Calgary,
Alberta, Canada - May 8, 2007
Hank
Swartout, Executive Chairman of Precision Drilling Corporation (“Precision” or
the “Company”), Administrator of Precision Drilling Trust, has announced that he
intends to retire as Executive Chairman and as a Director of Precision
later
this year.
The
Board
of Directors of Precision (the “Board”) announces that Mr. Swartout’s retirement
is a continuation of a mutual transition and succession plan. The Board
has
embarked on a process to recruit a Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Mr.
Swartout has indicated that he will stay on as Executive Chairman during
the
interim period until a CEO has been appointed. Mr. Gene Stahl, President
and
Chief Operating Officer of Precision, has advised that he will not
be putting
his name forward as a candidate for the CEO position. Mr. Stahl will
continue on
in his current role and is fully supportive of the search process.
At the time
of Mr. Swartout’s retirement, it is intended that the Board will appoint an
independent Chairman.
“Under
Hank’s leadership, Precision has grown from being a small operator with
three
drilling rigs to become the largest oilfield service provider in Canada.
His
contributions to both the Company and the industry have been significant
and his
vision, guidance and leadership have led Precision to become a true
Canadian
success story," said Robert Phillips, Precision’s Lead Director, speaking on
behalf of the Board. "We would like to thank Hank for his many years
of
dedicated service and the time he has given us to transition Company
leadership.
We expect the process to be seamless for our employees, customers and
unitholders."
Precision
Drilling Trust is Canada’s largest energy services trust and the leading
provider of energy services to the Canadian oil and gas industry. Precision
provides customers with access to an extensive fleet of contract drilling
rigs,
service rigs, camps, snubbing units, wastewater treatment units and
rental
equipment backed by a comprehensive mix of technical support services
and
skilled, experienced personnel.
Precision
Drilling Trust is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading
symbol
“PD.UN” and on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “PDS”.
For
further information please contact Darren Ruhr, Vice President, Corporate
Services and Corporate Secretary of Precision Drilling Corporation,
Administrator of Precision Drilling Trust, 4200, 150 - 6th Avenue S.W.,
Calgary,
Alberta T2P 3Y7, Telephone (403) 716-4500, Fax (403) 264-0251; website:
www.precisiondrilling.com.
4200,
150
- 6th Avenue S.W.
Calgary,
Alberta, Canada T2P 3Y7
Telephone:
403.716.4500
Facsimile:
403.264.0251
www.precisiondrilling.com