Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) and Your Mineral Rights

Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) is a drilling method that allows companies to create underground paths without digging up as much of the ground surface. Using special equipment, companies can install pipelines for oil lines, gas lines, water, and sewer lines by drilling beneath rivers, roads, and properties instead of cutting through them. 

Keep reading to better understand how horizontal directional drilling works and what it could mean for the value of your property and mineral rights.

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The Horizontal Directional Drilling Process

The HDD directional boring method usually happens in four main stages. Each stage uses special tools and careful planning to safely reach underground areas.

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1. Drilling The Pilot Hole

The first stage begins with setting up the drill rig. The workers drill a small-diameter pilot hole along the planned bore path. A drill bit attached to a drill stem cuts through soil and rock while drilling liquid flows through the drill pipe to cool the drill head and wash away cuttings. 

A steering tool with an electronic transmitter sends signals to the surface, helping the directional drilling crew follow the exact path until the drill reaches the exit point.

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2. Pre-reaming the Bore Hole

Once the pilot hole reaches its intended location, crews attach a reamer to the drill string and pull it back through the path. The reamer rotates and grinds soil and rock to make the drill hole bigger, while drilling fluid keeps flowing to remove cuttings and stabilize the walls. Workers often repeat this process until the bore path reaches the right size for the pipeline. 

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3. Pullback Operations

This third stage connects the final reamer to a swivel assembly that allows the reamer to turn without spinning the pipeline. The drill rig begins pulling the drill rod back toward the starting point while pumping more drilling liquid through the borehole. Operators carefully control the pullback speed and rotation to prevent damage to the bore path or drilling equipment.

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4. Installation of Conduits

The final stage happens during pullback when the prefabricated pipeline is attached to the swivel behind the reamer. As the directional drill pulls everything back through the enlarged borehole, the pipeline follows and settles into place underground. 

The swivel protects the pipe from twisting forces while drilling fluid reduces friction and helps everything move smoothly. Once completed, the pipeline sits safely underground and is ready to carry oil, gas, or water

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Profit from HDD and Other Techniques by Selling Your Mineral Rights

HDD costs more than standard vertical drilling because it uses special drill bits, strong equipment, and trained crews to guide the drill underground. Even so, energy companies continue to invest in HDD and methods like fracking, especially in places like Texas, where traditional methods have already been heavily explored.

Since HDD can reach oil and gas that vertical drilling cannot, it makes it easier for companies to extract oil and gas from land. Land with these minerals becomes even more attractive when you choose to sell your mineral rights rather than leasing them. Selling mineral rights gives you a guaranteed lump-sum payment, rather than waiting years for monthly royalty checks that may change with oil and gas prices. With support from The Mineral Auction, property owners can connect with buyers who recognize this value.

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Sell your mineral rights to the right buyer through the transparent auction process The Mineral Auction provides. Get started today.

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