Chapter 16.20 — OPERATING AND SAFETY STANDARDS

Sections:

• 16.20.010 Grading, drainage, and surfacing.
• 16.20.020 Wellhead safety equipment.
• 16.20.030 Pumping units.
• 16.20.040 Well servicing standards.
• 16.20.050 Emergency work.
• 16.20.060 Signs and identification.
• 16.20.070 Lighting.
• 16.20.080 Cellars and sumps.
• 16.20.090 Electrical protection.
• 16.20.100 Noise control--General.
• 16.20.110 Vibration.
• 16.20.120 Production facilities fencing and walls.
• 16.20.130 Landscaping--General.
• 16.20.140 Landscaping--Minimum requirements.
• 16.20.150 Painting.
• 16.20.160 Waste and refuse--Removal and control.
• 16.20.170 Pipelines and underground facilities.
• 16.20.180 Storage tanks.
• 16.20.190 Storage of equipment and abandoned structures.
• 16.20.200 Annual inspection compliance orders.
• 16.20.210 Noticing requirements for oil field operations.

A. Access roads and other excavations related to all oil operation sites shall be designed, planned, maintained and repairs when necessary so as to minimize erosion, provide stability of fill, minimize disfigurement of the landscape, and maintain natural drainage. B. Drainage facilities, including but not limited to concrete catchbasins, swales, or interceptor drains shall be designed and installed where necessary to carry waters from any oil operation site to the nearest practical drainage-way approved by the city and/or other responsible jurisdiction. C. There shall be erosion control on all oil operation sites so that no water; muds, or other substances are washed onto public streets or surrounding property. Control techniques shall be those as prescribed in Section 16.16.040 of this title. D. Where required by the inspector, private roads used for access to operation site shall be temporarily or permanently surfaced and maintained with materials approved by the city to control dust, mud, erosion, and drainage. (Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

On all wells there shall be connected to the casing string a two-inch steel valve with a rated working pressure equal to that of the corresponding casing head for the purpose of bleeding off casing pressure or for hookup to kill the well in case of an emergency. No brass valves are permitted. (Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

A. All pumping units installed after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title shall not exceed a height of thirty-six feet at the top of the stroke from ground level. B. All units whether mechanical weighted, air-balanced, or hydraulic shall be maintained in such a manner as to be free of unusually annoying squeaks or grinding noises. Said unit shall be maintained in a clean, painted condition. C. Unit guards shall not be bent, removed, or absent from their required position while equipment is in motion. D. Unit grease and access ladders to the saddle area shall have a safety loop at the top and shall be tightly secured to the unit. E. It shall be unlawful to decorate any pumping unit or other moving part of any equipment enclosed or required to be enclosed on an oil well site with any display or representation which may constitute a nuisance or attraction to children. F. All pumping units shall be secured to prevent movement. G. All surface areas around pumping units shall be kept free of spilled oil, grease, or other materials spilled during the operation of the oil well. (Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

A. All derricks and masts shall be constructed, maintained, and operated pursuant to provisions contained in Section 16.16.070 of this title with the exception that well servicing equipment, including pulling masts and gin poles, shall be removed from the oil operation site within seven days after completion of a servicing operation. B. Within one hundred twenty days of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title, no well servicing derrick or mast shall be used on any oil well that is within one hundred feet of a structure used for human occupancy or a public right- of-way unless there is available a steel mat pulling pad, sufficient to prevent tipping under pressure. Subject wells shall be posted with a sign describing this requirement. Following two warning notices from the inspector for failure to use a steel mat, the well shall be provided with a permanent concrete pulling pad. C. Within one hundred twenty days of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title, all masts or derricks within one hundred feet of any structure used for human occupancy shall have secured tie downs concreted into the ground for wind guys and guy lines prior to pulling pipe, rods, or tubing. Screw-in tie downs may be used to secure rope lifelines from the tubing board to a point safely away from the well bore. All tie downs shall conform to A.P.I. standards or to an alternate plan approved by the city engineer. D. Masts or derricks shall be equipped with soft lay cables sufficient in strength to secure mast as wind guys or guy wires for protection against collapse. E. The use of any single or two-legged gin pole or combination thereof that is not free-standing with hook load is prohibited with the exception of abandonment cases where equipment pipeload is carried on hydraulic jacks and a mast is used to handle joints of pipe or casing.

