[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 71 (Monday, April 13, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20528-20531]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-07630]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Petitions for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory 
Safety Standards

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice is a summary of two petitions for modification 
submitted to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) by the 
parties listed below.

DATES: All comments on the petitions must be received by MSHA's Office 
of Standards, Regulations, and Variances on or before May 13, 2020.

ADDRESSES: You may submit your comments, identified by ``docket 
number'' on the subject line, by any of the following methods:
    1. Electronic Mail: [email protected]. Include the docket 
number of the petition in the subject line of the message.
    2. Facsimile: 202-693-9441.
    3. Regular Mail or Hand Delivery: MSHA, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street South, Suite 4E401, 
Arlington, Virginia 22202-5452, Attention: Roslyn B. Fontaine, Acting 
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances. Persons 
delivering documents are required to check in at the receptionist's 
desk in Suite 4E401. Individuals may inspect copies of the petition and 
comments during normal business hours at the address listed above.
    MSHA will consider only comments postmarked by the U.S. Postal 
Service or proof of delivery from another delivery service such as UPS 
or Federal Express on or before the deadline for comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: S. Aromie Noe, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances at 202-693-9557 (voice), [email protected] (email), or 202-693-9441 (facsimile). [These are not toll-
free numbers.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety 
and Health Act of 1977 and Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
Part 44 govern the application, processing, and disposition of 
petitions for modification.

I. Background

    Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act) allows the mine operator or representative of miners to file 
a petition to modify the application of any mandatory safety standard 
to a coal or other mine if the Secretary of Labor determines that:
    1. An alternative method of achieving the result of such standard 
exists which will at all times guarantee no less than the same measure 
of protection afforded the miners of such mine by such standard; or
    2. The application of such standard to such mine will result in a 
diminution of safety to the miners in such mine.
    In addition, the regulations at 30 CFR 44.10 and 44.11 establish 
the requirements for filing petitions for modification.

II. Petitions for Modification

    Docket Number: M-2020-005-C.
    Petitioner: Affinity Coal Company, 111 Affinity Complex Rd., 
Sophia, WV 25878.
    Mine: Affinity Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 46-08878, located in Raleigh 
County, West Virginia.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1700 Oil and gas wells.
    Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of the 
existing standard, 30 CFR 75.1700, in order to mine through two 
existing wells at the Affinity Mine.
    The petitioner states that:
    (1) Coal mining operations at the Affinity Mine are restricted by 
two conventional gas wells, which are shallow and vertical.
    (2) The gas wells are close to a future portal site, which will be 
composed of: An intake shaft, hoist, warehouse, supply yard, and 
parking.
    (3) If the wells cannot be mined through then the petitioner will 
have to drop the well entries and build overcasts. Dropping the well 
entries and building overcasts would reduce the amount of air supplied 
by the intake shaft.
    (4) An alternate method proposed in the petition will increase 
ventilation throughout the Affinity Mine.
    The petitioner's alternative method consists of procedures for 
cleaning out, preparing, plugging, and replugging oil or gas wells; 
procedures for mining within 100-foot diameter barrier around well; and 
additional conditions the petitioner will meet prior to mining through 
the wells.
    (a) The petitioner proposes the following conditions to be met 
prior to mining through the wells:
    (1) A 300 foot safety barrier will be built and maintained around 
the oil and gas wells, which includes a 150 foot barrier between a 
mined location and the well, until the MSHA district manager has 
approved mining in that area. Oil and gas wells are defined by the 
petitioner to include active, inactive, abandoned, shut-in, previously 
plugged wells, water injection wells, and carbon dioxide sequestration 
wells. Additionally, MSHA considers potential oil and gas producing 
formations that have not produced in commercial quantities to be oil 
and gas wells.
    (2) Before mining inside the safety barrier, around any well that 
the mine will intersect, the petitioner will give the MSHA district 
manager a sworn affidavit or declaration by a company official, stating 
the required procedures for cleaning, preparing, and plugging each gas 
or oil well have been completed. The affidavit or declaration will 
include the logs described below as well as any other records that the 
district manager requires.
    The petitioner may request a permit to lower the 300 foot safety 
barrier if a well intersection is not planned and lowering the barrier 
will not intersect the well.
    (3) This petition applies to all methods of underground coal 
mining.
    (b) The petitioner proposes the following mandatory procedures for 
cleaning out, preparing, plugging, and replugging oil or gas wells:
    (1) Procedures for cleaning out and preparing vertical oil and gas 
wells before plugging or replugging them:
    (i) If the well is less than 4,000 feet deep, the petitioner will 
clean out the well from the surface to at least 200 feet below the 
lowest mineable coal seam's base, unless the MSHA district manager 
requires cleaning below that (based on

