Directional drilling is a trenchless method for installing new pipes and cables without the need for long open trenches. Atlas Gas uses compact fluid assisted directional drilling equipment to guide new services accurately underground, keeping surface disruption to an absolute minimum.
Whether you require a new utility connection, the renewal of an existing line or a short crossing beneath an obstruction, our directional drilling service provides a clean and controlled installation with far less mess and downtime than traditional excavation methods.
Directional drilling, often referred to as horizontal directional drilling, is a technique used to install pipes and ducts along a carefully planned underground route. A small launch pit is excavated, a guided pilot bore is drilled along the required alignment, and the new pipe is then pulled back through the bore into position.
Modern compact directional drilling rigs are ideal for property connections and small diameter utility services such as gas, water, electricity, fibre broadband and sewage pressure lines. The system allows the bore to curve, change depth and navigate around existing buried services where required.
Because the equipment works from small pits, typically no larger than pavement or garden scale, excavation volumes are kept low. This speeds up reinstatement and allows work to be carried out where larger machinery would not be practical.
Our drilling process uses carefully controlled drilling fluids, including water, water polymer or bentonite mixes. These fluids support the bore, remove spoil and reduce friction during pipe installation, ensuring a smooth and stable result even in challenging ground conditions.
