Transocean Ltd. announced that J. Michael Talbert has advised the Board of Directors that, if re-elected at the company's upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) on May 17, he will retire from the Board no later than the company's 2014 AGM. To facilitate an orderly transition of leadership, should Mr. Talbert be elected by the Board as Chairman following the upcoming AGM, he will step down as Chairman no later than the Board's November 2013 meeting, at which time a new, independent Chairman will be announced. Mr. Talbert, formerly CEO of Transocean from 1994 to 2002, has served on the Board of Directors since 1994.

Mr. Talbert said, "I am honored to have served Transocean, and to have done so as a member of a very knowledgeable and experienced Board of Directors. During my 20 years at Transocean, I have worked diligently to represent the best interests of all of our stakeholders. In this spirit, and after consultations with our shareholders, I have decided to retire from the Board on a timetable that will allow the Board to carefully select a new chairman who will help guide the company in the creation of sustainable, superior value for all shareholders."

Tags: Transocean Ltd.