§ 46-112. Production and operation.

(a)

Precautions and standard equipment and procedures to be utilized. In drilling for oil and gas, petroleum or other hydrocarbons and the production thereof, the permittee shall use every precaution, equipment and materials in accordance with approved methods of operation, drilling, and production to stop and prevent waste of oil, gas, petroleum or hydrocarbons and to protect residents and properties of the city, and therein shall equip and operate the well and all allied equipment therewith of standard design and quality as are in common use in the petroleum industry. All such equipment shall be installed and maintained in accordance with standard drilling producing and operating practices.

(b)

Fencing of drilling operation. From the time of placing any equipment, derricks, riggings, or other drilling equipment or supplies until the time of removal thereof upon final completion of the well, each location of the well shall be completely surrounded by fencing in order to completely surround and enclose the drilling operation. Such fence shall be supported by steel posts and shall be of woven wire of not less than 14-gauge wire with mesh of not less than two inches nor more than four inches and shall be at least six feet high.

(c)

Erection and location of flares; fencing. All flares erected within the corporate limits of the city shall be at least 300 feet from any building or structure and shall extend at least 20 feet above the surface of the ground. All such flares shall be of approved construction and shall be installed in a pit of sufficient depth and area to provide adequate drainage and safety precautions. The location of all such flares shall be completely enclosed by steel fencing of the same type and dimensions as provided in subsection (b) of this section for enclosing the drilling operation.

(d)

Use of portable slush pit required. In all cases where an oil and gas well is being drilled in a residentially zoned area, the drilling operator shall use a portable slush pit and all slush and waste shall be deposited therein and from time to time removed beyond the corporate limits of the city for disposal. No open pits for the disposal of slush, brine or salt water shall be permitted at any time after the completion of the drilling operation in any area of the city.

(e)

Disposal of brine or salt water. All brine or salt water produced in the drilling for or production of oil shall, under the supervision of the state supervisor of wells, be returned to some underground formation or otherwise disposed of in order that such brine, salt water or refuse shall not do damage to any fresh water, wells, lakes, ponds or rivers.

(f)

Well enclosure to be kept clean; free of inflammables. The person in charge of the producing operations of a well shall keep the fenced enclosure around such well free of all trash and inflammable substances not necessary in the operation of such well and shall keep the weeds cut and otherwise keep the location in a clean and orderly condition. Machinery and equipment not used in the operation of the well shall not be stored or left in such enclosure. All oil tanks shall be painted or galvanized.

(g)

Removal of mud or fluid from well; notification of fire chief. Except in emergency, at least six hours before any mud or fluid in any well shall be removed, swabbed, baled or otherwise cleaned out, the chief of the fire department or other officer in charge shall be served with written notice of the hour that such cleaning, swabbing or bailing is done, and if in his opinion the cleaning, swabbing or bailing shall be hazardous to the safety of life or property, he is hereby authorized to stop or prevent such cleaning, swabbing or bailing until such time as conditions may become favorable to continue the same. It shall be unlawful to commence the testing of any well from sundown until sunrise, or during a period when gas may settle on the ground or during any electrical storm. Before bringing in a well, all of the control devices including master gates and safety valves shall be tested and shall be in good working order and shall comply with the provisions of this article.

(h)

Drilling procedure for Salina-Niagara formation. Prior to entering the top of the Salina-Niagara formation, the drilling shall be done with mud-laden fluids of such weight and viscosity as shall be required by and under good drill practices in the area in which such drilling is being done.

(Ord. No. 69, § IV, 5-8-61)