[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 156 (Tuesday, August 17, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46018-46021]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-17554]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Petition for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory 
Safety Standard

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice includes the summary of a petition for 
modification submitted to the Mine Safety and Health Administration 
(MSHA) by the party listed below.

DATES: All comments on the petition must be received by MSHA's Office 
of Standards, Regulations, and Variances on or before September 16, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit your comments including the docket number of 
the petition 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: Jessica D. Senk, 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: Jessica D. Senk, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances at 202-693-9440 (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 
(CFR) 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, sections 44.10 and 44.11 of 30 CFR establish the 
requirements for filing petitions for modification.

II. Petition for Modification

    Docket Number: M-2021-026-C.
    Petitioner: Marion County Coal Resources, Inc., 151 Johnnycake 
Road, Metz, West Virginia (Zip 26585).
    Mine: Marion County Mine, MSHA ID No. 46-01433, located in Marion 
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, as it relates to oil and gas wells 
at the mine. The operator is petitioning to plug two gas wells in the 
Marcellus shale.
    The petitioner states that:
    (a) The Marion County Mine desires to plug two ``unconventional'' 
gas wells in the Marcellus shale not covered by the Consent Order at 
docket No. 2017-MSA-06. These are:
    (1) The Esther Clark 1H Marcellus Gas Well American Petroleum 
Institute (API) #: 47-061-01616; and
    (2) The Esther Clark 3H Marcellus Gas Well API #: 47-061-01623.
    (b) The Marion County Mine employs approximately 712 miners and 
produces approximately 25,000 tons of bituminous coal per day from the 
Pittsburgh #8 coal seam with an average mine height of 84 inches. At 
this time, there are no coal seams being mined stratigraphically down 
section from the Pittsburgh seam. The mine is accessed through one 
slope and eight airshafts. The mine operates three production shifts 
per day, five days per week, on three working sections--one longwall, 
an advancing gate section, and a mains section utilizing continuous 
mining machines. The mine liberates 9,000,000 cubic feet of methane on 
a daily basis.
    (c) On July 5, 2018, MSHA and Marion County entered into a 
settlement concerning the contest of certain conditions in a Proposed 
Decision and Order concerning 30 CFR 75.1700 at docket No. 2017-MSA-06. 
That agreement specifically excluded certain types of wells as follows: 
Unconventional wells in the Marcellus and Utica, and all other 
unconventional shale oil and gas wells are not subject to this 
modification.
    The petitioner proposes the following alternative method:
    (a) District Manager approval required.
    (1) The mine operator shall maintain a safety barrier of 300 feet 
in diameter around the Esther Clark 1H and 3H Gas Wells until the 
District Manager approves to proceed with mining.
    (2) Prior to mining within the safety barrier around these wells, 
the mine operator shall provide to the District Manager a sworn 
affidavit or declaration executed by the company official who is in 
charge of health and safety at the mine stating that all mandatory 
procedures for cleaning out, preparing, and plugging each gas well have 
been completed. The affidavit or declaration must be accompanied by all 
logs, electronic or otherwise, described below in section (b) (7) and 
any other records the District Manager requires.
    (3) This petition applies to all types of underground coal mining 
at the mine.
    (b) The petitioner proposes to use the following mandatory 
procedures, when cleaning out and preparing the Ester

[[Page 46019]]

