---
kind: "section"
citation: "30 C.F.R. § 250.514"
title: "30"
number: "250.514"
heading: "Well-control fluids, equipment, and operations."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/30/250.514"
---

# §250.514. 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 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:
  - (1) A fill-up line above the uppermost BOP;
  - (2) A well-control, fluid-volume measuring device for determining fluid volumes when filling the hole on trips; and
  - (3) **A recording mud-pit-level indicator to determine mud-pit-volume gains and losses.** This indicator shall include both a visual and an audible warning device.
- (c) When coming out of the hole with drill pipe, the annulus shall be filled with well-control fluid before the change in such fluid level decreases the hydrostatic pressure 75 pounds per square inch (psi) or every five stands of drill pipe, whichever gives a lower decrease in hydrostatic pressure. The number of stands of drill pipe 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.

## Notes

### Amendments

[76 FR 64462, Oct. 18, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 50894, Aug. 22, 2012; 81 FR 26021, Apr. 29, 2016]

### Authority

Authority: 30 U.S.C. 1751, 31 U.S.C. 9701, 33 U.S.C. 1321(j)(1)(C), 43 U.S.C. 1334.

### Source

Source: 76 FR 64462, Oct. 18, 2011, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[76 FR 64462, Oct. 18, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 50894, Aug. 22, 2012; 81 FR 26021, Apr. 29, 2016]