Pressure-While-Drilling: Maximum control during HDD operations
In horizontal directional drilling, everything revolves around safety and control. A crucial part of this process is Pressure-While-Drilling: the continuous monitoring of downhole pressure during drilling. Brownline’s advanced Drillguide Gyro Steering Tool uses this technology, enabling safer, more efficient and more successful drilling operations.
What is Pressure-While-Drilling?
Pressure-While-Drilling (commonly abbreviated as PWD) refers to the measurement and control of pressure during an HDD bore. The pressure data provides insight into the conditions around the drill bit, such as soil resistance, potential obstructions or pressure buildup in the drilling fluid. An important advantage of this monitoring is the early detection and prevention of frac-outs or inadvertent returns.
These are unintended leaks of drilling fluid to the surface, which can have harmful consequences for the environment or the project. Besides, drilling fluid can also leak into underground cavities or cracks. Although not visible on the surface, this can also cause environmental damage and soil instability. By analyzing live pressure data, drillers can anticipate risks on the spot. This improves safety, reduces downtime and helps prevent environmental damage.
Why use Pressure-While-Drilling?
Modern HDD projects require technology that provides real-time access to both navigation and pressure data during drilling. The client can specify various pressure thresholds, such as minimum and maximum pressure, as well as signaling and intervention values. These levels are calculated in advance using a modelling tool and serve as a guideline for monitoring throughout the drilling process. By actively monitoring these thresholds, targeted action can be taken before complications arise.
Pressure-While-Drilling with the Drillguide Gyro Steering Tool
The Drillguide Gyro Steering Tool (GST) is our advanced gyro-based navigation tool offering unmatched precision under all conditions. The Drillguide GST is completely independent of its surroundings, eliminating interference caused by nearby infrastructure or magnetic fields. Combined with Pressure-While-Drilling capabilities, the tool offers a better overview of the drilling process. Pressure measurements provide insight into the conditions surrounding the drill head, while the Drillguide GST precisely indicates its location. As a result, it becomes possible to understand what is happening and exactly where it is taking place.
Such insights reveal where the risk zones are and provide full control over the drilling process. This makes the Drillguide GST particularly well-suited for complex, long, or high-risk HDD projects. Especially in sensitive environments where blow-outs can have major consequences, such as nature reserves, beneath rivers, or in densely populated urban areas, the Drillguide GST offers a reliable solution.
About Brownline
Brownline is the world's leading supplier of gyro steering services for horizontal directional drilling. With groundbreaking technology and innovative tools developed by our experts, we are at the forefront of the industry. Our advanced Drillguide Gyro Steering Service provides the highest precision and reliability, making us an indispensable partner for successful drilling. We help our customers complete their drilling projects faster, more efficiently, and with unmatched accuracy.
More than 25,000 projects worldwide have been successfully completed using our solutions. Would you like to know how our steering service can take your drilling project to the next level? We would be happy to discuss the possibilities with you.
Share your drilling challenge with us
Maximize the precision of your drillings with Brownline. Our advanced Drillguide Gyro Steering Tool ensures effortless and accurate bore paths, no matter the challenge. Get in touch with us today and discover how we can take your project to the next level!
