GOM Offshore Rig Utilization Unchanged

The number of offshore rigs drilling in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico remained the same during the week ended September 29, according to Offshore Data Services (ODS). Of the region's 205 available rigs, 173, or 84.4 percent were under contract, ODS said in its weekly rig count report. The gains in the Gulf were reflected in worldwide utilization, which increase by two to 549 out of the total 643, bringing the rate of use to 85.4 percent, the report said. European offshore rig utilization remained steady for the fourth consecutive week at 88.5 percent, with 92 in use out of 104 available, according to ODS. ODS' total worldwide offshore rig count includes changes in utilization and fleet size in regions beyond just the Gulf of Mexico and Europe.