Regulatory
Citation(s):
78.83.
Surface and coal protective casing and cementing procedures.
(c)
When drilling a new well or redrilling an existing
well, the operator shall install at least one centralizer within 50 feet of the
casing seat and then install a centralizer in intervals no greater than every
150 feet above the first centralizer.
(f)
The operator shall install at least one centralizer within 50 feet of the
casing seat and then install a centralizer in intervals no greater than, if
possible, every 150 feet above the first centralizer.
(g)
The operator shall install at least two centralizers. One centralizer shall be
within 50 feet of the casing seat and the second centralizer shall be within
100 feet of the surface.
(i)
The operator shall install at least one centralizer within 50 feet of the
casing seat and then, if possible, install a centralizer in intervals no
greater than every 150 feet above the first centralizer.
Question:
Do operators need to use store-bought
centralizers or can they make their own?
Response:
The
regulations do not specify whether centralizers must be purchased from an
established manufacturer or if they can be fabricated by the
driller/operator. Therefore, any
centralizers can be used provided they function effectively as centralizers,
i.e., they are capable of keeping the casing string centralized within the
wellbore, do not impede flow or cause bridging of cement, and are sufficiently
durable that they will not malfunction when casing is being run or cemented.