North Sea heavy oil developer Xcite Energy said today it has confirmed a contract with the Ocean Nomad semi-submersible for a pre-production test well.

Rowan Drilling has obtained agreements to acquire Norwegian companies which own a series of newbuild jackup rigs under construction in Singapore.

Seadrill has reported the start-up of operations on its latest newbuild rig offshore Brazil.

Seadrill's West Venture dual-derrick semi-submersible has been approved by Norway's Petroleum Safety Authority for further drilling on the Troll field.

Rig and floating production operator Prosafe reported 87% utilisation of its drilling units in the second quarter this year.

Seadrill has bought a new harsh environment jackup rig from Sembcorp's Jurong Shipyard for use in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea.

Aker Solutions has secured an order for an extension to the drilling riser on the Dragonquest rig owned by Valenica Drilling and managed by Dubai-based rig manager Vantage Drilling in a NKr 90 million (US $14.17 m) deal.

Ensco Drilling has moved to acquire a high-specification jackup rig owned by Diamond Offshore which will be aimed at rig markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Rowan Drilling is buying up a Norwegian companies which own rights to three newbuild jackups.

One of the drilling contractors hit by the deepwater drilling moratorium in the US Gulf of Mexico after the oil spill has reached a financial agreement to put one of its rigs on standby while the ban remains.

Fred. Olsen subsidiary Dolphin Drilling has landed a new deal for the Borgholm Dolphin semi-submersible rig commencing the first quarter next year.

Statoil has declared force majeure on an AP Moller rig which is has on contact working in the US Gulf of Mexico in the wake of the BP Macondo oil spill.

Sevan Driller is now heading off to spud its first well at the start of a drilling contract with Petrobras working offshore South America.

Sevan Marine's Sevan Driller has now been accepted for service by Petrobras for operations offshore South America.

Statoil  has gained a green light for a new exploration well between the Gudrun and Sigrun discoveries in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea.

Rig owner Sevan Marine has said its Sevan Driller drilling platform has now left Rio ready to commence a six-year contract with Petrobras operating offshore Brazil.

Asian explorer Soco International says it has secured a rig to continue drilling in the Cuu Long Basin offshore Vietnam.

Rig operator Prosafe has secured an newly extended deal for its Safe Lancia accommodation vessel operating for Mexico's Pemex in the Gulf of Mexico.

Regulatory consent has been given by Norway's Petroleum Safety Authority for the West Alpha rig to carry out out drilling and well completion work on the Alve field.

Rig owner Songa Offshore says its Songa Mercur semisubmersible has been selected for a firm one-well deal drilling offshore China for a local subsidiary of Italy's Eni.

Scorpion Offshore has received its seventh jack-up rig.

Statoil continues to secure rig capacity despite a recent increase in the rates, says a rig analytic.

There are no rigs available in Norway, but if you want to drill elsewhere in the North Sea, you can pick and choose.

Ensco has sold yet another rig in a bid to renew its fleet.

Rigs have been fixed for two new wells on the UK Continental Shelf drilling partner Serica Energy has reported.

Rig owner Northern Offshore has secured a new deal for the Energy Enhancer jackup in the UK Southern North Sea which will drill a new exploration well for Perenco.

BP has confirmed a statement from Trasnsocean Limited that a fire has broken out on board the semi-submersible Deepwater Horizon operating in the US Gulf of Mexico.

Norway's Seadrill has taken delivery of its latest newbuild rig West Orion from Sembcorp Marine's Jurong shipyard – ten days earlier than scheduled and the rig is now heading for Brazil to begin a six-year development drilling contract there.