Features

HDD: An Environmental Home Run
John English
December 2010 Vol. 65 No. 12

In just a few short decades, the use of horizontal directional drilling, as a method to install pipelines and utilities, has become common place.

The advantages of HDD are two-fold. HDD has already saved billions if not trillions of dollars in bottom line construction costs.

Evolving Thermal Grouts Aid Growth of Underground Power Transmission Lines
Jeff Griffin, Senior Editor
December 2010 Vol. 65 No. 12

Grouts have a multitude of uses for many types of construction.

For utility construction, grouts are most often thought of for sealing leaks and joints in water and sewer pipe infrastructure, manhole rehabilitation and filling annular space between pipes and surrounding structures.

Logistics Is Key During Pre-Design For Linear Pipeline
Dale M. Smith, P.E. Collinsville Branch Manager, Geotechnology Inc.
November 2010, Vol. 65 No. 11

When faced with a project that is 133 miles long, spans two states and dozens of counties and features a tight schedule, logistics can be a serious foe. Communicating to many design team members and being responsive to the many challenges encountered in the field only complicate the efforts to successfully complete a project on time and on budget. Developing organizational and coordination skills into a serious strength and planning appropriately are paramount to operating efficiently, performing well and providing quality results.

2010 Large Directional Drilling Rig Census
Traci Read, Senior Editor
November 2010, Vol. 65 No. 11

When horizontal directional drilling (HDD) professionals discuss the size of an HDD rig, they usually refer to the maximum pullback force the unit can develop. The most common industry standard for a large directional drilling unit is defined as having a minimum of 100,000 pounds of pullback force. In addition to pullback, the most common specifications used to categorize HDD equipment are rotary torque of drill stem, rotation speed and the size of drill pipe.

International Pipeline Construction Report
Rita Tubb, Managing Editor
November 2010, Vol. 65 No. 11

As of mid-year, international/offshore reports show planned pipeline miles remain higher than actual pipeline construction mileage. Figures show the international sector accounts for 81,752 miles of crude oil, natural gas and refined products pipelines under construction and planned. Of these, 50,355 miles represent pipelines in the feasibility and front end engineering design phase while 31,215 miles account for pipelines in various phases of construction.

Sensor System Records CIPP Temperature Readings During Installation
Jeff Griffin, Senior Editor
November 2010, Vol. 65 No. 11

A small, high-tech Ohio business has developed technology that monitors temperature readings along a full segment of pipe during the curing of the CIPP (cured-in-place-pipe) lining process.

The procedure uses sensors strung by cable inside the pipe to be relined before the liner is inserted into the pipe, explains Jack Conte, president and chief executive officer of Zia Systems LLC.

Design-Build HDD Project Offers Assurance To Owner
Stephen Tait
November 2010, Vol. 65 No. 11

Mears Group Inc. completed in April a 7,400-foot horizontal directional drilling bore in Jacksonville, FL, a design-build project that allows a regional energy producer to expand its natural gas pipeline to serve new facilities. To complete the project, Mears drilled a 7,400-foot pilot hole 130-feet beneath the St. Johns River bottom to install the 16-inch steel pipe. It is an essential link in a 50-mile pipeline that ends at the Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA’s) Greenland Energy Center.

Keystone Pipeline Project Moving Toward Completion
November 2010, Vol. 65 No. 11

Construction on TransCanada Corporation’s long-distance, large-diameter C$5.2 billion Keystone crude oil pipeline reaching from Canada’s Alberta oil fields to markets in the U.S. Midwest is grinding to completion after more than two years of intensive construction activity.

Damage Prevention/Safety Program Expands At UCT
November 2010, Vol. 65 No. 11

An expanded Damage Prevention & Safety (DP&S) Conference again will be a part of the 2011 UCT (Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition) scheduled at Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center Jan. 25-27.

Two days of educational sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 25, and Wednesday, Jan. 26, with a day-long Staking University locator certification seminar on Thursday, Jan. 27.

Michigan UP Excavation Challenges
November 2010, Vol. 65 No. 11

Sault Ste. Marie, MI, like so many other communities, is in the midst of storm-sewer separation upgrades. For many cities, that can mean miles of new pipe or upgraded utilities. Sault Ste. Marie has a unique challenge in that its historic downtown area is essentially an island, with the famous Soo Locks closely adjacent to the excavation area.

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