We are adopting auto thrust, auto rotation and wireless remote control systems in all our MIDI-MAXI rigs.

Safar Mohammad Khan, General Manager- Sales and Marketing (HDD), Apollo Techno Industries

With increasing initiatives on construction of smart cities, rural connectivity and power to all, how do you look at India as a promising market for Horizontal Directional Drilling machines (HDD) / trenchless technologies?

Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is primarily used in the installation of underground pipelines, Conduits, and optical fibre cables power cables etc. This method uses a directional drilling machine, to accurately drill along the bore path by using digital tracking systems. HDD Method allows the gas distribution, water and drainage systems of a city to be replaced without causing a traffic jam and incurring the cost of restoring roads. The Indian horizontal Drilling market is rapidly growing across the nation, owing to the rising city gas distribution, telecommunications, power and oil industries.

Over the past few years, the directional technique has emerged as one of the most popular trenchless drilling technologies in India.  PNGRB’s City gas distribution project itself a high value project. In 11th bidding it was an allocation for 65 GAs’ covering 225 districts in all states of India. This is one of the most ambitious (GOI) projects where pipeline installation preferably would be done through trenchless method by using HDD Machines. In India, we have been constructing this pipeline infrastructure close to about 95000 thousand crores each year for the last 15 years.

Inter-Intra city pipelines are continuously have been laying all through trenchless method where the high depth or rocks are found during the straightway pipeline installations. CNG and PNG pipeline have been webbed in the city for better distribution of both the gases. OFC connectivity even to rural areas have been covered by BSNL and other telecom giants. This infrastructure is being developed by BSNL even through their partners like TATA projects, Sterlite, VTL, HFCL etc. Bharatnet and FTTH projects are developing the fibre network across rural and urban areas.

Power cable projects are not much active nowadays due to some financial challenges at the state electricity boards end but that will be started soon as above ground transmission systems will be replaced(Under Smart City Projects) in the form of power cable in the near future.

Water and Sewerage pipeline infrastructure have been taken place in a fast manner. Developing underground utility infrastructure is significantly very high through trenchless manner in near future. This will last for 15 years of now.

What are the latest technologies in your range of trenchless equipment to ensure trouble-free and safe operations?

We are adopting auto thrust, auto rotation, wireless remote control systems in all our MIDI-MAXI rigs (50 ton -160 Ton), and our A2000 is available with wireless-remote controlled knuckle boom crane. At maximum reach of 19.5’, the crane has rated capacity of 2050 kg. We are upgrading into dual displays offer easy visibility to a wide range of machine performance, diagnostic and drilling information. Our Apollo Made HDD Machines are equipped with angled, true open-top vises with an 8” (20.3 cm) opening, the A2000 offers good operator visibility during rod makeup/breakout. The true open-top design accommodates mud motors and other large tooling. Responsive and powerful clamping and breakout actions can boost cycle time efficiency. Advance safety systems have been fitted in our machines like anti crash systems etc. We are still working on many AI and IOT based features in our MAXI rigs. Same will be fitted and implemented in our all machines. Recently, we have upgraded with Auto Thrust Systems, Auto Rotation systems, Auto drill mode in all our MIDI-MAXI models. Rock-Fire of linear drilling systems will be also implemented in all our Maxi rigs. Above are some world class technical features which ensure smooth drilling and trouble free operations.

What is the presence of your company in India? What are the expansion plans?

Apollo has 2 Manufacturing units (under HDD Machine Category), one at GIDC Mehsana and another at Mandali, Mehsana equipped with world-class infrastructure spreaded in 2 & 8 acres of land respectively. We have branch offices in New Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Bhopal, Ranchi, Kolkata, Raipur, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai. Sales and after Sales support have been provided to all our customers across the India through regional branch offices. All support functions are on SAP so that all could be well managed by our professional and dedicated team.

We have overseas branch offices in UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Netherlands, Lebnon and Egypt.

We are going to open some more regional offices in Maharshtra, UP, Punjag, Telangana in near future. Our motive would be the better distribution of parts even in remote locations to minimize the delivery times of the parts and accessories. Engineers’ deployment to sites will be managed from the regional branch offices. Genuine parts are well stocked in all our stores.

How do you look at the advantages of using HDD versus the conventional methods in terms of savings time and cost?

Directional drilling is a technique through which a well is bored at different angles. Typically, it controls the direction of the bore to a predetermined location. It most often refers to drilling at non-vertical angles and is referred to as Horizontal Directional Drilling.

HDD bores a well underground without destroying the landscape. The work is carried out by a directional rig that uses pressurized water jet and vacuum.

Conventional Method is the most common way of installing utilities. But, the method comes with its limitations. It can only be done when the ground above utilities can be disturbed. Open cut or trenching is the most common way of installing utilities. While this method is considered economical, it is also slow and may not be applicable in certain areas. Horizontal directional drilling is faster and can be used in the same situation where an open cut excavation is used. And, it can be utilized in areas where there are buildings and roadblocks. Not only this, there is savings in terms of equipment and manpower as well. Thus, cost-effectiveness is a benefit of HDD that must not be overlooked

Horizontal directional drilling can help you excavate and install utilities at locations which are less accessible. If the area involves the risk of damaging important underground utilities, then you can opt for HDD for excavation. It also helps preserve the landscape as it does not require digging down the entire length of pipe and displaces less soil. Also, if you want a pipeline curved at a particular direction under the road, river, house, water bodies, etc. HDD can help you get the task done without any damage.

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