Wirth pile top drill rigs
2 About us
Wirth pile top drill rigs
Solid foundations with
Wirth pile top systems
About MHWirth Experts at your disposal
MHWirth is a leading global provider of first-class MHWirth is your first choice for reliable pile top
drilling solutions and services designed to offer systems for onshore and offshore applications.
our valued clients with the safer, more efficient and Cost efficiency and outstanding performance are
reliable alternative. Our company vision is centered the key factors that make us stand out from the
on an unparalleled commitment to quality and competition.
yielding economic advantages for our customers
and stakeholders. Our experienced specialists provide comprehen-
sive advice on selecting the correct equipment
As the largest subsidiary of Akastor, MHWirth has a for the individual site conditions – from the tender
global span covering five continents with offices in phase right the way through to project execution.
more than 20 countries. Drawing upon our global
market success, we continue to seize opportuni-
ties through an established strong regional pres-
ence in the Americas, Asia and West Africa. Our
4300 dedicated professionals consistently strive to
enhance customer satisfaction and form mean-
ingful collaborations by creating a personalized
experience.
Venezuela –
Orinoco Bridge
Three Wirth PBA 818
and one Wirth PBA 612
to install 156 piles
(bridge length: 3.2 km),
with diameters of 2.4 m
and 1.8 m, and depths
of up to 60 m
© Consórcio BRAVE
Australia –
Tanker terminal
Wirth PBA 612/2 000/200
for raker piles at an
inclination of up to 1:3,
with drilling diameters of
up to 1.25 m and depths
of up to 50 m
© RG Tanna Coal Terminal Wharves,
Port of Gladstone, Australia, Courtesy of
Central Queensland Ports Authority
3 Areas of application
Wirth pile top drill rigs
Areas of application
Wirth pile top drill rigs by MHWirth provide the The Wirth PBA with the high torque power swivel
most efficient solution when it comes to setting up is the ideal machine for hard rock drilling, applying
deep and large-diameter foundations in hard rock. the following special methods:
They have been successfully deployed in various
applications, both onshore and offshore: Pile rock socketing
¡
Hard rock drilling
¡
Superstructures and buildings
¡ Anchor drilling
¡
Drilling platforms, barges and jack-ups
¡ Secant wall
¡
Harbours, jetties, dry docks and dolphins
¡ Overreaming
¡
Bridges, piers and causeways
¡ Bell-out of the rock socket
¡
Marine sewerage diffusers
¡
Offshore wind farms
¡
Dam rehabilitation
¡
USA/New Jersey –
widening of Driscoll
Bridge
Wirth PBA 818/2 500/300
used for the building of
a third bridge spanning
a distance of 4 400 feet
and 28.3 feet wide, with
a drilling diameter of
1 680 mm and depths of
up to 50 m
Hong Kong – Sunley
Wirth PBA 936/3 000/300
Ventilation shafts for a metro
tunnel, shaft diameter 3.0 m
up to 90 m depth including
19 m rock socket in hard
granite with 230 MPa
4 Benefits to you
Wirth pile top drill rigs
We drill through hard rock deeper
and faster – benefits to you
Close consultation and support
Our experts provide comprehensive advice, right from the pre-engineering and tender
phases. This includes giving an indication of expected rates of progress along with
advice on the selection of supporting equipment. MHWirth’ drilling experts are available
for commissioning and for training personnel.
Outstanding drilling performance
In each class, Wirth PBAs have an excellent power/weight ratio. Maximum drilling per-
formance is guaranteed, even under the toughest conditions, along with easy and fast
equipment handling.
Economical RC drilling
MHWirth is the world market leader in reverse circulation drilling. This method is highly
efficient, especially for large diameters and great depths.
Quick assembly
The modular design and the quick-action multi-couplings ensure a fast and easy set-up of
the drill rig.
Unmatched availability
The use of special select materials, combined with experience gained over more than
25 years, has led to higher demands concerning the quality of production. As a result,
MHWirth has achieved the highest availability for years, combined with a low spare-part
consumption rate and low maintenance costs.
Maximal versatility
Exchangeable cutters ensure that drilling is possible in varying geological formations.
Different diameters can be created by just one machine, by exchanging the drill bit
accordingly. The drilling depth can be increased simply by extending the drill-pipe length.
High independency
An onboard crane allows equipment to be handled independently of the installation crane.
High availability of spare parts hotline
Our spare parts service guarantees you receive original spare parts.
