Helmerich & Payne has announced that notice has been received to recommence operations on seven land rigs in Saudi Arabia that are currently under suspension. The reactivations will occur in stages throughout the first half of calendar year 2026. In accordance with the terms of the drilling contracts, all days accrued during each rig’s suspension period will be added to its remaining contract.
'These reactivations demonstrate the strong, long-term partnership we’ve built with our customers and their continued confidence in H&P’s performance and reliability,' said John Lindsay, chief executive officer. 'They also mark a positive step forward as we strengthen our international operations and build upon the solid foundation established through the KCA Deutag acquisition. As activity increases, we remain focused on safely delivering exceptional results and innovative solutions that help our customers achieve their goals.'
H&P’s growing footprint in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia underscores the company’s strategic commitment to the Eastern Hemisphere, where demand for advanced drilling solutions and skilled crews continues to increase. The company continues to leverage its existing FlexRig® fleet and advanced technologies to deliver efficient, reliable and sustainable drilling operations that support its customers’ long-term goals. These reactivations reflect strengthening market conditions we are experiencing across the Middle East and reinforce H&P’s role as a key drilling solutions provider in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. By mid-2026, the company expects to operate 24 rigs in-country, including eight proprietary FlexRigs® and 16 rigs acquired through the KCA Deutag transaction.
Source: Helmerich & Payne
