Ariz. Admin. Code § R12-7-108 - Pit for Drilling Mud and Drill Cuttings

A. Each operator shall maintain an adequate supply of drilling mud to confine oil, gas, or water to its native stratum during the drilling of any well and shall provide, before drilling is commenced, an adequate pit, either earthen or portable, for the drilling mud or the accumulation of drill cuttings.

B. An earthen pit used for drilling, deepening, testing, reworking, or fracturing shall be constructed of or sealed with an impervious material and shall be maintained to prevent escape of any contained substance. Earthen pits shall be fenced on all sides at all times.

C. Earthen pits shall be constructed and maintained to prevent the entrance of outside runoff water and the fluid level in earthen pits shall be kept at all times at least 18 inches below the lowest point of the embankment.

D. Any mud contained in an earthen pit shall be water-based and contain no more than one pound per barrel of thinner for each 25 pounds per barrel of barite or hematite. Mud containing chromium lignosulfonate, ferrochrome lignosulfonate or other chromium compounds shall not be used.

E. Drilling mud shall be disposed of by either recycling or commercial off-site disposal. Mud described in subsection (D) may be disposed of by evaporation and subsequent leveling of the pits.

Notes

Ariz. Admin. Code § R12-7-108

Former Rule 107; Former Section R12-7-108 renumbered and amended as Section R12-7-109, former Section R12-7-107 renumbered and amended as Section R12-7-108 effective September 29, 1982 (Supp. 82-5). Amended effective January 19, 1994 (Supp. 94-1).