PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT DRAFT UGANDA STANDARD  
  DUS 1585 
First Edition  
2017-mm-dd 
 
 
 Reference number  
DUS 1585: 2017 
© UNBS 2017  
  
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - ONSHORE OIL AND GAS 
PRODUCTION OPERATIONS  –  REQUIREMENTS  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585: 2017 
ii © UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  
 Compliance with this standard does not; of itself confer immunity from legal obligations  
A Uganda Standard does not purport to include all necessary provision s of a contract. Users are 
responsible for its correct application  
© UNBS 20 13  
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilised in any 
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including phot ocopying and microfilm, without prior written 
permission from UNBS.  
Requests for permission to reproduce this document should be addressed to  
The Executive Director  
Uganda National Bureau of Standards  
P.O. Box 6329  
Kampala  
Uganda  
Tel: 256 41 4 505 995  
Fax: 256 41 4 286 123  
E-mail: unbs@infocom.co.ug  
Web: www.unbs.go.ug  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585: 2017 
iv © UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  
 Fore word  
Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a parastatal under the Ministry of Trade , Industry and 
Cooperatives established under Cap 327 , of the Laws of Uganda.  UNBS is mandated to co -ordinate the 
elaboration of standards and is  
(a) a member of Inter national Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and  
(b) a contact point for the WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission on Food Standards, and  
(c) the National Enquiry Point on TBT/SPS Agreements of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).  
The work of preparing Uganda Standards is carried out through Technical Committees. A Technical Committee 
is established to deliberate on standards in a given field or area and consists of representatives of consumers, 
traders, academicians, manufacturers, government and other stakeho lders.  
Draft Uganda Standards adopted by the Technical Committee are widely circulated to stakeholders and the 
general public for comments. The committee reviews the comments before recommending the draft standards 
for approval and declaration as Uganda St andards by the National Standards Council.  
Committee membership  
The following organisations were represented on the Management Systems’  Standards Technical Committee, 
UNBS/TC 16/SC3, during the development of this standard:  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585:2017 
© UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  v 
 Introduction  
 
  
 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTPUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585: 2017 
vii  
 Environmental protection for onshore oil and gas  production 
operations – code of practice  
 
1 Scope  
This Draft Uganda Standard  provides requirements for environmentally sound practices for onshore oil 
and gas production operations  and is applicable to con tractors , service providers  as well as operators. 
Facilities within the scope of th e Draft Uganda 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; however, gas processing for liquids recovery is not addressed.  
 
