19 MAY 2025 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Innovative New Rig for Geothermal Projects Adapted from Information by the South Australian Department of State Development An Adelaide-based startup company in South Australia, is on a mission to commercialize technology for making the installation of geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) cheaper, safer, and more efficient. CoilRig™ developed an innovative coiled tubing drill rig offering drill operators and consumers a cost-effective solution for installing GHPs. Unlike traditional drill rigs requiring drill rods to be connected and disconnected multiple times during the drilling, CoilRig uses a continuous coiled tubing drill pipe, which is wound onto a reel and unrolls as it drills into the ground, increasing installation efficiency and safety. The high-tech design also reduces the bending and stretching of the tubing, helping it last three times longer, resulting in significant cost savings for rig operators. CoilRig’s new drill rig has the potential to address one of the biggest barriers to widespread GHP use, the high upfront installation costs. Drilling costs can account for up to 50% of the total installation expense for residential GHPs. Research into developing the new technology has been undertaken by CoilRig in partnership with researchers from the University of South Australia (UniSA), Minex CRC, and other industry partners. With support from a Department of State Development SeedStart grant and matched funding, CoilRig will now undertake product development and commercialization. This will include lab testing, purchasing specialized software and materials, as well as on-site trials and testing with their US-based customer. CoilRig Director and Cofounder Soren Soe said the new rig design is a significant advancement for the geothermal drilling industry, offering lower cost drilling, enhanced safety, and greater efficiency. "Our product represents a strategic shift towards more sustainable drilling practices and is poised to meet the growing demands of the renewable energy market," Soe said. "CoilRig is proudly South Australian owned and we're extremely thankful to the Government of South Australia, as well as UniSA who have been an integral part of supporting us to expand into international markets." The company is actively seeking to partner with clients and drill operators in North America to enhance geothermal projects with its cutting-edge, efficient drilling equipment. GEO
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