16 Aug 2008

Keppel FELS delivers jackup rig to Maersk Contractors ahead of schedule

Keppel FELS Limited (Keppel FELS) has delivered a jackup drilling rig to Maersk Contractors three days ahead of schedule.

This rig was named Maersk Resolute by Ms Anette Bjerge, wife of Mr Soren Gath Hansen, Executive Vice President of Dong Energy at a ceremony in Keppel FELS today.

Maersk Resolute is the second in a series of four high efficiency jackups being built by Keppel FELS for Maersk Contractors. The rig has been contracted to Dong Energy for operations in the Danish part of the North Sea for three years.

Mr Claus V. Hemmingsen, CEO of Maersk Contractors, said, “The early delivery of Maersk Resolute is yet another significant milestone in the longstanding cooperation between Keppel FELS and Maersk Contractors.

"Keppel's track record of delivering projects on time and within budget was a factor for choosing the yard for our massive investment programme."

Mr Choo Chiau Beng, Chairman & CEO of Keppel O&M, said, “We are grateful to Maersk Contractors for the unwavering confidence in Keppel, and for entrusting us over the years with the construction of its premium offshore fleet.

“The successful delivery of this rig is the result of our enduring partnership. With experience, our subsequent projects can only get better.”

The series of high efficiency rigs have a maximum operating depth of 350 feet and are suitable for drilling deep, high temperature/ high pressure wells of 30,000 feet. They are also highly automated for safe operations.

Deliveries of these rigs are scheduled at half-yearly intervals. The first rig, Maersk Resilient, was delivered in February this year and has commenced operations for Dubai Petroleum at the Fateh U platform in Dubai waters.

Maersk Contractors is part of the A.P. Moller - Maersk Group and is a significant drilling contractor and supplier of floating production solutions. The fleet counts 26 drilling rigs and four FPSOs including five high efficiency jack-up rigs, three deepwater development semi-submersibles and one FPSO vessel under construction. Maersk Contractors employs an international staff of 3,500 well-trained people.

Keppel FELS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Keppel Corporation Limited, through Keppel O&M, a leader in offshore rigs, shiprepair and conversion and specialised shipbuilding. Keppel O&M’s near market, near customer strategy is bolstered by a global network of 20 yards in the Asia Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, the Caspian Sea, Middle East and the North Sea regions. Integrating the experience and expertise of its yards worldwide, the group aims to be the provider of choice and partner in solutions for the offshore and marine industry.

For further information, please contact

Ivana Chua
Assistant Manager
Keppel Group Corporate Communications
Tel: (65) 64136 436
Mobile: (65) 92391 423
Email: ivana.chua@kepcorp.com

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Maersk Resolute is the second in a series of four high efficiency jackups being built by Keppel FELS for Maersk Contractors.

Lady Sponsor, Ms Anette Bjerge (seated), at the helm in Maersk Resolute’s drilling control room.

Maersk Resolute was named by Ms Anette Bjerge (centre), wife of Mr Soren Gath Hansen (third from right), Executive VP of Dong Energy at a ceremony in Keppel FELS today. She is accompanied by (from left) Mr Tong Chong Heong, MD/COO of Keppel O&M, Mrs Susanne Hemmingsen, Mr Claus V. Hemmingsen, CEO of Maersk Contractors, Mrs Eileen Choo and Mr Choo Chiau Beng, Chairman/CEO of Keppel O&M.

Download - Mr Choo's speech