Irvine Municipal Code Ch. 3 Drilling and Operating

A. No oil well shall be drilled within the following distances measured from the centerline of any local street, or any highway shown on the Master Plan of Arterial Highways, as amended:

Major highways …… 210 feet;

Primary highways …… 200 feet;

Secondary highways …… 190 feet;

Local streets …… 180 feet;

except that in the case of a local street, the right-of-way of which is more than 60 feet in width, the distance shall be 150 feet plus one-half of the existing right-of-way. In the case of a local street, the right-of-way of which is more than 60 feet in width, the Superintendent may determine that because of the degree of slope or other feature of the topography, a lesser distance than one-half of the right-of-way in addition to the 150 feet is reasonable to ensure the safety of the traveling public in conformity with the purpose and intent of this provision, in which case the distance thus set by the Superintendent shall prevail. No oil well shall be drilled within 150 feet of the nearest rail of a railway which carries passengers for hire.

B. No oil well shall be drilled within 150 feet of any building used for human occupancy, nor shall any such building be erected within 150 feet of any oil well not abandoned, except buildings incidental to the operation of the well. No oil well shall be drilled within 150 feet from the outer boundary line.

C. No oil well shall be drilled within 300 feet of any building used as a place of public assemblage, institution, or school; nor shall any such building be erected within 300 feet of any oil well not abandoned.

D. In any area adjacent to an existing oil well, the Superintendent may suspend any provisions of this section in whole or in part, or impose less restrictive requirements if such provisions or requirements are rendered unnecessary or unreasonable by the then existing special features, such as: Topography, nature of the use and occupancy of and the proximity to buildings on adjoining property, the height, character and structure of such buildings, the type and character of oil field development and may impose additional safety requirements rendered necessary because of such special features.

(Code 1976, § VI.I-301; Ord. No. 27, § 77.018(a), 4-17-72)

A. Prior to commencement of any drilling operations, all private roads used for access to the drill site and the drill site itself shall be surfaced by clean, crushed rock, gravel or decomposed granite, or oiled, and maintained to prevent dust and mud.

B. In particular cases these requirements governing surfacing of private roads and drill sites may be altered at the discretion of the Superintendent after consideration of all of the circumstances, including, but not limited to, distances from public streets and highways, distances from adjoining and nearby property owners whose surface rights are not leased by the operator and the purposes for which the property of such owners are or may be used, topographical features, nature of the soil and exposure to wind.

(Code 1976, § VI.I-302; Ord. No. 27, § 77.018(b), 4-17-72)

All derricks and masts hereafter erected for drilling or redrilling shall be at least equivalent to the American Petroleum Institute Standards 4A, 14th Edition and 4D, 3rd Edition.

(Code 1976, § VI.I-303; Ord. No. 27, § 77.018(c), 4-17-72)

A sign having a surface area of not less than two square feet and no more than six square feet bearing the current name and number of the well and the name and/or insignia of the operator shall be displayed at all times from the commencement of drilling operations until the well is abandoned. In the event there are more than two producing wells on one leasehold, it shall be sufficient if the entrances to said leasehold are posted with a sign not less than 18 inches by 24 inches bearing the name of the operator together with the name or designation of the lease, together with an openly visible sign on each producing well designating the particular number thereof.

(Code 1976, § VI.I-304; Ord. No. 27, § 77.018(d), 4-17-72)

Protection shall be provided to prevent the blow-out of an oil well, during drilling and redrilling operations, and shall conform to the requirements of the California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Division 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter 14 (Petroleum Safety Orders—Drilling and Production).

(Code 1976, § VI.I-305; Ord. No. 27, § 77.018(e), 4-17-72)

A. Protection shall be provided to prevent the blow-out of an oil well, conforming to the requirements the California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Division 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter 14 (Petroleum Safety Orders—Drilling and Production) in the following cases:

1. During perforating, shooting or cutting off a string of casing.

2. During well servicing operations on a well that is known to have sufficient gas pressure to cause the well to flow, or where the gas pressure is unknown.

B. The operator shall notify the Superintendent, in writing, at least one day before any of the operations described in this section are commenced. In the event that the day following the day on which notice be given falls on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, then such additional days' notice must be given as may be required so that there shall be one day, Saturday, Sunday and holidays excepted, between the date notice be given and any of the said operations commenced.

