South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 121 - DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Section 121-8.17 - Directional Drilling

A. All wells must be drilled with due diligence to maintain a reasonably vertical well bore; however, upon application by an operator to drill a well that is to be intentionally deviated and directionally controlled, a permit may be issued by the Commission, provided that the location of the deviated well at the depth of the proposed producing zone is in compliance with the applicable spacing rules. The application for a permit to drill a directionally controlled well shall be made in the manner prescribed above, and in addition thereto the survey plat must show the proposed bottom home location in addition to the surface location.

B. If an operator desires to deviate or plug back and sidetrack a well previously permitted, he shall first request permission of the Commission and shall file a written report to the Commission within thirty (30) days from the completion of said deviation setting forth the facts of the operation.

C. If an operator desires to deviate so as to straighten the well he shall first obtain verbal or written permission of the Commission and shall file a written report to the Commission within thirty (30) days from the completion of said deviation setting forth the facts of the operation.

D. In the event an operator, in good faith, commences and proceeds with the drilling of a straight well and thereafter decides to directionally deviate the well, he may do so at his own risk, first notifying the Commission and confirming in writing the fact thereof, and the operator must comply with the provisions governing intentionally deviated wells as hereinabove provided.

E. A complete angular deviation and directional survey of a directionally deviated well must be run and the results of such survey shall be filed with the Commission upon completion. After processing such survey reports, the Commission may set the allowable of the well, or take such other action as the facts may require.

F. In the event the proposed, or the final location of the producing interval of the directionally deviated well is not in accordance with the spacing rules of the Commission applicable to the reservoir, proper applications shall be made to obtain approval or exceptions to such rules. Such approval shall be granted, or denied, at the discretion of the Commission, and shall be accorded the same consideration and treatment as if the well had been drilled vertically to the producing interval.