§ 250.514. Well-control fluids, equipment, and operations.
238 words·~1 min read·
/us/cfr/t30/s§ 250.514·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
(a)Well-control fluids, equipment, and operations shall be designed, utilized, maintained, and/or tested as necessary to control the well in foreseeable conditions and circumstances, including subfreezing conditions. The well shall be continuously monitored during well-completion operations and shall not be left unattended at any time unless the well is shut in and secured.
(b)The following well-control-fluid equipment shall be installed, maintained, and utilized:
(1)A fill-up line above the uppermost BOP;
(2)A well-control, fluid-volume measuring device for determining fluid volumes when filling the hole on trips; and
(3)A recording mud-pit-level indicator to determine mud-pit-volume gains and losses. This indicator shall include both a visual and an audible warning device.
(c)When coming out of the hole with drill pipe, the annulus shall be filled with well-control fluid before the change in such fluid level decreases the hydrostatic pressure 75 pounds per square inch
(psi)or every five stands of drill pipe, whichever gives a lower decrease in hydrostatic pressure. The number of stands of drill pipe and drill collars that may be pulled prior to filling the hole and the equivalent well-control fluid volume shall be calculated and posted near the operator's station. A mechanical, volumetric, or electronic device for measuring the amount of well-control fluid required to fill the hole shall be utilized. \[76 FR 64462, Oct. 18, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 50894, Aug. 22, 2012; 81 FR 26021, Apr. 29, 2016\]