Parker Drilling Reports Company-Record Results for 2007

EBITDA Up 28% on 12% Revenue Growth

HOUSTON, Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Parker Drilling Company (NYSE: PKD), a global drilling contractor and service provider, today reported strong financial and operating results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2007. Highlights for 2007 include:

    -- Record company revenues of $654.6 million, a 12 percent increase over
       the prior year;
    -- Record earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
       (EBITDA) of $261.8 million, a 28 percent increase over the prior year;
    -- Record net income of $104.1 million, a 28 percent increase over the
       prior year;
    -- Record EBITDA for U.S. barge rig operations of $128.7 million, a
       23 percent increase over 2006;
    -- Record EBITDA for Quail Tools of $83.7 million for the year, an
       11 percent increase over 2006, and record quarterly EBITDA of
       $25.0 million;
    -- Fourth quarter 2007 international land rig utilization of 83 percent,
       nearly double the 46 percent in the fourth quarter last year; and
    -- A company-best safety mark of 0.81 Total Recordable Incident Rate
       (TRIR) for 2007, below last year's record 0.86 TRIR.  TRIR is a
       workplace safety indicator standard used in the drilling industry.

Robert L. Parker Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Parker Drilling, said: "Parker delivered another solid quarter and outstanding results for the year 2007, our fifth consecutive year of rising revenues, net income and EBITDA, driven by strong performances across our diverse businesses of contract drilling, project management and rental tool services. Our ability to anticipate the geographic and technological needs of our customers continues to be a key contributing factor in our success, and will be the principal driver of our long-term strategies."

For the year ended December 31, 2007, Parker reported revenues of $654.6 million and net income of $104.1 million or $0.94 per diluted share. This compares to revenues of $586.4 million and net income of $81.0 million or $0.75 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2006. Non-routine items in 2007 resulted in a net benefit of $9.1 million or $0.08 per diluted share and included after-tax gain of $0.07 per diluted share from the sale of two workover barge rigs in January, a non-cash FIN 48 tax benefit of $0.18 per diluted share related to the Kazakhstan tax payment in December, a $0.16 per diluted share reserve relating to the joint venture operations in Saudi Arabia and after-tax charges of $0.01 per diluted share for debt extinguishment and other items. Net income for 2006 included income from non-routine items of $0.14 per diluted share. The details of the non-routine items for the year and 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".

For the year ended December 31, 2007 total EBITDA was $261.8 million, a 28 percent increase over the $205.0 million reported for 2006. The details of the EBITDA calculation, a non-GAAP financial measure, for the current and prior periods are defined and reconciled later in this press release to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

Capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2007 totaled $242.1 million. The Company's cash and cash equivalents totaled $60.1 million and total debt was $373.7 million at December 31, 2007.

Fourth Quarter Earnings and Financial Review

For the three months ended December 31, 2007, Parker reported earnings of $34.6 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, on revenues of $180.8 million. This compares to revenues of $146.3 million and net income of $37.2 million or $0.34 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2006. Net income in the fourth quarter 2007 included a loss of $8.4 million or $0.07 per diluted share related to the financial results from operations of the Saudi Arabia joint venture. It also included net non-routine income of $0.08 per diluted share or $8.6 million, consisting of a $17.6 million reserve relating to the joint venture operations in Saudi Arabia and a $25.6 million FIN 48 tax benefit. Net income in the fourth quarter of 2006 included net non-routine income of $0.12 per diluted share or $12.8 million, of which $12.6 million was non-cash deferred taxes.

