Directional Boring, often undifferentiated from Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD), is a minimal impact trenchless method of installing underground pipe, conduit, or cables in a relatively shallow arc or radius along a prescribed underground bore path by using a surface-launched drilling rig. – wiki
In HDD process, disposal of drilling fluids and cuttings shall be the Drilling Company ‘s responsibility and shall be conducted in compliance with all relative environmental regulations, right-of-way and workspace agreements and permit requirements.
Drilling Fluids and Mud Cuttings In HDD
The primary components of drilling fluid used in HDD installation are fresh water and bentonite. The composition of all drilling fluids to be used by Drilling Company including Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) shall be submitted to the owner for approval prior to utilization. The materials shall be in accordance with API 13A (American Petroleum Institute, 2004). Two tanks shall be provided for drilling mud, one for clean mud and another for recycled mud.
The Horizontal Directional Drilling operation is to be executed in a manner to avoid the discharge of water, drilling mud and cuttings to the seawater involved during the construction process. The Drilling Company shall provide equipment and procedures to maximize the recirculation or re-use of drilling mud to minimize waste disposal.
A fluorescent non-toxic dye shall be added to the drilling fluid during drilling of the pilot holes so that any frac-outs can be easily detected. Drilling fluids must be free of any additives that will adversely affect the environment. The composition of all drilling fluids to be used by The Drilling Company shall be submitted to the owner for approval prior to utilization. No fluids will be approved or utilized that does not comply with permit requirements and environmental regulations.
Disposal of drilling fluids shall be the responsibility of the Drilling Company and shall be conducted in compliance with all relative environmental regulations, right-of-way and workspace agreements and permit requirements. All cost related to disposal shall be borne by the Drilling Company. Water supply is the Drilling Company’s responsibility, whether purchased locally, hauled in, or pumped from a nearby waterbody. Composition of the water shall be determined by water analyses and supplied to the owner. Always and when possible mud hoses and hoses in general shall be avoided and be replaced by steel pipes with chiksan connections. Mud cuttings shall be analyzed continuously during drilling operations and information supplied to the owner.
The Drilling Company shall locate suitable sites, obtain necessary approval from applicable local administrative and governmental authorities and the owner. In any case neither drilling fluids nor cuttings will be allowed to enter water bodies.
