Estimating the maximum allowable annular pressure at ground limit in horizontal directional drilling is a complex, yet vital operation. During an HDD procedure, the annular pressure must remain within the maximum allowable pressure envelope. Doing so minimizes the risk of hydraulic fracturing, thus preventing drilling fluid release and keeping overall project risks under control.
Explaining how to do this was the task of a University of Alberta team at the 2024 North American Society for Trenchless Technology No-Dig Show in Providence, Rhode Island — and they succeeded.Their poster titled “Framework to Establish the Maximum Allowable Annular Pressure in HDD” won second
