Trenchless

Our work in the Trenchless Sector

As one of the UK’s leading Trenchless installation specialists, OCU has been investing in its in-house Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) capabilities for over 17 years. Our contract portfolio includes services for several major UK utilities, private development and Tier 1 Capital Delivery organisations.

Our membership to the United Kingdom for the Society of Trenchless Technology (UKSTT) means we can provide fully independent trenchless solutions. As the first utility contractor to achieve the Lloyds Assurance accreditation for HDD, our Integrated Management System (IMS) is accredited to ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 standards.

Our Full Capabilities

Our HDD capabilities combine state-of-the-art technology, innovation and fully accredited expertise with cost-effective turnkey solutions for all environments; installing utilities and environmental wells under roads, railways, rivers, canals, and more.

Survey, design, site investigation and feasibility of proposed drills including sub soil survey and access arrangements.

Liaison with 3rd Party stakeholders, customer engagement sessions and submission of licence and permit arrangements.

Haul road and access way construction.

Construction of fully serviced CDM mobile site set ups and arrangements.

Reduction of waste, aggregate usage, transportation requirements and process recycling, helps deliver schemes with a significantly reduced carbon footprint.

Initial drilling operation of the 'pilot hole' in all ground conditions including solid rock.

Steering capability including state of the art magnetic and gyroscopic guidance systems.

Reaming out operation to gradually increase the bore of the drill profile to agreed tolerances.

Pipe welding and stringing operations to industry standards and practices to ensure a smooth pipe pulling process.

Pipe pulling completed and onto construction of end connections and commissioning of the drilled route.

Demobilisation and permanent reinstatement of the site.

We operate a twelve-strong rig fleet capable of installing pipelines up to 1,400mm in diameter and over 3,000m in length.

Our trenchless technology minimises impacts associated with conventional open-cut construction methods, reduces our impact on the environment, reduces site waste and exposure to normal construction risks, minimises noise and construction traffic impact, and substantially lessens cost where existing services are present or deep excavations are required.

Case Studies

Irish Water – Cork Harbour

The Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project was carried out on behalf of the client Irish Water, and aims to provide enhanced wastewater treatment through the development of new wastewater treatment infrastructure which will service the areas of Cobh, Carrigaline, Crosshaven, Passage West/Monkstown and Ringaskiddy In 2015, the equivalent of 40,000 wheelie bins of raw […]

SSE – Corran Narrows

OCU has undertaken several high-profile projects in the past 12 months, putting a spotlight on its extensive expertise and ability to adapt to operational challenges quickly. In 2022, OCU completed The Corran Narrows project – an underground power cabling project underneath Loch Linnhe in the Scottish Highlands for Scottish and Southern Energy. The £3.4 million […]

Welsh Water – Saltney and Kinmel

OCU, in conjunction with Welsh Water and Waterco, had the Saltney and Kinmel Bay Horizontal Directional Drill pipeline installations shortlisted for an honour at the Institute of Water Welsh Innovation Awards. To cure blockages and bursts on existing sewerage rising mains, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, (DCWW}, contracted out a scheme to undertake the replacement of […]