EXHIBIT VIII

PRESS RELEASE
DATE:  FEBRUARY 23, 2004


OCR- INCREASED CAPITAL

REGISTRATION OF CAPITAL INCREASE
Stavanger , Norway

Ocean Rig ASA refers to Press Release dated February 2, 2004, regarding former
Senior Vice President HES&Q Nina E Tveita's exercise of 20.000 options.
Following this exercise the total share capital in Ocean Rig ASA has hereby
increased from NOK 642.155.280 to NOK 642.355.280. The total number of shares
has increased from 64.215.528 to 64.235.528.

Ocean Rig owns and operates two of the world's largest and most modern drilling
rigs, built for ultra deep waters and extreme weather conditions. The units are
currently operating offshore Angola and off the east coast of Canada.

NOTE: THIS PRESS RELEASE CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS (WITHIN THE MEANING
OF SECTION 27A OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND
SECTION 21E OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED)
WHICH REFLECT THE COMPANY'S CURRENT VIEWS WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN FUTURE EVENTS
AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE. ACTUAL EVENTS OR RESULTS MAY DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM
THOSE PROJECTED OR IMPLIED IN SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. THE FOLLOWING
IMPORTANT FACTORS, AMONG OTHER, COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY
FROM THOSE PROJECTED OR IMPLIED IN ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: (I) THE
LIMITED OPERATIONS AND OPERATING HISTORY OF THE COMPANY; (II) THE FAILURE OF THE
BINGO 9000 DESIGN TO PERFORM SATISFACTORILY OR THE COMPANY'S FAILURE TO
ADEQUATELY PROTECT THE PROPRIETARY NATURE OF THE BINGO 9000 DESIGN; (III) THE
COMPANY'S SIGNIFICANT LEVERAGE OR INABILITY TO GENERATE SUFFICIENT CASH-FLOW TO
MEET ITS DEBT SERVICE REQUIREMENTS; (IV) THE COMPANY'S INABILITY TO MEET ANY
FUTURE CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS; (V) THE COMPANY'S INABILITY TO RESPOND TO
TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES; (VI) THE IMPACT OF CHANGED CONDITIONS IN THE OIL AND GAS
INDUSTRY; (VII) THE OCCURRENCE OF ANY ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THE COMPANY OR ITS
ASSETS; (VIII) CHANGES IN GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS, PARTICULARLY WITH RESPECT TO
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS; (IX) INCREASED COMPETITION OR THE ENTRY OF NEW
COMPETITORS INTO THE COMPANY'S MARKETS; AND (X) UNFORESEEN OCCURRENCES IN ANY OF
THE AREAS IN WHICH THE COMPANY MAY CONDUCT ITS OPERATIONS, SUCH AS WAR,
EXPROPRIATION, NATIONALIZATION, RENEGOTIATION OR NULLIFICATION OF EXISTING
LICENSES OR TREATIES, TAXATION AND RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT POLICIES, FOREIGN
EXCHANGE RESTRICTIONS, CHANGING POLITICAL CONDITIONS AND OTHER RISKS RELATING TO
FOREIGN GOVERNMENTAL SOVEREIGNTY OVER CERTAIN AREAS IN WHICH THE COMPANY WILL
CONDUCT OPERATIONS. DUE TO SUCH UNCERTAINTIES AND RISKS, INVESTORS ARE CAUTIONED
NOT TO PLACE UNDUE RELIANCE UPON SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. REFERENCE
SHOULD BE MADE TO THE COMPANY'S FILINGS WITH THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION.

For further information, please contact Kai Solberg-Hansen, Managing Director,
or Senior Vice President Finance Christian Mowinckel, tel: +47   51 96 90 00.

Stavanger, February 23, 2004
Ocean Rig ASA

                                       20