PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1889366
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1889366
Drillships are advanced vessels equipped with a central drilling platform and integrated systems for offshore deepwater drilling. They operate as mobile drilling units to explore and extract hydrocarbons from beneath the ocean floor in challenging marine environments. Their primary purpose is to ensure accurate, efficient, and safe drilling at great depths by using advanced mechanical, hydraulic, and electronic systems that manage dynamic positioning, well control, fluid circulation, and load handling during operations.
The key types of drillships are ultra-deepwater drillships, deepwater drillships, mid-water drillships, and shallow-water drillships. Ultra-deepwater drillships are advanced offshore drilling vessels designed to operate in water depths exceeding 7,500 feet, equipped with cutting-edge technology to ensure high precision, stability, and safety in extreme conditions. These vessels use various propulsion systems, including conventional propulsion, dynamic positioning (DP) systems, hybrid propulsion systems, and alternative fuel systems, with ownership models such as owned fleet, chartered fleet, joint ventures, and independent operators. Key applications include shallow water, deep water, and ultra-deepwater exploration activities, serving end users such as oil and gas companies, offshore drilling contractors, research institutes, and other organizations.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
The rapid escalation of U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are significantly affecting the oil and gas sector, particularly in exploration equipment, pipeline infrastructure, and refinery operations. Elevated duties on imported drilling rigs, steel pipes, and specialized machinery have driven up capital costs for both upstream and downstream activities. Midstream operators are burdened by price hikes on valves, compressors, and storage tanks, disrupting ongoing expansion projects. Meanwhile, refiners face rising costs for imported catalysts and control systems essential for processing efficiency. Retaliatory tariffs from key trade partners have also dampened U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and crude oil, weakening market competitiveness. To mitigate these challenges, companies are increasingly investing in domestic manufacturing partnerships, digital asset management, and energy diversification strategies to sustain operations and protect profit margins.
The drillships market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides drillships market statistics, including drillships industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a drillships market share, detailed drillships market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the drillships industry. This drillships market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The drillships market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $5.16 billion in 2024 to $5.57 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing offshore oil and gas exploration activities, rising demand for deepwater and ultra-deepwater drilling, growing global energy consumption, expansion of offshore production fields, and increasing investments by oilfield service companies.
The drillships market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $7.51 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for energy security, growing offshore exploration in emerging regions, increasing investments in ultra-deepwater projects, expansion of renewable-integrated offshore operations, and replacement of aging drilling rigs. Key trends in the forecast period include technological advancements in dynamic positioning systems, innovations in automated drilling operations, developments in digital twin and predictive maintenance, research and development in fuel-efficient propulsion systems, and adoption of hybrid power and emission reduction technologies.
The rising offshore exploration is expected to drive the growth of the drillship market in the coming period. Offshore exploration refers to operator activities to identify, bid for, and acquire offshore acreage and subsurface resources for potential oil and gas discovery and development. Its growth is supported by expanding government lease offerings and renewed investment in deepwater energy resources. Drillships facilitate offshore exploration by providing high-mobility, deepwater drilling capabilities that enable energy companies to access and evaluate offshore reserves efficiently. For example, in March 2023, according to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, a US-based federal agency, thirty-two companies participated in the sale, with a total of $263.8 million in high bids offered on 313 tracts. Therefore, the rising offshore exploration is fueling the growth of the drillship market.
Key companies in the drillship market are focusing on developing technologically advanced products, such as dynamic positioning systems, to enhance safety and operational efficiency. Dynamic positioning systems (DPS) are computer-controlled systems that automatically maintain a vessel's position and heading using its own propellers and thrusters. For example, in April 2025, Hanwha Ocean Co. Ltd., a South Korean shipbuilder, launched the Tidal Action drillship, designed on its proprietary platform. This ultra-deepwater vessel can drill at depths up to 12,000 meters in waters as deep as 3,600 meters. It features advanced dynamic positioning for stable station keeping and is equipped to accommodate 20,000 psi blowout preventers, enhancing safety and operational efficiency. The launch marked a significant advancement in deepwater drilling technology, highlighting the industry's shift toward safer, more efficient, and higher-pressure-capable vessels, and reflected renewed confidence in offshore exploration as energy companies pursue complex reserves in ultra-deepwater environments.
In July 2025, Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), a Turkey-based oil and gas exploration and production company, acquired two sister drillships, the West Draco and West Dorado, from Eldorado Drilling AS for $490 million. Through this acquisition, TPAO aims to expand its deepwater drilling fleet and strengthen offshore exploration capabilities in the Eastern Mediterranean and North African regions, enhancing its strategic position in regional energy development. Eldorado Drilling AS is a Norway-based company specializing in the ownership and management of ultra-deepwater drillships.
Major companies operating in the drillships market are Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Co. Ltd., China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited, Fincantieri Group, Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., Hanwha Ocean Co. Ltd., Valaris Limited, Smart Maritime Group, Keppel Offshore and Marine Limited, Odfjell Drilling Ltd., Yantai CIMC Raffles Offshore Ltd., Estaleiro Atlantico Sul S.A., Aban Offshore Limited, Seatrium Ltd., Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. Ltd.
North America was the largest region in the drillships market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in drillships report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.
The countries covered in the drillships market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The drillships market consists of sales of derrick, draw works, mud pumps, blowout preventer, drill pipe, dynamic positioning systems, marine riser tensioners, subsea well control equipment, and onboard drilling support systems. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Drillships Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on drillships market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for drillships ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The drillships market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.