Keppel AmFELS wins $205 million repeat order from Mexico

Keppel AmFELS LLC, Brownsville, Texas, has won a contract from Mexico’s Perforadora Central SA de CV (Perforadora Central) to build a repeat jack-up rig worth US$205 million.

Slated for delivery from the shipyard in the first quarter of 2014, the high specification unit will be based on the LeTourneau Super 116E design with leg lengths of 511 ft and the capability to drill wells up to 30,000 ft at a water depth of 375 ft.

Mr. Tan Geok Seng, President of Keppel AmFELS, said, “Keppel AmFELS has had a great relationship with Perforadora Central that dates back to 2002. Once again, we are honored to be building another jack-up, our fourth, for Perforadora Central and are very grateful to them for their continued trust and confidence in us.

“We have endured the post-Macondo challenges well. Having recently secured the Ocean Onyx semisubmersible major upgrade and a series of repairs, this newbuild jack-up adds to a healthy workload through first quarter 2014. We also continue to pursue projects from Pemex and we are optimistic about our chances.”

In keeping with its tradition of safe, on-time and within-budget deliveries, Keppel AmFELS completed Tonala, an ultra premium KFELS B Class jack-up rig for Perforadora Central in 2004, followed by Tuxpan, a LeTourneau S116E rig in 2010. The Papaloapan jackup, which was ordered by Perforadora Central in March 2011, is under construction and on track for delivery 1Q2013.

Perforadora Central said, “With each successive project, Keppel AmFELS has reaffirmed its expert project management and construction capabilities, as well as commitment to the highest standards of safety and quality.

“Our Tonala and Tuxpan jack-ups are turning in excellent performances for PEMEX in Mexico while construction of Papaloapan is ahead of schedule. We are just as confident that our latest newbuild by Keppel AmFELS will be another exceptional product to boost our track record and establish us as the foremost provider of drilling solutions in Mexico.”

Perforadora Central is a Mexican company providing offshore and onshore drilling service mainly for PEMEX.

Keppel AmFELS is a subsidiary of Keppel O&M, a wholly-owned company of Keppel Corporation Limited.

April 2, 2012