PV Drilling acquires Noble Highlander jackup

Petrovietnam Drilling & Well Service Corp. (PV Drilling) has agreed to acquire the jackup Noble Highlander.

The rig, currently in Denmark, will undergo reactivation within the next few weeks followed by mobilization to PTSC Downstream Port (Ho Chi Minh City).

As the renamed PV Drilling IX, it should be ready to start operations for the first client by early April 2026, PV Drilling said in a news release of September 9.

The Friede Goldman 2000E design is suited to safety and technical standards in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, the company added.

It includes an automated NOV BLM jacking system with a maximum drilling depth capability of up to 30,000 ft (9,144 m): maximum operational water depth is 425 ft (129.5 m).