Akita announces management change

    CALGARY, May 15 /CNW/ - AKITA Drilling Ltd. today announced the
retirement of John Hlavka as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Board
of Directors has appointed its President and Chief Operating Officer, Karl
Ruud, to the new role of President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Hlavka
will continue to serve on the Board of Directors. These actions are effective
June 30, 2009.
    Mr. Hlavka, a veteran of the Canadian drilling industry for over six
decades, has had a distinguished career with AKITA since its inception.
    Mr. Ruud has extensive drilling experience in Canada and internationally
and has also been with AKITA since the formation of the Company. Mr. Ruud has
a broad range of experience in all aspects of AKITA's business.

    AKITA Drilling Ltd. is an Alberta Company engaged in the contract
drilling business and its outstanding Class A Non-Voting Shares and Class B
Common Shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols
"AKT.A" and "AKT.B" respectively.


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