Clear Path Utility Solutions, LLC.

1000’ Rock Bore in Morgantown, WV 12” Steel

ClearPath Utility Solutions was awarded a bore consisting of 1200’ of 12” steel through a wetlands area. Due to projects restraints and required training the project was bid “Sight Unseen”. The bore was to maintain 3’ of cover through the unstable soil conditions. To handle this proposed bore, ClearPath incorporated the use of a Vermeer 80x100 Series II. This would provide sufficient pullback force if a direct pull was deemed appropriate after completion of the pilot bore.

Upon site arrival, required safety training, a survey of existing utilities and depths of 3 small streams, it was determined that a cover of 8’ would be required. After a short test bore and a few test pits it was determined that the new depth would place the bore in an apparent Blue Limestone.

ClearPath created a new bore plan using Atlas Bore Planner. This new plan maintained a 10’ depth, reduced the required steering for the hammer and reduced the required length to 1000’. Upon approval of the plan, ClearPath commenced drilling the rock with the addition of an Astec Air Hammer system.

The pilot bore was completed on a Friday morning after 21 hours of drill time. Upsizing of the hole began with a 14” roller cone reamer. The reamer was then pushed back through the hole and a 18” roller cone reamer was attached to the 14” reamer. Actual time to upsize the hole to 18” took approximately 43 hours.

Pipe pull back was commenced on a Tuesday at approximately 9:00 AM. Site limitations required the steel to be welded and coated twice during the pull back. The product was in place at 8:30 PM. Actual pulling time was approximately 3.5 hours. The last section (420’) started at 7:30 PM and was complete at 8:33 PM, this included 1 rack change out

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