Providing peace of mind and power
Pipe Assist uses a Direct Pipe® thruster with up to 750 tons of force to support a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) rig during pullback of a large, heavy pipe string. The thruster is fitted concentrically around the pipe, ready to be quickly engaged when needed. Pipe Assist is beneficial for a pipe that has become locked, immobilized, or needs a little assistance to avoid being damaged.
World-record length HDDs are best not left to chance. Michels engages our Pipe Assist equipment to make sure heavy pipes strings are properly pulled into place. Among many projects, we've used it to support our rigs on a 7,200-foot pullback of a 42-inch pipe in northern Alberta and a 9,038-foot installation of a 36-inch pipe under the Mississippi River.