DRAFT ZANZIBAR  NATIONAL  STANDARD  
 
 
Environmental protection — Onshore oil and gas 
exploration and production operations — Requirements  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ZANZIBAR BUREAU OF STANDARDS  
 
 
©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved                First  E dition 
 
 
                                                                                               PCD 341:2022  
                                                                  ICS: 13.020.01  
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                   
 
                             
 
PCD 341:2022  
 
©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     ii 
 Contents  
 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  6 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 6 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 6 
4 General requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 8 
5 Surface owners and users  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  8 
6 Roads  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  8 
6.1 General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  8 
6.2 Planning  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  8 
6.3 Design and construction  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  10 
6.4 Primitive or non -constructed roads and routes  ................................ ................................ ...................  12 
6.5 Maintenance  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 12 
6.6 Reclamation and abandonment ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  13 
7 Exploration, Production, injection and disposal wells  ................................ ................................ .................  14 
7.1 Completion, stimulation, and work over operations ................................ ................................ ............  14 
7.1.1  Planning  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 14 
7.1.2  Equipment selection  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  14 
7.1.3  Producing wells ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  14 
7.1.4  Injection/disposal wells  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  14 
7.1.5  Remedial cementing  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  15 
7.1.6  Selection, use, and storage of fuels and completion fluids  ................................ ........................  15 
7.1.7  Storm water runoff  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  15 
7.1.8  Blowout prevention equipment (BOPE)  ................................ ................................ ......................  16 
7.1.9  Control of noise and other nuisances  ................................ ................................ .........................  16 
7.1.10 Solids removal or capture  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  16 
7.2 Well operations  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 16 
7.2.1  Equipment Operation and Maintenance  ................................ ................................ .....................  16 
7.2.2  Metallurgy and corrosion  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  16 
7.2.3  Leak detection  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  17 
7.2.4  Inspection and certificati on ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  17 
7.3 Well testing  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  17 
7.3.1  Venting and flaring  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  17 
7.3.2  Flare pits  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 17 
7.3.3  Control of noise and other nuisances  ................................ ................................ .........................  17 
7.4 Plugging and abandonment  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  17 
7.4.1  General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 17 
7.4.2  Subsurface  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 18 
7.4.3  Surface  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 18 
8 Operator gathering and system lines  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  19 
8.1 General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  19 
8.2 Route selection  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 19  
iii ©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     
 8.3 Design  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  20 
8.4 Construction and installation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  21 
8.5 Operation and maintenance  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  21 
8.6 Abandonment of gathering and system lines  ................................ ................................ .....................  22 
8.6.1  Dispose of all waste in accordance to the legal and regulatory requirements.  ..........................  22 
9 Production and water handling facilities  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 22 
9.1 Requirement determination (preplanning considerations)  ................................ ................................ . 22 
9.2 Site selection considerations  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  23 
9.2.1  Land use  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 23 
9.2.2  Erosion and drainage  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  23 
9.2.3  Water resources  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  23 
9.2.4  Subsurface soil conditions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  23 
9.2.5  Fire protection  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............................  24 
9.2.6  Public exposure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  24 
9.3 Facility design  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 24 
9.3.1  Equipment sizing, specifications, and design  ................................ ................................ .............  24 
9.3.2  Equipment location  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  27 
9.3.3  Waste management  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  27 
9.4 Construction considerations  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  27 
9.4.1  Site preparation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  27 
9.4.2  Inspection and te sting  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  28 
9.4.3  Qualification of personnel  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  28 
9.4.4  Selection of contractors  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  28 
9.4.5  Equipment installation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  28 
9.4.6  As-built drawings  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  28 
9.4.7  Site clean -up ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............................  28 
9.4.8  Interim reclamation  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  28 
9.5 Operation and maintenance  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  29 
9.5.1  Operational procedures  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  29 
9.5.2  Personnel training  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  29 
9.5.3  Equipment inspection  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  29 
9.5.4  Corrosion monitoring and treatment  ................................ ................................ ...........................  29 
9.5.5  Housekeeping  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............................  29 
9.6 Waste and residual management  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 30 
9.6.1  General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 30 
9.6.2  Source reduction ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  30 
9.6.3  Recycling and reclaiming  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  31 
9.6.4  Treatment  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 31 
9.6.5  Disposal  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 31 
9.7 Spill prevention, response, and clean -up ................................ ................................ ...........................  32 
9.7.1  General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 32 
9.7.2  Prevention  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 32  
 
PCD 341:2022  
 
©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     iv 
 9.7.3  Mitigation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 32 
9.7.4  Spill contingency plan  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  33 
9.7.5  Control and containment  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  33 
9.7.6 Clean -up ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 33 
9.8 Environmental assessment before purchase or sale of existing fields and leases  ............................  34 
9.9 Closure and abandonment of facilities  ................................ ................................ ...............................  34 
9.9.1  Purging and flushing of equipment before removal  ................................ ................................ .... 34 
9.9.2  Equipment removal  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  34 
9.9.3  Pit Closure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 34 
9.9.4  Land reclamation and restoration  ................................ ................................ ...............................  34 
Annex A (informative) Good neighbour guidelines  ................................ ................................ .............................  36 
A.1  General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  36 
A.2 Good neighbor practices  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............................  36 
Bibliography  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  38 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
v ©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     
 Foreword  
 
This draft Zanzibar National standard has been developed by Environmental and Risk Management Technical 
Committee (TCE3). In accordance with ZBS general pr ocedures, this draft standard is presented to the public 
in order to receive any technical and editorial comment concerns.  
 
Technical Committee Representatives  
 
This Draft Zanzibar National Standard was prepared by Environmental and Risk Management Standar ds 
Technical committee which consist of representatives from the following organizations:  
 
Zanzibar Environmental Management Authority (ZEMA)  
Department of Environment (DoE)  
Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC)  
Education for Development (E4D)  
Zanzibar Upstream Regulatory Authority (ZPRA)  
Ministry of Health (MoH)  
Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH)  
State University of Zanzibar (SUZA)  
Zanzibar Bureau of Standards (ZBS) -Secretariat  
 
 
 
 
 
Zanzibar Bureau of Standard (ZBS)  
P.O.Box 1136  
Zanzib ar 
Tel:  +255 24 2232225  
Fax: +255 24 2232225  
E-mail: info@zbs.go.tz  
Web: www.zbs.go.tz  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
PCD 341:2022  
 
6 ©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     
 Environmental protection — Onshore oil and gas production 
operations — Requirements  
 
1 Scope  
 
This Zanzibar National  Standard provides requirem ents for environmentally sound practices for onshore oil 
and gas production operations and is applicable to  all industrial players including  contractors,  sub-contractors,  
service providers as well as operators. Facilities within the scope of this standard  include all production 
facilities, including produced water handling facilities. Offshore and arctic areas are beyond the scope of this 
document. Operational coverage begins with the design and construction of access roads and well locations, 
and includes  reclamation, abandonment, and restoration operations. Gas compression for transmission 
purposes or production operations, such as gas lift, pressure maintenance, or enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is 
included.  
 
2  Normative references  
 
The following referenced documents referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content 
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated 
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (includ ing any amendments) applies.  
 
ZNS 383, Solid waste management — Non-hazardous waste  
 
3 Terms and definitions  
 
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.  
 
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardizat ion at the following addresses:   
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at  http://www.iso.org/obp  
 
3.1  
abandoned well   
well that is no longer in use, whether dry, inoperable, or no longer productive, having exposed permeable 
zones, fluids and pressures iso lated from surface and from lower pressured zones. An abandoned well may be 
permanently of temporarily abandoned.  
 
3.2  
blowout   
uncontrolled flow of reservoir fluids into the wellbore, surrounding rock / soil or to the surface  
 
3.3  
contractor  
means a second part y or an entity to which any interest on  the license may be transferred in the  application of 
the provisions  of the relevant agreement;  
3.4  
operator  
means a person designated as operator under a joint operating agreement and executed by persons 
constituting c ontractor or operating agreement executed by the Corporation and contractor pursuant to 
relevant agreement;  
3.5  
injection well   
a well in which fluids are injected rather than produced, the primary objective typically being to maintain 
reservoir pressure   
 
PCD 341:2022  
 
©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     7 
 3.6  
disposal well  
a well, often a depleted oil or gas well, into which waste fluids can be injected for safe disposal. disposal wells 
typically are subject to regulatory requirements to avoid the contamination of freshwater aquifers.  
 
3.7  
gathering line/flow line  
in- field pipeline upstream of the processing plant/ modules  
 
3.8  
groundwater   
subsurface freshwater (potable water) aquifers and any other legally protected/protectable subsurface water 
resources  
 
3.9  
hydraulic fracturing   
process of injecting fracturing fluids i nto the target formation at a force exceeding the parting pressure of the 
rock thus inducing fractures through which oil or natural gas can flow to the wellbore  
 
3.10  
naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM)  
low-level radioactive material that naturally  exists in native materials  
 
3.11  
perforations   
holes created between the casing and liner into the reservoir (subsurface hydrocarbon bearing formation). 
These holes create the mechanism by which fluid can flow from the reservoir to the inside of the casing, 
through which oil or gas is produced.  
 
3.12  
permeability   
rock’s capacity to transmit a fluid; dependent upon the size and shape of pores and interconnecting pore 
throats. A rock may have significant porosity (many microscopic pores) but have low permeability i f the pores 
are not interconnected. Permeability may also exist or be enhanced through fractures that connect the pores.  
 
3.13  
produced water   
any of the many types of water produced from oil and gas wells  
 
3.14  
restoration   
rehabilitation of a disturbed area to m ake it acceptable for designated uses. This normally involves re -
gardening, replacement of topsoil, re -vegetation, and other work necessary to restore the area.  
 
3.15  
reservoir   
subsurface hydrocarbon bearing formation  
 
 
 
3.16  
EOR /IOR   
 
PCD 341:2022  
 
8 ©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     
 Abbreviation for enhanced oi l recovery, an oil recovery enhancement method using sophisticated techniques 
that alter the original properties of oil  
onshore   
means all area, terrestrial land and the land covered in the  territorial water of Zanzibar  
3.17  
wetland s 
areas that are inundated o r saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to 
support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life 
in saturated soil conditions  
 
4 General requirements  
 
4.1  Before dril ling or construction, and, in some instances, before modification of onshore oil and gas 
production facilities, it shall be necessary to obtain approvals from one or more government agencies. In 
addition to drilling and building permits, permits may be req uired because of air emissions, discharges to 
surface waters or sewer systems, injection activities, storm water discharges (including during construction 
activities), impacts to threatened or endangered species or their critical habitat, impacts to wetlan ds and other 
environmental impacts, or impacts to other cultural resources. Operators shall ensure that all necessary 
permits have been obtained before commencing operations. Operators shall ensure that operations are 
conducted in accordance with legal and  regulatory requirements before production operations commences . 
 
4.2  Specific requirements for surface owners and users, roads, wells and waste handling facilities are given in 
clause 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 respectively.  
 
5 Surface owners and users  
 
5.1   The footprint of drilling and production operations for oil and gas projects is variable and dependent upon 
the operator’s equipment, operational needs and the mutual objectives established between the operator and 
appropriate regulatory agencies. Operators shall be fam iliar with land use plans, regulations and laws within 
the country, and (in certain cases) local governments. Different land uses shall require operators to adjust their 
approaches during site preparation, construction, development or production to avoid o r minimize impacts to 
existing land uses. The development of surface use plans will allow for more efficient use of the land while 
balancing protection of important local resources, by minimizing surface disturbance and mitigating those 
impacts that are un avoidable.  
 
