HomeMy WebLinkAboutWS Item 01 - Oil and Gas Well Drillin RegulationsMEMO TO:
FROM:
MEETING DATE:
SUBJECT
RECOMMENDATION
0) K ITEM #
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER lJkllv
MAY 1, 2007
AMENDMENT TO OIL AND GAS WELL DRILLING REGULATIONS
Amend Section D - Setback Distances as it relates to Section D.1.c. - Distance from non-
residential building used for human occupancy.
BACKGROUND
Section D.1.c. establishes a minimum 1,000 ft. separation from the well head to any
building that can be occupied. This would apply to any commercial and industrial building.
If the 1,000 ft. separation were applied on commercial and industrial property, there would
be little opportunity for a well to be drilled and leave enough area for other development on
the property.
Staff recommends that Section D.1.c be amended to allow buildings used for human
occupancy be permitted with a 300 ft. separation. Staff feels this would allow a minimum
opportunity to drill wells and also develop property,
Staff is proposing no change to Sections D.1.a and b., which requires 1,000 ft. separation
from parks, residences, hospitals, religious institutions, and public buildings.
20. After any spill, leak or malfunction, the operator shall remove or cause to be
removed all waste materials from any public or private property affected by such
spill, leak or malfunction. Cleanup operations shall begin immediately.
21. The drill site shall at all times be kept free of debris, pools of water or other
liquids, contaminated soil, weeds, brush, trash or other waste material outside the
drill site within a radius of one hundred (100) feet around any separators, tanks and
producing wells within the leased property.
22. Drilling mud pits shall adhere to the following requirements:
a. Only freshwater -based mud systems shall be permitted. Saltwater -based
mud systems and oil-based mud systems are prohibited.
b. No metal additives may be added to any drilling fluids.
C. All fluid produced from the well during completion of production shall be held
in enclosed containers while stored on the property.
d. The pit and its contents shall be removed from the premises within ninety
(90) days after completion of the well; provided, however, that the permittee may
apply for a 90 day extension from such requirements based on showing of good
cause, necessity to maintain said pit, inclement weather, or other factors. The
City may designate a period of time shorter than the 90 -day extension set out
herein.
23.A copy of the hazardous materials management plan as required by the City of
Grapevine's Fire Marshal's office. In addition to the hazardous materials
management plan, all material safety data sheets (MSDSs) for all hazardous
materials that will be located, stored, transported, and/or temporarily used on the
drilling site shall be provided to the oil and gas inspector and Fire Marshal.
24.A copy of the emergency response plan as required by the City of Grapevine's Fire
Marshal's office.
25.A copy of the determination by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of
the depth of useable quality ground water.
D. Setback Distances.
1. Wells setbacks for gas or oil well permits:
It shall be unlawful to drill, redrill, deepen, re-enter, activate or convert any well, the
center of which, at the surface of the ground, is located:
a. Within 1,000 feet from any public park; or
b. Within 1,000 feet from any residence, religious institution, public building,
hospital building or school for which a building permit has been issued on the
date of the application for a drilling permit is filed with the Fire Marshal; or
C. Except for buildings addressed by Subsection D.1.b. immediately
hereinabove, within 300 feet from any building used or designed and intended
to be used, for human occupancy; or
ORD. NO. 13
d. Within 500 feet from any lease line as indicated on Texas Railroad
Commission Form W-1, or recorded property, lot or tract line; or
e. Within 500 feet from any existing storage tank, or source of potential ignition;
or
f. Within 200 feet of any public street, road, highway, or right-of-way line; or
g. Within 100 feet of any building accessory to, but not necessary to the
operation of the well; or
h. Within 1,000 feet to any fresh water well; or
i. The measurement of all distances shall be calculated from the proposed well
bore, in a straight line, without regard to intervening structures or objects, to the
closest exterior point of the any object listed in a. through h. above.
j. For purposes of this section, a building used, or designed and intended to
be used, for human occupancy" means an enclosed space, other than a
residence, in which individuals congregate for amusement or similar purposes
or in which occupants are engaged at labor, and which is equipped with means
of egress, light, and ventilation facilities."
2. The distances set out in this may be reduced at the discretion of the City Council.
3. Tank batteries, well facilities and equipment shall be located at least 4300 feet
from any public park, or from any residence, religious institution, public building,
hospital building or school, or any other building used, or designed and intended to
be used, for human occupancy, for which a building permit has been issued on the
date of the application for a drilling permit is filed. The distance shall be calculated
from the closest tank batteries, well facilities and/or equipment, in a straight line,
without regard to intervening structures or objects, to the closest exterior point of the
building.
12-146. Insurance and Indemnification Requirements.
The operator shall provide or cause to be provided the insurance described below for each
well for which a Gas or Oil Well Permit is issued, such insurance to continue until the well
is abandoned and the site restored. The operator may provide the required coverage on
a "blanket basis for multiple wells". Such coverage shall be subject to the review and
approval of the City Attorney for the City of City of Grapevine.
A. General Requirements Indemnification and Express Negligence Provisions.
1. Each Gas Well Permit issued by the City shall include the following language:
Operator does hereby expressly release and discharge, all claims, demands,
actions, judgments, and executions which it ever had, or now have or may have,
or assigns may have, or claim to have, against the City of Grapevine, and/or its
departments, it agents, attorneys, elected officials, officers, contractors, servants,
successors, assigns, sponsors, volunteers, or employees, created by, or arising out
of personal injuries, bodily injuries, or death, known or unknown, and injuries to
property, real or personal, or in any way incidental to or in connection with the
performance of the work performed by the operator under a gas or oil well permit
ORD. NO. 14