Keppel acquires LeTourneau jackup designs, rig kit, aftermarket services
Keppel Offshore & Marine has, through its subsidiary Keppel Offshore & Marine USA, entered into a Stock and Asset Purchase Agreement with Cameron International Corp to acquire Cameron’s offshore rigs business for $100 million. This encompasses the LeTourneau jackup rig designs, rig kit business and aftermarket services.
The LeTourneau suite of jackup rig designs are established designs that have been popular with certain market segments and have a track record of operating in a variety of environments.
The designs Keppel is acquiring, which include the LeTourneau Super 116E, Workhorse, Super Gorilla XL and Jaguar, will add to Keppel’s offerings in the jackup rig market.
With the acquisition, Keppel will be able to offer customers the LeTourneau rig designs through the sale of rig kits to shipyards, or deliver ready-to-drill rig solutions from Keppel yards worldwide. The rig kits include jackup leg components, elevating units/jacking system and cantilever/skidding system. Support equipment such as cranes and anchor winches are also options in the rig kits.
Another aspect of the business is the provision of aftermarket services. With about 100 LeTourneau rigs currently operating around the world, many operators require servicing and repair of their rigs. Keppel will be able to leverage its network of yards worldwide to better meet these customers’ needs. Besides repairs, upgrades and modifications, jackups are required to undergo five-year Class recertification special periodic surveys.
Chow Yew Yuen, CEO of Keppel O&M, said, “This is an opportune and strategic acquisition as it will not only broaden our suite of jackup rig design offerings in this highly competitive sector but also provide us with enhanced capabilities to service customers through the provision of expanded aftermarket sales and services. We are confident that the long-term fundamentals of the offshore rig market remain positive.
“With the current low oil price, we have seen a slowdown in newbuild rig orders. Rig owners are instead looking at repairing and upgrading their current fleet. We believe that we can make best use of our after-sales service infrastructure to service rigs of both the LeTourneau, as well as Keppel FELS, designs. These are popular designs operating in many of the world’s offshore oil fields, and rig owners can now utilize our global network of yards to service and maintain their rig assets cost effectively.”
Keppel O&M has previously completed 16 LeTourneau rigs. The completion of the acquisition is subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions precedent, including relevant approvals from regulatory authorities. The acquisition is not expected to have material impact on the net tangible assets or earnings per share of Keppel Corp for the current financial year.
