CBM drilling rig
Technical Specifications – CBM Drilling Rig Models
Our CBM drilling rig series is available in three capacity classes to match typical coal seam depths.
| Parameter | CBM‑150 | CBM‑250 | CBM‑350 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hook load capacity | 150 tons | 250 tons | 350 tons |
| Drilling depth (conventional) | 1,200 m (4" DP) | 2,000 m | 2,800 m |
| Drilling depth (air/foam) | 800 m | 1,400 m | 2,000 m |
| Mast type | Single telescoping | Single telescoping | Two‑section folding |
| Mast height | 70 ft (21 m) | 85 ft (26 m) | 100 ft (30.5 m) |
| Power unit | Diesel 300 HP | Diesel 500 HP | Diesel 750 HP |
| Air compressor | 1,000 CFM @ 250 PSI | 1,500 CFM @ 350 PSI | 2,000 CFM @ 500 PSI |
| Foam injection pump | 5 GPM @ 500 PSI | 10 GPM | 15 GPM |
| Mud pump (optional) | 500 HP triplex | 800 HP triplex | 1,000 HP triplex |
| Top drive (optional) | 150 t @ 200 RPM | 250 t @ 180 RPM | 350 t @ 150 RPM |
| Rotary table | 17½" opening | 20½" opening | 27½" opening |
| Solids control | 3‑stage (cyclone + shaker + dust collector) | 4‑stage (add centrifuge for foam) | Full 5‑stage |
| Transport modularity | 3 truckloads | 5 truckloads | 8 truckloads |
| Rig‑up time (crew of 3) | 4 hours | 5 hours | 6 hours |
| Tracked carrier option | Yes (rubber tracks) | Yes (rubber or steel) | Yes (steel) |
| Certifications | API 4F, 7K, ISO | API 4F, 7K, 8C | API 4F, 7K, 8C |
Product Types – CBM Drilling Rigs & Support Equipment
We offer complete CBM drilling rig packages and supporting equipment:
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CBM‑150 (Light) – For shallow coal seams (under 800 m). Trailer‑mounted or skid‑mounted. Air drilling only. Ideal for exploration and dewatering wells.
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CBM‑250 (Medium) – Most popular model. Handles 1,000‑1,500 m coal seams. Dual mode (mud or air/foam). Top drive ready.
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CBM‑350 (Heavy) – For deep CBM (2,000+ m) or hard formation drilling. Also suitable for shallow oil wells. Full circulating options.
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Air Package (standalone) – If you already have a conventional rig, we can supply a bolt‑on air compressor, booster, and foam injection skid to convert it for CBM service.
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Cuttings Management for CBM – Dry dust collector with automatic bag shaker, or foam cuttings dewatering unit. Prevents coal fines from contaminating the site.
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Produced Water Handling – Transfer pumps, temporary storage tanks (100‑500 bbl), and basic water treatment for discharge or reinjection.
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Gas Monitoring & Safety System – Fixed methane sensors on rig floor, in mud/gas separator, and at compressor exhaust. Visual/audible alarms and automatic engine kill.
Applications – Where Our CBM Drilling Rigs Are Used
Our CBM drilling rig has been deployed in:
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Coal bed methane fields – Qinshui Basin (China), Bowen Basin (Australia), San Juan Basin (USA), Raniganj (India). Shallow, low‑pressure reservoirs requiring under‑balanced drilling.
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Coal mine degasification – Drilling horizontal or vertical boreholes from the surface into active coal mines to capture methane ahead of mining. Safety priority – our gas monitoring is critical here.
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Abandoned mine methane – Drilling into sealed mine workings to recover trapped gas. Requires careful pressure control – air/foam drilling prevents ignition.
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Shallow tight gas – Not CBM, but our rigs can also drill conventional tight gas to 2,000 m. Lower cost than a full‑size oil rig.
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Exploration core drilling – With a core barrel, the CBM‑150 can take coal cores for lab analysis. Light weight minimizes pad construction in remote areas.
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Water well & geothermal – Same shallow depth, low footprint. Rigs are versatile enough for non‑oil & gas applications between CBM projects.
Why Choose SJ Petro for Your CBM Drilling Rig?
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Sinopec‑backed engineering – We are a direct subsidiary, not a small fabricator. Our 314 R&D engineers understand the specific challenges of coal seam drilling: formation damage, gas safety, water handling.
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Proven in major CBM basins – Over 30 CBM rigs delivered to China’s Qinshui Basin (the country’s largest CBM field) plus exports to Australia and India. References available.
