Clay can be one of the most frustrating challenges on a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) project—especially when it’s sticky, swelling, and highly reactive. For one HDD crew in Virginia, that frustrating reality brought their job to a standstill. But with help from Georgia Underground Superstore and DrilRite Chem LLC, the problem was quickly diagnosed—and solved.
The Problem: Clay That Wouldn’t Quit
The crew had been battling their bore for days with little progress. The ground was a stubborn mix of sand and sticky clay that clung to every tool, pipe, and reamer they used. Their current drilling fluid additives just weren’t doing the job.
That’s when our HDD specialist Mike Bearden from Georgia Underground Superstore was brought in to assess the situation. With years of field experience under his belt, Mike quickly identified the core issue: this wasn’t just tough clay—it was untreated, high-swelling clay with poor fluid suspension.
What the job needed wasn’t more force. It needed smarter chemistry.
The Solution: Smarter Drilling Fluid Strategy
After evaluating the site, Mike called in the experts at DrilRite Chem LLC—known for their performance-driven HDD fluid additives. DrilRite deployed a field support team to the jobsite to develop a custom fluid plan using a tailored combination of:
- Detrite – A premium detergent that reduces bit balling, mud rings, and torque from sticky clay.
- ClayRite – A concentrated clay inhibitor and surfactant that stops swelling and rehydration.
- ZanRite-L – A high-efficiency viscosifier that keeps cuttings suspended, especially in longer, more challenging bores.
Find all DrilRite products here: DrilRite Products - Georgia Underground Superstore
The additives were mixed on-site following proper ratios and drilling best practices. DrilRite’s team also offered both classroom-style and hands-on training, helping the crew maintain ideal fluid properties throughout the job.
The Results: A Bore Completed in Under Four Hours
Once the new fluid mix was in the ground, the transformation was immediate. Cuttings flowed cleanly, torque dropped, and the crew finished the bore—start to finish—in just a few hours.
What had dragged on for days was wrapped up in an afternoon, thanks to:
- A clear diagnosis of the problem
- On-site technical support from Georgia Underground Superstore
- Targeted, proven fluid solutions from DrilRite Chem
Why It Matters
This project is a powerful reminder that success in HDD isn’t just about the right tools—it’s about the right support, the right chemistry, and knowing how to respond to difficult ground conditions. When you’re drilling through reactive clay, there’s no room for guesswork. And downtime? It’s too costly to risk.
Facing Clay or Fluid Issues on the Job?
If your crew is up against stubborn ground conditions or struggling with fluid performance, don’t wait. Reach out to the teams at Georgia Underground Superstore. We’ve been on the job and know what it takes to keep your bore moving forward.
? Watch the full story unfold in our YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/iZpqDZgpBZk?si=o0mWcignxUdANHU3