CONTRACTORS
HDD construction methodology Insights Maxibor prepares an HDD construction methodology which provides a comprehensive overview of the processes involved in the physical delivery of the project and to demonstrate to stakeholders how key activities and issues specific to the project are to be managed.
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his article provides an insight into reaming, hole conditioning, product pipe installation and testing for a typical 500 m large bore project installing OD500 HDPE pipe.
Pilot hole construction, reaming and hole conditioning The expected ground conditions based on the geotechnical investigation is: • Drill set up for 60 m – OTR Clay • 60 to 140 m – bluestone with quartz (hard rock) • 140 to 207 m – transition from bluestone to mudstone/siltstone • 207 to 450 m – mudstone/siltstone
• 450 m to exit at 500 m – transition from mudstone/siltstone to OTR As the pilot hole will encounter both OTR and rock, the key bottom hole assembly (BHA) tooling will include: • 6.5 inch (165 mm) pilot hole drill bit • Jetting assembly • Orientation sub for mounting survey probe • P2 pressure module • 4 inch (101 mm) non-magnetic drill collar • 4.5 inch (114 mm) 5:6 motor for the rock sections Following completion of the pilot hole, the BHA
will be removed at the exit location and the first reamer attached. The proposed reaming sequence for the pipeline will be conducted as follows: • 500 mm back-ream • 750 mm back-ream • 750 mm hole conditioning pass The hole conditioning passes will confirm the bore is in a condition to accept the product pipe. The driller will monitor and record drilling pressures, and the mud technician will monitor and record fluid properties so an accurate assessment can be made of the hole condition prior to installation. Detailed bore logs will be maintained throughout the drilling processes. A drilling summary will be provided detailing the tooling used at each stage and relevant commentary particularly around the bore hole cleaning processes.
Product pipe installation and testing
Excavator support operation during HDD installation.
Maxibor drilling at the Logan Water Project.
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The Australian Pipeliner | October 2021
Following hole opening and the completion of any required cleaning passes, pipeline installation will take place. As this is one of the most critical phases of construction, a site-specific installation plan will be developed which will cover daily schedules, pipe stress analysis, over bend dimensions, risk analysis and contingency and emergency procedures. This will be reviewed and approved by Maxibor management prior to installation taking place. The pulling head on the pipeline will be connected to the drill string using a 150 t rated maxi dub swivel. Attached to the swivel will be a 30 inch (750 mm) barrel reamer. The drill string and barrel reamer will be free to rotate during the subsequent pipeline installation operation. The jets on the barrel reamer will allow bentonite drilling fluid to be pumped through the borehole during the installation operation. The gravel shield will be installed over the rear of the reamer, swivel joint and the leading edge of the carrier pipe to prevent loose material falling in behind the reamer. This provides a smooth transition between the rotating and non-rotating parts of the assembly. For buoyancy control, water will be pumped into the pipeline from the rear of the pipe string using a 50 mm pipeline and fill pump located at the rear of the site. A meter will be used to ensure that only the section of pipe below ground is filled so as not to cause excessive loads and stress on the above ground section of pipe.
