News & Events

Drilling Fluid The First Step of Solids Control

As I sit in front of my laptop preparing to write an article about Solids Control the first thought that pops into my head is the operation of solids control equipment and how to thoroughly and effectively describe how hydro cyclones, shakers and screens remove drill cuttings.

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Never Heard of Bentonite?

When writing our January 2019 cover story focusing on slurry handling and mud disposal a common theme came up that the general public does not know enough about the fluid used in HDD and microtunnelling applications.

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Ditching the Mud: Your Guide to Drilling Mud Disposal

Drilling mud is a standard component of many horizontal directional drilling (HDD) construction projects. It plays a vital role in stabilizing the bore, removing the cuttings, as well as cooling and lubricating equipment.

The growth in HDD as a construction method has generated more drilling mud and raised the profile of disposal methods.

Drilling mud disposal can contribute a significant portion to the total cost of a project. In addition, misperceptions about drilling mud toxicity affect the public perception of trenchless construction and its impact on the environment.

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HDD in Tough Conditions: Drilling Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Trenchless construction projects suffer from the same pressures as any construction project – those that make you fall behind schedule and increase cost. However, there is always a higher degree of uncertainty about factors affecting project execution when working underground and running a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) project. This uncertainty makes it even more critical to manage the variables within our control, like using the right materials and tools for the right job.

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The Importance of Fluid Loss Control in Drilling Operation

Drilling fluid (drilling mud) is an essential element of many trenchless construction projects. Over the years, the science of drilling fluid has developed extensively, allowing contractors to realize substantial benefits in the execution of a project.

Choosing the right fluid for the ground conditions as well as having effective fluid management and recycling systems are crucial elements of a successful project. The project will benefit from maximizing the uptime of the drilling rig, therefore reducing schedule and costs. At the same time, there will be minimal drilling fluid losses and thus, lower operating costs.

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The Key Principles of Effective Solids Control

Well-used drilling fluid will be full of unwanted solid content from the borehole after a drilling operation. The drilling fluid picks up all the soil and rock cuttings generated during the drilling process and effectively removes them using the slurry system.

The problem is, what should be done with the solids-ridden drilling fluid? As most industry professionals know, disposing of used drilling fluid is a major challenge for the trenchless industry.

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UC Tech Session: Misconceptions & Assumptions Dealing With Inadvertent Returns

Misconceptions & Assumptions Dealing With Inadvertent Returns

Every single one of us in the HDD industry has been negatively impacted by Inadvertent Returns (also called IR). I stress “negatively impacted” because an IR is synonymous with loss – a loss of flow, a loss in hundreds to millions of dollars in repairs, clean up, and standby wages and the loss of business credibility. During this session, we will discuss the misconceptions & assumptions…

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