The drill rig arrived in Perth in December 2008, with commissioning completed in February 2009. The rig will initially be used on Stage 5B, to complete a 480 metre long bore under the Murray River, which is approximately 7 km south of Pinjarra.

The 300 tonne pull-back capacity and the current assisted down hole tooling enable the team to ream out holes greater than 50 inches in diameter.

MacDow said that having in-house HDD capability provides the company with greater surety and improved control in managing HDD crossings for clients’ pipeline projects.