The Saudi contractor Arabian Drilling it is preparing to return to service all of its offshore platforms that had been suspended. With the resumption of operations of these units, the company expects to bring the utilization of its offshore fleet to 100% by the end of the third quarter of 2026.
The move represents a recovery of capacity for one of Saudi Arabia’s leading drilling companies, Arabian Drilling is considered the country’s largest onshore and offshore drilling contractor by fleet size.
Arabian Drilling reactivates its offshore platforms
Specifically, the company received the necessary notifications to resume operations on the offshore platforms that were still suspended. This decision will allow for the gradual reintegration of these platforms before the end of September.
Arabian Drilling the company believes the reactivation reflects a recovery in activity in the offshore drilling market. Furthermore, the company attributes the return of the platforms to its ability to meet increased demand and maintain operational continuity.
The move completes a process that had begun earlier, in July, the company confirmed it had received instructions to resume operations on three suspended offshore platforms.
The Saudi offshore market is recovering activity
Furthermore, Arabian Drilling is not the only contractor returning equipment to the market, ADES Holding it also received authorization to reactivate all its offshore platforms temporarily suspended in Saudi Arabia.
The performance of both companies points to a recovery in offshore drilling activity in the Saudi market, in the case of ADES, the contracted utilization of its jack-up rigs remains around 90%, while daily rates continue to hold steady.
In addition, the return of equipment allows for the recovery of capacity that had been temporarily taken out of service as a result of regional conditions.
Arabian Drilling had suspended some offshore operations in March as a precautionary measure in response to rising tensions in the Middle East.
The suspension affected Arabian Drilling’s results
The reduced offshore activity had financial consequences during the first half of 2026, Arabian Drilling recorded a net loss of 24.5 million Saudi riyals, equivalent to about 6.53 million dollars, compared to the net profit of 82.7 million rials obtained a year earlier.
During that period, revenues decreased by 10,56 %, a drop that the company linked to the suspension of certain offshore drilling operations.
Furthermore, during the second quarter the company recorded a net loss of 31.5 million rials, compared to the profit of 7.48 million rials recorded during the same period of the previous year.
Therefore, the return of the suspended platforms will increase the company’s available operational capacity during the second half of 2026.
The offshore fleet is aiming for 100% utilization
With all units back in operation, Arabian Drilling expects to close the third quarter with a 100% utilization rate of its marine fleet.
Fahad Albani, chief executive of Arabian Drilling, noted that the return of the platforms reinforces the company’s confidence in the prospects of the offshore segment.
The company also continues to prioritize safety, operational performance, and service quality as it recovers activity in its busines offshore drilling.
In this way, the full reactivation of the fleet will allow Arabian Drilling to face the end of the third quarter with all its offshore capacity available again.
Source: Offshore Energy
Photo: Arabian Drilling
