KCA DEUTAG to Drill in Oman for Shell

KCA DEUTAG has been awarded two contracts for further land drilling in Oman by a subsidiary of Shell, Petroleum Development Oman, following an on-line bidding process in December 2002.

The two contracts are for heavy land rigs (2000 HP) to be utilized in PDO's ongoing development work in Oman. One is for a two-year term and the other for a four-year term. The approximate combined value of the primary terms of the two contracts is US$37.1 million.

One rig will be relocated from Qatar where it is completing a current contract, while the other will be relocated from the Middle East, where it is currently undergoing upgrading and preparation following its withdrawal from Algeria. It is estimated that the two rigs will be operational in Oman by mid 2003, bringing KCA DEUTAG's total number of operating rigs in the country to eight.