Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 43 - NATURAL RESOURCES
Part XIX - Office of Conservation-General Operations
Subpart 1 - Statewide Order No. 29-B
Chapter 3 - Pollution Control-Onsite Storage, Treatment and Disposal of Exploration and Production Waste (E and P Waste) Generated from the Drilling and Production of Oil and Gas Wells (Oilfield Pit Regulations)
Section XIX-311 - Pit Closure

Universal Citation: LA Admin Code XIX-311

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

A. Pits must be closed properly to assure protection of soil, surface water, groundwater aquifers and USDW's. Operators may close pits utilizing onsite land treatment, burial, solidification, onsite land development, or other techniques approved by the Office of Conservation only if done so in compliance with §313 and §315 Otherwise, all E and P waste must be manifested according to §511 and transported offsite to a permitted commercial facility unless used in downhole well operations in accordance with the requirements of LAC 43:XIX.313.J.

B. Liability for pit closure shall not be transferred from an operator to the owner of the surface land(s) on which a pit is located.

C. For evaluation purposes prior to closure of any pit and for all closure and onsite and offsite disposal techniques, excluding subsurface injection of reserve pit fluids, exploration and production waste (pit contents) must be analyzed for the following parameters:

1. pH;

2. total metals content (ppm) for:
a. arsenic;

b. barium;

c. cadmium;

d. chromium;

e. lead;

f. mercury;

g. selenium;

h. silver;

i. zinc;

3. oil and grease (percent dry weight);

4. soluble salts and cationic distributions:
a. electrical conductivity EC in mmhos/cm (millimhos);

b. sodium adsorption ratio SAR;

c. exchangeable sodium percentage ESP (percent); and

d. cation exchange capacity CEC (milliequivalents/100 gm soil).

5. Radioisotopes if such pit is located in the coastal area and is closed after October 20, 1990.

D. Laboratory Procedures for Exploration and Production Waste Analyses

1. For soluble salts, cationic distributions, metals (except barium) and oil and grease (organics) samples are to be analyzed using standard soil testing procedures as presented in the manual titled "Laboratory Procedures for Analysis of Exploration and Production Waste" (Department of Natural Resources, August 9, 1988, or latest revision).

2. For barium analysis, samples are to be digested in accordance with the "True Total" method, as presented in the manual titled "Laboratory Procedures for Analysis of Exploration and Production Waste" (Department of Natural Resources, August 9, 1988 or latest revision).

3. For radioisotopes, the sampling and testing of pit sludges shall comply with the requirements of the Department of Environmental Quality.

E. Documentation of testing and closure activities, including onsite disposal of E and P Waste, shall be maintained in operator's files for at least three years after completion of closure activities. Upon notification, the Office of Conservation may require the operator to furnish these data for verification of proper closure of any pit. If proper onsite closure has not been accomplished, the operator will be required to bring the site into compliance with applicable requirements.

F. Reserve pits utilized in the drilling of wells less than 5,000 feet in depth are exempt from the testing requirements of §311. C and §313 provided the following conditions are met:

1. the well is drilled using only freshwater "native" mud which contains no more than 25 lbs/bbl bentonite, 0.5 lbs/bbl caustic soda or lime, and 50 lbs/bbl barite; and

2. documentation of the above condition is maintained in the operator's files for at least three years after completion of pit closure activities.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:4 et seq.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Louisiana may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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