Keppel to build seventh ENSCO semi

Keppel FELS in Singapore has won the contract to build the seventh ENSCO 8500 series deepwater semisubmersible (semi) worth $560 million including equipment specified by the owner.

To be delivered in the second half of 2012, the ENSCO 8506 will be the seventh consecutive semi that Keppel FELS is constructing for Dallas-based ENSCO International Inc. and follows shortly after the award of the sixth semi, ENSCO 8505, that was announced on 1 June 2008.

This latest order is part of a $3.1 billion investment in the ENSCO 8500 series rigs and demonstrates Ensco?s commitment to playing a meaningful role in the growing deepwater market. The first unit in the seven-strong fleet of 8500 series semis was contracted in 2005 and is on track for shipyard delivery in the third quarter of this year. It has been chartered to Anadarko and Eni for operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

ENSCO 8506 will be capable of drilling in up to 8,500 feet of water and features include a two million pound quad derrick, offline pipe handling capability, 35,000 ft drilling capacity, and station keeping capabilities meeting DP2 requirements. With these features, the 8500 Series rigs will be especially well-suited for deepwater development drilling.