The exploration, development, and production of Gas in the City
is an activity which necessitates reasonable regulation to ensure
that all property owners, mineral and otherwise, have the right to
peaceably enjoy their property and its benefits and revenues. It is
hereby declared to be the purpose of this section to establish reasonable
and uniform limitations, safeguards and regulations for operations
related to the exploring, drilling, developing, producing, transporting
and storing of Oil, Gas and other substances produced in association
with Oil and Gas within the City to protect the health, safety and
general welfare of the public, minimize the potential impact to property
and mineral rights owners, protect the quality of the environment,
and encourage the orderly production of available mineral resources.
(Ordinance 16-65 adopted 12/6/16)
The Drilling and production of Gas within the City shall only
be permitted by Specific Use Permit in accordance with Section 11.1
of this Ordinance. A site plan is required with the
Specific Use Permit application and must include all information
required by Section 11.11 and the following additional information:
1.
The
total number of Wells to be drilled.
2.
The
location of the Drill Site and a layout of the site showing all related
facilities, including, but not limited to, Drilling rig, pipe rack,
water and sanitary sewer facilities, electrical supply and camper/office
trailers. The operator must provide the City with geographic coordinates
of the surface Well Bore, using the North American Datum 1983 (NAD
83), Texas State Plane - North Central Zone (4202), in United States
feet as well as the coordinates for all gather and flow lines.
3.
The
location of the Operation Site and a layout of the site showing all
related facilities, including but not limited to Wellheads, separators,
dehydrators, tank batteries, compressors, and metering stations.
4.
Size,
location and purpose of any shared facilities, including, but not
limited to, centralized tank batteries for multiple Wells or Drill
Sites.
5.
The
design, location, and arrangement of all access roads.
6.
A route
map of the public streets to be used by truck traffic to and from
the Drill Site.
7.
The
location of any floodplain, drainage or flowage easement.
8.
An outdoor
lighting plan in accordance with Article 10, hereof.
9.
A tree
survey if mandated by the City’s Landscape Plan Requirements
set forth in Section 8.3, hereof.
10.
A
Pipeline Easement Map indicating the location of the nearest Gathering
Station and the alignment of the pipeline(s) connecting the Operation
Site to the Gathering Station.
11.
A
video documenting existing conditions of the City streets shown on
the route map that will be used by truck traffic to the site, plus
a video of the property being used for the Drill Site.
12.
A
detailed Emergency Response Plan addressing well blow-outs, environmental
spillage and other potential catastrophic occurrences. The Emergency
Response Plan will also show firefighting apparatus and supplies on-site
and will be filed with the City’s Fire Inspector and County
Volunteer Fire Department.
(Ordinance 16-65 adopted 12/6/16)
An executed Road Repair Agreement shall be submitted in conjunction
with the application for Specific Use Permit. The Agreement must be
signed by the Operator and filed with the Public Works Department.
The City Manager shall have the authority to execute the Road Repair
Agreement on behalf of the City.
(Ordinance 16-65 adopted 12/6/16)
1.
An application
for a Gas Well Permit may be filed with the City concurrently with
the application for a Specific Use Permit; provided, however, that
the City shall not be required to consider the application for a Gas
Well Permit unless and until a Specific Use Permit is approved by
the City Council.
2.
A single
Gas Well Permit may be obtained for multiple Wells on contiguous tracts
if approved by the City. In addition, each gas well permit application
may include wells on contiguous tracts located both within the territorial
limits of the City and its ETJ; provided, however, with respect to
wells located in the ETJ, demonstrated compliance with Ordinance No.
06-127, as it may be amended, as [is] additionally required.
3.
No person
shall engage in the Drilling and production of Gas Wells within the
City without first obtaining a Gas Well Permit.
4.
When
a Gas Well Permit has been issued covering a Well, the permit shall
constitute authority for the following, so long as conducted in strict
accordance with this section: Drilling, operation, production, gathering
of production, maintenance, repair, reworking, testing, site preparation
consisting of rigs or tank batteries, plugging and Abandonment, and
any other activity authorized by this section associated with Drilling
or production by the Operator or its employees, agents, contractors,
subcontractors or representatives. A Gas Well Permit shall also constitute
authority for the construction and use of all facilities reasonably
necessary or convenient in connection therewith, including gathering
lines and discharge lines, by the Operator or his employees, agents,
contractors, subcontractors or representatives, so long as constructed
and used in strict accordance with this section.
5.
An original
Gas Well Permit shall not, however, constitute authority for the re-entering
and Drilling of an abandoned Well. Re-entry and Drilling of an abandoned
Well shall require a new Gas Well Permit.
6.
A Gas
Well Permit may be issued for any lot, tract, described property,
or other parcel of property, and public utilities may be extended
or connected to serve the Drill Site, whether or not the lot, tract,
or other parcel of property is part of a recorded plat. The activities
as outlined in the Gas Well Permit application shall be contained
within the areas described and issued under such permit.
7.
In addition
to obtaining a Gas Well Permit and before establishing a Drill Site
and access road, the Operator must obtain the necessary permits from
the City Building Inspections and the Public Works/Engineering Department.
The Public Works/Engineering Department will require a stormwater
pollution prevention plan and a grading/drainage plan unless the City
Engineer determines that they are not necessary.
8.
Issuance
of a gas well permit requires, at a minimum, review and approval of
the City Manager, City Engineer/Public Works Director, Fire Inspector
and Community Development Director, or their designated representatives.
(Ordinance 16-65 adopted 12/6/16)
1.
Applications
for Gas Well Permits shall be submitted in writing on forms provided
by the City and signed by the Operator.
2.
