June 2025 Vol. 80 No. 6
Editor's Log
HDD industry faces challenges as cities push back on fiber drilling disruptions
By Robert Carpenter, Editor-in-Chief
(UI) — It’s always exciting, pealing through layers of data, doing a deep dive into industries. With our June issue, we performed our annual research for the horizontal directional drilling market, which has historically been a fast-paced, ever-changing industry for construction in pipeline and utilities. I’m happy to say the research reflects a strong, growing and still-evolving industry – same as for the past several years with, not unexpectedly, fiber leading charge again.
Problems still persist throughout the HDD market though, and left unaddressed, could become a significant growth inhibitor. As the rabid pace of fiber installation continues, some cities are getting kickback from residents as utilities are being pierced and disrupted, leading to outages and leaks. In extreme cases, gas leaks from these cross bores have caused major accidents, including injury and death.
Albuquerque, N.Mex., and Katy, Texas, recently banned HDD in their city limits pending further evaluation as water lines and other utilities are being frequently cut. Other cities are considering similar bans, as accidents are occurring unabated to plague the fiber installation work. The unfortunate result for all contractors involved in HDD, ranging from the quality, experienced contractors to the freshman class of contractors, is that increasingly the HDD industry may start seeing “dead” zones from drilling bans around the country.
The root cause of frequent utility strikes tends to be two-fold. The easy blame is quickly placed on contractors. And to a degree, that can be accurate. The white-hot market where construction is struggling to fill capacity demands, has attracted more than a few inexperienced “newbies.” They enter the market with little HDD knowledge to operate equipment safely (for both their workers as well as residents).
Further, their rookie status often results in underbidding a job and then, as the money runs out, feeling even more pressure to rush and cut corners. Business pressures also influence fiber owners to seek more information about the quality of the contractor they are considering hiring other than just cut-rate pricing.
Unfortunately, mistakes and accidents always happen in construction, regardless of experience. But the degree of risk, when pressured to hit deadlines and perform at a high level of productivity, goes up exponentially when you don’t know when to halt work, take a step back, go over safety protocols and job conditions, and then plan the path forward. That’s what veteran HDD contractors do; that’s what good contractors do. Reducing risk factors that could result in serious, life-threatening mistakes and, also, become job killers is what smart contractors do.
Granted, frequently much of the blame falls upon the locating company which, also in a rush or running way behind schedule, makes mistakes. The locating firms are hiring lots of new people and too often detailed training is bypassed in order to complete the backlog of locating tickets. Still, the contractor shoulders the blame when a mislocate occurs, resulting in a utility strike or cross bore.
It’s a problem defined by market growth and must be addressed by industry and owners to create effective solutions. The Horizontal Directional Drilling Association (HDDA) was formed in early 2022 by veteran HDD contractors intent upon changing the culture of their markets. They see, live and often suffer the consequences from problems often caused by others. They realize that improving the overall industry culture would be a huge uphill task, but well worth the effort.
Developing and sharing cultures of proper practices (both safety and business operations) have become a paramount purpose for HDDA. The organization’s inaugural president was the perfect man for the job. Having founded and built a large drilling company for fiber and other utility work, Don Riggs fully understands the problems and needs HDD faces as the industry continues to mature. In this issue, Riggs explains the early challenges and growth of the HDDA.
Now, in just its third year, 2025 President Robert Myers IV, is leading the association in its aggressive path forward. Membership is booming. The road to long-term profitability and a prosperous market lies in quality work, fair pricing and a safety culture no matter the size of rig, project or crews. I would encourage all who believe they have a bright future in HDD to check out the website (hdda.us) or call (713) 830-2184. Getting involved with this selfless group of industry members quite possibly will mean the difference between failing, just surviving or prospering in this amazing HDD industry.
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