TITLE 19 NATURAL RESOURCES AND WILDLIFE

CHAPTER 15 OIL AND GAS

PART 10 SAFETY

19.15.10.1 ISSUING AGENCY: Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, Oil Conservation Division.

[19.15.10.1 NMAC - N, 12/1/08]

19.15.10.2 SCOPE: 19.15.10 NMAC applies to persons or entities engaged in oil and gas development and production within New Mexico.

[19.15.10.2 NMAC - N, 12/1/08]

19.15.10.3 STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 19.15.10 NMAC is adopted pursuant to the Oil and Gas Act, NMSA 1978, Section 70-2-6, Section 70-2-11 and Section 70-2-12.

[19.15.10.3 NMAC - N, 12/1/08]

19.15.10.4 DURATION: Permanent.

[19.15.10.4 NMAC - N, 12/1/08]

19.15.10.5 EFFECTIVE DATE: December 1, 2008, unless a later date is cited at the end of a section.

[19.15.10.5 NMAC - N, 12/1/08]

19.15.10.6 OBJECTIVE: To establish safety procedures for drilling and production of oil and gas wells.

[19.15.10.6 NMAC - N, 12/1/08]

19.15.10.7 DEFINITIONS: [RESERVED]

[See 19.15.2.7 NMAC for definitions.]

[19.15.10.7 NMAC - N, 12/1/08]

19.15.10.8 SAFETY PROCEDURES FOR DRILLING AND PRODUCTION:

A. An operator shall:

(1) clean oil wells into a pit permitted pursuant to 19.15.17 NMAC or a tank, not less than 40 feet from the derrick floor and 150 feet from a fire hazard;

(2) produce flowing oil wells through an oil and gas separator of ample capacity and in good working order;

(3) not place or leave a boiler or portable electric lighting generator nearer than 150 feet to a producing well or oil tank; and

(4) remove rubbish or debris that might constitute a fire hazard to a distance of at least 150 feet from the vicinity of wells and tanks and burn or dispose of waste in a manner as to avoid creating a fire hazard.

B. When coming out of the hole with drill pipe, the operator shall circulate drilling fluid until equalized and subsequently maintain drilling fluid level at a height sufficient to control bottom hole pressures. During course of drilling, the operator shall test blowout preventers at least once each 24-hour period.

[19.15.10.8 NMAC - Rp, 19.15.3.114 NMAC, 12/1/08]

HISTORY of 19.15.10 NMAC:

History of Repealed Material: 19.15.3 NMAC, Drilling (filed 10/29/2001) repealed 12/1/08.

NMAC History:

That applicable portion of 19.15.3 NMAC, Drilling (Section 114) (filed 10/29/2001) was replaced by 19.15.10 NMAC, Safety, effective 12/1/08.