Map & Drill

We can provide an as-drilled GIS report for the new pipeline as well as an as-measured GIS report on the location of the existing pipeline upon completion.

Introducing Map & Drill, a revolutionary solution that combines proprietary tooling and software to accurately install pipelines while providing active anti-collision with existing live pipelines, even in cases where the true location of the existing pipeline is unknown.

With Map & Drill, contractors can map the relative position of an existing live steel pipeline compared to the actual position of the drill head in real-time as drilling progresses. This advanced system utilizes wire-line magnetic guidance principles to ensure precise and safe pipeline installation.

Map & Drill allows contractors to map the relative position of an existing live steel pipeline compared to the actual position of the drill head in real-time as you drill forward.

Here’s how Map & Drill works

Normal Wireline System

The signal and return surface coil (close loop) will be surveyed at the exact coordinate to create a magnetic field.

The guidance tool will be installed behind the drill assembly. A wire-line shot will be taken to calculate vector and distance using magnetic intensity and magnetic dip angle from the field to identify the location of the guidance tool.

The Map & Drill System

The signal and return surface coil (close loop) will be surveyed at the exact coordinate to create a first magnetic field.

A Map & Drill power unit will be connected through the CP system to energize the existing utility as well as to a return coil to create second magnetic field.

The guidance tool will be installed behind the drill assembly. A wire-line shot will be taken to calculate the vector and distance using magnetic intensity and magnetic dip angle from the first magnetic field to identify the location of the guidance tool.

After the guidance tool is identified, we swap to the second magnetic field with the Map & Drill Interface system.

Since the locations of the return coil and guidance tool are now known, the location of the existing pipe can then be identified.

Map & Drill Quick Facts

Our Map & Drill Service is suitable for Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) work where the new route line is parallel to and/or cross existing utilities which were previously installed by HDD.

Advantages of using Map & Drill

To set, control and fully monitor the separation of every joint to ensure the live pipe is safe.
Correct the location of existing pipe in the new as-built data in order to avoid any future problems.
Space management in case of drilling close to existing pipe. Accuracy: Lateral +-0.5 metres, Elevation +- 1 metre.

Requirements to use Map & Drill

Above ground Cathodic Protection (CP) circuits are required on both ends of the drill and must encompass the area of existing pipe that is to be mapped.
A drawing or “as drilled” for existing pipeline section.
Access along the existing route line.

Experience

PLLEP RC400 Section HDD 1/6

Condition:

Map & Drill 6” FOC parallel to existing 36” life line installed by HDD.
Location of the existing 36” pipe can not be found by water jet to confirm the accuracy of As-Built data.
There a section where new route line and existing 36” are on the same elevation.

Constraint:

Set the minimum clearance between pilot drill and existing pipe at 4 metres.

Result:

Success pilot and installed both 6” FOC and 28” mainline
As-built data is similar to mapping result

PLLEP RC400 Section HDD 1/3-4

Condition:

Map & Drill 6” FOC parallel to existing 36” life line installed by HDD 2 crossings.
Location of the existing 36” pipe in as built and water jet result are different.
There is a section where a new route line crosses the existing 36” and parallel at the same elevation.

Constraint:

Set the minimum clearance between pilot drill and existing pipe at 4 metres
Closely monitor the area where the drill crosses existing 36”

Result:

Success pilot and installed both 6” FOC and success pilot 28” mainline
As-built data is error (Confirm by mapping and water jet in the section where we able to)

PLLEP RC670 Section HDD 2-28

Data collection:

Compare as-built data and Pig result
Water jet method to check the accuracy of the data
Pipeline mapping will continuously collect the data during pilot hole

Design Constraint:

Set the minimum clearance between pilot drill and existing pipe at 4 metres
Closely monitor the area where the elevation is close to the existing 36”

Request:

Turn off Cathodic Protection (CP) during the pilot hole
Above ground CP circuits are required on both ends of the drill and must encompass the area of existing pipe that is to be mapped.