November 2005: Trenchless International News
The 2005 International Construction and UtilityEquipment Exposition (ICUEE) attracted more than 16,400 industry professionals —its highest recorded attendance in show history. ICUEE 2005 was held Sept. 27-29at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky.
Known as the Demo Expo, the show featured more than 800exhibitors and more than 1.1 million net sq ft of exhibit space, where attendeescould operate equipment in demonstrations simulating real-life workingconditions. An extensive education program complemented displays of the latestequipment technology and product innovations.
“Attendees came to see what’s new and to test, compareand buy the equipment, products and services they need to enhance worksiteperformance and productivity,” stated ICUEE show manager NicoleHallada.
The 2005 ICUEE attendance topped the previous recordreached in 1999 of 14,841 attendees, and was almost 20 percent higher thanattendance at the last ICUEE, held in 2003 (13,698 attendees).
ICUEE 2005 attendees came from all industry segments,and more than 5 percent were international visitors, representing more than 40countries. ICUEE targets electric, sewer/water, phone/cable, gas, generalconstruction, government and landscaping industry professionals.
The exhibition provided attendees with more than triplethe amount of education offered at the last show. Industry experts examined thelatest technological trends and operational issues affecting the utility andconstruction industry.
“We received very positive feedback from attendees onthe value of these sessions, which they said was definitely worth their time,”noted Hallada.
Among the trenchless technology companies that participated atICUEE 2005 were: Astec Underground, Robbins Co., Robbins HDD, SchonstedtInstrument Co., Sensors & Software, Underground Tools Inc., Utilicor, TTTechnologies, Barbco Inc., Ditch Witch, Vermeer, Central Mine Equipment, Halco,Carson Underground, Hammerhead, DCD Design & Mfg., Melfred Borzall, DigitalControl Inc., CIPP Corp., Wyo-Ben, Subsite Electronics, Baroid IndustrialDrilling Products, Railhead Underground Products, Atlas Copco, HardrockDirectional Drilling Products, Akkerman, McLaughlin Mfg., Aires Industries,Bor-It Mfg., Carlon, ITT Flygt Corp., McElroy Mfg., Multiquip and RapidView IBAKUSA.
ICUEE is a popular show for trenchless companies,particularly those involved in horizontal directional drilling. Many,particularly those in the outdoor exhibit area, took the opportunity tointroduce new products to its current and potential customers. Among the newproducts released at ICUEE 2005 was Vermeer’s Six Shooter HDD directional drill.With a small footprint of 35.5-in. wide by 115-in. length, the unit can bemaneuvered within jobsites where workspace is confined. The compact size andlight weight of the Six Shooter HDD drill allow it to be transported on asmall-sized trailer. The total weight of the drill, mud mixing system, toolingand trailer is less than 10,000 lbs. Vermeer also introduced its 10×14 mid-sizedrill that has 9,600 lbs of pullback, as well as its D20x22, with 20,000 lbs ofpullback and D36x50, with 36,000 lbs of pullback.
Astec Underground introduced several new products,including directional drills and a pipe bursting system. Among the drills Astecunveiled was the DD65 MiniMax, a compact rig that has 6,000 lbs of pullback and500 ft-lbs of torque; it is 35.5 in. wide, 124 in. in length and 59 in. inheight. Total weight is 2,600 lbs. The other rigs shown at the show were theDD1215 compact rig and DD-185 track-mounted maxi rig that has 185,000 lbs ofpullback force. Astec also announced its entry into the pipe bursting marketwith the release of its EarthPro pipe bursting systems. The system comes in twomodels — the PB-40, which develops up to 80,000 lbs of pulling power, and thePB-80, which develops up to 160,000 lbs of pulling power. The systems arecapable of replacing most pipes from 2 to 13.5 in. in diameter.
Barbco Inc. displayed its latest technology, the Bullet— a line of underground piercing tools. The Bullet has four models, ranging indiameters of 2 to 4 in. and in lengths of 35 to 59 in. Its weight ranges from 23to 108 lbs. Barbco also displayed its Controlled Boring System (C.B.S.), whichauger bores up to 48 in. in diameter.
