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A Step HDD

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14 views

A Step HDD

Uploaded by

Dheeraj Nigotiya
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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A Step-by-Step Guide to HDD

KEY TAKEAWAYS
Horizontal directional drilling requires pre-site planning. Once planning is
complete, workers drill a pilot hole, ream it to the appropriate diameter and
then remove the pipe string.

Horizontal directional drilling ( HDD) is a conventional method employed by


cities and construction workers to install utilities and plumbing underground.
Unlike traditional underground installation, HDD does not require open
trenches to complete.

Equipment Needed for HDD


As horizontal directional drilling requires both entry and exit sides, there
are multiple pieces of equipment necessary depending on the side. For
the entry point, side workers need:

 Power units and generators


 Water pump
 Drill mud supply
 Mud mixing tank
 Mud pump and drill pipe racks
 Drill pipes
 The rig itself

If mud is required, mud handling and a cleaning system are necessary.

On the exit point, side workers need:

 Cutting settlement tanks


 Exit mud containment tanks
 Rollers and pipeline handling equipment
 Side booms
 Pipe racks
 Product pipes

Horizontal Drilling Rig Components


As for the rig itself, there are a couple of components that are solely
dependent upon the overall boring plan. These are the drill rod and drill
bits. Drilling rods, also known as drill stems, come in a variety of lengths
most commonly 3.0, 4.6, and 9.1 meters. The segments have female and
male threading on opposite ends to allow for the attachment one to
another.

Overall rod length is calculated based on the entry and exit angles in
degrees, depth in meters, length of an obstacle to be circumvented, and
curve radius in meters for both the entry and exit point. Calculations must
be considered carefully as exceeding the bend radius can cause damage
to the rod and eventual failure. Failure results in additional costs for
replacement and downtime of the machine.

The type of rock workers are drilling determines the choice of the drill
head. For soft ground, such as clay, soft limestone, shale, unconsolidated
sand, and red bed, a drag or fixed cutter bit is best. These bits are a
single solid piece that rotates with the drill string. There are no bearings
and workers can use either cutting fluid or air to remove broken ground.

For medium or hard ground, such as limestone, calcites, cherty limestone,


hard shale, mudstone, or dolomites, a three-cone rolling cutter is best.
The shape, angle and material determine their use. Bits with long widely-
spaced teeth are for the medium ground while shorter, tightly spaced
teeth are made to break up hard soil. Bits for hard and medium ground
use drilling fluid to excavate rock chips. (Learn more in “The Right Drill Bit
for Soft, Medium & Hard Ground Conditions.”)

Steps Required for HDD


For horizontal directional drilling, there are four necessary steps to
complete. To begin there is the pre-site planning. The planning is followed
by drilling the pilothole, expansion of the shaft via reaming, and
then pullback of the pipe string.

Pre-Site Planning
Pre-site planning begins with a geotechnical report. This report includes
an examination of past geological surveys. In addition to reviewing
historical information, surveyors take samples of the ground at random
intervals.

Surveyors may collect these samples via hand auger or drilling machine.
The soil samples are then sent for analysis, which tells the location,
elevation, depth of the example. The report returns with indications of soil
types encountered at each depth.

In addition to soil classification, the geotechnical report indicates the soil


strength and any groundwater conditions. Engineers use this information
to plan for additional drainage, and possible uplift pressure or foundation
seepage that may occur.

Once the geotechnical report is complete, engineers determine the entry


and exit points for the HDD rig. They use the report data to map the drill
path. After planning the route, the project planners refine entry and exit
points.

Drilling the Pilot Hole


After all the pre-site planning is complete, it is time to bring the
equipment to the site and set it up accordingly. The geotechnical report
indicates the bearing capacity of the soil, so workers are guaranteed not
to bring machinery too heavy for the site. The survey results also help
engineers in the selection of the appropriate bits and rod length for the
job. (See “Choosing Drill Rods for Trenchless Tunneling.”)

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Once the equipment is in place, workers drill a pilot hole along the
predetermined path. A probe situated close to the bit sends readings back to the
controller periodically. These readings indicate the vertical and horizontal
coordinates a long the hole. These readings are in relation to the initial entry
point. Operators use them to ensure they are staying on the path and
avoid deviation. (Read “Working With Drilling Deviations.”)

Often, while drilling the pilot hole, workers will inject drilling fluid into the
hole. This fluid helps to provide stability to the borehole and transport drill
cuttings out. It also helps to clean the build up on the drill and cool down
the bit while reducing friction between drill and the wall.

Expansion of the Hole


Once the drill bit pierces the exit location ground, the downhole, workers
remove the downhole assembly. They then attach a back reamer to the
drill string. The string gets pulled back through the borehole, enlarging
the diameter.

To reach the desired diameter, workers may have to make additional


passes through the line with the reamer.

Not all pilot holes need expansion. Smaller diameter pipelines do not use
reamers. This is due to the pilot hole being an adequate size to pull the
pipe string back through.

The Pullback of Pipe String


The pipe string is the drag section, which is slightly longer than the drill
length. The line is pulled over rollers into the exit hole and pulled back to
the rig until the entire pipe string has moved through the borehole. Often
this piece is connected to the reamer.

The external coating on the pipe string is visible and allows workers to
inspect the line for damage upon pullback completion. Workers then
complete internal inspection to ensure there was no damage to the
pipeline during retraction.
Once the pipeline is confirmed successful, equipment is demobilized and
dismantled.

Horizontal directional drilling projects require careful planning.


Geotechnical reports allow planners to determine what drill bits to use,
how long rods need to be, and the site can manage heavy equipment.
Once a plan is in place, workers can drill the pilot hole and expand it for
pipeline use. (See “The Process of Borehole Expansion.”

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