<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>sv8</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 20, 2009.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>Registration No.&nbsp;333-_______</B>
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt; margin-top: 3pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
Under<BR>
The Securities Act of 1933</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>PARKER DRILLING COMPANY</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>73-0618660</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(State or other jurisdiction of <BR>
incorporation or organization)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(I.R.S. Employer Identification<BR>
Number)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>1401 Enclave Parkway, Suite&nbsp;600<BR>
Houston, Texas 77077</B><BR>
(Address of principal executive offices including zip code)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Parker Drilling Company 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan</B><BR>
(Full title of plan)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>W. KIRK BRASSFIELD<BR>
Senior Vice President &#038; Chief Financial Officer<BR>
1401 Enclave Parkway, Suite&nbsp;600<BR>
Houston, Texas 77077<BR>
281-406-2000</B><BR>
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of &#147;large accelerated filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer&#148; and &#147;smaller reporting company&#148; in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):</DIV>
<TABLE width="100%" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt"><TR>
<TD>Large accelerated filer&nbsp;<FONT face="Wingdings">&#254;</FONT></TD>
<TD align="center">Accelerated filer&nbsp;<FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center"><BR>Non-accelerated filer&nbsp;<FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>
<BR>(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)</TD><TD align="right">Smaller reporting company&nbsp;
<FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>



<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="54%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="15" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Proposed maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Proposed maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title of securities</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Amount to be</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>offering price per</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>aggregate offering</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 0px solid #000000"><B>to be registered</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 0px solid #000000"><B>registered(1)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>share (2)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>price (2)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 0px solid #000000"><B>Amount of registration fee</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD valign="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Common Stock, $.16
2/3 par value per
share
</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" valign="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">4,095,000 shares
</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$1.84
</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$7,534,800
</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$420.44</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="15" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 3pt; width: 18%; border-top: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The shares of Common Stock being registered consist of 4,095,000 additional shares that may
be issued under the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416, this Registration
Statement also covers such indeterminable number of additional shares of Common Stock as may
become issuable as a result of any future anti-dilution adjustment in accordance with the
terms of the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The amounts are based upon the average high and low sales prices per share of Common Stock as
reported on the New York Stock Exchange on March 19, 2009, and are used solely for the purpose
of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>



<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>





<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">








<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>INCORPORATION OF PRIOR<BR>
REGISTRATION STATEMENT BY REFERENCE</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Registration Statement relates to the registration of additional shares of Common Stock
of the Registrant to be issued pursuant to the Parker Drilling Company 2005 Long-Term Incentive
Plan, as amended (the &#147;2005 Plan&#148;). The additional shares relate, in part, to the amendment to the
2005 Plan approved by the stockholders of the Registrant at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on
April&nbsp;24, 2008, to increase the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the
2005 Plan by 2,000,000 shares. The other 2,095,000 additional shares relate to shares that have
become available under the 2005 Plan generally as the result of the forfeiture or termination of
awards outstanding as of April&nbsp;27, 2005 under certain stock benefit plans of the Registrant that
were frozen when the stockholders approved the 2005 Plan in April&nbsp;2005. The contents of the
Registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No.&nbsp;333-124697 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on May&nbsp;6, 2005, relating to the 2005 Plan is hereby incorporated
by reference in this Registration Statement, except as amended hereby, pursuant to General
Instruction E of Form S-8.
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">* * * * * * * * * *
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->2<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<!-- link1 "PART II" -->

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART II</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>

</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference." -->

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents heretofore filed by the Registrant with the Securities and Exchange
Commission are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:
</DIV>


<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2008.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The description of the Registrant&#146;s Common Stock contained in the
Registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on Form 8-A, dated June&nbsp;16, 1969, including any
amendment or report heretofore or hereafter filed for the purpose of updating such
description.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition, all documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a),
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;1934 Act&#148;) (other than
Current Reports or portions thereof furnished under Item&nbsp;2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K), prior to the
filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates that all securities offered hereby have been
sold or that de-registers all securities offered hereby then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to
be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from their
respective dates of filing.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to
the extent that a statement contained in any subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed
to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement
so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a
part of this Registration Statement.
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel." -->

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</B>.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ronald C. Potter, Esq., whose opinion of counsel is attached hereto as Exhibit&nbsp;5, is Vice
President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Registrant. As of February&nbsp;28, 2009, Mr.
Potter directly or indirectly beneficially owned, subject in some cases to certain restrictions,
98,951 shares of Common Stock of the Company and had the right to exercise options to receive an
additional 25,000 shares.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits." -->

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following are included as exhibits to this Registration Statement, including those
incorporated by reference herein:
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="89%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Exhibit No.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Document</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Amendment No.&nbsp;1 to the Parker Drilling Company 2005 Long-Term
Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Annex B to the Registrant&#146;s
2008 Proxy Statement dated March&nbsp;21, 2008).</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->II-1<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="89%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Exhibit No.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Document</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Second Amendment to Parker Drilling Company 2005 Long-Term
Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10(j) to the
Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2008).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Ronald C. Potter, Esq., as to legality of securities.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of KPMG LLP.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.3*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ronald C. Potter, Esq. (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included in signature page hereof).</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 18%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">*</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Filed herewith.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings." -->