[[Page 20529]]

the MSHA district manager's judgement, geological strata, or well 
pressure). If the well depth is equal to or greater than 4,000 feet, 
the petitioner will clean out the well from the surface to at least 400 
feet below the lowest mineable coal seam's base. The petitioner will 
remove all materials that are within the well, throughout the entire 
diameter of the well, from wall to wall.
    (ii) Down-hole logs will be prepared by the petitioner for each 
well. The logs are made up of a caliper survey and log(s) used to 
determine the diameters of the coal seam and potential hydrocarbon 
producing strata and location for a bridge plug (if required). If 
approved by the MSHA district manager, down-hole camera surveys may be 
used instead of down-hole logs. A journal will be maintained to 
describe the depth and nature of material(s) encountered, the drilling 
information, the length of the plug, casing(s) effected, and other 
information related to cleaning and sealing the well. Information such 
as invoices, work orders, and other records will be kept for MSHA to 
inspect, should MSHA request it.
    (iii) When cleaning the well, a diligent effort will be made to 
remove all the casing in the well. If the casing cannot be removed, the 
petitioner will ensure that the annulus between the casings and the 
well walls are filled with expanding cement, with a minimum of 0.5% 
after setting, and contain no voids. Remaining casing will be cut, 
milled, perforated, or ripped to facilitate removing remaining casing 
from the coal seam. Any remaining casing will be perforated or ripped 
to allow cement to be injected in order to fill in voids throughout the 
well. The petitioner will make sure that work done before this petition 
to perforate or rip remaining casing at the coal seam is consistent 
with this petition. Perforations or rips are required at intervals of 
every 50 feet from 200 feet below the base of the lowest mineable 
coalbed, for wells less than 4,000 feet deep and 400 feet below the 
lowest mineable coal seam, up to 100 feet above the uppermost part of 
the coal seam.
    (iv) In the event that the cleaned-out well produces excessive gas, 
a mechanical bridge plug will be placed in the borehole in a competent 
stratum at least 200 feet below the base of the lowest mineable 
coalbed, but above the top of the uppermost hydrocarbon-producing 
stratum, unless the MSHA district manager requires a larger distance. 
If it is not possible to set a mechanical bridge plug, an appropriately 
sized packer may be used in place of the mechanical bridge plug.
    (v) If the uppermost hydrocarbon-producing stratum is within 300 
feet of the base of the lowest mineable coalbed, a properly placed 
mechanical bridge plug, described in subparagraph (iv) above, will be 
used to isolate the hydrocarbon-producing stratum from the expanding 
cement plug. A minimum of 200 feet of expanding cement will be placed 
below the lowest mineable coalbed unless the MSHA district manager 
requires a greater distance, based on judgement, geological strata, or 
well pressure.
    (2) Procedures for plugging and replugging oil or gas wells:
    (i) A cement plug will be set by pumping an expanding cement slurry 
down the well to create a plug that runs from at least 200 feet (400 
feet if the total well depth is 4,000 feet or greater) below the base 
of the lowest coal seam that is being mined, unless the MSHA district 
manager requires a greater distance, based on judgement, geological 
strata, or well pressure. The cement will be placed in the well under a 
pressure of at least 200 pounds per square inch. Portland cement or a 
light-weight cement mixture may be used to fill in the area from 100 
