HDD
Eagle Claw drill bit marks 20 years of innovation in HDD
The journey of horizontal directional drilling (HDD) from the oil and gas sector to the construction industry has been quite remarkable. Initially adopted with great success, HDD has seen significant improvements due to advancements in walk-over locating technology and steering capabilities in various ground conditions.
First look: Compact reclaimer introduced to HDD utility market
In response to the growing challenges faced by horizontal directional drilling (HDD) contractors, Vermeer has introduced the R125 reclaimer, a compact mud recycling system designed to support utility-sized drills.
From routine to novel: HDD installation in Waukesha pipeline project
The Waukesha, Wisconsin, pipeline project faced a significant challenge when an unlocated sewer forced the team to redesign the HDD path, leading to a novel approach using both HDPE and RJ-DIP pipe types in the installation. The collaboration between contractors and engineers resulted in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution.
Wyo-Ben’s Max Gel, Max Bore HDD system boost drilling efficiency, performance
Wyo-Ben’s Max Gel and Max Bore HDD system offer premium solutions for enhanced drilling performance and efficiency. These innovative products ensure superior wellbore stability, suspension, and filtration control, making them essential tools for a variety of drilling applications.
Cure for a cure-all: Waukesha’s journey from spring water to Lake Michigan pipeline
Waukesha, once famous for its spring water and hailed as a "cure-all," now turns to Lake Michigan for a sustainable water source. A new 36-mile pipeline project aims to supply 8 million gallons of water per day to 16 Wisconsin communities.
Vermeer launches compact MX150 mixing system for HDD operations
Vermeer has introduced the MX150, a compact mixing system designed for horizontal directional drilling (HDD) operations. The MX150, equipped with a 7-hp (5.2-kW) Kohler gas engine, delivers a maximum flow of 150 gallons per minute (gpm) to ensure faster fluid mixing times, optimizing productivity in confined job sites.
Decatur, Ill., to replace 1,000-ft sewer main using horizontal directional drilling
The 10-inch cast iron pipe, installed in the 1950s, will be upgraded to a 14-inch PVC force main, increasing capacity and adding redundancy for the southeast side of Decatur and Mt. Zion.
Azuria Water Solutions acquires trenchless utility firm Oxbow Construction
Azuria Water Solutions, the leader in technology-enabled water solutions, has announced the acquisition of Oxbow Construction, a trenchless utility company based in Troutdale, Oregon.
Drilling under the LSU campus
A groundbreaking project at LSU utilizes horizontal directional drilling (HDD) technology to install two 1,600-foot HDPE pipes, modernizing the campus's chilled water supply and return systems while minimizing surface disruption.
Editor’s Log: And the smiles never stopped
In late March, UI wrapped another successful Underground Infrastructure Conference. Per usual, a wealth of information and market intelligence was gathered from remarkable speakers and experts in a variety of fields including sewer installation and rehabilitation, fiber optics, power, horizontal directional drilling, and safety.
Horizontal Directional Drilling Association to host HDDA Meeting and Training Conference in May 2024
Located at the Baton Rouge Marriot, HDD professionals will have the chance to dive into rig mechanics, learn how to identify utilities, discuss the importance of fluid control, among other important topics relevant to the HDD industry.
Trans Mountain completes pipe pullback for Mountain 3 HDD in Fraser Valley
Trans Mountain successfully completed the pipe pullback for the Mountain 3 Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) in the Fraser Valley between Hope and Chilliwack, BC.
American Augers’ catch-rig technology speeds up intersect drilling process
To streamline the collaboration of two HDD rigs efficiently working together, American Augers developed what it calls “catch-rig” technology. The system is ideally suited for river crossings and long-distance bores that require a lot of time, machines and prep work on the trail pipe at the exit hole.
HDD Reunion, Hall of Fame celebration to be held at UIC
The biannual Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Reunion and HDD Hall of Fame celebration will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at the Oklahoma City Convention Center in conjunction with the Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC).
Trans Mountain faces new delays, technical challenges in Mountain 3 HDD pipeline pullback
Trans Mountain faces new delays in the completion of its oil export pipeline expansion, specifically during the pipeline pullback for the Mountain 3 Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) from January 25 to 27, 2024.
Overcoming challenging HDD locating requirements
Electric Conduit Construction (ECC) recently completed a project in Alsip, Ill., which included running fiber optic cable 1.74 miles under roads, highways, canal and railroad track. Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) technology was used because the right-of-way was laced with existing utilities of all types, including fiber, power, gas, water, sewer and cables.
Crossing the Bay
West of Houston, the region’s petrochemical infrastructure creates a tangled maze of pipelines, roads, swamps and endangered ecosystems. Performing HDD operations here would challenge any contractor. Add a crossing under the Intercoastal Waterway to the mix – arguably the busiest commercial shipping channel in the United States – and you have a job that is not for the faint of heart.
