Delivery of Floatel’s second unit

Designed by Keppel O&M’s Deepwater Technology Group, the 99m long, 36m wide KFELS SSAUTM 3600 accommodation semi-submersible was developed to meet growing demand for safe and greater-capacity living quarters. Keppel FELS previously delivered the first unit of this design, Safe Concordia, in 2005.

The six-column Floatel Reliance provides accommodation for 500 persons complete with full recreational facilities, workshop and warehouse facilities for construction support, 120 tonne heavy lift crane, a 1,300m² main deck work-area and a payload of 1,500 tonnes. Powered by four generator sets of 11 kV, 3.9 MW each, the newbuilding is cost-effective and capable of operating alongside fixed platforms, with a complement of a fully redundant DP2 system and fire fighting capabilities.

Floating accommodation platforms provide additional living quarters for drilling and production personnel deployed for work in deepwater locations. Such support is needed during hook-up and commissioning in the development phase, for maintenance and upgrading during the production phase, as well as for decommissioning.

Peter Jacobsson, CEO of Floatel International said, “Securing a long-term contract for Floatel Reliance even before completion is a strong sign of the market’s assurance in the superiority of the new-generation KFELS SSAUTM 3600 design. Despite the stringent schedule, the Floatel and Keppel teams have worked safely together to complete the rig. We recognise the value in partnering a world leader like Keppel FELS, which we have leveraged successfully to become the premier contractor for new-generation and safe semi-submersible accommodation units.”

Sister rig, Floatel Superior, of the DSSTM 20NS design, was delivered by Keppel FELS in March 2010, 43 days early. Having completed a three-month charter for ConocoPhillips Australia, it has recently arrived in Norway and is being prepared for the charter with Talisman Energy Norge AS at the YME field this winter, followed by work for Statoil Petroleum AS.

Floatel Reliance

is contracted to Petrobras for five years, with operations expected to commence early 2011. The rig will be wet-towed from Singapore to Rio de Janeiro on a voyage expected to last up to 65 days.