North Dakota Administrative Code › Title 43 - Industrial Commission › Article 43-02 - Mineral Exploration and Development › Chapter 43-02-02 - Subsurface Mineral Exploration and Development › Section 43-02-02-15.5 - Reserve pit for drilling mud and drill cuttings from shallow wells

Current through Supplement No. 393, July, 2024
For wells drilled to a strata or formation, including lignite
				  or coal strata or seam, located above the depth of five thousand feet [1524
				  meters] below the surface, or located more than five thousand feet [1524
				  meters] below the surface but above the top of the Rierdon formation, a
				  container or reserve pit of sufficient size to contain said material or fluid,
				  and the accumulation of drill cuttings may be utilized to contain solids and
				  fluids used and generated during well drilling and completion operations,
				  providing the pit can be constructed, used, and reclaimed in a manner that will
				  prevent pollution of the land surface and freshwaters. A reserve pit may be
				  allowed by an order of the commission after notice and hearing for wells
				  drilled within a specified field and pool more than five thousand feet [1524
				  meters] below the surface and below the top of the Rierdon formation provided
				  the proposed well or wells utilize a low sodium content water-based mud system
				  and the reserve pit can be constructed, used, and reclaimed in a manner that
				  will prevent pollution of the land surface and freshwaters. In special
				  circumstances, based on site conditions, the director or authorized
				  representative may prohibit construction of a reserve pit or may impose more
				  stringent pit construction and reclamation requirements, including reserve pits
				  previously authorized by a commission order within a specified field or pool.
				  Under no circumstances shall reserve pits be used for disposal, dumping, or
				  storage of fluids, wastes, and debris other than drill cuttings and fluids used
				  or recovered while drilling and completing the well.
Reserved pits shall not be located in, or hazardously near,
				  bodies of water, nor shall they block natural drainages. No reserve pit shall
				  be wholly or partially constructed in fill dirt unless approved by the
				  director.
Within thirty days after the completion of a shallow well, or
				  prior to drilling below the surface casing shoe on any other well, the reserve
				  pit shall be reclaimed. The director may grant an extension of the thirty-day
				  time period of no more than one year for good cause. Prior to reclaiming the
				  pit, the operator, or the operator's agent, shall file a sundry notice (form
				  4-sm) with the director and obtain approval of a pit reclamation plan. Verbal
				  approval to reclaim the pit may be given. The notice must include:
1. The name and address of the reclamation
				contractor;
2. The name and address
				of the surface owner;
3. The
				location and name of the disposal site for the pit water; and
4. A description of the proposed work,
				including details on treatment and disposition of the drilling waste.
All pit water must be removed prior to reclamation. Drilling
				  waste should be encapsulated in the pit and covered with at least four feet.
				  [1.22 meters] of backfill and topsoil. The surface shall be sloped, when
				  practicable, to promote surface drainage away from the reclaimed pit
				  area.
General Authority:
NDCC
					 38-12-02
Law Implemented:
NDCC
					 38-12-02