Applications
for Gas Well Permits shall be filed with the Community Development
Department. All applications shall be accompanied by a gas well permit
administration fee and a periodic inspection fee established pursuant
to the City of Granbury Fee Schedule, as amended. The periodic inspection
fee shall be provided to the City of Granbury on or before November
1 of each year. Failure to provide the periodic inspection fee by
the date provided above shall be deemed a violation of this Article
and the City shall enforce remedies as defined in Section 14.18 of
this Ordinance. The administration fee portion is not refundable regardless
of the outcome of the application. Incomplete applications shall be
returned to the Applicant. The City shall return any application as
incomplete if there is a dispute pending before the Railroad Commission
regarding the determination of the Operator.
3.
No Gas
Well Permit shall be issued if the proposed activities are not in
conformance with the approved Specific Use Permit and associated site
plan, provisions of this section, Building Code, Fire Code and all
other applicable City ordinances.
4.
A decision
to deny an application for a Gas Well Permit shall be provided to
the Operator in writing, including the reason for the decision. The
Operator may appeal any such denial to the City Council within thirty
days of receipt of such notification.
5.
If an
application for a Gas Well Permit is denied, nothing herein contained
shall prevent a new application from being submitted to the City for
the same Well. A new application fee shall accompany each new application.
6.
Gas
Well Permits shall automatically expire after a (1) one year period
of no wells included in the Gas Well Permit being drilled. If the
first well included in the Gas Well Permit is not drilled within (1)
one year of issuance, or if an additional well approved under the
same Gas Well Permit is not drilled within (1) one year of the previous
well being drilled, the Gas Well Permit shall automatically become
null and void for any undrilled well included in the Gas Well Permit
and new applications and fees shall be required for any undrilled
wells.
(Ordinance 20-27 adopted 8/4/20)
The Operator shall provide or cause to be provided the insurance
described below for each Well for which a Gas Well Permit is issued,
such insurance to continue until the Well is abandoned and accepted
by the City as having been restored. The Operator may provide the
required coverage on a “blanket” basis for multiple Wells
if the site of each Well is sufficiently identified and the limits
of coverage comply with those set forth in paragraph 2.d of this Section
14.6.A. The Operator must provide to the City sufficient documentation
that the Operator’s insurance complies with the requirements
of this section before the issuance of the Gas Well Permit.
1.
General
Requirements: Indemnification and Express Negligence Provisions
a.
Each
Gas Well Permit issued by the City shall include the following language
and regardless of whether such language is actually included in the
Gas Well Permit it shall be deemed to be included therein:
OPERATOR DOES HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY RELEASE AND DISCHARGE
ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, ACTIONS, JUDGMENTS, AND EXECUTIONS OF ANY AND
ALL KINDS WHICH IT OR ITS SUCCESSORS OR ASSIGNS EVER HAD, OR NOW HAS
OR MAY HAVE, OR CLAIMS TO HAVE, AGAINST THE CITY OF GRANBURY, TEXAS,
ITS DEPARTMENTS, AGENTS, OFFICERS, SERVANTS, EMPLOYEES, SPONSORS,
OR VOLUNTEERS, THE GAS WELL INSPECTOR, AND EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE
HEIRS, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES, SUCCESSORS, AND ASSIGNS (THE CITY
OF GRANBURY, TEXAS AND ALL OTHER FOREGOING PARTIES BEING HEREIN REFERRED
TO COLLECTIVELY AS THE “INDEMNIFIED PARTIES”) CREATED
BY OR ARISING OUT OF PERSONAL INJURIES, KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, OR INJURIES
TO PROPERTY, REAL OR PERSONAL, OR IN ANY WAY INCIDENTAL TO OR IN CONNECTION
WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE WORK PERFORMED BY THE OPERATOR UNDER A
GAS WELL PERMIT. OPERATOR AGREES TO FULLY DEFEND, PROTECT, INDEMNIFY,
AND HOLD HARMLESS THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES FROM AND AGAINST EACH AND
EVERY CLAIM, DEMAND, OR CAUSE OF ACTION AND ANY AND ALL LIABILITY,
DAMAGES, OBLIGATIONS, JUDGMENTS, LOSSES, FINES, PENALTIES, COSTS,
FEES, AND EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES CAUSED BY OR
ARISING OUT OF, INCIDENTAL TO, OR OTHERWISE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY
WORK PERFORMED BY OPERATOR UNDER A GAS WELL PERMIT, INCLUDING, WITHOUT
LIMITATION, PERSONAL INJURIES AND DEATH IN CONNECTION THEREWITH WHICH
MAY BE MADE OR ASSERTED BY OPERATOR, HIS AGENTS, ASSIGNS, OR ANY THIRD
PARTIES. OPERATOR AGREES TO FULLY DEFEND, PROTECT, INDEMNIFY, AND
HOLD HARMLESS THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES FROM ANY CLAIMS, LIABILITIES,
OR DAMAGES SUFFERED AS A RESULT OF CLAIMS, DEMANDS, COSTS, OR JUDGMENTS
AGAINST THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES, CREATED BY OR ARISING OUT OF THE
ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF THE CITY OF GRANBURY OR ANY OF THE OTHER INDEMNIFIED
PARTIES, OCCURRING ON THE DRILL SITE OR OPERATION SITE IN THE COURSE
AND SCOPE OF INSPECTING AND PERMITTING THE GAS WELLS INCLUDING, BUT
NOT LIMITED TO, CLAIMS, LIABILITIES, AND DAMAGES ARISING IN WHOLE
OR IN PART FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF ANY OF THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES,
INCLUDING THE SOLE NEGLIGENCE OF ANY INDEMNIFIED PARTY, OCCURRING
ON THE DRILL SITE OR OPERATION SITE IN THE COURSE AND SCOPE OF INSPECTING
AND PERMITTING THE GAS WELLS. IT IS UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED THAT THE
INDEMNITY PROVIDED FOR IN THIS SECTION IS AN INDEMNITY EXTENDED BY
THE OPERATOR TO INDEMNIFY AND PROTECT THE CITY OF GRANBURY, TEXAS
AND THE OTHER INDEMNIFIED PARTIES FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE NEGLIGENCE
OF ANY OF THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES, WHETHER THAT NEGLIGENCE IS THE
SOLE OR CONTRIBUTING CAUSE OF THE RESULTANT INJURY, DEATH, AND/OR
DAMAGE. THE FOREGOING IS NOT INTENDED TO REQUIRE THE OPERATOR TO INDEMNIFY
THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES FROM THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES’ GROSS
NEGLIGENCE OR INTENTIONAL HARM, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THAT GROSS
NEGLIGENCE OR INTENTIONAL HARM IS THE SOLE OR CONTRIBUTING CAUSE OF
THE RESULTANT INJURY, DEATH, AND/OR DAMAGE.
