Keppel Upgrades Scarabeo 6 Drilling Rig

In the Netherlands, Keppel Verolme will undertake the upgrade and maintenance of the semisubmersible drilling rig, Scarabeo 6. The vessel is expected to arrive at the yard in 2Q 2012 for a period of six months.

Work on the rig includes upgrading its drilling capabilities to a water depth of 1,200 metres, the prefabrication and installation of various deck extensions, and the renewal of traction winches, cable spooling winches and double riser tensioners. A new storage area for risers will be constructed and new sponsons and blisters will be installed to accommodate the new winches as well as enhance buoyancy and stability. The maintenance programme will include refurbishment of the accommodation.

Keppel Verolme previously carried out a major upgrade on Scarabeo 6 in 1998. A regular customer of Keppel, Saipem had also sent the Saipem 7000, a semisubmersible crane and pipelaying vessel, for drydocking at Keppel Verolme in 2007. More recently, the yard completed the repair and modification of the semisubmersible pipelay vessel, Castoro Sei in 2010. Earlier this year, Keppel FELS in Singapore delivered Scarabeo 9, a 6th generation ultra-deepwater semisubmersible drilling rig, to Saipem on schedule and with no lost time incidents.

Keppel’s current projects for Saipem include the completion of a newbuild pipe laying vessel, Castorone, which is being jointly undertaken by Keppel Shipyard​ and Keppel Singmarine as well as a survey and repair programme on the S44, a barge for post-trenching and backfilling of pipelines, carried out by Keppel Verolme.

The above contracts are not expected to have material impact on the net tangible assets and earnings per share of Keppel Corporation for the current financial year.

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Offshore Nieuws Staff , December 30, 2011; Image: saipem