Pipeline & Directional Drilling Design

Designed Drill Path
  • Perform site inspection to ensure layout area, pipeline tie-ins, and other construction details are suitable
  • Determine entry and exit angles, arc radius, and required depth of cover
  • Provide integrated geotechnical, design and construction drawings in AutoCAD
  • Conservative design allows for adjustments required during construction

Surface Casing Design
  • Adequate depth to provide a seal with competent strata to mitigate the risk of fluid migration or borehole collapse
  • Adequate diameter of casing to allow the passage of the final reaming tools
  • Casing to be installed by hydraulic hammer, micro-tunneling or drilled in with the casing
  • Casing can be installed on both sides of the crossing to accommodate casing-to-casing drills

Pressure Analysis
  • Annular Pressure is the pressure acting on the formation during the drilling process.
  • Annular Pressure monitoring is an essential tool in the prevention of hydro-fracture during the drilling and reaming processes.
  • Annular Pressure will increase with these conditions:
  • Borehole instability causing sloughing or collapse
  • Poor cuttings removal causing annulus loading
  • Improper drilling fluid parameters
  • Annular Pressure will decrease under these conditions:
  • Fluid loss due to fracture or unconsolidated soils
  • Low density drilling fluids
  • Efficient hole cleaning
  • Annular Pressure Monitoring and Compliance
  • Pressure is continuously monitored and recorded at the start, middle, and end of each rod/stem to ensure drilling is proceeding as required

    • Drilling Fluid Design
    • Drilling fluid is required to transfer power and lubricate the mud motor and bit, transport cuttings, and seal fractures in the formation.
    • A drilling fluid design is dependent on formation type and insures key parameters are met (penetration rate, annular pressure control, and fracture minimizing)
    • Drilling fluid types (NSA certified standard 60) – must be environmentally safe
    • Fresh water systems (100% bentonite drilling fluid, polymers, and plugging agents)
    • Saltwater systems (ocean drilling)
    • Air-mist systems – lowers annular pressure
    • Foam mud systems – lowers annular pressure
    • Onsite drilling fluid management, including monitoring, recording and formation reaction are critical to ensure optimum performance