Dando Drilling has supplied and commissioned many dozens of drill rigs of all sizes to many African countries.

Rigs for Africa

There are numerous and profound differences between the equipment required for domestic markets (UK & Europe) and overseas markets (primarily African and other developing countries). This does not mean, however, that machines destined for the developing world are in any way a “poor relation” of the increasingly sophisticated domestic rigs. The technology chosen for any particular machine is carefully chosen to suit the application.

Development
As the hydraulic controls for domestic market rigs have made the shift to the new Dando EH electro-hydraulic control system, so the overseas models have also adapted to include new and better circuits. In the last two years the Watertec, Geotec and Mintec ranges of machines have all made the shift to new hydraulic circuits that feature load-sensing, proportional valves, 50% fewer hydraulic pumps meaning fewer hoses of smaller diameter and less hydraulic fluid on board. Fewer components and fittings inevitably reduce maintenance requirements, crucial when drill sites are days from the nearest source of service. We also anticipate that the wear on other components (rods, bits, couplings etc) will be reduced due to refinements in the control system.

Self containment
Due to the extreme conditions that overseas machines are often subject to and the incredibly remote regions to which some machines are mobilised, it is vital that the rigs are as self-contained as possible. This often means that rigs are supplied as a package with appropriate ancillary vehicles which may carry mud pumps, air plant or in some cases water supplies. On larger machines such as the Watertec 10 upwards such items can be deck mounted. Another important factor in the self sufficiency of a drill rig is the ability to carry out repairs in-situ with often relatively simple tools. The decision to deliberately omit the EH feature from rigs for Africa enables any engineer familiar with hydraulics to maintain and repair systems without the need for a specialist at any point during the rig’s life without compromising the level of drilling control.

Low cost options
It is essential during the very initial specification stages of a build contract that a clear picture is established of the life-cycle of the machine to ensure that the entire design and fit-out are suited to the customers needs. In some cases, budgetary constraints and the complete absence of any means of technical support once commissioned mean that the most suitable rig is the Buffalo 3000. The buffalo is a waterwell drilling variant on the 3000 investigator, the bigger brother of the Dando 2000. Designed and packaged to be an appropriate machine for Funding Agencies, Contractors, NGOs and Government Bodies who needed a simple yet effective well drilling machine, that could operate in areas of poor infrastructure and difficult terrain with virtually no outside help.The Buffalo has lower maintenance requirements for a standard waterwell rig, because of its simple design. It is robust enough to last for decades and can be pulled behind any lightweight four-wheel drive vehicle and is ideal where boreholes need not exceed 50m, in sedimentary formations where speed of drilling is not a crucial factor.