b.
All
policies shall be endorsed to read “This policy will not be
cancelled or non-renewed without thirty (30) days’ advanced
written notice to the owner and the City of Granbury, Texas, except
when this policy is being cancelled for nonpayment of premium, in
which case ten (10) days’ advance written notice is required.”
c.
Liability
policies shall be written by: (i) carriers licensed to do business
in Texas and with companies with A:VIII or better rating in accordance
with the current Best Key Rating Guide, or (ii) non-admitted carriers
that have a financial rating comparable to carriers licensed to do
business in Texas and which are approved by the City.
d.
Liability
policies shall name as “Additional Insured” the City and
other Indemnified Parties. Waivers of subrogation shall be provided
in favor of all Indemnified Parties.
e.
Copies
of insurance policies must be presented to the City evidencing all
coverages and endorsements required by this section before the issuance
of the Gas Well Permit, and the acceptance of a policy without the
required limits and/or coverages shall not be deemed a waiver of these
requirements. The City may, in its sole discretion, accept a certificate
of insurance in lieu of a copy of the policy pending the Operator’s
receipt of the policy. After the issuance of the Gas Well Permit,
the City may require the Operator to provide a copy of the most current
insurance policies for review at any time. An administration fee of
$150 will be charged to cover the cost of such review.
f.
Claims-made
policies shall not be accepted except for excess policies and environmental
Impairment (or Seepage and Pollution) policies.
2.
Required
Insurance Coverage:
a.
Commercial
or Comprehensive General Liability Insurance:
(1)
Coverage should be a minimum Combined Single Limit of One Million
Dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence for Bodily Injury and Property
Damage, with a Two Million Dollar ($2,000,000) annual general aggregate.
This coverage must include premises, operations, blowout or explosion,
products, completed operations, blanket contractual liability, underground
property damage, underground reservoir (or resources) damage, broad
form property damage, independent contractors protective liability
and personal injury.
(2)
Underground Reservoir (or Resources) Damage shall be on an occurrence
basis, shall not be limited to sudden and accidental occurrences,
shall not have a discovery or reporting limitation and shall not exclude
damage to water tables, formation or strata.
(3)
Environmental Impairment (or Seepage and Pollution) shall be either
included in the coverage or written as separate coverage. Such coverage
shall not exclude damage to the lease site. If Environmental Impairment
(or Seepage and Pollution) Coverage is written on a “claims
made” basis, the policy must provide that any retroactive date
applicable precedes the effective date of the issuance of the permit.
Coverage shall apply to sudden and accidental pollution conditions
resulting from the escape or release of smoke, vapors, fumes, acids,
alkalis, toxic chemicals, liquids, Gases, waste material, or other
irritants, contaminants or pollutants. Coverage shall be a minimum
combined single limit of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000), per occurrence.
A discovery period for such peril shall not be less than 30 days after
the occurrence.
b.
Automobile
Liability Insurance:
Minimum Combined Single Limit of
One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence for Bodily Injury
and Property Damage. Such coverage shall include owned, non-owned,
and hired vehicles.
c.
Worker’s
Compensation Insurance:
In addition to the minimum statutory
requirements, coverage shall include Employer’s Liability limits
of at least One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) for each accident, One
Million Dollars ($1,000,000) for each employee, and a One Million
Dollars ($1,000,000) policy limit for occupational disease, and the
insurer agrees to waive rights of subrogation against any of the Indemnified
Parties for any work performed for the City by the Operator.
d.
Excess
(or Umbrella) Liability Insurance:
Minimum limit of Ten
Million Dollars ($10,000,000) coverage for a single well or Twenty-Five
Million Dollars ($25,000,000.00) coverage for multiple wells, in excess
of the preceding liability insurance policies.
e.
Control
of Well Insurance:
(1)
Minimum limit of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000) per occurrence,
with a maximum deductible of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand ($250,000)
per occurrence.
(2)
Policy shall cover the cost of controlling a Well that is out of
control, re-drilling or restoration expenses, and seepage and pollution
damage. Damage to property in the Operator’s care, custody,
and control with a sub-limit of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000)
may be added.
(3)
The Control of Well insurance policy shall be endorsed to read “In
the event of a well out of control, no other payments may be made
until all pollution claims by the City of Granbury and its citizens
have been settled.”
(Ordinance 16-65 adopted 12/6/16; Ordinance 20-27 adopted 8/4/20)
A security instrument that covers each Well must be delivered
to the City before the issuance of the Gas Well Permit for the Well.
The instrument must provide that it cannot be cancelled without at
least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the City.
1.
As to
each Well, the instrument shall secure the obligations of the Operator
to:
2.
