Offshore drillers scramble to finance planned rigs

摘要

Houston-Time is running out for offshore drillers with rigs under construction but not securely funded, as a deepening global economic slump and pinchpenny credit markets have tightened the noose on rig owners with uncompleted newbuilds. Without enough money to finish or in some cases even start construction, at least a dozen rigs in various stages of development-both shallow-water jackups and deepwater floaters-could be at risk of cancellation or a pressured sale. While their shaky circumstances have no one cause, the ultimate culprit is lack of financing, analysts say.