Oil platforms that were temporarily out of service, the company Arabian Drilling expects these offshore platforms to return to work in the coming weeks.
The move marks the start of a gradual recovery of the marine fleet after the suspensions adopted at the beginning of 2026. At that time, the company halted some of its operations as a precaution against security conditions in the Middle East.
The offshore fleet will gradually recover its activity
According to Arabian Drilling’s plan, the remaining platforms that are still suspended will resume operations during the second half of 2026. With this, the company aims to restore full activity of its offshore fleet before the end of the year.
Furthermore, the company projects that the utilization of its marine equipment will reach 100% by the end of 2026; this forecast points to a complete normalization of operations after several months of preventive interruptions.
The company indicated from the beginning that the suspensions were temporary, and also explained that the decisions were coordinated with clients, authorities and other parties related to the drilling contracts.
Safety will continue to guide the reopening
Fahad Albani, CEO of Arabian Drilling, noted that the return of the platforms is being carried out in an orderly manner and in accordance with the company’s operational capacity.
We are pleased to see operations resuming in a structured and timely manner, in line with our operational readiness and our commitments to our customers.
Fahad Albani, CEO of Arabian Drilling.
Albani added that the priority will continue to be safe and efficient execution with high service standards. Likewise, the company will maintain coordination with its clients as each platform returns to its drilling program.
Arabian Drilling keeps its land-based fleet active
While part of the offshore fleet was suspended, Arabian Drilling’s onshore operations continued without interruption. The company maintains 39 active onshore platforms operating at full capacity.
This performance allowed the company to maintain a stable operating base during the period of lower offshore activity. It also reduced the impact of the suspensions on the company as a whole.
Offshore drilling gains momentum in the Middle East
The return of Arabian Drilling’s rigs comes amid a broader recovery for regional offshore drilling, during 2026, other contractors announced the return of rigs in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
This move reflects a greater willingness among operators to restart campaigns postponed after regional disruptions. At the same time, drilling companies are strengthening safety controls and business continuity plans.
For Arabian Drilling, the return of the suspended rigs will be crucial to restoring full utilization of its offshore fleet. The company expects to end 2026 with all its offshore platforms back in operation and operating under normal conditions.
Source and photo: Offshore-energy.biz
