Singapore built semisub rig named

The rig is scheduled to be delivered by Keppel FELS in Singapore in March 2011, four months ahead of schedule. The unit has been leased to Petrobras for a six-year period with a renewal option for an additional six years.

The Alpha Star is a sixth generation, ultra-deepwater semisubmersible drilling rig of the Gusto DSS-38 design which has been enhanced based on operating experience from the similar QGOG owned semisubmersible rig Gold Star built in 2010. The new rig is rated for water depth of 9,000 feet and drilling depth of 30,000 feet. Operating specifications include ten diesel-generator sets and eight thrusters, four 2,200-hp mud pumps and a leading-edge drilling package built to perform in high seas with a one million pound capacity motion compensator. The unit accommodates up to 130 personnel.

QGOG has two additional drillships, one FPSO and three onshore rigs under construction, all of which are already contracted. Today, QGOG operates six onshore and five offshore drilling rigs in Brazil, one of which,

Lone Star

, was recently delivered to Petrobras.