Accurate drilling in iron-rich soil without interference thanks to the Drillguide Gyro Steering Tool!

In July and September 2024, Brownline Canada provided steering services on two HDD crossings in the Marten Hills oil and gas field. Brownline’s Drillguide Gyro Steering Tool was essential for the completion of the pilot holes.

Marten Hills is an operating oil and gas field in northern Alberta, near Slave Lake. New pipelines are being constructed here to increase the efficiency of product transportation. Where the pipeline crossed small watercourses, horizontal directional drilling was used to minimize the environmental impact.

High iron content

The soil in this area is rich in iron, which would cause interference for magnetic guidance tools. Drilling these crossings with only magnetic tools was not advised, as the accuracy could not be guaranteed due to the interference. That’s why HDD contractor Alberta Directional Boring contacted Brownline Canada to guide the pilot bores using the Drillguide Gyro Steering Tool.

Two horizontal directional drills were carried out, with lengths of 620 m / 2034 ft and 710 m / 2329 ft. Downhole pressures were continuously monitored using our Pressure-While-Drilling sensors. This greatly reduced the risk of inadvertent mud pressure returns.

Perfect punchout with GPS track

On both of these jobs, GPS track was used near exit for an extra verification of the position of the drill head. This ensured a perfectly accurate punch-out. Interference caused by the soil’s high iron content was not an issue here, because the drill head was not very deep below the surface.

This project showcased how external interference can occur even in remote natural areas away from crowded infrastructure. Because the Drillguide Gyro Steering Tool is not affected by this, it is the most reliable technology for carrying out HDDs with the highest accuracy under any circumstances.

Back to overview