Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is an advanced, trenchless technique that has revolutionised the installation and renewal of underground infrastructure across the United Kingdom. It is valued as a precise, efficient, and environmentally conscious alternative to conventional excavation, making it the ideal choice for projects in congested urban areas and sensitive natural environments. By controlling the entire operation from the surface, HDD minimises public disruption while delivering cost-effective and timely results.

Preparation and Precision Guidance

The success of any directional drilling project begins with meticulous pre-planning. This critical phase involves mapping the entire underground route, known as the bore path, to identify and successfully navigate around existing utilities and challenging geological features. This foresight ensures the drill head can be expertly guided—using sophisticated wire-line guidance systems—to pass over, under, or around subterranean obstacles without damaging established services.

This precision is key to achieving the technique’s impressive capacity. Specialist teams regularly install pipelines with diameters up to 900mm, capable of single-pass lengths extending up to 1000 metres, often executed as full turnkey packages. The ability to maintain accuracy over these distances is vital, especially for deep or complex crossings.

Managing Tough Ground and Equipment…