Energy Drilling secures $87 million contract for next Malaysia‑Thailand development drilling phase

Carigali-PTTEPI Operating Co. has awarded Energy Drilling a 30‑month contract for Phase 7 drilling in the Malaysia‑Thailand Joint Development Area, keeping the T‑16 tender-assist rig active through at least early 2030 under a deal valued at about $87 million.

Jeremy Beckman

Oct. 29, 2026

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Why this news matters:

The contract provides continuity for one of Southeast Asia's long-running offshore development programs and secures drilling activity in the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area into 2030.
The award keeps the T‑16 tender-assist rig under contract following completion of the current Phase 6 campaign, supporting ongoing field development drilling in the region.

Energy Drilling's T‑16 tender-assist drilling rig — Energy Drilling's T‑16 tender-assist rig will support the next phase of offshore development drilling in the Malaysia‑Thailand Joint Development Area.

Carigali-PTTEPI Operating Co. has issued a letter of award to Energy Drilling for a 30-month offshore drilling program in the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area.

Value of the firm contract period is about $87 million, including mobilization; there are extension options for up to an additional 15 months.

Energy Drilling, a subsidiary of SED Energy Holdings, will deploy the tender-assist drilling rig T-16 for the Phase 7 campaign.

The rig is presently completing Phase 6; activity should conclude in first-quarter 2027. The rig will then be demobilized to Singapore, with reduced crewing and operating costs ahead of starting the new campaign early in third-quarter 2027.

T-16 is a barge-type self-erecting tender-assisted drilling rig with a flat bottom, raked stern and bow hull shape.

It is designed for development drilling involving multiple well slots on fixed wellhead platforms for operations in water depths of up to 6,000 ft, with pre-laid moorings.

About the Author

Jeremy Beckman

Staff Writer / Editor, Europe

Jeremy Beckman has been Editor Europe, Offshore since 1992. Prior to joining Offshore he was a freelance journalist for eight years, working for a variety of electronics, computing and scientific journals in the UK. He regularly writes news columns on trends and events both in the NW Europe offshore region and globally. He also writes features on developments and technology in exploration and production.