2 Normative references  
There are no references available.  
3 Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this standard, the following ter ms and definitions shall apply.  
3.1 Abandoned well  
A well that is no longer in use, whether dry, inoperable, or no longer productive, having exposed  
permeable zones, fluids and pressures isolated from surface and from lower pressured zones. An  
abandoned w ell may be permanently of temporarily abandoned.  
3.2 ALARP  
“As low as reasonably practicable”  
To reduce a risk to a level which is as low as reasonably practicable involves balancing reduction in  risk 
against the time, trouble, difficulty and cost of achie ving it. This level represents the point,  objectively 
assessed, at which the time, trouble, difficulty and cost of further reduction measures  become 
unreasonably disproportionate to the additional risk reduction obtained.  
3.3 BAT 
“Best Available Technique/ Best Available Technology”  
BAT is defined as the latest stage of development (state of the art) of processes, of facilities or of  
methods of operation which indicate the practical suitability of a particular measure for limiting  
discharges, emissions and w aste. Available techniques shall be compared based on their  
environmental performance over the entire life cycle, on the financial implications of each technique  
and on their technical applicability to the project. The BAT selection process shall be docume nted 
through a BAT assessment report.  
3.4 BEP 
“Best Environmental Practice”  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585: 2017 
viii © UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  
 BEP is defined as the application of the most appropriate combination of environmental control  
measures and strategies. For activities likely to have significant impacts on the env ironment,  
environmental practices shall be compared and the best option should be selected. The BEP selection  
process shall be documented through a BEP assessment report.  
3.5 BLP “Best Logistics Practice ” 
BLP is defined as the application of the most appro priate combination of logistics control measures  and 
strategies. The BLP selection process shall be documented through a BLP assessment report.  
3.6 Blowout  
An uncontrolled flow of reservoir fluids into the wellbore, su rrounding rock / soil or to the surfac e. 
3.7 Disposal well /Injection well  
A well used to inject fluids into an underground formation either for enhanced recovery or disposal.  
3.8 Gathering line / flowline  
In-field pipeline upstream of the processing plant/modules.  
3.9 Groundwater  
Subsurface fr eshwater (potable water) aquifers and any other legally protected/protectable  subsurface 
water resources.  
3.10 Hydraulic fracturing  
The process of injecting fracturing fluids into the target formation at a force exceeding the parting  
pressure of the rock t hus inducing fractures through which oil or natural gas can flow to the wellbore.  
3.11 Hydraulic fracturing fluid  
A water or oil based fluid that typically contains a mixture of proppant (often sand) and additives  used to 
hydraulically induce cracks in the  target formation.  
3.12 Invasive species  
Any species, including its seeds, eggs, spores, or other biological material capable of propagating  that 
species, that is not native to the ecosystem.  
3.13 Naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM)  
Low-level, radioactive material that naturally exists in native materials.  
Perforations  
The 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 res ervoir to the  inside of 
the casing, through which oil or gas is produced.  
3.14 Permeability  
A 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 micro scopic pores) but have low  permeability 
if the pores are not interconnected. Permeability may also exist or be enhanced through  fractures that 
connect the pores.  
3.15 Play 
A set of oil or gas accumulations sharing similar geologic and geographic properties , such as source  
rock, hydrocarbon type, and migration pathways.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585:2017 
© UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  ix 
 3.16 Produced water  
Any of the many types of water produced from oil and gas wells.  
3.17 Propping agents/proppant  
Silica sand or other particles pumped into a formation during a hydraulic fra cturing operation to keep  
fractures open and maintain permeability.  
3.18 Restoration  
Rehabilitation of a disturbed area to make it acceptable for designated uses. This normally involves  re-
gardening, replacement of topsoil, re -vegetation, and other work ne cessary to restore the area.  
3.19 Reservoir  
A subsurface hydrocarbon bearing formation.  
4. General requirements  
4.1 Before drilling or construction, and, in some instances, before modification of onshore oil and gas 
production facilities, it shall be neces sary to obtain approvals from one or more government agencies. 
In addition to drilling and building permits, permits may be required because of air emissions, 
discharges to surface waters or sewer systems, injection activities, storm water  discharges (incl uding 
during construction activities), impacts to threatened or endangered species or their critical habitat, 
impacts to wetlands and other environmental impacts, or impacts to other cultural resources. Operators 
should ensure that all necessary permits ha ve been obtained before commencing operations. 
Operators should ensure that operations are conducted in accordance with legal and regulatory  
requirements before production operations . 
5.  Surface Owners and Users  
5.1. The footprint of drilling and product ion 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  to be familiar with land u se 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 or minimize impact s 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 unavoidable.  
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 surface uses.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585: 2017 
x © UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  
 6 Roads 
Roads are 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 standards, transportation and development needs, and safety 
and environmental objectives. When build ing new roadways, they shall be developed in an 
environme ntally acceptable manner consistent with landowner recommendations.  
6.1 Planning  
6.1.1 Road alignment and right -of-way selection is a multidisciplinary process. Goals of the planning 
effort shall include affected resource values and safety, and avoidance  of haphazard or unnecessary 
development of roads and associated utility corridors. The total infrastructure to be developed shall be 
considered during the selection process. Government agencies, landowners, tenants, and other users 
may need to be consulte d during the planning process.  
6.1.2 Standards shall be established for the road based on its short -term and long -term function 
considering geography, traffic density, and load expectations.  
6.1.3 Alternative alignments shall be developed considering 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 ma terials for road construction;  
f) Air, water, and noise pollution;  
g) Wetlands  and wetland drainage; consistency with community character and local government 
needs and plans )  
h) Proximity  to dwellings or other permanent structures occupied or used by the public ;  
i) Visual  sensitivity;  
j) Power  lines and pipelines;  
k) Other  geotechnical factors, particularly in areas of complex terrain, such as landslide areas, sub 
grade  conditions indicating a need for surfacing, potential cut slope problems, and subsurface or 
surface  water problem areas.  
6.1.4 Road alignments and potential environmental impacts shall be reviewed. Routes and alignment 
shall be selected to minimize erosion. Environmentally significant areas shall be identified and avoided 
to the maximum extent practica l, including:  
a) Sensitive  wildlife and critical habitats;  
b) Areas  with endangered and threatened animals and plants;  
c) Cultural  and historical sites;  
d) Federal , state, or local areas of concern;  
e) Areas  with the potential for flooding or snow dri fting;  
f) Wetlands .  
6.1.5 When required, mitigation strategies should be developed in the planning process, including:  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585:2017 
© UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  xi 
 a) road operation schedules and/or use of special designs to minimize any adverse impacts in areas 
with sensitive wildlife and fish ha bitats, wetlands, existing facilities, crops;  
b) Plans  to take appropriate action on cultural and historic resources before changes are made;  
c) Maintenance  of existing traffic patterns on highways and local access roads.  
6.1.6 Interim reclamation plans  and final restoration plans should be developed and incorporated into 
the planning process.  
6.1.7 Storm water and air (dust) permit requirements shall be considered during the planning phase of 
the roadway.  
6.2 Design and Construction  
6.2.1 The design a nd construction of a road shall be site -specific. Each road will have its own unique 
terrain, safety, operation, and maintenance requirements. Each area within a route will support a 
distinct ecology. When site conditions are appropriate, where suitable fo r the types of drilling or 
production operations anticipated, and where compatible with safety and operational concerns, 
primitive roads may be considered for use as a means to reduce resource impacts.  
6.2.2 Design and construction documents, including pl ans and drawings, 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.  
6.2.3 Construction work shall be scheduled and the use of special designs and local construction 
practices should be considered to minimize or avoid undesirable effects on sensitive wildlife and fish 
habitats, wetlands, and designated reserves , or local recrea tional areas. Seasonal restrictions such as 
potential flooding, and wildlife migration should be considered.  
6.2.4 The operator shall confirm that the construction contractor has implemented an environmental 
and safety program, including the training of c onstruction personnel. This program shall include, where 
applicable, written procedures for a hazard communication program, hazardous material handling, spill 
reporting, emergency response, storm water  management, special environmental requirements within 
the project area, and 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 ar eas.  
6.2.5 The operator should hold a preconstruction meeting with the contractor(s) to establish 
environmental and safety responsibilities along with desired objectives of the project.  
6.2.6 Field inspections and lab analysis of soil samples shall be us ed 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 
drainage,  and stabilizing slopes decreases surface disturbance and reduces erosion and 
sedimentation.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585: 2017 
xii © UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  
 6.2.7 Means and methods for erosion control are numerous and often site -specific. Re -vegetation with 
local species, rip -rap, gabions, woven jute, and energy dissipaters  are effective measures that shall be 
used to reduce erosion.  
6.2.8 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 min imize the utilization of 
road bed and surface materials.  
6.2.9 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 drai nage 
system that is inadequate or blocked will result in excessive erosion, failures, and higher maintenance 
costs.  
6.2.10 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 should be 
considered for the design and construction of the crossings.  
6.2.11 Clearing widths should be kept to a minimum. These limits shall be delineated and marked in the 
field. Sensitive areas or features should be marked or fenced as required.  
6.2.12 Where practical, topsoil should be salvaged and stockpiled in a safe and accessible location and 
be protected from erosion. The stockpiled material shall be utilized for re -vegetation and reclamation 
purposes.  
6.2.13 Re-vegetation shall be done with local plants, seeds, and grasses species. Means and methods 
will be dependent upon seasonal consideration s, the 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 may be required on other public lands. Pit layout an d restoration 
should be planned before opening of the pit.  
6.2.15 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 an d 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,  
e) Maintaini ng a buffer of undisturbed vegetation between borrow pits and highways or other sites.  
6.2.16 Warning signs should be provided to comply with local requirements. The signs may include 
road crossings, animal crossings, speed limit, road hazards, pipelines,  etc.  
6.2.17 Existing pipelines and other subsurface facilities should be identified before construction. These 
facilities should be protected to prevent accidental damage during the construction and operation of the 
road.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585:2017 
© UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  xiii 
 6.2.18 Measures shall be taken to ensure proper and adequate procedures for waste disposal, general 
housekeeping. An effective emergency response plan should be in place before initiating construction. 
The plan may simply be a listing of telephone numbers to call shall a utility or prod uct line be damaged. 
Many times, the existing emergency response plan for the field area may be adequate. Construction 
personnel should be familiar with these plans.  
6.2.19 Construction activities shall be carried out as described in the construction docu ments, including 
plans and specifications.  
6.2.20 Construction supervision shall be provided throughout operations. Many potential problems 
associated with incorrect interpretation of construction documents, spills, waste disposal, poaching, and 
hunting c an be avoided through proper supervision.  
6.3 Primitive or Non  constructed Roads and Routes  
6.3.1 Where site conditions are appropriate, and where approved by surface management agency, the 
establishment and use of “primitive,” two -track roads or overlan d route corridors shall be appropriate for 
an operator’s needs and to facilitate later reclamation of the site. Primitive roads and route corridors 
may serve as appropriate access to exploration drilling locations where it is not certain if the well will b e 
productive, or to producing wells where vehicle traffic 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 d uring the project, the road should be evaluated for 
upgrades.  
6.3.2 The appropriateness of primitive roads and routes is both site -specific and use -specific and is 
typically based on many factors, such as anticipated dry or wet soil conditions, seasonal w eather 
conditions, flat terrain, low anticipated traffic, service company’s/driller’s/operator’s access needs.  
6.3.3 Primitive roads or routes necessitate low vehicle speeds and are typically limited to four -wheel 
drive or high -clearance vehicles. They shall consist of existing 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 
combination along the route. Operators shall not flat -blade roads. Drainage must be maintained, where 
appropriate, to avoid erosion or the creation of a muddy, braided course of vehicular travel.  
6.3.4 Primitive or two -track roads and routes shall be used and established in a safe and 
environmentally responsible manner and are not intended for use as all -weather access roads. 
Resource damage must be repaired as soon as possible and the operator shall consult with the surface 
management agency to d etermine 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 have the 
advantage of reducing construction, maintenance and reclamation costs and reducin g resource 
impacts.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585: 2017 
xiv © UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  
 6.3.5 Approval of a surface resource agency is generally required for use of non  constructed roads on 
other than privately owned lands.  
6.4  Maintenance  
6.4.1 Proper road maintenance is 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.  
6.4.2 Maintenance work shall be scheduled and the use of special designs and maintenance programs 
should be conside red to minimize undesirable effects on sensitive wildlife and fish habitats, wetlands, 
and designated federal, state, or local recreational areas.  
6.4.3 When performing scraping and leveling operations, care shall be exercised to avoid disrupting 
ditches and shoulders, and creating undesirable berms with the bladed material.  
6.4.4 Ditches, culverts, and drains shall be regularly cleaned of debris and sediment to allow the free 
passage of water. Periodic inspections of all culverts should be conducted. Cul verts found to be 
blocked should be cleared.  
6.4.5 Borrow and surface materials shall be readily accessible to be utilized during maintenance 
operations. Pits opened during construction should be used as a source for maintenance material, 
where feasible.  
6.4.6 The use of dust control materials or measures shall be evaluated before their utilization. The 
materials shall not be detrimental to health, vegetation, wildlife, or water quality.  
6.4.7 Cutting back weed and hedge growth is essential for road safe ty. This maintenance operation 
should be done with light equipment. Critical review shall occur before herbicides or other chemicals 
used for weed control are applied.  
6.4.8 There should be continuous monitoring of drainage and erosion control structures.  They shall be 
maintained and revised, as required, to provide for the intended function.  
6.4.9 Erosion shall be prevented and controlled. Areas should be revegetated, and slopes and soils 
should be stabilized.  
6.4.10 There shall be an environmental emer gency response plan ready to be placed in action during 
