The refurbed rigs should be good for several more years, I would think, because when they go to Smeal they're getting torn apart, to some degree, rebuilt, and repainted, LED lights installed, and gold leaf graphics to match the 2011 fleet. They look like brand new rigs when they return.
As far as being a sign of the turbulent economic times we're in now, I would think that that plays a part to some degree.
As far as being a sign of the turbulent economic times we're in now, I would think that that plays a part to some degree.