- Saudi Aramco recalls ADES jackup for 2026 start, strengthening ties between the two leading energy players.
- The move demonstrates Aramco’s confidence in ADES’s offshore expertise and its consistent record of project delivery.
Saudi oil and gas driller ADES has confirmed that Saudi Aramco will recall one of its jackup rigs, marking another milestone in their long-standing partnership. The 2019-built Admarine 510 will return to Saudi Arabia for a new offshore drilling campaign, scheduled to begin in 2026.
ADES has not disclosed the exact duration of the contract. However, Saudi Aramco has already brought several suspended rigs back into operation this year, each under a ten-year term. This latest recall shows Aramco’s renewed trust in ADES’s capabilities and the company’s expanding presence in the region’s offshore projects.
Currently, the Admarine 510 operates in Bahrain, where teams complete maintenance, a five-year certification, and final safety checks. After its suspension in 2024, the company initially prepared the rig for two drilling contracts in Cameroon.
Previously, ADES secured two agreements for the rig, one with Tower Resources, an Africa-focused oil and gas firm, and another with Addax Petroleum. The plan was for the rig to drill the Njom-3 well on Tower’s Thali licence in late 2025 before moving on to Addax later that year.
The company has adjusted its operational schedule following Saudi Aramco’s call back of the ADES jackup for a 2026 start. ADES will deploy the Admarine 501 to complete the Cameroon projects, ensuring both drilling programmes continue without interruption. This move also maximises fleet utilisation and maintains consistent project timelines.
Meanwhile, the Admarine 501, built in 2013, remains active in Nigeria, drilling two wells for Nkuku Ikon Petroleum Development. The current campaign, which started in the second quarter of 2025, includes options for two additional wells. The project could extend operations for up to 180 days if exercised, further strengthening ADES’s visibility in West Africa.
Ultimately, this recall underlines ADES’s growing influence in the global oil and gas sector. Through careful planning and efficient asset management, the company demonstrates agility, reliability, and a strong commitment to sustaining growth across multiple regions.