construction and maintenance operations. The plan should include emergency procedures to be 
followed in the event major drainage ways are blocked, fail, or do not perform as required during or 
immedia tely after major storm events.  
6.5  Reclamation and Abandonment  
6.5.1 Abandonment procedures shall comply with regulatory requirements, contractual obligations, and 
legal requirements. Consideration shall be given to cost -effective measures that will min imize 
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 should be re -contoured, PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585:2017 
© UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  xv 
 covered with topsoil and re -vegetated to restore habitat, forage and scenic resources, and to reduce 
soil erosion.  
6.5.2 Abandonment procedures shall include the following considerations:  
a) Restoration ;  
b) Abandonment  in place;  
c) Restoration  of original or improved drainage;  
d) Agreement  on maintenance requirements, if any, after discontinued use, to be reached between the 
operator and new user;  
e) Agency  approval requirements.  
6.5.3 Restoration pl ans should be prepared in detail and should consider methods such as:  
a) Priority  of stabilization and re -vegetation of disturbed areas,  
b) Use of native plant species,  
c) Stockpiling  soils where reclamation would be enhanced,  
d) Use of agency approved  designs and seed mixes.  
7 Producing, Injection/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 should incorporate the latest 
guidelines for  waste management, pit location and construction, handling of water discharges, and 
waste disposal. The location and size of new pits and pads for completion and work over  equipment 
should be selected so as to minimize disruption of the surface resources a nd retain the potential for 
reclamation of the site. for environmental aspects of reserve pit construction, operation and closure.  
For an existing well site, the planning process is just as important to provide for safe and 
environmentally acceptable comp letion and work over  operations. Existing facilities, such as pits and 
production equipment, shall be reviewed and assessed to determine whether the facility is suitable in its 
present condition for the intended well operations or if modifications are requ ired. For both new and 
existing well sites, a waste management plan for handling and storing all waste materials generated 
during completion and work over  activities should be developed. for information on how to develop such 
a plan. The waste management p lan shall address the specific wastes which are expected to be 
produced by the particular operations being performed, as well as provide guidelines concerning the 
actions to be taken in the event that unexpected waste materials, including hazardous materia ls, are 
encountered during the operations. In addition to safe handling and storage of waste materials on the 
well site, provisions should also be made for each type of waste to be disposed of. for planning and 
conducting operations involving hydrogen sulf ide.  
Since much of the work on producing and injection wells is performed by contract or service company 
personnel, the operating company should confirm that the contractor’s personnel have appropriate 
safety training, including hazard communication train ing, and are aware of requirements of the site -PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585: 2017 
xvi © UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  
 specific waste management plan. Consideration shall also be given to requiring performance bonds, if 
appropriate. The operator should also confirm that the contractor’s personnel 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 should be installed in a manner so  as to utilize the smallest 
practical area for prudent operations. Equipment should be maintained to present an acceptable 
appearance.  
7.1.3 Producing Wells  
Producing wells shall be completed so production zones and drinking waters zones are isolated and  
cannot be contaminated by other formations. The well shall be cased and cemented properly to provide 
this protection.  
7.1.4 Injection/Disposal Wells  
Injection/disposal wells shall be completed so the injected fluids enter the desired formations and do 
not enter other formations or drinking water zones. Typical injections are completed with three levels of 
protection for drinking water formations:  
a) surface casing and cement,  
b) long string casing and cement, and  
c) tubing and packer.  
Also, the area around th e injection shall be reviewed to see of any wells (active, inactive or abandoned) 
were drilled through the injection/disposal zone. If wells were drilled close to the injection/disposal well 
that penetrated the injection/disposal formation and those wells did not isolate those zones, the injected 
fluids 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 and existing wells, the known a nd 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 clean and contaminated flui d.  
For both new and existing well sites, all fuels, treatment chemicals, completion brines, and other similar 
liquids should be properly stored in labeled containers intended for that purpose. Containment shall be 
constructed so spilled fuels or chemicals  do not reach the ground. Wherever practical, tanks or existing PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585:2017 
© UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  xvii 
 drilling pits should be used for completion and work over  operations. Completion brines and other 
potential pollutants should be kept in lined pits, steel pits, or storage tanks. If a new eart hen 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 the use of tanks or lined p its to protect soil and groundwater, especially for 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 should  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 con stituents 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 should be restored to a condition 
compatible with the uses of the adjacent land area. Any pit retained should be of minimum size 
commensurate with well operations.  
7.1.7 Storm water  Runoff  
Natural drainage patterns of the area shall be considered in the location o f 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 oil or other 
fluids into the loc al 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, req uire a water  discharge permit and submittal of a water  pollution 
plan to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) . Contamination includes water that 
comes into contact with any overburden, raw materials, or waste products on the site.  
Construc tion designs shall include installation of erosion and sedimentation control systems. Site 
construction should be inspected routinely and after each significant storm event. Any repairs to the 
control systems shall be completed promptly. During the drillin g and completion phases, all raw 
materials should be stored in a manner to prevent contaminating 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.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585: 2017 
xviii © UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  
 Training exercises or drills should 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. Conside ration 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, and other solids shall be 
captured and classified, then  reused, recycled, or disposed. Hazardous waste should be segregated in 
order to prevent contamination of nonhazardous materials.  
7.2 Well Operations  
7.2.1 Equipment Operation and Maintenance  
All well -producing equipment shall be kept neat, clean, paint ed 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 painted different colors to enhance 
visibility.  
Safet y 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, and reusable containers shall be considered in order to  reduce the number of 
containers that must be maintained and disposed. All reusable containers should 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 should be kept clean, dry, and guarded to prevent accidental falls. Well cellars shall be 
filled if they may fill with sour gas and present a safety hazard to peop le.  
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.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585:2017 
© UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  xix 
 Equipment operating in known corrosive conditions should 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 carbon dioxide content, pressure , water cut, or any other parameter, the metallurgy 
of the well equipment should be reassessed to assure its suitability for the new conditions.  
7.2.3 Leak Detection  
All equipment should be inspected on a routine basis for signs of leakage, with correcti ve action taken, 
as needed, to assure the equipment continues to operate in a safe and environmentally acceptable 
manner.  
All injection and disposal wells equipped with tubing and packed should periodically monitor the tubing 
casing annulus pressure to te st the integrity of the tubing and packer. If a well is not completed with a 
packer, then other methods should be used, such as tracer logs or temperature logs to ensure the 
fluids injected are properly controlled and are going into the proper injection/di sposal 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 should be frequent.  
7.2.4 Inspection and Certification  
Equipment should 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  
Venting and flaring should be restricted to a safe locatio n. Where possible, the flare or vent should be 
located downwind considering the prevailing wind direction at the well location. When possible, all gas 
resources of value should be captured and used. If not possible, then this gas should be flared.  
7.3.2 F lare Pits  
Flare pits, sometimes called blow down  or emergency pits, should 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 should be removed daily, or as quickly as practical.  
Siting and construction of flare pits should minimize the risk of surface and groundwater contamination. 
The size of the flare pit should be proportionate to the volume of liquid effluent th at might be expelled 
from the gas flare. Use of a knockout vessel should 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 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585: 2017 
xx © UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  
 resources, as well as the flare/vent exit design should be considered, where applicable. Other 
nuisances, such as light emittance from a lighted flare, odors, and dust, should b e controlled as 
considered appropriate for the location.  
7.4 Plugging and Abandonment  
7.4.1 General  
Permanent abandonment is done when the wellbore has no further utility and is permanently sealed 
against fluid migration. Temporary abandonment operation s may be performed when a wellbore has 
future utility, such as for EOR projects, and must be maintained in a condition where routine work over  
operations can restore a wellbore to service. The same environmental concerns exist in both cases.  
7.4.2 Subsurf ace  
7.4.2.1 General  
Several environmental concerns related to well abandonment should be addressed. The primary 
environmental concerns are protection of freshwater aquifers and USDW, as well as isolation of down 
hole formations containing hydrocarbons or  used for injection. Additional issues, which should be 
evaluated, are the protection of surface soils and surface waters, future land use, and permanent 
documentation of abandoned wellbore locations and conditions.  
7.4.2.2 Plugging Purpose  
The purpose o f plugging wells is to prevent interzonal migration of fluids; the 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 well 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;  
b) Contaminated  water can enter the abandoned wellbore a t 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 me thods 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 into 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 wat er entry into an abandoned well is a 
concern because the water may contain contaminants from agricultural, industrial, or municipal PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585:2017 
© UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  xxi 
 activities. Operators  may set a cement plug at the base of the lowermost freshwater aquifer or USDW 
during plugging and aban donment operations applicable to the well.  
NOTE The cement 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, many state and federal regulatory agencies require 
cement plugs across the base of the surface casing and in, or between, each producing and potential 
producing zone.  
7.4.2.3 Fluid Confinement  
It is essential that all formations bearing usable quality water, oil, gas, or geothermal resou rces be 
protected and/or isolated. The prevention of gas or fluid migration to other zones or to the surface is of 
primary importance. Open -hole plugs, casing plugs, or cement squeezed through casing perforations 
will isolate the target formations in most cases. However, special procedures, such as perforating 
casing and circulating cement, may be necessary to isolate that potential production or injection 
formations existing behind uncemented casing. It is important to prevent interzonal flow in an 
abandon ed well 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 may include cutting off the surface casing below ground 
level, restoring the surface to conditions near those that existed prior to the well being drilled, and 
marking the surface of the wellbore by installing an upright marker. The operator should restore the well 
site consistent with the criteria for NEMA on sol id waste management in exploration and production 
operations . However, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)  should be consulted before 
beginning well site remediation.  
7.4.3.2 Cleanup and Remediation  
Assuming the operator  elects not to use th e well as a freshwater source, the operator should set the 
required surface plugs; remove the wellhead; weld a steel plate on the surface casing stub, if required; 
fill in the well cellar, rat hole and mouse hole; and level the area. Casing strings left in  the well should 
be cut off 3 ft to 6 ft below ground level, or deeper if required by the landowner.  
Pits should be emptied and reclaimed to a condition similar to the rest of the reclaimed pad area. Pits 
should 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 
should be considered and fluid reclaimed, recycled, or properly disposed of according to fluid typ e.  
Open burning can be used in some areas to dispose of nonhazardous, hydrocarbon -containing wastes 
that are unsuitable for recycling. Burning should be restricted to materials such as oily sorbents and PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585: 2017 
xxii © UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  
 paraffin and should be conducted only with approval of state or local air pollution regulatory agencies. 
Burning should be conducted during daytime hours and with due regard to wind direction and velocity. 
The results should not cause a nuisance that could result in black smoke or particulates.  
Off-site co mmercial facilities should be used for other nonhazardous and hazardous waste disposal. 
The off -site facilities should be permitted and care should be taken with site selection. Refer to  
regulations for solid waste management .  
7.4.3.3 Soil Erosion  
Distur bed 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 restore d. A vertical steel monument may 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 g athering and system lines  
8.1 Intro duction  
In planning operator  gathering and system lines, including electrical distribution systems, it is important 
to consider the impact that construction operations and maintenance activities will have on people, 
animals, plants, and the land itself, b oth surface and shallow subsurface. The impact on current use, as 
well as possible future uses, should be evaluated along with potential future facilities expansion. 
Because pipelines can be buried, and the surface reclaimed, long -term surface disturbance associated 
with pipelines can be avoided. The placement of pipelines should avoid steep hillsides and 
watercourses where feasible. Also, where feasible, pipeline routes should take advantage of road 
corridors to minimize surface disturbance. Also, when cle aring is necessary, the width disturbed should 
be kept to a minimum and topsoil material should 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 can significantly accelerate successful re -vegetation.  
8.2 Route Selection  
8.2.1 The following environmental factors should be considered in planning operator gathering and 
system lines : 
a) Proximity to lakes, streams (including dry washes an d ephemeral streams), wetlands, drainage and 
irrigation ditches, canals, flood plains, and shallow water wells. These features should be evaluated in 
terms of disturbances during construction and routine operations, and in the event of accidental 
releases.   PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585:2017 
© UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  xxiii 
 b) Depth to, and quality of, groundwater. The potential impact to groundwater, particularly from any 
releases from buried lines should be considered.  
c) Removal of trees, disturbances to dikes, levees, and terraces, and destruction of growing crops. 
These impacts should 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 noise and dust.  
e) Proximity to build ings or other facilities occupied or used by the public. Particular consideration 
should be given to homes, churches, schools, and hospitals.  
f) Impact on cultivated lands.  
g) Areas of special historical, archeological, recreational, biological, or sceni c significance.  
h) Land ownership.  
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 disposal requirements an d overall economics, 
should consider the following:  
 