5.2  Before drilling or construction on, the operator shall communicate with regulatory agencies concerning 
activities planned for the site and measures to be taken for safety, protection of the environment, and for 
minimization of impacts to surfa ce uses.  
 
6  Roads  
 
6.1  General  
 
Roads shall be constructed and used to support various exploration and production (E&P) operations. The 
environmental impact of the construction of a roadway shall have long lasting effects well beyond the limits of 
the right -of-way. Existing roads shall be utilized, where feasible, to limit the extent of new road construction, 
when they meet regulatory requirements, transportation and development needs, and safety and 
environmental objectives. When building new roadways, they sh all be developed in an environmentally 
acceptable manner consistent with landowner recommendations.  
6.2 Planning  
 
6.2.1  Road alignment and right -of-way selection shall be a multidisciplinary process. Goals of the planning 
effort shall include:  
 
a) affected resource val ues and safety; and  
 
b) avoidance of haphazard or unnecessary development of roads and associated utility corridors.  
  
 
PCD 341:2022  
 
©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     9 
 The total infrastructure to be developed shall be considered during the selection process. Government 
agencies, landowners, tenants, and othe r users shall be consulted during the planning process.  
 
6.2.2  Standards shall be established for the road based on its short -term and long -term function considering 
geography, traffic density, and load expectations.  
 
6.2.3   Alternative alignments shall be developed c onsidering the following parameters as appropriate:  
 
a) topography;  
 
b) hydrology, drainage, and watercourses, whether intermittent or permanent;  
 
c) engineering properties of soils, erodible soils;  
 
d) location and amounts of excavation and fill materials;  
 
e) type and location of materials for road construction;  
 
 
f) cultural  and historical sites  
 
g) air, water, and noise pollution;  
 
h) wetlands and wetland drainage; consistency with community character and local government needs  
and plans);  
 
i)  proximity to dwellings or other pe rmanent structures occupied or used by the public;  
 
j) visual sensitivity;  
 
k) power lines and pipelines; and  
 
l) other geotechnical factors, particularly in areas of complex terrain, such as landslide areas, sub grade 
conditions indicating a need for surfacing, po tential cut slope problems, and subsurface or surface water 
problem areas.  
 
6.2.4   Road alignments and potential environmental impacts shall be reviewed. Routes and alignment shall be 
selected to minimize erosion. Environmentally significant areas shall be ident ified and avoided to the maximum 
extent practical, including:  
 
a) sensitive wildlife and critical habitats;  
 
b) areas with endangered , indigenous, endemic  and threatened flora and fauna ; 
 
c) cultural and historical sites;  
 
d)  state, or local areas of concern;  
 
e)  areas  vulnerable/prone to floods ; and  
 
f) wetlands.  
 
6.2.5  When required, mitigation strategies shall be developed in the planning process, including:  
 
a) road operation schedules and/or use of special designs to minimize any adverse impacts in areas with 
sensitive wildlif e and fish habitats, wetlands, existing facilities, crops;  
 
b)  plans to take appropriate action on cultural and historic resources before changes are made; and  
 
c) maintenance of existing traffic patterns on highways and local access roads.  
  
 
PCD 341:2022  
 
10 ©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     
 6.2.6  Interim reclamation  plans and final restoration plans shall be developed and incorporated into the 
planning process.  
 
6.2.7  Storm water and air (dust) permit requirements shall be considered during the planning phase of the 
roadway.  
6.3 Design and construction  
 
6.3.1   The design and constru ction of a road shall be site -specific. Each road shall have its own unique 
terrain, safety, operation, and maintenance requirements. Each area within a route shall support a distinct 
ecology. When site conditions are appropriate, where suitable for the ty pes of drilling or production operations 
anticipated, and where compatible with safety and operational concerns, primitive roads shall be considered 
for use as a means to reduce resource impacts.  
 
6.3.2  Design and construction documents, including plans and draw ings, shall be prepared during the 
planning and design phases before the construction of the project. Plans shall enable proper and timely review 
of items of environmental concern. They shall also be beneficial for later restoration work.  
 
6.3.3  Construction wor k shall be scheduled and the use of special designs and local construction practices 
shall be considered to minimize or avoid undesirable effects on sensitive wildlife and fish habitats, wetlands, 
and designated reserves, or local recreational areas. Seaso nal restrictions such as potential flooding, and 
wildlife migration shall be considered.  
 
6.3.4  The operator shall confirm that the construction contractor has implemented an environmental and 
safety program, including the training of construction personnel. Thi s program shall include, where applicable, 
the following : 
 
a) written procedures for a hazard communication program;  
 
b) hazardous material handling;  
 
c) incidence and accident reporting;  
 
d) emergency response;  
 
e) storm water management;  
 
f) special environmental requireme nts within the project area; and  
 
g) blasting.  
 
The contractor shall supply material safety datasheets (MSDSs) for all hazardous materials brought on site. 
Regulatory agencies often require performance bonds when roads are to be constructed in environmentally  
sensitive areas.  
 
6.3.5  The operator shall hold a pre -construction meeting with the contractor(s) to establish environmental and 
safety responsibilities along with desired objectives of the project.  
 
6.3.6   Field inspections and lab analysis of soil samples shall be used to assess soil erosion hazards and 
slope stability. Properties of soils, length and gradient of slopes, and vegetative cover contribute to soil 
stability. Fitting the profile to topography, locating roads on moderate slopes, providing adequate drainag e, and 
stabilizing slopes decreases surface disturbance and reduces erosion and sedimentation.  
 
6.3.7   Means and methods for erosion control are numerous and often site -specific. Re -vegetation with local 
species, rip -rap, gabions, woven jute, and energy dissipat ers are effective measures that shall be used to 
reduce erosion.  
 
6.3.8   The use of geotextiles and geosynthetics shall be considered in road planning and construction. These 
materials offer a variety of applications, aid in stabilizing the road, and minimize th e utilization of road bed and 
surface materials.  
  
 
PCD 341:2022  
 
©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     11 
 6.3.9   An adequate drainage system shall be incorporated into the design and construction of the road. This 
system shall efficiently intercept, collect, remove, and discharge water from roads. A drainage system t hat is 
inadequate or blocked will result in excessive erosion, failures, and higher maintenance costs.  
 
6.3.10   The number of river, stream (including ephemeral streams), lake, and wetland crossings shall be 
minimized, where possible. Bridges, culverts, and other  drainage structures shall be incorporated to ensure the 
free flow of water when drainage ways are intersected. Different flood stages shall be considered for the 
design and construction of the crossings.  
 
6.3.11   Clearing widths shall be kept to a minimum. These  limits shall be delineated and marked in the field.  
Sensitive areas or features shall b e marked or fenced as required.  
 
6.3.12   Where practical, topsoil should be salvaged and stockpiled in a safe and accessible location and be 
protected from erosion. The stockp iled material shall be utilized for re -vegetation and reclamation purposes . 
 
6.3.13   Re-vegetation shall be done with local plants, seeds, and grasses species. Means and methods will 
be dependent upon seasonal considerations, specific project area, and government  agency requirements.  
 
6.3.14   Areas of excavation shall be approved before the start of construction. Permits are required for 
opening pits on federal land and shall be required on other public lands. Pit layout and restoration shall be 
planned before opening of  the pit. 
 
6.3.15  Environmental impacts during coarse/fine borrow material extraction shall be minimized. The following 
should be considered:  
 
a) use of recycled road surface material from abandoned roads and locations;  
 
b) use of existing mineral material sites;  
 
c) selecting new sites that minimize environmental impacts;  
 
d) developing upland sites to maximize potential for re -vegetation and minimize adverse visual impact and 
possible erosion; and  
 
e) maintaining a buffer of undisturbed vegetation between borrow pits and highw ays or other sites.  
 
6.3.16  Warning signs shall be provided to comply with local requirements. The signs shall include  among 
others : 
 
a) road crossings;  
 
b) animal crossings;  
 
c) speed limit;  
 
d) road hazards; and  
 
e) pipelines.  
 
6.3.17   Existing pipelines and other subsurface facilit ies shall be identified before construction. These 
facilities shall be protected to prevent accidental damage during the construction and operation of the road.  
 
6.3.18  Measures shall be taken to ensure that proper and adequate procedures for waste disposal and 
general housekeeping requirements. An effective emergency response plan shall be in place before initiating 
construction. The plan may simply be a listing of telephone numbers that shall be contacted in case a utility or 
product line has been damaged. Many times, the existing emergency  response plan for the field area shall be 
adequate and construction personnel shall be familiar with these plans.  
 
6.3.19  Construction activities shall be carried out as described in the construction documents, including plans 
and sp ecifications.  
  
 
PCD 341:2022  
 
12 ©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     
 6.3.20  Construction supervision shall be provided throughout operations. Many potential problems associated 
with incorrect interpretation of construction documents, spills, waste disposal, poaching, and hunting avoided 
through proper supervision.  
6.4 Primitive or non -constructed roads and routes  
 
6.4.1  Where site conditions are appropriate, and where approved by surface management agency, the 
establishment and use of “primitive,” two -track roads or overland route corridors shall be appropriate for an 
operator ’s needs and to facilitate later reclamation of the site. Primitive roads and route corridors shall serve as 
appropriate access to exploration drilling locations where it is not certain if the well will be productive, or to 
producing wells where vehicle tr affic is infrequent due to the use of off -site production facilities and automated 
well monitoring. Traffic and load expectations for primitive roads shall be evaluated. If the expectations are 
exceeded during the project, the road shall be evaluated for u pgrades.  
 
6.4.2   The appropriateness of primitive roads and routes is both site -specific and use -specific and is typically 
based on many factors which shall include the following:  
 
a) anticipated dry or wet soil conditions;  
 
b) seasonal weather conditions;  
 
c) flat terra in; 
 
d) low anticipated traffic; and  
 
e) service company’s/driller’s/operator’s access needs.  
 
6.4.3   Primitive roads or routes shall necessitate low vehicle speeds and shall typically be limited to four -wheel 
drive or high -clearance vehicles. They shall consist of ex isting or new roads with minor or moderate grading; 
two-track roads created by the operator’s direct vehicle use with little or no grading; overland routes with a 
defined travel corridor leaving no defined roadway beyond crushed vegetation; or any combinat ion along the 
route. Operators shall not flat -blade roads. Drainage shall be maintained, where appropriate, to avoid erosion 
or the creation of a muddy, braided course of vehicular travel.  
 
6.4.4  Primitive or two -track roads and routes shall be used and establis hed in a safe and environmentally 
responsible manner and shall not be intended for use as all -weather access roads. Resource damage shall be 
repaired as soon as possible and the operator shall consult with the surface management agency such as 
Zanzibar Roa d Agency  to determine if all or a portion of the road needs to be upgraded to an all -weather 
access road. When used and maintained appropriately, non -constructed roads and routes shall have the 
advantage of reducing construction, maintenance and reclamatio n costs and reducing resource impacts.  
 
6.4.5   Approval of a surface resource agency shall generally be required for use of non -constructed roads on 
other than privately owned lands.  
6.5   Maintenance  
 
6.5.1  Proper road maintenance shall be critical for the performance of  the road and to prevent and control 
erosion and sedimentation. Maintenance personnel shall be made aware of environmentally difficult and 
sensitive areas.  
 
6.5.2  Maintenance work shall be scheduled and the use of special designs and maintenance programs shall 
be considered to minimize undesirable effects on:  
 
a) sensitive wildlife and coral reefs ; 
 
b) wetlands; and  
 
c) state or local recreational areas.  
 
6.5.3   When performing scraping and leveling operations, care shall be exercised to avoid disrupting ditches 
and shoulders, and creating undesirable berms with the bladed material . 
  
