HDD Rigs: trenchless pipeline laying.
The trenchless Horizontal Directional Drilling technology makes the laying of supply lines and pipelines underneath rivers, countryside and towns fast, economical and environmentally friendly. Herrenknecht Maxi and Mega Rigs are versatile specialists for underground pipelines and cable ducts.
Oil and Gas Pipeline, Azerbaijan
The 1,760km BTC double pipeline runs from the Caspian Sea in Azerbaijan to Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. Herrenknecht HDD equipment was used on the various river crossings. A Herrenknecht rig type HK250F drilled seven pipeline sections with lengths between 515m and 1,000m. Frame Rigs are comparably light and can therefore easily be lifted by crane onto a standard trailer. This made them the perfect solution for the Azerbaijan project. The rig was able to prove its reliability when a total of 4,072m of 42'' steel pipes and 1,185m of 6'' sleeve pipes were installed in just seven months.
Mittelplate, Germany
Mid-May 2005 saw the successful completion of horizontal drilling work to improve connections between the Mittelplate oil field and the Schleswig-Holstein mainland. Transport problems caused by the tides and wind speeds of up to 75km/h as well as the strong erosion caused by the sea air placed high demands on both men and machines. Two Herrenknecht HDD Rigs were used in the mudflats of the Wattenmeer. Thanks to the machines smooth opration the work was completed well within the scheduled time of three months. 7,500m of pipelines were laid in only two months. An oil pipeline and a water supply pipe now connect the Dieksand mainland station with Germany’s largest oilfield.