a) foreseeable uses of surfaces areas by either the landowner or tenant;  
b) possible exposure to future construction and excavation work;  
c) topography, when it is an important factor in:  
 line design ,  right -of-way maintenance, possible land erosion,  
 emergency response and containment of releases;  
 location of existing rights -of-way;  
 Location  of existing roads.  
8.3 Design  
8.3.1 In design of lease gathering and system lines, appropriate industry co des should be followed.  
8.3.2 Lease gathering and system line design should 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) Natu re and quantity of product throughput, initially and as production matures, including the potential 
for EOR processes.  
d) Impacts on existing facilities.  
e) Consequences of possible line failure. Release of oil, water, or gas should be qualitatively eval uated. 
Consideration should 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. Cons ideration should also be given to sleeving lines or using 
heavier walled pipe in these areas.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585: 2017 
xxiv © UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  
 The qualitative evaluation should consider the following:  
 public impact,  
 environmental impact (including potential natural resource damage assessment liability ),  
 damage to crops and domesticated animals,  
 cleanup costs,  
 Political  or regulatory impacts.  
f) Corrosion inhibition measures (external and internal). All equipment should be manufactured from 
materials which are suitable for their operating environmen t. NACE MR 0175 should be consulted for 
further guidance, as applicable.  
g) Burial to optimum depth 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, etc.  
j) Noise abatement (where appropriate).  
k) Miscellaneous variable factors including operating pressures, temperature changes, line expansion, 
and desired safety factors.  
l) If electrical distribution l ines are to be installed in areas where raptors are likely to use them as 
perches, consideration should 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 li nes.  
8.4 Construction and Installation  
8.4.1 Lease line routes and applicable rights -of-way should utilize the smallest practical surface area, 
consistent with prudent operations.  
8.4.2 Unnecessary damage to trees and other vegetation adjoining lease li ne routes should be avoided.  
8.4.3 If contractors are used to install lines, the operator should verify that the contractor has 
implemented a safety program that includes a written hazard communication program. The contractor 
should supply MSDSs for all h azardous materials brought on site.  
8.4.4 Appropriate inspections should be performed during construction to ensure design specifications 
are met.  
8.4.5 Upon completion, lines should be inspected and pressure tested for possible leaks in accordance 
with state and local codes. Pressure test fluids should be collected and disposed. Refer to for 
recommendations for disposal of these test fluids.  
8.4.6 After installation of a new line, all lease line routes and rights -of-way should 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 should be in accordance with the.  
8.4.7 Line routes and burial depth should be adequately documented to aid in preventing ruptures 
and/or accidental leaks during future excavation activities. Crossings should be marked.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585:2017 
© UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  xxv 
 8.5 Operation and Maintenance  
8.5.1 All applicable personnel (both company and contractor) should receive training to provide for 
proper operation and maint enance of the lines. This training should include start -up and shutdown 
procedures, normal operating procedures, and emergency response procedures, in the event of a leak 
or spill of a hazardous substance.  
8.5.2 Line routes and facilities should be inspec ted at intervals dictated by evaluation of exposures 
and/or failures.  
8.5.3 Appropriate steps should be taken to prevent surface and environmental damage from the use of 
hot oil, chemicals, and other treatments that are used to maintain lease gathering an d system lines.  
8.5.4 Proper maintenance practices should be exercised with respect to crossing markers, blowdown 
tanks, venting equipment, and corrosion protection equipment. Blowdown fluids should be collected 
and placed in the production system to reco ver hydrocarbons. Waste materials should be recycled, 
reclaimed, or disposed.  
8.5.5 Pressure tests, profile surveys, and other means should be considered to meet operating safety 
requirements.  
8.5.6 Operating procedures should provide for early identific ation 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 should be considered to aid in scheduling 
line replace ments.  
8.5.7 Appropriate industry codes should be followed with respect to maintenance of records, repairs, 
reporting of leaks, etc.  
8.5.8 Whenever modifications are made to existing lines or there are significant changes in physical 
parameters (temperat ure, pressure, composition, etc.), the changes should be considered for 
evaluation pursuant to management of change principles. Where appropriate, facility drawings should 
be updated to show modifications and the superseded drawings should be destroyed.  
8.6 Abandonment of Gathering and System Lines  
8.6.1 All surface lines should be removed. Lines should be purged before removal.  
8.6.2 Surface and subsurface equipment connected to buried lines should be removed to a depth 
consistent with subsequent land u se or, preferably, to the depth of the buried lines.  
8.6.3 Harmful or hazardous materials should be displaced from any lines abandoned in place.  
8.6.4 Where appropriate, each outlet of abandoned lines should be permanently sealed.  
8.6.5 All crossing mar kers and other line markers should be removed.  
8.6.6 The location of abandoned lines should be identified on facility maps.  
8.6.7 Upon completion of abandonment activities, all disturbed surface areas should be cleaned up and 
restored to conditions simil ar to the adjacent lands.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585: 2017 
xxvi © UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  
 8.6.8 Dispose of all waste per API Environmental Guidance Document: Onshore Solid Waste 
Management in Exploration and Production Operations .  
9 Production and Water Handling Facilities  
9.1 Requirement Determination (Preplanning Considerations)  
The overall basis for siting, designing, constructing, and operating oil, gas, and water production, 
handling, and disposal/injection facilities should be to minimize adverse effects on the environment, 
consistent with providing an economi cal 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 p lant 
species, including habitat, should be considered.  
Water handling facilities are typically located adjacent to, or within, production facilities. Initial planning 
for these facilities within a field should consider future development potential in orde r to minimize 
surface disturbance. When practical and economic, central field locations should be considered to 
avoid the use of multiple facilities. Facility sizing should consider future throughput increases to 
minimize the need for additional tankage an d treating vessels.  
Production and water handling facilities should 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, speci al care should be taken to minimize the possibility of environmental damage 
due to equipment upsets, spills, and leaks.  
Baseline conditions and past land -use in the area should be documented. At a minimum, drinking water 
supplies should be identified and sampled before any development. Water usage should be determined 
during the planning phase so that water rights can be secured and disposal options evaluated and 
selected.  
9.2 Site Selection Considerations  
9.2.1 Land Use  
Topographic, population, environ mental hazard, zoning, and other maps should be consulted, 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), migratory bird habitat, wetlands, archeological, recreational, 
biological, or scenic areas]. Where feasible, the site should be located away from these sensitive areas. 
The potential impact from upset conditions, such as oil or produced water spills and leaks, should be 
considered.  
Final well patterns should be considered, if possible, to minimize right -of-way requirements for roads 
and lease lines. Existing roads and rights -of-way should be utilized t o the maximum extent possible.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585:2017 
© UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  xxvii 
 The land owner and/or surface tenant should be consulted to consider present and future uses of 
affected and adjacent land.  
Production and water handling facilities should be planned to utilize the smallest practical surfac e area 
consistent with safe and prudent operations. Future expansion possibilities should be considered.  
On federal or state administered lands, appropriate agencies should be consulted in advance with 
respect to land use and environmental issues.  
9.2.2 Erosion and Drainage  
A site should be selected that minimizes the amount of surface terrain alteration to reduce 
environmental and aesthetic damages. Cuts and fills which pose possible landslide or slump problems 
should be avoided. Consideration should be  given to stock piling topsoil, if feasible.  
The natural drainage patterns of the land should be considered in selecting the site. Adequate culverts 
and drainage ditches should be provided, as required by the terrain. Soil stabilization, such as sod or 
grass seeding, should be provided to prevent erosion. Unnecessary removal of trees or alteration of 
other natural features should be avoided.  
9.2.3 Water Resources  
The proper management of water resources during the development and operations phases of oil  and 
gas production is directly 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 
degradation caused by vehicular traffic and the oc currence 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 channel morphology in nearby streams, or cause d amage to access roads. The release of 
produced water typically can be controlled to prevent surface disturbances by utilizing management 
practices appropriate to the location or circumstances. Depending on the region, local geology and 
water quality, produ ced water may be used to support livestock/wildlife watering or for use in irrigation 
systems. Where it is allowed by regulatory authorities, the water can also be discharged into 
appropriate water systems or reinjected into suitable reservoirs.  
9.2.4 Sub surface Soil Conditions  
Subsurface soil conditions should be considered for adequate foundation support of buildings, pumps, 
engines, tankage, and equipment used in the construction process.  
Soil characteristics should be evaluated for construction of di kes, firewalls, and emergency containment 
areas. Lining of containment areas with compacted clay or synthetic liners should be considered where 
porous soil conditions exist or groundwater could be impacted.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585: 2017 
xxviii  © UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  
 Soil corrosiveness or resistivity should be eval uated to determine whether coating or wrapping of lease 
lines will be necessary to prevent or control corrosion. Cathodic protection should be considered for 
highly corrosive conditions or sensitive areas.  
9.2.5 Fire Protection  
Production and water handl ing facilities should not be located where the equipment will create a 
potential fire hazard. As applicable, proper fire safety equipment should be stored nearby.  
9.2.6 Public Exposure  
In noise control planning, production and water handling facilities s hould be located as far as practical 
from buildings or facilities occupied or used by the public.  
Facilities should be located to minimize risk of public exposure from potential hazardous material 
releases, considering prevailing winds and topographic ele vations to the maximum extent practicable.  
9.3 Facility Design  
9.3.1 Equipment Sizing, Specifications, and Design  
Consideration should be given to the following items in designing and constructing production facilities.  
a) Production -related equipment should be sized and designed to provide appropriate safety and utility. 
Future development and exploration plans should be considered when sizing equipment. Where 
appropriate, the facilities should be sized to handle current and future production to minimi ze retrofitting 
and improper use of equipment. Equipment should be designed with appropriate spill control devices, 
such as high -/low-level indicators or high -/low-pressure indicators, to improve safety and protection of 
the environment.  
b) The anticipate d time the equipment is expected to remain active should be considered. Proper 
design and installation can minimize future equipment failures and downtime.  
c) Equipment and foundations should be designed and installed giving consideration to adverse natur al 
conditions common to the area, such as floods, excessive snow and rain, earthquakes, tornadoes, 
hurricanes, and dust storms.  
d) Equipment installations should comply with industry standards. Air pollution control facilities should 
be installed whenever  practical, economical, and technically feasible. Flaring vs venting should be 
evaluated based on gas volume and composition, safety, economics, and local environmental impact.  
e) Pressure requirements for vessels, lines, and other equipment should be con sidered. Any variance 
from the manufacturer’s recommended rates or pressures should be evaluated thoroughly. Refer to API 
12J for information on sizing and designing lease pressure vessels.  
f) The following items should be considered in installing fired l ease vessels.  
1) Consideration should be given to surrounding facilities when selecting the placement of fired lease 
vessels.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585:2017 
© UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  xxix 
 2) Manufacturer’s recommendations should be followed. Any variances from these recommendations 
should be evaluated thoroughly.  
3) Fired lease vessels should not be located immediately adjacent to oil, gas, or any other flammable or 
explosive storage facilities. Facilities should have a grade established so that releases of flammable 
fluid drain away from fired equipment.  
NOTE  Some states have minimum distance requirements between fired vessels and storage facilities.  
4) Vessels should be well maintained and free of unnecessary debris or flammable products.  
5) Fencing or some form of guarding should be considered to protect the p ublic, livestock, and wildlife.  
6) Refer to API 12K and API 12L for some information on selecting and designing fired lease vessels.  
7) Consideration should be given to air permitting requirements for fired lease vessels.  
g) The following items should b e considered in installing bulk storage and loading facilities.  
 
