10 Best Oil Drilling Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds

5. Transocean Ltd. (NYSE:RIG)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 32

Transocean is one of the best oil drilling stocks according to hedge funds, thanks to a compelling recent contract update. As of mid‑July, the Transocean Equinox semisubmersible rig is set to begin a multi-well gas exploration program in Australia’s Otway Basin for ConocoPhillips and partners, with Phase 1 firm drilling scheduled to begin in Q3 2025. That news gives investors clarity on upcoming offshore activity at a time when drillers are seeing tighter utilization globally.

This contract isn’t small, it’s part of a 16-well minimum campaign and includes two firm wells this year, with options for four more by 2028. Deals like this drive utilization, strengthen Transocean’s offshore footprint, and signal greater day-rate negotiating power, key metrics hedge funds track closely.

Transocean (NYSE: RIG) is a pure-play offshore drilling contractor operating 32 mobile offshore drilling units, including 24 ultra-deepwater floaters and eight harsh-environment semisubmersibles. Almost all its revenue comes from long-term drilling contracts with oil and gas majors in major deepwater basins globally.