DryShips Inc. Announces Increased Backlog
for Ocean Rig UDW Inc.

ATHENS, GREECE – May 19, 2011 - DryShips Inc. (NASDAQ: DRYS) (the “Company” or “DryShips”), a global provider of marine transportation services for drybulk and petroleum cargoes and off-shore contract drilling oil services, announced today that Ocean Rig UDW Inc., its majority owned subsidiary, has secured further backlog, as Borders & Southern plc have declared two optional wells under the existing drilling contract for the harsh environment drilling rig Leiv Eiriksson. The two optional wells have been assigned to Falkland Oil and Gas (FOGL) and provide an additional contract duration of approximately 90 days. The total contract value is now USD 126 million.

Mr. George Economou, Chairman and CEO of Ocean Rig UDW Inc., commented:

“We are pleased to announce the option declaration for the Leiv Eiriksson with Borders & Southern plc. The previously announced rig swap on this contract is a win-win solution for the customer and the Company as demonstrated by the declaration of the options. We continue to work on enhancing the backlog for Ocean Rig.”.

About DryShips
DryShips Inc., based in Greece, is an owner of drybulk carriers and tankers that operate worldwide. Through its majority owned subsidiary, Ocean Rig UDW, Inc., DryShips owns and operates 8 offshore ultra deepwater drilling units, comprising of 2 ultra deepwater semisubmersible drilling rigs and 6 ultra deepwater drillships, 4 of which remain be delivered to the company during 2011 and 2013. As of the day of this release, DryShips owns a fleet of 39 drybulk carriers (including newbuildings), comprising 9 Capesize, 28 Panamax and 2 Supramax, with a combined deadweight tonnage of over 3.4 million tons, and 12 tankers (including newbuildings), comprising 6 Suezmax and 6 Aframax, with a combined deadweight tonnage of over 1.6 million tons.

DryShips's common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market where it trades under the symbol "DRYS." Visit the Company's website at www.dryships.com.

DryShips Inc. press release