We were able to make the intersect on the first attempt. “For this reason,” he continued, “we chose Tensor to accomplish the intersect, since we were able to track the entire length once we reached the intersect point. In fact, the crews were able to use the Tru-Tracker system the entire length of the crossing. The planned intersect point was in the tangent of the crossing where both paths were flat and level and could have the Tru-Tracker wire above this point for locating the downhole steering sensors.” We knew we would be more successful in completing the S-curve by having a rig on the exit side. “We decided,” explained Baker, “to use the intersect method due to the projected 8,500-foot length of the crossing and because there was a horizontal S-curve at the exit point of the crossing. Two Vermeer drill rigs were employed on the project: a D1000x90, which bored 5,000 feet, and a D500x500, which bored 4,000 feet. Also, drilling under and adjacent to two major roads required care to prevent the inadvertent fluid returns, so we constantly monitored drilling fluid properties and the amount of fluid we had coming back.” Intersect solution “Another challenge was working in the public eye, which always brings concerns. “We spent a long time planning and assisting with the design of the project. “A challenge was, of course, the length of the installation and the diameter of the pipe,” said Cory Baker, Hard Rock general manager. The total length of the pipeline is 4.5 miles.ĭirectional drilling was employed on the 8,400-foot portion of the route because it went through the middle of the city of Midland and crossed two major roads. All product will be moved through the pipelines to a Fasken bank battery. The HDD segment is part of a new pipeline that will carry oil, gas and water from wells to be drilled. Project owner was Fasken Oil and Gas and the pipeline contractor was Kingsley Construction Inc. The complex project included an intersect 5,000 feet from the starting side of the installation. Three smaller-diameter flex steel pipes were placed in the larger pipe before it was pulled in.

Hard Rock Directional Drilling LLC recently completed an 8,414-foot-long horizontal directional drilling (HDD) installation of 30-inch diameter steel pipe in Midland, Texas.

Hardrock directional drilling