*Gulf drilling activity continues to edge higher but remains well below levels before the 2Q 2020 crash in activity despite massive multi-year development drilling plans from key producers Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar.

*Latest Rig Count data from services firm Baker Hughes show the six GCC countries collectively had 203 active drilling rigs in April (145 oil and 58 gas), the highest figure since mid-2020 but almost 100 below the Q1 2020 ‘pre crash’ level. (CONTINUED - 194 WORDS)