In any engineering project, the goal of every manager is to find a technique that can hasten the work and minimize environmental impact. Interestingly, horizontal directional drilling fulfills both requirements. It is a method of installing pipes, mains, cables, and conduits without resorting to trenching.
HDD is quite familiar, especially if you are involved in the utility industry. This method is preferred, especially when working within cities and other urban locations. There are many significant benefits to this technique; hence, there are also many directional drilling companies skilled to take on projects both big and small.
Horizontal directional drilling: the decade to come
In the coming decade, the industry is expected to expand and advance even further. Most likely, there will be an increase in the urban application as new developments in tooling become available. For example, wireless technology may revolutionize drill rigs and monitoring devices. As such, HDD will be a more viable solution to even the most challenging underground installation projects.
Gaps and areas of improvement in the industry
Bore design is a vital aspect of the process. That is why it has become a necessity to develop software and applications that can create a streamlined and user-friendly design methodology. Some drilling companies are already experimenting with web-based tools that allow for remote monitoring of the project’s progress.
Another concern that is currently being addressed is drilling fluid loss and borehole instability. One of the main reasons for this problem is not being able to anticipate working in soil filled with gravel. As such, the solution is to enhance pre-project investigation to determine if the ground contains gravel and whether or not HDD is a feasible method. As an alternative, the contractor may use other trench-less techniques such as auger boring and pipe ramming.
Recommendations to improve mud and drilling fluid engineering
Drilling fluid is typically customized according to the needs of each project. Factors to take into account include soil type, geology, type of installation material, and drill rig. All the geological and technical properties affecting the procedure should be carefully assessed before deciding on the composition of the drilling fluid. One of the best practices in drilling fluid use is constant monitoring. This involves regularly testing the fluid to determine strength, viscosity, and yield.
Another concern with the fluid is its disposal. Stricter regulatory requirements put added pressure and overhead costs on the operation. It is essential to have a management plan estimating the volume of fluid used and corresponding waste produced. By calculating the amount, it is possible to come up with a suitable budget. Having a plan in place should also help in proper disposal, which complies with environmental standards.
In every HDD project, the drilling fluid composition significantly impacts the success of the installation. Often, there is not enough focus given to its importance. Therefore, it makes sense from a business standpoint to spend a reasonable amount on fluid management, rather than have the project fail merely because of poor drilling fluid preparation, composition, implementation, and disposal.
HDD has acquired widespread popularity with nearly all real-estate agents investing in it primarily because apart from faster installation for a lower cost, it is quite durable.
