Keppel FELS Limited (Keppel FELS) is on track to deliver ENSCO 8502, the third of seven ENSCO 8500 Series® semisubmersible drilling rigs it has been contracted to build exclusively for Ensco International Incorporated (NYSE: ESV).

Today, the rig was named at Keppel FELS by Lady Sponsor, Mrs Cambria Reinsborough, wife of Mr Brian Reinsborough, President of Nexen Petroleum USA Inc, in the presence of Guest of Honour, Mr Heng Chee How, Singapore’s Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office.

Following her scheduled delivery, mobilisation and final outfitting, ENSCO 8502 will commence operations in the US Gulf of Mexico under a two-year contract with Nexen Petroleum U.S.A. Inc. during the second quarter of 2010.

Mr Daniel Rabun, Chairman, President & CEO of Ensco, said, “We are very pleased with Keppel FELS’s construction of the ENSCO 8500 Series® ultra-deepwater rigs.

“We have already invested more than half of the US$3 billion committed to the ENSCO 8500 Series® newbuild programme, and we are well on our way toward having the world’s largest fleet of ultra-deepwater semisubmersibles capable of drilling in water depths of 7,500 feet or deeper.

“When ENSCO 8502 is delivered early next year, we will have four ultra-deepwater semisubmersibles in our active fleet to complement our premium jackups around the globe.”

Mr Tong Chong Heong, CEO of Keppel FELS, said, “The Keppel and Ensco win-win partnership has flourished with solid trust and teamwork developed over two decades of collaboration.

“As a result of our accumulated experience and in-depth understanding of the ENSCO 8500 Series®, we have managed to improve construction lead time by 1.1 million manhours for ENSCO 8502, as compared to the first rig in this Series. This represents a 15% boost in efficiency.

“For the next four ENSCO 8500 Series® rigs, we are confident of timely deliveries as we support Ensco in launching a state-of-the-art fleet of quality, high performance ultra deepwater rigs.”

Tags: Keppel Offshore & Marine Limited