Keppel FELS Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Keppel Offshore & Marine, has won a contract from Gulf Drilling International Ltd. (GDI) of Qatar to build a repeat high-specification KFELS B Class jackup rig worth $227 million, according to a news release.

As part of the contract, GDI has options for two more KFELS B Class rigs for deliveries in 2017.

On the new jackup, to be named Halul, Keppel FELS has already begun preparations for its scheduled delivery in first-quarter 2016 during the course of discussions with GDI. Upon delivery, Halul will be chartered to Qatar Petroleum for five years, the release said.

Halul is GDI's fifth KFELS B Class jackup rig ordered from Keppel. The fourth rig, Dukhan, was recently delivered last month. Les Hat, a similar jackup, was delivered last year and has been successfully operating for GDI in the Middle East, following in the footsteps of sister rigs, AL Khor and AL Zubarah, Keppel said in the release.

Customized to GDI’s requirements, the new jackup rig will be 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, according to the release. The rig can drill wells through 9,144 m (30,000 ft) with a cantilever that can skid out 21 m (70 ft) 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 people.