Saudi-based ADES International Holding has strengthened its African expansion drive after securing a $92.7 million offshore drilling contract in Nigeria with Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited. The fresh deal marks another major step for the company as it deepens its presence in West Africa’s booming oil and gas market.
The contract covers the operation of the Shelf Drilling Victory rig for an initial two-year term, while both parties retain options to extend the agreement. It also includes mobilisation costs, start-up expenses, and the participation of a local Nigerian partner, reflecting the growing push for domestic involvement in the country’s energy sector.
With this latest award, ADES has now accumulated an estimated $843.5 million worth of offshore projects in Nigeria between 2025 and 2026. That sharp rise highlights how quickly the Saudi drilling giant has turned Nigeria into one of its most strategic growth markets outside the Middle East.
ADES first entered Nigeria in 2025 through a $21.8 million drilling and completion contract with Brittania-U Nigeria Limited. At the time, the company deployed the Admarine 504 jack-up rig to drill six wells over a one-year period. Since then, the firm has moved aggressively to secure larger opportunities.
In March 2026, ADES landed an even bigger contract worth up to $729 million under Nigeria’s Offshore Fields Development Project. That project involved the deployment of three jack-up rigs and reportedly came through a West African oil exploration entity linked to the Dangote Group. As a result, the company’s profile in Africa’s energy industry has risen sharply.
Chief Executive Mohamed Farouk said the company’s Nigerian expansion aligns with its broader strategy to build a globally diversified offshore drilling platform. He explained that the growth also follows ADES’ acquisition of Shelf Drilling, which has strengthened its access to international clients and new markets.
Farouk added that West Africa remains a priority region because offshore drilling demand continues to grow. He noted that ADES plans to use its expanding asset base and operational strength to capture more opportunities across emerging energy markets.
Industry experts say Nigeria’s offshore oil segment is attracting renewed attention as global demand rises and producers race to secure fresh supply. In addition, both shallow-water and deepwater assets remain critical to Nigeria’s long-term production goals.
