Well-equipped.Gulf Drilling International (GDI) has taken delivery of the new offshore rig ‘Halul’, a KFELS B Class jack up rig, on budget and with a perfect safety record. 
Halul is the fifth B Class jack up rig owned by Gulf Drilling International, a subsidiary of Gulf International Services. 
With its continued successful partnership with Keppel FELS, GDI has renewed options for two more repeat KFELS B Class rigs for deliveries in 2018 and 2019.
Built to GDI’s requirements, the jack up rig has been designed to operate in the higher ambient temperature of the Middle East. The KFELS B Class is equipped with larger spud cans for reduced bearing pressure and expands its operational coverage in more places, especially in sea beds where soft soil is predominant. 
The rig can drill wells through 30,000 feet with a cantilever that can skid out 70 feet from the edge of the hull to drill wells. It features offline stand building capabilities and 7,500 PSI mud pumps, with accommodation for 150 persons.
The KFELS B Class rigs have a strong track record for GDI. Sister rigs ‘Dukhan’ and ‘Al Zubarah’ are operating successfully for Qatar Petroleum while Al Khor is performing well for Shell.
GDI chief executive officer and managing director Mubarak A al-Hajri said, “We are pleased to receive the Halul ahead of schedule, enabling us to start work earlier for Qatar Petroleum. Reliability, safety, efficiency and quality are our top priorities in choosing a rig and a shipyard. Keppel FELS and the KFELS B Class design have demonstrated their strengths in these areas repeatedly. That is why we have chosen to renew our options for two more rigs with them. We are confident in the long-term fundamentals of the industry and when the market recovers, we will be well-equipped to meet the demand.”  
Keppel O&M (Offshore) and Keppel FELS managing director Wong Kok Seng said, “We are proud to deliver another rig to GDI early and safely. We are pleased that even in a low oil price environment; the KFELS B Class continues to be the preferred rig in the market for its high quality, efficiency and safety.
“While there is widespread industry cautiousness, the strong relationships we have built with our long-standing customers, such as GDI, enable us to work together to deliver projects in a win-win fashion.”