2025 Advanced HDD School

All attendees are invited to a catered breakfast, included with registration.

Pete Barlow is a technical specialist with over 35 years of experience in the application of geotechnical engineering to the pipeline industry in Canada, the United States, South America, and Europe. He is a Director and Principal Geotechnical Engineer with BGC Engineering, where he is actively engaged with over 20 pipeline clients in systems. Pete is an expert in the geotechnical aspects of trenchless technologies and particularly HDD, and has been involved in several hundred projects in widely ranging environments since the mid-1990’s. This has involved assessments at the routing stage to catch and avoid problematic crossing locations early; detailed geotechnical investigations to support HDD designs; construction support; assessment and mitigation of challenging HDD’s encountering ground related problems; and risk assessments at planning stages. He has also been involved with pipeline integrity issues with existing HDD installations interacting with geohazards, including a number of pipeline ruptures.

Pete Barlow is a technical specialist with over 35 years of experience in the application of geotechnical engineering to the pipeline industry in Canada, the United States, South America, and Europe. He is a Director and Principal Geotechnical Engineer with BGC Engineering, where he is actively engaged with over 20 pipeline clients in systems. Pete is an expert in the geotechnical aspects of trenchless technologies and particularly HDD, and has been involved in several hundred projects in widely ranging environments since the mid-1990’s. This has involved assessments at the routing stage to catch and avoid problematic crossing locations early; detailed geotechnical investigations to support HDD designs; construction support; assessment and mitigation of challenging HDD’s encountering ground related problems; and risk assessments at planning stages. He has also been involved with pipeline integrity issues with existing HDD installations interacting with geohazards, including a number of pipeline ruptures.

Grab a coffee and network with attendees.

Understanding the various elements which factor into the selection of a final HDD bore path geometry is critical to a full and comprehensive grasp of the HDD design process. The presentation will focus on the various factors influencing an HDD bore path design. The presentation will commence with reviewing industry guidelines used to establish preliminary bore geometry. We will then move through a typical HDD design process while touching on the various design elements that directly impact the process of finalizing an HDD design. Special attention will be given to the pipe stress considerations that must be made throughout the design process

Adam is a graduate of the University of Manitoba and is a licensed Professional Engineer with both APEGA and the OIQ (Quebec). As a Project Delivery Lead with over 8 years of experience at CCI, he is currently managing multidisciplinary and complex engineering projects from conception to successful delivery. In his career, Adam has been involved in trenchless engineering projects across Canada throughout all phases of project development. He has extensive experience in trenchless crossing/pipeline design including HDD pipe stress analysis, annular pressure analysis and bore path design.

The goal of this presentation is to provide practical design advice for common issues seen on HDD crossings. We often see issues with pipeline alignment at HDD crossings, that often stem from lack of understanding of HDD equipment sizing, required temporary workspaces for HDD equipment at entry and exit, required regulatory setbacks for slope breaks, required depth of cover for Code of Practice scour depth, or annular pressure considerations, and temporary workspaces for drag section layout. Drag section layout around Right-of-Way deflections, along slopes, and options for mid-pullback welds will be discussed. We also see common, but often complicated geometry requirements for small pipe installations, especially at road, railroad, or utility corridor crossings. Design of these geometries is affected greatly by the steering tool selection so any discussion of geometry to fit site conditions must include a discussion of steering tools, drill bit selection, and the geology at site.

After graduating from the University of Alberta Mechanical Engineering program, Dale began his career in trenchless engineering. Early on, Dale was instrumental in developing HDD engineering calculations, leading the industry in Canada for annular pressure calculations, and pipe lift calculations. Dale expanded his practice into micro-tunnel and Direct Pipe Installations as those technologies reached into Western Canada and again has been leading the industry in areas of slurry and lubrication pressure and flow management, steering corrections, and as-building while tunneling. Along with his business partner, Andrew Porter, Dale formed ADIT Engineering Inc. in 2014, where he provides trenchless engineering and construction support to HDD, auger boring, pipe ramming, microtunnel and DPI projects, for project owners such as Enbridge, TC Energy, ATCO Pipelines and Gas Distribution and contractors such as Bothar. Recent project work includes Trans Mountain’s TMEP, TC Energy’s Coastal GasLink, distribution and transmission system upgrades for ATCO, among others.

Dr. Ali Bayat is a Professor and Ralph Haas/Stantec Fellow in Civil Engineering at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. He also serves as the Director of the Canadian Underground Infrastructure Innovation Centre (CUIIC), where he leads a team of experts in developing cutting-edge technologies to improve the efficiency and safety of underground construction. His contributions to the field have been recognized with the prestigious National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Industrial Research Chair in Underground Trenchless Construction. He has developed BoreAid, design software platforms widely used across the globe. Dr. Bayat’s extensive research, evidenced by over 200 published papers, has made significant contributions to civil engineering knowledge.

Enjoy a catered lunch, included with registration.

After graduating from the University of Alberta Mechanical Engineering program, Dale began his career in trenchless engineering. Early on, Dale was instrumental in developing HDD engineering calculations, leading the industry in Canada for annular pressure calculations, and pipe lift calculations. Dale expanded his practice into micro-tunnel and Direct Pipe Installations as those technologies reached into Western Canada and again has been leading the industry in areas of slurry and lubrication pressure and flow management, steering corrections, and as-building while tunneling. Along with his business partner, Andrew Porter, Dale formed ADIT Engineering Inc. in 2014, where he provides trenchless engineering and construction support to HDD, auger boring, pipe ramming, microtunnel and DPI projects, for project owners such as Enbridge, TC Energy, ATCO Pipelines and Gas Distribution and contractors such as Bothar. Recent project work includes Trans Mountain’s TMEP, TC Energy’s Coastal GasLink, distribution and transmission system upgrades for ATCO, among others.

This presentation will go through the early stages of an HDD project from inception to final plan, as seen from the perspective of an HDD Drilling Contractor. Attendees will gain insight into the benefits of engaging with HDD contractors in the development of a confident HDD execution strategy. Various points of engagement will be covered, ranging from preliminary budgeting, ideas sharing, to the issuance of an RFP.

Graduating from the University of Alberta Mining Engineering program in 2017, Alex began his career in HDD as a Technical Services Specialist for The Crossing Company. Alex expanded his knowledge of HDD over years in the field, taking part in the successful completion of multiple pilot holes throughout Western Canada. Transitioning from the field to the office, Alex became a Project Analyst for The Crossing Company in 2020, where further development placed him in his current role of Project Coordinator / Estimator. His role has ranged from estimating & preparation of quotes, preparation of execution documentation, geotechnical risk analysis, project management, and project review. Alex has been involved in many HDD crossings undertaken by The Crossing Company over the years, including those on high profile projects like Trans Mountain’s TMEP and TC Energy’s Coastal Gaslink.

Grab a coffee and network with attendees.