Applications Directional Drilling
By Sierrahydrovac_Admin Directional Drilling 0 Comments

Applications of Directional Drilling in the Oil and Gas Industry

Directional Drilling is the process of controlling the direction and deviation of a wellbore to a predetermined underground target. It is widely used across industries as it has more advantages than a normal vertical well. Directional drilling is used for various purposes in the oil and gas industry.  Below are listed a few directional drilling applications in the oil and gas industry:

Multiple Wells in one Offshore Location

In offshore projects, multiple wells have to be drilled from a single platform. Directional wells optimize the reservoir target in comparison to vertical wells. It is for this reason that directional wells are dug as opposed to drilling a lot of vertical wells. Directional drilling is an economical option and has a lesser environmental impact.

Sidetrack Well

Sidetracking is one of the primary directional drilling applications. It is a process which deflects the borehole by starting a new hole at any point above the previous target. Side tracking is used to move the location of the bottom of the hole from a depleted portion of the reservoir to a more productive location. It is used to ease out problems caused by water or gas coning.

Relief Wells

If a well begins to flow in an uncontrolled manner then it must be sealed at depth or the pressure must be relieved. In this case, a relief well is drilled in close to the site. It will be a directionally drilled well that intersects the bore of the problem well to drain off some of the pressure. Directional and horizontal drilling techniques are used to construct relief wells.

Reach Inaccessible Locations

Reaching inaccessible locations is a chief directional drilling application. Some areas where the rigs cannot be placed are inaccessible due to the presence of a town, or mountains. The directional wells are drilled underneath the producing zones.

Overcome Geological Structure

One of the key challenges of drilling is to tackle different kinds of geological structures. Salt domes are geological structures made of salt which intrude upwards into overlying sediments. They can deform rock units into traps that can hold oil and gas. Through directional drilling wells are directionally drilled around and underneath the salt dome.

There are other directional drilling applications such as control vertical wells and horizontal wells. Sierra Hydrovac services have highly specialized directional drill equipment which has an accurate drill bit locator. We have the required expertise for all your excavation projects.

Installing Underground Utilities
By Sierrahydrovac_Admin Directional Drilling • 0 Comments

Directional Drilling is Used for Installing Underground Utilities

Also known as horizontal directional drilling (HDD), directional drilling is an accurate method of installing underground utilities like pipes, cables, and lines under constructed surfaces like parking lots, buildings, and other structures without digging trenches. This is an ideal method of installing cables and conduits below surfaces that have already been occupied. Here are some reasons why directional drilling is ideal for installing underground utilities.

  • When you choose the directional drilling method, there is no need to block the traffic or impede public areas while installing underground utilities.

  • The process requires less manpower than other processes for installing pipes, cables, sewer lines, etc.

  • HDD is an inexpensive method as it requires less manpower and limited machinery and equipment. When compared to trenching or a standard excavation process which requires several machines, tools, equipment, and workforce, the directional drilling process is much cost effective.

  • Digging and trenching have a higher risk of worker injuries, mishaps, and accidents. The risk of accidents is relatively very low in the HDD method.

  • This method has the least impact on the landscape and nature. In this method, the drills are horizontally dug deep into the earth without actually digging pits.

  • Time, cost, and materials are saved which are typically invested in filling trenches and pits that are created to install underground utilities in other processes like the excavation.

  • HDD can install utilities deeper in the earth which is practically difficult to do with other processes.

  • The process helps in installing utilities over a widespread land without disrupting the nearby land surface.

  • Holes and bores of various sizes can be drilled using different drilling tools and attachments. One single truck can have interchangeable attachments for varied drilling.

  • It is not necessary to access the site to drill underneath. Bores and holes can be drilled from some distance without obstructing the normal work or transportation.

  • As it causes the least disruption to the land and has fewer workforce risks, the directional drilling process is safe for the environment.

The benefits of HDD process are plenty over other methods of laying a gas pipe, sewer line, an electric wire, etc. However, the process is not as easy as it may seem. The entire process requires a lot of planning and perfection. This perfection and precision can be achieved only by skilled and experienced drilling professionals. Here, at Sierra Hydrovac, we provide services that can ease your excavation and drilling projects using the best equipment. Get in touch with us today and we will be happy to help you!

Know Directional Drilling
By Sierrahydrovac_Admin Directional Drilling 0 Comments

All You Need to Know About Directional Drilling

Directional drilling is also known as slant drilling. It is a method used for controlling the deviation and direction of a wellbore to a predetermined underground location target. Directional drilling is mainly used in the oil and gas industry because it allows drilling multiple wells from the same vertical wellbore, thus, minimizing the well’s impact on the environment. Although directional drilling is very popular, there are some things about it that are not well-known. Here’s a guide to everything about directional drilling:

Applications of Directional Drilling

  • Mining Industry

Directional wells are used in the mining industry to produce methane gas that is available in coal seams.

  • Construction Industry

Directional drilling is used to make a small diameter pilot hole in a smooth arc under the river until it emerges on the other side. This technique is used to cross rivers that are up to 200’ wide.

  • Geothermal Engineering

High geothermal gradient that is found in some rocks can be harnessed to provide energy. To extract the heat from these rocks, the drilling of injection and production wells is necessary.

Benefits of Directional Drilling

  • Savings in excavations and shoring costs

  • Clean trenchless solution for underground installations without disturbing the above surface

  • Eliminates possibility of trenching-related accidents

  • No delays due to unfavorable weather conditions

  • No need to apply for road opening permits for public road works

  • Requires less than half the time to get the job done when compared to the traditional trenching methods

  • Best option for sites that are sensitive to surface disruptions like golf courses, busy traffic junctions, airport runways, difficult site conditions, etc.

  • Prices are not too high compared to the conventional trenching methods

  • Ideal for house service installations for gas, communications, power, sewer, and water lines.

  • Savings on manpower

Disadvantages of Directional Drilling

  • Difference in operating costs is too high

  • Expensive equipment need to be mobilized to push tools down the hole that are required for repairs

  • Prevention of sand influx into the drilling wells is less reliable and needs more effort

Directional drilling is safe and has various other benefits. The advantages of directional drilling outweigh its disadvantages by far. Plus, using the best directional drilling methods and equipment can certainly minimize the downsides of directional drilling. If you want the trenching job to be done with perfection, you should definitely choose directional drilling over other traditional methods.