Do You Know The Environmental Benefits of Using Surface Drilling Rigs?

Many operators use full-size rigs for surface spaced drilling. They sometimes find it easier or more convenient than getting a fit-for-purpose solution because they already work with a service provider and have all the equipment at the well site. However, this decision ended up costing them - in terms of expense, personnel and environmental exposure.

As we've seen in the oil and gas industry, one of the key indicators of performance is environmental sustainability. Whereas profitability and revenue used to be the way to measure an organization's success, stakeholders are now also considering an organization's environmental impact to assess its success.

Customers, employees, investors and the media are looking at the choices oil and gas organizations are making regarding their environmental impact - and they want to know what actions companies are taking to reduce their environmental footprint.

One of the ways we support our customers who want to make a positive impact on the environment is through our top hole drilling rigs. Full-size rigs are designed to build wells with a total depth of more than 20,000 feet. They are large machines designed for large jobs, so they have a significant environmental impact. When you use an open-hole rig instead of a full-size rig for top-hole drilling, you can increase operational efficiency and reduce your environmental impact.

DM100A Pneumatic Powered Rock Drilling Rig

Surface drilling rigs use less fuel

For surface borehole construction, you need a surface drilling rig. These rigs are highly engineered and designed for drilling surface sections and running surface casing.

Because of their small size, surface rigs require less fuel to run. 

They burn up to 50% less diesel fuel and therefore produce fewer emissions. In contrast, larger full-size rigs require more fuel and burn more fuel, thus releasing more emissions into the environment.

By reserving full-size rigs for their intended use, operators can drill more wells with fewer full-size rigs. This reduces transportation emissions from transporting additional full-size rigs in the field, while also reducing overall operating costs.

Surface drilling rigs require fewer personnel

Full-size drilling rigs typically require 16 personnel to operate successfully. In contrast, an open pit rig requires only nine.

When it comes to environmental impact, the number of people on the well site matters. 

More personnel require more trucking, which can release emissions along their route. In addition, more field personnel means more waste generated per shift. By reducing the number of field personnel, oil and gas operators can also reduce transportation emissions and waste generation.

In addition to the environmental benefits of fewer field personnel, there are considerable safety benefits. Fewer people means less risk of injury and accidents. In fact, JCDRILL is a leader in worker safety, with a goal of zero safety incidents, equipment damage and environmental impact every day. We provide safety tools and training for all personnel - both on and off site - so we can maintain a strong safety culture with our team.

For more information about the surface drilling rigs, welcome to contact us today or request a quote.