The new drilling risers' facility will allow Aker Kvaerner to extend the existing subsea aftermarket services for the riser business. The expansion start-up is scheduled for the third quarter of 2007.

"This expansion is part of an important milestone for Aker Kvaerner's aftermarket and risers businesses. As well as matching the increasing demand for highly specialized subsea services, Aker Kvaerner is supporting the development of Rio de Janeiro state industry and reinforcing its established position of strong supplier of subsea equipment in Brazil," says Marcelo Taulois, President, Aker Kvaerner in Brazil.

The extension comprises an additional 1600m2 to the existing aftermarket workshop, matching the increasing local demand for subsea aftermarket services, plus the acquisition of an adjacent 13000m2 area where the new drilling risers manufacturing facility is to be installed.

The new drilling manufacturing facility will be equipped with all processes to manufacture riser systems from start to finish, including welding lines, assembly, testing, blasting and surface treatment lines.

The first contracts are to supply three full subsea drilling risers systems, featuring Aker Kvaerner's innovative CLIP riser system, to Brazilian drilling group Queiroz Galvão Óleo e Gás.

See attached 3D of the new plant.

ENDS

 

 

Media:
Marcelo Taulois - President, Aker Kvaerner Subsea, Brazil. Tel: +55 (41) 3227-8401.

Renee Mead, Communications Manager, Aker Kvaerner Subsea. Tel: +47 67 82 6859, Mob: +47 4641 1705

 

Investor relations:
Lasse Torkildsen, VP Investor Relations, Aker Kvaerner. Tel: +47 67 51 30 39

 

Suppliers:
For further information about sourcing and potential subcontracts for this project, please contact:
Roger Lunde, Vice President, Global Supply Chain. Tel: +47 32859478

Career opportunities:
www.akerjobb.no

 

AKER KVÆRNER ASA, through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Aker Kvaerner"), is a leading global provider of engineering and construction services, technology products and integrated solutions. The business within Aker Kvaerner comprises several industries, including Oil & Gas, Refining & Chemicals, Mining & Metals and Power Generation. The Aker Kvaerner group is organised into two principal business streams, namely Oil & Gas and E&C, each consisting of a number of separate legal entities. Aker Kvaerner is used as the common brand/trademark for most of these entities.

The parent company in the group is Aker Kværner ASA. Aker Kvaerner has aggregated annual revenues of approximately NOK 41.4 billion and employs approximately 23 000 people in more than 30 countries.

Aker Kvaerner is part of the Aker Group (www.akerasa.com), a leading multi-industry powerhouse with more than 50 000 employees and NOK 80 billion revenues. Aker owns 40.1 per cent of Aker Kvaerner, and the group is also a major European shipbuilder and a significant participant in the fisheries industry.

 

Aker Kvaerner Subsea is a leading provider of a complete range of surface and subsea solutions for the oil and gas industry - from concept screening and design through manufacturing, fabrication and commissioning. Aker Kvaerner Subsea's ability as a world-wide total system provider is backed by a wide portfolio of products which are maintained for the complete life of field. Aker Kvaerner Subsea's capability is available for both new and existing fields either as individual activities or complete packages.

This press release may include forward-looking information or statements and is subject to our disclaimer, see our web-pages www.akerkvaerner.com