Fast Repair and Fast Installation Drilling Rig / Big Easy Series
Technical Specifications – Big Easy Series (BE550 / BE770)
The Big Easy Series is offered in two primary models: the BE550 (equivalent to ZJ40D) and the BE770 (equivalent to ZJ50D). "BE550” refers to a maximum hook load of 550,000 lb (2450 kN), and "BE770” refers to 770,000 lb (3430 kN).
| Parameter | BE550 (ZJ40D) | BE770 (ZJ50D) |
|---|---|---|
| API classification | ZJ40/2250D | ZJ50/3150D |
| Drilling depth (4‑1/2″ DP) | 4,000 m (13,200 ft) | 5,000 m (16,400 ft) |
| Maximum hook load | 2,450 kN (550,000 lb) | 3,430 kN (770,000 lb) |
| Max hook speed (10 lines) | 0.25 – 1.64 m/s (0.82 – 5.38 ft/s) | 0.23 – 1.5 m/s (0.75 – 4.92 ft/s) |
| Drill line diameter | 32 mm (1.26 in) | 35 mm (1.38 in) |
| Effective wire lines | 10 | 10 or 12 |
| Drive system | AC VFD / DC optional | AC VFD / DC optional |
| Drawworks position | Low‑position | Low‑position |
| Mast type | Three‑section, hydraulically raised, mechanically telescoping middle/upper | Three‑section, hydraulically raised, mechanically telescoping middle/upper |
| Substructure type | Parallelogram, folding panel | Parallelogram, folding panel |
| Number of trailers for rig‑up | Six | Six |
| Crane required for installation | No | No |
| API standards | Q1, 4F, 7K, 8C, RP500 | Q1, 4F, 7K, 8C, RP500 |
| Available configurations | Skid, walking, trailer | Skid, walking, trailer |
| Low‑temperature package | Available (‑45°C operation) | Available (‑45°C operation) |
Application Areas – Where the Big Easy Series Excels
| Application | Why Big Easy Is the Right Choice |
|---|---|
| Multi‑well pad drilling | Rapid well‑to‑well moves using hydraulic walking system (optional) |
| Remote / road‑restricted locations | Road‑legal trailer widths, minimal module count |
| Short‑term contract drilling | Fast rig‑up / rig‑down saves days of non‑productive time |
| Frequent rig relocations | Low–recurrent move cost changes the economics of short wells |
| US / Canadian land drilling | Designed to legal highway dimensions in both countries |
| Middle East desert operations | Proven export track record with over 75 units to USA and Middle East |
| Low‑temperature regions (‑45°C) | Optional winterization package for Siberia and Canada |
Product Types – Big Easy Series Variants
Beyond the standard BE550 and BE770, the Big Easy design philosophy has been extended into multiple configuration families.
Trailer‑Mounted AC VFD Big Easy (Standard)
The original configuration: all six modules on road‑legal trailers, crane‑free installation, low‑position VFD drawworks, and centralized driller’s console.
Hydraulic Walking Big Easy
For cluster pad operations, the Big Easy can be fitted with a hydraulic walking system. The entire rig moves between wells on the same pad as a single assembled unit, eliminating teardown and rig‑up for each new well.
Low‑Temperature Big Easy
Certified to operate at ‑45°C ambient temperature. The low‑temp package includes full insulation enclosures, electric heat tracing, steam heating provisions, and low‑temperature steel for all load‑bearing components. This variant has been exported to Siberia and other Arctic regions.
Heli‑Portable Variants
Through our cooperation with LOADMASTER, helicopter‑transportable versions of the Big Easy design philosophy have also been developed, using similar modular, crane‑free packaging in smaller sizes for extreme access challenges.
Why Choose SJ Petroleum for Your Big Easy Fast‑Repair Fast‑Installation Rig?
✅ Unmatched Track Record – 75+ Units to the US and Middle East
The Big Easy Series is not a prototype. Between 2005 and 2008 alone, SJ Petroleum signed contracts for over 60 units, and cumulative exports to the US and Middle East have exceeded 75 units. The rig design earned a US invention patent (on the fast‑erection and moving method) and was recognized by the Oil & Gas Journal as a modern land drilling rig. Market validation at this scale is rare in the drilling equipment industry.
✅ Designed for US Road Legality
Because the Big Easy was developed in partnership with LOADMASTER specifically for the North American market, its transport dimensions and axle loads are designed to comply with legal limits in virtually all US states. If you are an American or Canadian contractor, you will not need a parade of oversized‑load permits.
✅ Crane‑Free Installation – Saves a Full Move Day
The six‑trailer, no‑crane rig‑up is not a minor convenience. It eliminates the need to coordinate crane availability, the cost of crane rental, and the safety risk of overhead lifts in high‑wind conditions. Your installation crew positions the modules by driving trailers into place. The substructure and mast raise themselves.
✅ Low‑Position Drawworks – Easy Access for Repair and Maintenance
The low‑mounted VFD drawworks allows mechanics to work on critical components without expensive access equipment. The same design choice that enables fast repair also reduces the physical strain on maintenance crews.
✅ Field‑Proven with Real References
From our earliest 2005 exports to the BE550 units delivered in the late 2000s, the Big Easy Series has drilled thousands of wells. We can provide customer references from US operators who have used these rigs and from Middle Eastern national oil companies.
✅ Backed by Sinopec – Largest Oil Equipment Group in China
SJ Petroleum Machinery Co., Ltd. is a wholly‑owned subsidiary of Sinopec Oilfield Equipment Corporation (SOFE), the R&D, manufacturing and technical service center of oilfield equipment for Sinopec. This means our resources extend far beyond a single product line. For every Big Easy rig sold, the entire Sinopec engineering, parts, and field‑service network stands behind it.
