Section 240.525  Saltwater or Oil Based Drilling Fluid Handling and Storage

a)         When initiating drilling operations using saltwater or oil drilling fluids, the permittee shall provide at least one (1) lined sediment pit or above ground, portable container into which drill cuttings shall be deposited, and one (1) lined drilling fluid circulation pit or leak free, above ground container.

b)         Pits used for drill cuttings (sediment pits) and drilling fluids (circulation pits) or reserve pits (drilling fluid waste storage) shall be lined with at least a 20 mil thickness liner.  If drilling operations begin with fresh water based mud and a mud cake is established in the drilling and circulation pits prior to the use of saltwater or oil based mud, liners are not required unless those pits will be used for drilling fluid waste disposal.  Reserve pits into which saltwater or oil based drilling fluid wastes are deposited or disposed shall be lined. Pits shall be constructed with sufficient capacity to contain all drilling fluids within the pits, and maintained in a manner that reasonably prevents against overflow during drilling operations and prior to commencing pit restoration in accordance with Section 240.540 of this Part.  Discharge of drilling fluids from the pits into any surface water or water drainage way is prohibited.

c)         Sediment pits and drilling fluid circulation pits and reserve pits shall be used only for the storage and disposal of drill cuttings and drilling fluids, and shall not be used for the disposal of general oilfield wastes.

(Source:  Added at 19 Ill. Reg. 10981, effective July 14, 1995)