Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 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.
