Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 49, December 7, 2024
Section 78a.68a - Horizontal directional drilling for oil and gas pipelines(a) Horizontal directional drilling activities associated with pipeline construction related to oil and gas operations, including gathering and transmission pipelines, that occur beneath any body of water or watercourse may not begin prior to authorization by the Department in accordance with Chapters 102 and 105 (relating to erosion and sediment control; and dam safety and waterway management).(b) Prior to beginning of any horizontal directional drilling activity, the person planning to conduct those activities shall develop a PPC plan under § 102.5(l) (relating to permit requirements). The PPC plan must include a site-specific contingency plan that describes the measures to be taken to control, contain and collect any discharge of drilling fluids and minimize impacts to waters of the Commonwealth. The PPC plan must be present onsite during drilling operations and shall be made available to the Department upon request.(c) The Department shall be notified at least 24 hours prior to beginning of any horizontal directional drilling activities, including conventional boring, beneath any body of water or watercourse. Notice shall be made electronically to the Department through its web site and include the name of the municipality where the activities will occur, GPS coordinates of the entry point of the drilling operation and the date when drilling will begin.(d) All required permits and Safety Data Sheets must be onsite during horizontal directional drilling activities and shall be made available to the Department upon request.(e) Materials staging areas shall be located outside of a floodway, as defined in § 105.1 (relating to definitions), of any watercourse or greater than 50 feet from any body of water, unless otherwise approved in writing by the Department.(f) Drilling fluid additives other than bentonite and water shall be approved by the Department prior to use. All approved horizontal directional drilling fluid additives will be listed on the Department's web site. Use of a preapproved horizontal directional drilling fluid additive does not require separate Department approval.(g) Horizontal directional drilling activities shall be monitored for pressure and loss of drilling fluid returns. Bodies of water and watercourses over and adjacent to horizontal directional drilling activities shall also be monitored for any signs of drilling fluid discharges. Monitoring shall be in accordance with the PPC plan.(h) Horizontal directional drilling activities may not result in a discharge of drilling fluids to waters of the Commonwealth. If a discharge occurs during horizontal directional drilling activities, the person subject to subsection (a) shall immediately implement the contingency plan developed under subsection (b).(i) When a drilling fluid discharge or loss of drilling fluid circulation is discovered, the loss or discharge shall be immediately reported to the Department, and the person subject to subsection (a) shall request an emergency permit under § 105.64 (relating to emergency permits), if necessary for emergency response or remedial activities to be conducted.(j) Any water supply complaints received by the person subject to subsection (a) shall be reported to the Department within 24 hours electronically through its web site.(k) Horizontal directional drilling fluid returns and drilling fluid discharges shall be managed in accordance with Subpart D, Article IX (relating to residual waste management).