Drilling & Completion
Rig counts, drilling activity, completion techniques, and oilfield services.
Related Topics
Latest Drilling Stories
Baker Hughes Rig Count reports on drilling activity
The Baker Hughes Rig Count serves as an indicator of drilling activity and demand for products related to well drilling and hydrocarbon production. It reflects trends in the oil and gas industry.
Kosmos Energy updates on Ghana drilling and LNG project progress
Kosmos Energy successfully drilled the J-74 well in Ghana, expected to produce over 10,000 bopd. The company anticipates gross Jubilee production to reach nearly 70,000 bopd by early 2026. Additionally, the GTA LNG project in Mauritania and Senegal is operating at nameplate capacity, with cargo liftings expected to nearly double in 2026.
DNO ASA resumes drilling in Kurdistan after 2.5-year pause
DNO ASA announces a resumption of drilling operations in the Kurdistan Region after a 2.5-year pause, targeting a 25% increase in output to 100,000 bpd. The company has mobilized two rigs to drill eight wells through 2026, following the achievement of over 500 million barrels in cumulative oil production from the Tawke licence. Despite previous export pipeline closures, Tawke continues to produce around 80,000 bpd through optimization efforts.
Harold Hamm halts Bakken drilling due to low oil prices
Harold Hamm, founder of Continental Resources, ceases drilling operations in North Dakota for the first time in over 30 years due to low oil prices. The average breakeven price for drilling in the Bakken is now at least $58 per barrel, while recent U.S. benchmark prices have rarely topped $60. Analysts predict that lower oil prices will reduce drilling activity across major basins, including the Permian.
Petrobras halts oil drilling near Amazon due to fluid leak
Petrobras has halted oil drilling off the coast of the Amazon region due to a fluid leak identified in auxiliary lines. The leak was contained and isolated, with plans for inspection and repair. This drilling project has faced opposition from environmental groups and Indigenous communities, despite government support for oil exploration.
U.S. drilling productivity metrics improve across major basins
Drilling productivity metrics in the U.S. show improvements across major basins, including the Permian, Bakken, and Haynesville. The average output per rig has increased, indicating enhanced efficiency in drilling operations.
Vaalco Energy spuds ET-15 well in Gabon offshore drilling program
Vaalco Energy Inc. has spudded the ET-15 infill well on the Etame platform, initiating its phase-three drilling program offshore Gabon. The program includes multiple development wells and workovers at the Etame, Seent, and Ebouri platforms.
Turkey begins first deepwater drilling venture off Somalia
Turkey will commence its first deepwater drilling project in Somalia next month, following an energy exploration deal signed in 2024. The project aims to diversify Turkey's energy supply and reduce reliance on imports, despite challenges such as infrastructure and security in the region. Turkey's investment in Somalia reflects its broader strategy to enhance its presence in Africa.
Transocean secures $168 million in contracts for drilling rigs
Transocean Ltd. announced a contract award and extension for two drilling rigs totaling approximately $168 million. The Deepwater Mykonos will begin a 302-day campaign with bp in Brazil, contributing about $120 million to the backlog. The Transocean Enabler will see an extension of 105 days of work in Norway, adding approximately $48 million to the backlog.
Vital Energy expands drilling position in Alberta's Charlie Lake
Vital Energy expanded its upstream position in Alberta by acquiring 1,792 hectares of Crown petroleum and natural gas rights. This acquisition allows for up to 44 potential drilling locations targeting the Charlie Lake reservoir. The company plans to focus its future activities on this asset in the Grande Prairie region.
Petronas completes first well in Suriname offshore drilling campaign
Petronas has completed the first well of a four-well drilling campaign in an offshore block in Suriname. The well, located in the western part of the block, produced encouraging results according to Staatsolie's early December release.
Equinor granted permit for North Sea drilling
Equinor has received a permit to begin drilling an exploration well in the North Sea, expected to start in December.
Japan protests China's gas drilling in East China Sea
Japan has lodged a protest with China over a mobile drilling vessel operating in the East China Sea, an area rich in gas deposits. The protest follows rising tensions between the two nations regarding territorial claims and resource development. Japan asserts that the median line should define their exclusive economic zones, while China claims a border closer to Japan.
ReconAfrica advances drilling projects in Namibia, Angola, and Gabon
ReconAfrica completed drilling its second well in Namibia's Damara Fold Belt, encountering significant hydrocarbons. The company expanded its acreage in Angola and offshore Gabon, preparing for production tests at Kavango West 1X in 2026. The partnership with NAMCOR and BW Energy aims to support hydrocarbon development in Namibia.
Central Petroleum initiates drilling campaign for gas supply in Northern Territory
Central Petroleum plans a four-well drilling program in Northern Territory, targeting two wells at Mereenie and two at Palm Valley, starting mid-2026. The program aims to secure long-term gas supply of up to 25.5 petajoules through 2034. The project requires final internal approvals from joint venture participants and Power and Water Corp. by February 2026.
Oil India begins offshore drilling in Kerala-Konkan Basin
Oil India Limited has started offshore drilling in the Kerala-Konkan Basin by spudding the first well. The well will be among the deepest in Indian waters, aiming to explore significant oil and gas potential in the region.
Borr Drilling secures new contracts for jack-up rigs in the Americas
Borr Drilling Limited announces new contract commitments for two jack-up rigs. The Ran rig has a one-well extension with ENI in Mexico for 75 days, while the Odin rig has secured a contract for two wells in the U.S., expected to start mid-2026. The Odin's contract activation allows for an additional six months of optional work starting January 2027.
Chris Curtis advances to lead drilling performance team at H&P
Chris Curtis has progressed from a roughneck to the manager of H&P's drilling performance team over 18 years. He emphasizes safety and innovation in drilling operations, including the implementation of StallAssist® technology to enhance efficiency and safety. Curtis also contributes to the Driller Performance Academy, focusing on training the next generation of drillers.
Increased drilling needed to offset rapid declines from existing horizontal wells
U.S. crude oil production from existing wells declined by 4.3 million b/d from December 2023 to December 2024, necessitating the addition of over 15,000 new wells, primarily horizontal, which produced 4.4 million b/d. Natural gas production also saw a decline of 27.0 Bcf/d from existing wells, offset by new wells producing 28.0 Bcf/d, leading to an overall increase in production to 116.5 Bcf/d in December 2024.
Velesto sells jack-up drilling rig NAGA 3 for $63 million
Velesto has agreed to sell its jack-up drilling rig, NAGA 3, to PT Indonesia Drilling Energy for $63 million. The sale is part of Velesto's fleet optimization strategy and is expected to be completed by the end of the first half of 2026.
Drilling FAQ
What is Drilling & Completion?
- Rig counts, drilling activity, completion techniques, and oilfield services.
How does Energy Marketplace cover Drilling?
- We aggregate and analyze news from dozens of industry sources covering Drilling & Completion. Our AI clusters related stories together so you can see the full picture of each development.
How often is Drilling coverage updated?
- Our Drilling coverage updates continuously throughout the trading day. Breaking news typically appears within minutes of publication.