Code of Federal Regulations Title 30. Mineral Resources § 30.250.1623 Well-control fluids, equipment, and operations

(a) Well-control fluids, equipment, and operations shall be designed, utilized, maintained, and/or tested as necessary to control the well in foreseeable conditions and circumstances, including subfreezing conditions. The well shall be continuously monitored during well-completion and well-workover operations and shall not be left unattended at any time unless the well is shut in and secured;

(b) The following well-control fluid equipment shall be installed, maintained, and utilized:

(c) When coming out of the hole with drill pipe or a workover string, the annulus shall be filled with well-control fluid before the change in fluid level decreases the hydrostatic pressure 75 psi or every five stands of drill pipe or workover string, whichever gives a lower decrease in hydrostatic pressure. The number of stands of drill pipe or workover string and drill collars that may be pulled prior to filling the hole and the equivalent well-control fluid volume shall be calculated and posted near the operator's station. A mechanical, volumetric, or electronic device for measuring the amount of well-control fluid required to fill the hole shall be utilized.