Horizontal Drilling Cost

There is no single price per metre for horizontal drilling: two crossings of the same length can differ several-fold in cost depending on ground, diameter and depth. That is why Deltek prepares a project-specific quotation for every job. The feasibility study and site survey are free of charge. Below are the eight factors that shape the quote and why each one moves the price.

1. Crossing length

Length is the most visible variable, but the price does not rise linearly with it. On short crossings, set-up and mobilisation make up most of the total; as length grows, the cost per metre falls. Very long crossings, on the other hand, call for a larger rig class, more drill rods and a stronger locating system.

2. Pipe diameter

The larger the diameter, the more reaming passes are needed after the pilot bore. Each pass means additional rig time, drilling-fluid volume and crew hours. A small fibre-optic duct may be finished in one pass; a large water main takes several stages.

3. Pipe material

Steel, PE and PVC pipes tolerate different pull forces and bend radii. The material therefore sets the entry and exit angles and the pull force, and with it the rig class. Welding or fusion work also affects time on site.

4. Ground conditions

This is the factor that changes the price most. Progress is fast in clay and sand; gravel, boulders and rock require special drill heads, slower advance and more drilling fluid. Rock drilling uses separate equipment. Any price given without knowing the ground is an estimate.

5. Depth

The required depth depends on what the bore passes beneath: a riverbed, a motorway embankment, existing utilities. As depth increases, the entry and exit ramps get longer, so the actual bore length exceeds the horizontal distance, and the locating signal weakens.

6. Locating system

Shallow, short crossings can be tracked with a walkover system. Deep crossings, crossings under water and sites without surface access need magnetic-field systems, which require more expensive equipment and more experienced operators. The locating method is decided together with ground and depth.

7. Location and mobilisation

Our fleet mobilises from Izmir and Istanbul to every region of Türkiye. Distance to site, transport of rig and crew, site set-up and time on site are the fixed items in a quotation. Where several crossings are in the same area these costs are shared and the price per metre falls.

8. Permits, survey and geotechnical investigation

Short, shallow crossings can proceed on existing data; for river, motorway and long crossings a geotechnical survey is required. If you do not have one, we can organise it with the geotechnical teams we trust. Whether municipal, highway, railway or water-authority permits are in place determines both the start date and any waiting cost.

What we need for a quotation

The following details speed up the process: crossing location (province and, if possible, coordinates), approximate length, pipe material and diameter, a geotechnical report if available, and the planned schedule. With these our project department determines the most suitable method, rig class and crew, and we reply the same working day.

Request a quote for your project

Frequently asked questions

What is the price per metre for horizontal drilling? There is no fixed rate per metre; two crossings of the same length can cost very different amounts depending on ground, diameter and depth. That is why we quote per project.

Is the site survey and feasibility study charged? No. The feasibility study and site survey are free of charge; the quotation is prepared afterwards.

Is it more expensive than open-cut? Over short, unobstructed distances open-cut can be cheaper; but under roads, rivers, railways or dense utilities, once excavation, traffic management, backfill and surface reinstatement are added, horizontal drilling is usually the more economical option.