4 Reasons Directional Drilling Is Used Instead of Standard Drilling

Posted on: 24 June 2020

For many years, standard drilling has been the go-to method for installing everything from pipelines for oil and gas to water lines. However, standard drilling involves going only one direction, which can generate a lot of limitations. Directional drilling involves using equipment that can drill in various directions, and there does tend to be certain situations when this method of drilling makes more sense. Here is a look at some of the reasons directional drilling is often used. 

1. Directional drilling allows for drilling from a shoreline to an off-shore point. 

Even though drilling off-shore is common, it requires a substantial amount of equipment to achieve. If there is a need to bore a hole for a pipeline through an area where there is a body of water, directional drilling contractors can actually use the drilling equipment from the shore without having to get out on the water with their equipment. 

2. Directional drilling allows for holes to be bored around sensitive areas. 

Even though most people consider environmental concerns to be only above ground, there are specific concerns just the same beneath the surface of the soil. For example, some types of wildlife thrive in underground burrows and tunnels and it is not good to disturb some natural water tables. In these cases, a directional or horizontal drilling contractor can work around areas that do not need to be disturbed or disrupted with drilling processes. 

3. Directional drilling allows drilling to be accomplished in less desirable ground conditions. 

The ability to drill a hole into the ground relies heavily on what the ground is made up of. Ground that is filled with solid, dense rock is hard to drill and in some cases, it can be impossible to break through dense barriers. Likewise, it can be rather difficult to achieve a clean cut through the ground where there is a high sand or water concentration. With a directional drilling contractor using their specialized techniques to create the hole, they can maneuver around certain points underground that are not easy to drill through. 

4. Directional drilling allows for cost-effective boring projects. 

In some instances, using the directional drilling method to bore a hole for a pipeline is all about cost-effectiveness. For example, there may be specific challenges in the geologic makeup that would make standard drilling take a lot longer to achieve, so directional drilling can get the task done faster and mean a lower end cost for the client. 

To learn more, contact local directional drilling contractors. 

Share