---
kind: "section"
citation: "43 C.F.R. § 3172.10"
title: "43"
number: "3172.10"
heading: "Special drilling operations."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/43/3172.10"
---

# §3172.10. Special drilling operations.

- (a) In addition to the equipment already specified elsewhere in this subpart, the following equipment shall be in place and operational during air/gas drilling:
  - (1) Properly lubricated and maintained rotating head (major);
  - (2) Spark arresters on engines or water-cooled exhaust (major);
  - (3) Blooie line discharge 100 feet from well bore and securely anchored;
  - (4) Straight run on blooie line unless otherwise approved;
  - (5) Deduster equipment (major);
  - (6) All cuttings and circulating medium shall be directed into a reserve or blooie pit (major);
  - (7) Float valve above bit (major);
  - (8) Automatic igniter or continuous pilot light on the blooie line (major);
  - (9) Compressors located in the opposite direction from the blooie line a minimum of 100 feet from the well bore; and
  - (10) Mud circulating equipment, water, and mud materials (does not have to be premixed) sufficient to maintain the capacity of the hole and circulating tanks or pits.
- (b) **Hydrogen sulfide operation is specifically addressed under subpart 3176 of this part.**

## Notes

### Source

Source: 88 FR 39516, June 16, 2023, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

Authority: 25 U.S.C. 396d and 2107; 30 U.S.C. 189, 306, 359, and 1751; and 43 U.S.C. 1732(b), 1733, and 1740.

### Source

Source: 81 FR 81421, Nov. 17, 2016, unless otherwise noted.