[1] In 2009, the Aban Pearl became the first offshore gas rig operated by the Venezuela's state-owned oil company PDVSA.

[7][8] In August 2009 en route from Trinidad and Tobago to Venezuela its flotation devices took on water in heavy seas about 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) south-west of Point Baline, Gaspar Grande, Trinidad and Tobago and there was a call to evacuate the platform.

[9] On 13 May 2010 at 2:20 a.m. (0650 GMT), when drilling at the Dragon 6 gas field, scheduled to come on stream by 2012, the rig sank in the deep about 525 feet (160 m) after water entered a subsea pontoon.

[7][8][9] According to the Venezuelan Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez, the well being explored by the Aban Pearl had been safely sealed.

[2] The rig was one of the company's biggest money earners bringing in about $358,000, or about 10.5 million rupees a day.