F. Internal combustion engines shall only be used during servicing operations in those applications for which electrical motors are not appropriate and power generation for these motors require diesel or gasoline generators. The inspector shall approve those applications appropriate, in his discretion, for internal combustion engines for the period of well servicing only and shall determine by field inspection when mufflers or other sound attenuation devices shall be installed. Internal combustion engines (even if muffled) shall be prohibited on all new pumping units installed after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title. All pumping units shall comply with noise standards of Chapter 9.16 of this code. G. All vehicles used at well sites for well servicing shall carry fire extinguishers required and approved by the Long Beach fire department. H. Except in case of emergency well work, well servicing and truck deliveries are prohibited except Monday through Friday, inclusive, from seven a.m. to seven p.m. and except for industrial areas and drill sites as shown on the well servicing map on file in city hall, where oil well servicing shall be permitted on Saturdays and Sundays from nine a.m. to seven p.m. (Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

A. The provision of this chapter shall not prevent emergency well work at any time. Emergency well work shall mean immediate action to preserve life, property, or the environment, necessitated by any sudden or unforeseen situation and may include well blow out, loss of circulation, rig safety, or other situations deemed to be an emergency by D.O.G. or the city. In the event that any person believes an emergency exists, he or she may take immediate corrective action and simultaneously shall notify the inspector of such emergency and corrective action. If the inspector determines that no emergency exists or that the corrective action is inappropriate, the inspector shall so notify the person taking action and such person shall comply with the determination and any order of the inspector. B. The city may authorize emergency work at times not otherwise permitted, when determined that an emergency exists. The inspector shall consider and make findings concerning: (1) the nature of surrounding property, (2) type of emergency work, (3) time of emergency work, (4) existence of buildings, structures, natural features and topography which will buffer the impacts of the work on surrounding properties, (5) any other matters affecting the impact of the emergency work noise on surrounding properties. The inspector may impose any conditions upon the operator which the inspector deems reasonable resulting from the emergency work. C. The inspector shall prepare a permit reciting each of the findings specified above and the factual basis therefor, copies of which shall be delivered to the city manager, police chief, operator and the D.O.G. D. In connection with authorizing emergency work, the inspector may impose upon the operator any conditions the inspector deems reasonable and necessary to mitigate adverse impacts on nearby properties or to protect public health, safety, and welfare. The inspector's permit for emergency work shall list all such conditions imposed. E. The permit shall be revocable by the city manager or inspector if determination is made that no emergency exists or for failure to comply with any conditions imposed on the operator as part of the permit process. The permit may be reissued as may be required by the circumstances giving rise to the emergency, so long as the provisions of this section are satisfied. (Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

A. A sign shall be prominently displayed and maintained near or on the pumping unit of each well, whether producing or not, and on each tank farm battery; in conformance with Section 16.16.080 of this title, except that the name of the drilling contractor may be omitted. B. In the event a leasehold or oil operation site is fenced or walled, or there are more than two wells on one leasehold, it shall be sufficient if the entrances to the leasehold are posted with a legible, permanent sign prominently displayed bearing the name of the operator, together with the name of designation of the lease, the telephone numbers of one person on twenty-four-hour call for emergencies, together with any openly visible sign on each well designating the particular number thereof. C. In addition to conformance with the Federal Hazardous Substance Labeling Act, the California Hazardous Substance Labeling Act, and the applicable federal, state, and local codes, each storage tank shall have clearly painted on the side of the tank facing the nearest public right-of-way in legible lettering the contents of the tank or its use. (Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

