SECTION 165:10-3-15. Venting and flaring

(a)   Conditioning a producing well without a permit. An operator may blow down a producing well without a permit for a period not to exceed 72 hours if:

(1)   Blowing down the well is necessary for efficient operation of the well or unexpected circumstances are encountered;

(2)   Blowing down the well will not damage any producing formation in the well; and

(3)   The operator complies with the H2S requirements of 165:10-3-16.

(b)   Gas volumes less than or equal to 50 mcf/d. An operator may vent or flare up to 50 mcf/d without a permit if:

(1)   It is not economically feasible to market the gas;

(2)   A suitable stand, line, or stack is used to prevent a hazard to people, and such stand, line or stack has a properly installed and operating stack arrestor;

(3)   H2S content of gas exceeds 100 ppm, then the gas must be flared; and

(4)   The operator shall notify the appropriate Conservation Division District Office or Field Inspector within 24 hours of initiating the flaring of gas with an H2S content exceeding 100 ppm.

(c)   Permit to vent or flare gas volumes in excess of 50 mcf/d.

(1)   The Conservation Division may administratively grant a permit to vent or flare on a daily basis gas volumes in excess of 50 mcf/d, if:

(A)   The operator applies for the permit on Form 1022;

(B)   The application lists the location of the well and the maximum daily volume of gas to be vented or flared;

(C)   It is not economically feasible to market the gas; and

(D)   A suitable stack, stand, or line will be used to prevent a hazard to people or property, and such stand, line or stack has a properly installed and operating stack arrestor.

(2)   The operator shall file an amended application in the event that the amount of gas to be vented or flared exceeds the permitted volume.

(d)   Temporary permit exemption for gas vented or flared during initial flowback from a newly completed or recompleted well. Gas vented or flared during initial flowback from a newly completed or recompleted well shall be exempt from the permit requirements of subsection (c) for a period not to exceed 21 days, commencing with the first date gas flow is in excess of 50 mcf/d, if:

(1)   Combustible gas flow greater than 50 mcf/d is flared;

(2)   Gas with H2S content in excess of 100 ppm is flared;

(3)   The operator gives at least 48 hours notice by electronic mail or facsimile to the appropriate Conservation Division District Office or Field Inspector regarding the time when the venting or flaring of gas pursuant to this subsection will begin;

(4)   It is not economically feasible to market the gas; and

(5)   A suitable stack, stand, or line will be used to prevent a hazard to people or property, and such stand, line or stack has a properly installed and operating stack arrestor.

(e)   Gas flared after initial flowback from a newly completed or recompleted well. Subsequent to the 21 day initial flowback period addressed in subsection (d), gas flared during flowback from a newly completed or recompleted well shall be exempt from the permit requirements in subsection (c) for an additional period not to exceed 45 days if:

(1)   Gas volumes flared from the well are less than or equal to an average rate of 300 mcf/d over the 45 day period, and one or more of the following conditions applies:

(A)   No appropriate takeaway structure exists;

(B)   The well is an exploration well; or

(C)   The quality of the gas to be flared is not pipeline acceptable.

(2)   Gas with H2S content in excess of 100 ppm must be flared.

(3)   A suitable stack, stand, or line must be used to prevent a hazard to people or property, and such stand, line or stack has a properly installed and operating stack arrestor.

(4)   The well operator is required to maintain a daily log of gas volumes flared from the well during the 45 day period. The daily log must be preserved for 3 years subsequent to the conclusion of the 45 day period. The log shall be produced upon request by an authorized representative of the Commission.

(5)   If gas volumes greater than 300 mcf/d are to be flared during flowback from a newly completed or recompleted well subsequent to the initial 21 day period addressed in subsection (d), then the operator is required to obtain a permit as provided in subsection (c).

(f)   Application for an order permitting venting or flaring.

(1)   If the Conservation Division denies a Form 1022 application for a well, the operator of a well may apply for an order permitting venting or flaring of gas.

(2)   The application and notice shall be in accordance with OAC 165:5-7.

(3)   Upon application, notice, and hearing, the Commission may grant or deny an application made pursuant to OAC 165:5-7.

[Source: Amended at 16 Ok Reg 2206, eff 7-1-99; Amended at 31 Ok Reg 977, eff 9-12-14; Amended at 33 Ok Reg 593, eff 8-25-16; Amended at 36 Ok Reg 534, eff 8-1-19]