BALADNA Group’s project in Adrar plans 710 irrigation wells in its first phase, drilled to 250-350 metres into one of the region’s key aquifers
In the province of Adrar, in southern Algeria, groundwater is the resource that makes large-scale agriculture possible. To reach it, BALADNA Group has bought 10 RB 50 mobile multipurpose drilling rigs from BAUER Maschinen, together with the tools, mud treatment systems, spare parts and service needed to keep them drilling through a tight schedule.
A project measured in hectares and wells
The overall project covers around 219,000 hectares, including about 70,000 hectares of cropland for animal feed. The goal is a large integrated dairy and livestock complex intended to strengthen Algeria’s domestic milk production and reduce dependence on imports.
In the first phase, 710 agricultural irrigation wells are to be built within two years. The BAUER rigs form part of the drilling fleet, alongside rigs operated by other drilling contractors. Wells will be drilled to target depths of 250 to 350 metres, mainly by direct circulation, but also with flooded reverse circulation and down-the-hole hammer drilling.
Delivery was fast. The order was placed in early September 2025, the first rig was working on site by mid-November 2025, and all 10 rigs were delivered within about 28 weeks.
Geology and climate
The wells tap groundwater in a hyper-arid sedimentary basin of the Sahara. A key resource is the Continental Intercalaire, a Lower Cretaceous aquifer made up mainly of permeable sandstones, sands and gravels, interspersed with less permeable clay-rich layers.
Conditions above ground are just as demanding. Summer air temperatures in Adrar can exceed 49 °C, with large swings over the course of a day. Sand and dust add to the challenge.
The machine
The RB 50 is a mobile multipurpose rig used for water well, exploration, geothermal and geotechnical drilling. Its modular design allows the configuration to be adapted to different conditions and methods, from air-lift and other reverse circulation techniques to direct circulation, wireline core drilling, down-the-hole hammer and dry rotary drilling. Depending on geology and tooling, it can reach depths of up to 1,200 metres.
A package, not just a machine
For BAUER, the deal is as much about service as hardware. “On a project of this scale, it is not just about the performance of an individual machine. What matters is that the rigs, equipment, spare parts, service, combined with BAUER know-how in drilling methods, all work together throughout the entire operating period,” said Mohamed Saadi, Managing Director of BAUER Equipment Maghreb. The package includes a service level agreement covering ongoing drilling operations.
According to Saadi, the customer’s decision was driven not only by drilling performance but also by ease of operation, BAUER’s experience across drilling methods and the coordinated service concept. BAUER supported commissioning and continues to make regular site visits, with support coming from the team in Germany together with subsidiaries and partners in Africa.
RB rigs have been working in North Africa for more than 25 years, but this is the first project between BALADNA Group and BAUER Maschinen. “For us, this also marks the beginning of a new collaboration in a market where our RB drilling rigs have already been operating successfully for many years,” Saadi said.
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