Used drilling rig market
Technical Specifications – Example Used Rig Inventory
Below is a representative sample from our current used drilling rig market inventory. Actual availability changes – contact us for an updated list.
| Parameter | Rig A | Rig B | Rig C | Rig D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year of manufacture | 2015 | 2018 | 2012 | 2010 (refurbished 2022) |
| Original manufacturer | SJ Petro | SJ Petro | National | Baoji |
| Hook load capacity | 450 tons | 600 tons | 300 tons | 900 tons |
| Drawworks type | AC VFD (1,500 HP) | AC VFD (2,000 HP) | Mechanical (1,000 HP) | DC (3,000 HP) |
| Mast type | Cantilever, 147 ft | Vertical, 160 ft | A‑frame, 130 ft | Vertical, 180 ft |
| Mud pumps | 2 × 1,600 HP | 2 × 2,200 HP | 2 × 1,000 HP | 3 × 1,600 HP |
| Top drive | 500 ton (AC) | 650 ton (AC) | None (rotary table) | 750 ton (DC) |
| Walking system | Yes (SMS‑2000) | Yes (SMS‑3000) | No | No |
| Drilling depth (5" pipe) | 6,000 m | 7,500 m | 4,000 m | 9,000 m |
| Total drilling hours | 22,500 | 18,000 | 45,000 (rebuilt) | 52,000 |
| Last major overhaul | 2023 | 2024 | 2022 | 2022 |
| Certifications | API, ISO, CE | API, ISO | API, ISO | API |
| Refurbishment included | Full inspection, new brake pads, new seals | Full inspection, new liners | Full mechanical rebuild, new wiring | Structural repair, new VFD cards |
| Warranty (months) | 6 | 12 | 6 | 6 |
| Price (FOB China, USD) | $3.2M | $4.8M | $1.5M | $5.5M |
Product Types – What We Offer in the Used Drilling Rig Market
Our used drilling rig market inventory includes:
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Certified Pre‑Owned (CPO) Rigs – Rig from our own fleet (ex‑Sinopec) that has been fully maintained to OEM standards. Complete service records, no accidents, low hours. Like buying a manufacturer’s demo car.
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Refurbished Rigs – Used rigs purchased from third parties, then completely disassembled, inspected, worn parts replaced, and reassembled. Comes with new component warranties. Cosmetic condition may show age, but mechanical systems are near‑new.
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As‑Is / Where‑Is Rigs – For buyers with their own maintenance capability. Rig sold in current condition with no warranty. Lowest price, highest risk. We provide a detailed inspection report so you know exactly what you are getting.
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Component‑Only Packages – Not a complete rig, but a major subsystem: drawworks, mud pump set, top drive, mast & substructure, or walking system. Ideal for upgrading an existing rig.
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Offshore Used Rigs – Platform rigs and jackup drilling packages that have been decommissioned and refurbished. Available with ABS/DNV documentation.
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Turnkey Re‑manufacturing – You supply a used rig (any make). We disassemble, inspect, manufacture missing or worn parts, reassemble, and recertify. You get a "like new” rig for about 50‑60% of new price.
Applications – Who Buys From the Used Drilling Rig Market
Buyers in the used drilling rig market typically fall into these categories:
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New entrants / small contractors – Starting a drilling business with limited capital. A used rig provides lower entry cost and faster payback.
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Fleet expansion – Existing contractors need one more rig for a specific project and cannot wait 12+ months for new build.
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Emerging markets – Operators in regions with less stringent regulatory requirements (e.g., some parts of Africa, Central Asia) where a well‑maintained used rig is perfectly acceptable.
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Workover / shallow drilling – A smaller used rig (1,000‑1,500 HP) for well servicing or shallow (2,000‑3,000 m) new drilling.
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Spare rig for backup – Large operators keep a used rig as a hot standby to cover breakdowns or peak demand.
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Component harvesting – Buying a complete used rig for its major components (e.g., two mud pumps, a top drive) can be cheaper than buying components separately.
