Keppel to Build Jackup Rigs Worth $820 Million

Keppel FELS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M), secured contracts from Mexican drilling company, Grupo R, to build four jackup rigs worth $820 million (USD).

The jackup rigs will be built to Keppel's proprietary KFELS B Class design and are scheduled for delivery progressively from 2Q 2015 to 4Q 2015. When completed, Keppel FELS will have built 10 KFELS B Class jackup rigs for Mexican customers since 2012, including two for PEMEX.

Customized to Grupo R's requirements, the rigs will be able to operate in water depths of up to 400 feet and drill to depths of 30,000 feet.

PEMEX, the Mexican national oil company has announced investment plans of $25.3 billion for 2013, of which $20 billion will be targeted at upstream activities. On a visit to Keppel FELS on January 30, 2013, Mr Emilio Lozoya Austin, CEO of PEMEX, said that the company is embarking on a program to add between eight and 12 offshore platforms to its fleet.

Developed by Keppel's technology arm, Offshore Technology Development, the KFELS B Class rigs incorporate Keppel's advanced and fully-automated high capacity rack and pinion jacking system, and Self-Positioning Fixation System. It provides maximum uptime with reduced emissions and discharges. For its environmental-friendly features, the KFELS B Class design was bestowed the prestigious Engineering Achievement Award from the Institution of Engineers Singapore in 2009.