Japan Drilling to operate new jackup under construction at Keppel

Keppel FELS has secured a contract from BOT Lease Co (BOTL), an affiliated company of The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, to build a new KFELS Super B Class jackup rig for approximately $240 million.

Scheduled for completion at the end of 2016, the rig will be operated by Japan Drilling Co (JDC) based on the leased agreement with BOTL. The rig is provisionally named Hakuryu 15.

“We are pleased for this opportunity to support BOTL and to join hands with our valued customer JDC once again,” Wong Kok Seng, Managing Director (Offshore) of Keppel Offshore & Marine, said. “Hakuryu 15 is the second KFELS Super B Class jackup rig that will join JDC’s fleet, and their support is a reiteration of their trust and confidence in our proprietary solutions and companies.”

The KFELS Super B Class design has a drilling depth of 35,000 ft. The rig’s leg structure is designed to provide enhanced robustness for operations at 400-ft water depth. The rig, adapted to JDC’s operating philosophy, is engineered to drill high-temperature wells and can accommodate 150 personnel onboard. It features an offline stand-building capability and a high-capacity hookload of 2 million lb.

“The KFELS Super B Class is an innovative solution for drilling rigs that can operate in deeper depths and at higher temperature and pressure levels,” Mr Wong continued. “With 11 such rigs successfully operating around the world, we are confident this new addition will be just as successful for BOTL and JDC. Our strong understanding with JDC developed over several projects will stand us in good stead in delivering this rig to their highest standards, safely, on time and within budget.”

“Hakuryu 11, our KFELS Super B Class unit from Keppel FELS, was delivered safely and on-time in 2013 and has been working well in the field,” Yuichiro Ichikawa, President and Representative Director of JDC, said. “Hakuryu 15 will enable us to meet the strong demand from our customers for premium-class jackup rigs and strengthen our position as a leading offshore drilling contractor. We look forward to receive another outstanding drilling unit that fits our exacting requirements.”

Apart from newbuilding projects, Keppel O&M’s yards in Singapore and the US have also collaborated with JDC on the repair and maintenance of rigs, such as Hakuryu 5 and Hakuryu 10.