On October 16, in Chengdu, China, a significant milestone was achieved with the successful delivery of the domestically developed 12,000-meter deep intelligent drilling rig by Honghua Group Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Dongfang Electric Corporation. This innovative rig is set to make waves in the Xinjiang region as it embarks on ambitious projects aimed at deep earth exploration.
The drilling rig boasts the capability to operate at depths of 12,000 meters and beyond in an automated “self-driving” mode, with all its core components and control systems developed independently by Honghua Group, marking a true achievement in localized production.
Xinjiang is recognized as a crucial area for the growth of China’s oil and gas production, identified as a strategic replacement zone for the petroleum and natural gas industry. However, the challenges associated with ultra-deep exploration and development are substantial. Honghua Group is committed to supporting the national deep earth strategy, leveraging the automated and intelligent features of its drilling rig to facilitate advancements in ultra-deep exploration and development.
This 12,000-meter deep intelligent drilling rig is engineered with exceptional load-bearing capabilities, featuring a hook load capacity of up to 1,000 tons—well above the industry standard of 900 tons. To provide perspective, this capacity is equivalent to lifting two fully-loaded Boeing 747 passenger jets, while enhancing the performance with 1,368 drill pipes for operations reaching a maximum depth of 13,000 meters.
The rig also represents a breakthrough in key technologies, including the “one-button linkage” automation for drill pipes exceeding 10,000 meters. It is equipped with the industry’s most advanced 3,200 HP five-cylinder pump with pump health monitoring capabilities, enabling high-pressure and high-volume fluid delivery. Additionally, the state-of-the-art UNISON 2.0 control system ensures outstanding digital drilling performance. The integration of an advanced visual recognition system enhances the rig’s intelligent sensing capabilities, achieving automated operations across three critical areas: ground, rig floor, and high altitude, enabling safe “self-driving” functionality in ultra-deep environments.
