Abstract: Describes the occurrence characteristics and the main control methods of gob water，analysis the defects of short distance rotary drilling and the advantages of long-distance directional drilling in gob water exploration. Based on the Specific examples of directional drilling in ground and under the mine in Shenhua Wuhai Coal Group Corporation Limited，describes the technical and economic advantages of directional drilling in small coal mines border and upper erratic gob water exploration. The study can provides a new technical approach in gob water exploration under similar conditions.

Key words: Gob water, directional drilling, mine water prevention and control, dewatering