 
PCD 341:2022  
 
©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     13 
 6.5.4   Ditches, culverts, and drains shall be regularly cleaned of debris and sediment to allow the free 
passage of water. Periodic inspections of all culverts shall be conducted. Culverts found to be blo cked shall be 
cleared . 
 
6.5.5  Borrow and surface materials shall be readily accessible to be utilized during maintenance operations.  
Pits opened during construction shall be used as a source for maintenance material, where feasible.  
 
6.5.6  The use of dust control mate rials or measures shall be evaluated before their utilization. The materials 
shall not be detrimental to health, vegetati on, wildlife, or water quality.  
 
6.5.7  Cutting back weed and hedge growth is essential for road safety. This maintenance operation shall be 
done with light equipment. Critical review shall occur before  use of  herbicides or other chemicals  is approved   
for weed control .  
 
6.5.8  There shall be continuous monitoring of drainage and erosion control structures. They shall be 
maintained and revised, as re quired, to provide for the intended function.  
 
6.5.9  Erosion shall be prevented and controlled. Areas shall be revegetated, and slopes and soils shall be 
stabilized.  
 
6.5.10   There shall be an environmental emergency response plan ready to be placed in action during 
construction and maintenance operations. The plan shall include emergency procedures that shall be followed 
in the event that the major drainage ways are blocked, fail, or do not perform as required during or immediately 
after major storm events.  
 
6.6  Reclamati on and abandonment  
 
6.6.1   Abandonment procedures shall comply with the legal and regulatory requirements. Consideration shall 
be given to cost -effective measures that shall minimize environmental impacts. Interim reclamation shall be 
undertaken for portions of the road or areas disturbed during construction of the road that are not required for 
vehicle travel. In interim or final reclamation, wherever possible, cut slopes, fill slopes, and borrow ditches shall 
be re -contoured, covered with topsoil and re -vegetat ed to restore habitat, forage and scenic resources, and to 
reduce soil erosion.  
 
6.6.2  Abandonment procedures shall include the following considerations:  
 
a) restoration;  
 
b) abandonment in place;  
 
c) restoration of original or improved drainage;  
 
d) agreement on maintenanc e requirements, if any, after discontinued use, to be reached between the 
operator and new user; and  
 
e) agency approval requirements.  
 
 
 
6.6.3   Restoration plans shall be prepared in detail and shall consider methods such as:  
 
a) priority of stabilization and re -vege tation of disturbed areas;  
 
b) use of native plant species;  
 
c) stockpiling soils where reclamation would be enhanced; and  
 
d) use of agency approved designs and seed mixes.  
  
 
PCD 341:2022  
 
14 ©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     
 7  Exploration,  Produc tion, injection  and disposal wells  
7.1  Completion, stimulation, and work over operations  
 
7.1.1  Planning  
 
For a new well site, an effective planning process shall be carried out and shall incorporate the legal and 
regulatory requirements for:  
 
a) Emergency preparedness plan  
 
b) waste management;  
 
c) pit location and construction;  
 
d) handling of  water discharges; and  
 
e) waste disposal  
 
The location and size of new pits and pads for completion and work over equipment shall be selected so as to 
minimize disruption of the surface resources and retain the potential for reclamation of the site.  
 
For an existing well site, the planning process shall be important in providing safe and environmentally 
acceptable completion and work over operations. Existing facilities, such as pits and production equipment, 
shall be reviewed and assessed to determine whethe r the facility is suitable in its present condition for the 
intended well operations or if modifications are required.  
 
For both new and existing well sites, a waste management plan for handling and storing all waste materials 
generated during completion a nd work over activities shall be developed.  
 
For information on how to develop such a plan, it shall address the specific wastes which are expected to be 
produced by the particular operations being performed, as well as providing guidelines concerning the actions 
that shall be taken in the event that unexpected waste materials, including hazardous materials, are 
encountered during the operations. In addition to safe handling and storage of waste materials on the well site, 
provisions shall also be made for each type of waste to be disposed of.  
 
Since much of the work on producing and injection wells is performed by contract or service company 
personnel, the operating company shall confirm that the contractor’s personnel have appropriate safety 
training, incl uding hazard communication training, and are aware of requirements of the site -specific waste 
management plan.  
 
Consideration shall also be given to requiring performance bonds, if appropriate.  
 
The operator shall also confirm that the contractor’s personn el are aware of all applicable safety and 
environmental requirements of the operator.  
 
 
 
7.1.2  Equipment selection  
 
Temporary equipment required to carry out well completion and work over operations shall be included in the 
overall operation plan. Equipment shal l be installed in a manner so as to utilize the smallest practical area for 
prudent operations. Equipment shall be maintained to present an acceptable appearance.  
7.1.3  Producing wells  
 
Producing wells shall be completed so production zones and drinking waters z ones are isolated and shall not 
be contaminated by other formations. The well shall be cased and cemented properly to provide this 
protection.  
7.1.4  Injection/disposal wells  
  
 
PCD 341:2022  
 
©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     15 
 Injection/disposal wells shall be completed so that injected fluids enter the desired f ormations and do not enter 
other formations or drinking water zones. Typical injections are completed with three levels of protection for 
drinking water formations as follows:  
 
a) surface casing and cement;  
 
b) long string casing and cement; and  
 
c) tubing and pack er. 
 
Also, the area around the injection well shall be reviewed to determine whether wells (active, inactive or 
abandoned) were drilled through the injection/disposal zone.  
 
Wells in drilled zones closer to the injection/disposal shall be protected and iso lated from the injection/disposal 
formation to prevent penetration of fluids that could flow from the injection zone through the improperly 
plugged or completed well to other oil and gas zones or drinking water zones.   
 
7.1.5   Remedial cementing  
 
For both new an d existing wells, the known and anticipated needs for remedial cementing to protect 
underground sources of drinking water (USDW) shall be considered in the planning stage.  
 
Excess cement, cement returns, and water used to wash cementing equipment shall be contained and 
disposed of in an environmentally sound manner.  
 
7.1.6  Selection, use, and storage of fuels and completion fluids  
 
Completion fluid selection shall take into account the safety and logistics of transporting, handling, storing, and 
disposing of clea n and contaminated fluid.  
 
For both new and existing well sites, all fuels, treatment chemicals, completion brines, and other similar liquids 
shall be properly stored in labeled containers intended for that purpose. Containment shall be constructed so 
that spilled fuels or chemicals do not reach the ground. Wherever practical, tanks or existing drilling pits shall 
be used for completion and work over operations. Completion brines and other potential pollutants shall be 
kept in lined pits, steel pits, or sto rage tanks. If a new earthen pit is necessary, it shall be constructed in a 
manner that prevents contamination of soils, surface water, and groundwater, both during the construction 
process and during the life of the pit. Consideration shall be given to th e use of tanks or lined pits to protect soil 
and groundwater contamination especially from brines and oil -based fluids.  
 
Normal operations shall preclude oil in pits, however, in the event that well completion operations dictate use 
of pits containing oil for a brief period of time, they shall be fenced, screened, netted and/or flagged, as 
appropriate, to protect livestock, wild game, and fowl.  
 
All liquids and other materials placed in pits shall be recovered, recycled, or disposed in an environmentally 
acceptable manner (determined by the constituents in the material and the environmental sensitivity of the 
location).  
 
When operations are completed, pits not required for well operation shall be closed in accordance with the 
environmental sensitivity of the  location. The surface area shall be restored to a condition compatible with the 
uses of the adjacent land area. Any pit retained shall be of minimum size commensurate with well operations.  
 
7.1.7  Storm water runoff  
 
Natural drainage patterns of the area shall b e considered in the location of equipment, pads, and pits so that 
storm water runoff does not create an environmental hazard by erosion of base material, which could lead to 
equipment instability, or by flooding of pits, which could cause a discharge of oi l or other fluids into the local 
surface waters.  
 
Discharges of storm water from inside E&P facilities such as bermed areas around tank batteries (including oil 
and gas exploration, production, processing, or treatment operations or a transmission facility ), which can 
reach waters, shall require a water discharge permit and submittal of a water pollution plan to the  Zanzibar   
 
PCD 341:2022  
 
16 ©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     
 Environment al Management Authority ( ZEMA)  and other responsible authorities . Contamination includes water 
that comes into contact with  any overburden, raw materials, or waste products on the site.  
 
Construction designs shall include installation of erosion and sedimentation control systems. Site construction 
shall be inspected routinely and after each significant storm event. Any repairs  to the control systems shall be 
completed promptly. During the drilling and completion phases, all raw materials shall be stored in a manner 
that prevents contamination of the natural runoff of precipitation. Temporary containment and liners shall be 
used  to minimize the impact of spills and to prevent impacted precipitation from affecting surface or 
groundwater.  
7.1.8   Blowout prevention equipment (BOPE)  
 
All BOPE shall be selected, installed, and properly maintained in order to prevent uncontrolled releases to  the 
environment.  
 
All BOPE shall have a working pressure rating that exceeds the maximum expected surface pressure.  
 
Training exercises or drills shall be held as necessary to ensure crew familiarity and that the BOPE is in good 
working order.  
7.1.9  Control of noise and other nuisances  
 
Engines and production equipment shall be provided with noise abatement measures, if appropriate, to reduce 
noise levels to the extent practical, considering the local environment. Other nuisances such as odors and dust 
shall be controlled as considered appropriate for the location. Consideration shall be given to minimizing traffic 
in general, particularly in or near urban areas.  
7.1.10  Solids removal or capture  
 
All produced fluids, drill cuttings; cement, cement returns, NORM scale, a nd other solids shall be captured and 
classified, then reused, recycled, or disposed. Hazardous waste shall be segregated in order to prevent 
contamination of the non -hazardous materials.  
 
7.2 Well operations  
 
7.2.1   Equipment Operation and Maintenance  
 
All well -producing equipment shall be kept neat, clean, painted and in good working order. Equipment shall be 
painted to blend into the surroundings, if required or appropriate, and kept clean to present an acceptable 
appearance. Selected moving equipment may be paint ed with different colors to enhance visibility.  
 
Safety guards necessary to protect humans, livestock, wildlife, and promote public safety shall be maintained 
around equipment. Equipment lockout/tagout procedures shall also be developed and implemented.  
 
Drip pans shall be provided under equipment and storage containers potentially subject to minor leaks. These 
drip pans shall be monitored on a routine basis to recover and recycle or dispose of accumulated oil and other 
liquids.  
 
Bulk storage, recyclable, a nd reusable containers shall be considered in order to reduce the number of 
containers that shall be maintained and disposed. All reusable containers shall be well marked to denote 
contents and the fact that they are to be reused.  
 
The installation or use of double stuffing boxes, leak detectors, and shutdown devices shall be considered in 
areas of particular environmental sensitivity.  
 
Well cellars shall be kept clean, dry, and guarded to prevent accidental falls. Well cellars shall be filled with 
sour gas  and present a safety hazard to people.  
 
7.2.2  Metallurgy and corrosion  
 
All equipment shall be manufactured from materials which are suitable for the environment in which they are to 
operate.   
 
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Equipment operating in known corrosive conditions shall be inspected  on a routine basis for signs of corrosion, 
with corrective action taken, as needed, to assure the equipment continues to operate in an environmentally 
acceptable manner. If well production or injection conditions change in terms of hydrogen  
sulfide or car bon dioxide content, pressure, water cut, or any other parameter, the metallurgy of the well 
equipment shall be reassesse to assure its suitability for the new conditions.  
 
7.2.3  Leak detection  
 
All equipment shall be inspected on a routine basis for signs of le akage, with corrective action taken, as 
needed, to ensure that the equipment continues to operate in a safe and environmentally acceptable manner.  
 
