Keppel FELS Names Floatel Accommodation Rig

Keppel FELS is on track to deliver the fourth high-specification accommodation semisubmersible (semi) to Floatel International on time, on budget and with a perfect safety record.

The rig was named Floatel Endurance on 31 January 2015 at Keppel FELS and will be deployed to work for Chevron in Western Australia in 2015 before proceeding to work for Statoil in the Grina Krog field in Norway in 2016.

Floatel Endurance is an accommodation and construction support semi capable of meeting the most demanding regulatory requirements for operating in the harshest environmental conditions in the world. It is built to the DSSTM 20NS design which was developed by Keppel’s Deepwater Technology Group (DTG) and Marine Structure Consultants (MSC).

Wong Kok Seng, Managing Director of Keppel O&M (Offshore) and Keppel FELS, said, “This is the fourth consecutive accommodation semi we have delivered to Floatel and we are proud to be able to provide them with a fleet of robust and high specification rigs, delivered on time and on budget. The fifth rig that we are currently building for Floatel is progressing just as well and we look forward to continuing our win-win partnership. 

“We have a strong track record as a market leader in the design and construction of accommodation semis having delivered eight such vessels which have been successfully operating around the world. We have a comprehensive suite of semi designs that we are able to leverage to meet the needs of our customers.”

Equipped with an accommodation capacity of 440 persons in single bed cabins, Floatel Endurance is built in accordance with DNV class and is in full compliance with all the latest rules and regulations within the Norwegian sector of the North Sea.

The unit features full health, safety and environment (HSE) compliance including strict noise level requirements, free fall lifeboats and escape chutes. In particular, the unit utilizes a telescopic gangway for the safe transit of personnel to and from the serviced installation, with the ability to be extended or shortened by +/-7.5m, allowing the vessel to remain connected even in severe weather.

Facilities onboard include a galley and mess room for 220 people in one seating, as well as recreational amenities such as a cinema, internet café, games room, gymnasium and sauna.

Peter Jacobsson, CEO of Floatel, said, "Floatel Endurance adds to our fleet of highly capable accommodation semis. This innovative DSSTM 20NS design is a robust design enabling it to work in the North Sea while at the same time remaining a cost-effective support semi wherever it is deployed. Our three other accommodation semis which are built to Keppel designs have all proven to be successful wherever they have operated.

“All of our rigs have been chartered with high utilization rates and we continue to see strong demand in the market for them. By partnering with Keppel, we have been able to provide our customers with high quality rigs that meet their schedule and requirements.”

The three rigs Keppel previously delivered to Floatel are Floatel Superior, Floatel Reliance and Floatel Victory. Floatel Superior is also built to the DSSTM 20NS design and is currently being mobilized to work for BP in the Magnus field in the UK North Sea. Floatel Reliance and Floatel Victory are built to Keppel's proprietary SSAUTM designs and have been chartered to Petrobras in offshore Brazil and Chevron in the United States Gulf of Mexico respectively.

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