All lighting shall be directed or shielded so as to confine direct rays on the drill or operations site and shall be designed to assist in the discovery and prevention of spills. Colored, flashing, fluttering, or blinking lights shall not be used, with the exception of height warning lights as may be required by the Federal Aviation Administration. (Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part)) 16 20 080 Cellars and sumps

A. All cellars shall comply with provisions contained in Section 16.16.100 of this title. B. The inspector, when deemed necessary, may require the installation of a float or diaphragm "safety kill" switch. C. Sumps for the collection of rain water, wastewater or oil shall be fully lined with impervious materials and shall be evacuated and cleaned after any spill. Unlined evaporation sumps are prohibited. Sumps shall be designed, constructed, and maintained so as to not be a hazard to people, livestock, or wildlife including bird life. (Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

A. All on-site generated electrical services may use insulated wiring for distribution providing such cables are either buried or run in protective gutters to prevent impact in areas where cables cross beams. Where vibration is present, there shall be securing devices or insulating devices to prevent wear to the exterior of the cable. B. All cables and other electrical installations used, maintained, or installed shall conform to Title 15 of this code, California Industrial Safety Code, or A.P.I. regulations, whichever standards are more restrictive. (Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

A. All operations shall conform to Chapter 9.16 of this code. If noise levels exceed the ambient noise levels permitted in Chapter 9.16, the inspector shall issue a notice to the operator. B. Upon receipt of notice, the operator shall submit for the approval of the inspector the procedures to correct the violation. Corrective measures shall be taken within forty-eight hours of notice. The inspector may require a follow-up noise field test by an acoustical engineer to ensure compliance, in which case the operator shall pay the actual costs to the city for such test.

1. Failure to comply shall be reason for the inspector to suspend or revoke any operational permit issued pursuant to Chapter 16.12 of this title.
2. Nothing shall preclude the inspector from pursuing other administrative or legal remedies to obtain compliance. C. Except in case of emergency well work, well servicing, reworking and truck deliveries are prohibited except Monday through Friday, inclusive from seven a.m. to seven p.m. and except for industrial areas and drill sites as shown on the oil well servicing map on file in city hall, where work shall be permitted on Saturday and Sundays from nine a.m. to seven p.m. D. The operator shall post a two foot by three foot sign on all oil servicing, redrilling or reworking operations within twenty- four hours of commencing servicing or rework operations. The sign shall contain the following information:
3. Operator company name;
4. A twenty-four hour telephone number of the operator who is familiar with the well work and who can be contacted with questions;
5. A statement that the Signal Hill Municipal Code allows well work from the hours of seven a.m. to seven p.m. per Section 9.16.070;
6. A statement that "Well servicing is being performed at this site." E. For the purposes of developing a data base, as part of the annual inspection process, the oil services coordinator shall record noise measurements for all operating wells located within three hundred feet of residential dwellings. A five minute noise measurement shall be taken along the longitudinal axis of the oil well pumping unit approximately twenty feet away from the motor. (Ord. 93-04-1153 § 9; Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

Vibration from equipment shall be kept to a minimum level, and in such cases as it is required, vibration dampening equipment of the best available technology shall be installed as required by the inspector so as to reduce vibration to a minimum. (Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

A. All wells and tanks, will be enclosed by a fence or wall constructed in accordance with D.O.G. regulations as set forth in Title 14, Section 1778 of the California Code of Regulations.

B. All fencing and wall enclosures shall be equipped with at least one gated area, placed at non-hazardous locations, and provided with a combination catch and locking attachment device for a padlock which shall be kept locked at all times when unattended by a watchman or serviceman. C. The colors of all walls, fencing, slats, or other comparable materials shall be compatible with surrounding uses, and maintained in a neat, orderly, secure condition. Repairs, repainting and or replanting shall be made from time to time as ordered by the inspector to maintain a high quality standard for the fencing and related improvements, and a neat and orderly appearance of the oil field. (Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

A. Within six months of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title, operators of well sites, production related tanks and oil operation sites shall submit for approval by the planning director a complete landscape plan including the following:

