[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 43, Volume 2]

[Revised as of October 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 43CFR3162.5-2]



[Page 437]

 

                    TITLE 43--PUBLIC LANDS: INTERIOR

 

    CHAPTER II--BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

 

PART 3160_ONSHORE OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS--Table of Contents

 

   Subpart 3162_Requirements for Operating Rights Owners and Operators

 

Sec.  3162.5-2  Control of wells.



    (a) Drilling wells. The operator shall take all necessary 

precautions to keep each well under control at all times, and shall 

utilize and maintain materials and equipment necessary to insure the 

safety of operating conditions and procedures.

    (b) Vertical drilling. The operator shall conduct drilling 

operations in a manner so that the completed well does not deviate 

significantly from the vertical without the prior written approval of 

the authorized officer. Significant deviation means a projected 

deviation of the well bore from the vertical of 10[deg] or more, or a 

projected bottom hole location which could be less than 200 feet from 

the spacing unit or lease boundary. Any well which deviates more than 

10[deg] from the vertical or could result in a bottom hole location less 

than 200 feet from the spacing unit or lease boundary without prior 

written approval must be promptly reported to the authorized officer. In 

these cases, a directional survey is required.

    (c) High pressure or loss of circulation. The operator shall take 

immediate steps and utilize necessary resources to maintain or restore 

control of any well in which the pressure equilibrium has become 

unbalanced.

    (d) Protection of fresh water and other minerals. The operator shall 

isolate freshwater-bearing and other usable water containing 5,000 ppm 

or less of dissolved solids and other mineral-bearing formations and 

protect them from contamination. Tests and surveys of the effectiveness 

of such measures shall be conducted by the operator using procedures and 

practices approved or prescribed by the authorized officer.



[47 FR 47765, Oct. 27, 1982. Redesignated and amended at 48 FR 36583-

36586, Aug. 12, 1983, further amended at 53 FR 17363, May 16, 1988]