Keppel FELS gets Bigfoot order from GDI

Singapore’s Keppel FELS Limited has secured contracts worth about US$393 million from returning customer Gulf Drilling International Ltd. of Qatar, They cover the construction of two high-specification KFELS B Class Bigfoot jack-up rigs. These latest contracts follow closely after Keppel FELS was awarded a newbuild jack-up rig contract by one of GDI’s Shareholders, Japan Drilling Company, in March this year.

Scheduled for delivery in the third quarters of 2013 and 2014, the two latest rigs mark GDI’s first new orders in six years, and will increase the company’s jackup fleet count to seven units.

Mr. Tong Chong Heong, Chief Executive Officer of Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M) said, “We are pleased to work with GDI again, having successfully delivered two KFELS B Class jack-up rigs to them previously. On top of its newbuilding contracts with Keppel FELS, GDI is also upgrading and repairing its rigs at Nakilat-Keppel Offshore & Marine, our joint venture shipyard with Qatar Gas Transport Company.

Customized to GDI’s requirements, the new jack-up rigs will be designed to operate in the higher ambient temperature of the Middle East. The KFELS B Class Bigfoot is equipped with larger spud cans for reduced bearing pressure and expands its operational coverage in more places, especially areas where soft soil is predominant. GDI’s new rigs also feature an enhanced leg design for added robustness. Each rig will have a full 15,000 psi BOP system, 75-feet cantilever outreach and be able to accommodate 150 persons.

May 11, 2011