Keppel AmFELS Inc., the US wholly-owned subsidiary of Keppel Offshore & Marine Limited (Keppel O&M), has secured a contract from Mexican company Perforadora Central SA de CV to build a jackup rig valued at approximately US$190 million.

The jackup drilling rig is due for delivery in end-2009, and is expected to be deployed in the Gulf of Mexico.

This is the second rig that Keppel AmFELS is building for Perforadora Central. The first unit was delivered in 2004 and is working for PEMEX, Mexico’s national oil company. In late 2006, Keppel AmFELS completed the onshore construction of two 220-crew accommodation platforms, HA-KU-M and HA-KU-S, for PEMEX.

Crude oil is a major export of Mexico. The country has in recent years seen a decline in oil production and reserves. With new discoveries such as the Noxal I, the country targets to stem the decline and raise production from the current 3.34 MMb/d mark in 2006.

Mr Tong Chong Heong, Managing Director & COO of Keppel O&M and Chairman of Keppel AmFELS, said, “Mexico is an important market for Keppel O&M. We are committed to build our track record with Mexican companies such as Perforadora Central by providing them relevant solutions from our suite of products ranging from jackups to semisubmersibles for deepwater exploration and production.

“With our strategic presence in the Gulf of Mexico and our knowledge of the country through the various projects that we have been executing for them, we are poised to be the preferred partner and solution provider in the Mexican offshore market.”

Mr Patricio Alvarez Morphy, President of Perforadora Central, said, “We are pleased to work with a reputable company such as Keppel AmFELS again. We look forward to another high-quality rig that is delivered on time and within budget.”

The new jackup will be built to the LeTourneau Super 116E design. With leg lengths of 511ft, the rig can drill wells up to 30,000ft in water depths of 350ft.