✅ Full API Certification – Q1, 4F, 7K, 8C, RP500
Every Big Easy Series rig is designed, manufactured, and tested to meet or exceed API Spec Q1 (Quality Management), API Spec 4F (Drilling and Well Servicing Structures), API Spec 7K (Drawworks and Rotary Equipment), API Spec 8C (Hoisting Equipment), and API RP500 (Electrical Installations for Oil and Gas).
✅ Competitive Lead Times
Our manufacturing facility—with a 50,000 m² assembly yard, 24 rig‑up positions, and annual capacity of 100 drilling rigs—allows us to deliver custom Big Easy rigs within 8 to 12 months from order confirmation. Standard configurations can be delivered faster. The first major export to the US of 20 units was delivered in less than a year from contract signing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Big Easy Series
Q1: What does "Big Easy” actually mean?
The name comes from the design philosophy: "big” because the rig handles large nominal depths (5,000 m for the BE770) and heavy hook loads, and "easy” because transport, installation, and repair are easy—crane‑free rig‑up, roadside‑legal trailers, and field‑friendly access for maintenance. It was originally developed by SJ Petroleum (then known as Fourth Machinery Plant) and LOADMASTER of the US in the early 2000s.
Q2: What are the available models in the Big Easy Series?
Two primary models: the BE550 (ZJ40D), rated to 4,000 m drilling depth and 550,000 lb hook load, and the BE770 (ZJ50D), rated to 5,000 m depth and 770,000 lb hook load. Additional configurations (walking rig, low‑temperature rig) are available.
Q3: How many trailers does it take to move the Big Easy rig?
Six trailers. The drawworks, substructure, mast, power skid, and support modules travel in six road‑legal trailer loads. No disassembly of the modules is required beyond disconnecting quick‑release connectors.
Q4: Is a crane really not required for installation?
No crane is required. The Big Easy’s substructure uses a parallelogram hydraulic lift system. The mast uses telescopic hydraulic cylinders raised from the substructure level. Trailers position themselves and the integrated hydraulic systems lift everything into place. The only external equipment needed is a tractor to move the trailers on‑site.
Q5: How does the "fast repair” feature actually work?
Fast repair is achieved through four design principles: (1) Accessible modules – every major component is mounted on a trailer and reachable from ground level. (2) Low‑position drawworks – the drawworks sits low, not elevated. (3) Standardized connections – utilities disconnect quickly. (4) Component interchangeability – failed modules can be swapped with spares.
Q6: What is the typical lead time for a Big Easy rig?
Standard configurations: 6 to 9 months. Customized versions (low‑temperature packages, walking systems, specific control systems): 8 to 12 months. We have delivered multiple export orders to the US in less than a year from contract signing.
Q7: How many Big Easy rigs have been exported to the United States?
More than 75 units have been exported to the US and the Middle East. The rig was originally designed for the North American market in cooperation with LOADMASTER, and exports to the US continue. The Oil & Gas Journal named it a modern land drilling rig and it holds a US invention patent on its fast‑erection design.
Q8: Does the Big Easy comply with API standards?
Yes. The rig is designed and manufactured in accordance with API Spec Q1, 4F, 7K, 8C, and RP500. We also hold ISO9001, HSE, and GOST certifications for relevant variants.
Q9: Can the Big Easy be equipped for low‑temperature Arctic operations?
Yes. We offer a full low‑temperature package rated for ‑45°C operation and ‑60°C storage. This includes insulated enclosures, electric heat tracing, steam heating provisions, low‑temperature steel, and heated low‑position drawworks. Low‑temperature Big Easy variants have been exported to Siberia.
Q10: What is the warranty on the Big Easy Series?
Standard warranty: 12 months from commissioning or 18 months from shipment, whichever occurs first. Components that are unique to the Big Easy design (hydraulic cylinders, trailer dollies, low‑position drawworks) carry the same warranty. Extended coverage is available.
Q11: Does the Big Easy work with walking systems for cluster pads?
Yes. An optional hydraulic walking system is available for cluster pads. When fitted, the rig can move between wells without disassembly—a critical advantage for operators drilling 10+ wells on the same pad.
Q12: What are the transport dimensions and weight limits?
The Big Easy was designed specifically to meet legal highway dimensions in both the US and China. Exact dimensions vary slightly by module, but each trailer is within standard width and height limits for an overweight/over‑length permit. Axle loads are distributed through three steerable plus three fixed axles per main dolly for legal compliance on paved roads.
Q13: What is the typical rig‑up time for the Big Easy?
From the time the first trailer arrives on location to the time the rig is ready to drill, a trained crew can complete the full Big Easy installation in under 8 hours for most wellsite conditions. This is a reduction of 80–90% compared to conventional rigs of similar capacity.
Q14: Can I visit the SJ Petroleum factory before ordering?
Absolutely. We welcome serious buyers to our Jingzhou manufacturing complex (approximately 1.5 hours from Wuhan by high‑speed rail). You will see the Big Easy production line, witness a trailer‑mounted module demonstration, and review our quality control systems. Virtual tours are also available for customers unable to travel.
Q15: Do you offer training for my crews?
Yes. Our training package includes (1) classroom instruction at our facility during factory acceptance testing; (2) on‑site training at your wellsite during first rig‑up; (3) written procedures for fast repair and fast installation; and (4) remote video support for the first six months of operation.
