Offshore Drill

Bill Allowing Offshore Drilling Introduced in Congress

An effort to open Virginia's coast to offshore drilling gained new momentum in Congress when Virginia's senators introduced legislation giving states the option to drill for natural gas. The bill would give governors of coastal states the power to opt out of a federal moratorium that prohibits offshore drilling in most U.S. coastal waters. The new legislation comes one week after the Bush administration signaled its support for such proposals by calling for a study of potential gas and oil development in Virginia waters. Unlike other recent drilling bills, however, the new legislation is limited to natural gas drilling - thereby keeping in place a federal ban on offshore drilling for oil. Oil drilling is often considered more environmentally threatening than gas drilling, although environmental activists have raised objections to both. As the price of natural gas reached record highs this winter, Congress has been considering various proposals to lift the federal moratorium and allow for gas and oil drilling. But opposition has been formidable, particularly from Florida lawmakers who fear oil spills on tourist-drawing beaches. (Source: Daily Press)

Drilling Sector May Have Missed Chance For Consolidation

Despite the announcement of a large offshore drilling merger this summer, the fragmented industry may have missed its chance for further consolidation due to a recent swift cyclical upswing, according to analysts. Shlumberger Ltd.'s announcement in July that it would merge its offshore drilling unit, Sedco Forex, with Transocean Offshore Inc., to form the world's largest offshore driller, was expected to set off a wave of consolidation in the industry

Offshore Rig Counts Mixed

The worldwide offshore rig demand declined since last week, according to Offshore Data Services' weekly mobile offshore rig count. While demand in the U.S. Gulf improved, European rig demand continues to suffer. In European waters, 74 offshore drilling rigs are under contract this week, a one-rig net decline from last week, and a 10-rig fall from two months ago. The 106-rig European offshore drilling fleet's utilization rate is 69.8 percent

Is the Offshore Boom Back?

Worldwide oil and gas drilling contractor GlobalSantaFe Corporation today reported that the company's worldwide SCORE, or Summary of Current Offshore Rig Economics, for June 2003 was up 3.0% from the previous month's SCORE. GlobalSantaFe's SCORE compares the profitability of current mobile offshore drilling rig dayrates to the profitability of dayrates at the 1980-1981 peak of the offshore drilling cycle. In the 1980-1981 period, when SCORE averaged 100 percent

GlobalSantaFe Worldwide September SCORE Up 1.7 Percent

SCORE ReportsWorldwide oil and gas drilling contractor GlobalSantaFe Corporation reported that the company's worldwide SCORE, or Summary of Current Offshore Rig Economics, for September 2006 increased 1.7% to 130.4 from the previous month's SCORE of 128.1. GlobalSantaFe's SCORE compares the profitability of current mobile offshore drilling rig dayrates to the profitability of dayrates at the 1980- 1981 peak of the offshore drilling cycle

GlobalSantaFe SCORE Improves

Worldwide oil and gas drilling contractor GlobalSantaFe Corporation reported that the company's worldwide SCORE, or Summary of Current Offshore Rig Economics, for December 2004 was up 3.6% from the previous month's SCORE. GlobalSantaFe's SCORE compares the profitability of current mobile offshore drilling rig dayrates to the profitability of dayrates at the 1980- 1981 peak of the offshore drilling cycle. In the 1980-1981 period, when SCORE averaged 100 percent

Offshore SCORE Drops in November

GlobalSantaFe Corporation reported that the company's worldwide SCORE, or Summary of Current Offshore Rig Economics, for November 2002 was down from the previous month's SCORE by 1.0 percent. GlobalSantaFe President and CEO Sted Garber said, "Worldwide SCORE was essentially flat in November. SCORE in the various international markets continues to fluctuate. The offshore drilling rig market will likely be in a holding pattern until operators' 2003 exploration and production budgets provide

Offshore:Offshore SCORE Drops in November

GlobalSantaFe Corp. reported that the company's worldwide SCORE, or Summary of Current Offshore Rig Economics, for November 2002 was down from the previous month's SCORE by 1.0 percent. GlobalSantaFe President and CEO Sted Garber said, "Worldwide SCORE was essentially flat in November. SCORE in the various international markets continues to fluctuate. The offshore drilling rig market will likely be in a holding pattern until operators' 2003 exploration and production budgets provide

Transocean Provides Update On Fleet Contract Status

Transocean Inc. announced that its report of drilling rig status and contract information covering the company's offshore drilling fleet has been updated as of May 1, 2007. Drilling rig status and contract information on Transocean Inc.'s offshore drilling fleet has been condensed into a report titled "Transocean Fleet Update," which is available through the company's Worldwide Web address at www.deepwater.com.

Transocean Provides Update On Fleet Contract Status

Transocean Inc. announced that its report of drilling rig status and contract information covering the company's 140-unit offshore drilling fleet has been updated. Drilling rig status and contract information on the company's offshore drilling fleet has been condensed into a report titled Transocean Fleet Update, which is available through the company's website www.deepwater.com. The report can be accessed from the home page of the Web address by clicking on the Fleet Update Report link