APK DRILLING
Trenchless techniques
Drilling from 15 to 600 metres and less disturbance
In addition to earthworks, APK Group also offers trenchless techniques such as directional drilling, for which APK Drilling is now one of the largest drilling companies in Belgium.
We see the popularity of horizontal directional drilling increasing every year for various reasons. The increasing demand for directional drilling is mainly due to the relocation of cables and pipelines in connection with major roadworks, modification work on waterways and the construction of main arteries (electricity, water, gas, fibre optics).
In addition, we have also noticed a tendency among both clients and stakeholders to prefer to have certain road crossings drilled rather than to have the crossings executed in open excavation to lay the cables and pipes.
The thinking here is the Lesser nuisance principleIn doing so, we try to minimise the impact on local residents and stakeholders.
Safety for bystanders, passers-by and our own workers is, in addition to quality and customer satisfaction, of paramount importance to us. APK Drilling therefore carries the ISO/ CKB/ VCA label.
APK Drilling operates throughout Belgium and Netherlands (head office Molenstede) and recently also in Germany (Head office Wesel, Operational office Esterwegen), where we work with the leading utility companies to lay water mains, gas mains, (pressure) sewers and waiting pipes for power and telecommunication cables.
APK Drilling has 5 types of drilling machines at its disposal, which means that we can be of service to you for drilling work ranging from 15 metres to 600 metres as a subcontractor on your project. In addition, APK Drilling also carries out complete projects for various clients.
Any questions? Ask them directly to our BUM
Our areas of expertise
Steered drilling
Horizontal directional drilling for cables, pipes or sewers
PE welding
Steered drilling
Horizontal directional drilling for cables, pipes or sewers
PE welding
PE stands for polyethylene and means welding together of plastic
At APK Drilling, you can find a variety of services:
- Feasibility advice based on a site visit
- Price calculation
- Feasibility study
- Drawing up the drilling design
- Technical Calculations
- Controlled drilling with walk over probe or with optical gyroscope
- Proofs
- Calibration of pipes
- Routing of boreholes
How does directional drilling work?
The hollow drill head is pushed through the earth by a 'rig'. The hollow pipe is fed from the surface with bentonite, a type of clay. This keeps the borehole open and also carries away excess soil. The drilling starts at point A and surfaces again a few metres further on at point B. The next step is to pull through the ready-made pipeline or pipe.
The 'drillmaster' can steer in all directions during the drilling process to get to the right point at the top and thus avoid underground obstacles.
Steered drilling offers many advantages. For instance, there is no need for intensive excavation work. We ensure that only two modest pits are opened at the start and end of the drilling.
Want to see horizontal directional drilling in action? Then be sure to watch the video.
How does directional drilling work?
The hollow drill head is pushed through the earth by a 'rig'. The hollow pipe is fed from the surface with bentonite, a type of clay. This keeps the borehole open and also carries away excess soil. The drilling starts at point A and surfaces again a few metres further on at point B. The next step is to pull through the ready-made pipeline or pipe.
The 'drillmaster' can steer in all directions during the drilling process to get to the right point at the top and thus avoid underground obstacles.
"We carry out directional drilling in all kinds of subsoil such as sand, loam or clay. Even rocky subsoil poses no problem."
3 advantages of directional drilling
Less hindrance
The surroundings will not be disturbed because roads etc. do not have to be broken up
Fewer fractures
Low risk of ruptures in existing underground pipes or cables
Multiple usability
Suitable for the installation of conduits for power and data cables, the laying of pressure sewers, the installation of gas pipes and more
