26 Oct 2009

Keppel Shipyard on track to complete first FPSO for US Gulf of Mexico

Keppel Shipyard Limited (Keppel Shipyard) is on track to deliver the first floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel for the US Gulf of Mexico (GoM) to BW Pioneer Ltd, an affiliate of BW Offshore. Named today at Keppel Shipyard, the vessel BW Pioneer will be turret moored at a water depth of about 2,600 metres – by far the deepest for an FPSO.

The FPSO, which is nearing completion, has achieved an impressive safety record of more than 4 million incident-free man-hours to-date. BW Pioneer has been leased by Petrobras America Inc. to operate in the Cascade and Chinook fields of the US GoM, with production scheduled for the first quarter of 2010.

Mr. Carl Arnet, Chief Executive Officer of BW Offshore said, “The successful conversion of BW Pioneer is an important milestone for us. Being the first contractor to place an FPSO in the weather-exposed US Gulf of Mexico gives BW Offshore a seal of quality and strengthens our position and track record as a leader in the region.

“The high level of quality and safety achieved on this pioneering project are the result of our strong partnership with Keppel Shipyard. I am confident that BW Pioneer will set the standard for FPSOs operating in the US Gulf of Mexico.”

Designed to handle the harsh operating conditions in GoM, BW Pioneer is equipped with an internal disconnectable Submerged Turret Production (STP) mooring system and outfitted with advanced safety features to withstand environmental loads from currents, waves and wind. In the event of an approaching hurricane, this highly advanced safety feature will allow the FPSO to disengage from site and move on her own propulsion to seek sheltered waters.

Mr Tong Chong Heong, CEO of Keppel Offshore & Marine, said, “Working with trend-setting customers over the years, Keppel Shipyard has achieved many ‘firsts’ in the industry for complex vessel conversions. BW Pioneer is yet another groundbreaking vessel, which we are proud to add to our track record.

“We would like to thank BW Offshore for entrusting Keppel Shipyard with this significant project. Together with our valued customer, we have overcome the challenges of completing a unique FPSO for the US Gulf of Mexico. We look forward to further our relationship with BW Offshore and support them in developing their premium fleet.”

BW Pioneer has a storage capacity of about 600,000 barrels of oil, a process capacity of 80,000 bopd and gas export facilities of 16 mmscfd.

This is the second FPSO Keppel has delivered to BW Offshore this year. FPSO BW Cidade de Sao Vicente which also achieved a zero incident safety record was delivered earlier this year as an Early Well Test (EWT) FPSO for the gigantic Tupi deepwater field.

Keppel Shipyard has a strong track record of more than 80 FPSO and FSO conversion and upgrading projects. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Keppel Corporation Limited through Keppel O&M, a global leader in offshore rigs, shiprepair and conversion, as well as 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 a provider of choice and a partner for solutions for the offshore and marine industry.

Listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, BW Offshore is one of the world’s leading FPSO contractors and a market leader in advanced offshore loading and production systems in the oil and gas industry with 25 years’ experience and a solid track record.

For further information, please contact

Roy Tan
Keppel Group Corporate Communications
Tel: (65) 6413 6421
Email: roy.tan@kepcorp.com

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BW Pioneer will be the first FPSO to be deployed in the US Gulf of Mexico and turret moored at the deepest waters ever for an FPSO. Nearing completion, it has achieved 4 million man-hours without lost time incident to-date.

At the naming ceremony of BW Pioneer, key representatives from Keppel Offshore & Marine, BW Offshore and Petrobras celebrate another successful project.

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