(Code 1976, § VI.I-306; Ord. No. 27, § 77.018(f), 4-17-72)

The blow-out preventive requirements of Sections 6-5-305 and 6-5-307 may be waived by the Superintendent upon such conditions and for such operations as he or she may determine, upon written application by the operator and upon a showing by him or her of sufficient cause therefor based upon information regarding depth of hole, probable gas pressures to be encountered, the proposed drilling, completion or abandonment program or whatever further information the Superintendent may require.

(Code 1976, § VI.I-307; Ord. No. 27, § 77.018(g), 4-17-72)

Rotary mud, drill cuttings, oil field waste, oil or liquid hydrocarbons and all other oil field wastes derived or resulting from, or connected with the drilling of any well shall be discharged into a sump hole or steel tank. Such drill cuttings, rotary mud, and drilling waste materials shall be removed from the drill site upon completion of drilling operations. Tanks used as and for sump purposes shall be removed from the drill site and sump holes shall be drained and backfilled within 30 days from and after completion of drilling.

(Code 1976, § VI.I-308; Ord. No. 27, § 77.018(h), 4-17-72)

All sumps or sump holes and all oil well production equipment having external, moving parts hazardous to life or limb shall be attended 24 hours per day or be enclosed by a steel chain link type fence not less than six feet in height and in addition having not less than three strands of barbed wire sloping outward at approximately a 45 degree angle and 18 inches from the top of the fence. There shall be no aperture below such fence greater than four inches. Fence gates shall be placed at nonhazardous locations and shall be locked at all times when unattended by a watchperson or service person.

(Code 1976, § VI.I-309; Ord. No. 27, § 77.018(i), 4-17-72)

The following regulations shall apply to cellars:

A. Every cellar shall be constructed in accordance with the California Building Code.

B. Such cellars shall be kept free from water, oil drilling fluids, or other substances which might constitute a hazard, except during drilling and servicing operations.

C. The depth of such cellars shall be the vertical measurement between the lowest point of the floor area in the bottom of such cellar and the lowest point of ground or any surface adjacent to the top of the cellar wall.

D. All multi-well cellars exceeding three feet in depth and 25 feet in length shall have two separate means of exit or entrance. If the cellar exceeds 50 feet in length, one of the means of entrance or exit shall be a stairway. If the cellar exceeds 200 feet in length, a third means of entrance or exit shall be provided.

E. Multi-well cellars shall have a steel grate covering with no unobstructed openings in excess of three inches. Materials, equipment, or other appurtenances shall not be stored or placed on the grating so as to interfere with the escape of gases and vapors.

(Code 1976, § VI.I-310; Ord. No. 27, § 77.018(j), 4-17-72)

All drilling equipment and the derrick shall be removed from the premises within 60 days following the completion, abandonment or desertion of any well. Once the well is a producing well, it shall be serviced with a portable derrick when required. Drilling operations shall be diligently prosecuted until the well is completed or abandoned.

(Code 1976, § VI.I-311; Ord. No. 27, § 77.018(k), 4-17-72)

Soundproofing shall comply to the following specifications when required by the provisions of Section 7-9-117 of the Orange County Zoning Ordinance. Soundproofing acoustical blankets for the drilling derrick and accessory structures shall be: Fibrous glass insulation 1½ inches thick, 0.50 pounds per cubic foot, density, .063 pounds per square foot, weight, .00010 to .00015 fiber diameter (inches) with a phenolic binder having a temperature limit of 450 degrees Fahrenheit sewed between layers of fire retardant, vinyl fiber glass cloth, 15 to 17 ounces per square yard sewed with dacron thread D-92 with stitches not more than six to the inch. The lacing cord shall be flat vinyl coated tape composed of fibrous glass yarn braided, heat set and bonded. The tape shall have a 90-pound tensile strength. Grommets shall be #4 brass. All doors and similar openings shall be kept closed, during drilling operations, except for ingress and egress.

(Code 1976, § VI.I-312; Ord. No. 27, § 77.018(l), 4-17-72)

A. The provisions of this division are not intended to prevent the use of any material or method of construction not specifically prescribed by this division, provided any such alternate has been approved.

B. The Superintendent may approve any such alternate, provided he or she finds that the proposed design is satisfactory and complies with the intent of this division, and that the material or method offered is, for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this division in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability and safety.