feet above the top of the uppermost mineable coalbed to the surface, 
unless the MSHA district manager requires a higher distance, based on 
judgement, geological strata, or well pressure.
    (ii) The petitioner will embed steel turnings or other small 
magnetic particles in the top of the cement near the surface as 
permanent magnetic monuments for the well. An alternative is a 4 inch 
or larger casing, set in cement, which extends 36 or more inches above 
the ground level with the API number engraved or welded on the casing. 
High resolution GPS are required when a hole cannot be physically 
marked.
    (3) Procedures for plugging and replugging oil or gas wells for use 
as degasification wells:
    (i) A cement plug will be set in the wellbore by pumping an 
expanding cement slurry to form a plug from at least 200 feet of 
expanding cement (400 feet if the depth is 4,000 feet or greater) below 
the lowest mineable coalbed at a pressure of at least 200 pounds per 
square inch. The top of the expanding cement will extend at least 50 
feet above the top of the coalbed being mined, unless the MSHA district 
manager requires a greater distance.
    (ii) The petitioner will grout a suitable casing into the bedrock 
of the upper part of the degasification well in order to protect it. 
The remainder of the well may be cased or uncased.
    (iii) The petitioner will fit a wellhead to the top of the 
degasification casing, as required by the MSHA district manager in the 
approved ventilation plan.
    (iv) This equipment can include check valves, shut-in valves, 
sampling ports, flame arrestor equipment, and security fencing.
    (v) The degasification well will be addressed in the approved 
ventilation plan, including periodic tests of methane levels and limits 
on the minimum methane concentrations extracted.
    (vi) Once an area of the coal mine is degassed by a sealed well or 
if the coal mine is abandoned, the petitioner will plug all 
degasification wells using the following procedures: The petitioner 
will insert a tube to the bottom of the well, or at least to 100 feet 
above the coal seam being mined; blockage will be removed to allow the 
tube to reach this depth; the petitioner will set a cement plug in the 
well, pumping Portland cement or a lightweight cement mixture until the 
well is filled to the surface; and the petitioner will embed steel 
turnings or other small magnetic particles in the top of the cement 
near the surface as permanent magnetic monuments for the well. An 
alternative is a 4 inch or larger casing, set in cement, which extends 
36 or more inches above the ground level with the API number engraved 
or welded on the casing.
    (4) Procedures for preparing and plugging or replugging oil or gas 
wells that the petitioner determines, and the MSHA district manager 
agrees, cannot be cleaned completely:
    (i) The petitioner will drill a hole adjacent and parallel to the 
well, at least 200 feet deep (400 feet if the total well depth is 4,000 
feet or greater), below the coal seam to be mined or at the lowest 
mineable coal seam (whichever is lower).
    (ii) The petitioner will locate remaining casings using geophysical 
sensing devices.
    (iii) If casings are detected then the petitioner will drill into 
the well from from the parallel hole. The petitioner will perforate or 
rip all casings to allow for the injection of cement. The petitioner 
will perforate or rip at every 50 feet from at least 200 feet (400 feet 
if the total well depth is 4,000 feet or greater) below the base of the 
coal seam to be mined or the lowest mineable coal seam, whichever is 
lower, up to 100 feet above the seam that is being mined (unless the 
MSHA district manager requires a greater distance based on

[[Page 20530]]

