(A) The drilling rig and other structures, materials and drilling equipment shall be removed by the operator from the premises within 30 days from the date of completion of the well, as shown on the appropriate Railroad Commission form, and thereafter, when necessary, such completed well shall be served by portable rigs, which shall be removed from the premises within 15 days from the completion of the servicing operation. At all times from the start of erection of a drilling rig, until the well is abandoned and plugged or completed as a producer, and enclosed as herein provided, the operator shall keep a watchman on duty on the premises at all times when the operator or other workers are not on such premises.
(B) In the event that any operator is granted a permit to drill or conduct mineral exploration within the city's corporate limits, the operator shall proceed with the drilling operations with the highest degree of care so as not to injure adjoining property or persons in any manner. All wastes must be contained within the drill site, as set out hereinafter, without any subsurface disposal. Upon the completion of such drilling operations, the grounds around the well shall be immediately cleared of all drilling mud and/or all oil, salt water or water, and shall be made to conform in appearance to the lands in the neighborhood wherein such drilling operations are so conducted.
(C) Caliche drilling pads shall be removed within 30 days following abandonment of the well site.
(D) Steel slush pits shall be used in connection with all drilling and reworking operations. Such pits and contents shall be removed from the premises and drill site within 30 days after completion of the well. No earthen slush pits shall be used. However, cuttings from the drilling operations may be disposed of on the drill site according to the following requirements:
(1) Disposal shall be in a pit lined with black, six-millimeter, PVC lining material.
(2) Cuttings shall then be covered with not less than 24 inches of top soil, and the surface otherwise brought back to the same level and substantially the same appearance as the surrounding ground.
(E) All wells shall be abandoned in accordance with the rules of the Commission and the provisions of this chapter. The operator abandoning a well shall be responsible for the restoration of the well site as nearly as practicable to its original condition. All abandoned or deserted wells or drill sites shall meet the most current abandonment requirements of the Commission prior to the issuance of any building permit for development of the property. No structure shall be built over an abandoned well.
('68 Code, § 19½-10) (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) Penalty, see § 118.99