Saudi rig group ADES to buy Norway rival Shelf in $380 million deal
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on August 5, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026

Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on August 5, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026

ADES International is set to acquire Shelf Drilling for $380 million, enhancing its offshore drilling capabilities and market position.
OSLO (Reuters) -Saudi Arabian oil drilling group ADES International Holding has agreed to buy Oslo-listed rival Shelf Drilling for 3.9 billion Norwegian crowns ($379.33 million) in cash, the two companies said on Tuesday.
The offer of 14 crowns per share, a 62% premium over Tuesday's closing price in Oslo, was recommended by Shelf's board, the companies said in a joint statement.
The combined group will have 83 offshore jack-up drilling rigs serving the international oil and gas industry, they added.
"With this landmark transaction, we reinforce our position as a market leader in shallow-water offshore drilling," ADES CEO Mohamed Farouk said in the statement.
The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to approval by an extraordinary general meeting of Shelf Drilling's shareholders and other conditions, the companies said.
($1 = 10.2814 Norwegian crowns)
(Reporting by Terje Solsvik, editing by Essi Lehto)
The acquisition deal is valued at 3.9 billion Norwegian crowns, which is approximately $379.33 million.
The offer of 14 crowns per share represents a 62% premium over Tuesday's closing price in Oslo.
The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, pending approval from Shelf Drilling's shareholders.
The combined group will have a total of 83 offshore jack-up drilling rigs serving the international oil and gas industry.
The CEO of ADES International is Mohamed Farouk, who stated that the transaction reinforces their position as a market leader in shallow-water offshore drilling.
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