Benefits of directional drilling compared to traditional trenching.

Open cut versus directional drilling

Trenhing or plowing, commonly called open cut, is a common way to connect utilities but it has it limitations. Open cut can only be used when the ground above the utilities can be disturbed and there are no buildings, roadways or other obstructions in the way. Horizontal directional drilling can be used in the same locations but it can also be used to go under roads, sidewalks, rivers, even houses if there is a need for it. The majority of the time, trenching or plowing is used "hand in hand" with directional drilling. The cost of installlation for open cut versus directional drilling is usually less sometimes 4 to 8 times less than drilling. You will commonly see trenching crews working the same job as drillers and any good underground utility company has both crews working for them. The directional drilling crew is usually there to take care of under roads, sidewalks, or existing land that does not need to be disturbed. They are also used to provide utilities underground in areas that are normally to treacherous to run a trencher or plow on. The trenching or plowing crews are there to take care of the main runs on more level ground. In conclusion, the two technologies usualy compliment each other; trenching or plowing being more cost effective but having limitations and directional drilling taking care of everything else but at a higher cost. Open cut versus directional drilling should really be "open cut complimented by directional drilling". If we wanted to choose one over the other without cost as a factor, Horizontal directional drilling would win hands down; doing everything trenching and plowing can do and doing jobs once thought impossible before this great technology.

Construction footprint of drilling

Directional drilling normaly has a smaller construction footprint; meaning a lot less of the exisitng ground is disturbed. There is still damage that is done as with all construction equipment, but proper planning and patience can keep it to a minimum. The directional drilling machines are heavy and run on tracks; wet ground or loose soil will usually be disturbed by the sheer weight of these machines. The second source of disturbance is the water used for drilling; for the most part the water is soaked back into the soil but in some rare cases it will "frack out". Frack out is where to much water is being used or the pressure of the water finds a way to come up to the surface of the ground. This usually causes minimal distrubances but can be a situation where sod or grass seed needs to be replaced in those areas. For the most part, Horizontal directional drilling will only disturb the location the machine is set up at and any place that utilities need to be connected. In some circumstances, a drill can be set up on the side of the road; drill through 10 or more backyards and leave nothing behind in the backyards but footprints from the locator. In consideration, if you need some utility work done and need minimal damage to your existing ground; underground horizontal directional drilling is what you need.

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