Horizontal Directional Drilling
Trenchless techniques are often used to minimise disruptions when cables and pipelines are being laid, so that operations can continue as normal. Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) reduces this problem significantly and Visser & Smit Hanab is an expert in this field. HDD techniques provide the answer when rivers, canals, dikes, nature reserves, roads, railways and existing cable and pipeline networks have to be crossed, and in densely populated areas, this is often the case.
HDD Technique
From its very inception, we have been involved in the development of the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) technique. By using this computer controlled technique, obstacles and other objects can be bypassed. With HDD, the drilling equipment that connects to the drilling tube on the surface pulls the cable, casing pipes or pipeline through the ground. As such, there is no need for costly excavation. For HDD techniques, we have a complete fleet of rigs at our disposal.
HDD Expertise in-house
We are one of the frontrunners when it comes to using HDD principles. In the last few years, this technique has been successfully used in complex projects, such as rock drilling, dune traverse, landfalls and outfalls.
The refinement of these techniques and the introduction of new methods also mean that directional drilling is becoming a more financially attractive option.
Having our own designers, geologists, engineers, drilling experts and equipment specialists in-house adds to this ‘economic gravitational force'. This means that we can provide a turnkey delivery of our projects.
Outfalls and Landfalls with HDD
Landfalls and outfalls require a great deal of professional expertise. A lot of temporary equipment is often required. Visser & Smit Hanab has gained plenty of international experience in working with landfalls for undersea pipelines and casing pipes for gases, fluids and signal cables, as well as outfalls for cooling and waste water and the construction of drilled offshore constructions, such as oil discharge facilities in ports.
Depending on soil conditions, above and below-ground infrastructure and the technical specifications, the most suitable drilling methods and project approach will be selected. Visser & Smit Hanab has specialised floating equipment such as pontoon winches at its disposal. If necessary, drilling equipment can be modified to the type of rock and to suit other (technical) project features.
Shoreline and coastal drilling
Thanks to our comprehensive knowledge of geology, soil mechanics, engineering and implementation, we are able to select the correct drilling method and to apply this successfully in any surface, be it marshland, rock or gravel.
HDD drilling: How it works
The following animation shows how the HDD technique works.