All injection and disposal wells equipped with tubing and packed shall periodically be monitored for tubing 
casing annulus pressure to test the integrity of the tubing and packer. If a well is not completed with a packer, 
then other methods shall be used, such as tracer logs or temperature logs to ensure the fluids injected are 
properly controlled and are going into the proper injection/disposal formation. Frequency of testing is 
dependent on the operating conditions. For example, if an area has a high number of corrosion failures, testing 
for the mechanical integrity  of the well shall be frequent.  
7.2.4  Inspection and  certification  
 
Equipment shall be manufactured, refurbished, inspected, and installed according to manufacturer, API or 
other industry standards, and legal requirements.  
 
7.3 Well testing  
 
7.3.1   Venting and flaring  
 
The company and contractor shall not flare or ve nt petroleum without require consent from the responsible 
authority . Where possible, the flare or vent shall be located downwind considering the prevailing wind direction 
at the well location. Where possible, all gas resources of value shall be captured an d used.  
7.3.2   Flare pits  
 
Flare pits, sometimes called blow down or emergency pits, shall not be used for storage or disposal. The 
primary purpose of a flare pit is to catch any incidental fluid that might be associated with the gas stream that 
does not burn. Fluids in a flare pit shall be removed daily, or as quickly as practical.  
 
Siting and construction of flare pits shall minimize the risk of surface and groundwater contamination. The size 
of the flare pit shall be proportionate to the volume of liquid effl uent that might be expelled from the gas flare. 
Use of a knockout vessel shall be considered.  
7.3.3   Control of noise and other nuisances  
 
Flares may need to be provided with noise abatement measures to maintain noise levels compatible with the 
local environment . The noise intensity, duration, location relative to public areas and natural resources, as well 
as the flare/vent exit design shall be considered, where applicable. Other nuisances, such as light emittance 
from a lighted flare, odors, and dust, shall be controlled as considered appropriate for the location.  
7.4  Plugging and abandonment  
7.4.1   General  
 
Permanent abandonment shall be done when the wellbore has no further utility and is permanently sealed 
against fluid migration.  
 
Temporary abandonment operations sha ll be performed when a wellbore has future utility, such as for EOR 
projects, and shall be maintained in a condition where routine work over operations shall  restore a wellbore to 
service.   
 
PCD 341:2022  
 
18 ©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     
 7.4.2  Subsurface  
7.4.2.1   General  
 
Environmental concerns related to well abandon ment shall be addressed. The primary environmental 
concerns are protection of freshwater aquifers and underground sources of drinking water, as well as isolation 
of down -hole formations containing hydrocarbons or used for injection. Additional issues, whic h shall be 
evaluated are:  
 
a) protection of surface soils and surface waters;  
 
b) future land use; and  
 
c) permanent documentation of abandoned wellbore locations and conditions.  
7.4.2.2   Plugging purpose  
 
The purpose of plugging wells is to prevent interzonal migration of  fluids; contamination of freshwater aquifers, 
surface soils, and surface waters, and to conserve hydrocarbon resources either in the production interval or 
potential production intervals. Generally, contamination by an improperly plugged and abandoned wel l can 
occur in two ways:  
 
a) the abandoned well can act as a conduit for fluid flow between penetrated strata, into USDW, or to the 
surface; and  
 
b) contaminated water can enter the abandoned wellbore at the surface and migrate into USDW.  
 
Such contamination is prevented when a well is properly plugged. Not only do the plugging operations prevent 
an abandoned well from becoming a conduit for contamination to occur, but well construction and completion 
methods also contribute to the prevention of contamination.  
 
Well plugging operations are focused primarily on protecting USDW, isolating downhole formations productive 
of hydrocarbons or used for injection, and protecting surface soils and surface waters. A surface plug prevents 
surface water runoff from seeping int o the wellbore and migrating into USDW cement plugs isolating 
hydrocarbon and injection/disposal intervals and a plug at the base of the lowermost USDW accomplish this 
primary purpose. Surface water entry into an abandoned well is a concern because the wat er may contain 
contaminants from agricultural, industrial, or municipal activities. Operators may set a cement plug at the base 
of the lowermost freshwater aquifer or USDW during plugging and abandonment ope rations applicable to the 
well. 
NOTE 1: The cemen t plugs also work to protect surface soils and water from wellbore fluids by confining 
those fluids in the well.  
 
In addition to the cement plugs described herein, regulatory agencies shall require that cement be plugged 
across the base of the surface casi ng and in, or between, each producing and potential producing zone.  
 
7.4.2.3   Fluid confinement  
 
All essential formations bearing usable quality water, oil, gas, or geothermal resources shall be protected 
and/or isolated. The prevention of gas or fluid migration t o other zones or to the surface is of primary 
importance. Open -hole plugs, casing plugs, or cement squeezed through casing perforations shall isolate the 
target formations in most cases. However, special procedures, such as perforating casing and circulati ng 
cement, shall be necessary to isolate the potential production or injection formations existing behind  
un-cemented casing Inter -zonal flow in an abandoned well shall be prevented so that such cross -flow does not 
interfere in the commercial exploitation  of the zones through nearby wellbores.  
 
7.4.3  Surface  
 
7.4.3.1   General  
The cleanup and remediation of the surface shall include:  
a) cutting off the surface casing below ground  
b) restoring the surface to conditions near those that existed prior to the well being drilled; an d 
c)  marking the surface of the wellbore by installing an upright marker.   
 
PCD 341:2022  
 
©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     19 
  
The operator shall restore the well site consistent with the criteria for the Zanzibar Petroleum Regulatory 
Authority and Zanzibar Environmental Management Authority  on solid waste ma nagement in exploration and 
production operations. However, the legal and regulatory requirements shall be consulted before beginning  
well site remediation.  
7.4.3.2  Clean -up and remediation  
 
Assuming the operator opts not to use the well as a freshwater source, th e operator shall:  
a) set the required surface plugs;  
b) remove the wellhead;  
c) weld a steel plate on the surface casing stub, if required;  
d) fill in the well cellar, rat hole and mouse ; and 
e) level the area.  
 
Casing strings left in the well shall be cut off three fe et to six feet below ground level, or deeper if required by 
the landowner.  
 
Pits shall be emptied and reclaimed to a condition similar to the rest of the reclaimed pad area. Pits shall be 
allowed to dry or be solidified in situ before filling. The pit area  may be mounded to allow for settling. Before 
removing or abandoning pipelines or flow lines, fluid displacement and line purging shall be considered and 
fluid reclaimed, recycled, or properly disposed of according to fluid type.  
 
Open burning may be used in some areas to dispose of non -hazardous, hydrocarbon -containing wastes that 
are unsuitable for recycling. Burning shall be restricted to materials such as oily sorbents and paraffin and shall 
be conducted only with approval of local air pollution regulat ory agencies such as the Zanzibar Petroleum 
Authority . Burning shall be conducted during daytime hours and with due regard to wind direction and velocity. 
The results shall not cause a nuisance that shall result in black smoke or particulates.  
 
Off-site co mmercial facilities shall be used for other non -hazardous and hazardous waste disposal. The off -site 
facilities shall be permitted and care shall be taken with site selec tion in accordance with Oil and gas waste 
management regulation and other applicable s tandards in Zanzibar.  
7.4.3.3      Soil erosion  
 
Disturbed areas, such as roads, pits, and well sites, may need to be further remediated depending on lease 
agreements.  
7.4.3.4     Inspection  
Final abandonment is complete only after all surface equipment is removed, all pits  are closed, and the surface 
is restored. A vertical steel monument shall be considered that indicates the well location, operator, and well 
number. Thereafter, the abandoned well site can more easily be located and the former operator determined.  
8 Operator  gathering and system lines  
 
8.1  General  
 
In planning operator gathering and system lines, including electrical distribution systems, it shall be important 
to consider the impacts that construction operations and maintenance activities have on people, animals , 
plants, and  environment including  the land itself, both surface and shallow subsurface. The impacts on current 
use, as well as possible future uses, shall be evaluated along with potential future facilities expansion. 
Because pipelines are sometimes bur ied, and the surface reclaimed, long -term surface disturbance associated 
with pipelines shall be avoided. The placement of pipelines shall avoid steep hillsides and watercourses where 
feasible. Also, where feasible, pipeline routes shall take advantage of road corridors to minimize surface 
disturbance. Also, when clearing is necessary, the width disturbed shall be kept to a minimum and topsoil 
material shall be stockpiled to the side of the routes where cuts and fills or other disturbances occur during 
pipeline construction. Retaining topsoil for replacement during reclamation shall significantly accelerate 
successful re -vegetation.  
 
8.2  Route selection  
  
 
PCD 341:2022  
 
20 ©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     
 8.2.1  The following environmental factors shall be considered in planning operator gathering and system lines:  
 
a) proximity to lakes, streams (including dry washes and ephemeral streams), wetlands, drainage and 
irrigation ditches, canals, flood plains, and shallow water wells. These features shall be evaluated in terms 
of disturbances during construction and routine ope rations, and in the event of accidental releases;  
 
b) depth to, and quality of groundwater. The potential impact to groundwater, particularly from any releases 
from buried lines shall be considered;  
 
c) removal of trees, disturbances to dikes, levees, and terrac es, and destruction of growing crops. These 
impacts shall be evaluated with a focus on construction and routine maintenance activities;  
 
d) impacts to migratory bird habitat or critical habitat of threatened or endangered plant and animal 
species, including n oise and dust;  
 
e) proximity to buildings or other facilities occupied or used by the public. Particular consideration shall be 
given to homes, churches, schools, and hospitals;  
 
f) impact on arable  lands;  
 
g) areas of special historical, archeological, recreation al, biological, or scenic significance;  
 
h) land ownership; and  
 
i)  location of recently active shallow faults.  
 
8.2.2  The selection of routing for lease gathering and EOR injection and produced water disposal system 
lines, consistent with production, EOR and disposa l requirements and overall economics, shall consider the 
following:  
 
a) foreseeable uses of surfaces areas by either the landowner or tenant;  
 
b) possible exposure to future construction and excavation work; and  
 
c) topography, when it is an important factor in:  
 
i) line design, right -of-way maintenance, possible land erosion;  
ii) emergency response and containment of releases;  
iii) location of existing rights -of-way; and  
iv) location of existing roads.  
8.3 Design  
 
8.3.1  In design of lease gathering and system lines, appropriate industry cod es shall be followed.  
 
8.3.2  Lease gathering and system line design shall consider the following:  
 
a) estimated life of the line;  
 
b) line environment (nature of the soil, presence of water -saturated soil, alkaline flats, depth of frost, etc.);  
 
c) nature and quantity of  product throughput, initially and as production matures, including the potential for 
EOR processes;  
 
d) impacts on existing facilities  and ; 
 
e) consequences of possible line failure. Release of oil, water, or gas shall be qualitatively evaluated.  
 
