GOM Rig Count Up One

The U.S. Gulf of Mexico offshore rig count rose by one from last week, continuing its rise, with 166 of the region's 200 mobile offshore drilling units under contract, according to Offshore Data Services Inc. (ODS). Gulf of Mexico utilization rose to 83 percent, its highest level in 22 months. The worldwide rig count remained steady. ODS said there were 641 rigs worldwide with 525 under contract. Fleet utilization rate was at 81.9 percent. In the European/Mediterranean region, the offshore rig count was unchanged from a week ago with 89 of the region's mobile offshore drilling units under contract and fleet utilization in the region at 84.8 percent. ODS' total worldwide offshore rig count includes changes in utilization and fleet size in regions beyond just the Gulf of Mexico and Europe/Mediterranean.