What is Directional Boring?

Directional boring, commonly called horizontal directional drilling or HDD, is a steerable trenchless method of installing underground pipes, conduits and cables in a shallow arc along a prescribed bore path by using a surface launched drilling rig, with minimal impact on the surrounding area.

Directional Boring, also known as Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is the most efficient method known for installing utilities underground.

Directional boring eliminates the need for trenching or open cutting roadways and other hard surfaces, reducing interruption to traffic and disturbance to landscape as well as existing surfaces.

The trenchless drilling process is used for installing power and telecommunications cable conduits, water lines, sewer lines, gas lines, oil lines, irrigation lines, product pipelines and casings used for environmental remediation.

HDD is used to cross rivers, roadways, congested areas, environmentally sensitive areas and any area where other methods are more expensive or aren’t feasible. Use of the directional boring method is growing rapidly and is expected to increase for the foreseeable future.

Directional boring is used in place of other drilling techniques for the following reasons:

Deeper installation possible

Directional and curved capabilities

Less traffic disruption

Longer installation distances possible

Lower costs

No access pit required

Safer for the environment

Shorter project completion times