Billionaire Fredriksen ‘Central’ to Seadrill Solution, DNB Says

  • Norwegian bank ‘still optimistic’ about solving Seadrill woes
  • DNB says bondholders’ rival debt plans ‘not surprising’

John Fredriksen in 2012.

Photographer: Nick Harvey/WireImage via Getty Images

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After alternative proposals were unveiled seeking to challenge Seadrill Ltd.’s restructuring plan, one of the oil-rig company’s key banks said any deal will require the participation of billionaire John Fredriksen.

The comments from DNB ASA, one of eight members of a committee of Seadrill lenders, come after disgruntled bondholders have presented two rival restructuring offers for the company that challenge a plan backed by Fredriksen’s investment company Hemen Holding Ltd.