California Code of Regulations › Title 14 - Natural Resources › Division 2 - Department of Conservation › Chapter 4 - Development, Regulation, and Conservation of Oil and Gas Resources › Subchapter 1.1 - Offshore Well Regulations › Article 3 - Regulations › Section 1744.6 - Drilling Fluid Program-General

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
The characteristics, use, and testing of drilling fluid
						and the method of conducting related drilling procedures shall be such as are
						necessary to prevent the uncontrolled flow of fluid from any well. Quantities
						of drilling fluid materials sufficient to insure well control shall be
						maintained readily accessible for immediate use at all times.
(a) Drilling fluid control. Before starting
					 out of the hole with drill pipe, the drilling fluid shall be circulated with
					 the drill pipe hung just off bottom until the drilling fluid is properly
					 conditioned. Proper conditioning requires circulation of the drilling fluid to
					 the extent that the total annulus volume is displaced and until gas is removed.
					 When coming out of the hole with drill pipe or tubing, the annulus shall be
					 filled with drilling fluid before the drilling fluid level drops below a
					 calculated depth of 100 feet below the derrick floor. A mechanical device that
					 indicates the amount of drilling fluid required to keep the hole full shall be
					 watched. If there is any indication of "swabbing" or influx of formation
					 fluids, the inside blowout preventer shall be installed on the drill pipe, the
					 drill pipe shall be run to bottom, and the drilling fluid properly conditioned.
					 The drilling fluid shall not be circulated and conditioned except on or near
					 bottom, unless well conditions prevent running the pipe to bottom. The fluid in
					 the hole shall be circulated or reverse circulated prior to pulling drill-stem
					 test tools from the hole.
(b)
					 Drilling fluid testing equipment. Drilling fluid testing equipment for
					 measuring viscosity, water loss, weight, and thixotropic properties shall be
					 maintained on the drillsite at all times. Tests of the drilling fluid
					 consistent with good operating practice shall be performed at the beginning of
					 each eight-hour tour while drilling, with additional tests as conditions
					 warrant. Results of tests shall be recorded on the driller's log. The following
					 or comparable equipment for monitoring the drilling fluid system must be
					 installed with the indicators at the driller's station and used throughout the
					 period of drilling after setting and cementing the first surface casing.
(1) A recording mud-pit level indicator to
					 determine mud pit volume gains and losses. This indicator shall include a
					 visual and audible warning device.
(2) A mud volume measuring device for
					 accurately determining mud volumes required to maintain fluid level at the
					 surface while pulling the drill pipe from the hole.
(3) A mud return or full hole indicator to
					 show when returns have been obtained, or when they occur unintentionally, and
					 also to determine that returns essentially equal the pump discharge
					 rate.