Table of Contents
How to Start a Oil Drilling Rigs & Equipment Trading Business with Meydan Free Zone
Oil drilling rigs are among the most capital-intensive and technically complex pieces of equipment in global industry. ADNOC Drilling — one of the largest drilling contractors in the Middle East — operates a large fleet of onshore and offshore rigs, and in June 2025 secured a USD 800 million five-year hydraulic fracturing contract with ADNOC Onshore.
The global oilfield equipment market was valued at USD 132.24 billion in 2024.[1] ADNOC's target of 5 million barrels per day production capacity by 2027 requires sustained drilling activity, driving demand for rig equipment, drilling consumables, and associated rig components. The UAE's free zone infrastructure and logistics network makes it a natural hub for rig equipment trading serving the broader Gulf and wider regional market.
Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| DRILLING CONTRACTORS | Drilling Rig Equipment Traders Traders supplying rig components, drilling equipment, drill string equipment, and rig operating systems to drilling contractors, oil companies, and oilfield services operators across the UAE and Gulf region. |
| RIG PARTS & MRO | Drilling Rig Spare Parts Distributors Specialist distributors supplying rig components, drilling accessories, draw works parts, rotary table equipment, and maintenance items to rig operators and oilfield services companies. |
4773.76 - Oil Drilling Rigs & Equipment Trading
Activity 4773.76 covers the trading of oil drilling rigs and equipment. This encompasses complete drilling rigs and rig sub-assemblies, draw works, rotary tables, top drives, mast and derrick structures, drilling floor equipment, BOP equipment, and all associated components and accessories for land and offshore oil drilling operations.
Activity 4773.76 covers oil drilling rigs and rig-specific equipment. Oilfield equipment and spare parts broadly are covered under 4773.64.
General natural resources extraction machinery falls under 4773.65.
In short: if you are trading oil drilling rigs and rig-specific equipment, you are in. Broader oilfield equipment and spare parts have adjacent activity codes.
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Drilling rig packages & sub-assembliesComplete drilling rig packages, rig sub-assemblies, modular rig components, and portable drilling rigs for land and shallow offshore drilling. | BOP & well control equipment Blowout preventers, BOP control systems, choke manifolds, and well control equipment for safe pressure management during drilling. |
| Draw works & hoisting systemsMechanical and electric draw works, crown blocks, travelling blocks, hooks, and hoisting equipment for rig hoisting operations. | Rig ancillary & utility systems Mud pump equipment, shale shakers, mud mixing systems, and rig utility equipment for drilling fluid management. |
| Top drives & rotary systems | Top drive units, rotary tables, kelly drives, and rotary bushing assemblies for drill string rotation and guidance. |
Third-Party Approval
This activity does not require third-party approval to obtain a business license from Meydan Free Zone.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
This business activity is not subject to AML compliance requirements.
References
- ¹ Straits Research. (2024). Oilfield Equipment Market Size, Share, Growth & Forecast 2033. straitsresearch.com
