Microtunnelling

As the name implies, microtunnelling is a digging technique used to construct small tunnels, variating from 600 mm up to 4000 mm.

As the length of tunnel increases, the friction of the ground around the pipe increases as well. To minimize this friction, first, over-cutting is used to create a slight annular between the inner edge of the tunnel and the outer edge of the liner. A well formulated bentonite-based lubrication fluid is injected into the annular to decrease the friction and stabilize the formation.

In some occasions it is necessary to utilize a Bentonite based stabilization fluid in front of the cutter wheel to stabilize the formation until the lubrication fluid is injected into the created annular.

 
Microtunnelling products

Bentonites

TUNNEL-GEL® PLUS – Viscosifier
A specially formulated, high-yield Bentonite designed for use in tunnelling and large diameter HDD operations

TUNNEL-GEL® MAX – Viscosifier
A specially formulated, high-yield Bentonite designed for use in tunnelling and large diameter HDD operations

Filtration control additives

PAC™-L – Low viscosity filtration control additive
Provides filtration control in most water-based drilling fluids without substantially increasing viscosity

PAC™-R – Filtration control additive
Provides filtration control in most water-based drilling fluids

QUIK-TROL® - Filtration control additive
Provides filtration control in most water-based drilling fluids

QUIK-TROL® LV – Low viscosity filtration control additive
Provides filtration control in most water-based drilling fluids without substantially increasing viscosity

QUIK-TROL® GOLD – Highly dispersible filtration control additive
Provides filtration control in most water-based drilling fluids

QUIK-TROL® LV GOLD – low viscosity highly dispersible filtration control additive 
Provides filtration control in most water-based drilling fluids without substantially increasing viscosity

Clay/Shale stabilizers

EZ MUD® - Polymer emulsion
Primarily used as a borehole stabilizer to prevent reactive shale and clay from swelling and sloughing

EZ MUD® GOLD – Clay/Shale stabilizer
Provides inhibition of clay and shale formations in water-based drilling fluids without substantially increasing viscosity

EZ MUD® DP – Borehole stabilizing dry polymer
With its high molecular weight and optimum charge density, EZ-MUD DP polymer provides excellent borehole stability through a coating mechanism (encapsulation)

EZ MUD® PLUS – Polymer emulsion
Primarily used as a viscosifier and borehole stabilizer to prevent reactive shales and clays from swelling and sloughing