Frank Canon, renowned figure in HDD industry, dies at 77
Frank Lynn Canon, 77, a pioneer in the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) industry, died on Jan. 5 in Magnolia, Texas. Born in Alpena, Mich., Canon’s journey from a lime-green polyester suit on his first day as an oilfield mud engineer to becoming a legendary educator in drilling fluids has left an indelible mark on the HDD community.
HDD ’24 Reunion will unite past, present and future
(UI) — The biannual Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Reunion and HDD Hall of Fame ceremony will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at the Oklahoma City Convention Center in conjunction with the Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC). Also at the conference will be the formal recognition of the HDD Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
Underground construction enters the virtual reality universe
(UI) — The Super Witch is incredibly popular, and at CONEXPO, the Metaverse offered a chance for people to put on the VR headset, pick up the corresponding hand controllers, and find themselves inside the cab.
Let your fluid cleaning system be the hero
(UI) — The role of drilling fluid on an HDD jobsite is a big one. It acts as a conveyor for removing solids from the bore hole, lubricates downhole tooling, cools electronics and stabilizes the hole. Keeping it clean and usable is an important job, and an essential one for contractors to stay profitable.
Islamorada Transmission Main Replacement Project reaches halfway mark two months ahead of schedule
In April 2023, crews began installing the new, cathodically protected transmission main via open-cut trench installation along US 1. Additionally, 900 feet of new transmission main has also been installed underwater at Tea Table Relief bridge crossing via horizontal directional drill (HDD), to protect it from high winds and storm surges.
Ditch Witch, Heavy Equipment Colleges of America to boost workforce development with new HDD training
Course materials cover everything from proper PPE and jobsite preparation to the importance of traffic control and equipment inspection procedures. Participants will receive hands-on training in mud mixing and drilling, along with HDD tracking and locating.
Despite challenges, HDD market continues impressive growth
(UI) — The 25th Annual Underground Infrastructure HDD Survey provides insight into the complex, yet generally lucrative, world of directional boring. Indeed, HDD is a technology that continues to expand to even further heights. It has clearly demonstrated how the introduction and development of this disruptive technology forever changed the face of utility and pipeline construction.
B&B Underground and Drilling tackles reclaimed water project
(UI) — While many HDD companies perform strictly small-diameter fiber work, those focused on larger water and sewer utility work are specialty companies. Building a team for the task can be more challenging, too. That’s why B&B Underground and Drilling emphasizes the importance of training.
Editor’s Log: A fiber road paved by HDD
(UI) — By the late ‘90s, fiber backbone construction was marching across the land like Sherman to Atlanta. It was the early version of cryptocurrency – every investor was going to become a multi-millionaire overnight. The market for directional drills hit unprecedented – and unrealistic – highs. HDD was the perfect technology to aid the expansion of fiber installation, along with trenching and plowing. It was the telecom version of the early 1980s oil boom.
Jacobs wraps up underground infrastructure for US wave energy test facility offshore Oregon
(UI) — All the conduits for this project were installed using horizontal directional drilling (HDD) techniques. The HDD technique was chosen because it didn't harm delicate wetlands and seashore regions and because it allowed the job to be done all year round, according to Jacobs.
Jacobs completes underground infrastructure engineering for first full-scale wave energy testing facility in U.S.
The project includes four offshore steel conduits up to 120 feet below the seafloor and extending a mile offshore, connecting to a bundle of five onshore high-density polyethylene (HDPE) conduits, all installed using horizontal directional drilling (HDD) methods and ultimately connecting to PacWave’s Utility Connection and Monitoring Facility.
HDD Association to hold free mud training school
(UI) — The recently formed Horizontal Directional Drilling Association (HDDA) will hold its first industry training session on May 18 at the Doubletree Hotel adjacent to Love Field in Dallas.
Fiber Broadband Association digs into microtrenching’s ability to close the digital equity gap
(UI) — The new Fiber Broadband Association white paper explores multiple fiber deployment styles, including microtrenching, horizontal directional drilling, plowing, conventional trenching, and missile boring.
- Tunnel boring machine ‘Clack-A-Mole’ nears one-third completion in Oregon outfall project
- Explosion in underground PG&E vault leaves one dead in Richmond, Calif.
- Tennessee pipeline gets initial FERC approval despite environmental concerns
- Sinkhole in Texas town accrues over $800,000 in sewer rehabilitation costs
- Water and Sewer Damage Awareness Week highlights infrastructure challenges
- Wisconsin proposes new PFAS drinking water standards to align with federal rules
- Elgin, Ill., joins EPA drinking water initiative to accelerate lead pipe replacement
- Dog River pipeline replacement in Oregon improves water supply with new HDPE pipe
- GasTracker Accurately Locates Plastic Gas Pipes
- Union County, Ga., breaks ground on $20.5 million fiber broadband expansion project