PRESS RELEASE
Keppel FELS to deliver Vietnam’s first drilling tender rig
Singapore, 2 October 2011 – Keppel FELS Limited (Keppel FELS) is on track to
deliver Vietnam’s first semisubmersible drilling tender (SSDT) to PetroVietnam
Drilling & Well Services Corp (PV Drilling) ahead of schedule, within budget and with
a perfect safety record.
Built to Keppel’s award-winning KFELS SSDT 3600E design, the rig is well-suited for
harsh environments and will be deployed on a multi-year charter to PetroVietnam’s
Bien Dong Petroleum Operating Company.
In 2009, the design was recognised by the Institution of Engineers Singapore for its
eco-friendly features, which have contributed significantly to sustainable operations,
as well as the safety and well-being of rig crew.
The rig was named PV Drilling V at Keppel FELS today in the presence of
Mr S Iswaran, Singapore’s Minister in Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister
for Home Affairs and Trade & Industry, together with Mr Le Duong Quang, Vietnam’s
Vice Minister of Industry and Trade as well as Mr Chu Ngoc Anh, Vietnam’s Vice
Minister of Science and Technology.
In his speech, Mr Iswaran noted that Singapore’s marine and offshore industry has
earned an international reputation for quality and reliability. “We have also
differentiated ourselves with the ability to offer customised solutions and handle
sophisticated turnkey projects with complex requirements. The successful delivery of
the PV Drilling V exemplifies the strengths and capabilities of our marine and
offshore industry,” said Mr Iswaran.
Developed by Keppel Offshore & Marine’s (Keppel O&M) Deepwater Technology
Group (DTG), the KFELS SSDT 3600E design has revolutionised the way in which
drilling tenders work, allowing them to be deployed next to deepwater floating
platforms for the first time. This groundbreaking series, with their enhanced
capabilities, can operate and maintain station keeping in deep waters of up to
5,000 ft alongside Spars and Tension Leg Platforms.
Highly suitable for offshore Vietnam’s harsh environment, the KFELS SSDT 3600E
features an 8-point mooring system, which allows the rig to maintain its position
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amidst currents of up to 6 knots.
Mr Pham Tien Dung, CEO of PV Drilling, said, “Vietnam has some 4.4 billion barrels
in proven oil reserves and we produced some 370,000 barrels a day last year. Our
vision is for Vietnam to become a major oil and gas exporter in South East Asia, and
PV Drilling V is an important step for us in achieving our goal. Keppel FELS has
been a reliable partner and we look forward to leverage their expertise and
experience in building technologically advanced rigs to support this growth.”
Mr Tong Chong Heong, CEO of Keppel O&M, said, “We pleased to deliver another
first of its kind rig to Vietnam and PV Drilling. Our award-winning KFELS SSDT
design is the ideal choice to meet the requirements for Vietnam’s offshore
environment.
“We look forward to support PV Drilling as it expands its fleet to capture the growth
of Vietnam’s oil and gas industry. Our track record of providing solutions and
consistently delivering quality products on time, within budget and in a safe manner
has stood us in good stead in our long term partnership.”
Keppel FELS has been involved in the Vietnamese offshore market for 25 years,
having completed the Hoang Sa, a 1,200-tonne floating crane in 1984. It delivered
Vietnam’s first jack-up rig, the Tam Dao I in 1988 and was responsible for PV
Drilling’s modern fleet of three KFELS B Class jackup rigs. The first KFELS B Class
jackup for Vietnam, PV Drilling I, was delivered in 2007 and the latest, PV Drilling III,
in November 2009.
-EndPV Drilling
The experiences of PV Drilling can be traced back to the establishment of PTSC
Offshore Services, as a division of Petroleum Technical Services Company, in 1994.
After a decade of development, PV Drilling has quickly expanded its portfolio of
services to include drilling, manpower provision, well services, tubular inspection and
other activities related to a drilling campaign. These services remain at the heart of
the company and play an important role in the development of PV Drilling as a major
service provider to the oil and gas industry in Vietnam.
Keppel FELS
Keppel FELS is a subsidiary of Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M), a
wholly-owned company of Keppel Corporation Limited. Keppel O&M is a leader in
offshore rigs, ship repair and conversion and specialised shipbuilding. Its near
market, near customer strategy is bolstered by a global network of 20 yards and
offices in the Asia Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, the Caspian Sea, Middle East and
the North Sea regions. Integrating the experience and expertise of its yards
worldwide, the group aims to be the provider of choice and partner in solutions for
the offshore and marine industry.
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For further information, please contact:
Media
Eva Ho
Deputy General Manager
Group Corporate Communications
Keppel Corporation Ltd
Tel: (65) 64136 424
Email: eva.ho@kepcorp.com
Investor Relations
Chua Ying Ying
Assistant General Manager
Group Corporate Communications
Keppel Corporation Limited
Tel: (65) 6413 6295
Email: yingying.chua@kepcorp.com
This press release is also available on www.kepcorp.com and www.keppelom.com
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