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 43-02-02-15.4 - Drilling pits

Current through Supplement No. 393, July, 2024
A pit may be utilized to bury drill cuttings and solids
				  generated during well 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. In special circumstances, the director may
				  prohibit construction of a cuttings pit or may impose more stringent pit
				  construction and reclamation requirements. Reserve and circulation of mud
				  system through deep well earthen pits are prohibited unless a waiver is granted
				  by the director. All pits shall be inspected by an authorized representative of
				  the director prior to lining and use. Under no circumstances shall pits be used
				  for disposal, dumping, or storage of fluids, wastes, and debris other than
				  drill cuttings and solids recovered while drilling and completing the
				  well.
Drill cuttings and solids must be stabilized in a manner
				  approved by the director prior to placement in a cuttings pit. Any liquid
				  accumulating in the cuttings pit shall be promptly removed. The pit shall be
				  diked in a manner to prevent surface water from running into the pit.
During the drilling of a deep well, a small lined pit can be
				  authorized by the director for the temporary containment of incidental fluids
				  such as trench water and rig wash, if emptied and covered prior to the rig
				  leaving the site.
Pits shall not be located in, or hazardously near, bodies of
				  water, nor shall they block natural drainages. No pit shall be wholly or
				  partially constructed of fill dirt unless approved by the director.
When required by the director, the drilling pit or
				  appropriate parts thereof shall be fenced.
Within thirty days after the completion of drilling a deep
				  well or expiration of a drilling permit, whichever occurs first, drilling pits
				  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 service owner;
3. The
				location and name of the disposal site for the pit water when applicable;
				and
4. A description of the
				proposed work, including details on treatment and disposition of the drilling
				waste.
Any water or oil accumulated in the pit must be removed prior
				  to reclamation. Drilling waste from a deep well shall 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