N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 6 § 559.6

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 45, November 2, 2024

Section 559.6 - Drilling practices

(a) This section applies to a "Bass Island" well and to a well described in section 559.1(b) of this Part.

(b)

(1) The operator of a well described in subdivision (a) of this section must make every effort to accomplish penetration of the target interval during daylight hours, and must notify the department's regional permitting office administering to the county in which the well is located of its intention to penetrate that interval at least eight hours before that interval is reached. A rig that has been certified by the driling contractor as having an approved vapor-proof lighting system and air shut-off on the rig engines is exempt from the daylight hour requirement.

(2) That operator must notify the local fire department of that well's location and the potential hazards involved before penetrating the target interval, unless the operator has adequate firefighting equipment and personnel on a standby basis approved in writing by the department.

(c)

(1) The operator of a well described in subdivision (a) of this section must construct and have ready for use before penetrating the target interval, a completely lined and sealed pit sized to fully contain all drilling fluids and any fluids resulting from natural precipitation.

(2) That operator must maintain all fluids onsite and properly dispose of them as soon as possible after completion of drilling operations. The disposal must be undertaken only by a solid waste hauler having a permit issued under Part 364 of this Title.

(d)

(1) Unless the department's studies show some other requirements to be more appropriate in a particular area, the operator of a well described in subdivision (a) of this section must set surface casing to the greater depth of 450 feet from the surface or 100 feet into bedrock and must cement that casing to the surface by circulating cement, using enough excess cement to ensure cement returns. That operator must use centralizers and baskets at appropriate intervals, and the surface casing must have a minimum bursting pressure of 1,800 pounds per square inch. That operator must notify the department of the start of cementing operations at least four hours before those operations start. If a State inspector is not present during cementing operations, that operator must attach a copy of the cement ticket to the well's completion report.

(2) To ensure adequate cementing results, that operator must add material to control lost circulation to the cement used in cementing the conductor and surface casing strings. If a lost circulation zone is encountered, the operator must try to seal off that zone with lost circulation materials before pumping the cement slurry. If cement circulation is not achieved, that operator must grout the well from the surface using cement having materials to control lost circulation, to ensure a complete cement bond. If cement grouting is inadequate, the department may require a cement bond log and additional remedial measures to ensure adequacy of the bond.

(e)

(1) The operator of a well described in subdivision (a) of this section must install on the surface casinghead blow-out prevention equipment of the pipe and blind ram type or of the spherical annular type that must be actuated by an energy source other than rig hydraulics. The blow-out prevention equipment must be tested to a minimum of 1,000 pounds per square inch before drilling out the surface casing cement. That operator must notify the department at least eight hours before the testing of the equipment. If the department's inspector is not on location at the designated time, the test may proceed, with the witness' name and results of the test being noted on the driller's log. All blow-out prevention equipment control lines must be made of high pressure tubular steel with flanged connections. A new air-head rubber must be installed in a rotating head before penetrating the target interval.

(2) That operator must install a flanged choke manifold assembly no closer than 25 feet from the wellhead. This assembly must not contain any elbows or T's either at the wellhead or before the choke that controls the flow through the kill lines. Each kill line must be connected with welded flanges from the flange spool to the choke assembly.

(3) That operator must stake and chain all pipes and lines and must remove any diverters from the flow lines before penetrating the interval between the Tully horizon and above the base of the lowest Salina Group Salt horizon.

(4) Once fluid has been put into the well to kill it, that operator must have pressure control devices (e.g., spherical annular blow-out preventers, lubricators, wipers, etc.) installed and ready for use during logging operations. That operator also must have a blow-out preventer installed and ready for use while running production casing.

(5) That operator must provide the drilling company with a well prognosis, indicating formation tops and appropriate warning comments. That operator must ensure that this prognosis is clearly posted and maintained in the dog house. Drilling companies must post in the dog house individual crew member responsibilities for blow-out control. That operator, or his designee, must be on site before and during the penetration of the target interval.

(f) The operator of a well described in this section must provide supplementary connected mud pumping capability on site, either with a secondary mud pump or with a standby service company pump truck. At least 300 barrels of kill fluid must be on site and ready for use if required by well conditions. Additionally, appropriate amounts of bentonite, weight material, and material to control lost circulation must be on site to aid in well control.

(g) The operator of a well described in subdivision (a) of this section must construct the flow line from the wellhead to the pit using T and C tubular goods with a working pressure of 1,500 pounds per square inch and with flanged connections at the wellhead.

(h) If oil is produced during drilling operations of a well described in subdivision (a) of this section, the operator of that well must store the oil on site in tanks.

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 6 § 559.6