25 Pa. Code § 78a.68b - Well development pipelines for oil and gas operations
(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.
Notes
This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 78a.55 (relating to control and disposal planning; emergency response for unconventional wells).
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