EBITDA was $69.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2007, 35 percent higher than the $51.7 million reported in the fourth quarter of 2006. Higher utilization and dayrates resulted in a 91 percent EBITDA improvement for international operations. Quail Tools, Parker's drilling and production rental tools subsidiary, achieved record EBITDA of $25.0 million, which exceeded the record set in the third quarter of 2007 by 20 percent. Average utilization for barge rigs drilling in the Gulf of Mexico transition zone for the fourth quarter 2007 of 83 percent remained unchanged from the third quarter 2007 and was a substantial increase from the 68 percent reported for the fourth quarter 2006. Current barge rig utilization is 75 percent. The Company's deep drilling barge dayrates in the Gulf of Mexico averaged $43,900 per day for the fourth quarter 2007, down nine percent from the third quarter. (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 fourth quarter 2007 increased to 83 percent, up from the 75 percent reported for the third quarter 2007 and nearly doubling the 46 percent in the fourth quarter 2006. Current international utilization is 79 percent.

As previously disclosed in our periodic filings, the joint venture operations in Saudi Arabia have experienced delays and unanticipated costs. Due to these issues, contractual deadlines regarding the commencement of drilling operations for the rigs have not been met. In addition, the joint venture has incurred and continues to incur significant capital costs and equipment rental fees to expedite commissioning and continued operation of the rigs and is in discussions with its customer, Saudi Aramco, to resolve the timing and cost issues associated with the project.

Kazakhstan Tax Update

Parker's Kazakhstan subsidiary received notice yesterday of a decision from the Atyrau Economic Court canceling the previous assessment of approximately $33 million of interest dating back to 2000 and requiring a recalculation of the interest assessment from October 12, 2005, through December 12, 2007, the date the principal amount of the tax was paid. Although the subsidiary believes that there is factual and legal support for this decision, it is anticipated that the Ministry of Finance will appeal this decision.

Summary

Parker continued, "We continue to realize the substantial benefits of repositioning our international land fleet to long-term contracts with strong margins in markets with long-term visibility for growth. Demand in international land markets is solid, and we expect continued strength from this business, considering the fourth quarter announcement of new contracts in Mexico and Kazakhstan.

"Quail Tools continued its outstanding performance, as fourth quarter EBITDA significantly exceeded third quarter's record results. Quail is reaping substantial benefits from the increasing deepwater activity in the Gulf of Mexico, and is also seeing an upswing in contributions from its Williston Basin and Barnett Shale markets. We continue to remain confident in the strength of this segment.

"Our U.S. barge rig segment completed the fourth quarter of 2007 with strong results. In the near term, we expect our U.S. barge segment to remain active. Deep barge dayrates have leveled off and 90 percent of the deep barge fleet is committed through the first quarter. We expect our intermediate barge rig segment to experience some weakness in the first half of 2008.

As we enter 2008, we will continue to lead the industry in innovation with our new rig designs, will push our operational performance to new heights in efficiency and safety, and will grow in accordance with our disciplined strategic plan. This constant evolution of our high-performance drilling solutions is the hallmark of Parker Drilling's ability to anticipate the needs of our customers around the world. I am confident that this level of performance will result in strong returns across our operating segments."

Parker Drilling has scheduled a conference call at 9 a.m. CST (10 a.m. EST) on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008 to discuss fourth quarter and year-end 2007 results. Those interested in participating in the call may dial in at 303-262-2075. The conference call replay can be accessed from Feb. 26 through March 4 by dialing (800) 405-2236 and using the access code 11107527#. Alternatively, the call can be accessed live through the investor relations section of 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 Balance Sheets
                                 (Unaudited)

                                                     December 31, December 31,
                                                         2007         2006
                   ASSETS                             (Dollars in Thousands)
    CURRENT ASSETS
      Cash and Cash Equivalents                          $60,124     $92,203
      Marketable Securities                                    -      62,920
      Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net                 166,706     112,359
      Rig Materials and Supplies                          24,264      15,000
      Deferred Costs                                       7,795       6,662
      Deferred Income Taxes                                9,423      17,307
      Other Current Assets                                54,871      11,123
        TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                             323,183     317,574

    PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET                   585,888     435,473

    OTHER ASSETS
      Goodwill                                           100,315     100,315
      Deferred Taxes                                      40,121      13,405
      Other Assets                                        19,663      34,534
        TOTAL OTHER ASSETS                               160,099     148,254

