Australian company DIG CT is set to bring MinEx CRC’s RoXplorer coiled tubing (CT) drilling technology to market.

DIG CT founder and director Craig Lavrick said he considered coil tubing technology a ‘game changer’ and necessary next-generation equipment to elevate exploration drilling to a safer, greener and more productive industry.

The commercialisation deal between MinEx CRC and DIG CT will see the RoXplorer CT drilling platform offered as a drilling service for hire, starting with one rig.

It follows a manufacturing deal last year with Schramm, which will build the new fleet of CT drill rigs as demand increases.

The CT platform can drill through unconsolidated cover and hard rock formations to depths of 500m – delivering safety, productivity and high-quality sampling with minimal infrastructure and streamlined operating processes.

MinEx CRC developed the technology in collaboration with industry partners Anglo American, BHP, Epiroc, LKAB Wassara, South 32, and the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA).

Related: Anglo drill program puts CT tech through its paces

“The key feature of RoXplorer CT drill rig is the patented mast design and over-the-hole positioning of the coil reel,” MinEx CRC chief executive officer Andrew Bailey said.

“This enables increased coil life, seamless transition between CT and conventional top-drive drilling, rapid loading and unloading of tooling and drill string incorporated on the rig for ease of set-up, pack-down, and transport.”