PV Drilling names its most advanced “super rig” in Ho Chi Minh City
(NLDO) - The PV DRILLING IX rig is equipped with modern, state-of-the-art technologies and is set to begin providing drilling services from April 2026.
On March 27, at the PTSC Downstream Port in Rach Dua Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, PetroVietnam Drilling and Well Service Corporation (PV Drilling) held a naming ceremony for the multi-purpose jack-up rig PV DRILLING IX.
Nguyen Xuan Cuong, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PV Drilling, said the reactivation and commissioning of the PV DRILLING IX rig marks an important step in the company’s long-term strategy, while also contributing to efforts to realize sustainable development goals and ensure national energy security.
Nguyen Xuan Cuong, President and Chief Executive Officer of PV DRILLING.
The rig was newly built and brought into operation in 2016.
Before coming under PV Drilling’s ownership, it had operated for several years in the North Sea for major oil companies such as Maersk Oil and TotalEnergies, from 2016 through the end of 2021.
Notably, bringing PV DRILLING IX back to Vietnam was a long and complex journey. The company went through multiple stages, from negotiations and on-site surveys to inspecting the rig’s condition in Denmark, followed by certification procedures and preparations for towing the rig home.
An exterior view of PV DRILLING IX.
With the upgrade and official commissioning of PV DRILLING IX, PV Drilling now operates a modern offshore drilling fleet comprising six jack-up rigs and one semi-submersible tender-assisted rig.
Currently, this entire fleet is under contract with customers across Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei.
According to PV Drilling, the rig is expected to be ready to provide services to clients from April 2026, helping enhance the company’s capacity to supply drilling rigs and well technical services in Vietnam and across the region.
PV DRILLING IX is a multi-purpose jack-up rig built to the Friede & Goldman JU2000E standard design, equipped with advanced systems from leading global manufacturers such as NOV/SLB. It has operated in the North Sea, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, with a maximum operating water depth of 129.5 meters.
The rig is fitted with modern machinery incorporating the latest technologies, including automated drilling and pipe-handling systems, as well as fully integrated equipment to support simultaneous operations. It is capable of handling high-temperature, high-pressure (HPHT) wells.
PV DRILLING IX can drill wells to depths of up to 30,000 feet (equivalent to 9,144 meters) and can accommodate up to 170 personnel working onboard.
The control room of PV DRILLING IX.
The control room of PV DRILLING IX.
The piping systems supporting the rig’s drilling operations
The equipments used for drilling operations
Drilling machinery.
The rig’s drilling systems