Arabian Drilling, said to be Saudi Arabia’s largest onshore and offshore drilling company by fleet size, has revealed temporary suspensions for some offshore rigs in the Arabian Gulf, as its land fleet remains unaffected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Arabian Drilling has announced recent offshore rig suspensions in the Arabian Gulf, arising from the current regional situation , which came about with the military campaign the U.S. and Israel launched against Iran.
Fahad Albani , Chief Executive Officer of Arabian Drilling, commented: “Safety remains our absolute priority. The temporary suspensions reflect a disciplined and precautionary approach taken in close coordination with our client, with the wellbeing of our people and the integrity of our assets at the forefront.
“Our land fleet serves as the foundation of our operations. With 39 land rigs operating without interruption, we consistently illustrate the resilience of our business model.”
The Saudi player claims to have received notifications for the temporary suspension of some of its offshore rigs as a precautionary measure in coordination with its clients and relevant stakeholders.
The firm explained that these steps were carried out in accordance with its established safety and operational protocols, prioritizing the protection of personnel and assets. The company expects minimal financial impact in Q1 2026.
The rig owner is anticipating recovery as soon as conditions normalize and operations resume. Meanwhile, Arabian Drilling’s active land fleet of 39 rigs is operating at full capacity without interruption.
“Based on ongoing client discussions and our assessment of recent developments, management believes the suspensions are temporary. The company is prepared to resume operations promptly once regional tensions ease,” highlighted the Saudi firm.
ADES also recently reported that “a handful of its offshore rigs” in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region received temporary suspensions due to the regional tensions.