(a) In the drilling for oil and gas, petroleum or other hydrocarbons and their production, the permittee shall use every precaution, equipment and materials in accordance with approved methods of operation, drilling and production to stop and prevent waste of oil, gas, petroleum or hydrocarbons, and to protect residents and properties of the city, and shall equip and operate the well with equipment of standard design and quality as is in common use in the petroleum industry; and all such equipment shall be installed and maintained in accordance with standard drilling, producing and operating practices.
(b) From the time of placing any equipment, derricks, riggings or other drilling equipment or supplies until the time of their removal upon final completion of the well, each location of the well shall be completely surrounded by fencing in order to completely surround and enclose the drilling operation. Such fence shall be supported by steel posts and shall be of woven wire of not less than 14 gauge wire with mesh of not less than two inches nor more than four inches and be at least six-feet high.
(c) All flares erected within the corporate limits of the city shall be at least 300 feet from any building or structure and shall extend at least 20 feet above the surface of the ground. All such flares shall be of approved construction and shall be installed in a pit of sufficient depth and area to provide adequate drainage and safety precautions. The location of all such flares shall be completely enclosed by steel fencing of the same type and dimensions as provided in this section for enclosing the drilling operation.
(d) In all cases where an oil and gas well is being drilled in a residentially zoned area, the drilling operator shall use a portable slush pit; and all slush and waste shall be deposited in the pit and removed beyond the corporate limits of the city for disposal. No open pits for the disposal of slush, brine or salt water shall be permitted at any time after the completion of the drilling operation in any area in the city.
(e) All brine or salt water produced in the drilling for or production of oil shall, under the supervision of the supervisor of wells of the state, be returned to some underground formation or otherwise disposed of in order that such brine, salt water, or refuse shall not do damage to any fresh water, wells, lakes, ponds, or rivers.
(f) The person in charge of the producing operations of a well shall keep the fenced enclosure around such well free of all trash and flammable substances not necessary in the operation of such well and shall keep the weeds cut and otherwise keep the location in a clean and orderly condition. Machinery and equipment not used in the operation of the well shall not be stored or left in such enclosure. All oil tanks shall be painted or galvanized.
(g) Except in emergency, at least six hours before any mud or fluid in any well shall be removed, swabbed, baled or otherwise cleaned out, the chief of the fire department or other officer in charge shall be served with written notice of the hour that such cleaning, swabbing or bailing is done; and if in his opinion the cleaning, swabbing or bailing shall be hazardous to the safety of life or property, he is authorized to stop or prevent such cleaning, swabbing or bailing until such time as conditions may become favorable to continue such activity. It shall be unlawful to commence the testing of any well from sundown until sunrise, or during a period when gas may settle on the ground, or during any electrical storm. Before bringing in a well, all of the control devices, including master gates and safety valves, shall be tested, shall be in good working order, and shall comply with the provisions of this article.
(h) Drilling shall be done with mud-laden fluids of such weight and viscosity as shall be required by and under good drill practices in the area in which such drilling is being done.
(Ord. No. 85, § 4, 4-19-1971)