Drilling & Completion
Rig counts, drilling activity, completion techniques, and oilfield services.
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Latest Drilling Stories
SLB awarded offshore drilling contracts for Tangkulo development in Indonesia
SLB has been awarded multiple offshore drilling services contracts by Mubadala Energy for the Tangkulo natural gas deepwater development in Indonesia. The project aims to deliver first gas by the end of 2028 and includes a comprehensive scope of drilling and well services. This development is significant for Indonesia's long-term energy security.
Turan Drilling and Engineering secures $1 billion offshore contract in Caspian Sea
Turan Drilling and Engineering Company, a joint venture with Helmerich & Payne, has secured a five-year offshore operations and maintenance contract from bp in the Caspian Sea, effective March 2026. The contract could exceed $1 billion if all extension options are exercised. TURAN will provide services for eight offshore platforms, enhancing operational collaboration with bp.
Vantage Drilling receives $261M contract from ONGC for Platinum Explorer
Vantage Drilling International Ltd. has received a Notification of Award from ONGC for the drillship Platinum Explorer. The contract is valued at $261 million for a 3-year firm period with an optional 1-year extension, starting within 180 days of the NOA. This contract involves deepwater drilling operations in India.
Velesto secures $16.5 million drilling contract with Jadestone offshore Malaysia
Velesto has secured a $16.5 million drilling contract from Jadestone Energy for operations at the East Belumut field offshore Malaysia. The contract involves the NAGA 8 jack-up rig and is set to commence in March 2026, lasting four months. Jadestone's infill program has previously increased field output and reserves significantly.
Big Oil shifts focus from buybacks to growth and drilling
Oil supermajors are prioritizing growth and drilling after years of focusing on shareholder returns. Analysts note a renewed emphasis on expanding oil reserves, with companies like Shell and BP planning acquisitions and new discoveries. This shift comes as the International Energy Agency revised its outlook on oil demand, indicating a long-term future for oil and gas.
Turkey sends deep-sea drilling ship to Somalia
Turkey has dispatched its deep-sea drilling ship to Somalia, marking its first overseas drilling mission. This initiative reflects Turkey's expanding interests in international oil and gas exploration.
Birchcliff focuses on disciplined Montney drilling strategy
Birchcliff's 2025 drilling strategy in the Grande Prairie Montney emphasizes disciplined, infrastructure-led development. The approach includes multi-well pads and concentrated rig usage, prioritizing efficiency over volume growth to optimize returns.
Grounded Lithium begins drilling first oil and gas well in Saskatchewan
Grounded Lithium Corp. has commenced drilling its first oil and gas well in Marsden, Saskatchewan, as part of a two well program. This initiative aims to enhance the company's near-term cash flow strategy.
bp targets 650,000 boed output by 2030 through shale drilling expansion
bp Plc plans to increase shale production by 8% this year, aiming for 650,000 bpd by 2030. This output will represent about 20% of the company's total production. The strategy comes as bp seeks to recover from previous production declines and improve its financial position.
Diamondback Energy executes factory-style drilling program in Reagan County, Texas
Diamondback Energy implemented a factory-style drilling program in Reagan County, Texas, focusing on efficiency and production readiness. The program includes single-section pad development and uniform horizontal well design, emphasizing repeatability over exploratory risk.
Shell begins drilling campaign at Mina West project in Egypt
Shell initiates a drilling campaign in Egypt with two exploration probes following the completion of development wells at the Mina West project. This marks a significant step in exploration efforts in the region.
Dolphin Drilling and Vantris sign marketing deal for Blackford Dolphin rig
Dolphin Drilling Offshore and Vantris Energy have entered a marketing agreement for the Blackford Dolphin semi-submersible rig. Vantris will market the rig in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. The Blackford Dolphin can operate at depths of up to 6,000 feet and drill up to 30,000 feet.
PetroChina initiates 2026 drilling program in Indonesia
PetroChina's Indonesian subsidiary plans to drill six development wells in 2026. This initiative marks a significant step in the company's exploration and production efforts in the region.
Borr Drilling secures contract extensions and new assignments for jack-up rigs
Borr Drilling Limited has secured contract extensions and new assignments for several jack-up drilling rigs. The Ran jackup will work with Eni offshore Mexico from January to March 2026, while the Odin jackup is contracted from July to November 2026 with an undisclosed customer. Additional contracts include the Saga jackup with Brunei Shell Petroleum and the Grid rig with New Age Energy offshore Congo.
SLB signs offshore drilling contracts for Tangkulo gas project in Indonesia
SLB has signed multiple offshore drilling service contracts with Mubadala Energy for the Tangkulo gas deepwater development project in Indonesia. The contracts aim for first gas production by the end of 2028 and include integrated drilling and well services covering the entire well lifecycle. This project is significant for Indonesia's long-term energy security.
Japan protests China's gas drilling in East China Sea
Japan has lodged a protest with China regarding 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, particularly after comments made by Japan's Prime Minister about Taiwan. Japan asserts that the median line should define their exclusive economic zones, while China claims a border closer to Japan.
ConocoPhillips prioritizes compensation recovery in Venezuela over new drilling
ConocoPhillips CEO Ryan Lance emphasizes the company's focus on recovering nearly $10 billion owed from Venezuela due to nationalization of its oil projects, rather than pursuing new drilling. Despite favorable international arbitration judgments, efforts to recover the funds have faced challenges. The company has written down $12 billion on its Venezuelan investments.
Petrobras cleared to resume drilling in Foz do Amazonas basin
Petrobras has received authorization to resume drilling activities in the Foz do Amazonas basin. This authorization is contingent upon a series of conditions that must be met before drilling can commence.
US to auction drilling rights for 5.5 million acres in Alaska on March 9
The Trump administration will auction oil and gas drilling rights for 5.5 million acres in Alaska's National Petroleum Reserve on March 9. This sale is the first of at least five mandated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Currently, about 1.6 million acres of the reserve are leased to oil and gas companies.
Drilling firms anticipate increased activity in Saudi Arabia
Drilling companies expect a significant increase in activity in Saudi Arabia after a period of reduced operations due to production cuts and contract suspensions. The region is anticipated to regain its status as a key market for drilling firms, with a focus on both oil and gas development projects. This shift comes as previous cuts and capacity freezes are reassessed.
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