Lemigas produces CBM rig

Lemigas, the research and development center of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, has developed a prototype rig with a 400 hp (horsepower) capacity engine for coal bed methane (CBM) exploration.

The ministry said in a statement on Wednesday the CBM rig is equipped with transmission system, mast, top driving power head, special heavy duty road chassis, feeding system, hydraulic transmission system, hydraulic crane, lubrication system, operate console and electrical system.

?The rig was co-designed by Lemigas along with (a) universities and a (rig-producing) company. The drilling rig has a capacity of between 375 and 400 horsepower,? Vice Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Susilo Siswoutomo said during a visit to the booth featuring the rig after officially opening the IndoCBM 2014 exhibition on Tuesday.

The vice minister explained CBM exploration typically need numerous rigs. The CBM rig developed by Lemigas can drill to the depth of 1000 meters. The government will produce the rig in mass in order to cut imports of CBM rigs and thus to reduce exploration costs.

?We shall produce such rig in mass. The price is relatively low. The challenge is how to educate people to operate the rig,? he said, adding the rig needs between five to 10 people to operate.

Editing by Johannes Simbolon