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.