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Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD)

Trenchlesspedia ⋮ ⋮ 23/3/2017

What Does Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Mean?

Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) is a trenchless construction method used to install pipes underground without
disturbing the ground surface. The drill is launched from one end of the designed bore path and retrieved at the other
end, and except for the launch and retrieving spaces above ground, the entire process takes place underground, out
of sight.

HDD has become a choice alternative to conventional pipe-laying methods that require opening up the earth’s
surface up to the depth of installation for the entire pipeline route.

The HDD Process

The HDD method consists of two main stages, i.e. drilling a pilot hole and back reaming. After reaming is completed,
the pipe is pulled in through the hole.

The first stage involves drilling a pilot hole using a steerable guided drill along a planned path. The pilot hole is
approximately 1 to 5 inches in diameter along the proposed centerline of pipe alignment. When the drill string
reaches the exit point, the second stage is initiated.

The second stage involves attaching a reamer of approximately the same size as the product pipe to the end of the
drill string after removing the drill bit and pulling it back to the entry point. Sometimes several passes may be required
before the desired bore diameter is achieved.

The bore diameter is approx. 50% larger than pipe diameter to enable easy pull-through of the pipe string.

Once the reamer has done its job, it’s time for the pipe pullback, where the product pipe is attached to the reamer and
pulled through the borehole.

All along the process, electronic monitoring of the drill path is carried out to obtain a maximum degree of accuracy. A
slurry system helps circulate the drilling fluid and helps transport the drill cuttings back to the surface.