Keppel AmFELS LLC, a US-based wholly-owned subsidiary of Keppel
Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M), has won a contract from
Central Panuco S.A. De C.V., a subsidiary of Mexico's Perforadora
Central S.V. De C.V. (Perforadora Central) to build a
KFELS B Class
jackup rig worth US$240 million, including owner furnished equipment.
Scheduled for delivery in 4Q 2015, the jackup rig is intended for
operations in offshore Mexico. Built to Keppel's market-established
KFELS B Class design, the rig will be able to operate in water depths of
up to 400 feet, drill to depths of 30,000 feet with accommodation for
126 persons and a BOP system of 18-3/4 x 15,000 PSI.
With this latest contract, a total of 13 KFELS B Class jackup rigs have been ordered for the Mexican market since 2010.
Mr Chow Yew Yuen, Chairman of Keppel AmFELS, COO and CEO-Designate of
Keppel O&M, said, " This is the fifth jackup that Keppel AmFELS is
building for Perforadora Central since 2002. We have steadily built up a
strong partnership with them and are pleased that our valued customer
is once again entrusting us with a newbuild order for the Mexican
market.
"We are very honoured to be building another of our proprietary KFELS
B Class jackup rig for them, and we look forward to delivering it in
keeping with Keppel's hallmark of safe, on-time and within budget
execution."
To date, Keppel AmFELS has completed Tonala, an ultra premium KFELS B
Class jackup rig for Perforadora Central in 2004, followed by Tuxpan, a
LeTourneau S116E rig in 2010. The Papaloapan jackup, which was ordered
by Perforadora Central in March 2011, was successfully delivered in
April this year. Currently under construction is the Coatzacoalcos
jackup which is on track for completion in 1Q 2014.
A spokesperson from Perforadora Central said, "There is strong demand
from PEMEX for high quality rigs and the KFELS B Class is a top class
jackup with a proven track record operating in Mexico. Our current KFELS
B Class jackup in operation, the Tonala, has been performing
outstandingly for PEMEX and we are confident that this next jackup will
be just as successful. It is an important addition to our portfolio of
premium rigs as we expand our presence to be a leading provider of
drilling solutions in Mexico.
"Earlier this year, Keppel AmFELS delivered the Papaloapan jackup to
our highest satisfaction and we are certain that this new order as well
as the Coatzacoalcos jackup currently under construction will also
exceed our expectations. Having worked with Keppel AmFELS for more than
10 years, they have demonstrated their expertise and commitment to
always provide the highest standards of service, quality and safety on
every project."
Keppel O&M is the leading rig provider to the Mexican market,
with a total of 20 projects delivered or on order for Mexico including
this new order. Of the 20 projects, 15 are of Keppel's proprietary KFELS
B Class design.
Developed by Keppel's technology arm, Offshore Technology
Development, the KFELS B Class jackup design provides maximum uptime
with reduced emissions and discharges.
The above contract is not expected to have a material impact on the
net tangible assets or earnings per share of Keppel Corporation Limited
for the current financial year.
CW8888's estimated Keppel Order Book