Utah Admin. Code R649-3-12 - Drilling Practices for Hydrogen Sulfide H2S Areas and Formations
1. This rule shall apply to drilling,
redrilling, deepening, or plugging back operations in areas where the
formations to be penetrated are known to contain or are expected to contain H2S
in excess of 20 ppm and to areas where the presence or absence thereof is
unknown.
2. A written contingency
plan, providing details of actions to be taken to alert and protect operating
personnel and members of the public in the event of an accidental release of
H2S gas shall be submitted to the division as part of the initial APD for a
well or as a sundry notice.
3. Any
proposed drill site location shall be planned to obtain the maximum safety
benefits consistent with the rig configuration, terrain, prevailing winds, etc.
3.1. The drilling rig shall, where possible,
be situated so that prevailing winds blow across the rig in a direction toward
the reserve pit and away from escape routes.
3.2. On-site trailers shall be located to
allow reasonably safe distances from both the well and the outlet of the flare
line.
4. At least two
cleared areas shall be designated as crew briefing or safety areas.
4.1. Both areas shall be located at least 200
feet from the well, with at least one area located generally upwind from the
well.
5. Protective
equipment shall be provided by the operator or its drilling contractor for
operating personnel and shall include the following:
5.1. An adequate number of positive pressure
type self-contained breathing apparatus to allow any personnel normally
involved on a drilling location immediate access to such equipment, with a
minimum of one working apparatus available for the immediate use of each rig
hand in emergencies.
5.2. Chalk
boards or note pads to be used for communication when wearing protective
breathing apparatus.
5.3. First aid
supplies.
5.4. One resuscitator
complete with medical oxygen.
5.5.
A litter or stretcher.
5.6.
Harnesses and lifelines.
5.7. A
telephone, radio, mobile phone, or other communication device that provides
emergency two-way communication from a safe area near the well
location.
6. Each drill
site shall have an H2S detection and monitoring system that activates audible
and visible alarms when the concentration of H2S reaches the threshold limit of
20 ppm in air. This equipment shall have a rapid response time and be capable
of sensing a minimum of ten ppm H2S in air, with at
least three sensing points, located at the shale shaker, on the derrick floor,
and in the cellar. Other sensing points shall be located at other critical
areas where H2S might accumulate. Portable H2S detection equipment capable of
sensing an H2S concentration of 20 ppm shall be available for any working
personnel and shall be equipped with an audible warning signal.
7. Equipment to indicate wind direction at
any time shall be installed at prominent locations. At least two wind socks or
streamers shall be located at separate elevations at the well location and
shall be easily visible from any areas of the location. Windsocks or streamers
shall be located in illuminated areas for night operations.
8. When H2S is encountered during drilling,
well marked, highly visible warning signs shall be displayed at the rig and
along any access routes to the well location.
8.1. The signs shall warn of the presence of
H2S and shall prohibit approach to the well location when red flags are
displayed.
8.2. Red flags shall be
displayed when H2S is present in concentrations greater than 20 ppm in air as
measured on the equipment required under Subsection
R649-3-12(6).
9. Unless adequate natural ventilation is
present, portable fans or ventilation equipment shall be located in work areas
to disperse H2S when it is encountered.
10. A flare system shall be utilized to
safely gather and burn H2S bearing gas.
10.1.
Flare lines shall be located as far from the operating site as feasible and
shall be located in a manner to compensate for wind changes.
10.2. The outlets of any flare lines shall be
located at least 150 feet from the well head unless otherwise approved by the
division.
11. Sufficient
quantities of additives shall be maintained on location to add to the mud
system to scavenge or neutralize H2S.
Notes
State regulations are updated quarterly; we currently have two versions available. Below is a comparison between our most recent version and the prior quarterly release. More comparison features will be added as we have more versions to compare.
No prior version found.