Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD)
Thanks to decades of experience on thousands of projects around the world, HDI Lucas, a subsidiary of Spiecapag and sister company of HDI, is a key player in the field of horizontal directional drilling (HDD).
HDD is a construction method used to install underground pipelines, conduits or cables along a precisely controlled curved bore path – without open-cut trenches. The process involves drilling a pilot hole from the surface, enlarging it to the required diameter, and then pulling the pipeline into place.
This trenchless technique is widely used to cross beneath natural or artificial obstacles with minimal surface disruption to the environment and communities.
Traditionally used for hydrocarbon and water pipelines, HDD is also an effective, precise and sustainable solution for underground electricity and communications networks. It is also the best option for shore crossings (landfalls).
Crossing of Onshore Obstacles
Crossing of Onshore Obstacles
HDD is widely used to cross beneath roads or motorways, train tracks, waterways (including creeks, rivers, canals, estuaries), wetlands, existing utility services, urban or residential areas, as well as environmentally sensitive areas.
HDD is particularly well suited where surface access is constrained, service clashes are unavoidable, environmental values must be protected, or when construction timeframes are limited.
It provides an effective, precise and sustainable solution for underground electricity and communications networks.
Shore Crossings (landfalls)
HDD shore crossings enable the trenchless installation of pipelines beneath beaches and sand dunes, minimising environmental impact while providing a safe and reliable connection between onshore and offshore infrastructure.
This approach is used on major offshore gas projects (for example, the Gorgon or Jansz-Io developments in WA) and on offshore wind farms, where electricity cables come ashore to connect clean energy to the grid – all while keeping the coastline largely undisturbed. Download our flyer: Shore Landings for Offshore Wind Energy Cables.
A Fleet of Specialised Rigs
A Fleet of Specialised Rigs
HDI Lucas’ drilling rigs offer a pulling capacity ranging between 35 and 400 tons. They allow for the installation of small size pipelines over short distances as well as large diameter pipelines (up to DN 1400) over very long distances.
Rigs are trailer or crawler mounted and consist of a central beam rack with a carriage moved by pinions powered by hydraulic motors. Hydraulic rotary motors located on the carriage provide the necessary rotary force.
Each drilling rig has its own control cabin, steering kit, high pressure pump and other ancillary equipment forming a complete and autonomous drilling spread. The HD 650 and HD 350 models are designed and manufactured in-house.
Our HDD Projects
Marinus Link - HDD Shore Crossings
More information
Kurri Kurri Lateral Pipeline
More information
JANSZ-IO Compression Project
More information
Western Outer Ring Main Project
More information
TK050 & TK2050 - Lihir Island Tailings Lines Projects
More information
Channel Island Bridge Pipeline Replacement
More information
Northern Interceptor Pipeline Project
More information
Tuas Shore Crossing - Undersea Cabling
More information
Tauranga Southern Wastewater Pipeline
More information
Tangguh LNG Expansion Project
More information
Gorgon LNG Project (Landfall)
More information