The
security instrument may be in the form of an irrevocable letter of
credit issued by a bank located in the City of Granbury, Texas and
approved by the City or a payment bond issued by a surety approved
by the City. The instrument shall run to the City for the benefit
of the City, shall be filed with the City and become effective on
or before the date the Gas Well Permit is issued, and shall remain
in force and effect for a period not less than six (6) months after
the expiration or termination of the Gas Well Permit or after the
Well is plugged and abandoned and the site restored.
3.
A certificate
of deposit may be substituted for the letter of credit or payment
bond. The certificate shall be issued by a bank located in the City
of Granbury, Texas and approved by the City, shall be payable to the
order of the City to secure the obligations of the Operator described
above, and shall be pledged to the City with evidence of delivery
provided to the City and an appropriate control agreement signed by
the issuing bank sufficient to perfect the City’s interest in
the deposit. Interest on the certificate of deposit shall be payable
to the Operator. The Certificate of Deposit shall be filed prior to
the Gas Well Permit being issued by the City.
4.
The
minimum amount of the security shall be One Hundred Thousand Dollars
($100,000) for any active single Well and Two Hundred Thousand Dollars
($200,000) for active multiple Wells on a “blanket” basis
under the same Gas Well Permit. The security source shall be replenished,
if drawn upon by the City, to maintain the minimum security amount
set forth herein.
5.
The
form and substance of the documents evidencing the security instruments
described above must be acceptable to the City Manager or his designated
representative, within his sole discretion. Notwithstanding anything
contained herein to the contrary, the security shall remain effective
until the Well has been abandoned and the property and public infrastructure
are in a condition acceptable to the City after inspection.
(Ordinance 16-65 adopted 12/6/16; Ordinance 20-27 adopted 8/4/20)
1.
The
Operator shall notify the Community Development Director of any change
to the following information within one (1) business day after the
change occurs.
a.
The
name, address, or phone number of the Operator;
b.
The
name, address, or twenty-four (24) hour phone number of the person(s)
with supervisory authority over Drilling or operations activities;
c.
The
name, address, or phone number of the person designated to receive
notices from the City, which person must be a resident of Texas that
can be served in person or by registered or certified mail; or
d.
The
Operator’s Emergency Action Response Plan including “drive-to
maps” from public rights-of-way to each area covered by the
applicable Specific Use Permit and associated site plan.
2.
The
Operator shall provide a copy of any “incident reports”
or written complaints submitted to the Railroad Commission or any
other state or federal agency within thirty (30) days after the Operator
has notice of the existence of such reports or complaints.
3.
Beginning
on December 31st after each Well is completed, and continuing on each
December 31st thereafter until the Operator notifies the City that
the Well has been abandoned and the site restored, the Operator shall
prepare a written report to the City identifying any changes to the
information that was included in the application for the applicable
Gas Well Permit that have not been previously reported to the City.
(Ordinance 16-65 adopted 12/6/16; Ordinance 20-27 adopted 8/4/20)
1.
An operator
must submit an application to the Community Development to amend the
Gas Well Permit, to commence Drilling at a location that is shown
on (or incorporated by reference as part of) the existing permit,
or to otherwise amend the existing permit.
2.
Applications
for Amended Gas Well Permits shall be in writing on forms provided
by the City and signed by the Operator, and shall include the following:
a.
A
gas well permit administration fee. The administration fee is not
refundable regardless of the outcome of the application;
b.
A
description of the proposed amendments;
c.
Any
changes to the information submitted with the application for the
current Gas Well Permit (if such information has not previously been
provided to the City);
d.
Such
additional information as is reasonably required by the Gas Well Inspector
or City Staff to demonstrate compliance with the applicable Specific
Use Permit and associated site plan and the provisions of this section;
and
e.
Such
additional information as is reasonably required by the Gas Well Inspector
or City Staff to prevent imminent destruction of property or injury
to persons.
3.
If,
in the judgment of the City or the Gas Well Inspector, the activities
proposed by the amendment require an inspection, the Operator shall
pay the reinspection fee established pursuant to the City of Granbury
Fee Schedule, as amended.
4.
Incomplete
applications shall be returned to the Applicant. The City shall return
any application as incomplete if there is a dispute pending before
the Railroad Commission regarding the determination of the Operator.
5.
If the
activities proposed by the amendment are materially different and,
in the judgment of the City or the Gas Well Inspector, might create
a risk of imminent destruction of property or injury to persons that
was not associated with the activities covered by the existing permit
or that was not otherwise taken into consideration by the current
permit, the amendment must be processed as a new Gas Well Permit application
under the provisions of Section 14.4 of this Article.
6.
A decision
to deny an amendment to a Gas Well Permit shall be provided to the
Operator in writing, including an explanation of the basis for the
decision. The Operator may appeal any such denial to the City Council.
7.
No Amended
Gas Well Permit shall be issued if the proposed activities are not
in conformance with the approved Specific Use Permit and associated
site plan, provisions of this section, Building Code, Fire Code and
all other applicable City ordinances. If in the judgment of the City,
the amendment is inconsistent with the original Specific Use Permit,
the applicant may apply for an amendment to the Specific Use Permit
in order to accommodate the changes proposed by the applicant in the
request to amend the Gas Well Permit.
(Ordinance 16-65 adopted 12/6/16; Ordinance 20-27 adopted 8/4/20)
1.
A Gas
Well Permit may be transferred upon written request by the Operator
with the consent of the City Manager or his designated representative:
a.
If
the transferee agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the
current Gas Well Permit and Road Repair Agreement;
b.
If
all information previously provided to the City as part of the current
Gas Well Permit application is updated to reflect any changes; and
c.
If
the transferee provides the insurance and security required by this
section.
2.
