Section 8-4 - Safety Procedures for Air and Gas Drilling (a) Specific Requirements. - (i) Drilling compressors (air or gas) shall be located at least 125 feet from the well bore and in a direction away from the discharge or blooie line.
- (ii) The air or gas discharge line (blooie line) shall be laid in as nearly a straight line as possible from the well bore. It must be at least 150 feet in length. This discharge line shall be securely coupled and anchored to prevent movement. It should be laid into a discharge pit in such direction from the well bore as to allow prevailing winds to carry produced or circulated gas away from the rig.
- (iii) A pilot flame shall be maintained at the end of the discharge line at all times when air, gas or mist drilling is in progress.
- (iv) All combustible material shall be kept at least 100 feet away from the discharge line and pit.
- (v) The air line from the compressors to the standpipe shall be of adequate strength to withstand at least e maximum dice pressure of the compressors used, and shall be checked daily by the compressor operator for any evidence of damage or weakness.
- (vi) All cars, trucks, house trailers, etc., shall parked at least seventy-five (75) from the well bore, except when delivering equipment or supplies.
- (vii) Smoking will not be allowed within seventy-five (75) of the drilling rig while drilling with gas.
- (viii) A meeting with each crew, including all supervisory personnel, shall be held prior to drilling with gas or air. The rules contained herein shall be explained.
- (ix) One (1) or more employees on site shall be shown and taught how to use the emergency shut-off equipment during gas drilling.
- (x) One (1) or more employees on site shall be shown and taught how to use control units to the blowout preventer and all fire fighting equipment.
- (xi) All pipe connections carrying gas or air to or from the well bore shall be made up tightly. All lines and connections shall be frequently checked for leaks.
- (xii) In the case of gas drilling, a shut-off valve shall be installed on the main feeder line at least 150 feet from well bore. In the case of air drilling, the shut-off valve shall be in the main feeder line located near the compressors.
- (xiii) Then making a connection, the standpipe valve shall be closed and the bleed off line shall be open before breaking tool joint.
- (xiv) Compressors shall have such safety features as safety pressure relief valves, pressure gauges, engine governors, and fuel shut-off valves.
- (xv) Equipment and materials for killing the well with mud should be on hand and operable before drilling commences.
- (xvi) One ( 1) Class B-C fire extinguisher of at least 150 pounds dry chemical capacity or equivalent, shall be stationed on the job site in addition to the four ( 4) fire extinguishers as required in Chapter 3, Section 4. d.(9) of these rules.
(b) Eliminating sources of ignition. - (i) Unauthorized persons shall be excluded from the location or within the danger zone.
- (ii) Rig engine exhausts shall be adequately cooled before being released to the atmosphere.
- (iii) All spark producing equipment in the dog house shall be disconnected during a gas drilling operation.