On Feb. 6, Keppel FELS Limited announced that it successfully delivered the jackup drilling rig, Deep Driller 8, to Aban Singapore Pte Ltd (Aban) on time, within budget and without incidents.

Deep Driller 8 is the fifth unit to be delivered in a series of five KFELS Super B Class rigs for Aban since 2006. The rig has been completed with a clean safety record.

The KFELS Super B Class design is one of the world’s deepest drilling rigs, with capabilities for drilling high pressure, high temperature wells up to 35,000 ft at 350 ft water depth.

“With the on-time delivery of the Deep Driller 8, we expect our entire offshore fleet to be operational by early 2009,” said Mr Reji Abraham, Managing Director of Aban Offshore Limited.

“Keppel has shown their commitment and expertise in rig design, project execution and management that is second to none. We are pleased to have them as our preferred partner and look forward to continue working with them,” he added.

Mr Tong Chong Heong, Chief Executive Officer of Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M), said, “We are privileged to be a partner to Aban in their fleet expansion program. With the completion of this latest rig, we have contributed to more than half of their newbuild jackup fleet.”

Keppel FELS has recently completed the repair and refurbishment of a semisubmersible, Aban Pearl, to the satisfaction of the owner, Aban.

The KFELS Super B Class design is an enhancement of the highly acclaimed KFELS B Class design. Developed and designed by Keppel O&M, this class of rigs was launched in 2000.

To date, 26 KFELS B Class rigs have already been delivered with another seven in various stages of construction.