Complex Rig Conversions

Keppel FELS (KFELS), the offshore arm of the Keppel Group, has secured contracts worth a total of US$77 million from Diamond Offshore Drilling for the upgrades of a semi-submersible Ocean Rover and a jack-up rig Ocean Tower. This follows other contracts from Diamond Offshore for the upgrading of four jack-up rigs. Ocean Baroness is presently in the final stages of a challenging deepwater upgrade in KFELS’ Pioneer Yard in Singapore.

Innovative solutions on Ocean Baroness, a Victory-class semi-submersible, will allow it to work in challenging deepwater of up to 6,500 ft and the capability to handle 5,500 tons operating variable deck load. In the newly awarded contract, Ocean Rover will undergo an upgrade with specifications similar to the enhanced Ocean Baroness. The project will be undertaken in KFELS’ Pioneer Yard and is estimated to take 18 months. KFELS’ yard Amfels (Brownsville, Texas), will carry out the work on Ocean Tower, a 350 ft independent-leg slot-type jack-up rig which will be upgraded to a cantilever-type rig with a new derrick, mud pump, sub base, shaker house and accommodation facilities. The project is expected to take one year.

Mr. Tong Chong Heong, Managing Director of KFELS, said “We are very pleased that Diamond Offshore has chosen us to be a partner in the enhancement of their fleet of vessels. It demonstrates their confidence in KFELS’ expertise and engineering strength to undertake sophisticated upgrades.”