http://www.offshore247.com/news/art.aspx?Id=12984
"Rig contractor Pride International has confirmed the trend towards more sub-letting of drilling units in mature exploration regions including the UK North Sea.
Reporting fourth quarter and full year results for 2008, Pride said the drilling sector was started to feel the pinch from the economic downturn as more rigs were left without work as clients seek to cut capital spending.
Some idle capacity among the industry's 112 midwater units has begun to surface in various locations around the world, especially in more geologically mature regions, Pride commented in its results statement.
With the average remaining contract duration on midwater rigs at approximately two years, customers in some regions, such as the UK North Sea, and others with limited capital resources, are increasingly subletting rig time in an effort to reduce capital spending during 2009, contributing to a more challenging near- to intermediate-term pricing environment.
However Pride said that currently, 97% of its midwater rig days are committed to contracts this year, and 70% are committed in 2010."