RigNet Signs Contract with Seahawk Drilling, Inc. to Provide Managed Communications

RigNet Signs Contract with Seahawk Drilling, Inc. to Provide Managed Communications for Offshore Drilling Rig Fleet

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--RigNet, Inc. (“RigNet”), a leading global provider of managed communications solutions for the upstream oil and gas industry, announced today that is has entered into a multi-year contract with Seahawk Drilling, Inc. (“Seahawk”), a leading drilling services company focused on the Gulf of Mexico to provide managed remote communications for its fleet of offshore rigs.

“The choice of remote communications provider is a mission critical decision for offshore drillers. RigNet is honored to have been selected by Seahawk for this important assignment, which allows Seahawk to focus its resources on successful drilling operations”

Seahawk, owner and operator of twenty jack-up rigs in the United States, provides drilling services to the oil and gas industry in water depths of up to 300 feet and drilling depths of up to 25,000 feet. RigNet will provide fully-managed VoIP, FoIP, data and Internet access services across the entire Seahawk fleet.

Basic services provided by RigNet include installation of the rig communications infrastructure for: hardware, including cabling, phones, modems and fax machines; software; voicemail and other added-value features; bandwidth and network connections; testing and training; long distance and local calls from remote locations; and year-round 24-hour live monitoring and technical support.

Seahawk is also utilizing RigNet’s TurboNet service, using Riverbed’s application accelerator appliances, to improve the speed and performance of software applications running over highly-latent satellite links. In addition, RigNet, in partnership with Seahawk, is designing and managing Seahawk’s WAN (wide area network), connecting Seahawk’s rig fleet to its Houston headquarters, data centers and support offices.

John Varkey, Vice President of Information Technology for Seahawk, said, “The installation process is now complete, and Seahawk is very pleased. RigNet is fast and nimble, demonstrating efficiency in customer service and proactive project management.”

“The choice of remote communications provider is a mission critical decision for offshore drillers. RigNet is honored to have been selected by Seahawk for this important assignment, which allows Seahawk to focus its resources on successful drilling operations,” said Mark Slaughter, RigNet’s CEO and President.

About Seahawk Drilling, Inc.

Seahawk Drilling, Inc. is a leading offshore drilling contractor with operations throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Seahawk owns and operates twenty jack-up rigs located in the United States, providing contract drilling services to the oil and natural gas exploration industry in water depths of up to 300 feet and drilling depths of up to 25,000 feet. Seahawk Drilling has the second largest fleet of jack-ups in the Gulf of Mexico, providing rigs and drilling crews. For more information, please visit http://www.seahawkdrilling.com.

About RigNet, Inc.

RigNet is a leading global provider of managed communications, networks and collaborative applications dedicated to the oil and gas industry. The Company provides solutions ranging from fully-managed voice and data networks to more advanced applications that include video conferencing, real-time data services and advanced medical services to remote sites in over 30 countries on six continents, effectively spanning the drilling and production industry. RigNet was recently named one of America’s fastest-growing private companies as ranked in both Inc. Magazine’s distinguished Inc. 500 and Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500™. Based in Houston, Texas, RigNet has offices in Brazil, Nigeria, Norway, Qatar, Singapore, United Kingdom and throughout the United States. For more information, please visit http://www.rig.net.