National Oilwell Varco Inc. Wednesday said first-quarter net income rose to $397.6 million, or $1.11 a share, from $275.9 million, or 78 cents a share, in the year-ago period. The company expects demand for its drilling equipment, particularly for international offshore projects, to 'remain strong' into 2008. http://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2008/04/30/afx4951819.html