Offshore staff

STAVANGER, Norway -- Statoil has extended its contract with Diamond Offshore Netherlands BV for the Ocean Vanguard drilling rig.

The contract takes effect in April 2008 for two years. Statoil says the rig will be used in the North Sea and in the Halten/Nordland area of the Norwegian Sea.

Currently drilling offshore mid-Norway for Shell,Ocean Vanguard is designed to drill in water depths of 1,500 ft (450 m) wtih a maximum drilling depth of 25,000 ft (7,600 m).

8/22/06