Saipem’s jack-up returns to work in ‘key market’ after one-year suspension

January 9, 2026, by Nadja Skopljak

Saipem’s jack-up rig Perro Negro 7 is set to resume operations in Saudi Arabia this month, after the contract it had secured in 2011 was temporarily suspended in 2024.

Saipem won the contract for Perro Negro 7 in 2011 and secured an extension in June 2023 for ten years. The contract was temporarily suspended for a period of 12 months in 2024.

According to the company, the suspension period will be recovered at the end of the contract, extending its duration until 2034.

“The restart of Perro Negro 7 activities is a tangible sign of the recovery of drilling activities in the Middle East, a key market for Saipem,” the company said.

The jack-up rig is a self-elevating triangular mobile drilling unit with independent legs to operate up to 375 feet water depth and drill wells up to 9,100 meters. The rig is Baker Pacific Class 375.