Sevan signals Asian “round-rig” expansion Mar 16, 2007
Norwegian cylindrical oil platform builder Sevan Marine will expand its fleet of four “rigs” under construction to five under a deal reached with two Chinese yards, while securing hulls for a No. 6 and No. 7.

Eirik Raude heads back to Orphan Mar 16, 2007
Stavanger-based drilling contractor Ocean Rig said late Thursday that the Ocean Rig semi-submersible Eirik Raude is on its way back to the Orphan Basin after repairs at Kewitt shipyard in Newfoundland.

Noble “baredeck” is $377M Marathon hire Mar 14, 2007
Noble Drilling Services Inc. has hired out a high-spec semisubersible drill rig, the Noble Bingo 9000 Rig 4, to Marathon Oil on terms yet to be worked out, it was understood Wednesday.

Total hires platform support off Congo Mar 13, 2007
Paris-based oil company Total has chartered a platform supply vessel from Norway-based Deep Sea Supply for service offshore the Congo, it was announced Tuesday.

Granby gains rig, FPSO for Phillippines find Mar 12, 2007
North Sea player, Granby Oil & Gas, declared Monday that financing is in place to develop the Galoc oil find off the northwestern Phillippines with two sub-sea wells and a floating production, storage and offloading vessel, or FPSO.

U.S. offshore rig count edges upward Mar 12, 2007
The count of rigs plying waters offshore the United States fell by five last week to 89,  but was still up by six over a month ago, and the new seven-day number is identical to the same period in 2006.

Seadrill files suit against Oslo Bourse Mar 8, 2007
Norwegian offshore contractor Seadrill Ltd. is sueing Oslo Bourse over the exchange’s decision to compell the company to make a higher offer to shareholders for rival Eastern Drilling.

Addax guides Aban Abraham to Guinea Gulf Mar 7, 2007
Calgary-based Addax Petroleum has secured a drill ship from Indian company Aban Abraham Ltd. for its 2008 drilling campaign in the Gulf of Guinea, West Africa.

Deep Sea Supply to ply hot markets with new ship Mar 7, 2007
Norway-based Deep Sea Supply PLC has chartered an anchor-handling, tug-supply vessel from Java Marine Lines of Singapore, it was understood Monday.

TODCO “205” is Pemex hire after tugs, torch Mar 7, 2007
Shallow-water driller TODCO of Houston has secured a two-year drilling contract with Mexican oil company Pemex for “THE 2005” rig on the U.S. Gulf Coast, it was learned Wednesday.

Aker, DOF alliance good for two more ships Mar 5, 2007
Aker Yards will build two anchor-handlling supply vessels, or AHTSs, for DOF ASA, the group whose sub-sea business is part owner of new entity Aker Oilfield.

SS Petrolia becomes $269M Pemex hire Mar 5, 2007
Bergen-, Norway based Petrolia Drilling has found high-paying work for one of its rigs by employing drilling contractor and manager, Larsen Oil & Gas Ltd. of Aberdeen, it was understood Monday.

Aker Yards to build Aker Oilfield $650M in ships Mar 2, 2007
Aker Yards will build four well-intervention and construction vessels for newly created Aker Group business, Aker Oilfield Services, it was announced Friday.

Awilco orders newbuild drill rig No. 8 Mar 2, 2007
Norwegian drilling contractor, Awilco Offshore ASA, has ordered its eighth jack-up rig, this time with PPL shipyard at a cost of $149 million.

Premium mobilizes for offshore Sakhalin job Feb 26, 2007
Norwegian drilling interests Sinvest and Premium Drilling have agreed a letter of intent with Venineft LLC for the drilling of one well offshore Sakhalin Island, it was announced Monday.