Drilling for Underground Utilities & Pipeline Projects Across the U.S.
HDD rock drilling is the method we use when standard drills can’t handle the ground. Our team bores through bedrock, dense clay, and fractured terrain without open excavation. These projects demand precision, planning, and gear that doesn’t stall out in tough soil.
At Crigger Power, we use horizontal directional drilling to install conduit, water lines, telecom pathways, and sewer systems across job sites where surface disruption isn’t an option. That includes utility corridors under highways, commercial sites, and energy facilities.
Our crews bring everything in-house—rigs, drill heads, and support vehicles—so you’re not waiting on a third party. We’ve bored through ground conditions that shut down other contractors. If your project demands trenchless rock drilling, we’re the team that stays on line and gets it done.
Where HDD Rock Drilling Makes the Difference
HDD rock drilling is used when the ground pushes back—literally. Traditional HDD methods can’t break through solid rock, compacted clay, or mixed ground without specialized equipment and job-tested techniques. Crigger Power brings both.
We drill through bedrock beneath highways, bore across rail lines, and cut clean paths in terrain most contractors avoid. These projects often require high-powered rigs, reinforced tooling, and real-time adjustments to fluid pressure and drill speed. We handle everything in-house.
This method is essential when trenching isn’t possible and basic boring fails. Our team drills for power conduit, fiber optic, water lines, and telecom systems—even across active infrastructure and unstable soil. If a job involves rock, we finish it without excuses.
Beyond HDD Rock Drilling
Other Directional Boring Services for UtilitiesNo two bores are the same. Job sites vary by soil type, access points, and structural demands. Crigger Power adjusts our HDD rock drilling approach based on real field conditions—cutting through dense ground, managing limited space, or boring beneath active roadways.
Here are the trenchless services we use to complete underground utility work in challenging environments.
HDD Rock Drilling FAQs
HDD rock drilling raises plenty of questions before any rig hits the ground, especially when you’re dealing with hard soil, tight deadlines, or limited access. From project timelines to cost factors, our clients want to know what to expect and how we handle complex terrain.
The FAQ section below covers key details about our HDD rock drilling process, including how we plan, drill, and finish clean bores through tough material. If you need more answers, check out our full Blogs and FAQs page for additional insight from the field.
HDD rock drilling refers to horizontal directional drilling through hard or compacted geological formations, such as limestone, shale, or granite. It requires reinforced tooling, precise mud systems, and drill heads designed to cut through dense or abrasive subsurface layers without deviation.
Unlike standard HDD, which is used in softer soil conditions, HDD rock drilling accounts for greater wear on equipment, higher torque, and slower penetration rates. Crigger Power uses this method when trenchless work needs to go through terrain that most contractors won’t touch.
Yes. Crigger Power uses high-torque rigs and hardened drill bits capable of cutting through solid rock, including granite and limestone. Our team evaluates the rock profile and tailors the drilling approach to maintain line and grade throughout the bore.
We handle rock drills by adjusting mud pressure, bit type, and tooling rotation speed to reduce vibration and limit the risk of deviation or equipment failure. It’s not a quick process, but it’s one we’re built for.
The duration depends on several factors, including bore length, rock density, equipment setup, and jobsite constraints. A short bore through fractured rock may take a day, while a deep pull through unbroken bedrock could require a week or more.
Our crews plan every job with contingency time built in. Crigger Power doesn’t rush rock drills—we complete them with steady progress and minimal risk of rework. That’s what keeps us on schedule even when the terrain fights back.
When our team encounters rock mid-bore, we don’t pause or pass the job off—our crews adjust in real time using the following strategies:
- Pre-Bore Scanning: We use GPR and soil surveys to anticipate rock depth and hardness
- Tool Adjustments: On-the-fly bit swaps or motor changes to cut through new material
- Mud Pressure Calibration: Recalibrating drilling fluids to manage torque and bit performance
- Crew Oversight: Immediate adjustments based on field monitoring, not guesswork
If we hit rock during a standard bore, we pivot quickly without subcontracting or waiting on other vendors. That’s part of what sets us apart.
Drill depth varies by formation, bore length, and utility requirements. Crigger Power routinely completes rock bores at depths between 10 and 60 feet, depending on grade and clearances.
Longer or deeper projects are possible with proper entry angles, reinforced drill strings, and staged reaming. Our crews review every plan against site conditions to determine maximum depth without compromising bore stability.
Contact Crigger Power for HDD Rock Drilling
Rock doesn’t stop us—it sharpens our focus. Crigger Power brings in-house HDD rock drilling crews, rigs, and tools to complete tough bores without calling in backup. We handle telecom conduit, power infrastructure, and utility paths through solid ground while keeping your site intact and your schedule on track.
If your job calls for rock drilling, we’ll review your plans, adjust for field conditions, and get the work done clean and on grade.
Contact us today to get your directional boring project started.