Abstract: A packing element for fluid-fluid contact apparatus is of generally tubular form, having a cylindrical wall in which two rows of apertures are formed. The first of the rows includes a plurality of apertures formed circumferentially in the wall, and the second of the rows, longitudinally spaced from the first row, includes a second plurality of apertures distributed circumferentially around the wall. First and second pluralities of tongues associated with the apertures respectively extend inwardly generally towards the longitudinal axis of the element, the tongues being provided in two different lengths. The packing element is preferably formed from strip metal, and the apertures are formed by depression of the tongue from the plane of the strip, prior to curving of the strip into cylindrical form.