Horizontal Directional Drilling

The Horizontal Directional Drilling Process

The tools and techniques used in the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) process are an outgrowth of the oil well drilling industry. The components of a horizontal drilling rig used for pipeline construction are similar to those of an oil well drilling rig with the major exception being that a horizontal drilling rig is equipped with an inclined ramp as opposed to a vertical mast. HDD pilot hole operations are not unlike those involved in drilling a directional oil well. Drill pipe and downhole tools are generally interchangeable and drilling fluid is used throughout the operation to transport drilled spoil, reduce friction, stabilize the hole, etc. Because of these similarities, the process is generally referred to as drilling as opposed to boring.

Installation of a pipeline by HDD is generally accomplished in three stages as illustrated in Figure 1. The first stage consists of directionally drilling a small diameter pilot hole along a designed directional path. The second stage involves enlarging this pilot hole to a diameter suitable for installation of the pipeline. The third stage consists of pulling the pipeline back into the enlarged hole.

Pilot Hole Directional Drilling

Pilot hole directional control is achieved by using a non-rotating drill string with an asymmetrical leading edge. The asymmetry of the leading edge creates a steering bias while the non-rotating aspect of the drill string allows the steering bias to be held in a specific position while drilling. If a change in direction is required, the drill string is rolled so that the direction of bias is the same as the desired change in direction. The direction of bias is referred to as the tool face. Straight progress may be achieved by drilling with a series of offsetting tool face positions. The drill string may also be continually rotated where directional control is not required. Leading edge asymmetry can be accomplished by several methods. Typically, the leading edge will have an angular offset created by a bent sub or bent motor housing. This is illustrated schematically in Figure 2.

It is common in soft soils to achieve drilling progress by hydraulic cutting with a jet nozzle. In this case, the direction of flow from the nozzle can be offset from the central axis of the drill string thereby creating a steering bias. This may be accomplished by blocking selected nozzles on a standard roller cone bit or by custom fabricating a jet deflection bit. If hard spots are encountered, the drill string may be rotated to drill without directional control until the hard spot has been penetrated.

Pilot Hole

Prereaming

Pull Back

Downhole Motors

Downhole mechanical cutting action required for harder soils is provided by downhole hydraulic motors. Downhole hydraulic motors, commonly referred to as mud motors, convert hydraulic energy from drilling mud pumped from the surface to mechanical energy at the bit. This allows for bit rotation without drill string rotation. There are two basic types of mud motors; positive displacement and turbine. Positive displacement motors are typically used in HDD applications. Basically, a positive displacement mud motor consists of a spiral-shaped stator containing a sinusoidal shaped rotor. Mud flow through the stator imparts rotation to the rotor which is in turn connected through a linkage to the bit.

In some cases, a larger diameter wash pipe may be rotated concentrically over the non-rotating steerable drill string. This serves to prevent sticking of the steerable string and allows its tool face to be freely oriented. It also maintains the pilot hole if it becomes necessary to withdraw the steerable string.

Downhole Surveying

The actual path of the pilot hole is monitored during drilling by taking periodic readings of the inclination and azimuth of the leading edge. Readings are taken with an instrument, commonly referred to as a probe, inserted in a drill collar as close as possible to the drill bit. Transmission of downhole probe survey readings to the surface is generally accomplished through a wire running inside the drill string. These readings, in conjunction with measurements of the distance drilled since the last survey, are used to calculate the horizontal and vertical coordinates along the pilot hole relative to the initial entry point on the surface.

Azimuth readings are taken from the earth’s magnetic field and are subject to interference from downhole tools, drill pipe, and magnetic fields created by adjacent structures. Therefore, the probe must be inserted in a non magnetic collar and positioned in the string so that it is adequately isolated from downhole tools and drill pipe. The combination of bit, mud motor (if used), subs, survey probe, and non magnetic collars is referred to as the Bottom Hole Assembly or BHA. A typical bottom hole assembly is shown as Figure 2.

Surface Monitoring

The pilot hole path may also be tracked using a surface monitoring system. Surface monitoring systems determine the location of the probe downhole by taking measurements from a grid or point on the surface. This system uses a surface coil of known location to induce a magnetic field. The probe senses its location relative to this induced magnetic field and communicates this information to the surface.

Reaming & Pullback

Enlarging the pilot hole is accomplished using either prereaming passes prior to pipe installation or simultaneously during pipe installation. Reaming tools typically consist of a circular array of cutters and drilling fluid jets and are often custom made by contractors for a particular hole size or type of soil.

Prereaming

Most contractors will opt to preream a pilot hole before attempting to install pipe. For a prereaming pass, reamers attached to the drill string at the exit point are rotated and drawn to the drilling rig thus enlarging the pilot hole. Drill pipe is added behind the reamers as they progress toward the drill rig. This insures that a string of pipe is always maintained in the drilled hole. It is also possible to ream away from the drill rig. In this case, reamers fitted into the drill string at the rig are rotated and thrust away from it.

Pullback

Pipe installation is accomplished by attaching the prefabricated pipeline pull section behind a reaming assembly at the exit point and pulling the reaming assembly and pull section back to the drilling rig. This is undertaken after completion of prereaming or, for smaller diameter lines in soft soils, directly after completion of the pilot hole. A swivel is utilized to connect the pull section to the leading reaming assembly to minimize torsion transmitted to the pipe. The pull section is supported using some combination of roller stands, pipe handling equipment, or a flotation ditch to minimize tension and prevent damage to the pipe.

Buoyancy Control

Uplift forces resulting from the buoyancy of larger diameter lines can be very substantial. High pulling forces may be required to overcome drag resulting from buoyancy uplift. Therefore, contractors will often implement measures to control the buoyancy of pipe 30 inches or over in diameter. The most common method of controlling buoyancy is to fill the pipe with water as it enters the hole. This requires an internal fill line to discharge water at the leading edge of the pull section (after the breakover point). An air line may also be required to break the vacuum which may form at the leading edge as the pull section is pulled up to the rig. The amount of water placed in the pipe is controlled to provide the most advantageous distribution of buoyant forces. Some contractors may choose to establish a constant buoyancy. This can be accomplished by inserting a smaller diameter line into the pull section and filling the smaller line with water. The smaller line is sized to hold the volume of water required per lineal foot to offset the uplift forces.

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Trechless Technology

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About Trenchless Technology

Trenchless Technology is an experienced Malaysia and Singapore pipeline contractor having delivered pipeline projects all over Malaysia and Singapore since the company’s inception in 2013. Pipe jacking is most ideal for new sewer construction it is also used for sewer replacement and relining, gas and water mains, oil pipelines, electricity and telecommunication installations, culverts and subways.

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