KCA DEUTAG, the international drilling contractor, has been awarded more than US$142 million worth of contracts from clients in Pakistan, Germany and the Gulf of Mexico.

Holger Temmen, Chief Executive of KCA DEUTAG, said: "The award of these contracts by three different clients underlines the high level of operational and safety performance we have achieved this year in our operations in these regions.

"It also reflects the strength of our relationship with our clients and their confidence in our ongoing commitment to improving performance and maintaining safety standards on the rigs."

In the Gulf of Mexico, Pemex, Mexico's national oil company, has awarded a two-year contract for KCA DEUTAG's Ben Loyal jack-up rig. This means that KCA DEUTAG will have a four-year unbroken contracted period with Pemex after the successful refurbishment and mobilisation of the Ben Loyal in 2006.

ExxonMobil has awarded a one-year extension with the option of further extensions for KCA DEUTAG's T-61 land rig, working in northern Germany, until the end of 2009. KCA DEUTAG's rig T-25 has also been working for the same client in Germany for a number of years.

In Pakistan, BP Pakistan has awarded a 1.5 year extension until December 2009, with further mutual extension options, for KCA DEUTAG's rig T-34 for drilling operations in the Badin Block, east of Karachi. The T-34 has been successfully working without interruption since 2001 for BP in Pakistan. KCA DEUTAG's other rig operating in Pakistan, the T-75 working for MOL, is also contracted until December 2009.