Houston Chronicle article today reports the outlook for the U.S. offshore sector remains Bleak. "In the U.S. Gulf of Mexico , activity continued to weaken in the third quarter, and the outlook remains bleak for this region based on current customer plans ", said Paul Kibsgaard the CEO of Schlumberger. Of course he probably doesn't know much since SLB only made a $545 Million profit in the third quarter of 2017. NR got that Fourchon facility in top shape, though. And i am sure the Chronicle is just another source of fake news. I wonder if ANY analyst on the conference call in ten days will even attempt to ask a question matching up the costs (expenses) vs "profitable revenue" from this facility in the last 18-24 months. And ask for a go forward projection for Sales (at a profit). There are ONLY TWENTY rigs Working (drilling/completion) in the Entire GOM. Working rigs , not rigs under contract (which are drawing pay while stacked due to the contract).
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Per Baker Hughes report yesterday , there are only 18 offshore rigs Working in the entire GOM plus 1 Inland barge rig. There are 36 Marketed rigs under Contract in the GOM, So only 1/2 of the offshore rigs in GOM drawing dayrate pay are actually drilling.