Drilling Barge News


Client Sanctions Prompt Borr Drillings to Cancel Two Jack-Up Rig Deals

Oct 27, 2025

Offshore drilling contractor Borr Drilling has terminated two of its drilling contracts following the recent implementation of international sanctions affecting a counterparty.The terminations relate to the contracts for the Odin and Hild jack…

From Regional Champion to Global Powerhouse: Inside ADES and Shelf Drilling Fleet Merger

Oct 24, 2025

ADES is the largest jackup drilling contractor globally, with 44 rigs owned, and four under its management, and a fleet valued at $1.98 - $2.2 billion. Shelf Drilling, also among the TOP 5 jackup drilling contractors, has a modern 32-rig competitive fleet valued at $1…

Norway Issues Drilling Permit for Vår Energi’s North Sea Field

Oct 24, 2025

The Norwegian Offshore Directorate (NOD) has granted Vår Energi a drilling permit for a wildcat well in the North Sea field.The permit is for wellbore 25/8-C-23 D in production license 027.Vår Energi is the operator of the license, with 90% working interest…

Velesto, ICON Engineering Team Up for Rig-Installed Wellhead Platforms

Oct 23, 2025

Malaysia’s oil and gas services firm Velesto and ICON Engineering have signed an agreement to deliver Rig-Installed Wellhead Platforms (RIWHPs) for offshore oil and gas developments in Malaysia.The agreement brings together Velesto’s track record…

Shell to Appeal South African Court Ruling Blocking Exploration

Oct 22, 2025

Shell has applied to gain the right to appeal against the decision of a South African court to block exploration in the offshore block 5/6/7, a Shell spokesperson said on Wednesday.'Shell has filed an application for leave to appeal alongside…

Petrobras Targets Start of Foz do Amazonas Production Within Seven Years

Oct 22, 2025

Brazilian state-run oil company Petrobras' could start oil and gas production in the Foz do Amazonas basin within seven years if large reserves are confirmed, the company's Chief Executive Magda Chambriard told Reuters on Tuesday.Brazil's environmental…

Saipem Scoops $135M in New Drilling Rig Contracts and Extensions

Oct 22, 2025

Saipem has strengthened its offshore drilling order intake with new contract awards and extensions worth a total amount of approximately $135 million, further reinforcing its presence in key strategic areas such as West Africa, the Mediterranean…

Pharos Energy Kicks Off Drilling Campaign Offshore Vietnam

Oct 21, 2025

U.K.-based Pharos Energy, an independent energy company with assets in Vietnam and Egypt, has started a six-well drilling campaign offshore Vietnam designed to lift production from two of its existing fields and open new development opportunities…

Petrobras Gets Go-Ahead for Exploratory Drilling Near Mouth of Amazon River

Oct 21, 2025

Petrobras has received the environmental license from Brazil’s environmental agency Ibama to drill an exploratory well in block FZA-M-059, located in deep waters off Amapá, near the mouth of the Amazon river.The well is located in 500 km from the mouth of the Amazon river and 175 km from the coast…

Energy Drilling’s EDrill-2 Rig Starts Ops for PTTEP in Gulf of Thailand

Oct 20, 2025

The tender-assist drilling rig EDrill-2, owned by its SED Energy Holdings’ subsidiary Energy Drilling, has started operations for PTT Exploration and Production Public Company (PTTEP) in the Gulf of Thailand.EDrill-2 mobilized to the Gulf of Thailand…

Sanctions Force Vantage Drilling to End Platinum Explorer Contract

Oct 20, 2025

Offshore drilling contractor Vantage Drilling has announced the termination of the contract for its ultra-deepwater drillship Platinum Explorer.The termination, with immediate effect, is for the 260-day campaign the Platinum Explorer drillship was hired earlier in 2025…

BP Confirms Oil and Gas Find in Rhino-Operated License off Namibia

Oct 20, 2025

BP on Monday confirmed an oil and gas discovery in Namibia’s Orange basin as reported by African energy explorer and operator Rhino Resources earlier this month.Petroleum Exploration License 85, where the well was drilled, is operated by Rhino Resources with a working interest of 42…

Floating Power: ST Engineering, Siemens Energy to Build Estrella del Mar IV

Oct 17, 2025

ST Engineering’s Marine business and Siemens Energy have been awarded a second contract by Transcontinental Capital Corporation (Bermuda), a subsidiary of Seaboard Corporation, to deliver Estrella del Mar IV, a barge-mounted power plant to Santo Domingo in Dominican Republic…

Offshore Drilling Gains Momentum in US as Onshore Fades

Oct 16, 2025

Rigs drilling beneath the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico will drive U.S. oil industry growth this year and next as onshore production slows due to lower prices and maturing shale fields, and analysts and consultants expect the trend to continue…

Saipem Wins Three Offshore Azerbaijan Contracts

Oct 15, 2025

Saipem, in consortium with BOS Shelf LLC and BOS Shelf International FZCO, (both companies being affiliates to the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic, SOCAR) has been awarded three new offshore contracts for the Shah Deniz Compression project operated by bp in Azerbaijan…

Current News

BOEM Initiates Process for Potential Mineral Lease Sale Offshore Virginia

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Wood Nets Long-Term Maintenance Contract for Rio Grande LNG Facility

TechnipFMC to Supply Subsea Systems for Chevron’s Gas Project off Australia

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