Clark IH and 3H Gas Wells prior to plugging.
    (1) The mine operator shall test for gas emissions inside the hole 
before cleaning out, preparing, and plugging gas wells. The District 
Manager shall be contacted if the well is actively producing gas.
    (2) Since these wells are unconventional and greater than 4,000 
feet in depth, a diligent effort shall be made to remove all the casing 
in the well and clean the well down to the original arrowset packer 
installed just above the ``kick off point'' in the well. The mine 
operator shall completely clean out the well from the surface to at 
least the same arrowset packer originally installed. The mine operator 
shall provide the District Manager with all information it possesses 
concerning the geological nature of the strata and the pressure of the 
well. The mine operator shall make a diligent effort to remove all 
material from the entire diameter of the well, wall to wall.
    (3) Since these wells are no longer producing and are being cleaned 
and prepared subject to this petition, the operator must attempt to 
remove all of the casing using a diligent effort, and comply with all 
other applicable provisions of the decision and order.
    (4) To make a diligent effort to remove the casing, the operator 
shall pull a minimum of 150% of casing string weight and/or have made 
at least three attempts to spear or overshot to grip the casing for the 
required minimum pull effort. The operator shall keep a record of these 
efforts, including casing length and weight, and make the record 
available for MSHA review.
    (5) Perforations or rips are required at least every 50 feet from 
400 feet below the base of the Pittsburgh #8 coal seam up to 100 feet 
above the uppermost mineable coal seam. The mine operator must take 
appropriate steps to ensure that the annulus between the casing and the 
well walls are filled with expanding (minimum 0.5% expansion upon 
setting) cement and contain no voids.
    (6) Jet/sand cutting is one method for cut, ripping, or perforating 
casing with three or more strings of casing in the Pittsburgh #8 coal 
seam in preparation for mining. This method uses compressed nitrogen 
gas and sand to cut the well casings. On active wells, cuts start at 
200 feet above the bottom of the casing at 200 feet intervals, to 200 
feet below the bottom of the Pittsburgh coal seam.
    (7) The mine operator shall prepare down-hole logs for each well. 
Logs shall consist of a caliper survey, a bond log if appropriate, a 
deviation survey, and a gamma survey for determining the top, bottom, 
and thickness of all coal seams down to the coal seam to be mined or 
the lowest mineable coal seam, whichever is lower, potential 
hydrocarbon producing strata, and the location of any existing bridge 
plug. In addition, a journal shall be maintained describing: the depth 
of each material encountered; the nature of each material encountered; 
bit size and type used to drill each portion of the hole; length and 
type of each material used to plug the well; length of casing(s) 
removed, perforated or ripped, or left in place; any sections where 
casing was cut or milled; and other pertinent information concerning 
cleaning and sealing the well. Invoices, work-orders, and other records 
relating to all work on the well shall be maintained as part of this 
journal and provided to MSHA upon request.
    (8) The mine operator shall make a diligent effort to remove the 
casing down to the arrowset packer installed just above the ``kick off 
point'' (where the well transitions from vertical to horizontal). If 
all of the vertical casing above the existing packer can be removed, 
the mine operator shall prepare the well for plugging and use seals 
described below. MSHA may retain the right to review and direct the 
mine operator's sealing protocol, in the event geologic or well 
conditions require further measures.
    (9) If the District Manager concludes that the completely cleaned-
out well is emitting excessive amounts of gas, the mine operator must 
place additional mechanical bridge plugs in the well.
    (10) The mechanical bridge plug must be placed in a competent 
stratum at least 400 feet below the base of the lowest mineable coal 
seam, but above the top of the uppermost hydrocarbon-producing stratum, 
unless the District Manager requires a greater distance based on his 
judgment that it is required due to the geological strata or the 
pressure within the well. The mine operator shall provide the District 
Manager with all information he possesses concerning the geological 
nature of the strata and the pressure of the well. If it is not 
possible to set a mechanical bridge plug, an appropriately sized packer 
may be used. The mine operator shall document what has been done to 
``kill the well'' and plug the hydrocarbon producing strata.
    (11) If the upper-most hydrocarbon-producing stratum is within 300 
feet of the base of the Pittsburgh #8 coal seam, the mine operator 
shall properly place mechanical bridge plugs as described above in 
section (b) to isolate the hydrocarbon-producing stratum from the 
expanding cement plug.
    (12) The mine operator shall place a minimum of 400 feet of 
expanding cement below the Pittsburgh #8 coal seam, unless the District 
Manager requires a greater distance based on his judgment that it is 
required due to the geological strata or due to the pressure within the 
well.
    (c) The petitioner proposes to use the following mandatory 
procedures for plugging the Ester Clark 1H and 3H Gas Wells to the 
surface, after completely cleaning out the well.
    (1) Cement is specified to be used as a plugging material.
    (2) The mine operator shall pump cement slurry down the well to 
form a plug which runs from the original arrowset packer installed just 
above the ``kick off point'' in the well to 400 feet below the 
Pittsburgh #8 coal seam. The cement will be placed in the well under a 
pressure of at least 200 pounds per square inch. The mine operator 
shall pump expanding cement slurry down the well to form a plug which 
runs from 400 feet below the Pittsburgh #8 coal seam to the surface. 
The District Manager can modify the cementing plan based on his 
judgment due to the geological strata or the pressure within the well.
    (3) The mine operator shall embed steel turnings or other small 
magnetic particles in the top of the cement near the surface to serve 
as a permanent magnetic monument of the well. In the alternative, a 4-
inch or larger diameter casing, set in cement, shall extend at least 36 
inches above the ground level with the API well number engraved or 
welded on the casing. When the hole cannot be marked with a physical 
monument (e.g., prime farmland), high-resolution GPS coordinates (one-
half meter resolution) are required.
    (d) The petitioner proposes to use the following alternate 
procedures for preparing and plugging or replugging the Ester Clark IH 
and 3H Gas Wells.
    (1) If it is not possible to remove all of the casing, the mine 
operator shall notify the District Manager before any other work is 
performed.
    (2) If the well cannot be cleaned out or the casing removed, the 
mine operator shall prepare the well as described below from the 
surface to at least 400 feet below the base of the Pittsburgh #8 coal 
seam, unless the District Manager requires cleaning out and removal of 
casing to a greater depth based on his judgement as to what is required 
due to geological strata or the pressure within the well.
    (3) If the casing cannot be removed from the total depth, the well 
must be filled with cement from the lowest possible depth to 400 feet 
below the

