North Dakota Administrative Code
Title 43 - Industrial Commission
Article 43-02 - Mineral Exploration and Development
Chapter 43-02-03 - Oil and Gas Conservation
Section 43-02-03-29 - Well and lease equipment and gas gathering pipelines

Universal Citation: ND Admin Code ยง 43-02-03-29

Current through Supplement No. 392, April, 2024

Wellhead and lease equipment with a working pressure at least equivalent to the calculated or known pressure to which the equipment may be subjected shall be installed and maintained. Equipment on producing wells shall be installed to facilitate gas-oil ratio tests, and static bottom hole or other pressure tests. Valves shall be installed and maintained in good working order to permit pressure readings to be obtained on both casing and tubing.

All newly constructed underground gas gathering pipelines must be devoid of leaks and constructed of materials resistant to external corrosion and to the effects of transported fluids. All such pipelines installed in a trench must be installed in a manner that minimizes interference with agriculture, road and utility construction, the introduction of secondary stresses, the possibility of damage to the pipe, and tracer wire shall be buried with any nonconductive pipes installed. When a trench for an underground gas gathering pipeline is backfilled, it must be backfilled in a manner that provides firm support under the pipe and prevents damage to the pipe and pipe coating from equipment or from the backfill material.

1. The operator of any underground gas gathering pipeline placed into service on August 1, 2011, to June 30, 2013, shall file with the director, by January 1, 2015, a geographical information system layer utilizing North American datum 83 geographic coordinate system (GCS) and in an environmental systems research institute (Esri) shape file format showing the location of the pipeline centerline. The operator of any underground gas gathering pipeline placed into service after June 30, 2013, shall file with the director, within one hundred eighty days of placing into service, a geographical information system layer utilizing North American datum 83 geographic coordinate system (GCS) and in an environmental systems research institute (Ersi) shape file format showing the location of all compressor sites, buried drip tanks, and the pipeline centerline. An affidavit of completion shall accompany each layer containing the following information:

a. A statement that the pipeline was constructed and installed in compliance with section 43-02-03-29.

b. The outside diameter, minimum wall thickness, composition, internal yield pressure, and maximum temperature rating of the pipeline, or any other specifications deemed necessary by the director.

c. The anticipated operating pressure of the pipeline.

d. The type of fluid that will be transported in the pipeline and direction of flow.

e. Pressure to which the pipeline was tested prior to placing into service. f. The minimum pipeline depth of burial.

g. In-service date.

h. Leak detection and monitoring methods that will be utilized after in-service date.

i. Pipeline name.

j. Accuracy of the geographical information system layer.

2. When an underground gas gathering pipeline or any part of such pipeline is abandoned, the operator shall leave such pipeline in a safe condition by conducting the following:

a. Disconnect and physically isolate the pipeline from any operating facility or other pipeline.

b. Cut off the pipeline or the part of the pipeline to be abandoned below surface at pipeline level.

c. Purge the pipeline with fresh water, air, or inert gas in a manner that effectively removes all fluid.

d. Remove cathodic protection from the pipeline.

e. Permanently plug or cap all open ends by mechanical means or welded means.

3. Within one hundred eighty days of completing the abandonment of an underground gas gathering pipeline the operator of the pipeline shall file with the director a geographical information system layer utilization North American datum 83 geographic coordinate system (GCS) and in an environmental systems research institute (Ersi) shape file format showing the location of the pipeline centerline and an affidavit of completion containing the following information:

a. A statement that the pipeline was abandoned in compliance with section 43-02-03-29.

b. The type of fluid used to purge the pipeline.

The requirement to submit a geographical information system layer is not to be construed to be required on buried piping utilized to connect flares, tanks, treaters, or other equipment located entirely within the boundary of a well site or production facility.

General Authority: NDCC 38-08-04

Law Implemented: NDCC 38-08-04

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