HDD
2009 A Bumpy Road But Bright Future Awaits HDD
That the United States (and world) economies are mired in a deep recession is old news. For the horizontal directional drilling industry, this recession is much broader than in 2001 when the telecommunications market imploded.
Centralizer Increases Production Rates, Extends Life Of Other Tools
Downhole tools are critical components of the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) process—no project can be completed without them. The wrong tools for soil conditions can result in excessive equipment wear and slow production—or even make it impossible to complete a job.
Equipment Aids Safe, Fast HDD Pipeline Installation In Billings
Pro Pipe Services, Energy Contract Services and Mears Group Inc. set a high standard in safety, design and planning on a recently completed horizontal directional drilling project.
New Ditch Witch System Tackles Line & Grade HDD
A new Ditch Witch guidance system for making on-line, on-grade pipe installations with horizontal directional drilling (HDD) equipment soon will be available, the Charles Machine Works has announced.
Record 42-Inch Bore Helps Connect LNG Terminal, Pipelines
When Sempra Energy’s Pipelines and Storage business unit needed to install a new pipeline from Sempra LNG’s new Cameron LNG receipt terminal to existing interstate pipelines north of the LNG facility, they were well aware that the project presented special challenges.
Downhole Directional Drilling Tools: Ditch Witch HDD Systems
The Ditch Witch directional drilling product line is the only brand on the market that covers all major systems.
Downhole Directional Drilling Tools: Sharewell LTX Series
Sharewell’s heavy-duty LTX series of Lo-Torque Hole Opener is ideal for pipeline projects.
Downhole Directional Drilling Tools: Ballantine Backreamers
Ballantine offers a complete line of backreamers for nearly all ground conditions.
Downhole Directional Drilling Tools: Horizontal Technology RockReamer
The RockReamer is a versatile, cost effective hole opener for HDD – cutting downtime as easily as it cuts rock.
Downhole Directional Drilling Tools: INROCK's XTM Mud Motor
INROCK’s new XTM Mud Motor was designed to increase the torque capacity of the drive shaft and bearing assembly.
Downhole Directional Drilling Tools: American Augers Fly Cutter
The Fly Cutter is recommended for use during directional drilling operations in clay and sand soil conditions.
Downhole Directional Drilling Tools: Railhead DirectBore
The new DirectBore I – 13” rock bit is designed with the big drills in mind.
Downhole Directional Drilling Tools: Vermeer T-Rex, Diamond Cutter
The T-Rex and the Diamond Cutter reamers are designed to help HDD operators efficiently pull product through tough ground conditions.
Downhole Directional Drilling Tools: HammerHead TriHawk I
The HammerHead TriHawk I drill bit is an aggressive horizontal directional drilling cutting tool for drilling in soft rock conditions up to 8,000 psi.
Downhole Directional Drilling Tools: Melfred Borzall Ogre
The Ogre stacked plate reamer is made for hard soil conditions including shale, sandstone, caliches and cobbles.
Mears' Workforce Training Capabilities Expanded
The Mears Training and Research Facility is adding training for personnel operating horizontal directional drilling (HDD) equipment and a program to certify HDD equipment following maintenance. The HDD training program for Mears employees will cover all aspects of operation of the equipment they will be using, from rig up to rig down, including operation of drilling fluid systems, said Kevin Parker, Mears director of safety training environment compliance.
HDD Tech: Getting Fluids To Pass The Paint Test
As if horizontal directional drilling contractors do not have enough issues to contend with in performing the contracted tasks, cleanup of the drilling operation is becoming increasingly difficult because of issues associated with the disposal of drill spoils.
Oklahoma Electric Utility Mounts Successful Overhead-To-Underground Program
The Public Service Co. of Oklahoma (PSO), provider of electricity for metropolitan Tulsa and portions of eastern and southwestern Oklahoma, has an ongoing program to replace aerial distribution lines with underground cable in selected neighborhoods in its service area.
Michels Installs Record Crossing
Crews for Michels Directional Crossing, a division of Michels Corporation, recently completed a successful, record-breaking installation of a 42-inch intra state crossing from Texas to Louisiana in excess of 6,000 feet near Orange, TX. The unique nature of this crossing made it a first of its kind for the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) industry.

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- Illinois overhauls Peoples Gas pipeline program, mandates focus on high-risk pipes
- Ameren Illinois to invest $140 million in natural gas pipeline replacement program
- Charlottesville, Va., to begin work on 24-inch water line for Rivanna River crossing
- Mass. governor slams Trump for ‘dangerous delay’ of $50 million in lead pipe replacement funds