Environmental Applications of Horizontal/Directional Drilling, 1997 Environmental Conference Proceedings

Innovations in environmental state-of-the-practice and state-of-the- art have been motivated by the need to obtain accurate and cost effective data under adverse site conditions. Investigations and remediation utilizing horizontal/directional drilling is a prime example of the application of new technologies in environmental practice. While directional drilling has been associated with other industrial uses (pipeline, utilities, oil and gas production, etc.), environmental operations are a relatively recent refinement. Since the first environmental horizontal well installation in 1989, the use of directional drilling has rapidly expanded to address a wide range of environmental and geotechnical challenges. This paper presents a brief review of the basic history, and the fundamental principles of directional drilling and its use in environmental subsurface investigations and remediation. Horizontal drill rigs and boring methods using fluid-assisted, jetting and rotary drilling techniques are described to portray various aspects of the process. Environmental applications are discussed including the installation of horizontal wells and innovative design considerations for drilling and sampling. Some of the limitations inherent in use of directional drilling are reviewed.