5 Rig arrangement
Wirth pile top drill rigs
Rig arrangement
Pile top drill rig
Auxiliary crane
Tiltable working
platform Drill-pipe chute
(optional)
Clamping device
Mud tank system
Hydraulic power pack Backfilling system
Crane for handling of
drill rig/drill string
Compressor
Drill string with bottom
hole assembly (BHA)
Close loop circulation B0080706
Environmentally friendly closed I0011689
loop circulation (CLC)
1 Water from a tank fills the borehole
2 Water and cuttings are flushed out by
RC through the drill pipe into the tank
3 Cuttings are settling out in the tank
4 Clean water fills the hole as per step 1
No spillage, no environmental pollution.
6 Experts at your disposal
Wirth pile top drill rigs
Experts at
your disposal
Drill string
Modular design for every depth and diameter
¡
Components are built for long life and rough use
¡
Drill pipe Flanged air-lift
stabilizer drill pipes
Our experienced experts
provide comprehensive Cross-over
advice – as early as the sub
pre-project phase. This
includes the indication of
expected drilling rates
BHA Air-lift drill
and cutter lifetime as stabilizers collars
well as recommenda-
tions for the supporting
equipment to ensure the
successful operation of a
Large-diameter
Wirth PBA. rock bit
7 References
Wirth pile top drill rigs
References
More than 250 Wirth pile top drill rigs have proven to be outstandingly
reliable and efficient in numerous projects around the world.
China/Hong Kong –
Stonecutters Bridge
Wirth PBA 936/3 000/300 for
foundation of flyover piles,
each with a diameter of
3.0 m and depths of more
than 100 m.
UK/West Coast –
Burbo windfarm
Pile foundation for three
MW wind turbines, with a
drilling diameter of 4.5 m
and depths of up to 60 m
Australia – North
West Shelf
Wirth PBA 936/3 000/300
for foundation of the
Angel oil and gas plat-
form. Drilling diameter of
3.0 m and a drill string
length of up to 110 m
© Woodside Energy Ltd.
8 References
Wirth pile top drill rigs
References
USA/California –
Carquinez Bridge
Wirth PBA 928/3 000/300
for the bridge foundation
with piles of diameter
2.7 m (enlarged to 3.3 m,
in part)
USA/California – San
Francisco – Oakland
Bay Bridge
Wirth PBA 933/3 000/300
for the reinforcement of
the San Francisco Bay
Bridge
Canada/Saint John –
Canaport LNG terminal
Wirth PBA 612 for
foundation of 60 piles,
each with a diameter of
1.12 m and a depth of
80 m
9 References
Wirth pile top drill rigs
USA/Alabama – W.F. Lake
George Dam
Cut-off wall in front of an
active dam with more than
450 piles, each with a
diameter of 1.27 m and a
depth of up to 75 m.
Formation drilled: various
layers of limestone, with
strengths of up to 135 MPa,
and unconsolidated sand.
USA/Massachusetts –
Wolf Creek Dam
Wirth PBA 818/2 500/300
for a cut-off wall, with a
drilling diameter of 1.27 m,
depths of up to 90 m, rock
strengths of up to 150 MPa
© TREVIICOS
Bahrain – Saudia Arabia
Causeway
A 25 km highway with
bridges totalling 12.5 km
in length, 489 piles with
diameters ranging from 3.75
to 4.0 m; two rigs worked
simultaneously from jack-up
barges, with each rig drilling
and installing four piles per
week
© Walter Bibikow/JAI/Corbis
10 Reverse circulation drilling
Wirth pile top drill rigs
Highest efficiency with
reverse circulation drilling
MHWirth is the world market leader in reverse circulation drilling (RCD).
This method sets the standards for cost effectiveness and versatility.
The RCD method, also referred to as airlift drilling, Due to the higher density in the outer column, the
is well-established as a robust and straightforward solids pass from the drill hole through the cutting-
means of operation, which is highly effective for head suction suction opening, and rise up through
large diameters and great depths, both in onshore the drill pipe. Provided that the correct air/liquid
and offshore applications. flow is established within the drill pipe, solids will
be transported to the surface according to the
Principle of operation: Compressed air is injected airlift principle.
into the drill pipe below water level and just above
the cutting head. As the air rises and expands The differential pressure and thus the conveying
within the drill pipe, the density in the internal liquid capacity depend on the rate and volume of the
column is greatly reduced, leading to a difference compressed air injected, the depth of injection and
in pressure between the liquid in the drill hole out- the delivery head.
side and the liquid inside the drill pipe.
