USA: Keppel Delivers EXL Rig to Rowan Drilling Company

Keppel AmFELS Inc., the US wholly-owned subsidiary of Keppel Offshore & Marine Limited (Keppel O&M), has delivered the first of four EXL rigs to Rowan Drilling Company, Inc. (Rowan) safely, on time and within budget.

The rig, christened Rowan EXL I at the yard last Saturday, is expected to be deployed for work immediately after delivery to serve a 10-month contract with McMoRan Exploration Company in the US Gulf of Mexico.

Mr David Russell, President, Rowan, said, “With the strengthening demand of higher-specification jackups for deep and difficult wells worldwide, the addition of the Rowan EXL rigs to our premium fleet will augment our asset base and boost our ability to meet the growing needs of our customers.

“As such, I am pleased that Keppel AmFELS has delivered the first of our four Rowan EXL rigs with a perfect safety record, on time and within budget. The talent, experience and effort of both our teams have been critical in the completion of this top-class rig.

“With such a remarkable construction history and advanced operating capabilities, we are confident that Rowan EXL I will begin work as soon as possible and perform excellently.”

Mr G.S. Tan, President & CEO of Keppel AmFELS, said, “The safe, on-time and within-budget delivery of Rowan EXL I is another feather in the cap for Keppel AmFELS, demonstrating our robust construction capabilities and commitment to meet our customers’ needs.

“Our strategic presence at the gateway of the Gulf of Mexico, one of the most important oil and gas markets in the world, enables Keppel AmFELS to leverage our Near Market, Near Customer strategy to reinforce the strong partnerships that we have built with customers such as Rowan.

“With our close market insights and comprehensive suite of products and services, we seek to be the preferred solutions provider in this region.”

Keppel AmFELS is currently constructing three other similar newbuild jackup rigs for Rowan. The construction of these rigs is progressing well and is within schedule and budget.

Built as an enhancement of the LeTourneau Super 116E design, the ABS-classed rigs employ the latest state-of-the-art technology to drill high-pressure, high-temperature and extended-reach wells in jackup markets throughout the world and are capable of operating in 350 feet of water or more and drilling to a depth of 35,000 feet.

Located in Brownsville, Texas, Keppel AmFELS reinforces Keppel Offshore & Marine’s presence in the Gulf of Mexico and its strategy to be near its markets and customers.

Since its establishment in 1990, Keppel AmFELS has built up its facilities and equipment to become the most well equipped offshore shipyard in the Gulf of Mexico. The yard engages in the construction, refurbishment, conversion, life extension and repair of a complete range of mobile drilling rigs and platforms. Its comprehensive facilities are first class, including a drydock capable of docking the largest semisubmersible drilling units, and a modern steel processing plant.

Rowan Companies, Inc. is a major provider of international and domestic contract drilling services. The Company also owns and operates a manufacturing division that produces equipment for the drilling, mining and timber industries.

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Source: kepcorp, May 9, 2010;