Using the proper drilling fluids can reduce the required horsepower dramatically and reduce the stress on the equipment and the product being installed.

A few years ago, I received a call from a contractor asking for help mitigating a situation with a governmental transport agency in regards to monitoring downhole pressures as they were drilling under a six-lane highway crossing.

The biggest difference between high yield bentonite drilling fluid products and drilling fluid products specifically designed for HDD applications is in gel strength and fluid loss/filtration control.