20 AAC 25.527. General well control requirements for drilling, completion, workover, and service operations

(a) This section applies to all well drilling, completion, workover, and service operations. The requirements of this section are in addition to the applicable requirements of 20 AAC 25.033 - 20 AAC 25.037 and 20 AAC 25.285 - 20 AAC 25.288.

(b) Equipment must be in good operating condition at all times and must be protected to ensure reliable operation under the range of weather conditions that may be encountered at the well site.

(c) Well control equipment and fluids must be installed, used, maintained, and tested in a manner that ensures well control and, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, that conforms with the applicable provisions of the following documents, which are adopted by reference:

(1) API RP 5C7, Recommended Practice for Coiled Tubing Operations in Oil and Gas Well Services, 1st edition, December 1996;

(2) API RP 13B-1, Recommended Practice Standard Procedure for Field Testing Water-Based Drilling Fluids, 2d edition, September 1997;

(3) API RP 13B-2, Recommended Practice Standard Procedure for Field Testing Oil-Based Drilling Fluids, 3d edition, February 1998;

(4) API RP 49, Recommended Practices for Safe Drilling of Wells Containing Hydrogen Sulfide, 2d edition, April 15, 1987;

(5) API RP 53, Recommended Practices for Blowout Prevention Equipment Systems for Drilling Wells, 3d edition, March 1997;

(6) API RP 57, Recommended Practices for Offshore Well Completion, Servicing, Workover, and Plug and Abandonment Operations, 1st edition, January 15, 1986;

(7) API RP 64, Recommended Practices for Diverter Systems Equipment and Operations, 1st edition, July 1, 1991;

(8) API RP 68, Recommended Practice for Oil and Gas Well Servicing and Workover Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide, 1st edition, January 1998.

(d) A toolpusher, driller or functional equivalent, or person-in-charge who participates in drilling operations or in workover operations involving the installation or removal of jointed tubulars must have received formal well control training sufficient to ensure the competent performance of the person's well control duties. The commission will recognize training and certification in a drilling well control curriculum by any of the following entities as meeting the requirements of this subsection:

(1) United States Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service;

(2) International Association of Drilling Contractors;

(3) International Well Control Forum;

(4) International Alliance for Well Control.

(e) The persons-in-charge on a drill rig floor must have the authority and responsibility to shut in the well if it starts to flow.

(f) The operator shall keep records and reports of well drilling, workover, and repair operations, including BOPE test results, in accordance with 20 AAC 25.070(1) or, in the case of wireline work or other service operations, in the daily work log, which must be made available to the commission upon request.

History: Eff. 11/7/99, Register 152; am 4/6/2003, Register 166

Authority: AS 31.05.030

Editor's note: Copies of the American Petroleum Institute recommended practices referred to in 20 AAC 25.527 may be reviewed during business hours at the commission's office and may be obtained from the American Petroleum Institute, Order Desk, 1220 L Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005-4070, or if not available from the American Petroleum Institute, may be obtained from Global Engineering Documents, 15 Inverness Way East, Englewood, CO 80150.

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