Rule 1501:9-9-05 of the Administrative Code with
the exception of paragraphs (A)(10) and (D) of rule 1501:9-9-05 of the
Administrative Code applies to all wells completed after the effective date of
this chapter. Paragraph (E) of rule 1501:9-9-05 of the Administrative Code
applies to all urbanized area wells where the permit was issued after the
effective date of rule 1501:9-9-05 of the Administrative Code with the
exception where the chief finds it necessary for protection of public health or
safety or to prevent damage to natural resources, as provided by section
1509.23 of the Revised Code, the chief may apply any portion of paragraph (E)
of rule 1501:9-9-05 of the Administrative Code to any well in an urbanized
area. If additional tanks are added to a tank battery established prior to the
effective date of rule 1501:9-9-05 of the Administrative Code, the placement of
the new tank(s) has to comply with paragraph (E) of rule 1501:9-9-05 of the
Administrative Code.
(A) Surface equipment:
(1) All wells have to be
equipped so that no oil, gas or condensate is allowed to escape with the
exception of gas flares as per paragraph (B) of rule 1501:9-9-05 of the
Administrative Code.
(2) Oil production tanks
will be set a minimum of fifty feet from the traveled portion of a public road
and a minimum of one hundred feet from existing inhabited structures and a
minimum of three feet between tanks and a minimum of fifty feet from any
well.
(3) Indirect fire heaters
will be set a minimum of fifty feet from the well and a minimum of fifty feet
from oil production tanks and a minimum of one hundred feet from existing
inhabited structures. Direct fire heaters, excluding under tank and internal
tank heating, will be a minimum of fifty feet from the well and a minimum of
fifty feet from oil production tanks and a minimum of one hundred feet from
existing inhabited structures and a minimum of fifty feet from mechanical
separators.
(4) Portable heaters may
be closer than fifty feet to the oil production tanks providing an attendant is
on hand and a chemical fire extinguisher in good working condition is
provided.
(5) Mechanical separators
will be set a minimum of fifty feet from the well, a minimum of ten feet from
oil production tanks and a minimum of one hundred feet from existing inhabited
structures.
(6) Under tank oil and
internal tank heating cannot occur while oil is being produced into the same
tank.
(7) All oil production
tanks have to be located in a position so that any escaping oil cannot drain
onto public roads or towards existing inhabited structures or other areas which
could cause a safety hazard.
(8) All surface equipment
has to be pressure rated to withstand operating pressures to which it is
subjected.
(9) In order to protect
life, health, and property where a clear and present hazard exists, the chief
may direct a person to protect any producing equipment at the well-head and
related storage tanks by an earthen dike or earthen pit which will have a
capacity sufficient to contain any substances resulting, obtained, or produced
in connection with the operation of the related oil or gas well.
The dike or pit will be maintained for the
purpose for which it was constructed, and the reservoir within will be kept
reasonably free of water and oil.
(10) All producing leases
will be legibly identified in a conspicuous place on or near the well-head or
the storage tank(s) as to owner, lease name, well number, permit number where
available, county, and an emergency telephone number. If multiple wells are
being produced into the common tank(s) each well-head will be identified as to
owner, permit number where available, well number and lease name.
Any change of ownership will be shown at the
well-head or storage tank(s) not later than sixty days after the date of the
assignment or transfer.
(B) All gas vented to the atmosphere has
to be flared, with the exception of gas released by a properly functioning
relief device and gas released by controlled venting for testing, blowing down
and cleaning out wells. Flares have to be a minimum of one hundred feet from
the well, a minimum of one hundred feet from oil production tanks and all other
surface equipment, and one hundred feet from existing inhabited structures and
in a position so that any escaping oil or condensate cannot drain onto public
roads or towards existing inhabited structures or other areas which could cause
a safety hazard.
(C) Pits, pumps and flares have to be
safely fenced if within one hundred fifty feet of an existing inhabited
structure and if in the opinion of the chief, such fence is necessary to
protect life and limb.
(D) In order to protect life, health, and
property the chief may direct a person to secure valves on storage facilities
by locks, bull plugs, or other similar devices in such a manner as to
discourage vandalism. When the chief determines that valves on storage
facilities should be secured, the chief will notify the owner(s) and include
the reason why securing said valves will protect life, health, and
property.
(E) Urbanized areas:
(1) Each identification
sign, in lieu of the identification set forth under paragraph (A) of rule
1501:9-9-05 of the Administrative Code, posted by the owner or their authorized
representative will include, at a minimum, the following information in two
inch or larger letters:
(a) Well owners name, address, and telephone
number.
