By: The Canadian Press

CALGARY - Ensign Energy Services Inc. (TSX:ESI), a big oil and gas driller based in Calgary, reported its second quarter net profit rose to $32.3 million from $25.1 million as revenues increased 14 per cent.

Ensign said Monday it earned 21 cents a share for the second quarter of 2007, up from 16 cents for the same 2007 period.

Revenue jumped to $337.8 million from $296.5 million.

Ensign said its strong financial results reflected better than expected financial results from the Canadian oilfield services division and record contributions from United States operations, where the company grew its drilling fleet last year.

In Canada, the company said it was the most active driller in Western Canada in the second quarter, recording more metres drilled in that region than any other drilling contractor.

In trading Monday on the TSX, Ensign shares rose $1.28 to $19.48, a gain of more than seven per cent, on nearly one million shares traded.

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