Considerati on shall be given to installing block valves to isolate line segments located in or near 
environmentally sensitive areas (such as wetlands), on either side of stream crossings, and in close proximity 
to areas occupied by the public. Consideration shall als o be given to sleeving lines or using heavier walled 
pipe in these areas.  Qualitative evaluation shall consider the following:  
  
 
PCD 341:2022  
 
©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     21 
 i) public impact;  
 
ii) environmental impact (including potential natural resource damage assessment liability);  
 
iii) damage to crops and do mesticated animals;  
 
iv) cleanup costs; and  
 
v) political or regulatory impacts.  
 
f)  corrosion inhibition measures (external and internal). All equipment shall be manufactured from materials 
which are suitable for their operating environment;  
 
g) burial to optimum dep th to reduce exposure to hazards such as plowing, freezing, and other 
construction;  
 
h) provisions for various crossings (roads, streams, and other lines);  
 
i)  optimum location for blowdown tanks, valves, among others;  
 
j) noise abatement (where appropriate);  
 
k) miscellaneous variable factors including operating pressures, temperature changes, line expansion, and 
desired safety factors; and  
 
l) if electrical distribution lines are to be installed in areas where raptors are likely to use them as perches, 
consideration sh all be given to installing wooden perch guards or cross members on the poles above the 
lines to prevent the birds from coming in contact with the charged lines.  
8.4 Construction and installation  
 
8.4.1  Lease line routes and applicable rights -of-way shall utilize the  smallest practical surface area, consistent 
with prudent operations.  
 
8.4.2  Unnecessary damage to trees and other vegetation adjoining lease line routes shall be avoided.  
 
8.4.3   If contractors are used to install lines, the operator shall verify that the contractor has implemented a 
safety program that includes a written hazard communication program. The contractor shall supply MSDSs for 
all hazardous materials brought on site.  
 
8.4.4  Appropriate inspections shall be performed during construction to ensure design specifica tions are met.  
 
8.4.5  Upon completion, lines shall be inspected and pressure tested for possible leaks and pressure test fluids 
shall be collected and disposed in accordance with  applicable standards in Zanzibar . 
 
8.4.6   After installation of a new line, all lease lin e routes and rights -of-way shall be cleaned up and restored 
to conditions compatible with existing land use, unless other arrangements have been made with the 
landowner. Disposal of all waste shall be in accordance with the regulations for waste disposal.  
 
8.4.7   Line routes and burial depth shall be adequately documented to aid in preventing ruptures and/or 
accidental leaks during future excavation activities. Crossings shall be marked as well for ease of visibility 
during future excavation activities.  
8.5 Operation  and maintenance  
 
8.5.1  All applicable personnel (both company and contractor) shall receive training to provide for proper 
operation and maintenance of the lines. This training shall include start -up and shutdown procedures, normal 
operating procedures, and eme rgency response procedures, in the event of a leak or spill of a hazardous 
substance.  
  
 
PCD 341:2022  
 
22 ©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     
 8.5.2   Line routes and facilities shall be inspected at intervals dictated by evaluation of exposures and/or 
failures.  
 
8.5.3   Appropriate steps shall be taken to prevent surface an d environmental damage from the use of hot oil, 
chemicals, and other treatments that are used to maintain lease gathering and system lines.  
 
8.5.4   Proper maintenance practices shall be exercised with respect to crossing markers, blowdown tanks, 
venting equipmen t, and corrosion protection equipment. Blowdown fluids shall be collected and placed in the 
production system to recover hydrocarbons. Waste materials shall be recycled, reclaimed, or disposed.  
 
8.5.5   Pressure tests, profile surveys, and other means shall be co nsidered to meet operating safety 
requirements.  
 
8.5.6  Operating procedures shall provide for early identification of developing corrosion problems, failure -
prone equipment, and malfunctions so that corrective action can be taken before environmental or safety 
consequences occur. Frequency of failure analysis shall be considered to aid in scheduling line replacements.  
 
8.5.7  Appropriate industry codes shall be followed with respect to maintenance of records, repairs, reporting 
of leaks, among others.  
 
8.5.8  Whenever modifica tions are made to existing lines or there are significant changes in physical 
parameters (temperature, pressure, composition, etc.), the changes shall be considered for evaluation 
pursuant to management of change principles. Where appropriate, facility dra wings shall be updated to show 
modifications and the superseded drawings destroyed.  
8.6 Abandonment of gathering and system lines  
 
8.6.1  All surface lines shall be removed. Lines shall be purged before removal.  
 
8.6.2  Surface and subsurface equipment connected to buried l ines shall be removed to a depth consistent 
with subsequent land use or, preferably, to the depth of the buried lines.  
 
8.6.3  Harmful or hazardous materials shall be displaced from any lines abandoned in place.  
 
8.6.4  Where appropriate, each outlet of abandoned lines shall be permanently sealed.  
 
8.6.5  All crossing markers and other line markers shall be removed.  
 
8.6.6  The location of abandoned lines shall be identified on facility maps.  
 
8.6.7  Upon completion of abandonment activities, all disturbed surface areas shall be cleaned up a nd restored 
to conditions similar to the adjacent lands.  
8.6.8   Dispose of all waste in accordance to the legal and regulatory requirements.  
9  Production and water handling facilities  
9.1 Requirement determination (preplanning considerations)  
 
The overall basis for s iting, designing, constructing, and operating oil, gas, and water production, handling, and 
disposal/injection facilities shall be to minimize adverse effects on the environment, consistent with providing 
an economical means of accumulating well, lease, or  unit production from primary, secondary, or tertiary 
recovery methods and producing the ultimate recoverable reserves. Impacts on local population, land, surface 
and subsurface waters, air quality, and animal and plant species, including habitat, shall be  considered.  
 
Water handling facilities shall typically be located adjacent to, or within, production facilities. Initial planning for 
these facilities within a field shall consider future development potential in order to minimize surface 
disturbance. Whe n practical and economic, central field locations shall be considered to avoid the use of 
multiple facilities. Facility sizing shall consider future throughput increases to minimize the need for additional 
tankage and treating vessels.   
 
PCD 341:2022  
 
©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     23 
  
Production and wate r handling facilities shall be planned to utilize the smallest practical surface area 
consistent with safe, prudent, and economic operations. In addition, produced water may be saline and 
corrosive. Therefore, special care shall be taken to minimize the po ssibility of environmental damage due to 
equipment upsets, spills, and leaks.  
 
Baseline conditions and past land -use in the area shall be documented. At a minimum, drinking water supplies 
shall be identified and sampled before any development. Water usage shall be determined during the planning 
phase so that water rights shall be secured and disposal options evaluated and selected.  
9.2 Site selection considerations  
9.2.1  Land use  
 
Topographic, population, environmental hazard, zoning, and other maps shall be consulte d, where applicable, 
to locate sensitive or high exposure areas [such as churches, schools, hospitals, residential areas, surface 
waters, freshwater wells, flood zones, active fault areas, threatened and endangered plants and animals 
(including habitat), m igratory bird habitat, wetlands, archeological, recreational, biological, or scenic areas]. 
Where feasible, the site shall be located away from these sensitive areas. The potential impact from upset   conditions, such as oil or produced water spills and lea ks, shall be considered.  
 
Final well patterns shall be considered, if possible, to minimize right -of-way requirements for roads and lease 
lines. Existing roads and rights -of-way shall be utilized to the maximum extent possible.  
 
The local people / authoriz ed land users shall be consulted to consider present and future uses of affected and 
adjacent land /properties . 
 
Production and water handling facilities shall be planned to utilize the smallest practical surface area 
consistent with safe and prudent operat ions. Future expansion possibilities shall be considered.  
9.2.2  Erosion and drainage  
 
A site shall be selected to minimize the amount of surface terrain alteration to reduce environmental and 
aesthetic damages. Cuts and fills which pose possible landslide or slu mp problems shall be avoided. 
Consideration shall be given to stock piling topsoil, if feasible.  
 
The natural drainage patterns of the land shall be considered in selecting the site. Adequate culverts and 
drainage ditches shall be provided, as required by the terrain. Soil stabilization, such as sod or grass seeding, 
shall be provided to prevent erosion. Unnecessary removal of trees or alteration of other natural features shall 
be avoided.  
9.2.3   Water resources  
 
Proper management of water resources during the de velopment and operations phases of oil and gas 
production shall directly be related to minimizing surface disturbances. Water can be used to create optimal 
soil moisture conditions to allow for proper compaction of soils, thereby, minimizing surface degrad ation 
caused by vehicular traffic and the occurrence of erosion events. Water is also important to help suppress dust 
and is necessary for drilling, completion and hydraulic fracturing activities. Since a large volume of water is 
often generated during the  oil and gas production process, especially for coalbed natural gas production, 
additional surface disturbances may result without proper produced water management plans. For example, 
additional surface water can affect water quality, cause changes to chan nel morphology in nearby streams, or 
cause damage to access roads. The release of produced water shall typically be controlled to prevent surface 
disturbances by utilizing management practices appropriate to the location or circumstances. Depending on 
the local environment  and geology  produced water shall be used to support livestock/wildlife watering or for 
use in irrigation systems  if and only if the required standards has been met . Where it is allowed by regulatory 
authorities, the water shall also be d ischarged into appropriate water systems or re -injected into suitable 
reservoirs.  
 
9.2.4  Subsurface soil conditions  
 
Subsurface soil conditions shall be considered for adequate foundation support of buildings, pumps, engines, 
tankage, and equipment used in the c onstruction process.  
  
 
PCD 341:2022  
 
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 Soil characteristics shall be evaluated for construction of dikes, firewalls, and emergency containment areas. 
Lining of containment areas with compacted clay or synthetic liners shall be considered where porous soil 
conditions exist or groundwater could be impacted.  
 
Soil corrosiveness or resistivity shall be evaluated to determine whether coating or wrapping of lease lines 
shall be necessary to prevent or control corrosion. Cathodic protection shall be considered for highly corrosive  
conditions or sensitive areas.  
9.2.5  Fire protection  
 
Production and water handling facilities shall not be located where the equipment will create a potential fire 
hazard. As applicable, proper fire safety equipment shall be stored nearby.  
 
9.2.6  Public exposure  
 
In noise control planning, production and water handling facilities shall be located as required safety zone 
established by the ZPRA   from the buildings or facilities occupied or used by the public.  
 
Facilities shall be located in such a way that minimizes risk of public exposure from potential hazardous 
material releases, considering prevailing winds and topographic elevations to the maximum extent practicable.  
 
9.3  Facility design  
 
9.3.1  Equipment sizing, specifications, and design  
 
Consideration shall be given to the following items in designing and constructing production facilities:  
 
a) production -related equipment shall be sized and designed to provide appropriate safety and utility. 
Future development and exploration plans shall be considered when sizing equipment . Where appropriate, 
the facilities shall be sized to handle current and future production to minimize retrofitting and improper use 
of equipment. Equipment shall be designed with appropriate spill control devices, such as high -/low-level 
indicators or hig h-/low-pressure indicators, to improve safety and protection of the environment;  
 
b) the anticipated time the equipment is expected to remain active shall be considered. Proper design and 
installation can minimize future equipment failures and downtime;  
 
c) equipment and foundations shall be designed and installed giving consideration to adverse natural 
conditions common to the area, such as floods, excessive snow and rain, earthquakes, tornadoes, 
hurricanes, and dust storms;  
 
d) equipment installations shall comply  with industry standards. Air pollution control facilities shall be 
installed whenever practical, economical, and technically feasible. Flaring vs venting shall be evaluated 
based on gas volume and composition, safety, economics, and local environmental im pact;  
 
e) pressure requirements for vessels, lines, and other equipment shall be considered. Any variance from 
the manufacturer’s recommended rates or pressures shall be evaluated thoroughly.  
 
f) installing fired lease vessels and the following items shall be co nsidered:  
 
i) surrounding facilities when selecting the placement of fired lease vessels;  
 
ii) manufacturer’s recommendations shall be followed. Any variances from these recommendations 
shall be evaluated thoroughly;  
iii) fired lease vessels shall not be located immed iately adjacent to oil, gas, or any other flammable or 
explosive storage facilities. Facilities shall have a grade established so that releases of flammable fluid 
drain away from fired equipment;  
 
NOTE 1: Some states have minimum distance requirements betw een fired vessels and storage facilities.  
 
iv) vessels shall be well maintained and free of unnecessary debris or flammable products;  
v) fencing or some form of guarding shall be considered to protect the public, livestock, and wildlife;  
and 
vi) air permitting requir ements for fired lease vessels.   
 
