Reverse Circulation Drilling Rig for Deep Water Wells

A reverse circulation drilling rig is becoming the preferred solution for customers who need fast drilling speed, clean boreholes, and excellent performance in loose or water-rich formations. Compared with traditional forward-circulation water well drilling machines, RC rigs deliver higher efficiency, cleaner sampling, and more reliable construction results—especially for deep water wells and large-diameter drilling projects.

Below is a comprehensive introduction to its features, working advantages, real-world applications, and a field case from Mexico.

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Reverse Circulation Drilling Rig Parameters

Model		YG150RC
Drill rig weight(crawler mounted)	kg	9000
Engine Power	kW	125
Length × Width × Height (normal)	mm	6750x2200x2950
Ambient Temperature Range	°C	-10～38
Drill Ability
Nominal Drill Depth	m	150
End-hole Diameter	mm	110-250
Drill angle	°	-10-90
Horizontal hole height	m	1.85-2.8
Drill head output
Max Output Torque	N.m	8000
Output Rotation Speed(continuity)	rpm	30 / 60     54/108rpm
Output Rotation Speed(interval)	rpm	62 / 124     105/210rpm
Feeding	mm	3500
Thrust Force	kN	45
Lifting Capacity	kN	65
Pipe-puller Device Output
Output Rotation Speed	rpm	40
Max Output Torque	N.m	30000
Hole-through Diameter	mm	370
Auxiliary Winch
Pull Force of the First Layer	kN	11
Rope Diameter	mm	14
Rope Capacity	m	60
Engine(Cummins)		6BTA5.9-C125
Power	kW	125
Rotary Speed (Max.)	rpm	2200
Track Chassis Base
Walk Speed	Km/h	1.2
Unit Pressure	MPa	＜0.05
Climb Ability	°	≥20

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What Makes a Reverse Circulation Drilling Rig Different?

A reverse circulation drilling rig (RC rig) uses a special airflow or fluid circulation system. Instead of pushing cuttings upward along the annulus like a standard rotary rig, the RC rig draws drilling fluid downward along the hole wall, and the cuttings are sucked up through the inner drill pipe.

This reverse flow brings several unique advantages:

Faster Drilling and Higher Penetration Rate

RC drilling removes cuttings efficiently and keeps the bit face clean.
This allows the rig to maintain a high penetration rate, even in challenging formations like:

• sand
• gravel
• cobblestone layers
• water-bearing soil

Cleaner Boreholes With Less Sediment

Because the cuttings return directly through the drill pipe, they do not accumulate at the bottom.
This results in:

• fewer cleaning cycles
• lower drilling fluid consumption
• better borehole stability

Excellent Performance in Water-Rich Geology

Traditional rigs struggle in formations with high water flow.
However, RC systems maintain circulation and prevent collapse, making them ideal for:

• deep water wells
• industrial wells
• geothermal projects

More Accurate Sampling

Reverse circulation returns samples faster and reduces contamination.
For customers in mineral exploration or hydrogeology, this feature is essential.

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Common Application Scenarios

Reverse circulation machines are widely used across industries because of their ability to handle complex formations and produce clean, stable holes.

Typical Applications

• Deep water well drilling
• Industrial water supply projects
• Large-diameter boreholes
• Geothermal well drilling
• Hydrogeological research
• Municipal engineering
• Mine exploration and sampling

For customers who require both depth and efficiency, an RC drilling rig for deep water wells is often the most cost-effective choice.

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Reverse Circulation Drilling vs. Forward Circulation Drilling

Understanding the key differences helps customers choose the right machine.

✔ 1. Drilling Efficiency

RC rig: Faster penetration, less downtime, stronger in sandy or loose formations.

Forward-circulation rig: Good for clay and hard rock but slower in unstable layers.

✔ 2. Borehole Condition

RC drilling: Clean hole bottom, fewer sediment layers, high-quality well construction.

Forward drilling: More sediment buildup; extra cleaning required.

✔ 3. Groundwater Performance

RC: Works perfectly in water-rich soil without collapse.

Forward: Fluid losses and instability are common.

✔ 4. Overall Cost

RC rigs may have higher initial equipment costs, but they drastically reduce:

• labor time
• cleaning cycles
• rework
• drilling fluid expenses

Customers usually save more in the long run.

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Mexico Customer Case — Faster Drilling, Lower Cost

In July this year, a construction contractor from Mexico contacted YG Machinery.
They needed a machine capable of drilling large-diameter deep wells in sandy and water-bearing formations.
Their previous forward-circulation rig frequently faced:

• slow drilling
• stuck pipes
• collapse in gravel layers
• extremely high mud consumption

After technical consultation, the customer chose our reverse circulation drilling machine for sale, equipped with:

• heavy-duty air compressor
• high-capacity suction pump
• reinforced double-wall drill pipe
• intelligent hydraulic control system

Results after adopting the RC drilling rig:

• Drilling speed increased by 40%
• Mud consumption reduced by 60%
• Well walls remained stable with no collapse
• Completed a 180-meter deep well in fewer days
• Sampling accuracy improved, helping them win a municipal contract

The customer reported that the RC drilling machine price was fully justified by the savings in construction time and material cost.

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Why More Customers Choose YG RC Drilling Rigs?

YG Machinery focuses on high-stability drilling systems suitable for global working conditions.

Key Advantages:

• Heavy-duty structure and strong torque output
• Professional reverse circulation system
• High-quality hydraulic control
• Fast penetration in loose ground
• Low maintenance and long service life
• Technical support + full spare parts supply

Whether for deep wells, geothermal drilling, or exploration work, our RC drilling rigs deliver high performance and excellent reliability. YG Machinery provides a full series of reverse circulation drilling machines for sale with customizable configurations.