(NLDO) - The PV DRILLING IX rig will commence drilling services in April 2026, equipped with state-of-the-art systems.
On the morning of March 27, at the PTSC Downstream Port (Rach Dua Ward, Vung Tau City), Petrovietnam Drilling and Well Service Corporation (PV Drilling) held the naming ceremony for its multi-purpose jack-up rig, PV DRILLING IX.
Mr. Nguyen Xuan Cuong, President & CEO of PV Drilling, stated that the reactivation and commissioning of the PV DRILLING IX rig is a vital preparatory step in PV Drilling's long-term strategy, while contributing to the realization of sustainable development goals and ensuring national energy security.
Mr. Nguyen Xuan Cuong, President & CEO of PV DrillingThe rig was newly built and commissioned in 2016. Prior to being owned by PV Drilling, this rig operated for many years in the North Sea for major oil and gas companies such as Maersk Oil and TotalEnergies from 2016 to the end of 2021.
Notably, bringing PV DRILLING IX to Vietnam was a long journey. The corporation underwent numerous stages, from negotiations, surveys, and technical inspections in Denmark to the certification process and preparations for the rig towage.
Exterior view of PV DRILLING IXPV DRILLING IX departed from the Port of Esbjerg (Denmark) on October 30, 2025, destined for the Port of Rotterdam (Netherlands). In Rotterdam, PV Drilling loaded the PV DRILLING IX onto a specialized transport vessel to continue its journey to Vietnam.
The rig covered a distance of over 12,800 km, traveling from the Netherlands, around the Cape of Good Hope, across the Indian Ocean, and finally arriving at Vung Tau port on December 25, 2025.
"With the upgrading and official commissioning of PV DRILLING IX, PV Drilling now owns a modern offshore fleet consisting of 6 jack-up rigs and 1 semi-submersible tender assist drilling rig. Currently, the entire fleet is under contract with customers across Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei," said Mr. Nguyen Xuan Cuong.
According to PV Drilling, the rig will be ready to serve customers starting April 2026, contributing to the enhanced capacity of providing drilling rigs and well technical services for PV Drilling in both the Vietnamese and regional markets.
Mr. Le Manh Cuong, Vice President of Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam) – the parent company of PV Drilling, noted that the deployment of PV DRILLING IX helps PV Drilling become more proactive in sourcing resources for domestic drilling programs, contributing to shorter mobilization times and optimized implementation costs.
"Beyond economic efficiency, the project creates jobs and improves the income and professional expertise of Vietnamese engineers and workers. This also serves as a foundation for increasing the localization rate and strengthening the domestic oil and gas technical service chain," Mr. Le Manh Cuong emphasized.
PV DRILLING IX is a multi-purpose jack-up rig built according to the Friede & Goldman JU2000E standard design, featuring modern equipment from world-renowned manufacturers such as NOV/SLB. It is capable of operating in the North Sea, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, with a maximum water depth of 129.5 m.
The rig is equipped with state-of-the-art machinery and the latest technologies, including automated pipe-handling systems and full equipment for offline stand-building activities, meeting the requirements of High-Temperature High-Pressure (HPHT) wells.
PV DRILLING IX is capable of drilling wells to a depth of 30,000 ft (equivalent to 9,144 m) and can accommodate up to 170 personnel working directly on the rig.
The control room of PV DRILLING IX
Tubulars serving the rig's drilling operations
Machinery system for drilling operations
Drilling equipment
Drilling support systemsSource: nld.com.vn
