University of Colorado at Boulder
BMP of Oil and Gas Development

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BMP ID: 2300
Title: Close drilling pits for reclamation
Text: "d. Drilling pit closure. As part of interim reclamation, drilling pits shall be closed in the following manner: (1) Drilling pit closure on crop land and within 100-year floodplain. On crop land or within the 100-year floodplain, water-based bentonitic drilling fluids, except de minimis amounts, shall be removed from the drilling pit and disposed of in accordance with the 900 Series rules. Operators shall ensure that soils meet the concentration levels of Table 910-1, above. Drilling pit reclamation, including the disposal of drilling fluids and cuttings, shall be performed in a manner so as to not result in the formation of an impermeable barrier. Any cuttings removed from the pit for drying shall be returned to the pit prior to backfilling, and no more than de minimis amounts may be incorporated into the surface materials. After the drilling pit is sufficiently dry, the pit shall be backfilled. The backfilling of the drilling pit shall be done to return the soils to their original relative positions. Closing and reclamation of drilling pits shall occur no later than three (3) months after drilling and completion activities conclude."
Source Publication Name: Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Practice and Procedure, 2 CCR 404-1, Final Draft Rules 11 07 08
Citation Section: 1003.INTERIM RECLAMATION
Citation Page: 1003(d)(1)
Supplemental Documents:  
Usage Type: Required
Timing: • Reclamation
Oil / Gas Field:  
Surface Ownership: • Federal
• State
• Private
Mineral Ownership: • Federal
• State
• Private
Primary Contact: Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Main Office
1120 Lincoln Street, Suite 801
Denver, Colorado  80203  United States
Phone:(303) 894-2100     Alt. Phone:(303) 888-1101
Fax:(303) 894-2109     E-mail: 
Alternate Contact:  
 
Categories: Water Quality and Pollution
Soils (Conservation, Pollution, Reclamation)
Land Surface Disturbance
Grazing and Agriculture
Location: Colorado
Species:
Vegetation Types:
General Comments:
Cost-Benefit Analysis:
BMP Efficacy:
Date Entered: 2009-02-12 13:03 UTC
Last Updated: 2011-06-16 12:05 UTC