Parker Drilling First Quarter 2007 Net Income Increases 162%

HOUSTON, May 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Parker Drilling Company (NYSE: PKD), a global drilling contractor and service provider, today reported strong financial and operating results for the first quarter 2007 as net income increased 162 percent and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased 23 percent over the first quarter 2006.

First Quarter Earnings and Financial Highlights

For the three months ended March 31, 2007, Parker posted net income of $30.0 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, on revenues of $151.3 million, compared to revenues of $147.3 million and net income of $11.5 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, for the first quarter 2006. Net income in the first quarter 2007 included net non-routine income of $0.07 per diluted share, or $8.2 million, relating to the gain on the sale of two workover barge rigs in January. In addition, Parker recognized a non-cash charge to tax expense of $1.9 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, for potential interest and exchange rate fluctuations relating to a tax liability recorded on January 1, 2007, associated with the adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes" ("FIN 48"). The first quarter 2006 included $0.01 per diluted share benefit of non-routine items relating to a change in value of derivative instruments. (The details of the non-routine items for the quarter are available on Parker's website and can be viewed or downloaded by going to "Investor Relations" and then to "Reconciliation of Non-Routine Items.")

EBITDA was $61.7 million for the first quarter 2007, 23 percent higher than the $50.3 million in the first quarter 2006. Significantly higher dayrates resulted in a 59 percent EBITDA improvement for Parker's U.S. operations over the first quarter 2006. Quail Tools also showed improvement, with a 12 percent increase from the first quarter 2006. (The details of the EBITDA calculation, a non-GAAP financial measure, for the current and prior eight quarters are defined and reconciled later in this press release to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.)

Capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2007 totaled $53.0 million. Total debt was $329.2 million, and the Company's cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $157.6 million at March 31, 2007.

Average utilization for the Gulf of Mexico barge rigs for the first quarter 2007 was 73 percent, the same as reported for the first quarter 2006 and higher than the 68 percent reported for the fourth quarter 2006. Current barge rig utilization is 65 percent. The Company's deep drilling barge dayrates in the Gulf of Mexico continued to experience record levels, averaging $51,600 per day during the first quarter 2007, up approximately 37 percent, or $13,900 per day, from the first quarter 2006 and up $2,100 per day from the fourth quarter 2006. (Average dayrates for each classification of barge by quarter are available on Parker's website and can be viewed or downloaded by going to "Investor Relations" and then to "Dayrates - GOM.")

The average utilization of international land rigs for the first quarter 2007 was 66 percent, up 20 percent from the 46 percent reported for the fourth quarter 2006, but lower than the 84 percent in the first quarter 2006. Current international utilization, including contracts for three rigs announced today, is 75 percent and is expected to further increase during 2007 as rigs continue to reposition between contracts.

Quail Tools, Parker Drilling's drilling and production rental tools subsidiary, continued its outstanding performance as it recorded EBITDA of $18.8 million in the first quarter 2007, up $2.0 million from the first quarter 2006. The expansion of Quail is well underway as equipment is being delivered to Quail's new facility in Texarkana, Texas, which opened on April 2. The new facility provides increased coverage of the Barnett, Fayetteville and Woodford shale areas in East Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma.

Summary

Robert L. Parker Jr., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Parker Drilling, said: "We continue to focus on the execution of our strategic growth plan, as we delivered two new international land rigs to Algeria and today announced three-year contracts for two new rigs in Mexico and a two-year contract for Rig 230 in Turkmenistan. Once these rigs are delivered to Mexico, we will have five land rigs and one barge rig operating in Mexico, all under long-term contracts."

"Looking ahead, we expect increasing contributions from our international segments as we continue to focus on our international markets," said Parker. "Domestically, we experienced steady demand for our preferred barge rigs in our U.S. Gulf of Mexico transition zone market. We view recent softening in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico as a reflection of the uncertainty in the U.S. gas market. Although this uncertainty has reduced rates from historic highs, we believe that there is sufficient demand to generate strong financial results from our domestic barge fleet through 2007. Finally, we also expect continued outstanding performance from our rental tools segment, as the benefits of our organic expansion and capital investment in Quail Tools are realized. Importantly, we experienced no lost-time accidents during the quarter. Safety is essential to recruiting and retaining the best people. Parker's preferred drilling solutions deliver a lower total cost of drilling through efficient, safe operations and drilling quality wells. We expect our competitive advantage to drive continued improvements in utilization and profits into 2007."

