ADNOC Offshore to deploy next-generation drilling rigs

ADNOC Drilling has been awarded a contract worth around US$733mn by ADNOC Offshore, for three next-generation island drilling rigs to be used in the drilling and completion of wells on artificial islands at the offshore Zakum field

The rigs, which are due tol be delivered in 2026, will be constructed by Honghua Group (HH), and will incorporate industry-leading technology and automation, harnessing AI, digitisation, and advanced technology in their design and operation. They will leverage real-time condition, performance and utilisation data to create actionable insights, enhancing rig performance and leading to improvements in safety and well delivery times.

The rigs will be built to deliver extended reach drilling (ERD) as well as having the capability of walking between wells, so not needing to be dismantled to be moved, and thereby improving efficiency and safety while reducing costs and emissions.

Advanced rigs

Abdulrahman Abdulla Al Seiari, chief executive officer of ADNOC Drilling, said, “These new island rigs will be the most advanced in the world, embracing artificial intelligence, the most tranformative technology of our generation. Our partnership with HH will amplify the creativity and ingenuity of our industry as we design and build these rigs of the future that drive efficiency and safety and deliver exceptional value for our customer ADNOC Offshore.”

Tayba Abdul Rahim Al Hashemi, chief executive officer of ADNOC Offshore, said, “This award will strengthen our partnership in the future as we work together to harness AI and innovation to maximise energy, minimise emissions and unlock significant value for stakeholders.”

Since the fourth quarter of 2021, ADNOC Drilling has invested more than US$2.2bn in building one of the largest integrated drilling fleets in the world, which is now expected to total at least 148 by 2026, including the three new rigs.