Valaris Limited is an offshore drilling contractor that traces its roots to the early days of offshore oil exploration, with a legacy built through the merger of two major drilling companies, Ensco and Rowan, in 2019. The company’s heritage spans decades of service to the global oil and gas industry, having evolved from a collection of independent operators into one of the world’s largest providers of offshore drilling services. Its name, derived from the Latin word valere, meaning “to be strong,” reflects its focus on resilience and operational excellence across volatile energy cycles.
The company’s operations center on providing contract drilling services to oil and gas producers worldwide, using a fleet of ultra-deepwater drillships, semisubmersible rigs, and premium jackups. These assets are deployed across key basins in regions such as the Gulf of Mexico, North Sea, Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. Valaris’s rigs are capable of working in harsh and ultra-deepwater environments, offering customers the ability to drill high-specification wells safely and efficiently. Its core business model is built around long-term contracts, day-rate pricing, and an emphasis on fleet utilization and operational uptime.
Beyond its physical assets, Valaris offers integrated drilling solutions, including project management, maintenance, and support services tailored to client needs. The company invests heavily in technical reliability and rig upgrades to maintain competitiveness in a capital-intensive industry. By leveraging its engineering expertise and global presence, Valaris supports the exploration and development of complex offshore resources for both major international oil companies and national energy firms.