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g) installing bulk storage and loading facilities and the following items shall be considered:  
 
i)  adequate fire/retaining walls or other containment measures shall be provided around tanks, where 
necessary to comply with regula tory requirements, in order to contain accidental discharges and prevent 
environmental damage. No open pipes shall extend from within the firewalls which might allow 
contaminated fluids to be drained or siphoned from inside the containment area;  
 
ii) Installat ion of impervious foundations or liners under storage tanks shall be considered to allow 
detection and containment of fluid releases;  
 
iii) installation of high -level alarms and/or monitors shall be considered on tankage;  
 
iv) installation of drip pans or other con tainment shall be considered at truck or barge loading/unloading 
hose connections to contain any spillage;  and 
 
v) emission permits shall be obtained based on the highest anticipated production rates and equipment 
specifications before installation of the fac ilities or commingling well production to central facilities . 
 
h) installing internal combustion (IC) engines and compressor facilities and the following items shall be 
considered:  
 
i) minimizing noise disturbance. IC engines and compressor facilities shall be l ocated as far as practical 
from areas accessible to the general population. If feasible, alternate types of prime movers, such as 
electric motors, shall be considered;  
 
ii) emissions generated by the engine(s) exhaust shall be of concern. Appropriate lead -time for 
permitting shall be allowed, as it may require from six months to one year to permit compressor facilities. 
All required construction and emissions permits shall be obtained before construction, modification, or 
relocation of an engine is initiated. T he type of fuel shall be selected to minimize pollutants. Electric 
power shall be considered, where feasible;  
 
iii) drip pans or placing engines and compressors shall be installed on impervious pads to minimize the 
impact of potential oil and chemical drips and  spills. If drip pans or impervious pads are used, special 
attention shall be given to ensuring that they are kept clean and that any oil or chemical collected is 
removed, recovered, and recycled or disposed in a timely and proper manner;  
 
iv) piping for the r elief valves of compressors shall be of adequate size and piped to an appropriate vent 
or flare; and  
 
v) placing fences, guard walls, or buildings around all engines and compressors shall be considered for 
the protection of the public and any livestock or wil dlife. 
 
i) planning, installing, and using pits, firewalls, and dikes and the following items shall be considered:  
 
i) tanks shall be used instead of pits whenever practical;  
 
ii) existing pits shall be minimized and alternate means considered, where feasible. Pits shall only be 
used for the purpose they were intended. Personnel shall be advised on the specific use of the pit and 
what substances shall allowed therein;  
 
iii) necessary precautions shall be taken to protect ground and surface water, crops, trees, livestock, 
and wildlife during the design and construction of pi ts and firewalls;  
 
iv) pits shall be designed and constructed to have sufficient freeboard, or provide adequate reserve 
capacity and prevent overflow under maximum anticipated operating requirements and prec ipitation;  
 
v) pits shall be fenced or otherwise equipped, as necessary, for public safety and to protect livestock 
and wildlife;  
 
vi) netting of pits shall be done to protect migratory birds from exposure to the pit contents if there is a 
potential for the pit t o have an oily surface or to contain potentially harmful substances;  
 
vii) burn pits shall be located where prevailing winds will reduce fire hazards and smoke nuisance;   
 
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viii) storage vessels for liquid hydrocarbons, saltwater, chemicals, or other fluids that are no t 
acceptable to be discharged into the local environment shall have dikes constructed around their  
perimeters  
 
ix) dikes and firewalls shall be constructed of material to prevent the release of fluids to the local 
environment during an accidental or emergency discharge from their original containment; and  
 
x) dikes and firewalls design shall have a sufficient perimeter and wall height to contain the maximum 
volume of the largest vessel or tank contained within, and with sufficient freeboard for maximum rainfall 
and snow melt. Any drain lines through dikes shall be equipped with valves/blinds that are normally 
closed and locked.  
 
j) use of utilities at production sites shall be considered and the following items shall be taken:  
 
i) existing utilities shall be considered i n the design of production and water handling facilities;  
 
ii) if electricity is available, the use of electric motors/prime movers shall be considered to minimize  air 
emissions and noise;  
 
iii) storage facilities shall not be located under or near major electrica l transmission lines; and  
 
iv) all electricity, potable water, sewage, and municipal gas lines shall be installed in accordance with 
any applicable codes or regulations.  
 
k) designing and installing flares/vents at production sites and the following items shall b e considered:  
 
i) flares/vents utilized in production facilities shall be located downwind (with respect to prevailing wind 
direction) from the installation and at a proper safe distance from the related equipment;  
 
ii) surrounding environment shall be considered  when designing flares. The flare shall be located far 
enough from trees and other vegetation to ensure that they shall not be ignited during times of maximum 
flare and strong winds. Installation of liquid scrubbers shall be considered;  
 
iii) flares and vents, assuming vent ignition, shall be of sufficient height to protect workers and the public 
during maximum flaring/venting and strong winds;  
 
iv) fencing around flares shall be considered to protect the public, livestock, and wildlife;  
 
v) installation of automatic i gniters, rather than standing pilots, shall be considered, where feasible, to 
conserve natural gas and reduce emissions;  
 
vi) flares shall be of a smokeless design, if possible; and  
 
vii) consideration shall be given to design features which shall prevent raptors o r other birds from 
perching on flares.  
 
l) safety systems for protecting the environment shall be considered as follows:  
 
i) installation of safety equipment and systems shall be considered, i.e. emergency shutdown (ESD) 
systems which have the ability to shut we lls in, shut down compressors or other engines, or divert 
production during malfunctions or accidental releases. Where appropriate, alarm systems shall be 
installed to notify the public or company officials of equipment failure or accidental releases. Equi pment 
for fire protection shall be installed and maintained, such as, fire extinguishers, spray nozzles, fire 
pumps, water storage, and automatic extinguishers . 
 
m) corrosion abatement procedures  shall be considered as follows;  and 
 
i) corrosiveness of the anti cipated gas or fluid shall be considered during the design and selection of the 
equipment;  
 
ii) where corrosion problems are anticipated, a corrosion abatement program shall be established  
to minimize the potential for leaks; and  
  
 
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 iii) soil corrosiveness or resisti vity shall be evaluated for necessity of coating or wrapping of lines to be 
buried. In some cases, cathodic protection may be necessary.  
 
n) reducing air emissions associated with production and water handling facilities shall be given a special 
consideration . The following items shall be considered during design and construction of these facilities:  
 
i) vapor recovery units and flares;  
 
ii) catalytic converters on fired equipment exhaust;  
 
iii) minimization of benzene, hydrogen sulfide, and other hazardous emissions from  tanks, glycol re -
boilers, and other equipment;  
 
iv) minimization of operational gas vents, leaks, and discharges from pneumatic controls and other 
equipment;  
 
v) electric powered prime movers; and  
 
vi) valves installed on dead end piping shall be capped, plugged, or  sealed by a blind flange.  
 
9.3.2  Equipment location  
9.3.2.1  Production and water handling facilities shall be located where they do not present a fire hazard to 
nearby facilities. Fired vessels, IC engines, flares, or other equipment that produce sparks or flames shall  be 
appropriately separated from oil and gas storage facilities. Topographic and other maps shall be consulted to 
determine if operational problems shall affect the local environment. This shall include, but is not limited to the 
possibilities of oil or wa ter discharges draining into surface or ground waters. Minimization of damage to 
vegetation crops, forests, animal habitation, among others shall be considered. Unnecessary removal of trees, 
excessive grading, or alteration of other natural features shall be avoided.  
 
9.3.2.2  In populated areas, the location of equipment shall take advantage of prevailing winds in order to 
ensure public safety in the event of equipment malfunction, release, or fire. In all cases, production and water 
handling facilities shall be lo cated as far as practical from buildings occupied or used by the public.  
 
9.3.2.3  Noise levels of production and water handling facilities shall be considered when operating near 
populated areas.  
9.3.2.4  Equipment shall be located with consideration given to subsurface so il conditions such that there is an 
adequate foundation to support the facilities to be constructed and the equipment to be used in the 
construction processes.  
9.3.2.5  The location of all wells shall be considered to minimize rights -of-way requirements for roads a nd 
gathering lines.  
9.3.3  Waste management  
 
9.3.3.1  Equipment and facilities shall be located and designed to minimize the wastes generated by 
operations and maintenance activities . 
 
9.3.3.2  Recyclable products shall be used, where possible. Bulk storage, recyclable, and reusab le containers 
shall be considered to minimize waste generation.  
 
9.3.3.3  Appropriate methods of collecting and recycling or disposing of waste generated during construction, 
operation, and maintenance of the facility shall be considered.  
 
9.3.3.4  Operators shall develop w aste management plans in accordance with  environmental  regulations and  
other  relevant standards applicable in Zanzibar.  
 
9.4  Construction considerations  
9.4.1   Site preparation  
  
 
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 The following site preparation steps shall be taken before initiating construction:  
 
a) soil characteristics shall be checked to determine the appropriate foundation design for the site;  
 
b) size and type of equipment to be used during construction shall be considered to allow sufficient room to 
work in a safe manner;  
 
c) adequate culverts and drain age ditches shall be provided as required by the local environment; and  
 
d) the open end of lines under construction shall be temporarily capped at the end of each workday if a 
line is accessible to wildlife.  
9.4.2  Inspection and testing  
 
The following inspection a nd testing steps shall be taken before initiating construction:  
 
a) during construction, qualified personnel shall perform appropriate inspections to ensure that design 
specifications are met;  
 
b) upon completion, equipment and facilities shall be inspected for possible leaks. If necessary, equipment 
shall be pressure tested in accordance with applicable codes. If fluids are used to pressure test, they shall 
be collected and disposed of; in accordance with   applicable standards in Zanzibar; and  
 
c) X-raying of welds  shall be considered in critical areas where extreme pressure or corrosiveness is 
anticipated or where potential risk to the local environment is of great concern.  
9.4.3   Qualification of personnel  
 
The qualifications of personnel working on the construction sit e shall be evaluated to aid in ensuring that the 
work shall properly be performed.  
 
9.4.4   Selection of contractors  
 
Consideration shall be given to requiring contractors to have performance bonds should be considered when 
facilities are to be constructed in env ironmentally sensitive areas.  
9.4.5   Equipment installation  
 
All equipment shall be installed in accordance with the original design of the equipment. Any variations from 
the original specifications shall be evaluated thoroughly to e nsure safety of the operation s. 
9.4.6  As-built drawings  
 
Upon completion of facilities, the original drawings or schematics shall be updated, as required. Changes or 
modifications from the original design or drawings shall  be noted for future reference.  
9.4.7  Site clean -up 
 
Unused and excess cons truction materials shall be properly stored or removed from the site upon completion. 
During construction, the site shall be kept as clean and free of debris as possible. Where feasible,   unused 
material shall be removed from the construction site as it is  determined to be surplus. Where applicable, 
construction waste shall be recycled in accordance with  ZNS 383 . 
 
9.4.8  Interim reclamation  
 
Interim reclamation shall consist of minimizing the footprint of disturbance by reclaiming to the extent possible 
that all p ortions of the site are not required for production operations. The portions of the cleared site not 
needed for operational and safety purposes shall be re -contoured to a final or intermediate contour that blends 
with the surrounding topography as much as possible. Sufficient level area shall remain for the set -up of work 
over or production stimulation and to park necessary equipment. Where practical, the operator shall spread 
topsoil over the entire location and re -vegetate as closely as possible to the pr oduction facilities unless an all - 
 
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 weather, surfaced access route or turnaround is needed to inspect or operate the well or to complete work 
over or stimulation operations.  
 
