18 DECEMBER 2024 WorldWide Drilling Resource® https://LGWA.org Louisiana Ground Water Association Convention & Trade Show January 7-8, 2025 Paragon Casino Resort Marksville, Louisiana Exhibits Bingo Education Door Prizes Discount Code LGJ06GR Catch-Rig Technology Speeds up Intersect Drilling Process Adapted from Information by American Augers When undertaking longer maxi-horizontal directional drilling (HDD) projects requiring intersecting pilot bores, contractors typically use a two-sided installation approach. This method enables operators to manage fluid cleaning, assist with pipe handling, and provide power assistance in difficult borehole conditions. This involves drilling from both ends toward a central point and merging the two bores into one continuous hole. The predetermined drive rig then pulls the exit side drill string back to the surface, allowing for the hole-opening process to take place. A challenge in the process is maintaining a consistent drill pipe string in the hole at all times. The project determines the method for managing the tail string on the exit side of the bore as it progresses. Previously, contractors had to devise creative solutions for managing drill pipe and fluid flows, including manual pipe connections and fluid swivels, which took up significant time and effort. American Augers developed a catch-rig technology which enables the efficient collaboration of two HDD rigs, with the added benefit of utilizing the rotary fluid swivel from normal HDD rig operations to pump fluid from the exit side, improving fluid pumping efficiency when fluid flows to that side of the bore. With a focus on safety and efficiency, American Augers employed an additional HDD rig on the exit side, equipped with hydraulic pipe making and breaking capabilities. The rotary system offered neutral or enabled mode, operated by finger touch on the drill’s control screen. This enabled the catch rig to thread new pipes and maintain continuous pipe movement during the boring process, reducing the risks and cost associated with solids buildup. The technology also minimized dwell time and fluid usage, making solid removal easier, resulting in fewer project days. They haven’t done time trials or case studies yet, but Richard Levings, American Augers’ product manager, conservatively estimated contractors could save 15 minutes per pipe connection. “On a 3000-foot bore, where there are 100 connections of 30-foot pipe, that’s a lot of time saved, plus you are not dealing with the swivel and multiple people to make the connections,” he said. “All that can be done with the catch rig in less than two minutes with two people.” Using catch-rig technology for back reaming and swab passes on the second rig in intersect bore operations offers a logical efficiency advantage, as two machines are already on-site. HDD
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDk4Mzk=