Dubai: Abu Dhabi-based National Drilling Company (NDC) is on a fleet expansion plan as the oil and gas rig industry responds to increasing demand, a company official said.
In the next five years, the company plans to add 16 rigs as it moves towards becoming the largest drilling contractor in the Middle East, Abdullah Saeed Al Suwaidi, general manager, told reporters yesterday as it received the Al Ittihad drilling rig after refurbishment and upgrading. "This is part of our long-term strategy. We have many clients who are requesting more rigs," he said, mentioning Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc).
Drydocks World, the shipbuilding and repair subsidiary of Dubai World, performed maintenance on the 35-year-old jack-up rig Al Ittihad.
Khamis Juma Bu Amim, chairman of Drydocks and Maritime World, said its shipyard is currently at 93 per cent occupancy for repair work, which is 25 per cent higher than last year's level.
He said three vessels are being built at Drydocks and two at its facility in Pertama, Indonesia. Talks on future projects are ongoing, Bu Amim said.
"We are in discussion with a company from Holland and another in Europe as well as one from Russia," he said.
Al Suwaidi said that the industry has ambitious plans and oil drilling companies are expanding, driving up demand.
