Pennsylvania Code › Title 25 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › Part I - Department of Environmental Protection › Subpart C - Protection of Natural Resources › Article I - Land Resources › Chapter 78a - UNCONVENTIONAL WELLS › Subchapter C - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PERFORMANCE STANDARDS › Section 78a.68b - Well development pipelines for oil and gas operations

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) The
						construction, installation, use, maintenance, repair and removal of well
						development pipelines shall meet applicable requirements in Chapters 102 and
						105 (relating to erosion and sediment control; and dam safety and waterway
						management).
(b) Operators shall
						install well development pipelines that transport fluids other than fresh
						ground water, surface water, water from water purveyors or other
						Department-approved sources aboveground except when crossing pathways, roads or
						railways where the pipeline may be installed below ground surface, or crossing
						a watercourse or body of water where the pipeline may be installed below the
						ground surface with prior Department approval.
(c) Well development pipelines may not be
						installed through existing stream culverts, storm drain pipes or under bridges
						crossing streams without approval by the Department under §
												105.151 (relating to permit
						applications for construction or modification of culverts and
						bridges).
(d) The section of a well
						development pipeline crossing over a watercourse or body of water, except
						wetlands, may not have joints or couplings unless secondary containment is
						provided. Well development pipeline crossings over wetlands must utilize a
						single section of pipe to the extent practicable. Shut off valves shall be
						installed on both sides of the temporary crossing.
(e) In addition to the requirements of
						subsection (c), well development pipelines used to transport fluids other than
						fresh ground water, surface water, water from water purveyors or approved
						sources must have shut off valves, check valves or other methods of segmenting
						the pipeline placed at designated intervals, to be determined by the pipeline
						diameter, that prevent the discharge of more than 1,000 barrels of fluid.
						Elevation changes that would effectively limit flow in the event of a pipeline
						leak shall be taken into consideration when determining the placement of shut
						off valves and be considered effective flow barriers.
(f) Highly visible flagging, markers or signs
						shall be placed at regular intervals, no greater than 75 feet, along the entire
						length of the well development pipeline.
(g) Well development pipelines shall be
						pressure tested prior to being first placed into service and after the pipeline
						is moved, repaired or altered. A passing test is holding 125% of the
						anticipated maximum pressure for 2 hours. Leaks or other defects discovered
						during pressure testing shall be repaired prior to use. Pressure test results
						and any defects and repairs to the well development pipeline shall be
						documented and made available to the Department upon request.
(h) Water used for hydrostatic pressure
						testing shall be discharged in a manner that does not result in a discharge to
						waters of the Commonwealth unless approved by the Department in
						writing.
(i) Well development
						pipelines shall be inspected prior to and during each day the pipeline is not
						emptied and depressurized. Inspection dates and any defects and repairs to the
						well development pipeline shall be documented and made available to the
						Department upon request.
(j) Well
						development pipelines not used to transport fluids for more than 7 consecutive
						calendar days shall be emptied and depressurized. In no case may a well
						development pipeline be used to transport or store fluids for more than 12
						months without approval from the Department.
(k) Flammable materials may not be
						transported through a well development pipeline.
(l) Well development pipelines shall be
						removed in accordance with the required restoration timeline of the well site
						it serviced under §
												78a.65 (relating to site
						restoration).
(m) An operator shall
						keep records regarding the location of all well development pipelines, the type
						of fluids transported through those pipelines and the approximate period of
						time that the pipeline was installed. The records shall be made available to
						the Department upon request.
(n)
						Records required under this section shall be retained by the operator for 1
						year after the well development pipeline is removed.
This section cited in 25 Pa. Code §
														78a.55 (relating to control and
							 disposal planning; emergency response for unconventional
							 wells).