BRNC Bronco Drilling Company, Inc. (MM)

Bronco Drilling Company, Inc. (Nasdaq/GS:BRNC) announced today operational results for the month ended and as of April 30, 2011.

Utilization for the Company’s drilling fleet was 98% for the month of April compared to 97% for the month of March and 96% for the first quarter of 2011. The Company had an average of 22 marketed drilling rigs in April compared to 24 in March and 24 for the first quarter of 2011. The average dayrate on operating drilling rigs as of April 30, 2011 was $19,136 compared to $18,906 as of March 31, 2011 and $18,389 for the first quarter of 2011.

The Company cautions that several factors other than those discussed above may impact the Company’s operating results and that a particular trend regarding the factors above may or may not be indicative of the Company’s current or future financial performance.

About Bronco Drilling

Bronco Drilling Company, Inc. is a publicly held company headquartered in Edmond, Oklahoma, and is a provider of contract land drilling to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies. Bronco's common stock is quoted on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “BRNC”. For more information about Bronco Drilling Company, Inc., visit http://www.broncodrill.com.

  Bronco Drilling Company, Inc. Rig Status Report as of April 30, 2011                 Est. Duration (2) Rig No. Horsepower Rig Type Basin Status (1) Contract Days   Date 1 8 1000 hp E Bakken O Term 368 5/2/2012 2 10 1000 hp E Marcellus O 7 wells 3 11 1000 hp E Marcellus O Term 133 9/10/2011 4 12 1500 hp E Bakken O Term 73 7/12/2011 5 14 1200 hp E Anadarko O 3 wells 6 15 1200 hp E Bakken O Term 290 2/14/2012 7 16 1400 hp E Bakken O Term 194 11/10/2011 8 17 1700 hp E Anadarko O 3 wells 9 20 1400 hp E Bakken O Term 407 6/10/2012 10 21 2000 hp E Eagle Ford O Term 58 6/27/2011 11 22 1000 hp E Bakken O Term 454 7/27/2012 12 23 1000 hp E Bakken O Term 182 10/29/2011 13 25 1500 hp E Anadarko O Term 164 10/11/2011 14 26 1200 hp E Eagle Ford O Term 75 7/14/2011 15 27 1500 hp E Bakken O Term 520 10/1/2012 16 28 1200 hp E Bakken O Term 367 5/1/2012 17 29 1500 hp E Woodford O Term 277 2/1/2012 18 37 1000 hp E Marcellus O Term 48 6/17/2011 19 57 1100 hp M Woodford O Term 398 6/1/2012 20 59 1000 hp E Bakken O Term 41 6/10/2011 21 77 1200 hp M Anadarko O Term 231 12/17/2011 22 97 850 hp M Anadarko O 7 wells    

M - Mechanical

I - Idle

E - Electric

O - Operating

1

Rigs classified as "operating" are under contract while rigs described as "idle" are not under contract but are being actively marketed and generally ready for service.

2

The estimated contract duration is derived from discussions with our customer regarding their current projection of the days remaining to complete the project.

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, comments pertaining to estimated contract duration. Such statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, but not limited to, early termination by the customer pursuant to the contract or otherwise, cancellation or completion of certain contracts or projects earlier than expected, operating hazards and other factors described in Bronco Drilling Company, Inc’s. Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 15, 2011 and other filings with the SEC, which are available free of charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Bronco cautions you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these statements.