Keppel Offshore & Marine’s subsidiary Keppel FELS has won a $227m contract from Qatar’s Gulf Drilling International (GDI) to construct a repeat high-specification KFELS B-class jack up rig.
The contract also includes the option for two more KFELS B-class rigs that would be delivered in 2017.
The new rig named Halul is the fifth KFELS B-class jack up ordered by GDI from Keppel, which has already started works to deliver it in 2016.
Halul will be able to operate in the high ambient temperatures of the Middle East and will be equipped with larger spud cans for reduced bearing pressure and wider operational coverage.
This jack up rig will enable wells to be drilled through 30,000ft with a cantilever that can skid out 70ft from the edge of the hull.
Keppel O&M and Keppel FELS managing director Wong Kok Seng said: "Besides the newbuild jack ups, our shipyard in Qatar, Nakilat-Keppel O&M, is also supporting GDI with the construction of a liftboat and the repair and maintenance of their rig fleet."
Keppel recently delivered a rig called Dukhan and another named Les Hat last year.
GDI CEO Ibrahim Al Othman said: "The majority of our rigs are of the newer, high-spec variety that have been customised to meet the needs of our clients."
Keppel’s joint venture shipyard with Qatar Gas Transport Company, Nakilat-Keppel O&M, is now building a self-propelled and self-elevating liftboat for GDI.
