News Releases

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR
    DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

    TSX SYMBOL: TDG, TDG.DBCALGARY, May 13 /CNW/ - Trinidad Drilling Ltd. ("Trinidad" or the
"Company") (TSX-TDG and TDG.DB) today announced changes to its Board of
Directors with the retirement of Peter Gross and the appointment of Brock
Gibson.
    "Peter has made an important contribution to Trinidad over the years. He
has helped to guide the Company through a period of strong growth; including a
variety of business transactions and several commodity cycles," said Michael
Heier, Trinidad's Chairman of the Board. "We would like to thank him for his
dedication and commitment to Trinidad and wish him all the best in the coming
years."
    Brock Gibson joins Trinidad's Board of Directors following the Company's
annual meeting held on May 7th, 2009. He is Chair of the law firm, Blake,
Cassels & Graydon LLP and also practices in the area of corporate law with a
focus on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, energy and restructuring
transactions.
    "We are pleased to have Brock join the Board and look forward to the
valuable contribution his extensive experience in corporate securities and the
energy industry will add", said Mr. Heier.

    Trinidad is a growth-oriented corporation that trades on the Toronto
Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol TDG and TDG.DB. Trinidad's divisions
operate in the drilling, well-servicing, coring and barge-drilling sectors of
the North American oil and natural gas industry. With the completion of the
2008/2009 rig construction program, Trinidad will have 119 land drilling rigs
ranging in depths from 1,000 - 6,500 metres and operations in Canada, the
United States and Mexico. In addition to its land drilling rigs, Trinidad has
23 service rigs, 20 pre-set and coring rigs and 4 barge rigs currently
operating in the Gulf of Mexico. Trinidad is focused on providing modern,
reliable, expertly designed equipment operated by well-trained and experienced
personnel. Trinidad's drilling fleet is one of the most adaptable,
technologically advanced and competitive in the industry.

    This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy the shares in any jurisdiction. The shares
offered will not be and have not been registered under the United States
Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States or
to a United States person, absent registration, or an applicable exemption
therefrom.