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 1723.5 - Surface Plugging

The hole and all annuli shall be plugged at the surface with at least a 25-foot cement plug. The district deputy may require that inner strings of uncemented casing be removed to at least the base of the surface plug prior to placement of the plug.

All well casing shall be cut off at least 5 feet but no more than 10 feet below the surface of the ground. The district deputy may approve a different cut-off depth, as conditions warrant, including but not limited to excavation or grading operations for construction purposes. As defined in Section 1760(j), a steel plate at least as thick as the outer well casing shall be welded around the circumference of the casing at the top of the casing, after Division approval of the surface plug. The steel plate shall show the well's identification, indicated by the last five digits of the API well number.

1. Amendment filed 9-21-76; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 76, No. 39).
2. Amendment filed 6-30-80; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 80, No. 27).
3. Amendment filed 12-28-84; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 84, No. 52).
4. Amendment of second paragraph filed 7-22-98; operative 8-21-98 (Register 98, No. 30).
5. Amendment filed 7-11-2006; operative 8-10-2006 (Register 2006, No. 28).
6. Change without regulatory effect amending last paragraph 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: Section 3106, Public Resources Code.