Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD), or directional drilling, involves drilling wells along a path that deviates from the vertical. It is a popular method of trenchless technology that restructured the construction industry.
This method is famous for installing pipelines and infrastructures; more effortless. Whether in the oil and gas industry or extracting water HDD can make it faster. Thus, let’s dig deep into the advantages of directional drilling.
Reduced Environmental Effect
There’s no doubt about the reduced impact of directional underground drilling (or horizontal directional drilling) on the environment. It does not need digging an entire pipe’s length but only a hole. It has less impact on the landscape than traditional drilling.
We use much bigger machines to dig holes for pipes and wires underground. It can cause environmental problems. This process can hurt soil, plants, and animals in a specific area.Directional boring only needs a small hole for drilling. Directional drilling is a method that can make the entry and exit of a shaft or wellbore happen in a small area.
The soil doesn’t need to be removed, which causes less disturbance. And the cherry on top would be the low noise generation. HDD drilling makes less noise and dust compared to traditional drilling.
Lowered Cost
Talking about HDD and traditional excavation methods, directional drilling is more cost-effective. In urban areas: buildings, roads, sidewalks, trees, or other obstacles are commonly found.
These obstacles need tackling for boring purposes. In simple terms: the cost of relocation and drilling can sum up to a hefty amount. Did you select the traditional drilling method? Get ready to increase the project’s total cost.
Directional drilling, on the other hand, does not need any excavations or relocations. HDDs focus on utility lines, pipelines, or infrastructure installation, hence cost saving.Let’s not forget the previously mentioned point yet. Since there is a low disruption in the land, it also saves on the cost of land acquisition.
Increased Safety
In the traditional drilling method: working in a trench can expose workers to countless hazards. If the soil is unstable, there can be exposure to cave-ins. Other safety hazards include; asphyxiation, electrocution, explosion, or equipment accidents. Thus, directional drilling is a much safer option than traditional execution methods.
Directional drilling does not need workers to work in a trench. And additionally, the drilling rig is located in a safer place, reducing the risk of accidents. This new technology of HDD allows users to watch the drilling process through computers. So, on the detection of any potential hazards, it can alert the operator.
Decreased Downtime
The need for a trench to install pipelines and underground infrastructure is a work of traditional drilling. This method of excavation can disrupt traffic.All in all, this traffic disruption affects businesses and the residents of that area. In the aftermath of this process, there is a decrease in the productivity and revenues of those businesses.
Directional drilling does not disrupt any traffic, business, or residents. The drilling rig is a safer place, and there’s no trench, so, no disruptions.Besides, the drilling process in HDD is faster than the traditional one. Is it a win-win situation for all? Sounds like it!
Increased Flexibility
Directional drilling only requires a small area that acts as the entry and exit point for installation purposes. Thus, it is also flexible in changing the direction of these installments. Traditional excavation only allows for the installment of pipelines and other utility lines in a linear pattern.
Due to this reason, drilling areas with buildings, roads, or sidewalks could be complex. With directional drilling, you can install these pipelines in a curved path.Another reason; why people prefer Horizontal Directional Drilling is; its ability to drill in greater depths. You can install infrastructure in depth without worrying about the water tables.
Improved Quality
HDD not only provides quality installment but also saves time. The traditional methods need trench depth to be proper and compacted. But it still does not guarantee safe installment, but it (sure is time-consuming.
Directional drilling can provide much better and more consistent quality.The utility lines are now installed with correct alignments and proper depths, all thanks to live monitoring. No wonder why HDD is gaining popularity.
Increased Capacity
Directional drilling allows you to install pipelines in more depth, increasing projects’ capacity. It is capable of installing pipelines or utility lines with larger diameters.
Traditional methods are not qualified for increasing capacities. It only allows for the installment of pipelines and utility lines that are suitable for a trench.Since there is an acceptable limit of trench level, traditional methods can be problematic in larger projects.
Improved Aesthetics
How can I forget this one? Let’s opt for the traditional excavation method, so there’s a trench there. We disrupted the entire area by installing a single gas pipeline.
The project is complete, and we stuff up the trench with the removed soil. Is the land back how it’s supposed to be? Is there a visible groove disruption? Of course, there is. Even though we fill up the trench again, the beauty of the environment is disturbed. Directional drilling takes care of the aesthetics of the areas. So, a beautiful landscape remains beautiful.
It drills even large infrastructures without causing a great deal to the environment. So, in a park or a deserted ground, HDD leaves it as aesthetically pleasing as before.
In Conclusion
Horizontal Directional Drilling, or directional boring, you name it. It has taken the construction industry to a new height of beauty and simplicity. We noted in this article only a few of the countless advantages of horizontal boring.
Choosing directional drilling is beneficial; for the worker, company, residents, and the environment. It saves amount and time, but it also preserves the beauty.
From increased safety to reduced cost and downtime. From less environmental impact to increased flexibility and quality. HDD is better than traditional drilling in many ways. Keeping these advantages in mind, we hope it’s a no-brainer when choosing the drilling method for your next big project.
