SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Two SANAD Drilling Rigs to Resume Operations in Saudi Arabia by Mid-2026

The SANAD drilling joint venture will resume operations with two suspended rigs, expected to restart in March and June 2026, with contract extensions equal to the suspension period.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

SUBSCRIBE - 99$/year

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

SANAD, the land drilling joint venture operated by Nabors Industries Ltd. in Saudi Arabia, has received official notices to bring two previously suspended rigs back into service. These rigs, which had their operations temporarily halted, are set to restart in March and June 2026, respectively.

Contracts Extended Based on Suspension Duration

In line with the terms agreed upon, the duration of the original contracts has been extended for periods equivalent to the downtime. No financial details regarding the amounts or the commercial conditions associated with these extensions have been disclosed. SANAD, which is co-owned by Nabors and Saudi Aramco, represents one of the largest land drilling operators in the Kingdom.

Anthony G. Petrello, Chairman and CEO of Nabors, stated that “the return to work of these rigs is a welcome event in this key market.” Although the initial reasons for the suspension of operations have not been specified, the gradual restart of these assets suggests a stabilization or adjustment of local demand for drilling services.

Strategic Positioning in the Saudi Market

The resumption comes amid ongoing adjustments to investments in the hydrocarbon sector in Saudi Arabia, which continues to align with national production priorities. SANAD, formed as part of a strategic agreement between Nabors and Saudi Aramco, plays a central role in the execution of long-term projects within the country.

Present in more than 20 countries, Nabors Industries Ltd. specializes in drilling technology and operates a significant fleet worldwide. The company remains active in providing technological solutions across drilling, automation, engineering, and energy-related digital services.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Renewable generation reaches 47% in the UK despite gas increase
Technip Energies secures strategic order for Commonwealth LNG gas project
Electric cars accounted for 95.9% of sales in Norway in 2025
Voltalia starts construction of 200 MW hybrid complex in Uzbekistan
Phillips 66 acquires Lindsey refinery assets to integrate into Humber operations
Chevron maintains Venezuelan crude exports as Chinese loadings remain on hold
Chevron remains the only operator shipping oil from Venezuela, while cargoes bound for China have been halted for a fifth consecutive day, increasing pressure on local storage capacity.
Trump wants to restart US oil majors in Venezuela within 18 months
Donald Trump says US oil companies could restart production in Venezuela within two years following the removal of Nicolás Maduro, despite the scale of investment required.
Nexera acquires oil assets in Texas to settle $600,000 dispute
Nexera Energy has acquired producing oil properties in South Texas as part of a financial settlement with Hagco Energy and Hugocellr involving more than $600,000 in unpaid fees.
OPEC+ keeps production targets unchanged for early 2026 despite market pressure
The group of major oil producers extends its stability strategy despite a drop in prices of more than 18% in 2025 and projected supply surplus for the coming year.
AEC calls for support to Venezuela’s stability to revive oil sector
Amid Venezuela’s political transition, the African Energy Chamber urges international players to prioritise stability to secure oil investment and restore national production.
Legal and energy experts to gather at LEES 2026 summit in Tripoli
The Libya Energy & Economic Summit 2026 will host five leaders from the legal and advisory sectors to support the opening of the national oil market and strengthen regional cooperation.
Borr Drilling secures two new drilling contracts in the United States and Mexico
Norwegian group Borr Drilling has announced two contractual commitments for its Ran and Odin rigs, extending its activities in the Americas through 2027.
Lane42 acquires Aqua Terra Permian to strengthen midstream assets in the Permian Basin
Lane42 Investment Partners has completed the acquisition of Aqua Terra Permian, a wastewater infrastructure operator in the Permian Basin, aiming to expand its footprint in strategic midstream services.
Global oversupply drove Brent crude down to $63 in December 2025
Brent crude fell to its lowest level since 2021, as persistent oversupply throughout 2025 weighed on prices despite isolated geopolitical tensions and China’s strategic stockpiling.
India’s Russian oil imports drop in January as Reliance expects no deliveries
India’s crude imports from Russia could hit an eighteen-month low as Reliance Industries anticipates no shipments in January due to logistical and commercial disruptions.
Clotaire Kondja appointed Gabon’s Oil and Gas Minister amid industry challenges
Former Vaalco executive Clotaire Kondja takes over as Gabon’s Oil and Gas Minister as the country faces declining investment and stagnant crude output.
US ties oil debt repayment to majors’ large-scale reinvestment in Venezuela
The United States is pressing major American oil firms to commit significant capital in Venezuela to recover billions lost during the expropriations of the 2000s.
China expands presence in Venezuelan oil despite US sanctions
Beijing maintains investments and crude imports from Venezuela, while several Chinese state-owned and private companies seek to secure stakes in Caracas' reserves.
Belgrade hopes for swift Russia-Hungary deal to unlock NIS’s future
Serbia is aiming for a quick agreement between Gazprom and Hungarian group MOL on the sale of Russian-held NIS shares, key to restarting its only refinery shut down by US sanctions.
Venezuela: From Oil Embargo to Maduro’s Capture, Chronicle of an American Escalation
Washington has crossed a historic threshold by capturing Nicolas Maduro after years of sanctions and embargo. A look back at two decades of tensions and their implications for the global oil market.
Saturn Oil & Gas completes subsidiary merger to optimise investments
Canadian group Saturn Oil & Gas has consolidated its subsidiaries into a single structure to optimise oil investments and reduce long-term administrative costs.
PBF Energy extends Martinez refinery restart to February 2026
PBF Energy delays full resumption of operations at its Martinez, California refinery to February 2026 following a 2025 fire, while releasing throughput guidance for its entire refining network.
CNOOC starts production at Buzios6 project offshore Brazil
Chinese company CNOOC has started production at the Buzios6 project, raising the total capacity of the pre-salt oilfield to 1.15 million barrels per day.
Tema refinery restarts partially after four-year shutdown in Ghana
Tema refinery has resumed operations at reduced capacity following a prolonged shutdown and targeted maintenance work on critical infrastructure.
Storm in the Black Sea halts crude shipments at CPC terminal
Caspian Pipeline Consortium suspended loading and intake operations due to a storm and full storage capacity.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

START - 99$/year

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.