Swift Drilling

What Swift Drilling does

Swift Drilling B.V. is a Netherlands-based offshore drilling contractor founded in 2011 as a joint venture between Van Es Holding and Engie, now operating as a private subsidiary of the Van Es Group conglomerate. The company is headquartered in Oosterhout and runs a single asset: the SWIFT 10, an MSC SEA-2750 self-elevating mobile offshore drilling unit (jack-up rig) registered with the American Bureau of Shipping and in continuous service since May 2011. With 51-100 employees, Swift Drilling targets national and international oil & gas operators in the North Sea, delivering exploration drilling, production drilling, workover and well services, heavy lift installation, hook-up and commissioning, rigless operations, and — increasingly — plug & abandonment (P&A) and decommissioning campaigns. Its largest disclosed engagements are with Shell UK, NAM, and Wintershall Dea, the lattermost covering a multi-year P&A program in the Netherlands from 2021 to 2023.

The company's technology is built around the SWIFT 10's conventional but well-specified drilling package: an 80-ton heavy lift crane, fully automated pipe handling with 3,250m of 5" S-135 pipe storage, a hydraulic mast with 250-ton max hook load, an HV TD 500 SHT-800H top drive producing 38,000 Nm continuous torque, 13.5/8" 10,000 psi BOP with integrated diverter, dual LTI 5,000 psi mud pumps, and a 16-meter cantilever envelope. This equipment is industry-standard rather than proprietary, but the integration is suitable for both drilling and P&A scopes. The firm claims an 8-year Lost Time Injury-free record under its "Elevating Safety" program launched in 2018, and emphasizes 12+ years of drilling, well services, and decommissioning experience across its personnel base.

Commercially, Swift Drilling operates a project-based, quote-driven B2B model with no publicly disclosed pricing. Contracts are negotiated directly with enterprise operators, typically span multiple years, and are sourced via direct enterprise field sales, a website contact/quote form, and industry events such as Offshore Day (co-founded by the company and held annually on September 20). Revenue streams are concentrated in offshore drilling services, P&A/decommissioning, well services, and accommodation/catering support. Following a 2020 strategic transformation, the business has visibly tilted toward the decommissioning and P&A market, leveraging its single rig across both drilling and abandonment campaigns under long-standing North Sea operator relationships.

Name

Swift Drilling

Legal name

Swift Drilling

Website

https://swiftdrilling.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Swift Drilling B.V. is a Netherlands-based offshore drilling contractor operating the SWIFT 10 self-elevating jack-up rig to provide drilling, plug & abandonment, and decommissioning services to oil and gas operators, principally Shell UK, NAM, and Wintershall Dea in the North Sea.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Offshore Drilling Services

NAICS

Drilling Oil and Gas Wells (213111), Support Activities for Mining (213)

SIC

Drilling Oil & Gas Wells (1381), Oil & Gas Field Services, Nec (1389), Oil & Gas Field Exploration Services (1382)

akta.pro primary industry

Drilling & Workover Rigs (Land & Offshore) (EUALABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Directional Drilling & MWD/LWD Services (EUALABAB), Well Construction & Completion Services (Cementing, Casing, Tubular Running) (EUALABAC)

Keywords

• Offshore drilling services
• Mobile offshore drilling unit
• Plug and abandonment
• Well decommissioning
• Jack-up drilling rig

Headquarters

HQ city

Oosterhout

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Offshore Drilling Services: Contract-based offshore drilling services for oil & gas operators, including exploration drilling, production drilling, and well services. Revenue is generated through project-based contracts with major North Sea operators.
2. Plug & Abandonment (P&A) Services: Specialized P&A campaigns for decommissioning wells, as demonstrated by the 2021-2023 Wintershall campaign. Part of the broader decommissioning service line.
3. Decommissioning and Well Services: Comprehensive decommissioning, workover, and well services including rigless operations, maintenance & commissioning support, and heavy lift installation.
4. Accommodation and Support Services: Provision of accommodation, catering, and housekeeping services for offshore oil & gas operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Swift Drilling is an offshore drilling contractor that operates the SWIFT 10, a self-elevating (jack-up) mobile offshore drilling unit. The company delivers drilling services for oil and gas operators covering exploration, production, and plug and abandonment (P&A) / decommissioning campaigns in shallow-water offshore locations.

Product overview

Swift Drilling operates a single Self-Elevating Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit called the SWIFT 10, providing drilling, plug & abandonment, and decommissioning services to the oil & gas industry. The company offers a comprehensive suite of oil & gas services including exploration drilling, workover and well services, heavy lift installation, hook-up and commissioning, and rigless operations, all supported by the SWIFT 10 unit's versatile drilling capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SWIFT 10: MSC SEA-2750 self-elevating mobile offshore drilling unit in operation since May 2011, registered with ABS. Features 98.14m leg length, 80-ton crane capacity, 67.40m x 40.00m x 5.50m dimensions.

