Maersk Drilling sees need for new rig fleets

SINGAPORE, April 4 (UPI) -- Danish company Maersk Drilling said it's trying to breathe new life into an industry working with a fleet of offshore rigs in need of replacement.

Maersk Drilling Managing Director in Singapore Jan Holm said Thursday his company has set a goal of having 30 rigs in its fleet. "When the time is right," he told energy news website Rigzone, Maersk will reach deeper into the ultra-deep water and ultra-harsh drilling environments with new rig technologies.

Maersk this week said it was deploying its Maersk Intrepid rig to work in the harsh environment of the Martin Linge field in the North Sea. It’s the first in a series of four meant to work in ultra-harsh environments.

Holm said a large share of the global drilling rig fleet is more than 30 years old and will need to be replaced. That means the company's new drillships are entering the market at an opportune time.

"With one of the youngest fleet in the industry, and a leading position in the most regulated market in the drilling industry, Maersk Drilling can supply not only a high-tech rig fleet but also the right people that will operate the rig safe and efficient thereby creating value for our customers," he said.

[Rigzone]