South Carolina Administrative Code

121-8.12. Casing and Cementing. A. The operator of any oil or gas well shall case and cement all wells with a sufficient number of strings of casing in a manner necessary to: (1) Prevent release of fluids from any stratum through the well bore (directly or indirectly) into the gr…

121-8.13. Plugging. A. All oil wells or gas wells shall be plugged within thirty (30) days after temporary abandonment, unless special provisions have been approved by the Commission. Prior to commencing to plug or abandon any oil or gas well, the operator thereof shall notify th…

121-8.14. Reports, Logs and Samples. A. During the drilling of every permitted well, the owner, operator, contractor, driller or other person responsible for the conduct of drilling operations shall keep at the well a detailed and accurate written record of the well which shall b…

121-8.15. Blow-out Prevention. Adequate blow-out preventers and high pressure fittings for keeping the well under control shall be attached to properly anchored and cemented casing strings. The blow-out preventers must meet the approval of the Commission and shall be tested regul…

121-8.16. Drilling Fluid. In rotary drilling operations requiring drilling fluids, the operator shall continuously maintain drilling fluid in the hole, from top to bottom, of sufficient weight to control any pressure which may be encountered; provided, however, an operator may us…

121-8.17. Directional Drilling. A. All wells must be drilled with due diligence to maintain a reasonably vertical well bore; however, upon application by an operator to drill a well that is to be intentionally deviated and directionally controlled, a permit may be issued by the C…

121-8.18. Chemical Treatment and Fracturing. A. Wells shall not be chemically treated, or fractured, until the permission of the Commission is obtained. Each well shall be treated, or fractured in such a manner as will not cause injury to the formation, or result in water encroac…

121-8.19. Production Operations. A. Before any oil or gas well is completed as a producer, the producing horizons shall be sealed or separated in order to prevent their contents from passing into other strata. B. All flowing wells shall be produced through tubing anchored by a pa…

121-8.2. Definitions. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms below shall be defined as follows: A. ‘‘Act’’ means Act 179 of 1977, Part 1 (Section 48-43-10, et seq., Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, as amended). B. ‘‘Barrel of Oil’’ means forty-two gallons of 231 cu…

121-8.20. Pool Classification and Determination of Allowables. A. Upon discovery of each new field or pool, the Commission shall assign to it a name consisting of: (1) A landmark designation with appropriate directional symbol; and (2) The geologic name of the producing reservoir…

121-8.21. Transportation. A. No pipeline shall be used to transport oil or gas across a property line within the state without a permit from the Commission. Application for the permit shall be accompanied by a may showing: (1) The proposed location of the pipeline or gathering sy…

121-8.22. Underground Injection for Enhanced Recovery, Saltwater and Oil-Field Wastes, and Hydrocarbon Storage. A. The Commission, upon notice and hearing, may authorize the following activities: (1) Operations to increase ultimate recovery, such as cycling of gas, maintenance of…

121-8.23. Water Wells. Any water well used in connection with the drilling of an oil or gas well shall be constructed in such a manner that will ensure proper protection from contamination of the fresh water aquifers. Said well shall be grouted to a depth of at least 50 feet or u…

121-8.26. Environmental Protection and Safety. A. All water shall be confined to its respective strata and shall be adequately protected in any exploration or production operations. B. All drillers, owners, operators, and individuals having control of the operation of any oil or …

121-8.27. Hearings. A. All hearings conducted by the Commission or persons designated by the Commission to hold hearings on behalf of the Commission, whether to obtain public views or to hear contested cases shall be preceded by thirty (30) days notice as applicable, either by wr…

121-8.28. Enforcement. In addition to those penalties provided in Sections 48-43-810 through 48-43-850, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, as amended, the Commission or its authorized representative may order the immediate suspension of all or any part of the exploration, dril…

121-8.3. General. A. Any person operating wholly or partially within this State for the purpose of oil and gas exploration, drilling or operating any oil or gas well, or transporting, storing, or refining oil or gas produced within the state shall file an Affidavit of Ownership a…

121-8.4. Exploration Permits. A. No person shall commence exploration for oil or gas in the State without first obtaining an exploration permit from the Commission. In order to obtain an exploration permit, an applicant shall submit the following information: (1) A letter or stat…

121-8.5. Well Drilling Permits. A. No person shall drill any well, as defined in Section 121-8.2 without first obtaining a well drilling permit from the Commission. A separate application and permit shall be required for each well drilled. B. In order to obtain a well drilling pe…

121-8.6. Performance Bond. A. Before any person shall be granted a well drilling permit, such person shall file with the Commission a reasonable performance bond in an amount as hereinafter set forth, as provided in Section 121-8.5(b). Such bond shall be payable to the State of S…

121-8.7. Permit Actions. A. The Commission shall, as expeditiously as possible and in all instances within (30) days of the receipt of a properly completed application and all other required information for a well drilling permit either issue or deny the well permit. If the compl…

121-8.8. Change of Operator. A. Any person or persons requesting to become the new operator of any permitted well or wells shall submit to the Commission the following: (1) A properly completed application, on forms provided by the Commission; (2) An Affidavit of Ownership and Or…

121-8.9. Spacing of Wells. A. Wells drilled in search of oil or gas in areas not covered by field rules shall not be located nearer than three hundred thirty (330) feet from every lease boundary. Wells drilled in search of oil shall not be located nearer than nine hundred (900) f…

123-1. Repealed. HISTORY: Former Regulation, titled Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971; Inland Navigation Rule Act; International Navigation Rules Act of 1977 Adopted, repealed by SCSR 45-5 Doc. No. 5021, eff May 28, 2021.

