UPDATE 1-Eurasia to pay dividend after share placing

* Oil services firm to pay special dividend of $150 mln

* Says to raise the cash through a placing of GDRs

* Group to also target acquisitions (Adds more detail)

MOSCOW, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Russian oil industry services firm Eurasia Drilling (EDCLq.L) is to pay a one-off interim dividend payment of around $150 million, said Chief Executive Alexander Djaparidze, who is a major shareholder.

The company, which provides drilling services to oil and gas explorers both onshore Russia and in the Caspian Sea, said on Monday it would raise cash for the payout with the placing of at least 11.6 million Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs).

Founder Djaparidze owns nearly 46 percent of the company, according to the group's 2008 annual report.

"We are in the privileged position of ... being able to reward shareholders," Djaparidze said in a statement, adding that the group would maintain a strong balance sheet.

Eurasia said that it would use any leftover cash from the placing to target acquisitions. (Reporting by John Bowker; Editing by Greg Mahlich)