What is Directional Drilling?

Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) offers a cost effective alternative for the installation of new small and medium sized pipes and conduits, particularly if the specifications call for tight control on grade and alignment. No vertical shafts are required as drilling commences from the surface. Equipment set-up times are relatively short; subsequently it is possible to drill short distances economically. Finally, the borehole alignment does not necessarily have to be straight, because the technology makes it possible to change the borehole alignment and elevation to avoid intersecting existing utilities and other underground obstacles. For installations at depths 3m or greater, horizontal directional drilling can even provide a cost-effective alternative to open-cut applications.

Directional drilling is ideal for installing infrastructure beneath highways, roads, and railway tracks, without affecting traffic load on these networks. The technology can also be used for crossing of rivers, streams, lakes and buildings.

The advantages of Directional Drilling are:

• Significantly reduced construction time.
  With the elimination of costly and time-consuming excavation and restoration associated with open trenching, installations can be performed in less time. Additionally, the mobility and quick times of the directional drill reduce costs as well.
• Saves expensive or historic landscapes and structures:
  Directional drilling minimizes the need to remove expensive landscaping or endanger historic structures with excavation.
• Eliminates unsightly excavation and trenching activity:
  Conventional trenching operations require many pieces of equipment, all of which contribute to noise and sight pollution on site, as well as litter the environment with spoil pipes and trenches. Only the drill, with a minimal amount of support equipment, is required on horizontal directional drilling projects – and trenches are eliminated.
• Reduced impact on residents and business around construction site:
  There is usually no need to close roads or redirect traffic around the construction site, thus maintaining normal traffic patterns and access to businesses and residential property.
• Reduction in long-term costs associates with settlements:
  Installations utilizing directional drilling reduce and in some cases eliminate settlements above the new pipe or conduit. This is particularly advantageous when installations are conducted beneath roads, highways, rail lines and foundations.
• Minimum disruption to road, rail and other service users.
• Minimum reinstatement costs.