Anticipate Mobilisation Pressure From Rig Consolidation and Subsea Awards

Back to ADES Unless the market sees a mega-merger of multiple companies, then ADES is likely to remain the world’s largest offshore rig contractor in terms of managed fleet size for at least the next few years. As the industry trends towards a leaner, more efficient supply, we continue to expect more consolidation, whether piecemeal by single- or multiple-rig packages, or whole companies

By Cinnamon Edralin, Westwood Global Energy Group Saudi Arabia-based Advanced Energy Systems (ADES), which was the third-largest offshore driller in terms of managed units (jackups, semisubmersibles, drillships) based on figures at the end of 2024, has catapulted itself into the top spot with 77 units currently under its management – and more pending final contract signings

(COSL), which managed 65 units at the end of 2024 and now holds 66 units as of mid-2026. While ADES is focused on building its offshore drilling rig fleet, this is not the case for most of the drillers on the Top 10 list

The French energy major hopes to launch a multi-well exploration program next year, contingent on rig availability, according to its VP for Exploration in the Americas. Courtesy Staatsolie The current Open Door application process runs through mid-September

AfricaCourtesy TechnipFMC LinkedInBaker Hughes, TechnipFMC and Vallourec will supply subsea production systems, flexible flowlines and risers, and more than 210 km of subsea pipeline infrastructure for the ultradeepwate

AfricaCourtesy TechnipFMC LinkedInBaker Hughes, TechnipFMC and Vallourec will supply subsea production systems, flexible flowlines and risers, and more than 210 km of subsea pipeline infrastructure for the ultradeepwate... Courtesy EniThe design will draw on prior experience with the Coral Sul vessel in the metocean conditions offshore Mozambique

com/channel/UCy4hHphyg7qfjoI9EaEiOFACourtesy MODECVesselsGato do Mato FPSO hull section heads for ChinaThe FPSO, based on MODEC’s Next Generation Hull design, will operate at the Orca field offshore Brazil

comProductionFloating production and storage projects advance with new vessel milestonesJune 30, 2026Courtesy EquinorField DevelopmentBarents Sea Wisting partners target late 2027 investment decisionJune 26, 2026ID 461580407 © BiancoBlue | Dreamstime

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In 2012, Ryan joined EMAS AMC as an ROV Senior Pilot and was promoted to ROV Supervisor in 2014, supporting offshore construction and survey operations worldwide

Ryan Thomson is a Senior ROV Supervisor with Allseas, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in the offshore ROV industry