HOUSTON, March 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Parker Drilling Company (NYSE: PKD), has named W. Kirk Brassfield vice president, finance and accounting, responsible for accounting, tax, and treasury and investor relations. He will report directly to Jim Whalen, chief financial officer. The company has also named Lynn G. Cullom controller. Ms. Cullom will report directly to Kirk Brassfield.

"Kirk brings a wealth of industry knowledge, leadership and experience to this position. His experience, coupled with his operational excellence will enhance the work that Parker Drilling is already doing," said Whalen.

Brassfield has more than 26 years of experience in finance and accounting. He joined Parker Drilling in 1998 as controller and principal accounting officer. From 1991 through 1998, Mr. Brassfield served in various positions, including subsidiary controller and director of financial planning of MAPCO Inc., a diversified energy company. From 1979 through 1991, Mr. Brassfield served at the public accounting firm of KPMG. He holds a bachelor of science degree in accounting from the University of Tulsa.

The company also announced the promotion of Lynn G. Cullom to controller. "Lynn is a critical member of our team. She brings previous Company experience that adds value to Parker Drilling's commitment to financial discipline. She is an excellent choice for this position," added Whalen.

Cullom has 27 years of experience in financial accounting. She joined Parker Drilling in 2004 as director of corporate planning. Prior to that, she was with El Paso Corporation, which merged with Coastal Corporation in 2001. For 21 years with Coastal Corporation, she held various accounting positions, including vice president of financial reporting and planning for Coastal Mart, a Coastal subsidiary. With El Paso Corporation, she held various accounting and reporting director positions. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from Texas A&M University and a master of business administration in accounting from Texas A&M University. Additionally, she obtained a law degree from the University of Houston. She is a CPA in the state of Texas.

Parker Drilling is a Houston-based, global energy company specializing in offshore drilling and work over services in the Gulf of Mexico and international land and offshore markets. Parker also owns Quail tools, a provider of premium industry rental tools. Parker Drilling has 57 marketed rigs and employs approximately 3,000 people worldwide.

SOURCE  Parker Drilling Company
    -0-                             03/29/2005
    /CONTACT:  media, Marianne Gooch, +1-281-406-2212, or investors, David
Tucker, +1-281-406-2370, both of Parker Drilling Company/
    /Web site:  http://www.parkerdrilling.com /
    (PKD)

CO:  Parker Drilling Company
ST:  Texas
IN:  OIL
SU:  PER

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7844 03/29/2005 12:41 EST http://www.prnewswire.com