Horizontal Directional Drilling
Specialist trenchless infrastructure Complex underground infrastructure. Delivered with control.
Cape Dunstans delivers horizontal directional drilling across utilities, mining and marine environments.
Our HDD capability spans three distinct service streams: conventional underground utility installation, horizontal dewatering wells for mining operations, and shore crossings and seawater intakes for coastal and subsea infrastructure.
With in-house engineering, self-performed crews and one of Australia’s most advanced HDD fleets, we deliver complex trenchless projects safely, reliably and with greater control from planning through to reinstatement.
Key metrics
- 2,000m+ crossings
- National delivery
- Hard rock capability
- End-to-end self-perform
HDD capability areas
Conventional HDD
Trenchless utility installation where open-cut construction is not practical. We install water, gas, power and communications infrastructure beneath roads, rail, rivers, waterways and congested utility corridors. This method reduces surface disruption, protects existing assets and supports safer delivery in complex environments.
Typical applications: water and wastewater pipelines, gas pipelines, power conduits, fibre and communications infrastructure, road, rail and river crossings.
Horizontal Dewatering Wells
Specialist horizontal well systems for mine dewatering and groundwater control. Cape Dunstans delivers horizontal dewatering wells for mining operations where groundwater management, safety and production continuity are critical. This innovative HDD application can reduce the need for in-pit vertical dewatering infrastructure, improve access and support more efficient mine planning.
Typical applications: mine dewatering, groundwater control, below-water-table mining support, horizontal well design and construction, reduced in-pit infrastructure.
Shore Crossings & Seawater Intakes
Trenchless infrastructure connecting land and sea. We deliver HDD solutions for coastal and subsea infrastructure where utilities need to cross from land to marine environments, including shore crossings for offshore infrastructure and seawater intake systems for utilities, research facilities and other coastal operations.
Typical applications: shore crossings, seawater intake systems, offshore utility crossings, gas/power/communications infrastructure, environmentally sensitive marine works.
Where HDD makes the difference
HDD is used where surface disruption, environmental sensitivity, operating conditions or asset interfaces make conventional construction difficult or high-risk. We deliver in:
- Urban and congested utility corridors
- Major road, rail and river crossings
- Open pit mining environments
- Coastal and subsea settings
- Environmentally sensitive areas
- Remote and regional locations
Why Cape Dunstans
Cape Dunstans self-performs HDD projects using internal crews, owned equipment and in-house technical expertise. This gives clients greater control over safety, quality, scheduling and delivery outcomes, with fewer interfaces and clearer accountability.
Proven delivery
Cape Dunstans has delivered HDD projects for major resources, infrastructure and research clients, including Fortescue, Rio Tinto and the University of Queensland’s Heron Island Research Station.
Let’s talk
Need a controlled trenchless solution for a complex environment? Talk to Cape Dunstans about your next HDD project.