Products and services

• SWIFT 10 Jack-Up Drilling Rig Operations Provision of drilling days and rig capacity using the self-elevating mobile offshore drilling unit SWIFT 10, delivered to oil and gas operators for offshore well programs.
• Plug and Abandonment (P&A) and Decommissioning Services Specialized well plugging, abandonment, and end-of-life decommissioning campaigns executed from the SWIFT 10 jack-up rig, targeted at operators retiring mature North Sea offshore wells.
• Exploration and Production Drilling Services Drilling services for exploration and production wells provided to oil and gas operators, leveraging the SWIFT 10 self-elevating drilling unit.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8 years without a Lost Time Injury (LTI)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Jack-Up BargecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJack-Up Barge is a sister company under the Van Es Group. Swift Drilling and Jack-Up Barge share onshore teams and collaborate on joint company updates, team-building events (e.g., De Boterhal Breda), and strategic planning. Jack-Up Barge is also involved in organizing Offshore Day.
• Van Es GroupcoreOthersVan Es Group is the parent company of Swift Drilling. Swift Drilling was founded in 2011 as a joint venture of Van Es Holding and Engie. Van Es Group provides corporate infrastructure and shared services across group companies including Jack-Up Barge, Dutch Offshore Contractors, Z-Bridge, The Offshore Partners, World Wide Equipment, Heavy Lift Crane Company, and Dave Engineering.
• The Offshore Partners (TOP)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Offshore Partners (TOP) is a recruitment agency that Swift Drilling works closely with to source qualified offshore staff. TOP is a preferred staffing partner for Swift Drilling and also sponsors Offshore Day.
• IPS Powerful PeoplecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIPS Powerful People is a recruitment agency partner of Swift Drilling for sourcing offshore staff. IPS is also a sponsor of Offshore Day 2025.
• Helder MaritiemcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHelder Maritiem is a maritime recruitment agency partner of Swift Drilling for sourcing offshore personnel. Helder Maritiem is also a sponsor of Offshore Day 2025.
• Oceanwide CrewcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOceanwide Crew is a crew services agency partner for offshore staff recruitment at Swift Drilling. Also listed as sponsor for Offshore Day 2025.
• Orca Crew ServicesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOrca Crew Services (OCRA Crew Service) is listed as a sponsor of Offshore Day 2025, contributing to the global recognition event for offshore professionals.
• TOS PeopleminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTOS People is listed as a sponsor of Offshore Day 2025, supporting the global recognition event for the offshore community.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Valaris Limited: One of the world's largest offshore drilling contractors with a broad fleet including jack-up rigs serving major operators. Comparable to Swift Drilling as a jack-up drilling competitor in the same tendering pool for North Sea and international operators.
• Seadrill: Global offshore drilling operator with a diverse fleet including harsh-environment jack-ups active in the North Sea. Comparable to Swift Drilling in tendering for North Sea exploration, production, and P&A work, with significantly more scale and asset diversity.
• Noble Corporation: Global offshore drilling operator (post-Maersk Drilling merger) with a substantial jack-up portfolio including harsh-environment units servicing North Sea operators. Comparable as a jack-up competitor with more diverse fleet and balance sheet than Swift Drilling.
• Vantage Drilling International: Offshore drilling contractor operating a fleet of premium jack-up rigs and ultra-deepwater drillships globally. Comparable to Swift Drilling as a jack-up-based contractor serving international oil & gas operators.
• Shelf Drilling: Largest pure-play shallow-water jack-up drilling contractor in the world, with a fleet of 40+ jack-ups across the Middle East, India, Southeast Asia, and the North Sea. Competes with Swift Drilling for jack-up tenders where overlapping North Sea demand exists.
• Borr Drilling: Pure-play global jack-up drilling operator with 20+ premium rigs serving shallow-water markets including the North Sea. Comparable to Swift Drilling as a jack-up specialist but significantly larger and with newer, more standardized fleet.

Regional players

• ADES International Holding (ADES Group): Offshore drilling and production services provider operating jack-up rigs and liftboats primarily in the Middle East, Africa, and the Mediterranean. Comparable business model (rig-based services for E&P operators) with geographic overlap on tendered opportunities.

Direct peers

• Northern Offshore: Sweden-based offshore drilling and P&A contractor operating jack-up rigs primarily in the North Sea and Mediterranean. Closely comparable to Swift Drilling in target customers, geography, and service mix including decommissioning.
• Awilco Offshore: Oslo-listed owner of two North Sea-compatible harsh-environment jack-up rigs, focused on drilling and P&A campaigns for European operators. Highly comparable to Swift Drilling in geographic focus, rig type, and customer profile (Shell, BP, Equinor adjacent).
• Dolphin Drilling: North Sea-focused offshore drilling contractor operating mid-water and semi-submersible rigs for IOCs and NOCs. Directly comparable to Swift Drilling as a regionally concentrated, single-ocean-focused contractor competing for similar North Sea exploration, production, and P&A tenders.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/swift-drilling-b.v.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Swift Drilling