C. The Superintendent shall require that sufficient evidence or proof be submitted to substantiate any claims that may be made regarding its use. Whenever there is insufficient evidence of compliance with the intent of this division or evidence that any material or any construction does not conform to the requirements of this division, or in order to substantiate claims for alternate materials or methods of construction, the Superintendent may require tests as proof of compliance to be made at the expense of the owner or his or her agent by an approved agency.

D. Test methods shall be as specified by this division, for the material in question. If there are no appropriate test methods specified in this division, the Superintendent shall determine the test procedure.

E. Copies of the results of all such tests shall be retained for a period of not less than two years after the acceptance of the materials or methods.

(Code 1976, § VI.I-313; Ord. No. 27, § 77.018(m), 4-17-72)

All electrical equipment used, installed or maintained within 50 feet of a drilling well and within 25 feet of a producing well shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the regulations of the National Electrical Code, as adopted and amended by the City.

(Code 1976, § VI.I-314; Ord. No. 27, § 77.0114(a), 4-17-72)

No internal combustion engine, storage tank, boiler, fired equipment or open flame except welding supervised by the production foreman, drilling foreman, drilling engineer, drilling supervisors, or safety supervisors shall be located closer than 25 feet to a producing well nor closer than 100 feet to a drilling well. Internal combustion engines (and their fuel tanks) used in the drilling, production and servicing of oil wells are exempt from the above provisions. During drilling operations on a drill site of two acres or less in area where two or more wells are drilled and drilling and production equipment are located on such sites, the provisions in this section relating to distances of storage tanks may be altered at the discretion of the Superintendent after consideration of the special features such as: Topographical conditions; nature of occupancy and proximity to buildings on adjoining property and height and character of construction of such buildings; capacity and construction of proposed tanks and character of liquids to be stored; degree of private fire protection to be provided, and facilities of the Fire Department to cope with flammable liquid fires.

(Code 1976, § VI.I-315; Ord. No. 27, § 77.0114(b), 4-17-72)

The engines used in connection with the drilling of any oil well or in any production equipment of any oil well shall be equipped with an exhaust muffler to prevent excessive or unusual noise. Means shall be provided on all engines used during drilling operations to prevent the escape of flames, sparks, ignited carbon and soot.

(Code 1976, § VI.I-316; Ord. No. 27, § 77.0114(c), 4-17-72)

Flammable waste gases or vapors escaping from a production drill site shall be burned or controlled to prevent hazardous concentrations reaching sources of ignition or otherwise endangering the area.

A. Flares. Approved means of ignition shall be provided whenever hydrocarbon gases are released to the air through flares.

B. Venting. Gases or vapors not burned may be discharged to the atmosphere at not less than 20 feet vertically above grade and not less than 25 feet horizontally from any source of ignition and at locations that do not create a hazard to the general area.

(Code 1976, § VI.I-317; Ord. No. 27, § 77.0114(d), 4-17-72)

A. No person shall permit or cause to be permitted the discharge of any liquid containing crude petroleum or its products into or upon any street, public highway, drainage canal or ditch, storm drain or flood control channel.

B. No person shall permit or cause to be permitted any oil, waste oil, refuse or waste material to be on the surface of the ground, under, around or near any oil well, pump, boiler, oil storage tank or building except within an oil sump, tank, catchment basin or skimming pond.

C. All land within 25 feet of any oil well, flammable liquid tank or other appurtenance to any such well shall be at all times kept free and clear of dry weeds, grass, rubbish or other combustible debris. When this distance is not sufficient to provide reasonable fire safety, a greater distance may be required which shall not exceed the height of the derrick or greatest dimension of the tank.

(Code 1976, § VI.I-318; Ord. No. 27, § 77.0114(e), 4-17-72)

No person shall smoke or cause, permit or allow another person to smoke within 50 feet of any well, tank location or any area contaminated by oil or waste gas.

(Code 1976, § VI.I-319; Ord. No. 27, § 77.0114(f), 4-17-72)

A minimum of two fire extinguishers shall be maintained at all oil well locations where drilling, servicing or repair work is being conducted. Each such extinguisher shall have a minimum classification of 20B as set forth in N.F.P.A. No. 10, "Standard for the Installation of Portable Fire Extinguishers."

(Code 1976, § VI.I-320; Ord. No. 27, § 77.0114(g), 4-17-72)