Directional Drilling Technology

 

  So What Is Directional Drilling?

Directional Drilling, also referred to as directional boring is a trenchless method of installing undeground conduit, pipes, cables, or just about any type of underground utility installation that used to only be achieved by digging a trench. The many benefits are quite obvious. This method allows running utilities underneath any obstructions without disturbing them including buildings, roads, railways, streets, highways, lakes, ponds, and rivers.

 

  Horizontal Boring Rig In Action

 

     

 

  How Does It Work?

The process starts with establishing a receiving hole and entrance pits. The pits will be used to recapture drilling fluid to be stored and reused to limit waste and reduce costs.

 

  Stage 1 - Pilot Hole

First a small bore is made referred to as "pilot hole" that follows the exact path of the designed run. The pilot hole is electronically guided to insure precision accuracy along the designed run.

 

  Stage 2 - Back Reamers

Once the pilot hole is completed, the run can now be enlarged to the designed diameter repsective to the pipe that is being installed. The drilling head used for this stage is called a back reamer. Depending on the ground being drilled, the back reamers may be increaseded in size incrementally. For instance hard rock may take several runs to achieve the designed diameter whereas softer soil will require fewer runs.

 

  Stage 3 - Installing The Pipe

Once the back reamer establishes the optimum diameter respective to the pipe or product being installed, the pipe is pulled in behind the final reamer to insure it is installed perfectly centered in the newly reamed path. Again, electronic guidance systems insure precision accuracy of the designed pitch or path of the utility being installed.

 

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