Directional Drilling: Three Essential Tips for Preventing Project Mishaps
Directional drilling is a beneficial process for boring in a non-vertical line. This approach to drilling is suitable for installing horizontal features like pipes or overcoming geological or man-made obstacles in the ground. Moreover, directional drilling minimises surface disturbance during boring and allows access to hidden points. If you are interested in employing this technique for your project, consult a qualified contractor for help. The skill and experience of the specialist will determine your success. In addition to engaging a directional drilling expert, here are tips for avoiding failures during the work.
Specify Your Drill
Choose the right directional drill for your project. If the equipment on your site is not well-matched with the planned work, the boring process will be challenging. Therefore, discuss your machine requirements with your chosen contractor or a heavy equipment supplier. Inquire about the available directional drills and their suitability for the scope of your work. The goal should be to find the right match between your site and the equipment. Compare the different drills and find the machine with specifications that are the best fit for the ground conditions and your applications.
Assess the Risks
You should determine the potential risks for your directional drilling work. An initial assessment of the challenges will allow you to come up with viable solutions and manage the possible danger. For example, the presence of underground pipes, conduits or other structures on your site can be a problem. If your drill comes in contact with these elements, the losses could include compromised utilities, damaged sites and even broken down equipment. Therefore, prevent these problems by conducting a preliminary geological survey. Also, clear the site and eliminate obstacles that could interfere with the operation of the drill or the movement of workers.
Monitor the Process
The directional drilling approach is favoured because it minimises the damage of the site surface during the work. Unfortunately, the technique demands the movement of the drill through the ground without visual information. If you are not cautious, the drill can wreak havoc beneath the ground, even with an initial geotechnical report. Therefore, consider investing in a tracking system. This unit will provide data for navigating the pilot bore of your drill during the project. Consequently, you will avoid mishaps like hitting buried structures or obstacles.
Finally, plan for the inspection and maintenance of all the directional drilling equipment. The lack of upkeep can make the machines faulty and increase the risk of incorrect operation and subsequent accidents.
