Power at a directional drilling crossing comes from more than one source, and the split depends on the rig, the contractor and the contract. Many horizontal directional drilling (HDD) rigs carry their own engine power for the drilling functions themselves. Diesel generators usually enter the picture as supporting equipment, covering items such as mud mixing and recycling, pumps, lighting, site trailers and inspection. This article walks through those loads so you can ask the right questions before anyone orders equipment.
Crossing sites sit in the open and are often close to water, roads or rail, so fuel handling and electrical setup both deserve early attention. OSHA’s flammable liquids standard, 29 CFR 1926.152, says only approved containers and portable tanks are to be used for storage and handling of flammable liquids. It also says approved safety cans or Department of Transportation approved containers are to be used for quantities of 5 gallons or less. The standard addresses flammable liquids, so your safety lead should confirm how it applies to the diesel and other fluids on your crossing. Treat it as a starting point for the fueling plan rather than the whole plan.
What the Rig Usually Brings With It
Many HDD rigs are self-powered, with an onboard engine that drives the drilling functions. Some contractors still bring or rent separate power for the equipment around the rig. Which approach applies depends on the rig model, the contractor’s fleet and the language in the contract. Ask early who supplies power for each piece of equipment, so nothing is left unassigned on mobilization day.
Where Generators Fit Around the Crossing
The table below sorts common crossing equipment by how power is typically handled. It is a planning aid, not a rule, because each row can shift between the rig, the contractor and a rental generator. Confirm every line with the contractor before sizing anything.
| Equipment | Role at the crossing | Power question to settle |
|---|---|---|
| Drill rig | Pushes, pulls and rotates the drill string | Often engine-driven onboard; confirm with the contractor |
| Mud mixing system | Prepares drilling fluid | Self-powered or generator-fed, depending on the unit |
| Mud recycling and cleaning unit | Processes fluid returning from the bore | Self-powered or generator-fed, depending on the unit |
| Pumps | Move fluid and manage water on site | Engine-driven or electric, depending on the model |
| Site lighting | Supports work outside daylight hours | Light towers or generator-fed fixtures |
| Crew and control trailers | Office, control and welfare space | Generator or utility feed, per the contract |
| Inspection and testing gear | Documents the work | Usually small loads that need a nearby outlet |
Electric motors on mixers and pumps can draw more current while starting than while running, so starting loads belong on the load list. Our construction site generator sizing guide walks through building that list step by step. Collect nameplate data from the equipment that will be on site instead of estimating.
Mud Mixing and Recycling Loads
Drilling fluid is mixed and circulated through the bore, and that system often includes mixers, pumps and cleaning equipment. Some of these units carry their own engines, while others are electric and need a generator or utility feed. Where electric units are involved, a loss of power can hold up the crew’s ability to keep the bore moving. Ask the contractor for the voltage, phase and nameplate details of each unit before a generator is chosen.
Lighting, Trailers and Inspection
Night work, crew welfare and documentation add smaller loads around the main equipment. These loads are easy to overlook because each one is modest on its own. The list below covers items worth adding to the load sheet.
- Light towers or area lighting for the work zone and laydown area
- Control and crew trailers with climate control, computers and radios
- Pipe string staging support, such as welding or handling equipment
- Inspection, survey and testing equipment
- Dewatering and fluid transfer pumps
Spreading these loads across a crossing site takes cabling and distribution equipment as well as a generator. Our power distribution page is the place to start when loads sit far from the generator. Planning feeder routes early keeps cables clear of vehicle paths and the work zone. Welding rigs and inspection gear used on pipeline work are covered in the article on powering welding rigs and inspection gear.
Generator Placement
Placement balances closeness to the loads, access for fueling and distance from moving equipment. Short cable runs save effort, but the unit should sit where a fuel truck can reach it and where crews are not working around it. Because crossings often sit near water, roads or rail, ground conditions and permit terms can limit where a unit may go. Confirm those site restrictions with the project owner before positioning anything.
Some crossings move equipment between the entry side and the exit side of the bore. A towable diesel generator rental can follow that movement without a crane or a long cable run. Whether that suits your site depends on access and ground conditions. How generators travel with the crews along a pipeline right-of-way is covered in the article on moving generators with a pipeline spread.
Fuel and Continuous Operation
Once a bore is underway, many crews prefer to avoid long pauses, so fuel planning carries weight. Fuel burn depends on the load a unit carries, so it changes as equipment cycles on and off. Our industrial generator fuel consumption chart gives a starting point for estimating burn for a given unit. Where refueling visits would interrupt work, a generator fuel tank rental can lengthen the time between fills.
Fuel storage and transfer on site should follow the approved-container practices in the OSHA standard noted earlier, and your safety lead can confirm the specifics. Plan where fuel deliveries will park, since delivery trucks and drill traffic can share tight access routes. Stag bills rentals by single, double or triple shift, so the hours your crossing runs each day shape the rental structure. Share your expected shift pattern when you request a quote.
Bringing Stag Into the Crossing Plan
Stag Power Rentals supplies diesel generators from our Dickinson, TX yard, with a fleet that runs from 20 kW to 2000 kW. Rentals are billed by single, double or triple shift. If your crossing needs support power, start with our construction industry overview and then send your load list through the quote request form. We will work with you to match units to the equipment the contractor leaves unpowered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do HDD rigs need a rented generator?
Many HDD rigs carry their own engine power, so a rented generator is often not tied to the drill itself. The need depends on the rig, the contractor and the contract. Generators more often support the equipment around the rig. Ask the contractor which loads they will power and which they expect the project to supply.
What equipment around a crossing might need generator power?
Common candidates are mud mixing and recycling units, pumps, lighting, site trailers and inspection equipment. Whether each one needs a generator depends on whether the unit is self-powered or electric. Some of these items may also be served by a utility connection. A load list built from nameplate data settles the question for your site.
Where should a generator sit at a crossing?
Place it close enough to the loads to keep cable runs manageable while leaving room for fuel truck access. Keep it clear of moving equipment and work zones. Site restrictions near water, roads or rail may limit your options. Confirm those limits with the project owner before the unit arrives.
How do I plan fuel for continuous running?
Start by estimating burn from the load each unit will carry, using a consumption chart. Add extended-runtime fuel storage if refueling visits would interrupt work. Follow approved-container practices for storage and transfer, and have your safety lead confirm the OSHA details. Rental billing follows the single, double or triple shift pattern you expect to run.
What should I send Stag to get a quote?
Send your equipment list with voltage, phase and nameplate details where you have them. Include the site location, the expected shift pattern and any fuel plans. Note which loads the contractor will power and which are left to the project. The quote request form is the quickest way to get that information in front of us.