Local company Rig and Well Services is building Australia's newest well servicing rig with the first of three rigs commencing work in the Surat Basin gas fields in mid-2019 as part of the company's five-year contract to provide 11 well servicing rigs and associated services to Shell's QGC business.

Rig and Well Services' unique position as a rig contractor that builds and operates its own equipment means the company knows what is needed in the field for safe and efficient operations.

The Advantage Light Rig Extra - or ALRx - is a new and improved version of the ALR rig which Rig and Well Services designed and built about three years ago.

After thousands of hours of operational experience in Australian conditions, Rig and Well Services has developed new technology to further improve the delivery of essential services.

The ALRx integrates push-pull capability and a 50-tonne top-drive for increased rotary torque. Through smart modular design the ALRx will expedite natural gas well service work scopes.

Rig and Well Services General Manager Kyle Koziol said: "The rig has enhanced hands-free operations and a simplified rig up and rig down process making it safer for our rig crews in the field."

"The rig's versatile set-up allows for rig moves 365 days a year with no transport permits required and a 30% reduction in rig move times, reducing the time it takes to move between wells."

We are proud to be designing and building world-leading, innovative technical solutions in our Toowoomba Hub and delivering them to the resources sector nationally. It is a credit to our local employees and all the local businesses who are supporting the development of Australia's newest well-servicing rig.

Rig and Well Services, a subsidiary of Ventia, is planning to increase its local workforce by 20 per cent and local procurement by nine per cent to achieve outcomes set out in the contract with Shell's QGC business.