PROS - Announces update on jacking system
Luxembourg, 5 December 2012: Prospector Offshore Drilling S.A. (the "Company" or "PROS"), which has four jack-up rigs (the "Rigs") under construction in Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Offshore Co. Ltd. ("DSIC-Offshore"), was informed today that DSIC-Offshore has been notified by Friede & Goldman Marketing BV ("F&G") to temporarily suspend work on the Rigs' jacking systems, pending testing. F&G is the engineering firm that has designed the jack-up and which has supplied the entire jacking system through their own sub-suppliers.
The F&G notice follows a recent incident involving another drilling company's F&G design jack-up rig that is under construction at a shipyard outside of China. DSIC-Offshore had previously experienced issues with some of the components of the jacking systems of F&G rigs currently under construction at their yard, and was investigating the jacking systems before receiving the letter from F&G. The Company believes that these issues, to the extent they refer to its Rigs, are limited in scope. The Company is cooperating closely with DSIC-Offshore, F&G and ABS, to resolve these issues. The American Bureau of Shipping ("ABS") is an independent classification society.
The Company's first rig, PROSPECTOR 1, was previously expected to be delivered at the end of January 2013 and mobilized to the North Sea for a long term drilling contract. At this time, the Company cannot estimate any impact on the delivery date of PROSPECTOR 1 until the evaluation of the jacking system is complete, which is anticipated to be within the next few weeks. The Company is currently developing a number of alternative solutions to replace any components, which might be found non-compliant, and minimize any delay to the delivery schedule.
Bill Rose, President and CEO, commented: "We appreciate the prudent steps taken by F&G and DSIC-Offshore to ensure safe delivery of a very high quality drilling unit conforming to our specifications and the highest industry standards. The F&G JU2000E jack-up is a proven design and has operated in the areas like the North Sea, and we expect a quick resolution."
About PROS:
PROS is a high specification jack-up drilling contractor. PROS has contracts for the construction of six F&G JU2000E high specification, harsh environment (HS/HE) jack-ups with deliveries commencing Q1 2013; the sale of shares of two of the rig owning subsidiaries is pending. Additionally, PROS has options for six rigs of the same design. Upon deployment, PROS will have the newest fleet of HS/HE jack-ups in the world, operating with the most advanced drilling systems under a proven management team.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. You are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements because actual events and results may differ materially from the expected results described by such forward-looking statements. Prospector Offshore Drilling S.A. disclaims any obligation to update and revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contact:
Steven A. Manz
Chief Financial Officer
Prospector Offshore Drilling S.A.
Tel: +1 281 560 8010
The owner of this announcement warrants that:
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the
information contained therein.
Source: Prospector Offshore Drilling via Thomson Reuters ONE
