Mr Warner says that the company had previously used Vermeer drills for the smaller utility market approximately ten years ago, but returned to purchase Vermeer equipment within the last six months due to the quality of service support. “Vermeer offers quite a good service throughout Australia and internationally,” he says.

Mr Warner mentions in particular the quality of service received from Jeff Lawson and Vermeer’s Queensland sales and service team.

Vermeer’s provision of training with the rig’s acquisition was also an important aspect of Jemena’s return to the product.

“When we buy any of our equipment – it doesn’t matter what dollar value it is – they offer in house service. So, training with the operating of the drill, and also mud mixing, all the way down from the smaller items to the bigger items.”

Jemena has been moving steadily from its traditional role as gas and electricity provider into water, wastewater and recycled water projects.

Mr Warner says that proponents prefer using HDD instead of trenching due to a number of environmental and social factors, which are attributed to the technological advances made in the industry and the improved quality of the pipe material that is used today.

“[HDD] has gone leaps and bounds in the last ten years. All the utilities are changing to polyethylene (PE) pipes, therefore making it more versatile for HDD as an option now.

“The benefits of the PE pipe are a longer life span, and the durability of the pipe. Traditional pipes don’t have the guaranteed lifespan of what the PE pipe brings. That inherent capability of the pipe, coupled with the benefit of drilling lowers the impact to the environment.”

Mr Warner believes that as the environmental impact lessens, both the community and the proponent are kept in a positive frame of mind.

“There is less issue with community concerns and from a customer’s perspective, they don’t have as near as many complaints because you’re not digging up other people’s driveways. You’re going underneath and not disturbing them.”

Mr Warner also says using HDD is almost as competitive as using trenching techniques, and greatly improves productivity depending on the ground conditions. These factors help to lower the cost of projects overall.

“There are lower reinstatement costs, and the rates in certain circumstances are now more competitive for drilling as compared to trenching. Councils, other customers and water boards are seeing the benefits not only from an environmental and community perpectives but also from a pricing and timeframe perspective.”