R 408.15770 Procedures for freezing, valve drilling, and pipe hot tapping operations.

Rule 5770. (1) A freezing, valve drilling, or pipe tapping operation shall be under the direct supervision of a qualified person. (2) The rated working pressure of all equipment used on valve drilling and pipe tapping operations shall be at least 1 1/2 times the maximum wellhead pressure of the well on which work is being performed. (3) After necessary equipment has been rigged up to perform valve drilling or pipe tapping operations, it shall be pressure tested for a minimum of 3 minutes to at least 1 1/2 times the expected pressure but shall not exceed the rated maximum working pressure of either the equipment being tapped or the tapping equipment. The possibility of pipe collapse may dictate a reduction in test pressure. (4) Pressure inside the lubricator shall equal the pressure inside the equipment being penetrated during the valve drilling and pipe tapping operations.