Now that we’ve covered the necessary equipment you need and the different drilling processes with pipeline projects, it’s time to talk about your technique. Technique matters! You may have a great crew when it comes to drilling and installing utilities but switching to pipeline work may take some adjustments to how your team drills.
How you use your horizontal directional drill (HDD) in pipeline projects can impact your overall project time and productivity. Compared to utility projects, drilling practices from the operators’ perspective need to change or will be different.
Here’s why:
“Operators that are used to running smaller drills are accustomed to greater steering deflection changes to help guide the bore on the desired bore path,” said Marv Klein, an applications specialist at Vermeer. “With big horizontal directional drills, since the drill pipe is more rigid, it’s limited on how much it can deflect or bend. A preplanned bore profile will aid in the process of navigating the bore on the required path and eliminate the need for aggressive steering changes.”
The speed difference
Because of that difference in deflection and bend, an operator’s technique may have to adjust with the drill and that can affect the speed they operate at.
“Typically, utility HDD operators are drilling shorter distances and pulling in a smaller diameter product,” explained Klein. “They drill fairly fast, as long as the ground is forgiving.”
However, pipeline HDDs are drilling longer distances and pulling in pipeline product that is much larger in diameter. That means operators may have to slow their process down to be precise and methodical with their drilling. It may seem too slow for operators that are used to utility jobs at first, but it may be necessary to get the job done right.
The time difference
“Another important factor for operators is time,” said Klein. “On larger pipeline jobs, conditioning the borehole is critical to your success. However, you have to keep the borehole open for a longer period of time to accomplish the work.”
Keeping the borehole open can be easier said than done. It requires a thorough understanding of the soil, your fluid mixture and the amount of fluid you’ll need. And while this responsibility may not fall fully on the operator, it’s important to know your drilling strategy before you begin.
On top of keeping the borehole open, there’s also the length of project time. Patience is essential for HDD operators, and especially when it comes to pipeline projects. These jobs usually take weeks, and potentially even months. Utility projects can last for weeks too, but pipeline projects require a mix of planning and precision that can be complicated.
At the end of the day, the reward and satisfaction can be worth the time and effort.
“Overall, the drilling concept is the same, but it’s on a much larger scale,” said Klein. “An experienced operator can adjust their technique and adapt to the new landscape to get the job done well.”
That’s the purpose every day: to get the job done well. As you consider upgrading to a bigger HDD for pipeline projects, make that your mission. The important work you do every day deserves to be done well, and knowing the basics of big drills can help you get there.
For more information about pipeline equipment or HDDs, contact your local dealer today.
Vermeer Corporation reserves the right to make changes in engineering, design and specifications; add improvements; or discontinue manufacturing at any time without notice or obligation. Equipment shown is for illustrative purposes only and may display optional accessories or components specific to their global region. Please contact your local Vermeer dealer for more information on machine specifications.
Vermeer and the Vermeer logo are trademarks of Vermeer Manufacturing Company in the U.S. and/or other countries. © 2021 Vermeer Corporation. All Rights Reserved.