HDD

Laney Directional Drilling Record Crossing

Laney Directional Drilling Co., a leading provider of horizontal directional drilling services to the energy, telecommunications and infrastructure sectors, announced that it has successfully completed the horizontal directional drill (HDD) installation of nearly 11,000 feet of 6-inch steel gas pipeline in one pull under Lake Houston.

Downhole Directional Drilling Tools: Equipment Spotlight

Downhole tools from Ballantine, Vermeer, American Augers, Armadrillco, Melfred Borzall, INROCK, Railhead Underground Products, Sharewell, HammerHead Trenchless Equipment, Ditch Witch and Drillhead Directional.

13th Annual Directional Drilling Survey: Mixed Market Recovery For HDD

While the overall market recovery for horizontal directional drilling appears to be improving at the mid-year point of 2011, many contractors are still struggling with sluggish economic conditions.

Tight Urban Directional Drilling

CenterPoint Energy Inc., Houston, TX, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission and distribution, natural gas distribution, competitive natural gas sales and services, interstate pipelines and field services operations. It serves more than five million metered electric and natural gas customers in six states: Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi and Oklahoma.

Equipment Spotlight: Downhole Directional Drilling Tools

Downhole directional tools from Railhead, Sharewell, INROCK, Melfred Borzall, American Augers, Horizontal Technology, HammerHead, Vermeer, Ballantine and Ditch Witch.

2010 Large Directional Drilling Rig Census

When horizontal directional drilling (HDD) professionals discuss the size of an HDD rig, they usually refer to the maximum pullback force the unit can develop. The most common industry standard for a large directional drilling unit is defined as having a minimum of 100,000 pounds of pullback force. In addition to pullback, the most common specifications used to categorize HDD equipment are rotary torque of drill stem, rotation speed and the size of drill pipe.

UCT Exhibitor Spotlight: Kem-Tron’s About Face

HDD

In 2009, integrated systems manufacturer Kem-Tron Technologies barely broke even. Despite a market that’s flat in more ways than one, the company’s president says that as of September 2010 the company’s revenue has already matched the full year totals for 2009, with 30% growth expected by the end of the year. What made the difference?

Equipment Spotlight: Wireline Locators

HDD

Wireline tracking technology from INROCK, Underground Tools Inc., Sharewell and Horizontal Technology.

HDD Culvert Cleaning Proves Effective

HDD

Most travelers are unaware of the complexity of engineering and constructing modern highways and streets, and many of the most critical elements that make a roadway safe and able to withstand heavy traffic for years into the future are not readily apparent.

Downhole Directional Drilling Tools: Ballantine

Ballantine offers a complete line of backreamers for nearly all ground conditions.

Downhole Directional Drilling Tools: HammerHead

The TriHawk II drill bit performs best when drilling in dry compressed soil conditions and is a good choice when drilling in hardpan, dry clay and any other compacted soils.

Downhole Directional Drilling Tools: Ditch Witch

The Aggressive Talon Rock Bit is a multi-use bit manufactured for HDD applications in a variety of soil conditions, including sandstone, shale and chunk rock.

Downhole Directional Drilling Tools: Horizontal Technology

The RockReamer is a versatile, cost effective hole opener for HDD – cutting downtime as easily as it cuts rock.

Downhole Directional Drilling Tools: Vermeer

Utilizing a patented tri-cone roller bit and specialized drill head housing, the RS8 rock drilling system allows simple setup, low fluid usage, use of standard locator transmitters and excellent steering efficiency.

Downhole Directional Drilling Tools: Melfred Borzall

The Ogre stacked plate reamer performs in hard soil conditions including shale, sandstone, caliches and cobbles.

Downhole Directional Drilling Tools: Railhead Underground Products

Go Green with the Direct Bore featuring a box end housing with a new stronger door, designed to take the abuse of those tough condition bores.

Downhole Directional Drilling Tools: American Augers

The Fly Cutter is ideal for use during directional drilling operations in clay and sand soil conditions.

Downhole Directional Drilling Tools: INROCK

INROCK's XTR platform utilizes an interchangeable block segment cutter (MT/TCI).

Downhole Directional Drilling Tools: Sharewell

Sharewell’s heavy-duty LTX series of Lo-Torque Hole Opener is ideal for pipeline projects.

2009 Large Directional Drilling Rig Census

When horizontal directional drilling (HDD) professionals discuss the size of an HDD rig, they usually refer to the maximum pullback force the unit can develop.

Construction of Gas Pipeline Relied Heavily on HDD to Minimize Environmental Impacts

The recently completed Line 108 Replacement Project featured the use of HDD for portions of the pipeline installation beneath two rivers and two extremely sensitive natural areas.

NTA Proves Effectiveness Of Regional Association

HDD

When it comes to associations, bigger isn't necessarily better – small local and regional organizations can be very effective in serving their members, especially for those serving specialized, niche markets.

Company Overcomes Challenges To Complete Intersect Bore

HDD

Brent Lane and his business partner, Steve Parker, have witnessed the ups and downs of the horizontal directional drilling business.

Mobile Port Project Requires Massive Underground Electrical Installations

HDD

"The opening of the Mobile Container Terminal makes the Port of Mobile very competitive with neighboring Gulf ports," says Brian Clark, the facility's director.

HDD Helps Producer Tap Gas Reserves Under DFW Airport

HDD

The Barnett Shale is among the nation’s fastest growing natural gas fields. The formation encompasses more than 5,000 square miles and stretches from Dallas to Fort Worth, TX.

Underground Tools Inc. directional drilling pipe

Underground Tools Inc. offers a selection of premium quality directional drilling pipe for nearly every make and model of drill rig on the market.

Frozen Sand Provides Directional Drilling Challenge

What acts like solid rock, but really isn’t rock and is located in the heart of the Midwest? That’s a good question, and Tim Huttmann with TH Construction Company, based in Omaha, NE, knows the answer.

Tips For Selling Used HDD Equipment

HDD

Buyers of used HDD equipment want to get a quality drill at the best possible price. On the other hand, sellers hope to move equipment at a price that matches its value. What can sellers do to get top dollar?

Maximizing The Value, Marketability Of Used Rigs

HDD

Along with most segments of the economy, the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) industry is seriously affected by a worldwide recession.

Polar opposite

HDD

This issue contains the 2009 edition of <em>Underground Construction</em>’s annual horizontal directional drilling survey. This industry-exclusive research always provides an insightful perspective as to the direction and health of this vibrant young industry.