Gulf Drilling International News


Halliburton Launches Shankless Matrix-Body Drill Bit to Cut Well Time

Jan 06, 2026

U.S. oilfield services provider Halliburton has introduced the HyperSteer MX directional drill bit, a shankless matrix-body bit designed to improve durability, enhance directional control, and reduce well construction time.The new bit delivers longer drilling runs…

Borr Drilling Locks In Mexico Extension, New US Contract for Two Jack-Ups

Jan 06, 2026

Offshore drilling contractor Borr Drilling has secured new contract commitments for two of its premium jack-up rigs, adding firm work in Mexico and the United States.Borr Drilling’s jack-up rig Ran has received a one-well extension from Italy’s Eni in Mexico…

Chevron Delivers First Oil from New Platform Offshore Angola

Jan 06, 2026

Chevron has delivered first oil from its South N’dola platform offshore Angola, marking a major project milestone just over two years after construction began.Located in Block 0, which accounts for around 12% of Angola’s daily energy output…

TechnipFMC Awarded Tiber Contract

Jan 05, 2026

TechnipFMC has been awarded a large integrated engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (iEPCI™) contract by bp for its greenfield Tiber development in the Gulf of America.The direct award leverages the engineering and equipment in progress for bp’s first 20…

Oil Executives Dispute Trump's Claim of Talks with US Majors on Venezuela

Jan 05, 2026

Four oil executives who are familiar with the situation say that the Trump administration didn't consult Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips or Chevron about Venezuela either before or after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro on Jan…

Explainer: Status of Foreign Oil Companies in Venezuela After Maduro’s Arrest

Jan 05, 2026

Here are some key facts about the international oil companies operating in Venezuela. The country, which has the largest oil reserves in the world, is now in crisis following the capture of the President Nicolas Maduro.Hugo Chavez, the former president…

Transocean Nets $168M in Two Drilling Rig Contracts

Jan 05, 2026

Offshore drilling contractor Transocean has secured a new contract and an extension for two of its rigs, adding approximately $168 million to its firm backlog.In Brazil, the Deepwater Mykonos was awarded a contract by BP for an estimated 302-day campaign beginning in the third quarter of 2026…

Offshore Rig Outlook: As 2025 Challenges Fade, Path Ahead Brightens

Jan 02, 2026

While challenges linger from the 2025 offshore rig market, there are signs it will look brighter from late 2026 onwards.Main Events of 2025One of the biggest talking points of 2024 and 2025 was Saudi Aramco’s suspension of 36 jackups from April 2024…

OE’s 2025 Top of the Festive Video Pops: Santa Goes Offshore

Dec 31, 2025

The holiday season would not feel complete without festive greetings from offshore industry companies - and once again, they have delivered.While most of us are busy wrapping presents, planning family dinners, and counting down the days to the New Year…

Harbour Energy Takes Operatorship of Zama Field Offshore Mexico

Dec 31, 2025

U.K.-based oil and gas firm Harbour Energy has been appointed operator of the Zama oil project offshore Mexico.The appointment was agreed by the Zama partners, including Pemex, Grupo Carso and Talos Energy who will have the option to appoint key personnel into Harbour's project team…

ASRY Completes Multiple Rig Upgrades for ADES

Dec 30, 2025

The Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Company (ASRY) has completed several rig repair and upgrade projects for Saudi-based ADES Holding, strengthening the partnership between the two companies.In 2025, several ADES jack-up rigs underwent major works at ASRY’s facilities in Bahrain…

Surprise Gas Hit Adds Momentum to ConocoPhillips’ Australian Drilling Ops

Dec 30, 2025

An offshore gas exploration well operated by ConocoPhillips Australia has intersected unexpected gas in the Otway Basin off southeastern Australia, prompting a temporary pause in drilling while partners assess changes to the well design.The Charlemont-1 exploration well…

Saipem Extends Charter, Purchase Option for Deep Value Driller Drillship

Dec 29, 2025

Deep Value Driller has agreed with Saipem to extend the bareboat charter for its seventh-generation drillship Deep Value Driller and to prolong the period during which Saipem may exercise an option to buy the vessel.Under the amended agreement…

Petronas Drills First of Four Wells in Block Offshore Suriname

Dec 29, 2025

Petronas has completed drilling of the Caiman-1 exploration well in Block 52 offshore Suriname, marking the first well in its four-well 2025–2026 drilling campaign in the block.The Caiman-1 well was spudded on July 21, 2025 and safely plugged and abandoned on December 6…

PV Drilling’s Jack-Up Rig Returns to Asia Ahead of April Drilling Ops

Dec 26, 2025

Vietnam’s PV Drilling has informed that its jack-up rig PV DRILLING IX arrived to Vietnam, after completing a two-month transport voyage from Europe, marking a key milestone ahead of its planned return to drilling operations in 2026.The rig reached Vung Tau on December 25…

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