Keppel FELS Completes Raissa Inland Barge for PT Apexindo

Rigzone, Keppel FELS 3/3/2003 --- Keppel Offshore & Marine Group has completed the Raissa, a posted submersible drilling barge for Indonesian drilling contractor PT Apexindo Pratama Duta Tbk.

Keppel FELS Limited has earlier been chosen as the preferred partner for PT Apexindo's drilling fleet build-up and enhancement.

The Company signed the $29 million contract for Raissa in May 2002, followed by a refurbishment contract for drilling barge, Maera. Another similar newbuild order for the Yani was signed in October last year.

All three drilling units will be deployed in the Tunu field, East Kalimantan, for TotalFinaElf Indonesia.

Said Mr. Choo Chiau Beng, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Keppel O&M, at the naming ceremony of Raissa held in Keppel FELS Pioneer Yard today, "I am happy that through the projects with PT Apexindo, we are able to offer fit-for-purpose solutions for enhanced drilling activities in Indonesia.

"In so doing, we have strengthened our participation and track record in the growing markets of inshore drilling and will exploit opportunities in other shallow regions in Asia Pacific, USA, and northern parts of the Caspian Sea."

"Our investment in Raissa is one of significant strategic value for Indonesia's oil & gas industry. The industry's growth and sustainability in the long term is dependent on the on-going development of production infrastructure including drilling capabilities such as those of Raissa.

"Raissa's construction and assignment to the gas fields of East Kalimantan also reflects the confidence of major international oil companies in Indonesia's continued global leadership in LNG production," said Mr. Hertriono Kartowisastro, President Director of PT Apexindo.

Three Keppel yards, led by Keppel FELS Limited were involved in the construction of Raissa.

Keppel FELS was involved in the engineering and project management of Raissa, and provided the expertise to build the cantilever and drillfloor structures.

Keppel Singmarine built the main hull and upper decks, while Keppel Shipyard (Benoi) constructed the living quarters and the helideck.

Showcasing high commitment to safety standards, the Keppel yards achieved more than one million man-hours without reportable accidents during construction.

The construction of the 244-ft Raissa involved detailed engineering, fabrication and procurement as well as installation of the owner's supplied equipment.

It is capable of oil and gas exploration in water depth up to 7.62m (25 ft) and will have a drilling depth capability of 7,600m (25,000 ft).

PT Apexindo Pratama Duta Tbk, is the first drilling contractor to be listed on the Jakarta Stock Exchange. The company specializes in both onshore and offshore activities. It owns 12 onshore drilling rigs after merging with PT Medco Antareja in December 2001. PT Apexindo currently owns and operates two submersible swamp barges contracted by TotalFinaElf Indonesie and one jack-up rig in the Middle East.

Keppel Wins S$72 Million in Repeat Business

Rigzone.com, Keppel FELS 8/30/2002 --- Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd, has clinched contracts worth a total of S$72 million from repeat customers. Three contracts over S$50 million are for the upgrades of jack-up rig Ensco 81 and barge drilling unit Ensco 1 from Ensco Offshore Company, and swamp barge Maera from PT Apexindo Pratama Duta.

Another contract is for a new Anchor Handling Tug/Supply (AHTS) vessel for Pacific Richfield Marine Pte Ltd, owner and operator of offshore support vessels in the Asia and Pacific region.

Mr. Tong Chong Heong, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of Keppel O&M said, "Shipyards usually become involved in a job only after the design and engineering work is completed. However, we have in many instances successfully convinced our customers to involve our design and engineering teams as partners in the initial stages of their projects.

"This business model has worked for our customers and us. Together, we could come out with better solutions, turnaround their projects quickly, and deliver them within their budget and to the desired quality."

The drilling capability upgrade on Ensco 81 will be carried out in AMFELS Inc, Keppel's yard in Brownsville, Texas and is expected to be completed by January 2003.

Work on Ensco 1 is undertaken by Keppel FELS' in Singapore and involves the construction and installation of an auxiliary support barge onto the drilling unit. Ensco 1 is scheduled for delivery in December 2002.

ENSCO has been a long-time customer, for whom Keppel has built two jack-ups and carried out numerous repairs and upgrades. This year alone, four rigs from ENSCO were repaired in Keppel FELS Pioneer Yard.

Meanwhile, PT Apexindo's swamp barge Maera will undergo a six-month refurbishment in Keppel FELS. This contract came hot on the heels of an earlier S$29 million contract from the same client in April this year, to build a swamp barge, Raisa.

PT Apexindo awarded Keppel with the Raisa contract as a result of its competitive bid and reputed quality services. Both barges will be contracted to TotalFinaElf upon completion of the projects.

Keppel Singmarine, the specialised newbuilding arm of Keppel O&M will build the 140-ton bollard pull purpose-built Anchor Handling Tug/Supply vessel for Pacific Richfield Marine. Measuring 75m in length and 17m in breadth, the vessel will be used to tow, support and provide services for offshore drilling and work-over rigs. It is scheduled for delivery in the last quarter of 2003.