1) Adequate fire/retaining walls or other containment measures should be provided around tanks, 
where necessary to comply with regulatory requirements, in order to contain accidental dischar ges and 
prevent environmental damage. No open pipes should extend from within the firewalls which might 
allow contaminated fluids to be drained or siphoned from inside the containment area.  
2) Installation of impervious foundations or liners under storage  tanks should be considered to allow 
detection and containment of fluid releases.  
3) Installation of high -level alarms and/or monitors should be considered on tankage.  
4) Installation of drip pans or other containment should be considered at truck or bar ge 
loading/unloading hose connections to contain any spillage.  
5) Emission permits should be obtained based on the highest anticipated production rates and 
equipment specifications before installation of the facilities or commingling well production to ce ntral 
facilities.  
6) The following API recommended practices and specifications should be considered in designing 
storage and loading facilities:  
 
i) API 11N,  
 
ii) API 12B,  
 
iii) API 12D,  
 
iv) API 12F,  
 
v) API 12N,  
 
vi) API 12P.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585: 2017 
xxx © UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  
  
h) The following i tems should be considered in installing internal combustion (IC) engines and 
compressor facilities.  
 
1) Consideration should be given to minimizing noise disturbance. IC engines and compressor facilities 
should be located as far as practical from areas ac cessible to the general population. If feasible, 
alternate types of prime movers, such as electric motors, should be considered.  
 
2) The emissions generated by the engine(s) exhaust should be of concern. Appropriate lead -time for 
permitting should be allo wed, as it may require from six (6) months to one (1) year to permit 
compressor facilities. All required construction and emissions permits must be obtained before 
construction, modification, or relocation of an engine is initiated. The type of fuel should  be selected to 
minimize pollutants. Electric power should be considered, where feasible.  
 
3) Consideration should be given to installing drip pans or placing engines and compressors 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 should 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.  
 
4) Pi ping for the relief valves of compressors should be of adequate size and piped to an appropriate 
vent or flare.  
 
5) Placing fences, guard walls, or buildings around all engines and compressors should be considered 
for the protection of the public and any livestock or wildlife.  
 
6) The following API standards and publications should be considered when installing and maintaining 
IC engines and compressor facilities:  
 
i) API 7B -11C,  
 
ii) API 7C -11F,  
 
iii) API 11K.  
 
i) The following items should be consid ered in planning, installing, and using pits, firewalls, and dikes.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585:2017 
© UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  xxxi 
  
1) Whenever practical, tanks should be used instead of pits.  
 
2) Existing pits should be minimized and alternate means considered, where feasible. Pits should only 
be used for the purpo se they were intended. Personnel should be advised on the specific use of the pit 
and what substances are allowed in the pit.  
 
3) During the design and construction of pits and firewalls, necessary precautions should be taken to 
protect ground and surface  water, crops, trees, livestock, and wildlife.  
 
4) Pits should be designed and constructed to have sufficient freeboard, or provide adequate reserve 
capacity, to prevent overflow under maximum anticipated operating requirements and precipitation.  
 
5) Pit s should be fenced or otherwise equipped, as necessary, for public safety and to protect livestock 
and wildlife.  
 
6) Netting of pits should be considered to protect migratory birds from exposure to the pit contents if 
there is a potential for the pit to h ave an oily surface or to contain potentially harmful substances.  
 
7) Burn pits should be located where prevailing winds will reduce fire hazards and smoke nuisance.  
 
8) Storage vessels for liquid hydrocarbons, saltwater, chemicals, or other fluids that are not acceptable 
to be discharged into the local environment should have dikes constructed around their perimeters.  
 
9) Dikes and firewalls should be constructed of material to prevent the release of fluids to the local 
environment during an accidental or emergency discharge from their original containment.  
 
10) Consideration should be given to designing dikes and firewalls with 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 should be equipped with 
valves/blinds that are normally closed and locked.  
 
j) The following items should be considered in using utilities at production sites:  
 
1) exi sting utilities should be considered in the design of production and water handling facilities;  
 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585: 2017 
xxxii © UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  
 2) if electricity is available, the use of electric motors/prime movers should be considered to minimize 
air emissions and noise;  
 
3) storage facilities shou ld not be located under or near major electrical transmission lines;  
 
4) all electricity, potable water, sewage, and municipal gas lines should installed in accordance with any 
applicable codes or regulations.  
 
k) The following items should be considered  in designing and installing flares/vents at production sites.  
 
1) Flares/vents utilized in production facilities should be located downwind (with respect to prevailing 
wind direction) from the installation and at a proper safe distance from the related e quipment.  
 
2) The surrounding environment should be considered when designing flares. The flare should be 
located far enough from trees and other vegetation to ensure they will not be ignited during times of 
maximum flare and strong winds. Installation of  liquid scrubbers should be considered.  
 
3) Flares and vents, assuming vent ignition, should be of sufficient height to protect workers and the 
public during maximum flaring/venting and strong winds.  
 
