CanElson Drilling Inc. provided an update on recent activities, including a new drilling rig commitment, a First Nations partnership agreement and strong performance compared with the Canadian and US oil services industry in the fourth quarter of 2012. CanElson also announced an update on progress with its bi-fuel drilling rigs initiative.

"We continue to expand our footprint in our core areas of operation," said Randy Hawkings, President and CEO. "Our recent activities demonstrate our ability to deploy and operate our drilling rigs at industry leading levels of efficiency while finding unique ways to work with other groups for our mutual benefit."

New Texas Drilling Rig

CanElson has entered into a two-year commitment and will receive a cash advance for a new drilling rig with a customer in the Permian Basin of West Texas. The new contract was obtained in part due to CanElson's commitment and approach to health and safety. The new rig (Rig #36) is expected to cost approximately $8 million. It will be assembled at CanElson's facility in Nisku, Alberta and is scheduled for delivery in March 2013.

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