Christie says he particularly likes the rig’s GPS and hole navigation systems which enable the operator to automatically locate the right drilling spot, in any weather conditions. “In the misty and foggy coastal conditions at Glensanda, that’s a very helpful function,” he says.
Referring to efficiency, Christie adds: “The important thing these days is to do things only once, and not have to wait for the blast before relocating the rig to the next hole position. The SmartROC gets it right first time, and although we have only been using it for about eight months we can already see that this is a big advantage.” The rig’s hole navigation system (HNS) also reduces the risk of error as there is no longer any reason for marking hole positions manually which, in turn, reduces planning time on site. Moreover, the SmartROC C50, which employs the COPROD system, delivers consistent hole quality, reassuring the company that it can supply Glensanda with the specified aggregate product.