AMFELS Lays Keel Ahead of Schedule

AMFELS Inc, the US wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore’s Keppel Corporation Limited through Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd, has laid the keel for new jack-up rig, Tonala, one month ahead of schedule. The $83 million contract for the rig was signed in April 2002 with Mexican company, Perforadora Central SA de CV. Tonala is a KFELS MOD V “B” class jack-up, enhanced with Keppel’s proprietary jacking and fixation systems developed by its research and technology arm, Offshore Technology Development. At the keel laying ceremony, Mr Ricardo Cortina Cardenas, Vice President for Marine Drilling Division of Perforadora Central said, “We are very pleased with the progress of the construction of Tonala, which is ahead of schedule. AMFELS has shown total commitment and excellent project management in the project.” In response, CY Ho, President of AMFELS, expressed his gratitude for the cooperation and team spirit shown by Perforadora Central’s construction team in enabling this milestone to be achieved. Due for delivery in the first quarter of 2004, Tonala is the fourth “B” class rig ordered in two years, reflecting customers’ confidence in Keppel’s design, engineering and construction capabilities. The first “B” class, Chiles Discovery was delivered by Keppel FELS in Singapore. Its sister rig, Chiles Galileo, now under construction at AMFELS for the same owner, Chiles Offshore Inc is due in September 2002. The third rig, Atwood Beacon, is currently being built in Keppel FELS for Atwood Oceanics Pacific Limited and is expected to be delivered in June 2003. Tonala incorporates modern engineering features to improve productivity, enhance safety, and provide added independence from supply lines and environmental conditions. It can drill in water depths up to 375 feet and is well suited for the environmental conditions of the Mexican waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The KFELS MOD V “B” class jack-up drilling rig is the latest solution for oil companies and drilling contractors looking for a more cost-effective deep-well drilling machine. The performance of the rig exceeds the operating capabilities of conventional non-harsh environment jack-ups.