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
</DIV>



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 6%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;1933 Act&#148;);
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 6%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; and
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 6%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement;
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) above do not apply if the
registration statement is on Form S-8 and the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or
furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Registrant pursuant to
Section&nbsp;13 or Section 15(d) of the 1934 Act that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the


securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) To remove from registration by means of post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->II-2<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the 1933 Act, each filing of the Registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to
Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the 1934 Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the 1934 Act) that is
incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(h)&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 1933 Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it
is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->II-3<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on March&nbsp;20, 2009.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">PARKER DRILLING COMPANY<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Robert L. Parker Jr.
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Robert L. Parker Jr.&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Chairman and Chief Executive Officer&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby
constitutes and appoints Robert L. Parker Jr. and W. Kirk Brassfield, and each of them, his or her
true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and re-substitution,
for him or her in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all
amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form S-8, and to
file the same, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact
and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or each of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes,
may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="14%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Signature</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Title</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Date</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Robert L. Parker Jr.
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Robert L. Parker Jr.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chairman and Chief Executive Officer&nbsp;(Principal
Executive Officer) and
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March&nbsp;20, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ W. Kirk Brassfield
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
W. Kirk Brassfield
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Senior Vice President and Chief&nbsp;Financial
Officer (Principal
Financial Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March&nbsp;20, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Lynn G. Cullom
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Lynn G. Cullom
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Controller (Principal Accounting&nbsp;Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March&nbsp;20, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ James W. Whalen
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
James W. Whalen
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Vice Chairman and Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March&nbsp;20, 2009</TD>
</TR>


<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ R. Rudolph Reinfrank
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
R. Rudolph Reinfrank
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March&nbsp;20, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->II-4<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="14%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Signature</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Title</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Date</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ John W. Gibson, Jr.
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
John W. Gibson, Jr.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March&nbsp;20, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Roger B. Plank
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Roger B. Plank
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March&nbsp;20, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Robert E. McKee III
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Robert E. McKee III
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March&nbsp;20, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ George J. Donnelly
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
George J. Donnelly
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March&nbsp;20, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Robert W. Goldman
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Robert W. Goldman
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March&nbsp;20, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Gary R. King
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Gary R. King
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March&nbsp;20, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->II-5<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- link1 "EXHIBIT INDEX" -->

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="89%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Exhibit No.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Document</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Amendment No.&nbsp;1 to the Parker Drilling Company 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated
herein by reference to Annex B to the Registrant&#146;s 2008 Proxy Statement dated March&nbsp;21, 2008).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Second Amendment to Parker Drilling Company 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10(j) to the Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the
year ended December&nbsp;31, 2008).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Ronald C. Potter, Esq., as to legality of securities.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of KPMG LLP.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.3*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ronald C. Potter, Esq. (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included in signature page hereof).</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 18%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">*</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Filed herewith.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>




<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio --><!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>



