Offshore Rig Utilization Declines Slightly

Worldwide offshore rig utilization declined slightly since last week, according to Offshore Data Services' weekly mobile offshore rig count. Two less mobile offshore drilling rigs are under contract worldwide this week compared to last week. With 484 of the world's 634 offshore drilling rigs now under contract, worldwide offshore rig utilization is 76.3 percent. A one-rig decline in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico rig count occurred since last week. Now 151 of the area's 192 mobile offshore drilling rigs are under contract and U.S. Gulf rig utilization is 78.6 percent. The European offshore rig count posted a one-rig increase since last week. Of the 106 mobile offshore drilling rigs in the area, 74 are under contract. European offshore rig fleet utilization is 69.8 percent.