24 Jul 2010

Keppel delivers Seadrill’s 5th KFELS B CLASS jackup rig

Keppel FELS Limited (Keppel FELS) is on track towards an on-budget and on time delivery of the KFELS B Class jackup rig, West Callisto, to Seadrill Limited (Seadrill) before the end of July 2010. To date, the project has clocked a good safety record of 2.2 million man-hours without incidents.

This rig was named at Keppel FELS today by Lady Sponsor Mrs Poespawardhani Priyono, spouse Mr R. Priyono, Chairman of BPMIGAS, Indonesia’s upstream oil and gas supervisory agency.

Mr Wong Kok Seng, Executive Director of Keppel FELS, said, “Together, Keppel and Seadrill have been setting the global standard in offshore drilling since 1993. Our win-win partnership has yielded a fleet of 14 exceptional rigs worth US$1.5 billion.

“The successful construction of West Callisto is another strong testimony of the teamwork between our companies. Keppel FELS looks forward to continue supporting our valued customer Seadrill with growing its market leadership in premium rigs.”

West Callisto is expected to commence development drilling operations in Indonesia under a nine-month contract with Premier Oil, in the third quarter of 2010.

Mr Ian Shearer, Senior Vice President, Jack-ups Asia Pacific and Middle East, of Seadrill said, “With each consecutive rig, we have seen continuous improvement in the construction process and efficiencies. Today, Keppel FELS not only builds these complex drilling rigs with impressive standards of quality, they also do so expediently such that we can rely on taking delivery either on-time or ahead of schedule.

“Our operational experience with the KFELS B Class has also been impressive, and all of our rigs have been able to start work immediately without any downtime. We expect the same, if not more, of the West Callisto when she begins her assignment for our customer Premier Oil.”

Developed by Keppel’s Offshore Technology Development unit, OTD, the KFELS B Class design provides maximum uptime with reduced emissions and discharges. For its environmental-friendly features, the KFELS B Class design was bestowed the Prestigious Engineering Achievement Award from Institution of Engineers Singapore in 2009.

To date, Keppel FELS has successfully delivered four KFELS B Class jackup rigs and six KFELS semisubmersible drilling tenders to Seadrill. When completed, West Callisto will join the ranks of 31 KFELS B Class jackups operating in different parts of the world, fortifying the track record of this winning rig design.

About Seadrill Limited

Listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Oslo Stock Exchange, Seadrill is an international offshore drilling contractor providing services within drilling and well services. The company operates a versatile fleet of 48 units that comprises drillships, jack-up rigs, semi-submersible rigs and tender rigs for operations in shallow to ultra-deepwater areas in harsh environment and benign environments.

About Keppel FELS

Keppel FELS is a subsidiary of Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M), a wholly-owned company of Keppel Corporation Limited. Keppel O&M is a leader in offshore rig design, repair and construction, shiprepair and conversion and specialised shipbuilding. Its near market, near customer strategy is bolstered by a global network of 20 yards and offices in the Asia Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, the Caspian Sea, Middle East and the North Sea regions. Integrating the experience and expertise of its yards worldwide, the group aims to be the provider of choice and partner for solutions for the offshore and marine industry.

For further information, please contact

Diana Chan (Ms)
Group Corporate Communications
Keppel Corporation Limited
Tel: (65) 6413 6430
Email: diana.chan@kepcorp.com

Attachments:

West Callisto – the 32nd KFELS B Class jackup rig to enter the market.

Mr Wong Kok Seng, ED of Keppel FELS, hands over the rig nameplate to Mr Ian Shearer, Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific & Middle East, Seadrill Management.

Lady Sponsor, Mrs Poespawardhani Priyono (in green batik), together with the managements of Keppel, Seadrill, Premier Oil and BPMIGAS.

Download - High res photos

Download - Speech by Mr Tong Chong Heong, CEO of Keppel Offshore & Marine