Directional Drilling/Horizontal Boring

Directional Drilling
(Trenchless Directional Boring)

Directional drilling, also known as horizontal directional drilling (HDD), or horizontal boring, is an underground method of drilling to install service pipes and conduits while minimizing physical damage to the area above ground.  This method of drilling can be used for both highly congested residential areas and runs of multiple miles.

What is directional drilling used for?

Horizontal Directional drilling is used for time and resource conservative installation of various pipelines.These pipeline applications include but are not limited to: gas, sewer, water, oil, and power, as some of the more common examples.This method is particularly useful when operating in areas of dense population or residential areas when the temporary demolition of roads or property is more tedious and costly.

What are some key benefits?

• Environmentally Friendly
• Reduced Project Time
• Limited Excavation
• Reduced Traffic Disturbance
• Larger Range of Depth
• Reduced Project Cost
• Larger Distance Capabilities
• Underground Directional Ability
• Reduced Demolition

The process begins when a directional bore machine pushes a bore head connected to hollow pipe into the ground at an angle. As each joint of drill pipe is pushed into the ground, a new one is added behind.

Most directional boring machines use drilling fluid (mud), with a few machines designed to use air or air and foam. Air and foam machines are used for rock. Drilling fluid is generally a mixture of bentonite clay and water, with additives used to improve performance. In softer soils, the high-pressure jet of fluid cuts through the soil, with the cuttings suspended in the fluid. As fluid is pumped down the hole, the cuttings are carried back out to the surface, where they are either allowed to settle out in a pit or removed mechanically in a cleaning system. Drilling fluid is classified as non-toxic and can be disposed of accordingly.

In softer soils, an angled bit is used and the pipe string is rotated, if necessary, to bore straight. To steer, rotation is stopped, the angle of the bit is aligned to the desired direction, and forward thrust is applied. The directed jet of the drilling fluid and forward thrust cuts a new path.

In rock, a mud motor, which converts the hydraulic pressure of the drilling fluid into mechanical rotation, is used to rotate the bit and the drill pipe is not continuously rotated. Steerage is accomplished by aligning the angle of the mud motor to the desired direction.

In cases where the ground is unstable, a washover pipe, or casing, can be pushed down the bore hole to prevent the collapse of the hole walls. Some systems use a dual pipe exclusively.

Upon reaching the exit point, the bit is detached and the end of the drill pipe is attached to a reamer or hole opener (for rock), if the bore hole must be enlarged. The reamer is pulled back while rotating the drill pipe to enlarge the bore hole, with as many consecutive passes as required. Drill pipe is added behind the reamer or hole opener so that there is always drill pipe in the bore hole.

When the bore hole is at least 25% larger than the pipe to be installed, the end of the drill pipe is connected to a reamer attached to a swivel connected to the product pipe. Drilling fluid is pumped downhole to provide lubrication, and the product pipe is pulled in while rotating the drill pipe and reamer. The swivel prevents rotation of the product pipe.

For some telecommunications or power cable projects, the drill pipe itself becomes the conduit and is left in the ground upon reaching the exit point. This type of installation is known as "drill and leave."

Once the pipe is installed, the exit and entry points are excavated, if necessary, and connections made as needed.

Directional Bore Machines
Directional bore machines are rated by thrust and pullback force and rotary pressure. Sizes range from small machines with a few thousands pounds of thrust and pullback to the largest with over a million pounds of pullback force. Rotation is measured in pressure. Most machines are track or trailer mounted, with a few smaller machines designed to be used in pits.

Locating and Guidance
The most commonly used equipment for determining the location of the bore head is called a "walk-over" locating system. A sonde, or transmitter, behind the bore head registers angle, rotation, direction, and temperature data. The information is then encoded into an electro-magnetic signal, which is transmitted through the ground to the surface. At the surface, a receiver is manually positioned over the sonde and the signal decoded and steering directions relayed to the operator of the bore machine.

When conditions do not allow a receiver to be positioned over the sonde or interference causes degradation of the signal, a "downhole system" is used. The most commonly used type of downhole system is called a "wire-line" and uses a wire to transmit the data up the inside of the drill pipe. At the surface, the data from the wire is decoded by a computer to provide depth, angle, rotation, direction, and other information. Gaining in popularity are newer downhole wireless systems such as the Polaris EM System, which transmits the data through the ground by an electro-magnetic signal to a stationary receiver.

To compensate for potential magnetic interference that might distort magnetic readings in downhole systems, an artificial electro-magnetic grid is created at the surface using what is called a Tru-TrakerTM system.

Pipe Reaming
A variation of directional boring called pipe reaming can be used to replace existing clay, asbestos cement, non-reinforced concrete and PVC pipe. A reamer is pulled through the existing pipe, which cuts the pipe into small pieces. The pipe pieces are flushed out the bore hole with the drilling fluid. A new HDPE or PVC pipe is pulled in behind the reamer.

Pipe reaming can often be used instead of pipe-bursting. The advantages of pipe reaming are lower cost, faster installation, no compaction of the surrounding formation, and much greater upsizing capabilities.

Limitations
Directional boring can be used in a wide variety of conditions, but is not the optimal method in all conditions. The most difficult ground formation for any method is un-consolidated soils (cobble). In some cases, the un-consolidated soils can be grouted and then bored. Directional boring can be used for sanitary sewers, but only when ground conditions permit a straight path.

Design Considerations
When designing a project for directional boring, it is important to have accurate geo-technical data, sufficient space for the bore rig and support equipment, and enough space for laying out the pipe on the other side. It is best to allow extended work hours for boring operations, and is essential for pull-back. Additional considerations may be required for specific projects. Pipe that can be used for directional boring installations includes HDPE, mechanical joint PVC, and steel.

Costs
Directional boring has evolved steadily over the last 20 years and is now the preferred method on many installations due to its low cost and low impact on surroundings. It is generally less expensive than other methods such as micro-tunneling, jack and bore, and open trenching in urban areas. In urban areas, it can not only save a considerable amount on installation cost—it can provide a tremendous amount of public goodwill.