Jackups, semisubmersibles and drillships are the marine vessels used to drill offshore wells and are referred to collectively as mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs). MODUs are supplied through newbuild construction and operate throughout the world in highly competitive regional markets. The Offshore Drilling Industry and Rig Construction Market in the Gulf of Mexico examines the global MODU service and construction industry and describes the economic impacts of rig construction in the United States.

The industrial organization and major players in the contract drilling and construction markets are described and categorized. Dayrates in the contract drilling market are evaluated and hypotheses regarding dayrate factors are tested. Models of contractor decision-making are developed, including a net-present value model of newbuilding investment and stacking decisions, and market capitalization models are derived. Jackup construction shipyards and processes are reviewed along with estimates of labor, equipment, and material cost in U.S. construction. Derivation of newbuild and replacement cost functions completes the treatise. 

The comprehensive and authoritative coverage of The Offshore Drilling Industry and Rig Construction Market in the Gulf of Mexico makes it an ideal reference for engineers, industry professionals, policy analysts, government regulators, academics and other readers wanting to learn more about this important and fascinating industry.

Mark J Kaiser is Professor and Director, Research and Development Division, Center for Energy Studies, Louisiana State University, USA. He is also Adjunct Professor in the Department of Petroleum Engineering and in the Department of Environmental Studies, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA. He has a PhD in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.

Brian F Snyder is a Research Associate at the Center for Energy Studies, Louisiana State University, USA. He is a Ph.D. candidate in Ecology at the University of Georgia, Athens GA, USA