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 worldin highly competitive regionalmarkets. "The Offshore Drilling Industry and Rig Construction Market in the Gulf of Mexico" examines the global MODU service and constructionindustry and describes the economic impacts of rig construction in the United States.

The industrial organization and major players in the contract drilling and...