judgement, geological strata, or well pressure).
    The petitioner will ensure that the annulus between the casings and 
the well are filled with expanding cement, with a minimum of 0.5% after 
setting, and contain no voids. Where there are multiple casing or 
tubing strings present, any remaining casing will be ripped or 
perforated and filled with expanding cement; an acceptable casing bond 
log is needed for each casing and tubing strip if used instead of 
ripping or perforating multiple strings.
    (iv) If the petitioner determines, and the MSHA district manager 
agrees, that there is insufficient casings in the well to allow for the 
procedures above (iii) to be completed, the petitioner will use a 
horizontal hydraulic fracturing technique to intercept the original 
well. From at least 200 feet (400 feet if the total well depth is 4,000 
feet or greater) below the base of the coal seam to be mined or the 
lowest mineable coal seam to a point of at least 50 feet above the seam 
being mined, the petitioner will fracture 6 places (in agreement with 
the MSHA district manager). After the fracturing process, the 
petitioner will pump in cement to fill any voids.
    (v) Down-hole logs will be prepared by the petitioner for each 
well. The logs are made up of a caliper survey and log(s) used to 
determine the diameters of the coal seam and bridge plug (if required). 
If conditions make it impractical to obtain the log from the well, the 
petitioner may obtain logs from the adjacent hole. If approved by the 
MSHA district manager, down-hole camera surveys may be approved used 
instead of down-hole logs. A journal will be maintained to describe the 
depth and nature of material(s) encountered, the drilling information, 
the length of the plug, casing(s) effected, and other information 
related to cleaning and sealing the well. Information such as invoices, 
work orders, and other records will be kept for MSHA to inspect, should 
MSHA request it.
    (vi) After the well has been plugged according to the above 
procedures, the petitioner will plug the adjacent hole from the bottom 
to the surface using Portland cement (or a lightweight cement mixture). 
The petitioner will embed steel turnings or other small magnetic 
particles in the top of the cement near the surface as permanent 
magnetic monuments for the well. An alternative is a 4 inch or larger 
casing, set in cement, which extends 36 or more inches above the ground 
level. Each well will be assessed and the petitioner may submit an 
alternative plan, while the MSHA district manager may require that more 
than one method be utilized (or require additional data and 
certification).
    (c) The petitioner proposes to use the following mandatory 
procedures for mining within a 100-foot barrier around the well:
    (1) A conference may be requested by any of the following: The 
representative of the petitioner, a state agency, or the MSHA district 
manager (the petitioner's employees do not have a designated miners' 
representative as defined by 30 CFR 44.11(a)(6)). The requester will 
let the other parties above know of the conference with a reasonable 
amount of time before the conference, allowing for an opportunity to 
participate. The focus of the conference is to review, evaluate, and 
accommodate any abnormal or unusual circumstances that relate to the 
condition of the well or surrounding strata.
    (2) The intersection of a well by the petitioner will be conducted 
on a shift approved by the MSHA district manager. The petitioner will 
notify the MSHA district manager and the miners' representative prior 
to the intersection so that representatives can be present.
    (3) For continuous mining, drivage sites will be installed by the 
petitioner not more than 50 feet from the well, at the last open 
crosscut near the area to be mined to ensure intersection of the well. 
The drivage sites will not be more than 50 feet from the well.
    (4) Firefighting equipment, including fire extinguishers, rock 
dust, and sufficient fire hose to reach the working face area of the 
mining-through will be available when either the conventional or 
continuous mining method is used. The fire hose will be located in the 
last open crosscut of the entry or room. The petitioner will maintain 
the water line to be able to reach the farthest point of penetration on 
the section.
    (5) Sufficient supplies of roof support and ventilation materials 
will be available and located at the last open crosscut. In addition, 
an emergency plug and/or plugs will be available in the immediate area 
of the mine-through.
    (6) Equipment will be checked for permissibility and serviced on 
the shift prior to mining-through the well; water sprays, water 
pressures and water flow rates will be checked and any issues will be 
corrected.
    (7) The methane monitor on the continuous mining machine will be 
calibrated on the shift prior to mining-through the well.
    (8) When mining is in progress, tests for methane will be made with 
a hand-held methane detector at least every 10 minutes from the time 
that mining with the continuous mining machine is within 30 feet of the 
well until the well is intersected and immediately prior to mining 
through. During the actual cutting through process, no individual will 
be allowed on the return side until mining-through has been completed 
and the area has been examined and declared safe.
    (9) The working place will be free from accumulations of coal dust 
and coal spillages, and rock dust will be placed on the roof, rib and 
floor within 20 feet of the face when mining through or near the well 
on the shift or shifts during which the cut-through will occur.
    (10) When the wellbore is intersected, all equipment will be de-
energized and the area thoroughly examined and determined safe before 
mining is resumed.
    (11) After a well has been intersected and the working place 
determined safe, mining will continue inby the well at a sufficient 
distance to permit adequate ventilation around the area of the 
wellbore.
    (12) When a torch is necessary for poorly cut or milled casings, no 
open flames will be permitted in the area until adequate ventilation 
has been established around the wellbore and methane levels of less 
than 1 percent are present in all areas affected by flames or sparks 
from the torch. Before using a torch, a thick layer of rock dust will 
be applied to any roof, face, floor, ribs or exposed coal within 20 
feet of the casing.
    (13) Non-sparking (brass) tools will be used only to expose and 
examine cased wells. These tools will be located on the working 
section.
    (14) No person will be permitted in the area of the mining-through 
operation except for those actually engaged in the operation, company 
personnel, representatives of the miners, personnel from MSHA, and 
personnel from the appropriate State agency.
    (15) The petitioner will alert all personnel in the mine of a 
planned intersection of the well before going underground if it is to 
occur during the shift. The warning will be continuously repeated until 
the well is mined through.
    (16) The mining-through operation will be under the direct 
supervision of a certified official. Instructions concerning the 
mining-through operation will be issued only by the certified official 
in charge.
    (17) Within 30 days after the Proposed Decision and Order (PDO) 
becomes final, the petitioner will submit proposed revisions to be 
approved by the MSHA District Manager, as part of the 30 CFR 48 
training plan. This will include initial and refresher training.

