USD 12.60 Billion
Report ID:
SQMIG10B2120 |
Region:
Global |
Published Date: May, 2025
Pages:
197
|Tables:
90
|Figures:
76
Global Drilling Rig market size was valued at USD 12.60 Billion in 2023 and is poised to grow from USD 13.34 Billion in 2024 to USD 21.11 Billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.9% in the forecast period (2025-2032).
Internationally, escalating global energy demands are driving up demand for oil and gas that is driving escalating exploration and production activity. Economic growth and the acceleration of industrial processes are utilizing more energy, driving investment into drilling activity to meet the world's ongoing need for fossil fuels to produce electricity, for fuel, and to produce goods.
Offshore development, particularly ultra-deepwater and deepwater areas such as the Gulf of Mexico, West Africa, and Brazil, is significantly increasing the need for sophisticated offshore rigs for drilling. These conditions require high-spec equipment to thrive under chaotic situations, thereby compelling operators to make investments in advanced equipment in an attempt to drill safely and efficiently from under the seabed.
Conversely, huge amounts of capital have to be sunk in buying and owning drilling rigs, which may hinder market growth, especially among smaller firms. Such up-front massive expenditure, in addition to maintenance charges, may discourage investment and restriction of the ability of small operators to compete, especially in uncertainty oil price economies and uncertainty.
Furthermore, unstable crude oil prices create uncertainty with drilling companies to forecast revenues. This uncertainty would normally lead to cautious investment strategies since the firms can avoid risking the commitment towards acquiring new rigs or expanding businesses. Hence, volatile oil prices can obstruct long-term stability and growth in the drilling rig business.
How are AI and IoT transforming efficiency and sustainability in the drilling rig market?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) are transforming the drilling rig industry by increasing operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability. AI algorithms analyze massive amounts of data from IoT sensors to optimize drilling parameters, anticipate equipment failures, and automate real-time decision-making. The convergence of IT and operational technologies gives rise to reduced downtime, improved well quality, and reduced operating costs. For instance, companies like Chevron and BP use AI to manage drill bits, monitor emissions, and analyze seismic data, which allows for faster and more accurate drilling.
An example of one such case is the one presented by Schlumberger and Equinor on May 6, 2024. This collaboration is directed towards combining AI capabilities via Schlumberger's Delfi digital platform for improved operational performance in oil and gas operations, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and new acquisitions. This move is a significant step towards sustainable low-carbon energy solutions, especially in the North Sea region.
Market snapshot - 2025-2032
Global Market Size
USD 12.60 Billion
Largest Segment
Onshore Drilling Rigs
Fastest Growth
Onshore Drilling Rigs
Growth Rate
5.9% CAGR
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The Global Drilling Rig market is segmented into type of rig, depth of drilling, end-use industry, and region. By type of rig, the market is classified into onshore drilling rigs, and offshore drilling rigs. Depending on depth of drilling, it is divided into shallow water drilling rigs, deepwater drilling rigs, and ultra-deepwater drilling rigs. According to end-use industry, the market is categorized into oil & gas, mining, construction, and geothermal. Regionally, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America.
Onshore drilling rigs command the largest market share because of their lower costs of operation and easier infrastructure demands than offshore rigs. Onshore drilling generally involves fewer complicated logistics and quicker project execution, thus being more economical for companies. Onshore reserves are also easier to access, and equipment can be mobilized easily. This enables faster investment returns, and this is good for firms which want to optimize efficiency and profit, particularly for mature oil and gas reservoirs.
The market's fastest-expanding type of drilling rig is offshore drilling rigs. The trend is stimulated by the high need for exploration and production of oil and gas from deeper water bodies and undrilled offshore pools. Technological advances in technologies such as floating platforms and subsea drilling have made offshore drilling optimal. In addition, global pressure to diversify the sources of energy and growing investments in renewable energy are increasing the stakes of offshore drilling in meeting global energy demand, particularly in regions such as the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Brazil.
Shallow water drilling rigs possess the overwhelming majority of market share in drilling rigs because their costs of operations are lower, and they need less sophisticated technology. These are applied in shallow water depth environments in offshore sites, making them cheaper and accessible than deepwater and ultra-deepwater units. They best suit developed oil fields, in which case, the facilities have already been set up, permitting faster deployment and greater profitability. This renders shallow water drilling more desirable to companies wanting quicker returns.
Ultra-deepwater drilling is the most rapidly expanding sector of the drilling rig market. Technical advances in drilling technologies, such as high-pressure riser systems and blowout preventers, have made exploration in depths greater than 1,500 meters more possible and affordable. Expansion is driven by the increasing depletion of onshore and shallow water reservoirs, driving exploration deeper into the marine environment. Areas such as the Gulf of Mexico, off Brazil, and West Africa are seeing large investments and construction of ultra-deepwater projects. The huge untapped hydrocarbon resources in these regions offer tremendous opportunities for energy companies, thus increasing the demand for ultra-deepwater drilling rigs further.
