Laney directional drilling completes record setting drill.

A directional drill to install a portion of a natural gas pipeline from Bolivia to Brazil has resulted in a new-world record for Laney Directional Drilling Inc., Humble, TX.

The record-setting drill came during a river crossing on the Yacuiba-Rio Grande (GASYRG) pipeline being built

The Yacuiba-Rio Grande Pipeline is an essential link in the chain of projects to help Bolivian gas play a leading role in the South American market. Pipeline projects like this are Bolivia's main hope for future economic growth and increasing natural gas exports to become a major energy hub for South America's Southern Cone in the coming years.

The gas line route passes through 49 rural communities and traverses a mixture of populated, semi-populated and unpopulated territories. The route also traverses environmentally sensitive lowland areas and pristine forests. Environmental and safety concerns relating to the project' caused Petrobras to take steps early on to address these issues. The pipeline is laid underground in a two-meter deep trench. Every 21 miles, automatic closing valves are installed to guarantee the maximum safety in its operations. The program also includes services to return pristine areas to their original condition.

The Yacuiba-Rio Grande pipeline, which carries a price tag estimated at $350 million, will have an initial design transport capacity of 11MM cm/d. The pipeline will transport gas from the Petrobras operated San Alberto and San Antonio fields to the Rio Grande plant in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

Challenging river crossing

Under a joint venture agreement between Bolinter Construcciones Petroleras S.A. and Laney Directional Drilling, their crews were required to make two directionally drilled crossings of the Rio Grande and Parapeti rivers. The contract also covered the design and engineering. The Rio Grande Crossing set a record.

To complete the Rio Grande drill, Laney crews drilled through silts, sands and clays over the entire length of the drill and pulled back 6,575 feet of 32-inch diameter steel pipe.

"The notable thing about the Rio Grande crossing is its length, 6,575 feet, and overall pipe size, 32-inch in diameter," said Grady Bell, a Laney engineer/estimator. "To my knowledge, this is the largest, longest pipe ever installed through a directional drill."