The
insurance and security provided by the transferor shall be released
if a copy of the written transfer is provided to the City. The transfer
shall not relieve the transferor from any liability to the City arising
out of any activities conducted prior to the transfer.
(Ordinance 16-65 adopted 12/6/16; Ordinance 20-27 adopted 8/4/20)
1.
No Drill Site shall be permitted
within:
a)
three hundred feet (300) of the boundary line of any preliminary
or final platted, residential property, and;
b)
six hundred (600) feet from any residential structure, public property,
hospital, institution, school building or outdoor activity area, day
care center, or commercial building.
|
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Drill Site may be exempted
from the distances set forth in subparagraph a. if persons within
three hundred feet (300') owning property in the adjacent preliminary
or final platted residential subdivision agree in writing. In addition,
the distances in subparagraph b. may be reduced to not less than three
hundred feet (300') if property owners within the six hundred foot
(600') radius agree in writing.
|
2.
(Reserved)
3.
Erosion
control shall comply with the stormwater pollution prevention plan
approved by the Public Works/Engineering Department.
4.
A Drill
Site or Operation Site may only be allowed in a floodplain with the
approval of the City or, where applicable, the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers. A Drill Site shall not have a single means of access if
such access is through a designated floodplain.
5.
Permanent
weatherproof signs reading “DANGER NO SMOKING ALLOWED”
in a minimum of four-inch (4") lettering shall be posted at the entrance
of each Drill Site and Operation Site. The permanent sign shall not
be larger than 8 square feet or smaller than 4 square feet. The sign
shall also include the phone number for emergency services (9-1-1),
the name and phone number for the Operator, and the Well designation
required by the Railroad Commission in two-inch (2") lettering. The
information on the sign shall be in English and Spanish. The sign
shall be reflective. The same sign shall be posted at the entry point
off of the public road leading into the well site but will not be
required to include the “DANGER NO SMOKING ALLOWED” language.
6.
All
facilities used for parking, loading, unloading, driveways and all
other vehicular access shall be constructed of concrete, asphalt or
an alternative equivalent strength surface which complies with all
Fire Code standards, provided that the drive approach from the street
be constructed of concrete. The surface for such facilities and drive
approach must always be maintained in good condition and repair.
7.
A temporary
six-foot chain-link [fence] with a minimum height of six (6) feet
shall be required around a Drill Site during the drilling process,
and any gate to the site shall be locked when no operations personnel
are present.
8.
The
equipment or facilities on an Operation Site must be enclosed, individually
or collectively, by eight (8) foot high, opaque screening. If a screening
wall or fence is utilized to achieve required screening, 2' x 2' openings
in the screening shall be provided at each corner of every plane or
side of the screening to allow for visual inspections by City personnel.
City Staff may require alternative locations for openings within the
required screening wall or fence to provide adequate visibility for
inspection. Low-profile equipment or facilities must be used on the
Operation Site and must not exceed the height of the screening. Any
gates in the screening enclosure shall remain locked at all times
when no operations personnel are present and shall be constructed
of a metal and be completely opaque. The Operator must provide the
City Fire Inspector and County Volunteer Fire Department with a knox
box with a key to access the Operation Site in case of an emergency.
As an alternative, the Operator may secure the Operation site using
a traditional lock, provided that the City Fire Inspector and County
Volunteer Fire Department are each provided a key or combination to
gain access to the Operation Site. Screening, meeting the requirements
of this section, must remain in place until the well is abandoned
and the site is restored and accepted by the City in accordance with
Section 14.16.A [Section 14.17], hereof, and shall be constructed
of the following materials:
a.
Brick,
stone or split-face concrete masonry unit;
b.
Pre-cast
concrete wall or pour-in-place concrete wall with a similar appearance
as brick, stone or split-face concrete masonry unit;
c.
Wooden
privacy fence with stone or brick columns. The columns shall not be
spaced further than 25' on-center and shall be constructed to have
a minimum diameter of 2 feet. All required wooden fencing shall be
treated to protect against weathering with the decorative (smooth)
side facing outward toward the adjoining property.
d.
Earthen
berm, appropriately landscaped, or;
e.
A
combination of landscaped earthen berm and one of the construction
materials listed above.
9.
No
refining process, or any process for the extraction of products from
Gas, shall be carried on at a Drill Site or Operation Site, except
that a dehydrator and separator may be maintained for the separation
of liquids from Gas. Any such dehydrator or separator may serve more
than one Well. All production equipment on an Operation Site shall
be maintained at all times.
10.
No
person shall place, deposit, or discharge or cause or permit to be
placed, deposited, or discharged any oil, naphtha, petroleum, asphalt,
tar, hydrocarbon substance, refuse, wastewater, brine or hazardous
substance from any Gas operation or the contents of any container
used in connection with any Gas operation in, into, or upon any public
right-of-way, storm drain, ditch or sewer, sanitary drain or sewer,
any body of water, or any private property.
11.
Electric
lines to the Drill Site or Operation Site shall be located underground.
12.
All
fire suppression and prevention equipment required by any applicable
federal, state, or local law shall be provided by the Operator, at
the Operator’s cost, and the maintenance and upkeep of such
equipment shall be the responsibility of the Operator.
13.
No
Operator shall excavate or construct any lines for the conveyance
of fuel, water, oil, Gas or petroleum liquids on, under, or through
the streets, alleys or other properties owned by the City without
an easement or right-of-way permit from the City, at a price to be
agreed upon, and then only in strict compliance with this section,
other City ordinances, and the specifications established by the Department
of Public Works.
14.
The
digging up, breaking, excavating, tunneling, undermining, breaking
up, or damaging of any public street or leaving upon any public street
any earth or other material or obstruction, is prohibited unless the
Operator has first obtained written permission from the City, and
then only in compliance with specifications established by the City.
