Directional Drilling

21st November 2022

Once in a while we are tasked with projects that throw up additional challenges where specialist engineering solutions are required to fulfil the works. One such example is where either practical or engineering consideration is needed to be shown to ‘surface’ infrastructure and obstacles such as main roads, rivers or railways and the solution is to directional drill rather than open trench or ducting of the cable route.

Only recently have we fulfilled another project for a major UK manufacturer involving the utilisation of directional drilling. From the outset the brief was that no disruption along the cable route was acceptable under any circumstances. Knowing this we had the answer and advised accordingly, offering the best cost effective alternative and knowing of no disruption to any surface infrastructure. We immediately engaged our established thrust boring partner to offer the efficient and cost effective option of directional drilling, which also has the added benefit of being quicker than conventional excavation practices.

We have all of our operatives trained in the relevant legislation and the New Roads and Street Works Act (NRSWA) is just one example. Such appropriate training and due diligence (including following guidance from the HSE (HSG47) avoiding danger from underground services) allows us to successfully and efficiently carry out tasks such as non-intrusive apparatus surveys utilising our range of detection equipment. This, along with up to date information from all third parties with any interest in the proposed cable route enable the correct coordinates for line and level to be input into the guidance apparatus, thus giving the upmost confidence of not striking any underground apparatus.

Only the requirement of an entry and exit pit are required. Being able to excavate these outside of any critical areas in this instance meant we carried out the brief 100% with no disruption to the client and are very happy to say the two thrust boring shots were completed within one week's timeframe.

Now onto the cabling….

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