Russian Factory Halves Labor Intensity in Drill Pipe Manufacturing With Robotics

A plant in Orenburg is replacing manual labor with smart automation, boosting the durability of drill pipes while cutting production effort in half.

The Orenburg Drilling Equipment Plant is embracing a new industrial era, thanks to domestic IT solutions and support from the Industrial Development Fund. The company has introduced robotic systems into the drill pipe production process, aiming to ramp up output and replace imported products with Russian-made alternatives.

According to plant director Alexander Medvedev, automation and robotics have reduced the complexity of machining operations by 50%, eliminating formerly labor-intensive stages. The upgraded pipes offer significantly improved performance: fewer breaks, no thread sticking, lower wear rates, and reduced energy consumption during drilling. They’re capable of reaching depths of up to 2,000 meters.

Previously, the Orenburg plant launched three series of drill rigs that have no equivalents in Russia. The rigs are equipped with an intelligent control system — ZBO Drill Control — which logs drilling parameters and allows for remote data monitoring.