Keppel FELS delivers first rig of the year

SINGAPORE -- Keppel FELS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M), has delivered Halul, a KFELS B Class jackup rig, to Qatar’s Gulf Drilling International. The rig was completed on Jan. 21, ten days ahead of schedule. It is the first rig that Keppel FELS has delivered this year.

Halul is also the fifth KFELS B Class jackup rig delivered to GDI. With its continued successful partnership with Keppel FELS, GDI has renewed options for two more repeat KFELS B Class rigs for deliveries in 2018 and 2019.

Wong Kok Seng, managing director of Keppel O&M (Offshore) and Keppel FELS, said, "This is our first delivery of the year and we are proud that even in a low oil price environment, the KFELS B Class continues to be the preferred rig in the market for its high quality, efficiency and safety.”

The KFELS B Class rigs have a strong track record for GDI. Sister rigs Dukhan and Al Zubarah are operating successfully for Qatar Petroleum while Al Khor is performing well for Shell.

Built to GDI's requirements, the Halul has been designed to operate in the higher ambient temperature of the Middle East. The KFELS B Class is equipped with larger spud cans for reduced bearing pressure and expands its operational coverage in more places, especially in sea beds where soft soil is predominant. The rig can drill wells through 30,000 ft with a cantilever that can skid out 70 ft from the edge of the hull to drill wells. It features offline stand building capabilities and 7,500 psi mud pumps, with accommodation for 150 persons.