Keppel AmFELS on track to deliver first Scorpion jackup

Offshore staff

BROWNSVILLE, Texas -- Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd. subsidiary AmFELS Inc. is on course for a timely delivery of Scorpion Offshore Ltd.'s first jackup drilling rig at the end of May 2007.

The ultra-premium drilling rig,Offshore Courageous, is the first of five jackups that Keppel AmFELS is constructing for Scorpion Offshore. The other four rigs are Offshore Defender, Offshore Resolute, Offshore Vigilant, and Offshore Intrepid.

"The on-time delivery ofOffshore Courageous is crucial to Scorpion Offshore's goal of providing superior solutions to our customers in the ultra-premium jackup market," says Jon Cole, CEO of Scorpion Offshore.

"Keppel AmFELS is the builder of choice for Scorpion Offshore. With their excellent track record in rig construction and our close working relationship, we have been able to minimize delays and cost overruns," Cole added.

The second rig,Offshore Defender, was launched on March 31, 2007. The rig is now undergoing final outfitting, installation of drilling equipment, and remaining leg sections and commissioning prior to delivery in Oct. 2007.

The remaining three rigs will be delivered progressively in 2008.

All five rigs are built to the LeTourneau Super 116 design. With leg lengths of 477 ft, these rigs can drill wells to 30,000 ft in water depths of 350 ft. Upon completion, the rigs can be deployed for international operations as well as deep gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, the company says.

Apart from the five Scorpion rigs, Keppel AmFELS is also constructing a KFELS Super B Class jackup rig,Ocean Scepter, for Diamond Offshore and a LeTourneau Enhanced S116 jackup rig, Atwood Aurora, for Atwood Oceanics. Other repair and refurbishment projects include the Pride Louisiana for Pride Offshore.

5/3/2007