4) Fencing around flares should be considered to prot ect the public, livestock, and wildlife.  
 
5) Installation of automatic igniters, rather than standing pilots, should be considered, where feasible, to 
conserve natural gas and reduce emissions.  
 
6) Flares should be of a smokeless design, if possible.  
 
7) Consideration should be given to design features which will prevent raptors or other birds from 
perching on flares.  
 
l) Safety systems for protecting the environment should be considered as follows.  
 
1) Installation of safety equipment and systems shou ld be considered, i.e. emergency shutdown (ESD) 
systems which have the ability to shut wells in, shut down compressors or other engines, or divert 
production during malfunctions or accidental releases. Where appropriate, alarm systems should be 
installed t o notify the public or company officials of equipment failure or accidental releases. Equipment PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585:2017 
© UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  xxxiii  
 for fire protection should be installed and maintained, such as, fire extinguishers, spray nozzles, fire 
pumps, water storage, and automatic extinguishers.  
 
2) API 2350 should be considered in the design of safety systems.  
 
m) Corrosion abatement procedures should be considered as follows.  
 
1) The corrosiveness of the anticipated gas or fluid should be considered during the design and 
selection of the equipmen t.  
 
2) Where corrosion problems are anticipated, a corrosion abatement program should be established to 
minimize the potential for leaks.  
 
3) Soil corrosiveness or resistivity should be evaluated for necessity of coating or wrapping of lines to 
be buried . In some cases, cathodic protection may be necessary.  
 
n) Special consideration should be given to reducing air emissions associated with production and 
water handling facilities. The following items should be considered during design and construction of  
these facilities:  
 
1) vapor recovery units and flares;  
 
2) catalytic converters on fired equipment exhaust;  
 
3) minimization of benzene, hydrogen sulfide, and other hazardous emissions from tanks, glycol 
reboilers, and other equipment;  
 
4) minimizatio n of operational gas vents, leaks, and discharges from pneumatic controls and other 
equipment;  
 
5) electric powered prime movers;  
 
6) valves installed on dead end piping should be capped, plugged, or sealed by a blind flange.  
9.3.2 Equipment Location  
a) Production and water handling facilities should 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 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585: 2017 
xxxiv  © UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  
 should be appropriately separated from oil and ga s storage facilities. Topographic and other maps 
should be consulted to determine if operational problems would affect the local environment. This could 
include, but is not limited to, the possibilities of oil or water discharges draining into surface wate rs. 
Minimization of damage to vegetation crops, forests, animal habitation, etc. should also be considered. 
Unnecessary removal of trees, excessive grading, or alteration of other natural features should be 
avoided.  
 
b) In populated areas, the location of  equipment should 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 should be located as far as practical from buildings occup ied or used by the 
public.  
 
c) Noise levels of production and water handling facilities should be considered when operating near 
populated areas.  
 
d) Equipment should be located with consideration given to subsurface soil 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.  
 
e) The location of all wells should be considered to minimize rights -of-way requirements for lease roads 
and gathering lines.  
9.3.3 Waste Management  
 
a) Equipment and facilities should be located and designed to minimize the wastes generated by 
operations and maintenance activities.  
 
b) Recyclable products should be used, where possible. Bulk storage, recyclable, and reusable 
containers should be considered to minimize waste.  
 
c) Appropriate methods of collecting and recycling or disposing of waste generated during construction, 
operation, and maintenance of the facility should be considered.  
 
d) Operators should develop waste m anagement plans. Refer to API Environmental Guidance 
Document: Onshore Solid Waste Management in Exploration and Production Operations for additional 
information.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585:2017 
© UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  xxxv 
 9.4 Construction Considerations  
9.4.1 Site Preparation  
The following site preparation step s must be taken before initiating construction:  
 
a) soil characteristics should be checked to determine the appropriate foundation design for the site;  
 
b) the size and type of equipment to be used during construction should be considered to allow 
suffic ient room to work in a safe manner;  
 
c) adequate culverts and drainage ditches should be provided as required by the local environment;  
 
d) the open end of lines under construction should be temporarily capped at the end of each workday if 
a line could b e accessible to wildlife.  
9.4.2 Inspection and Testing  
The following inspection and testing steps must be taken before initiating construction.  
 
a) During construction, qualified personnel to ensure that design specifications are met should perform 
appropriate inspections to ensure that design specifications are met.  
 
b) Upon completion, equipment and facilities should be inspected for possible leaks. If necessary, 
equipment should be pressure tested in accordance with applicable codes. If fluids are us ed to 
pressure test, collect and dispose of the fluids, refer to API Environmental Guidance Document: 
Onshore Solid Waste Management in Exploration and Production Operations for applicable information.  
 
c) X-raying of welds should be considered in critica l 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 site should be evaluated to aid in ensuring 
the work will be properly performed.  
9.4.4 Selection of Contractors  
Consideration should be given to requiring contractors to have performance bonds should be 
considered when facilities are to be constructed in environmentally sensitive a reas.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585: 2017 
xxxvi  © UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  
 9.4.5 Equipment Installation  
All equipment should be installed in accordance with the original design of the equipment. Any 
variations from the original specifications should be evaluated thoroughly to ensure safety of the 
operations. Refer to API 12R1 and API 7C -11F for information regarding equipment installation.  
9.4.6 As -built Drawings  
Upon completion of facilities, the original drawings or schematics should be updated, as required. 
Changes or modifications from the original design or drawings  should be noted for future reference.  
9.4.7 Site Cleanup  
Unused and excess construction materials should be properly stored or removed from the site upon 
completion. During construction, the site should be kept as clean and free of debris as possible. W here 
feasible, unused material should be removed from the construction site as it is determined to be 
surplus. Where applicable, construction waste should be recycled. Refer to API Environmental 
Guidance Document: Onshore Solid Waste Management in Explorat ion and Production Operations for 
additional information regarding management of waste.  
9.4.8 Interim Reclamation  
Interim reclamation consists of minimizing the footprint of disturbance by reclaiming to the extent 
possible all portions of the site not re quired for production operations. The portions of the cleared site 
not needed for operational and safety purposes are recontoured to a final or intermediate contour that 
blends with the surrounding topography as much as possible. Sufficient level area rema ins for the set -
up of workover or production stimulation and to park necessary equipment. Where practical, the 
operator should spread topsoil over the entire location and revegetate as closely as possible to the 
production facilities, unless an all -weather , surfaced access route or turnaround is needed to inspect or 
operate the well or to complete workover or stimulation operations. It may be necessary to drive, park 
and operate on restored, interim vegetation within the previously disturbed area. This is a cceptable 
provided damage is repaired and reclaimed following use. To reduce final reclamation costs and effort, 
to maintain healthy, biologically active topsoil, and to minimize habitat, visual resource, and forage loss 
during the life of a well, salvaged  topsoil should be spread over the areas of interim reclamation rather 
than stockpiled.  
Where the topography is flat and it is, therefore, unnecessary to recontour the well location at the time 
of final reclamation, the operator should set aside sufficien t topsoil for reclamation of the small 
unreclaimed area around the wellhead. Any topsoil pile set aside should be revegetated to prevent it 
from eroding and to help maintain its biological viability. On sloped ground, during final reclamation the 
topsoil a nd interim vegetation must 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.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585:2017 
© UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  xxxvii  
 9.5 Operation and Maintenance  
9.5.1 Operational Procedures  
a) Development of a standard operating procedure (SOP) manual applicable to each major facility 
should be considered. The SOP should contain information as to the equipment located at the facility, 
safe-operating practices for th e equipment, start -up and shutdown procedures, and emergency 
procedures.  
 
b) Consideration should be given to the analysis of failures or malfunctions so that corrective action can 
be taken to minimize future environmental incidents.  
9.5.2 Personnel Trai ning  
Personnel should be trained in the safe and efficient use of facility equipment.  
9.5.3 Equipment Inspection  
Routine inspections should be considered on all equipment operating in corrosive environments. All 
safety equipment should be tested on a ro utine basis to ensure proper operation.  
9.5.4 Corrosion Monitoring and Treatment  
Monitoring should be considered if produced fluids are suspected of being corrosive. If produced fluids 
are determined to be corrosive, a corrosion abatement program should be considered. This is 
especially important in populated or environmentally sensitive areas. Operating procedures should 
provide for early identification of potential corrosion problems in failure -prone equipment. Refer to 
NACE MR 0175.  
9.5.5 Housekeeping   
a) The facilities should be kept clean, maintained, and operated in a safe and environmentally sound 
manner.  
 
b) Facilities should be fenced in a manner to prevent access to the facility by the general public, 
livestock, or wildlife, where appropriate.  
 
c) Signs should be posted in conspicuous locations to notify employees and the public of any 
dangerous situations such as, flammable conditions, high voltage, and hydrogen sulfide. State or local 
regulations may specify certain posting requirements.  
 
d) Emergency phone numbers should be posted at the entrance to the facility, if located near a 
populated area.  
 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585: 2017 
xxxviii  © UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  
 e) Weeds should 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 should be properly applied by trained personnel.  
 
