Offshore Rig Report

The U.S. and European offshore rig counts increased since last week, according to Offshore Data Services' weekly mobile offshore rig count. In addition, one new rig joined the worldwide drilling fleet.

The U.S. Gulf of Mexico rig count posted a net three-rig increase over last week. With 149 of the area's 195 mobile offshore drilling rigs now under contract, U.S. Gulf offshore rig utilization is 76.4 percent.

The European offshore rig count increased by two rigs compared to last week. This week, 81 of the area's 106 mobile offshore drilling units are under contract. European offshore rig utilization now stands at 76.4 percent, the same as the U.S. Gulf offshore rig utilization rate.

Worldwide, a net five rig increase in the offshore rig count boosted world offshore rig utilization to 76.6 percent. Currently, 487 of the world's 636 mobile offshore drilling units are under contract.