Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
(a) The operator shall, at a minimum, conduct the following mechanical integrity testing on each gas storage well and every other well that penetrates the gas storage reservoir of the operator's underground gas storage project, with the exception of wells that have been plugged and abandoned in accordance with Public Resources Code section 3208:
(1) A temperature and noise log shall be conducted at least annually to ensure integrity. Logging shall include a repeat section of no less than 200 feet, preferably across intervals where anomalies are present. If an anomaly is identified that indicates a possible loss of or threat to the mechanical integrity of the well, then the operator shall immediately report the anomaly to the appropriate district office. If the operator is unable to explain any anomaly, then the well shall not be used for injection or withdrawal without subsequent approval from the Division.
(2) A casing wall thickness inspection to estimate internal and external corrosion, employing such methods as magnetic flux or ultrasonic technologies, shall be performed at least once every 24 months to determine if there are possible issues with casing integrity. Logging shall include a repeat section of no less than 200 feet, preferably across intervals where anomalies are present. The results shall be compared against prior results and any other available data to determine the corrosion rate. If the casing wall thickness inspection indicates that within the next 24 months thinning of the casing will diminish the casing's ability to contain 115 percent of the well's maximum allowable operating pressure utilizing Barlow's equation or another, similarly effective method, then the well shall be remediated and shall not be used for injection or withdrawal without subsequent approval from the Division. The Division may approve a less frequent casing wall thickness inspection schedule for a well if the operator demonstrates that the well's corrosion rate is low enough that biennial inspection is not necessary.
(3) Pressure testing of the production casing shall be conducted at a minimum frequency determined on a well-by-well basis under Section 1726.3, subdivision (d)(3), provided that the well-specific minimum pressure testing frequency has been reviewed and approved by the Division. If the Division has not approved a well-specific minimum pressure testing frequency for a well as part of the Risk Management Plan, then the operator shall pressure test the well at least once every 24 months. If injection in the gas storage well is through tubing and packer, then the pressure test shall be of the casing-tubing annulus of the well. Pressure testing shall be conducted in accordance with the parameters specified in Section 1726.6.1. If a required pressure test is not successfully completed, then the operator shall immediately notify the Division and the well shall not be used for injection or withdrawal without subsequent approval from the Division.
(b) A newly constructed gas storage well, or a reworked gas storage well that has had its existing production casing modified from its previous condition during rework activities, shall be tested in accordance with subdivision (a) prior to use. The Division may waive some or all of the mechanical testing requirements for a reworked gas storage based on the nature of the work performed.
(c) The Division may require additional testing as needed to demonstrate the integrity of the well.
(d) The appropriate district office shall be notified at least 48 hours before performing mechanical integrity testing so that Division staff may have an opportunity to witness the testing. All mechanical integrity testing shall be documented and copies of test results shall be submitted to the Division in an electronic format within 30 days.
1. New section filed 6-28-2018; operative 10-1-2018 (Register 2018, No. 26).
Note: Authority cited: Sections 3013, 3106 and 3180, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3106, 3180, 3181, 3220 and 3403.5, Public Resources Code.
