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ENSCO International Incorporated nears completion of its first ENSCO 8500 Series® ultra-deepwater semisubmersible rig. The original order encompassed five rigs, four of which are already committed to multi-year operations in the Gulf of Mexico. Now an additional rig has been announced, bringing the series to a total of six, all building to ABS class standards. The latest in the series, ENSCO 8505, will be constructed by Keppel FELS Shipyard in Singapore and is expected to be delivered in the first half of 2012. 

When completed, ENSCO will have a seven-rig deepwater fleet that includes the ENSCO 7500 which has been in service since 2000 and also built to ABS class. Both the ENSCO 7500 and the 8500 Series rigs are based upon ENSCO proprietary designs, with the 8500 Series capable of drilling in water depth of up to 8,500 feet.