Keppel FELS Limited (Keppel FELS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Keppel Offshore & Marine Limited (Keppel O&M), received US$40,000 from Awilco Offshore ASA (Awilco) for the early delivery of jackup drilling rig.

Built to Keppel’s proprietary KFELS B Class design, the rig was delivered 10 days ahead of contractual schedule to Awilco without any lost time incidents during its construction.

The rig is the second of three rigs Keppel FELS is building for Awilco. The first rig was also delivered ahead of schedule in December 2006. The third rig is scheduled for delivery in second quarter 2009.

Lady Sponsor, Mrs Ann Karin Refsland Fougner, wife of Mr Henrik Fougner, Managing Director of Awilco, named the rig WilBoss at a ceremony held at Keppel FELS on 16 February 2008.

Mr Tong Chong Heong, Managing Director and COO of Keppel O&M, said, “Amidst the yard’s current heavy workload, this high quality, high performance rig was constructed within 21 months and without a single lost-time incident.

“I am pleased to announce that as the result of this superb performance, Awilco has rewarded Keppel FELS with a US$40,000 bonus.”

Mr Fougner said, “Today’s ceremony is a milestone in our ambition to become a leading international drilling company. To succeed, we need premium assets and a premium organisation. When building at Keppel FELS you know you get a premium asset.”

WilBoss is the 19th KFELS B Class jackup drilling rig to enter the market since the design was launched in 2000. The rig design has been chosen by oil companies and drilling contractors as a benchmark for jackup rigs in worldwide operations.

Keppel FELS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Keppel Corporation, through Keppel O&M, a leader in offshore rigs, shiprepair and conversion and specialised shipbuilding. Keppel O&M’s near market, near customer strategy is bolstered by a global network of 20 yards in the Asia Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, the Caspian Sea, Middle East and the North Sea regions. Integrating the experience and expertise of its yards worldwide, the group aims to be the provider of choice and partner in solutions for the offshore and marine industry.

A member of the Anders Wilhelmsen Group, Awilco Offshore ASA is a Norwegian oil service company involved in drilling and accommodation services.