Experimental investigation of pull loads and borehole pressures during horizontal directional drilling installations

Abstract

Installation loads during 19 commercial horizontal directional drilling (HDD) installations were monitored using new in-hole monitoring cell technology. Fifteen of these installations were part of an 8.3 km section of 203 mm diameter by 4 mm wall thickness steel gas distribution line. The predominant soil type was silty clay, and similar construction practices were employed for all installations. The resistance to pipe advancement within the bore was found to increase in an approximately linear manner, varying from 0.20 to 0.31 kN/m, with a mean of 0.26 kN/m and standard deviation σx = 0.03 kN/m. Local peaks caused by borehole curvature or borehole anomalies were found to dissipate, usually within 10 m, before the underlying linear trend resumed. The remaining four installations were evaluated to determine the relationship between measured pull head load and borehole pressure. The correlation observed provides new insight into the factors that contribute to pulling forces during HDD installations. Based on the findings, a conceptual framework is proposed for an improved HDD design model. The framework outlines two development stages: stage 1, based on tabulated measurements of pulling force per length of pipe inserted; and stage 2, involving significant modifications to an existing prediction model to better represent field conditions.Key words: pipelines, tensile loads, mud pressure, directional drilling, load monitoring, pressure monitoring.