</BODY>
</HTML>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "h66201sv8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 43664}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "PARKER DRILLING CO /DE/", "cik": "0000076321", "assigned-sic": "1381", "irs-number": "730618660", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-158130", "film-number": "09696998"}, "business-address": {"street1": "1401 ENCLAVE PARKWAY", "street2": "SUITE 600", "city": "HOUSTON", "state": "TX", "zip": "77077", "phone": "281-406-2000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "1401 ENCLAVE PARKWAY", "street2": "SUITE 600", "city": "HOUSTON", "state": "TX", "zip": "77077"}}
sv8
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 20, 2009.
Registration No. 333-_______
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
The Securities Act of 1933
PARKER DRILLING COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
73-0618660
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification
Number)
1401 Enclave Parkway, Suite 600
Houston, Texas 77077
(Address of principal executive offices including zip code)
Parker Drilling Company 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan
(Full title of plan)
W. KIRK BRASSFIELD
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
1401 Enclave Parkway, Suite 600
Houston, Texas 77077
281-406-2000
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
þ
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed maximum
Proposed maximum
Title of securities
Amount to be
offering price per
aggregate offering
to be registered
registered(1)
share (2)
price (2)
Amount of registration fee
Common Stock, $.16
2/3 par value per
share
4,095,000 shares
$1.84
$7,534,800
$420.44
(1)
The shares of Common Stock being registered consist of 4,095,000 additional shares that may
be issued under the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Pursuant to Rule 416, this Registration
Statement also covers such indeterminable number of additional shares of Common Stock as may
become issuable as a result of any future anti-dilution adjustment in accordance with the
terms of the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
(2)
The amounts are based upon the average high and low sales prices per share of Common Stock as
reported on the New York Stock Exchange on March 19, 2009, and are used solely for the purpose
of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933.
INCORPORATION OF PRIOR
REGISTRATION STATEMENT BY REFERENCE
This Registration Statement relates to the registration of additional shares of Common Stock
of the Registrant to be issued pursuant to the Parker Drilling Company 2005 Long-Term Incentive
Plan, as amended (the "2005 Plan"). The additional shares relate, in part, to the amendment to the
2005 Plan approved by the stockholders of the Registrant at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on
April 24, 2008, to increase the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the
2005 Plan by 2,000,000 shares. The other 2,095,000 additional shares relate to shares that have
become available under the 2005 Plan generally as the result of the forfeiture or termination of
awards outstanding as of April 27, 2005 under certain stock benefit plans of the Registrant that
were frozen when the stockholders approved the 2005 Plan in April 2005. The contents of the
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-124697 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2005, relating to the 2005 Plan is hereby incorporated
by reference in this Registration Statement, except as amended hereby, pursuant to General
Instruction E of Form S-8.
* * * * * * * * * *
2
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents heretofore filed by the Registrant with the Securities and Exchange
Commission are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:
(1)
The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.
(2)
The description of the Registrant's Common Stock contained in the
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, dated June 16, 1969, including any
amendment or report heretofore or hereafter filed for the purpose of updating such
description.
In addition, all documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act") (other than
Current Reports or portions thereof furnished under Item 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K), prior to the
filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates that all securities offered hereby have been
sold or that de-registers all securities offered hereby then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to
be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from their
respective dates of filing.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to
the extent that a statement contained in any subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed
to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement
so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a
part of this Registration Statement.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
.
Ronald C. Potter, Esq., whose opinion of counsel is attached hereto as Exhibit 5, is Vice
President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Registrant. As of February 28, 2009, Mr.
Potter directly or indirectly beneficially owned, subject in some cases to certain restrictions,
98,951 shares of Common Stock of the Company and had the right to exercise options to receive an
additional 25,000 shares.
Item 8. Exhibits.
The following are included as exhibits to this Registration Statement, including those
incorporated by reference herein:
Exhibit No.
Document
4.1
Amendment No. 1 to the Parker Drilling Company 2005 Long-Term
Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Annex B to the Registrant's
2008 Proxy Statement dated March 21, 2008).
II-1
Exhibit No.
Document
4.2
Second Amendment to Parker Drilling Company 2005 Long-Term
Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(j) to the
Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008).
5*
Opinion of Ronald C. Potter, Esq., as to legality of securities.
23.1*
Consent of KPMG LLP.
23.2*
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.3*
Consent of Ronald C. Potter, Esq. (included in Exhibit 5).
24*
Power of Attorney (included in signature page hereof).
*
Filed herewith.
Item 9. Undertakings.
(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act");
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) above do not apply if the
registration statement is on Form S-8 and the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or
furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Registrant pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the 1934 Act that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the

securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
II-2
(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the 1933 Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to
Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the 1934 Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the 1934 Act) that is
incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(h) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 1933 Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it
is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
II-3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on March 20, 2009.
PARKER DRILLING COMPANY
By:
/s/ Robert L. Parker Jr.
Robert L. Parker Jr.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby
constitutes and appoints Robert L. Parker Jr. and W. Kirk Brassfield, and each of them, his or her
true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and re-substitution,
for him or her in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all
amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form S-8, and to
file the same, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact
and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or each of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes,
may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Robert L. Parker Jr.
Robert L. Parker Jr.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal
Executive Officer) and
Director
March 20, 2009
/s/ W. Kirk Brassfield
W. Kirk Brassfield
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer (Principal
Financial Officer)
March 20, 2009
/s/ Lynn G. Cullom
Lynn G. Cullom
Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)
March 20, 2009
/s/ James W. Whalen
James W. Whalen
Vice Chairman and Director
March 20, 2009
/s/ R. Rudolph Reinfrank
R. Rudolph Reinfrank
Director
March 20, 2009
II-4
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ John W. Gibson, Jr.
John W. Gibson, Jr.
Director
March 20, 2009
/s/ Roger B. Plank
Roger B. Plank
Director
March 20, 2009
/s/ Robert E. McKee III
Robert E. McKee III
Director
March 20, 2009
/s/ George J. Donnelly
George J. Donnelly
Director
March 20, 2009
/s/ Robert W. Goldman
Robert W. Goldman
Director
March 20, 2009
/s/ Gary R. King
Gary R. King
Director
March 20, 2009
II-5
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Document
4.1
Amendment No. 1 to the Parker Drilling Company 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated
herein by reference to Annex B to the Registrant's 2008 Proxy Statement dated March 21, 2008).
4.2
Second Amendment to Parker Drilling Company 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 10(j) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2008).
5*
Opinion of Ronald C. Potter, Esq., as to legality of securities.
23.1*
Consent of KPMG LLP.
23.2*
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.3*
Consent of Ronald C. Potter, Esq. (included in Exhibit 5).
24*
Power of Attorney (included in signature page hereof).
*
Filed herewith.