Shelf Drilling Deploys Critical New Assets as Nigeria Becomes Regional Powerhouse
In a dramatic expansion of its West African operations, UAE-based drilling contractor Shelf Drilling has mobilized two additional rigs to the region, according to the company’s bombshell 2025 Fleet Status Report released this week.
The rigs—High Island 11 and Shelf Drilling Victory—arrived in April 2025, with High Island 11 slated to begin a two-well contract in Nigeria by late May, continuing operations through August. This aggressive expansion comes as Shelf Drilling reports extraordinary financial performance, with adjusted EBITDA skyrocketing to $96 million in Q1 2025—a stunning 40% increase from the previous quarter.
CEO Greg O’Brien attributed this remarkable financial performance to exceptional operational achievements in Norway and Nigeria, where the company now maintains an impressive fleet of active drilling assets. Shelf Drilling’s Nigerian portfolio includes Main Pass IV (contracted through December 2026), Adriatic 1 (August 2025 to February 2027), and the Shelf Drilling Scepter (currently drilling for Chevron until July 2026).
Beyond Nigeria, Shelf Drilling continues strengthening its pan-African presence with the Shelf Drilling Tenacious contracted to Cabinda Gulf Oil Company in Angola through February 2026, while extending its Egyptian operations with the Trident 16 rig through August 2025. This continental expansion highlights West Africa’s growing dominance as a global energy hotspot.
Source: energycapitalpower.com
