(A) For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONMENT. As defined by the Texas Railroad Commission, includes the plugging of the well and the restoration of any well site as required by this chapter.
AMBIENT NOISE LEVEL. The all encompassing noise level associated with a given environment, being a composite of sounds from all sources at the location, constituting the normal or existing level of environmental noise at a given location.
BUILDING. Any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy. The term BUILDING shall be construed as if followed by the words “or portions thereof.”
CITY. The City of Cleburne, Texas.
CITY OFFICIAL. The City Manager of the City of Cleburne or any duly authorized representative of the City Manager.
CLOSED LOOP MUD SYSTEM. A system utilized while drilling so that reserve pits are not used and, instead, steel bins are used to collect all drilling waste.
COMMERCIAL BUILDING. A building located in a commercial district.
COMMERCIAL DISTRICT. A commercial district as defined in Chapter 155, Zoning.
COMMISSION. The Texas Railroad Commission.
COMPLETION OF DRILLING, RE-DRILLING AND RE-WORKING. The date the work is completed for the drilling, re-drilling or re-working, and the crew is released by completing their work or contract, or by their employer.
DECIBEL (db). A unit for measuring the intensity of a sound/noise, equal to 10 times the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of the measured sound pressure squared to a reference pressure, which is 20 micropascals.
DERRICK. Any portable framework, tower, mast and/or structure required or used in connection with drilling or re-working a well for the production of oil or gas.
DRILL SITE. The premises used during the drilling or re-working of a well or wells located thereon, and during the subsequent life of a well or wells or any associated operation.
DRILLING. Digging or boring a new well for the purpose of exploring for, developing or producing petroleum, gas or other hydrocarbons, or for the purpose of injecting gas, water or any other fluid or substance into the earth.
DRILLING EQUIPMENT. The derrick, together with all parts of and appurtenances to such structure, every piece of apparatus, machinery or equipment used or erected or maintained for use in connection with drilling.
GAS. Any fluid, either combustible or noncombustible, produced in a natural state from the earth, and which maintains a gaseous or rarefied state in standard temperature and pressure conditions, and/or the gaseous components or vapors occurring in or derived from petroleum or natural gas.
GAS WELL. Any well drilled, to be drilled, or used for the intended or actual production of natural gas.
HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS. Any area on the pad site, lease road or production site that is used or can be used by vehicles and equipment.
INDUSTRIAL BUILDING. A building located in an industrial district.
INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT. An industrial district or manufacturing district as defined in Chapter 155, Zoning.
OPERATION SITE. The area used for development, production and all operational activities associated with oil or gas after drilling activities are complete.
OPERATOR. For each well, the person listed on the Railroad Commission Form W-1 or Form P-4 for an oil or gas well that is, or will be, actually in charge and in control of drilling, maintaining, operating, pumping or controlling any well, including without limitation, a unit OPERATOR. If the OPERATOR, as herein defined, is not the lessee under an oil or gas lease of any premises affected by the provisions of this chapter, then such lessee shall also be deemed to be an OPERATOR. In the event that there is no oil or gas lease relating to any premises affected by this chapter, the owner of the fee mineral estate in the premises shall be deemed an OPERATOR.
PERSON. Any natural person, corporation, association, partnership, receiver, trustee, guardian, executor, administrator and a fiduciary or representative of any kind.
PROPERTY OWNER. Real property surface record owner(s).
PROTECTED USE. A residence, commercial building, religious institution, public building, hospital building, school, public park or an approved preliminary or final platted residential subdivision.
PUBLIC BUILDING. All buildings used, or designed and intended to be used, for the purpose of assembly of persons for such purposes as deliberation, entertainment, amusement or health care. Public buildings include, but shall not be limited to, theaters, assembly halls, auditoriums, armories, mortuary chapels, dance halls, exhibition halls, museums, gymnasiums, bowling lanes, libraries, skating rinks, courtrooms, restaurants and hospitals.
PUBLIC PARK. Any land area dedicated to and/or maintained by the city for traditional park-like recreation purposes, but shall not include publicly or privately owned golf courses, or privately owned amusement parks.
RE-DRILL. Re-completion of an existing well by deepening or sidetrack operations extending more than 150 feet from the existing well bore.
RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION. Any building in which persons regularly assemble for religious worship, and activities intended primarily for purposes connected with such worship, or for propagating a particular form of religious belief.
RESIDENCE. A house, duplex, apartment, townhouse, condominium, mobile home or other building designed for dwelling purposes, including those for which a building permit has been issued on the date the application for a permit for mineral exploration or the drilling of a well is filed with the city.
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT. A residential district as defined in Chapter 155, Zoning.
RE-WORKING. Re-completion or re-entry of an existing well within the exiting bore hole, or by deepening or sidetrack operations that do not extend more than 150 feet from the existing well bore, or replacement of well liners or casings.
RIGHT-OF-WAY. All public rights-of-way or streets or other public property within the city.
SCHOOL. Any public or private primary and secondary education facility providing education up through and including the twelfth grade level, and any LICENSED DAY CARE CENTER, meaning a facility licensed by the state or the city that provides care, training, education, custody, treatment or supervision for more than six children under 14 years of age, and for less than 24 hours a day.
STREET. Any street, highway, sidewalk, alley, avenue, recessed parking area, or other public right-of-way, including the entire right-of-way.
TANK. A container, covered or uncovered, used in conjunction with the drilling or production of gas or other hydrocarbons for holding or storing fluids.
WELL. Any hole or holes, bore or bores, to any sand, horizon, formation, strata or depth for the purpose of producing any oil, gas, liquid hydrocarbon, brine water, sulphur water, or for the use as an injection well for secondary recovery, disposal or production of gas or other hydrocarbons from the earth.
WELL BORE. The hole made when a well is drilled.
WORKOVER OPERATIONS. Work performed in a well after its completion in an effort to secure production where there has been none, or to restore production that has ceased, or to increase production.
(B) All technical or oil and gas industry words or phrases used herein and not specifically defined shall have that meaning customarily attributable thereto by prudent operators in the oil and gas industry.
('68 Code, § 19½-1) (Ord. 10-1987-55, passed 10-20-87; Am. Ord. 01-2007-07, passed 1-23-07; Am. Ord. 06-2011-32, passed 6-28-11)