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Asia-Pacific is dominating the world drilling rig market due to a combination of increasing energy demand, technological advancement, and offshore exploration investment strategies. India and China are among nations rapidly industrializing and urbanizing, this increasing energy demand. Advances in technology, such as high-tech rigs and subsea equipment, are enhancing safety and efficiency. Besides, strategic investments in offshore exploration and production are making the region a top player in the world energy scene.
Japan's offshore drilling market is controlled by Japan Drilling Co. Ltd. (JDC), the sole offshore drilling contractor in the country. In March 2023, JDC was acquired by JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration Corporation to increase oil and gas operations. The takeover is estimated to add value to the capability of JX Nippon in offshore drilling and aid Japan in its carbon capture plan. JDC operates four offshore rigs: Hakuryu-10, Hakuryu-11, and Hakuryu-14 jack-ups, and Hakuryu-5 semisubmersible.
South Korea is building its offshore drilling capability, especially through the Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC) alliance with Seadrill. KNOC hired Seadrill's drillship West Capella in June 2024 for 40 days of exploratory work off Pohang coast to explore the potential reserves estimated at 3.5 billion to 14 billion barrels of oil and gas. The action is aimed at assessing the viability of domestic energy resources to enhance energy security and reduce import dependence. The project will deliver results by mid-2025.
North America paces the global market for drilling rigs, recording some 37% of industry expansion. It has been supplemented mainly by America and Canada on account of intensive production of oil and gas courtesy of unconventional shale resources. Advanced technological innovation around hydraulic fracturing as well as horizontal drilling operations improves efficiency at operations. Continued encouragement by government from offshore-based developments, with its recent facilitation of Willow, an undertaking approved in Alaska, further cement its regional leading edge.
The U.S. drilling rig industry is under stress in 2025 as a result of economic unpredictability and policy changes. In April, Halliburton said it experienced a sharp decline in first-quarter earnings, blaming a 12% year-over-year North American revenue decline on decreased shale activity and higher costs due to tariffs on steel and drilling equipment. This downturn is exacerbated by President Trump's proposed 10% tariffs on imports of Canadian crude oil, which have brought uncertainty and could have slowed down investment and rig demand.
Canada's market for drilling rigs is experiencing a boom, with 2025 activity levels to be the highest in a decade. Western Canada is forecasted by the Canadian Association of Energy Contractors (CAOEC) to drill 6,604 wells in 2025, an increase of 7.3% from 2024, underpinned by completion of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion and anticipated start-up of LNG Canada. But in March 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump's threatened 10% tariffs on Canadian crude oil imports brought uncertainty, which could slow investment and rig demand.
Europe leads in the drilling rig market due to its heavy concentration in offshore oil and gas exploration, particularly in the North Sea. Norway, the UK, and the Netherlands focus heavily on the production of mature offshore fields and prospecting for new reserves. More technology used in drilling, such as subsea and deepwater drilling, has made it more efficient. The focus on the green energy transition and energy security in the region also promotes further investment in drilling infrastructure.
The German drilling rig market will grow steadily until 2032 because of offshore and onshore application increases in oil, gas, and mining sectors. During the April 2025 international construction equipment exhibition Bauma, decarbonization of drill machinery was demonstrated. Liebherr, for instance, debuted its LB 30 Unplugged piling rig that points towards the future trend of going electric and hydrogen-based to achieve carbon footprint reductions in drilling.
The Spanish drilling rig market is experiencing a boom in 2025 due to increasing offshore drilling and energy transition initiatives. In February 2025, Prospex Energy stated that there has been progress in the permitting process for five new natural gas wells at the El Romeral concessions in Andalusia. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was released on February 19, 2025, which was a significant milestone in the effort to boost Spain's domestic energy production.
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Technological Innovations Enhance Drilling Efficiency and Accelerate Market Growth
Shale Gas Surge in North America Drives Land Rig Demand
Aging Rig Fleet Increases Costs, Hindering Market Expansion and Growth
Declining Easy Resources Drive Costly, Riskier Oil and Gas Projects
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The Drilling Rig Industry is dominated and highly competitive with giant players like Schlumberler, Transocean, and Nabors Industries. They are dominate with vast operations globally, ground-breaking drilling technologies, and huge offshore and onshore rig fleets. New entrants like RigUp (rebranding to Workrise, founded in 2014) are redefining the business by bringing energy companies and talented workers together in an effort to reduce labor logistics and enhance operational efficiency. Meanwhile, companies with a focus on innovation like Drillmec (founded 1983) are driving the innovations in green and automated drilling technologies to set the industry's technological strides and address environmental and cost issues.
Emerging Trends Shaping the Future of Drilling Rig
SkyQuest’s ABIRAW (Advanced Business Intelligence, Research & Analysis Wing) is our Business Information Services team that Collects, Collates, Correlates, and Analyses the Data collected using Primary Exploratory Research backed by robust Secondary Desk research.