It may be necessary to drive, park and operate on restored, interim vegetation with in the previously disturbed 
area provided damage is repaired and reclaimed following use:  
 
a) to reduce final reclamation costs and effort;  
 
b) to maintain healthy, biologically active topsoil; and  
 
c) to minimize habitat, visual resource, and forage loss during th e life of a well -salvaged topsoil shall be 
spread over the areas of interim rec lamation rather than stockpiled.  
 
Where the topography is flat and it is therefore unnecessary to re -contour the well location at the time of final 
reclamation, the operator sha ll set aside sufficient topsoil for reclamation of the small unreclaimed area around 
the wellhead. Any topsoil pile set aside shall be revegetated to prevent it from eroding and to help maintain its 
biological viability. On sloped ground, during final recl amation the topsoil and interim vegetation shall be 
restriped from portions of the site that are not at the original contour, the well pad recontoured, and the topsoil 
respread over the entire disturbed site to ensure successful revegetation.  
9.5  Operation an d maintenance  
9.5.1  Operational procedures  
9.5.1.1  Development of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) manual applicable to each major facility shall 
be considered. The SOP shall contain information as to the equipment located at the facility, safe -operating 
practices f or the equipment, start -up and shutdown procedures, and emergency procedures.  
 
9.5.1.2  Analysis of failures or malfunctions shall be done so that corrective action can be taken to minimize 
future environmental incidents.  
9.5.2   Personnel training  
 
Personnel shall be tra ined in the safe and efficient use of facility equipment.  
9.5.3   Equipment inspection  
 
Routine inspections shall be carried out on all equipment operating in corrosive environments. All safety 
equipment shall be tested on a routine basis to ensure proper operati on. 
 
9.5.4   Corrosion monitoring and treatment  
 
Corrossiveness of  the produced fluids shall be Regularly  m onitor ed and corrosion abatement program shall 
be carried out. This is especially important in populated or environmentally sensitive areas. Operating 
procedures shall provide for early identification of potential corrosion problems in failure -prone equipment.  
9.5.5  Housekeeping  
9.5.5.1  The facilities shall be kept clean, maintained, and operated in a safe and environmentally sound 
manner.  
 
9.5.5.2   Facilities shall be fenced in  a manner to prevent access to the facility by the general public, livestock, 
or wildlife, where appropriate.  
9.5.5.3  Signs shall be posted in conspicuous locations to notify employees and the public of any dangerous 
situations such as, flammable conditions, high voltage, and hydrogen sulfide.  
 
NOTE 1: State or local regulations may specify certain posting requirements.  
  
 
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 9.5.5.4   Emergency phone numbers shall be posted at the entrance to the facility, if located near a populated 
area.  
 
9.5.5.5  Weeds shall be controlled to a degree  compatible with the local environment by cutting, mowing, or 
spraying to improve appearance and reduce the fire hazard. When herbicides are used to control weeds, the 
chemicals shall be properly applied by trained personnel.  
 
9.5.5.6  All equipment shall be painte d and/or kept clean to present an acceptable appearance and to provide 
protection from external corrosion.  
9.5.5.7  Waste receptacles shall be provided at appropriate locations for collecting discarded paper, rag and 
any other waste and emptied on a regular basis.  
 
 
 
 
9.6 Waste and residual management  
 
9.6.1   General  
 
Waste and residual management practices for production operations shall be conducted consistent with lease 
and landowner  obligations. This shall include:  
 
a) solid wastes and residuals such as:  
 
i) tank bottoms; and  
 
ii) drilling fluids and cuttings.  
 
b) liquid wastes and residuals, such as: and  
 
i) produced water; and  
 
ii) used oil.  
 
c) gaseous wastes, such as:  
 
i) hydrocarbons; and  
 
ii) carbon dioxide.  
 
NOTE  1: A sound waste management plan is important to protect human health and the envi ronment and 
minimize long -term liabilities to the operator.  
 
A waste or residual management plan shall utilize one or all of the options listed in 9.6.2 to 9.6.5 in order of 
preference, to protect human health and the environment:  
9.6.2  Source reduction  
 
Source reduction involves decreasing the volume or toxicity of wastes or other residuals that are generated. 
Product substitution is an example of source reduction. Production and workover chemicals shall be evaluated 
to determine if less toxic substitutes are av ailable that meet the performance and economic criteria of the 
operator.  
 
Reviewing common -sense housekeeping practices can be effective in reducing waste or other residual 
generation. Installing drip pans, as an example, on valves and fittings allows the collection of leaked oil before 
it contacts the soil and becomes a waste.  
  
 
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 9.6.3   Recycling and reclaiming  
 
After all reduction options are considered, recycling or reclaiming the residual material shall be evaluated. 
Examples of recycling and reclaiming are rec overing waste oil, hydraulic oil, and oily sump water by 
reintroduction into the oil stream or transportation to a refinery. Drums, batteries, and scrap metal can be sold 
or returned to the vendor, where possible. Tank bottoms and sludges can be sold to re claimers, where 
feasible.  
 
9.6.4  Treatment  
 
Following reduction and recycling efforts, treatment of waste shall be considered to minimize the waste volume 
and the toxicity of the waste. Filtration, centrifugation, evaporation, and flocculation are examples of re duction 
techniques that reduce the volume of the actual waste that must be disposed. The toxicity of certain wastes 
can be reduced by chemical treatment, thermal treatment, and biodegradation before disposal.  
 
 
9.6.5  Disposal  
 
The final option for management of a waste, after source reduction, recycling, and treatment options have 
been considered and incorporated, is disposal. The operator shall take into consideration the long -term fate of 
the waste and its constituents before disposal. Considerations that shall  be evaluated when choosing either an 
on-site or an off -site commercial disposal method are as follows:  
 
a) general site review of the topographical and geologic features;  
 
b) groundwater review to determine the presence of groundwater and aquifers;  
 
c) area weathe r patterns to estimate rainfall and flooding potential;  
 
d) general soil conditions;  
 
e) natural drainage areas;  
 
f) identification of environmentally sensitive conditions; and  
 
g) air quality.  
 
 These criteria will help determine a waste disposal option that protects  human health and the environment and limits 
future liability for the operator. Examples of waste disposal options that shall be considered are:  
 
a) land spreading;  
 
b) road spreading;  
 
c) on-site burial;  
 
d) on-site pits;  
 
e) annular injection;  
 
f) underground injection we lls; 
 
g) regulated and permitted discharge of fluid;  
 
h) incineration; and  
 
i) off-site commercial facility.  
 
The operator shall maintain adequate documentation of waste management activities. Development of a long -
term records retention policy shall be considered in accordance with zns 383 . 
  
 
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 9.7  Spill prevention, response, and clean -up 
 
9.7.1   General  
 
Accidental spills (including oil and saltwater) can, besides potentially damaging the environment, create 
difficult operational, legal, and public relations problems. It is v ery important to conduct operations in a manner 
that minimizes the potential for unauthorized spills. Spill prevention, response, and clean -up procedures shall 
be defined and in place before storing any oil or chemicals on site or conducting activities tha t have a potential 
for a spill. The operator shall implement operating practices to minimize waste volumes and impacts on the 
environment.  
 
9.7.2  Prevention  
 
The best way to avoid adverse effects of spills is to prevent their occurrence. The key factors in spill  incident 
prevention are adequately trained supervisors and field operating personnel. The following basic steps shall be 
taken to prevent accidental spills.  
 
a) the facility design shall be reviewed to determine where the potential for spills exists. Informa tion on 
prior spill incidents should be included in the review to assess areas where changes in equipment or 
practices may be needed. Using the results of the review, the following shall be considered, as appropriate:  
 
i) modification of existing facilities o r installation of new equipment or instrumentation, as needed, to 
reduce the possibility of spills, commensurate with the risk involved. Consideration should be given to 
the use of alarms, automatic shutdown equipment, or fail -safe equipment to prevent, co ntrol, or 
minimize potential spills resulting from equipment failure or human error;  
 
ii) maintenance and/or corrosion abatement programs to provide for continued adequacy of all 
equipment;  
 
iii) routinely scheduled tests and inspections of lines, vessels, dump val ves, hoses, and other pollution 
prevention equipment where failure(s) and/or malfunction(s) could result in a potential spill incident. 
These tests and inspections shall be commensurate with the complexity, conditions, and circumstances 
of the facility;  
 
iv) operating procedures that minimize potential spills. These operating procedures shall be clearly 
written and available to all operating personnel; and  
 
v) examination of field drainage patterns and construction of oil traps in drainage ditches at strategic 
points to contain spilled oil before it reaches streams or water basins.  
 
b) training programs shall be developed on spill prevention fundamentals and presented to operating 
personnel as often as necessary to keep them well versed on spill prevention practices; and 
 
c) contingency and shutdown plans shall be developed for coping with hurricanes and other disasters 
(both natural and manmade) so as to minimize the potential for oil spills or incidents causing pollution or 
other environmental damage.  
9.7.3   Mitigation  
 
Some other associated steps that shall be taken to reduce the potential for oil spills are:  
 
a) “dead” piping and temporary connections shall be removed when they are no longer required;  
 
b) piping subject to vibration shall be braced to reduce movement and resulting  fatigue failures;  
 
c) tanks shall be checked for uneven settlement of the foundation, corrosion, and leaks;  
 
d) pressure relief valves shall be installed for liquid lines, which, if left full, could potentially rupture from 
liquid expansion due to heat; and  
 
e) sleeve -type line couplings shall not be used when there is a chance of line movement.   
 
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©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     33 
 9.7.4   Spill contingency plan  
 
In the event a spill occurs, it is extremely important for all responsible operating personnel to know how to 
respond quickly and effectively to co ntrol, contain, and clean up the spill. To ensure this capacity exists, a 
contingency plan shall be prepared for inland areas as well as for areas near water. The plan shall provide 
utilization of capabilities of oil spill co -operatives, whenever advantage ous. 
 
The spill plan shall address the needs to advise the public about significant releases. The plan shall include 
procedures to advise government officials and provide appropriate information and access to the press.  
9.7.5  Control and containment  
 
In the even t a spill occurs, the source of the spill shall be stopped, or reduced as much as possible, in a safe 
manner. The spread of the spilled substance shall be controlled or contained in the smallest possible area to 
minimize the adverse effects. Some methods w hich can be used to control and contain discharged 
substances, particularly oil, include:  
 
a) retaining walls or dikes around tanks and other spill prone equipment;  
 
b) secondary catchment basins designed to prevent the spread of oil if it escapes the primary wa ll or dike;  
 
c) permanent booms in water basins adjoining the facility;  
 
d) temporary booms deployed in the water after the spill occurs; and  
 
e) use of special chemicals to jell or biodegrade the oil to prevent the spread of oil spilled into or on water.  
 
Operator s shall evaluate the potential for spills and damages and use this information to determine the type 
and size of primary and secondary containment necessary.  
 
The type and footage of containment boom installed or stored for deployment shall vary with the t ype, size, 
and location of the facility and spill potential. This information shall be developed for each main area or facility 
and be stated in the facility contingency plan. In addition, the contingency plan shall list where emergency 
equipment is locate d. 
. 
The contingency plan shall state the type(s) of chemicals that shall be used effectively and list sources and 
procedures for applying these chemicals. Spill response drills/simulations shall be considered, with regulatory 
agency and contractor personn el participating.  
 
