43 CFR § 3172.10 - Special drilling operations.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t43/s3172.10"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "43 CFR § 3172.10 - Special drilling operations."
title_number: 43
title_name: "Public Lands: Interior"
section_number: "3172.10"
section_name: "Special drilling operations."
chapter_name: "BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "MINERALS MANAGEMENT (3000)"
part_number: "3170"
part_name: "ONSHORE OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
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."
regulatory_source: "81 FR 81421, Nov. 17, 2016, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "3170"
---


# 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.

Table 1 to § 3172.10(**a**)

| Violation | Corrective action | Normal abatement period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Minor | Install the equipment as specified | 24 hours. |
| Major (as indicated) | Install the equipment as specified | Prompt correction required. |

(b) Hydrogen sulfide operation is specifically addressed under subpart 3176 of this part.