Statutes, codes, and regulations
Wyoming Administrative Code
Agency 053 - Workforce Services, Department ofSubagency 0011 - OSHA - Oil & Gas Well Drilling
Chapter 8 - SPECIAL SERVICES AND OPERATIONS
Section 8-2 - Safety Procedures for Drill Stem Tests

053-8 Wyo. Code R. § 8-2

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Current through April 27, 2019
Section 8-2 - Safety Procedures for Drill Stem Tests

(a) Initial opening of drill stem test tools shall be restricted to daylight hours only.

(b) Fire extinguishers shall be checked to assure operational readiness before drill stem test tools are started in the hole.

(c) Blowout preventers, kill-line and fill-up line shall be checked to ensure that all such equipment is in proper working condition before drill stem test tools are started in the hole.

  • (i) Fill-up lines shall be installed to keep the casing full of drilling fluid. Separate provisions for kill lines shall be made.

(d) Test line and valves shall be checked, and the test line shall be securely anchored at each end and at each 30 foot interval.

(e) The derrickman shall inspect the escape line, emergency decent device and slide for accessibility of emergency use.

(f) The mud box shall be hooked up and ready for use before the drill stem test tool is hoisted.

(g) Fluid recovered from the mud box shall flow to circulating tanks or to a reserve pit.

(h) Smoking or open fires shall be permitted only in designated areas no less than seventy-five (75) feet from the well bore.

(i) Wet plugs shall be used well in advance of reaching influxing fluids when drill stem tests are pulled.

(j) When taking a drill stem test, and hydrocarbons appear at the surface, it shall be mandatory that such hydrocarbons are reversed out before coming out of the hole.

(k) Drill stem tests shall not be taken in known or expected zones containing H2S with tubular goods of strengths greater than grade X-95 drill pipe.

  • (i) A controlled environment shall be required if strength greater than Grade "E" is used. The drilling environment shall be controlled by maintenance of drilling fluid hydrostatic head and by the use of one or more of the following:
    • (A) Maintain a mud two (2) pH greater than or equal to ten (10), or
    • (B) Use chemical sulfide scavengers and/or inhibitors or
    • (C) Use a drilling fluid in which oil is the continuous phase.
  • (ii) Limit drill stem testing in sour environments to as brief a period as possible, using operating procedures that will minimize exposure to sulfide stress cracking conditions.
  • (iii) All drill stem tests in known or expected zones containing H2S shall be reversed out (in daylight has only) before coming out of the hole.

(l) Rig engine exhaust emissions shall be adequately cooled before being released to the atmosphere.

(m) The well bore shall be kept full of drilling fluids at all times.

(n) Adequate measures shall be taken to prevent unauthorized personnel in the area.

(o) Every rig shall be equipped with a safety valve with connections for each type of tool joint being used.

(p) Drilling fluids shall be conditioned prior to running the test to minimize the possibility of blowout.

(q) Every test plug used above the derrick floor shall be attached to the elevator links by double safety cables or chains.

(r) A reversing valve shall be included in the test tool assembly in order to be able to reverse.

(s) The kelly hose shall not be used as a part of the test line.

(t) All spark producing equipment in the dog house shall be disconnected until the test is concluded.

053-8 Wyo. Code R. § 8-2