Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 49, December 7, 2024
Section 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. This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 78a.55 (relating to control and disposal planning; emergency response for unconventional wells).