Keppel FELS Limited (Keppel FELS), has secured a bonus of S$1 million for delivering a jackup drilling rig 49 days ahead of schedule to Discovery Drilling, a joint-venture of Jindal Drilling & Industries (JDIL).

The rig DISCOVERY I has also achieved a safety record of more than 2.2 million manhours work without incidents.

At its naming ceremony, Mr Choo Chiau Beng, Chairman and CEO of Keppel Offshore & Marine, the parent company of Keppel FELS, said, “This accomplishment demonstrates the strong project management skills of Keppel FELS and our excellent teamwork with Discovery Drilling and Jindal. At all times, Safety remains our top priority. It is ingrained in our processes and even more so in our mindset.”

Singapore’s Minister for Finance, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam who was the Guest of Honour at the ceremony noted the good relations between India and Singapore. He said, "Keppel FELS’ collaboration with the Jindal Group is a win-win relationship between two industry leaders, and another win-win tie-up between Singapore and India. There is much potential for Singapore companies to work with their Indian counterparts as India intensifies the development of oil and gas resources."

Mr Naresh Kumar, Managing Director of JDIL, said, “We are pleased with the early delivery of the rig. The bonding and coordination of the Discovery Drilling, Jindal and Keppel teams have been excellent. Keppel FELS will always be our preferred partner.”

Over the last five years, Indian offshore and marine companies have ordered a total of nine jackup drilling rigs amounting to approximately US$1.5 billion from Keppel.

All nine rigs are of the KFELS B Class categories. This design has been developed to meet the requirements of drillers for more powerful jackups as the search for hydrocarbons moves into harsher environments and deeper waters.

DISCOVERY I is the 23rd out of a total of 33 KFELS B Class rigs to enter the offshore market. It has been chartered to Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), India’s national oil company, for deployment in the Indian Ocean over three years.

Enchanced for the conditions of offshore India, DISCOVERY I meets ONGC’s unique requirements of environment, bearing pressure and rig geometry. This efficient jackup rig is capable of operating in water depths of 350 feet and drilling down to 30,000 feet. This design also incorporates Keppel’s advanced and fully-automated high capacity rack and pinion elevating system, and Self-Positioning Fixation System.

Keppel FELS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Keppel Corporation, through Keppel O&M, a leader in offshore rigs, shiprepair and conversion and specialised shipbuilding. Keppel O&M’s near market, near customer strategy is bolstered by a global network of 20 yards in the Asia Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, the Caspian Sea, Middle East and the North Sea regions. Integrating the experience and expertise of its yards worldwide, the group aims to be the provider of choice and partner in solutions for the offshore and marine industry.

Jindal Drilling & Industries Ltd. is a part of D. P. Jindal Group, one of India's leading, most respected and diversified industrial houses with revenues exceeding US$ 750 Million, employing more than 3000 people. Incorporated in the year 1983 with a focus on providing quality Offshore Drilling and allied services.

Jindal is among the pioneers in India who ventured into the high technology area of Offshore Drilling and over the last two decades have emerged as one of the major players in Indian Oil & Gas industry providing highest quality services and performance to the entire satisfaction of clients. It is also one of the largest manufacturers of seamless and Electric Resistance Welded pipes in India.

Tags: Jindal Drilling & Industries Ltd., Keppel Offshore & Marine Limited