Airlift swivel
Power swivel or rotary table
Compressed air from compressor
Discharge hose
Standpipe
Muck
Mud pit
Airlift drill pipe
Compressed-air inlet valve
Rock bit
11 Technical data
Wirth pile top drill rigs
Pile top drill rig 408 / 1 300 / 200 612 / 2 000 / 300 818 / 2 500 / 300 936 / 3 200 / 300 1 450 / 6 000 / 330
6m
Maximum drilling diameter 1.3 m 2.0 m 2.5 m 3.2 m
236 in
51 in 79 in 98 in 126 in
19.7 ft
4.3 ft 6.6 ft 8.2 ft 10.5 ft
Maximum power swivel torque 81 kNm 120 kNm 180 kNm 360 kNm 500 kNm
59 700 ft lb 88 500 ft lb 132 500 ft lb 269 000 ft lb 368 500 ft lb
Maximum drilling speed
38 rpm 34 rpm 30 rpm 20 rpm 20 rpm
infinitely variable
Maximum drill string weight 40 t 45 t 90 t 120 t 240 t
Maximum thrust force 400 kN 588 kN 800 kN 1 000 kN 1 450 kN
90 000 lb 132 000 lb 180 000 lb 225 000 lb 320 000 lb
Maximum pull back 600 kN 650 kN 1 100 kN 1 700 kN 3 000 kN
135 000 lb 145 000 lb 247 000 lb 380 000 lb 675 000 lb
Hydraulic power pack rating 162 kW 261 kW 261 kW 447 kW 470 kW
220 hp 350 hp 350 hp 600 hp 630 hp
Unit weight drill rig 17.0 t 19.5 t 27.0 t 33.0 t 64.0 t
Unit weight hydraulic power pack 4.0 t 6.5 t 6.5 t 10.0 t 11.0 t
Unit weight hydraulic Dependent on
3.0 t 7.0 t 9.0 t 12.5 t
clamping device diameter
Drill pipe data
NW (internal diameter) 200 mm 200 / 300 mm 300 mm 300 mm (HT) 330 mm (HT)
7.87 in 7.87/11.80 in 11.80 in 11.80 in 13.0 in
3m
Maximum length per rod 3m 3m 3m 3m
118 in
118 in 118 in 118 in 118 in
9.8 ft
9.8 ft 9.8 ft 9.8 ft 9.8 ft
275 kg
Weight per rod 275 / 540 kg 540 kg 540 kg 678 kg
606 lb
606 / 1 190 lb 1 190 lb 1 190 lb 1 495 lb
BHA stabilizer / Drill collar data
Standard flange diameter 500 mm 700 mm 1 000 mm 1 400 mm 1 400 mm
BHA stabiliser and drill collar 20.0 in 27.6 in 39.4 in 55.1 in 55.1 in
Standard length 1.5 m 1.5 m 1.5 m 2.0 m 2.0 m
BHA stabiliser and drill collar 59.0 in 59.0 in 59.0 in 78.7 in 78.7 in
4.9 ft 4.9 ft 4.9 ft 6.6 ft 6.6 ft
Weight without lead filling 700 kg 900 kg 1 620 kg 3 780 kg 3 780 kg
(drill collar only) 1 540 lb 1 980 lb 3 570 lb 8 335 lb 8 335 lb
Weight with lead filling 2 000 kg 3 160 kg 6 620 kg 31 400 kg 31 400 kg
(drill collar only) 4 400 lb 7 000 lb 14 600 lb 69 225 lb 69 225 lb
Air compressor
Delivered air volume 10 – 15 m3 / min 10 – 25 m3 / min 20 – 25 m3 / min 20 – 25 m3 / min 2 x 25 m3 / min
353 – 529 ft3 / min 353 – 882 ft3 / min 705 – 882 ft3 / min 705 – 882 ft3 / min 2 x 882 ft3 / min
Operating pressure 13 bar 13 bar 17 bar 20 bar 20 bar
188 psi 188 psi 246 psi 290 psi 290 psi
Back filling pump for
airlift circulation system
Delivery volume 800 m3 / h 800 / 1 200 m3/ h 1 200 m3 / h 1 400 m3 / h > 2 500 m3 / h
470 ft3 / min 470 / 706 ft3/ min 706 ft3 / min 824 ft3 / min > 1 470 ft3 / min
Pressure at delivery head (approximately) 5 bar 5 bar 5 bar 5 bar 5 bar
72 psi 72 psi 72 psi 72 psi 72 psi
Specifications subject to change
Contact
South America Australia All other countries
Rodovia Amaral Peixoto, km 162-ZEN 96 Raubers Road, Northgate Kölner Strasse 71 – 73
CEP 28890-000, Rio das Ostras, RJ Queensland, 4013 41812 Erkelenz
Brazil Australia Germany
Tel: +55 31 9249-0093 Tel: +61 7 3164-9001 Tel: +49 2431 83-0
Middle East India
Lvl 7, Platinum Tower, Cluster I, Jumeriah Powergas House, I-Think Techno Campus,
Lakes Towers Beta Building, 4th Floor,
PO Box 392815 Zone-3 Kanjurmarg (East)
Dubai -400 042 Mumbai
UAE India
Tel: +971 4 550 6200 Tel: +91 22 67 06 64 41
51000236.8-1114 mhwirth.com