Parker has scheduled a conference call at 10:00 a.m. CDT (11:00 a.m. EDT) May 8, 2007 to discuss first quarter 2007 results. Those interested in participating in the call may dial in at (303) 262-2138. The conference call replay can be accessed from May 8 through May 15 by dialing (800) 405-2236 and using the access code 11088402#. Alternatively, the call can be accessed live through the Company's website at http://www.parkerdrilling.com and will be archived on the site for 12 months.

This release contains certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Acts. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including earnings per share guidance, the outlook for rig utilization and dayrates, general industry conditions including demand for drilling and customer spending, competitive advantages including cost effective integrated solutions, future technological innovation, future operating results of the Company's rigs and rental tool operations, capital expenditures, expansion and growth opportunities, asset sales, successful negotiation of contracts, strengthening of financial position, increase in market share and other such matters, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that its expectations stated in this release are based on reasonable assumptions, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. For a detailed discussion of risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations, please refer to the Company's reports filed with the SEC, and in particular, the report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward- looking statement.




                   PARKER DRILLING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
               Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations
                                 (Unaudited)

                                                  Three Months Ended March 31,
                                                     2007              2006
                                                     (Dollars in Thousands)
    DRILLING AND RENTAL REVENUES
      U.S. Drilling                                 $61,624           $40,253
      International Drilling                         59,674            79,830
      Rental Tools                                   29,975            27,251
    TOTAL DRILLING AND RENTAL REVENUES              151,273           147,334

    DRILLING AND RENTAL OPERATING EXPENSES
      U.S. Drilling                                  26,761            18,259
      International Drilling                         45,783            62,575
      Rental Tools                                   11,163            10,470
      Depreciation and Amortization                  18,059            16,957
    TOTAL DRILLING AND RENTAL OPERATING EXPENSES    101,766           108,261

    TOTAL DRILLING AND RENTAL OPERATING INCOME       49,507            39,073

    General and Administrative Expense               (5,888)           (5,702)
    Gain on Disposition of Assets, Net               16,404               448

    TOTAL OPERATING INCOME                           60,023            33,819

    OTHER INCOME AND (EXPENSE)
      Interest Expense                               (6,330)           (9,101)
      Change in Fair Value of Derivative Position      (381)              813
      Interest Income                                 1,784             1,406
      Other Income (Expense) - Net                     (993)             (983)
    TOTAL OTHER INCOME AND (EXPENSE)                 (5,920)           (7,865)

    INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                       54,103            25,954

    INCOME TAX EXPENSE
      Current Tax Expense                            22,012             5,563
      Deferred Tax Expense                            2,097             8,933
    TOTAL INCOME TAX EXPENSE                         24,109            14,496

    NET INCOME                                      $29,994           $11,458


    EARNINGS PER SHARE - BASIC
      Net Income                                      $0.28             $0.11

    EARNINGS PER SHARE - DILUTED
      Net Income                                      $0.27             $0.11

    AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
      Basic                                     107,704,763       104,469,893
      Diluted                                   109,425,555       106,003,562



                   PARKER DRILLING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
                                 (Unaudited)

                                                     March 31,    December 31,
                                                       2007            2006
                   ASSETS                            (Dollars in Thousands)
    CURRENT ASSETS
      Cash and Cash Equivalents                      $74,124          $92,203
      Marketable Securities                           83,493           62,920
      Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net             123,229          112,359
      Rig Materials and Supplies                      15,957           15,000
      Deferred Costs                                   5,468            6,662
      Deferred income taxes                           17,307           17,307
      Other Current Assets                            11,792           11,123
        TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                         331,370          317,574

    PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET               471,077          435,473

    OTHER ASSETS
      Goodwill                                       100,315          100,315
      Deferred Taxes                                     ---           13,405
      Other Assets                                    27,671           34,534
        TOTAL OTHER ASSETS                           127,986          148,254

    TOTAL ASSETS                                    $930,433         $901,301

        LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    CURRENT LIABILITIES
      Current Portion of Long-Term Debt                 $---             $---
      Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities        98,891          101,903
        TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                     98,891          101,903

    LONG-TERM DEBT                                   329,206          329,368

    LONG-TERM DEFERRED TAXES                          48,982              ---

    OTHER LIABILITIES                                 16,244           10,931

    STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                             437,110          459,099

    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY      $930,433         $901,301


    Current Ratio                                       3.35             3.12

    Total Long-Term Debt as a Percent
     of Capitalization                                    43%              42%

    Book Value Per Common Share                        $3.94            $4.17



                   PARKER DRILLING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           Selected Financial Data
                                 (Unaudited)