15.
No
Gas Well Permit shall be issued for any Well to be drilled within
any of the public street or alley rights-of-way of the City and/or
future streets shown on the Master Thoroughfare Plan. No street shall
be blocked or encumbered or closed due to any Exploration, Drilling,
or production activities unless prior consent is obtained from the
City’s Public Works Department, and then only temporarily.
16.
No
commercial vehicles not in use shall be permitted at the Operation
Site, as the term is defined in 43 TAC section 18.2.
(Ordinance 16-65 adopted 12/6/16; Ordinance 20-27 adopted 8/4/20)
§ 14.12.A
Operations & Equipment
Standards
1.
Adequate
nuisance prevention measures shall be taken to prevent or control
offensive odor, fumes, dust, noise and vibration.
2.
No
person shall permit any lights located on any Drill Site or Operation
Site to be directed in such a manner so that they shine directly on
public streets, adjacent property or property in the general vicinity
of the Drill Site or Operation Site. Site lighting shall be shielded
and directed downward so as to avoid glare on public streets and buildings
in accordance with an approved outdoor lighting plan and the Lighting
requirements contained herein.
3.
The
Operator shall at all times comply with the rules and regulations
of the Railroad Commission including but not limited to all applicable
Field Rules.
4.
Noise
levels must not exceed eighty (80) decibels at any point beyond three
hundred (300) feet of the Drill Site. All internal combustion engines
used on a Drill Site must be equipped with mufflers that will reduce
noise to no more than the maximum decibel level set forth herein.
If noise levels at a distance of three hundred (300) feet from a Drill
Site exceed eighty (80) decibels, a sound reduction enclosure shall
be required around a Drilling rig and any internal combustion engines.
The noise level during fracturing operations must not exceed the maximum
decibel levels set forth herein.
5.
Noise
levels must not exceed sixty (60) decibels beyond the boundaries of
an Operation Site as defined in the Specific Use Permit and associated
site plan. All internal combustion engines used on an Operation Site
must be equipped with mufflers that will reduce noise to no more than
the maximum decibel level set forth herein.
6.
An
Operator is allowed to construct, use, and operate such storage equipment
and separation equipment as shown on the applicable Specific Use Permit
and associated site plan and Gas Well Permit. The use of centralized
tank batteries is permitted only as shown on the applicable Specific
Use Permit and associated site plan and Gas Well Permit.
7.
In
parallel to Gas gathering pipeline, a flowback line may be installed
to handle water and Gas flowback following Well fracture treatment.
8.
Vehicles,
equipment, and machinery shall not be placed or located on a Drill
Site or Operation Site or on any public street, alley, driveway, or
other public Right-of-Way in such a way as to constitute a fire hazard
or to unreasonably obstruct or interfere with fighting or controlling
fires.
9.
Except
in the case of an emergency, Well servicing operations and any deliveries
to the site shall be scheduled to occur between the hours of 7:00
a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.,
Saturday and Sunday, only. The time limits set forth herein do not
apply during the Well Drilling and fracturing process. Alternative
times may be approved as a condition of an SUP.
10.
Air, Gas, or pneumatic Drilling shall not be permitted.
11.
The Operator shall immediately notify the City of any substantial
accumulations of dirt, dust, mud or other debris deposited on City
thoroughfares by vehicles involved in the Well Drilling or servicing
or pipeline installation process and propose a plan to remedy or remediate
the accumulations of such material. If for safety or other reasons,
the City elects to perform the removal, the cost of such removal shall
be paid by the Operator.
12.
Within 60 days of the completion of the Well or within 60 days of
reworking a Well, the area around the Well shall be cleaned up and
cleared of all material and equipment, holes or excavations filled,
and the land graded and returned to its original condition including
replanting of vegetation to match the surrounding area.
§ 14.12.B
Safety & Environmental
Standards
1.
The
Drilling and production of Gas and accessing the Drill Site or Operation
Site shall be in compliance with all State and Federal environmental
regulations and shall not occur within Environmentally Sensitive Areas
without the prior approval of the U.S. Corps of Engineers.
2.
Gas
Wells may have a target location or bottom-hole location that is under
an Environmentally Sensitive Area when the Gas Well is drilled directionally
from a location outside the Environmentally Sensitive Area.
3.
Each
producing Well shall be equipped with an automated valve that closes
the Well in the event of an abnormal change in operating pressure.
All well heads shall contain an emergency shut-off valve to the Well
distribution line.
4.
The
well site shall not become unsightly, dilapidated or unsafe to its
surrounds [surroundings].
5.
Flaring
or burning of gas or petroleum of any kind after the well is in production
is prohibited. Temporary flaring or burning to accommodate public
safety may be performed only when approved by and under the direction
of the City’s Fire Inspector.
6.
Each
applicant shall be responsible for identifying and placing warning
markers where a pipeline crosses a public roadway where such crossing
is permitted by the city.
7.
The
fracturing of a well may only be performed in accordance with Texas
Railroad Commission rules and standards.
8.
Each
storage tank shall be equipped with a level control device that will
automatically activate a valve to close the Well or automatically
call the operator’s response personnel to manually close the
Well in the event of excess liquid accumulation in the tank.
9.
Storage
tank facilities shall be equipped with a secondary containment system
including lining with an impervious material. The secondary containment
system shall be of a sufficient height to contain one and one-half
(1-1/2) times the contents of the largest tank. The liner shall be
installed to the manufacturer’s specifications. Drip pots shall
be provided at pump-out connections to contain the liquids from the
storage tank.
10.
