On March 12, 2002 a Robbins HDD model 55030TLMSC trailer mounted directional drill made history when it completed the first ever crossing under China’s famous Yangze River. The Contractor, East China Pipeline Construction Co. Ltd. of Sinopec, used a Robbins HDD drill rig to complete this 1,688 m (5,538’) crossing in record time. It took just fifteen days to put in the pilot hole, install washover pipe, back ream twice, and pull in the product line. A steel pipeline of 406 mm (16") diameter x 8.7 mm (0.34") wall, is now in place under the Yangze River at the San Jiang Kou Harbor near Nanjing City.

For twenty-five years experts have been studying this project and have always concluded that crossing the Yangze River using the directional drilling method was impractical. A pipeline on the river bottom would be susceptible to damage by anchors, and placing a pipeline on a bridge spanning the river would be equally problematic. Now, with the technical support of Robbins, Sinopec was willing to reconsider the HDD method for this project.

Before undertaking the Yangze River, Robbins dispatched several of its own experts to China as well as a drilling fluid engineer from Baroid Industries. These experts systematically and thoroughly studied the HDD crossing together with the technicians and management of East China Pipeline Construction Co. Ltd. In the final analysis the HDD method was chosen as the least risky and most cost efficient.

Sinopec purchased the Robbins HDD model 55030TLMSC directional drill after negotiating with several drill manufacturers in early 2001. The drill has 2447 kN (550,000 lb) of thrust and pullback and 92 kNm (68,000 ft-lbs) of torque. The rig is configured as a trailer mounted system with the drill located on one trailer and the power unit on second trailer. Along with the rig, Robbins also supplied the down hole tooling, the steering tools, a 1325 l/m (350 gpm) mud pump, and a containerized control house. Additionally Robbins supplied engineering drawings for a mud mixing system, which Sinopec then built.

As part of the equipment purchase, Robbins provided training for Sinopec’s personnel in both the U.S.A. and China. In the summer of 2001, Robbins’ technicians were on site from start to finish during Sinopec’s first 800 meter crossing under the Yellow River. Subsequent to that first crossing, and to gain experience before the Yangze River Crossing was attempted, Sinopec successfully completed four more crossings beneath other major Chinese rivers.

Robbins fully supported Sinopec to insure the success of the Yangze Crossing by making eight man-trips to China for technical consultation, equipment tune-up and an urgent hand carried spare parts delivery.

Overall, Sinopec has been very pleased with the performance of their new Robbins HDD drill.  A project director said to Robbins personnel at crossing site: "It’s a good drill, it’s a good service".

The success on this first large and complex project is opening up many opportunities for Sinopec and new Robbins drill rigs. In China there are many river crossings required for gas, petroleum, electric and communications pipelines. Having completed this historical river crossing in China, our customers know Sinopec and Robbins HDD can do the job!