f) All equipment should be painted and/or kept clean to present an acceptable appearance and to 
provide protection from external co rrosion.  
 
g) Waste receptacles should be provided at appropriate locations for collecting discarded paper, rags, 
etc. and emptied on a regular basis.  
9.6 Waste and Residual Management  
9.6.1 General  
Waste and residual management practices for production  operations should be conducted consistent 
with lease and landowner obligations. This should include solid wastes and residuals, such as tank 
bottoms, drilling fluids and cuttings, liquid wastes and residuals, such as produced water and used oil, 
and gaseo us wastes, such as hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide. A sound waste management plan is 
important to protect human health and the environment and minimize long -term liabilities to the 
operator.  
A waste or residual management plan should utilize one or all of  the options listed below, in order of 
preference, to protect human health and the environment.  
 
a) Source Reduction —Minimize or eliminate the volume and/or toxicity of the waste generated.  
 
b) Recycling —Reclaim or reuse the maximum amount of waste possi ble.  
 
c) Treatment —Utilize techniques to minimize the amount and the toxicity of waste after it is generated, 
thereby minimizing the amount that has to be disposed.  
 
d) Disposal —Employ environmentally sound and approved methods to properly dispose of gen erated 
wastes.  
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 
should be evaluat ed to determine if less toxic substitutes are available that meet the performance and 
economic criteria of the operator.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585:2017 
© UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  xxxix  
 Reviewing common -sense housekeeping practices can be effective in reducing waste or other residual 
generation. Installing drip pans, a s an example, on valves and fittings allows the collection of leaked oil 
before it contacts the soil and becomes a waste.  
9.6.3 Recycling and Reclaiming  
After all reduction options are considered, recycling or reclaiming the residual material should be 
evaluated. Examples of recycling and reclaiming are recovering 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, wher e possible. Tank bottoms and sludges can be sold to 
reclaimers, where feasible.  
9.6.4 Treatment  
Following reduction and recycling efforts, treatment of waste should be considered to minimize the 
waste volume and the toxicity of the waste. Filtration, cen trifugation, evaporation, and flocculation are 
examples of reduction techniques that can 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 should take into consideration the 
long-term fate of th e waste and its constituents before disposal. Considerations that should 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) Ground water review to determine the presence of groundwater and aquifers,  
 
c) Area weather patterns to estimate rainfall and flooding potential,  
 
d) General soil conditions,  
 
e) Natural drainage areas,  
 
f) Identification of environmentally sensitive conditio ns,  
 
g) air quality.  
 
9.6.5.1 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 can be 
considered are:  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585: 2017 
xl © UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  
  
a) Land  spreading,  
 
b) Road spreading,  
 
c) On -site burial,  
 
d) On -site pits,  
 
e) Annular injection,  
 
f) Underground injection wells,  
 
g) Regulated and permitted discharge of fluid,  
 
h) Incineration,  
 
i) off-site commercial facility.  
The operator should m aintain adequate documentation of waste management activities. Development 
of a long -term records retention policy should be considered.  
Refer to API Environmental Guidance Document: Onshore Solid Waste Management in Exploration 
and Production Operations and API’s Guidelines for Commercial Exploration and Production Waste 
Management Facilities .  
9.7 Spill Prevention, Response, and Cleanup  
9.7.1 General  
Accidental spills (including oil and saltwater) can, besides potentially damaging the environment, crea te 
difficult operational, legal, and public relations problems. It is very important to conduct operations in a 
manner that minimizes the potential for unauthorized spills. Spill prevention, response, and cleanup 
procedures should be defined and in place b efore storing any oil or chemicals on site or conducting 
activities that have a potential for a spill. Outlined hereunder are some recommended operating 
practices which can be implemented by operators to minimize waste volumes and impacts on the 
environmen t.  
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 can be taken to p revent accidental spills.  
 
a) The facility design should be reviewed to determine where the potential for spills exists. Information 
on prior spill incidents should be included in the review to assess areas where changes in equipment or PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585:2017 
© UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  xli 
 practices may be n eeded. Using the results of the review, the following should be considered, as 
appropriate.  
 
1) Modification of existing facilities or 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, control, or 
minimize potential spills resulting from equipment failure or human error.  
 
2) Maintenance and/or corrosion aba tement programs to provide for continued adequacy of all 
equipment.  
 
3) Routinely scheduled tests and inspections of lines, vessels, dump valves, hoses, and other pollution 
prevention equipment where failure(s) and/or malfunction(s) could result in a pote ntial spill incident. 
These tests and inspections should be commensurate with the complexity, conditions, and 
circumstances of the facility.  
 
4) Operating procedures that minimize potential spills. These operating procedures should be clearly 
written and available to all operating personnel.  
 
5) 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 should be devel oped on spill prevention fundamentals and presented to operating 
personnel as often as necessary to keep them well versed on spill prevention practices.  
 
c) Contingency and shutdown plans should 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 should be taken to reduce the potential for oil spills are:  
 
a) “de ad” piping and temporary connections should be removed when they are no longer required;  
 
b) piping subject to vibration should be braced to reduce movement and resulting fatigue failures;  
 
c) tanks should be checked for uneven settlement of the foundati on, corrosion, and leaks;  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585: 2017 
xlii © UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  
  
d) installation of pressure relief valves should be considered for liquid lines, which, if left full, could 
potentially rupture from liquid expansion due to heat;  
 
e) sleeve -type line couplings should not be used when there is a chance of line movement.  
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 control, contain, and clean up the spill. To ensure t his capacity 
exists, a contingency plan should be prepared for inland areas as well as for areas near water. The 
plans should provide utilization of capabilities of oil spill cooperatives, whenever advantageous.  
Spill plans should address the needs to adv ise the public about significant releases. The plan should 
include procedures to advise government officials and provide appropriate information and access to 
the press.  
9.7.5 Control and Containment  
In the event a spill occurs, the source of the spill s hould be stopped, or reduced as much as possible, in 
a safe manner. The spread of the spilled substance should be controlled or contained in the smallest 
possible area to minimize the adverse effects. Some methods which 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 wall or 
dike,  
 
c) permanent booms in water basins adjoining the facility,  
 
d) temporary booms deployed in the water after the spill occurs,  
 
e) use of special chemicals to jell or biodegrade the oil to prevent the spread of oil spilled into or on 
water.  
Operators should evaluate the pot ential 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 will vary with the type, 
size, and location o f the facility and spill potential. This information should be developed for each main 
area or facility and be stated in the facility contingency plan. In addition, the contingency plan should list 
where emergency equipment is located.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585:2017 
© UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  xliii 
 The contingency pla n should state the type(s) of chemicals that can be used effectively and list sources 
and procedures for applying these chemicals. Spill response drills/simulations should be considered, 
with regulatory agency and contractor personnel participating.  
9.7.6 Cleanup  
Cleanup procedures should be developed and included in the facility contingency plan. Up -to-date lists 
of effective cleanup materials and equipment and a list of potential contractors who can supply needed 
assistance should also be included and m aintained in the contingency plan.  
Depending on the spill potential at each area, a stock of appropriate cleanup materials sufficient to 
handle small spills should 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 cleanup practices should be considered.  
 
a) Using cleanup materials and equipment on hand, immediate action should be taken to clean up any 
spilled oil or other substance. Depending on the substance spilled, personnel performing and 
supervising cleanup operations may require specific training.  
 
b) Advance planning and arrangements should include availability and ready access to vacuum trucks 
and to similar pickup equipment to recover the spilled material.  
 
c) Necessary approvals should be obtained before disposal of spill cleanup materials.  
 
d) Advance arrangements should be made for rights of ingress and egress to public and private 
property that may be a ffected by a spill or the ensuing cleanup operation.  
 
e) Landowners should also be notified of spills and kept informed of spill cleanup progress.  
 
f) Plans, procedures, and programs should be improved and updated by analyzing previous spill 
incidents. P revention, control and containment, and cleanup procedures should 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 of a n existing field or lease, consideration should be given to documenting 
the environmental condition of th groundwater contamination, an operating company may be able to 
reduce its exposure to significant future liabilities. Aerial photographs may be benefi cial during this 
process.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585: 2017 
xliv © UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  
 Documentation of audits, assessments, and operating practices is important to identify potential 
problem areas. Care should be taken to document actions taken to correct deficiencies identified by 
audits.  
9.9 Closure and Abandon ment of Facilities  
9.9.1 Purging and Flushing of Equipment Before Removal  
All equipment such as tankage, separation vessels, meter runs, flow lines, and pumps should be 
purged and flushed, as appropriate. Whenever possible, materials recovered should be recycled, 
reclaimed, or disposed. Refer to API Environmental Guidance Document: Onshore Solid Waste 
Management in Exploration and Production Operations for additional information.  
9.9.2 Equipment Removal  
The following equipment removal issues should be c onsidered.  
 
a) Tanks, separation vessels, meter runs, surface lines, pumps, and any other exposed surface 
equipment should be removed. Removal of the associated equipment foundations should be 
considered.  
 
