Keppel AmFELS Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Keppel Offshore & Marine Limited (Keppel O&M), is on course to a timely delivery of Scorpion Offshore Ltd.’s first jackup drilling rig at the end of May 2007.
The ultra premium drilling rig, Offshore Courageous, is the first of five jackups that Keppel AmFELS is constructing for Scorpion Offshore. The other four rigs are Offshore Defender, Offshore Resolute, Offshore Vigilant and Offshore Intrepid.
Said Jon Cole, CEO of Scorpion Offshore, “The on-time delivery of Offshore Courageous is crucial to Scorpion Offshore’s goal of providing superior solutions to our customers in the ultra-premium jackup market.”
Mr Ho Cheok Yuen, President and CEO of Keppel AmFELS, said, “Keppel AmFELS and Scorpion Offshore share a win-win partnership. The close collaboration and open communication between the teams are key factors that contributed to the success of the project.
“As with many shipyards worldwide, Keppel AmFELS is faced with high level of activities. The expected on-time completion of Offshore Courageous demonstrates our commitment to delivering on our promise through strong and effective execution of our projects.”
Mr Cole added, “Keppel AmFELS is the builder of choice for Scorpion Offshore. With their excellent track record in
rig construction and our close working relationship, we have been able to minimise delays and cost overruns.”
The second rig, Offshore Defender, was launched on 31 March 2007. The rig is now undergoing final outfitting, installation of drilling equipment and remaining leg sections and commissioning prior to the rig’s delivery in October 2007.
The third, fourth and fifth rigs, Offshore Resolute, Offshore Vigilant and Offshore Intrepid, will be delivered progressively in 2008.
All five rigs are built to the
LeTourneau Super 116 design. With leg lengths of 477ft, these rigs can drill down wells of up to 30,000ft in water depths of 350ft. Upon completion, the rigs can be deployed for both international operations as well as deep gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.