Direct Pipe Installation

Direct Pipe installation provides a one pass installation solution with a high degree of steering accuracy. This method combines the advantages of microtunneling and HDD technology to excavate the required borehole and install prefabricated pipelines at the same time. Calculated thrust force is used to push the microtunneling machine forward with the pipeline allowing projects to be completed quickly and with minimal impact. The Hall cribbs drilling Company offers pipeline installations to clients throughout North America. Our experienced crews are able to complete installations both safely and efficiently using our fleet of Direct Pipe equipment.

OPERATING Principle

With the Direct Pipe approach, the soil is excavated using a guided slurry-supported microtunneling boring machine (MTBM). A pipeline is welded to the end of the MTBM, and a pipe thruster is used to push the entire assembly forward into the borehole as excavation takes place. The excavated material is then pumped through a slurry circuit inside the prefabricated pipeline to a separation plant located aboveground. We deploy this advanced method to simultaneously tunnel and thrust the pipe, seamlessly filling the hole as it advances. This approach offers a highly efficient, and single-pass solution in challenging subsurface conditions.

Direct Pipe Advantages

The Direct Pipe Installation method has many advantages over other tunnelling methods. If you are familiar with horizontal direct drilling (HDD) or looking to include HDD in your upcoming project, read the below advantages of Direct Pipe and contact us if you’d like more information.

Rapid Installation

Direct Pipe Installation greatly reduces the time required to install pipelines because it simultaneously excavates the route and installs prefabricated pipes. Slurry and excavated material are transported through the pipe along rolling support structures that can be simply removed once the project is complete.

Permanent Borehole Support

With Direct Pipe, the pipeline is being installed simultaneously as the soil is being drilled which provides permanent support to the borehole. This is especially important in softer, sandier soils that could lead to increased geological impact if the borehole is not supported sufficiently. Direct Pipe reduces this risk and the time and equipment required to ensure proper support.

Reduced Environmental Footprint

Direct Pipe Installation reduces your overall environmental impact by reducing the amount of geological disturbance. It’s one-pass method does not require the additional construction of shafts. The borehole and pipe installation occur simultaneously with the point of entry near the ground surface. It is an optimal solution for projects that require access from only one side such as sea outfalls, and can be used in congested urban areas as well.

Advantage Of Direct Pipe Installation.

One-step jacking method, i.e. the product pipeline is pushed into the ground in one step, in contrast to all common methods, which have so far been applied
Permanent drill-hole support in order to prevent a drill-hole collapse, advantage over HDD
Cutting wheel and cutting tools of the microtunnelling machine can be adapted to any geological conditions, which is particularly beneficial over HDD
Minimum space required, only on the launch side: Advantage over other methods, which either require considerable storage space on the launch side (pipe jacking / segmental lining), which require considerable space in order to install the product pipeline on the target side (HDD) or which require space on both sides (Easy Pipe)
High performance rates - due to the deployment of the Pipe Thruster and the possibility to install and test entire pipe sections
Minimum slurry volume required due to the small overcut

DIRECT PIPE INSTALLATION