053-5 Wyo. Code R. § 5-4

Current through April 27, 2019

Section 5-4 - Wind Guys

(a) Four (4) crown-to-ground guys of at least five-eighths (5/8) inch diameter, 6 x 37 class, improved plow steel or steel of higher breaking strength shall be used on every rig up. Exception: This rule does not apply when the manufacturer does not recommend the use of wind guys and the following conditions are met:

(1) no one is in the mast during operation,

(2) no rod, tubing, etc. is racked in the mast,

(3) outriggers are utilized, and

(4) the mast height is 60 feet or less.

(b) Two (2) racking boards-to-ground guys of at least nine-sixteenths (9/16) inch diameter, 6 x 37 class, improved plow steel or steel of greater breaking strength shall be used in every rig up where tubing is in the board.

(c) A thorough inspection of all wind guy anchor lines in use shall be made at least once a year, and shall be visually inspected prior to each rig up. All inspections shall be performed by a competent person authorized by the employer to perform such inspection. Wire ropes with any of the following defects shall be removed from service as wind guy anchor lines:

(i) When three (3) broken wires are found in one lay of 6 x 6 wire rope;

(ii) When six (6) broken wires are found in one lay of 6 x 19 wire rope;

(iii) When nine (9) broken wires are found in one lay of 6 x 37 wire rope;

(iv) When eight (8) broken wires are found in one lay of 8 x 19 wire rope;

(v) When wire ropes not described herein are found to have four (4) percent of the total number of wires composing such wire broken in one lay;

(vi) When marked corrosion appears;

(vii) When corroded or broken wires at end connections are noted;

(viii) When end connections are corroded, cracked, bent, worn or improperly applied; or

(ix) When evidence of kinking, crushing, cutting or unstranding are noted.

(d) All chains, boomers, clamps, and tensioning devices remaining in the working guy lines shall be bypassed by continuing the guy line through or around the anchor, then back to the guy line again. The guy line shall be properly secured with at least three (3) U-bolt clamps of proper size or their equivalent.

(i) Fairlead (sheaves) at least in strength to the anchor may be used in the eye of the anchor.

(e) Guy line anchors, including expanding anchors, pipe anchors, concrete anchors, or other approved techniques shall be used, except that temporary, moveable or driven stakes shall not be used. Locations of all anchors shall be marked with an appropriate marker that extends a minimum of 24 inches above ground level. Exception: This rule does not apply when the manufacturer does not recommend the use of wind guys and the following conditions are met:

(i) no one is in the mast during operation;

(ii) no rod, tubing, etc. is racked in the mast;

(iii) outriggers are utilized; and

(iv) the mast height is 60 feet or less.

(f) Anchor placement and pull tests.

(i) With respect to anchors installed, reinstalled or relocated on or before September 24, 1970, anchors shall be proof-tested along an angle that approximates the wind guys working plane within the anniversary or 12th month prior to the use of the anchors. EXAMPLE: An anchor pull tested in January 1992 shall be usable through the last day of January 1993, likewise an anchor tested on June 10, 1994 is good through June 30, 1995. Such tests will be at the poundage determined by the anchor's location (per Figure 5a) within Sector A, B, or C, and computed according to the appropriate sector curve on Figure 4a. If either of the two front anchors fall in a sector which requires a higher test pull, both front anchors shall be tested as if they were located in the sector requiring the higher pull test. If is frozen at the time of the test and anchors are to be used again when the ground is not frozen, the anchors must be retested before use. If any anchor is more than three (3) feet above or below the well ground level, Figure 6 shall be used to determine the adjusted distance for which the pull test requirement will be established using Figure 4a. Anchors to be used for singles derricks only shall be proof-tested to 10,000 lbs. and must be located within Sector A, B, or C of Figure 5a.

(ii) With respect to anchors installed, reinstalled or relocated on or after September 25, 1970, anchors shall be proof-tested along an angle that approximates the wind guy's working plane within the anniversary or 12th month prior to the use of the anchors. EXAMPLE: An anchor pull tested in January 1992 shall be usable through the last day of January 1993, likewise an anchor tested on June 10, 1994 is good through June 30, 1995. Such tests will be made at the poundage determined by the anchor's location(per Figure 5b) within Sector A, B, or C, and computed according to the appropriate sector curve on Figure 4a. If any anchor falls in a sector which requires a higher test pull, all four (4) anchors shall be tested as if they were located in the sector requiring the higher pull test. If ground is frozen at the time of the test and anchors are to be used again when the ground is not frozen, the anchors must be retested before use. If any anchor is more than three (3) feet above or below the well ground level, Figure 6 shall be used to determine the adjusted distance for which the pull test requirement will be established using Figure 4a. Anchors to be used for singles derricks only shall be proof-tested on 10,000 lbs. and must be located within Sector A, B, or C of Figure 5b.

