Offshore staff
(Asia-Pacific) - Keppel FELS Ltd. has secured a $177 million contract for the upgrading of semisubmersible drilling rigBlackford Dolphin for Blackford Dolphin Pte Ltd., a subsidiary of Fred.Olsen Energy ASA.
Blackford Dolphin, the former Ocean Liberator, built in 1974, will undergo fasttrack refurbishment and have her life span extended for 20 years.
When completed, the upgraded drilling unit will have drilling depth capabilities increased from 600 ft to 7,000 ft water depth, enabling her to operate in deepwater environments worldwide.
To meet the quick turnaround delivery by the end of June 2007, the project will be undertaken jointly by Keppel FELS and Keppel Shipyard in Singapore and Keppel Verolme in The Netherlands.
Both Keppel Shipyard and Keppel Verolme will be responsible for the fabrication of the lower and upper hull structures and modules.
Keppel Verolme will also undertake the overall integration of the structure and modules as well as carry out the repairs and maintenance works on the semi.
The rig is expected to arrive at Keppel Verolme by late March 2006.
03/03/06
