Drilling News


Baker Hughes: US Rig Count Remains Steady

Nov 08, 2024

U.S. energy firms this week kept the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating unchanged for a record third week in a row, according to energy services firm Baker Hughes' data going back to 1987.The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output…

Analysts: Trump Hardening Iran Policy Might Not Stem Flow to China

Nov 06, 2024

Former President Donald Trump's return to the White House could mean tougher enforcement of U.S. oil sanctions against Iran, potentially trimming global supplies, but his administration could struggle to get China, Iran's top crude customer…

ADIPEC Urges Efforts to Assist Emerging Economies

Nov 06, 2024

Energy and finance leaders at ADIPEC urge joint efforts to mobilize capital for emerging economies.The new Finance & Investment Conference at ADIPEC 2024 concluded today with a renewed call for accessible and affordable capital for a fair energy transition…

Shell Pauses Gulf of Mexico Drilling Ops, Moves Personnel to Shore Amid Hurricane Forecast

Nov 05, 2024

Shell has paused some drilling operations in the Gulf of Mexico and moved non-essential personnel to shore amid weather disturbance which could become a hurricane.As a precautionary measure, Shell started moving non-essential personnel to shore from its Appomattox…

Enersol to Acquire Deep Well Services in $223M Deal

Nov 04, 2024

Enersol, a joint venture between ADNOC Drilling and Alpha Dhabi Holdings, has signed an agreement to acquire a U.S.-based oilfield services company Deep Well Services (DWS) for approximately $223 million, including performance-based payments…

Vår Energi Gets Go-Ahead for Barents Sea Drilling Campaign

Nov 04, 2024

The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Vår Energi a drilling permit for a wildcat well in the Barents Sea.The permit has been issued for wellbore 7122/9-2 in production license 1131, which is operated by Vår Energi with 40% working interest…

Shelf Drilling Secures $200M Contract Extensions with Chevron for Thailand Ops

Nov 04, 2024

Offshore drilling contractor Shelf Drilling has secured contract extensions for two of its jack-up rigs with Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production for operations offshore Thailand.The contract extensions are for Shelf Drilling Chaophraya and Shelf Drilling Krathong jack-up rigs…

Shell Finds Gas at Selene Prospect in North Sea

Oct 31, 2024

Shell-operated joint venture, consisting of Deltic Energy and Dana Petroleum, has confirmed gas discovery in the Selene prospect in the North Sea.The Shell operated 48/8b-3Z well, in license P2437, proved a 160-meter-thick section of Leman Sandstone…

Ultra-Deepwater FPSO Starts Oil Production Offshore Brazil

Oct 30, 2024

Petrobras has achieved first oil with the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit Marechal Duque de Caxias, one of the largest ultra-deepwater FPSOs in the world, installed at the Mero field in Santos Basin, offshore Brazil.The FPSO has the capacity to produce up to 180…

CEP Taps Zenith Energy for Well Management Services Offshore Poland

Oct 30, 2024

Aberdeen-based well management company Zenith Energy has been awarded six-figure well management contract with Central European Petroleum (CEP) as part of Poland’s Wolin project.Zenith has been contracted to provide full well management including all well engineering…

TotalEnergies Makes Additional Gas Discovery at Harald Field in Danish North Sea

Oct 29, 2024

TotalEnergies has discovered additional gas condensate resources in the new well at the Harald field in the Danish North Sea, which could start producing through the existing Harald and Tyra facilities before the end of 2024.Located in shallow waters…

Galp Spuds New Appraisal Well Offshore Namibia

Oct 25, 2024

Portuguese oil company Galp has started second exploration and appraisal campaign at Orange Basin block, offshore Namibia.The appraisal campaign is being conducted at blocks 2813A and 2814B, part of PEL 83 license, where Galp is the operator with 80% stake…

OKEA Secures Permit for New Brage Field Drilling Operation

Oct 24, 2024

The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted OKEA a drilling permit for a new wildcat well at Brage field in the North Sea.The permit is for a wellbore 31/4-A-23 F in production license 055.OKEA is the operator of the license with 35.2% stake…

Impending Shortage of Jackups within Ageing Asia Pacific Fleet

Oct 24, 2024

While utilization for marketed jackup rigs is at a healthy 100% in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, it is an ageing fleet that will ultimately be unable to fulfil operator age requirements.Westwood’s RigLogix records 39 marketed jackups in APAC…

Norwegian Authorities Clear Shelf Drilling’s Jack-Up for Work with Equinor

Oct 24, 2024

Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority (Havtil) has issued the Acknowledgement of Compliance (AoC) for the Shelf Drilling Barsk jack-up rig, which can now proceed to start operations with Equinor on the Sleipner Vest field, off Norway.Earlier in 2024…

Current News

Kongsberg Discovery Acquires Naxys Technologies

Shell Comes Up Dry Offshore Namibia

Alaska sues Biden Administration over ANWR Leases

EIA: Cushing Crude Stocks fall to Decade-low levels

Subscribe for OE Digital E‑News