1501:9-9-03. Drilling and deepening operations

(A) No fires are permitted within fifty (50) feet of a drilling well when oil and/or gas are exposed to the atmosphere at the well, unless the oil or gas is properly vented or controlled.

(B) A chemical fire extinguisher in good working condition must be on location of a drilling well at all times.

(C) When drilling with cable tools, a valve in good working condition of sufficient size and working pressure to control normal hydrostatic pressure for the deepest pool to be penetrated must be installed on the casing through which drilling is proceeding when drilling within two hundred (200) feet of an inhabited structure or when drilling in urbanized areas unless the chief finds that a blow-out preventor (BOP) is not needed. The requirements of 1501:9-9-03(C) shall be considered fulfilled if sufficient fluid is contained in the borehole which is calculated to be one and one-half times the normal hydrostatic pressure for the deepest pool penetrated.

(D) When drilling with rotary tools and using a liquid as a drilling medium, BOP in good working condition of sufficient size and working pressure rating to control normal hydrostatic pressure for the deepest pool to be penetrated must be installed on the casing through which drilling is being performed when drilling within two hundred (200) feet of an inhabited structure or when drilling in urbanized areas, unless the chief finds that a BOP is not needed. Blow-out preventors must be capable of closing off the annulus between casing and drill pipe as well as completely closing off the casing when drill pipe is not in the hole. Blow-out preventor systems must include a device which will permit bleed-off of hydrostatic pressure. Upon request of the Chief or his inspectors, the owner, contractor or person or organization in control of a well must demonstrate that the BOP is in good working condition. In addition, the Chief may require a blow-out preventor in other cases when he deems it necessary.

(E) When drilling with rotary tools using air or other gaseous material as a drilling medium, a rotating air-head in good working condition with stripper rubbers of proper size and sufficient working pressure rating to control normal hydrostatic pressure for the deepest pool penetrated must be installed on the surface casing. Upon request of the Chief or his inspectors, the owner, contractor or person or organization in control of a well must demonstrate that the air-head and stripper rubber are in good working condition. The discharge line from the annulus between the casing and drill pipe must be vented not less than sixty (60) feet from the well into a pit of sufficient size to contain drill cuttings, foam, produced water, oil and/or casing-head gas.

If drilling with air or other gaseous material as the drilling medium within two hundred (200) feet of an inhabited structure, a (BOP) in good working condition of sufficient size and working pressure rating to control normal hydrostatic pressure for the deepest pool to be penetrated must be installed on the casing through which drilling operations are being performed beneath the rotating air-head or when drilling in urbanized areas, unless the chief finds that a BOP is not needed. Blow-out preventors must be capable of closing off the annulus between the casing and drill pipe as well as completely closing off the casing when drill pipe is not in the holes. Blow-out preventor systems must include a device which will permit bleed-off of hydrostatic pressure. Upon request of the Chief or his inspectors, the owner, contractor or person or organization in control of the well must demonstrate that the BOP is in good working condition. In addition, the Chief may require a BOP in other cases when he deems it necessary.

(1) In urbanized areas, the division inspector or supervisor shall receive direct notification of the BOP test no less than twenty-four (24) hours in advance. The inspector or division representative may waive witnessing the BOP test.

(F) A pit or pits of sufficient size and shape must be constructed adjacent to each drilling well to contain all the drilling muds, cuttings, salt water and oil flowed into same. No oil or salt water will be permitted to overflow the pit.

(G) No oil, water or gas from a drill stem test will be permitted to flow uncontrolled.

(H) During drilling in an urbanized area a temporary fence no less than three (3) feet in height shall be placed to restrict access to the drilling location. The fence shall have "Danger Stay Out" (or similar) posting at no less than one hundred fifty (150) foot intervals along the outside of the fence. All access to the rig, associated drilling equipment and pits must be restricted. The temporary fence shall be maintained until the drilling pits have been removed.

(I) Drilling, well servicing and well site maintenance operations in urbanized areas shall be conducted in a manner to mitigate noise, including the reasonable use of screening and appropriate mufflers on drilling and servicing equipment.

(J) In urbanized areas where there is a known occurrence of shallow gas or H2S, drilling on air may not be permitted, fluid drilling shall be required. During drilling, the state inspector shall require converting to fluid drilling where there is an imminent threat to safety of the rig crew and/or the public.

(K) In urbanized areas where flaring is expected, the permittee shall notify the local emergency response officials that such may occur. It is recommended that notice be provided if possible just prior to the expected flaring and/or immediately upon flare ignition.

(L) In urbanized areas, once total depth has been reached and the rig has been removed from the drilling location, all drilling pits shall be closed within thirty (30) days or sooner if required by the chief.

Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 10/13/2020 and 10/13/2025
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 119.03
Rule Amplifies: 1509.03, 1509.23
Prior Effective Dates: 01/03/1969, 08/11/2005

Prior History: (Effective: 08/11/2005
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 05/05/2005 and 08/11/2010
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 1509.03, 1509.23
Rule Amplifies: 1509.02, 1509.23
Prior Effective Dates: 1/3/69, 12/29/03 )