All technical industry words or phrases related to the drilling and production of oil or gas wells not specifically defined shall have the meanings customarily attributable thereto by prudent operators in the oil and gas industry. For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONMENT. Means "abandonment" as defined by the Railroad Commission and includes the plugging of the well and restoration of the drill site as required by this chapter.
BUILDING OFFICIAL. The Building Official employed by or designated by the City of Ferris.
DRILLING. Any digging or boring of a new well to develop or produce oil or gas or to inject gas, water, or any other fluid or substance into the earth. Drilling means and includes the re-entry of an abandoned well and/or re-entry for the purpose of directionally drilling to establish a new well bore. Drilling does not mean or include the re-entry of a well that has not been abandoned.
DRILL SITE. The area used for drilling, completing, or re-working a well as well as all access roads into and out of said location.
EXPLORATION. Geologic or geophysical activities, including, but not limited to surveying and seismic exploration, related to the search for oil, gas, or other sub-surface oil or gas.
FIRE CHIEF. The Fire Marshal of Ellis County or the Fire Chief (or designee by the city) of the Ferris Fire Department.
FIRE CODE. The most recent Fire Code adopted by the City of Ferris.
GAS. Gas or natural gas, as such terms are used in the rules, regulations, or forms of the Railroad Commission.
GAS WELL. Any well drilled for the production of gas or classified as a gas well under the Texas Natural Resources Code.
OIL OR GAS WELL PERMIT. An oil or gas well permit applied for and issued or denied under this chapter authorizing the drilling, production, and operation of 1 or more oil or gas wells.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT PLAN. The hazardous materials management plan and hazardous materials inventory statements required by the Fire Code.
NEW WELL. A new well bore or new hole established at the ground surface and shall not include the re-working of an existing well that has not been abandoned.
OIL. Oil or crude oil, as such terms are used in the rules, regulations, or forms of the Railroad Commission.
OIL WELL. Any well drilled for the production of oil or classified as an oil well under the Texas Natural Resources Code.
OPERATION SITE. The area used for development and production and all related operational activities of 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.
PERSON. Includes both the singular and plural and means a natural person, corporation, association, partnership, receiver, trustee, guardian, executor, administrator, and a fiduciary or representative of any kind.
PETROLEUM SPECIALIST. A person familiar with and educated in the oil and gas industry who has been retained by the city.
RAILROAD COMMISSION. The Railroad Commission of Texas.
RE-WORKING. Re-completion or re-entry of existing well within the existing bore hole or by deepening or sidetrack operations which do not extend more than 150 feet from the existing well bore, or replacement of well liners or casings.
WELL. A hole or bore to any horizon, formation, or strata for the purpose of producing oil, gas, or other liquid hydrocarbons.
(Ord. 618, passed 3-20-2006)