Commission proposes regulation change in gas detection

Kristen Nelson, PNA editor-in-chief

The Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has proposed a change in its regulations “to accommodate unconventional drilling equipment and to provide for variances to certain gas detection requirements.”

Commissioner Randy Ruedrich said in February, when the commission discussed the proposed change, that gas detection regulations the commission has in place were designed for closed North Slope rigs or platform rigs where gas accumulation can occur.

For different styles of equipment, he said, that risk would not be present and so an alternate set of standards is appropriate.

The proposed regulation changes include a provision for function testing a gas detection system on a drilling rig without a blowout preventer and a new subsection allowing the commission to waive methane detection requirements “if the commission determines that the configuration of the drilling or workover rig and any associated equipment and structures eliminates the potential for methane to accumulate…”

The new subsection also allows use of a single hydrogen sulfide sensor instead of three sensing points now required if the commission determines hydrogen sulfide will not accumulate.

The new subjection also allows variance from the section “if the variance provides at least an equally effective means of gas detection.”

A hearing on the proposed regulation change is April 22; the commission will also take written comments.