Utility system is a key element of infrastructure development. Therefore, underground utility system laying and restructuring are wide-spread. The most efficient method of utility system laying is a horizontal directional drilling (HDD). HDD allows to conduct works under the regularly functioning roads, buildings, reservoir and other infrastructural elements. The basis of drilling fluid for HDD is bentonite.

Requirements adopted in HDD for bentonite as the basis of drilling fluid:

• High structural-mechanical and anti-filtration properties of the resulting drilling fluid – for effective cleaning of the drilling channel from cuttings and stability of the borehole walls.
• High swelling rate of bentonite – no more than 15-20 minutes are allotted for drilling mud preparation.
• Ultra-low sand content (less than 1%) to reduce abrasive wear on equipment.
• Environmental friendliness.

We have developed a series of grades that meet all these requirements:

• HDD-1, HDD-2 and HDD-20 form a stable suspension with high-viscous and water-retaining properties;
• HDD-30 and HDD-40 with a high content of polymer and other additives that improve the properties of the solutions.

HDD grades are compatible with traditionally used control reagents and polymers, while the use of HDD-30 and HDD-40 in most cases does not require additional drilling fluid treatments.