Tank battery facilities shall be equipped with a remote foam dispensing
system and underground line utilizing a two and one-half (2.5) inch
National Standard Hose Thread fire department connection meeting Fire
Department specifications. All locations shall be determined by the
City Fire Inspector. The applicant may elect to pay a fee-in-lieu
of installing the remote foam line established pursuant to the City
of Granbury Fee Schedule, as amended. Such fee shall be used by the
Granbury Volunteer Fire Department to operate and maintain a mobile
foam dispensing trailer. In the event the mobile foam dispensing trailer
is needed for fire suppression at a well site during an emergency
event, the City shall invoice and notify the applicant, in writing,
of any costs associated with the use of the mobile foam dispensing
trailer during the event, excluding labor and operating costs, but
including replenishment of foam chemicals and repair or replacement
of damaged equipment. Within fifteen (15) days of receipt thereof,
the applicant shall pay to the City, the entire invoiced amount. All
charges made by the City shall be the sole responsibility of the applicant.
Failure to timely payment to the City may result in the suspension,
revocation or termination of the applicable Gas Well Permit.
11.
A lightning arrestor system shall be installed according to the most
current edition of the National Electrical Code.
12.
An approved Hazardous Materials Management Plan shall be filed with
the Fire Inspector and on file with the Fire Department. Firefighting
apparatus and supplies shall be kept on-site and at the locations
shown on the Emergency Response Plan. The costs of cleanup operations
due to hazards associated with a Well site shall be the responsibility
of the Operator.
13.
No salt-water disposal Wells shall be located within the City.
14.
The following inspections shall be required:
a.
Surface Casing:
An Operator must set and cement sufficient
surface casing to protect all usable-quality water strata, as defined
by state law. In addition, the following shall be required:
(1)
Centralizers must be used at an interval of one (1) centralizer per
one hundred (100) feet, or ten (10) centralizers per one thousand
(1,000) feet.
(2)
New surface casing is required.
(3)
Proper floating equipment shall be used.
(4)
Class “H” or Class “C” cement with accelerators
shall be used.
(5)
The Operator shall circulate cement to surface; if not, the Operator
shall cement with one (1) inch tubing and top off.
(6)
The Operator shall wait on cement a minimum of eight (8) to twelve
(12) hours prior to commencing further Drilling operations.
(7)
The Operator shall test the blowout preventer before Drilling out
of surface casing to one thousand (1,000) psi.
b.
Completion:
The Well must be equipped with a blowout
preventer before this operation is commenced. If a bridge plug is
set over a producing formation prior to additional completion, it
must be pressure-tested to a sufficient pressure to ensure that it
is not leaking.
c.
Final Inspection:
After the site has been cleaned up
and screened, the Operator shall notify the Gas Well Inspector for
a final inspection. Prior to the final inspection, the operator must
provide the City with geographic coordinates of the Well Bore, using
the North American Datum 1983 (NAD 83), Texas State Plane - North
Central Zone (4202), in United States feet.
15.
Unless otherwise pre-empted by state law, the Gas Well Inspector
and/or Code Enforcement Officer shall conduct periodic inspections
of all permitted Wells in the City to determine that the Wells are
operating in accordance with the requirements of this section and
all regulations of the Railroad Commission. If a violation of the
applicable Specific Use Permit and associated site plan (general nuisance
provisions such as but not limited to: screening, landscaping, noise,
stagnant water, etc.) or the Gas Well Permit is found during periodic
inspection, a reinspection shall be required. If a reinspection is
required, the Operator shall pay the reinspection fee established
pursuant to the City of Granbury Fee Schedule, as amended. The reinspection
fee must be received by the City of Granbury within 30 days of notice
to the gas company.
16.
If a Gas field in the City is identified as a Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
Gas field, the Operator shall immediately cease operation.
17.
A Closed Loop Mud System shall be required and used in conjunction
with drilling and reworking operations for all Gas Well Permits. All
tanks used for storage shall conform to the following:
a.
Operator must use portable closed steel storage tanks for storing
liquid hydrocarbons. Tanks must meet the American Petroleum Institute
standards or equivalent. All tanks must have a vent line, flame arrester
and pressure relief valve. All tanks must be enclosed by a fence applicable
to the issued permit classification. No tank battery shall be within
one hundred (100') feet of any dwelling or other combustible structure.
b.
Drilling mud, cuttings, liquid hydrocarbons and all other field waste
derived or resulting from or connected with the drilling, reworking
or deepening of any well shall be discharged into the closed loop
mud system. All disposals must be in accordance with the rules of
the Commission and any other appropriate local, state or federal agency.
c.
Waste materials shall be removed from the site and transported to
an off-site disposal facility not less often than every thirty (30)
days. Water stored in on-site tanks shall be removed as necessary.
d.
All waste shall be disposed of in such a manner as to comply with
the air and water pollution control regulations of the State, this
Ordinance and any other applicable ordinance of the City.
(Ordinance 16-65 adopted 12/6/16; Ordinance 20-27 adopted 8/4/20)
To the extent that an operator is unable to demonstrate an exemption
under federal or state law, the following requirements shall apply
to the construction and operation of a flow line or gathering line:
1.
An
Operator shall place an identifying sign, in English and Spanish,
at each point where the Operator has constructed or caused to be constructed
a flow line or gathering line across a public street or road.
2.
An
Operator shall place a warning sign, in English and Spanish, for lines
carrying Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Gas as required by the Railroad Commission.
3.
All
flow lines and gathering lines within the City (excluding City utility
lines and franchise distribution systems) that are used to transport
oil, Gas, and/or water, shall be limited to the maximum allowable
operating pressure applicable to the pipes installed. All gathering
and distribution lines shall be buried and shall be installed with
at least the minimum cover or backfill specified by 49 CFR Part 192,
as amended. Flow lines shall be surrounded by protective barriers
approved by the City Fire Inspector to ensure lines are not damaged
during the drilling and fracturing process.