(b) County, township, name of village - city - town (where
applicable).
(c) Property street address (or nearest address to the
access road entrance. If "nearest" is used, it should be reflected on
sign).
(d) State permit number, lease name, and well
number.
(e) Local emergency response phone number and company
emergency phone number.
(f) Where a gate exists on the access road, the
identification sign will be placed on the gate as well as the tank
battery.
(g) The identification will be posted securely on the
outside of the fence for the wellhead and tank battery fence in a conspicuous
location.
(h) The identification will be on a metal or wooden sign
with the sign maintained to remain legible at all times. The sign may be placed
on a post securely placed in the ground at the gate and/or adjacent to the
fence at the wellhead or tank battery in lieu of on the
fence/gate.
(i) "Danger, Keep Out" (or similar wording) and
no smoking signs will be securely attached to each side of the fencing used to
screen the tank battery and wellhead.
(2) Prior to placing the
well in production, the owner will install a fence around the wellhead and tank
battery/separator and associated production equipment. The fence will be a
chain link fence no less than eight feet in height, nine gauge and topped with
three strands of barbed wire, if necessary. In lieu of chain link fence, a
cedar board on board (or similar material) fence, eight feet in height may be
used. All fence will be securely anchored in the ground.
(a) The fence will be placed no closer than four feet to
the wellhead or any portion of the tank battery/separator. The wellhead may be
"caged" or vaulted. The cage or vault cover will provide for easy
removal for well servicing and/or emergency access. Clearance between the cage
or vault cover or sides and the wellhead should be sufficient to maintain safe
operations.
(b) The gate to the wellhead and tank battery/separator
will be no less than four feet in width and lockable. Where there are two or
more tanks in a tank battery, two gates on opposite sides of the facility will
be placed.
(c) Where a lease/access road to the wellhead and/or tank
battery extends a significant distance from the ingress access point a locked
gate made of tubular steel or material similar in strength will be placed near
the entrance to the access road restricting access to the well site. Keys or
the combination to the lock will be provided to the state inspector or local
emergency response officials on request.
(d) The well owner may request in writing to the chief, a
variance to placing a fence and/or to the specifications for fence placement
around the wellhead, tank battery/separator and associated equipment. In the
future where a variance has been granted or if site conditions warrant, the
chief may direct a person to place a fence.
(3) All gates, electrical
boxes and brine/oil pick-up lines will be locked unless in use, under repair,
or company staff or representatives are on-site. Keys or combinations to the
locks will be provided to the state inspector and local emergency response
staff on request.
(4) Tanks:
(a) Tanks cannot be buried.
(b) Activated charcoal filters will be installed on the
vent stack and filters replaced as needed.
(c) Vent stacks will have a functioning low-pressure relief
valve.
(d) Tank hatch lids will have a functioning seal and the
hatch will be secured at all times when the well owner or the owner's
representative is not on-site.
(e) Each oil storage tank shall have a functioning
lightning arrestor.
(f) Low profile tanks are recommended and the tanks cannot
extend more than three feet above the highest portion of the
fence.
(g) Storage tanks cannot be equipped with glass or plastic
sitting tubes.
(h) The tank battery, separator and associated equipment
cannot be placed closer than seventy-five feet from any property not part of
the drilling unit unless the property owner and resident of the property grants
approval in writing of any proposed location closer than seventy-five feet, or
the chief waives the seventy-five foot set-back specifications.
(i) Where more than six tanks (total capacity exceeding
seven hundred bbl) are to be located nearer than seventy-five feet to property
not included in the drilling unit, the adjacent property owner and resident of
the property will approve the location of the tanks in writing including a
reference to the total number of tanks or, the chief may waive the seventy-five
foot set-back mandate.
(5) Operations and
maintenance:
(a) Servicing and maintenance of the well will occur
between the hours of seven a.m. and seven p.m. (emergency repairs may occur at
any time).
(b) Equipment not used in the production of the well cannot
be stored at the well site. Replacement equipment or replaced equipment cannot
be stored on-site for more than thirty days.
(c) Equipment and vegetation will be maintained consistent
with reasonably prudent operations, including being free of refuse, in order to
assure protection of public health or safety or to prevent damage to natural
resources.
(6) Landscaping
(a) All landscaping placed to screen the tank battery or
wellhead will be placed to permit reasonable access for well servicing and
emergency access.
(b) Evergreen or similar stock no less than six feet in
height placed no more than ten feet on center will be placed around the tank
battery and wellhead fence.
(c) The chief, upon request by the well owner, may grant a
variance on the placement of screening around the tank battery and/or
wellhead.
