HOUSTON, Dec. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Parker Drilling Company (NYSE: PKD) today announced the election of John W. Gibson to the company's Board of Directors. Gibson's election expands Parker's Board to 10 members.

"This is a good step forward for our company," said Robert L. Parker Jr., president and CEO. "John is regarded as one of the brightest people in the oil and gas industry, and we felt like we should expand our Board to gain his guidance. The drilling business follows one step behind the seismic industry, and we feel like there are a lot of synergies that John will bring to our company."

Gibson has been president and CEO of Landmark Graphics since May 2000. Prior to that he served as the company's chief operating officer, executive vice president of Landmark's Integrated Products group, and president and vice president of Landmark's Zycor Division. His career in oil and gas began as an exploration geophysicist for Gulf Oil Company. Following the acquisition of Gulf by Chevron, he became manager of geophysical and geological subsurface imaging for Chevron's Oil Field Research Company. Gibson holds a bachelor's degree in geology from Auburn University, and a master's degree in geology from the University of Houston.

Parker Drilling Company is a Houston-based global energy company specializing in offshore drilling and workover services in the Gulf of Mexico and international land and offshore drilling. Parker also owns Quail Tools, a provider of premium rental tools for oil and gas drilling. Parker Drilling has 79 marketed rigs and employs more than 3,500 people worldwide. For more information go to www.parkerdrilling.com .

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SOURCE Parker Drilling Company
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CONTACT: IR, Randy Burkhalter, +1-281-406-2214, or media, Ron Whitmire, +1-281-406-2210, both of Parker Drilling Company