123-10. Restriction of Watercraft in Certain Areas. The use of watercraft shall be restricted in certain areas of the waters of the State of S.C. when the Director determines that such restriction is necessary in the interest of public safety. The regulated areas shall be identif…

123-104. Repealed. HISTORY: Former Regulation, titled Taking Gizzard Shad and Herring in Certain Waters, repealed by SCSR 45-5 Doc. No. 5018, eff May 28, 2021.

123-107. Repealed. HISTORY: Former Regulation, titled Live Trout in Eating Establishments, repealed by SCSR 45-5 Doc. No. 5018, eff May 28, 2021.

123-108. Sale of Trout at Fairs. 1. The Department shall have authority to issue a special permit to any state, county or local fair, circus or temporary or travelling amusement center or show to allow the sale of hatchery raised trout to patrons thereof whereby such fish are dis…

123-11. Garden City Canal (Murrel’s Inlet Area)—Restriction of Watercraft. The use of watercraft will be restricted in the waters in the Garden City Canal, in the Murrels Inlet Area, of Georgetown County and Horry County, S.C. The Garden City Canal begins at a point on Main Creek…

123-118. Repealed. HISTORY: Former Regulation, titled Lake Warren Management Area (Hampton County), repealed by SCSR 45-5 Doc. No. 5018, eff May 28, 2021.

123-12. Repealed. HISTORY: Former Regulation, titled Orange Canal, French Quarter Creek—Restriction of Watercraft, repealed by SCSR 45-5 Doc. No. 5017, eff May 28, 2021.

123-123. Repealed. HISTORY: Former Regulation, titled Fishing in Lake Jocassee and Lake Richard B. Russell, repealed by SCSR 45-5 Doc. No. 5018, eff May 28, 2021.

123-124. Reciprocal Agreement Between the State of Georgia and the State of South Carolina. 1. The provisions of this agreement shall be applicable to the waters which lie adjacent to or within both the State of South Carolina and the State of Georgia, to wit: All channels of the…

123-125. Repealed. HISTORY: Former Regulation, titled Alexander Sprunt, Jr., Wildlife Refuge and Sanctuary, repealed by SCSR 45-5 Doc. No. 5020, eff May 28, 2021.

123-126. Repealed. HISTORY: Former Regulation, titled Fishing in Portions of Howard Creek, Corbin Creek and Devil’s Fork Creek, had the following history: Amended by State Register Volume 16, Issue No. 6, eff June 26, 1992. Repealed by SCSR 45-5 Doc. No. 5018, eff May 28, 2021.

123-127. Taking Eels and Catfish in Certain Waters. 1. This rule and regulation regulates the taking of eels in the following waters of this State: In Lake Marion, Lake Moultrie, the Diversion Canal connecting the lakes and the Tail Canal down to the Seabord Coastal Railroad Brid…

123-13. Repealed. HISTORY: Former Regulation, titled Saluda Lake (Jerry’s Cove)—Restriction of Watercraft, repealed by SCSR 45-5 Doc. No. 5017, eff May 28, 2021.

123-130. Repealed. HISTORY: Former Regulation, titled Lake Murray-Daily Creel and Size Limit of Striped Bass (Rockfish), repealed by SCSR 45-5 Doc. No. 5018, eff May 28, 2021.

123-131. Creel Limits and Bait/Lure Restrictions in Portions of Chattooga River, Cheohee Creek (Oconee County) and Middle Saluda River (Greenville County). (Statutory Authority: 1976 Code § 50-13-250) 1. It shall be lawful to use or possess only artificial lures with single hooks…

123-14. Lake Marion (Cantey Bay)—Restriction of Watercraft. The use of watercraft will be restricted in the waters in a 318 acre area on the west side of Cantey Bay, Lake Marion, Clarendon County, S.C., from 1 November through 15 March of each year. The restricted or controlled a…

123-15. Repealed. HISTORY: Former Regulation, titled Ashepoo River, repealed by SCSR 45-5 Doc. No. 5017, eff May 28, 2021.

123-150. Non-Game and Endangered Species. 1. The following list of species or subspecies of non-game wildlife are faced with extinction in the foreseeable future and are added to the official State List of Endangered Wildlife Species of South Carolina. I. Birds 1. Bachman’s Warbl…

123-150.1. Cheloniidae and Dermochelyidae (Sea Turtles). 1. The remaining species of the families Cheloniidae and Dermochelyidae (sea turtles) not listed in South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department Regulation 123-150 are considered threatened and in need of managem…

123-150.2. Birds, Fish, Reptiles, Amphibians and Mammals. The following list of species or subspecies of non-game wildlife are considered to be threatened and are added to the official state list of Non-game Species in Need of Management. I. Birds 1. American Peregrine Falcon (Fa…

123-150.3. Scientific Collecting Permit Required. That a scientific collecting permit under the terms of § 50-11-2190, 1976 Code of Laws, shall be required for the collecting of all nongame species or subspecies of the Classes Pices (Fish), Amphibia (Amphibians), Reptilia (Reptil…

123-151. Regulations for Species or Subspecies of Non-game Wildlife. A. Alligator Harvest 1. The size and number of all alligators to be taken will be specified by the Department on permits provided with harvest tags. A permit holder may only take and/or possess alligators identi…

123-151.1. Regulations for Spotted Turtle ( Clemmys guttata ). A. Spotted Turtle Protection 1. A person shall not take, possess, transport, import, export, process, sell, purchase, offer for sale, trade, gift, barter, ship, or receive for shipment any spotted turtle ( Clemmys gut…