Imampur ghat HDD crossing: India’s first uphill crossing
The Synopsis:
We are proud to share a groundbreaking achievement in the world of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD)—a first for India, and perhaps the world!
Our project at Imampur Ghat involved the installation of a 24-inch pipeline over a length of 857 meters for Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL). What made this project truly remarkable was the unique requirement: the pipeline had to be installed from the bottom of a hill to the top, overcoming an elevation difference of 125 meters.
The Challenge:
This project presented several unprecedented challenges:
- Extremely Hard Rock: The pipeline had to pass through rock with a compressive strength of nearly 120 MPa, making drilling and reaming exceptionally difficult.
- Right of Way (ROW) Constraints: Severe ROW issues delayed the project for over two years. With no ROW available at the top of the hill and limited space at the base, the entire operation had to be executed from the bottom—without any guidance from the top.
- Complex Pipe Handling: Protecting the pipe's structural integrity during installation, with a high D/T ratio (diameter to thickness) of 24 inches diameter and only 0.375-inch thickness, was a critical concern.
The Innovation:
Faced with these challenges, we turned to innovation to ensure success.
After reaming a 36-inch hole, instead of opting for the conventional rig-based pipe-pulling method, we disengaged the rig and deployed our indigenously designed and fabricated 500-ton Pipe Thruster to push the pipe uphill. This cutting-edge approach allowed us to:
- Precisely manage buckling loads and collapsing pressures within the clamp.
- Ensure continuous lubrication by feeding bentonite from the top of the hole, maintaining coating integrity.
- Successfully pass the coating integrity test, validating our meticulous approach.
Our ability to adapt, innovate, and overcome complex challenges reinforces Trenchless Engineering Services Pvt Ltd’s position as a leader in delivering pioneering solutions in the HDD industry.