November/December 2026

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2027 Drilling Outlook
Amid volatility, onshore growth to stay measured While regions from NAM to Argentina to Venezuela are all expected to see higher rig counts in 2027, operators will tread lightly By Stephen Whitfield, Senior Editor
Floater outlook optimistic while jackup market faces more unknowns Tight supply and a more disciplined contractor base to drive additional recovery for floaters, while jackups wait on the Middle East By Stephen Whitfield, Senior Editor
Momentum builds in Venezuela, but turning policy reform into real production won’t be easy By Stephen Whitfield, Senior Editor
Permian consolidation is far from over, but the next deals will look different from the last By Stephen Whitfield, Senior Editor
Operator confidence set to push rig demand modestly higher in US Gulf, mostly in shallow water By Stephen Whitfield, Senior Editor
NOV Annual Rig Census
2026 NOV Rig Census shows drilling markets diverging amid geopolitical disruption By Tarjei “TJ” Myklebust and Karl Appleton, NOV
Managed Pressure Drilling
Operational consistency among key goals as Transocean transitions MPD strategy By Stephen Whitfield, Senior Editor
IADC Connection
What a year on the road taught me — it really does start with us By Roddie Mackenzie, 2026 IADC Chairman
The people who power what’s next By Jason McFarland, IADC President
IADC Year in Review By Christine Cantera, Editorial Assistant
News Cuttings 20 students receive $5K IADC academic scholarships Revised IADC Standard Equipment List for Jackups now available
Wirelines Permitting reform under consideration in US Senate Yet another delay proposed for EU methane regulation
Departments
Drilling Ahead: Much more digital content on the way – subscribe now By Linda Hsieh, Editor & Publisher
D&C News Valaris announces contracts, extensions spanning Asia Pacific, North Sea; sells 2 rigs for recycling NABEP adds new rigs to boost production in Venezuela Noble drillship wins 10-well contract offshore Ghana Seadrill firms up rig deals in Asia, Angola, US Gulf
D&C Tech Digest H&P announces plans to deploy 7 more FlexRobotics systems with ExxonMobil Constellation, Petrobras move ahead with new fuel processor on deepwater drillship
Oil & Gas Markets Another decline in exploration spend shows US E&Ps keeping focus on development
People, Companies and Products TotalEnergies signs long-term deal for SLB’s DrillPlan Chevron announces leadership shuffle for 2027 Aker BP names new executive team Devon sells off Eagle Ford assets in $4.2 billion deal Baker Hughes lands deals to support Venezuela rebuild Superior grows with Welltec acquisition New Saudi facility set up for API-certified manufacturing Nabors boosts stake in geothermal through Quaise Vallourec wins deal to supply OCTG in Caspian Energy Holdings, Ventura Offshore set to merge Weatherford contract extended in Norway Lindley named Director of RRC Oil and Gas Division Products CT control system offers real-time electrical control Tuboscope introduces new line of niobium-based hardbanding material TSC enhances NDT capabilities with new FLUT line
Perspectives: Jennifer Medcalf, The REACH Group – Fulfilling a lifelong instinct to serve – in life, in work By Stephen Whitfield, Senior Editor