9.7.6   Clean -up 
 
Clean -up procedures shall be developed and included in the facility contingency plan. Up -to-date lists of 
effective clean -up materials and equipment and a list of potential contractors who can supply needed 
assistance shall al so be included and maintained in the contingency plan.  
 
Depending on the spill potential at each area, a stock of appropriate cleanup materials sufficient to handle 
small spills shall be maintained on hand at all times. The amount of cleanup material will depend on the time 
required to obtain more material if the size of the spill should increase.  
 
The following suggested clean -up practices should be considered:  
 
a) using clean -up materials and equipment on hand, immediate action should be taken to clean up an y 
spilled oil or other substance. Depending on the substance spilled, personnel performing and supervising 
clean -up operations may require specific training;  
 
b) advance planning and arrangements should include availability and ready access to vacuum trucks a nd 
to similar pickup equipment to recover the spilled material;  
 
c) necessary approvals should be obtained before disposal of spill clean -up materials;  
 
d) advance arrangements should be made for rights of ingress and egress to public and private property 
that m ay be affected by a spill or the ensuing clean -up operation;  
 
e) land owners should also be notified of spills and kept informed of spill clean -up progress; and   
 
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34 ©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     
  
f) plans, procedures, and programs should be improved and updated by analysing previous spill incide nts. 
 
Prevention, control and containment, and clean -up procedures shall be revised accordingly to make them 
more effective for future responses.  
 
9.8 Environmental assessment before purchase or sale of existing fields and leases  
 
Before the purchase or sale o f an existing field, consideration shall be given to documenting the environmental 
condition of the groundwater contamination. An operating company shall be required to reduce its exposure to 
significant future liabilities.  
 
Documentation of audits, assess ments, and operating practices is important to identify potential problem 
areas. Care shall be taken to document actions taken to correct deficiencies identified by audits.  
 
 
9.9  Closure and abandonment of facilities  
9.9.1  Purging and flushing of equipment before r emoval  
 
All equipment such as tankage, separation vessels, meter runs, flow lines, and pumps shall be purged and/or 
flushed, as appropriate. Whenever possible, materials recovered shall be recycled, reclaimed, or disposed in 
accordance with  ZNS 383 .  
9.9.2  Equi pment removal  
 
The following equipment removal issues shall be considered:   
 
a) tanks, separation vessels, meter runs, surface lines, pumps, and any other exposed surface 
equipment shall be removed. Removal of the associated equipment foundations shall be con sidered;  
 
b) exposed piping segments from surface or subsurface equipment connecting to buried lines shall be 
removed to a depth consistent with subsequent land use or, preferably, to the depth of buried lines. where 
feasible or where desired to limit potenti al future liabilities, consideration shall be given to removing buried 
lines;  
 
c) where appropriate, each outlet of any abandoned lines shall be permanently sealed.  
 
d) operators shall consider removing all crossing markers and other line markers; and  
 
e) where app ropriate, the location of abandoned lines shall be identified on facility maps.  
9.9.3   Pit Closure  
 
All pits and surface impoundments shall be properly closed after they are dry and free of waste; then they shall 
be backfilled and graded to conform to the surrou nding terrain. Closure must also be in accordance with any 
local and/or state regulations. The location of closed pits shall be documented. Materials removed from pits 
shall be reclaimed, recycled or disposed in accordance with Oil and gas waste management  regulation and 
other applicable standards in Zanzibar.  
9.9.4   Land reclamation and restoration  
 
Upon completion of abandonment activities, all disturbed surface areas shall be cleaned up and restored to 
conditions similar to the adjacent land. Documenting the p resence or absence of surface, subsurface, or timely 
completion of final reclamation shall be important during the initial planning. Incomplete or improperly executed 
final reclamation can result in the complete loss of a low -impact project opportunity. Re clamation shall be 
significantly more difficult, more expensive, and less effective if sufficient topsoil is not salvaged, if interim 
reclamation is not completed, and if proper care is not taken to construct pads and roads in locations that 
minimize recla mation costs.  
 
Revegetation shall not constitute successful reclamation, but restoration of the original landform as a key 
element in ensuring that the effects of oil and gas development are not permanent.  
  
 
PCD 341:2022  
 
©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     35 
 To achieve final reclamation of a recently drille d dry hole, the well site shall be recontoured to original contour 
or to a contour that blends with the surrounding landform, stockpiled topsoil redistrib uted, and the site 
revegetated. To achieve final reclamation of a formerly producing well, all topsoil  and vegetation shall be 
restriped from all portions of the old well site that were not previously reshaped to blend with the contour of the 
surrounding landform. All disturbed areas shall be recontoured back to the original contour or a contour that 
blend s with the surrounding landform, topsoil is redistributed, and the site re -vegetated, using native plant 
species or agency approved seed mixes that are acceptable to the landowner or trustee.  
 
In re-contouring areas that have been surfaced with gravel or s imilar materials, the material shall be removed 
from the well location or buried deep in the re -contoured cut to prevent possible surface exposure.  
 
Infrastructure, including water impoundments, power lines, metering buildings, compression facilities and t ank 
batteries shall be removed and the footprints or lands disturbed by these facilities and associated foundations 
reclaimed unless the surface owner requests that items such as impoundments or water wells be kept.  
 
Salvaged topsoil shall be re -spread eve nly over the surfaces to be re -vegetated. The top -soiled site shall be 
prepared to provide a seedbed for re -establishment of desirable vegetation. Site preparation may include 
gouging, scarifying, dozer track -walking, mulching, fertilizing, seeding and pla nting. In reclamation of sites that 
are not cultivated for agriculture or grazing, seeding and planting shall use plant species indigenous to the 
area.  
 
Water breaks and terracing shall only be installed when absolutely necessary to prevent erosion of fill  material 
and shall be removed when the site is successfully re -vegetated and stabilized.   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
PCD 341:2022  
 
36 ©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     
 Annex A   
(informative)   
Good neighbour guidelines  
 
A.1  General  
 
The oil and natural gas industry is dedicated to responsible development of oil  and natural gas resources. 
Responsible development includes good relationships with our neighbors and a commitment to environmental 
protection and compliance with all applicable state and local regulations.  
 
To be a “good neighbor” in the areas where indu stry operates, we have three objectives:  
 
a) protection of public safety;  
 
b) protection of the environment; and  
 
c) respect for the property rights of others.  
 
These objectives are achieved through use of sound management processes as part of the responsibility to  act 
as a “good neighbor.” As our industry pursues responsible development of energy resources to meet the 
nation’s energy needs, we should strive for better communication and understanding with the land owners, 
leasees, permittees and/or residents (“land owner or surface users”) impacted by our operations.  
 
A.2 Good neighbor practices  
 
A.2.1   Listen to the land owner or surface user concerns and respond appropriately:  
 
a) respect rights -of-way; 
 
b) take precautions to protect livestock;  
 
c) take precautions not to harm wildl ife with our operations;  
 
d) drive safely;  
 
e) report damages to public or private property to the appropriate parties;  
 
f) maintain production equipment and systems; and  
 
g) train personnel on the rules and regulations applicable to our operations.  
 
A.2.2  Communicate with land owners and surface users:  
 
a) be willing to discuss with the land owner or surface user of industry property user rights (including 
mineral rights) and surface user rights;  
 
b)  designate a company contact person who is responsible for responding to communi ty questions;  
 
c) listen to and discuss the concerns of the land owner or surface user affected by our operations; and  
 
d) attempt to notify the landowner or surface user when commencing significant activity that will impact  
their land.  
 
 
A.2.3  Respect the property an d the rights of others:  
 
a) minimize surface disturbances;  
 
b) take precautions to protect livestock with appropriate measures;   
 
PCD 341:2022  
 
©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     37 
  
c) practice good housekeeping;  
 
d) remediate and restore the site in a timely manner in compliance with applicable regulations; and  
 
e) drive responsibly on public and private roads.  
 
 
A.2.4  Promote safety of the general public:  
 
a) train personnel in safe operating practices;  
 
b) conduct emergency planning where applicable; and  
 
c) post signage and warnings in accordance with regulations.  
 
A.2.5   Protect the envir onment:  
  
a) train personnel on environmental protection in compliance with applicable regulations;  
 
b) maintain equipment and utilize good work practices;  
 
c) seek to understand the land owner, and surface user concerns a nd possible questions regarding;  and 
 
i. groun dwater aquifers and surface water,  
 
ii. air quality,  
 
iii. wildlife and livestock protection,  
 
iv. housekeeping,  
 
v. noise,  
 
vi. surface disturbance; and  
 
vii. noxious weeds and brush;  
 
d) follow regulations for waste management and environmental protection.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
PCD 341:2022  
 
38 ©ZBS 2022 - All rights reserved     
 Bibliogr aphy  
 
[1] API Bulletin E2, Bulletin on Management of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) in Oil 
and Gas Production  
 
[2] API Bulletin E3, Environmental Guidance Document: Well Abandonment and Inactive Well Practices 
for U.S. Exploration and Production Operations  
 
[3] API Bulletin 11K, Data Sheet for the Design of Air Exchange Coolers  
 
[4] API Bulletin 75L, Guidance Document for the Development of a Safety and Environmental 
Management System for Onshore Oil and Natural Gas Production Operations and Associated Ac tivities  
 
[5] API Environmental Guidance Document: Onshore Solid Waste Management in Exploration and 
Production Operations  
 
[6] API, Guidelines for Commercial Exploration and Production Waste Management Facilities  
 
[7] API Publication 4663, Remediation of Salt -Affecte d Soils at Oil and Gas Production Facilities  
 
[8] API Recommended Practice 7C -11F, Recommended Practice for Installation, Maintenance, and 
Operation of Internal -Combustion Engines  
 
[9] API Recommended Practice 11ER, Recommended Practice for Guarding of Pumping Uni ts 
 
[10] API Recommended Practice 12N, Recommended Practice for the Operation, Maintenance and [16] 
Testing of Firebox Flame Arresters  
 
[11] API Recommended Practice 12R1, Recommended Practice for Setting, Maintenance, Inspection, 
[]Operation, and Repair of Tanks in  Production Service  
 
[12] API Recommended Practice 49, Recommended Practice for Drilling and Well Servicing Operations 
Involving Hydrogen Sulfide  
 
[13] API Recommended Practice 53, Recommended Practices for Blowout Prevention Equipment Systems 
for Drilling Wells  
 
[14] API Recommended Practice 55, Recommended Practices for Oil and Gas Producing and Gas 
Processing Plant Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide  
 
[15] API Recommended Practice 2350, Overfill Protection for Storage Tanks in Petroleum Facilities  
 
[16 ]API Specification 7B-11C, Specification for Internal -Combustion Reciprocating Engines for Oil -Field 
Service  
 
[17] API Specification 11N, Specification for Lease Automatic Custody Transfer (LACT) Equipment  
 
[18] API Specification 12B, Specification for Bolted Tanks for Storage of Prod uction Liquids  
 
[19] API Specification 12D, Specification for Field Welded Tanks for Storage of Production Liquids  
 
[20] API Specification 12F, Specification for Shop Welded Tanks for Storage of Production Liquids  
 
[21] API Specification 12J, Specification for Oil and Ga s Separators API Specification 12K, Specification for   
Indirect Type Oilfield Heaters  
 
[22] API Specification 12L, Specification for Vertical and Horizontal Emulsion Treaters  
 
[23] API Specification 12P, Specification for Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Tanks  
 
[24] NACE RP  0475 1, Selection of Metallic Materials to be used in All Phases of Water Handling for Injection 
into Oil -Bearing Formations NACE Standard MR 0175, Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries —Materials for 
Use in H2S -containing Environments in Oil and Gas Produc tion—Parts 1, 2 and 3