QGC has been working with Easternwell since 2010, and in February last year awarded a $90 million rig contract to the driller to build and operate specialist rigs.

The latest $42 million contract started late last year to support QGC’s program to explore for gas in the sandstone formations deep in Queensland’s Bowen Basin.

QGC has contracted Easternwell to drill and appraise a “small number” of wells to depths of 5000m.

At the core of Easternwell’s new rig, part of the company’s Ideal Rig Series, is automation, reducing manual handling and significantly reducing risk to rig crew.

It uses the AMPHION Drilling Control System which integrates rig systems and provides control over the draw works, mud pump, top drive and power management, “all from the safety of the climate-controlled driller’s cabin”.

The AMPHION system allows simultaneous monitoring of drilling functions, allowing for adjustments to maintain consistent drilling.

The Ideal Prime Rig features the TDS-11SH Top Drive, delivering more torque and power (1100 horsepower) in a smaller package.

The ST-100 Iron Roughneck provides increased reliability and greater torque for make-up or break-out procedures and has a 750,000pound hook load, so the rig can handle 750,000 pounds or 340,194kg of weight suspended from its hook.

The rig also has a 453,592kg Top Drive.

The rig also has technologically advanced wireless and backup controls that are integrated to provide better visibility for raising and lowering the mast and sub, in addition to the wireless controlled tig walking system.

The newly designed driller’s cabin allows two end exit routes for emergency evacuation, while the drill floor is designed for 100% containment to prevent environmental hazardous spillage.