Keppel delivers ice-class rescue vessel to LUKOIL on time

Thursday, Jul 02, 2009

Keppel Singmarine Pte Ltd (Keppel Singmarine), the specialised shipbuilding arm of Keppel Offshore & Marine Limited (Keppel O&M), has delivered a Multi-purpose Duty Rescue Vessel on schedule to valued client, LUKOIL-Kaliningradmorneft (LUKOIL).

Over the last four years, LUKOIL has entrusted Keppel Singmarine with specialised shipbuilding projects such as Asia’s first icebreakers, two ice-class Anchor Handling Tug/Supply vessels and a Floating Storage and Offloading vessel, which is being completed by sister yard, Caspian Shipyard Company in the Caspian Sea.

Jointly designed by Marine Technology Development (MTD), the ship design and development arm of Keppel O&M and its consultants, Robert Allan, Kogalym is the fifth vessel Keppel Singmarine has delivered to LUKOIL since 2003.

Mr Victor Velikov, Deputy General-Director of LUKOIL said, “Heavy-duty support vessels such as Kogalym are highly valuable in ensuring smooth offshore operations all year round in the unique weather conditions of the Caspian Sea.

“Keppel Singmarine has demonstrated its strong capabilities and commitment once again, with the timely delivery of another fine vessel. The company has proven itself over the years as a reliable partner to LUKOIL, and we are pleased that the rest of our vessels being constructed by them are progressing well.”

Named after a key production region for LUKOIL in western Siberia, Kogalym was christened by Mrs. Olga Kessler, Environmental Engineer (Labour Safety) of LUKOIL at Keppel Singmarine today. This 60-tonne bollard pull vessel will be deployed in the Caspian Sea region to perform supply duty and rescue operations in temperatures as low as -20°C and ice thickness of up to 70 cm.

Said Mr Hoe Eng Hock, Executive Director of Keppel Singmarine, “Through the successful delivery of Kogalym and several other important projects, we have developed a good understanding of LUKOIL’s operating requirements be it in the Caspian Sea or Arctic regions. In the process, we have also honed our expertise in designing, engineering and constructing advanced ice-capable vessels.

“We look forward to deepen our win-win partnership with LUKOIL and continue to support them to become a leading global energy company.”

Keppel Singmarine is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Keppel Corporation Limited through Keppel O&M. Since the early 1970s, Keppel Singmarine has designed and built more than 400 small to medium-sized vessels including AHTS, multi-purpose support vessels and tugboats for a worldwide clientele.

LUKOIL-Kaliningradmorneft is a subsidiary to LUKOIL Oil Company, a leading Russian oil company with main activities in oil and gas exploration and production and sale of petroleum products. It is engaged in marine towing, handling of crude oil and petroleum products, fabrication of mobile drilling rigs, production of LPG and marketing of LUKOIL-produced fuels and lubricants.

Source: Keppel