April 12, 2006

Saxon Energy Services Inc. Announces Major Expansion of North

American Business with Seven Rig Drilling Contract

Saxon Energy Services Inc. (“Saxon”) is pleased to announce that it has entered
into contracts to construct and operate seven drilling rigs on a three year term
for a major US independent gas producer.

Five of the rigs are advanced technology singles, and the other two rigs are fast-
moving telescopic doubles. All rigs are designed and constructed to efficiently
drill and mobilize on a multi-well drilling program. The telescopic doubles are
projected to commence operations in the fourth quarter of 2006. They are
modern carrier style rigs with advanced pipe-handling and reduced inter-well
moving time features. The single rigs which will have mutually agreed design
specifications feature remote pipe–handling and controlled environment
operating capabilities and are scheduled to commence deliveries in early 2007.
All of the rigs will be equipped with top-drives.

The rigs will operate in Texas and provide a continuation of the company’s focus
on growth in expanding its operating presence in North America, and particularly
in the Arkansas/Texas region.

Upon completion of these rigs, Saxon will have a total of 15 mobile drilling rigs
operating in the region bringing its total rig count in North America to 31 (net 27).
With Saxon’s existing 29 rigs in South America operating in primarily oil
exploration and development projects, these new contracts will achieve a
balanced asset allocation in the Americas, as well as an even mix between oil
and gas drilling markets.

Saxon is an emerging international oilfield services company operating a well-

established oil and gas drilling and well servicing business in Canada, Mexico,
Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela and Peru with a rapidly growing presence in the
United States. Saxon focuses on providing services to major and intermediate oil
and gas companies and plans to grow revenue by both the consolidation of
existing companies operating in its areas of interest and the addition of assets to
its existing rig fleet. Saxon’s fleet of rigs is currently comprised of 36 (net 32)
drilling and 17 workover rigs.

For further information, please contact:

Walter A. Dawson, CEO

Tel: 403-716-4135
wdawson@saxonservices.com

Dale E. Tremblay, President and COO

Tel: 403-716-4141
dtremblay@saxonservices.com

Michael J. McNulty, Senior VP, Finance and CFO

Tel: 403-716-4145
mmcnulty@saxonservices.com.

Disclosure Regarding Forward – Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release, including statements which may contain words such as “could”,
“plans”, “should”, “anticipates”, “expect”, “believe”, “will”, and similar expressions and statements relating to
matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve
known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performances or
achievements of Saxon to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and
analyses made by Saxon in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions
and expected future developments as well as other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances,
including, Saxon’s assessment of the expected commencement dates of the above mentioned rigs is based
on: the status of building plans and construction of the rigs to date, Saxon’s recent experience in
constructing rigs and deploying them in the field and representations given by the manufacturer as to the
timing of completion of the rigs. However, whether actual results, performance or achievements will conform
with Saxon’s expectations and predictions is subject to known and unknown factors, risks and uncertainties
which could cause actual results to differ materially from the Saxon’s expectations. Such factors, risks and
uncertainties include: lack of availability of parts and labour for the manufacturing of the rigs; delays in the
engineering and manufacturing process; the lack of availability of transportation and qualified personnel to
transport, operate and manage the rig; the agreements for the rigs are subject to cancellation if there are
delays in construction and the rigs are not delivered by the designated delivery dates; the parties not
reaching mutual agreement upon the specifications of the five single rigs which could lead to cancellation of
some or all of the contracts for the five single rigs; the exercise of any early termination provisions under the
rig contracts subject to compensation to Saxon of varying amounts dependent on the remaining term of the
contract and the cause of termination; fluctuations in the level of oil and gas exploration and development
activities; fluctuations in the demand for Saxon’s services; the effects of severe weather conditions on
operations and facilities; political and economic conditions in countries in which Saxon does business; the
existence of operating risks and other factors inherent in the oilfield services industry; and other unforeseen
conditions which could impact on the use of services supplied by Saxon. These factors, risks and
uncertainties are in addition to other factors, risks and uncertainties which may impact Saxon’s business
generally as disclosed more fully in Saxon’s continuous disclosure filings, filed on sedar.com, including
those referred to in the management discussion and analysis section of Saxon’s most recent Annual Report
to shareholders as well as those risk factors described in Saxon's most recent Annual Information Form.
Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these
cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by
Saxon will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to or
effects on Saxon or its business operations. Saxon assumes no obligation to update publicly any such
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers
should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.