Reserve pit for drilling mud and drill cuttings from shallow wells

For wells drilled to a strata or formation, including lignite or coal strata or seam, located above the depth of five thousand feet [1524 meters] below the surface, or located more than five thousand feet [1524 meters] below the surface but above the top of the Rierdon formation, a container or reserve pit of sufficient size to contain said material or fluid, and the accumulation of drill cuttings may be utilized to contain solids and fluids used and generated during well drilling and completion operations, providing the pit can be constructed, used and reclaimed in a manner that will prevent pollution of the land surface and freshwaters. A reserve pit may be allowed by an order of the commission after notice and hearing, provided the reserve pit can be constructed, used, and reclaimed in a manner that will prevent pollution of the land surface and freshwaters, for (a) wells drilled within a specified field and pool more than five thousand feet [1524 meters] below the surface and below the top of the Rierdon formation provided the proposed well or wells utilized a low sodium content water-based mud system or (b) for wells drilled and completed, outside an established field which has defined the pool to include the Bakken or Three Forks formation, when separate reserve pits will be utilized to segregate each mud system and associated drill cuttings and any oil skim accumulated on any reserve pit utilized for a water-based mud system will be removed immediately after completion of drilling operations so as not to cause any significant delay in the reclamation of the reserve pit. In special circumstances, based on site-specific conditions, the director or authorized representative may prohibit construction of a reserve pit or may impose more stringent pit construction and reclamation requirements, including reserve pits previously authorized by a commission order within a specified field and pool. Under no circumstances shall reserve pits be used for disposal, dumping, or storage of fluids, wastes, and debris other than drill cuttings and fluids used or recovered while drilling and completing the well. Reserve pits shall not be located in, or hazardously near, bodies of water, nor shall they block natural drainages. No reserve pit shall be wholly or partially constructed in fill dirt unless approved by the director. Within a reasonable time, but not more than one year after the completion of a shallow well, or prior to drilling below the surface casing shoe on any other well, the reserve pit shall be reclaimed. Prior to reclaiming the pit, the operator or the operator's agent shall file a sundry notice (form 4) with the director and obtain approval of a pit reclamation plan. Verbal approval to reclaim the pit may be given. The notice shall include: 1. The name and address of the reclamation contractor; 2. The name and address of the surface owner; 3. The location and name of the disposal site for the pit water; and 4. A description of the proposed work, including details on treatment and disposition of the drilling waste. All pit water must be removed prior to reclamation. Drilling waste should be encapsulated in the pit and covered with at least four feet [1.22 meters] of backfill and topsoil and surface sloped, when practicable, to promote surface drainage away from the reclaimed pit area.