    TOTAL ASSETS                                      $1,069,170    $901,301

       LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    CURRENT LIABILITIES
      Current Debt                                       $20,000         $ -
      Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities           104,180     101,903
        TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                        124,180     101,903

    LONG-TERM DEBT                                       353,721     329,368

    LONG-TERM DEFERRED TAXES                                 227           -

    OTHER LIABILITIES                                     56,318      10,931

    STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                 534,724     459,099

    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY        $1,069,170    $901,301


    Current Ratio                                           2.60        3.12

    Total Debt as a Percent of Capitalization                 41%         42%

    Book Value Per Common Share                            $4.78       $4.21



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

                                   Three Months Ended     Twelve Months Ended
                                      December 31,            December 31,
                                    2007        2006        2007        2006
                                (Dollars in Thousands)  (Dollars in Thousands)
    DRILLING AND RENTAL REVENUES
      U.S. Drilling               $52,164     $55,928    $231,139    $191,225
      International Drilling       87,536      58,809     285,403     273,216
      Rental Tools                 41,126      31,593     138,031     121,994
    TOTAL DRILLING AND RENTAL
     REVENUES                     180,826     146,330     654,573     586,435

    DRILLING AND RENTAL OPERATING
     EXPENSES
      U.S. Drilling                21,453      25,234      98,393      83,462
      International Drilling       67,261      48,204     215,279     219,710
      Rental Tools                 16,114      12,666      54,377      46,454
      Depreciation and
       Amortization                25,059      17,605      85,803      69,270
    TOTAL DRILLING AND RENTAL
     OPERATING EXPENSES           129,887     103,709     453,852     418,896

    DRILLING AND RENTAL OPERATING
     INCOME                        50,939      42,621     200,721     167,539

    General and Administrative
     Expense                       (6,328)     (8,525)    (24,708)    (31,786)
    Provision for Reduction in
     Carrying Value of Certain
     Assets                          (371)          -      (1,462)          -
    Gain on Disposition of
     Assets, Net                     (784)        672      16,432       7,573

    TOTAL OPERATING INCOME         43,456      34,768     190,983     143,326

    OTHER INCOME AND (EXPENSE)
      Interest Expense             (5,266)     (6,375)    (25,157)    (31,598)
      Change in Fair Value of
       Derivative Position              -        (126)       (671)         40
      Interest Income                 902       1,997       6,478       7,963
      Loss on Extinguishment of Debt    -           -      (2,396)     (1,912)
      Equity in Loss of
       Unconsolidated Joint
       Venture, Net of Taxes      (25,978)          -     (27,101)          -
      Other Income (Expense) - Net     78         950        (335)       (384)
    TOTAL OTHER INCOME AND
     (EXPENSE)                    (30,264)     (3,554)    (49,182)    (25,891)

    INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES     13,192      31,214     141,801     117,435

    INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)
      Current Tax Expense
       (Benefit)                  (25,621)      9,962      17,602      20,654
      Deferred Tax Expense
       (Benefit)                    4,242     (15,916)     20,121      15,755
    TOTAL INCOME TAX EXPENSE
     (BENEFIT)                    (21,379)     (5,954)     37,723      36,409

    NET INCOME                    $34,571     $37,168    $104,078     $81,026


    EARNINGS PER SHARE - BASIC
      Net Income                    $0.31       $0.35       $0.95       $0.76

    EARNINGS PER SHARE - DILUTED
      Net Income                    $0.31       $0.34       $0.94       $0.75

    AVERAGE COMMON SHARES
     OUTSTANDING
      Basic                   110,350,218 107,379,371 109,542,364 106,552,015
      Diluted                 111,392,786 108,751,555 110,856,694 108,138,384



                   PARKER DRILLING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           Selected Financial Data
                                 (Unaudited)

