Dragon Oil plc, an international oil and gas exploration and production company, announces that it has signed a contract with BKE Shelf Limited to hire the Astra jack-up rig for a period of six months commencing in November 2009 on favourable terms .The Group plans to use th is jack-up rig to drill two wells during the contract term. Dragon Oil has previously employed this rig on a short-term contract basis.
Dr Abdul Jaleel Al Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer , commented:
" I am pleased to report that Dragon Oil has secured the availability of the Astra jack -up rig to drill two wells and to help achieve its production growth forecast. The Group remains committed to securing additional rigs on attractive terms for the development of the Cheleken asset ."
