Australia Wide Directional Drilling (AWDD) provides specialist expertise in horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and Vermeer Trenchless Technology, a minimal excavation technique that provides a safer and greener alternative to open-cut trenching through environmentally delicate areas. This means that there is no need to remove riparian vegetation or stir toxins settled in creek and river bottoms, as wetlands and other environmentally sensitive areas remain virtually undisturbed.
The health of Australian waterways is particularly important, having been impacted significantly by recent floods, which has resulted in rivers and creeks suffering erosion, contamination, habitat loss and water quality decline. Directionally drilled crossings help preserve river beds and banks, wetlands and reclamation areas, because this method can accurately place a line well beneath the river bed, offering improved efficiency and security in an unstable environment. HDD limits the recurring reinstatement costs of open-cut trenching affected by erosion due to heavy rain or flooding.
AWDD only uses the latest Vermeer Trenchless Technology available in the market place, providing a wider scope of options when choosing your construction methodology. These options include correct design, accurate guidance and the ability to install small or large pipe to grade in any ground formation.
The most important environmental aspect of HDD is accuracy. HDD uses the latest steering tools and guidance systems available to install large diameter pipe to grade over short or long distances in any ground conditions, maintaining the product pipe’s structural integrity, using up to 70 per cent less carbon emissions than conventional methods, and minimising ground disturbance.
Methodology water is mixed with Bentonite (organic-powdered clay), which is then pumped through the drill string, and cuttings are suspended in the fluid and forced back to the surface by down-hole pressure. They are then circulated through a Vermeer R9x12T Drill Fluid Reclaimer cleaning system, removing the solids, and the fluid is then recirculated. The drilling fluids returning from the bore path are nothing more than water, clay – and whatever the makeup of the local formation may be. In this industry, this is commonly referred to as “˜drilling mud’.
AWDD management has obtained some of Australia’s most respected HDD personnel, combining over 50 years’ experience in trenchless construction operations, as well as having completed some of Australia’s largest HDD pipeline projects.
AWDD is able to provide a comprehensive suite of services including exploration, production and directional drilling. In addition to these various drilling techniques, the company can provide a range of specialty services for your next project including HDD consulting and project management, geotechnical reports, HDD survey design, site preparation, stringing, welding, joint coating, pipe installation, testing, as-builts and reinstatement.
For more information, visit www.vermeer.com.au or call 1800 620 720.
