Earlier last March, Occidental Petroleum of Qatar (Oxy Qatar) has signed another contract worth QR273mn with Gulf Drilling International (GDI), a Gulf International Services’ subsidiary, to provide drilling services through the continued use of ‘Al Rayyan’ rig. This contract is for a two-year period until March 2015. The contract was signed by Steve Kelly, president and general manager of Oxy Qatar and Ibrahim Jassim al-Othman, GDI chief executive officer here. Oxy Qatar continues to use two drilling rigs ‘Al Rayyan’ and ‘Al Wajba’ for its extensive development programmes of the Idd Al Shargi and Al Rayyan fields. GDI’s offshore rig "Al-Wajba" on contract for drilling operations with Oxy Qatar, resumed service after the completion of its major maintenance programme. Thus GDI has maintained 100% operating rate for all its rigs. GDI’s offshore rig "Al-Wajba" which is now drilling for Oxy Qatar, had returned to service after completing its periodic maintenance and full update. And thus, GDI has maintained a 100% utilisation rate for all its drilling fleet. GDI has started implementing its expansion plan, which includes construction and placing into operation of three offshore rigs, in addition to new product line of accommodation jack-up barges. In the process GDI has also added new clients to their business in Qatar and continuously improved safety records, to be the best in class.(END)