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9 Ways That Directional Drilling Helps Preserve the Environment
Many of our clients raise concerns about the environmental impact when contacting us about their projects service installation. The environment holds a whole host of woodland ecosystems, aquatic habitats, and diverse wildlife, and, as individuals, we have a responsibility to protect and preserve the environment before, during, and after any residential or commercial drilling projects.
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is an eco-friendly technique that significantly reduces environmental impact compared to traditional trenching methods. By using precise, targeted drilling, HDD minimizes surface disruption, preserving the surrounding landscape and natural habitats. This approach ensures that projects can be carried out with minimal impact on the location and nearby areas, making HDD a responsible choice for environmentally sensitive installations.
What is Horizontal Directional Drilling?
Horizontal Directional Drilling was developed in the 1980s from oil exploration technology, installing pipelines under obstacles like rivers and roads with minimal disturbance. It involves using advanced technologies and drilling a pilot bore along a predetermined path using a fluid-assisted angular drill head or mud motor.
Progress data is transmitted to a receiver at the drill rig, and monitored via handheld VDU or remote tracking systems. After the pilot bore, a back-reamer enlarges the diameter, followed by product pipe installation. This method reduces environmental impact compared to traditional installation methods.
Why Would You Need HDD?
HDD allows for the installation of underground utilities with minimal impact on the surface. This is especially beneficial in urban or residential areas where traditional trenching would be disruptive.
Traditional trenching can be messy, disruptive, and costly, often leaving a visible impact on the environment and a hefty bill. Digging, completing the work, and refilling the trench can add up to hundreds of thousands of pounds—and in some cases, you’re responsible for restoring the site yourself. By choosing professional horizontal directional drilling (HDD) services, you avoid the mess and restore your site seamlessly. HDD keeps the landscape intact, minimizing environmental disruption while saving you time, money, and effort in cleanup and repairs
Why Does Directional Drilling Have A Low Impact on the Environment?
As the urgency for environmental preservation grows, industries face increasing pressure to ensure they are conducting sustainable practices in every aspect of their business. In this context, employing directional techniques becomes increasingly important to minimise environmental impact while meeting infrastructure needs.
1. Reduce Surface Disturbance
Horizontal Directional Drilling results in minimal disturbance of the ground. This approach not only mitigates habitat disruption but also reduces the need for extensive land clearing and infrastructure development compared to traditional trenching methods. As a result, the environmental footprint of drilling operations is significantly reduced, contributing to preserving the ecosystems and natural landscapes.
2. Protect Sensitive Areas
Directional drilling allows for precise navigation under the ground’s surface in a variety of soil conditions, enabling drillers to avoid sensitive areas. By bypassing these areas, the risk of disturbing these crucial ecosystems is greatly reduced. Areas such as SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest), Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs), Root Protection Zones (RPTs), and Ancient Woodlands are protected, ensuring the conservation of their unique ecological, botanical, or historical significance. Conventional trenching in these areas could disrupt fragile ecosystems, damage important habitats, harm rare or endangered species, or destroy irreplaceable cultural heritage. As a result, they are safeguarded to preserve their natural and cultural value for future generations.
3. REDUCED WATERWAY IMPACT
HDD can drill beneath rivers, streams, and wetlands without disturbing the water or aquatic life, unlike traditional trenching, which can cause sediment runoff and harm ecosystems.
4. Mitigation of Noise and Air Pollution
Traditional trenching often produces high noise levels and releases pollutants into the air, impacting both the environment and nearby communities. Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) minimizes these issues by using advanced, quieter equipment and emissions-reducing technology. HDD’s low-noise operation reduces disturbances to local communities and wildlife habitats, while efficient emissions controls help keep the surrounding air cleaner compared to traditional trenching methods. This makes HDD a more environmentally friendly and community-conscious option for infrastructure projects.
5. Regulatory Compliance and Monitoring
Directional drilling ensures compliance with environmental regulations and standards set by governing bodies. Professional HDD drilling contractors are knowledgeable about all regulations surrounding environmental protection and drilling activities.
Before starting any project, thorough assessments are conducted to identify potential environmental risks and ensure all necessary permits are obtained. Throughout the drilling process, monitoring tools are used to track progress and detect any potential environmental impacts, allowing for immediate response and mitigation measures if needed.
At EPS Trenchless Installations, we survey your area to ensure that your underground drilling project will run smoothly. We also adhere strictly to environmental regulations and guidelines to ensure that our drilling operations meet all necessary standards for environmental protection whilst meeting your directional drilling specifications.
6. Decreased Habitat Fragmentation
Environmental preservation is a key priority for many industries, including drilling operations. One way in which directional drilling helps in this regard is by reducing habitat fragmentation. Traditional trenching methods can disrupt ecosystems and fragment habitats, but directional drilling minimises these disturbances by allowing for more precise and controlled excavation.
7. Reduced Carbon Emissions
Advanced technologies in directional drilling contributes to the reduction of carbon emissions. Modern machines are designed to be more compact and efficient, requiring less space and reducing the overall environmental impact. The sophisticated operation allows for quieter and cleaner drilling, which not only lowers carbon emissions but also reduces other forms of pollution.
8. Use of Advanced Technologies
Eps utilize advanced technologies designed to ensure precise and eco-friendly operations. Our planning process includes thorough bore profiling, where we carefully map the proposed drilling route using tools like the TerraTrak R1 system. This advanced system allows us to create an accurate, real-time profile of topographical conditions, helping identify any potential obstacles or geological challenges before drilling begins. By proactively addressing these factors, we significantly reduce the risk of disrupting natural habitats and ecosystems. Moreover, the TerraTrak R1 and our DCI F5 monitoring systems enable us to track drilling progress and environmental indicators continuously. This real-time data allows our team to make immediate adjustments as needed, minimizing potential environmental risks and ensuring a responsible, low-impact drilling process from start to finish.
9. Preservation of Agricultural Land
Directional drilling helps preserve valuable agricultural land by minimising disruption to fields and crops. By employing trenchless technology, farmers can continue their operations with minimal interference, ensuring the preservation of valuable agricultural resources.
Minimise Your Environmental Impact and Choose Our Expert Horizontal Directional Drilling Services
There’s no need for outdated deep excavations, we can operate through various ground types and specialist locations. By leveraging advanced drilling techniques and trenchless technology, we minimise the environmental impact of our operations while maximising efficiency and precision to suit your directional drilling specifications.
Our HDD drilling contractors minimise surface disturbances, reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional excavation methods. This forward-thinking approach not only allows us to navigate various ground types and specialist locations with ease but also reinforces our dedication to environmental responsibility.
