Aker awarded supply of sixth-generation rigs

Offshore staff

(Norway) - Aker Drilling has awarded Aker Kvaerner a turnkey contract for the delivery of two sixth-generation deepwater semisubmersibles with an option for another two rigs by 2010.

The two drilling rigs are scheduled for delivery in February and October 2008. The contract value is approximately NOK 7.6 billion.

The contract includes engineering, which will be carried out at Aker's engineering offices in Lysaker and in Kristiansand, Norway, and the assembly and commissioning of the rigs, which will be performed at the company's yard in Stord, Norway.

Hull construction will be undertaken by Aker's yard in Verdal, and design will be performed at the company's yard in Brevik. Several other sub-contracts will be placed over the next few weeks.

The new H-6e design is intended for worldwide operations, in deepwater and in harsh environments.

Contract partner to Aker Drilling is Aker Kvaerner Stord. The contract is pending project sanctioning from Aker Drilling and board approval from Aker ASA and Aker Kvaerner.

10/05/05