| (a) The owner or operator of a Class I salt cavern
disposal well shall prepare, maintain, and comply with a plan for
cavern closure that meets the minimum following requirements, and
that is acceptable to the executive director.
(1) The owner or operator shall submit the plan as
a part of the permit application and, upon approval, or approval with
modifications, by the executive director, such plan shall be a condition
of any permit issued.
(2) The owner or operator shall submit all proposed
revisions to the plan and obtain any necessary permit amendments,
as appropriate, over the life of the well and cavern.
(3) The plan shall include, at a minimum, the following
information:
(A) upon cessation of waste disposal, and prior to
cavern sealing, the operator shall:
(i) monitor the cavern pressure and cavern fluid volume
and fluid chemical composition, to provide information regarding the
cavern's natural closure characteristics and any ensuant pressure
buildup;
(ii) provide predictions from data gathered in clause
(i) of this subparagraph of cavern behavior after sealing is completed;
(iii) demonstrate, to the executive director, utilizing
actual pre-closure monitoring data, that the sealing of the cavern
will not result in any pressure buildup within the cavern that could
adversely affect the integrity of the cavern, well, or seal;
(iv) fill all partially filled caverns with crushed
salt or another approved suitable material which is compatible with
the waste and the salt stock;
(v) complete any monitoring of the cavern and its contents
required by rule or permit;
(vi) use redundant seals or plugs, comprised of different
compositions and sealing properties, to provide for immediate as well
as long-term salt cavern injection zone containment;
(vii) obtain written authorization from the executive
director for cavern sealing;
(B) upon completion of cavern sealing, the owner or
operator shall:
(i) monitor the seal for leaks;
(ii) demonstrate to the executive director that the
seal is not leaking prior to requesting authorization for closing
the wellbore;
(iii) obtain written authorization from the executive
director to begin well closure.
(b) The well shall be closed in accordance with §331.46
of this title (relating to Closure Standards).
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