[[Page 46020]]

Pittsburgh #8 coal seam, and the other applicable provisions in this 
petition still apply; or
    (4) If the casing cannot be removed, the casing shall be perforated 
from 400 feet below the Pittsburgh #8 coal seam, the annuli shall be 
cemented or otherwise filled, and the other applicable provisions in 
this petition still apply.
    (5) If the casing cannot be removed, the casing must be cut, 
milled, perforated, or ripped at sufficient intervals to facilitate the 
removal of any remaining casing in the coal seam by the mining 
equipment. Any casing which remains shall be cut, perforated, or ripped 
to permit the injection of cement into voids within and around the 
well. All casing remaining at the Pittsburgh #8 coal seam shall be cut, 
perforated, or ripped at least every 5 feet from 10 feet below the coal 
seam to 10 feet above the coal seam.
    (6) If the mine operator, using a casing bond log, can demonstrate 
to the District Manager's satisfaction that all annuli in the well are 
already adequately sealed with cement, the mine operator will not be 
required to perforate or rip the casing for that particular well. When 
multiple casing and tubing strings are present in the coal horizon(s), 
any casing which remains shall be ripped or perforated and filled with 
expanding cement as indicated above. An acceptable casing bond log for 
each casing and tubing string is needed if used in lieu of ripping or 
perforating multiple strings.
    (e) The petitioner proposed to use the following mandatory 
procedures when mining within a 100-foot diameter barrier around the 
Esther Clark 1H and 3H Gas Wells.
    (1) A representative of the mine operator, a representative of the 
miners, the appropriate State agency, or the MSHA District Manager may 
request that a conference be conducted prior to intersecting any 
plugged well. Upon receipt of any such request, the District Manager 
shall schedule such a conference. The party requesting the conference 
shall notify all other parties listed above within a reasonable time 
prior to the conference to provide opportunity for participation. The 
purpose of the conference shall be to review, evaluate, and accommodate 
any abnormal or unusual circumstance related to the condition of the 
well or surrounding strata when such conditions are encountered.
    (2) The mine operator shall intersect a well on a shift approved by 
the District Manager. The mine operator shall notify the District 
Manager and the miners' representative in sufficient time prior to 
intersecting a well to provide an opportunity to have representatives 
present.
    (3) When using continuous mining methods, the mine operator shall 
install drivage sites at the last open crosscut near the place to be 
mined to ensure intersection of the well. The drivage sites shall not 
be more than 50 feet from the well. When using longwall-mining methods, 
distance markers shall be installed on 5-foot centers for a distance of 
50 feet in advance of the well in the headgate entry and in the 
tailgate entry.
    (4) When either the conventional or continuous mining method is 
used, the mine operator shall ensure that fire-fighting equipment 
including fire extinguishers, rock dust, and sufficient fire hose to 
reach the workingface area of the well intersection is available and 
operable during all well intersections. The fire hose shall be located 
in the last open crosscut of the entry or room. The mine operator shall 
maintain the water line to the belt conveyor tailpiece along with a 
sufficient amount of fire hose to reach the farthest point of 
penetration on the section. When the longwall mining method is used, a 
hose to the longwall water supply is sufficient.
    (5) The mine operator shall ensure that sufficient supplies of roof 
support and ventilation materials shall be available and located at the 
last open crosscut. In addition, emergency plugs and suitable sealing 
materials shall be available in the immediate area of the well 
intersection.
    (6) On the shift prior to intersecting the well, the mine operator 
shall service all equipment and check it for permissibility. Water 
sprays, water pressures, and water flow rates used for dust and spark 
suppression shall he examined and any deficiencies corrected.
    (7) The mine operator shall calibrate the methane monitor(s) on the 
longwall, continuous mining machine, or cutting machine and loading 
machine on the shift prior to intersecting the well.
    (8) When mining is in progress, the mine operator shall test for 
methane with a handheld methane detector at least every 10 minutes from 
when mining with the continuous mining machine or longwall face is 
within 30 feet of the well until the well is intersected. During the 
actual cutting process, no individual shall be allowed on the return 
side until the well intersection has been completed and the area has 
been examined and declared safe. All workplace examinations on the 
return side of the shearer will be conducted while the shearer is idle. 
The mine operator's most current Approved Ventilation Plan will be 
followed at all times unless the District Manager deems a greater air 
velocity for the intersect is necessary.
    (9) When using continuous or conventional mining methods, the 
working place shall be free from accumulations of coal dust and coal 
spillages, and rock dust shall be placed on the roof, rib, and floor to 
within 20 feet of the face when intersecting the well. On longwall 
sections, rockdusting shall be conducted and placed on the roof, rib, 
and floor up to both the headgate and tailgate gob.
    (10) When the well is intersected, the mine operator shall de-
energize all equipment and thoroughly examine and determine the area to 
be safe before permitting mining to resume.
    (11) After a well has been intersected and the working place 
determined to be safe, mining shall continue inby the well a sufficient 
distance to permit adequate ventilation around the area of the well.
    (12) If the casing is cut or milled at the coal seam level, the use 
of torches should not be necessary. However, in rare instances, torches 
may be used for inadequately or inaccurately cut or milled casings. No 
open flame shall be permitted in the area until adequate ventilation 
has been established around the well bore and methane levels of less 
than 1.0% are present in all areas that will be exposed to flames and 
sparks from the torch. The mine operator shall apply a thick layer of 
rock dust to the roof, face, floor, ribs, and any exposed coal within 
20 feet of the casing prior to the use of torches.
    (13) Non-sparking (brass) tools will be available and will be used 
exclusively to expose and examine cased wells.
    (14) No person shall be permitted in the area of the well 
intersection except those actually engaged in the operation, including 
company personnel, representatives of the miners, personnel from MSHA, 
and personnel from the appropriate State agency.
    (15) The mine operator shall alert all personnel in the mine to the 
planned intersection of the well prior to their going underground if 
the planned intersection is to occur during their shift. This warning 
shall be repeated for all shifts until the well has been mined through.
    (16) The well intersection shall be under the direct supervision of 
a certified individual. Instructions concerning the well intersection 
shall be issued only by the certified individual in charge.
    (17) If the mine operator cannot find the well in the longwall 
panel or if a development section misses the anticipated intersection, 
the mine operator shall cease mining to examine

