Despite being around for more than 50 years, Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) remains a mystery to many in the utility industry. Dr. Samuel Ariaratnam is working to change that at The Utility Expo this October.
“My educational session is going to be an HDD 101 type of session,” said Ariaratnam, Professor and Sunstate Chair of Construction Management & Engineering at Arizona State University. “We’ll cover the basics—how HDD equipment works, tooling requirements, and ideal applications.”
Ariaratnam’s session on HDD fundamentals is one of many “Field Classrooms” at The Utility Expo.
“A lot of thought has gone into these Field Classrooms,” Ariaratnam said. “This format engages the equipment manufacturers because we walk around the outdoor demonstration area to visit different exhibits. I’m able to talk to the attendees about HDD while a drill is sitting right there in front of us. They can see what drill bits and reamers look like. They can watch how the drilling fluids work. Plus, since I’ve been in this industry for nearly 30 years, I know a lot of people who work for these drill manufacturers. They know we’ll be stopping by and are equally excited to share their own expertise on Horizontal Directional Drilling.”
For anyone trying to understand an innovative piece of equipment like a directional drill, Ariaratnam said being able to see it and touch it is essential. That’s what his Field Classroom allows for.
“Then when the session is over, attendees can always go back to the exhibitors’ booths later on during the show to learn even more,” he added. “That’s the beauty of this. Connecting industry stakeholders to the equipment manufacturers helps build trust in HDD technology. And once there’s trust, adoption can begin to scale.”
Anyone with limited or no experience using HDD technology will benefit from attending Ariaratnam’s Field Classroom. By the end of the session, attendees will walk away with a solid understanding of how HDD works and where it can be used—an important step toward building the knowledge and confidence to begin using the technology on real-world projects.
“When people walk away from this session, they will know what to consider and what questions to ask going forward,” Ariaratnam said.
About the Expert
Dr. Samuel Ariaratnam earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD in civil engineering. He has been a professor of construction engineering for 29 years, currently serving at Arizona State University. He also provides private consulting, working with engineers, contractors, and utility stakeholders to solve construction challenges.
Ariaratnam first became fascinated with Horizontal Directional Drilling in 1996.
“Early in my career, I was a civil engineering professor at the University of Alberta in Edmonton,” he said. “That’s an area of Canada that’s quite prominent for oil and gas. I immediately saw the connection to HDD technology.”
He immersed himself in the field, forming relationships with pioneers who helped deepen his understanding. Over the years, he has led numerous research projects focused on HDD and continues to share his expertise globally.
“I have become a real evangelist for HDD technology,” he said. “I travel all over the world talking about it, including a lecture tour of five countries in Southeast Asia I completed earlier this year. There still is a general lack of knowledge about HDD. We have to get the word out there. Education is the key, which is why I’m really excited about what The Utility Expo is doing. I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”
Register for HDD Fundamentals at The Utility Expo
Spots are limited—register today for one of Dr. Sam Ariaratnam’s two sessions on HDD fundamentals at The Utility Expo 2025:
The Utility Expo’s comprehensive education program is the industry’s top source for cutting-edge insights on everything from aerial devices and vacuum excavation to safety technology, equipment hydraulics, and more.
Want to dive deeper into HDD and other underground utility solutions? Industry-leading HDD equipment brands will be on-site at The Utility Expo. Don’t miss the chance to connect, learn, and demo the latest tech firsthand.
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