UK: Ensco Attains Top Ranking among Offshore Drilling Contractors, Research Says

Led by strong category and overall satisfaction ratings for segment leader Ensco, offshore contract drillers, bucking an industry-wide trend, registered an adjusted 2.4% increase in EnergyPoint Research’s Contract Drilling Customer Satisfaction Survey in 2010. The stronger ratings were helped by greater availability for certain types of offshore rigs, a moderation in day rates during the period, and continued focus by operators on key metrics such as performance and reliability.

Driven by high ratings in the area of job quality, Ensco captured first place in terms of overall satisfaction among offshore drillers as well the study’s top marks in several additional areas, including: health, safety and environmental (HSE); technology; performance and reliability; special applications, and; shelf wells. The London-based driller also rated first internationally, including in the Asia & Pacific Rim and North Sea regions.

Doug Sheridan, managing director of EnergyPoint Research, commented on Ensco’s performance: “In attaining the top ranking among offshore drilling contractors, Ensco has demonstrated a genuine commitment to bringing high levels of service and performance to its customers globally. Not only did the company manage to receive some of its highest marks ever in the survey, it did so during a period when offshore contractors as a whole were forced to balance a host of operational, economic and regulatory factors.”

Other winners in the offshore drilling segment for 2010 include Noble Drilling, which placed second to Ensco overall, Pride International and Rowan Drilling. Noble rated first with multinational E&P customers, while Pride took top honors in three separate survey categories: deepwater drilling; non-vertical wells, and; in Latin America & Mexico. In a repeat of last year’s results, Rowan ranked first for high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) wells.

Other major offshore drilling contractors ranking after Ensco and runner-up Noble Drilling in the study, listed alphabetically, include: Atwood Oceanics, Diamond Offshore, Seadrill and Transocean.

In the land-based drilling segment, Helmerich & Payne continued its ratings leadership with survey respondents, retaining its top overall rank while capturing a large number of the land-drilling segment’s other category awards as well. In addition to its first-placed rating for total satisfaction, the company rated first in over a dozen areas within the survey including: performance and reliability; HSE; technology; non-vertical wells, and; special applications. It rated highest with respondents at both independent and multinational E&P companies.

“The 2010 survey was the third in a row of EnergyPoint Research’s independent surveys in which Helmerich & Payne dominated the standings for land-based drillers,” said Sheridan. “The company’s customer satisfaction scores continue to reflect a culture and business model characterized by discipline, engineering and operational excellence, and proven technology. H&P has set a standard for performance and professionalism that benefits all of today’s drilling customers.”

Other major onshore drillers rating in the survey behind Helmerich & Payne, listed alphabetically, include: Nabors Drilling; Patterson-UTI; Precision Drilling, which also rated first in Canada, and; Unit Drilling. The land-based drilling segment saw composite satisfaction scores fall compared to last year as North American drilling activity rose over the course of the year.

EnergyPoint Research’s contract drilling survey was conducted as part of the firm’s annual industry-wide study, which this year was comprised of more than 4,100 in-depth evaluations performed over 24 months by qualified professionals at domestic and international customers of oilfield suppliers. The survey succeeds similar industry-wide studies conducted and published by EnergyPoint Research since 2003.

Drilling contractors rated in the survey were evaluated in multiple attributes, including total satisfaction, pricing and contract terms, performance and reliability, technology, job quality, safety and environmental, service and professionalism, and corporate capabilities. They were also evaluated across multiple drilling categories, as well as domestic and international regions. A total of 13 major contract drillers received the minimum number of evaluations needed to be included in this year’s rankings.

For categories in which pre-2009 supplier ratings existed, historical ratings were included in the 2010 category-winner calculations at lesser weightings. In no case were such historical ratings assigned a weighting of more than 20 percent for the purposes of calculating category winners.

For more information concerning EnergyPoint Research, its independent oilfield customer satisfaction surveys, or its online offerings, visit the company’s web site at https://www.energypointresearch.com.

About EnergyPoint Research, Inc.

EnergyPoint Research provides independent research regarding the oil and gas industry’s satisfaction with the products and services it purchases and utilizes. Founded in 2003, the firm offers oil and gas industry professionals and organizations opportunities to both provide and gather confidential ratings and customer feedback in areas important to oilfield product and service suppliers through objective and independent evaluation processes.

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Source:PRweb, March  8, 2011;