Varel International Expands
Sales and Service in Mid-Continent Region

(Dallas, 19 September 2006) – Varel International, the world’s largest independent drill bit company, announced today the opening of their new regional office for the Mid-Continent area of the United States. The office, located in Oklahoma City, will provide all sales and service functions for oil and gas customers operating in Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana.

“We would like to say a special ‘thank you’ to all of our customers who have helped us grow and made this move necessary,” said William Burton, Vice President of Sales & Operations for Western Hemisphere-North at Varel International. “In the past year we have experienced incredible growth in the Mid-Continent region, which has fueled our ability to increase the number experienced personnel and new products operating in this market. Therefore, this move is purely out of necessity to continue to provide well-timed, well-valued and well-done service to our customers operating in the Mid-Continent region.”

Sales and service inquiries may be directed to:
Regional Manager, Rick Null, rnull@varelintl.com
Region Engineer, Greg Presley, gpresley@varelintl.com
City Sales, Eddie Hays, ehays@varelintl.com
City Sales, Russ England, rengland@varelintl.com
City Sales, Erin Hinton, ehinton@varelintl.com
City Sales, David Rossette, drosette@varelintl.com

Office Tel: +1.405.672.3633
Office Fax: +1.405.672.4696
Email: info@varelilntl.com

About Varel International
Founded in 1947, Varel International is the world’s largest independent supplier and the fifth largest company operating in the global oil & gas drill bit market. Headquartered in Carrollton, Texas, Varel services oil & gas, mining, and industrial markets with its comprehensive suite of roller cone and fixed cutter drill bits. The Company employs 1,000 people and has manufacturing facilities in Carrollton, Texas; Houston, Texas; Matamoros, Mexico and Tarbes, France, as well as sales offices throughout the world. Varel’s proprietary design capabilities, efficient manufacturing, and global sales force uniquely positions the Company to provide high-quality drill bits that deliver excellent performance and value to its customer base. For more information about Varel International, please visit WWW.VARELINTL.COM.

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Contact:
Sherri Scott
Marketing Communications Manager
Varel International
Tel: +1.972.512.0467
Fax: +1.972.242.8770
E-mail: sscott@varelintl.com