WORLDMAP

Schoeller-Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment AG: Preliminary figures show clear increase in profit before tax to MEUR 24 (+55%) in fiscal 2005 - Record order backlog of MEUR 134.0

Ternitz, January 18, 2006. Schoeller-Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment AG (SBO), listed on the prime market of the Vienna Stock Exchange, posted a clear rise in profit in 2005 according to preliminary figures. Profit before tax went up to around MEUR 24 (following MEUR 15.5), an increase of approx. 55%. Based on preliminary figures, group sales reached MEUR 172.6, some 13% above last year’s MEUR 152.2.

Bookings received were worth MEUR 268.8, up 66% against the previous year (MEUR 161.5). With an all-time high order backlog of MEUR 134.0 as at December 31, 2005, the volume more than tripled over the previous level of MEUR 38.8.
The overall economic environment in 2005 was highly gratifying for the oilfield service industry. In the medium run, the strong demand for oil and gas by the booming economies of Asia can be covered only by exploring new reservoirs, which resulted in a sharp increase of drilling activities in 2005. As a consequence, demand for oilfield service equipment went up markedly. SBO will publish the final results for fiscal 2005 having ended on December 31, 2005 on March 15, 2006.
Schoeller-Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment AG is the global market leader in high-precision components for the oilfield service industry. The business focus is on non-magnetic drillstring components for directional drilling. Worldwide, SBO employs a workforce of 913 (Dec.31, 2004: 809; adjusted for the Bafco subsidiary divested in the first quarter of 2005), currently 234 at Ternitz, Lower Austria and 468 in North America (including Mexico).
 
For further information please contact:
Gerald Grohmann, Vorsitzender des Vorstandes
Schoeller-Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment AG
A-2630 Ternitz, Hauptstraße 2
Tel: +43 2630/315 DW 110, Fax: DW 101
E-Mail: sboe@sbo.co.at
Mick Stempel, Hochegger|Financials
Tel.:+43 1/504 69 87 DW 85
E-Mail: m.stempel@hochegger.com

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