakis, Vice President, Information Systems and Communications Technology o David Mullen, Vice President, Human Resources