Floatel orders new generation accommodation semi at Keppel FELS

Floatel International Ltd. has signed an agreement with Keppel FELS Limited (to build a newgeneration accommodation semisubmersible (semi) for delivery first quarter 2014, on a turnkey basis. The total project price will be $283 million including project management, contingencies, spare parts, financing costs and pre operation costs.

The unit will be Floatel’s third accommodation semi built by Keppel FELS, following the delivery last year of Floatel Superior (total project costs of $350 million) and Floatel Reliance ($246 million).

The new unit will be built to the SSAU4000NG design developed by Keppel Offshore & Marine’s Deepwater Technology Group, incorporating Dynamic Positioning (DP) 3 capability and will be North Sea compliant. The SSAU4000NG is an enhancement of the proven SSAUTM 3600 design used for the Floatel Reliance, with improved capabilities and greater operational areas. It will meet the stringent U.K. HSE requirements to work in the U.K. sector of the North Sea as well as in the Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, West Africa and Western Australia.
Equipped with state of the art accommodation and recreational facilities, the SSAU4000NG provides increased comfort for the 500 persons it can accommodate in one•man and two•man cabins.

Mr. Peter Jacobsson, Chief Executive Officer of the management company Floatel International AB says: “What Keppel FELS has built for us previously has been well received by the market and both units are now operating successfully. We have ordered this third unit as we continue to see strong demand for such highly capable accommodation vessels, and we believe we are well positioned to strengthen our offerings in this market segment”.

“As we grow our fleet of next generation accommodation semis to meet the needs of the market, Keppel FELS is a good partner for us in terms of reliability and quality. Their suite of proprietary designs has proven to be cost effective solutions for offshore accommodation and we believe the SSAU4000NG will be just as successful as her predecessors.”

Featuring the latest technology such as enhanced station keeping using DP3, the SSAU4000NG is capable of operating in harsh environment alongside fixed platforms, floating platforms and Floating Production Storage and Offloading Vessels, with a full complement of deck cranes and fire fighting capabilities.

June 10, 2011