Why horizontal directional/guided drilling technology is needed?

Underground pipelines are an important part of urban infrastructure. Cable pipelines, upper and lower water networks, and thermal (power) pipelines, together with underground railways, are called the lifeblood of the city. With the development of society, the length of underground pipelines continues to increase. On the other hand, the per capita share of pipelines is much lower than that of western developed countries. The reason why the non-excavation technology of horizontal directional drilling rigs has received more and more applications and attention is not only its inherent technical advantages, but also the huge desire brought about by social development, mainly manifested in：

(1) Underground crossing is an inevitable requirement for social development. Whether it is the lack of planning in various industry sectors, poor coordination, or the need for infrastructure development, new underground facilities are always increasing. At this time, either excavation or non-excavation, choose one. As the advantages of non-excavation are gradually recognized by people, non-excavation technology is maturing, and the cost of non-excavation construction is decreasing year by year, so the application of non-excavation is increasing year by year. Underground pipelines are an important part of urban infrastructure. Cable pipelines, upper and lower water networks, and thermal (power) pipelines, together with underground railways, are called the lifeblood of the city. With the development of society, the length of underground pipelines continues to increase, and there is huge room for growth in the trenchless market.

   (2) The application field of horizontal directional/ guided drilling technology is environmental governance engineering. Pollutants such as some large garbage disposal sites, industrial waste dumps, aircraft fuel depots in airports and air bases, underground fuel storage depots, oil refineries, gas stations, etc. penetrate underground under the action of rainwater, polluting groundwater and soil. Horizontal directional/guided drilling technology is used to drill horizontal wells in contaminated areas and lay filters in them to extract contaminated groundwater and prevent the further spread of pollutants. The ground road network is vertical and horizontal, underground facilities are staggered, and the functional division of urban blocks has become an insurmountable obstacle to conventional engineering construction, and there is a strong demand for trenchless technology. The obstacles that may be crossed in municipal construction are: the existing underground municipal pipe network, subway network, highway network, underground space and underground facilities, buildings, rivers, cultural relics protected areas, etc. It is almost impossible to complete with traditional construction methods, and the non-excavation method is duty-bound.

(3) Non-excavation has competitive advantages such as environmental protection and livability. The amount of excavation in a city exceeds a certain proportion, which will inevitably affect traffic and the normal lives of citizens. Instead, non-excavation construction will not hinder traffic, pollute the environment, destroy vegetation, affect surrounding buildings, and affect all normal life and working order of residents.

(4) In some projects, non-excavation has a comparative advantage. The cost of non-excavation construction does not increase too much as the depth increases, and it can also cross rivers, lakes, railways, roads, urban buildings, etc. in a very short and reasonable path. The construction efficiency is high, material consumption is saved, and construction costs are reduced. Therefore, in some projects, non-excavation has a comparative advantage.