Offshore staff

SINGAPORE--Keppel FELS has won a $305-million contract to build a new accommodation semisubmersible for Floatel International. The 440-man rig will be built for operations in the North Sea.

According to Floatel's CEO Peter Jacobsson, this will be the North Sea's first new accommodation rig in more than 20 years. The DSS2ONS DP3 concept, developed by Keppel subsidiary Deepwater Technology Group and Marine Structure Consultants, combines elements from the existing DSS 20 semi drilling rig and the SSAU 3600 accommodation semi designs. It will also be the first floatel to feature DP3 class dynamic positioning.

Claimed benefits include superior motion characteristics, high deck-load capacity, and large, open deck space. Delivery is scheduled for spring 2010.

4/16/2007