1. A site plan of the oil operation site as defined by the outer boundary lines including adjacent public streets, well and tank sites, and the following: a. The precise location of the outer boundary property lines land adjacent public improvements sufficient in detail to assure that any proposed perimeter landscaping will not encroach into the public rights-of-way; b. Proposed landscaped areas including dimensions; c. An irrigation plan providing for automatic irrigation or a written plan for manual watering; d. Proposed trees, shrubs, and ground covers including size, quantity, and spacing; e. Instructions for the preparation of soils, quantities of soils amendments, staking of trees, etc.; f. Other pertinent information as may be deemed necessary by the planning director. B. Review procedure. The site plan as set forth in subsection (A) of this section shall be reviewed and approved, conditionally approved or denied by the planning director based on findings of consistency with the purpose and intent of this chapter and consistency with the requirements herein or as the case may be the design guidelines for the Willow/Spring/Cherry Corridors and the Map of Oil Field Perimeters on file in the community development department.
2. If the planning director denies the landscape plan, the operator shall cause the plan to be revised within thirty days and resubmit for review and approval.
3. If the planning director approves the landscape plan, the operator shall do the following: a. Enter into a landscape plan and maintenance agreement allowing for the city to repair or replace dead or neglected landscaping and recover any costs incurred from the oil operators; b. Install the landscaping in accordance with the approved landscape plan within three months. (Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

Landscaping shall be designed to screen the perimeter of oil operations sites and create buffers between oil field facilities and urban uses. Landscaping shall implement the Landscape Design Guidelines for the Willow/Spring/Cherry Corridors on file in the community development department and be arranged to improve the visual appearance of oil field activities and to mitigate the impact of oil-related activities on urban development while still allowing normal oil recovery operations. Recognizing variations in oil well locations, pumping units, concrete pads, pipes, and other potential obstructions and the need, in some cases, for unobstructed access to operations, the following minimum landscaping standards shall apply: A. Four fifteen gallon size trees and six five gallon size shrubs shall be provided for each oil well. B. Four fifteen gallon size trees and six five gallon size shrubs shall be provided for each tank. C. Automatic irrigation systems or other provisions for regular watering shall be provided. The use of drought tolerant trees and shrubs is recommended. D. All landscaping and irrigation shall be properly maintained in accordance with an approved landscaping plan and maintenance agreement. E. It shall be the responsibility of the inspector to inspect landscaping and order the operator to repair, prune, or replant as necessary to maintain a high quality standard of landscaping appearance. When necessary, the inspector shall enforce the landscape plan and maintenance agreement. (Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

A. All pumping units, storage tanks, heaters, exposed pipelines, and buildings or structures located on an oil operation site shall be painted as may be regularly needed, and be maintained reasonably free of rust, oil and stains. Pipelines less than four inches in diameter need not be painted. B. The inspector shall require periodic painting. In making such determinations, the inspector shall consider the deterioration of the quality of material of which such facility or structure is constructed, the degree of deterioration, and its appearance. C. Paint color shall be approved by the director and shall be compatible with surrounding uses. Special painting required by D.O.G. for moving parts shall be exempt from the requirement for director approval. (Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

A. No person shall permit or cause to be permitted the discharge of any chemicals, oil, or liquid hydrocarbons and other oil field waste or refuse, including wastewater and brine to be deposited, placed, or discharged in, into, or upon a public right-of-way, storm drain, sanitary drain or sewer, drainage canal or ditch, flood control channel or onto private property including any oil leasehold property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, treated wastewater and brine may be discharged if a permit is obtained for such discharge in accordance with provisions contained in Section 16.12.080 of this title. After any spill, leak, or malfunction, the responsible operator shall remove or cause to be cleaned and/or removed, to the satisfaction of the inspector, all oil and waste materials from any public or private property affected by such spill, leak, or malfunction. B. No person shall permit or cause to be permitted any oil, waste oil, water, refuse, or waste materials to be on the surface of the ground, underground, or near any oil well, pump, boiler, storage tank, or building except within an approved location. Upon order of the oil services coordinator, the operator shall cause such materials to be cleaned and/or removed by an approved waste hauler or other approved means. C. Open earth pits, sumps, skim ponds, or any other area where there is storage of oils or liquid hydrocarbons, brines, or other waste liquids open to the sky are prohibited and shall be removed, evacuated of all foreign or contaminated materials, and filled with compatible clean earth within one hundred eighty days of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title, except any clarifiers or concrete pits which were constructed with approved permits prior to the adoption of the ordinance codified in this title, provided that all such areas shall be protected by grates or screening pursuant to D.O.G. requirements. D. Flammable waste gases or vapors shall not be discharged to the atmosphere or burned by open flame except by written approval of D.O.G. and the South Coast Air Quality Management District. E. Cement slurry or dry cement shall not be disposed of on the surface. F. All oil operation sites shall at all times be kept free and clear of debris, weeds, brush, trash, or other waste or combustible material. (Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

