Pipe jacking involves pushing pipes through the ground behind a shield using powerful jacks while simultaneously excavating within the shield. Pipes ranging from 150mm to 3000mm in diameter can be installed in straight lines or curves with no theoretical limit on length. A thrust wall provides reaction for the jacks, while in poor soils it may need to punch into the soil or use piles or anchoring. The process is guided remotely using computer systems for accuracy on long excavations.