World Pipelines - June 2015 - page 122

6 in. (15.2 cm) installed on the first shot, the bore path
was back-reamed once with an 18 in. (45.7) hole opener.
Given the environmental sensitivity associated
with this pristine lake setting, additional precautions
have been implemented including the addition of
secondary containments under all motors, screen mesh
of specified sizes around the pump to alleviate entry by
fish, and special areas for accessing water for use in the
drilling process.
“We received permits to extract water from the lake,
but are limited to specific access points,” Dagenhart
says. “It’s all in an effort to minimise risk of something
unfortunate happening that could threaten the
environmental integrity of the lake; all precautions that
come into play when drilling around a lake.”
An elaborate reclaiming system – with
1000 gallon/min. (3785.4 L) capacity – is recapturing
more than 75% of drilling fluid presented into the bore
path; a straight bentonite and water mixture Dagenhart
has found to be most effective in rock-laden conditions.
“We’re reclaiming and reusing all of the drilling
fluid that comes back out of the hole,” he says. “More
and more water is required to build up the volume of
drilling fluid as the bore progresses. Bores of these
lengths require a tremendous amount of fluid, so the
more we can recoup and recycle, the more efficient we
are completing the shots.”
Successful completion
After overcoming several obstacles, and responding to
unexpected challenges and unanticipated delays, the
Lone Star crew has successfully completed the three
highly monitored lake crossings without incident. With
the recent completion of the third and final Hurricane
Deck Bridge bore, Lone Star crews have begun the
process of tying the pipe together and testing the gas
line to prepare residents for the much-anticipated
arrival of this valuable and economical energy resource
to their homes and businesses. And after 20-plus years
in the underground pipeline business, Dagenhart admits
he learns something new – or something he has learned
previously is reaffirmed – on every job.
“Be flexible,” he says. “Despite the aggravations and
things I worry about every morning when making my
way to a jobsite, it is nice knowing I don’t have to worry
about our Vermeer drill rig. There are so many variables
on every job; things that are out of our control. So, it’s
good to know that I can always rely on our drills.
“In the rare event that something does go haywire,
the folks with Vermeer Texas-Louisiana are always right
there to take care of it. Not only is the equipment built
tough, but the service they provide is second to none.
It’s one of those very important things that I sometimes
take for granted because I simply don’t have to worry
about it.”
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