4.
Easements
must be acquired for all flow lines, gathering lines and flowback
lines that are located outside of the leased premises or in the case
of a pooled unit, those lines located outside of the polled unit boundary.
The location of easements shall be shown in a Pipeline Easement Map.
5.
Structures
shall not be built over flow lines or gathering pipelines.
6.
All
gathering lines and pipelines not located within the Operation Site
shall be located underground. The location of all gathering lines
and pipelines must be marked with warning signs in accordance with
industry standards. Within the City of Granbury, the distance between
such signs shall not exceed five hundred (500) feet. In addition,
during backfill of pipeline excavations, “Buried Pipeline”
warning tape shall be buried one (1) foot above the pipeline to warn
future excavators of the presence of buried pipeline.
(Ordinance 16-65 adopted 12/6/16)
1.
A Specific
Use Permit shall be required for all compressor stations and shall
be accompanied by a T-4 Permit issued by the Railroad Commission.
2.
A building
permit shall be issued prior to the development of the compressor
station site.
3.
The
station site shall adhere to all development requirements of this
ordinance for a commercial development within the City of Granbury
and any additional requirements imposed as conditions of the SUP approval.
4.
All
compressor station equipment and sound attenuation structures shall
be enclosed within a building. Such building shall adhere to construction
standards contained within in this Ordinance and other applicable
codes adopted by the City.
5.
A pre-development ambient noise level reading shall be taken by the developer and verified by the City at all property lines and provided to the Chief Building Official with the building plan submittal prior to development on the site. The operation of the site shall not produce a noise greater than those levels defined in Section 8.05.003 of the City of Granbury Code of Ordinances.
(Ordinance 16-65 adopted 12/6/16)
1.
Supplemental
Drilling to deepen or directional drill a Well that has not been abandoned
shall be conducted in accordance with the conditions of the applicable
Specific Use Permit and associated site plan and the Gas Well Permit
for the Well.
2.
The
Operator shall provide the City with a copy of additional Railroad
Commission permits that allow Drilling to a deeper depth.
(Ordinance 16-65 adopted 12/6/16)
Any person who intends to rework a Well using a Drilling rig,
to fracture stimulate a Well after initial completion, or to conduct
seismic Exploration involving explosive charges shall give written
notice to the City at least twenty (20) days before the activities
begin. The notice shall identify where the activities will be conducted
and shall describe the activities in reasonable detail, including
but not limited to the duration of the activities and the time of
day they will be conducted. The notice must also provide the address
and twenty-four (24) hour phone number of the person conducting the
activities. The person conducting the activities shall post a sign,
in English and Spanish, on the property giving the public notice of
the activities, including the name, address, and twenty-four (24)
hour phone number of the person conducting the activities. No Well
shall be reworked without the approval of the Gas Well Inspector.
If the Gas Well Inspector determines that an inspection is necessary,
a Gas Well Reinspection fee shall be charged.
1.
Upon
Abandonment of a Well or Well site, within sixty (60) days, the Well
shall be plugged in accordance with Railroad Commission standards,
the site shall be cleaned and cleared of all material and equipment,
holes or excavations filled, and the land graded and returned to its
original condition including replanting of vegetation to match the
surrounding area. All Well casings shall be cut and removed to a depth
of at least ten (10) feet below the surface.
2.
No
structures shall be built within ten (10) feet of an abandoned Well.
3.
Upon
Abandonment of a pipeline, within sixty (60) days of Abandonment,
a pipeline must be purged and plugged in accordance with the rules
and regulations of the State of Texas in effect at that time.
4.
The
Operator shall contact the City and request an inspection of a restored
site. The insurance coverage required herein shall be maintained until
the site is accepted by the City.
(Ordinance 16-65 adopted 12/6/16)
1.
If
an Operator or his officers, employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors
or representatives fails to comply with the conditions of the applicable
Specific Use Permit and associated site plan or any requirement of
a Gas Well Permit (including any requirement incorporated by reference
as part of the permit), or any applicable provisions of this section
or any other City ordinances, the City shall endeavor to give written
notice to the Operator specifying the nature of the alleged failure
and giving the Operator a specified time to cure, taking into consideration
the nature and extent of the alleged failure, the extent of the efforts
required to cure, and the potential impact on the health, safety,
and welfare of the community. If circumstances warrant proceeding
without notice, no notice shall be required. In any case, failure
to give such notice shall not prohibit the City from pursuing any
available remedy.
2.
If
the Operator does not cure the alleged failure or environmental hazard
within the time specified by the City, the City may notify the Railroad
Commission and request that the Railroad Commission take appropriate
action. In addition, the City may pursue all other remedies allowed
by law, including but not limited to the following:
a.
The
City Manager may suspend the Gas Well Permit until the alleged failure
is cured; and
b.
The
City Manager may revoke the Gas Well Permit if the Operator fails
to initiate and diligently pursue a cure; and
c.
The
City Manager may seek recourse against the security delivered pursuant
to this Article.
3.
The
Operator may appeal a decision to suspend or revoke the Gas Well Permit
to the City Council.
(Ordinance 16-65 adopted 12/6/16)
City Staff and the Gas Well Inspector are authorized and directed
to enforce this section and the provisions of any Gas Well Permit.
Whenever necessary to enforce any provision of this section or a Gas
Well Permit, or whenever there is reasonable cause to believe there
has been a violation of this section or a Gas Well Permit, City Staff
and/or the Gas Well Inspector may enter upon any property covered
by this section or a Gas Well Permit at any reasonable time to inspect
or perform any duty or requirement imposed by this section. If entry
is refused, the City shall have recourse to every remedy provided
by law and equity to gain entry.
(Ordinance 16-65 adopted 12/6/16)
