That demoralising forecast from offshore broker Clarkson comes along with a projected fall in demand of almost 20% for some types of drilling units during 2016.

Maersk Drilling was in the headlines this week with expectations it will axe a further 120 jobs.

This follows the abrupt termination by ConocoPhillips and Marathon Oil of a charter for the drillship Maersk Valiant in the Gulf of Mexico.

The