A. All pipelines or electrical lines appurtenant to well sites other than those within the containment of tank wells, or within the fencing of the well bore, shall be buried a minimum of twelve inches below the surface of the ground. Where valves are necessary in areas where vehicle movement occurs, such valves shall be encased in valve boxes which are level with the ground and of sufficient strength to support vehicle weight. B. All aboveground pipelines containing flammable materials located in tank farms and tank batteries shall be of noncombustible, heat-resistant material. C. Pipelines shall comply with Chapter 16.32 of this title. (Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

All tank farms, tank batteries, or storage tanks used for the storage, processing, and separating of crude oil or the storage of wastes, liquids, or other fluids shall conform to Chapter 16.25 of this title. (Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

A. No drilling, redrilling, reworking, portable equipment, nonoperational tanks, vehicles, barrels, debris, etc., shall be stored within the outer boundary line of the oil operation site which is not essential to the everyday operation of the oil well located thereon. Upon order of the inspector, such storage shall be removed from the oil operation site. This includes the

removal of idle equipment unnecessary for the operation of all wells. However, drilling or production equipment may be stored on an oil operation site if such site is enclosed with a solid wall, landscaping or fence, which screens the site from public view within one hundred feet. Limited storage of tubing, rods, drums, and fittings may be authorized by the inspector. Landscaping items which are not in compliance with this section shall be removed within ninety days after notice of the operator. B. It shall be illegal to park or store any vehicle or item of machinery in any driveway, alley, or upon any oil operating site which constitutes a fire hazard or an obstruction to or interference with fighting or controlling fires. C. Tanks, vessels, pipes, and other oil field equipment which is no longer in use shall be removed within ninety days following written notice from the inspector. (Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

A. At least one time per year, the inspector shall inspect every premise subject to any permit under this oil code for compliance with the provisions of this code. In the event any violation is found, the inspector shall provide notice of same to the operator and the operator shall have thirty days from the date of the notice to correct the violation. The inspector may grant reasonable extensions of time for correction of the violation upon a showing of good cause by the operator. The inspector may require immediate corrective action for any violation which poses an immediate danger to the public health, safety, and welfare, or which poses immediate danger if irreversible environmental damage. B. If an operator fails to comply with an order of the inspector, the inspector may issue a stop order pursuant to Section 16.04.080, or take other action to abate any nuisance condition under Section 16.04.100. (Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

When an operator proposes to reactivate a well which has been inactive for more than one year the operator shall comply with the following noticing procedure: A. The operator shall notify all neighbors within one hundred feet of a well, or more if determined necessary by the city, at least twenty-four hours prior to commencing the work. The form of notice shall be accomplished by one of the following: mailing a letter to the affected residents explaining the proposed operations; personally delivering the letter; or personally knocking on doors and explaining the proposed operations. B. The operator shall post a sign on the well in conformance with Section 16.20.100(D) of this chapter. C. The operator shall notify the city division of oil field services by telephone or letter at least twenty-four hours prior to commencing the work. The notice shall detail the actions taken or to be taken to notify neightbors. (Ord. 99-08-1261 § 2)