27 Oct 2009

Keppel FELS delivers two rigs early

Keppel FELS Ltd (Keppel FELS) has delivered two rigs safely, ahead of schedule and within budget to owners.

The KFELS B Class jackup rig, Greatdrill Chitra, was delivered to India’s Greatship Global Energy Services Pte Ltd (Greatship) 12 days ahead of schedule, earning Keppel FELS a bonus of US$300,000.

Keppel FELS also delivered Gold Star, the world’s first DSS^TM 38 deepwater semisubmersible drilling rig, to Brazilian operator, Queiroz Galvão Óleo e Gás (QGOG), six days early.

Both rigs are well on-track for their maiden deployments. Greatdrill Chitra will work for India’s national oil company, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) in the west coast of India for a period of five years, while Gold Star supports Petrobras' exploration and production activities in offshore Brazil.

Mr Tong Chong Heong, CEO of Keppel Offshore & Marine, the parent company of Keppel FELS, said, “Over the years, we have supported and grown with emerging drillers and operators, many of whom have become today’s market leaders. We look forward to build long-term partnerships with up-and-coming players in the same manner, and support them in establishing their fleet capabilities and track records.

“In choosing to adopt our designs for their flagship rigs, Greatship and QGOG, have shown their trust in Keppel’s expertise and commitment to deliver on promises.”

Mr Ravi Sheth, Managing Director of the Greatship Group, said, “The successful construction of our inaugural rig, Greatdrill Chitra, is an important milestone for Greatship as we build up our fleet capability and quality to stand out in India’s offshore industry.

“Keppel FELS has set the industry benchmark with its powerful KFELS B Class jackup rig design, which is a winning solution combining performance, safety, stability and eco-friendliness. We are pleased with the strong project management and execution, as well as safety commitment demonstrated by Keppel FELS to deliver this world-class product.”

Apart from Greatdrill Chitra, Keppel Offshore & Marine’s subsidiary, Keppel Singmarine, is also building four platform support vessels for Greatship.

“There is no doubt that Keppel is one of the most capable shipyards in the world to build drilling rigs. Keppel FELS has the best experience with semisubmersibles, having built some very large production units for Petrobras to work in Brazil,” said, Mr Antonio Augusto de Queiroz Galvão, QGOG’s General Director.

“The achievement of high standards of safety and quality on Gold Star is the result of the mutual trust and teamwork between QGOG and Keppel. We look forward to build on the good rapport we have established, and also to the success of our second project, Alpha Star,” he added.

Presently under construction at Keppel FELS, QGOG’s second DSS^TM 38 unit, Alpha Star, is scheduled for delivery in mid-2011.


About KFELS B Class jackup rig

Developed by Keppel’s Offshore Technology Development (OTD), the KFELS B Class jackup incorporates the latest design and engineering concepts and is capable of drilling down to 30,000 feet in water depths of up to 400 feet. Environmentally friendly and enhanced with safety features, the rig design was awarded at this year’s Institution of Engineers Singapore (IES) Prestigious Engineering Achievement Awards.


About DSS^TM 38 semisubmersible rig

Jointly developed and owned by Keppel’s Deepwater Technology Group (DTG) and Marine Structure Consultants, the DSS^TM 38 is a compact and cost-effective deepwater rig designed to meet operational requirements in the deepwater “Golden Triangle” region, comprising Brazil, Africa and the Gulf of Mexico. The semi is rated to drill depths of 30,000 feet below mud line in over 9,000 feet water depth.


About Greatship Global

Greatship Global Energy Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Great Eastern Shipping Co. (G.E. Shipping), provides services to the oil companies in carrying out offshore exploration and production activities. G.E. Shipping is also a regular customer of Keppel Shipyard, which has been repairing tankers, bulk carriers and Liquefied Petroleum Gas carriers for the company since 2002.


About QGOG

QGOG is one of Brazil’s largest private groups in the oil and gas sector, and is supported by a 30,000-strong workforce.


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 rigs, ship repair 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

Ms Diana Chan
Executive
Keppel Group Corporate Communications
Tel: +65 64136 430
Email: diana.chan@kepcorp.com

Attachments:

Mr Wong Kok Seng, ED of Keppel FELS hands Greatdrill Chitra's rig name plate to Mr Ravi Sheth, MD of the Greatship Group.

The KFELS B Class jackup rig, Greatdrill Chitra, was delivered to India’s Greatship Global Energy Services Pte Ltd 12 days ahead of schedule.

Mr Wong Kok Seng, ED of Keppel FELS and Mr Marcelo M. Abreu, Site Manager of Queiroz Galvão Óleo e Gás sign the delivery agreement of Gold Star.

Keppel FELS delivered Gold Star, the world’s first DSSTM 38 deepwater semisubmersible drilling rig, to Brazilian operator, Queiroz Galvão Óleo e Gás, six days early.

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