Directional Drilling and Pipeline Projects

Sometimes called Horizontal Directional Drilling [HDD]

Allen Watson owns and operates the most technologically-advanced drilling equipment, including maxi to mini-drill rigs with pullback forces from 300te down to 14te. Our extensive range of mud mixing, pumping and recycling systems, mud motors, jet heads, reamers and special tooling combined with our knowledge and experience allows us to successfully complete small, medium and major pipeline projects.

Advantages

• Short, medium or long lengths of pipe can be installed without intermediate pits
• Pipes can be installed either straight or curved to steer clear of obstacles
• By boring underground the working area is confined to points of entry and exit only
• No disruption to road, river or rail traffic and no scarring of the landscape
• Equipment works from surface with no need for deep excavations
• HDD is quick and in many cases has lower overall costs
• HDD is unaffected by surface obstacles
• Can be used to install pipes in changeable ground conditions
• Sea outfalls can be drilled with minimal marine works

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What is Directional Drilling?

Directional drilling provides a safe system of installing pipes, ducts and cables where conventional open cut methods are not permitted, practical, environmentally or economically viable.

Typical Applications

• Steel or polyethylene pipes from 25mmØ up to 1,200mmØ in distances from 25 metres up to 1,500 metres have been successfully drilled under areas such as rivers, estuaries, roads, railways, airports, contaminated landfill sites and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
• Crossings can be for: water, oil, gas, electricity, sewerage, chemicals, communication ducts and outfalls.