How Horizontal Directional Drilling is Done
Horizontal directional drilling provides accurate drilling with good planning, skilled drill navigators, up-to-date guidance software, and advanced steering tools. This article will give you a basic understanding of the parts and techniques that make up horizontal directional drilling.
Drillers direct a drillbit along a pre-planned path over long distances. But different geographical formations require different tools. For example, an alluvial, or soft, formation uses high-pressure fluid from a jetting assembly to clear its path while drilling. The steering tool transmits data to the navigator who uses it to bore in the right direction.
The nozzle focuses hydraulic pressure to change direction, and the bit follows along until it is set on its course. Then the driller can continue to rotate the drill normally.
For harder formations, a drill motor replaces the jetting assembly. Instead of rotating the drill string, the mechanism is turned by a turbine. The turbine is what allows the driller to orient to the correct direction. Steering data is gathered and adjustments are made over regular intervals.
Horizontal drilling is a highly technical process that requires advanced industrial tools and workers with experience and skill. Click on the video above to watch a more in-depth breakdown of horizontal boring.
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