Eurasia Drilling Co. acquired two onshore drilling rigs in Iraq, with a commitment to purchase a third.

All three rigs are under contract or being tendered to international customers. To ensure uninterrupted operations, Eurasia intends to retain the existing management and operational staff and support facilities.

“This acquisition is a strategic breakthrough for [Eurasia] as it marks our first move outside of Russia and the CIS and is an important step toward our goal of becoming a truly global drilling contractor,” said Alexander Djaparidze, the company’s CEO. “By acquiring rigs in Iraq, [Eurasia] now has a platform for growth in the expanding Iraqi and Middle Eastern oilfield services markets.”