The answer ranges from just a few thousand dollars for a manual rig to several hundred thousand for a high-capacity commercial unit. The right rig for you depends on your drilling needs, budget, and long-term goals. Choosing the right rig is about more than price.
[pdf] But here is the silver lining: cheap, affordable geotechnical drilling rigs are plentiful and price with performance. In this buyer's guide, you will learn important considerations in choosing the best geotechnical rigs for small contractors and cost-effective soil testing strategies.
[pdf] The first offshore mobile drilling platform was the Breton Rig 20, first operated in 1949. This rig had evolved from the inland drilling barges which were used to drill in marshes and protected waters in up to 10 feet of water. The Breton Rig 20 was 160 feet by 85 feet, and could work in 20 feet water depth.
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