[[Page 46021]]

for hazardous conditions at the projected location of the well, notify 
the District Manager, and take reasonable measures to locate the well, 
including visual observation/inspection or through survey data. Mining 
may resume if the well is located and no hazardous conditions exist. If 
the well cannot be located, the mine operator shall work with District 
Manager to resolve any issues before mining resumes.
    (18) The provisions of this petition do not impair the authority of 
representatives of MSHA to interrupt or halt the well intersection and 
to issue a withdrawal order when they deem it necessary for the safety 
of the miners. MSHA may order an interruption or cessation of the well 
intersection and/or a withdrawal of personnel by issuing either a 
verbal or written order to that effect to a representative of the mine 
operator. Operations in the affected area of the mine may not resume 
until a representative of MSHA permits resumption. The mine operator 
and miners shall comply with verbal or written MSHA orders immediately. 
All verbal orders shall be committed to writing within a reasonable 
time as conditions permit.
    (19) A copy of the decision and order shall be maintained at the 
mine and available to the miners.
    (20) If the well is not plugged to the total depth of all minable 
coal seams identified in the core hole logs, any coal seams beneath the 
lowest plug will remain subject to the barrier requirements of 30 CFR 
75.1700, should those coal seams be developed in the future.
    (21) All necessary safety precautions and safe practices according 
to Industry Standards and required by MSHA regulations and State 
regulatory agencies having jurisdiction over the plugging site will be 
followed to provide the upmost protection to the miners involved in the 
process.
    (22) All miners involved in the plugging or re-plugging operations 
will be trained on the contents of the decision and order prior to 
starting the process, and a copy of the decision and order will be 
posted at the well site until the plugging or re-plugging has been 
completed.
    (23) Mechanical bridge plugs should incorporate the best available 
technologies that are either required or recognized by the State 
regulatory agency and/or oil and gas industry.
    (24) Within 30 days after the decision and order becomes final, the 
mine operator shall submit proposed revisions for its approved 30 CFR 
part 48 training plan to the District Manager. These proposed revisions 
shall include initial and refresher training on compliance with the 
terms and conditions stated in the decision and order. The mine 
operator shall provide all miners involved in well intersection with 
training on the requirements of the decision and order prior to mining 
within 150 feet of the well intended to be mined through.
    (25) The responsible person required under 30 CFR 75.1501 
(Emergency evacuations) is responsible for well intersection 
emergencies. The well intersection procedures should be reviewed by the 
responsible person prior to any planned intersection.
    (26) Within 30 days after the decision and order becomes final, the 
mine operator shall submit proposed revisions for its approved mine 
emergency evacuation and firefighting program of instruction required 
under 30 CFR 75.1502. The mine operator will revise the program of 
instruction to include the hazards and evacuation procedures to be used 
for well intersections. All underground miners will be trained in this 
revised plan within 30 days of submittal.
    The petitioner asserts that the alternate method proposed will at 
all times guarantee no less than the same measure of protection 
afforded the miners under the mandatory standard.

Jessica Senk,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 2021-17554 Filed 8-16-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4520-43-P