Keppel’s first rig of the year goes to GDI

Keppel FELS, a subsidiary of Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M), has delivered Halul, a KFELS B Class jack-up rig, to Gulf Drilling International (GDI) of Qatar.

According to Keppel, the rig was completed on January 21, 2016, which is ten days ahead of schedule. Also, it is the first rig that Keppel FELS has delivered this year.

Halul is also the fifth KFELS B Class jack-up rig delivered to GDI. The rig builder added that GDI has renewed options for two more repeat KFELS B Class rigs for deliveries in 2018 and 2019.

Wong Kok Seng, Managing Director of Keppel O&M (Offshore) and Keppel FELS, said, “We are proud to deliver another rig to GDI early and safely. This is our first delivery of the year and we are proud that even in a low oil price environment, the KFELS B Class continues to be the preferred rig in the market for its high quality, efficiency and safety.“

Halul’s sister rigs Dukhan and Al Zubarah are operating for Qatar Petroleum while Al Khor is performing for Shell.

Mubarak A. Al-Hajri, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of GDI, said, “We are pleased to receive the Halul ahead of schedule, enabling us to start work earlier for Qatar Petroleum. Reliability, safety, efficiency and quality are our top priorities in choosing a rig and a shipyard. Keppel FELS and the KFELS B Class design have demonstrated their strengths in these areas repeatedly. That is why we have chosen to renew our options for two more rigs with them.

“We are confident in the long term fundamentals of the industry and when the market recovers, we will be well-equipped to meet the demand.”

Built to GDI’s requirements, the jack-up rig has been designed to operate in the higher ambient temperature of the Middle East. Keppel says that the KFELS B Class is equipped with larger spud cans for reduced bearing pressure and expands its operational coverage in more places, especially in sea beds where soft soil is predominant.

The rig can drill wells through 30,000 feet with a cantilever that can skid out 70 feet from the edge of the hull to drill wells. It features offline stand building capabilities and 7,500 PSI mud pumps, with accommodation for 150 persons.