Synchronous drilling solutions

Synchronous Drilling Technical Specifications

The following parameters reflect the synchronous control capabilities integrated across our standard drilling rig product line. Custom configurations and software tuning are available for specific operational requirements.

Parameter	ZJ40 AC-VFD	ZJ50 AC-VFD	ZJ70 AC-VFD	ZJ90 AC-VFD
Nominal Drilling Depth (4‑½″ DP)	2,500–4,000 m (8,200–13,120 ft)	3,500–5,000 m (11,480–16,400 ft)	4,500–7,000 m (14,760–22,970 ft)	6,000–9,000 m (19,680–29,530 ft)
Max Hook Load	2,250 kN (506,000 lbf)	3,150 kN (708,000 lbf)	4,500 kN (1,012,000 lbf)	6,750 kN (1,517,000 lbf)
Drawworks Configuration	Dual AC motor, master-follower	Dual AC motor, master-follower	Dual AC motor, master-follower	Dual AC motor, master-follower
Drawworks Rated Power	735 kW (1,000 HP)	1,100 kW (1,500 HP)	1,470 kW (2,000 HP)	2,210 kW (3,000 HP)
Mud Pump Configuration	2× F‑1300 HP, independent VFD	2× F‑1600 HP, independent VFD	2–3× F‑1600 HP, independent VFD	3× F‑1600 HP, independent VFD
Soft Pump Control	Standard	Standard	Standard	Standard
Driller Stations	2 (dual integration)	2 (dual integration)	2 (dual integration)	2 (dual integration)
Control Network	Redundant fiber-optic / EtherNet/IP	Redundant fiber-optic / EtherNet/IP	Redundant fiber-optic / EtherNet/IP	Redundant fiber-optic / EtherNet/IP
Interlock Protection	9 independent safety interlocks	9 independent safety interlocks	9 independent safety interlocks	9 independent safety interlocks
Control Modes	Single driller / Dual driller / Remote / Local manual	Single driller / Dual driller / Remote / Local manual	Single driller / Dual driller / Remote / Local manual	Single driller / Dual driller / Remote / Local manual
Skidding Sync Accuracy	±2 mm over 20 m travel (with optional electro-hydraulic system)	±2 mm over 20 m travel (with optional electro-hydraulic system)	±2 mm over 20 m travel (with optional electro-hydraulic system)	±2 mm over 20 m travel (with optional electro-hydraulic system)
API Monograms	4F, 7K, 8C, Q1	4F, 7K, 8C, Q1	4F, 7K, 8C, Q1	4F, 7K, 8C, Q1

Product Types Featuring Synchronous Drilling Technology

Our synchronous drilling systems are not limited to a single product category. We have integrated this technology across multiple equipment types to serve different operational needs:

1. AC-VFD Land Drilling Rigs (ZJ Series) – Full synchronous control as standard across ZJ40 through ZJ90 models.

2. Dual Driller Workover Rigs (XJ Series) – XJ650 through XJ1200 with dual-station integration control for heavy-duty intervention work.

3. Synchronized Coiled Tubing Units – Real-time coordination between injector head, reel, and pumping systems for precise well intervention in live-well conditions.

4. Synchronized Solids Control Systems – Automated coordination between shakers, centrifuges, and mud tanks based on real-time pump output and return flow data.

5. Electro-Hydraulic Synchronized Skidding Systems – Available as an option on modular and wheel-rail rigs for precision multi-well cluster drilling.

Application Fields

🛢️ Onshore Conventional Drilling

For standard vertical and directional wells, synchronous drilling reduces non-productive time during connections, tripping, and pump adjustments. Operators have reported measurable reductions in connection time — from several minutes per stand down to less than two minutes with integrated pipe handling synchronization.

🌊 Offshore Platform Drilling

Offshore rigs benefit significantly from synchronous technology because every minute of rig time carries a high daily rate. Our systems have been deployed on offshore jack-up and platform rigs where the combination of dual driller stations and soft pump control improves safety and consistency in high-cost environments.

🏗️ Cluster Drilling and Multi-Well Pad Development

For shale plays and tight reservoir developments requiring multiple wells from a single pad, our synchronized skidding systems allow the entire rig package to move from well to well without breaking down major components. The electro-hydraulic proportional control system maintains ±2 mm positioning accuracy across the entire skidding distance — no binding, no misalignment, no re-alignment delays.

⛽ Well Intervention and Workover Operations

Our dual-station workover rigs with synchronous control allow one operator to manage hoisting and rotation while the second handles pipe handling and BOP functions — or a single operator to manage everything from one station while the other serves as backup.

