At the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025, Brownline surveyed a large number of drillings in Ghent using the Drillguide Gyro Steering Tool. These drillings are aimed at strengthening the high-voltage network in the port area of Ghent.
New high voltage cables
The demand for electricity is rapidly growing in the port area of Ghent and is expected to remain high in the future. To continuously provide sufficient power to the port, a stronger high-voltage network is needed. New high-voltage stations of 380 kV and 150 kV are being built, and new underground cables are being installed at various locations. Additionally, the John F. Kennedylaan (also known as the R4) next to the industrial area is being renewed, requiring the relocation of some cables.
To install the new cables, our client Cas-Vos carried out directional drills. The pilot bores were surveyed using the Drillguide Gyro Steering Tool. Around the John F. Kennedylaan, 15 crossings were drilled, many of which were parallel crossings.
Crossing road and railway
There were four drills with the entry point located near a high-voltage pylon. Two of these drills made a slight S-curve under the railway to emerge parallel between the railway and the road after 600 m / 1969 ft, on a strip that is less than 15 m / 50 ft wide. Absolute accuracy was essential for achieving this with two parallel crossings.
At other locations along the John F. Kennedylaan / R4, more horizontal directional drills were made:
- Eight parallel crossings, the longest being 890 m / 2920 ft. This was a record length for Cas-Vos.
- Two drillings of 500 m / 1640 ft under a canal
- One drilling of 275 m / 900 ft under an road intersection
High-tech tools for extreme precision
Each of these crossings took place within tight margins. For projects like this, the Drillguide Gyro Steering Tool provides the ideal solution. By relying on measurements from the world's most accurate steering tool, the pilot bores were conducted safely and efficiently. The GST operates completely independently and is unaffected by external influences, allowing measurements to be taken without interference under high-voltage pylons and railway lines.
GPS track was also deployed for these drillings, allowing the position of the drill head to be monitored from the surface. These additional measurements enhance accuracy and reliability. With the combination of Drillguide GST and GPS track, the crossings were extremely precise, and the punch-outs were executed exactly as planned!