Most Capable Rig of Its Class – Keppel FELS Super A Design
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Ensco plc (NYSE: ESV) has taken delivery of ENSCO 120, the first in its
series of three ultra-premium harsh environment jackup rigs. The rig is
contracted to work for Nexen in the North Sea beginning in the fourth
quarter at a day rate of approximately $230,000 plus cost adjustments.
Ensco has taken delivery of the newbuild rig ENSCO 120, contracted to work in the North Sea. In jackup trials, the rig was raised to 539 feet, setting a new record for the Keppel FELS shipyard in Singapore. (Photo: Business Wire)
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Rabun commented,
“With the ENSCO 120 Series, we have taken a high-specification rig
design and enhanced it with features that make it the most capable rig
of its class. The proprietary cantilever system and deep well
capabilities of ENSCO 120, paired with our skilled crews’ knowledge and
experience in the region, are a winning combination for our customers.”
ENSCO 120 was constructed at the Keppel FELS yard in Singapore and is
now en route to the North Sea for final outfitting and crew
familiarization. In jackup trials, the rig set a new shipyard record
when it was jacked up successfully to 539 feet on its 540-foot legs. The
rig also successfully hoisted a 2.5-million-pound hook load at its full
cantilever extension.
ENSCO 121, the second rig in the series, is scheduled for delivery in
the fourth quarter. It is contracted to work for Wintershall, also in
the North Sea.
These new jackup rigs are enhanced versions of the KFELS Super A design.
Capable of operating in water depths up to 400 feet, ENSCO 120 Series
rigs are designed for the most demanding large multi-well platform
programs, ultra-deep gas programs or ultra-long reach wells up to
40,000-ft. total drilling depth. The industry-leading design features of
the rigs significantly increase the area of operability in the Central
North Sea and other harsh environment regions.
The rigs have a significantly improved cantilever envelope, 18-3/4-inch
15k 4-ram BOP, 2.5 million-pound quad derrick, enhanced rig floor
layout, fully automated hands-free offline pipe handling systems,
ultra-high capacity jacking and fixation systems, 150-person quarters
and strict noise and ergonomic standards. These features previously were
found only in the largest ultra-harsh environment jackup rigs.
Ensco plc (NYSE: ESV) brings energy to the world as a global provider of
offshore drilling services to the petroleum industry. For more than 25
years, the company has focused on operating safely and going beyond
customer expectations. Ensco is ranked first in total customer
satisfaction with top honors in 10 of 16 categories in the latest annual
survey by EnergyPoint Research. Operating the world’s newest
ultra-deepwater fleet and largest fleet of active premium jackups, Ensco
has a major presence in the most strategic offshore basins across six
continents. Ensco plc is an English limited company (England No.
7023598) with its registered office and corporate headquarters located
at 6 Chesterfield Gardens, London W1J 5BQ. To learn more, visit our
website at www.enscoplc.com.
Statements contained in this press release that are not historical
facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A
of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include words or phrases such as
“anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,”
“project,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “should,” “will” and similar words
and specifically include statements regarding expected financial
performance, day rates and backlog; the timing of delivery,
mobilization, contract commencement, relocation or other movement of
rigs; and general market, business and industry conditions, trends and
outlook. Such statements are subject to numerous risks,
uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to vary
materially from those indicated, including risks associated with
offshore rig operations, relocations, severe weather or hurricanes;
changes in worldwide rig supply and demand, competition and technology;
future levels of offshore drilling activity; governmental action, civil
unrest and political and economic uncertainties; terrorism, piracy and
military action; risks inherent to shipyard rig construction, repair,
maintenance or enhancement; possible cancellation or suspension of
drilling contracts as a result of mechanical difficulties, performance
or other reasons; the outcome of litigation, legal proceedings,
investigations or other claims or contract disputes; governmental
regulatory, legislative and permitting requirements affecting drilling
operations; our ability to attract and retain skilled personnel on
commercially reasonable terms; environmental or other liabilities, risks
or losses; and actual contract commencement dates. In addition to
the numerous factors described above, you should also carefully read and
consider “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part I and “Item 7. Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations” in Part II of our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as
updated in our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, which are
available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov
or on the Investor Relations section of our website at www.enscoplc.com.
Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the
particular statement, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update
or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20130903006034/en/
Source: Ensco plc