06 Feb 2009

Keppel FELS delivers fifth Aban jackup drilling rig on time without incidents

Keppel FELS Limited (Keppel FELS) has successfully delivered the jackup drilling rig, Deep Driller 8, to Aban Singapore Pte Ltd (Aban) on time, within budget and without incidents.

Deep Driller 8 is the fifth unit to be delivered in a series of five KFELS Super B Class rigs for Aban since 2006. The rig has been completed with a clean safety record.

The KFELS Super B Class design is one of the world’s deepest drilling rigs, with capabilities for drilling high pressure, high temperature wells up to 35,000 ft at 350 ft water depth.

“With the on-time delivery of the Deep Driller 8, we expect our entire offshore fleet to be operational by early 2009,” said Mr Reji Abraham, Managing Director of Aban Offshore Limited.

“Keppel has shown their commitment and expertise in rig design, project execution and management that is second to none. We are pleased to have them as our preferred partner and look forward to continue working with them,” he added.

Mr Tong Chong Heong, Chief Executive Officer of Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M), said, “We are privileged to be a partner to Aban in their fleet expansion programme. With the completion of this latest rig, we have contributed to more than half of their newbuild jackup fleet.”

“Beyond building high quality premium rigs, we have tremendous capabilities in the repair, conversion and servicing of a complete range of rigs. It is our pleasure to extend our expertise to Aban in these areas.”

Keppel FELS has recently completed the repair and refurbishment of a semisubmersible, Aban Pearl, to the satisfaction of the owner, Aban.

The KFELS Super B Class design is an enhancement of the highly acclaimed KFELS B Class design. Developed and designed by Keppel O&M, this class of rigs has quickly gained market acceptance since it was launched in 2000.

To date, 26 KFELS B Class rigs have already been delivered with another seven in various stages of construction.

Keppel FELS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Keppel Corporation Limited, through Keppel O&M, a leader in offshore rigs, shiprepair and conversion and specialised shipbuilding. Keppel O&M’s near market, near customer strategy is bolstered by a global network of 20 yards 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.

Aban Singapore Pte Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aban Offshore Limited which offers drilling services. Headquartered in India, the Aban Group ranks among the top ten offshore drilling asset owners in the world, the Group is India’s largest offshore drilling entity in the private sector, offering world-class drilling services to large global oil and gas operators. The Group has a total of 21 offshore assets which includes fifteen jack-up offshore drilling rigs, two drill ships, one semisubmersible, one floating production platform and a jack-up rig and drill ship each on bareboat charter.

For further information, please contact

Ivana Chua
Assistant Manager
Keppel Group Corporate Communications
Tel: (65) 6413 6436
Email: ivana.chua@kepcorp.com

Attachments:

The delivery of Deep Driller 8 completes the series of five KFELS Super B Class rigs built by Keppel FELS for Aban.