TT Technologies introduced its 14-in. diameterGrundocrack Koloss pneumatic pipe bursting tool equipped with new burstingaccessories for pipe bursting corrugated pipe. It’s a bursting sleeve that wasdeveloped to burst corrugated metal and is placed on the Grundocrack pipebursting tool. Corrugated metal tends to bunch up during a standard burstingapplication, but this specially designed sleeve has cutting blades on it thathelp to split the corrugated pipe and facilitate a smooth bursting operations.The tool came in direct from a successful project where it was used to burst15-in. corrugated pipe and replace it with 24-in. HDPE. The company also showedits current line of pipe rammers and directional drills.
McLaughlin Mfg. displayed its entrance into thedirectional drill market with its McL-10H Versa Mole — a small, multi-faceted,pit-launched drill for limited right of way fiber-to-the-premises and otherservice installations. In addition to HDD, the unit is also capable of drillingsolid rock using either a rollercone rock system or pneumatic hammer. McLaughlinalso introduced its next generation locator, the Verifier G2 Digital UtilityLocator, which provides quick, accurate location using any of five methods bymeans of a microprocessor-controlled transmitter and receiver. Also introducedwas a small, portable vacuum system called the VSK100G/D. The 100-gal unit isdesigned for potholing, remediation, soil excavation and other wet/dry vacuumapplications.
IPLOCA Holds 39th Annual Convention in Vancouver
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada hosted this year’sInternational Pipeline & Offshore Contractors Association (IPLOCA)convention. There were 600 attendees from around the world who attended theconvention, held Sept. 11-16.
The convention had numerous business meetings andfunctions, as well as cultural events. There was also strong interest in theCanadian MacKenzie Valley pipeline. Greg Whitlock of Deh Cho Pipe Co. made acomprehensive presentation on the history of the MacKenzie Valley gasexplorations and the aboriginal groups in the Northwest Territories of Canada.Whitlock is aboriginal born and his father is from the Dene group and his motherInuit. Whitlock noted, “There is no doubt the MacKenzie oil and gas reserveswill become a key supplier of secure energy to North America markets for yearsto come.” It is believed that the MacKenzie Delta and offshore Beaufort Seacould have, per Whitlock, “Oil and gas potential similar to Alaska’s crudePrudhoe Bay for onshore and offshore production.”
It is expected that the MacKenzie gas project will be a$7 billion (CN) development from Inuvik Diamond down the MacKenzie Valley andinto Northern Alberta. Construction should begin in 2007, with the transportingof gas to begin as early as 2009. The length of the Northwest Territory route is1,220 km. The project owners are Imperial Oil Ltd., Aboriginal Pipeline Group,Conoco-Phillips Canada, Shell Canada Ltd., and ExxonMobil Canada Ltd. Theonshore reserves are estimated at 6 trillion cu ft.
Appropriately, Barry Brown, executive director of thePipeline Contractors Association of Canada, presented the history and the roleof PLCAC. Business sessions additionally included safety awards, the BPA Awardand a World Federation meeting.
Conventioneers were treated to cultural tours thatincluded nearby Bowen Island, a day in Victoria and a tour of Vancouver’s famousStanley Park. Thursday’s activity was topped off by the Caterpillar evening atthe Plaza of Nations followed by the Somico’s annual fireworksdisplay.
The convention was chaired by IPLOCA 2004-2005 presidentScott Summers of ARB Inc. This convention was the first for Luc Henriod,IPLOCA’s new executive secretary.
During the convention, IPLOCA members elected its newofficers for 2006. They are: president, Issam Shammas, C.A.T.; first vicepresident, Andy Lucas, A.J. Lucas; second vice president, Phil Bond, PIH; andtreasurer, Yasar Pakel, Technip Germany. The immediate past president will beScott Summers, ARB Inc. Henriod and John Phillips will remain on as consultantsto the association.
IPLOCA’s 2006 convention will be held in Barcelona,Spain, Sept. 24-29 at the Hotel Arts.
