Pöördpuurimine

Pöördpuurimine, also known as directional drilling or horizontal directional drilling (HDD), is a construction technique used to install underground pipes, conduits, and cables with minimal surface disturbance. This method allows for the precise navigation of a borehole beneath obstacles such as rivers, roads, railways, and buildings without the need for extensive excavation. The process begins with a pilot hole drilled by a steerable drill head, which is guided remotely by an operator on the surface. The operator uses a tracking system to monitor the drill head's location and depth, making adjustments as needed to follow a predetermined path.

Once the pilot hole reaches its destination, a reaming tool is attached to the drill string and pulled back through the borehole, enlarging it to the required diameter. Finally, the product pipe or conduit is attached to the reamer and pulled back through the enlarged borehole. Pöördpuurimine offers significant environmental and economic advantages, including reduced disruption to existing infrastructure and ecosystems, lower restoration costs, and the ability to install multiple utilities simultaneously. It is widely used in various sectors, including telecommunications, oil and gas, water and sewer systems, and power transmission.