N.M. Admin. Code § 19.15.11.12

Current through Register Vol. 36, No. 1, January 14, 2025

Section 19.15.11.12 - PROTECTION FROM HYDROGEN SULFIDE AT OIL PUMP STATIONS, PRODUCING WELLS, TANK BATTERIES AND ASSOCIATED PRODUCTION FACILITIES, PIPELINES, REFINERIES, GAS PLANTS AND COMPRESSOR STATIONS

A. API standards. A person shall conduct operations at oil pump stations and producing wells, tank batteries and associated production facilities, refineries, gas plants and compressor stations involving a hydrogen sulfide concentration of 100 ppm or greater with due consideration to the guidelines in the API publication Recommended Practices for Oil and Gas Producing and Gas Processing Plant Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide, RP-55, latest edition or some other division-approved standard.

B. Security. A person shall protect well sites and other unattended, fixed surface facilities involving a hydrogen sulfide concentration of 100 ppm or greater from public access by fencing with locking gates when the location is within 1/4 mile of a public area. For the purposes of Subsection B of 19.15.11.12 NMAC, a surface pipeline is not considered a fixed surface facility.

C. Wind direction indicators. Oil pump stations, producing wells, tank batteries and associated production facilities, pipelines, refineries, gas plants and compressor stations involving a hydrogen sulfide concentration of 100 ppm or greater shall have equipment to indicate wind direction. The person shall install wind direction equipment that is visible from all principal working areas at all times.

D. Control equipment. When the 100 ppm radius of exposure includes a public area, the following additional measures are required.

(1) The person shall install and maintain in good operating condition safety devices, such as automatic shut-down devices, to prevent hydrogen sulfide's escape. Alternatively, the person shall establish safety procedures to achieve the same purpose.

(2) A well shall possess a secondary means of immediate well control through the use of an appropriate christmas tree or downhole completion equipment. The equipment shall allow downhole accessibility (reentry) under pressure for permanent well control.

E. Tanks or vessels. The person shall chain each stair or ladder leading to the top of a tank or vessel containing 300 ppm or more of hydrogen sulfide in the gaseous mixture or mark it to restrict entry.

N.M. Admin. Code § 19.15.11.12

19.15.11.12 NMAC - Rp, 19.15.3.118 NMAC, 12/1/08