Saipem has won new onshore drilling contracts for the charter of six onshore rigs in Kazakhstan, Congo and Algeria worth a total value of approximately US$600 million.

In Kazakhstan, Agip KCO awarded Saipem the contract for the charter of two drilling units with a power of 3,000 HP each, as part of the Kashagan field development. The two units, to be installed on artificial islands, have been designed to operate in the harsh environment characteristic of the north Caspian Sea: severe weather and stringent environmental restrictions. The drilling activities are expected to begin between the fourth quarter of 2010 and the first quarter of 2011, and to continue for a period of about five and a half years per each drilling unit.

In Congo, Eni has awarded Saipem the contract for the use of two 1,500-HP onshore drilling rigs for a period of two years, starting from the third quarter of 2009. The two units, previously employed in Saudi Arabia, will work on the M’Boundi field, located about 50 kilometres northeast of Pointe Noire.

In Algeria, Saipem signed a contract with the joint venture between First Calgary Petroleum and Sonatrach for the charter of two onshore drilling rigs, of 1,500 and 2,000 HP respectively. The drilling activities will be carried out on Block 405B, located in the Berkine Basin about 350 kilometres south east of Hassi Messaoud, for a period of three years starting from mid-2009.