Singapore's Keppel FELS is on track to deliver a fifth high-specification accommodation semisubmersible to Floatel International following the unit's naming ceremony today.
Once delivered, the Floatel Triumph semisubmersible, built to Keppel's proprietary SSAUTM 5000NG design, is due to be chartered by INPEX Operations Australia for work in Ichthys field, off Western Australia.
Wong Kok Seng, Managing Director of Keppel O&M (Offshore) and Keppel FELS, said: "Our yards remain busy for the rest of the year, with a number of deliveries in the pipeline. As we ride through this challenging period in the offshore and marine industry, we continue to work closely with our quality customers to ensure that we deliver projects to their highest satisfaction."
Developed by Keppel's Deepwater Technology Group, the SSAUTM 5000NG is an enhanced design that meets the stringent UK HSE requirements to work in the UK sector of the North Sea, as well as the Gulf of Mexico, Brazil and Western Australia. It is also equipped with state-of-the-art accommodation and recreational facilities to provide increased comfort for its 500-person crew.
Peter Jacobsson, CEO of Floatel, said: "Each of the accommodation vessels that Keppel has delivered to Floatel has been performing very well.
"Despite the current challenging environment, all our vessels continue to receive strong demand and have high utilization rates. In the current oil price environment, sustaining production levels is key for oil companies, and accommodation units are required as they reduce downtime during periods of essential maintenance. Douglas Westwood forecasts that growth in the offshore accommodation market for units supporting operational activities will be sustained at 3% CAGR from 2015 to 2020."
Keppel FELS previously delivered Floatel Superior, Floatel Reliance, Floatel Victory and Floatel Endurance, to Floatel. Floatel Reliance and Floatel Victory are also built to the SSAUTM design and the latter is currently in operations for BP at Clair Ridge field, West of Shetland, UK.
Floatel Reliance has recently completed its contract with Petrobras in Brazil. Floatel Superior and Floatel Endurance are built to Keppel's proprietary DSSTM 20NS design and have been chartered to Premier Oil working at the Solan field, UK North Sea, and Chevron, at the Wheatstone field, Australia, 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.