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Air/foam capability as standard – Many rigs sold as "CBM ready” require expensive aftermarket air packages. Ours come fully integrated, with compressors sized for coal.
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Environmental compliance – Low ground pressure tracks, dust control, and produced water management help you meet local environmental regulations – a growing concern in coal mining regions.
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Quick mobilization – Modular design fits in standard shipping containers or flatbed trucks. We have reduced rig‑up time to as little as 4 hours from arrival on site.
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Operator safety – Methane detection, automatic shutdown, and explosion‑proof electricals are not optional – they are built in. We have worked with mining safety regulators worldwide.
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Spare parts & training – We stock CBM‑specific spares (air compressor valves, foam pump seals, dust collector bags) in regional hubs. We also train your crews in safe CBM drilling practices.
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Competitive pricing – Because our CBM rigs use lighter materials and fewer components than deep oil rigs, we offer them at 30‑50% less than a converted oil rig of similar depth capacity.
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Warranty – 12 months on all components. Extended warranty available for compressors (24 months).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the main difference between a CBM drilling rig and a conventional oil rig?
CBM rigs are lighter (150‑350 ton hook load vs 450‑900+ ton), have integrated air/foam drilling capability, include methane safety systems, and are designed for quick, low‑impact moves. They drill shallower wells (under 2,500 m typically) and prioritize formation protection over pure speed.
Q2: Can your CBM drilling rig also drill conventional oil or gas wells?
Yes – the CBM‑350 can drill conventional oil/gas wells up to 2,500‑3,000 m with mud circulation. The CBM‑250 is suitable for shallow oil (under 1,500 m). However, if your primary target is deep oil, we recommend our standard land rig series.
Q3: Do you offer a trailer‑mounted CBM rig for very rapid moves?
Yes – the CBM‑150 is available as a trailer‑mounted unit (single axle or tandem). It can be towed by a standard heavy truck and requires no crane for rig‑up. Ideal for exploration programs with dozens of shallow test holes.
Q4: How do you handle coal fines in air drilling?
Our dry dust collector uses a two‑stage cyclone plus pulse‑jet bag filter. It captures 99.5% of particles down to 2 microns. The collected fines can be mixed with drilling fluid for disposal or returned to the site. For foam drilling, we use a shaker and centrifuge to remove fines from the liquid phase.
Q5: Is your CBM drilling rig certified for use in coal mining areas with explosive gas?
Yes – all electrical components on the rig floor and within 15m of the wellhead are ATEX/IECEx Zone 1 rated. The gas monitoring system is SIL‑2 certified. We have worked with mining safety regulators in China (MA认证), Australia (MDG 41), and India (DGMS) to adapt our designs.
Q6: How much water do CBM wells typically produce, and does your rig handle it?
CBM wells can produce from zero to 500+ barrels of water per day. Our rig includes a water transfer pump (200 GPM) and a 100‑bbl temporary steel tank. For higher water rates, we can add modular water storage or direct pump‑to‑disposal.
Q7: What is the typical cost of a CBM drilling rig?
Budget range: CBM‑150 starts at 850,000,CBM‑250at850,000,CBM‑250at1.6M, CBM‑350 at 2.8M(FOBChina,includingaircompressorandbasicsolidscontrol).Topdriveadds2.8M(FOBChina,includingaircompressorandbasicsolidscontrol).Topdriveadds150‑250k. Used CBM rigs from our fleet start at $450k. Prices vary with options – request a firm quote.
Q8: Can I use my existing mud pumps with your CBM rig?
Yes – if you already have mud pumps, we can supply the rig without pumps and provide adapters for your units. However, we strongly recommend including our air/foam package even if you use your own mud pumps – that is the key to CBM formation protection.
Q9: Do you provide operator training for CBM drilling techniques?
Yes – we include 5 days of training (classroom + field) with every rig purchase. The training covers air/foam drilling parameters, methane safety, handling coal fines, and managing produced water. We can also arrange a one‑week supervised drilling of your first well.
Q10: How do I get a quote for a CBM drilling rig?
Email cbm@sjpetro.com with:
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Target coal seam depth and expected formation type
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Preferred drilling method (air, foam, mud, or combination)
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Daily water production estimate (if known)
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Road access and pad size constraints
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Any local safety certifications required (e.g., Australian MDG, Indian DGMS)
We will respond with a preliminary specification and budget price within 3 working days.















