Mr. Erik Milito - The House Committee on Natural Resources ...

16 API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 51R
If well production or injection conditions change in terms of hydrogen sulfide or carbon dioxide content, pressure,
water cut, or any other parameter, the metallurgy of the well equipment should be reassessed to assure its suitability
for the new conditions.
6.2.3 Leak Detection
All equipment should be inspected on a routine basis for signs of leakage, with corrective action taken, as needed,
to assure the equipment continues to operate in a safe and environmentally acceptable manner.
All injection and disposal wells equipped with tubing and packed should periodically monitor the tubing casing
annulus pressure to test the integrity of the tubing and packer. If a well is not completed with a packer, then other
methods should be used, such as tracer logs or temperature logs to ensure the fluids injected are properly controlled
and are going into the proper injection/disposal formation. Frequency of testing is dependent on the operating
conditions. For example, if an area has a high number of corrosion failures, testing for the mechanical integrity of the
well should be frequent.
6.2.4 Inspection and Certification
Equipment should be manufactured, refurbished, inspected, and installed according to manufacturer, API or other
industry standards, and legal requirements.
6.3 Well Testing
6.3.1 Venting and Flaring
Venting and flaring should be restricted to a safe location. Where possible, the flare or vent should be located
downwind considering the prevailing wind direction at the well location. When possible, all gas resources of value
should be captured and used. If not possible, then this gas should be flared.
6.3.2 Flare Pits
Flare pits, sometimes called blowdown or emergency pits, should not be used for storage or disposal. <strong>The</strong> primary
purpose of a flare pit is to catch any incidental fluid that might be associated with the gas stream that does not burn.
Fluids in a flare pit should be removed daily, or as quickly as practical.
Siting and construction of flare pits should minimize the risk of surface and groundwater contamination. <strong>The</strong> size of
the flare pit should be proportionate to the volume of liquid effluent that might be expelled from the gas flare. Use of
a knockout vessel should be considered.
6.3.3 Control of Noise and Other Nuisances
Flares may need to be provided with noise abatement measures to maintain noise levels compatible with the local
environment. <strong>The</strong> noise intensity, duration, location relative to public areas and natural resources, as well as the
flare/vent exit design should be considered, where applicable.