Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) creates considerable environmental concerns due to two main reasons:

• Drilling fluids and other wastes may find their way into terrestrial and aquatic surfaces
• HDD activities involve disturbance of soil and vegetation, which interferes with the habitats for the organisms in the affected areas.

Although some measures may be put in place to minimise environmental damage--for instance, creating HDD crossings at watercourse crossings--it is not possible to eliminate all adverse environmental effects related to HDD projects. Consequently, the following considerations are critical before commencing any HDD project:

1. Aquatic concerns

Carry out an assessment of the area subject to a HDD project for water bodies that may be habitat to fish and other aquatic life. Risks to aquatic life that emanate from HDD projects include drilling fluids, mud, spilt fuel or other hazardous substances finding their way into water bodies and poor surface drainage of project sites resulting in erosion into aquatic habitats. Information discovered from the assessment should be used to come up with suitable containment and cleanup measures.

2. Terrestrial concerns

HDD projects involve disturbances to vegetation, wildlife, cultural resources and human occupation in the affected areas. Assessing the project's terrestrial impact shall reveal potential adverse effects on vegetation through clearing of sites, change of soil characteristics, subsurface deposits of toxic substances and clay and mud deposition on the surface, which prevents vegetation growth.

Also, undesirable effects on wildlife populations may include interruption of movement, increased stress to species living in the affected habitats and injury or mortality caused by toxic substances released into the environment. Adequate measures should be put in place to mitigate the damage to wildlife and vegetation revealed by assessment of the terrestrial impact of the HDD project.

3. Social and cultural concerns

HDD projects raise several concerns regarding land use, cultural resources and the livelihood of communities in the affected areas. Some perils to human life include exposure to hazardous materials, noise and vibrations from HDD project sites and disruption of water supply for domestic and agricultural uses. In addition, HDD activities often involve disruption of existing infrastructure and land use activities.

4. Special concerns

It is critical to factor in special environmental concerns that may influence the feasibility of a HDD project. These include the proximity of the project to the habitats of rare or endangered species, archaeological sites or habitats that may require extensive restoration works upon completion of the project. These cases may make the HDD project either economically infeasible or socially unacceptable, hence disqualifying the project.

For more information or advice, contact a company such as Daley Directional Drilling.

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