Principles of Horizontal Drilling

Steerable Drill Bits: Horizontal drilling relies on steerable drill bits equipped with downhole motors and measurement-while-drilling (MWD) tools. These tools allow drillers to control the direction and trajectory of the borehole in real time as the drilling progresses.
Rotary Steering: Rotary steering techniques, such as mud motor drilling and rotary steerable systems, are commonly used to control the direction of the drill bit. Mud motors use the hydraulic energy of drilling fluid (mud) to rotate the drill bit and steer it in the desired direction.
Measurement and Navigation: MWD tools provide real-time data on the drill bit's position, inclination, azimuth, and other drilling parameters. This information is transmitted to the surface, allowing drillers to adjust the drilling trajectory as needed to stay on course.

Methods of Horizontal Drilling

Curve Building: In curve building, the drill bit gradually deviates from the vertical plane by gradually increasing the angle of inclination while maintaining a constant azimuth. This technique is used to create a curved section of the wellbore before transitioning to the horizontal section.
Horizontal Drilling: Once the desired inclination angle is reached, the drill bit is steered in a horizontal direction to create the horizontal section of the wellbore. This horizontal section can extend for hundreds or even thousands of feet, depending on the specific drilling project.
Horizontal Re-Entry: Horizontal re-entry involves drilling a new wellbore from an existing vertical or inclined well. This technique allows operators to access untapped reserves in the same reservoir without the need for additional surface infrastructure.

Applications of Horizontal Drilling

Oil and Gas Exploration: Horizontal drilling is widely used in the oil and gas industry to access hydrocarbon reserves located in low-permeability formations, shale formations, and offshore reservoirs. Horizontal wells increase the contact area between the wellbore and the reservoir, enhancing production rates and ultimate hydrocarbon recovery.
Water and Wastewater Management: Horizontal drilling is employed in environmental remediation projects to install groundwater extraction wells, monitor wells, and injection wells for remediation purposes. Horizontal wells can be used to target specific contamination plumes and extract or inject fluids more effectively than traditional vertical wells.
Utility Installation: Horizontal drilling is used in the installation of underground utilities, such as water and sewer lines, telecommunications cables, and electrical conduits. Horizontal drilling minimizes surface disruption and allows for the installation of utilities beneath roads, rivers, railways, and environmentally sensitive areas.
Geotechnical Investigations: Horizontal drilling is utilized in geotechnical investigations for soil and rock sampling, site characterization, and subsurface exploration. Horizontal cores can provide valuable information on soil composition, stratigraphy, and geological structures for engineering and construction projects.

Benefits of Horizontal Drilling

Increased Reservoir Contact: Horizontal drilling allows for greater contact between the wellbore and the reservoir, maximizing hydrocarbon production rates and ultimate recovery.
Improved Drainage and Sweep Efficiency: Horizontal wells can drain a larger area of the reservoir compared to vertical wells, improving reservoir drainage and sweep efficiency.
Reduced Environmental Impact: Horizontal drilling minimizes surface disturbance and environmental footprint by reducing the number of well pads, access roads, and surface facilities required for drilling operations.
Enhanced Well Performance: Horizontal wells exhibit lower pressure drop and higher flow rates compared to vertical wells, resulting in improved well performance and productivity.
Access to Remote or Challenging Locations: Horizontal drilling allows operators to access remote or challenging locations, including offshore reservoirs, environmentally sensitive areas, and urban areas with limited surface access.

What Are Top Brands For Locators For Horizontal Directional Drilling?

When it comes to locating and tracking underground utilities during horizontal directional drilling (HDD) operations, specialized locator systems are essential for ensuring safety, accuracy, and efficiency. Several top brands are recognized for their quality, reliability, and innovation in providing locator systems tailored to the needs of HDD contractors and operators. Here are some of the top brands for locators used in horizontal directional drilling:

Subsite Electronics (a Charles Machine Works Company): Subsite Electronics is a leading manufacturer of underground utility locating equipment, including locator systems specifically designed for HDD applications. Their HDD locator systems offer advanced features such as dual-frequency capability, depth measurement, and real-time tracking of drilling tools. Subsite's HDD locators are known for their accuracy, durability, and ease of use in challenging field conditions.
Vivax-Metrotech: Vivax-Metrotech is a trusted provider of utility locating and mapping solutions, offering a range of locator systems suitable for horizontal directional drilling projects. Their HDD locator systems feature advanced electromagnetic and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) technologies for detecting and mapping underground utilities accurately. Vivax-Metrotech's locators are known for their reliability, precision, and user-friendly interface.
Radiodetection: Radiodetection is a global leader in utility locating and mapping solutions, offering a comprehensive range of locator systems for HDD and other trenchless applications. Their HDD locator systems utilize electromagnetic, radio frequency, and GPR technologies to detect and trace underground utilities with high accuracy and efficiency. Radiodetection's locators are known for their ruggedness, versatility, and intuitive operation in challenging environments.
UtiliGuard by Ditch Witch (The Charles Machine Works, Inc.): UtiliGuard is a line of utility locators designed and manufactured by Ditch Witch, a leading provider of HDD equipment and solutions. UtiliGuard locators offer advanced features such as automatic gain control, depth measurement, and GPS mapping capabilities, making them ideal for HDD projects requiring precise utility locating and tracking. Ditch Witch's UtiliGuard locators are known for their durability, performance, and ease of use in the field.
McLaughlin Group: McLaughlin Group specializes in utility locating and damage prevention solutions, offering a range of locator systems for HDD contractors and operators. Their HDD locator systems feature advanced electromagnetic and GPR technologies for accurate detection and mapping of underground utilities. McLaughlin's locators are known for their reliability, versatility, and user-friendly interface, helping contractors avoid costly utility strikes and downtime during HDD operations.

These are just a few examples of top brands for locators used in horizontal directional drilling. When selecting a locator system for HDD projects, it's essential to consider factors such as accuracy, depth measurement capability, ease of use, and compatibility with existing equipment and software. Consulting with equipment dealers, manufacturers, and industry experts can help HDD contractors and operators choose the right locator system for their specific needs and applications.

Where Can I Buy Horizontal Directional Drilling (Hdd)?

Shop our inventory of Horizontal Directional Drilling (Hdd) at Equipment Universe (Equipverse.com)

A Detailed Look Into Horizontal Directional Drilling