b) Exposed piping segments from surface or subsu rface equipment connecting to buried lines should 
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 potential future liabilities, consideration should be given t o 
removing buried lines.  
 
c) Where appropriate, each outlet of any abandoned lines should be permanently sealed.  
 
d) Operators should consider removing all crossing markers and other line markers.  
 
e) Where appropriate, the location of abandoned lines s hould be identified on facility maps.  
9.9.3 Pit Closure  
All pits and surface impoundments should be properly closed after they are dry and free of waste; then 
they should be backfilled and graded to conform to the surrounding terrain. Closure must also b e in 
accordance with any local and/or state regulations. The location of closed pits should be documented. 
Materials removed from pits should be reclaimed, recycled or disposed. Refer to API Environmental 
Guidance Document: Onshore Solid Waste Management i n Exploration and Production Operations for 
additional information. Documentation should be kept on disposed materials.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585:2017 
© UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  xlv 
 9.9.4 Land Reclamation and Restoration  
Upon completion of abandonment activities, all disturbed surface areas should be cleaned up and  
restored to conditions similar to the adjacent land or to landowner requirements. at property. By 
documenting the presence or absence of surface, subsurface, or Timely completion of final reclamation 
is as important as the initial planning. Incomplete or improperly executed final reclamation can result in 
the complete loss of a low -impact project opportunity. Reclamation becomes significantly more difficult, 
more expensive, and less effective if sufficient topsoil is not salvaged, interim reclamation is no t 
completed, and if proper care is not taken to construct pads and roads in locations that minimize 
reclamation costs.  
Revegetation alone does not constitute successful reclamation. Restoration of the original landform is a 
key element in ensuring that th e effects of oil and gas development are not permanent.  
To achieve final reclamation of a recently drilled dry hole, the well site should be recontoured to original 
contour or to a contour that blends with the surrounding landform, stockpiled topsoil redi stributed, and 
the site revegetated. To achieve final reclamation of a formerly producing well, all topsoil and vegetation 
must be restriped from all portions of the old well site that were not previously reshaped to blend with 
the contour of the surroundi ng landform. All disturbed areas are then recontoured back to the original 
contour or a contour that blends with the surrounding landform, topsoil is redistributed, and the site 
revegetated, using native plant species or agency approved seed mixes using na tive plant species or 
agency approved seed mixes “that are acceptable to the landowner or trustee.  
In recontouring areas that have been surfaced with gravel or similar materials, the material should be 
removed from the well location or buried deep in the recontoured cut to prevent possible surface 
exposure.  
Infrastructure associated with formerly producing leases, including water impoundments, power lines, 
metering buildings, compression facilities and tank batteries must 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 should be respread evenly over the surfaces to be revegetated. The topsoile d site 
should be prepared to provide a seedbed for reestablishment of desirable vegetation. Site preparation 
may include gouging, scarifying, dozer track -walking, mulching, fertilizing, seeding and planting. In 
reclamation of sites that are not cultivated for agriculture or grazing, seeding and planting should use 
plant species indigenous to the area.  
Water breaks and terracing should only be installed when absolutely necessary to prevent erosion of fill 
material and should be removed when the site is succ essfully revegetated and stabilized.  
Annex A  
Good Neighbor Guidelines  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585: 2017 
xlvi © UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  
 (This annex provides guidance for a company to consider as it manages its relationships with surface 
users, communities and others in areas where it operates.)  
The oil and natural ga s 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 federal, state, and local regulations.  
To be a “good neighbor” in the areas where industry operates, we have three objectives:  
 
— protection of public safety;  
 
— protection of the environment; and  
 
— respect for the property rights of others.  
 
These objectives are achiev ed 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, lessees, permittees and/or residents (“land owner or surface 
users”) impacted by our operations.  
Good Neighbor Practices  
Listen to the land owner or surface user concerns and respond appropriately:  
 
— respect rights -of-way,  
 
— take precautions to protect livestock,  
 
— take precautions not to harm wildlife with our operations,  
 
— drive safely,  
 
— report damages to public or private property to the appropriate parties,  
 
— maintain production equipment and systems, and  
 
— train personnel on the rules and regulations applicable to our operations.  
 
Communicate with land owners and surface users:  
 
— be willing to discuss with the land owner or surface user of industry property use rights (including 
mineral rights) and su rface use rights,  
42 API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 51R  
— designate a company contact person who is responsible for responding to community questions,  
 
— listen to and discuss the concerns of the land owner or surface user affected by our operations, and  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585:2017 
© UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  xlvii 
  
— attempt to notify the landowner or surface user when commencing significant activity that will impact 
their land.  
 
Respect the property and the rights of others:  
 
— minimize surface disturbances,  
 
— take precautions to protect livestock with appropriate  measures,  
 
— practice good housekeeping,  
 
— remediate and restore the site in a timely manner in compliance with applicable regulations, and  
 
— drive responsibly on public and private roads.  
 
Promote safety of the general public:  
 
— train personnel i n safe operating practices,  
 
— conduct emergency planning where applicable, and  
 
— post signage and warnings in accordance with regulations.  
 
Protect the environment:  
 
— train personnel on environmental protection in compliance with applicable regulati ons; and  
 
— maintain equipment and utilize good work practices;  
 
— seek to understand the land owner, and surface user concerns and possible questions regarding:  
 
— groundwater aquifers and surface water,  
 
— air quality,  
 
— wildlife and livestock prot ection,  
 
— housekeeping,  
 
— noise,  
 
— surface disturbance, and  
 
— noxious weeds and brush;  
 
— follow regulations for waste management and environmental protection.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585: 2017 
xlviii © UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  
 Bibliography  
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated 
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced 
document (including any amendments) applies.  
. 
API, API Environmental Guidance Document: Onshore Solid Waste Management in Exploration and 
Production Operations  
API, Guidelines for Commercial Exploration and Production Waste Management Facilities  
API Bulletin E2, Bulletin on Management of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) in Oil 
and Gas Production  
API Bulleti n E3, Environmental Guidance Document: Well Abandonment and Inactive Well Practices for 
U.S. Exploration and Production Operations  
API Specification 7B -11C, Specification for Internal -Combustion Reciprocating Engines for Oil -Field 
Service  
API Recommended  Practice 7C -11F, Recommended Practice for Installation, Maintenance, and 
Operation of Internal -Combustion Engines  
API Recommended Practice 11ER, Recommended Practice for Guarding of Pumping Units  
API Bulletin 11K, Data Sheet for the Design of Air Exchan ge Coolers  
API Specification 11N, Specification for Lease Automatic Custody Transfer (LACT) Equipment  
API Specification 12B, Specification for Bolted Tanks for Storage of Production Liquids API 
Specification 12D, Specification for Field Welded Tanks for S torage of Production Liquids API 
Specification 12F, Specification for Shop Welded Tanks for Storage of Production Liquids API 
Specification 12J, Specification for Oil and Gas Separators API Specification 12K, Specification for 
Indirect Type Oilfield Heater s API Specification 12L, Specification for Vertical and Horizontal Emulsion 
Treaters API Recommended Practice 12N, Recommended Practice for the Operation, Maintenance 
and Testing of Firebox Flame Arresters API Specification 12P, Specification for Fiberglas s Reinforced 
Plastic Tanks API Recommended Practice 12R1, Recommended Practice for Setting, Maintenance, 
Inspection, Operation, and Repair of Tanks in Production Service API Recommended Practice 49, 
Recommended Practice for Drilling and Well Servicing Oper ations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide API 
Recommended Practice 53, Recommended Practices for Blowout Prevention Equipment Systems for 
Drilling Wells API Recommended Practice 55, Recommended Practices for Oil and Gas Producing and 
Gas Processing Plant Operation s Involving Hydrogen Sulfide 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 Activities API Recommended Practice 2350, Overfill Pro tection 
for Storage Tanks in Petroleum Facilities API Publication 4663, Remediation of Salt -Affected Soils at 
Oil and Gas Production Facilities  
NACE RP 0475 1, Selection of Metallic Materials to be used in All Phases of Water Handling for 
Injection into O il-Bearing Formations NACE Standard MR 0175, Petroleum and Natural Gas PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585:2017 
© UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  xlix 
 Industries —Materials for Use in H2S -containing Environments in Oil and Gas Production —Parts 1, 2 
and 3  
 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1585: 2017 
l © UNBS 2017 – All rights reserved  
 Certification marking  
Products that conform to Uganda standards may be marked wit h Uganda National Bureau of Standards 
(UNBS) Certification Mark shown in the figure below.  
The use of the UNBS Certification Mark is governed by the Standards Act, and the Regulations made 
thereunder. This mark can be used only by those licensed under the  certification mark scheme 
operated by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards and in conjunction with the relevant Uganda 
Standard. The presence of this mark on a product or in relation to a product is an assurance that the 
goods comply with the requireme nts of that standard under a system of supervision, control and testing 
in accordance with the certification mark scheme of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards. UNBS 
marked products are continually checked by UNBS for conformity to that standard.  
Further particulars of the terms and conditions of licensing may be obtained from the Director, Uganda 
National Bureau of Standards.  
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