HOUSTON, Aug. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Key Energy Services, Inc.
(NYSE: KEG) announced today that it has agreed to invest approximately $35
million in Geostream Services Group ('Geostream') in exchange for a fifty
percent (50%) equity interest in the company. Geostream, which is
headquartered in Moscow, provides drilling and workover services and
sub-surface engineering and modeling in the Russian Federation. Key also has
the right to purchase the other 50% of the equity interests of Geostream at a
future date. Geostream will use the capital invested by Key to purchase
drilling and other equipment to expand its business and service offerings.
Dick Alario, Key's Chairman and CEO, commented, 'This investment is
another step in our plan to expand Key's international business. The Russian
market is one of the fastest growing oilfield services markets in the world
and we are excited to enter this partnership with a well-respected service
company like Geostream. This company's management, under the leadership of Dr.
Boris Levin, has many years of oil and gas industry experience, is well known
in the Russian oilfield services industry, and its client list includes both
Russian and international oil & gas companies. Dr. Levin's prior success with
U.S. investors in this market gives us great confidence that we have found the
right partner for our expansion into the Eastern Hemisphere.'
Key's investment in Geostream is contingent upon the approval of a Russian
Federation regulatory authority. Upon receipt of regulatory approval, Key
will invest approximately $18 million for a 26% equity interest in Geostream.
The remaining investment of approximately $17 million is expected to occur in
the first quarter of 2009, increasing Key's total ownership to 50% of
Geostream.
Key Energy Services, Inc. is the world's largest rig-based well service
company. The Company provides oilfield services including well servicing,
pressure pumping, fishing and rental tools, electric wireline and other
oilfield services. The Company has operations in all major onshore oil and
gas producing regions of the continental United States and internationally in
Argentina and Mexico.
Certain statements contained in this news release constitute 'forward-
looking statements' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995.