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. The last time European utilization was lower than 70 percent was in February 1988. The Gulf of Mexico offshore rig count posted a two-rig increase on a week-to-week basis. With 144 of the 190 rigs in the area under contract, U.S. Gulf rig utilization is 75.8 percent. Worldwide offshore rig demand fell by one since last week. However, with the retirement of one rig, utilization remains the same. This week, 470 of the world's 630 mobile offshore drilling units are under contract, and worldwide offshore rig utilization is 74.6 percent.