Blake Offshore awarded long term contract

Offshore staff

(US, Louisiana)- Louisiana-based Blake Offshore, L.L.C. has been awarded a nine-month contract for theBlake 151 jackup by Energy Partners, Ltd.

The initial contract value is approximately $21.4 million, although Energy Partners also has a six-month or twelve-month term option.

TheBlake 151 is a 12-ft minimum to 150-ft maximum water depth independent leg cantilever jackup which will operate in the US Gulf of Mexico. The jackup will be reactivated and upgraded to meet EPL's needs for shallow water deep gas drilling.

The rig is currently undergoing refurbishment and upgrading in Sabine Pass, TX. Reactivation should be complete July 2006.

04/26/2006