Horizontal Well Systems: Proven, Durable Technology

For over 24 years, Directional Technologies, Inc. has been installing horizontal well systems. During that time, Directional Technologies, Inc. has successfully installed over a thousand (1,000) Horizontal Remediation Wells (HRWs) around the U.S. and internationally. The technology is thoroughly proven and effective. This article discusses a HRW project that Directional Technologies executed 16 years ago that is still preforming as designed.

Groundwater Modeling of a Hydraulic Containment System:

A Directional Technologies’ client had performed groundwater modeling of a horizontal hydraulic containment system for a chlorinated solvent groundwater plume at an aerospace facility in 2000. The site is located adjacent to a river and the remedial strategy was to intercept the plume and prevent it from migrating toward the river.

The modeling objectives were to:

1. Predict horizontal hydraulic containment system performance; and
2. Assess the required water extraction volume from a shallow aquifer to achieve the desired hydraulic control.

The centerpiece of the horizontal hydraulic containment system was a horizontal extraction well with a screened interval 450 feet long and an overall length of 700 feet. The 450-foot screen allowed for complete interception of the groundwater plume.

Directional Technologies, Inc. installs Horizontal Hydraulic Containment System:

Directional Technologies, Inc. was contracted to install the horizontal hydraulic containment system well in September 2000 which consisted of an eight-inch diameter horizontal well with the following configuration: riser length: 250 feet, screened interval:

450 feet, installed depth: 16 feet below ground surface, 7-9 feet into the water table. The horizontal well was constructed of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) SDR-11. The well created a trough of depression along the entire length of the screen.

Horizontal Wells Systems – Long-Term Results that Reward:

The Horizontal Remediation Well that was installed 16 years ago is still performing its job, maintaining hydraulic control and intercepting the plume. This long-duration record of success showcases the technology’s durability and ability to perform. A hydraulic control system based on vertical wells would rely on not-always-dependable overlapping radius-of-influence (ROI), whereas horizontal well systems provide seamless ROI. In addition, building space physical limitations precluded the installation of an effective vertical well system. This is Horizontal Well Systems – proven technology that is providing superior results.