                                                    Three Months Ended
                                                   March 31          December
                                               2007        2006        2006
    DRILLING AND RENTAL REVENUES                   (Dollars in Thousands)
      U.S. Offshore Drilling                 $55,152     $40,253     $50,830
      U.S. Land Drilling                       6,472         ---       5,098
      International Land Drilling             51,875      66,126      49,146
      International Offshore Drilling          7,799      13,704       9,663
      Rental Tools                            29,975      27,251      31,593
        Total Drilling and Rental Revenues   151,273     147,334     146,330

    DRILLING AND RENTAL OPERATING EXPENSES
      U.S. Offshore Drilling                  22,136      18,259      22,696
      U.S. Land Drilling                       4,625         ---       2,889
      International Land Drilling             40,694      50,414      41,909
      International Offshore Drilling          5,089      12,161       7,696
      Rental Tools                            11,163      10,470      12,666
        Drilling and Rental Operating
         Expenses                             83,707      91,304      87,856

    DRILLING AND RENTAL OPERATING INCOME
      U.S. Offshore Drilling                  33,016      21,994      28,134
      U.S. Land Drilling                       1,847         ---       2,209
      International Land Drilling             11,181      15,712       7,237
      International Offshore Drilling          2,710       1,543       1,967
      Rental Tools                            18,812      16,781      18,927
      Depreciation and Amortization          (18,059)    (16,957)    (17,605)
        Total Drilling and Rental
         Operating Income                     49,507      39,073      40,869

      General and Administrative Expense      (5,888)     (5,702)     (6,773)

      Gain on Disposition of Assets, Net      16,404         448         672

    TOTAL OPERATING INCOME                   $60,023     $33,819     $34,768



                           Marketable Rig Count Summary
                               As of March 31, 2007

                                                        Total

      U.S. Land Rigs                                      4

      U.S. Gulf of Mexico Barge Rigs
        Workover                                          3
        Intermediate                                      4
        Deep                                             10
      Total U.S. Gulf of Mexico Barge Rigs               17

      International Land Rigs
        Asia Pacific                                      9
        Africa - Middle East                              2
        Latin America                                     3
        CIS                                               8
          Total International Land Rigs                  22

      International Barge Rigs
        Mexico                                            1
        Caspian Sea                                       1
          Total International Barge Rigs                  2

      Total Marketable Rigs                              45



                               Adjusted EBITDA
                                 (Unaudited)

                                                 Three Months Ending
                                         March 31,  December 31, September 30,
                                             2007        2006        2006


    Income (Loss) from Continuing
     Operations                            $29,994     $37,168     $18,639
      Adjustments:
       Income Tax Expense                   24,109      (5,954)     13,173
       Total Other Income and Expense        5,920       3,554       8,741
       Loss/(Gain) on Disposition
        of Assets, Net                     (16,404)       (672)     (4,328)
       Depreciation and Amortization        18,059      17,605      16,993
       Provision for Reduction in Carrying
        Value                                  ---         ---         ---

    Adjusted EBITDA                        $61,678     $51,701     $53,218



                               Adjusted EBITDA
                                 (Unaudited)

                                                  Three Months Ending
                                           June 30,   March 31,  December 31,
                                             2006        2006        2005


    Income (Loss) from Continuing
     Operations                            $13,761     $11,458     $56,707
      Adjustments:
       Income Tax Expense                   14,694      14,496     (39,087)
       Total Other Income and Expense        5,731       7,865      10,251
       Loss/(Gain) on Disposition
        of Assets, Net                      (2,125)       (448)     (3,185)
       Depreciation and Amortization        17,715      16,957      16,619
       Provision for Reduction in Carrying
        Value                                  ---         ---       2,584

    Adjusted EBITDA                        $49,776     $50,328     $43,889



                               Adjusted EBITDA
                                 (Unaudited)

                                                  Three Months Ending
                                         September 30,  June 30,   March 31,
                                             2005        2005        2005

    Income (Loss) from Continuing
     Operations                            $18,073     $20,194      $3,838
      Adjustments:
       Income Tax Expense                    2,165       3,486       4,852
       Total Other Income and Expense        9,627      15,140       9,877
       Loss/(Gain) on Disposition
        of Assets, Net                      (5,943)    (15,898)       (552)
    Depreciation and Amortization           16,563      17,146      16,876
    Provision for Reduction in Carrying
     Value                                   2,300         ---         ---

    Adjusted EBITDA                        $42,785     $40,068     $34,891

SOURCE Parker Drilling Company