California Code of Regulations
Title 14 - Natural Resources
Division 2 - Department of Conservation
Chapter 4 - Development, Regulation, and Conservation of Oil and Gas Resources
Subchapter 2 - Environmental Protection
Article 3 - Requirements
Section 1770 - Oilfield Sumps

Universal Citation: 14 CA Code of Regs 1770

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) Location. Sumps for the collection of waste water or oil shall not be permitted in natural drainage channels. Contingency catch basins may be permitted, but they shall be evacuated and cleaned after any spill. Unlined evaporation sumps, if they contain harmful waters, shall not be located where they may be in communication with freshwater-bearing aquifers.

(b) Construction. Sumps shall be designed, constructed, and maintained so as to not be a hazard to people, livestock, or wildlife including birdlife.

(1) To protect people, sumps in urban areas shall be enclosed in accordance with Section 1778 (a) or (e) and (c).

(2) In non-urban areas, to protect people and livestock and to deter wildlife, an enclosure shall be constructed around sumps in accordance with Section 1778 (b) or (e).

(3) Any sump, except an operations or drilling sump, which contains oil or a mixture of oil and water shall be covered with screening to restrain entry of wildlife in accordance with Section 1778(d).

(4) A sump need not be individually fenced if the property or the production facilities of which the sump is a part is enclosed by proper perimeter fencing.

(c) Drilling Sumps. All free fluids shall be removed from drilling sumps within 30 days after the date the drill rig is disconnected from the well.

(d) Operations Sumps. All free fluids shall be removed from operations sumps within 14 days after the rig removal or from completion of operations, whichever occurs first.

1. Amendment filed 10-21-82; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 82, No. 43).
2. Amendment of subsection (b)(3), new subsections (c)-(d) and amendment of NOTE filed 12-30-2010; operative 1-29-2011 (Register 2010, No. 53).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 3013, 3106, 3270 and 3782, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3106, 3270 and 3783, Public Resources Code.

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