Our History

  • Aban's History

    The ABAN Group was born as a small engineering firm in Chennai, Aban Constructions, established by late Mr. M. A. Abraham in 1965. A visionary, Mr. M. A. Abraham began his career as an engineering professional in the Construction Industry with illustrious names like the Tata Group and Saipem.

    The Group took giant strides into newer arenas of operation like the execution of high-pressure systems and cross-country pipelines for refineries and fertilizer and petrochemical industries. Inevitably, Aban ventured into the high-powered domains of drilling, power generation and IT Enabled Services (ITES).

    Vision

    To be the leading global offshore company providing drilling, exploration and production services to our clients by consistently achieving targets beyond expectations through amalgamation of our competent and motivated people, equipment and innovative expertise.

    Mission

    We will be recognized as global leaders, by offering our clients superior service, including experienced, suitably trained and motivated personnel, superior, reliable and efficient equipment with environmentally friendly operations.

    We will achieve leadership status by actively encouraging our employees to attain the highest standards of ethics, honesty and integrity. We will foster pride, enthusiasm, creativity and teamwork to ensure trust and confidence in our employees, clients and suppliers.

    We will actively support and emphasize “zero tolerance” to unsafe working practices and conditions, by utilizing and implementing the best industry standards in our operations at all times.

    We will actively grow Aban through financial discipline and cost effective asset management to deliver superior returns to our clients and shareholders.

    Milestones

    Aban Offshore Ltd incorporated in 1986.

    1987 - First 2 jack-up rigs arrive in India from the USA.

    First well drilled by Aban Offshore Ltd for ONGC.

    By the 1990s, many private sector companies in India chose to exit the drilling business. However, AOL preferred to increase its focus on the sector with newer rigs, acquisitions and mergers.

    1993: Fleet Addition
    AOL purchases a 300-ft. jack-up rig from Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

    2000 – 2001: Hitech Acquisition
    AOL acquires Hitech Drilling Services (India) Ltd., belonging to the Tata Group, boosting AOL’s fleet to four rigs. This also enables AOL to enter the FPSO business with the FPU ‘Tahara’ owned by Hitech.

    2005: Fleet Addition
    AOL adds two jack-up rigs (Aban V and Aban VI) and a drill ship (Frontier Ice).

    2005: International Expansion
    In line with its global expansion strategy, AOL launches Aban Singapore Pte Ltd. (ASPL) in November as its vehicle for international operations. ASPL, in turn, sets up 3 SPVs as step down subsidiaries, each equipped with a rig or drill ship.

    2006: Sinvest Acquisition
    ASPL acquires a 33.7% stake in Sinvest ASA, a Norwegian company with eight new premium jack-ups on order. ASPL subsequently completes the acquisition in stages, including a mandatory offer to all shareholders.

    AOL currently possesses Seven offshore drilling and production units spiraling us to a prestigious position among the top ten offshore drilling asset owners in the world.