California Code of Regulations
Title 14 - Natural Resources
Division 2 - Department of Conservation
Chapter 4 - Development, Regulation, and Conservation of Oil and Gas Resources
Subchapter 1 - Onshore Well Regulations
Article 3 - Requirements
Section 1723 - Plugging and Abandonment-General Requirements
Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
(a) Cement Plugs. In general, cement plugs will be placed across specified intervals to protect oil and gas zones, to prevent degradation of usable waters, to protect surface conditions, and for public health and safety purposes. Cement may be mixed with or replaced by other substances with adequate physical properties, which substances shall be approved by the Supervisor. The application of these mixed materials and other substances to particular wells shall be at the discretion of the district deputy.
(b) Hole Fluid. Mud fluid having the proper weight and consistency to prevent movement of other fluids into the well bore shall be placed across all intervals not plugged with cement, and shall be surface poured into all open annuli.
(c) Plugging by Bailer. Placing of a cement plug by bailer shall not be permitted at a depth greater than 3,000 feet. Water is the only permissible hole fluid in which a cement plug shall be placed by bailer.
(d) Surface Pours. A surface cement-pour shall be permitted in an empty hole with a diameter of not less than 5 inches. Depth limitations shall be determined on an individual well basis by the district deputy.
(e) Blowout Prevention Equipment. Blowout prevention equipment may be required during plugging and abandonment operations. Any blowout prevention equipment and inspection requirements determined necessary by the district deputy shall appear on the approval to plug and abandon issued by the Division.
(f) Junk in Hole. Diligent effort shall be made to recover junk when such junk may prevent proper plugging and abandonment either in open hole or inside casing. In the event that junk cannot be removed from the hole and fresh-saltwater contacts or oil or gas zones penetrated below cannot therefore be properly abandoned, cement shall be downsqueezed through or past the junk and a 100-foot cement plug shall be placed on top of the junk. If it is not possible to downsqueeze through the junk, a 100-foot cement plug shall be placed on top of the junk.
(g) Lost Radioactive Tool. In the event that a source containing radioactive material cannot be retrieved from the hole, a 100-foot standard color dyed (red iron oxide or equivalent red cement dye) cement plug shall be placed on top of the radioactive tool, and a whipstock or other approved deflection device shall be placed on top of the cement plug to prevent accidental or intentional mechanical disintegration of the radioactive source. In addition, the operator shall comply with the California Department of Health Services regulations in Section of Title 1730346 of Title 17, Division 1, Chapter 5, Subchapter 4, Group 3, Article 7, of the California Code of Regulations.
1. Amendment filed 9-21-76; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 76, No. 39).
2. New NOTE filed 12-28-84; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 84, No. 52).
3. Change without regulatory effect amending subsections (e) and (f) filed 9-3-96 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 96, No. 36).
4. Amendment of subsection (a) and new subsection (g) filed 7-11-2006; operative 8-10-2006 (Register 2006, No. 28).
5. Change without regulatory effect amending subsections (a) and (e) filed 12-26-2006 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2006, No. 52).
Note: Authority cited: Sections 3013 and 3106, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3219 and 3228, Public Resources Code.
