UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):      May 17, 2011     

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Delaware		1-13926		76-0321760
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

15415 Katy Freeway
Houston, Texas 77094
(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:      (281) 492-5300     

Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

     Check the appropriate line below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o		Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o		Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o		Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o		Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

Item 8.01.		Other Events

     On May 17, 2011, Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that a subsidiary of the Company has entered into two term drilling contracts with Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. The contracts, which will utilize the Company’s two new-build drillships now on order, are expected to generate combined maximum total revenue of approximately $1.8 billion and represent 10 years of contract drilling backlog.

     The dynamically positioned, ultra-deepwater drillships, Ocean BlackHawk and Ocean BlackHornet, are each contracted for five years commencing in late 2013 and early 2014, respectively. As previously reported, Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. is currently preparing to commence construction of the two drillships at its South Korean shipyard. Filed herewith is a copy of such press release.

     Statements in this report that contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, include, but are not limited to, statements concerning commitments for drilling work, the two new drilling contracts for future work, related contract drilling backlog, potential revenue related to such contracts, future cash flows, the term and start date of future contracts, consummation of awarded contracts, construction and mobilizations of rigs, commencement of contracted work, construction and future utilization of the drillships currently on order, exploration and development efforts, utilization rates, future demand and future success. Such statements are inherently subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. A discussion of the risk factors that could impact these areas and the Company’s overall business and financial performance can be found in the Company’s reports and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These factors include, among others, general economic and business conditions, contract cancellation, construction risk, delays and disruptions, changes in oil and natural gas prices, operating risks, casualty losses, industry fleet capacity, changes in foreign and domestic oil and gas exploration and production activity, competition, changes in foreign, political, social and economic conditions, regulatory initiatives and compliance with governmental regulations, customer preferences and various other matters, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. Given these concerns, investors and analysts should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this report. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.

Item 9.01.		Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)

Exhibits.

Exhibit number				Description
	99.1			Press release dated May 17, 2011

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Dated: May 17, 2011