Exxon Azerbaijan Operating Company Llc News

Keppel FELS Limited (Keppel FELS) has fabricated and delivered the sophisticated structures of the Maersk DSS-20-CAS-M semi-submersible to its subsidiary, Caspian Shipyard Company Ltd (CSC) in Baku, Azerbaijan two weeks ahead of schedule. CSC, which has already completed about 50 per cent of the overall work, is now entering into the next phase of the construction to join the lower hull sections together and fully consolidate the upper hull on to it. When completed in the third quarter of 2003, the Maersk rig will become the first semi-submersible to be built in the Caspian Sea and will also be technologically, the most advanced unit operating in the region.

Keppel Offshore & Marine Limited (Keppel O&M) will deliver a new generation semi-submersible rig to Maersk Contractors two weeks ahead of schedule in mid August 2003. The rig was named LIDER in a ceremony that was attended by more that 1,000 guests at Caspian Shipyard Company (CSC) in Baku, Azerbaijan. Mr Tage Bundgaard, President of Maersk Contractors, said, "We are proud of this new highly advanced rig. We fully expect LIDER to prove its state-of-the-art capabilities during the upcoming contract with Exxon Azerbaijan and other operators in the Caspain region. LIDER will be contracted to Exxon Azerbaijan Operating Company LLC and Chevron Overseas Petroleum Azerbaijan Limited for a three-year drilling program.