Parker Waxes Lyrical about Turkmenistan
Topic: Economy & business
Ashgabat, 18 October 2005 (nCa) --- Robert Parker, chairman of the American company Parker Drilling, met Monday with President Niyazov. In addition to discussing further drilling plans for Turkmenistan, Parker spared no effort in praising the president and the people of Turkmenistan.

“I like your president. He is a very inspiring person,” Parker began.


Explaining that he was drilling for the country and for the president, Parker said, “There are good prospects and we talked about that. The meeting was good. We are happy that we are here and we are drilling wells successfully for your country and for the president.”


“And, he has been very, very helpful, along with Chalyk, to accomplish new technology and new education and more benefits in oil and gas for the people here. It is exciting to see improvements since I was last here,” he continued.


Talking about all the improvements that he happened to observe in Turkmenistan, Parker said, “[Improvements in everything] inspire me.”


After inspiration, Parker talked about admiration. “I told the president, I admire him for making that happen for the country.”


After praising lavishly the land, the country, the people and everything else, Parker said, “It is just tremendous what this president is doing for this country.”


To make doubly sure, Parker underlined, “We drill all over the world; our company does. And, I told the president I have seen more improvements and progress here than in any other country.”


About the Turkmen workers, Parker said, “They are the best workers I have ever seen.”


Parker, in tandem with Chalyk Energy of Turkey, is drilling in Turkmenistan for the last three years. It is a triangular partnership between Parker, Chalyk and the Turkmen government. Parker drills the holes and provides its rig; Chalyk supervises speed and quality of work on behalf of Turkmenistan and ensures timely payments to Parker. The entire liaison with the Turkmen government is routed through Chalyk.


Parker and Boeing are two major American companies that were virtually on the brink but managed to pull back after they bagged contracts in Turkmenistan.