SmartROC T45 drilling at height in Italy
December 7, 2016
Quarrying 2016 International SmartROC T45 Surface Customer story
A glimpse of the first operational Atlas Copco SmartROC T45 drill rig in Italy at work at the Sibelco quarry in Robilante.
June 23, 2016
The execution of a jetty using Symmetrix system to install piles into the bedrock level was a big challenge for the contracting consortium. To overcome these challenges, Symmetrix large diameter DTH system worked as a perfect innovative solution.
"Symmetrix requires only one barge, whereas we need two for conventional piling. We achieve four piles in a 12 h-day, compared to two using conventional piling techniques."
When drilling the piles, the Contractor used a jack-up barge called “Perna Longa”, which was also the center of offshore activity. It was equipped with a huge crane and a drilling lead from Berminghammer, a BHD 40 rotation head, a QL200S DTH Hammer used to run Symmetrix system with reverse circulation drilling string and three Atlas Copco XRHS compressors. This set up made it possible to have a single pass string of 45 meters when drilling the piles, which the crane jib easily accommodated. Pile casings were equipped with sacrificial ring bit and casing shoe on the quayside, and had their ends sealed using inflatable balloons. They were then floated out to Perna Longa, where they were hoisted into position using the onboard winches. The Symmetrix 1,016 mm-diameter drill-through pilot bit and QL200S hammer were then lowered through the pile casing, which was aligned and positioned by GPS.
The Symmetrix requires only one barge, whereas two are needed using conventional piling techniques. This reduces non-productive time, a very important factor when drilling from a barge, and contributing greatly to the productivity achieved.
Customer
Companhia Portuguesa de Trabalhos Portuarios, CPTP
Challenge
To drill beneath the waves to install the bridge piles.
Products
The piling system comprised a Birminghammer, BHD 40 rotation head, a QL200S DTH Hammer, a Symmetrix system with reverse circulation drilling string and three Atlas Copco XRHS compressors.
Benefits
Using Symmetrix Large Diameter system in Leixoes harbour enabled:
• Fast drilling through unconsolidated, fissured ground down into the hardest bedrock
• No changes of bit to drill the socket below the casing
• Saving time enabling four piles to be installed per a 12 hours shift compared to two piles using conventional methods
• Drilling a metre in twelve minutes instead of sixty minutes when using conventional methods
• One barge whereas in conventional piling two barges are needed
Conclusion
Drilling with Symmetrix saves you time, lowers your cost and leaves a job that you can be proud of!