Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 0400 - Environment and Conservation
Subtitle 0400-52 - Drilling, Re-Entering, Plugging and Abandoning Exploratory and Exploitation Oil and Gas Wells (Transferred from 1040-02)
Chapter 0400-52-06 - Drilling Wells (Transferred from 1040-02-06)
Section 0400-52-06-.02 - BLOWOUT PREVENTION

Universal Citation: TN Comp Rules and Regs 0400-52-06-.02

Current through September 24, 2024

(1) The operator shall equip and operate all wells in such a manner as to prevent the uncontrolled emission of oil, gas, and water from the well.

(2) The operator shall equip all wells, other than those specified in paragraph (3) of this rule, with a minimum of the equipment specified in this paragraph:

(a) The operator shall install a blowout prevention system with 2 separate units capable of closing with the drill pipe in the hole or other equivalent control system as approved by the Supervisor or his representative. A minimum of 1500 psi working pressure or 110% of maximum surface pressure that would be reasonably expected based on the depth and location of the well is required, whichever is greater. In unknown or expected higher pressures a minimum of 5000 psi working pressure shall be required.

1. The blowout preventers shall be installed above ground level if possible but if a cellar is dug, the equipment shall be accessible during drilling operations. The entire control equipment shall be in good working condition at all times. All outlets, fittings, and connections on the casing, blowout preventers, choke manifold, and auxiliary wellhead equipment that may be subjected to wellhead pressure shall be of a material and construction that shall withstand the anticipated pressure and shall be resistant to fire. The lines from outlets on or below the blowout preventers shall be securely installed, anchored, and protected from damage.

2. Blowout preventers, accumulators, and pumps shall be used in accordance with the product manufacturer's rating and operational specifications. The operator is responsible for seeing that the blowout prevention equipment is in proper working order. This includes the proper operation of the closing unit valving, proper operation of the pressure gauges, and the presence of the manufacturer's recommended accumulator fluids. A combination of any 2 of the following secondary closing systems is acceptable:

(i) Intrinsically safe electric-operated pump; .

(ii) Air-operated pump;

(iii) Hand-operated pump; and

(iv) Nitrogen-operated pump.

Blowout preventer rams shall be of a proper size for the drill pipe being used or production casing being run in the well or shall be variable-type rams that are of the proper size range. Blowout prevention shall be installed before passing through any known production or high pressure zone in the well boring path.

3. Blowout prevention equipment and intermediate casing shall be tested to a pressure of 1,500 psi at surface for not less than 30 minutes. This shall be done prior to drilling the plug on the intermediate casing or at other intervals as approved or requested by the Supervisor. If, at the end of 30 minutes, the pressure shows a drop of 10% or more from the original test pressure, the casing shall be condemned until the leak is corrected. A pressure test demonstrating less than a 10% pressure drop after 30 minutes is proof that the condition has been corrected. A record of each test, including test pressures, times, failures, and each mechanical test of the casings, blowout preventers, surface connections, surface fittings, and auxiliary wellhead equipment shall be entered in the logbook, signed by the driller, and kept available for inspection by the Supervisor or his representative.

4. With the understanding that all permitting procedures have been followed, a well may be deepened to 200' below the bottom of the Chattanooga Shale without initiating other than the usual well control procedures. The casing shall withstand at least 1,500 psi with no more than 10% loss of pressure in 30 minutes.

(b) Accessible controls located both in the rig and at a safe remote location of at least 50 feet from wellhead.

(d) A drill pipe or power head valve capable of pump truck connection.

(e) A flow line or blooey line of the proper size and working pressure shall be installed in the most direct route practicable to pit and shall be anchored securely. The use of closed loop systems or mud tanks is acceptable.

(3) For non-Cumberland Plateau wells in areas of known lower pressures, the operator shall equip all wells with a minimum of the following equipment:

(a) An annular-type blowout preventer or other equivalent control system as approved by the Supervisor or his representative;

(b) Accessible controls located both on the rig floor and at a safe remote location at least 50 feet from wellhead;

(d) A drill pipe or power head valve capable of pump truck connection;

(e) A flow line of the proper size and working pressure; and

(f) Blowout prevention equipment that has a rated minimum working pressure of 1500 psi.

(i) Intrinsically safe electric-operated pump;

(ii) Air-operated pump;

(iii) Hand-operated pump; and

(iv) Nitrogen-operated pump.

Blowout preventers shall be of a proper size for the drill pipe being used or production casing being run.

3. Blowout prevention equipment and surface casing shall be tested to a pressure of 400 psi at surface for not less than 30 minutes before drilling the plug on the surface casing and at other intervals as approved or requested by the Supervisor. If at the end of 30 minutes the pressure shows a drop of 10% or more from the original test pressure, the casing shall be condemned until the leak is corrected. A pressure test demonstrating less than a 10% pressure drop after 30 minutes is proof that the condition has been corrected. A record of each test, including test pressures, times, failures, and each mechanical test of the casings, blowout preventers, surface connections, surface fittings, and auxiliary wellhead equipment shall be entered in the logbook, signed by the driller, and kept available for inspection by the Supervisor or his representative. If the casing is to be tested at the time of surface casing, cementing 150 psi for a period of ten minutes may be used. The annulus shall be filled with fluid and the plug shall have been landed prior to the test beginning. If a drop of over 10% or more from the original test pressure is found the casing shall be condemned until the leak is corrected. The previous criteria concerning recording of the test shall be followed.

4. The casing shall withstand at least 400 psi with no more than 10% loss of pressure in 30 minutes.

Authority: T.C.A §§ 60-1-201 et seq., and 4-5-201 et seq.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Tennessee 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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