Based on SkyQuest analysis, the global drilling rig market is growing fast with increasing energy demand, driven by economic development and industrialization. Offshore drilling in deepwater and ultra-deepwater regions like Brazil, West Africa, and the Gulf of Mexico is driving demand for high-spec rigs withstanding harsh conditions. However, volatility and high costs in oil prices are posing challenges, especially to small businesses. Advances in technology are revolutionizing the business—AI and IoT promote efficiency and sustainability, prime examples being Schlumberger's 2024 collaboration with Equinor to propel activities via its Delfi platform, promoting low-carbon solutions in the oil and gas industry in the North Sea.
Report Metric | Details |
---|---|
Market size value in 2023 | USD 12.60 Billion |
Market size value in 2032 | USD 21.11 Billion |
Growth Rate | 5.9% |
Base year | 2024 |
Forecast period | 2025-2032 |
Forecast Unit (Value) | USD Billion |
Segments covered |
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Regions covered | North America (US, Canada), Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Latin America (Brazil, Rest of Latin America), Middle East & Africa (South Africa, GCC Countries, Rest of MEA) |
Companies covered |
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Table Of Content
Executive Summary
Market overview
Parent Market Analysis
Market overview
Market size
KEY MARKET INSIGHTS
COVID IMPACT
MARKET DYNAMICS & OUTLOOK
Market Size by Region
KEY COMPANY PROFILES
Methodology
For the Drilling Rig Market, our research methodology involved a mixture of primary and secondary data sources. Key steps involved in the research process are listed below:
1. Information Procurement: This stage involved the procurement of Market data or related information via primary and secondary sources. The various secondary sources used included various company websites, annual reports, trade databases, and paid databases such as Hoover's, Bloomberg Business, Factiva, and Avention. Our team did 45 primary interactions Globally which included several stakeholders such as manufacturers, customers, key opinion leaders, etc. Overall, information procurement was one of the most extensive stages in our research process.
2. Information Analysis: This step involved triangulation of data through bottom-up and top-down approaches to estimate and validate the total size and future estimate of the Drilling Rig Market.
3. Report Formulation: The final step entailed the placement of data points in appropriate Market spaces in an attempt to deduce viable conclusions.
4. Validation & Publishing: Validation is the most important step in the process. Validation & re-validation via an intricately designed process helped us finalize data points to be used for final calculations. The final Market estimates and forecasts were then aligned and sent to our panel of industry experts for validation of data. Once the validation was done the report was sent to our Quality Assurance team to ensure adherence to style guides, consistency & design.
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With the given market data, our dedicated team of analysts can offer you the following customization options are available for the Drilling Rig Market:
Product Analysis: Product matrix, which offers a detailed comparison of the product portfolio of companies.
Regional Analysis: Further analysis of the Drilling Rig Market for additional countries.
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Global Drilling Rig market size was valued at USD 12.60 Billion in 2023 and is poised to grow from USD 13.34 Billion in 2024 to USD 21.11 Billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.9% in the forecast period (2025-2032).
The Drilling Rig Industry is dominated and highly competitive with giant players like Schlumberler, Transocean, and Nabors Industries. They are dominate with vast operations globally, ground-breaking drilling technologies, and huge offshore and onshore rig fleets. New entrants like RigUp (rebranding to Workrise, founded in 2014) are redefining the business by bringing energy companies and talented workers together in an effort to reduce labor logistics and enhance operational efficiency. Meanwhile, companies with a focus on innovation like Drillmec (founded 1983) are driving the innovations in green and automated drilling technologies to set the industry's technological strides and address environmental and cost issues. 'Halliburton Company ', 'Schlumberger Limited ', 'Baker Hughes ', 'National Oilwell Varco, Inc. ', 'Weatherford International ', 'Nabors Industries Ltd. ', 'Transocean Ltd. ', 'Seadrill Limited ', 'Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. ', 'Helmerich & Payne, Inc. ', 'China Oilfield Services Limited', 'Valaris Limited', 'China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC)', 'China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec)', 'Noble Corporation', 'KCA Deutag', 'Maersk Drilling', 'Lamprell', 'Soilmec', 'Zhejiang Koonsa Heavy Industry Machinery Co., Ltd.'
Advances in drilling technology, such as automated rigs, directional drilling, and digital rig monitoring in real time, are contributing markedly to operational efficiency and accuracy during drilling. The innovations cut down on downtime, minimize operating costs, and improve overall output. Consequently, more companies are turning to these technologies, which not only optimize drilling operations but also play an essential part in pushing the drilling rig market to growth on a worldwide basis.
Short-Term: In the short term, the drilling rig industry is witnessing a revival due to increased oil and gas prices, which are encouraging operators to boost exploration and production operations. The emphasis is on keeping current rigs in operation and maximizing efficiency, with a significant increase in contracts for offshore and onshore rigs. There is also a focus on lowering operational expenses and improving safety measures.
Why is Asia Pacific Leading Drilling Rig Market in 2024?
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