to whether or not the well to be plugged was used as an
injection or disposal well; the well's history; the well's current
bottom hole pressure; the presence of highly pressurized formations
intersected by the wellbore; the method by which the alternative material
will be placed in the wellbore; and the compressive strength and other
performance specifications of the alternative material to be used.
The director or the director's delegate shall approve such a request
only if the proposed alternate material and plugging method will ensure
that the well does not pose a potential threat of harm to natural
resources.
(5) Operators shall use only cementers approved by
the director or the director's delegate, except when plugging is conducted
in accordance with subparagraph (B)(ii) of this paragraph or paragraph
(6) of this subsection. Cementing companies, service companies, or
operators may apply for designation as approved cementers. Approval
will be granted on a showing by the applicant of the ability to mix
and pump cement or other alternate materials as approved by the director
or the director's delegate in compliance with this rule. An approved
cementer is authorized to conduct plugging operations in accordance
with Commission rules in each Commission district.
(A) A cementing company, service company, or operator
seeking designation as an approved cementer shall file a request in
writing with the district director of the district in which it proposes
to conduct its initial plugging operations. The request shall contain
the following information:
(i) the name of the organization as shown on its most
recent approved organizational report;
(ii) a list of qualifications including personnel who
will supervise mixing and pumping operations;
(iii) length of time the organization has been in the
business of cementing oil and gas wells;
(iv) an inventory of the type of equipment to be used
to mix and pump cement or other alternate materials as approved by
the director or the director's delegate; and
(v) a statement certifying that the organization will
comply with all Commission rules.
(B) No request for designation as an approved cementer
will be approved until after the district director or the director's
delegate has:
(i) inspected all equipment to be used for mixing and
pumping cement or other alternate materials as approved by the director
or the director's delegate; and
(ii) witnessed at least one plugging operation to determine
if the cementing company, service company, or operator can properly
mix and pump cement or other alternate materials as approved by the
director or the director's delegate according to the specifications
required by this rule.
(C) The district director or the director's delegate
shall file a letter with the director or the director's delegate recommending
that the application to be designated as an approved cementer be approved
or denied. If the district director or the director's delegate does
not recommend approval, or the director or the director's delegate
denies the application, the applicant may request a hearing on its
application.
(D) Designation as an approved cementer may be suspended
or revoked for violations of Commission rules. The designation may
be revoked or suspended administratively by the director or the director's
delegate for violations of Commission rules if:
(i) the cementer has been given written notice by personal
service or by registered or certified mail informing the cementer
of the proposed action, the facts or conduct alleged to warrant the
proposed action, and of its right to request a hearing within 10 days
to demonstrate compliance with Commission rules and all requirements
for retention of designation as an approved cementer; and
(ii) the cementer did not file a written request for
a hearing within 10 days of receipt of the notice.
(6) An operator may request administrative authority
to plug its own wells without being an approved cementer. An operator
seeking such authority shall file a written request with the district
director and demonstrate its ability to mix and pump cement or other
alternate materials as approved by the director or the director's
delegate in compliance with this subsection. The district director
or the director's delegate shall determine whether such a request
warrants approval. If the district director or the director's delegate
refuses to administratively approve this request, the operator may
request a hearing on its request.
(7) The district director or the director's delegate
may require additional cement plugs to cover and contain any productive
horizon or to separate any water stratum from any other water stratum
if the water qualities or hydrostatic pressures differ sufficiently
to justify separation. The tagging and/or pressure testing of any
such plugs, or any other plugs, and respotting may be required if
necessary to ensure that the well does not pose a potential threat
of harm to natural resources.
(8) For onshore or inland wells, a 10-foot cement plug
shall be placed in the top of the well, and casing shall be cut off
three feet below the ground surface.
(9) Mud-laden fluid of at least 9-1/2 pounds per gallon
with a minimum funnel viscosity of 40 seconds shall be placed in all
portions of the well not filled with cement or other alternate material
as approved by the director or the director's delegate. The hole shall
be in static condition at the time the cement plugs are placed. The
district director or the director's delegate may grant exceptions
to the requirements of this paragraph if a deviation from the prescribed
minimums for fluid weight or viscosity will insure that the well does
not pose a potential threat of harm to natural resources. An operator
shall request approval to use alternate fluid other than mud-laden
fluid by filing with the district director a written request providing
all pertinent information to support the use of the proposed alternate
fluid. The district director or the director's delegate shall determine
whether such a request warrants approval, and shall approve such a
request only if the proposed alternate fluid will insure that the
well does not pose a potential threat of harm to natural resources.
(10) Non-drillable material that would hamper or prevent
reentry of a well shall not be placed in any wellbore during plugging
operations, except in the case of a well plugged and abandoned under
the provisions of §3.35 or §4.614(b) of this title (relating
to Procedures for Identification and Control of Wellbores in Which
Certain Logging Tools Have Been Abandoned (Statewide Rule 35); and
Authorized Disposal Methods, respectively). Pipe and unretrievable
junk shall not be cemented in the hole during plugging operations
without prior approval by the district director or the director's
delegate.
(11) All cement plugs, except the top plug, shall have
sufficient slurry volume to fill 100 feet of hole, plus 10% for each
1,000 feet of depth from the ground surface to the bottom of the plug.
(12) The operator shall fill the rathole, mouse hole,
and cellar, and shall empty all tanks, vessels, related piping and
flowlines that will not be actively used in the continuing operation
of the lease within 120 days after plugging work is completed. Within
the same 120 day period, the operator shall remove all such tanks,
vessels, and related piping, remove all loose junk and trash from
the location, and contour the location to discourage pooling of surface
water at or around the facility site. The operator shall close all
pits in accordance with the provisions of §3.8 of this title
(relating to Water Protection (Statewide Rule 8)). The district director
or the director's delegate may grant a reasonable extension of time
of not more than an additional 120 days for the removal of tanks,
vessels and related piping.
(e) Plugging requirements for wells with surface casing.
(1) When insufficient surface casing is set to protect
all usable quality water strata and such usable quality water strata
are exposed to the wellbore when production or intermediate casing
is pulled from the well or as a result of such casing not being run,
a cement plug shall be a minimum of 100 feet in length and shall extend
at least 50 feet above and 50 feet below the base of the deepest usable
quality water stratum. This plug shall be evidenced by tagging with
tubing or drill pipe. The plug shall be respotted if it has not been
properly placed. In addition, a cement plug shall be set across the
shoe of the surface casing. This plug shall be a minimum of 100 feet
in length and shall extend at least 50 feet above and below the shoe.
(2) When sufficient surface casing has been set to
protect all usable quality water strata, a cement plug shall be placed
across the shoe of the surface casing. This plug shall be a minimum
of 100 feet in length and shall extend at least 50 feet above the
shoe and at least 50 feet below the shoe.
Cont'd... |