[[Page 20531]]

The revisions are to include training on the above terms for all miners 
involved in well intersection prior to mining within 150 feet of the 
well which is to be mined through.
    (18) The required person under 30 CFR 75.1501 Emergency Evacuations 
is responsible for emergencies relating to the intersection and this 
person will review intersection procedures before the intersection 
occurs.
    (19) Within 30 days of when this PDO is finalized, the petitioner 
will submit a revised emergency evacuation and firefighting training 
program, required by 30 CFR 75.1502. The petitioner will revise the 
program to incorporate hazards and evacuation plans used for well 
intersection. All underground miners will be trained in the above plan 
revisions within 30 days of submittal.
    (20) The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method 
will at all times guarantee no less than the same measure of protection 
from the potential hazards against which the existing standard for 30 
CFR 75.1700 is intended to guard.

    Docket Number: M-2020-006-C.
    Petitioner: Nelson Brothers, LLC, P.O. Box 8276, South Charleston, 
WV 25303.
    Mines: Workman Creek Surface Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 46-09475, located 
in Raleigh County, West Virginia; No. 1 Surface Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 46-
06870, located in Nicholas County, West Virginia; Twilight Mtr. Surface 
Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 46-08645, located in Boone County, West Virginia.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 77.1302(k) Vehicles used to transport 
explosives.
    Modification Request: The petitioner requests that a previously 
granted petition for modification, Docket No. M-2009-043-C, be amended. 
The petitioner proposes to add Workman Creek Surface Mine, MSHA I.D. 
No. 46-09475 to the Proposed Decision and Order (PDO), while removing 
from the PDO: No. 1 Surface Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 46-06870 (no longer 
active) and Twilight Mtr. Surface Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 46-08645 (which 
the petitioner does not service anymore). On January 31, 2011, the 
petition for modification to 30 CFR 77.1302(k), Docket No. M-2009-043-
C, was granted; the PDO permitted the petitioner's alternative method 
of repairing and maintaining vehicles containing explosives or 
detonators. Under this PDO, employees are allowed to perform routine 
repair or maintenance work under non-permanent shelters constructed in 
remote areas of the mine where normal mining activities are not 
occurring. The petitioner asserts that at the new mine cited above, the 
alternative method included in Docket No. M-2009-043-C will at all 
times guarantee no less than the same measure of protection afforded 
the miners under 30 CFR 77.1302(k).

Roslyn Fontaine,
Acting Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 2020-07630 Filed 4-10-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4520-43-P