FAQ

HDD is a trenchless method used to install pipelines, ducts and cables underground without open excavation along the route. LIFCON is a specialist HDD and trenchless contractor operating in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman, with crossings under highways, rivers, shorelines and dense urban areas.

HDD limits surface disruption and reduces road and surface restoration. LIFCON's company-owned HDD fleet and support equipment allow crossings to be planned and executed with controlled alignment and minimal impact on traffic and the environment.

HDD applications include oil and gas pipeline crossings, water and sewage pipelines, power cable ducts, telecom and fibre optic ducts, and offshore and shore approach crossings. See our key projects for examples.

LIFCON is headquartered in Jeddah and has delivered projects in Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman. Please contact us to discuss your project location.

LIFCON owns and operates HDD rigs ranging from compact units to heavy rigs, together with mud recycling systems, reamers, mud motors, drill heads, pullback swivels and pipe rollers. Details of the rig fleet are on the HDD page.

Yes. LIFCON has completed hard-rock HDD crossings, including rock with an unconfined compressive strength of 80 to 90 MPa, using rock-rated tooling and a suitable drilling-fluid programme. Examples are listed on the HDD page.

Duration depends on pipe size, crossing length, ground conditions and site constraints. Because HDD avoids open excavation and surface restoration along the crossing, it can reduce the time spent on site compared with trenching.

Projects are executed under project HSE plans, with drilling-fluid control, mud recycling and measures to prevent fluid releases. See our Health, Safety & Environment page.

Scope depends on the contract. It typically covers engineering support, pilot drilling, reaming, pullback and handover documentation. LIFCON can also support EPC contractors at tender and FEED stage.

Please provide the crossing length, pipe diameter and material, and any soil data. Our team will prepare a project-specific proposal. Submit your details through the project enquiry form or email admin@lifcon.net.

Cost depends on pipe diameter, crossing length, ground conditions and mobilisation. HDD can avoid road and surface restoration costs that apply to open-cut methods. Send us your project details for a project-specific price.

Achievable length depends on pipe diameter, ground conditions and rig size. For example, LIFCON completed a 910 m HDD shore approach crossing in Oman in 2026. See the Offshore & Shore Approach HDD page.

HDPE, PVC, GRP, ductile iron and steel pipes, depending on the project. Steel is used for oil and gas pipelines; HDPE is commonly used for water, sewage and subsea conduits.

Yes. HDD is well suited to cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah because it reduces disruption to traffic and businesses.

Yes. HDD is widely used to install pipelines and ducts beneath rivers, shorelines, railways and highways without disturbing the surface. See LIFCON's key projects.

Water-based bentonite and polymer mixes are used to lubricate and stabilise the bore and carry cuttings to the surface.

Back reaming enlarges the pilot bore with reamers until it matches the size needed for the product pipe, preparing the bore for pullback.

Pullback is the final stage, where the product pipe is pulled into the prepared bore using a swivel and, where needed, rollers to protect the pipe.

HDD can follow long, curved alignments. Microtunneling is a pipe-jacking method that installs pipe along a straight line using a remotely guided microtunnel boring machine (MTBM), where precise line and grade are required. LIFCON operates MTBMs up to 72 inches (1,830 mm) in diameter. See the Microtunneling page.

Yes. LIFCON's clients include Saudi Aramco, Saudi Electricity Company, NEOM, EWA and OETC. See our experience.

Yes. HDD is widely used to install fibre optic and telecom ducts in urban areas with minimal surface disruption.

Locating systems, sondes and receivers are used to monitor the drill-head position during drilling, which helps keep the bore on the planned path and reduces the risk of utility strikes.

Service life depends mainly on the pipe material, design and operating conditions. LIFCON applies QA/QC controls and provides as-built and handover documentation for each crossing. See our Quality page.