🧪 Remote and Automated Drilling Projects

For operators moving toward reduced-crew or fully automated drilling, our synchronous control architecture provides the foundation. The same PLC backbone that coordinates drawworks and mud pumps can integrate with third-party automation packages, remote operation centers, and real-time data analytics platforms.

Why Choose SJ Petro for Synchronous Drilling Technology?

🏭 Backed by Sinopec – The Real Manufacturing Base

We are not a trading company assembling components from third-party suppliers. We are the actual manufacturing base for Sinopec Oilfield Equipment Corporation’s drilling rig production line, with over 200 product models across four major categories and 12 series. When you specify synchronous drilling technology from SJ Petro, you are getting equipment designed and built by the team that wrote China’s technical standards for drilling rig control systems.

✅ Field-Proven Across Multiple Continents

Our synchronous drilling systems are not laboratory experiments. They are operating in the field today across South America, Western Africa, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region. Our XJ650 workover rig with dual driller integration has become a best-seller for its combination of power, stability, and mobility.

🔧 End-to-End Integrated Service

We do not just ship equipment and walk away. We provide:

• Pre-sale engineering consultation and system integration planning

• On-site installation supervision and commissioning of the synchronous control network

• Crew training for both single-driller and dual-driller operation modes

• Long-term spare parts support, including control system components

• 24/7 technical support with overseas representative offices in key markets

📋 Full Certification and Customization

We can provide API monogram certification and GOST compliance packages for Russian and Eurasian markets. Our engineering team can customize synchronous control parameters — from master-follower torque sharing ratios to skidding positioning accuracy — to match your specific operational profile.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is synchronous drilling technology, exactly?

A: Synchronous drilling refers to the coordinated, real-time control of multiple rig subsystems — drawworks, top drive, mud pumps, pipe handling, and BOP controls — through a common industrial control network. Instead of each system operating independently based on local sensors, they share data continuously and adjust their behavior in relation to each other. The result is smoother operation, reduced mechanical stress, and faster overall drilling cycles.

Q2: What is the difference between master-follower control and independent control for drawworks?

A: In independent control, each drawworks motor operates based on its own speed reference. If load distribution is uneven, one motor may end up carrying most of the load while the other idles — causing premature wear and reduced efficiency. In master-follower control, one drive runs as the speed master while the second follows in torque mode, continuously matching the load carried by the master. Our dual-motor master-follower systems maintain equal load sharing under all operating conditions.

Q3: Do I need two drillers to operate a dual-driller rig?

A: No. The dual-station configuration offers flexibility. A single driller can operate everything from the primary station while the second station serves as backup or as a training position. For complex operations — such as simultaneous hoisting and pipe handling — two drillers can split responsibilities, which improves safety and reduces connection times. The system also supports remote operation from a control van if desired.

Q4: What kind of communication network do your synchronous rigs use?

A: We use redundant fiber-optic or EtherNet/IP industrial control networks depending on client preference and site conditions. The network architecture includes failover redundancy: critical control signals have dedicated pathways, and if one communication link fails, the system automatically re-routes through a secondary path without interrupting operation.

Q5: Can you retrofit synchronous control to an existing rig from another manufacturer?

A: In many cases, yes. We have experience retrofitting synchronous control systems to third-party drilling rigs where the existing drives and control hardware are compatible. Retrofits typically involve adding PLC-based coordination logic, upgrading the communication network, and installing additional sensors. Contact our engineering team with your existing rig specifications for a feasibility assessment.

Q6: What is the positioning accuracy of your synchronized skidding system?

A: Our electro-hydraulic proportional synchronous skidding system maintains ±2 mm accuracy over 20 meters of travel. The system uses displacement sensors on each skidding cylinder, with continuous PLC monitoring and automatic flow adjustment to correct any deviation before it becomes significant. This eliminates the common problem of binding or misalignment during multi-well pad moves.

Q7: What after-sales support do you provide for synchronous control systems?

A: We provide a standard 12-month warranty from commissioning, with extended warranty options available. On-site technical representatives are available for the initial system integration and commissioning. We maintain an international spare parts inventory for control system components — including PLC modules, drives, sensors, and HMI panels. Our 24/7 technical support hotline connects you with engineers who understand the system, not just a call center.

Q8: Are your synchronous drilling systems API certified?

A: Yes. All our drilling rigs — including the synchronous control systems integrated within them — are designed and manufactured to meet API 4F, 7K, 8C, Q1, and RP500 standards. We are authorized to apply the API monogram and welcome third-party inspection and witnessing of our manufacturing and testing processes.