Horizontal Directional Drilling

NSCC was the first company to bring in the HDD technology into the region. This state-of-the-art technique offers clients in the region a non-destructive technique of underground cable positioning. NSCC’s cables and ducts have been used by various local authorities for the connection of electric cables, fibre-optic lines, water and other utilities. HDD services also extend to the oil and gas industries, with the execution of shore approaches to oil platforms in remote offshore locations.

Backed by a large pool of regional resources, NSCC is able to serve a multitude of client requirements concurrently. Utilising our mega-rigs, NSCC is able to carry out crossings 1300 metres in length while pulling product line pipe 1500 millimetres in diameter. With our teams of qualified supervisors and site operatives having at least fifteen years of worldwide experience in horizontal drilling, clients can expect their projects to run smoothly, professionally and cost effectively.

The smaller and medium-sized HDD rigs are able to carry out period contracts comprising of a large number of short road crossings.

NSCC has one of the largest fleets of HDD rigs in the region, ranging from 12 tonnes to 250 tonnes in capacity, as well as drilling tools and accessories for the different types of soil and rock strata.

After almost a decade of service to the civil engineering and the oil and gas industries, NSCC continues to serve a broad client base all over the region.

THE FUNDAMENTAL WORKING STEPS OF THE HORIZONTAL
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING PROCESS

Pilot Hole: The initial hole drilled to the exacting standards of both horizontal and vertical control.

Ground conditions will dictate the drilling procedure used with jetting for softer formations or a mud motor and drill bit for harder rock type formations. In both cases the pumping of a drilling fluid is required to suspend and carry material cut back to the surface. The advanced survey control systems combined with highly developed tools enable downhole drilling to progress along an accurately controlled path.

With control of the drill path being continuously calculated and updated as the drill head is advanced, accuracy in reaching the target position is assured.

Reaming: The controlled procedure of increasing the hole size to the required diameter.

For the reaming (hole opening) processes, equipment will be chosen with careful consideration for the ground conditions expected. A complete range of equipment is available for the hardest formations that could be encountered. The pumping of drilling fluid remains a key component in ensuring material as it is cut, is transported to the surface as reaming progresses.

Pipe installation: Installation of the product pipe into the hole in one continuous pulling operation

Completion of the pilot hole and reaming procedure will enable the pipeline installation to take place.

Connection of the drill pipe to the pulling assembly ahead of the product line enables the pre welded pipeline to be pulled into the reamed hole. A continuous operation is completed when the pipelines leading end emerges at the drill rig position.

Client
ADWEA

Consultant
Pencol International

Main Contractor
General Construction Company WLL

Start Date
09/04/1997

Completion Date
31/07/1999

Project Details

The first such project in the Middle East was to link Abu Dhabi Island (Free Port Area to Lulu Island) with twin 32” diameter steel pipelines.

Rig Type: 400 Ton Drill Rig

Length of Crossing: 900 m (each)

No. of Crossings: 2 nos.

Drilling Depth: 20 m (under the sea bed)