Offshore Rig Demand Rises In U.S., Falls In Europe

Rig demand increased in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and declined slightly in Europe, following a pattern that is likely to be repeated through the end of this year at least. According to Offshore Data Services' weekly mobile offshore rig count, the U.S. Gulf rig count increased by three rigs since last week. Today, 136 of the region's 187 mobile offshore drilling units are under contract and U.S. Gulf mobile offshore rig utilization is 72.7 percent. The European offshore rig count declined by one since last week and now stands at 79. The 107-rig European offshore drilling fleet's utilization rate is now 73.8 percent. Worldwide, a net four-rig increase in rig demand boosted the worldwide offshore rig count to 471. The worldwide offshore drilling fleet consists of 630 rigs; the worldwide fleet utilization rate is 74.8 percent.