Ultra-deepwater rig specialist Pacific Drilling is seeing a rise in the number of clients looking for latest generation high specification rigs.

More and more clients are looking hard at contractor drilling fleets to find the highest specification units with the latest drilling technology, and are showing a preference for fifth and sixth generation units, according to Chris Beckett, chief executive at Pacific. “Consistent with our expectations, the market for offshore rigs is increasingly impacted by clients’ preferences for advanced drilling capabilities,” Beckett said during the company’s fourth quarter and 2013 results.

Demand for ultra-deepwater drillships is increasingly segmented between the newest and most capable rigs and their fifth generation predecessors, as clients recognise the fundamental benefits of the latest generation of rigs,” he stated, adding: “The number of market inquiries for high specification rigs has increased in the early part of 2014 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2013, and we continue to see demand for modern ultra-deepwater rigs exceed forecasted supply over the next several years.”

Offshore