HDD vs Bore?

[Stroke]

When It comes to laying a pipeline, what is the difference between Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) and Boring a pipeline under a road? Or is there a difference?

[CaptRyan]

When It comes to laying a pipeline, what is the difference between Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) and Boring a pipeline under a road? Or is there a difference?

HDD is not used to lay pipelines, it is a type of well drilling. Boring consists of using a machine to bore a horizontal hole under a structure, creek, etc, so that a pipeline can be installed in said bore, instead of the traditional "open trench" pipeline installation.

[timberking]

I'm no petrol engineer but I think the directional drilling has to do with exploration. I have seen pipelines bored a long way. Under Little Cypress Creek.

[tbeak]

Incorrect Capt and Timber. You are thinking of Vertical Drilling. HDD's are used all the time.

Main difference is the length that needs to be drilled. depending on the size of pipe a bore will be used for something less that 550 or 600ft, sometimes under 300. and will mainly be used for RR, road, waterbody, utility crossings. An HDD will be used for crosssing major things that are over the limit to bore. this is also affected by pipe diameter and soils. but generally over 1000 ft. some drills can be shorter again depending on depth and pipe size.

They do have different equipment, a bore generally is dig out pit, then the machine drills a "straight" hole under something to the other side, then the pipe is hammered in. there are guided bores and slick bores

An HDD has mud that is pumped with the drill head to clean out all the debris and usually goes much deeper. just laid one under the ship channel that is 150' down below the bottom.

Thats the down and dirty quick difference

[Stroke]

HDD is not used to lay pipelines, it is a type of well drilling. Boring consists of using a machine to bore a horizontal hole under a structure, creek, etc, so that a pipeline can be installed in said bore, instead of the traditional "open trench" pipeline installation.

OK, that makes sense but sometimes you see bore rigs/HDD rigs set up and the drill stem is going in at an angle. To me that says that the pipe is going down and then eventually coming back up on the other side of a road/waterway or whatever. It doesn't look like a level horizontal hole. So is that considered a bore or HDD?

[tbeak]

Thats an HDD

[Stroke]

tbeak. That's the answer I was looking for. Thanks for the clarification.

[tbeak]

yep

[CaptRyan]

Incorrect Capt and Timber. You are thinking of Vertical Drilling. HDD's are used all the time.

Main difference is the length that needs to be drilled. depending on the size of pipe a bore will be used for something less that 550 or 600ft, sometimes under 300. and will mainly be used for RR, road, waterbody, utility crossings. An HDD will be used for crosssing major things that are over the limit to bore. this is also affected by pipe diameter and soils. but generally over 1000 ft. some drills can be shorter again depending on depth and pipe size.

They do have different equipment, a bore generally is dig out pit, then the machine drills a "straight" hole under something to the other side, then the pipe is hammered in. there are guided bores and slick bores

An HDD has mud that is pumped with the drill head to clean out all the debris and usually goes much deeper. just laid one under the ship channel that is 150' down below the bottom.

Thats the down and dirty quick difference

Going to disagree with the "wrong" sentiment. A bore is a directionally drilled hole for pipeline installation. What is traditionally known as a horizontal drill is associated with actual well bores. Nomenclature difference, not right or wrong.

[Stroke]

I just talked to another guy and he said it also has to do with the length and radius. Bores are shorter and do not go as deep. HDD have a bigger radius and are typically longer.

Does this sound accurate?

[tbeak]

yes it does, bores are generally less than 20' deep. just however deep you can dig a hole. with HDD's you have to allow length for the pipe to bend (small pipe bends more/quicker than larger pipe)and then come up without getting stuck. so yea there is a radius involved.