Bookings of $1.8 Billion produce Record Backlog; First Quarter Results Impacted by Weather Issues

McDermott International, Inc. (NYSE:MDR) (“McDermott” or the “Company”) today reported net income of $123.2 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, for the 2008 first quarter, compared to net income of $158.1 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, for the corresponding period in 2007. Weighted average common shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis were approximately 230.1 million and 228.4 million in the quarters ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, respectively. For 2007, the Company’s common shares outstanding and earnings per share are adjusted to reflect the 2-for-1 stock split effected in September 2007.

McDermott’s revenues in the first quarter of 2008 were $1,450.4 million, an increase of 6.4 percent compared to $1,363.4 million in the corresponding period in 2007. The consolidated improvement in Company revenues, compared to a year ago, was a result of increases in the Offshore Oil & Gas Construction and Government Operations segments, partially offset by a decline in the Power Generation Systems segment.

Operating income was $157.1 million in the 2008 first quarter compared to $192.5 million in the 2007 first quarter. Year-over-year increases in the Power Generation Systems and Government Operations segments, totaling a combined $36 million, were more than offset by a $68.3 million decline segment income from the Offshore Oil & Gas Construction segment, primarily due to weather-related downtime in the 2008 first quarter and a lower amount of project close-outs, change orders and settlements compared to the first quarter of 2007.

“Despite a disruptive first quarter for Offshore Oil & Gas Construction, the outlook for all of our business segments remains strong for 2008 as we execute our record backlog and continue robust bidding activity,” said Bruce W. Wilkinson, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of McDermott. “Each of the energy markets we serve has significant needs, and with our record of safe and timely execution, McDermott is well-positioned in the marketplace.”

At March 31, 2008, McDermott’s consolidated backlog was $10.2 billion, compared to $7.9 billion and $9.8 billion at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

2008 First Quarter Compared to 2007 First Quarter

Offshore Oil & Gas Construction Segment

Revenues in the Offshore Oil & Gas Construction segment were $645.9 million in the 2008 first quarter, compared to $550.3 million for the same period a year ago. The year-over-year increase in revenues resulted from increased fabrication activities in the Middle East and Asia Pacific regions, partially offset by reduced activities in the Caspian region.

Segment income for the 2008 first quarter was $52.9 million, compared to $121.2 million in the 2007 first quarter. The decrease in segment income was primarily attributable to a high-level of unproductive offshore working days for major construction vessels during the 2008 first quarter, due to poor weather conditions in major areas of operation, and reduced activities in the Caspian region. In addition, the 2007 first quarter benefited from a significant amount of project close-outs, change orders and settlements, totaling approximately $40 million, compared to approximately $11 million in the first quarter of 2008.

At March 31, 2008, segment backlog was $5.3 billion, compared to backlog of $4.2 billion and $4.8 billion at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

Power Generation Systems Segment

Revenues in the Power Generation Systems segment for the first quarter of 2008 were $616.3 million, compared to $655.4 million in the first quarter of 2007. The reduction in revenues resulted primarily from lower activities on new fossil utility steam systems and retrofits of existing facilities compared to a year ago, partially offset by increased levels of replacement parts and activities on replacement nuclear steam generators.

Segment income for the 2008 first quarter was $76.3 million, compared to $43.5 million in the 2007 first quarter. The increase in segment income resulted primarily from improved profitability on utility steam systems, higher volumes of replacement parts and increased activities on replacement nuclear steam generator.

At March 31, 2008, segment backlog was $3.2 billion, compared to backlog of $2.3 billion and $3.3 billion at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

Government Operations Segment

Revenues in the Government Operations segment were $190.6 million in the 2008 first quarter, compared to $161.4 million for the same period a year ago. The improvement was primarily due to the manufacture of nuclear components for a commercial uranium enrichment project which was awarded in June 2007, and higher volumes in the manufacture of nuclear components for certain U.S. Government programs, including revenues from Marine Mechanical Corporation which was acquired in May 2007.

Segment income for the 2008 first quarter was $38.0 million, the highest level of quarterly segment income since inception, compared to $34.8 million in the 2007 first quarter. The increase in segment income resulted primarily from an increase in site management income, and increased activity in the manufacture of nuclear components for the new commercial uranium enrichment project and for certain U.S. Government programs.

At March 31, 2008, segment backlog was $1.7 billion, compared to backlog of $1.5 billion and $1.8 billion at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

Corporate

Unallocated corporate expenses were $10.0 million in the 2008 first quarter, compared to $6.9 million in the 2007 first quarter. The year-over-year increase was primarily related to increased general corporate expenses, including higher stock-based compensation expenses.

Other Income and Expense

The Company’s other income for the first quarter of 2008 was $6.5 million, compared to other expense of $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2007. The year-over-year improvement was primarily related to lower interest expense following the retirement of the $250 million term loan in April 2007.

OTHER INFORMATION

About the Company

McDermott is an engineering and construction company, with specialty manufacturing and service capabilities, focused on energy infrastructure. McDermott’s customers are predominantly utilities and other power generators, major and national oil companies, and the United States Government. With its global operations, McDermott operates in over 20 countries with more than 20,000 employees.

Forward-Looking Statements

In accordance with the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, McDermott cautions that statements in this press release, which are forward-looking and provide other than historical information, involve risks and uncertainties that may impact the Company’s actual results of operations. These forward-looking statements include statements about backlog, to the extent backlog may be viewed as an indicator of future revenues, our belief that McDermott is well positioned in the marketplace and that our outlook for 2008 is strong. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that those expectations will prove to have been correct. Those statements are made by using various underlying assumptions and are subject to numerous uncertainties and risks, including adverse changes in the markets in which we operate, our inability to successfully execute on contracts in backlog or that awards and contracts in backlog may not otherwise result in the expected revenues. If one or more of these risks materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected. For a more complete discussion of these and other risk factors, please see McDermott’s annual and quarterly filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Conference Call to Discuss 2008 First Quarter Earnings Release

Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. EDT (9:00 a.m. CDT)

Live Webcast: Investor Relations section of Web site at www.mcdermott.com

Replay: Available for two weeks in the investor relations section of www.mcdermott.com