Regulatory Citation(s): 

 

78.83c. Intermediate and production casing.

 

(b) If the well is to be equipped with an intermediate casing, centralizers shall be used…

 

(c) If the production casing is cemented in place, centralizers shall be used…

 

 

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 or cause bridging of cement, and are sufficiently durable that they will not malfunction when casing is being run or cemented.