“At this link, you might notice that in 2007 and 2008, the rig utilization actually drops in the fall and winter and the peak is in the summer.”
Yes, that is what I said.
My point came across incorrectly - from October 07 to October 08 the jack-up trend was upward including the winter of 08. The rig barge utilization rate was also flat with no seasonal decreases. “Seasonal” has nothing to do with it as you imply when it comes to rig utilization (other than those areas mentioned before). It’s all about the economics, not seasons. You do see seasonal increases and decreases in gas pump prices but these fluctuations are due to demand and the blends (i.e. summer blend gasoline) the refineries are required to produce do not affect the rig utilization as many of the offshore rigs are committed to long-term/multiple well contracts.