AlKhobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – 30 October 2025: Arabian Drilling (Tadawul: 2381), the largest drilling contractor in Saudi Arabia by fleet size, has received official notice to resume two offshore rigs that had been temporarily suspended. The rigs will restart operations at prevailing market day rates, beginning in Q1 2026. When combined with the company’s first international contract, offshore utilization is expected to reach 100% in Q2 2026.
This development follows recent contract extensions for Arabian Drilling, including a one-year renewal covering eleven land gas rigs. These awards reinforce its role as a reliable partner for major energy clients and support ongoing efforts to optimize asset utilization and operational efficiency.
Ghassan Mirdad, Chief Executive Officer of Arabian Drilling, said: “The resumption of two offshore rigs is a positive signal for Arabian Drilling and the broader Saudi energy sector. We welcome these recalls and remain focused on maintaining strong performance across our fleet.”
Arabian Drilling was among several contractors affected by Saudi Aramco’s 2024 suspension decisions, alongside Borr Drilling, Shelf Drilling, and ADES. Separately, ADES confirmed last week that its 2019-built jackup Admarine 510 also received a resumption notice and will begin operations in Saudi Arabia in 2026.
