Weekly Mobile Offshore Rig Count(9/26/2008 )

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HOUSTON: The world total offshore rig fleet size grew by two this week, while the number of rigs under contract increased by two.  With 632 out of 700 available rigs under contract worldwide, offshore rig fleet utilization is unchanged at 90.3 percent, according to ODS-Petrodata's Weekly Mobile Offshore Rig Count.

The worldwide offshore rig fleet was expanded this week with the delivery of ENSCO International semisubmersible ENSCO 8500, which was constructed at Keppel FELS Shipyard in Singapore.

The semi has commenced a 90-day mobilization to the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, where it will undergo deepwater sea trials and final outfitting prior to its four-year shared drilling contract with Anadarko and Eni, which is expected to begin in February 2009.

In the U.S. Gulf, the number of rigs under contract and total offshore fleet size grew by one each. With 99 of 122 mobile offshore drilling rigs under contract this week, fleet utilization in the region stands at 81.1 percent.

The South America offshore rig fleet size and the number of contracted rigs are unchanged this week.  With 73 rigs out of 97 under contract, utilization is 75.3 percent.

The number of offshore rigs under contract in the Europe/Mediterranean region grew by one this week; the 100-rig fleet remains fully utilized this week.

In West Africa this week, the number of rigs under contract grew by one, while the total offshore fleet was unchanged. With 57 of 60 offshore rigs under contract, utilization is 95.0 percent.

In the Asia/Australia rig market, the number of rigs under contract was unchanged and total fleet size rose by one. With 104 of 107 mobile offshore drilling rigs under contract, fleet utilization is 97.2 percent