Ala. Admin. Code r. 400-1-7-.01

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 400-1-7-.01 - Production Facilities, Processing Facilities, And Plants

All production facilities, processing facilities, and plants shall be designed, installed, and maintained in a manner which provides for efficiency, safety of operation, and protection of the environment.

(1)Production Facilities.

(a) All production equipment shall be designed, installed, and maintained in accordance with generally accepted industry practices or standards.

(b) A generalized process schematic flow diagram showing all equipment with size, capacity, and design working pressure of separators, flare scrubbers, treaters, storage tanks, compressors, line pumps, metering devices, and other hydrocarbon- handling vessels shall be submitted to the Supervisor.

(c) For operations within designated field boundaries where well sites and equipment are the same, a typical schematic may be submitted by the operator for that field. Any deviation from the typical schematic should be submitted to the Supervisor.

(d) Prior to construction and operation of a sour gas production facility, approval must be obtained from the Supervisor. Application for permission to construct and operate a sour gas production facility shall be considered a two-step process.

1.Step 1. An operator seeking the Supervisor's approval for the construction and operation of a sour gas production facility shall submit in duplicate the information listed below:

(i) A generalized schematic flow diagram showing all equipment on location with size, capacity, and design working pressure of separators, flare scrubbers, treaters, storage tanks, compressors, line pumps, metering devices, and other hydrocarbon-handling vessels.

(ii) A description and schematic diagram showing hydrogen sulfide safety and monitoring equipment specified in Rule 400-1-9-.02, relating to Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide.

2.Step 2. Prior to placing equipment in service, the following information shall be submitted:

(i) The following certification signed and dated with the title of the company representative: "(Operator) certifies that the (Production Facility) has been designed, installed and will be operated in accordance with generally accepted industry practices or standards for such facilities."

(ii) In accordance with Rule 400-1-9-.02, relating to Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide, an Operator's Certificate of Compliance for Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide on Form OGB-24 for the facility, associated wells, and gathering lines shall be submitted to the Supervisor.

(e) Additional information when required by the Supervisor.

(2)Processing Facilities.

(a) Processing facilities shall be designed, installed, and maintained in accordance with generally accepted industry practices or standards.

(b) Prior to the construction and operation of a processing facility, approval must be obtained from the Supervisor. Application for permission to construct and operate a processing facility shall be considered as a two-step process.

1.Step 1. An operator seeking the Supervisor's approval for the design and construction of a processing facility shall submit in duplicate the information listed below:

(i) A plat of the site.

(ii) A generalized statement of processes and procedures used in the facility and the design capacity of the facility.

(iii) A generalized schematic flow diagram showing all equipment on location and a plat showing location, size, capacity, and design working pressure of separators, flare scrubbers, treaters, storage tanks, compressors, line pumps, metering devices, and other hydrocarbon-handling vessels.

(iv) Generalized schematic diagrams showing location of hydrogen sulfide and combustible gas detection equipment, sensors and alarms, personnel safety equipment, fire fighting equipment, and emergency shutdown devices.

(v) Construction plans and schedules shall be submitted to the Supervisor prior to initiating construction of the facility.

2.Step 2. Prior to placing the facility in service the operator shall submit information pertaining to operation and maintenance as listed below:

(i) The operator shall submit a schedule for initial testing and inspection of the safety systems at the facility. Such test shall be witnessed by the Board's representative prior to commencing the operation of the facility. Schedules for subsequent inspections and testing shall be submitted to the Supervisor.

(ii) Gas monitoring equipment, including equipment for hydrogen sulfide monitoring and combustible gas detection, shall be maintained in accordance with industry standards.

(iii) The operator shall maintain records showing the dates and results of inspection, testing, repairing, adjustment, and reinstallation of all shut-in devices, relief valves, and safety systems for a period of two (2) years, during which time they shall be available for review by an agent of the Board.

(iv) Prior to placing a processing facility into service, the following certification signed and dated with the title of the company representative shall be submitted: "(Operator) certifies that the (Processing Facility) has been designed, installed and will be operated to meet or exceed generally accepted industry standards or practices for such facilities."

(c) Notification shall be given to the Supervisor for turnaround operations.

(d) For sour gas operations, in addition to the above, the following information shall be submitted:

1. A description and schematic diagram showing hydrogen sulfide safety and monitoring equipment specified in Rule 400-1-9-.02, relating to Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide.

2. Operator's Certificate of Compliance for Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide on Form OGB-24 for the facility, associated wells, and gathering lines shall be submitted to the Supervisor.

(e) Additional information when required by the Supervisor.

(3)Plants.

(a) Plants shall be designed, installed, and maintained in accordance with generally accepted industry practices or standards.

(b) Prior to the construction and operation of a plant, approval must be obtained from the Supervisor. Application for permission to construct and operate a plant shall be considered as a two-step process.

1.Step 1. An operator seeking the Supervisor's approval for the design and construction of a plant shall submit in duplicate the information listed below:

(i) A plat of the site.

(ii) A generalized statement of processes and procedures used in the facility and the design capacity of the facility.

(v) Construction plans and schedules shall be submitted to the Supervisor prior to initiating construction of the facility.

2.Step 2. Prior to placing the plant in service the operator shall submit information pertaining to operation and maintenance as listed below:

(i) The operator shall submit a schedule for initial testing and inspection of the safety systems at the plant. Such test shall be witnessed by the Board's representative prior to commencing the operation of the plant. Schedules for subsequent inspections and testing shall be submitted to the Supervisor.

(ii) Gas monitoring equipment, including equipment for hydrogen sulfide monitoring and combustible gas detection, shall be maintained in accordance with industry standards.

(iv) Prior to placing a plant into service, the following certification signed and dated with the title of the company representative shall be submitted: "(Operator) certifies that the (Plant) has been designed, constructed and will be operated to meet or exceed generally accepted industry practices or standards for such facilities."

(c) Prior to placing a plant involving extraction, into service, approval must be obtained from the Board after notice and hearing.

(d) Notification shall be given to the Supervisor for turnaround operations.

(e) For sour gas operations, in addition to the above, the following information shall be submitted:

1. A description and schematic diagram showing hydrogen sulfide safety and monitoring equipment specified in Rule 400-1-9-.02, relating to Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide.

2. Operator's Certificate of Compliance for Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide on Form OGB-24 for the facility, associated wells, and gathering lines shall be submitted to the Supervisor.

(f) Additional information when required by the Supervisor.

(4)Modifications to Production Facilities, Processing Facilities, and Plants. Modifications to production facilities, processing facilities, and plants shall be addressed in the following manner:

(a) If any production facility requires modifications or metering changes that revise the basic information pertaining to flow diagrams or treatment, revised schematics shall be submitted to the Supervisor for his approval prior to making such modifications.

(b) If any sour gas production facility, processing facility, or plant requires modifications or metering changes that revise the basic information pertaining to flow diagrams, processing, safety systems, or equipment size and locations, revised schematics shall be submitted to the Supervisor for approval prior to making such modifications.

(c) Additional information when required by the Supervisor.

Author: State Oil and Gas Board

Ala. Admin. Code r. 400-1-7-.01

Filed September 30, 1982. Repealed and New Rule: Filed April 11, 2000; effective May 16, 2000. Amended: Filed February 5, 2001; effective March 12, 2001.

Previous Chapter 400-1-7 (Rules 400-1-7-.01 through 400-1-7-.07) Repealed and New Chapter (Rule 400-1-7-.01) adopted in lieu thereof: Filed April 11, 2000.

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 9-17-1, etseq.