(g) No oil or gas well servicing unit shall be rigged up on a work site unless wind guy anchors have been installed and tested in accordance with this section. Exception: This rule does not apply when the manufacturer does not recommend the use of wind guys and the following conditions are met:

(1) no one is in the mast during operation,

(2) no rod, tubing, etc. is racked in the mast,

(3) outriggers are utilized, and

(4) the mast height is 60 feet or less.

(h) Wind guy anchors and servicing unit placement.

(i) Wind guy anchors shall be positioned in accordance with Figure 5a or 5b.

(ii) The well operator shall provide a visible marker in such a position that a straight line through the marker and through the well head will form an angle with a line through any anchor and the well head which complies with the minimum angle requirements as follows:

*Minimum Angle Distances From Well Centerline
Sector	Each Quadrant	Minimum Angle	Front and Rear	Sides
A	20°	35°	14	10
B	30°	30°	17	10
C	45°	22.5°	24	10

* In the use of Figure 5b, if any anchor in the pattern falls within Sector "C", the minimum angle on all anchors is 22.5° . One or more anchors located in Sector "B", with the remaining anchors in Sector "A", requires the minimum angle to be 30° on all anchors. In the use of Figure 5a, the minimum angle of any anchor is 22.5°. A field determination of the angle can be found by measuring these distances in convenient units such as feet, and/or paces in reference to the well centerline, the anchors and the longitudinal axis of the unit. (Example: With a single anchor in the pattern located in Sector "C", one could take 24 paces from the well head on an imaginary line which bisects the two adjacent anchors between which the servicing unit will be placed. At this point there would be placed a marker or a stake. One would then take 10 paces to the left and turn so as to be aligned with the well head. If anchors "A" and "C" (Diagram A) are "outside" the alignment, these anchors would be satisfactory. Going back to the center marker, one would repeat this procedure to the right. If anchors "B" and "D" are outside one's alignment, the center marker is satisfactory. If alignment to either the left or right was not satisfactory, the center marker or stake would be moved to the left or right as needed and the alignment rechecked until the center marker is located properly.)

(A) The visible marker shall be placed on a direct line from the well head which passes through the center marker at least 100 feet from the well.

(iii) servicing unit operator shall center his unit in line with the marker and the well head.

(iv) Where there is provided a readily visible and clearly defined pad for the positioning of the servicing unit which will maintain the required minimum angle from the longitudinal axis of the unit and the well to any anchor, the use of the marker in h.(2) is optional.

(i) Each well site shall have available at such well site in an accessible, weatherproof container, or in a field office within a five (5) mile radius of the well, an Anchor Record. Such Anchor Record shall state the date the anchor was installed, prior to, or subsequent to September 24, 1970, the date of any relocation or reinstallation of any anchor at the well site after September 24, 1970, each anchor's pull test (sector) from Figure 5a or 5b, and the date, total amount of such pull test, and identification of the tester. This rule does not apply when the manufacturer does not recommend the use of wind guys and the following conditions are met:

(1) no one is on the mast during operation,

(2) no rod, tubing, etc. is racked in the mast,

(3) outriggers are utilized, and

(4) the mast height is 60 feet or less.
- (i) Each anchor shall be pulled and held for a period of two (2) minutes after all movement (creep) has stopped.
- (ii) The anchor record shall state "FOR SINGLES DERRICKS ONLY" if the anchors are only tested to 10,000 pounds.

(j) All anchor testing units shall be certified by the Workers' Safety and Compensation Division.

(k) Wind guys from crown or tubing (racking) board shall not be any closer than 10 feet from power lines, and in no case shall a wind guy be extended above or below a power line.

(l) Installation, testing and maintenance of guy line anchors shall be the responsibility of the well operator. The well operator shall not permit erection of doubles derricks on anchors proof-tested for singles derricks.

(m) Employers shall not erect any doubles derricks on anchors proof-tested for singles derricks.

(n) Gin pole operations shall be performed in accordance with 1910.181, Wyoming Occupational Health and Safety 1910-General Rules and Regulations.

(o) Guying of masts in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations when such guying patterns meet or exceed the requirements as set forth in Figure 5a and 5b shall be permitted.

ANCHOR ELEVATION ADJUSTMENT CHART

Directions for use of Figure 6:

After determining the elevation difference between the well ground level and the anchor ground level, find that difference on the Figure designated "Anchor Elevation Above or Below Well Ground Level". Follow that difference line until it meets the vertical line which represents the actual distance from well head to the anchor. Then follow the slanted line, either up or down as applicable, until "0" (Well Ground Level) is reached. Read vertically, and read the "Horizontal Distance from Well Feet". This adjusted distance is then applied to Figure 4 to determine the required pull test according to the Sector in which the anchor is located. (Example: An anchor located 10 feet above well ground level 100 feet from the well head would, using Figure 6, require the same pull test as though it was 110 feet from the well. An anchor 15 feet below well ground level 80 feet from the well head would require the same pull test as though it was 70 feet from the well head.)

053-5 Wyo. Code R. § 5-4