Revenue also increased 89% from the credit-crunched first six months of 2009, reaching $13.39 million as EDMS found demand for its rigs.

This month and through to the end of March, EDMS is welcoming a range of gear, including five new surface drilling rigs and supporting equipment such as pumps and compressors, funded from its $7.5 million capital raising in October.

Three new rigs are destined for subsidiary GOS Drilling to help out with the major drilling contract for China Shenhua Energy’s Watermark coal project in the Gunnedah Basin, New South Wales, while a new Hydco 1200H drill rig arrived onsite before Christmas.

EDMS subsidiary Australian Gas Drilling also kicked off its coal seam gas exploration contract for Apollo Gas in the December quarter.

Looking back on the second half of 2009, EDMS noted its headcount increased from 78 employees in the dire month of March to more than 200 today.

While a focus on coal and CSG drilling led to a turnaround for EDMS, the company noted demand is starting to recover for underground work in the base metals sector.

EDMS suffered a $12.8 million net loss after tax for the 2008-09 financial year and ended 2009 with a cash position of $1.61 million.

Shares in the company closed down half a cent to 13.5c on Friday.