Sharekhan - Aban Loyd

Aban Loyd Chiles Offshore 
Cluster: Emerging Star
Recommendation: Buy
Price target: Rs740
Current market price: Rs580

The Rita effect
Aban Loyd Chiles Offshore has recently entered into a contract with Hindustan Oil Exploration Ltd (HOEL) for its newly acquired rig Rowan Texas (Aban VII). Rig Rowan Texas is a cantilever jack-up, and has been sent for some upgradation and refurbishment, following which it would be able to drill deeper. The rig would commence its eight-month drilling operations by January 2006 on the Pondicherry East coast. We believe that the day rates for this contract could be at a premium to the spot rates, which are hovering around the US$65,000-70,000 range. This is much higher than what the company got for Aban VI.