Courses

A construction site with a trencher machine digging a trench, surrounded by dirt and grass.

Fundamentals of Horizontal Directional Drilling

Master the essentials of trenchless pipeline installation with this focused course on Horizontal Directional Drilling—ideal for inspectors, engineers, and municipal staff overseeing underground infrastructure.
A construction site with a trencher machine digging a trench, surrounded by dirt and grass.

Registration Info

Click a date below to start your registration.

November 12, 2026
Fee:
Member Rate - $630.00
Duration:
1 Day

What You’ll Learn

This course will teach you the essential steps required to complete successful HDD projects. Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Develop an understanding of the HDD process, equipment, downhole tools, and drilling fluids.
  • Conduct feasibility assessments, including surface conditions, geotechnical considerations, and subsurface utility investigation requirements.
  • Verify HDD plans, drawings, and site layouts to evaluate project constructability and conformance to specifications and standards.
  • Develop and implement an inspection and testing plan to ensure quality standards and adherence to project requirements.
  • Inspect construction sites, identify project risks, and develop risk management and contingency plans.
  • Understand and apply HDD industry guidelines, standards, and specifications

Course Description

Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) is one of the most widely used trenchless technologies for installing underground pipelines and utilities beneath highways, railways, watercourses, and environmentally sensitive areas. Compared with conventional open-cut construction methods, HDD can significantly reduce environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions. Typical HDD applications include the installation of water and wastewater pipelines, telecommunications (fibre-optic) infrastructure, electric transmission and distribution systems, and natural gas pipelines.

Through real-world case studies and practical examples, this course equips participants with the fundamental knowledge and practical skills required to effectively plan, inspect, and execute HDD projects in accordance with industry best practices, guidelines, specifications, and applicable standards.

Course Details

  • Municipal engineers and inspectors 
  • Utility and infrastructure planners 
  • Construction supervisors 
  • Technicians and technologists overseeing trenchless installations 

1. HDD Industry Overview

  • History and Applications of HDD
  • Advantages and Limitations of HDD

2. HDD Process

  • Planning and Pre-Drill Considerations
  • Pilot Hole Drilling
  • Reaming and Hole Enlargement
  • Pullback and Product Installation

3. HDD Equipment and Tooling

  • Drill Rigs
  • Downhole Tools (Drill Bits, Reamers, Mud Motors, etc.)
  • Tracking and Locating Systems
  • Equipment Selection Criteria

4. Drilling Fluids

  • Types and Functions of Drilling Fluids
  • Volume Calculations
  • Drilling Fluid Design and Testing

5. HDD Project Planning

  • Surface and Geotechnical Considerations
  • Subsurface Utility Investigations
  • Health and Safety Requirements
  • Environmental and Regulatory Considerations
  • HDD Bore Path Layout and Constructability Review for Plastic and Steel Pipe

6. Quality Management and Risk Control

  • HDD Project Inspection and Test Plans
  • Risk Management and Contingency Planning
  • Construction Monitoring
  • Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC)

7. Practical Applications

  • Exercises
  • Real-World Case Studies

Basic understanding of trenchless technologies is an advantage 

Participants who attend all lessons will receive a certificate of completion.  

Professional development credits may be available through OACETT, PEO PEAK, etc. Please contact them for details. 

Holiday Inn Oakville (Centre)
590 Argus Road, Oakville, Ontario L6J 3J3 Canada

Rizwan Younis, PhD, P.Eng.

Rizwan Younis specializes in trenchless rehabilitation and replacement of underground pipelines, pipeline condition assessment, and buried infrastructure asset management. He currently works for the City of Guelph, where he leads the watermain renewal program and is responsible for the planning, design, project management, construction, and contract administration of selected operational and capital infrastructure projects. Previously, Dr. Younis managed and delivered the most extensive trenchless technology education program at the University of Waterloo's Centre for Advancement of Trenchless Technologies (CATT) from 2009 to 2021. He helped develop and deliver the Horizontal Directional Drilling Fundamentals field course with Fleming College and has provided training to organizations including the City of Toronto, City of Markham, WSP, and Enbridge Gas. Prior to his academic career, Dr. Younis worked as a design and construction engineer on major transportation and water infrastructure projects. Dr. Younis holds a PhD in Civil Engineering and a Bachelor of Mathematics (Honours Systems Management) from the University of Waterloo, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan

Fraser MacNeill

Fraser has over 15 years of experience in horizontal directional drilling. He possesses extensive knowledge of HDD drilling rigs, downhole tools, tracking systems, drilling fluids, feasibility and risk analysis, and QA/QC practices. Currently, he works for LDL Directional Drilling and Tunnelling Services and serves as a consultant and instructor with the Trenchless Institute. Previously, Fraser served as Corporate Product Manager for Ditch Witch Eastern Canada Division (Brandt Group of Companies). He holds a Resources Drilling and Blasting Diploma from Fleming College.

Question:
Do I need prior experience to take this course?

Answer:

No prior experience is required unless otherwise stated in the Requirements section. 

Question:
Will I receive a certificate?

Answer:

Yes, participants who complete all course components will receive a certificate of completion.