Directional Drilling Stevenage

Directional Drilling Services by Atlas Gas

Our Services

What does it involve?

Directional drilling, often referred to as horizontal directional drilling, is a technique used to install pipes and ducts along a carefully planned underground route. The process starts with a small entry pit, followed by a guided pilot bore along the required alignment. Once the bore is complete, the new pipe is drawn back through and positioned in place.

Modern compact drilling rigs are well suited to property connections and smaller diameter utility installations, including gas, water, electricity, fibre broadband and pressurised drainage systems. This method allows the bore to curve, change depth and navigate around existing underground services where needed.

Jobs Completed
0 +
Customers
0 +

What is Directional Drilling?

Directional drilling, also known as horizontal directional drilling, is a technique used to install pipes and ducts along a carefully planned underground route. It starts with a small entry pit, after which a guided pilot bore is carried out along the intended path. Once this stage is complete, the new pipe is pulled back through the bore and positioned correctly.

Modern compact drilling rigs are particularly suitable for property connections and smaller diameter utility installations, including gas, water, electricity, fibre broadband and pressurised drainage systems. The method allows the bore to change direction, vary in depth and navigate around existing underground services where required.

Our Trenchless Drilling Capability

Atlas Gas operates a compact, highly manoeuvrable directional drilling rig designed to work efficiently in confined urban settings and locations where reducing environmental impact is a priority. This equipment is especially suited to:

  • Trenchless house connections for gas, water, power, fibre optics and sewage pressure systems
  • Parallel bores installed alongside roads, footpaths and waterways
  • Short crossings beneath roads, driveways, gardens, rail embankments and small watercourses

As the equipment works from small entry and exit pits, often no bigger than a section of pavement or a garden space, the level of excavation needed is kept low. This allows for quicker reinstatement and makes it possible to carry out work in areas where larger machinery would not be practical.

Our drilling process relies on carefully controlled fluids, including water, polymer mixes or bentonite. These support the bore, remove spoil and reduce friction during installation, helping to achieve a smooth and stable outcome even in more challenging ground conditions.

Typical Applications for Directional Drilling

Our Stevenage directional drilling services are designed to suit:

  • New domestic and commercial utility connections
  • Replacement or upsizing of existing small diameter services
  • Installing services beneath roads without full road closures
  • Crossing under driveways, patios, landscaped areas and trees
  • Installing services along footpaths or verges where trenching would cause disruption
  • Working in difficult ground conditions, sloping sites or areas with dense existing service networks

Subject to ground conditions, short to medium distance bores can be carried out, including straight runs of up to approximately 100 metres for appropriate pipe sizes.

How Our Directional Drilling Process Works

1. Survey and planning

We review the proposed route, locate any existing underground services and consider surface limitations. From there, we plan the bore profile and choose the most appropriate equipment configuration.

2. Launch and reception pits

Small pits are excavated at the start and finish points, or at intermediate locations if required. These are positioned to minimise impact and ensure safe operation.

3. Guided pilot bore

The drilling rig forms a guided pilot bore along the planned route. A tracking system monitors the drill head’s position and depth, allowing ongoing adjustments to keep the alignment accurate and avoid existing underground services.

4. Bore enlargement

When larger pipe diameters are needed, reaming tools are used to widen the initial pilot bore. Drilling fluid is then circulated to clear spoil and maintain the stability of the bore.

5. Pipe installation

The new pipe, duct or protective sleeve is connected to the drill string and drawn smoothly back through the bore into its final position.

6. Connection and reinstatement

Once installed, the service is connected, tested and commissioned. All pits are reinstated to a high standard, leaving the surface clean and tidy.

Need Advice?

If you are unsure whether testing, purging or decommissioning is required for your project in Stevenage, feel free to get in touch. We are always happy to talk through your requirements and help you choose the safest and most appropriate approach.

Let's chat