Horizontal Auger Boring and the Canadian National Railway GEO-FORM

Abstract

This paper presents a case study of a geotechnical assessment conducted by Thurber Engineering Ltd. for Whitecap Resources Inc. The assessment evaluates the geotechnical conditions pertinent to two trenchless Canadian National Railway (CN Railway) line crossings near Fox Creek, Alberta. The case study outlines Whitecap's installation of two steel NPS 24 casings – one designated for well effluent and the second accommodating two sweet natural gas lines – beneath an operational CN Railway line via Horizontal Auger Boring (HAB) techniques. It details the project's compliance with CN Railway's GEO-FORM 2 requirements, relevant depth of cover specifications, and the execution of essential geotechnical tasks. The findings and recommendations of the geotechnical report supported Whitecap's application for a CN Railway crossing agreement, ensuring that the installations met the established safety and engineering standards. The successful HAB installations by Sydney Welding Ltd. and the settlement monitoring during installation are included in the case study. The findings provide a valuable reference for future projects. They demonstrate how geotechnical engineers can effectively support clients in meeting regulatory requirements and successfully submit the CN Railway GEO-FORMs for trenchless installations across railways.