Why Choose SJ Petro for the Used Drilling Rig Market?
Most sellers in the used drilling rig market are brokers or salvage dealers. They have no engineering capability. SJ Petro is different:
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OEM manufacturer – We know how rigs are built and how they should perform. Our refurbishment is to factory specifications, not arbitrary standards.
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Transparent documentation – Every rig comes with a condition report, component measurement data (bearing clearances, drum wear, pump liner ovality), and service history.
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In‑house refurbishment – We use our own factory (180,000+ m², 2,100 machines) to rebuild components. No subcontractors.
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Global logistics – We have shipped over 3,100 rigs and components to 30+ countries. We know export packing (rust protection, lift plans), customs clearance, and heavy haulage.
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Financing assistance – We work with international trade finance partners to offer leasing or installment payment options for qualified buyers.
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Buy‑back guarantee – For CPO rigs, we guarantee a buy‑back price after 3‑5 years of use (less wear and tear). Reduces your residual risk.
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Warranty & after‑sales – 6‑12 months parts and labor. Spare parts stocked regionally. We can also train your crew.
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Upgrade path – Buy a used rig from us now, and when you are ready for a larger rig, we offer trade‑in credit toward a new or larger used model.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Why should I buy a used drilling rig instead of a new one?
Cost and lead time. A used rig typically costs 40‑60% less than a new equivalent and can be delivered in 2‑4 months versus 12‑18 months for new. If your well depths and operating conditions are within the rig’s original design envelope, a well‑maintained used rig is a smart financial decision.
Q2: How do I know the used rig you’re selling is not worn out?
We provide a full inspection report with measurements. For example, we measure drawworks drum wear (must be within API tolerance of 1/8”), mud pump liner ovality (replaced if out of round by >0.010”), mast pin hole elongation (if >2% over nominal, pins are replaced). We also pressure test fluid ends and load test hoisting components. You can see the data.
Q3: Do you offer a warranty on used rigs?
Yes – 6 months standard on CPO and refurbished rigs. Major components (gearboxes, fluid ends, top drive) get 12 months. The warranty covers parts and labor (excluding travel). As‑is rigs have no warranty – you pay a lower price for that risk.
Q4: Can I inspect the rig before buying?
Absolutely. We encourage third‑party inspections. You can send your own engineers to our yard in Jingzhou, China, or we can arrange an independent surveyor (BV, DNV, SGS). You pay for the inspection; we provide full access.
Q5: What documentation do you provide with a used rig?
You receive: original manufacturer’s certificates (if available), our inspection & test reports, a refurbishment log (what was replaced), a current API/ISO compliance statement, load test certificates (for hoisting components), and an operations manual. We also transfer any remaining OEM warranties.
Q6: Can you modify a used rig to meet my specific well depth or terrain requirements?
Yes – we offer upgrade packages: add a walking system, increase drawworks power (e.g., 1,500 HP to 2,000 HP by changing motors), install a top drive on a rig that originally had only a rotary table, convert mechanical to AC VFD, or reinforce the mast for a higher hook load. Each modification is engineered and certified.
Q7: What payment terms do you accept for used rigs?
Standard: 30% deposit, 40% before shipment (after your inspection), 30% against shipping documents. L/C at sight is also accepted. For CPO rigs with full documentation, we offer financing through our partner trade finance companies (starting at 6% interest). Leasing options available.
Q8: How is the rig shipped?
We dismantle the rig into major modules (mast sections, substructure, drawworks skid, mud tanks, etc.) and pack them into shipping containers or onto flat racks. For very large components (masts over 50 ft), we use break‑bulk or RORO. We provide a detailed lift plan and packing list. Container count is typically 20‑40 × 20 ft boxes for a 2,000 HP rig.
Q9: Do you provide training for a used rig?
Yes – we include 1 week of on‑site training (up to 4 operators) in the purchase price for CPO and refurbished rigs. Additional training can be purchased.















