Shelf Drilling Mobilizes Two Additional Rigs in West Africa

UAE-based drilling contractor Shelf Drilling has mobilized two additional rigs in West Africa, expanding its operations in the region, according to the firm’s 2025 Fleet Status Report.

The rigs – High Island 11 and Shelf Drilling Victory – arrived in the region in April 2025. High Island 11 is scheduled to begin a two-well contract in Nigeria by late May 2025, with operations running through August 2025.

According to Greg O’Brien, CEO, Shelf Drilling, the company’s financial results in Q1 – 2025, saw an adjusted EBITDA increasing to $96 million – a 40% increase from the previous quarter – owing to strong performance in Norway and Nigeria.

Additional Shelf Drilling rigs present in Nigeria include the Main Pass IV contracted from December 2024 through December 2026; Adriatic 1, contracted from August 2025 to February 2027; and the Shelf Drilling Scepter, drilling for Chevron since June 2023 to July 2026. Additional Nigerian operations include the Shelf Drilling Mentor (September 2024 – July 2026) and the Shelf Drilling Achiever (October 2024 – October 2027).

Across other African markets, the Shelf Drilling Tenacious is contracted by Cabinda Gulf Oil Company in Angola through February 2026 while the Trident 16 rig’s contract in Egypt has been extended through August 2025.