Digital Connection Co. Ltd. (DCL) was established in 2002 and has since become a leading provider of trenchless technology services in Saudi Arabia. DCL introduced the use of horizontal directional drilling (HDD) for pipeline crossings, which significantly reduced construction time. DCL has now completed over 100,000 meters of utility crossings using HDD, microtunneling, and ramming. Some of DCL's most notable projects include constructing the world's longest HDD crossing over 3,000 meters long.

2.  Digital Connection Co. Ltd. (DCL) was created in 2002 by Mr. Abdullah Akbar Natheer, a
Saudi Aramco retiree, who had spent his career in Outside Plant Construction (OSP).
 DCL undertook short form contracts in the beginning in the field of Telecommunication
OSP.
 During the first long form contract awarded by Saudi Aramco (Microwave Replacement, BI
10-3988), DCL introduced the idea of converting all road and utility crossings from open cut
method to Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD). The proposal was implemented and
execution time was reduced to 1/3 of the scheduled duration planned for the construction
of road crossings.
 This was the start of a journey which has evolved into creation of the most comprehensive
Trenchless Technology service provider in Saudi Arabia.

4. D C L T R E N C H L E S S P R O J E C T S I N S A U D I A R A B I A
Khafji
Tanajib
Dammam Jubail
Khobar
Haradh
Nuriyah
Abqaiq
Shaybah
Yanbu
Jubail
HORRIZONTAL
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
MICROTUNNELING
RAMMING

5.  DCL has completed more than 100,000 meters of utility crossings using various trenchless
technologies, HDD, micro tunneling and pipe ramming.
 DCL has constructed pipeline crossings up to 48 inch dia pipes using HDD.
 DCL is credited with construction of world’s longest in length (3,045 meters) and largest in
pipe dia (30 inch) crossing using HDD, at the time of execution back in 2008.
 DCL has the most successful record of construction of pipeline crossings under the sand
dunes in Shaybah.

7. A PILOT HOLE is a smaller hole drilled into a material prior to a larger hole being drilled

8. The REAMING operation consists of using an appropriate tool to open the pilot
hole to a slightly larger diameter

9. The PULLBACK operation involves pulling the entire pipeline length in one segment
(usually) back through the drilling mud along the reamed-hole pathway.

11. R O A D C R O S S I N G A T H A R A D H / H AW I YA H
Client:- ROBAYA (Aramco)
Project length – 473Mtrs
Pipe dia – 46”
Pipe Material – Steel
HDD Rig – 250ton
Client:- ROBAYA(Aramco)
Project length – 60Mtrs
Pipe dia – 46”
Pipe Material – Steel
HDD Rig – 250ton

12. C O N S T R U C T I O N O F B E R R I C A U S E W A Y P I P E L I N E S 2 4 ” & 3 0 ”
Between Abu Ali island and Berri Causeway
 Length 3,052 Meters (Each)
 Depth=37Meters Approximately
 Most challenging job in HDD industry
 These crossings are the longest in the world
to-date
 24” crude oil pipeline is completed
 30” water injection pipeline completed
BERRI CAUSEWAY PIPELINES
PROJECT
Horizontal Directional Drilling
(HDD)
Contract # 6600018809
30” ONGOING 24”COMPLETED
ENTRY POINTS
EXIT POINTS

13. Client:- SAS (Aramco)
Project length – 1500Mtrs
Pipe dia – 20”
Pipe Material – Steel
HDD Rig – 250ton
Client:- SAS (Aramco)
Project length – 2000Mtrs
Pipe dia – 20”
Pipe Material – Steel
HDD Rig – 250ton
S A N D U N E C R O S S I N G S I N S H A Y B A H

14. M I C R O T U N N E L I N G P I P E J A C K I N G
Project :- Micro Tunneling Pipe Jacking at Water Injection Plant Tanajib
Client :- JGC(Aramco), Project Length :- 100mtrs , Pipe Dia :-1600mm RCJ
Project Location

15. R A M M E R W I T H H D D A S S I S T
Project :- Highway Crossing by HDD & Ramming Assist
48” Steel Pipe – 85 Mtr@ NWC project Hail
Project :- Tama Highway Crossing Yanbu 36” 60Mtr for SRB
Rammer
Product Pipe
Pulling Assembly Drill String
HDD Machine
Typical Ramming With HDD Assist
Puling Assembly

18. HDD Site Setup
Pipe Being Pulled inside Borehole
Pulling Assembly Side Boom Lifting the Pipe For Pull back

21. Launching Shaft Machine Entry
Launching Seal MT Machine

24. Feeding via Rack & Pinion Trailer version,
11M feeding length (range 2 drill roads)
2,500kN pull force
9 torque
447kW Caterpillar engine - 6 Cylinder –
Tropical version with expanded cooling system
Noise reduction - Progressively torque regulation via potentiometer
Electronic motor control with automatic switching off
Load Sensing Control Output : 1.000 l/min
2.500Kn (250t)
6 pcs Poclain radial piston pump motors without gear reducer
8-15º with stable and comfortable support
Torque : 90.000Nm -35 rpm45.000Nm -70 rpm
Dynamic axial trust load :3.200kN (320t)
Static axial thrust load :4.500kN(450t)
Drive Shaft slidable for 70mm