Keppel signs five rig, $4.12 billion LOI with Sete Brasil

Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M), through its subsidiaries, Keppel FELS Brasil S.A. and Estaleiro BrasFELS Ltda, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Sete Brasil Participações S.A. (Sete Brasil), for the design and construction of five semisubmersible (semi) drilling rigs based on Keppel’s proprietary DSS 38E design. The rigs are additional to the order for a DSS 38E for Sete announced by Keppel in December 2011. Like the first rig, the additional five rigs are intended to support Brazil’s exploration of its vast proven offshore oil and gas resources.

The aim of the LOI is to facilitate Keppel O&M’s preparation work on these potential projects, pending the signing of the final construction contracts. The total value of the contracts, if and when successfully agreed and executed between Keppel O&M and Sete Brasil, will be approximately US$4.12 billion.

The DSS 38E design is an enhancement of Keppel’s proven fifth generation deepwater solution, the DSS 38. With improved capability and operability, the DSS 38E is well suited to meet the stringent requirements of the deepwater “Golden Triangle” region — Brazil, Africa and the Gulf of Mexico.

Sete Brasil’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Joao Carlos Ferraz, said, “We have entered into this LOI for five additional semis from Keppel, as we are confident of Keppel’s strong track record in the design and construction of deepwater rigs, as well as their established yard in Brazil. It is full steam ahead for us in growing our fleet of rigs and vessels to support the E&P activities in offshore Brazil, and we need to partner shipyards like Keppel which can deliver the quality rigs in a timely manner which we are looking for.”

Mr Tong Chong Heong, Chief Executive Officer, Keppel O&M, said, “We are pleased that Sete Brasil is moving ahead with the decision to order five additional semis on top of the first DSS™ 38E semi ordered late last year. With our proven track record at our Angra yard in Brazil, we believe we are in a good position to continue to contribute effectively to the growth of Brazil’s oil and gas industry.”

Jointly developed and owned by Keppel’s Deepwater Technology Group and Marine Structure Consultants, the DSS 38E design is an innovative and cost-effective design. It is rated to drill to depths of 10,000 m below the rotary table in 3,000 m water depth. Its operational displacement is approximately 45,000 tonnes.

Each rig will have accommodations to house a crew of up to 160. The vessel is designed to stay in position via eight Azimuthing thrusters and the configurations comply with the American Bureau of Shipping Dynamic Positioned System (DPS-3) requirements.

The transaction mentioned above is not expected to have a material impact on the net tangible assets or earnings per share of Keppel Corporation Limited for the current financial year.

Keppel O&M established its shipyard in Brazil, BrasFELS, in 2000. It has gone on to achieve many firsts for the Brazilian offshore industry, including the construction of some of the world’s largest floating production units, P-52, P-51 and P-56 for Petrobras.

The yard, located in Angra does Reis, is currently working on a number of projects, including the upgrade of two drillships for Noble, the construction of the P-61 Tension Leg Wellhead Platform for Petrobras and Chevron, as well as the building of the first DSSTM38E semi for Sete Brasil. It is also integrating the topside modules for FPSO Cidade Da Sao Paolo for a joint venture company between MODEC and Toyo Offshore Production Systems.

Apart from the Angra dos Reis location, Keppel O&M is currently developing a 7.6 ha specialized shipbuilding facility, Keppel Singmarine Brasil, in Navegantes, Santa Catarina. Ahead of its opening, the yard has already secured two contracts from operators in Brazil to construct a series of six harbor tugs and two large-sized 4,500 dwt platform supply vessels.

Sete Brasil is a Brazilian company established in December 2010 and formed by seven Brazilian finance investors, including banks and the four biggest Brazilian pension funds, besides Petrobras. The company specializes in chartering drilling rigs for Brazil’s pre-salt exploration.

April 12, 2012