Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 52, December 27, 2024
(a) Pressure Testing. Pressure testing
conducted to satisfy the requirements of Sections
1752,
1772.1, or
1772.5 shall be conducted
according to the following parameters:
(1)
Pressure testing shall be conducted with a liquid unless the Division approves
pressure testing with gas.
(2) If
pressure testing will be conducted with a liquid that contains additives other
than brine, corrosion inhibitors, or biocides, then the operator shall consult
with the Division regarding the contents of the liquid prior to commencing
testing.
(3) The wellbore shall be
filled with a stable column of fluid that is free of excess gasses.
(4) Pressure tests shall be recorded and a
calibrated gauge shall be used that can record a pressure with an accuracy
within one percent of the test pressure. Pressure shall be recorded at least
once per minute during testing. If an analog gauge is used, then the test
pressure shall be within the mid-range scale of the gauge. The pressure test
results shall be submitted to the Division in digital tabular format within 60
days of the date the test is conducted. The charts or digital recording of the
pressures during testing shall be provided to the Division upon
request.
(5) Pressure tests shall
be conducted at an initial pressure of at least 200 psi above surface
pressure.
(6) A pressure test is
successful if the pressure gauge does not show more than a three percent change
from the initial test pressure over a continuous 30-minute period, except that
if the well is within the area of review for a cyclic steam injection well or a
steamflood injection well, then an increase in pressure of as much as 10
percent is a successful test.
(7)
The Division may modify the testing parameters specified in this subdivision on
a case-by-case basis if, in the Division's judgement, the modification is
necessary to ensure an effective test of the integrity of the
casing.
(b) Inert Gas
Depression Testing. The operator may conduct an inert gas depression test to
satisfy the pressure testing requirements of Sections
1752,
1772.1, or
1772.5, unless the computed
necessary pressure under subdivision (b)(1) is less than 500 psi. An inert gas
depression test conducted to satisfy the requirements of Sections
1752,
1772.1, or
1772.5 shall be conducted
according to the following parameters:
(1)
Based on measurement of the fluid level in the well and an estimation of the
specific gravity of the fluid, the operator shall compute the pressure and
corresponding volume of gas necessary to displace the fluid level down to a
depth that is within 100 feet measured depth above the uppermost perforation,
immediately above the casing shoe of the deepest cemented casing, or
immediately above the top of the landed liner, whichever is highest. If the top
of the landed liner is 100 feet or more above the cemented casing shoe, then
the depth shall be specified by the Division on a case-by-case basis. If the
computed necessary pressure is less than 500 psi, then an inert gas depression
test shall not be used to satisfy the pressure testing requirements of Sections
1752,
1772.1, or
1772.5.
(2) Inert gas shall be injected into the well
in a volume as computed under subdivision (b)(1), and the fluid level shall be
measured again to determine if fluid has been displaced to the correct depth.
Inert gas shall be added or removed as needed to displace fluid to the correct
depth.
(3) The test shall be
recorded and a calibrated gauge shall be used that can record a pressure with
an accuracy within one percent of the testing pressure, and pressure shall be
recorded at least once per minute during testing. If an analog gauge is used,
then the test pressure shall be within the mid-range scale of the gauge. The
test results shall be submitted to the Division in a digital tabular format
within 60 days, along with all fluid-level measurements taken, the estimation
of the specific gravity of the fluid in the well, and the computation of
pressure necessary to displace fluid to the correct depth. The charts or
digital recording of the pressures during testing shall be provided to the
Division upon request.
(4) For the
test to be successful, the fluid level must be static and the pressure must
stabilize at the calculated pressure with a change of no more than one percent
over a continuous 60-minute period. A fluid level shall be taken at the end of
the test to confirm that the correct depth was maintained.
(5) The Division may modify the testing
parameters specified in this subdivision on a case-by-case basis if, in the
Division's judgment, the modification is necessary to ensure an effective test
of the integrity of the casing.
(c) Alternate Testing Methods. An alternate
mechanical integrity testing method may be used to satisfy the pressure testing
requirements of Sections
1752,
1772.1, or
1772.5 if the alternate testing
method has been approved by the Division on a case-by-case basis as being at
least as effective as pressure testing to demonstrate the integrity of the
well. Examples of alternate testing methods that would be considered on a
case-by-case basis are a casing wall thickness inspection to estimate internal
and external corrosion, employing such methods as magnetic flux or ultrasonic
technologies; or a combination of an ultrasonic imaging tool and a cement
evaluation log.
(d) Passive
Testing. If a well is a low-priority idle well, then the operator may satisfy
the pressure testing requirements of Sections
1752,
1772.1, or
1772.5 by conducting a caliper
survey, provided the Division has approved the testing protocols as effective
for evaluating well integrity.
(e)
Before conducting any testing under this section, the operator shall give the
appropriate district office 24 hours' notice, or a shorter notice acceptable to
the district office, so that Division staff may witness the testing.
1. New
section filed 3-20-2019; operative 4-1-2019 pursuant to Government Code section
11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2019, No. 12).
Note: Authority cited: Section 3013, Public Resources
Code. Reference: Sections 3106 and 3206.1, Public Resources
Code.
