Pride International Inc., Houston, (NYSE: PDE) reports that its second-generation semisubmersible rig, the Sea Explorer, has been awarded a two-year, $244-million contract with OGX Petroleo e Gas Participacoes SA for work offshore Brazil. The contract is expected to commence in August 2009, following the completion of an existing contract in the Republic of Congo and mobilization to the new location.

The Sea Explorer is one of 14 semisubmersibles and drillships in the Pride fleet. It is a conventionally moored semisubmersible rig and is capable of operating in water up to 1,000 feet.

Pride operates a fleet of 47 offshore rigs, including two deepwater drillships, 12 semisubmersible rigs, 28 jackups and five managed deepwater rigs. The company also has four ultra-deepwater drillships under construction with expected deliveries in 2010 and 2011. JAS