                                                     Three Months Ended
                                                 December 31,    September 30,
                                               2007        2006       2007
    DRILLING AND RENTAL REVENUES                  (Dollars in Thousands)
      U.S. Offshore Drilling                 $52,164     $51,128     $58,197
      U.S. Land Drilling                           -       4,800       1,503
      International Land Drilling             79,393      49,146      66,976
      International Offshore Drilling          8,143       9,663      10,021
      Rental Tools                            41,126      31,593      35,500
        Total Drilling and Rental Revenues   180,826     146,330     172,197

    DRILLING AND RENTAL OPERATING EXPENSES
      U.S. Offshore Drilling                  21,453      22,491      24,457
      U.S. Land Drilling                           -       2,743       1,106
      International Land Drilling             61,819      40,508      44,966
      International Offshore Drilling          5,442       7,696       6,652
      Rental Tools                            16,114      12,666      14,579
        Total Drilling and Rental
         Operating Expenses                  104,828      86,104      91,760

    DRILLING AND RENTAL OPERATING INCOME
      U.S. Offshore Drilling                  30,711      28,637      33,740
      U.S. Land Drilling                           -       2,057         397
      International Land Drilling             17,574       8,638      22,010
      International Offshore Drilling          2,701       1,967       3,369
      Rental Tools                            25,012      18,927      20,921
      Depreciation and Amortization          (25,059)    (17,605)    (23,043)
        Total Drilling and Rental
         Operating Income                     50,939      42,621      57,394

      General and Administrative Expense      (6,328)     (8,525)     (6,246)
      Provision for Reduction in Carrying
       Value of Certain Assets                  (371)          -      (1,091)
      Gain on Disposition of Assets, Net        (784)        672         543

    TOTAL OPERATING INCOME                   $43,456     $34,768     $50,600



                         Marketable Rig Count Summary
                           As of December 31, 2007

                                                           Total
    U.S. Gulf of Mexico Barge Rigs
      Workover                                                3
      Intermediate                                            3
      Deep                                                   10
    Total U.S. Gulf of Mexico Barge Rigs                     16

    International Land Rigs
      Asia Pacific                                            9
      Africa - Middle East                                    3
      Latin America                                           8
      CIS                                                     8
        Total International Land Rigs                        28

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

        Total Marketable Rigs                                46



                               Adjusted EBITDA
                                 (Unaudited)

                                         Three Months Ending
                        December  September  June   March   December September
                           31,       30,      30,     31,      31,      30,
                          2007      2007     2007    2007     2006     2006
    Income from
     Continuing
     Operations          $34,571  $22,653  $16,860  $29,994  $37,168  $18,639
     Adjustments:
      Income Tax
       Expense (Benefit) (21,379)  19,180   15,813   24,109   (5,954)  13,173
      Total Other Income
       and Expense        30,264    8,767    4,231    5,920    3,554    8,741
      Loss/(Gain) on
       Disposition of
       Assets, Net           784     (543)    (269) (16,404)    (672)  (4,328)
      Depreciation and
       Amortization       25,059   23,043   19,642   18,059   17,605   16,993
      Provision for
       Reduction in
       Carrying Value        371    1,091        -        -        -        -

    Adjusted EBITDA      $69,670  $74,191  $56,277  $61,678  $51,701  $53,218


                                            Three Months Ending
                                  June     March  December September  June
                                   30,      31,      31,      30,      30,
                                  2006     2006     2005     2005     2005
    Income (Loss) from
     Continuing
     Operations                 $13,761  $11,458  $56,707  $18,073  $20,194
     Adjustments:
      Income Tax
       Expense                   14,694   14,496  (39,087)   2,165    3,486
      Total Other Income
       and Expense                5,731    7,865   10,251    9,627   15,140
      Loss/(Gain) on
       Disposition of
       Assets, Net               (2,125)    (448)  (3,185)  (5,943) (15,898)
      Depreciation and
       Amortization              17,715   16,957   16,619   16,563   17,146
      Provision for
       Reduction in
       Carrying Value                 -        -    2,584    2,300        -

    Adjusted EBITDA             $49,776  $50,328  $43,889  $42,785  $40,068

SOURCE Parker Drilling Company