Temporary Suspension of Borr Drilling’s Operations in Mexico

UK-headquartered offshore drilling contractor Borr Drilling has announced a temporary suspension of operations for a trio of jack-up rigs operating off the coast of Mexico, South America.

The suspension notice affects the Galar, Gersemi, and Grid rigs, which were operating in Mexico under a three-year contract secured by Borr Drilling’s joint venture company, Perfomex, with OPEX Perforadora and Perforadora Profesional Akal, providers of integrated well services to Pemex in Mexico.

Originally contracted until December 2025, the rigs have been under contract with Pemex since May 2019. The temporary suspension is expected to last until March 31, 2025, but discussions with the customer suggest that some or all of the rigs may resume operations before this date.

The three rigs—Galar, Gersemi, and Grid—are all of PPL Pacific Class 400 design, with a maximum drilling depth of 30,000 feet and the ability to operate in water depths of 400 feet. These rigs, constructed in Singapore, can accommodate up to 150 personnel.

Borr Drilling recently secured a long-term assignment for one of its jack-up rigs off the coast of West Africa, adding to its backlog of $1.62 billion for Q3 2024. Despite the temporary suspension in Mexico, the company notes that global demand for offshore drilling services, including jack-up rigs, remains strong.

The company’s fleet expansion includes the early delivery of a newbuild jack-up rig by Seatrium. This suspension of activities in Mexico follows similar notices received by Borr Drilling and other offshore drilling companies from Aramco last year, leading to a reduction in available rigs in the Middle East.