SINGAPORE - Keppel AmFELS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd in the United States, has delivered Uxpanapa, a KFELS B Class jackup rig, to Mexico's Central Panuco SA De CV, a unit of Mexico's Perforadora Central, on time and within budget.

Uxpanapa is the the fifth jackup rig built by Keppel AmFELS for Perforadora Central and the second based on Keppel's proprietary KFELS B Class design.

Uxpanapa will be chartered by Pemex, the Mexican national oil company, for work in offshore Mexico. Keppel AmFELS' past collaboration with Pemex includes having built two 220 Men accommodation modules for Pemex in 2006, as well as repairing and servicing a total of 18 rigs for various drilling operators that have been chartered by Pemex over the years.

Mr Patricio Alvarez Morphy Orvañanos, senior vice-president of Central Panuco, said: "In the current challenging market conditions, oil companies such as Pemex prefer highly cost-efficient and reliable equipment such as the KFELS B Class jackup rig which has a proven track record operating in Mexico. The Tonala, our current KFELS B Class jackup, has been performing outstandingly for Pemex.

"As we grow our presence in the Gulf of Mexico, we are glad to be able to count on Keppel AmFELS as our preferred yard in providing excellent services and offshore rig solutions that are well-regarded by our customers."

Keppel O&M said it is the leading rig provider to the Mexican market, having delivered 16 projects, including the latest rig, with another four on order for Mexico.