The offshore energy market has quietly shifted in early 2026. Several oil rigs for sale have re-entered the market as owners rebalance fleets, reduce stacking costs, or exit certain regions. Buyers now see opportunities across jack-up rigs, semi-submersibles, and drillships, many offered with flexible terms.
This article outlines rigs currently advertised for sale, with verified listings from established ship and offshore brokers. SeaEmploy.com tracks offshore asset movements closely, and this overview helps operators, investors, and contractors understand what is actually available today.
The listings below focus on rigs openly marketed, not speculative assets. Availability can change fast, so direct broker contact remains essential.
Oil rigs for sale: offshore drilling units available now
The current market includes modern rigs and older units suitable for refurbishment or conversion. Prices often remain undisclosed, but technical details, build year, and location provide a solid basis for evaluation.
Jack-up drilling rigs
2014-built Jack-Up Drilling Rig
This modern jack-up rig offers drilling depth up to 30,000 feet and holds ABS class. Brokers list it for operations in North Africa and the Middle East. The rig suits shallow-water exploration and development drilling.
R550D Jack-Up Rigs (2021 built)
Several high-spec R550D units built in China are currently marketed. These rigs feature enhanced leg length, modern cantilever systems, and updated accommodation blocks. They target buyers seeking near-term deployment with minimal upgrade work.
Jack-Up Offshore Platform (1980 built)
This older jack-up platform remains attractive for marginal fields or conversion projects. Brokers indicate an asking price near USD 9 million, reflecting its age and basic configuration.
Semi-submersible drilling rigs
Three Semi-Submersible Rigs (2010–2012 builds)
These DP semi-submersible rigs are offered as a group or individually. Built between 2010 and 2012, they retain strong appeal for deepwater work following upgrades and class reactivation.
Semi-Sub Drilling Rig – Middle East
A separate semi-sub unit is marketed from the Middle East region with an indicative price around USD 12.5 million. The rig suits buyers looking for regional redeployment rather than long-distance relocation.
Drillships and MODUs
2015-built MODU Drillship
This China-built drillship supports ultra-deepwater drilling up to 10,000 meters. The vessel includes DP systems, helideck, and modern drilling package. Buyers often target these units for long-term charter recovery.
Specialty and support rigs
DP2 Jack-Up Liftboat (2009 built)
Though not a drilling rig in the strict sense, this liftboat serves well for well intervention, maintenance, and offshore construction. It includes a 400-ton crane and large deck area.
Modular Accommodation Jack-Up Platform (2024)
This near-new unit targets offshore wind, oil, and gas support roles. It provides accommodation capacity rather than drilling, but remains part of the offshore rig asset class.
Offshore drilling rig market trends in 2026
The oil rigs for sale market reflects cautious optimism. Oil prices remain stable, but operators avoid long-term capital commitments. This pushes owners to sell idle rigs instead of absorbing stacking costs.
Buyers now look for rigs that can mobilize quickly. Units with valid class, recent SPS, and compliant BOP systems attract the strongest interest. Older rigs still sell, but mainly for niche roles or conversion projects.
Geographically, Asia and the Middle East dominate listings. Chinese-built rigs feature prominently, driven by earlier overcapacity and improved build quality.
Key considerations before purchasing
Rig buyers must evaluate more than price. Reactivation costs often exceed purchase value. Class status, shipyard history, spare parts availability, and regulatory compliance matter more than headline numbers.
Transport costs also impact final investment. Moving a rig across regions can add millions in towing, insurance, and port fees.
The current market for oil rigs for sale offers rare flexibility. From modern jack-ups to deepwater drillships, buyers can choose assets that match operational goals and budget constraints. Transparency remains limited, but verified broker listings provide a reliable starting point.
If you plan to acquire, charter, or evaluate offshore rigs, act early and conduct full technical due diligence. For more offshore asset insights, crew market updates, and maritime industry analysis, follow SeaEmploy and stay ahead of market shifts.
