EDA unveils new $20m rig

Perth-based mining services firm Ausdrill announced today that its subsidiary, Energy Drilling Australia, would be mobilising its new $20 million high-tech rig – the Schramm T500XD Telemast.

The rig is the first of its kind in Australia, and the second in the world.

It was shipped from the US to Brisbane, where it was commissioned and put through a rigorous audit process to ensure it was ready for Australian conditions.

EDA said it would now be put to work in the Cooper Basin, drilling for unconventional gas targets.

It is specifically designed for horizontal and directional drilling to a total depth of 4,500 metres or more. 

“In addition to the fact that no cranes are required to assemble or move it, it is highly mechanised which reduces the number of people required to operate the rig directly, therefore decreasing the safety risk for both operator and contractor,” EDA general manager Simon Mayers said.

“Due to the highly mechanised nature of the rig we have eliminated the need for a derrickman and pipe handling is all automatic, with all operations controlled from within the doghouse.”

The subsidiary said it specialised in providing coal seam gas exploration and production and was moving into the more conventional oil and gas exploration across key regions.

Ausdrill’s share price fell by 1.68 per cent to $1.05 per share at 12pm.