Asian rig boom broadens

摘要

The two major shipyard groups in Singapore,Keppel Corporation and SembCorp Marine,are seeing more competition for their specialty in premium jackups,now cornering about 75% of the global market,semi-submersible drilling rigs and the floating production storage and offtake (FPSO) vessel conversion and newbuild business.The market for these rigs is seen as remaining strong for several more years by the rig builders,who are generally confident that oil prices will be maintained at least at current levels.This market confidence is further bolstered by the observation that over three quarters of drilling rigs in use will be around 30 years old by 2012.Backing this up is the estimate that the worldwide number of drilling rigs under construction comprising jackups,semi-submersibles and drillships is in excess of 90,and rising.