Unique rig design continues to attract operators

The rig the title refers to is the HH series of hydraulic-hoist, automated rigs. First introduced to the drilling world in 1995 after a long development process with Eni and Agip, these rigs made themselves known to the oil and gas industry outside of Italy in the early 2000s, as they became more powerful and capable of drilling deeper holes. We first published information on these rigs in 2003-2004 (see World Oil, April 2003, April 2004 and December 2004). There are six varieties, designated HH-100 through HH-300, which refers to their static hookload capacity (100-300 t). Drillmec S.p.A., maker of these rigs, is a division of Italy’s Trevi Group, having been reorganized in January 2004 from the former Soilmec, the oil-, gas- and water-drilling division. More than 30 of these rigs are in use throughout the world, from Siberia to Africa, North and South America to China.