The purpose of the new company was to place contracts for its two new-building semi-submersible drilling rigs.

[1] In December 2005, Aker drilling went public and was listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange.

In 2006, with the Aker Drilling's management team in place, the company set up its head office in Stavanger, Norway.

In 2007, it was taken off the exchange to avoid a takeover by billionaire John Fredriksen’s Seadrill, which made a voluntary offer for all outstanding shares in Aker Drilling.

[6] On 15 August 2010, Transocean made a US$1.43 billion takeover bid for Aker Drilling.