South Carolina Code of Regulations Chapter 121 - DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Here’s a detailed overview of Chapter 121 – Department of Natural Resources, from the South Carolina Code of Regulations:
🛢️ 1. Oil & Gas Exploration, Drilling, and Production (§ 121‑8.0 – 121‑8.28)
• Purpose & Scope
- § 121‑8.0: Aims to prevent oil/gas waste, protect correlative rights, and avoid environmental pollution.
- § 121‑8.1: Applies statewide—including all land types (submerged, inland/offshore up to 3 mile limit) and governmental lands—under state jurisdiction. Special field rules may override general rules. (scstatehouse.gov)
• Definitions (§ 121‑8.2)
Detailed terminology provided (e.g., “barrel of oil,” “condensate,” “Class II wells,” “commission,” etc.) (scstatehouse.gov)
• Permitting and Operations
- § 121‑8.4: Requires exploration permits—submission of operational plan, mapping, insurance, fee, etc. (des.sc.gov)
- § 121‑8.5: Requires separate drilling permit per well, with site plans, bond (see § 121‑8.6), affidavits, and municipal consent if applicable.
• Bonding & Well Location
- § 121‑8.6: Performance bond required (per well or blanket bond), ensuring compliance.
- § 121‑8.9: Well spacing rules apply: ~300 ft from lease boundaries, 900 ft from other oil wells, 2000 ft for gas wells (exceptions possible). (scstatehouse.gov)
• Construction and Safety Standards
- § 121‑8.12: Casing and cementing mandatory to industry standards. (casetext.com)
- § 121‑8.15–16: Blow-out preventers required and tested; drilling fluid maintained to control pressure. (des.sc.gov)
• Environmental Protection
- § 121‑8.26: Confines water to its strata, mandates reporting of spills/leaks/fires (>2 barrels) within 15 days, governs pit/tank design, mud disposal, backfill, and compliance with DHEC. (law.cornell.edu)
• Injection Wells and Public Hearing
- § 121‑8.22: Regulates Class II injection wells—application must include geology, fluid analysis, notice/publishing, public hearing, ongoing monitoring. (des.sc.gov)
• Reporting, Hearing & Enforcement
- § 121‑8.14, 8.27–28: Cover well logs, sample reporting, and public hearings under the APA. Enforcement provisions align with Code § 48‑43‑810–850. (des.sc.gov)
💧 2. Water Use Reporting (§ 121‑10.1–10.10)
Outlines requirements for periodic water‐use reports, agricultural water reporting, driller logs, and confidential treatment of sensitive data.
🌾 3. Drought Planning & Response (§ 121‑11.1–11.12)
• Structure & Phases
Establishes Drought Response Committee and zones, phases (alert, moderate, severe, extreme), and mandatory public notification. (law.justia.com)
• Curtailment & Variance
Dept. may mandate curtailment of non-essential water use and homeowners can request variances within 10 days; mediation available for disputes. (law.justia.com)
• Local Planning
§ 11.12: DNR & DHEC issue model drought ordinance within six months of enactment; municipalities and water systems must develop consistent local plans within 12–18 months. (law.justia.com)
🔄 4. Interbasin Water Transfers (§ 121‑12.1–12.14)
Defines basins, establishes permit process for transfers, includes public notice, hearings, penalties. (law.justia.com)
✅ In Summary
Chapter 121 is broad in scope, governing:
Oil/gas exploration, drilling processes, environmental safeguards, injection operations.
Water‐use reporting and classification.
Drought‐response protocols at state and local levels.
Interbasin water transfers with community input and penalties for violations.
📚 How to Access the Full Text
Official PDF from SC State House: "Chapter 121 Department of Natural Resources" (scstatehouse.gov, law.justia.com)
Legals via Cornell LII: Lists all sections and definitions (law.cornell.edu)
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