Participation in project for ultra-deepwater drillship to be chartered by Petrobras for pre-salt exploration

2009-06-16

Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha Mitsui & Co., Ltd. Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. Japan Drilling Co., Ltd.

Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd., and Japan Drilling Co., Ltd. ("J4") announced today that J4 has agreed to participate in a project for an ultra-deepwater drillship to be chartered by Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. ("Petrobras") for pre-salt exploration. J4's aggregate participation accounts for the majority share of the project company, Etesco Drilling Services, LLC. ("EDS") of the United States, which was established by Etesco Construções e Comércio Ltda. ("Etesco") of Brazil, and the capital contribution was completed on June 12th with another foreign company.

In August 2008, EDS concluded, with Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. of South Korea, a construction contract for one drillship. After its delivery, scheduled for the end of January in 2012, EDS will start to provide charter service to Petrobras for a maximum of 20 years.

Total investment in the project amounts to approximately US$820 million, and EDS concluded a loan agreement for US$650 million on June 12th. The drillship will be chartered by Petrobras for ultra-deepwater exploration in pre-salt fields with a water depth of up to 10,000 feet (approximately 3,000 meters).

J4 seeks to contribute to Petrobras by participating in this drillship charter project for exploration for oil and gas in pre-salt fields in Brazil.

Notice:

This press release includes forward-looking statements about JDC. These forward-looking statements are based on the current assumptions and beliefs of JDC in light of the information currently available to it, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause JDC'ｓ actual results, performance, achievements or financial position to be materially different from any future results, performance, achievements or financial position expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. This press release is published in order to publicly announce specific facts stated above, and does not constitute a solicitation of investments or any similar act inside or outside of Japan, regarding the shares, bonds or other securities issued by us.

For inquiries on this matter, please contact

Nippon Yusen Kabushiki KaishaMitsui & Co., Ltd. Jun KatayamaMikako Sachigai TEL: +81-3-3284-5188TEL: +81-3-3285-7596 FAX: +81-3-3284-6382FAX: +81-3-3285-9819

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.,Japan Drilling Co., Ltd. Toshiaki TakasakiKazuhiro Yoshinaga TEL: +81-3-3595-5083TEL: +81-3-5847-5862 FAX: +81-3-3595-5001FAX: +81-3-5644-5701

EDS

Company NameEtesco Drilling Services, LLC Establishment7 April, 2008 LocationUnited States Maximum EquityUS$170 million Shareholders(*) Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha
Mitsui & Co., Ltd
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.
Japan Drilling Co., Ltd. 33.70%
21.78%
20.00%
1.00%
J4 share in total
76.48%

Etesco Construções e Comércio Ltda.11.76% Mike Mullen Energy Equipment Resource Inc.11.76%

*: Each shareholder's investment is made through its 100% SPC.

Overview

Total Investment AmountApproximately US$820 million OverviewCharter service of ultra-deepwater drillship for Petrobras S.A. TermFirm 10 years + Optional 10 years EquipmentDrillship for ultra-deepwater exploration; up to 10,000 feet water depth
(Length: 228 ｍ, Width: 42 ｍ) Operation & MaintenanceEtesco group company

Reference: Similar type of drillship for ultra-deepwater exploration