Keppel O&M nails another $70M in contract wins

Keppel Offshore & Marine yards in the US and Azerbaijan will repair and upgrade a semisub and build a floating dock, respectively.

In the US, Keppel AmFELS LLC, has secured a contract from Transocean Offshore Deepwater Drilling Inc. (Transocean) to repair and upgrade the semisubmersible (semi) rig Sedco 707, said parent Keppel Corporation in a release.

Scheduled to arrive at Keppel AmFELS in July 2012, Sedco 707's major scope of work includes steel renewal of the hull, repair of the thrusters, refurbishment of the living quarters as well as electrical and piping replacement work, the company said. The semi is expected to depart in 1Q 2013and return to work in offshore Brazil.

"We thank Transocean for their trust and confidence in us and look forward to delivering another successful project to them safely and on time. Having built a long term relationship with Transocean, we are attuned to their needs and committed to support them in the renewal of their fleet," said Mr Tan Geok Seng, President of Keppel AmFELS.

"While we have a healthy base load of new builds, we have the capacity and expertise to undertake various repair projects which constitute an important part of our business. We are well positioned to support operators requiring efficient repairs in the region," he added.

The Sedco 707 is a self-propelled, twin-hulled semisubmersible drilling unit with eight thrusters designed to work in water depths of up to 6,500 feet. The semisub unit has been been working off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Separately, Keppel O&M's shipyard in Azerbaijan, Caspian Shipyard Company (CSC) has also secured a contract to build a floating dock for Baku Shipyard LLC (BSC).

Keppel Corporation expects the floating deck to be completed in 4Q 2013 and will be 168 metres by 50 metres and equipped with two sets of 25 tonne Jib Cranes. It will have a maximum docking weight of 9,000 tonnes with a maximum docking draft of 6.5 metres.

CSC's scope of work includes steelworks construction and the fabrication of the hull structure while BSC will provide overall project management. This arrangement will expedite the construction of the floating dock and demonstrates the synergy of Keppel O&M's shipyards, the company said.