MASSENZA MI55 DRILLING RIGS IN ETHIOPIA: A LONG JOURNEY FOR AN IMPORTANT AND INNOVATIVE GOVERNMENT PROJECT
Massenza Drilling Rigs reaches Africa once again, more specifically the state of Ethiopia.
It is not the first time that our machines are made to be used on African soil, but this time we are telling you about a special project: four Massenza Mi55 drilling rigs made for the Ethiopian Ministry of Defence, with the aim of creating new water wells in remote areas of the country.
Our company won a major tender for the above project, for which certain characteristics had to be met.
Here are some of the main ones, for each drill rig assembled:
- Drilling rigs mounted on 6x6 trucks
- 566 kW Scania diesel engine
- Mast with 9.4 m rotary head stroke
- Maximum pull up: 546 kN - Maximum pull down: 294 kN
- Main winch max. pull up 10,000 daN with 100 m of steel cable Ø 20 mm
- Service winch mounted on telescopic jib boom with 25 m of steel cable Ø 1/2" (12 mm) and direct pull up 30 kN (3,000 kg)
- Atlas Copco ORX 12 air compressor, 35.3 m³/min (1250 cfm) at 30 Bar with air lubricator for DTH hammer
- Massenza mud pump model PM200 (7"1/2 x 8")
- Foam pump
- Air/mud piping with inlet for auxiliary compressor or booster at 69 Bar
- Double clamp with 520 mm (20.5'') passage and maximum force of 362kN
- Rotary head: Massenza TM50 model with maximum torque 23500 Nm - max. speed 150 Rpm
- Extendable control panel to adjust to the most optimal position for the operator
- Lighting system for working at night
The story: finished installation, shipping, presentation in Ethiopia and training on site
After 10 months working, in June 2023 the production team at Massenza finished the four Mi55 machines, ready to be shipped to the customer.
Before the final commissioning of the drilling machines, we took part in a celebratory moment: the owner Matteo Massenza was personally invited to the presentation of this great project, in front of the government authorities of the Ethiopian Ministry of Defence.
It was a truly unforgettable day, which led us to get to know each other even better and to forge closer relationships with our customer and our dealer G6 Trading, who has supported us throughout this journey and whom we thank again.
In November 2023, the four Mi55 machine models were finally used on the construction site, following operator training by our specially selected drilling contractor.
The team successfully received the training and demonstrated the first uses of the Massenza drills, as can be seen in the pictures below.
The wells drilled with our Mi55s will reach a depth of 400 metres.
